Proper Attire During Embassy Interviews

[LadyRider]

Yesterday, I had my interview in the US Embassy for the renewal of my visa. I was just really surprised on how some people dress-up during the interview. Merong naka tsinelas lang and maong pants, yung iba naman naka spaghetti strap, tapos yung iba naman parang pupunta sa party. Meron ding a few good men and women na naka kurbata or naka business attire.

Ako, I wore a suit para presentable naman at palagay ko it really does matter. Pag harap mo pa lang dun sa consul at nakita na nya how you dress-up and carry yourself, wala na masyado tanung tanong. Two to three questions and thats it; you're granted a visa!

It's just a pity on how some people take for granted how they look during these interviews when in fact, I believe that it matters a lot and diba nga first impressions last?

[red07]

Smart Casual lang would do. Just look nice and neat that's it.
Whether mabigyan ka ng visa or ma-denied ka, mabango ka pa rin sa paningin, he, he, he.

[russpogi]

+1 on that!

Kami ng family ko, we really did dress up in business attire when me and my sister applied for a US Visa, while my mom was renewing hers. Natapat pa kme sa consul na lahat ng dumaan sa kanya ay reject. She looked at us, asked my sister a few questions and that's it! Wala pa kming 5 mins during the interview.

I forgot to mention, napansin ko din yun na maraming di maayos ang suot during the interview. Yung tipong parang magma-mall lang. Ayun, reject halos silang lahat!

[Automahn]

Basta dapat mukha kang kagalang-galang at may datung para maniwala sila na pupunta ka lang talaga sa Tate para mamasyal at di para gatasan ang kanilang Land of Milk and Honey.;)

[ghosthunter]

Yesterday, I had my interview in the US Embassy for the renewal of my visa. I was just really surprised on how some people dress-up during the interview. Merong naka tsinelas lang and maong pants, yung iba naman naka spaghetti strap, tapos yung iba naman parang pupunta sa party. Meron ding a few good men and women na naka kurbata or naka business attire.

Ako, I wore a suit para presentable naman at palagay ko it really does matter. Pag harap mo pa lang dun sa consul at nakita na nya how you dress-up and carry yourself, wala na masyado tanung tanong. Two to three questions and thats it; you're granted a visa!

It's just a pity on how some people take for granted how they look during these interviews when in fact, I believe that it matters a lot and diba nga first impressions last?

It's just smart casual for me when I had my interview at the US Embassy. Got a 10 yr visa.

[CVT]

I do not remember now what I exactly wore during my initial (US) embassy interview. I am quite certain though that I was in business attire (long sleeves, but no tie nor suit)....

Succeeding renewal is through a drop box....

3707:seesaw:

[nicolodeon]

Smart Casual lang would do. Just look nice and neat that's it.

+1 on this. IMO, dressing to the nines can never increase the possibibility of being granted a visa.

Years ago, a relative of mine went to the US embassy for his and his family's visa interviews. Dressed in all their expensive glory, they made sure that they projected themselves in an...affluent manner. Their line of thinking was "If the consul sees that we have money, then they won't think that we would be a flight risk so they would give us a visa." To be sure, the brought all their bank account statements, diplomas, citations, land titles and copies of the scholastic records of their three kids.

They were denied visas.

[chieffy]

once lang ako nag apply for US Visa...denied....smart casual lang suot ko...para sa akin depende na lang talaga sa consul na matatapatan mo....

[Mguy]

I went there using my usual office uniform, a short sleeved white barong. May katabi ako naka suit and nauna sa akin. While being interview, I thought he had a good enough reason to go (he was speaking loudly) but he was denied. That scared me a lot kasi kung ganoon na kahigpit sila, paano na ako.

I just showed my car registration, employment papers and credit card statement, ayun, approved. Got me thinking probably luck is involved also.

[LadyRider]

Sa totoo nga, sabi rin nga sa akin nung isang Delbros staff (courier ng embassy) na kahit nga mga ibang mamayaman na dedeny ng visa!
Yung iba atang mga consul eh "bad hair day" or di kaya me "PMS" kaya naku malas mo lang pag dun ka nga natapat! (hehehehehe)
But did you know, statistics show that your convincing power on a person especially on interviews are stronger between 11am to 2pm? I just can't recall kung san ko nabasa pero parang totoo nga ata! (hehehehe)
But then again, tama nga yung smart casual... No need to overdress or under dress naman diba?

[BlueBimmer]

nice, tips para kung mag apply kme ng visa, suotin ko ung suit ko sa kasal :rofl:

[yourman]

I agree with smart casual, the least you can go. I used my office long sleeves barong uniform with slack during my interview. Ayun, 10 years..

Its better to be over dressed than under dressed during this interview. As advised by a travel agent, Guys at least should wear slacks and clean leather shoes with polo (long sleeves preferably) or barong. Tie and coat is an option. For ladies, i think slacks or skirt plus semi formal blouse at the least with good shoes and bag. It pays to have minimal make-up too.

Also, I think the consuls are psychiatrist/psychologist and know how to read people's reactions, facial expressions, and body language to tell if they are lying or not.

Wearing the proper attire sure helps but its the real intention of the applicant (whether to be a tourist or tnt) that the consul will see thru the facade of the applicant. They dont really rely on the documents the applicants submit because these can be doctored anyway.

But ofcourse, luck really plays a big role getting a visa or not.

Even while waiting in line for your turn to be interviewed, the consuls are already reading your body language, whether you are relaxed or tensed.

Ofcourse, these are my thoughts only..

[oliver1013]

Balita ko maluwag daw these days, yung friend ko nag apply last week approved buong pamilya 10 years multiple entry. Yung mga kasabayan daw nila halos lahat approved. Gusto ko na sana mag apply kaso walang plano gamitin pa in the near future, pag ganun daw na di mo ginamit di na daw mabibigyan uli. Tama ba?

[1D4LV]

smart casual will do.
ako pag may embassy interviews (not necessarily US embassy lang), i just wear a short sleeved polo shirt and casual slacks.

[XTO]

Some of them (consul) might consider your attire but final decision depends on their moods. Sala sa init at lamig sila. Well, we can’t blame them. Many of us has outsmarted them.

[Altis6453]

Well, the first impression counts a lot. Me, I was just dressed in smart casual when I got my visa. Of course, the consular officer won't grant you a visa based on what you're wearing alone. A lot depends also on the answers you give.

[prinsipe]

smart casual lang pwede na.

your attire does matter pero palagay ko depende sa consul na matapat sa 'yo, kasi ako I once tried to apply for a visa for a business trip - lahat ng documents dala ko (invitation from teh US Office, Certificate of employment, bank statements, etc.) pero pag dating sa consult ni di tiningnan yun mga documents na dala ko. she just asked me why do you want to go to the US, told here that my Employer's HQ invited me to attend a 2-week seminar to be held in Duncan, sabi lang sa akin I'm sorry I can't grant you a visa right now. tapos! i just thought to myself maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed that day.

[mazdamazda]

I don't think it matters...

if it matters... then every Juan & Maria appying for a visa is now wearing a 3-piece suit.

What matters is that you have a valid reason to visit the US, have the right demographic profile and lastly (if needed) in a good & stable financial standing (so that you won't go TNT).

[LadyRider]

I agree with yourman regarding consuls as "psychiatrists and psychologists". Kase kahapon nga I am just observing how they look at you straight in the eye. Gusto nila ng eye contact at dapat very spontaneous ang mga sagot mo...
Iwasan dapat ang mga words like: "um.. eh...err... i guess... maybe... etc." Dun pa lang minus points ka na sa kanila!
Yung isang naka barong nga kahapon, pinalabas lahat ng documents nya lalu na mga titolo ng properties and asked the applicant: "Is this really yours?" and the applicant said, "Yes!" Pero in the end, ayun "denied" pa rin!
Nakakaawa rin kase yung iba talaga valid din ang mga reasons. Like my friend na dying na ang dad nila sa states due to cancer. She and her sister applied for a visa together with the documents given by the hospital in the states pero ayun na deny sila kaya all they can do now is literally cry!

[Isuzoom]

it is the interview matters not the looks....just wear smart casual.