Interview! Eeeek!

[mixxerr0se 0]

Hello all! I finally have my interview in Auckland for my K1 visa! A week today! Only got the letter a couple days ago due to a long weekend here so pretty short notice, rushing around trying to book transport and hotels and what not. I have all my evidence together, but I am just trying to figure out how to present it if that makes sense. Like, during the interview do you give it all to them and do they keep it? So therefore should I organise it in to sections, maybe with a kind of cover page, and notes describing what they represent etc? Or do I just present it at the interview, like talk about it there, then end up going home with it again? How I will put it all together kind of depends on that.

Also, what on EARTH did you all wear to your interview? I'm guessing it should be kind of formal. (I'm female if that helps.) I think I will go to Auckland a full day early so that I can have a look around the shops. If I even had ONE of the following I'm sure I could make something decent from the clothes I have - a nice simple pair of heels, a decent formal-ish skirt, or maybe like a fitted blazer or something. But I don't have any of them, I think shopping may be in order.

Eeeek I'm so excited but freaking out all at once. Any last minute words of wisdom? Or anyone interviewed at the Auckland consulate who has any little tips they noticed or anything? I mean I'm pretty sure I'm prepared but you know how it is. Wish fiance could come with me, but you know, being on the other side of the world that's not really plausible.

[cdneh 3,112]

Not to worry, you'll be fine

I didn't dress up, in fact if I had done I would have looked out of place. I just wore a pair on non jean pants, and a sweater.

Do you know where the consulate is? There is a decent coffee shop just downstairs from it, if you are early. One of the other Kiwis posted a decent review of that, and I will see if I can find it for you.

I had everything in a folder, and I had tabs to separate the bits out. When they asked for things, I passed them under the little glass divider, which doesn't let you put through much at once, so an album for sure it too big. The lady I spoke with looked at the things she asked for, and passed them back.

Let me see if I can locate that review.

Here you go..it was pretty far back in the thread, but I think this link will get you there.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/111023-new-zealanders-heading-to-the-us-and-their-usc-spouses-post-here/page__st__1035

Edited April 12, 2012 by cdneh

[mixxerr0se 0]

Thank you so much cdneh! That detailed account you linked me to was awesome, and rather reassuring, thank you for hunting that down. You must have been feeling just like I did at the point that was written (as I see you were saying you had yours shortly after). This sounds like a really stupid thing, but they take your handbag off you - would I be allowed to just take a lip balm in with me, like just in my pocket or something? I have dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking, I know it sounds gross but it's a legit thing) focused on my lips, and I freak out if I don't have a lip balm on me at all times, especially if there will be a bit of waiting round and am scared I will start picking if I don't have one. I'm sure if I just take it out of my bag and ask can I take this in that will be fine yes? Also is there a bathroom you can use while waiting? I will probably have a coffee beforehand, that plus nerves plus potential waiting... haha. I suppose they probably think it's a security risk to let people go or something though.

I know vaguely where the building is - my hotel is not far from it which is good. Looked it up on Google maps - even though I lived in Auckland for a few years I never remember which streets are actually called what. But will look in more detail on street view etc closer to the time, and I am going a day earlier than I need to, so the day before my interview I will go for a wander and make sure I can find it to avoid any issues on the day, I am HORRIBLE with my sense of direction etc but I will make sure I find it beforehand.

Good to know the dress code isn't too formal. I will probably buy at least something new anyway haha just because I want an excuse and I will be in central freaking Auckland - I usually shop in HASTINGS -dies- so well why not haha, I have a full day before the interview!

Anyway, I am sitting on my floor right now with evidence surrounding me. Keep writing lists and scribbling them out and starting new ones re. how to organise it. I have kept tons of things since we have been apart, but now it is trying to piece them all together - for example a photo I took of things he sent me + the packing slip from the sending + the card that went with it - they are all part of the same package haha but hard to tell sometimes. And figuring out what dates things were from. I didn't keep things very organised in the year + we have been apart haha. Oh well, I know it will all come together, I trust it will be fine, slowly making progress.

Oh also in the account kiwiana gave she (she?) mentioned bringing some things to the interview that I already sent in (with the interview request form) - I assume since they were only sent like 2 weeks before my interview date I won't have to bring them with me to? Like the I-134 + evidence and things like that (which we JUST sent in, along with employer letters, pay slips, bank stuff etc). I am guessing the instructions were slightly different since it was a few years ago. I will bring originals of any kind of ID either of us have sent in at any point during the process (right back to the petition - fiance's original birth cert. etc etc), and copies of his forms from it, copy of our approval notice from it, copy of his extension request on it (which essentially acts as an updated letter of intent for us both, as it was stated not long ago we were both still fully invested in the process and what not and it was um, notarised I think the word is) and the approval email from that, and well basically copies / originals of anything I can think of that we have sent in so far (bar the last few things sent less than 2 weeks prior unless originals needed, but I sent in originals). This all on top of the 'evidence' stuff. So I'm pretty sure I am actually prepared, probably over prepared from accounts I have read, it's just organising it all in to a usable state haha.

So sorry to ramble, not really even a question, I think it just helps to get my thoughts out actually

[cdneh 3,112]

No worries. We all know how nerve wracking the entire process is.

Kiwiana was the absolute best at review writing, she did one too on the medical which I found so useful, she gave such great instructions on where things were located, and what went on, that it made me a lot less nervous. I was right behind her, so found it really useful!

I would think that they will put your bag and all through the ex ray machine, and when they have done that you can ask about your lip balm. I don't see any reason the would not let you take it through, but if they do say no, perhaps if you put on quite a bit before you go inside that might help? My sister has the exact same thing as you do, and she says if she wears lipstick, with lip balm on top of it, she is less likely to pick, as she doesn't want to get lipstick all over herself. It works for her anyway

I didn't see a bathroom inside, but I had coffee early on, and then went upstairs to the bathroom in the Arcade that Kiwiana talked about. Very handy location that one, and I bet everybody going into the consulate makes that trip, either before and after, or both!

There is also a Starbucks a few blocks up on Queen St, it is on the left if you are heading uphill on Queen.

If you walk down to the bottom of Queen St, towards the water, you turn right into Customs. The consulate has an American flag outside, and is in the Citibank building and right next to a Post Shop. Queens Arcade is just a building or two before that, and it has a coffee shop on the right front side of it, that looks out on the street.

I think you have plenty of evidence to show, I found that putting into folders, which then fit inside a accordion file thing that closed with a snap helped me. I put headings on the tabs, like ID's, Financial proof, Pictures, Originals...like that, so when she asked for anything it was easy to find. I am no good when I get rattled..lol..and wanted everything where I could find it without having to think about it too much.

Any questions, just ask. I think if you know what to expect, it can make it easier to get through!

[cdneh 3,112]

Oooo..a thought occurs ..what if you took with you a brand new, never opened lip balm? If it's still sealed up in it's plastic that keeps the lid on it, maybe it would worry them less at security?

[mixxerr0se 0]

The sealed lip balm is a great idea, thank you! I mean I could deal without one if I had to but I'd rather have one less thing to be anxious about haha.

Yes I actually think I read kiwiana's medical review before my medical if I remember correctly!

Oh wow, it's interesting your sister picks too. The lipstick idea is good at the time, except is it dries / wears off during the day and I put more on etc it mucks my lips up even more and I am far more likely to pick again / worse later. Often lipstick just looks horrible anyway because of the damage I have done, it sucks. I love it but it's rare I get to wear it Thanks for the idea though!

Oh well, no drama about the bathroom, I am sure I can make it through like an hour or whatever it is haha. Coffee doesn't hit me straight away is all so I bet I won't need to go after drinking it and it will hit all of a sudden while I am sitting waiting at the consulate or something but never mind, I'm a big girl, I can hold it

The accordion file thing sounds good organisation-wise, I have one at home I use to help keep organised but I've already scribbled over all the tabs, plus it might be a bit big/bulky to carry one similar to the interview etc, especially since I am getting the bus to Auckland. Or are there like smaller versions I wonder? The one I am thinking of / that I have is quite a big thing, made of hard cardboard with a plastic handle and stuff. I wonder if you can buy one that like zips up or something and you unzip it and it expands. Or even still clips into place but isn't made of that rigid box-like cardboard mine is, so that it is less big and bulky. I'll go to a book shop tomorrow and see what is around anyway.

Slowly making it through all the stuff to sort, I almost hope they ask for some of it now as I think I thought of some quite good/clever things to include so I kind of WANT to explain them now, instead of letting all my hard work go to waste. I'll be all like "HERE TAKE IT TAKE IT ALL!". But they'd probably ask for specific / obvious things if anything, like you know, emails or phone logs or whatever, instead of all my awesome things I thought of, oh well.

I'm actually more excited than nervous I think. Looking forward to my few days in Auckland, I've never stayed in a hotel all by myself before, always with a friend or with fiance or whatever, don't think my best friend who lives there will be able to meet up with me, which is sad, but I am kind of seeing it as a little adventure, time to just chill by myself and wander round and eat out and laze in the hotel and well do whatever I want without feeling pressured to do other things, you know? Very excited (:

[Andie 147]

Hey I live in central Auckland... if you have any other questions about distances/times etc I'd be happy to help. Also, I have seen/used smaller and much lighter concertina files... also in lightweight plastic.

[mixxerr0se 0]

Thank you Andie, that's very kind! I think I am actually ok with finding places and getting there and you know, all that stuff at the moment though, but thank you! And yup I went to good old Warehouse Stationery and there were absolutely heaps of choices, found a smaller concertina file thing that is light-weight and perfect (:

Leaving for Auckland tomorrow, so excited and nervous right now putting the final things together argh! Not looking forward to the 8 hour bus trip each way though aha.

[kiwiana 2]

Good luck with the interview!! It sounds like you are all set!! As cdneh pointed out, when you go to the window at the embassy, there is glass between you and the employee and you have to put the evidence that they ask for at the bottom of the glass divider where there is a tray like shape for you to slide it under to them, so you can only give them a few items at a time. They talk to you via microphone and i was surprised how everyone else in the room waiting can hear your entire conversation lol!

Like cdneh ,I too, didn't bother dressing up for the interview, i think i just wore jeans etc.. Everyone else in the room just wore casual clothes too

Anyway, let us know how you get on!!

All the best!!

[Andie 147]

Thank you Andie, that's very kind! I think I am actually ok with finding places and getting there and you know, all that stuff at the moment though, but thank you! And yup I went to good old Warehouse Stationery and there were absolutely heaps of choices, found a smaller concertina file thing that is light-weight and perfect (:

Leaving for Auckland tomorrow, so excited and nervous right now putting the final things together argh! Not looking forward to the 8 hour bus trip each way though aha.

Sounds good !

Hey all the best for the interview... sure you'll be fine.

[cdneh 3,112]

What with the nasty weather, I've had no power here for ages. I didn't get back in time to wish you the best for the interview, so glad to see you have had some

If you see this before you go, good luck! If you see this after you get home again, let us know how it went!

[mixxerr0se 0]

Thank you for the well-wishes you lovely people! I'm in Auckland now, at a net cafe atm, printed out a couple of things I had forgotten (not part of the evidence as such, but my little lists I made for myself for each section haha so I would remember what was in each). I'm pretty sure I have far more evidence than I will need so I'm pretty sorted but of course there are still the nerves! Interview tomorrow at 10am, eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! So excited and nervous. Won't leave for the US for a while after I get visa, as need to sell some of my things and just kind of tidy up my life here, but at least we will be ALLOWED to get married haha, and we can book flights and actually set dates and eeeee. So excited argh I better get it.

[cdneh 3,112]

Oh I am in time to cross my fingers on your behalf! Good luck!!!

[kiwiana 2]

Oh I am in time to cross my fingers on your behalf! Good luck!!!

[mixxerr0se 0]

WE ARE ALLOWED TO GET MARRIED!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Ahem. Yes. Approved. Happyy girl is happy. And relieved. Haha.