Step-by-Step Guide: How to Breeze Through Your US Embassy Interview

“Congratulations! You have been placed at camp and you’re in the final steps of spending the summer of a lifetime working in the US. You’ll travel to America on a J1 Camp Counsellor visa. This will entitle you to work in an American summer camp and then travel across the country for up to 30 days.

All you need to do now is get your visa from the US Embassy.”

Whether going on a J1 or heading for Camp USA you’ll soon be heading down to Ballsbridge for your US Embassy interview.

This is made out to be a more daunting experience than necessary. Once you are well prepared and know what you’re doing, you will fly though. Just follow these easy steps.

US Embassy Checklist

• A current valid passport, the same as on your application.
• Confirmation page of the DS-160 form, which you must complete on the US Department of State website before your appointment.
• A DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (provided by USIT)- These are your work papers.
• A SEVIS receipt (provided by USIT)
• Proof of intent to return to Ireland- This is to prove that you have a valid reason to return to Ireland after your J-1 period. For Example, proof of student status, proof of a job offer, proof of housing, or proof of financial commitment.
• A 2×2 sized passport photo- You can get this at any chemist. Make sure to specify that you need a 2×2 photo for US Embassy purposes.

Instructions of how to complete your DS-160 confirmation page and book your embassy appointment were attached with your DS-2019 (Work papers). Please follow these instructions step by step to avoid errors.

You can choose a time and date that will suit you for your embassy appointment. Please note that the later you leave it, the less availablity so we advise that you book your appointment ASAP.

Getting there:

The Embassy is located at 42 Elgin Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Entrance to the Consular Section is through the main building entrance at the intersection to Elgin and Pembroke Roads.

If you are traveling from the city center by Dublin bus you may take the number 4, 7, 8, 18, or 120 and exit at the first stop after the Ballsbridge Inn Hotel (formerly Jury’s hotel & D4) in Ballsbridge. The Embassy is across the road.

If you are traveling from the city center by the DART you should exit at Landsdowne Road train station. When you leave the station, turn left and walk through Landsdowne Road to the traffic lights at the corner of the Ballsbridge Inn Hotel (formerly Jury’s hotel & D4). Turn left at the hotel – you are now on Pembroke Road. The Embassy is across the road about 2 minute walk from there.

The Day Of Your Appointment

Make sure that you only bring what you need with you on the day. You will go through a security check upon arrival and any phones/laptops will be kept in a locker until you are done.

Don’t bring any big bags or other electronic equipment to the interview. You won’t need it and more to the point, the Embassy doesn’t have locker facilities to keep it safe when you’re having your interview. If you bring these items to your interview you may be refused entry and have to reschedule.

When you arrive, you are given a number. When your number is called, you will show your documents for a clerk to check over. You will then wait for your number to be called a second time. This is when you will speak to a consular officer for a few minutes. They will take your finger prints and ask you questions about what you are doing for the summer.

Don’t panic - This is where you explain where your camp/J1 is, what you will be doing there and what you are doing when you come back to Ireland.

Visa Approval

Once your visa is approved, your passport will be taken off you (don’t panic, this happens to everyone).

This will be returned to you in one of two ways, which you will choose when booking your appointment.

Delivery by Courier OR Pick Up at Depo

You will receive your passport back with your Visa and your DS-2019 stapled inside. Do not remove this.

You are now set and ready for the best summer ever! Simples. Contact info@usit.ie or call us with any queries.