7 tips for the US visa appointment

Except for very exceptional cases, it is necessary to attend an interview to obtain US visa appointment at an embassy or consulate of the United States.

This applies both to immigrant visas in the process of obtaining a residence card, also known as a green card, as well as non-immigrant visas, such as tourist, investment, student, temporary work, etc.

Below, the basic information on what the interview consists of, what to wear, what to wear, presence of children and the elderly, how to change it, etc.

1.Change the date of the appointment for the us visa interview appointment
It is possible to do it entering the system in which the appointment was closed in what is known as the Applicant Summary Page for which it is necessary to have the passport number at hand.

You can change the dates of the interview as many times as you want, as long as you are within the deadline. However, that does not mean that you can choose the day and time you want, since you can only choose between the days and times that are not already assigned an interview.

2. How long is the US visa interview?
The interview usually lasts very little. In the case of the tourist visa in most cases just a couple of minutes on average. However, depending on the type of visa, the interview may be extended between 15 and 20 minutes, as is the case with investment.

3. Presence of children, infants and the elderly for the interview
With very limited exceptions, all persons between 14 and 79 years of age must attend the interview in person when applying for a us visa application for the first time.

In addition, this general rule of physical presence for all who are between 14 and 79 years old has important exceptions. For example, despite having already reached the age of 80 you have to go to the interview if it is a person who has previously been arrested in the United States or deported.

In the case of children, you should check with the consular office or the embassy in which the visa is processed since the age rules vary significantly. In many cases it is required to go to the interview if the boy or girl has already turned 6 years old. But this age can vary.

If the child must go to the interview, he must be accompanied by his two parents, unless only one has legal custody of the child, such as in the case of widowhood or judicial sentence.

If one of the two parents cannot for a serious reason, they must give the parent who does accompany the child with a letter specifying that he gives his consent for the minor to obtain the visa.

4. Presence of companions for the US visa interview
The general rule is that visa applicants must go alone to consular offices or to the embassy. That is, they should not be accompanied by family, friends or lawyers.

This rule admits exceptions, as is the case of minors who must be accompanied by the parents or their legal guardian.

Also in the case of the disabled, they may be accompanied by an assistant. Even the presence of a translator is admitted when necessary, for example, in the case of deaf and dumb they can go with someone who translates sign language. In all these cases, the name of the companion must be notified in advance.

5. Comply with schedules
Arrive on time, but no more than 15-30 minutes before the appointment time. You should wait in line outside, even on rainy or cold days.

Although the interview per se is short, the whole process from the moment it is entered to the exit can take about two hours, depending on the consular office.

6. Respect the consulate security rules
We must expect a control very similar to that of airports. For security reasons, all visitors within a US diplomatic building must pass through a metal detector.

It is forbidden to enter cell phones and other electronic devices such as iPads, iPods, video cameras and even remote controls to open cars or garages.

It is also forbidden to attempt to enter weapons of any kind or gadgets that can be used as such, such as knives or other sharp objects. Also prohibited are backpacks, suitcases, boxes of any kind and briefcases.

7. Carry necessary and supporting documentation in order
You must go to the interview with a valid passport, the appointment confirmation paper and the proof of having paid the visa fee.

In the case of children, the birth certificate requirement must be verified, since it is common to request it and that the copy is less than 3 months old. If only one of the parents has legal custody, they must carry a document that proves it.

The first thing that is delivered is the passport, which must be valid and in good condition. In most cases you are asked to have at least