Why only 5 minutes or less at GUV interview?

[SirLancelot]

This is from the NIV FAQ but I'm sure it equally applies to IV applicants.

 

 

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_faq.html#1

 

Why are the visa interviews so short? I was refused after only a couple of questions and the interviewer hardly looked at my documents.

 

Visa officers handle thousands of applications every year. Based on this experience, they are able to quickly review the application form and supporting documents in order to narrow the range in which questions may need to be asked. Keep in mind, much of the necessary information required to make a decision is already supplied on the application form itself, so there is usually no need for the officer to ask more than a few additional questions.

 

 

 

If my visa application is denied, would it help to have a high ranking official or an American friend contact the interviewing officer?

 

No. United States law assigns the responsibility for issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. They have the final say on all visa cases. Additionally, United States law is designed to insulate the decisions in visa cases from outside influences. An applicant can influence a reversal of a prior denial only through presentation of new convincing evidence of strong ties.

 

Writing to Senators and/or House Reps may infact piss them off more than help. But I somewhat agree this the theory. I wouldn't want this process to be political.

Edited October 17, 2006 by SirLancelot (see edit history)

[Randy W]

and they further economize by not reviewing anything before the interview (according to USCONGUZ)

 

 

 

There's been a fair amount of discussion about the interview results being predetermined before the actual interview takes place. My sense is that most members agree that's the case.

 

Our understanding is that the documents are screened by the Chinese support staff and then reviewed by the VO prior to the interview. Either the support staff and/or the VO look for 'red flags' that might appear in the documentation. Interviews appear to be rather cursory with only a few questions asked before the result is made known to the beneficiary.

 

A number of members have reported their partner's story of how the interview went. Some report getting a blue slip after only one or two questions and the VO declined to look at any supporting documentation carried in by the beneficiary. Others report just the opposite, one or two questions, look at a picture and get approved.?The majority have a brief conversation and some of the extraneous documentation offered by the beneficiary is looked at.

 

The ones who get very quick declines and approvals suggests that the outcome is pretty much known before the interview takes place. Really, two questions here: 1) are documents reviewed by the VO prior to the inteview; and, 2) is a preliminary decision made prior to the interview?

163514[/snapback]

Dear CFL Members,

 

The results of visa interviews are not pre-determined. Due to the large volume of visa interviews every day, consular officers unfortunately do not generally have time to review individual cases before the interview.

 

Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate, Guangzhou, China

[MRMC]

That is why is it so important to have all your documents organized in a binder with tabs and ready to go. If they ask for a document, its right there.

[david_dawei]

much of the necessary information required to make a decision is already supplied on the application form itself

 

I would suggest this is synonymous with case..so make the case the case possible case over the year..

[C4Racer]

much of the necessary information required to make a decision is already supplied on the application form itself

 

I would suggest this is synonymous with case..so make the case the case possible case over the year..

 

This is also why I tend to promote the "kitchen sink" idea. If you feel they might need it at the interview, then send it with the petition. You can update anything necessary for your SO to have at the interview. This way every thing possible is in front of the VO as they scan the case file. I even sent in a signed and notorized copy of the I-134 with our application even though it is not necessary until interview. She had no problem at GUZ what so ever. Used the same approach with AOS. She sailed right through. I really think it is in your best interest to place as much as possible in front of the VO or IO with the application. Like, GUZ says, they are trained enough to scan the all parts quickly. If there is a possible doubt which the VO could make a decision either way, having more infromation with the application might sway it in your favor and save you a blue slip.

[david_dawei]

much of the necessary information required to make a decision is already supplied on the application form itself

 

I would suggest this is synonymous with case..so make the case the case possible case over the year..

 

This is also why I tend to promote the "kitchen sink" idea. If you feel they might need it at the interview, then send it with the petition. You can update anything necessary for your SO to have at the interview. This way every thing possible is in front of the VO as they scan the case file. I even sent in a signed and notorized copy of the I-134 with our application even though it is not necessary until interview. She had no problem at GUZ what so ever. Used the same approach with AOS. She sailed right through. I really think it is in your best interest to place as much as possible in front of the VO or IO with the application. Like, GUZ says, they are trained enough to scan the all parts quickly. If there is a possible doubt which the VO could make a decision either way, having more infromation with the application might sway it in your favor and save you a blue slip.

 

yes.. if there was ever a "one-two" punch to throw to DOS, it is this finishing punch that one should have ready...

[Michael and Manyun]

and they further economize by not reviewing anything before the interview (according to USCONGUZ)

 

 

 

There's been a fair amount of discussion about the interview results being predetermined before the actual interview takes place. My sense is that most members agree that's the case.

 

Our understanding is that the documents are screened by the Chinese support staff and then reviewed by the VO prior to the interview. Either the support staff and/or the VO look for 'red flags' that might appear in the documentation. Interviews appear to be rather cursory with only a few questions asked before the result is made known to the beneficiary.

 

A number of members have reported their partner's story of how the interview went. Some report getting a blue slip after only one or two questions and the VO declined to look at any supporting documentation carried in by the beneficiary. Others report just the opposite, one or two questions, look at a picture and get approved.?The majority have a brief conversation and some of the extraneous documentation offered by the beneficiary is looked at.

 

The ones who get very quick declines and approvals suggests that the outcome is pretty much known before the interview takes place. Really, two questions here: 1) are documents reviewed by the VO prior to the inteview; and, 2) is a preliminary decision made prior to the interview?

163514[/snapback]

Dear CFL Members,

 

The results of visa interviews are not pre-determined. Due to the large volume of visa interviews every day, consular officers unfortunately do not generally have time to review individual cases before the interview.

 

Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate, Guangzhou, China

 

 

I strongly disagree. Without one question, and looking at NO evidence, She was immediately handed the blue slip. In effect, there was no interview.

[Michael and Manyun]

That is why is it so important to have all your documents organized in a binder with tabs and ready to go. If they ask for a document, its right there.

 

I believe that it has been stated here on more than one occasion that a blue slip was issued, requesting information that the beneficiary had with them at the interview.

[chilton747]

That is why is it so important to have all your documents organized in a binder with tabs and ready to go. If they ask for a document, its right there.

 

I believe that it has been stated here on more than one occasion that a blue slip was issued, requesting information that the beneficiary had with them at the interview.

 

In my SO's case, she had everything with her but was only asked to see pictures. Communication is the key. There are different dialects of Chinese in China. The VOs are not trained to cover all of these. My SO could not understand the Chinese of the VO and the VO could not understand my SO's english and Chinese. Everyone please add "communication" to the list of "kitchen sink" ingredients. I would hate to see any others end up the way mine did.