Interview over. Visa not approved.... YET!
We had everything we needed, plus a bunch of stuff we didn't. The doctor who did our medicals forgot to fill in a couple of tick boxes on the first page of my forms! The consulate will contact him and get the required form completed. It will take about an extra week of processing, but talk about anti-climatical! Been told to contact the consulate if we haven't received our passports back in 2 weeks.
So, detailed run down. Our appointment was for 9am, we got to the consulate at 8. Went up to the 10th floor, through security, ID checked, names ticked off a list We were staying in a hotel around the corner so we didn't take electronics, bags, etc. It was just the forms in a paper envelope, a book to read, wallet and sunnies. The sunnies had to stay with security. Waited for a couple of minutes at level 10 before we were ushered into the elevator to level 59. Had our ID checked again at the security door, then we went in, took a number and took our seat.
Waited maybe 20 minutes before we were first called up. The lady took all our forms, sent me to pay the fees at another window (TAKE CASH!! - They do accept credit card payments, but not EFTPOS, but they prefer cash), You get 2 receipts - one to go with your forms and one to keep. Handed the first lady the forms receipt (they are marked differently) and we sat back down while she collated all the information.
With regards to our additional trip to the US, I had written the dates/places on a separate piece of paper. She took that too and attached photocopies of it to our application. The paper also had our US address and an additional place we've lived since the May forms. Oh, the US address you give, didn't even think about it, but you have to provide the name of the person who lives there too.
Called up to the same lady about 30 minutes later and were told all was in order, except for the doctor not filling in a section on my medical, so the visa won't be approved today but only because of the extra processing to get that information. Apparently it happens every now and then so she wasn't at all concerned. I was pretty angry, but what can ya do. She took our fingerprints and we sat down again.
Third call up was the actual interview - different window, different employee. We swore an oath to tell the truth, and that all information on the forms we had submitted was true and correct. And then the questions - Why do you want to move to America, Do you know anyone over there (family/friends), How are you related to the woman standing next to you, How did you meet. He went through my hubby's forms, asked if we had the original of our marriage certificate as the first lady had forgotten to stamp the copy. Ask my hubby about a couple of medical conditions he has - how they are control and how easy is the medication to get.
Then my turn - what do you do, was there any problem with your medical. He then told me the doctor had not filled in a section, that it happens and they will follow up with the doctor. It will take an extra week or so for processing, but everything is ok other than that. So, not approved today, but not to worry.
We left about 90 minutes after we arrived.
When we got back to the hotel my husband's phone was ringing - it was the consulate and there was a problem with our fingerprints so could we come back. AGH! Just more to make the story more interesting when we tell our American grandkids! lol. So back we go, through security on the 10th floor. Realised that we'd left our passports at the hotel - we literally grabbed my wallet, his phone and ran! But the security on the 59th floor ushered us straight in - obviously they'd been told we were coming back. The lady on the phone told us to go straight back to our interview window when we got there. We did, waited maybe 10 minutes while our guy finished interviewing someone. He re-took hubby's left hand and my right. And we were out the door again.
Oh, I asked about visa activation time too - our guy told us for DV it's 6 months from the date of your medical.
Pointers for interview - DEFINATELY get there early! A lot of people arrived around 9 and the place heats up with the morning sun. I would hate to imagine what it would be like mid morning.
Take a book
Have your paperwork in order - original then copy, Principle applicants details on top, express post at the bottom
Keep your answers short and be happy. No good can come of being crabby with them
I read on this form about not being able to take plastic folders up with you, but there were a lot of people with those today. Plus one couple with 3 big folders information (but I think they might have been doing a family sponsored visa, not DV).
Yes everyone can hear you because of the screens, but unless you're at the centre windows the waiting people can't hear you.
We had been looking forward to getting that little slip of paper saying you've been approved and to not get that, but still know you're going to get a visa is totally not the same. We both feel very drained and have kinda crashed out for the day.
let me tell you, it's pretty damn confronting to tick that box!
