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HOW TO TALK TO A CONSUL
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
Dear Atty Gurfinkel:
I am scheduled for my interview at the US Embassy in a few weeks,
and I am very anxious and nervous. I am truly entitled to my visa
(I haven't committed any fraud), but I have heard a lot of stories
about the questions asked at the interview. I really want to do
well at my interview, and I want to avoid problems. How can I
best increase my chances of success at the interview?
Very truly yours,
WB
Dear WB:
Of course, no one can "guarantee" that a visa will be
issued to anyone, regardless of how a person conducts himself
or herself at an interview. Only a Consul can issue a visa after
being fully satisfied that all the legal requirements have been
met by the visa Applicant. However, here are a few tips, which
might help in proving your eligibility for a visa at the interview.
-
You should resist the temptation to tell
your whole life story and family history to the Consul in
response to every question he asks. Consuls are extremely
busy and have a lot of interviews to conduct throughout the
day. They don't have time to listen to a long story in response
to a short question. When Consuls ask questions, they are
simply trying to determine your eligibility for the visa,
per the requirements set forth in the US immigration laws.
-
Stick to the subject and get straight
to the bottom line in your answers. Sometimes, the
Consul will ask a question calling for a "yes" or
"no" answer. If that is the case, then answer the
question directly, and don't go on and on with an answer that
does not address the question being asked. In other words,
be brief with your answers, but make sure your answers address
and satisfy the Consul's concerns. Of course, if an answer
requires an explanation, then you should provide that explanation,
but make sure you get to the point.
-
Listen to the question the Consul is asking,
before you start answering. If you start talking before
he finishes the question, you may be answering a question
he is not even asking, and rather than speeding along the
interview, you actually will slow it down.
-
Make sure you understand the question.
If you do not understand the question, you should inform the
Consul, so he can ask it again, using different words, or
even an interpreter. The Consul does not want you to answer
a question you do not understand, and he won't know you don't
understand a question unless you tell him.
-
Don't guess. If you do not know
an answer to a question, or if you can't remember, tell the
Consul. The Consul does not want you to guess, if you don't
know the answer.
-
Tell the truth. I know of many
people who were lawfully entitled to visas, but lied to the
Consul, thinking it would be better for their case. The Embassy
quickly discovered the fraud, and the person was banned for
life from going to the US. Had the person told the truth from
the beginning, and satisfactorily explained the circumstances,
they would have gotten the visa. If you have something suspicious
about your case (i.e. date of marriage on your illegitimate
child's birth certificate), it is better to tell the truth
and explain what happened than it is to try to hide it, by
filing a late registered birth certificate, showing a birth
at home, etc.
-
Present only documents which are true,
genuine and authentic. Presenting fake documents,
or documents which were altered is considered fraud, and would
be grounds for denial of your visa. The Embassy, which now
has one of the largest and most sophisticated Fraud Prevention
Units, will check out those documents and will discover your
fraud.
-
Be calm and courteous to the Consuls.
When they ask questions, they are only doing their job, as
mandated by the laws of the US.
-
You should not bother the Consul with
a barrage of questions or start asking for legal advice, whether
at the Embassy or if you happen to see a Consul during lunch
hour. If you want legal advice, you should consult
with an attorney, and let the Consul do his job. Consuls are
also entitled to a lunch hour and we should all respect their
time. Again, these tips will not "guarantee" a visa,
but I think they will help in increasing your chances of a
successful interview.
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