I just had my VISA INTERVIEW...

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>So I had my interview this morning. I was not formally refused or accept but, all of my documents were in order.</p>

<p>I'm not exactly worried, but I'm a bit uneasy because I never heard of such a thing before.</p>

<p>Here is the reason why I have to wait longer to get my application processed:</p>

<p>Dear applicant:</p>

<p>This office is unable to conclude processing your non-immigrant visa application at this time, as we require additional information. Further action in your case has been suspended under 221(g) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, pending the receipt of the information and documents below.</p>

<p>[Note: This is just a general statement, I did have and show all the required documentation]</p>

<p>Please provide the additional supplemental information specified below. Detailed and concise documents will enable us to process your case in a timely matter. You may present this letter along with the requested information indicated below any business day at 7:30 a.m., except Fridays.</p>

<p>[X] Your application requires administrative processing which may take approximately one month, the visa unit will then contact you when your case is completed. If you do not hear from this Embassy you may contact us on telephone 592-225-7965/66, Monday through Thursday between 8:00 am 4:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, or via e-mail to <a href="mailto:visageorge@state.gov">visageorge@state.gov</a></p>

<p>Does anyone have suggestions for me? What does this mean for me? Should I be worried?</p>

<p>Anyway, to help others, here's how my interview:</p>

<p>I = Interviewer, female
Me = me, duh</p>

<p>I: Hey how are you?
Me: Pretty good, how about you?</p>

<p>I: Why do you want to go to the US?
Me: To pursue undergraduate studies at named college</p>

<p>I: Why do you want to go this college and how did you hear about it?
Me: A teacher actually suggested this college. I did further research and I found that it as a perfect match. I liked that the school has a low faculty to student ratio. In addition, they have a good Biology program. Also, I was awarded a very generous scholarship and financial aid package from the college.</p>

<p>I: [asked for SAT scores and GCSE]
Me: [I handed over] > [she was impressed by my GCSE grades]</p>

<p>I: [asked about type of aid]
Me: Grant and loan
I: [asked for ratio of grant to loan]
Ne: [showed my financial aid award letter</p>

<p>I: [asked about career plans]
Me: [I mention that I'm interested in environmental science and that this industry is quickly growing in my country and the government recently implemented this climate change thing so I explain that and the possible career options there]</p>

<p>I: What do your parents do?
Me: [answered]
I: What's your father's monthly salary
Me: [answered, I wanted to give her the letter from the company she she said it was fine]</p>

<p>I: Whose paying?
Me: Parents</p>

<p>I: Any relatives in US?
Me: Just an Uncle in [state].</p>

<p>I: When do you have to start classes?
Me: August [xxth], us internationals have to reach one week earlier for a special orientation.</p>

<p>[Note: the order of her questions may be slightly mixed up sorry]</p>

<p>Then she asked me if I have sufficient funds for the first year, I showed her bank statement for four years.</p>

<p>All through this she was typing vigorously lol. Uh at the end she printed off this letter [typed out above saying why I need to wait]. Here's what she said:</p>

<p>Your application is a special case and as a result it requires further administrative processing.</p>

<p>I'm actually quite glad you applied early because we'd like you to reach/start college on time.</p>

<p>=</p>

<p>Overall, it wasn't a bad interview, but I'm still uneasy and curious about my status. I was nervous at first but I talked to others and I was fine. There were some very very hot people int he waiting room, so that helped a bit haha!</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

2

<p>One or two years ago a poster on CC said that the consulate ran a background check on him before issuing a visa, supposedly because his name matched that of someone “very ineligible” for a visa.</p>

<p>I don’t think you need to be concerned: “I’m actually quite glad you applied early because we’d like you to reach/start college on time.” Sounds like internal red tape. If there was something wrong with your application, you would have been told.</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much barium!</p>

<p>What does ‘internal red tape’ mean though?</p>

4

<p>I am just wondering, where are you from? In my country it’s impossible for visa officers to ask so many questions. Usually they ask “why do you choose America?” “How many schools have you applied to, and why choose this one?” and they don’t even take a look at materials such as bank statements etc. I am going to have my visa interview soon so I am sort of nervous…
and I quite agree with batrium. "
I’m actually quite glad you applied early because we’d like you to reach/start college on time." seems to me an indication that you will successfully get a visa, but perhaps a bit later than other students.</p>

5

<p>Okay. The interview was actually quite short! Don’t let the length of the post fool you. I spent 1.5-2 mins max.</p>

<p>Don’t be nervous. I was nervous before going in, just calm down. My interviewer was quite down to earth I loved her. She looked quite young. Just be totally honest, you’re not there for anything else.</p>

6

<p>I see. Thanks a looot for your advice! and hope you could get your visa soon! :smiley: :D</p>

7

<p>No problem. All the best and thank you!</p>

8

<p>Good luck ^_^</p>

9

<p>I don’t think it’s anything to be worried about!!</p>

<p>If there was a problem, or if you were rejected - I believe you’d have been told right away. Fingers crossed that your visa is issued even before a month is up!!</p>

10

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>What’s strange is that she didn’t even ask about my ties and evidence for coming back O_O I didn’t even to get show her my employment letter from dad’s company. She also did not keep anything other document except a copy of my I-20.</p>

11

<p>Wow! Guys, I got a call today. I have to be at the embassy on Monday with just my passport and the letter they gave to me.</p>

<p>Looks like I’ve got it :)</p>

12

<p>That’s great news! I am glad that everything worked out. </p>

<p>Thank you for keeping us in the loop. :)</p>

13

<p>Well, I got my Visa!!!</p>

<p>I have to return to the embassy in two days to uplift it.</p>

<p>It’s all over! … for now :)</p>

14

<p>wow! Congrats!!! I had my interview yesterday and my visa was approved too! The visa officer asked me only two questions:
1 Why do you want to study in America?
2 How many schools have you applied to?
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :D</p>

15

<p>Congrats to lucky you, dawncoming! They did not ask to see any documents from you at all?</p>

<p>Please help:</p>

<p>I’m bringing a bunch of important document: housing proof, parents’ pay slips, etc. Will they actually ask for a copy of some of these at their whim and fancy?</p>

<p>Must I photocopy all these documents? Or are originals just fine for them to browse?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

16

<p>@mamaroneck: Nope! He didn’t ask for any documents!! :smiley: :smiley: Only two questions, and then I got it! the whole process lasted no longer than 20 seconds! :smiley: </p>

<p>I think you should bring originals, not copies. I brought four portfolios of docs myself, all originals. :slight_smile: good luck to you then!</p>

17

<p>Also, make sure you know the location of each document. You don’t wanna waste the officer’s time by fumbling around look for a document.</p>

18

<p>It was quite easy here in Poland as well. I brought a whole lot of documents with me. However, they only took a look at these forms they asked me to fill as well as I-20. The interview, if I can call it like that, lasted like 1-2 minutes. It was more like a conversation actually. I was asked about my major etc. and at the end the lady congratulated me on getting into my school.
It was not all that pleasant, however. Although the interview took just a while the whole process lasted about two hours. Standing in lines etc. was horrible. My number in like was something around 160. I was just glad there was something to read, because they did not let me take my phone in, so I could not read NYT.</p>

19

<p>My interview was also a joke - I didn’t have to show any supporting documents lol</p>

<p>Just started talking about homeschooling with the admissions officer (I wasn’t homeschooled, I just have some involvement with homeschooled kids)</p>

<p>Lasted about 10min. So much security to get in tho.</p>

20

<p>no problem here in Nepal as well. the guy didnt look at my documents at all. All he did was look into the I-20 (which they took earlier) and during the 2 minute interview, spent most of the time lookin stuff on his computer.</p>