Preparing for Your Visa Interview

The interview for your Australian visa is one of the most important and stressful parts of the entire interview process. You have to pass the interview in order to be granted a visa, so you should take the interview process seriously and prepare beforehand. These simple tips will help you prepare for your upcoming visa interview so you can be confident when that time comes.

Tell a Story

When you’re being interviewed for a visa, the interviewer isn’t looking for basic responses when they’re asking you questions about your character. While there will certainly be questions where you would only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’, there are other opportunities to expand upon your answer. This is a great time to craft your answer so that it tells a story, rather than a short, direct answer.

Sharing personal information about yourself can help your interviewer connect with you and can reveal your character. Some questions are designed to specifically uncover the kind of person that you are, so be sure to put your best foot forward. We definitely do not advise making up information about yourself to try and relate to the interviewer, but there are ways to answer questions that are more interesting and informative.

For example, if you’re asked “Why are you looking to enter Australia?”, think of a better answer than simply saying “For school.” They already know what kind of visa you’re applying for, so take that as an opportunity to show who you are as a person.

Anticipate Questions

There is no way to know the exact questions you’re going to be asked in your interview until the interview starts. We recommend writing out as many potential questions as possible so that you can practice and rehearse your answers. Anticipating the questions beforehand will be an immense help when your interview arrives. Even if you haven’t practised the specific question you’re being asked, eventually you will practice enough questions that you’ll be able to craft answers that can fit multiple questions.

By understanding why you’re going through an interview, you can come up with relevant questions to practice. You are being interviewed to find out more about who you are and your character, your background, your intentions, and your supporting documentation.

Bring Supporting Documentation

It’s always a good idea to bring your supporting documentation with you to your interview. In fact, it may be required. Documentation includes bank statements, tax statements, school records, health records, and even family photos.

These documents will help prove your intentions for entering Australia and can also help portray who you are as a person. International security is something that the Australian government takes very seriously, so be sure to bring as much documentation as you can to avoid any delays in your visa application processing.

Practice Interview

Take the time to go through at least one or two practice interviews. Whether it’s with a friend or the team at Ausdirect Migration, practice interviews are one of the best ways to prepare for your interview. We have years of experience helping visa applicants go through the interview process, so we know what to expect for your visa interview. We can take as much time as you need to practice interview questions and responses. We will also help with your visa application process, from the initial enquiry to your first day in Australia. Our team will review your application, check your documentation, and practice interviews so you’re confident and prepared for your interview day.