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There is no way to book a translator in advance
I work with parents on B2 visa preparation regularly — in fact, I just finished a session with a parent whose interview is tomorrow. One of the most common questions I get is: how does my parent get a translator? The answer surprises a lot of people. There is no option to request a translator through the visa portal when booking the appointment. The request has to be made in person, on the day of the interview, at the consulate.
What your parent should do the moment they walk into the consulate
When your parent enters the consulate, they will approach the first counter where a coordinator verifies documents — the passport, the DS-160 form, and everything else. That is the exact moment your parent needs to tell the coordinator that they will not be giving the interview in English and that they need a translator. Once that is communicated, the coordinator will guide your parent to a specific queue where a translator is available.
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Book a Mock InterviewTwo situations that may change things on the day
The visa officer speaks Hindi
One common variation: many visa officers know Hindi. If your parent is comfortable in Hindi and the officer can converse in Hindi, the consulate may skip the translator entirely and direct your parent to a counter where the officer can speak with them directly in Hindi.
Your parent needs a regional language and no translator is available
The second situation to be prepared for: if your parent requests a regional language — Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, or any other — and a translator for that language is not available at the consulate that day, your parent will have to make a choice on the spot. They will need to decide whether to give the interview in English or in Hindi. Make sure your parent thinks about this possibility in advance, so they are not caught off guard at the window.
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