Anyone who interviews AFTER the public charge..

[Arshia 75]

please let us all know your experience along with which embassy you interviewed and what questions they asked regarding the DS-5540. I can say for everyone about now how nerve wracking this is. We already had so many factors to be stressed out about and this is no less frustrating! 

[RichardB 4]

Hello Arshia

 

We had our interview today in Santo Domingo. Cr-1 visa for my wife. The interviewer did not ask about the new DS-5540 form or anything regarding the new public charge rules that went into effect last Monday. We purchased health insurance for my wife (the beneficiary) but they didn’t even ask. They approved us. After the interview and receiving the approval he was nice enough to answer a few questions I asked to find out what was coming and to help other members here. I will write out some details tomorrow on another thread I have going. But as of today, no questions relating to new public charge rule. We were prepared for the entirety of the new FAM rules, but none of it came up. He said he did not ask any more because we were well above poverty guidelines (my household) even though my wife, the beneficiary doesn't work and showed no income. Also - he said passports take up to two weeks to be ready for pickup here. I asked nicely and he went and got another form and said we could return to the embassy and pick it up in two to three days. He also gave us a pass to bypass the lines and go straight to a window to pick it up. We got lucky and had a very nice consular officer interviewing us. Hope this helps answer your question for now. Even though we are now finally done, Many here have given me great advice and tips so anyone reading this if I can help from our experience I am happy to offer what I can. Best of luck !!

[Arshia 75]

2 hours ago, RichardB said:

Hello Arshia

 

We had our interview today in Santo Domingo. Cr-1 visa for my wife. The interviewer did not ask about the new DS-5540 form or anything regarding the new public charge rules that went into effect last Monday. We purchased health insurance for my wife (the beneficiary) but they didn’t even ask. They approved us. After the interview and receiving the approval he was nice enough to answer a few questions I asked to find out what was coming and to help other members here. I will write out some details tomorrow on another thread I have going. But as of today, no questions relating to new public charge rule. We were prepared for the entirety of the new FAM rules, but none of it came up. He said he did not ask any more because we were well above poverty guidelines (my household) even though my wife, the beneficiary doesn't work and showed no income. Also - he said passports take up to two weeks to be ready for pickup here. I asked nicely and he went and got another form and said we could return to the embassy and pick it up in two to three days. He also gave us a pass to bypass the lines and go straight to a window to pick it up. We got lucky and had a very nice consular officer interviewing us. Hope this helps answer your question for now. Even though we are now finally done, Many here have given me great advice and tips so anyone reading this if I can help from our experience I am happy to offer what I can. Best of luck !!

Well that’s good that you went in atleast prepared and this is kind of comforting, I hope everyone’s interview goes as smoothly as yours and thanks sooo much for sharing your experience!!

[TheChheavFamily 135]

We interviewed today. I went along with my husband. I uploaded the DS5540 into CEAC for my husband this weekend and I asked if they needed the original, was told no because it’s in the system now. Approved. No questions on health insurance, but proof was also uploaded with the DS5540. We are 250% of poverty line so I’m not sure if that was a factor or not. My husband has a job offer letter that we also included. I think each case is going to be different. 

[FloraTen 65]

Hi, we had our interview last Friday (spouse not allowed in embassy) and I was not asked about the DS5540 (I was pretty much unaware of it until I came on here after my interview) nor was I asked about health insurance. We were approved with no issue thus far... thank God! But as the others mentioned my husband is also well above the poverty guideline (could be why we weren’t asked about it 🤷🏽‍♀️). I’m just waiting on the notification to collect my passport which the CO said can take approximately 2 weeks here. Didn’t update my timeline yet as I will only feel comfortable once my husband and I are back together for sure (reading about people and this process made me such a skeptic lol)... Hope this helps and God speed on the rest of your journey 🙏🏽

[Jessiey 21]

i had the interview yesterday, submitted the paper form on the spot and the CO didnt ask anything regarding the 5540.

[LilyJ 1,258]

16 hours ago, RichardB said:

Hello Arshia

 

We had our interview today in Santo Domingo. Cr-1 visa for my wife. The interviewer did not ask about the new DS-5540 form or anything regarding the new public charge rules that went into effect last Monday. We purchased health insurance for my wife (the beneficiary) but they didn’t even ask. They approved us. After the interview and receiving the approval he was nice enough to answer a few questions I asked to find out what was coming and to help other members here. I will write out some details tomorrow on another thread I have going. But as of today, no questions relating to new public charge rule. We were prepared for the entirety of the new FAM rules, but none of it came up. He said he did not ask any more because we were well above poverty guidelines (my household) even though my wife, the beneficiary doesn't work and showed no income. Also - he said passports take up to two weeks to be ready for pickup here. I asked nicely and he went and got another form and said we could return to the embassy and pick it up in two to three days. He also gave us a pass to bypass the lines and go straight to a window to pick it up. We got lucky and had a very nice consular officer interviewing us. Hope this helps answer your question for now. Even though we are now finally done, Many here have given me great advice and tips so anyone reading this if I can help from our experience I am happy to offer what I can. Best of luck !!

Where did you purchase your insurance from?

[RichardB 4]

LilyJ we purchased insurance from Cigna Global.

[LilyJ 1,258]

1 minute ago, RichardB said:

LilyJ we purchased insurance from Cigna Global.

Will look into it, thanks so much!

[LauraGr 1]

On 3/2/2020 at 4:24 PM, RichardB said:

Hello Arshia

 

We had our interview today in Santo Domingo. Cr-1 visa for my wife. The interviewer did not ask about the new DS-5540 form or anything regarding the new public charge rules that went into effect last Monday. We purchased health insurance for my wife (the beneficiary) but they didn’t even ask. They approved us. After the interview and receiving the approval he was nice enough to answer a few questions I asked to find out what was coming and to help other members here. I will write out some details tomorrow on another thread I have going. But as of today, no questions relating to new public charge rule. We were prepared for the entirety of the new FAM rules, but none of it came up. He said he did not ask any more because we were well above poverty guidelines (my household) even though my wife, the beneficiary doesn't work and showed no income. Also - he said passports take up to two weeks to be ready for pickup here. I asked nicely and he went and got another form and said we could return to the embassy and pick it up in two to three days. He also gave us a pass to bypass the lines and go straight to a window to pick it up. We got lucky and had a very nice consular officer interviewing us. Hope this helps answer your question for now. Even though we are now finally done, Many here have given me great advice and tips so anyone reading this if I can help from our experience I am happy to offer what I can. Best of luck !!

Good afternoon RichardB and congratulations on your Visa approval.  If I may, my husband in DR received NVC documentarily qualified on Friday October 16, 2020.  How long before he gets his interview letter in Santo Domingo?  At the medical exam, will they be able to administer all the required US vaccines and if not, would you happen to know what vaccines are required and where he should go and obtain these?  How long did your wife’s interview take with the officer?  Was the interview in Spanish or English?  Would you advise we print our entire WhatsApp text messages from 2018?  We have over 300 pictures of us including our wedding photos that we printed, would that be enough?  Could you share the questions your wife was asked during her interview?  Thank you in advance for any information you could provide pertaining to my questions.  Best regards.

[LauraGr 1]

To RichardB:

Good afternoon RichardB and congratulations on your Visa approval.  If I may, my husband in DR received NVCdocumentarily qualified status on Friday October 16, 2020.  How long before he gets his interview letter in Santo Domingo?  At the medical exam, will they be able to administer all the required US vaccines and if not, would you happen to know what vaccines are required and where he should go and obtain these?  How long did your wife’s interview take with the officer?  Was the interview in Spanish or English?  Would you advise we print our entire WhatsApp text messages from 2018?  We have over 300 pictures of us including our wedding photos that we printed, would that be enough?  I am well above the poverty level (THANK GOD). Could you share the questions your wife was asked during her interview?  Thank you in advance for any information you could provide pertaining to my questions.  Best regards.

[RichardB 4]

Hi Laura. We received qualified notice from NVC on Dec 12, received notice of appointment on February 7, and the appointment was March 2. The medical center in Santo Domingo gives all vaccines required for entry into US. I think everyone gets all of them regardless of any previous vaccinations. Total was around $450 US if I recall. I think I wrote a post about the medical trip you can search for. Interview was Spanish or English or both, we were given the option. The officer had reviewed all of our documents before we started and the only thing he looked at was our wedding photo album. Bring as much info as you want to - it cannot hurt. I had a file/binder put together and he noticed we were prepared and it went very easy. Took all of maybe 10 minutes. He just wanted to establish it was a genuine marriage. He spoke with both of us together and nothing was difficult about it at all. Relax and it will go fine 😉. 

[LauraGr 1]

1 hour ago, RichardB said:

Hi Laura. We received qualified notice from NVC on Dec 12, received notice of appointment on February 7, and the appointment was March 2. The medical center in Santo Domingo gives all vaccines required for entry into US. I think everyone gets all of them regardless of any previous vaccinations. Total was around $450 US if I recall. I think I wrote a post about the medical trip you can search for. Interview was Spanish or English or both, we were given the option. The officer had reviewed all of our documents before we started and the only thing he looked at was our wedding photo album. Bring as much info as you want to - it cannot hurt. I had a file/binder put together and he noticed we were prepared and it went very easy. Took all of maybe 10 minutes. He just wanted to establish it was a genuine marriage. He spoke with both of us together and nothing was difficult about it at all. Relax and it will go fine 😉. 

Good morning RichardB, and thank you for your rapid response.  Did they allow both of you in the interview or only the applicant?

[RichardB 4]

We were both allowed in. We did the interview together. Consular officer was nice and very helpful. After he gave us approval I asked politely if they could expedite the visa pickup and he filled out a form for us to come back in 2-3 days and pick it up instead of waiting 2 weeks for it.