interview class at embassy

[shakinthembones 0]

I thought I read somewhere that there is a class on becoming a citizen, or going through the interview which is given at the embassy, and it was good to go to this before hand. Now I cannot find any info anywhere. My fiance and I are going to the interview on April 1st, any ideas. We are in Guangzhou China

also, I do not have my origional birth certificate, just a copy. I didn't think they would need mine, just hers, I am praying this is allright.

[Darnell 8,479]

I've not heard of a class actually offered by the US Consulate in China.

There are many companies in Guangzhou, at the Tian He Building (the same building the IV unit is in)

that will PREP the chinese applicant, prior to interview day. This service is not free. Some claim to be lawyers offices, most are just 'service companies' that prey on Visa Applicants.

Most of them want to handle the entire casefile, because they want da money for doing same.

Most are sharks. There are a few that are not - but - it's up to you to find the 'non-shark' variety.

If you do get taken up by the hawkers in the halls ---

be specific - say -

1. casefile review ONLY. and

2. Interview Prep ONLY.

You should be able to negotiate a smaller fee, under 500 RMB, for these two services.

The hawkers in the halls make a small fee for bringing you INTO an office, and a larger commission when that firm 'gets' the entire casefile.

At this point, so close to interview day - many USC will attend ACS (American Citizen Services) and get the 'Evolution of Relationship' letter (that the USC wrote) NOTARIZED by a ConOff PRIOR to interview day. This gives the ConOff an opportunity to talk with you, the USC, prior to interview day. Some ppl think it makes a difference in how the casefile is handled, some ppl think it is detrimental to the visa application process. IMO - it's useful.

The EOR letter is an optional 'thing to do' for most countries, but for China, there is 'implied requirement' if you have RED FLAGS OR if it is NOT CLEAR to the ConOff, on Interview Day, exactly HOW you two communicate.

Here's the Red Flag Discussion for GUZ IV - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/234971-red-flag-list-for-visa-denial/page__hl__appointment

Please click the link, READ IT - it is mostly current, also saves me retyping things here

IMO - if you have red flag issues, or need to be CLEAR on HOW the two of you communicate, you SHOULD supply an EOR letter for her. Also - the EOR is read by a ConOff, and that EOR letter DOES carry some weight.

You'll need to make an appointment to go to ACS - see http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/appointment_system_for_american_citizens_services030708.html

re: your (USC) birth certificate. No - it's not required to submit on interview day. Suggest you go back and vette exactly where you read or heard that.

Good Luck ! Go PINK !

Edited March 29, 2010 by Darnell

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The knowledge of those with personal experiences at specific Consulates - especially in what are considered challenging consulates - is an invaluable resource for members of Visa Journey. Each Consulate is different and the 'one size' approach definitely doesn't work. Anyone going through the same consulate would be well-advised to consult with and listen to the advice from others who have experience with the Consulate in question.

Edited March 29, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Eric & Jin 10]

Although the Guangzhou Consulate does not offer any type of class, you may be referring to the American Citizen's Hour (ACH) which is offered at Guangzhou. ACH is an information session held on Monday afternoons in which petitioners can speak with a VO about any questions that they have regarding their fiance/spouse's case, etc. I attended it and found it to be somewhat helpful and your presence will be noted in the beneficiaries case file which many say is a bonus. Here is the blurb from the Guangzhou Consulate's website about ACH:

"U.S. citizen petitioners who would like general information on the Immigrant Visa process in Guangzhou may attend an information session hosted by consular officers on Mondays at 14:30. We recommend that you arrive at the consulate around 14:00 in order to go through security check procedures. At 14:30, we will stop admitting petitioners into the Immigrant Visa waiting room and will promptly begin the session at that time. The aim of these sessions is to address frequently-asked questions and provide you with a better understanding of the process. Additional materials for cases that have already been interviewed will not be accepted during these sessions."

[pushbrk 13,099]

I thought I read somewhere that there is a class on becoming a citizen, or going through the interview which is given at the embassy, and it was good to go to this before hand. Now I cannot find any info anywhere. My fiance and I are going to the interview on April 1st, any ideas. We are in Guangzhou China

also, I do not have my origional birth certificate, just a copy. I didn't think they would need mine, just hers, I am praying this is allright.

Some onsite coaching is a good thing but not available at the Consulate. I suggest you go to this thread and start with the contact information in post #3 for JANG Jiahua. If you stay at his reasonably priced rental apartments very near the Consulate, he and his wife offer coaching and document review at no charge. If your fiance can attend the American Citizen's Hour, that would be great but he will be waiting for you in the coffee shop on the fourth floor while you interview on the fifth floor on interview day.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Post containing solicitation and posts quoting same have been removed. The acceptable parts of these posts are returned to the thread below:

Philip Curtis:

I am not aware of any interview classes for a fiance visa interview and I doubt there is such a thing. A lot of people worry about the interview but I think that if your case is well documented and you are absolutely honest during the interview there is little to worry about. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Scott Thuy:

Yes there is a class... Its specific to China.. go through the China regional forum and you will find better info.. You can PM Darnell and that is a great resource for your consulate..

Darnell:

Dear Mr. Curtis -

Please refrain from posting in any China Specific forum. I absolutely abhor attornies who come to VJ and do not identify themselves at attornies. You, Sir, are an immigration attorney. BAD FORM, IMO, to not identify yerself as such, in yer VJ profile AND in yer signature block area. TOTALLY BAD FORM. I further abhor said attornies with no experience with casefiles at GUZ IV unit - you are ONE of those, btw.

I pray, you are not trolling for clients on this web portal, as well.

Thanks in advance for the refraining !

Warmest Regards...

Edited March 30, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Darnell 8,479]

Hey - any news? She have interview ? any status?

[Moonandstar 6]

Hey - any news? She have interview ? any status?

No update on his timeline.... but they did already post a review:

Wow, worry, worry, worry, for nothing. We had everything, skype records, email, phone, financial, many photos over the entire period of our relationship. I wrote a letter for myself, and sent it as a supporting document. We have been sweating this for almost a year, and when she went in, it was so straight forward, and the man was very good, it went very easily. I think that they look very heavily at how many times you have come to China, and wether or not you are at the interview with your fiance, and then compare it to the photos. The man didn't even look at anything but the financial documents. I was very worried about her English, but with out even asking, he conducted the interview in Chinese, and asked just the basic questions, what is your fiances name, how did you meet, and a couple other easy ones. Like I said, I really think that they go by intuition, and how many times you go to China. We are so happy, and are looking forward to being together forever. The only thing that I didn't like, was that she came out saying how nice the man was, and how handsome, I think she actually said, very handsome, grrrrr lol. It's a good thing she laughed, and kissed me on the neck after she said it. Anyway, good luck, don't sweat it if you really love each other, it will be fine. Peace Oh by the way, if you are at the interview, don't forget to give her your passport to take with her.

I think its funny how he then rated it "very poor" XD

[Darnell 8,479]

Thanks, Moon !