Do’s:
First and foremost, tell the truth! We appreciate honesty from our applicants more than anything, and not telling the truth will weaken your chances of getting of getting a visa. Secondly, come prepared to the interview and bring all necessary documents with you. Our website provides comprehensive guidelines on the kinds of documents you may consider bringing. For students, bring transc ripts, invitation letters, detailed research plans, or any other papers you think would be helpful. Third, directly answer the questions we ask! This may sound obvious, but we frequently ask questions and applicants give us rehearsed answers that do not even apply to what we have asked. Lastly, please try to relax as much as possible at the window. Consular officers are trained professionals who analyze each applicant’s situation based upon the requirements of U.S. immigration law, so please think of the interview as a candid exchange that helps us to make the most fair, appropriate determination.
Don’ts:
Be honest about your situation and motives for travel! Creating fake documents or misrepresenting yourself at the window does not make you credible, and chances are we will figure out the truth sooner or later. Also, do not come in without any documents. If we have nothing to base your story on besides your own words, it makes it a lot harder for us to believe what you are saying. The majority of the time we need paper records to verify the information you are providing. If you come unprepared, we will most likely have to ask you to come back when you have all the necessary documents to demonstrate your case, and that will further delay your application. That said, please remember that it is neither documents nor your oral account alone that suffices but whether you convincingly demonstrate your situation, ties, and legitimate motivations for travel as a whole. Finally, please do not argue excessively with us if you get denied. If we deny your application, we have valid grounds for doing so based on U.S. immigration law, and although we cannot always explain them to you in detail. When your situation changes and you are better able to demonstrate compelling ties to China and legitimate reasons for travel, you are always welcome to reapply.