US Embassy Visa Interview Experience and Tips

 FLASHBACK
When I was a kid, we always passed by Roxas Blvd on our way to Luneta. I remembered asking my mother, why are there so many people lining up on that building..(my little finger pointing to US Embassy).

FASTFORWARD
Never I thought I will be one of them.

As early as 6am I was in the gate of US Embassy for my 8am interview. This is the very first time I was so early in an appointment, work, meetings or what-have-you. Im still sleepy at that time, not because I woke up early, but because I did not sleep!! I was so nervous that I cannot even close my eyes to take a nap.

The things I brought:
Passport
Appointment Letter
DS-156 form
DS-157 form
Petition Letter
Contract
Pictures of my family, kids
Documents ( birth certificates, Marriage contract, previous and present employment certificate )
Rosary

Bring all documents that you think that will help you ( car registration, bank accounts, etc ) BUT DONT GIVE TO THE CONSUL UNLESS THEY WILL ASK FOR IT!!

INSIDE THE EMBASSY
its a waiting game again. You will be directed to fall in line to a booth. Manning that booth is a Filipino employee, he will check your documents and asks questions. They will give you a number for finger scanning. After 40 minutes my number was called and I was directed to go inside together with other visa applicants.

FINGER PRINTING
Still nervous... after waiting for the three people infront of me to finished their scanning, I was greeted by the american lady who looks like Princess Diana. "How are you doing today..are you nervous?". "Im fine, thanks for asking" was my reply as she tries to calm my hands. After two attempts of scanning my finger I was told to wait again for the interview.

CONSUL INTERVIEW
After waiting for another 30 minutes I was told to go inside the building again. Together with other applicants we went inside and sat on the gang chair like patients waiting for our doctors to call us.
Just infront of us are the consuls on each windows. The distance are almost near to where I sat. I can hear their questions (FBI style questioning), I can see them handling , I can hear visa applicants pleading their case, I can see some are crying after the interview and I can hear my own heartbeat.

Im getting nervous to the max! At that time almost all consuls are denying visas, especially at window #9, the skin head consul who knows to speak Filipino.

Good thing before my number was called , I was transferred to interview area just inside the building also. I think that room is intended for the fiancee and seamans visa applicants.

I was assigned to a consul who looks mean. He is tall bald, with mustache and beard. He reminds me of a Harley Davidson junkie.

As I approached his window, I greet him with a smile and he began asking the following questions:

why are you going to USA/ what is your purpose?
im going there as H2b worker
who is your employer?
my employer is ______________
what is your job there?
housekeeper
where will you stay?
exact address at colorado
how long you will stay?
until may 11, 2009
after the contract what is your plan?
i will go back to the philippines
are you single or married?
im married with 3 kids

After I answered these questions, there was 20 seconds silence. Im expecting him to say that he cannot give me visa at this time due to the economic situation in the USA. But lo and behold, "Go to Air 21 booth and pay delivery fee, you will go to Colorado, Goodluck"

Lucky for me the questions are so basic and simple. Good thing I hold my ground because Im having the tendency to elaborate and expound my answers.

THIS IS IT

After the long wait, so many sleepness nights, preparation, attending masses at Baclaran and Antipolo..this is it. Thanks God.


Passing the US Embassy visa interview is not a perfect science. Eventhough you answered questions correctly, or dressed in business or casual attire it is still up to them whether they will give you a visa or not.

Here are some tips and experiences that may help you during the interview.

Answer questions honestly ( including in the DS 156 157 forms)
when answering, talk confidently, smile, and look into their eyes. they are trained to know whether a person is telling a lie or not.
one applicant on our agency was approved on the visa and paid the delivery fee but when he received the passport it came with a letter stating his visa application was denied. US Consul made a call to the previous employer indicated in his forms for verification and they found out that he is not working there.

Less Talk Less Mistake
answer question briefly. if it is answerable by yes or no, just answer it by yes or no. dont elaborate. consuls are stress and pressured by time also, imagine they are interviewing thousands of applicants on a single day.

Proving Ties
They dont care what will you do in their country. They care if you will come back or not. All consuls assume that all visa applicants will be illegal alien. So if you do not guarantee or assure them that you will return, chances are you will be denied. Ties with your country includes your family, property, savings, education etc.

What if Questions/ Tricky Questions
Think before you answer.
My friend was asked by the consul " What if the company promote you to a higher position or extend your stay? " He answered that he will grab the opportunity. He was denied because they think he has no plan do return home and stay there for good.


Attitude
Be on time on the interview. Smile always, greet the consul as you approached them and return their greetings.
Be confident.
Dont expect that you will pass the interview. This will only add pressure to you.
If you dont passed the interview, dont be upset. Its not the end of the world.
Always pray. It helps me a lot.

Goodluck on your interview!!