Recently, the Non-Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou posted a message on Weibo, informing everyone that they may receive text messages or phone calls from the consulate to further confirm information related to their application. Some netizens reported that they were told they passed the interview on the same day, but later that day, they received a call from the embassy still verifying their information.
Therefore, even if you are told that you passed, you cannot be 100% certain that your visa has been approved. Please think twice before purchasing plane tickets or booking hotels until you have received your passport. It is essential to provide a reachable phone number on the application form, so please keep your phone available and be sure to answer calls before retrieving your passport!
What situations are likely to lead to a phone survey?
Insufficient preparation of visa application materials, requiring supplementation
Some information on the materials that the visa officer wants to confirm again
Having a history of adverse records
Winning a lottery
When is it common to receive a phone survey?
You may receive a call anytime from the day you submit your application until you receive your visa. Be prepared from the day you submit your application until your visa is issued.
Phone surveys are generally conducted once, but there may be multiple calls. The survey calls usually occur during normal working hours, from 9 AM to 6 PM, so keep your phone available, pay attention to incoming calls, and respond appropriately.
Who will be calling?
Generally, the callers are Chinese staff from the embassy who speak Chinese. They may call from a landline or a mobile phone.
What questions are typically asked during the call?
Assets: Income, financial support during your stay in the U.S., and if there are financial sponsors, they will inquire about relevant information
Employment: Employer, position, job responsibilities, salary
Education: Schools attended, major and degree, study plans, etc.
Relatives: Whether you have relatives in the U.S., and if you are traveling with children or a spouse, etc.
Ultimately, the decision on whether the visa is approved still depends on whether the applicant's materials are complete. Therefore, the primary task for applicants is to prepare their materials thoroughly and not to overlook their importance due to the phone survey, nor should they be overly anxious.
The most critical point is:
All applicants for U.S. visas must provide truthful background information! The answers on the DS-160 form, the answers to the phone survey questions, and the answers during the interview must all be consistent!