Visa Interview- US Embassy, Singapore

Few tips to ensure a stress free day:

Now that the DS160 form is submitted, visa fees paid and the interview date and slot booked, nothing is going to change even if we freak out. So the best policy is keep the preparations only till 9PM the previous day. Have a hearty sleep, get up early in the morning with a positive attitude, have breakfast and get set go!!!

Book the earliest possible slot, not to ensure a visa but to ensure to keep the stress to a minimal level.
The earliest slot is 7.45AM and you are allowed near the gate just 15min prior.

First and foremost, DO NOT BE LATE.
Dress appropriately. Wearing Suits is not going overboard and neither mandatory. Whatever you wear, be presentable.
Do not forget any single document. Mandatory documents are
1. Passports (Current and Old)
2. DS160 Confirmation page
3. Appointment Letter
4. Visa Fee receipt
5. Passport Photo-1
Make sure to keep additional documents such as bank statements, employment records, payslips, sanctioned leave letter, property documents, IRAS/tax receipts, if being sponsored-sponsor documents including invitation letter and other supporting documents and all the other documents which would show your ties to the country. As an Expat, it is difficult to show major ties, so keep it simple and go with the employment records and rental agreement.

Coming to the US Embassy in Singapore, it is situated in 27 Napier Road. Stones throw away from the British Council and shares a common path with Australian Council. There is an Australian Embassy board visible from the main road, so once you take the left into that small path, on the left side you can see the American Embassy.

As soon as you reach there, you would be requested to be seated in line outside the gates. There is a small shelter with 3 rows of chairs. Once your appointment time reaches, you would be requested to go through the main gate in order. Outside the gate they will just check the appointment letter. So keep it handy.

Once inside the main gate you would go through security screening in a small guard room. You should leave all your belongings same as in an airport and then step to get scanned. Through the conveyer belt your items including files will be scanned and only the documents, file/holder, watches, wallets will be returned. Mobile phones and large bags are kept in the guards room and you would be provided with a token to claim them back while leaving.

Once the security check is done, you have to come out of the room and walk a few meters to reach a small entrance. There your identity and passport will be checked and you would be asked to take a token number from the machine (same as that in the banks).
You would then be directed into a small room with rows of chairs facing the cubicles are present.

This is where you interview would take place.
There are screens visible from every corner of the room which displays the token number called. Overall there are 7 or 8 cubicles. So on the screen, the token number along with cubicle number would be displayed. So whenever your no. is displayed, go to the respective cubicle.

After you are seated, the first time they call you for checking the documents. DS160 confirmation page, passport photo, visa fee receipt, current passport and appointment letter are the only documents requested at this stage. They take the documents, ask you the visa type you are applying for and ask the visa status in Singapore ( EP/DP/PR/Citizen/S Pass and so on..)
You would again be sent back to sit and wait.
After maybe 15 min they call you again. This time for ten-printing. First of all the finger printing machines are dirty and they are not wiped after every individual, so its difficult to get accurate prints so they repeatedly ask you to press harder.(I wish they provide any paper tissues or sanitizer). Ok, so they ask you first to give prints of the left hand 4 fingers and then the right hands and finally both the thumbs. After it is done they give you the documents they took from you in the first cubicle in a file and an instructions page (as to what next after visa is issued or not).

Keep the file which they gave separately and do not add any other documents nor remove any. Read the instructions page they provided and keep it safe inside wallet or anywhere but do not mix in the documents.
You are again waiting for another 15 min or even longer and finally the interview calls begin. Again your token number would be displayed.(do not fret, they do not necessarily call in order, they pick random numbers). Once you would be called, first and foremost GREET HIM/HER.
Hand over the file which they gave you which contains your passport and other documents.
Answer accordingly and to the point. Hand over additional documents only if requested. Do not be hyperactive or do not underplay. Do not exaggerate your answers, neither be taciturn. Be cool and answer truthfully.
Usually the interview lasts from 5-15mins according to your luck. Finally either he'll say, 'Congratulations, your visa has been approved' or 'Sorry, we are unable to issue a visa this time due to so and so reasons'. If visa is approved, he will keep the passport and you would get it after 2-3 days(read the instructions page they provided). If visa is not approved, they would give a sheet of paper with the reasons as to why you were denied.
Either ways, be happy. Its just a Visa just for a country and not your life, thank him for his time and get out.
On the way out, do not forget to take your belongings at the guard house.

Check these too: DS-160 Checklist & DS-160 Step by Step Instructions

DS-160 Step by Step with Instructions

If you have read my previous post regarding the checklist and the DS-160 guidelines, I am sure you must be ready to fill the form. It is a cake walk if you have the documents ready and are not faking anything but anyways I've listed out the things which would be required to be filled in the form.

Once you are here, select the location where you will be applying for the visa. For me it was in Singapore, so please select wherever you are applying. If you still want to learn more about the form, on the left side, 4 sites have been quoted as the things to be aware before filling. Feel free to go through them.
Once you have selected the location, you would be prompted to upload the photograph.
Immediately below you will find three tabs highlighted in red.(Start an application, Upload an application, Retrieve an application).
Click on Start an Application.

1. An Application ID along with the date would be given. Print it or note it down somewhere.
This application ID would be required for future references.
2.  In the same page you would be required to give a security question and answer. Choose an easy one for remembrance. You would have to furnish those details along with the application ID and the first four letters of you surname in-case you need to access your DS-160 anytime later.

3. Personal Information 1:

a) Surname
(As listed in the passport)
b) Given names
c) Full name in native alphabet.
(Tick if it does not apply. Usually for Indians it does not apply)
d) Have you ever used other names (i.e., maiden, religious, professional, alias, etc.)
(Usually applicable to Indian Women who are married- Answer accordingly, but make sure if you have used other names, take a proof of it while attending for the interview.
e) Do you have a telecode that represents your name?
(Apparently Telecodes are 4 digit numbers which represent characters in some non-Roman alphabet names)
I am not sure whatever it means, but its a no for me and mostly for everyone.
f) Sex (Male/Female)
g) Marital Status
(one of these: married, common law marriage, civil union/domestic partnership, single, divorced, widowed, legally separated, other) 
h) Date and Place of Birth
Date, City, State/Province, Country/Region(as mentioned in passport) 
(Note: the format for dates are usually DD-MMM-YYYY but Americans prefer MMM-DD-YYYY, so kindly double check and furnish the details) 

You can either save the details, go back or continue to next. If filled properly, click continue. Remember, you can always modify the details till you sign and submit. So do not panic even if you fill anything wrong.

4. Personal Information 2: 

a) Country/ Region of Origin(Nationality)
b) Do you hold or have you held any Nationality other than the one indicated above on nationality?
(Yes/No)
c) National Identification number

d) U.S. Social Security Number
e) U.S. taxpayer ID number
(If you are an Indian or not a U.S citizen, it is usually 'no' for 'c,d and e')

Go ahead to next.

5. Address and Phone:

a) Home Address
(Street Address line1, line 2, city, state, postal code, country) 
(This is where you are presently residing, not necessarily your home country)
b) Mailing Address
If the mailing address is the same as the home address, simply say yes, if not mention the address in the same format as above.
c) Phone
(Primary phone number, secondary phone number, work phone number)
Primary phone number is usually where you are most likely to be contacted.

Secondary and work numbers are optional.
d) E-mail address
(furnish the one through which you would like communicating with the consulate, usually they will send the confirmation to this mail)
 Save for later or continue to next

6. Passport:

a) Passport/Travel Document type
(one of these: Regular, official, diplomatic, others- usually its regular)
b) Passport or travel document number
c) Passport book number

(Usually not applicable) 
d) Country/ Authority that issued passport/travel document
e) Where was the passport issued
(city, state, country)
Mention exactly as in the passport.
f) Issuance date
g) Expiration date
(Validity should be at least 6 months from your intended date of travel)
h) Have you ever lost a passport/ have stolen one
(yes/no) 
If yes then you need to provide the lost/stolen passport number, country which issued it and the reason behind it.
If no, continue to next.

7. Travel Information:

a)  Purpose of trip to the U.S.
(there are several categories, for tourism select ' temp business pleasure visitor B)
b) Specify
(B1/B2-business and tourism temporary visitor, B1-business/conference, B2-tourism/medical treatment: select accordingly)
c) Have you made specific travel plans?
If yes, provide the complete itinerary even if it is tentative, like date of arrival in US, flight if known, arrival city, date of departure from US, flight if known,departure city and the locations you plan to visit one by one.
If no, provide an intended date of arrival and duration of stay. Do not mention more than 3 months and if working then only mention 2 or 3 weeks according to the leave issued to you by your company.
make sure to put a date at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead from your scheduled or planned interview but not more than 2 months away.
d) Address where you will stay in the US
(same format as the home address, either it is at your relatives place or any hotel address where you intend to stay will suffice)
e) Person/entity paying for your trip
(self, other person, other company/organization)
If other person or company is paying, furnish their details like surname, given name, phone no., email, relation to you and address.
make sure it is believable, you cannot quote as your friend or distant aunt/uncle whom who hardly know is paying cos it would be suspicious and highly rare. preferably the other person should be a close family member or your own company.
Once done save or continue to next

8. Travel Companions:

a) Are there other persons traveling with you
(You should answer Yes to this question if you are traveling with family, as part of an organized tour, or as part of a performing group or athletic team. You do not need to list individuals who are traveling with you for the purposes of employment with the same employer.)
If yes then you need to fill these:
b) are you traveling as a part of a group or organization?
If yes, provide the group name,
If no, enter the persons details like surname given name and relation to you.
If there is no one traveling with you,enter no and continue to next.

9.  Previous US travel information:
  
a) Have you ever been in the US
(if yes mention the date arrived, length of stay and drivers license no. if ever held) 
b) Have you ever been issued a US visa
(if yes, then you have enter all the details including the visa number and if you have been ten printed previously)Ten printing is taking the fingerprints of all the ten fingers.
c) Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, or been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry?
(if yes, explain in detail in a box provided) 
d) Has anyone ever filed an immigrant petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services?
(if yes, explain)  

If no, kindly continue. But remember, furnish everything correctly, they will know it if you lie.

10. US point of contact information:

a) Contact person/organization in the US
surname, given name and relation to the person/organization name and relation. You need to furnish the address and phone no. and email id of the contact person/organization.
(Your U.S. Point of Contact can be any individual in the U.S. who knows you and can verify your identity. If you do not personally know anyone in the U.S., you may enter the name of the hotel, company, or organization you plan to visit during your trip) 
Once completed, you can continue to next

11. Family Information: Relatives:

a) Fathers full name and DOB
b) Is your father in the US
c) Mothers full name and DOB
d) Is your mother in the US
(if any one present in US, specify the status/visa type) 
e) Do you have any immediate relatives, not including parents, in the United States?
(immediate relatives include fiance/fiancee, spouse (husband/wife), child (son/daughter), or sibling (brother/sister) ) 
if yes provide their name, surname, relation to you and US status/visa type.
You can provide as many as applicable
f) Do you have any other relatives in the United States?
even if yes, you need not provide their information.
 Proceed to next once info is typed

12. Present Work/Education/Training information:

a) Primary occupation
select from drop down and you may need to provide information about your employer, name, address, phone no, country, monthly income if employed, and describe duties.

13. Previous Work/Education/Training information:

a) Were you preciously employed
if yes, provide full details
b)  Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above?
(You must answer Yes to this question if you have ever attended, for any length of time, a high school/secondary school (or its equivalent in your country) or college, university, graduate school, a doctoral program, or a vocational program) 
if yes provide full details.

14. Additional work/Education/Training information:

a) Do you belong to a clan/tribe
b) Provide a list of languages you speak(you can add as  many as you know)
c)  Have you traveled to any countries within the last five years? if yes provide a list, add as applicable
d) Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social, or charitable organization?
e)Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience?
f) Have you ever served in the military?
g) Have you ever served in, been a member of, or been involved with a paramilitary unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, or insurgent organization?
Answer accordingly

15. Security and Background:
Part 1

a) Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance? 
b) Do you have a mental or physical disorder that poses or is likely to pose a threat to the safety or welfare of yourself or others?
c) Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?
Answer as yes/no

Part 2

a) Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action?
b) Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances?
c) Are you coming to the United States to engage in prostitution or unlawful commercialized vice or have you been engaged in prostitution or procuring prostitutes within the past 10 years?
d) Have you ever been involved in, or do you seek to engage in, money laundering?
e) Have you ever committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States?
f) Have you ever knowingly aided, abetted, assisted or colluded with an individual who has committed, or conspired to commit a severe human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States?
g) Are you the spouse, son, or daughter of an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States and have you within the last five years, knowingly benefited from the trafficking activities?
yes/no

Part 3

a) Do you seek to engage in espionage, sabotage, export control violations, or any other illegal activity while in the United States?
b)  Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities?
c)  Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations?
d) Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization?
e) Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted, or otherwise participated in genocide?
f) Have you ever committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in torture?
g) Have you committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in extrajudicial killings, political killings, or other acts of violence?
h) Have you ever engaged in the recruitment or the use of child soldiers?
i) Have you, while serving as a government official, been responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom?
j) Have you ever been directly involved in the establishment or enforcement of population controls forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice or a man or a woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free will?
k) Have you ever been directly involved in the coercive transplantation of human organs or bodily tissue?

Part 4

a)Have you ever sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the United States, or any other United States immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means?

Part 5 

a) Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court?
b) Have you voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation?
c) Have you ever renounced United States citizenship for the purposes of avoiding taxation?

This is almost the end of the questionnaire and you just need to upload your photograph if you did not do that in the very beginning.
Once you do that you need to confirm the photograph and then you will be redirected to review all the information you have provided. Check carefully as even at this point you can edit the details if necessary.

Once you have reviewed and checked everything perfectly, you can sign and submit the form. Be sure to read the terms and conditions.
You would be redirected to the confirmation page where you can print it and can request to send the confirmation to you mail ID.

Once you sign and submit the form, you are not allowed to modify any details.
It is only after you submit the DS160 form and have paid the visa fees, you are allowed to book an appointment date for the interview if applicable. 

Check this to know what to expect at  the Visa Embassy/Consulate on the day of your interview: Visa Interview.