In which field are you an extraordinary specialist?

Name one field - the same one as in the petition. Two different fields in one case reads as a contradiction to officers.

Why this visa category and not another?

Show that you understand how your category differs and why it fits your case.

What is your education and background?

Briefly cover the education and experience relevant to your field and role.

Do you have a second citizenship? Which countries have you lived in?

Answer honestly; it must match your DS-160 and passports.

What is your education, degree and major?

Degree, university, year and major. If you work outside your major, explain the switch calmly: a degree is not a criterion for O-1 or EB-1A.

Where are you from and what is your home town's population?

A routine consistency check against your form. Answer plainly; you are not expected to know the exact population.

Do you have siblings? What do they do?

Answer exactly as declared in your DS-260/DS-160. Family-composition mismatches are a common trigger for follow-up questions.

A simple document check. Answer directly, without volunteering your date of birth unless asked.

What is your spouse's mother's maiden name?

Yes, this gets asked: it checks that the family is real and matches the forms. Find it out in advance - an awkward pause looks worse than not knowing.

What year did you finish school?

They are checking your timeline: school, university, work with no unexplained gaps. Keep the dates in your head.

General questions about the applicant

Updated: September 14, 2026Author: Alina Kanametova

How almost every interview starts: who you are, what you do, where you studied and where you are from. The questions are simple, but each answer is checked against your DS-260 or DS-160.

Questions (10)

keyIn which field are you an extraordinary specialist?: Name one field - the same one as in the petition. Two different fields in one case reads as a contradiction to officers.
Why this visa category and not another?: Show that you understand how your category differs and why it fits your case.
What is your education and background?: Briefly cover the education and experience relevant to your field and role.
Do you have a second citizenship? Which countries have you lived in?: Answer honestly; it must match your DS-160 and passports.
What is your education, degree and major?: Degree, university, year and major. If you work outside your major, explain the switch calmly: a degree is not a criterion for O-1 or EB-1A.
Where are you from and what is your home town's population?: A routine consistency check against your form. Answer plainly; you are not expected to know the exact population.
Do you have siblings? What do they do?: Answer exactly as declared in your DS-260/DS-160. Family-composition mismatches are a common trigger for follow-up questions.
How old are you?: A simple document check. Answer directly, without volunteering your date of birth unless asked.
What is your spouse's mother's maiden name?: Yes, this gets asked: it checks that the family is real and matches the forms. Find it out in advance - an awkward pause looks worse than not knowing.
What year did you finish school?: They are checking your timeline: school, university, work with no unexplained gaps. Keep the dates in your head.

Rehearse these questions out loud in the interview simulator - it shuffles the bank and reveals the hint only after your answer.

Other sections

Career and experience questions at the visa interview (12)O-1 and EB-1A criteria questions at the interview (29)Questions about your plans in the US (25)Family questions at the visa interview (11)Military service questions at the consular interview (9)Other questions at the consular interview (30)English interview questions for practice (26)Marriage-visa interview questions (K-1, CR-1) (71)Interview preparation Form DS-5535 Real interviews

All interview questions

Community experience and reference information, not legal advice. Answer truthfully and in your own words. Official requirements are on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov.How to prepare