My interview experience

[Dan and Ali 3]

Hey everyone -- so, it's my turn to post my interview experience! Here goes.

My interview was scheduled for 1:00 pm but got there quite a bit early. The guard outside seemed pretty unimpressed with the fact that we were there so early, haha. He was nice but he did tell us to come back closer to the appointment time, and he also did not like that we had my daughter in an "oversized" stroller (it wasn't oversized, it was an umbrella stroller. This later turned out not to be a big deal at all, but to all future interviewers ... beware that it will not be looked upon nicely, haha).

Anyway, so closer to 1 pm the security guard takes us in the outside entrance and we go through security. At this point they made us go back outside (apparently the elevator up to their floor was broken) and we were escorted by another security guard up to the 20th floor. There were two other people there interviewing for K-1 visas, and one guy I'm pretty sure for a K-3 but we didn't talk much. I was the first person to be called up and the lady I spoke with (I didn't get her name) was so friendly. She seemed happy that all of the paperwork was in order (thanks to whomever wrote the order required in the embassy info section!). She asked me if we had used a lawyer or had completed it ourselves -- I told her it had all been done by us, and mentioned the wonder that is Visa Journey She said she had heard of many people using Visa Journey before, and re-affirmed that a lawyer isn't necessary unless you have a very unique case. We chatted as she went through all of my documents and everything was fine until we got to the part about police certificates. Unfortunately, a police certificate IS required if you have been out of Canada for more than 6 months. I was under the impression (as per a table on the USCIS website) that a police certificate isn't required as long as it wasn't for more than a year, but apparently that is not so. I showed her the page I had seen that on (I had a printout) and she said that is for different visas, not for K-1 ... at least not at Vancouver, anyway. When I told her I didn't have a police certificate from Australia, she told me right then and there that my visa would not be issued to me until the certificate was received. So, that was a bummer. She went through the rest of the stuff (she honestly barely looked at the affidavit of support) and then told me to go sit down and wait for my name to be called.

I sat for about half an hour before my name was called to the other counter for fingerprinting. That took only about a second, and then another 15-20 minute wait for the actual interview. During this time the two other K-1's went through their initial screening ... one lady had everything in order but unfortunately the guy didn't have the long form birth certificate and was essentially in the same boat I was, so both of us were in pretty glum spirits, haha. Anyway, I was called up for my interview and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the lady interviewing me was the "nice Asian lady" I've read about on here, Hong. She was very friendly and right away started chatting to me about the process and generally making small talk as she went through the documents. She mentioned the lack of police certificate being a problem and stated that as soon as I had that, it would be all set ... until she then got to the part about custody. As mentioned before, I have a two year old daughter from a previous relationship. Her father had signed a letter of consent for me, but apparently the wording on this letter of consent was not firm enough. She first told me that I would require another letter with firmer writing (the one that I had said, "I do not object to her immigration and intended permanent residency status" ... she wanted it to say something more explicit like, "I give permission for the child to immigrate"). She wanted to know why I had chosen the wording that I did -- I told her I had literally taken it from the packet 3 letter where it states the letter must say the other parent has no objections to the immigration. So, after I told her that she said, "well, I am willing to accept this letter but I would encourage you to get something with stronger wording to protect yourself". I told her I can definitely do that, but I also seem to remember her saying something along the lines of "You might need to get actual custody papers" which is terrifying to me -- I have NO idea how long that would take and I am not sure that her father would be willing to give me full custody (even though I basically have it anyway, I am her sole provider and he does not contribute financially ... he also only sees her when is convenient for him). She said that she was making a note on my file about the letter I did have and they took the original, notarised copy of the letter. She stated she was making a note on my file about the circumstances of the relationship and while, at the time, I felt like I had made progress and the letter isn't such a big deal ... I'm now freaking out about it. She told me that my visa is in a state of "temporary refusal" and they gave me our passports back, as well as a letter stating I need the police certificate and custody papers (with a note beside it that said, "letter of permission for child to immigrate" in her writing).

So ... I guess where I'm at now is that I need some suggestions/templates/help on a FIRM letter of permission that I can get my daughter's father to sign. Hong actually told me to look on google and "other sites" (I honestly think she was referencing this place, haha) so ... help, please?!

Some other notes:

- She asked me how much Dan makes, to which I replied "$amount ... but in Canadian, as he lives here" and she said, "Oh, it doesn't matter." She made absolutely no mention of the fact that Dan has been living in Canada, so I guess the long and short of it is that domicile is no issue when you are applying for a K-1.

- She didn't ask me for any photos/other proof of our relationship ... however, I think this may have been because Dan was there with me (even though she did not ask to speak to him).

- The only questions she asked about our relationship were when we met (online), when we met (in person), and when we got engaged.

[lgg 2]

Well, congrats for getting to the next step right? Shouldn't be too hard to get those few little things they need -- hope it doesn't trip you up too much and that it all goes well!

Keep us posted!

LGG

[Carlawarla 1]

We chatted as she went through all of my documents and everything was fine until we got to the part about police certificates. Unfortunately, a police certificate IS required if you have been out of Canada for more than 6 months. I was under the impression (as per a table on the USCIS website) that a police certificate isn't required as long as it wasn't for more than a year, but apparently that is not so. I showed her the page I had seen that on (I had a printout) and she said that is for different visas, not for K-1 ... at least not at Vancouver, anyway.

Do you have a link to that printout? I've been here for 4 years and never seen anything like this. We always advise that if you've lived anywhere other than Canada for more than 6 months, you need a police certificate from there. The one year statement is always in reference to how long the certificate is good for.

I'm sure it's disappointing to hear that it's temporarily refused until you get those papers back to them, but if you get on it right away, I'm sure you'll have your visa soon! Thanks for sharing your review!

[darkchilde794 5]

Hi Ali! Congrats on getting to the next step. I know its a little hitch to the plan, but the plan is going on!!!

Goodluck with getting your police certificate and a new custody letter.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Oh Ali...I'm SO sorry that this didn't go smoothly for you. Your case has different circumstances, but it really sucks. With ALL due respect to the consulates, I think custody is a bit of a grey area for them. There doesn't seem to be a lot of consistency to it in situations like yours.

The police certificate issue it just unfortunate, but should be easily fixed.

Well, I guess the bright side is that you weren't planning on moving right away anyhow. You've got most of this taken care of, and it looks like once you provide them with the certificate and the custody letter with firmer language, you should be fine.

I'm sorry this happened to you though. Really.

[Sam and Ben 2]

I'm sorry that things didn't go as smoothly as they should've for you. Least I'm fairly certain Vancouver moves rather quickly after receiving documents... if it were Montreal, you'd be waiting forever.

Hopefully you find no issues in producing those papers for them, so you can be on your way!

[trailmix 77]

Sorry things didn't go as smoothly at the interview as you would have liked but at least they are things that can be addressed fairly easily.

For the Australian police certificate:

Police Certificates - All Australia

If you reside outside Australia

Applicants who live overseas should refer requests to the Australian Federal Police. Applicants are required to apply for a police certificate based on a name and fingerprint check. Police clearances issued on the basis of only a name check will not be accepted. More information is available on their website at: http://www.afp.gov.au/ or via e-mail at vetting@afp.gov.au.

They do mention on their website that their current processing time for fingerprint checks is only 15 days, which isn't too bad, have to allow time for post as well though, which can be around 10 days.

http://www.afp.gov.au/business/national_po...ks#fingerprints

It's interesting that for K visas they require a police certificate for all countries you have lived in since the age of 16, whereas for CR1/IR1 that only applies if you lived in a country for 12 months or more. Makes no sense but oh well, that's immigration!

Edited January 29, 2010 by trailmix

[bv2116 0]

Ali, I'm so sorry about your delay in obtain your visas. However, you'll be here before you know it Best of luck and I hope to see you in SL soon!

[TimandJoyce 1]

I'm sure it won't take too long to get those required documents. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like impossible things to obtain, and you know you'll get the visa once you send them in! That's the main thing.

I'm sorry it causes the delay it will, but you're still moving forward!! Hang in there!

[kizza 1]

Im sorry you didn't get your visa today Ali, but as others have said, it seems like it won't be too hard to get the paperwork they want.

You are so close! almost there!

Good luck with the rest.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Awww Ali that sucks!! Sorry they're throwing the book at you over this stuff.

Sounds like the police certificate should be fairly easy to obtain, and hopefully your ex makes the custody documents easy for you as well. If he refuses to give you sole custody, you could always fight for it. It would take some time and some money, but since you are your daughters sole provider and can show he has had little interest in his daughters life (including willingly allowing you to move her to the US) its a fight I can see you winning. Hopefully it doesn't come to that!! Good luck!

[minnew 4]

Great review Ali! sorry things didn't go smoother for you! The police certificate shouldn't take long! As long as you don't have to get a fingerprint check ( criminal record). Hope you can get everything you need for custody quickly!

[Dan and Ali 3]

Thanks for all your support and kind words, everyone I am getting my fingerprints taken on Tuesday and will send everything off for that on Wednesday ... and I already spoke to my daughter's father and he agreed to get a new, firmer sounding letter. I'm sure it'll all work out, it was just a bit disheartening to leave with no visa! Not to mention we all got the flu and couldn't enjoy Vancouver at all ... but whatever.

And Carla, the table I was referring to can be found on http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html ... which I see now is for NVC processing. Oh well, it could be worse!

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Thanks for all your support and kind words, everyone I am getting my fingerprints taken on Tuesday and will send everything off for that on Wednesday ... and I already spoke to my daughter's father and he agreed to get a new, firmer sounding letter. I'm sure it'll all work out, it was just a bit disheartening to leave with no visa! Not to mention we all got the flu and couldn't enjoy Vancouver at all ... but whatever.

Awww...YOU got the flu too, Ali? I was hoping it would skip you! Hope you get well soon.

[Dan and Ali 3]

Awww...YOU got the flu too, Ali? I was hoping it would skip you! Hope you get well soon.

Me too! I totally thought it was the one I had already this month ... alas, this was something in a league of its own Hopefully I didn't pass it on to you ... if I did I am sorry!