What you need to know about visa officers before your visa interview

What you need to know about visa officers

What you need to know about the visa officer before going to your visa interview 

Though we talk about US visa here but today's topic doesn't matter what country you want to travel to because the points below is what you need to know about the visa officers. So, if you're preparing for a visa interview, you're reading the right article no matter what country you want to travel to.

The way I'll present this article is to write it as question and answer i.e I'll ask a question, then I'll answer it. It's one of the best way to help people learn very fast.

First of all, who is a visa officer?

A visa officer is the consular officer at the embassy or consulate responsible for evaluating visa applications, determining eligibility, and making decisions on whether to approve or deny a visa to an applicant who wants to travel to his/her country.

What did the visa officer study in school?

Most of them are people who studied international relations,  political science, law, public administration. They're generally people who have skills in  communication, analytical thinking, as well as cultural sensitivity and adaptability. People who have a degree in psychology may be at advantage.

Of course, they all have general knowledge on how to make use of computer like everyone else.

How do I become a visa officer?

You can apply to become a visa officer through your country's foreign affairs ministry- in the USA it's through the department of state, which has other branches like the US nationality and immigration department.

You'll then have to go to training on interview techniques, culture adaptability, communication, etc. Their career prospects include becoming a senior visa officer, embassy manager, ambassador, etc.

Will the visa officer know if I am lying?

They have interviewed thousands of people who tell the truth and those who lie, so most of the time they can figure out a lie. But not all the time.

Does the visa officer have a computer?

Yes, the visa officer has a computer on his/her desk and it's connected to the Internet.

What does the visa do once I appear for the interview?

Once you appear for the interview, the visa officer will first check your visa application. After that he/she will use the information on your visa application to try to find out whether you know someone in the country you want to travel to and whether the person has filed for an immigrant application for you. The visa officer can also do this before calling you to come forward for the interview.

Will the visa officer know if I've been denied visa in the past?

Yes, the visa officer will know if you have been denied visa in the past, as long as you applied for your visa with the same name. He/she will also know if you were finger-printed during your first interview. Your finger print is tied to your name forever unless you officially change your name.

What is the visa officer typing during the interview?

During the visa interview, the visa officer is jotting down some important things you wrote on your visa application form or some important comments you make during the interview.

Can the visa officer check me on Facebook?

Yes, even before you arrive for the visa interview, there's a department (that you won't be told about) that check your online profiles.

Can the visa officer fact check me on Google?

Yes, if you say something. Example, that you're going to attend a conference in Santa Clara in California on a certain date, the visa officer would search on Google to find out if such a conference in holding in California on the said date. 

How will the visa officer know that I am lying?

 

The visa officer will know when you're lying by using subtle clues that are used to know when people are lying. The clues include:- suddenly touching your nose, being evasive, lost of your composure, change of voice, not looking the visa in the eyes, sweating, stammering and blabbing. 

Of course, those are just clues, sometimes it could be right, other times it could be wrong. 

He/she will also know if the information you filled in your visa application form is different from what you say during the visa interview.

How will the visa officer know that I am saying the truth?

You'll think that he/she will know that you're saying the truth because you will do the opposite of the above. But it doesn't work exactly that way when telling the truth. A good liar can still get through without being noticed.

But the visa officer will certainly know when you're saying the truth because everything you wrote in your visa application form would be the same thing you'll say during the interview.

What is the visa officer thinking about me during the visa interview?

The visa officer is thinking: is this applicant genuine or not? Should I approve or disapprove the visa? 

And the visa officer has less than 5 minutes to make up his/her mind, so make a good presentation of yourself once you walk into the embassy or consulate for your interview.

Are security cameras watching me in the embassy or consulate?

Yes, as soon as you get to the gate, there are security cameras stationed everywhere, monitoring everyone and everything going on in and around the embassy or consulate facility. There also people in a room monitoring the cameras on TV live. Banks do that too.

Are there security personnel and secret service officers at the embassy or consulate?

Yes, they have secret service agents monitoring the cameras on TV live and some agents hanging in and around the embassy or consulate building/facility. 

If you cause trouble or a disturbance in around the embassy or consulate, you'll be handed over to the police.

Do I need a letter of invitation to attend my visa interview?

It depends on the type of visa interview you're going to. If someone or company or organization invited you, then you should have a letter of invitation from the inviter. But if you weren't invited by anybody, then there's no need to have a letter of invitation 

Do I give the visa officer all my documents at once?

No, wait for the visa officer to ask for a document before you provide it UNLESS you have a good reason to present a certain document to him/her without waiting to be asked. But it may lead to other questions or asking for other documents that you don't expect. Sometimes no document is required to approve a visa. 

Follow here to learn what type of questions are asked during a US visa interview, and most importantly, how to answer them correctly and get your visa approved.

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