Interview at USEM Abu Dhabi

[JSVP08 3]

Interview at USEM-Abu Dhabi, UAE (28-6-09)

Eversince we started this journey, it was rather difficult to find source/s or actual experiences of those who aren't a native of this country but happens to be on a temporary resident here, hence the visa application. I would like to share this to you- hoping it will help and give u an idea of how interviews are done based on my experience. Here we go.

Everyone’s interview appointment starts at 10am.Whoever comes first in line has a good chance to finish first. Entry to the bldg starts at 9-9:30am, no ID needed. No worries about anything that is not allowed to be brought inside the main bldg because they have lockers or boxes at the waiting area for deposit and retrieve after transaction. They are all polite from the guard up to the COs. At 10 am, they start calling by 10's according to how we were seated at the waiting area. We couldn’t be more than 30. We first got on line to the cashiers window to submit our appointment letters and was given our respective numbers. Went to seat and waited to be called by the pre-screener.

I was called close to 1 hour of waiting already. There were total of 11 windows (3 for US Citizen Services, 3 for Non-immigrant Visas, 3 for Immigrant Visas, 2 windows for Cashiers). At first there were 2 pre-screeners then later on it was only 1 and 1 for final interview. I think this was the reason why waiting is longer than it should be owing to how fast the actual interview duration and that we were less than 30 on that day. I was called at window 11. The pre-screener is not a Caucasian, probably of Indian or Arab descent. (I got his name) The pre-screener took my forms (Btw,I submitted those forms on line and not those mailed to me by USEM AD), passport, original NBI-Ph (other police certificates weren’t even mentioned nor asked), copy of my BC, NBAD receipt of payment and medical result(leaving me my big x-ray to bring back home all the way to Dxb ). He did some review based on our I-129F and commented that my SO isn’t old. It’s a good case he said and went on to add that some are like 25 and 75 y.o. couple. After collection of my basic requirements he advised to be seated and wait for the CO (final interview). This was the grueling long wait because I felt like everyone was going ahead of me. Eventhou I was watching and can even hear them talk during the interview, I couldn’t understand one bit because none speaks English. I kept to myself while everyone was chattering and were speaking in their native language. (all Arabs but from different parts of GCC). I am the only Asian there. It was ok thou except that I couldn’t get any ideas nor clue what were being asked or what was the result of their visa application except for one lady that actually said “YES” matching with hand gripping. That sure was a sign of approval however I notice most of them have to check their visa on line then come back to give their passports. My conclusion is, these are maybe those who have to undergo AP (administrative processing) even with an approved interview and/or visa.

Finally, I was called 3rd to the last of the batch. I guess it helped that I have waited so long and got to be 1.5 meters away from the cubicle/booth (whatever u call it)helped me relax and composed by the time it was my turn. The CO saw me long enough before the interview. She made me signed first the 156K and did my finger scanned. Then the Q&A. She was browsing our I-129F while asking me these questions:

How long have you known your fiancé?

How do you communicate?

Was he married before?

When was he divorced?

What does he do?

Where does he work?

Where does he live?

That’s it. Then she said, I want to see pictures. I volunteered those I brought but she said no need. I have some here (from I-129F) and went on to look. She was all smiles. Makes me wonder if it was our pose or what my SO wrote as caption on the pictures . After that she said, this is a very good case. I will keep your passport and it will be ready for (while looking at the calendar) pick up on Wednesday 2pm. I want to be really sure so I asked her, what am I going to tell my fiancé now? She said “you are approved!” while she was all smiles.

What a relief! and Thank you God so much!! Ops as of this writing….I haven’t been back to AD to collect my visa due to work schedule. Probably on Monday (6th of July).

Overall, the USEM AD is “high five”. Not too many people queuing but it take time to wait due to rather 1 CO to 30 ratios for the whole day.

Footnote: I brought maybe 5kg of documents/papers as evidences but nothing was used/asked from there. However I would still recommend being overly prepared rather than unprepared. You never know what they might ask. Every case is different.

In conclusion, I would like to add that the decision whether a visa is approved or not does not solely fall from the CO interviewer. By the time our visa process is handed to the CO- there has to be a big percentage of approval or not from the case reviewer inside (if any) and the one we actually face to face with just finishes the procedure and who knows the visa applicant tumbles and finds any sign for caution and probability to land for further review…otherwise if you are well composed and know your partner by heart- they ask simple questions. It maybe also a sort of testing that the one in front of them is the same person on visa process. Just my 2 cents!

I am done at most 2 hours. My Uncle Gil who drove me to a 1.5 hours drive from Dubai and waited at parking lot for an hour (he went on to do his busines for the first 1 hour) commented that it was worth the 40+ degrees of heat outside.

Bless to everyone and THank you bunches to all who have answered my vj inquiries and pm's !! and may we all get visa approval and be reunited to our SOs.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Congrats!

[Jokris27 0]

congratulations

[JSVP08 3]

thank u guys!! Bless u

[deer 1]

thank u guys!! Bless u

Congratulations! I am very happy for you! And thank YOU for all your help and advice so far! You are a blessing and inspiration to my fiancee and I. She is also Asian and living in Dubai. God bless!

[JSVP08 3]

thank u guys!! Bless u

Congratulations! I am very happy for you! And thank YOU for all your help and advice so far! You are a blessing and inspiration to my fiancee and I. She is also Asian and living in Dubai. God bless!

ur very much welcome!! will be here to answer your inquiries should u want to verify /ask anything about our journey- hoping it will help you.

bless you

[JSVP08 3]

Interview at USEM-Abu Dhabi, UAE (28-6-09)

Eversince we started this journey, it was rather difficult to find source/s or actual experiences of those who aren't a native of this country but happens to be on a temporary resident here, hence the visa application. I would like to share this to you- hoping it will help and give u an idea of how interviews are done based on my experience. Here we go.

Everyone’s interview appointment starts at 10am.Whoever comes first in line has a good chance to finish first. Entry to the bldg starts at 9-9:30am, no ID needed. No worries about anything that is not allowed to be brought inside the main bldg because they have lockers or boxes at the waiting area for deposit and retrieve after transaction. They are all polite from the guard up to the COs. At 10 am, they start calling by 10's according to how we were seated at the waiting area. We couldn’t be more than 30. We first got on line to the cashiers window to submit our appointment letters and was given our respective numbers. Went to seat and waited to be called by the pre-screener.

I was called close to 1 hour of waiting already. There were total of 11 windows (3 for US Citizen Services, 3 for Non-immigrant Visas, 3 for Immigrant Visas, 2 windows for Cashiers). At first there were 2 pre-screeners then later on it was only 1 and 1 for final interview. I think this was the reason why waiting is longer than it should be owing to how fast the actual interview duration and that we were less than 30 on that day. I was called at window 11. The pre-screener is not a Caucasian, probably of Indian or Arab descent. (I got his name) The pre-screener took my forms (Btw,I submitted those forms on line and not those mailed to me by USEM AD), passport, original NBI-Ph (other police certificates weren’t even mentioned nor asked), copy of my BC, NBAD receipt of payment and medical result(leaving me my big x-ray to bring back home all the way to Dxb ). He did some review based on our I-129F and commented that my SO isn’t old. It’s a good case he said and went on to add that some are like 25 and 75 y.o. couple. After collection of my basic requirements he advised to be seated and wait for the CO (final interview). This was the grueling long wait because I felt like everyone was going ahead of me. Eventhou I was watching and can even hear them talk during the interview, I couldn’t understand one bit because none speaks English. I kept to myself while everyone was chattering and were speaking in their native language. (all Arabs from different states of UAE and some i think were Iranians). I am the only Asian there. It was ok thou except that I couldn’t get any ideas nor clue what were being asked or what was the result of their visa application except for one lady that actually said “YES” matching with hand gripping. That sure was a sign of approval however I notice most of them have to check their visa on line then come back to give their passports. My conclusion is, these are maybe those who have to undergo AP (administrative processing) even with an approved interview and/or visa.

Finally, I was called 3rd to the last of the batch. I guess it helped that I have waited so long and got to be 1.5 meters away from the cubicle/booth (whatever u call it)helped me relax and composed by the time it was my turn. The CO saw me long enough before the interview. She made me signed first the 156K and did my finger scanned. Then the Q&A. She was browsing our I-129F while asking me these questions:

How long have you known your fiancé?

Where/how did you meet?

How do you communicate?

Was he married before?

When was he divorced?

What does he do?

Where does he work?

Where does he live?

That’s it. Then she said, I want to see pictures. I volunteered those I brought but she said no need. I have some here (from I-129F) and went on to look. She was all smiles. Makes me wonder if it was our pose or what my SO wrote as caption on the pictures . After that she said, this is a very good case. I will keep your passport and it will be ready for (while looking at the calendar) pick up on Wednesday 2pm. I want to be really sure so I asked her, what am I going to tell my fiancé now? She said “you are approved!” while she was all smiles.

What a relief! and Thank you God so much!! Ops as of this writing….I haven’t been back to AD to collect my visa due to work schedule. Probably on Monday (6th of July).

Overall, the USEM AD is “high five”. Not too many people queuing but it take time to wait due to rather 1 CO to 30 ratios for the whole day.

Footnote: I brought maybe 5kg of documents/papers as evidences but nothing was used/asked from there. However I would still recommend being overly prepared rather than unprepared. You never know what they might ask. Every case is different.

In conclusion, I would like to add that the decision whether a visa is approved or not does not solely fall from the CO interviewer. By the time our visa process is handed to the CO- there has to be a big percentage of approval or not from the case reviewer inside (if any) and the one we actually face to face with just finishes the procedure and who knows the visa applicant tumbles and finds any sign for caution and probability to land for further review…otherwise if you are well composed and know your partner by heart- they ask simple questions. It maybe also a sort of testing that the one in front of them is the same person on visa process. Just my 2 cents!

I am done at most 2 hours. My Uncle Gil who drove me to a 1.5 hours drive from Dubai and waited at parking lot for an hour (he went on to do his busines for the first 1 hour) commented that it was worth the 40+ degrees of heat outside.

Bless to everyone and THank you bunches to all who have answered my vj inquiries and pm's !! and may we all get visa approval and be reunited to our SOs.

ps edited that highlighted and added another question that i forgot.

[AbbynSheryl 0]

congrats

thank u for sharing

abby n sheryl

[JSVP08 3]

congrats

thank u for sharing

abby n sheryl

hey i just read your comment...tnxx too and best of luck for the interview.....i know youll get it... your love for each other will pave the way!! cheers !!

[positive girl:) 1]

I just finished reading your very detailed interview experience. thank you for sharing this one, my interview will be on April 22, 2012, I know your experience happened few years ago but its a relief to hear someones experience. After reading what you wrote it made me feel relax, I'm very stressed and quite nervous about this interview. Sleepless nights and thinking too much of what other things i need to prepare. This is really enlightening. Again thank you so much! Hope everything will turn out to be good on my interview as well! God bless!

Edited April 20, 2012 by positive girl:)

[beejay 123]

I just finished reading your very detailed interview experience. thank you for sharing this one, my interview will be on April 22, 2012, I know your experience happened few years ago but its a relief to hear someones experience. After reading what you wrote it made me feel relax, I'm very stressed and quite nervous about this interview. Sleepless nights and thinking too much of what other things i need to prepare. This is really enlightening. Again thank you so much! Hope everything will turn out to be good on my interview as well! God bless!

Don't worry sis, you will be fine!

Good luck on the 22nd