Visa
What To Expect At A H1B Visa Interview: Questions, Answers And Tips
H1B visa interviews cover your qualifications, experience, and employer.
The H1B visa interview is the last step before issuance. The H1B visa applicant must convince the interviewer that they are qualified.
Interviews are scheduled by the Embassy. You must attend as a candidate. Before rescheduling, notify the Embassy. Rescheduling will delay visa processing by the Embassy. The Embassy may reschedule the interview after a few weeks if they are busy. Attending at the scheduled time is excellent.
Never miss the interview. Missing it shows officials you’re not serious about getting the visa. This reduces your chances of receiving it and working in the US.
Preparing for interview questions is advised. Answer any question the official may ask. We created a collection of H1B visa interview questions.
What Are the Most Commonly Asked Questions for the H1B Visa?
You must pass through Embassy security before your visa interview. Depending on the country, you will meet an Embassy official in a room or behind their desk in a shared office.
The US Embassy representative will request copies of your supporting documents initially. Your accepted Form I-129 petition and other prerequisites. To appear prepared, bring the file.
Then the official will question. These are their question sections:
- General questions.
- Qualification questions.
- H1B company background questions.
Whichever questions they start with first, you must answer correctly and truthfully. If you give incorrect information, the official will know and they will deny your visa.
General Questions
General queries are more introductory than detailed. The official will ask why and how long you’re going to the US. They want to know if your family or friends will join you in the US.
The most crucial question in this section is whether you intend to return home. The Embassy officer must believe you will return. Provide concrete replies and papers such a property deed, lease agreement, or loan documents.
Some of the general questions could be as follows:
- Could you please give me your passport and passport number?
- Have you ever traveled outside of your home country before?
- Have you ever been to the US before?
- Why do you want to go to the US?
- Why do you want to work in the US?
- What will you work in the US?
- Which US state are you going to?
- Do you have family or friends in the US?
- Have you ever studied in the US?
- Are you married? If yes, then how long?
- Will your spouse/children be joining you in the US?
- What citizenships do you hold?
- Have you ever immigrated to another country before?
- Do you plan on returning to your home country after your work in the US ends? If yes, then why?
- Could you please provide me with your approved Form I-129?
Below, we will give a brief example of some commonly asked interview questions along with how to answer appropriately.
Question 1: Why do you wish to visit the United States?
Answer: I wish to visit because of employment and the possible salary I can get from such a job. (Then state the company you plan to work with)
Question 2: What is your job at the company mentioned above?
Answer: Here, you mention your position at the company and some of your responsibilities.
Question 3: Have you visited the United States before?
Answer: Applicants must answer honestly, and if the answer is yes, state when and how long they stayed in the country.
Interviews need you to answer questions about your job, research projects, present employer, and foreign experience. These inquiries may include your plans for permanent residence, wage projections, and opinions on other countries offering similar jobs. Answer questions boldly.
Qualification questions
Qualification questions cover education and professional experience. Since the H1B visa is for speciality workers, you must demonstrate substantial capabilities. Explain your education, where you got it, and any certifications.
Previous work experience must also demonstrate your suitability for the position. Explain your role and why you departed. The official will also question about your US OPT experience.
Education and work experience questions:
- Could you please provide me with your diplomas and certifications?
- What is the highest degree that you have?
- What was your major?
- Where did you complete your education?
- When did you graduate?
- Did you do any internship during your studies?
- Did you do any research projects during your studies?
- What was the topic of your thesis?
- Do you have any additional certifications?
- What do you consider to be your skills?
- Do you plan to continue your education or get a certification?
- What was the last job you worked in?
- What were your duties there?
- Which company did you work for?
- How long was this experience?
- What was your salary?
- Why did you stop working for that company?
- How does your previous experience relate to what you will do in the US?
- Could you please give us your recommendation letters or letters from your previous employers?
H1B company background questions
Interviews end with company background. You must know enough about your US employer.
The US Embassy representative will want to verify if the company is real. They want to make sure you’re not receiving a false job from someone in the US or making up a fake firm to leave your nation.
You must explain the company and your role. Know your boss and corporate executives. You need corporate photos, financial statements, and tax filings.
Company history questions include:
- Which company will you work for in the US?
- What will be your position?
- Can you provide a description of your job?
- What will be your salary?
- How did you find out about this company?
- How did you apply for the job?
- How long did it take you to get this job?
- How many rounds of interviews and tests did you have?
- What does this company do?
- Who is the President of the company?
- Who will be your supervisor?
- Does this company sponsor other H1B visa employees? If so, how many?
- Do you have any pictures of what the company looks like? If so, could you please show us?
- How will you pay for your expenses until you get your salary?
- Could you please show us the company’s financial information?
- Could you please show us the company’s tax documents?
The questions are divided into sections, although this does not guarantee that the order will be followed by all interviewers. The Embassy official will most likely ask them as the topic arises, rather than following a specific section. As a result, prepare to answer any question in any sequence they ask you.