K! VISA APPROVED!!!! I have pointers for everyone

[M.A. 3]

Well, I would first like to let everyone know that my Fiance’s K1 visa was approved on Mar 19th in santo domingo, Dominican Republic. First I’ll share our “interview day” story, then I would like to let you all know some pointers for interview day…

We booked four nights at the “La Morada” hotel on Santiago street in santo domingo. Its 40 bucks a night and extremely clean. That worked out perfectly because I’m a clean freak. Anyhow, My fiancé, her daughter and I, checked in on sun eve around 5 pm. After checking in we ate and just relaxed, because we knew the following day would be a day of preparing, preparing and preparing! Therefore, we just kick backed, listened to some music and fell asleep around 9pm.

We awoke on Monday morning refreshed and ready to tackle our “Study day” which the word “study” can be substituted for “Preparing” We grabbed some breakfast to go at La Sirena. We found a little nice park on the outskirt of town which provided a shaded eating area which then turned into our study hall. I was excited because I realized two days before my flight from NYC , exactly what questions they would ask during our “Cita” It made absolute sense. I informed my Fiance that she should study all the paperwork I scanned and sent her through email. This paperwork were copies off the documents that I have submitted. I advised her to not omit anything in her studying. She should know every detail. She should know my daughter’s birthday, the city that my mother was born all the way to what was the date that we last saw each other before this current trip. I was pleased that she was well prepared. We quizzed each other for about 5 hours. Over and over again, we skilled ourselves on writing each other’s names on pieces of scrap paper. We drilled one another on dates, locations on where photos were taken, and favorite foods. Etc, Etc. Etc. Absolutley nothing was left out. Every detail that was filled out on every piece of paper work, from the I129, to the DS 230. From the G325 to the Ds-156k. We were ready!!!!

We slept comfortable the night before our “cita” because we were prepared. After my alarm clock woke us up at 2:00 am, I double checked my Three ring binder to ensure every piece of paperwork with the respective 3 copies were included. I neatly closed the binder, showered and dressed myself. Our cab was called and he was in front of La Morada exactly at 2:50. The ten minute ride to the interview location was quiet. Yes, it was dark, and we arrived to realize that we were the first ones there. We sat on a two stepped stoop about 50 feet from where the lines would be forming. We were greeted by some self employed entrepeneurs who politely ensured that we had all forms necessary. For a small fee of course. I didn’t mind. I figured 300 pesos would be worth it. We sat and talked until a small family of Dominicans arrived for their “Cita.” I assumed the father was petitioning for his wife and kids. We politely exchanged salutations and proceeded to form the lines. The Line that the entrepeneurs told us to stand was line number 4. That was a great piece of information, because without knowing, we would be clueless as to which of the four lines to stand on. Finally, 6:45 arrived and we were proceeding inside, only to be separated by gender. Completely harmless and organized we were searched, airport style and informed to enter and take a seat. We sat close to the bathrooms so my three year old soon-to-be step daughter would have easy access to relieve herself. We were often asked by other petioners and benificiaries, was my fiancé bringing me or was I bringing her. We giggled and stated that I was bringing her and her daughter. We were complimented on our clothes quite often. Understandbly so, being that she was dressed extremely professional with a dark blue pants suit, ponytail, and no jewelry. I was outfitted in a tailored pinstriped grey slacks, sky blue slim fit shirt and well groomed face.

We were called to submit our documents within 45 minutes of arriving. This stoned face Dominican women with light brown hair and librarian glasses demanded our documents. I use the word demanded because she preferred to demand rather than ask. We politely provided her with the documents needed. My fiancé begin to get flustered because of the tone in which we were asked to give documents, but I grabbed her by the hand and told her to relax, the librarian is obviously burned out from this stressful job. After a few minor minor corrections that we had to make on our documents, such as place N/A on any line that was not applicable, we were instructed to remain seated and again wait for our number to be called. We gingerly walked back to our seats to realize that our seats has been occupied by another couple. We were lucky enough to find seating elsewhere. While seated, we could see the area in which the actual “Interview” takes place. It was an enclosed space with a large glass that encased 8-10 separate standing areas. Each interview port had room for about two people to converse with an “Interviewer” on the other side of glass window. We would know who was approved and who was not approved by the body language of persons leaving this easy to see fishtank of an area. I thought to myself, what if we were denied, how would I be able to walk. My palms began to sweat and I could feel my fiancé’s panic level increase a few decibels. I noticed her right leg tremble like a goldfish out of water. Once again, I placed my left hand on her thigh, and told her to relax, everything will be fine.

“832” was called over the computerized loud speaker and “832” showed on the screen and we proceed to the specific window. My fiancé was told to place her fingers on the pad for fingerprinting. Upon termination of finger printing, we were told to go back and sit and wait for our number to be called again. We walked back to our seats and was complimented 3-4 times on our attire by others waiting. 20 minutes passed and our number was called to enter one of the ports inside the enlaced fishtank area where the actual interview takes place. As we walked, I could notice the person doing our interview. He appeared to be a white man with glasses. I assumed he had a slim build and about 6 foot. I gave him a comforting smile and a head nod, to let him know that we were on our way.

“How are you?” he asked . I replied “ I’m cool, whats up with you?” He said “I’m okay” Once again I issued a warm smile and introduced my Step-daughter. She said” Hola” he laughed and said “Hola”. He asked, would I prefer English or Spanish, and I informed him, whatever makes it easier for him. He liked my answer and said “I’ll do it in Spanish” he asked my fiancé and I to raise our right hands and sware that we will tell the truth. We complied. He asked me these questions in english: How long have I been with her, I answered over 2 years. He then asked, when I’m in the Dominican republic, where do I stay? I told him, I stay with her, and her family at their home. He then asked her a series of questions: How long have we been together, What was my occupation in nyc? Where do I live in nyc? Who do I live with in NYC? How old is my daughter? She answered everything correctly. He then told her to write my name on part 2 of the ds -230 and sign her name. After she complied, he said, “congratulations, Visa Approved.” We threw our hands up and gave each other a big kiss. I touched the glass as a sign of Thank you, and we proceeded back down the stairs to pay DOMEX for the visa delivery.

The people that were seated could tell that we were approved and a few said felicidades. We were just happy that it was over…

Pointers:

1)Both people Need to be present at the interview. You have a better chance for approval.

2)Petitioner needs to arrive in D.R. two to three days earlier and practice, practice, practice.

You and your significant other needs to be able to recite every piece of information that was written on every form submitted from day one. I realized two days before the interview, the only questions the interviewer can ask are questions that he can create off of the documents he is looking at. For example, if he is looking at the DS-230, he may ask, “How is your significant other’s name spelled” Therefore, you and yours should practice asking questions off of the documents submitted.

3) Dress like you want to be addressed. I recommend the Job interview style of dressing. (Without the jacket.) This will probably be the most important interview of your life. Why not look intelligent and professional. I witnessed females dressed like they were working in Batey, Sosua. Needless to say, many of them were denied. You don’t want to set a bad first impression on the person interviewing you.

4) Be prepared. I made three copies of every single paper I filled out from day one. Everything was neatly organized and separated according to: /form number/ w2 year/etc in a three ring binder.

5) Both petioner and beneficiary and everyone coming to the U.S. shall take three new passport styled photos a month before the interview. Use glue to paste the photo onto the ds-156. Its better than staples.

6) Evidence out the Wahooo. I brought copies of Skype calls, Yahoo conversations, At&t statements, Calling cards, I printed about 80 photos and separated them by fours on printing paper. We dated each photo on the back according to month and year. Engagement ring receipt, boarding passes, Plane itineraries. Etc, Etc, etc. If you think it’s evidence, then bring it. But make sure its organized properly in your binder.

7) The most important pointer of all!!! If you don’t know anything at all, Please, Please know how to write each other’s name’s on paper. I have heard stories of people getting denied at the end of interviews because they WILL ask the beneficiary to write your name and then sign her name on the bottom of part 2 of the ds-230. If he/she can’t write your name, why should he believe this relationship is true. Obvioulsy, we on Visa Journey believe its true, but why should the interviewer believe it. There is NO EXCUSE!!! Practice writing each other’s names.

Side note, I was not asked to submit any documents. I wasn’t asked for my passport, they didnt ask for any W2’s, proof of employment, bank statements, nothing!!! They didn’t ask us for any relationship evidence. Not one photo!!! 8 months of stocking up evidence and we were not asked to provide anything. But if needed , we would have been ready. We knew the answers to any questions they were going to ask off of the documents that we provided. After all, this is the information that we told them, so we should know what we wrote. And we did, therefore, no supporting evidence was needed.

Good luck to all,

Mike A

[samename 28]

Congrats!

[atm 8]

Congratulations! And thanks for the very informative information.

[Sirdaniel42 86]

Congratulations

[Shany 1]

Congratsss

[Sami & Farz 1]

Congrats, and thanks for the heads up!

[rm love dc 10]

congratulations!

[Anna Grant 169]

Congrats - that was very interesting to read.

[cazzers 83]

Congrats!!!

[~Yoly~ 4]

Congrats...Im so proud of you!!!!!! You have great pointers for all of us....Thank you!

[Laila.Jawad 12]

congrats and thanks for sharing it helps a lot and the end of your story brought tears in my eyes and wish the same thing happen to us almost a year i havent seen him

[MrTee12 64]

Good Info!

[David86 0]

Thanks, it i will practice, practice, practice

[Pitaya 2,577]

Congrats!!!

[JLSBMF 16]

Congratulations !!

Thank you for sharing this with us

I am planning on going to the interview and arriving as you said atleast 4 or 5 days in advance - to practice and be ready.

Oh if that NOA2 will just arrive ...