DV interview experience
Santiago, Chile
We arrived at the Embassy at 10:45 and had to wait in line outdoors as there is limited capacity to hold arrivals at the security checkpoint. We were duly screened and welcomed to proceed to the inner hall. Not really a busy place; Chile’s entry to the Visa Waiver Program since 2014 has left much of this post clear, serving only expat American citizens, immigrant and a few cases of non-immigrant visas. Anyway, we sat down for about 10 minutes before hearing my name called to window 6. The officer was a very kind lady, Spanish-speaking with native local accent. Before anything, I was told to go to the cashier and pay the fees. When done, I went back to the lady who called us first and handed over the receipts.
Then I was requested to hand over all the usual documents: birth and marriage certs, police clearance for every country we had lived in (4 total in our case), passport and high school diploma. In addition, she requested copy of my University diploma and work references from my previous 3 jobs. We had every single document translated into English; it adds a bit more of a cost but the effort is truly worth at the end, believe me. We were asked the usual: When and where did you marry? For how long have you lived in country A, country B? Do you hold other citizenships?
At this point I must explain that my case involved cross-chargeability since I was born in Chile but charged to Venezuela (where I grew up and attended Kindergarten, School and University). I brought both passports to the interview as well as a printed copy of the 9 FAM 502.6 (Foreign Affairs Manual) which covers the legal status of such applications. I was prepared to expect a lot of arguing about that but fortunately -as discussed many times in this forum and Simon's blog
BritSimonSays.com - this was nothing of an issue. I presume by both being countries within the same region -SA- the allocation of visas does not affect the chances within the region as a whole.
After a few more random questions regarding my work experience and life history I was requested to take a seat again and wait to be interviewed by the main consular officer. 15 minutes later all the family members were called to window 2. Another very kind lady and also Spanish-speaking with a bit of an American accent. We were requested to raise our right hands and swear and put our fingerprints. She then said “Congratulations!” and informed our passports will be ready for pick up a week later. Then I recalled our B2 visas (all stamped in already expired passports) were not yet cancelled. I asked about that and she said “Oh! of course! Please give me your old visas”. She proceeded with the cancellation and then we were done. Very smooth.
A week later I went back to the Embassy to get our passports. I noticed a couple of typos in my wife and son stamps, told the very same lady about that. She informed it would take one more week to fix it; and so it did. USCIS fees are already paid and now we are finishing our suitcases.
I would like to finish my testimony by expressing my gratitute towards
@Britsimon ,
@SusieQQQ ,
@Sm1smom and all the members for their invaluable collaboration and support. Their disposition and openness have been key not only to mine but to the cases of many around here. As he has pointed out many times, there is no need to get lawyers involved as this process is really straightforward once you have read and understood the directions given in first place at the official website
travel.state.gov and also here.
I wish nothing but success to all people visiting this site. May your dreams come all true. Be patient, read a lot and try to understand as much as you can. If not, then ask. Most of the problems can be fixed if you are honest and sincere.
