Visa Interview Preparation from a Former U.S. Consular Officer
I help visa applicants understand how consular officers think, and how to present their history clearly and confidently during the interview.
Overview
This consultation is an interview-focused strategy session for U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicants. The goal is to help you better understand how your case may be viewed by a consular officer at the interview, and how to communicate your history clearly, accurately, and confidently.I take an analytical, officer-perspective approach. During the session, we review your background, prior travel or immigration history, your academic or professional plans, and any areas that may increase perceived risk or raise questions at the window. We discuss how officers evaluate credibility, ties, intent, and context, as well as how those factors apply to your specific case.This consultation is particularly helpful for applicants who anticipate a difficult interview, experienced a prior refusal, or simply want a clearer, more realistic understanding of how their case is likely to be interpreted. Many clients find the sessions useful in replacing uncertainty and speculation with clarity, structure, and practical preparation.My role is not to script answers or tell you what to say, but to help you understand the lens through which your case may be assessed so that you can speak to your own circumstances with honesty and confidence.Every session is tailored to the individual case and based on the information you choose to share during the consultation.
Experience
I previously worked as a U.S. consular officer, where I conducted visa interviews and adjudicated a wide range of nonimmigrant visa cases. That work involved assessing applicant history, intent, credibility, ties, and overall risk in the context of U.S. immigration law and consular policy.My experience includes interviewing tens of thousands of applicants from diverse academic, professional, and personal backgrounds, including students, researchers, business travelers, exchange visitors, skilled workers, and applicants with prior travel or immigration history in the United States. I am familiar with how complex or ambiguous cases are typically evaluated, and with the types of factors that may lead to additional questioning, refusal, or administrative processing.The perspective I bring to these consultations is practical and process-focused: how officers think about cases, what they look for during the interview, and how individual circumstances may be interpreted within that framework. My goal is not to replace legal guidance or make decisions for you, but to provide context, clarity, and insight based on firsthand adjudication experience.I approach this work with respect for applicants and for the difficulty and uncertainty many people experience in the visa process.
Request
1:1 Visa Interview Strategy Consultation (60 minutes)A focused, conversational session for nonimmigrant visa applicants who want to prepare thoughtfully and approach their interview with clarity and confidence.This session is valuable whether you:
• are preparing for your first interview and want guidance
• want to strengthen how you explain your plans and background
• prefer a realistic perspective from someone who has worked inside the process
• or have prior refusals and want to better understand your case historyDuring the consultation, we typically:
• review your background, purpose of travel, and key life context
• discuss how a consular officer may interpret your case
• identify areas that may create uncertainty or lead to follow-ups
• refine how you explain your goals and connections back home
• practice realistic, conversational interview questionsMy approach is straightforward, honest, and practical in order to help you think the way officers think, without scripts or rehearsed answers.Consultation Fee$299 USD — 60-minute session (Google Meet)Your consultation includes:
• pre-session review of your case information
• full strategy discussion and interview preparation
• AI-generated consultation notes summarizing key themes & insights
• the ability to follow up by email afterward with additional questionsPayment is collected at the time of scheduling.This consultation provides strategic insight and interview preparation based on my experience as a former U.S. consular officer.It does not include legal advice or formal case representation.