Our Interview Experience @SGN

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

First, thanks for those who helped me with all the questions I have asked. My journey was somewhat longer than expected but not too bad. Then I think back when everything started, I'm finally done with all the nervousness and headaches!

Wife's interview was on the 22nd of this month. Which was yesterday. Left Ba Ria around 4am and made it just on time at the embassy: 645am. Weather was nice. We parked across the street and I walked my wife to the line. The line was somewhat long but not bad when my wife waited. But as it got closer to 7am, jeez!!! The line was LONG!! I waited across the street in the car until my wife stepped into the building. I wanted to make sure she made it inside! They let everyone in at 7am. I went to the nearby park with my cousin who just so happens to be our taxi driver. Mingled with a few Americans who said "you speak really good english" I said I am from Austin Texas. They said "He's even got the southern accent" we laughed! Then me and my cousin went to eat. When we were done it was getting close to 10am. Right then my wife calls and tells me she needed me. I thought, wow maybe she’s done with the interview. So I walk back to the embassy and she said they wanted me there too. Went through security, sat down and good gosh I couldn't tell you guys how nervous I was. I was hoping she was interviewed already and they just wanted to see us together in person. But no, we were both interviewed. One of the booths, #7, I swear it was like it wasn't ever gonna end. Between 1 hour of waiting, I saw that booth #7 switch numbers once or twice. Other booths had people coming and going at least 5-6 interviews. So me and my wife hoped we didn't get that booth #7. Right at around 11am they called us up and it was booth #8!!!!. At this moment I was less nervous because I knew it needed to be done and it shouldn't take long! We arrived at the booth and my nervousness just disappeared It was like talking to friends. We had a vietnamese lady and a white lady CO, both were super awesome and fun to talk to. We had many laughs. They asked us to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then asked for documents. We had our paperwork all in a folder nice and neat, with paperclips separating anything that needed to be. They said they will be interviewing my wife, and I will need to stand next to her. The interview was in Vietnamese.

They asked;

How did you two meet?
(I used to work with my husband's cousin)

What does your husband do for a living?

(He works at a electronics company)

How long have you two known each other before you two met in person?
(We knew each other around 2010) ((wife was super nervous!))

But for how long?
(We knew each other around 2010 and he came to visit on May 22nd of 2011)

((At this time I looked down and saw the pink slip that has a stamp on it saying "approved" I thought to myself, is that paper real????? LoL))

Did you two marry at that time?
(No, my husband has visited me 4 times already, and the 3rd time was when we got married)

Show us your photos
(These are all in order) ((we had over 450 photos))

What is your husband's favorite food?
(He likes to eat raw fish) ((I went ahead and corrected that answer with "I like Sushi" The Vietnamese CO looked at me wierd lol))

What is something special about your husband?
(Anytime an argument occurs, my husband stays quiet because he doesn't want arguing in our relationship)

What is some of your husband's bad habits?
(Nothing I can think of)
((CO: There has to be something you don't like))
(((They let that question and answer go as we all laughed)))

Did any family members come to the wedding?
(Yes, my husband's mother, father, sister, brother, and niece)

Is it his blood parents?
(Yes its his blood parents)

((American lady CO still flipping through our pictures))

Did your husband give you any gift money when he visited?
(Yes, 3000 USD) ((my jaws dropped! wife said she was so nervous, she just told them a number. I said yeah you could have given a smaller number!))

American CO asks me;
You can speak english right?
(Me: Yes)
How much do you make a year?
(Me:Last year my company's business was slow so I only made 12,000 that year. But the years before that, I made well over 18k)
How were you able to save up 3k to give to your wife?
(Ouch!!!!)
((Me: I live at home with my parents and I don't own anything like a car or owe anyone money))
(((She kinda laughed because she didn't buy it)))
You have that southern Accent
(Again?????!)

What do you plan to do when you move to america?

(Right now I don't have any plans set. I will find out what I want to do when I live there)

Vietnamese lady CO makes this weird facial expression. She thinks things over and says, “Okay so were are going to go ahead and issue you your visa, you just go to the front desk and pay for the postage and it will be mailed to you. Did you read the pink paper we gave you? (Wife said yes) CO asked if my wife knew what it was about. I totally forgot what my wife said but it had nothing to do with the pink paper lol. The CO said, you need to read it again, and please read it because its important. It isn't about what you just said, its about domestic violence? So please read it! Okay we are done..

We both thanked the COs and after I put all the paperwork back together in my bag, I thanked them again..

So basically they asked a few questions, looked at our pictures and let us go. Didn't ask for any other evidences like my phone bill and chat logs. Didn't ask for a Timeline like everyone recommends here. We didn't have one anyway. Literally had about 800 pages to haul around which for my wife, wasn't fun at all.. The interview took all but about 10 minutes. We were already passed before being interviewed. Just like some of the reviews I read on here at VJ.

Conclusion:

It was really easy. I guess we lucked out on the CO’s? Because my wife saw so many blue slips.. But many spouse interviews were passed that day. The waiting room sucks because there was no A/C. I guess they know Vietnamese people can handle the heat. Behind the Booths look like it’s nice and cool in there lol. Otherwise, the waiting game was LONG! But not too bad.. Wife went in at 7am, we both left around 11am. Our scheduled time was at 9am.

Tips: Anyone who needs their medical exams done, please go to IOM (International Organization of Migration). It’s a lot easier which a bit of searching, came up with someone recommending going to IOM instead. Wife did her exam on Thursday at 1pm and was done at 3pm. Blood test results came in the following Monday.

If you have family members waiting, tell them to go to the Diamond shopping mall and walk around. It's a block away from the embassy, near the Church. They could go to the 5th floor. It's a food court with arcades, and a bowling alley. There are some comfy couch seats in there, but I suggest buying a drink or two so you won't get kicked out lol. WIFI is available there, and the most important! A/C!!!!!

If I can think of any more tips, I'll reply here..

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps others who are wanting to know other people's experience with the interview..

[Chris & Trinh 15]

First, thanks for those who helped me with all the questions I have asked. My journey was somewhat longer than expected but not too bad. Then I think back when everything started, I'm finally done with all the nervousness and headaches!

Wife's interview was on the 22nd of this month. Which was yesterday. Left Ba Ria around 4am and made it just on time at the embassy: 645am. Weather was nice. We parked across the street and I walked my wife to the line. The line was somewhat long but not bad when my wife waited. But as it got closer to 7am, jeez!!! The line was LONG!! I waited across the street in the car until my wife stepped into the building. I wanted to make sure she made it inside! They let everyone in at 7am. I went to the nearby park with my cousin who just so happens to be our taxi driver. Mingled with a few Americans who said "you speak really good english" I said I am from Austin Texas. They said "He's even got the southern accent" we laughed! Then me and my cousin went to eat. When we were done it was getting close to 10am. Right then my wife calls and tells me she needed me. I thought, wow maybe she’s done with the interview. So I walk back to the embassy and she said they wanted me there too. Went through security, sat down and good gosh I couldn't tell you guys how nervous I was. I was hoping she was interviewed already and they just wanted to see us together in person. But no, we were both interviewed. One of the booths, #7, I swear it was like it wasn't ever gonna end. Between 1 hour of waiting, I saw that booth #7 switch numbers once or twice. Other booths had people coming and going at least 5-6 interviews. So me and my wife hoped we didn't get that booth #7. Right at around 11am they called us up and it was booth #8!!!!. At this moment I was less nervous because I knew it needed to be done and it shouldn't take long! We arrived at the booth and my nervousness just disappeared It was like talking to friends. We had a vietnamese lady and a white lady CO, both were super awesome and fun to talk to. We had many laughs. They asked us to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then asked for documents. We had our paperwork all in a folder nice and neat, with paperclips separating anything that needed to be. They said they will be interviewing my wife, and I will need to stand next to her. The interview was in Vietnamese.

They asked;

How did you two meet?

(I used to work with my husband's cousin)

What does your husband do for a living?

(He works at a electronics company)

How long have you two known each other before you two met in person?

(We knew each other around 2010) ((wife was super nervous!))

But for how long?

(We knew each other around 2010 and he came to visit on May 22nd of 2011)

((At this time I looked down and saw the pink slip that has a stamp on it saying "approved" I thought to myself, is that paper real????? LoL))

Did you two marry at that time?

(No, my husband has visited me 4 times already, and the 3rd time was when we got married)

Show us your photos

(These are all in order) ((we had over 450 photos))

What is your husband's favorite food?

(He likes to eat raw fish) ((I went ahead and corrected that answer with "I like Sushi" The Vietnamese CO looked at me wierd lol))

What is something special about your husband?

(Anytime an argument occurs, my husband stays quiet because he doesn't want arguing in our relationship)

What is some of your husband's bad habits?

(Nothing I can think of)

((CO: There has to be something you don't like))

(((They let that question and answer go as we all laughed)))

Did any family members come to the wedding?

(Yes, my husband's mother, father, sister, brother, and niece)

Is it his blood parents?

(Yes its his blood parents)

((American lady CO still flipping through our pictures))

Did your husband give you any gift money when he visited?

(Yes, 3000 USD) ((my jaws dropped! wife said she was so nervous, she just told them a number. I said yeah you could have given a smaller number!))

American CO asks me;

You can speak english right?

(Me: Yes)

How much do you make a year?

(Me:Last year my company's business was slow so I only made 12,000 that year. But the years before that, I made well over 18k)

How were you able to save up 3k to give to your wife?

(Ouch!!!!)

((Me: I live at home with my parents and I don't own anything like a car or owe anyone money))

(((She kinda laughed because she didn't buy it)))

You have that southern Accent

(Again?????!)

What do you plan to do when you move to america?

(Right now I don't have any plans set. I will find out what I want to do when I live there)

Vietnamese lady CO makes this weird facial expression. She thinks things over and says, “Okay so were are going to go ahead and issue you your visa, you just go to the front desk and pay for the postage and it will be mailed to you. Did you read the pink paper we gave you? (Wife said yes) CO asked if my wife knew what it was about. I totally forgot what my wife said but it had nothing to do with the pink paper lol. The CO said, you need to read it again, and please read it because its important. It isn't about what you just said, its about domestic violence? So please read it! Okay we are done..

We both thanked the COs and after I put all the paperwork back together in my bag, I thanked them again..

So basically they asked a few questions, looked at our pictures and let us go. Didn't ask for any other evidences like my phone bill and chat logs. Didn't ask for a Timeline like everyone recommends here. We didn't have one anyway. Literally had about 800 pages to haul around which for my wife, wasn't fun at all.. The interview took all but about 10 minutes. We were already passed before being interviewed. Just like some of the reviews I read on here at VJ.

Conclusion:

It was really easy. I guess we lucked out on the CO’s? Because my wife saw so many blue slips.. But many spouse interviews were passed that day. The waiting room sucks because there was no A/C. I guess they know Vietnamese people can handle the heat. Behind the Booths look like it’s nice and cool in there lol. Otherwise, the waiting game was LONG! But not too bad.. Wife went in at 7am, we both left around 11am. Our scheduled time was at 9am.

Tips: Anyone who needs their medical exams done, please go to IOM (International Organization of Migration). It’s a lot easier which a bit of searching, came up with someone recommending going to IOM instead. Wife did her exam on Thursday at 1pm and was done at 3pm. Blood test results came in the following Monday.

If you have family members waiting, tell them to go to the Diamond shopping mall and walk around. It's a block away from the embassy, near the Church. They could go to the 5th floor. It's a food court with arcades, and a bowling alley. There are some comfy couch seats in there, but I suggest buying a drink or two so you won't get kicked out lol. WIFI is available there, and the most important! A/C!!!!!

If I can think of any more tips, I'll reply here..

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps others who are wanting to know other people's experience with the interview..

Congrats on passing the interview!! Also thanks for the update. I love to read how the interviews went and questions they asked etc.. While reading your story I was wondering why you took her to the consulate but didn't join her. I thought that was a bit odd as many reviews from HCMC advise the spouse to be at the interview. However, after reading on I see you did have to end up going to the interview. Man...I will be nervous just like you. Also sucks with no A/C. I have been living in HCMC for 4 yrs now, so I should be used to it. You should be used to it also living in Texas!!!

Congrats again!!

[JRF 117]

Congratulations!

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

Thanks guys,,

I didn't join the interview because I didn't feel that I needed to be there. I thought as long as I am here, they are okay with it, and most likely be a lot easier if they just interviewed my wife. I figured, if they wanted to, they would ask me to come join the interview. But if I had to do it all over again, which I don't want to lol, I would be less nervous. The only thing that I was nervous about was the blue slip. I kept thinking to myself that there might be some missing documents, or anything out of the blues. But it went through so quick, I was amazed on how we were able to pass that easy just like other reviews.

Some things to point out that I didn't feel I was able to pass:

* My income was really low last year. Going from $18k+ down to $12k+. My company shut down part of their contract and basically got rid of 3rd shift and fired 90% of the workers. The other 10% which were moved to different areas through out the factory. I still don't understand how I only made $12k last year. But anyway, my mom's good friend helped with the co-sponsor. Widowed, One daughter, and making $55k a year owning her own restaurant. I knew it would help me a bunch and a few people did say that I should be fine. CO's didn't ask anything about my co-sponsor.

*Some of the family members and birthdate I didn't remember much. If I had time to think, I would remember. CO's didn't ask..

*My work/company's name was misspelt. Aerotex, instead of Aerotech. CO's didn't ask..

*No timeline!

*Phone records. We used V247 which I use the local number and then forward to my wife's number. On my phone bill, it only shows the dialed number in texas. I had no records showing that it's the actual phone number to V247. I had made a screen shot for my wife to print out, but I was stuck organizing photos the day before our interview and totally forgot to send it through email to her so she can print it. I just winged it.. CO's didn't ask for it.

----

So if you luck out and get two nice CO's, some of the questions that they asked when my wife didn't answer correct or in details, they just laughed, smiled, and went on and asked other questions. If you don't know the exact answer, just tell them something that sounds right. Two of the questions they asked us my wife didn't know as she was so nervous and just went ahead and gave them some random simple question. As long as you answer them quickly, they're happy.

Just think to yourself, you know it's a bonified relationship so just go with the flow. Yes we all get nervous ask heck but just talk to them like they are your friends.

Also, I remembered my wife wanting to carry some of the paperwork. I said NO! let me carry everything. lol.. I wanted the CO's to know that the husband takes care of everything.

---------

The weather in texas is super hot but we have A/C in our vehicles and home.. =) I've been here since April 12th. Ended up pitching in with the family to buy us a 1.5hp A/C unit. I stayed in the room for days!!!!

Edited August 24, 2013 by Hoang_Phuong

[Vu Nguyen 0]

Hoang Phuong,

Thank you for your review. It is very helpful.

Congrats...

[Dan_P 5]

Congratulations!

My guess is that the co already made up her mind before the interview, and it was just a formality. I have heard of some really tough interviews.

My personal experience though, they asked my wife 3 questions and that was it. Very quick.

[AMAA 0]

Congratulations and thank you for the details. Safe travels to America!

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

Thanks again guys..

Yes, I have noticed that after the CO's are done with a interview, they pull out the next person's documents. They go through it for a few minutes, sometimes walk away, then come back and call up that next person. So around that time, they already read through all the documents submitted and determine if it's passable or not. Again, when I walked up, the pink slip was on the table with a pile of documents. Also, I didn't know if they did before or not, they don't hand us a copy of the pink slip.

Another tip for religious individuals:

I'm Buddhist so our religion is free to do what we want. As in this case, we can marry anyone out of our religion. My parents and my wife's parents had 2 meetings. The first time was to talk about accepting me and my wife to have a engagement and wedding. But no actual date. This was in May 2011. I have nothing against that religion at all, but they are super strict. Both sides of the family agreed on keeping our own religion. We even tried to go to different churches to ask if they will marry me and my wife. They all declined because I am not "Vietnamese". If I was living here in Vietnam then they allow it. They don't want to marry someone outside of their religion to keep the other person from divorcing, etc. So in the end, the family agreed that me and my wife will keep our own religion. December 2011 I went back and we did the marriage paperwork. Again, the family tried to ask other churches with the same results. October 2012 we did our engagement and wedding 1 week apart. It was GREAT! April 2013, a few months ago, I came back to wait on the interview with my wife. I miss not having her around. This time, her mom tried to make me take the catholic class. I agreed, but my parents and family didn't allow me to because I'm the youngest and only son in the family. (vietnamese culture) I didn't know why I agreed. Afterwards, I got pretty frustrated because both sides of the family already have a set agreement. The whole reason why she tried to because she thought that if I didn't take the class and receive the certificate, me and my wife won't pass the interview. I told them I truly understand, but there was an agreement already, so there's nothing I can do. I read somewhere that someone had the same problem and the interview went fine. This went on for months until we finally went to the interview and passed.

In short, they didn't ask about religious beliefs. So anyone out there falling into the same situation like me, I'm not saying you absolutely don't have to do it , but I didn't do it and we passed.

Again, I have respect for anyone's own beliefs, but to save you some pain and agony with strict religious parents, don't worry about not passing.

We did hire a local Dich Vu, and I asked him if the two sides will be fine keeping our religion? He said there's a possibility it's frowned upon, but don't worry about it because all the documents are clear and we have nothing to fear.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Hoang_Phuong

[JOURNEYTOUSA2013 0]

Congratulation! Have a fun trip home!

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

It's not like we don't talk about our future.. We both have respect for each other.. and No one is the boss!

Kids talk did come up and I said that I'm not forcing my kids to take sides,, They are human beings, They can choose to do what they want.

No one ever forced me to marry my wife.. It was our choice..

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

Also,, My sister and brother in law did the same thing as me and my wife did, except of course my sister is Buddhist and my brother in law is catholic. My brother even goes to the temple with us. Again.. No one is the BOSS?!

You might been around couples like that and have seen the bad side, or whatever you may call it.. I have.. But that's other people's business not ours.

Also, Thanks for the warning! =)

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

Alright this is all I have to say.. and thanks everyone for the congrats. I have about a week and a half left here in Vietnam and I have a lot of packing packing to do. Ready to head home.. Hope these answers some questions.

Thanks guys..

Over and OUT!

[Ban Hammer 12,861]

one post removed for drama stirring. if you have nothing beneficial to add and cannot post diplomatically, do not post.

[Hoang_Phuong 2]

one post removed for drama stirring. if you have nothing beneficial to add and cannot post diplomatically, do not post.

Thanks!!!

Just a little update as I thought I wasn't going to be able come back to update my thread..

The 8th of this month we flew home to the states. I probably won't be flying Asiana Airlines anymore since they have long waits between flights. 9 hours wait at Incheon and 6 hours at LAX on the way back home. My wife was really tired! I felt bad, but at least we both supported each other..

Anyway, before the arrival at LAX. I nicely asked the wife that we should hurry to the lines where they check our passports. After a 11+ hour flight from Incheon to LAX, I think she was super tired but still made it to the lines at a timely matter. I was happy we got in quick! They looked at our passports, asked me a few questions of where and why I went to vietnam. Took my wife's finger prints and photo, then they ended up asking us to go to the desk next to station 1. We were at station 15. The kind man asked for the documents that we aren't supposed to open. Wife signed a couple of documents and took actual fingerprints. Then asked her to sit down and wait, and also told me to go ahead and get my luggages then come back. But me and my wife both ended up picking up the luggages together. Came back and sat down for maybe 3 minutes and the nice guy gave us a welcome to the US document stating that my wife has a temporary green card stamp on her passport and other mumble jumbo. After that we were off looking for our next flight home.

And another update for those who are getting close to this in the near future. This is from my wife... My wife's skin has a bad reaction to the chemicals in our city water. Her face has been breaking out like crazy. So stock up on facial meds so you don't have to go hunting them down if you're super busy! My wife had terrible car sick; motion sickness. Thanks to the harsh roads in the country side of Ba Ria, Vung Tau. She got used to it after a while, after meeting me. Since she had to do go back and forth to Saigon a few times for different things to do. Now living here in the states, She doesn't get motion sick at all. Our roads here aren't bouncy like vietnam. So if anyone's wife/husband is concerned about motion sickness, I think they will be fine when they get here. The airplane ride wasn't that bad for her. The up and down gravity motion made her stomach feel funny, but once in the air she was fine. She said it was smoother than a car ride. From time to time asked me why the plane is shaking. "turbulence" She love's motorcycle riding here. I own a 2007 GSXR-600 sportbike and she said both cars and motorcycle rides were great because of how much space we have here. She loves the carpet, but thinks it's dusty and dirty. She hates the washing machine and perfers to wash by hand. She's still afraid of the sun.. *sigh* She met the other part of my family who she hasn't met. Both my sister's are already taking her to the nail shop for observing. She thinks Walmart takes forever to walk around and it's too big of a shopping center. She says her legs get tired. I told her wait till I take you to the Mall. Other than that, she's having a great time here and starting to get used to the states.

[Chris & Trinh 15]

Thanks!!!

Just a little update as I thought I wasn't going to be able come back to update my thread..

The 8th of this month we flew home to the states. I probably won't be flying Asiana Airlines anymore since they have long waits between flights. 9 hours wait at Incheon and 6 hours at LAX on the way back home. My wife was really tired! I felt bad, but at least we both supported each other..

Anyway, before the arrival at LAX. I nicely asked the wife that we should hurry to the lines where they check our passports. After a 11+ hour flight from Incheon to LAX, I think she was super tired but still made it to the lines at a timely matter. I was happy we got in quick! They looked at our passports, asked me a few questions of where and why I went to vietnam. Took my wife's finger prints and photo, then they ended up asking us to go to the desk next to station 1. We were at station 15. The kind man asked for the documents that we aren't supposed to open. Wife signed a couple of documents and took actual fingerprints. Then asked her to sit down and wait, and also told me to go ahead and get my luggages then come back. But me and my wife both ended up picking up the luggages together. Came back and sat down for maybe 3 minutes and the nice guy gave us a welcome to the US document stating that my wife has a temporary green card stamp on her passport and other mumble jumbo. After that we were off looking for our next flight home.

And another update for those who are getting close to this in the near future. This is from my wife... My wife's skin has a bad reaction to the chemicals in our city water. Her face has been breaking out like crazy. So stock up on facial meds so you don't have to go hunting them down if you're super busy! My wife had terrible car sick; motion sickness. Thanks to the harsh roads in the country side of Ba Ria, Vung Tau. She got used to it after a while, after meeting me. Since she had to do go back and forth to Saigon a few times for different things to do. Now living here in the states, She doesn't get motion sick at all. Our roads here aren't bouncy like vietnam. So if anyone's wife/husband is concerned about motion sickness, I think they will be fine when they get here. The airplane ride wasn't that bad for her. The up and down gravity motion made her stomach feel funny, but once in the air she was fine. She said it was smoother than a car ride. From time to time asked me why the plane is shaking. "turbulence" She love's motorcycle riding here. I own a 2007 GSXR-600 sportbike and she said both cars and motorcycle rides were great because of how much space we have here. She loves the carpet, but thinks it's dusty and dirty. She hates the washing machine and perfers to wash by hand. She's still afraid of the sun.. *sigh* She met the other part of my family who she hasn't met. Both my sister's are already taking her to the nail shop for observing. She thinks Walmart takes forever to walk around and it's too big of a shopping center. She says her legs get tired. I told her wait till I take you to the Mall. Other than that, she's having a great time here and starting to get used to the states.

Thanks for the update and tips! Sounds like you guys are getting along well and she is getting adjusted to US life. Have fun and enjoy the experience