What to Expect on E-3 Visa Interview Day at the US Consulate

Your E-3 visa interview at the U.S. consulate is the last major hurdle before receiving your visa. For most applicants, the entire process takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, with the actual interview lasting just 1-5 minutes. Knowing what to expect at the E-3 visa consulate removes uncertainty and helps you arrive prepared.

Before you arrive

Documents to bring

Organize your documents in the order you will present them. The consular officer has limited time and appreciates a well-prepared applicant.

Required documents:

• Valid passport (Australia is part of the Six-Month Club, so your passport only needs to be valid for your intended period of stay, not six months beyond)
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• Appointment confirmation letter
• Passport-style photo (if required by your consulate)
• Certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from your employer
• Job offer letter on company letterhead
• Employer support letter addressed to the consulate (including job title, salary, work location, start date, and confirmation the employer is aware of your interview date)

Supporting documents:

• Resume or CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts
• Credential evaluation (if your degree is from outside Australia)
• Evidence of ties to Australia (property ownership, family, or ongoing employment)
• Previous U.S. visa stamps (if applicable)
• Pay stubs or employment verification from current job

What you can't bring inside

U.S. consulates have strict security policies. The following items are typically prohibited:

• Laptops and tablets
• Smart watches and fitness trackers (may be prohibited at some consulates)
• Large bags or backpacks
• Food and drinks
• Weapons of any kind

Mobile phones are generally permitted inside Australian consulates processing E-3 visas, but you will be asked to turn them off or set them to silent before your interview. Policies can vary by location, so check your specific consulate's instructions before your appointment. If phones are not allowed, there is usually no secure storage provided, so plan accordingly - leave it in your car or with someone outside.

What to wear

Business casual is appropriate. You do not need a suit, but avoid overly casual clothing like shorts or thongs. Dress as you would for a professional job interview.

Security screening process

When you arrive at the consulate, you will join the security queue outside the building. Wait times vary depending on appointment volume, but plan for 10-20 minutes.

If you arrive more than 30 minutes early, you may be asked to wait outside until closer to your appointment time. If you're running late, contact the consulate immediately. Depending on how late you are and appointment availability, they may allow you to proceed or require you to reschedule. Don't simply fail to show up.

What to expect:

• Present your passport and appointment confirmation at the entrance
• Pass through a metal detector
• Place bags and permitted items through an X-ray machine
• Receive a queue number or proceed to the waiting area

Security staff are thorough but professional. Remove belts, watches, and items from pockets before passing through the metal detector to speed up the process.

Inside the consulate: the two-step process

E-3 visa processing at Australian consulates follows a two-step format.

Step 1: Document check and fingerprints

After clearing security, you will proceed to a window for document verification and biometric collection. This step typically takes 3-5 minutes.

What happens:

• A staff member reviews your documents for completeness
• You provide digital fingerprints (all 10 fingers)
• Your photo may be taken (or verified against your DS-160 photo)
• You receive a queue number for the interview

If any documents are missing, the staff member will inform you. Missing critical documents (the LCA, DS-160 confirmation, or passport) will result in your interview being rescheduled. Bring everything on the checklist.

Step 2: The interview queue

After document processing, you will wait in a general seating area until your number is called. Wait times vary from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on consulate volume and your appointment time.

Use this time to review your documents and mentally prepare your answers. The waiting area typically has limited seating, so arrive prepared to stand.

The E-3 visa interview

The interview itself is surprisingly brief. Most E-3 visa interviews last 1-5 minutes. The consular officer's goal is to verify that you qualify for the E-3 classification and that you intend to return to Australia after your authorized stay.

Common E-3 interview questions

Consular officers generally want to confirm three things: that the job is real, that you're qualified for it, and that you're not planning to overstay.

About your job:

• What will you be doing in this role?
• What does the company do?
• Where will you be working?
• How long is your employment contract?
• What is your salary?

About your qualifications:

• What degree do you hold?
• How does your degree relate to the job?
• Do you have relevant work experience?
• Have you worked in the U.S. before?

About your intent:

• Do you have family in Australia?
• Do you own property in Australia?
• What are your plans after your E-3 period ends?

Answer questions directly and concisely. The consular officer has your DS-160 application and supporting documents, so your answers should be consistent with what you submitted.

How to answer the intent question

"What are your plans after your E-3 period ends?" is the trickiest question in the E-3 interview.

The E-3 is a non-dual-intent visa, meaning you are expected to have the intention of returning to Australia when your authorized stay ends. This is different from the H-1B, where applying for a green card while on the visa is explicitly allowed.

That said, the consular officer is not expecting you to map out the next decade of your life. They want to see that you have not already made a permanent commitment to staying in the U.S. indefinitely.

A strong answer focuses on your current professional goals while referencing genuine ties back home. For example: "I'm looking forward to gaining experience in the U.S. market and developing my skills in this role. I have family and property in Sydney, so Australia is very much home for me." This is honest, forward-looking, and demonstrates ties without making a rigid promise you may not keep.

Avoid saying you plan to apply for a green card or stay permanently - even if that is something you are considering long-term. Equally, avoid an overly rehearsed answer like "I will absolutely return to Australia on the exact date my visa expires." The officer knows people's plans evolve. What matters is that your current intent aligns with the temporary nature of the visa.

Tips for the interview

Be familiar with your job description. Know your specific duties, required qualifications, and how your background meets those requirements. If your LCA lists "Software Engineer" but you describe yourself as a "general IT person," that inconsistency could raise concerns.

Keep answers brief. Consular officers appreciate concise responses. A 30-second answer is usually better than a 3-minute explanation.

Do not volunteer unnecessary information. Answer the question asked, then stop. Over-explaining can create confusion or raise additional questions.

Interview outcomes

At the end of your interview, the consular officer will inform you of the decision. There are three possible outcomes.

Approved

If approved, the officer will keep your passport for visa stamping. You will receive instructions for passport collection or courier delivery. Processing typically takes a few business days, though times vary by consulate.

The consular officer may say "Your visa is approved" or simply "We will process your visa." Both indicate approval.

Administrative processing (221(g))

If additional review is required, you will receive a 221(g) slip indicating what the consulate needs. This could be additional documents the officer specifies, or a background check where no action is required from you.

Administrative processing times vary from a few days to several weeks. You can track your case status using the CEAC Status Check with your DS-160 application ID. When you open the page, select "Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV)" from the dropdown. It defaults to "Immigrant Visa (IV)" which will not find your application.

According to the State Department, if you are asked to provide additional documents, you have one year from the refusal date to submit them. After one year, you must reapply and pay a new application fee.

Refused

Visa refusals for E-3 applicants are relatively uncommon when documentation is complete. If refused, the officer will explain the reason, typically citing a specific section of immigration law.

Common refusal reasons include:

• Failure to demonstrate the position requires a specialty occupation
• Degree does not relate to the job duties
• Insufficient evidence of ties to Australia (suggesting immigrant intent)
• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation

After approval: getting your visa

Passport return options

Most Australian consulates offer two options for receiving your passport with the visa stamp:

• Courier delivery: Your passport is shipped to an address you specify (additional fee applies)
• Pickup: Collect your passport from a designated VFS Global office

Processing typically takes 2-5 business days after approval, but allow extra time for unexpected delays.

Tracking your application

Use the CEAC Status Check to monitor your visa processing status. You will need your DS-160 application ID (from your confirmation page) and the location where you applied.

Status updates include "Issued," "Administrative Processing," "Refused," and "Ready for Pickup."

Check your visa stamp immediately

When you receive your passport, verify all information on the visa stamp before leaving the pickup location or accepting courier delivery. Errors happen, and correcting them is much easier immediately than after you have departed.

Check the following:

• Name spelling (must match your passport exactly)
• Visa classification (should say E-3)
• Employer name
• Validity dates (issue and expiration)
• Number of entries (should be M for multiple)

E-3 visa interview day timeline

Here is a typical timeline for what to expect:

Total time: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on consulate volume.

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Frequently Asked Questions