Visa Interview

[gensdad515 2]

The interview was at 8:30 am , we arrived at the consulate about 8am. One of the guards at the front was a little rude when my fiancee inquired on taking in her purse. She thought it only applied to large purses, she took a very small one, the blackberry barely fit. But she had to go back to the car to put it away. So 1st words of advice do not take anything other that the documents that are requested, they do not let you in with anything.

Have to comment though the place needs a little snack machine or something, no food is allowed and they have nothing inside.

Once inside we 1st were instructed to wait upstairs (the kids area). The room is a little bigger than the one downstairs and less cluttered. Finally we were called 1st time about 10:30 in the morn. We were instructed to go down to one of the windows downstairs. About 4 people were called, when we got to the window the lady asked why we were there. We advised her that we had been called and told to go to that window. She then talked very briefly with another employee and then instructed us to sit down that we would be called again. Half an hour later we were called again. Went back to the same window, with the same lady. She then requested the paperwork, medical exam papers, test results and the proof of a relationship. She asked my fiancee a couple of questions, how we met, where we worked at the time, where we were working now, how many times did we see each other (visits), incquired on my previous wife (just 1 question). My fiancee then gave her the condensed story on how we met. She then instructed us to sit back down, that we would be called again.

Again, about 30 min later we were called again. My fiancee was instructed to go to another window were they took her fingerprints. Then it was back to the same room, sit down again and wait to be called once again. One more time. 30 min later we were called again. We had been listening to some of the interviews, there was this one man that seemed a little curt with the people, and seemed a tad impatient. We were hoping that he would not be the one my fiancee would have to go to, but as life is he was the one she went to. She went into the little booth, I was sitting in the chair right behind. The man 1st started to ask my fiancee's daughter some questions. What do you do for a living ? ( he was playing with her so that she would not feel left out.) Fiancees daughter commented that she was hungry, he asked her what she liked to eat. She responded Ice cream , he told her that she needs to eat something more healthy like a steak or a salad. He was very pleasent, smiling. He then started to ask my fiancee how our relationship came about. She went with a little more detail this time, stating on how we met each other, then finally met in person etc. He looked over the paperwork, looked at the pictures and some of the emails as he was listening to the story. He then told my fiancee that everything seemed good, that we had been approved and that the visa would be remitted by DHL and would be receieved within 7 to 10 working days.

That was it, no hard time, no nasty glances or questions I was there behind her whenever she was called, but I do not even think they looked at me. Except for the wait time could not really say it could have gone any better for us. Wish well for all others that have to go, do not hesitate to ask any questions. Thanks and good luck to all. Jorge

[Mononoke28 135]

Thanks for the info Jorge and congratulations!!!

Diana

[TBoneTX 46,173]

Unbelievable, Bro -- you're blessed, si man! Please bear in mind that if you post a positive (or non-negative) review of this consulate, people will get the wrong idea about the hellhole. To whatever you write, please consider adding a caveat to say that MANY have been hosed there.

The above plea does not diminish my joy to hear that you were one of the lucky exceptions to the norm, si man!

Edited February 3, 2009 by TBoneTX

[frali 2]

congrats.

[gensdad515 2]

Will do Tbone.

Yes we consdier ourselves to be very, very lucky. Have to admit we both worked on our paperwork, proofs, forms over with a fine tooth comb. We checked, checked and re-checked everything. To be honest I was extremely surprised that everything went so smooth. From all I've heard from this office these are not regular results.

For those that follow the advice I have is take nothing for granted, check all your paperwork with a microscope. Take as much proof as you can muster, detail everything. Most important be extremly polite and kind with them no matter how rude they may treat you , that, will difuse them.

And, don't be nervous look at the big picture, the most they can do is delay the process, yes, it's long, frustrating and extremely tedious, but it all comes out in the end.

We feel ourselves very blessed.

Jorge

The interview was at 8:30 am , we arrived at the consulate about 8am. One of the guards at the front was a little rude when my fiancee inquired on taking in her purse. She thought it only applied to large purses, she took a very small one, the blackberry barely fit. But she had to go back to the car to put it away. So 1st words of advice do not take anything other that the documents that are requested, they do not let you in with anything.

Have to comment though the place needs a little snack machine or something, no food is allowed and they have nothing inside.

Once inside we 1st were instructed to wait upstairs (the kids area). The room is a little bigger than the one downstairs and less cluttered. Finally we were called 1st time about 10:30 in the morn. We were instructed to go down to one of the windows downstairs. About 4 people were called, when we got to the window the lady asked why we were there. We advised her that we had been called and told to go to that window. She then talked very briefly with another employee and then instructed us to sit down that we would be called again. Half an hour later we were called again. Went back to the same window, with the same lady. She then requested the paperwork, medical exam papers, test results and the proof of a relationship. She asked my fiancee a couple of questions, how we met, where we worked at the time, where we were working now, how many times did we see each other (visits), incquired on my previous wife (just 1 question). My fiancee then gave her the condensed story on how we met. She then instructed us to sit back down, that we would be called again.

Again, about 30 min later we were called again. My fiancee was instructed to go to another window were they took her fingerprints. Then it was back to the same room, sit down again and wait to be called once again. One more time. 30 min later we were called again. We had been listening to some of the interviews, there was this one man that seemed a little curt with the people, and seemed a tad impatient. We were hoping that he would not be the one my fiancee would have to go to, but as life is he was the one she went to. She went into the little booth, I was sitting in the chair right behind. The man 1st started to ask my fiancee's daughter some questions. What do you do for a living ? ( he was playing with her so that she would not feel left out.) Fiancees daughter commented that she was hungry, he asked her what she liked to eat. She responded Ice cream , he told her that she needs to eat something more healthy like a steak or a salad. He was very pleasent, smiling. He then started to ask my fiancee how our relationship came about. She went with a little more detail this time, stating on how we met each other, then finally met in person etc. He looked over the paperwork, looked at the pictures and some of the emails as he was listening to the story. He then told my fiancee that everything seemed good, that we had been approved and that the visa would be remitted by DHL and would be receieved within 7 to 10 working days.

That was it, no hard time, no nasty glances or questions I was there behind her whenever she was called, but I do not even think they looked at me. Except for the wait time could not really say it could have gone any better for us. Wish well for all others that have to go, do not hesitate to ask any questions. Thanks and good luck to all. Jorge

[TBoneTX 46,173]

Will do Tbone.

Gracias, si man.

To be honest I was extremely surprised that everything went so smooth. From all I've heard from this office these are not regular results.

Si, man... and, for all others reading this, it is a carved-in-granite requirement that the U.S. partner attend the interview -- and the consulate will never tell you this! If you are on your deathbed, you must attend! If you are already dead, dig yourself up and attend! Otherwise, you will be refused the visa!

For those that follow the advice I have is take nothing for granted, check all your paperwork with a microscope. Take as much proof as you can muster, detail everything.

Equally important is to rehearse exhaustively so that you can each answer the smallest details about each other and your relationship -- this is crucial, especially because you may be separated and subjected to a Stokes interrogation, without prior warning.

Most important be extremly polite and kind with them no matter how rude they may treat you , that, will difuse them.

I admire your attitude, si man, because most couples who go there end up infuriated and enraged.

And, don't be nervous look at the big picture, the most they can do is delay the process, yes, it's long, frustrating and extremely tedious, but it all comes out in the end.

This is important advice, in the face of incompetent bureaucracy. Sadly, the worst they can do is capriciously and arbitrarily refuse to issue visas. Unless some of the recent stories about the New Delhi consulate represent a new pattern there, no other consular post operates like Guayaquil.

We feel ourselves very blessed. -- Jorge

Again, you are, si man!

[VivaBaños 2]

Many congratulations Jorge!

celebrate a little now...but given my experience with DHL in Ecuador, save the REAL celebration for when the visa is in hand.

felicidades!

[beejay 125]

I'm a little late to the party but I wanted to say Congratulations!

[faryan 4]

The party continues, congratulations!!! :dance:

[gensdad515 2]

Thanks to all for the congrats and well wishes.

Viva we are taking it one step at a time, that's all you can do. Fiancee is monitoring the dates and as soon as the 10th day has passed and nothing has happened we'll start calling and hunting it down.

I think the key word for this process for everyone is 'persistance'.

Jorge

[apolo08 0]

Hi I have a few questions....my case was completed at NVC on march 11 2009.....They told me to call back around the third week of april to see if they have an interview date for me...My question is does someone know how long it takes for NVC to schedule an interview for Guayaquil, Ecuador???

[TBoneTX 46,173]

my case was completed at NVC on march 11 2009.....They told me to call back around the third week of april to see if they have an interview date for me...My question is does someone know how long it takes for NVC to schedule an interview for Guayaquil, Ecuador???

If the NVC says to call back when they told you to call back, that's when they expect to have an answer for you. Whenever the interview happens to be scheduled, be there in Guayaquil for it, or you will be issued a 221(g) or be refused the visa outright.