US Visa Group Interview

A US visa group interview is a unique procedure for groups of at least eight or ten people (depending on the place) who are going to the United States for the same reason. Groups can be, but are not limited to, professional trainees, performers, business groups, and tour groups.

Group interviews are not the usual way for US visa interviews. Most visa interviews are done individually with one applicant and one consular officer. But some situations may allow group appointments:

• At least five (5) applicants (some embassies need ten (10) or more) must be applying for the same visa type (e.g., B1/B2 tourist visa, F student visa).
• They must have the same travel reason and travel dates.
• This option is mainly for groups like: Sports teams, school groups, groups traveling for contests or meetings, performers traveling together, professional trainees.

Eligibility:

• Group size: Generally, groups of at least ten (10) applicants (some embassies might accept five (5) or more) are eligible for group applications.
• Purpose and visa type: All members must be traveling for the same purpose (e.g., business conference, competition) and applying for the same type of visa (both B1 or B2).
• Travel dates: All members must be traveling on the same dates.

Reminders before submitting a request:

• All group members should not have any existing appointments from the submission of the request to its fulfillment.
• Do not assign more than (1) one coordinator per group, as this causes system glitch at the time of appointment scheduling if the group appointment has been approved.
• The members in the submitted list is final. Substitution of member(s) is not allowed.
• A group request that is incomplete will be rejected, and the requester can no longer submit another request.

Several applicants are interviewed at once, possibly saving time for both applicants and the embassy/consulate. Questions usually focus on the group’s common travel reason and plan, though individual questions may be asked. It’s still essential for each applicant to be ready with their own documents and answers.

Remember: Group interviews are not always possible and depend on embassy/consulate policies. Approval still depends on individual eligibility and compliance with visa requirements.

Are you planning to apply for the US as a group or solo? Visas for Future is here to guide you! Our team is dedicated to assisting travelers like you to get your B1/B2 US visa be processed and get approved. We validate forms and we answer questions for you!

What We’re Offering

If you want to travel to the United States, you need a US visa unless you are eligible for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. We offer a B1/B2 visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to temporarily visit the United States for business and tourist purposes.

• B1/B2 United States visa.
• $215.81 multiple entry.¹
• 30 days processing time.
• 180 days per entry.¹

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What to Expect During the Process?

If you are looking to schedule a group appointment for a U.S. visa, follow these simple steps to make the process seamless and efficient:

1. Begin by requesting an appointment through the online system and await approval.
2. Once approved, the group coordinator must act quickly and schedule appointments for each member of the group while ensuring that the visa application fee is paid.
3. To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, each member of the group must complete the DS-160 form and print the confirmation page.
4. The coordinator will then schedule the appointment and select the correct group request. Attention to detail is key here.
5. Each group member is added as a “Dependent” to the group coordinator’s profile. The group coordinator must be a member of the group.
6. The group goes to the US embassy on the date and time of their visa interviews. On the day of the interview, each member of the group must bring along the necessary documents, including a printed copy of the appointment letter, a DS-160 confirmation page, a recently taken photograph, a current passport and all old passports, and the original visa fee payment (MRV fee) receipt. Applications without these items will not be accepted.

• Remember, to ensure that all group members are accommodated, the request is valid for a limited time. The group coordinator must act quickly and perform steps 1, 2, 3, and 5 for all members.
• Canceling a previous appointment is necessary to schedule a group appointment. Furthermore, for I-797 petition applicants, it is important to upload a copy of the document in step one. By following these steps, you can rest assured that your group appointment for a U.S. visa will be a hassle-free experience.

Requirements for Group Interviews

Here are the list of requirements for Group Interview:

1.  Invitation letter that indicates the purpose, and the start and end date of travel. 
2. List of group members in MS Word file following this format:

3. Comprehensive travel itinerary (to include travel details, daily schedule/activities, etc.) 
4. For groups applying for employment-based visas (H, O, P), the Group Coordinator must also attach a clear scanned copy of the approved I-797 (Notice of Action) in PDF file.

Tips and Advice for the Interview and on How to Prepare for them

1. Be early: Try to be 10-15 minutes early to avoid pressure and make a good impression.
2. Smile and shake hands firmly: Show confidence and positivity through your body language and nonverbal cues.
3. Look and listen attentively: Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and show your involvement through eye contact and verbal cues like nodding or agreeing phrases.
4. Respond clearly and briefly: Adjust your responses to the specific question and avoid going on or drifting away. Focus on emphasizing your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.
5. Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or show your interest in the role by asking about company culture, projects, or future opportunities.
6. Show enthusiasm and passion: Express your sincere excitement about the company and the role. Your enthusiasm can distinguish you from other candidates.

Individual vs. Group Interviews for US visa application

Scheduling a Group Interview for a US Visa Application

1. One chosen person in the group must lead and contact the US embassy or consulate in your country to ask about the option of a group appointment.
2. The coordinator must complete a Group Appointment Request form online or via other specified channels given by the embassy.
3. The embassy will check the request, considering factors like group size, reason, and travel dates.
4. The embassy replies to the coordinator with either approval or denial of the group appointment request.
5. If approved, the coordinator will book individual appointments for each group member on the same date and time slot (but not necessarily together).
6. Each member will follow the regular individual interview process with a consular officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. (2023, December 1). Travel.state.gov. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html [↩] [↩]

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Written by Wences Orcales

Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.

Managed by Glen Vidania

Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.

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Orcales, Wences. "US Visa Group Interview." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-visa-group-interview/. Accessed on 18 October 2023.

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Orcales, Wences. "US Visa Group Interview." Visas For Future. October 18, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-visa-group-interview/.