You Need to Understand the Visa Qualifications

The first crucial step in preparing for your embassy interview is to make sure that you understand
the qualifications.

1. You should have strong ties to your home country.

The interviewing embassy officer will want to make sure that you’re likely to return home after
your J-1 program ends. This will include things such as having strong family ties, not having
family in the U.S., or having plans to continue your career when you return home.

2. Be prepared to disclose previous trips to the U.S.

You must be open and honest with the embassy officer about any previous visa applications or
visits to the U.S. Be clear and brief in your answers.
Additionally, there are some other documents that you can provide that will show strong
ties to your home country and show how this training program will benefit your career.

1. Bank account statements in your name or your family’s name that show your
2. financial stability, ability to return home, and that you have sufficient funds to participate
in your training program.
3. Evidence of ownership of property like vehicles and real estate.
4. Evidence of a family business that you may be taking over when you return.
5. Ties to community organizations in your home country — such as religious
organizations, non-profits that you support, or other groups that you belong to.
6. A loved one, husband, boy/girlfriend that will stay behind in your home country and
proof that you wouldn’t leave them behind.

If you have close relatives in the USA for any reason, if you’ve worked outside of your
country for an extended amount of time, or if you’ve previously been denied for a US visa, then
we suggest that you take a letter of future employment as well. This letter should be on hotel
letterhead and show that you have a future career waiting for you at home.

Be calm and careful with phrases at your J1 visa interview

The embassy officer wants to make sure that you understand the program requirements. Try to
stay calm as you answer their J1 visa questions, and carefully consider the wording in your
response.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind.

 The J-1 Program is not a work or immigrant visa — its purpose is for training only. When
you talk about the program, refer to it as training and not work.
 Since the intent is training and acquiring new skills, you need to be prepared to convince
the consulate officer that your J-1 training will allow you to acquire skills that are
different from the ones that you can get in your home country.
  Be prepared to explain how the experience will benefit your career — we recommend
that you talk about your desire to gain cultural experience in the U.S. and hands-on
experience in the American hospitality industry.
 Be agreeable and personable — do not argue with the consulate officer, and avoid
showing arrogance, disinterest, or boredom.

Use your training plan to inspire your J1 visa interview

If you’re working with HPUSA to help you get prepared, we’ll be creating a training plan for
you. This training plan will talk about the types of positions that you’ll be training in, the
activities that you’ll perform, and which skills you’ll be developing.

This information will help you answer for the J1 Visa interview questions such as:
 What will you do during your training in the U.S.?

 Why do you want to go to the U.S. for training?

 What do you expect to get out of your training?

 Why is this training important to you?

 Do you have a training plan with you?

 Who is your sponsor organization?

 What is your host company?

Be sure to avoid vague answers like “I will do whatever my host company wants,” and one-word
answers like “yes” or “no.”

Common education-related interview questions for the J-1 visa include:

What university or college did you attend? 
What did you major in, or what subject did you study for your Ph.D.? Why did you choose that
subject?

 Why do you want to go to the United States? Your interviewer might ask related
questions, like “Why did you choose a program in this specific state?” or “Why not
choose an internship in a different country?”

Be as specific as possible when you explain why you chose your program. Maybe this program
is prestigious and will help you apply your new skills in your home country. Maybe working
with Americans is important in your industry because you want to work for a multinational
corporation. If you can’t explain why you chose your training program or internship, then your
interviewer might think you have some other motive for coming to the United States. 

 What is the purpose of your program?

Depending on your category of exchange visit, you will probably have to explain some of the
details of your program. For example, you may need to tell your interviewer about the people
you will be researching with, the tasks you will be responsible for, and the reason you were
selected for your position. 

 What do you want to do while in the United States? What places will you visit?

Review the “cultural activities” section of your DS-7002 for help with this J-1 visa question.
One piece of the exchange experience is cultural exchange, which means your interviewer will
want to hear about how you’ll explore the United States outside of work. If there are any
landmarks you want to visit, traditions you want to experience, or events you want to participate
in, this is a good time to mention those. 

 Where is your exchange program? What will your housing situation be?
You may have to answer specific logistical questions about the location and duration of your
internship. Make sure you know the specific start and end dates listed on your DS-2019, as well
as where you will be living and how you will get there. You need to prove that you know what
you’re getting yourself into, and answering with vague responses makes it seem like you’re
unprepared for the program. 

Remember to be as specific as possible 一 you need your interviewer to believe that you are
qualified for and knowledgeable about your program. Prepare yourself by reviewing your travel
dates, living arrangements, and work responsibilities. 
You should also describe your program accurately: if it’s a training, call it a training; if it’s an
internship, call it an internship. If your interviewer thinks that you’re confused about the purpose
of your visit 一 for example if you call your training program a “job” 一 they will be less likely
to approve your J-1 visa. 

Personal and Financial J-1 Visa Interview Questions

U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials don’t want you to go broke (and cost the U.S. money)
while you’re in the United States. As a result, they might ask you questions about your financial
status and how you’ll be paying for the program. These questions might seem personal, but be
sure to answer them honestly. 

1. What are your parents’ jobs?

2. What is your annual family income? How much money do you have in savings?

3. Do you have siblings? 

4. How are you paying for your program? Do you have any sponsors? Will you be paid?
Have you taken out any loans? 

5. What was the placement fee for your program? 

Explain the sources of your funding accurately and in detail. If you’re not being paid for your
internship, explain how you’ll be able to afford food and rent. If your employer is providing for
your housing or living expenses, be sure to mention that, too. 
Bringing bank statements, tax returns, and other financial documents can help you make your
case. Having evidence that you can afford the exchange visit will improve your chances of
receiving your J-1 visa. These documents can also demonstrate ties to your home country 一 if
you’re leaving money behind, your interviewer is more likely to believe that you’ll go home
once your exchange visit is over. 

Future Plans J-1 Visa Questions

One key step in J-1 visa interview preparation is planning for what you’ll do after your exchange
program. Although it may seem strange that an embassy interviewer is asking you about your life
goals or future plans, the purpose of these questions is to demonstrate “nonimmigrant intent.” 

Since the J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, it doesn’t allow you to permanently move to the
United States. Many J-1 visa holders are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence
requirement. This requirement prohibits you from receiving certain types of visas and becoming
a lawful permanent resident for two years after your J-1 exchange visit. Although it is possible to
receive a waiver for this requirement, it’s still important to prove to your interviewer that you
understand that your exchange visit is temporary.

To that end, the interviewer might ask you questions about what you’ll do after the program.
These questions include:

 Where do you see yourself in a few years?

 What will you do after the program?

 What are your plans if you receive the J-1 visa? What are your plans if you don’t receive
the J-1 visa?

In response to any of these questions, emphasize that you will be coming home after the
exchange program. J-1 visas are meant to facilitate cultural exchange, so it’s also helpful to talk
about how you’ll share what you’ve learned with your home country: maybe you’ll tell your
relatives about all the U.S. traditions you experienced, or maybe you’ll use the skills you develop
to serve people in your home country.