The thought of finally going for visa interview can be chilling and overwhelming. It can cause goosebumps all over your body if you are not able to control your emotions. Sometimes, it can make you nervous or fidgety even though you’re sure of yourself and the reason for your journey.
First thing that must be established is that of anyone who desires to travel abroad desires a good thing. Therefore going for Visa interview is not something you should be afraid of. All you need is the self-confidence and right knowledge and the interview session would be a walkover
Also, knowing the type of questions they will be asking you will help you prepare very well mentally to meet them as they come. It’s a fact that if you know how their questions always look like, you have reduced half of the tension and confusion that have always greeted visa interview sessions.
Hence, below are some of the possible asked visa questions and how to go about answering them.
1. Intention.
The first question they are going to ask you is, what’s the reason for the travel? If the destination is the United States of America for example, they will ask you, why do you want to go to the US? What they are expecting from you is to tell them your intentions for the journey. Are you going there for tourism, education, reunion, work or what? This is where applying caution and honesty is very important. You have to tell them what they want to hear that’s very true. Sometimes, you have to be tactical and leave some unnecessary details out of the way, just go straight to the point. Even before going to the interview, you’ve to know your WHY. This is because the first question is going to start with that. They are trying to ascertain if this Visa is really necessary or an unnecessary waste of time and country’s resources.
2. Duration.
The next question is going to be all about the time and duration of your stay. Questions like, how long are you going to stay in the US? How many months or years are you going to pass in the country? For how long is the travel? etc would be thrown at you. What they are expecting from you is to know the duration of your stay and to see if it match with the income and the reason you told them above. If you are going to the host country for education for example, it’s important to tell them the duration of the academic programme and also add some days to it in case of emergency. But the days shouldn’t be outrageous or suspicious. You cannot tell them you’re going to spend ten years in pursuing your doctoral degree in the United State of America. They will suspect foul play and decline granting you the Visa. Be reminded that how you answered the questions asked during the Visa interview sessions will determine your fate about your visa. Don’t be the architect of your own misfortune.
3. Frequency.
Another question would be, have you been to this country before? People who had gotten access into a country before tend to have higher chances of their visas being granted faster than people who are going for the first time. When they ask you if you have been to the country before, don’t lie that you’ve been there before when you’ve not. The international passport will proof you right or wrong. The systems there too are detectors of liars and manipulators.
4. Relations.
The next question is, do you know anyone there in the country? For example, your father, mother, siblings, Uncle, Aunt etc. They want to be sure that if anything should happen to you or maybe you miss your way, you can call somebody nearby and the person can come to your rescue. It’s mostly about security and safety measures. It’s also all about emergency back up plan. They are expecting you to tell them your social network because it’s generally believed that no man is an island and you cannot do life alone. However, if you don’t have anyone there, there is no point lying. Just be upfront and tell them because in some cases, they may require their contact and addresses.
5. Itinerary
Here is where they will ask you, what’s your movement like in the US? Are you going to be at home on weekends or go clubbing? Are you going to go home after work or school or would probably do some strolling? They are expecting you to tell them how you plan to move about in the host country so they can be sure that you are not going to be a societal nuisance to their people. What’s the means of mobility? Are you going to be using taxi or train or personal car? They want to know all these things. If you have a personal car, they would want to know the number and double check if the plate number and driver’s license is genuine.
6. Occupation.
The next thing is what you’re doing here and why you’re leaving it to travel to their country. They want to be sure that they are not accepting a thief into their country because thief will continue to steal whether in Nigeria or America. So, what’s your occupation? Expect this question. It’s a commonly asked visa question. They will even want to know what will happen to your business if you say you’re a businessman going on a tour or meeting.
7. Accommodation plans.
They will ask you, where do you plan to stay upon arrival at the host country? They are trying to avoid foreigner loitering about in the country with bags. They are also trying to reduce the number of homeless people in their country. So, before travelling, you should make plans for accommodation first because it will surely be among the visa questions to be asked before the visa is granted.
8. Proof of income.
They will also ask about your income to be sure that what’s shown on the bank statements of account is true and genuine.
9. Alternative plans.
They will ask you if you have other plans aside the reason you stated first. Do you want to work and study? Do you want to settle down in the host country if need be? etc
10. Return plans.
They will ask you , do you plan to return to Nigeria after your travel?
