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Sept 6 Interview Report

fangkelei

By fangkelei,
in Interview Results

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fangkelei

fangkelei

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

 

Well, we had our K-1 interview yesterday. The appointment time was 7:15am. We arrived at 7am and about 300 people were already in 5-6 lines in front of Tian Yu Hua Yuan. We were toward the back of the line. They started handing out numbers round-robin at 7:45 and letting people into the building. I escorted PengPeng to the 4th floor entrance and went to the coffee shop to wait. I met 3 other men there waiting. 2 were K-3 (one was Taiwanese USC, and one a US-born USC). The other was also a K-1. So, we brothers in arms decided to wait.

 

As the time wore on, the tension began to build. The conversations became sporadic but we agreed that at 11am it was time to bring out the big guns - BEER! 8-)

 

At 11:01 after hearing an amusing story about duty-free condoms from one of my new buddies I bought the first round. As I delivered, one of the guys said, "She's here!!!". She ran down the hall kissed me and showed me her <answer at bottom of message>. The funny thing was we were the last of my buddies to go in but PengPeng was the first one out. We decided to hang around and lend moral support to my compadres.

 

About 30 minutes later the Taiwan USC/K-3's wife came out. She had gotten blue. So, I pointed him at VJ and CFL and gave him my e-mail. And off they went to get more information for the VO.

 

So now, it's just my US-born USC K-3 & K-1 buddy. The K-3 buddy had been waiting 18 months for reasons that were unclear. He had met his wife when he was in China for a job rotation. My K-1 buddy had been waiting about 1 year and they had met on the net. And, the tension that had left me and my Taiwan buddy had transferred to the last two.

 

So, we wait and chat for about an hour and K-3 buddy's wife comes out. They got PINK. Big sigh of relief around on that but now K-1 buddy is all alone waiting on his honey. So, K-3 and I sit with our honey's chit-chat, buy K-1 a soda, and try to ease his anxiety because it has gone to previously unknown levels. He's carrying all of our anxiety plus his own. He's gone very pale, can't speak because of cotton mouth, and sweating heavily. The poor guy is a wreck.

 

It turns out USC's can go to ACS at 1:30 in the afternoon and my buddy is really getting wound up. So, just as he stands up to go in, guess who comes out, his fiancee, holding........PINK!!!! So, current score PINK 2 BLUE 1 WHITE 0 and your humble narrator has yet to reveal (or rather confirm) his status.

 

To conclude the prelude, going to the interview is a wonderful roller-coaster. I'm not sure that it makes a big difference other than support for your SO. My personal sense is that the decision is 80-90% made before the actual interview and the interview is a sanity check. Remember this is the US government, they can see your tax returns, immigration entries & exits, bank records, criminal records if they want to. Additionally, China probably has even more comprehensive records on its citizens. Note this is not a conspiracy theory just a recognition of what's possible.

 

Now, down to the interview details:

 

The interview was actually a 3 step process. People were called by number. The numbers were handed out in random order to random people in the lines in front. After entering the consulate, your SO will:

 

1. Go through security at the 5th floor. No cell phones are permitted. You must take of your shoes and belt.

2. Sit down and wait for your number to be called. You will go to one window where they will open your sealed package and review it. This was done in Chinese by a Chinese gentleman. Your SO may be asked questions such as:

- Who petitioned for you?

- What is their full name?

- Can you have the interview in English?

Your SO will then sign the intent to marry and then will receive a new number.

3. When your new number is called you go to another window (17 or 18) and have your fingerprint taken. Left index-finger first then right index-finger. Then return to a seat and wait.

4. Before interviews begin, everyone is sworn in with an oath to tell the truth during the interview. This is done in Mandarin and GuangdongHua.

5. When your number is called you will then go for the actual interview. This time there were 5 or 6 VO's performing the interviews.

 

PengPeng's interview was conducted in English. Total duration was < 10 minutes.

 

Questions asked:

1. How did you meet each other?

2. How did you become his Chinese teacher?

3. How long did your fiancee work in China?

4. When did you start dating?

5. How do you keep in touch since he left China?

6. Do you have any children?

7. Does he have any children?

8. How old are they?

9. Why do you love him?

10. What about him do you not like?

11. Do you have any pictures of the two of you together?

12. Is your fiancee waiting outside?

 

Documents reviewed:

- I-134

- tax returns

- 1 of 3 photograph books

 

Documents not reviewed:

- evolution of relationship

- co-sponsor documents

- ex-spouse information

- my passport

- other proof of relationship (phone records, e-mails)

- divorce documentation

- job status documentation

 

All in all, the waiting outside was the hardest part. Don't be concerned about being at the head of the line. It definitely isn't a FIFO queue.

 

So, if you're still with me after this much, you probably already know the answer is PINK!!!!! We will go to the post office tomorrow and pick up her visa and fly back together on the 16th. This long jouney's end appears to be approaching and a new chapter beginning.

 

Best regards and best of luck,

Claude

PengPeng

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rogerinca

rogerinca

Posted
Posted

 

To conclude the prelude, going to the interview is a wonderful roller-coaster. I'm not sure that it makes a big difference other than support for your SO. My personal sense is that the decision is 80-90% made before the actual interview and the interview is a sanity check. Remember this is the US government, they can see your tax returns, immigration entries & exits, bank records, criminal records if they want to. Additionally, China probably has even more comprehensive records on its citizens. Note this is not a conspiracy theory just a recognition of what's possible.

 

Best regards and best of luck,

Claude

PengPeng

 

Claude, Congratulations and thank you for such an excellent and comprehensive review !!!

 

I also could not imagine not being at my Lao Po¡¯s interview. I would be a nervous wreck if I remained here at home. I will feel more in control being there; as well as being able to provide her with the emotional support she deserves.

 

I read your perceptions in paragraph #8, with interest. I, too, have always had this sense, as have a few other members herein. Yes, it is the US Government; they do not need your passport or airline tickets to ¡®see¡¯ how many times you have been to China !! All that info is so easily and readily available to them right from their own data-base. I also agree with your 80-90% thesis !! It may even be as high as 95% !!?? :rolleyes: IMO.

 

Again, great job and best wishes !! :blink:

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fangkelei

fangkelei

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi again,

 

Thanks for the congratulations. The relief will be complete when we get her passport.

 

One thought PengPeng and I both share is that the simpler your case is, the better off you are. The more complicated the case is, the more scrutiny it will receive. Complicating factors might be:

 

- Multiple divorces

- Multiple petitions

- Beneficiary with children

- Recent beneficiary divorce

- Petitioner is LPR or foreign-born USC

 

One interesting thing in our case was I was laid-off at the end of July. My savings were sufficient to meet the I-134 requirements but to be safe we asked my parents to co-sponsor which they were kind enough to do. The VO knew I was laid-off after my SO answered his question about what I do and still only looked at the I-134 and tax returns. He did not look at any supporting documentation from the bank.

 

I don't know what to make of that other than it's not just income stream that makes the difference. Given JimandSahra's experience combined with ours PengPeng and I both feel there is something more at play here. Hence the comment regarding what the US government can see.

 

All in all, my recommendation is right in-line with everyone else's. Prepare until you can't prepare anymore. When you're driving yourself crazy :blink: :blink: wondering if you've missed something after checking it a dozen times and can't find a problem or think of something else to prepare, then you're ready. :P

 

Understand though you both will still going to be very anxious when you are sitting in the coffee shop and your SO is interviewing. That can't be helped and is perfectly natural. If you're not nervous you probably haven't prepared well enough. :)

 

Best,

Claude & PengPeng

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Shenzhen K-1

Shenzhen K-1

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the very detailed report. I know in my case (waiting for my P3) these interview reports are great reading. I am putting together a three ring binder with everything she needs with a cover page in English and Chinese to help her and the VO.

 

I am going to let her go to the embassy with our daughter and then call me! I am not sure if waiting in the coffee shop or the US is easier?

 

Where did you stay, I missed that part? Thanks

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Obie

Obie

Posted
Posted (edited)

Great news Claude & PengPeng.

 

I agree with you that the tension does rise the longer you wait in the coffee shop. My SO was the last one out of the group that bonded on our interview day. But sure is sweet when she comes around that corner with a big smile.

 

I'm not so sure the Government at the US Consulate can access all those Government databases so easily. i think the left hand has no idea what the right is doing.

 

Obie

Federal Government worker....hehehe

Edited by Obie (see edit history)
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