Sample U.S. Embassy Interview Questions

It is our opinion that the United States embassy interview is the most crucial stage of the process. At the interview, the consular officer will question your foreign spouse, in detail, in order to determine the legitimacy of your marriage. If the consular officer concludes that you and your foreign spouse have a bona fide marriage then the immigrant visa will be approved.

The consular officer’s determination is based largely upon your foreign spouse’s responses to questions. Please note that the sample questions below are the result of our years of experience with this type of case and are intended as a basic guide only. Each consular officer will ask different questions as the circumstances dictate.

USA F2 visa Interview questions and Answers | Dependent Spouse visa 2022 | Document checklist

General questions:
Q. What is your name?
Q. What Visa are you applying for?
Q. What is the name of your spouse?
Q. What does your spouse do in USA?
Q. Can I see your spouse’s passport/visa/I-20?
Q. When are you planning to go to USA? Have you made any specific travel arrangements?

Marriage related questions:
Q. When did you get married?
Q. Was it arrange marriage? How did you both meet? Did you know your spouse before marriage?
Q. Do you have your marriage album/photos?
Q. Can I see your marriage certificate?
Q. Have you brought the invitation cards with you?
Q. Why did you not go with your spouse (in case your husband leaves before you)?

Your spouse’s study/work/finance related questions:
Q. What’s your spouse majoring in? What’s his/her research area? What’s the topic of his/her research?
Q. When is your spouse planning to finish his studies? At which stage is he now?
Q. What would your spouse do after finishing his studies?
Q. Where did your spouse work, in India or in USA?
Q. Why did your spouse leave his/her job?
Q. (if you say, your spouse wants to come back to India) Why doesnt your spouse want to work in USA? Would he/she not work there? He/she can continue his research / work there; why does she/he want to come back to India?
Q. What did your spouse study in India? Where (which school/univ) did your spouse do his undergraduation/graduation in India?
Q. How would you fund yourself there? Who would bear your expenses there? Is your husband going to bear your expenses there?
Q. Do you have financial documents? Have you brought your spouse’s bank statements or any other supporting documents?

Your study and work related questions:
Q. What are you studying? Have you finished your studies? Are you done now?
Q. Do you plan on studying in USA? if you answers “NO” then the visa office may ask: Why not?
Q. Do you want to work there? (you can not work on F2 visa)
Q. Did you work in India?
Q. Why not? You have good education and can get good job; why do you not want to work?
Q. How would you spend your time there?

Your parents/in-laws/siblings/relatives related questions:
Q. What do your parents-in-law do in India?
Q: if your parents-in-law are in business, what kind of business?
Q: If your father-in-law is in business, the visa office may ask that who would take care of the business as your husband (if only one son) is in USA?
Q. Does your spouse have any siblings in USA? what do they do? Where do they live/ work in USA?
Q: Do they have Green Card? What kind of Visa do they have? if married, what do their spouses do?
Q: Do they want to come to India?
Q. Do you have any of your relative in US?
Q. Do you have any brothers/sisters? What do they do? Are they planning to go to US?
Q. What do your parents do?

A step-by-step guide to applying for an F-2 visa

The process of applying for an F-2 visa is fairly straightforward. Below is the application process in easy-to-follow steps to help you prepare for what you need to do.

1. Obtain a Form I-20 from the approved school

The DSO is normally responsible for handing out Form I-20s for you and your dependents at an approved university or educational institution.

You may have to inform the DSO of your intention to bring your spouse and/or minor children with you with nonimmigrant dependent F-2 visas, after which you and your dependents will each be provided with your own Form I-20 to fill out.

2. Complete the online Form DS-160

After you have received your Form I-20, the next step is to complete Form DS-160, the application for a nonimmigrant visa. Have in mind that you won’t be able to complete Form DS-160 without the Form I-20 from your SEVP-approved school.

Form DS-160 can only be completed and submitted online on the Consular Electronic Application Center of the U.S. Department of State (DOS).

After you fill out this application form and submit it, you’ll be taken to a confirmation page that generates a unique barcode for your application. Print this barcode and bring it with you to your visa interview appointment. The information that you provide on your visa application will be used to process it.

3. Pay the visa application fee

Each dependent for whom you are requesting an F-2 visa for will have to pay the application fee of $160. Depending on your home country, you may also have to pay a visa issuance fee. Once you’ve made the payments that apply to you, keep the receipts; you’ll need them later on during your interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy.

4. Schedule your visa interview

After you have completed your visa application and paid your fees, the next step is to schedule a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Visa interviews are usually held on a first-come, first-serve basis and may be scheduled for months in advance. This makes it important for you to schedule your appointment early. Once you schedule your interview, a confirmation will be sent to your email. You will need to print this interview appointment confirmation to show to the officials when you arrive for your visa interview.

5. Gather all important documents

You may refer to the list of recommended documents above so you know what to provide during the interview. Organize the receipts and documents and group them together according to who they are for—you, your spouse or your children. Failure to bring required documents may result in unnecessary delays and, in worse case scenarios, may lead to application denial.

6. Go to your interview

Arriving early on your interview date is a good idea. Have all your documents, including your proof of financial capability. You will present them to your interviewer, who will ask you questions about your intent to study in the U.S. and desire to bring your spouse or children with you.

How long does it take to process an F-2 visa?

The processing time for F-2 visa applications tends to vary. In many cases, however, you can expect an official decision to be made one to two weeks after your interview. Don’t make travel plans before you’ve received an official decision from the embassy or consulate.

Benefits enjoyed by F-2 visa holders

F-2 visa holders are allowed to legally enter and remain in the U.S. as long as the F-1 student’s status remains valid. To maintain his or her status, the F-1 student must enroll and remain in a full-time program of study in the U.S. He or she must report any changes of address to the DSO and will not be allowed to work for the first academic year. After the first academic year, the F-1 student may ask for permission to work at an on-campus job, but he or she will be limited to working 20 hours per week during the academic term or 40 hours per week during holidays.

F-2 visa holders are able to live in the U.S with the F-1 visa holder. They are not, however, normally allowed to work. Spouses of F-1 visa holders may attend school on a part-time basis. Additionally, F-2 dependents who are school-age will be required to attend K-12 schools while they’re in the U.S.

Granted extensions of stay for F-1 visa students also apply to his or her dependents. Following the extension, proof should still be submitted to prove the financial capability of the family, as well as an application for renewal of the F-2 dependent visa. You will need to file Form I-539 and provide proof that you still have sufficient financial resources to obtain an extension and to renew your F-2 dependent visa.

Changing your visa status

Foreign nationals who enter the U.S. on an F-2 visa are also eligible to apply for an adjustment of status. For example, if you’re an F-2 dependent and you want to enroll in a full-time educational program at a U.S. college or university, you may apply to a SEVP-approved school and submit an application to adjust your status to a different type of visa. Once you change your status, you may then be allowed to study in the U.S. on a full-time basis until your program is completed. You can apply to change your status by filing Form I-539.

You also have the option of changing your status from an F-2 visa to a different type of nonimmigrant visa such as an H-1B or an L-1 visa, which are both nonimmigrant and dual intent visas.

If you secure an H-1B visa, you may remain and work in the U.S. for up to six years. Eventually, you may also apply to become a lawful permanent resident. However, you must find an employer willing to sponsor you and that can petition for an H-1B visa on your behalf.

Restrictions on F-2 dependent visa holders

The F-2 visa is only meant for dependents of F-1 visa holders to enter the U.S. to live with the F-1 student. As such, there are several restrictions placed on F-2 dependents.

For example, F-2 visa holders usually can’t work with their visas since they can’t usually obtain a work permit. They can, however, engage in unpaid voluntary work. Without a work permit, the F-2 visa holder also won’t be able to get a Social Security Number. One option you have is to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file any reports or tax returns with the IRS. If you wish to work, you will first need to apply to change your visa to a different type that allows you to work.

While you can take vocational or recreational courses on a part-time basis, you are not typically allowed to enroll in university or college programs full-time to pursue a Bachelor’s or graduate degree program with an F-2 visa. Minor children who are of school age can enroll in K-12 schools in the U.S. to comply with compulsory education laws. If you want to pursue a bachelor’s or graduate degree, you may start by applying to adjust your status to an F-1 visa after securing admission to a SEVP-approved university or college.

When to arrive in the U.S. with an F-2 visa

You won’t be able to enter the country before the arrival of the F-1 student. You may either travel with the F-1 visa holder or follow him or her to the U.S. at a later time.  This restriction only applies, however, if it’s your first time entering the U.S. on your F-2 visa. After the initial entry, you will normally be able to re-enter the U.S. even without the presence of the F-1 visa holder.

How long does an F-2 visa last?

Your F-2 visa will last for the duration of the F-1 student’s educational program. When the F-1 visa holder completes his or her degree program, you both must return to your home country within 60 days of the end of the program unless the F-1 student has applied for and has been approved for the OPT program or a STEM OPT extension. If the F-1 student receives an extension, you will be able to remain in the U.S. on your F-2 visa until the end of the extension period.

Your F-2 visa status depends on the status of the F-1 visa holder. This means that if the status of the F-1 visa holder lapses, you will have to leave the U.S. with the F-1 student to return to your home country. Examples of actions that could cause the F-1 student to lose his or her status include falling below full-time study, failing to report changes of address or work, working without an employment authorization document (EAD), or committing a criminal offense.

The takeaway

F-2 visas allow spouses and minor children of F-1 students to enter the U.S. to live with the F-1 student for the duration of the educational program. However, this does not allow you to work in the U.S. or study full-time. The good news is that you may have the option to apply for an adjustment of status to a different type of visa that will allow you to work or pursue a degree.

F2 Visa Interview Experiences, Questions, Answers & Tips

1. F2 Visa Interview – US Consulate – Mumbai – Approved

I asked a question regarding the F2 visa for my wife a couple of days ago but I received no response.

I’m posting her F2 Visa interview experience so that it may help anyone similar to my situation.

My wife got her F2 visa approved with relative ease despite a bit dicey situation.

Question about F2 Visa Interview

My post-completion OPT is expiring on 2-Feb-2021. I have already applied for STEM OPT extension but waiting on the I797C receipt. My wife has an upcoming F2 visa interview on January 3rd week. I know it’s risky to apply for F2 now, but since my visa would receive a temporary extension of 6 months post-deadline before the decision and since visa processing times are around 4 months, I’m planning to apply for it. Has anyone faced such a situation before? Any suggestions/feedback on how to handle this situation?

Precautions & Prep For F2 Visa interview

DSO of my university college advised me to take FedEx tracking showing that my STEM OPT extension packet is delivered and received as proof that my application was delivered to USCIS since I did not get my receipt yet.

She also took a letter from my manager on official letterhead that my current work authorization is extended for 6 months.

She also asked to take the I-9 employment eligibility verification form (employer files it with USCIS) wherein the newly updated form has 6 months extended work authorization date (this form has sensitive information and hence a redacted form was given by the employer).

All other documents are usual suspects of an F2 visa interview.

F2 Visa Interview Questions

Location: Mumbai Consulate
Date: Jan-2021 (2nd week)

VO: What is your name?
VO: Can you pass me your i20?
VO: Can you pass me your original marriage certificate?
VO: So your husband is doing his Master’s at Georgia Tech?
Wife: No, he has already graduated and is working at Bank of America.
VO: Oh, Bank of America!
Wife: Yes
VO: When did he graduate?
VO: Is he here or in the US?
Wife: He is currently in the US
VO: Congratulations! Your visa is approved.
Wife: Thanks (elated!)

VO didn’t ask for any further documents and approved right away!

I have prepared for the worst possible outcome but the interview went on quite easily and she came out unscathed!

I hope this experience and our preparation help someone who is stuck similar to my situation.

2. F2 Visa Interview – US Consulate Mumbai – Approved

Following experience is shared by Vyoma.

Thank you all for your valuable support and suggestions. I am glad to share that I got my F2 dependent visa approved yesterday 02/19/21 at the Mumbai embassy.

I want to share here my interview experience. The interview held at 11:35 AM. VO was a lady.

Me: Hello ma’am. Good morning..how are you?
VO: Good morning. I am good. Please sanitize your hand and give me your passport and I-20.

Me: Sure ma’am (she checked I-20).
VO: So which type of visa you applied?

Me: I have applied for F2 dependent visa
VO: When did you got married?

Me: Told the details
VO: Did you have arranged marriage or a love marriage?

Me: It was an arranged marriage
VO: How you guys meet?

Me: I told the details
VO: Please give me your marriage certificate

Me: Sure. ma’am.
VO: She checked the marriage certificate and again asked for my marriage date. She got confused between the marriage date and the registered marriage date. Then I gave clarification regarding the same.

VO: Since when is your husband is in the USA?
Me: I gave the answer

VO: What your husband doing there?
Me: He is working for xyz company.

VO: What kind of work he is doing?
Me: told the details regarding his job role and responsibilities

VO: How much he is earning?
Me: I gave the details

VO: Please place your fingers on the biometric machine and sanitize your hand
Me: Sure..ma’am

VO: So I am approving your visa. Congratulations
Me: Thank you, ma’am. Have a good day
VO: Have a good day to you too.

This was my interview experience. Hope it may be helpful for anyone of you.

F2 Visa Rejection Review & Coaching

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