AW1991
Member
Good morning all I just had my interview and I figured I'd share my experience with you'll because I know how much it helps.
I arrived at the embassy at 7:00am on the dot (my appointment was at 7:30am). There were two lines one for immigrant and one for non immigrant. I joined immigrant and ahead of me was a dad and a son and a mother and her two daughters.
At precisely 7:15am they began checking passports and confirmation letters. They ushered me inside where I had the security check. All I had with me was a case with all my docs so that was quick.
By 7:30 I was inside and I presented my documents to an admistrative assistant who gave me a folder to put all the documents I needed to present my case. These docs need to be in a particular order. When I was done I waited for about 10 minutes and was called to the interview booth.
At the interview booth I was greeted by a very friendly woman who asked me to present my original passport, police certificates, photos and education certificates. She then asked me to present the copies and instructed me to go pay, which I did in local currency (TTD $2,128.50). I was then told to sit and I waited (nervously) for what felt like 30-45 minutes watching the two families before me go inside and very unsuccessfully reading their faces to see what decision was made. All the while I kept saying in my head "your immigrant visa has been approved" to project good energy.
At 8:30am I was called to the booth and was greeted warmly by the CO. These are the questions that I remember her asking me.
Have you ever been married?
Have you ever lived anywhere else?
What's the longest you have ever stayed in the US?
Do you have family in the US?
How many times have you been to the US?
Where do you intend on staying?
Is this the first time entering the lottery?
The system was giving some trouble (I assumed from the worldwide issues) so outside of those questions, we made a lot of small talk, which definitely added a relaxed vibe to the interview and it started to seem like more of a conversation. She told me its not going to be easy, but my degree is a good degree so I should be fine and she joked that she was surprised I hadn't been married in the last year when I won because lots of trinis do that haha. I told her I intend on staying single for a while lol. At some point she asked her coworker why she couldn't apply the approved rating to my case so I knew I was safe . After waiting for what felt like forever for the system to restart etc,she congratulated me and told me that since they are on the tail end of things. The visa will take a couple weeks to be returned. I thanked her and wished her a good day and left feeling relieved. My passport expiring in less than 6 months was a non issue (though i think its because of the extension agreement we have with the US) and also not bringing my old passport with my old visa wasnt one either (though they did ask for it)
I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for their help with my particular issues and also the love and support that you guys show to people seeking information. You'll made this 100 times easier and I am very grateful. I wish success for everyone who still has their interview and to those who have not won keep trying becaue you never know! Lastly my best advice is to be as prepared as possible. Make copies of everything and gather all documents early. Also, relax! The interview is just a verification process and a friendly conversation.
Cheers
I arrived at the embassy at 7:00am on the dot (my appointment was at 7:30am). There were two lines one for immigrant and one for non immigrant. I joined immigrant and ahead of me was a dad and a son and a mother and her two daughters.
At precisely 7:15am they began checking passports and confirmation letters. They ushered me inside where I had the security check. All I had with me was a case with all my docs so that was quick.
By 7:30 I was inside and I presented my documents to an admistrative assistant who gave me a folder to put all the documents I needed to present my case. These docs need to be in a particular order. When I was done I waited for about 10 minutes and was called to the interview booth.
At the interview booth I was greeted by a very friendly woman who asked me to present my original passport, police certificates, photos and education certificates. She then asked me to present the copies and instructed me to go pay, which I did in local currency (TTD $2,128.50). I was then told to sit and I waited (nervously) for what felt like 30-45 minutes watching the two families before me go inside and very unsuccessfully reading their faces to see what decision was made. All the while I kept saying in my head "your immigrant visa has been approved" to project good energy.
At 8:30am I was called to the booth and was greeted warmly by the CO. These are the questions that I remember her asking me.
Have you ever been married?
Have you ever lived anywhere else?
What's the longest you have ever stayed in the US?
Do you have family in the US?
How many times have you been to the US?
Where do you intend on staying?
Is this the first time entering the lottery?
The system was giving some trouble (I assumed from the worldwide issues) so outside of those questions, we made a lot of small talk, which definitely added a relaxed vibe to the interview and it started to seem like more of a conversation. She told me its not going to be easy, but my degree is a good degree so I should be fine and she joked that she was surprised I hadn't been married in the last year when I won because lots of trinis do that haha. I told her I intend on staying single for a while lol. At some point she asked her coworker why she couldn't apply the approved rating to my case so I knew I was safe . After waiting for what felt like forever for the system to restart etc,she congratulated me and told me that since they are on the tail end of things. The visa will take a couple weeks to be returned. I thanked her and wished her a good day and left feeling relieved. My passport expiring in less than 6 months was a non issue (though i think its because of the extension agreement we have with the US) and also not bringing my old passport with my old visa wasnt one either (though they did ask for it)
I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for their help with my particular issues and also the love and support that you guys show to people seeking information. You'll made this 100 times easier and I am very grateful. I wish success for everyone who still has their interview and to those who have not won keep trying becaue you never know! Lastly my best advice is to be as prepared as possible. Make copies of everything and gather all documents early. Also, relax! The interview is just a verification process and a friendly conversation.
Cheers
