If you are a nurse who has been offered a job opportunity in the U.S., you will need to apply for an immigrant visa and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa interview is a crucial step in your immigration process, as it will determine whether you are eligible to enter the U.S. and work as a nurse.
The visa interview is not something to be afraid of, but it does require some preparation and awareness of what to expect. You will be asked questions about your personal and professional background, your job offer, your employer, your plans in the U.S., and your ties to your home country. The interviewer will also verify the information and documents that you have submitted with your visa application.
The purpose of the visa interview is to assess your credibility, your qualifications, and your intentions to work and live in the U.S. You should be honest, confident, and respectful in your answers, and avoid saying anything that might raise doubts or concerns about your eligibility. Here are some things that you should NOT say at your U.S. visa interview to get an approved visa to come to the U.S.A. as a nurse.
1. I don’t know much about my employer or the job.
One of the most important things that the interviewer will want to know is that you have a genuine and valid job offer from a U.S. employer who is authorized to sponsor you for an immigrant visa. You should be able to demonstrate that you have been interviewed by the employer, that you have accepted the job offer, and that you are aware of the details and requirements of the position.
You should also be able to show that you have done some research about the employer, the healthcare facility, and the location where you will be working. You should know the name, address, and contact information of the employer, the name and title of your supervisor, the salary and benefits of the job, the duties and responsibilities of the role, and the start date and duration of the contract.
If you say that you don’t know much about your employer or the job, the interviewer might think that you are not serious about the opportunity, that you have not been properly informed or prepared, or that you have been involved in some fraudulent or illegal activity.
2. I have no ties to my home country.
Another important thing that the interviewer will want to know is that you have strong ties to your home country and that you intend to return after your contract ends. Ties are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your home country, such as family, friends, property, assets, investments, career, education, social and cultural activities, etc.
You should be able to explain how you maintain your ties to your home country, how often you communicate or visit your relatives and friends, what are your plans for your future in your home country, and how you will support yourself and your dependents (if any) while you are away.
If you say that you have no ties to your home country, the interviewer might think that you are planning to stay permanently in the U.S., that you have no interest or attachment to your home country, or that you have no financial or moral obligations to your home country.
3. I want to work in the U.S. because it is better than my home country.
Another important thing that the interviewer will want to know is that you have a positive and realistic attitude towards working and living in the U.S. You should be able to express your motivation and enthusiasm for the job opportunity, your appreciation and respect for the U.S. culture and society, and your willingness and ability to adapt to the new environment.
You should also be able to acknowledge the challenges and difficulties that you might face in the U.S., such as language barriers, cultural differences, homesickness, stress, etc., and how you will cope with them.
If you say that you want to work in the U.S. because it is better than your home country, the interviewer might think that you are dissatisfied or unhappy with your home country, that you have a negative or biased view of your home country, or that you have unrealistic or unreasonable expectations of the U.S.
4. I don’t have any questions for you.
Another important thing that the interviewer will want to know is that you are interested and engaged in the visa interview process. You should be attentive and responsive to the interviewer’s questions and also ask some questions of your own. Asking questions shows that you are curious and eager to learn more about the visa process, the U.S., and the job opportunity.
You should ask relevant and appropriate questions that are not already answered in the information and documents that you have received or submitted. For example, you can ask about the visa processing time, the visa validity period, the visa fees, the visa conditions and restrictions, the travel arrangements, the accommodation options, the orientation and training programs, the health insurance and social security benefits, etc.
If you say that you don’t have any questions for the interviewer, the interviewer might think that you are not interested or involved in the visa interview process, that you have not done your homework or research, or that you have nothing to say or contribute.
Conclusion
The U.S. visa interview is a vital and final step in your immigration process as a nurse. You should prepare well and avoid saying anything that might jeopardize your chances of getting approved. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can increase your confidence and competence in the visa interview, and hopefully get your visa to come to the U.S.A. as a nurse.