Guide To Pass The United States’ H1-B Visa Interview

Are you planning to work in the US with your degree? If so, the H1-B visa interview is crucial in achieving your desired employment, family relocation, or higher education goals. Now that you have completed the H1-B application process with the approval of the USCIS, you will need to go through an H1-B visa interview, after which you will receive your visa.

During the H1-B visa interview, you will have to answer a series of questions designed to assess your qualifications, basic information about yourself, your contact information, and any skills you may offer. It sounds easy. Well, the H1-B visa interview and your response are where the real work begins and ends.

An American-founded company that needs to apply for H1-B visas for its current employees must provide supporting documents showing the number of employees, their contact details, their family life, their university education, and other relevant information.

In this post, we will go over the basics of H1-B visa interviews and help you prepare for everything you will face up to the end of the interview. We have gathered some helpful tips to help you through the process.

Basic information on the H1-B visa

Before we dive into the details, let’s review the basics of the H1-B visa. H1-B visas are non-immigrant visas issued by the US government. They allow companies to bring in foreign workers with degrees based on the number of employees they need to operate efficiently. It is a chance for sponsoring employers to bring in individuals outside their immediate family.

The number of rounds this visa can be issued is at the government’s discretion. The yearly turnover of this visa varies each year based on the requirements of each new employer seeking a quota for their employees’ work. In many cases, the new employer is responsible for guiding applicants on the correct path in the needed preparations to pass the H1-B visa interview.

Overview of the H1-B visa interview

The last stage of the H1-B visa application process is the interview, which occurs before the visa is issued. Applicants need to convince the official interviewing them that they can get the visa. The US embassy will schedule the interview at a suitable time. As the applicant, you must attend the interview.

If you need to reschedule your interview, inform the US embassy. The US embassy can reschedule the interview, increasing your visa processing time. Sometimes, the embassy may be so busy that the interview is rescheduled a few weeks after the initial one. You shouldn’t miss the H1-B visa interview.

Missing the interview will give the officials the impression that the applicant is not serious about obtaining the visa, reducing their chances of getting it and coming to the US to work. Do your research before the interview to be prepared to answer any questions the official may ask.

Location of the H1-B visa interview and eligible applicants

H1-B visa interviews are held at the US embassy of a foreign country. Once the visa petitions are approved and the interview process is ready, the embassy schedules an appropriate time for each H1-B visa applicant to attend an interview. This is also the case if a US employer seeks new foreign applicants for the company’s growth.

If you are an H1-B visa applicant, you must attend the interview when scheduled. If you can’t attend your interview and need to change or re-enter another date, you will need to inform your home country’s US embassy in advance. The US embassy may be able to reschedule your interview, but it will only increase your visa processing time in the long run.

The H1-B visa interview experience

An H1-B visa interview will typically be conducted by a single consular officer who will ask a broad range of questions about all aspects of your visa application and your short- and long-term plans in the US. Most visa applicants are asked a few questions, such as whether they are applying for an H1-B visa.

However, you may also be asked many visa-specific questions and questions related to your future plans. During the H1-B visa interview, the consular officer usually begins with a few easy questions based on the general information in your visa application. From there, the questions will get more specific and detailed.

If you don’t answer all the questions correctly or fail to appear at the H1-B visa interview with no explanation, your visa application will likely be rejected. Attending your interview and being well-prepared is crucial for a successful outcome. That is why you should seek the help of an immigration lawyer, who can help you avoid any potential pitfalls and prevent you from facing any difficult issues.

In addition, an immigration lawyer will guide you through the H1-B visa documentation requirements. This way, you will arrive at your interview with all the information the USCIS needs to decide quickly.

Common questions to expect

When you arrive at the H1-B visa interview location, you will first go through US embassy security. Then, depending on your country, you will either meet with an embassy official in a private room or be seated at an official’s desk in a team’s shared office.

The official at the US embassy will first request that you provide them with copies of your documents. These documents should include your approved form I-129 petition and other relevant information. Make sure you have your form I-129 petition with you so that you don’t appear unprepared.

Then, the official will begin to ask questions. The questions can be divided into the following sections:

1. General questions.

These will be more of a general inquiry rather than a detailed one. The official wants to know if you understand why you are coming to the United States and for how long. They also want to know if you know anyone in the United States or if your family will travel with you. The last section of these questions will be about your intention to return to your country.

You need to convince the US embassy official that you are willing to go back when you are required to return. You will need to provide specific answers and documents, such as a real estate deed, a lease agreement, or loan documents. Here are some general questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Please provide your passport and your passport number.
• Have you been to the United States before?
• Why are you moving to the United States?
• What kind of work will you be doing in the US?
• Which state will you be working in?
• Do any of your family or friends live in the US?
• Do you intend to return to your country of birth after your employment in the United States ends? If so, why?

2. Questions about your qualifications.

These questions are related to education and prior work experience. Since H1-B visas are for people in specialized occupations, you will need to demonstrate that you possess extensive knowledge. You can do this by stating your education, where you completed your education, and if you have any certifications.

You will also need to prove that you are competent to perform the job you have been hired through prior work experience. You will be asked to explain your role, responsibilities, and why you quit your previous job. If you have previously completed Optional Practical Training in the US, the official will ask about your experience. A quick example of these types of questions include:

• Can you provide me with diplomas and certificates?
• What is your highest degree?
• What was your major in college?
• Where did you finish college?
• When did you finish school?
• Did you do any internships?
• Did you complete any research projects?
• Do you have any other certifications?
• What do you think your skills are?
• Are you planning on continuing your education or getting a certification?
• How does your past work experience relate to your future plans in the US?
• Can you get a recommendation letter from your previous employers?

3. The H1-B visa specific questions.

In the last part of the H1-B visa interview, you will be asked about the company’s history. You must provide enough information about the company you will be working for in the US. The US embassy official wants to be sure that the company is genuine and not a scam created by someone in the US. They also want to ensure you are not creating a false company to get out of the country.

You must provide a detailed description of your US employer and responsibilities there. You will also need to provide the names of the company leaders and your supervisor. You may also be asked to provide pictures of the company, its financial statements, and tax filings. The most common questions in this section are:

• What company will you be working for in the US?
• What position will you be working in?
• What is your job description?
• What salary will you be earning?
• How do you know about this company, how did you apply?
• How much time did it take to get this position? How many interviews and tests were required?
• What is this company’s main activity?
• Who is the President of this company? Who will be your boss?
• Does your company have any photos of what they look like? If yes, please provide us with them.
• How do you plan to pay for expenses until you receive your salary? Please provide your financial information.

The questions are broken down into sections, but that doesn’t necessarily mean interviewers will follow that order. In fact, it is more likely that the US embassy official will ask questions as the topic arises, and they won’t necessarily follow a specific order. So, be prepared to answer any questions in any order they ask you.

The duration of the H1-B visa interview

The duration of the H1-B visa interview is not definitive. It can take up to one hour, and there are also times when the official asks only three or four questions. Nevertheless, you should be prepared for an interview that lasts around 30 minutes.

What to expect after the H1-B visa interview

About three possible things can occur after an H1-B visa interview. Firstly, the immigration officials can tell you that your application has been approved and explain everything you need. In this case, you will get your travel documents. Your visa will be stamped on your passport, allowing you to enter the US. On the other hand, the immigration officer may inform you that your visa has been denied and explain why.

You will be given a paper with the reasons for your denial. Finally, the immigration officer may tell you you have an outstanding visa case. This is because there is a problem with your H1-B visa application, and a direct decision on your case cannot be made until the immigration officer is satisfied with the answers to the questions you have provided regarding your visa application.

The immigration officer will then give you a document containing instructions on following up on your pending case.

Get help!

At Gehi and Associates, we can help you through the H1-B visa interview. We know what needs to be done to build a strong H1-B case. We will help you compile what you need to support your case. We will handle your visa preparation efficiently.

We can also advise you about other work visa options that you can get. This will be very helpful for you since the H1-B visa is very competitive. Do you have any questions about the H1-B visa or any other questions regarding US immigration? Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.