B2 Visa Interview Questions

Getting your B2 visa can indeed be a very challenging task. You have a fair amount of paperwork to gather, some very stressful waiting time to go through – but perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of everything is going through the B2 visa interview questions. Even if it is for something as simple as traveling.

Indeed, you may have flawless paperwork – but if the immigration officer considers that there is something wrong with the way you answer your questions, then your chances of getting your visa will be getting slimmer and slimmer. You have to ensure that everything lines up perfectly so that you successfully pass your interview.

The problem here is that you don’t have to be dishonest to fail your test. You can be nervous or simply unprepared for the questions – and the officers will see that hesitation simply as lies. You don’t want them to think that you are lying when you were simply nervous or unprepared, right?

Check out our video guide “USA Tourist Visa Interview Questions and Answers” or read on to learn more!

B2 Visa Interview

Like the B1 visa, the B2 visa interview questions are generally taken at the consulate or embassy of your home country. There, it will be determined whether or not you will be a liability to the United States if you decide to visit.

They will also determine whether you are likely to return or not – all based on face-to-face questions, to test your truthfulness and reaction. If children living abroad want to bring their parents to the U.S. on a B2 visa, they will have to go through a set of questions.

B2 Visa Interview Questions, Answers, and Sample Responses

Each visa interview question will have its own purpose of proving whether you are honest in entering the United States or not. Thankfully, these questions are found online – and you may easily practice them before the big day arrives.

Interview Questions

There are many different questions in the B2 visa interview – and each of them will have to be answered as truthfully as possible. Ideally, you should not “nerd out” on those questions – but only familiarize yourself in a way that you can provide complete answers. Here are the questions, the way in which you should answer – and also some sample questions in case you have any doubts.

Question: Why do you want to go to the United States?

Answer: State the purpose for which you want to travel to the U.S., truthfully.

Sample Response: To visit the place and to visit our son. We also want to visit Niagara Falls and Pittsburg, as it is in the vicinity of where he is living. If possible, we also want to visit other attractions in the vicinity.

Question: Why do you want to travel specifically during this time?

Answer: Provide an answer as to why you prefer this time over any other of the year.

Sample Response: We wished to visit during summer when the warmth was just good enough to let us travel around. It was also the perfect time, as our son was able to arrange for leave from work.

Question: How long do you want to remain in the United States?

Answer: State the number of months that you wish to remain in the U.S.

Sample Response: We wish to stay for six months in the United States.

Question: Why do you want to go for a 6-month visa instead of a shorter one?

Answer: Answer truthfully.

Sample Response: We already see our son rarely enough as it is. Plus, there is a lot to see in the United States – something that you cannot do by staying just one month, for example.

Question: Where do you plan on staying in the United States?

Answer: Give the exact address where you will be staying. You may want to memorize it firsthand.

Sample Response: We will be staying at 2287 Oak Street in Old Forge, New York. It is the place where our son is currently staying at.

Question: How much do you expect this trip to cost?

Answer: If you have an estimate, give it. However, never say that you are planning to cover some of the costs of the trip. Show some sponsor documents as well.

Sample Response: We believe we will spend about $1,000 per month. Our son will be the one to cover our expenses. The average person tends to spend just as much during a trip, and we do not want to overspend either.

Question: Who will be sponsoring your trip?

Answer: State the person that will be sponsoring your trip, whether it’s your son or daughter that you are visiting.

Sample Response: Our son will be the one to sponsor this trip into the United States.

Question: Is your son or daughter married?

Answer: Answer yes or no.

Sample Response: Yes, our son is married.

Question: Does your son or daughter have any children?

Answer: Provide truthful answers.

Sample Response: No, our son doesn’t have any children yet.

Question: Is your daughter or daughter-in-law pregnant?

Answer: Be truthful and go with a yes, no, or I don’t know the answer.

Sample Response: No – or at least not that we know of. If she is, then they are probably waiting to tell us during this trip.

Question: What is the birth date of your son or daughter?

Answer: State the day on which your son or daughter was born.

Sample Response: Our son was born on March 8th, 1988.

Question: What is the birth date of your son or daughter-in-law?

Answer: State the birthday of your in-law.

Sample Response: Our daughter-in-law was born on November 16th, 1991.

Question: On which date does your son or daughter celebrate their wedding anniversary?

Answer: Provide an accurate answer, and you might want to have some wedding photographs at hand.

Sample Response: Our son and daughter got married on February 14th, which was Valentine’s Day. Here is a date written on the wedding photographs.

Question: What do you plan on doing when your son and daughter-in-law go to work?

Answer: Provide truthful answers.

Sample Response: We plan on taking any form of public transportation that we can and visit nearby places. We also want to help them take care of the house as much as we can, as they have little time on their hands.

Question: What does your son do for a living?

Answer: Provide short answers – and only elaborate when asked.

Sample Response: Our son is a web designer at an IT company.

Question: What does your daughter-in-law do for a living?

Answer: Provide your answer accordingly.

Sample: Our daughter works as a teacher at an elementary school in the vicinity.

Question: Where do your son and daughter-in-law stay in the United States?

Answer: Provide the city and state where your son is living. Since this will likely be your primary place of residence at the time being, you will have to memorize the address. You do not necessarily have to provide the full answer: just the city and the state.

Sample Response: Our son lives in Old Forge, New York, together with his spouse.

Question: May we have the contact details of your son?

Answer: Provide the details that they need. You may want to memorize them.

Sample Response: Yes, here are his phone number and email address.

Question: How long has it been since the last time you saw your son?

Answer: Answer truthfully.

Sample Response: The last time we saw our son was about 6 months ago when they came to visit us during the holiday.

Question: Do you have relatives in the United States?

Answer: Answer truthfully – but don’t mention any other relatives except for your children unless you have been asked first.

Sample Response: Yes, we have our son living here, in the United States.

Question: How long has your son been living in the U.S.?

Answer: Answer accordingly by the number of years.

Sample Response: Our son has been living here for four years now.

Question: What is the legal status of your son or daughter? On what visa are they?

Answer: Be truthful and accurate in your answer and show proof when asked for it.

Sample Response: My son is a green card holder in the United States.

Question: Did your son and daughter study in the U.S.?

Answer: If that was the case, be prepared to come with details regarding when, where, and what they studied.

Sample Response: No, my son did not study in the United States.

Question: When your son first arrived in the U.S, what visa did they enter on?

Answer: Answer truthfully and accordingly.

Sample Answer: My son first came to the United States on an H1 employment-based visa.

Question: How much does your son earn per year in the United States?

Answer: Provide a truthful answer to that, and be prepared to offer proof.

Sample Response: My son earns around $55,000 per year.

Question: Where does your son or daughter work in the U.S.?

Answer: State the name of the company. You may want to memorize it.

Sample Response: My son is employed at Virtual Tech Inc.

Question: If your son is a student, who is paying for your expenses during this trip?

Answer: Provide a truthful answer, to which you attach proof.

Sample Response: My son is in the ability to pay for everything, including our stay here.

Question: When is your son or daughter planning to visit you next time?

Answer: Ideally, you should not say the same year. If you do, then the consulate may say that you don’t need to come to the U.S. yourself if they are already planning on visiting you.

Sample Response: My son and daughter in law currently do not have any plans. They may try to visit sometime next year, or later after that.

Question: Do you have any close relatives in the United States?

Answer: Answer truthfully to that.

Sample Response: Aside from my son and daughter-in-law, we have no other close relatives in the United States.

Question: Has anyone filed the petition for a green card for you?

Answer: Provide a truthful answer.

Sample Response: Yes, my son has petitioned so that I may get a green card for traveling.

Question: Have you already booked the airline tickets?

Answer: Provide a truthful, yes or no answer.

Sample Response: Yes, we have already booked airline tickets.

Question: Have you ever been to the United States before this?

Answer: Be truthful in your answer.

Sample Response: Yes, we have been to the United States before, also to visit our son.

Question: Did you ever travel internationally before this?

Answer: Be truthful in your response.

Sample Response: Aside from our previous visit, we have not traveled internationally before.

Question: How long did you stay when you last visited the U.S.?

Answer: Be truthful in your answer.

Sample Response: The last time we visited the United States, we stayed for two months.

Question: Did you extend your stay the last time you’ve been to the United States?

Answer: Give your answer accordingly. If you did extend your stay, you may want to show a visa extension approval letter.

Sample Response: No, we did not extend our stay the last time we visited the United States.

Question: Will your spouse accompany you on your trip?

Answer: Be truthful – and if you are coming alone, be prepared to say why (e.g. you are a widower, the spouse is too busy with work, etc.).

Sample Response: Yes, my spouse will be accompanying me during this visit.

Question: When do you plan on traveling to the United States?

Answer: Provide your answer according to your plans.

Sample Response: We are planning to journey towards the United States from the beginning of May.

Question: Have you already bought your plane ticket?

Answer: Offer a truthful answer.

Sample Response: Yes, we have already bought our plane tickets in the event that we get our visa.

Question: Have you already purchased your visitor’s medical insurance?

Answer: Provide a truthful answer – no matter if you or your child is the one buying it.

Sample Response: No, I will buy the medical insurance once our visa petition is accepted.

Question: Do you have a credit card?

Answer: Provide your answer accordingly. Show the credit card, if you do.

Sample Response: Yes, I do have a credit card. Here it is.

Question: What do you do here/in your home country?

Answer: Answer truthfully.

Sample Response: I work for iANMarketing, a copywriting company.

Question: Who will take care of your business while you are visiting the United States?

Answer: State who you will be leaving in charge or what will happen with your business during your absence.

Sample Response: My colleagues will be the ones taking care of the business while I am gone.

Question: Could you show us your business (visiting) card?

Answer: This should only apply if you are employed or have a business. If you don’t have a business card or are retired, you should answer accordingly.

Sample Response: Of course, here it is.

Question: If you are employed, how are you going to the U.S. for the next six months?

Answer: State the reason that allows you to stay there for this long.

Sample Response: Over the past few years, I have accumulated a fair number of leave days. I have also taken a few unpaid leave days to actually enjoy my time there.

Question: Can we see your leave of approval?

Answer: If you are employed, show the leave of approval. If not, answer accordingly.

Sample Response: Yes, here it is.

Question: When did you retire?

Answer: Give a truthful answer including the month and the year.

Sample Response: I retired in March 2014.

Question: How much pension do you get right now?

Answer: provide the exact sum per month. You may also want to show the pension book.

Sample Response: I get $3,723 per month, as it also shows in the pension book.

Question: What is your annual income?

Answer: Offer a truthful answer over how much money you get every year. You should also offer proof of income.

Sample Response: I get $24,145 per year.

Question: Your income isn’t enough to support your trip to the United States. How are you going to pay?

Answer: Mention whether you have sponsors, and be prepared to show proving documents that they can cover your trip.

Sample Response: My son and daughter-in-law will be the ones sponsoring our trip to the United States.

Question: Will you be working from the United States?

Answer: Answer truthfully and accordingly.

Sample Response: No, I am only there to visit, for tourism purposes.

Question: Will you be doing business in the United States?

Answer: Provide your answer truthfully.

Sample Response: No, I am only visiting for tourism purposes.

Question: What will you do upon your return to your home country?

Answer: Provide a truthful answer to that.

Sample Response: I will be returning to work at the company that I am employed at.

Question: Will you be coming back here (your home country) after your visit?

Answer: The correct answer here should be yes, but answer accordingly.

Sample Response: Yes, we will definitely be coming back.

Question: How can we be certain that you will return here?

Answer: List all the ties that you have here, which ensure your return. Show documents for any tie you may have.

Sample Response: All of our other relatives are here, including our daughter, our grandchildren, and my mother that is partially dependent on us. We are also the owners of an apartment here, and I also run a business that will require my presence.

Question: What properties do you have here?

Answer: Answer truthfully, and also bring the documentation necessary.

Sample Response: We have a three-room flat, for which we have ownership proof.

Question: Who will be taking care of your property while you are away?

Answer: Tell them just who exactly will be taking care of receiving your bills, dusting, watering your garden, etc.

Sample Response: We have made arrangements with a friend living next door to occasionally drop by while we are away. Our other daughter at home also has a key.

Question: How many kids do you currently have?

Answer: Mention how many children you have, as well as whether they have grandchildren or not. You may also want to carry some pictures with you.

Sample Response: We have two children, one living here and the other in the U.S. Our daughter here has two children.

Question: How many relatives do you have here, in your home country?

Answer: List your relatives – but if you can, stress upon those that you are in direct contact with or are dependent on you.

Sample Response: Aside from the children, both I and my spouse have our elderly parents. My wife also has a sister, and I have two little brothers.

Question: Where do you live here (in your home country)?

Answer: State your complete address.

Sample Response: We live at 7599 Elm Street, nr. 679.

Question: Do you pay income tax?

Answer: Answer truthfully.

Sample Response: Yes, I pay income tax.

Question: Are you going to the U.S. for any terrorist activity?

Answer: Be truthful – with the obvious answer being no.

Sample Response: No, of course not.

Question: Who currently lives with you and what do they do?

Answer: Answer truthfully.

Sample Response: No one lives with us, as each of our family members has his/her own home.

Question: How many siblings do you have, and what can you tell us about them?

Answer: Answer accordingly.

Sample Response: I have two brothers living here, one of them is a computer analyst, and the other one is a doctor. Only the one that is a computer analyst has two children.

Question: Do you have your own car?

Answer: Answer accordingly.

Sample Response: No, I do not have a car.

Question: How many servants do you have?

Answer: Answer accordingly.

Sample Response: I do not have any servants.

Read More

• How Many Times Can You Enter the U.S. on a B1/B2 Visa?
• How to Get a U.S. Tourist Visa for Your Parents
• Best Visitor Insurance in the USA
• Tourist Visa Sponsor Documents Guide
• Guide to Visitor Visa Extensions

Wrap Up

Generally speaking, what is most important during a B2 visa interview is to remain truthful. You don’t want the immigration officers to catch you lying, as it might ruin your chances of getting a visa.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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