Do you have to speak English when applying for a U.S. visa interview?

The U.S. visa interview can be conducted in Chinese.

Applicants must fill in two written forms (one in Chinese and one in English). Typically, visa interviews are conducted in Chinese. However, in certain circumstances where proficiency in English is required for travel purposes (e.g., study at a U.S. institution and other situations), the interview host may ask questions in English to verify that the applicant has the required English proficiency.

Extended information

The day of the visa interview

On the day of the visa interview, in addition to bringing the necessary application materials for the visa, you also need to bring all the supporting materials you prepared Material. To know what necessary documents are required for a visa and what supporting documents are recommended to be brought, please check the specific categories of non-immigrant visas. Non-applicants cannot accompany applicants into the visa application hall.

During the visa interview, each applicant must individually prove his or her situation to the visa officer. Applicants need to be prepared in advance so that they can explain their binding status in China and the purpose of their trip to the United States to the visa officer alone during the interview without being accompanied by relatives or legal representatives. The only exception is that children under the age of 13 can be accompanied by an adult relative for the interview.

In some special circumstances, disabled people can also be accompanied by someone. Please fax the reason why the applicant needs someone to accompany you to (86-10) a few days before the interview.

8531-3333.

Notes on the day of visa application

After arriving at the corresponding embassy or consulate, please line up outside and wait for about 30 minutes before the appointment time. Go through security screening - please do not bring any electronics with you, including cell phones. Also do not bring backpacks, suitcases, briefcases or strollers. Applicants can only bring documents related to their visa application.

Go to the designated window to submit the visa application form and materials, and then wait for the fingerprint scan and visa interview. The waiting time is about 3 hours. If your visa application is approved, we will stamp the visa in your passport and mail the passport with the visa to you within five working days of the interview.

If you need expedited service, you can also choose to pick up your visa at the China Post Office opened in the Visa Service Hall under the Chaoyang District Government (next to the entrance of the embassy visa office) on the second working day after the interview date . Certain special circumstances, such as the need for administrative review, supplementary supporting materials, or anti-counterfeiting investigations, may affect the processing speed of visa applications and delay the issuance of visas.

The time required for visa return refers to the number of working days required for the visa officer to return the passport and visa to the applicant after deciding to issue the visa. Please click on the link to see the typical visa refund time.

Please note: The waiting time for visa application processing does not include the time for administrative processing. Administrative processing requires additional time. Once a visa application is subject to administrative processing, the time required will vary depending on the circumstances of each application. The current average waiting time for administrative processing is 16 weeks.

China.com - Visa interviews are usually conducted in Chinese

China.com - Reminder from the U.S. Embassy in China: Things to note on the day of the visa interview