How does one pass the visa interview?

[insipidtoast 3]

Assuming an applicant already submitted all the necessary documentation correctly, and passed the medical exam, what is the point of the visa interview at the embassy/consulate?

Is the interview basically a formality where one takes a legal oath? What would cause a spouse to not pass the interview? I just can't imagine how a person wouldn't pass the interview.

[Ortolan 381]

The interview is not "basically a formality." The interview is a chance, for the approving consular officer, to have you, in person, answer any questions about materials in your application that, while they might appear genuine and correctly filed, may still be questionable or unclear, even though they might not at first review warrant an RFE.

The CO still can choose not to approve your visa if they determine, through the interview, that there is a reasonable probability of fraud, even if your documentation all appears correct.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

The interview is very much not a formality, try telling that to the people who have to go through high fraud embassies!

The consular officer is there to interview you in person and to determine if the relationship is genuine. Its easy to fill in forms but harder to answer potentially difficult and searching questions in person.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Hotter Otter

[Frips 166]

It is possible. COs can find if relationship is fake through the interview. They are trained for this job.

[Boiler 43,425]

The way it is. Many are a formality, some are not.

[dwheels76 5,459]

Assuming an applicant already submitted all the necessary documentation correctly, and passed the medical exam, what is the point of the visa interview at the embassy/consulate?

Is the interview basically a formality where one takes a legal oath? What would cause a spouse to not pass the interview? I just can't imagine how a person wouldn't pass the interview.

You may not can imagine but real legitimate couples get denied every day at every embassy in this world. It happens. In many cases it could be very weak evidence submitted. Just because UCIS approved doesn't mean a CO at interview will.

Go read what ebunoluwa said the Co told her why she denied "she had a gut feeling they didn't have what t takes for a happy marriage".

There's many reasons why people get denied and please don't think this is a formality. Not even. Your embassy isn't exactly a cake walk so please take it serious.

Have you gone through and read the consular reviews for you country to get a feeling how CO's are there?

[TBoneTX 43,042]

No Latin or South American consulate is to be taken lightly, although Lima is not the worst. Thank your lucky stars that you're not interviewing in a certain small neighboring country.

[Operator 1,925]

Assuming an applicant already submitted all the necessary documentation correctly, and passed the medical exam, what is the point of the visa interview at the embassy/consulate?

Is the interview basically a formality where one takes a legal oath? What would cause a spouse to not pass the interview? I just can't imagine how a person wouldn't pass the interview.

As you can tell from the responses you have received it's very important not to take the interview lightly.

Things that would cause a spouse to not pass are numerous. The consular officer has a short time to decide; among other things, if it is a bona fide marriage. If there is any doubt in the CO's mind they will issue a denial.

If everything is in order there is no need to worry but certainly the beneficiary should be well prepared.

Good luck!

[cocolucho 35]

Assuming an applicant already submitted all the necessary documentation correctly, and passed the medical exam, what is the point of the visa interview at the embassy/consulate?

Is the interview basically a formality where one takes a legal oath? What would cause a spouse to not pass the interview? I just can't imagine how a person wouldn't pass the interview.

Certainly the interview is not a formality and definitely not in Lima, some interviews can be easier and some much much harder. Submitting all the documentations or passing the medical exams is not an indication that you are save especially if your relationship has been a rocky one.

What it will cause you not to pass, be on AP, or get the visa denied could be from anything to anything, not telling the truth for example, lying about your relationship (proving that it is a genuine one), etc.... The embassy personnel giving the interview are well trained to detect lies during the interview process. If your case is straightforward don't worry too much just be prepare to truthfully answer all the questions given.

I attended my wife's and daughter's interview in Lima and I believe it helped to show that I was there by their side, it can help your wife to feel less stress for sure as any interview can be nerve wrecking. Since you are in Lima you should consider attending the interview and be by your wife's side, just a suggestion :-)

Also double check that you have everything you need for the interview, everything it was asked on the information letter and appointment letter.

Best of luck to you and your wife!

[Ian H. 207]

Immigrant visa interviews are not to be taken lightly, especially those based on marriage. You could say that interviews where there is a biological relationship such as parent-child and siblings are usually a formality because then it's mostly a matter of the immigrant's admissibility.

However, in the case of spouses there has been so much fraud over the decades that they have really strict guidelines they have to follow when conducting these interviews. The biggest part is the relationship since that is what everything else is based on. They have to be convinced of the relationship in order to issue the visa.

You as the couple have to prove to the satisfaction of a very skeptical stranger that your relationship is the real deal. It is very heartbreaking and devastating when a couple experiences a visa denial because it means a longer time apart, and in some extreme cases a permanent denial due to being inadmissible.

So many things can go wrong during the interview if there is anything that stands out to them about your relationship. Things like language/cultural/religious barriers, large age differences, cheating on each other, not disclosing previous relationships or children, marrying someone while they are in removal proceedings, etc.

Not that these things always result in denials, but they often do and/or typically result in fraud interviews. The point here is that you have to be well prepared with plenty of evidence and ready to answer all of the CO's questions honestly and calmly. You can search through the forums about the bad experiences others have had during their visa interviews or AOS interviews.

Forgot to add that fiancé(e) relationships are also subject to stricter interviews as well.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Ian H.

[msbau764 245]

Immigrant visa interviews are not to be taken lightly, especially those based on marriage. You could say that interviews where there is a biological relationship such as parent-child and siblings are usually a formality because then it's mostly a matter of the immigrant's admissibility.

However, in the case of spouses there has been so much fraud over the decades that they have really strict guidelines they have to follow when conducting these interviews. The biggest part is the relationship since that is what everything else is based on. They have to be convinced of the relationship in order to issue the visa.

You as the couple have to prove to the satisfaction of a very skeptical stranger that your relationship is the real deal. It is very heartbreaking and devastating when a couple experiences a visa denial because it means a longer time apart, and in some extreme cases a permanent denial due to being inadmissible.

So many things can go wrong during the interview if there is anything that stands out to them about your relationship. Things like language/cultural/religious barriers, large age differences, cheating on each other, not disclosing previous relationships or children, marrying someone while they are in removal proceedings, etc.

Not that these things always result in denials, but they often do and/or typically result in fraud interviews. The point here is that you have to be well prepared with plenty of evidence and ready to answer all of the CO's questions honestly and calmly. You can search through the forums about the bad experiences others have had during their visa interviews or AOS interviews.

Forgot to add that fiancé(e) relationships are also subject to stricter interviews as well.

The reality is that the interview is a formality for most people and officers determine before you even set foot in the embassy whether they will approve you or not. In these interviews, the basis is to dot the i's and cross the t's to put a face to the information presented on paper. If every interview were as scrutinizing as you suggest, the process would be slower than it already is, giving officers the chance to process very, very few cases at the embassy stage. When the CO has an inkling of doubt or fraud, that is where the difficulty lies and further questioning beyond the what is his last name-where does he work-how old is he type questioning proceeds. Furthermore, considering the interviews are videotaped, I suggest the CO have to be a little stricter in terms of questioning as a matter of meeting a quota or "standard" by their superiors. If they were to just approve everyone without being harsh (for no reasons) that would probably be viewed unfavorably by the embassy staff.

[NikLR 13,220]

This is entirely dependent on country. In Canada or the UK, it's quite possible the interview can be a bit of a formality, however in most of the world, it certainly isn't. Being prepared is best no matter where you interview.

[msbau764 245]

This is entirely dependent on country. In Canada or the UK, it's quite possible the interview can be a bit of a formality, however in most of the world, it certainly isn't. Being prepared is best no matter where you interview.

of course you need to be prepared, but if the CO asks you what is the middle name of your 3rd sister, or if they ask you some inane question about a trip that would be impossible to remember and then they subsequently deny you, I believe they have made up their minds are looking for reasons not to give the visa as opposed to going through the typical protocol.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Assuming an applicant already submitted all the necessary documentation correctly, and passed the medical exam, what is the point of the visa interview at the embassy/consulate?

Is the interview basically a formality where one takes a legal oath? What would cause a spouse to not pass the interview? I just can't imagine how a person wouldn't pass the interview.

Used to spot fraudulent applications.

Even a legit couple might fail, because of nervousness, lack of preparation or a simple slip.

Remember, it is up to you to prove the relationship is legit, their job is to assume it isn't or at least to find the holes

For example, a fiancee might say "my husband" out of habit, when they are not yet married. That eould be a stopping point followed by a denial.

Another example, they might ask about a prior marriage; if you have never talked about your prior relationships/divorce, etc; how would she know?

The COs have been trained and use a manual. This is not to be confused to a casual conversation.

Not saying at all your relationship is not real; but the interview is not to be taken lightly.

[NYCruiser 423]

The interview process is extremely important as is the petition I-129F. The three phases of the K1 process is Petiion of I-129F, the Consular Interview followed by the Adjustment of Status based on the Marriage (Certificate).

Unless every piece of paperwork like a cog in the wheel is correctly aligned, you wont get the visa.

.....long but to some its worth every piece of paper or hassle