US visa and asylum interview questions
US refugee interview questions
In the US Refugee Admissions Program, a USCIS officer interviews you abroad after a prescreening by a Resettlement Support Center. The officer checks who you are, who is in your case and why you fled. Admissions have been paused or limited at times, so check the current status first.
Questions officers often ask
- What is your full name, and have you used any other names?What they check: Your identity across all records.
- Who is included in your case, and how are you related?What they check: Every family member listed on the case.
- Where did you live before you fled, and when did you leave?What they check: Your history and timeline.
- Why did you leave your country?What they check: The main reason for your claim.
- What happened to you or your family? Please give dates and places.What they check: Detail and consistency with your prescreening interview.
- Who harmed you, and why?What they check: The link to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or a particular social group.
- Why can you not return now?What they check: The continuing risk to you.
- Where have you lived since you fled, and what is your status there?What they check: Your situation in the country where you are now.
- Have you ever served in the military, police or an armed group?What they check: Security and bars to admission.
- Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime?What they check: Criminal history.
- Do you have relatives in the United States?What they check: Family ties and possible links to other cases.
How to prepare
- Know the names, dates of birth and relationships of everyone in your case. Your answers must match your earlier interviews.
- Practice telling what happened in order. If you do not know or do not remember, say so.
- Bring every identity and UNHCR document you have.
- Answer only for yourself; each adult may be interviewed.
Documents to bring
- Passport or national ID, if you have one
- UNHCR registration documents
- Birth and marriage certificates for your family
- Any documents that support what happened to you
How to practice this interview on Dyalo
1. Open Interview studio and choose "Other: describe your interview"
Sign in, open Interview studio, set Interview type to "Other: describe your interview", and describe your interview in a few lines: the type, where it happens and your situation. You can type or press Speak and talk in any language. Add the country where it takes place.
2. Generate your questions
Choose the interview language (for example English, or your own language to understand first), then press Generate questions and answers. Dyalo writes the questions this kind of officer usually asks, with a sample answer built only from what you wrote. Replace anything in [brackets] with your real facts.
3. Simulate the interview and answer out loud
Press Simulate interview: one voice plays the officer, and you answer before you hear the sample. Then open Speaking coach to record your answers and get scores for clarity, pace and confidence, with tips.
Questions
Can Dyalo help me prepare for the refugee interview?
Yes, for practice: you hear the kind of questions officers ask and practice answering clearly and truthfully, in your own language.
Does Dyalo decide or speed up my case?
No. Dyalo has no link to the government and cannot affect your case.
Which languages can I practice in?
68 languages, including Arabic, Dari, Ukrainian, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Official information
Other interview types
Asylum interview (USCIS)F-1 student visa interviewB1/B2 visitor visa interviewR-1 religious worker visa interviewImmigrant visa (green card) interview
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