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In order for you to receive an immigrant visa, you must complete the interview process. Before you attend your in-person interview, you should make sure that you have followed the interview preparation instructions that the United States Embassy or Consulate publishes.

The visa application and interview process can be extremely stressful, and an experienced immigration lawyer could be a valuable asset during this time. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through Oak Brook visa application interviews and ensure you are properly prepared for every step of the process.

What Happens During a Visa Interview?

For Oak Brook visa application interviews, the applicant must go to the United States Embassy or Consulate. During the interview, an officer speaks with and questions the applicant, as well as potentially any accompanying family members.

The applicant must also submit to digital fingerprinting during the interview. Once the interview is complete, the officer decides whether the applicant is eligible to receive a visa.

Attendance at the Visa Interview

In addition to the applicant, several other individuals must attend the visa interview. For example, the applicant’s spouse, as well as any other unmarried and qualified children, must attend and participate in the interview session.

These individuals need not attend the interview session if they are planning to immigrate to the United States at a later date. Under these circumstances, the United States Embassy or Consulate would schedule those individuals separately. Either way, the individual who is sponsoring or petitioning for the applicant does not attend the visa interview.

Failure to Appear

Failing to appear for a visa interview can have serious consequences. In the event an applicant is unable to make their appointment, they should contact the United States Embassy or Consulate as soon as they are able, as otherwise, their petition could terminate. Moreover, any fees which the applicant paid beforehand are non-refundable, and the applicant would need to re-apply for a visa.

If a potential visa recipient has any questions about what his or her interview entails or who can attend, a knowledgeable attorney in Oak Brook could help him or her prepare.

Items the Applicant Should Bring to a Visa Interview

There are certain items that every visa applicant should bring to their interview, including the following:

  • Applicant photos – The applicant should bring two color photographs of themselves which are identical
  • Passport – An applicant should bring a passport which is valid for a period of six months beyond the date when the applicant intends to enter the United States
  • Letter – An applicant should always bring the appointment letter which they received stating the date and time of the appointment
  • Results of all medical exams – While some physicians mail the results of medical exams directly to the United States Embassy or Consulate, others provide those results directly to the applicant in sealed envelopes—which the applicant should bring to the interview if they receive it
  • Required fees – If the applicant or family member did not pay the required fees, they must bring those unpaid fees to the visa interview

A dedicated lawyer in Oak Brook could help someone seeking a visa compile and arrange all the documents, payment and evidence that he or she needs to succeed in an application interview.

Speak With an Oak Brook Immigration Attorney for Help Preparing for a Visa Application Interview

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) establishes the rules for immigration into the United States. A skilled immigration attorney could help you prepare for Oak Brook visa application interviews and answer all your legal questions. Contact us today to learn more about how a dedicated lawyer could help you.

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