There are many different categories of Non-Immigration Visa, but this article will focus solely on B1/B2 travel visas.  A B1 travel visa is granted to applicants that will conduct business in the US that will not result in gainful employment such as; negotiate a contract, settle an estate, or consult with business associates. While a B2 visa is granted to applicants that will travel for tourism or leisure purpose such as; vacation, medical procedure, tourism, or participate in organizational events. 

​

Assumption Intent to Immigrate

​

The first and major mistake applicants make is that they misunderstand the Non-Immigration Visa Program. It is assumed that when an applicant applies for a travel visa, they intend to remain in the US. This may seem counter intuitive since the title of the program is called Non-Immigration Visa. However, the vast majority of illegal immigrants in the US are people that have over stayed their visa. Thus, when an applicant is interviewed the questions are structured to determine if an applicant can demonstrate that they have ties to their home country and have no intent to remain in the US. It is extremely important that an applicant can prove that they have no intent to remain in the US. Applicants without ties to their home country such as; jobs, home, business, family, or organizational membership, are more likely to be denied a travel visa because they are more likely to over stay their visa.

​

Too Much Information Disclose

​

The second mistake is applicants talk far too long during the interview process. The questions are structured to determine if an applicant has an intent to remain in the US. Thus, the longer an applicant talks when asked a specific question, the greater the chances are the applicant will provide too much information that can end hurting the applicant. Conversely, an applicant that provides too short of an answer can appear to come across as evasive and uncooperative. The best answer is one that answers the question directly without unnecessary information. For example, if you are asked “what is the purpose of your trip”, an appropriate response would be “to see certain landmarks and list them”.

​

No Proof to Support Trip

​

The third mistake applicants make is they do not provide enough proof to the interviewers that they have enough funds to support their trip while in the US. Again the questions are structured to determine if an applicant has the intent to remain in the US. Thus when an applicant is asked how will they support their self while in the US, they must be able to prove that they have enough money for a round trip ticket, hotel stay, food, and leisure expenses etc. An applicant can have a sponsor in the US show proof that they will sponsor and support the applicant while they are in the US. However, it is the applicants responsibility to have all of the sponsor proof available during the interview process.

​

When applying for a travel visa an applicant must remember the interview process is set up to determine if the applicant has intent to remain in the US once they enter. There is an assumption that all applicants that apply for a travel visa intends to remain and the burden is on the applicant to prove to the interviewer that they intend to return back to their home country.