Visa interviews can be nerve-wracking, but reading visa interview transcripts can be a game-changer. There are a couple of reasons why you should take a look at these real-life examples. First off, reading visa interview transcripts is one of the top tips to ace your visa interview. You’ll get to learn a lot about what consular officers expect when they ask certain questions and even pick up strategies to navigate tricky situations.

However, practicing what you read can be a bit tricky. What works for one person might not work for another. For example, one applicant might give long, detailed answers and impress the officer, while another might do the same and not get the same positive response. So, you have to be careful and, let’s be honest, sometimes a little bit of luck helps too. It’s all about finding that balance and hoping that your consular officer is in a good mood on your interview day.

With that said, here are some real-life visa interview transcripts we’ve gathered from social media to help you prepare for your own visa interview, whether you’re applying for an F1, F2, or B1/B2 visa. Please note that some of these transcripts have been slightly edited for clarity and grammar.

Visa Interview Transcript #1

• Visa Denied ❌
• First attempt
• Abuja embassy
• Fully funded
• 30th May 2024, 8:00 am
• FSU
• PhD Chemical Engineering

VO: Have you been to the US before?

Me: No officer but I have been to France for a training fully sponsored by my organization (cuts me)

VO: Why Florida?

Me: I chose FSU because of the research of Professor XYZ, whom I will be working with on Carbon Capture.  I applied for 5 years, and I got into 4 fully funded. However, I chose FSU because of (cuts me)

VO: Where are you working?

Me: I currently work as an Engineer with XYZ company (cuts me)

VO: Who is your supervisor?

Me: Professor XYZ (VO cuts)

VO:  What will you be doing after your program?

Me: I will be returning to Nigeria to my current workplace to transition into the role of Research and Development Manager where I will be working on the development of Carbon capture technology. I will also be working with government environmental agencies (VO cuts)

VO: What is your current salary?

Me: 400k Monthly

VO: And you will be coming back to Nigeria when you can make more money in the US?

Me: My current role is band X, getting this PhD will make me transition into band Y where I will be receiving times  4 of this salary

VO: Your Visa application today is denied.

Extra note from the interviewee: I was the third person she interviewed. She denied the first two people before me. I feel the last question made her deny me. She wasn’t convinced enough that I would come back to Nigeria. I was really surprised because I recently traveled to France, and I got four fully funded admissions. We live to fight another day.

Visa Interview Transcript #2

• F1 Approved ✅… F2 Delayed!
• First Attempt
• Abuja
• Black American lady
• June 25th
• PhD Civil Engineering
• University of New Hampshire
• Fully Funded

VO: Good morning (with a smile.)

F1 and F2: Good morning Officer.

VO: Pass me your documents.

F1: Here they are

VO: Have you both traveled outside the country?

F1 and F2: No

VO: Do you both have anyone in the US?

F1 and F2: No

VO: Do you have kids?

F1 and F2: No

VO to F1: How do you intend to fund your studies?

F1: I’ve been awarded a research assistantship of 63,718 dollars, that covers my tuition, health insurance, and living expenses for myself and my dependent.

VO to F2: What do you do for work?

F2: I work with Heineken Nigerian breweries plc as a wastewater process engineer, where i have been working for the past 11 years. My job roles include…

VO to F1: What’s your highest qualification?

F1: I have a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from XZY University, where i emerged the most outstanding graduate student with a CGPA of 4.67/5.0

VO to F2: How long will you be staying?

F2: I will be using my annual leave to accompany my lovely wife to the US for the period of 3 weeks, to assist her in settling in, give her emotional support and a familiar face, then I will return back to my job, where I will be heading a team of engineers in commissioning and test running of an expansion project that was designed by me, which on the successful completion of the project I will be promoted to the role of engineer in charge of utilities .

VO: How long have you been married?

F1: We have been married for 3 years and 6 months. We got married…

VO to F1: What will you be working on?

F1: My research will be focusing on unsaturated soil mechanics. I will be studying… In Nigeria today,…………

After typing for a while

VO: I have two decisions here, …blablabla

We took the papers and left.

Visa Interview Transcript #3

• VISA APPROVED ✅
• University of Montana
• Ms. Parks, Tourism and Recreation Management
• Fully funded
• First and last attempt
• June 25, 2024
• Window 10 (Black American Man)

VO: OK Madam, I see you’re going on F1 to the University of Montana.

Me: Yes, I am going to the University of Montana, Missoula, to pursue my Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism (as written on my I-20 ) with a focus on Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management (what’s on my admission letter). I will be working with Prof. Keith on the research topic of Ecocultural Justice in Tourism Management as it relates to the local communities, Tourism Stakeholders, and Recreation users.

VO: You had your Bachelors where?

Me: I received my bachelor’s degree in ecotourism and wildlife management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015, and I have been working in the tourism industry since then.

VO: Ecotourism… What have you been doing since then?

Me: In 2017, immediately after my mandatory National Youth Service, I started out as an Outdoor Recreation Guide, and 2021, I progressed to being the Team Lead, Recreation and Tourism Services at Qietur Resort, where I managed a Team of 27 professionals in identifying rural communities with tourism potentials that are untapped or poorly managed, and what we do is to liaise with the local people, act as the intermediary between them and Tourism stakeholders and ensure sustainable tourism planning and development processes to improve their wellbeing… I also develop well-packaged leisure experiences to… (Cuts in)

VO: Where do you say you work again? (looking at my Ds-160)

Me: Qietur Resort (I don dey fear cause e no exist, make my lamba no go burst abeg)

VO: How far is it from here?

Me: It’s about 15 minutes drive. It’s at Plot 996,……..(said my real office address)

VO: Oh, that’s close. I’ve never heard of it (my mind almost cut). What do you have there?

Me: We have a cattle ranch, ecolodges, restaurant, game room. (I used Street OT here as Coker used to say). And we have a private public partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation to develop rural communities with tourism potentials.

VO: Oh, that’s nice. What do you plan to do when you return back to Nigeria?

Me: I will be returning to assume the role of the Regional Head, Community Tourism Management at my current place of work, Qietur Resort, and in that position with my improved expertise in Conflict resolution and risk management in tourism businesses I will be able to successfully execute the project that we have to launch in December 2027 as a Christmas Holiday package, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation.

This project is about developing rural communities with tourism potentials in the North-central region, and it is aimed to improve the livelihood of the local communities through job creation, infrastructural development and improved social security and to in turn generate revenue for the country. Carrying out this project with minimal to zero conflicts among the stakeholders and the local communities will be me hitting a major milestone in my career.

In the long run, having developed my skills in leadership and commercial recreation, I would be providing consultancy and advisory services to the Nigeria Government working alongside the National Park Service, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and National Orientation.

I would be advising on how we can attract foreign direct investment into the tourism sector and how we can appropriately allocate budget and resources into this sector to boost the economy of our country starting from the grassroots level which are the local communities with high abundance of tourism resources and cultural artifacts that are unencumbered, which we can actually promote to alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

VO: That’s brilliant. I see you have a Cost of Attendance of $44,736. How do you intend to pay?

Me: I have been awarded a Graduate Research Assistantship position which covers my tuition and living expenses, in exchange to work for 20 hours per week providing research support to Prof. Keith and I got this offer as a result of my outstanding performance during two rigorous interview processes with the department, this was after submitting a stellar application material which outlined my academic excellence as the 2nd Best Graduating student in my cohort and my achievements working in the tourism industry.

The spectacular part of my interview process was my second interview with Prof. Keith where he categorically mentioned that he was only recruiting one graduate student for the year and …. (Cuts in)

VO: Oh wow, you even have excess funds (looking at my I-20) Research Assistantship? Do you have a background knowledge in research? (I was like maybe because my course sounds like amusement park).

Me: Yes, at my undergraduate level, I carried out research on the propensity of the local communities to embrace tourism for economic development (just had to quickly form that)

VO: Any publication?

Me: No, I’m more of a professional than an academic. I do more practical implementation of research findings, but I am going to study further now to polish my skills and for my career advancement (God just filled my mouth mehn because I didn’t know how to defend myself when he kept quiet).

VO: Are you married?

Me: No, but we have had my formal family introduction.

VO: Any family in the US?

Me: No, all my family members are well-settled here in Nigeria.

VO: Have you traveled out before?

Me: No, I have been busy with work within Nigeria.

VO: You’re very smart. I will be approving your Visa. This paper will……

Me: Thank you.

Visa Interview Transcript #4

• Status: Approved ✅
• School Name: New York University
• Cost of Attendance: $90,850
• Funding: $90,850, Full-ride Scholarship with traveling ticket

ME: Good morning madam

V.O: Good morning, pass me your I-20 and your Passport
(I did as she said)

V.O: I now understand the meaning of your smile, New York University, That is good, Congratulations.

ME: Thank you with a smile.

V.O: How many schools did you apply?

ME: I applied to most of the Ivy League, I applied to Harvard University, New York University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Rice University, John Hopkins University. I was admitted in all.

V.O: Congratulations! I am so proud of you. Did you bring the admission letters from all schools?

ME: Yes, please. ( I gave her the letters)

V.O: congratulations…….amazing, congratulations. (She called some 2 white people from the back to see the letters)

(I was standing there without talking for about 3 minutes and they were talking about my admission letters.)

OTHER V.O: (the one they called) If I were you, I would choose Harvard.

V.O: sorry for that, but how were you able to get these amazing offers?

I was surprised because all three V.O.s were at the counter waiting for me to talk.

ME: I submitted three special portfolios, in which they all talk about how I give back to my society by teaching deaf students sign language, and creating Arduino project, i was..

V.O: Amazing! Teach me one sign language
(I used sign language to sign that: I would be happy to get my visa to make my family proud)

ME: Done

V.O: What does it mean

ME: It means; I will be happy to get my visa to make my family proud

OTHER V.O: Congratulations, I am approving your visa

V.O: My number is inside your I-20, give me a call.

OTHER V.O: And me too

V.O: Congratulations, I am approving your visa, take this white sheet …

Visa Interview Transcript #5

• 22/06/2024
• Visa Approved ✅
• VENUE: Lagos
• School: Clemson University
• Course: MA in Communication
• COA: 21, 238 (full tuition waiver)
• Funding: 13, 500
• Deficit: 7, 738
• Window 1, A gray-haired, bearded white man

VO: Good Morning. How are you?

Me: Good Morning, sir. I’m doing well. I hope you’re doing well, too.

VO: Yes, I am. Pass me your passport and documents.

Me: Here they are, sir.

(He looks at my SEVIS and says Clemson Tigers! I reply Go, Tigers)

VO: What are you going to do in the US

Me: I am going to Clemson University for an M.A in Communication, where I’ll be (VO cuts in)

V.O: What do you currently do?

Me: I work as a Marketing Strategist and Fractional CMO, focusing on creating go-to-market strategies for early-stage startups. I’ve worked with… (VO cuts in)

VO: I see you have a TA of $13,500. How will you cover the deficit?

Me: I’ll be covering for the $ 7,738 deficit through personal funds (led with this) of $1 112 and MPOWER loans of $ 7,500 with a 10-year repayment plan. I won’t have to pay more than… (VO cuts in)

VO: What will this degree do for you?

Me: This degree will give me the theoretical foundations in Communication to reinforce my field experience. I’ll be coming back to Nigeria, where I’ll join my business partner to scale our operations at …, an agency that works with nonprofits to gain brand visibility and build the public’s affinity for their brands through brand storytelling (he was silent, so I just kept saying everything I could about the business, including some brands we’ve worked with among marginalized communities).

VO: (cuts in) Alright. I have approved your visa (gives me the details and hands me the white slip).

Visa Interview Transcript #6

• 22/06/2024
• Visa Approved
• VENUE: LAGOS
• Missouri State University
• Master in Chemistry
• COA: 29,962
• Funding: 23,750
• Deficit: 6212
• Window 6, A white chubby lady

VO: Good Morning

Me: Good Morning ma and how are you doing

VO: Pass me your documents and I20

Me: Here they are officer

V.O: what are you going to do in the US

Me: I am going to Missouri State University to pursue a master’s degree in chemistry with a concentration on environmental analytical chemistry, where I’ll… (V.O cuts in)

V.O Who will be funding you

Me: I have a graduate assistanship that covers part of my living expenses, comes with a monthly stipend and a full tuition waiver (V.O looks at my I-20 very well) while the remaining deficit of $6,212 will be covered by my lovely father he owns three block industry here in Nigeria and earns an annual income of 70 million naira

V.O: what did you say your father does?

Me: He owns 3 block industries in Nigeria and earns an annual income of 70million

V.O How much does he earn?

Me: He earns an annual income of 70million

V.O: Have you been out of the country before?

Me: No I haven’t

V.O Do you have anyone in the US

Me: No I don’t

V.O: Alright, take this paper. It will direct you on how to pick up your passport.

Visa Interview Transcript #7

• Approved✅
• University of Georgia
• MS Agribusiness
• COA – 53,139
• Tuition and GA – 39,000
• Deficit – 14,000
• 15/05/2024
• Window 9 (Black chubby woman VO)
• Abuja Embassy

Me: Good Morning

VO: Good morning, pass me your document. Are you married and how many kids do you have

Me: No ma, and I don’t have any kids.

VO: Have you traveled out of the country before

Me: No ma

VO: I can see you have a scholarship, that will cover your deficit

Me: My Father will be covering my deficit; he is into large-scale production of Oil palm across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with a staff strength of 64 and an annual income of 85 million naira.

VO: Come again, what did you say the staff strength was?

Me: I said 64 affirmatively. Mama nodded.

VO: And what did you say he is producing

Me: Oil palm and its product. She asked me to repeat it again, and I did.

VO: Can you tell me about your degree

Me: I have a bachelor degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at Federal university of Agriculture and during the course of my undergraduate program I was grounded in basic agricultural principles and crop husbandry.

VO: What do you do currently

Me: I work as an Agricultural Extension field officer at xxx, and I carry out value chain addition training for farmers as well as organize workshops and seminars for them all in other to make food available to the common man and as well ensure profit maximization for farmers and various stakeholders.

VO: How long have you been working?

Me: I told her affirmatively 3 years, 6 months, and 14 days, and she just dey nod while checking through her systems

Extra note from the interviewee: She went typing for about 30 seconds, and I was like can I tell you about my research work, she said no need; in my head, I just dey talk say I don fuck up. The next thing I just heard I have approved your visa, here is the white paper that will guide you on how to get your something something, I no dey hear anything again. I collected my white paper. Please pray, and, if possible, fast; I did that for days. 

All I can say is grace factor, because it got to a point I was just stuttering, and saying everything that comes to my mouth, all that I have practice sef I didn’t remember them as I structured them, I was just talking but grace overlooked all that. I return all the Glory back to God.

Visa Interview Transcript #8

• Visa Approved ✅
• Black American VO
• First attempt.
• Lagos Embassy
• Funding: 53,668
• COA: 39,844.
• 16th May 2024.
• MSc Agricultural and Resource Economics
• University of Delaware

VO: Where are you going?

Me: I’m going to the University of Delaware for my MSc degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics

VO: What’s your highest qualification?

Me: BSc in Agricultural Economics.

VO: how will you be funding your studies.

Me: Have been awarded a graduate assistantship by my department (cut me off)

VO: How did you qualify for this funding?

Me: I believe my undergraduate academic success makes me qualify (cut me off).

VO: What’s your CGPA?

Me: 3.2 on the scale of 4.0

VO: Do you have a research interest?

Me: Yes, I will be working on food marketing and farm management, and I’ll be returning to fight against food insecurity in Nigeria.

VO: Any relative in the USA?

Me: No all my family reside here

VO: Have you traveled out before

Me: No, I haven’t had any reason to.

Extra note from the interviewee: She then told me to do fingerprints and gave me white paper; I thanked her and left.

Visa Interview Transcript #9

• 16/05/2024
• Visa approved ✅
• 1F1 3F2
• Coa- 48k
• Funding- 40k
• Deficit: 8,177k
• Widow 3 white VO

VO: are you going with all your family to the us

F1: yes

VO: what course are you going for

F1: I will be going to IOWA STATE university for my PhD in econometrics and quantitative Economics with focus on agric economics and policy, where I will be working with PProf.Hennessy on commercialisation of  leguminous crop..( VO cut in)

VO: how do you hear about the school

F1: I heard about the school during the webinar organised by EDUCATION USA last year

VO:  what will you be doing

F1: I will be working with Prof.Hennessy on how to develop an economic model for pigeon pea commercialization. Pigeon is an underutilized legume with high nutrition( VO cuts in)

VO: you can always do this legume work in Nigeria.

F1: I want to look at how improved varieties can be available to Nigeria. Vo cut in but I didn’t hear and continued talking

VO: stop talking over me (VO spoke angrily) and allow me to ask my question

F1: Sorry ma

VO: When did you finish your undergraduate study

F1: 2015,

VO-  what have you been doing since then

F1: I work as research assistant at obafemi Awolowo University and after that I proceeded for my master degree program

VO: Do you have any publications?

F1: Yes , 2 publication

VO: tell me the name of the journal

F1: Elsevier and journal on food and( mistakenly said commodity )humanity

VO: what are you doing currently

F1: I’m working as an assitant lecturer at(vo cuts in)

VO: how much is your salary

F1: 159,000

VO: what will you be you be doing after ur program

F1: I will be returning to my institution to take up senior lecturing role

VO; tell about another thing apart from this senior lecturer role. how much will your salary be when you return

F1: x3

VO: Tell me another thing apart from the senior role

F1: Hmmm, I paused and then my husband whispered (IITA). I started talking that I will also be returning to IIta as a junior scientist.

VO: full meaning

F1: I stated the full name

VO: tell the name of the person you will work with over there: I don’t know, then my husband whispered a name and then I echoed it(she browse the scientist and said great)

VO: With this amount, are you sure you will return when you can earn more than that in the US?

F1: I WILL BE COMING BACK.

VO: to F2, what do you do

F2: I am the CEO of …., agric consultant…

VO: how much is your salary:( 2,500,000) asked again, eye ball to eye ball. Are you sure you are earning ds salary

F2:( yes, confidently with a loud voice)

VO: Are you sure you will come back

F2: yes, I have board meetings with the state governor…

VO: to f2, how long will you stay

F2: No. I will be there for  4 weeks maximum to settle in my family.

VO: Have you been out of the country before?

F2:  No, F1, No

VO: I can see you’ve been denied before to F2(

F2: yes in 2018

VO: do you have anyone in the US?  

F2: YES, MY BROTHER

F1- NONE

VO: I HAVE APPROVED you…..

Extra note from the interviewee: We were the first to be interviewed. We got to the embassy by 4:45 a.m. She didn’t ask about how we were going to cover the deficit, and we were not asked for a bank statement.

Visa Interview Transcript #10

• Approved ✅
• Lagos Embassy
• May 16, 2024
• Black Female VO
• Oregon State University
• PhD Integrative Biology
• Fully funded

VO: What are you going to study

Me: I’m going to Oregon State University for my PhD in Integrative Biology where I’ll be (cuts in)

VO: A PhD?

Me: Yes

VO: Tell me about your research

Me: I’ll be working with Dr. X on the effects of predator-prey interactions on seasonal changes. (I actually realized I messed up the order after saying predator-prey first, but I decided to just finish the sentence without correcting myself.) I’ll be studying how changes in temperature across different seasons affect fishes and the animals they feed on in different aquatic environments.

VO: Who’ll be funding your studies?

Me: I was selected for the Provost Distinguished Graduate Fellowship. I was nominated by my department and selected by the graduate school. It covers my full tuition, health insurance, and living expenses.

VO: What do your parents do?

Me: My dad owns a school in x state, Nigeria and my mum is a secondary school teacher in a government school.

VO: Do you have any siblings?

Me: Yes, I have 4. I’m the eldest

VO: Do you have any relatives in the US?

Me: Yes. I have an Uncle who lives in Chicago.

VO: Place your right hands… Visa approved