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This is a brief piece of writing which captures my interview process for US B1 Visa from Korea, being a citizen of Kazakhstan during my graduate studies. I have asked several peers and friends who were both accepted and rejected at the similar periods (between 2017-2018). Hope some of information could be useful for others in a similar situation 🙂

Image from web: <br>https://www.okrecruiting.com/teach-in-korea/e2-visa-transfer-korea/#
Image from web:
https://www.okrecruiting.com/teach-in-korea/e2-visa-transfer-korea/#

So, here is an outline:

My background

I am a citizen of Kazakhstan who was pursuing a Master’s Degree at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea. In early 2018, I was fortunate enough to be selected for an oral presentation at the Photonics West 2018 conference in San Francisco, United States. After navigating the US B1 visa interview process, which included specific preparations and advice from peers and friends, I finally received acceptance for a B1 Visa with a duration of up to one year. In this delayed reflection, I aim to share my experience and offer detailed insights into the procedures and preparations involved in obtaining a US B1 visa. While I will strive to provide factual information, it’s important for readers to keep in mind that this account is subjective and may not align with official visa application guidelines. Additionally, some details may be outdated or subject to change following my initial application.

Choosing interview place

Some people express concerns about the likelihood of facing rejection or undergoing additional administrative processing when applying for US visas from outside their home countries. This apprehension may stem from various factors, such as the need for additional time for background checks requested from the applicant’s country of citizenship. However, for individuals in the situation of applying from a third country, it’s crucial to ensure that the reasons for doing so are clearly understood by the interviewer. This entails thorough preparation and the presentation of supporting documents that confirm the applicant’s circumstances, such as documents from their current school or employer. For example, in my case, when applying from the Seoul Embassy, I made sure to prepare documents confirming my studies at a university in South Korea to demonstrate the legitimacy of my application.

DS160 online application

Completing the online visa application is a crucial step in the visa process, as interviewers will thoroughly review it before the interview. To ensure a successful application experience, here are some key recommendations:

  • Prioritize Truthfulness: Double-check all information provided and ensure accuracy. Even minor omissions or discrepancies, such as changes in family names or previous travel history, could raise concerns with the interviewer.
  • Clarity and Conciseness: Provide clear and concise responses to all questions, particularly in sections requiring longer answers. Focus on addressing the question asked and avoid including unrelated information that could distract from your application.
  • Memorize Your Answers: Familiarize yourself with your application details and commit key information to memory. This ensures that you are well-prepared for the interview and can confidently provide accurate responses without appearing hesitant or unsure. By following these recommendations, applicants can enhance their chances of success and navigate the visa application process with confidence.

Documents package

During the visa interview, I made sure to bring a comprehensive plastic file containing both officially required and additional documents. Based on advice from friends, online sources, and personal opinions, I understood the importance of demonstrating my intentions to return to my home country after my trip to the US. To address this, I collected a variety of documents, including bank account information, academic transcripts, reference letters from professors and employers, criminal records, and basic information about my family members. Additionally, factors such as marriage, property or business ownership outside the US, pursuing a PhD, or having a long-term work contract could further strengthen my application.

However, I encountered a temporary refusal of my application under Nationality Act 221(g) when I did not provide a resume. In response, I promptly provided electronic versions of the requested documents to the email address specified on the blank paper provided during the interview.

  • Completed resume (and, if accompanying you, your spouse’s resume); include phone numbers, addresses, job description and supervisor’s name for each place of employment, and include any degrees earned, the titles of any theses and your current research field. Indicate dates of education and employment (month and year). Please include your travel history in your resume (specify the countries and the years of travel)
  • Complete list of your publications (and, if accompanying you, your spouse’s list of publications)
  • Detailed description of your proposed research or work in the United States (Abstract)
  • Letter(s) of invitation from your U.S. sponsor
  • Letter(s) of support from your financial sponsor; it should be written in English and needs the signature of the sponsor. Please include the sponsor’s contact information (name, phone number, email address. etc.)
  • A detailed itinerary from a travel agency with your planned arrival/departure dates, flight information, and city/airport name you will arrive/depart.
  • A front and back copy of your Certificate of Alien Registration

As a result of not having all required documents readily available during my visa interview, my application was subjected to additional administrative processing, which extended the processing time by approximately five weeks. To potentially avoid such situations, it is essential to ensure that all the listed documents are prepared and readily available beforehand.

Interview day

My visa interview was scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, but it’s important to arrive early to account for any potential queues near the embassy entrance. It’s worth noting that the interview setting may not be what some applicants expect—it involves speaking to an interviewer through a microphone while they simultaneously review your online application. During my interview, I was asked to explain the purpose of my visit to the US and my plans after graduation, as it was my last semester of my master’s degree. Looking back, I realize the importance of confidence during the interview. Despite having a pack of documents, the interviewer was primarily interested in me, observing my words and behavior. They may ask questions quickly and directly, so it’s important to remain composed and not get anxious in those moments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the visa process proved to be mentally challenging, especially given the limited number of people I knew who were accepted. Unfortunately, some individuals faced rejection or were placed on administrative processing, with unclear reasons for these decisions.

While my case may not serve as an ideal example to follow, given its stint in administrative processing before eventual acceptance, I believe sharing my experience could still offer value to others. By sharing insights and lessons learned, it may contribute to a more efficient preparation or a less stressful experience for those undergoing a similar process.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask, and I’ll do my best to address them based on my recollection.