The actual interview
Sorry about the break, had to dash off to work.
Went back to the embassy this week. Was dropped off at 6.50am for a 7am appointment. It was a cold, rainy morning and so was frozen stiff! Thankfully i had carried a coat. Queued outside the main entrance according to gender where the documents I had carried were checked to confirm my appointment, visa letter and passport. Got a quick body scan here.
Entered the embassy compound and joined a long queue. Some security guy came round directing us to turn off our cellphones and asked the queue to be separated into immigrant (IV/DV) and non-immigrant (NIV). Joined the IV queue and waited to be taken through more security and to deposit my cellphone. This was the longest wait ever since they seemed to be letting the NIV guys through very quickly and the IV queue was not moving. Finally, at 8.41, I got through to the security place, left my phone and picked a tag, and headed into the embassy hall.
Once I was in the hall, there was NO-ONE at the IV window so I went there and presented my passport. The Kenyan lady there retrieved my file then asked me to take a seat near the consular officer window. When I went to seat there, found about another 15 migrants (both IV and DV) waiting to be interviewed by the CO. As soon as I sat down (8.45 to be exact), I heard my name over the intercom. Some girl at the front of the queue jumped up and headed to the CO's window and so I thought I had imagined it. She then turned with a confused look and said out my name. Jumped up and headed to the CO's window.
CO: I'm going to ask you some questions but before I do that I will ask you to take an oath and swear that you will tell me the truth and that these documents are legitimate.
ME: I do.
CO: Sign here besides the X
Me: Signed
CO: Are you married?
ME: No.
CO: Any children?
Me: No
CO: I see you scored very highly on your KCSE, did you go college?
Me: Yes
Co: Where?
ME: Answer
Co: What did you study?
ME: Yes.
CO: (Surprised) Oh, so you're a practicing......
ME: Yes
CO: Who will you live with in the States?
ME: Answer
CO: How do you know her?
Me: My mum's friend
CO: Have you met her?
ME: No.
Co: Where does your mum live?
ME: Kenya (My mum had gone to visit the States last year September and my dad was there for campus so I'm sure they had their details in the system from my birth certificate)
Co: Come for your visa tomorrow at 2pm.
Me: Thanks.
Left the main building, grabbed a cup of tea to go (was running to work) and left the embassy. Was outside the gate at 8.52. That had to be the shortest interview ever. I guess she called me ahead of the others coz my case was pretty straightforward.
So my two cents worth on the experience:
1. Be cool, calm and collected. She was not even listening keenly to my answers. She just kept nodding and saying ok, ok. This made my interview take under 1 minute. Guess if your documents are legit, you'll be good to go.
2. You require very minimal documentation, forget AOS's and all. I had an invitation letter which never even left my sleeve. Nonetheless, circumstances may differ e.g. with kids, but at most all you need is an invitation letter. As long as you have a
genuine KCSE certificate with at least D+ (unless you're qualifying on work experience), a valid PC and medicals, that's really it. I had carried my degree certificate and Masters transcripts which never even smelt the embassy air.
That guy
(Imwi) who was asking about going for the interview with all sorts of letters saying he has done KCSE, don't bother. You MUST have the original with you, or else they'll tell you they will issue the visa when they see the original. They are REQUIRED by law to see it, and make a copy for their records.
3. Carry the embassy fees in Ksh. They have the best exchange rate ever!! Even asked the cashier if I could but some dollars from her, she laughed.
The only thing that annoyed me about the whole interview experience were the security people. There are like a million of them and they kept harassing me, on both days with lines like "Si uninulie chai" and "Ukipata si utanunua lunch" ad nauseum ad infinitum. I was really ticked off, I don't see what role they had for me to "nunua chai" and also where they are, really? How dare you solicit on the grounds of an embassy that prides itself on transparency?! I'm seriously thinking of complaining to the embassy about this, I have never heard anyone complain about this so I don't know if its unique to me, but can akina
Magkin, Olyn and anyone else who has been to the Nairobi embassy, did this happen to you?
Overall, it was a great experience which I am happy is behind me. Now to pick up my visa today and make plans for the future. I'll keep you updated on the next steps. Can't wait to hear experiences from the outstanding people as they go through from getting the 2nd NL to visa issuance. I'll take the backbench for a lil' bit now and do some observing. I wish you all Godspeed, and I'm still watching the thread and anyone with questions, feel free to ask, other forumites and I shall answer.
Thanking God for His mercies and grace, I have seen His hand throughout this experience and I'll keep trusting in Him.
