I’ve never been to the U.S. and most of my travel is within Asia. Did being a first-time applicant make the interview harder for anyone?
Specs matter more than the travel history. My first application was analyzed with just regional travel data too. The officer cares about the build quality of your application—specifically your current job and financial stability. If the logic of your trip makes sense and your home ties are optimized, the lack of Western travel stats should not cause a failure.
The U.S. embassy does not judge your case only on travel history. They mainly look at your financial stability, employment or business, and your strong ties to your home country. If these factors are solid, even applicants with little or no previous travel can be approved.
No, being a first-time applicant does not automatically make the interview harder. Every visa interview is an independent assessment of your current situation and your intent to return home. While a long history of international travel can be helpful, the officer is primarily focused on your economic and social ties to your home country right now.
Your stable job, family connections, and financial assets are far more important than a passport full of stamps. Having traveled within Asia already demonstrates that you have a history of respecting visa rules and returning from trips. This established travel pattern is a positive factor even if you have never stepped foot in the U.S. before.
The interview focuses on the purpose of your specific trip and how you plan to fund it. Providing clear, honest answers about your itinerary and your life back home is the most effective way to secure an approval. Focus on demonstrating your intent to return rather than worrying about a lack of Western travel history.