South African Woman Shares Her US Visa Interview Experience and Key Questions
A South African woman, who successfully obtained a US visa and has since traveled to the United States, has publicly disclosed the four specific questions posed to her during the visa interview at the embassy. She hopes that sharing her answers will assist other applicants in their future visa applications.
The woman, identified by her TikTok handle @bluevezi09, is currently in the US after her visa approval. Her experience has sparked varied reactions online, with many netizens sharing their own interview stories and offering advice.
The Four Questions and Her Responses
According to her TikTok post, the visa officer first inquired about her destination. She responded, "I said I am going to Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States of America."
The second question focused on her purpose for visiting. She answered, "I said I am going to participate in a cultural exchange program as an au pair." An au pair typically involves a young foreign national living with a host family to assist with childcare and light household duties, often in exchange for accommodation and cultural immersion opportunities.
Third, she was asked about her current occupation. She explained, "I explained that I am currently working at a retail store as a merchandiser and studying online at UNISA." UNISA refers to the University of South Africa, a distance learning institution.
The final question concerned her plans upon returning to South Africa. She stated, "I said my plan is to come back home and continue with my studies at UNISA while also continuing with my job." This response emphasized her ties to her home country, a critical factor in visa approvals.
Online Reactions and Additional Context
Her post garnered numerous comments from social media users. Some highlighted the importance of the fourth question regarding return plans, while others shared similar interview experiences or discussed their own visa denials. One user cautioned against mentioning words like "job, money, work" during interviews, suggesting it could lead to denial.
It is noteworthy that South Africa is not among the 75 countries affected by the US government's temporary pause on visa processing, which may have influenced her application timeline.
In a related account, another woman previously shared her experience with a CR1 visa interview, detailing questions about her application filing, birth certificate renewal, and relationship with her American spouse, whom she met on Facebook.
This story underscores the significance of preparation and honest communication during visa interviews, particularly for programs like cultural exchanges or au pair arrangements.
