Employment Based Visa Interview
The United States issues around 140,000 Employment-Based (EB) Immigrant Visas and Permanent Resident Green Cards every year to skilled foreign workers in five priority categories: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Green Cards allow different categories of skilled foreign workers and their families to live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited time period and offer many other benefits (such as the option to become an American citizen).
An important part of the application process is the Employment-Based Visa interview at the American Embassy or Consulate, where the decision will be made about whether to approve an applicant for US permanent residency.
This article will focus on the Employment-Based Visa interview, so keep reading to learn the essential information!
Table of Contents
What Is an Employment-Based Visa Interview?
The Employment-Based Visa interview at the American Embassy or Consulate is one of the last and most important steps of the process for skilled foreign workers who are applying for permanent residency in the United States through the EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 or EB-5 US immigration programs.
During the Employment-Based Visa interview, the US consular official will review required documents and ask questions of the main applicant and his or her family members before deciding whether to approve them for immigration to the United States as new lawful permanent residents (LPRs).
Thus, adequate Employment-Based Visa interview preparation is crucial to maximize the opportunity to have a positive outcome.
What to Expect during Your U.S. Work Visa Interview?
At the Employment-Based Visa interview, the main applicant and his or her family will:
- go to the American Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence;
- provide biometric data (such as digital fingerprints and photos);
- pay the Immigrant Visa Fee before the interview occurs;
- bring required documents for review by a US consular official;
- answer questions asked by a US consular official; and
- receive Immigrant Visas in their passports if approved for US immigration!
Note – The Immigrant Visas are sometimes placed in the passports of new US permanent residents after the interview and then the passports with the enclosed Immigrant Visas are delivered to the holders (for example, by special courier).
What Documents Do I Need to Bring to the Interview?
Documents that are brought to an Employment-Based Visa interview generally include:
- Interview Appointment Letter
- DS-260 Confirmation Page
- Valid Passport(s)
- Original Birth Certificate(s)
- Marriage Certificate (if relevant)
- Divorce Certificate (if relevant)
- Military Service Records (if relevant)
- Court and Prison Records (if relevant)
- Certified English Translations of Civil Documents (if not originally in English)
- Two Identical Color Passport-Style Photos of Each Applicant
- Medical Exam Results in a Sealed Envelope from a Panel Physician (if results were not sent to the Embassy/Consulate)
- Labor Certification (if relevant)
- Immigrant Visa Fee Receipt
- Any Other Documents Requested for the Interview
EB Interview Questions
The Employment-Based Visa interview questions will generally deal with:
- confirming details provided in the application
- asking to see and review supporting documents
- making sure the applicant is not inadmissible
- determining if the main applicant can support himself/herself and family when they move to the US
EB Visa Interview Tips
Here are some tips to help you with your Employment-Based Visa interview preparation:
- Make sure you bring all of the required original supporting documents or certified copies with you to the interview.
- You and all family members must have a medical exam from an authorized panel physician prior to the interview.
- Be sure that all family members have received all of the required vaccinations prior to the interview.
- It is often recommended to register for a courier service for the delivery of important documents.
- All family members who will be immigrating with the skilled foreign worker are required to attend the interview.
- Review the instructions for visiting the American Embassy or Consulate on its website before traveling to the interview.
- It is recommended to wear nice, but comfortable, clothes to the interview to make a good first impression.
- Arrive at the US Embassy/Consulate in time to give the biometrics and pay the Immigrant Visa Fee before the interview.
- Only answer the specific questions that the consular official asks (don’t discuss matters not related to the specific question).
- Give honest, accurate answers to the questions that are asked and if you do not know the answer, simply say so.
Who Needs to Have An Employment-Based Visa Interview?
The skilled foreign worker and all family members who will be immigrating to the United States with him or her will need to attend the Employment-Based Visa interview at the American Embassy or Consulate.
How Long Does an Employment-Based Visa Interview Typically Take?
An individual will generally spend about 2-3 hours at the American Embassy or Consulate on the day of the Employment-Based Visa interview, however, the actual interview is relatively brief.
Nevertheless, it is a good idea not to schedule other events on the day of the interview, so there will not be any unnecessary time pressure.
Is There a Specific Dress Code?
There is not a specific dress code for the Employment-Based Immigrant Visa interview, however, it is recommended to wear nice clothes that are also comfortable to the interview in order to make a good first impression.
Conclusion
Making adequate Employment-Based Visa interview preparations can maximize one’s chances of having a successful interview and, hopefully, being approved for permanent residency in the United States.
It is important to note that there are several US immigration programs that offer a United States Permanent Resident Green Card, including the Employment-Based (EB) Programs, Family Sponsorship, and the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the Green Card Lottery).
Additionally, there are many temporary non-immigrant US visa programs that allow individuals and families to live in the USA for a limited amount of time, such as student visas and temporary work visas.
Each US visa program has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
You might be wondering: How can you know which US visa program is right for you?
USAFIS can provide you with a US Visa Assessment that will inform you about your best option(s) to apply for an Immigrant Visa and Green Card or a temporary non-immigrant visa to the United States.
Guidance in preparing the required documents is also available for those who qualify, along with supplementary services to help the US relocation procedure go as smoothly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which employment-based visas require an interview?
The Employment-Based Visa interview is generally required for applicants of the EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5 US Immigrant Visa categories for permanent residency in the United States.
Where does the employment-based visa interview take place?
The Employment-Based Visa interview for someone applying from outside of the United States will generally take place at the American Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence at a scheduled date and time.
What documents should I bring to the employment-based visa interview?
The documents that must generally be brought to the Employment-Based Visa interview may include: the interview appointment letter; DS-260 confirmation page; valid passport(s); original birth certificate(s); marriage certificate (if relevant); divorce certificate (if relevant); military service records (if relevant); court and prison records (if relevant); certified English translations of required documents if they were not originally written in English (if relevant); two identical color passport-style photos of each family member who is applying for an Immigrant Visa; medical exam results in a sealed envelope from an authorized panel physician (if the panel physician did not already send the medical results to the US Embassy/Consulate); labor certification (if relevant); Immigrant Visa Fee Receipt; and any other documents that are requested for the interview.
What questions are typically asked during an employment-based visa interview?
The questions that are asked during an Employment-Based Visa interview generally relate to confirming details in the application; asking to see and review required supporting documents; making sure none of the applicants is inadmissible (e.g., for medical, criminal or security reasons); and determining that the prospective immigrant will be able to support himself/herself and family after immigrating to the United States.
How should I prepare for an employment-based visa interview?
Proper Employment-Based Visa interview preparation is important for the best chance of having a positive outcome. Adequate preparation should include: bringing all of the required documents or certified copies to the interview; all family members getting the medical exam and any required vaccinations prior to the interview; reviewing the instructions for visiting the American Embassy or Consulate which are posted on its website; wearing nice, but comfortable, clothes to the interview to make a good first impression; all family members who are immigrating to the United States should arrive at the American Embassy/Consulate with enough time to provide the biometrics data and pay the Immigrant Visa Fee(s) before the scheduled interview; answer only the specific questions that are asked by the US consul (don’t discuss matters not related to the question that was asked); and give honest and accurate responses to the questions that are asked by the US consul (never make up an answer; if you do not know the answer, simply say so).
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