I would like to share my interview experience with those of you who may find this useful. The interview was not successful but I hope they will grant me a visa when I submit what is said on Section 221(g).
I had an interview with a Japanese-american CO. He was okay, not overly polite. Here are the questions he asked about my fiance:
1. when did you meet him?
2. what is his name?
3. he came to Thailand, too?
4. when did the last time you saw him?
5. what does he do?
6.what does that do?
7.how many times was he married?
The CO's interest did not seem to be in our relationship or any paperwork I had submitted earlier, but in my 8 year stay in the US from 1997-2005. He asked me back and forth between questions about my fiance and my years in the US and school.
The fact that I was in the US for 8+ years was questioned by the CO. My J-1 visa was issued to me in 1997 and expired in 2000, which I didn't come back to Thailand to have it renewed. I in fact never came back to Thailand during those 8 years, so the visa never got renewed. The whole time I was in the US legally because of the DS-2019 that the school i had attended issued to me every two years. At my interview, I had only the DS-2019 from 2003-2005, which is the only one i have left with me. I did not think my years in school in the US would cause me any trouble, so I didn't bother carrying my transcripts with me to the interview.
What the CO needs is for me to "provide proof, such as transcripts, that applicant was in status during 8 year stay in the US." ---> as written in the paper I was given by the CO with a checked box on Section 221(g)
I tried to argue back about my status. how could I have got my Master's and PhD had i been out of status? who in the world would have let me enroll and take classes? that didn't work since he said "we don't have proof here that you were not out of status during those 8 years. Eight years were a long time. You need to show us your transcripts to prove that you were in school the whole time."
I was really pissed off. Come to think of it, he was right, though. Nothing on my file proved that I was not in the US illegally. I am not sure if things would have gone differently had I had a diploma with me. problaby not.
Well, the bottom line is that, if you or your fiancee have stayed in the US at some point regardless of how long, prepare evidence that shows that your stay was legal.
I came to my interview with confidence without being nervous or excited because i knew our relationship was bona fide and the paperwork was complete. I didn't get any questions regarding my papaerwork.
here was the list of what I submitted:
MINE:
- two 2*2 photos (one was returned)
- my passport + copy
- DS-156 (unsigned)
- DS-156K (unsigned)
- DS-157 (unsigned)
- my ID card + copy
- my House registration (Tabeain Baan) + copy
- my BC + copy
- Police certificate (original)
- Visa fee receipt (original)
- paperwork received from the hospital (a sealed envelop and a film checst x-ray)
MY FIANCE'S:
- 2004, 2005, 2006 W2s
- copies of the first passport page and all the pages with entry and exit stamps to thailand
- his employer's letter
- his pay stubs x 3
- letter from his bank
- certified divorce decree
- I-134 (notarized)
- 2006 Tax return (I had 2004 and 2005 tax returns with me but didn't submit)
OURS:
- 34 pics chosen from our 6+ years together
- Email from Jan 2007 until September 3, 2007.
- E-card he has sent me over the years
- A few cards he sent via snail mail
- Proof of our meetings in thailand (e.g., his boardig passes (copies and originals), Hotel receipts with both our names)
I am eagerly waiting for the transcipts to be sent to me from the US so I can go back to the embassy, submit the transcripts, and then get my visa.
I hope this helps even a little.
Good luck to you all in this visa journey (and god luck to me, too).
I hope to receive my visa soon.