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The H1B visa is well-known amongst graduates and prospective foreign aspirants who dream of starting their careers in the USA. This popular employment-based visa is a non-immigrant visa that US-based employers must sponsor for their foreign employees. Employers must apply for the H1B petition with the US Immigration Department, after which the visa processing begins. The approved H1B petition or Form I-797 is a work petition that allows the applicant to start working for their US employer.
One of the most significant steps in this entire process is the US visa interview. This interview is critical to expediting the H1B visa process to its final stages.
Before moving to the US visa interview, learn more about H1B Visa and the H1B interview process.
Let's take an up-close look at the interview process and the H1B visa questions that you will be asked.
Your H1B visa interview will be held at a US Consulate or the US Embassy in your country. The H1B interview is a very strict and structured process. To attend this interview, you first need to schedule your appointment and fix a date and time. You also need to carry a list of specific documents required to assess your eligibility for the H1B visa.
What will happen on the day of your H1B visa interview? You must go to the US Consulate or Embassy at the scheduled time slot. You must also inform the Consulate about your special requirements at least 48 hours before your interview. Once you arrive at the Consulate, the interview process will take place in three steps:
You will have to wait until your name is called and then meet your interviewer or Consular officer, who will verify your documents and ask several questions. The prime objective of this interview is to verify and ensure that the information and documents provided by you are authentic and that you are eligible for an H1B visa.
Your answers to the questions must be confident, clear, and accurate enough to convince the interviewer of your eligibility. You will be informed immediately if the Consular officer approves your interview. Once you have cleared the interview, you will have to wait for three or four days to collect your passport at the mailing address you've given.
Most applicants want to know how long the interview lasts. The truth is, there is no definite duration for the interview. It can last for thirty minutes or even an hour. However, it is wise to be prepared for thirty minutes.
Documents required for your H1B interview
During the interview, the Consular officer will also examine your documents. You must carry all the original copies of the documents provided in this document checklist:
Now that we've dealt with all the other information regarding your H1B visa interview let's move on to the H1B interview questions and answers.
When your interview commences, your Consular Officer may first ask you to hand over copies of your supporting documents. Please note that you should give only the documents you are asked to provide. Once the officer has all the relevant documents, they will commence with the questions.
The H1B visa questions are of three categories:
Here are the questions to expect from each category.
General Questions
The general questions are intended to derive information about:
Your consular officer will also want to know if you know anyone in the US or whether you intend to bring your family along with you. You can expect questions like:
However, amongst all the questions you will be asked, the most important one will be the one that determines your intention of returning to your home country. You must convince the Consular officer of your intent to return. At this point, you should also provide all the documents such as loan documents, lease agreements, or property deeds.
Qualification Questions
There are questions about your educational background and work experience. It is an opportunity to show that you possess extensive skills to qualify for an H1B visa. You can explain your educational qualifications, certifications, and the institutions you studied. Additionally, you must demonstrate your competence to do the job you were hired for by displaying your prior work experience. In your job interview, you'll be asked to describe your job responsibilities and reasons for leaving. The official will also ask you about your experience in Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US if you have had any.
Here are some of the common questions to expect in this category:
H1B company background questions
Your consular officer will wind up your US H1B visa interview questions by asking about your employer whom you will work for in the US. These questions are asked to assess whether the company exists and is legitimate. The officer will want to ensure that you are not being indicted for a fake job in the US. At the same time, they will also want to ensure that you are not representing a fake company to leave your home country.
To ensure that all the information you provide is genuine, you must provide:
Your consular officer may ask you questions like:
Now that you know the commonly asked questions, you can start your H1B visa interview preparation.
The Consulate makes most H1B visa decisions right after the interview. If your interviewer is satisfied with the outcome, they will decide to grant the visa and will stamp your passport right then and there. Once you obtain your passport, you can start planning your travel arrangements. You can also check here to learn how to track your passport.
Sometimes, your interviewer may need more time to arrive at a decision. They may want to verify more documents and review your interview with their supervisors. In such cases, the process will not take more than a week.
Also Read : All You Need to Know About H1B Rejection and Denial
Visit TechFetch H1B Website
The H1B visa interview is primarily designed to identify and root out fraudulent attempts to enter the US. As long as all your information is accurate and genuine, and your answers are up to the mark, you should have no difficulty acing the interview. You can refer TechFetch H1B website to gain more information for your H1B interview preparation.
**Disclaimer: All information regarding the H1B visa is subject to change. Kindly refer to the USCIS official website for all the latest updates.**