Is there some sort of "on-arrival visa interview" necessary for first-time US visitors utilising ESTA?

10/7/2021 10:05:35 AM

Apparently the experience can vary greatly, depending on airport and possibly from were you are from.
I suppose the passport scan (if you are a potential risk-category passenger) triggers a flag to the officer that causes him/her to ask more questions.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if the immigration officers have a great deal of leeway to ask more questions on their own initiative, if they don’t like the look of you.

It is possible you don’t get an interview at all (or it is so short you don’t recognize it as an interview).

My personal experience going to the USA 11 times in total on ESTA between 2005 and 2018. 7 times for work, 4 times for holiday:

I never got any real interview. Purpose of visit was asked 8 times and 3 times not even that.

First time was on holiday in 2005. Arrived at LAX (direct flight from Europe). At immigration the officer just asked me "tourist or work?", I replied tourist, passport was stamped and I was through.

I was asked for my staying address only twice. Both at JFK, New York, on a business trip.

In Chicago (O’Hare, been there 3 times for work) I once was picked to have my carry-on luggage examined immidiately on getting out of the plane (before immigration and getting my suitcase from the conveyor). They did that on about 15 passengers from that flight. All men between 30-60 years and traveling alone. They must have been looking for something very specific.
But I didn’t get any additional scrutiny at immigration (except for the usual "purpose of visit" question, that I also got on my 2 previous visits to Chicago).

10/6/2021 7:31:06 AM

In addition to the other answers, I wanted to point out the main questions you’re likely to be asked, which are:

  • What is your purpose of visiting? (Be straightforward: "Visiting a friend", "Visiting Chicago as a tourist")
  • Where are you staying? (Have an address ready.)

Sometimes you get asked questions which they can’t possibly verify, just trying to see if you look evasive, I guess.

I don’t think I’ve ever managed to enter the US without an "interview" (same as every country), even though the last three times have been with the ESTA. Over the last couple of decades, the interview processes seem to have gotten friendlier, while the queueing process has become a complete shambles. (At LAX anyway).

10/5/2021 3:13:01 PM

Historically everyone entering the US – even US citizens – was processed by an immigration officer. This officer is able to ask any number of questions about you, your visit to the US, etc, in an attempt to confirm that you are a bona fide visitor to the US.

Several years ago the US started using automated machines to process visitors on arrival, which allowed some travelers to be processed by immigration without having to deal with a human. Initially these were available only for US citizens, however over time they have been expanded at most airports to include visitors entering on ESTA/VWP – however not on their FIRST entry to the US, only for subsequent visits.

Most likely what your friend is referring to is the fact that on your first visit to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), you will need to speak to an immigration agent. This is no different to most every other country in the world, where the immigration staff will likely ask you a few questions regarding your visit to the US, stamp your passport, and send you on you way. In most cases this ‘interview’ will probably take no more than about 30-60 seconds.

On subsequent visits to the US under ESTA/VWP you can normally avoid this ‘interview’ by using the automated kiosks – however as mentioned above these can not be used on an initial entry.

10/5/2021 2:56:49 PM

If it’s your first time visiting the US, regardless of ESTA/visa, you should definitely expect the CBP officer who processes you to spend longer questioning you about your circumstances, trip, etc., and for there to be a greater chance that you’ll be pulled aside for secondary screening (though that’s still unlikely overall). It isn’t a matter of a separate "visa interview", though, just a higher degree of scrutiny during the process all visitors undergo during every visit.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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