Interview preparation

Some visas include an interview with a consular officer or immigration official. Interview preparation is for anyone who feels nervous about that conversation and wants to practise explaining their plans clearly, calmly and truthfully.

Who it is for

• Applicants for US visas, where a consular interview is part of most applications.

• Students and visitors who may be invited to a credibility interview.

• Anyone who has been refused after an interview and wants to understand what went wrong.

What is included

• A short explanation of what the officer is likely to be assessing for your type of visa, based on the published rules and official guidance.

• One or more practice sessions by video call, using questions similar to those officers commonly ask.

• Feedback on how clearly you explain your purpose, your plans and your circumstances.

• Guidance on which documents to bring and how to keep them organised.

What you get at the end

Confidence that you understand your own application and can talk about it naturally. You will also have written notes from your sessions, highlighting any parts of your story that seemed unclear or did not match your documents.

What we need from you

• A copy of your submitted application form, such as the DS-160 for US visas.

• The documents you plan to bring to the interview.

• Honest answers in practice sessions. If something is difficult to explain, practice is the right place to find that out.

Limits you should know about

We do not give you scripts or answers to memorise. Officers are trained to notice rehearsed answers, and your answers must be true and your own. We cannot attend consular interviews with you or contact the officer on your behalf. The decision belongs to the officer, and we cannot influence it. If your case raises questions of law, such as a past ineligibility or a criminal matter, we will refer you to a qualified lawyer.