Going through a consular interview can be a stressful situation. If you need to participate in an E-2 visa interview, it helps to be completely prepared long before you sit down with your consular officer. In this post, we’ll provide sample questions and go over these commonly asked questions:
- Who needs to go through the interview?
- How should you prepare for the interview?
- What should you expect from your E-2 interview experience?
Speak with an experienced VisaNation E-2 immigration attorney
Does an E-2 Visa Require an Interview?
It depends on where you apply from.
If you are currently in the U.S. under a different nonimmigrant visa status (such as an H-1B, L-1, or O-1), you may not be called in for an interview. In these cases, you simply file a new I-129 for your E-2 visa and change your status.
However, if you are outside the U.S., you will need to attend an interview at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
What Is The Purpose Of The E-2 Visa Interview?
The purpose of the interview is to verify that you meet all of the qualifications and that you are who you say you are. The important thing is to remain calm and remember that, if your case is legitimate, you have nothing to worry about. Here are some things to be aware of before attending your E-2 visa interview.
What to Bring to the Interview?
If you are called for an interview, then you will need to complete the DS-160 online application for nonimmigrant visas before attending. Here is a list of some of the things you might need at your interview:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.
- Two passport-style photos according to the Department of State photo guidelines.
- A printed confirmation sheet for your DS-160
- The printed receipt of payment for the DS-160 fee
- The Appointment Notification Notice for your E-2 visa interview
- Any evidence you have to support your eligibility for the E-2 visa. This may include bank statements, lease agreements, receipts, contracts, etc.
- Lastly, it is always a good idea to bring a business plan for your enterprise to demonstrate that it is not marginal and that you plan to create new jobs for U.S. workers. While a business plan is not technically required, few E-2 applicants are approved without one.
It is important to note that the above items constitute a general list. Depending on your situation, your attorney may advise you to bring additional documents to help support your case.
What to Expect
When you arrive at the U.S. consulate or embassy, you should be there at least 20 minutes early, even if you are not called for some time after the interview start time. This will help offset any time it takes to get through the security screening to get into the building.
Once you are inside, you will need to check in and wait for your name to be called. When that happens, you will meet an immigration officer who will take your fingerprints and check your passport. Then you will meet with your interviewing officer.
This step usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes as the officer reviews your documents and asks you questions about your investment, your enterprise, and your intentions and plans once in the U.S. Usually, the officer will immediately let you know whether or not your visa has been approved. In this case, then your passport will be held so that the visa can be printed and a stamp affixed to it. You will receive a notification once it is ready.
What do they ask in an E-2 visa interview?
Here are some of the more common questions asked at your interview. Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list and that the officer is not limited to these E-2 visa interview questions:
- Have you ever visited the U.S. before? If so, when?
- What enterprise are you investing in for your E-2 visa?
- What percentage of that money was spent on acquiring essential items for the enterprise?
- What is your role in your business?
- How do you plan to develop this enterprise?
- What are your qualifications?
- How much money has been invested in the enterprise, and what was the money spent on?
- What are the financial projections of the enterprise?
- Do you have any employees?
- What do you plan to do after your E-2 visa expires?
The important thing to understand is that honesty is key. It is far better to say “I don’t know” than it is to lie or fabricate an answer. If you don’t pass the interview due to a lack of information, you can always apply again. However, if you were dishonest in your interview, then there may be complications if you attempt to apply again.
That being said, it is important to be well-versed in your business plan before your interview. Have a binder with all of your documents and evidence clearly labelled so that both you and the officer can easily find necessary information. Your immigration attorney can help you organize your binder in a way that works best for your E-2 visa interview.