Alex Ve

OK I just returned from the embassy. The employee seemed to accept my new issued birth certificate and she informed me that in about two weeks I shall receive my passport and visa along with the original documents via DHL, although she didn't assure me that I would indeed get a visa.

One more last question Susie.

In the DV regulations it states about the birth certificate that it should have an

Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

and the old one that expired had it already. But for the new one, I can’t make it on time to have that annotation, cause otherwise I will have it by monday and the CO was very strict to bring it until friday. On the reciprocity schedule paper that they gave me when I left for the missing document, it doesn’t mention anything about having that annotation though, but mentions all the other specifications it should have. In any case, I am doing a desperate attempt, since I can’t make it on time and will present it to them without that special annotation and hope that they will accept it.

Do you think that will be a problem?

I just was a bit stressed and thought about it when I got out of the embassy...I asked a security officer outside and he told me that they will probably give them back to me when I present the missing document...

Do you think I should call them as soon as tomorrow or friday when I will be able to give them the document?

They also gave me a paper that states the reason for my visa denial and states the missing document in a check box. Is this standard procedure?

Thanks again for your patience.

Do you believe they would give me false hopes, like if there was something seriously wrong with the documents I presented (either than the birth certificate) or if they thought I tried to lie to them would they tell me so according to your experience?

I'm happy to hear that your high school was accepted, though this embassy seems to do things a bit differently to some others. Like asking for an elementary school certificate... I also never heard of a birth certificate expiring, is that an Albanian thing?

Usually you get your originals back and they keep the copies. Everything they keep goes into your brown envelope which is first part of your visa and then part of your USCIS file. So I suggest you specifically tell them you need the originals back and take the copies...the only original document they take at my embassy is the police certificate.

Well, maybe the greek lady that checked my documents first, was a bit harsh on me for some reason.

The American CO later was much better and more easy on me.

No, the expiring thing is from the US embassy...After I left they gave me a couple of papers, one states in the bottom that

"Albanian documents"submitted as part of the U.S visa process should be less than one year old at the time they are provided.

I am just worried about my original documents, I hope they don't lose any of them accidentally. It just seem weird to me, they didn't ask for copies when I presented them and when I left they didn't tell me to give them back...Maybe they need them until I provide the missing one also?

You mean I tell them when I go again in the embassy the missing document, or earlier than friday like say tomorrow? But, they gave me back my passport if that helps you. I thought they send the passport with DHL after the visa is issued, cause they gave me a paper with directions in the DHL website.

Thanks.

I went today on the interview to the embassy in Greece. The CO accepted my education and work experience (my only proof were two letters from an ex employer and my current employer with the companies stamp).

Dear Susie, fortunately the Training high school that I attended is compatible with american high school.

I went today on the interview to the embassy in Greece. The CO accepted my education and work experience (my only proof were two letters from an ex employer and my current employer with the companies stamp).

Yeah, you re right.

Are you trying to qualify on work experience then?

In any case I would think there's no point. It's not going to make any difference to your application. If you're going the work experience route it's only relevant proof they need, but make sure you really have enough.

No, I'm qualifying on education.

Is it necessary to provide proof of experience for misc. jobs that we did in the past (say like a shop clerk) and are not related to the job zone qualifications?

* I have listed those jobs in the ds-260 form.

Thanks.

When is the best time to print a letter from the bank with the account? I have my interview on 25 August. Must it be one day before the interview?

Hi. This may be a stupid question I want to make sure. The green card is granted to us after we arrive in the US, right? We don't get it in the time of the interview with the Visa issuing, correct?

Thanks.

I'm a bit confused about why you think you already chose an option and resubmitting the DS? The form asks everyone for both education and work experience, and you are supposed to fill all of it in correctly. You only "choose" what to use in the interview. Please, don't "think" high school is acceptable - this is a critical part of whether or not you get the visa, find out if it is or not for sure! If it isn't and you are going for work experience, check out the britsimonsays.com blog for some tips. And yes you would need something to officially show you have been working....

Eh, the embassy responded to my e-mail, which I asked them if the training high school I attended is equivalent to US high school and they responded with a generic response telling me to register for the EDV webpage. But in a greek forum, a member that works into education told me that it is equivalent so I'm gonna take her word and qualify with my high school degree.

I'm a bit confused about why you think you already chose an option and resubmitting the DS? The form asks everyone for both education and work experience, and you are supposed to fill all of it in correctly. You only "choose" what to use in the interview. Please, don't "think" high school is acceptable - this is a critical part of whether or not you get the visa, find out if it is or not for sure! If it isn't and you are going for work experience, check out the britsimonsays.com blog for some tips. And yes you would need something to officially show you have been working....

For some stupid reason I thought all this time that somewhere in the Ds-260 form I had to choose one option to qualify before the interview day...I've become a bit paranoid to the point htat I start imagine things I guess with all this stress and mistakes.. You guys, Britsimon and Samuel provide such a comfort to us.

Already sent an e-mail to the embassy as you advised me asking about the education. I hope they reply quickly.

Don't worry about the vaccinations question, as having the medical is the important thing.

What you need to do - in my opinion - is confirm for sure whether or not your high school education qualifies. (You should be able to find this out from the embassy in Athens.) Either it does or it doesn't. If it does, that is all you need. If it doesn't, then you need to show the CO that your work experience meets the requireed minimum time at the correct level (job zone 4 or 5, SVP 7 or more on o*net). A lot of people have reported that qualifying by work experience is difficult so you will need to get as much evidence as you can to support this. If your high school qualifies that is a much simpler route and all you need to show.

Wow, you made me feel so much relaxed now about the vaccination mistake..Thanks.

So I'll send an e-mail in the embassy and ask if my education level meets the 12 year US high school criteria.

If it meets the criteria (which I think it does), will the CO ignore my option to qualify through work experience (if that doesn't satisfy him) since it's too late now to resubmit the ds-260? That's what worries me.

My work experience meets the correct job zone on o*net. I have a Vocational degree in Graphic Design and a letter from my current employer that states that I work for him as a graphic designer since 2010. (*Although in the official recruit papers I am listed as an office employee since october 2014, but my job is designing graphics). Does the embassy ask for official recruit records to verify when I was hired for work? Cause I started in 2010 but my employer hadn't recruited me officially, but I can't prove it legally if the CO asks for proof of recruitment.

Sadly, it is common in Greece to work without an official recruitment from the company.

I also have a web portfolio, a business card with my name and contact information and some brochure that I have printed for clients and have my web portfolio on them.

Will this be enough you think?

Many thanks again.

Ok, hopefully that will be enough. Good luck and please if you can come back and report after the interview - it may help others who are thinking of the same thing.

Are you interviewing in Athens?

Thanks my friend. Yeah, Athens, hopefully in August or September.

Yes I understand. The two letters that I have from my former employers state that I have worked in their companies as a graphic designer from September 1 2009 to March 3 2012 and from July 9 2010 to present (I am currently working as a graphic designer on one employer). And they also mention my skills and the programs that I have knowledge of using.

Thanks anyway for your time.

Ok so the first thing to do is ensure it meets the DV requirements on o*net - job zone 4 or 5 with SVP >7.

Once you have confirmed that, you will need to prove it, by taking as much evidence as you can. By that I mean evidence that it conforms to the level of the job as required,

It's not easy to qualify on work experience and the burden of proof will be really up to you.

I think the britsimonsays blog has something on this too.

Yeah, it meets the requirements from what i checked.

I posted also on Brit but hasn't responded yet, that's why I asked you too to hear more opinions.

Unfortunately I don't have any other proof except the two letters with company stamp and my former employers signs and some print brochure and sketches of portraits.

Do you think this is gonna be a problem?

Are you trying to qualify through work experience rather than education? Did you not finish high school?

Yes exactly. Haven't finished. I have done 6 years elementary + 3 years junior high school + 3 years Training school with graphic design degree and 2 years Vocational school with a graphic design diploma.

Hi. I am an EU37*** selectee. I'd like to ask about the work experience in the interview. Are letters signed from employers enough to prove my experience? Or do I need to provide also salary details? I work as a graphic designer.

Can i also show them some of my work, like brochures and flyers that I have printed for clients? I have also some sketch portraits of some people that I have done. Do you advise me to bring them with me or there’s no reason.

Thanks

According to a USCIS memo on it, no. But even if there was (for example something that triggers a further background check) your case number is high enough that it would have no impact on your case.

Cool, thanks

Can you clarify your case number, because what you have put there doesn't exist! Is it 37xx or 37xxx? If the latter, as I suspect, you won't hear from them for quite a while as you won't be current until well into 2015. They don't contact you until they post the 2NL, usually 6-8 weeks before interview.

Yeah, sorry it's 37xxx.

I know that I have to wait until they send me the 2NL, but I just like to know if there might be a further delay on my case for unlocking the ds-260 three times with the last being on october 15.

What do you mean by "too late"? You sent your forms in July, two months after you could have submitted - this is what has caused the delay. They've told you they are still busy with them and told you you will be ready for January, I don't understand what else you want??? Just make sure all your documents are ready so that there are no more delays with your case!

I originally submitted the d-260 on May 22, but then I unlocked it two more times to make some changes, with the second being some time during summer and the third being October 15.

I'd like to ask, will this cause any delay of my case from KCC, for unlocking the form after so many months since I first submitted it?

I'm a little worried cause in the pdf file of the ds-260 I printed it says "date 10-15-2014". My case No. is 2015EU00037****

I'm not sure about the foreign characters, but I can't see it will be a major problem. It may mean a CO had to re-type something, but it won't be a reason for disqualification.

Re the case numbers - I think you have misunderstood the previous bulletins. When they have switched to "current", that means that all selectees are eligible for interview. You seem to have interpreted this as meaning case numbers did not change from the last published monthly cutoff? There was a cutoff at fiscal year end in DV2014 but it was well above your number - somewhere in 43xxx if I recall correctly.

Ah..thanks for explaining the cutoff number thing. Yeah, I didn't know that by "current" it meant that all selectees are eligible for interview.

Much appreciated.