interview at the american embassy

galwaydude

Hi,

Don’t know if this is the right forum or not to post this.

I have an interview at the American embassy next week for a visa to work in the states.

Has anyone ever gone for such an interview? The interview is pretty straight forward as I have passed all their requirements and have all the relevant documentation filled out. My Question is do I go all out and wear a suit or do I go casual.

Cheers for any replies

Haket

Sorry to piggyback, I'd like to know too, and how you get on. I'm hoping to have my interview in Jan. How long did you have to wait for an appointement ?. Best of luck.

monkeyfudge

How about dressing like this?

Actually... generally in these sort of situations when you are in doubt just wear a suit.

David19

I went casual and so did everyone else that was there at the time. You basically wait in a room for 5-10 mins and they call up people to the front. They just ask you where are you going and if you've been to the states before. The interview takes 2 mins. Its the biggest waste of a 100 euro ever.

Edit: I should add that this was for a J1 visa.

Haket

What kind of VISA was that though ?, I'm guessing the short term work VISA (J1/H1?) etc would be different to a full time or sponsored VISA (L1) etc ?.

David19

Yeah it was a J1. It might be a good idea to take it more seriously if you're going for a longer work visa.

galwaydude

lads its a fiance visa as my gf is american so the visa is more like term than one of those j1 visa types. Its proberly better for me to wear the suit even though the actual interview will prob only take a few minutes for them to review the forms and sign the offical documents.

OY

galwaydude wrote:

lads its a fiance visa as my gf is american so the visa is more like term than one of those j1 visa types. Its proberly better for me to wear the suit even though the actual interview will prob only take a few minutes for them to review the forms and sign the offical documents.

I had the same visa in the past. The interview is more directed at the paperwork than at you. They will review it and make sure all appears well. Just a word of warning, they are really anal about their paperwork and more than likely will point out some things to rectify and have you come back a second time. I am pretty sure you will not have to pay but the day i was there most guys had to come back. It is hard to get everything perfect the first time around!

The overall process is arduous and pretty frustrating but just trust in it and go with it, do what they want and you will get there. The hardest thing is trying to be patient with it all!

As for dress code, i do not think they care much but i would still make somewhat of an effort. A shirt and slacks or something!

Eoin

galwaydude wrote:

lads its a fiance visa as my gf is american so the visa is more like term than one of those j1 visa types. Its proberly better for me to wear the suit even though the actual interview will prob only take a few minutes for them to review the forms and sign the offical documents.

Absolutely, IMO unless there is a good reason not to wear a suit, then wear one.

ballooba

Wearing a suit might make you look dodgy? Like those sleazy foreign guys you see overdressed in night clubs around town.

Eoin

ballooba wrote:

Wearing a suit might make you look dodgy? Like those sleazy foreign guys you see overdressed in night clubs around town.

Wearing a dodgy suit may make you look dodgy (shoulder pads like something out of Dallas / shiny material etc), but a standard, subtle suit would be the default choice for me.

galwaydude

thanx lads for the advice, will wear the suit.:D