The internet never runs out of horror stories of people who have failed the US visa interview.

Worse, no precise blueprint can guarantee anyone an easy pass.

In other words, you can still leave the US Embassy with tears no matter how superior your English-speaking skills or how fat your bank account is.

However, knowing the dos and don’ts of a US visa interview will make you one step ahead of everyone clueless about what to expect. This guide should get you started.

How Does the US Visa Interview Work?

As some of the past applicants may have already told you, it’s not unusual for a US visa interview to last for just 2 to 5 minutes (sometimes slightly longer).

Consular officers usually review the applicants’ application forms (the DS-160) in advance. Come interview time, they expect the answers they’ll get and only need the applicants to confirm or clarify them.

On the other hand, the applicants must come to the US Embassy on time (at least 15 to 30 minutes before your appointment schedule).

Located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, the US Embassy requires the applicants to queue up and undergo initial security checks before entering.

Leave your gadgets as much as possible at home, as they’re not allowed inside the building. Otherwise, bring a companion who will care for it as you go inside for the interview.

Here’s an overview of the procedures you’ll go through after you make it inside the US Embassy building:

• Pre-screening: You will be welcomed by embassy personnel who will request your Philippine passport and 2 x 2 picture to be affixed to your DS-160 form. If you forgot to bring pictures, you can avail of rush ID pictures at the photo booth in the US Embassy’s waiting area. You may be asked a few questions like your name, civil status, or citizenship but nothing substantial like what they ask in the US visa interview.
• Fingerprint scanning: Another embassy personnel will guide you to the next station, where your fingerprints will be scanned. When the procedure is over, wait for your number to be displayed on the overhead screen. Once it shows up, head towards the interview booth for the US visa interview.
• Interview: The last and the most crucial of the three, the US visa interview, determines the fate of your US visa application. Instead of an office, there are several booths designated for the interview. Hand over your passport to the consular officer and prepare to answer the questions that may be fired at you. Most of the questions are based on the data you’ve provided on the DS-160 form, so ensure that you provide consistent and honest answers—present supporting documents only when requested.

If it’s any consolation, the US visa interview is swift, and you’ll get the result immediately.

If approved, the Consul will keep and deliver your passport after five working days. If denied, the Consul will return the passport and a blue slip explaining why you got denied.

How To Pass US Visa Interview in the Philippines: 6 Strategies

To save you a lot of time, we’ve compiled tips from Filipinos who successfully passed the dreaded US visa interview. Some of them have never been to the United States of America before, so if they can do it, so can you!

Note: Almost all of these tips came from people who applied for the B-1/B-2 visa (business/tourist visa). If you’re applying for a different US visa, these tips may also apply to you but expect the Consular officer to ask questions relevant to the visa you’re aiming for. 

1. Know the Commonly Asked US Visa Interview Questions

This is like a cheat sheet that you don’t have to memorize. Remember, you should never sound robotic, rehearsed, or unnatural.

Know the possible questions that might be asked so you will never be caught off guard and end up speechless during the interview.

Based on our research, here are some of the US visa interview questions you should be prepared for:

a. What will you do in the US?/What’s the purpose of your travel?/Why are you planning to visit the United States?

This is the first question usually asked by the Consular officer, which often sets the tone for the rest of the interview. For example, if you answer “to visit a family/friend,” the Consul will ask you a follow-up question to determine who this family/friend is, their occupations, and where they’re located.

Since we’re focusing on B-1/B-2 visas here, be straight to the point and let the Consul know that you’ll be in the US for business purposes or to relax and tour the US.

b. Where are you going to stay in the US?

Be honest with the Consular officer and say that you’ll be staying in a hotel, Airbnb, a friend’s house, or a relative’s house, whichever is applicable. Keep a note of the exact address and provide this information in case the Consul asks for it.

c. How long do you plan to stay in the US?

The safest answer here is probably 3 to 4 weeks or less. Remember, you want to prove to the Consular officer that you never intended to overstay in the United States, especially now that their government is cracking down on illegal immigrants.

Never dilly-dally with your answer. If you respond with “Hmm, I think about three weeks or so,” the Consul will take it as a sign that you’re not sure about your length of stay and are probably planning to be an illegal immigrant.

d. How much will it cost you to stay in the US?

Although there’s no specific “show money” requirement in the US visa application, you must prove to the Consul that you’ve done your assignment.

Your budget will depend on the city/state you’ll be visiting, and you can get an estimate through a simple Google search. If you are staying with a friend or relative, that will be better because it means fewer expenses for accommodation.

e. What is your job in the Philippines?/What do you do for a living?/How much do you earn in the Philippines?

This one usually follows the previous question as it will help the Consul determine whether you have the means to support yourself during the trip.

If you’re employed, your tenure in the company matters a lot as it will prove that you’re not looking for job opportunities.

If you’re running a business, let the Consular officer know how much net profit you earn each month. Also, the interviewer will most likely wonder what will happen to your business once you’re in the US, so show proof that you’ve hired someone to take care of it or you own a business that can be managed remotely.

The bottom line is that you must convince the Consular Officer that you’re pretty established here and have a solid reason to return to the Philippines. Also, be ready to provide a certificate of employment, business permit, bank statement, and proof of income if requested.

f. Who is sponsoring your travel?/Who will pay for your trip?

If your monthly income (please refer to the previous question) isn’t enough, tell the truth that your parents or relatives in the US will be sponsoring your trip.

While your application may not be as strong if you’re not paying for your trip, the Consular officer may give you a chance if you can provide enough proof. For example, if you’re still a student who isn’t employed, you can show your parents’ financial documents to prove you have the money to cover the travel expenses.

Meanwhile, if the sponsor is an American boyfriend/girlfriend you only met online, it’s a red flag that may cause your application to be denied almost instantly. Should you decide to meet personally, it’s better to let your special someone visit you in the Philippines first so you can get to know each other better.

g. What’s your travel history?/Have you traveled to another country before?/Where have you been traveling and why?

Applicants with little to no travel history are less likely to get approved. If you haven’t been to any country before, start with countries near the Philippines, like Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

It will also help if you have been approved to get tourist visas from Australia, Japan, Korea, and Schengen countries. The more visas you get, the more likely you’ll get approved.

For frequent travelers, prove that your trip to the US is for pleasure/vacation, just like what you’ve always done in other countries before. If requested, enumerate the countries you’ve visited so far and the reason/s why you visited them (e.g., personal or work).

h. Have you been to the US before?

If you’ve been to the US, your chances of getting approved may increase. However, the Consul will dig deeper into your answer and ask you additional questions like the exact date/s you traveled to the US, how long the trip was, and the reason/s why you’re there.

i. Do you have any family in the US?/Do you have friends or relatives in the US?

You have to know the difference between a family and a relative. A family consists of your parents and siblings, while relatives include your extended family, like aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Therefore, if you’re asked if you have a family in the US, don’t answer with “Yes. My cousins.” Some applicants get denied for this simple mistake, so have a presence of mind.

If you’re visiting an American “friend” you only met online, ensure he/she visits you first in the Philippines. Otherwise, the Consular officer might assume the trip is just an excuse to get married in the US. Trust me, they know better.

Depending on your answer, the Consul may give you follow-up questions to ensure you’re telling the truth. These questions could be one or all of the following:

• When did you last see your family/friend/relative? (No need to be specific. Say “6 years ago” if that’s what you remember).
• What are their exact addresses in the US? (You’ll be staying with them, so the Consular officer expects you to have this information with you).
• How long have they been living in the US, and what is their current status there? (Through this question, the interviewer will be able to gauge if you know this friend/family/relative, so make sure you’re aware whether they’re US citizens or green card holders).
• What do they do in the US? (If they’re working in the office, the Consular officer will wonder what you will do while they’re at work during office hours. Just be honest and tell them the itinerary and that you’ll be exploring the city alone).

j. Do you have an itinerary for your US trip?/What’s your travel plan?/Which places in the US will you be visiting?

This question is why preparing an itinerary before the US visa interview is essential. In this itinerary, you should include all the places you plan to visit in the US. The more specific, the better.

Please print it out and bring it on the day of your interview to prove you’re not traveling to the United States on a whim.

k. When do you plan to travel?/Have you already booked your flight?

Ideally, you should apply for a US tourist visa 2 to 3 months before your intended travel date.

Because there’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved to get a US visa, don’t book plane tickets yet. Remember, international airlines don’t issue refunds for applicants whose US visa applications have been rejected.

l. How can you assure me you’ll return from the US?/What would make you return to the Philippines?

Whether it’s a business, career, property, or continuing education, explain to the Consular officer that you have strong ties to the Philippines because of something important you left behind.

Provide as many supporting documents as needed. If you won’t return to the Philippines anytime soon, be honest and give a valid reason, like your desire to travel to more countries after your US trip.

m. Other possible questions

• What’s your highest educational attainment? (Consular officers may give extra points to candidates for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree since they have a reason to return to the Philippines).
• Have you been denied a visa earlier? (If you have applied for any foreign visa in the past, rest assured the Consular officer knows about it. Be honest).
• Why have you chosen the US over other countries? (This is in line with the purpose of your trip, so make sure you have a valid reason to be there).
• When will you come back to the Philippines? (Your answer here must not contradict what’s on your itinerary).
• Will you be traveling with a companion? (If yes, expect the Consul to ask additional questions about that companion’s status, source of income, etc.).
• Who will take care of your property while you’re in the US? (If you include some properties as proof of your solid ties to the country, explain to the interviewer that a family or friend will look after it while you’re in the US).

2. Show Proof of Strong Ties to the Philippines

The US visa interview aims to weed out applicants who may intend to hide in the US as illegal immigrants.

So how can you beat the odds and increase your chances of getting a US visa?

According to the US Embassy and based on the data we’ve gathered so far, the following factors can increase the likelihood of your US visa application getting approved:

a. Travel experience/history

The more countries you’ve visited before your US visa application, the better your chances of getting approved.

Extensive travel experience indicates that you never overstayed your welcome in any country in the past and that you’ll most likely do the same thing in the US.

If you haven’t been to any country, start earning stamps by visiting neighboring Asian countries, preferably those requiring visas like Japan, South Korea, etc.

If you have a newly released passport and the Consul asks for your travel history, present your old passport with stamps to prove that you have traveled to several countries.

The US Embassy may also use the number of travel stamps on your passport to gauge your financial standing. In a 2023 interview with the Philippine Star¹, United States Embassy Consul General Mark McGovern reveals that bank statements may be easy to forge, so they may rely on the applicant’s travel history to know how well off an individual is. The more travel stamps you have, the more likely you will convince them that you can afford to travel anywhere, including the United States of America.

b. Financial stability/capability

A trip to the US is expensive, so you must prove to the Consul that you can support yourself or someone else (a sponsor) will cover your expenses.

You must back this up by showing your bank certificate/s (only if requested).

The Consul doesn’t only look at your financial status to ensure you can afford your US trip; they also review it to ensure you have enough assets to compel you to return to the Philippines.

Therefore, if you have little to no money in your bank account and zero property under your name, the Consular officer will see you as someone who got nothing to lose and can potentially stay in the US as an illegal immigrant.

However, as long as you can prove that you have enough income and can specify the source of this income, you still have the chance to be approved.

Meanwhile, applicants from wealthy families are not immune to rejection. They can still be denied if they can’t pinpoint where their money comes from or if they’re fresh graduates relying only on their parent’s money.

Note that the US Embassy has never set a specific amount that you must have in your bank account. Again, they’ve already interviewed thousands of US visa applicants and are aware of different shenanigans. They know it’s easy for somebody to deposit money into a bank account one day and withdraw it the next. They’ve also dealt with fake bank statements, so don’t try submitting one.

According to United States Embassy Consul General Mark McGovern, financial capability and travel history are often tied together; the more stamps on one’s passport, the more likely that person has the means to travel. In other words, they may look at your travel stamps as a more reliable indicator of your financial standing than the numbers on your bank account.

Proof of financial stability, like bank statements or land titles, is not required, but there’s still a chance that the interviewer may ask for it. However, being unable to provide one when the interviewer asks for it won’t automatically result in rejection. They will hold on to your application until you submit the requested documents. It’s a temporary type of refusal, but they’re willing to wait.

c. Established career/tenure in the company

A stable job is one of the most substantial proof that you will return to the Philippines as soon as your US trip ends.

If requested, show your certificate of employment and other documents that can attest to how many years you’ve worked in your current company.

d. Others

• Applying with a family. Those applying for a US visa (especially a tourist visa) with their family are more likely to be approved because applicants with the potential to be illegal immigrants usually apply alone.
• Properties/assets in the Philippines.
• Enrollment in a school/university (for students).
• An employer sponsoring the visa (for US work visas).

3. Wear Decent Attire

The US Embassy doesn’t impose any dress code on US visa applicants, but that doesn’t mean you can go to your interview wearing anything you like.

Just treat it as your usual job interview.

No need to wear suits or formal attire, but don’t go there with a simple T-shirt and shorts either. The US visa interview attire in the Philippines is smart casual.

Avoid wearing excessive pieces of jewelry to impress. If you’re a student, lawyer, or employee, you can also wear what you usually wear daily.

Look presentable. Never overdress.

4. Keep Your Answers Short and Simple

Remember one important rule when answering the interviewer’s questions: Less talk, fewer mistakes.

Only provide the information requested and never volunteer information that isn’t being asked. This isn’t a speech contest or a beauty pageant, so the length of your answers won’t be the basis for your rejection.

If you’re talkative, this is the time to hold back. Giving long answers to simple questions will make you appear desperate and even suggest to the Consular officer that you may be hiding something.

So, for example, if you’re being asked what you will do in the US, give a short response like “To have a vacation” or “To visit my relatives.” Only provide additional information when you’re asked to.

The interviewer doesn’t care if your relatives are sick, who your cousins are, and what family history you have, no matter how enthralling it is.

More importantly, don’t be too naive and say, “You’ll be looking for opportunities in the US.” At this point, you’re probably aware already that it’s one of the sure ways to ruin your chances of getting a US visa.

Don’t argue with the interviewer, either. If you cannot hear the question correctly or need clarification, ask him/her to repeat it.

Regardless of the result of the interview, treat the Consular officer with the utmost respect.

5. Be Honest

This one’s common sense, but you’ll be surprised how many applicants are denied a US visa by lying through their teeth.

Always remember that the Consul officers are trained to spot liars, and they’ve been doing it for years, so it’s almost impossible to fool them.

In other words, don’t even attempt to make up stories. The interviewers are trained to expose fabricated stories.

They’re also keeping a record of every piece of information you share. So in case you fail the interview the first time and come back for a second chance, there’s no way you can peddle the same lies all over again.

Please don’t lie to the Consular officer’s face because it will backfire faster than you’ve ever imagined.

6. Be Confident

Don’t ever think that the US visa interview is a life-or-death situation.

For one, it’s just a visa; getting denied isn’t the end. It will also put undue pressure on yourself to “perform” and look desperate for a US visa.

You can’t fake confidence. It will come naturally if you trust yourself and know deep inside that you’re not hiding anything.

Why feel nervous if you’re not planning on becoming an illegal immigrant?

So the best you can do is remain calm and just be yourself. Don’t pay attention to other nervous applicants or those who come out of the Embassy with “denied” stamps.

Listen to your favorite music, read a book, do positive self-talk, or try anything to keep your composure until it’s your turn to be interviewed.

Most importantly, don’t let the Consul officers intimidate you. Remember, they’re just interviewing because it’s part of their job.

Look at them as co-equals. Otherwise, it will get on your nerves, and you risk becoming speechless during the interview.

(Other) Tips and Warnings

In addition to the strategies discussed above, also keep in mind the following reminders:

1. We already mentioned this at the beginning of this article, but it’s worth repeating: Gadgets (phones, laptops, etc.) aren’t allowed inside the US Embassy. If you can’t leave them at home, bring a companion who will take care of your stuff while you’re inside. Plenty of convenience stores or cafes nearby where your companion can stay while waiting.

2. Arrive at the Embassy at least 15 minutes before your appointment schedule so you can have time to prepare yourself and ensure you bring all the needed documents.

3. The Consular officers seldom request supporting documents during the interview; however, you should be prepared in case the one assigned to you will. The documents requested differ from one applicant to another. It ultimately depends on the circumstances surrounding your application. For example, if you run a business, be ready to present your business permit and proof of income.

4. If you plan to go shopping or play at casinos in the US, feel free to mention it whenever appropriate and without sounding too desperate. Consul officers prefer tourists who will spend money during their trip.

5. The US Embassy doesn’t set a quota for how many people they can interview daily.

6. Brush up on your communication skills. Since you’ll be traveling to an English-speaking country, the Consular officer expects you can use their language well. If the interviewer can’t understand you, how are you supposed to survive your trip to the United States? Avoid using slang and “Carabao English.”

7. Just because the Consul approved your US visa after the interview doesn’t mean the scrutiny is over. The US Embassy also conducts background checks before releasing passports to applicants. If they find a discrepancy in your application, you will receive your passport and a refusal letter.

8. Due to the backlogs of cases in some embassies, the National Visa Center (NVC) has decided not to accept any cases from individuals who are “ineligible” for immigrant visa interviews until further notice². These include the following:

• Individuals who were already interviewed for an immigrant or K visa and were deemed by the consul as ineligible due to suspicions and findings that the relationship is fraud.
• Principal beneficiaries who failed to reschedule their postponed interview within a year from the original date, whether the interview is canceled by the person himself or the embassy.
• K2 (non-immigrant visa for children aged 21 years and below of K1 fiancé holders) individuals who failed to apply for a K2 visa within a year from the date of their parent’s K1 visa issuance.
• Persons whose priority date is not current.
• Persons whose cases are still pending in the NVC.
• Persons who the NVC or embassy does not yet instruct to schedule their visa interview.
• Spouses or children “Following to join (FTJ)” whose principal applicant adjusted status in the US.
• Returning Resident Status (SB1) applicants who are also green card holders and are still outside the US for more than a year due to reasons beyond their control.

9. Social media profiles in your application form won’t affect your visa chances. They only ask them for formality, but the US Embassy has no time or budget to dig deeper into each applicant’s social media profile and history.

10. Recommendation letters or endorsements from a third party, like your teacher, governor, or mayor, aren’t needed. You’re only wasting your time if an agency includes this requirement in their unofficial checklist. First, there’s no official checklist released by the US Embassy detailing all documents you must bring and provide on the day of your interview. Second, US Embassy Consul General Mark McGovern reveals that they don’t even look at these recommendation letters.

1. Valmonte, K. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/06/05/2271657/scared-your-us-visa-application-here-are-tips-embassy
2. Gurfinkel, M. (2022). Who is not eligible for an immigrant visa interview?. Retrieved 28 March 2022, from https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/03/06/2165199/who-not-eligible-immigrant-visa-interview