April Interviews

[sachinky 464]

Sounds like you're totally prepared. No need to be nervous--sure you'll do great. Good luck and best wishes!

[tharnsur 1]

SPSguy good luck and keep us posted.

Edited April 25, 2010 by tharnsur

[SPSguy 18]

SPSguy good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks. It's show time my friends. Two hours to go before interview time.

[estrellademiel 7]

PRAYIN FOR YOU!! GOOD LUCK

[yulechka42 2]

Thanks. It's show time my friends. Two hours to go before interview time.

Good Luck!!!!!!!! Waiting to hear good news!

[BB Mariposa 1]

All the best in the world to you and your wife, SPSGUY. I'm looking forward to hearing 1 word from you today saying "APPROVED"!!!

[sachinky 464]

Let us know as soon as you hear the good news! All the best to you both!

[BB Mariposa 1]

Oh God, it's SPSGUY's interview today, but I feel nervous instead of him this much already. Wondering how would I feel when I am the one to have the interview myself

[SPSguy 18]

Sorry freinds. I DID NOT HEAR THE WORD APPROVED this morning. But here's what happened:

We woke up bright and early. My wife puts on her professional outfit, pulled out a nice business casual suit for me to wear ( THAT'S WHY I LOVE HER SO MUCH ). We arrived about 50 minutes before appt. time. There were about 20 scheduled interviews. Although some people were sheduled for 7 AM, 8 AM, and 9 AM, the actual interviews didn't start 'til about 9. The consulates were probably still eating breakfast between 7-9. The local staff basically took our photos, email, phone bills, etc.etc.. We are then given a number to wait for finger printing, and again asked to wait for the interview. I was told by the clerk to go walk up with my wife ONLY if I am asked to go by the consulate. BUT I KNOW BETTER.

BY THE WAY THIS IS THE PART THAT THE US EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR BEFORE PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR THEIR INTERVIEW. My wife was asked for 3 passport photos when we checked IN and asked for her Cambodian national ID card. Fortunately, my wife had this hunch about the passport photos and took them a day before. Otherwise we probably would have been asked to return another day with the photos. SO MAKE SURE YOU SHOW UP WITH 3 PASSPORT PHOTOS EVEN IF THE APPOINTMENT LETTER STATES THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ALREADY.

While we were sitting for the appointment and finger printing, some people could not check-in and had to go home to get basic things like photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.. I think VJers are smarter than the average person when it comes to knowing what to bring to the interview.

We were able to listen in to a few interviews as the interviews were conducted through windows. Many K1 Visas were rejected. One K1 visa guy was told that the consulate did not believe a word he said. He lied about when they met. He lied about first time they met. He lied about ...... And was asked if the engagement ceremony was a fake.

An elderly woman was rejected a visa to go visit her son in the states. The consulate expressed her remorse and said she was sorry to have to do it since the woman's son was ill in the hospital. BUT, she had to reject the visa.

Another lady for CR1 went up for a 20 minute interview and was rejected. I did not hear the details but overheard her asking the consulate if she could return for a second interview. The response was no, that it was the final interview.

Some people waiting for their interviews "appear" innocent just like you and I but through their responses, it was EASY to detect that they were not telling the truth. Some of them did not know how they really met their loves ones, did not really know who or how they were introduced, petitioner lacking financial support, etc.. Basically of the ten people ahead of us, perhaps 2-3 were approved.

I do not want to jump to a conclusion but after sitting, waiting and listening to others for about 90 minutes, it seems those that are legitimate and able to move on in life in America were approved. Those that did not respond smoothly, or truthfully, or lack financial support, were rejected.

For me and my wife ( God, I still love her ), but we were so excited and anxious for her interview this morning -- get this --- My lovely wife forgot to wear her wedding ring to the interview. After her morning shower and going over potential interview questions she totally forgot to put her ring back on. We did not notice it, until ten minutes before her interview, when I looked over at her finger and there was nothing there. So I quietly whispered to hear and told her if she is asked to tell the truth. Just say we were excited about the interview and forgot to put on the darn thing.

So finally our number got called. My wife walked up by herself to the window. But remember when the clerk said not to go with my wife unless I am asked, well, I didn't listen. I told my wife to go first empti-handed like she had forgotten to bring some paperwork and stuff , then about four seconds later, I walked up with the rest of the paperwork for her. The consulate had just finished greeting my wife and there I came with the rest of the paperwork. He greeted me as I brought the stuff and I just stood there next to my wife.

The interview lasted I am not kidding. ABOUT 3 MINUTES. I waited 90 minutes, spent hours preparing paperwork, stressed out for weeks over all the what IFs for a 3 minute interview. We were expecting 10-20 minutes like the other people but we were asked only a few questions:

The consulate initially asked my wife to sign the DS-230 application and took the oath. From there on I basically answered every question on behalf of my wife. My wife was surprised because it seems the consulate was not even interested in hearing my response. Before I could finish answering his questions, he went on to the next. He simply asked how we met, how we initiated contact, what I do for a living, what she does for a living, what will my wife and I do when we arrive in the U.S. I could see the confusion in the consulates eyes regarding the fact that my wife had already have a K3 but he did not ask much.

Three minutes later, the consulate ask if I had seen any changes in Cambodia since I left at a young age. I told him that I am an American but I have had this gap in my heart to give back to Cambodia for two years and now I am ready to go back.

HE DID NOT SAY APPROVED.

What he did was took out a small blue card and wrote a date and time and said come pick up your visa on Thursday at about 11 AM.

That's it folks!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I am a business advisor, trainer and consultant. Others get nervous around me. But I could feel my right arm shaken this morning. Whewwwwwwwwww! God bless everyone.

Edited April 26, 2010 by SPSguy

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Sorry freinds. I DID NOT HEAR THE WORD APPROVED this morning. But here's what happened:

We woke up bright and early. My wife puts on her professional outfit, pulled out a nice business casual suit for me to wear ( THAT'S WHY I LOVE HER SO MUCH ). We arrived about 50 minutes before appt. time. There were about 20 scheduled interviews. Although some people were sheduled for 7 AM, 8 AM, and 9 AM, the actual interviews didn't start 'til about 9. The consulates were probably still eating breakfast between 7-9. The local staff basically took our photos, email, phone bills, etc.etc.. We are then given a number to wait for finger printing, and again asked to wait for the interview. I was told by the clerk to go walk up with my wife ONLY if I am asked to go by the consulate. BUT I KNOW BETTER.

BY THE WAY THIS IS THE PART THAT THE US EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR BEFORE PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR THEIR INTERVIEW. My wife was asked for 3 passport photos when we checked IN and asked for her Cambodian national ID card. Fortunately, my wife had this hunch about the passport photos and took them a day before. Otherwise we probably would have been asked to return another day with the photos. SO MAKE SURE YOU SHOW UP WITH 3 PASSPORT PHOTOS EVEN IF THE APPOINTMENT LETTER STATES THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ALREADY.

While we were sitting for the appointment and finger printing, some people could not check-in and had to go home to get basic things like photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.. I think VJers are smarter than the average person when it comes to knowing what to bring to the interview.

We were able to listen in to a few interviews as the interviews were conducted through windows. Many K1 Visas were rejected. One K1 visa guy was told that the consulate did not believe a word he said. He lied about when they met. He lied about first time they met. He lied about ...... And was asked if the engagement ceremony was a fake.

An elderly woman was rejected a visa to go visit her son in the states. The consulate expressed her remorse and said she was sorry to have to do it since the woman's son was ill in the hospital. BUT, she had to reject the visa.

Another lady for CR1 went up for a 20 minute interview and was rejected. I did not hear the details but overheard her asking the consulate if she could return for a second interview. The response was no, that it was the final interview.

Some people waiting for their interviews "appear" innocent just like you and I but through their responses, it was EASY to detect that they were not telling the truth. Some of them did not know how they really met their loves ones, did not really know who or how they were introduced, petitioner lacking financial support, etc.. Basically of the ten people ahead of us, perhaps 2-3 were approved.

I do not want to jump to a conclusion but after sitting, waiting and listening to others for about 90 minutes, it seems those that are legitimate and able to move on in life in America were approved. Those that did not respond smoothly, or truthfully, or lack financial support, were rejected.

For me and my wife ( God, I still love her ), but we were so excited and anxious for her interview this morning -- get this --- My lovely wife forgot to wear her wedding ring to the interview. After her morning shower and going over potential interview questions she totally forgot to put her ring back on. We did not notice it, until ten minutes before her interview, when I looked over at her finger and there was nothing there. So I quietly whispered to hear and told her if she is asked to tell the truth. Just say we were excited about the interview and forgot to put on the darn thing.

So finally our number got called. My wife walked up by herself to the window. But remember when the clerk said not to go with my wife unless I am asked, well, I didn't listen. I told my wife to go first empti-handed like she had forgotten to bring some paperwork and stuff , then about four seconds later, I walked up with the rest of the paperwork for her. The consulate had just finished greeting my wife and there I came with the rest of the paperwork. He greeted me as I brought the stuff and I just stood there next to my wife.

The interview lasted I am not kidding. ABOUT 3 MINUTES. I waited 90 minutes, spent hours preparing paperwork, stressed out for weeks over all the what IFs for a 3 minute interview. We were expecting 10-20 minutes like the other people but we were asked only a few questions:

The consulate initially asked my wife to sign the DS-230 application and took the oath. From there on I basically answered every question on behalf of my wife. My wife was surprised because it seems the consulate was not even interested in hearing my response. Before I could finish answering his questions, he went on to the next. He simply asked how we met, how we initiated contact, what I do for a living, what she does for a living, what will my wife and I do when we arrive in the U.S. I could see the confusion in the consulates eyes regarding the fact that my wife had already have a K3 but he did not ask much.

Three minutes later, the consulate ask if I had seen any changes in Cambodia since I left at a young age. I told him that I am an American but I have had this gap in my heart to give back to Cambodia for two years and now I am ready to go back.

HE DID NOT SAY APPROVED.

What he did was took out a small blue card and wrote a date and time and said come pick up your visa on Thursday at about 11 AM.

That's it folks!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I am a business advisor, trainer and consultant. Others get nervous around me. But I could feel my right arm shaken this morning. Whewwwwwwwwww! God bless everyone.

Congrats!! that's great news!!!

[BB Mariposa 1]

Sorry freinds. I DID NOT HEAR THE WORD APPROVED this morning. But here's what happened:

We woke up bright and early. My wife puts on her professional outfit, pulled out a nice business casual suit for me to wear ( THAT'S WHY I LOVE HER SO MUCH ). We arrived about 50 minutes before appt. time. There were about 20 scheduled interviews. Although some people were sheduled for 7 AM, 8 AM, and 9 AM, the actual interviews didn't start 'til about 9. The consulates were probably still eating breakfast between 7-9. The local staff basically took our photos, email, phone bills, etc.etc.. We are then given a number to wait for finger printing, and again asked to wait for the interview. I was told by the clerk to go walk up with my wife ONLY if I am asked to go by the consulate. BUT I KNOW BETTER.

BY THE WAY THIS IS THE PART THAT THE US EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR BEFORE PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR THEIR INTERVIEW. My wife was asked for 3 passport photos when we checked IN and asked for her Cambodian national ID card. Fortunately, my wife had this hunch about the passport photos and took them a day before. Otherwise we probably would have been asked to return another day with the photos. SO MAKE SURE YOU SHOW UP WITH 3 PASSPORT PHOTOS EVEN IF THE APPOINTMENT LETTER STATES THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ALREADY.

While we were sitting for the appointment and finger printing, some people could not check-in and had to go home to get basic things like photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.. I think VJers are smarter than the average person when it comes to knowing what to bring to the interview.

We were able to listen in to a few interviews as the interviews were conducted through windows. Many K1 Visas were rejected. One K1 visa guy was told that the consulate did not believe a word he said. He lied about when they met. He lied about first time they met. He lied about ...... And was asked if the engagement ceremony was a fake.

An elderly woman was rejected a visa to go visit her son in the states. The consulate expressed her remorse and said she was sorry to have to do it since the woman's son was ill in the hospital. BUT, she had to reject the visa.

Another lady for CR1 went up for a 20 minute interview and was rejected. I did not hear the details but overheard her asking the consulate if she could return for a second interview. The response was no, that it was the final interview.

Some people waiting for their interviews "appear" innocent just like you and I but through their responses, it was EASY to detect that they were not telling the truth. Some of them did not know how they really met their loves ones, did not really know who or how they were introduced, petitioner lacking financial support, etc.. Basically of the ten people ahead of us, perhaps 2-3 were approved.

I do not want to jump to a conclusion but after sitting, waiting and listening to others for about 90 minutes, it seems those that are legitimate and able to move on in life in America were approved. Those that did not respond smoothly, or truthfully, or lack financial support, were rejected.

For me and my wife ( God, I still love her ), but we were so excited and anxious for her interview this morning -- get this --- My lovely wife forgot to wear her wedding ring to the interview. After her morning shower and going over potential interview questions she totally forgot to put her ring back on. We did not notice it, until ten minutes before her interview, when I looked over at her finger and there was nothing there. So I quietly whispered to hear and told her if she is asked to tell the truth. Just say we were excited about the interview and forgot to put on the darn thing.

So finally our number got called. My wife walked up by herself to the window. But remember when the clerk said not to go with my wife unless I am asked, well, I didn't listen. I told my wife to go first empti-handed like she had forgotten to bring some paperwork and stuff , then about four seconds later, I walked up with the rest of the paperwork for her. The consulate had just finished greeting my wife and there I came with the rest of the paperwork. He greeted me as I brought the stuff and I just stood there next to my wife.

The interview lasted I am not kidding. ABOUT 3 MINUTES. I waited 90 minutes, spent hours preparing paperwork, stressed out for weeks over all the what IFs for a 3 minute interview. We were expecting 10-20 minutes like the other people but we were asked only a few questions:

The consulate initially asked my wife to sign the DS-230 application and took the oath. From there on I basically answered every question on behalf of my wife. My wife was surprised because it seems the consulate was not even interested in hearing my response. Before I could finish answering his questions, he went on to the next. He simply asked how we met, how we initiated contact, what I do for a living, what she does for a living, what will my wife and I do when we arrive in the U.S. I could see the confusion in the consulates eyes regarding the fact that my wife had already have a K3 but he did not ask much.

Three minutes later, the consulate ask if I had seen any changes in Cambodia since I left at a young age. I told him that I am an American but I have had this gap in my heart to give back to Cambodia for two years and now I am ready to go back.

HE DID NOT SAY APPROVED.

What he did was took out a small blue card and wrote a date and time and said come pick up your visa on Thursday at about 11 AM.

That's it folks!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I am a business advisor, trainer and consultant. Others get nervous around me. But I could feel my right arm shaken this morning. Whewwwwwwwwww! God bless everyone.

OH MY GOD, Congratulations to you and your wife! I have been looking forward to hearing from you all morning Honestly, I feel even more nervous after reading your review. My hands and feet are getting unusually cold now as a result of nervousness:(

Anyway, you could go in with her? One silly question, what language did you choose to have your interview with? Khmer or English? Could we choose the language of our preference?

Edited April 26, 2010 by BB Mariposa

[SPSguy 18]

Congrats!! that's great news!!!

Thanks Scott, it's definately a relief to know that everything is finally complete. I can already feel the blood pressure lowering to normal range. Up to now I've had this "silly" feeling of what if NVC had lost some papers, what if I had to get something that I don't have available in Cambodia, what if, what if, etc...

The best thing about our great country ( USA ) is that everything can be retreived online so I was able to print out everything from bank statements, to business licenses, and other stuff.

One more thing to add to this morning's interview is that, at least in Cambodia, all original documents were returned to us after the interview. The consulate just kept my wife's passport and her medical packet.

[SPSguy 18]

OH MY GOD, Congratulations to you and your wife! I have been looking forward to hearing from you all morning Honestly, I feel even more nervous after reading your review. My hands and feet are getting unusually cold now as a result of nervousness:(

Anyway, you could go in with her? One silly question, what language did you choose to have your interview with? Khmer or English? Could we choose the language of our preference?

Thanks Marisposa,

Yes, I was able to go in with her just fine. At the front door, the guards will ask why you are there, and if you are interviewing to visit or to live in USA. [ Just tell them both of you are there to interview to live. don't say anything more ] Have your husband show them his U.S. passport and they'll let him in. I could see that everyone in the room was nervous. Everyone listens to the interviews before them and every time someone gets rejected you could feel the sadness and emptiness in the room. God loves us, even my wife and I were nervous and we were already approved once for her K3 visa. So I told everyone around me to take deep breaths and release slowly a few times. Some people did just that. he-he.

Yes, you could use either language -- my wife speaks English so she went ahead with English for about one minute. When I walked up to the window the interview was between me and the consulate about me and Cambodia and our future plans.

Interestingly, one lady for a k1 was approved. She went there alone. Others went alone ( CR1 ) at the interview and were rejected. I don't know how much of a difference it would make but I think having the US spouse there cuts the nervous factor down at least 99%. In my case, I ended up answering most of the questions which really makes it easy on my wife.

In Cambodia, there has been a recent surge of false marriages and fraudulent practices, thus, it makes it hard for everyone including good people with true relationships. Consulates are only human beings and I think they really do want to approve all legitimate interviews. We just have to show our human side and be honest and sincere about our relationship.

In the end, with or without the US spouse ( nervousness or not ), I have not seen anyone yet that was rejected with a true relationship. YOU AND THARNSUR WILL DO FINE.

Keep in mind that the U.S. does not want public charges in this economy and thus I'm sure the embassy will be deeply concerned and want to know what your plans will be in terms of work and living arranagement when you arrive. BE honest and tell them what you plan to do.

Edited April 26, 2010 by SPSguy

[SPSguy 18]

One other point. This one might benefit Sachinky.

As the consulate paged through my tax transcripts and co-sponsor transcripts he probably noticed the ones sent to NVC were from 2006-08. He asked if I had "anymore" tax information. I said sure, in fact, my co-sponsor just faxed over his 2009 tax returns ( not transcripts ) and copies of bank statement and checks. I handed them to him and said, "If that's not enough my parents also signed the I 864 as joint sponsors if necessary."

Basically, I did not mention anything until asked. When I handed to him, he did not even look at it. So I'm not sure if the 2009 tax transcripts/returns were required but if you recently filed make sure you have copies available for the interview.

I used tax transcripts with the exception of my joint sponsor's 2009 tax return because he just filed his return about two weeks ago.

[yulechka42 2]

One other point. This one might benefit Sachinky.

As the consulate paged through my tax transcripts and co-sponsor transcripts he probably noticed the ones sent to NVC were from 2006-08. He asked if I had "anymore" tax information. I said sure, in fact, my co-sponsor just faxed over his 2009 tax returns ( not transcripts ) and copies of bank statement and checks. I handed them to him and said, "If that's not enough my parents also signed the I 864 as joint sponsors if necessary."

Basically, I did not mention anything until asked. When I handed to him, he did not even look at it. So I'm not sure if the 2009 tax transcripts/returns were required but if you recently filed make sure you have copies available for the interview.

I used tax transcripts with the exception of my joint sponsor's 2009 tax return because he just filed his return about two weeks ago.

Congratulations!!!!! I checked the VJ first thing when I woke up to find out if it's YAY!