The interview is not a test of facts on your form. It is a 90-second read of whether you are a genuine applicant. The officer has the file; they are looking for the story behind it.
This guide is the actual question sequence used in US, UK (biometrics interaction only), Schengen (France, Germany), Canada, and Australia interviews — in the order they're asked — and how strong applicants handle the traps.
Before the question: what the officer sees before you open your mouth
- Demeanor at the window. Confident, polite, direct. Not deferential, not nervous.
- Documents already tabbed and ordered. Fumbling through a stack reads as unprepared.
- What you wear. Business casual. Not a suit, not a polo. You want to look like the professional role you've claimed on the form.
US B1/B2 — the interview that matters most
Typical sequence at Embassy Dhaka:
- "Good morning. Why are you going to the United States?" First answer is the most weighted. Specific, one sentence. "Tourism, to visit New York and Washington for 10 days." Not: "I want to travel, see family, maybe business, I'm not sure yet."
- "Who is paying for the trip?" If self-funded, say so and be ready to show the statement. If sponsored, name the sponsor and the relationship.
- "What do you do in Bangladesh?" Job title, employer, how long. Not a monologue.
- "Have you been to the US before?" Yes/no. If yes, when and for what.
- "Any other international travel?" This is a ties-and-history question, not a brag-about-your-trips question. List recent, relevant, completed trips.
- "Are you married? Children? Parents?" The ties check.
- Sometimes: "What will you do if your visa is approved?" Strong answer: concrete plan, specific dates.
- Sometimes: "Have you been refused a visa to any country?" Yes means yes, with no elaboration unless asked.
The trap question: "What if I said I don't believe you?" Or: "What if you decide to stay?" These are pressure tests, not accusations. The weak response is to argue or protest. The strong response is calm: "I understand you have to make that judgment. I've submitted everything I have to show I'll return."
US refusals are delivered on the spot, verbally. You will see the blue 214(b) slip, not a written explanation. There is no appeal; you can only refile with new evidence.
UK — paper-driven, light biometric interaction only
The UK does not interview most applicants. At VFS Dhaka you hand over documents and have biometrics taken. That interaction is not scored, but the biometric clerk does make notes that can be read later.
The only time you speak to a decision-maker is:
- Video credibility interview (occasional, for student and certain work categories). Questions are pulled from your application: why this university, why this course, what will you do after, how are you funding it.
- At the airport on arrival. Border Force can ask anything on your file. The most common pattern is: "Where are you staying?" "How long?" "How much money do you have?" "Can I see your return ticket?"
Prepare for this interaction. Carry the documents you submitted. Your answers must match what you wrote.
Schengen — varies wildly by consulate
Germany and Netherlands: short factual interview. "Dates, hotels, who's paying, who's in Dhaka." The officer is verifying the file, not interrogating.
France and Italy: often no interview at all for tourist visas with complete paperwork. If called, it's 2–3 questions about purpose.
The trap for Schengen is not the interview — it is the document check at biometric submission. VFS clerks at Gulshan are trained to flag inconsistencies and add a note before the file reaches the consulate. If the clerk asks a question, answer it; don't argue.
Canada — no interview for most visitor files
Canadian visitor visas are decided on paper. Occasionally IRCC will call the applicant or sponsor for a credibility check. Those calls are short and specific:
- "Confirm the sponsor's name and relationship."
- "Confirm your employment and salary."
- "When did you last travel internationally?"
For study permits the equivalent is the study permit credibility interview, which is more involved — expect questions on your program choice, funding source, and post-graduation plans.
Australia — paper and occasional phone follow-up
Similar to Canada. Most decisions on paper. If Home Affairs calls, it's specific:
- To verify employment.
- To clarify a financial transaction.
- To ask about a previously undeclared refusal.
Answer briefly and honestly. If the call comes and you're not ready, ask if you can call back in 30 minutes — that's permitted.
The universal rule: do not volunteer
The single most common way applicants damage their own interviews is by over-explaining. The officer asks a yes/no question; the applicant answers yes and then gives three sentences of context they were not asked for. That extra context is where inconsistencies creep in.
Short, honest answers. Elaborate only when asked.
Rejected once: what to change for the second interview
- Do not argue the previous refusal with the new officer. It will come up. Acknowledge it, state what has changed in your circumstances, move on.
- Do not repeat identical answers. If "tourism to New York" got refused, saying it again without supporting evidence (itinerary, hotel, prior travel) gets the same result.
- Wait for a material change. A new job, a year of bank activity, a property document, a completed ASEAN trip. Going back in 30 days with nothing new is a wasted fee.
Sources
- US Department of State, Visa interview guide.
- UK Home Office, Visa credibility interviews — guidance.
- IRCC, Temporary resident visa interviews — operational guidance.
- Australian Home Affairs, Visitor visa — integrity measures.