Approved Approved Approved (Self-Employed)

[TexasHoldEm 0]

OMG I still can't believe it....

so this is what happened:

My interview was scheduled for 8 am today and I was there for about 7:15. There were already two lines and of course I got into the wrong one so had to start over again at the correct line. I left all my electronics at home because Gould's doesnt open till 7:30 so I was not sure if that would be possible for me.

The lady checked my letter then I went through the Security Check, got a ticket from reception (I-901, the first one of today) and took a seat in the empty waiting hall.

At exactly 8 am I was called to Window 1 where a small, older Asian lady with a thick accent asked me for my documents. After passing her my newly made passport photos she said those aren't the right ones as they are not the correct texture? I got them made at a photographers and they knew the US guidelines and the photos looked just fine to me. She handed me a sample photo and said this is how it should look like and to tell you the truth, I did not see a difference. I had no idea what she was talking about. Luckily, I had some older previously made US passport photos with me as well (yay to my giant folder I had dragged with me!) and handed her those and she said thats ok. Pew!

But then the drama began.

she wondered why I did not take my husbands last name (why do I have to, we live in a modern society) - she was really not happy with that and started to poke holes into everything.

Of course she wasn't happy with my affidavit and didn't even want to see any supporting information!!!! She even said upon giving her my US business registration (I'm self employed in the UK and the US) that this document "means nothing". She was about to deny me, saying Im going to need a co-sponsor because this is not looking good. My heart dropped. I said to her but I had lived in the US before and that is when I originally established my business, it's quite a few years old now and this is proof of continuing income... Anyway, we had a heated argument about this topic as I wasn't going to give in. Initially I tried to stay friendly and humorous but the anger slowly rose to my head, I must admit, especially after she told me: "Youre not as special as you think you are"!!!! Ummmm excuse me Madam!!

Finally she shook her head and sighed and said well Im not dealing with this any longer, the officer at the second interview will sort this out for you.

Then she handed me....... the pink slip!!!!

I thought this might be a good omen, but when I went around the corner to pay my fee I realised many people got to the second interview window with the pink slip and returned with the blue slip... so I was already preparing myself to be denied.

After 30 mins of waiting in front of the closed cashiers window (tssss.....) I returned to Angry Asian Lady and handed her my receipt, sat down again.

I had to wait an eternity and my heart was racing like no tomorrow. I must have gone to the loo about ten times and finally, my number was called.

I went to a very friendly black lady (younger) and she asked me where we met, how did the relationship develop (she asked me that several times, I didnt know what to say as it was kinda natural thing and I did not want to give her a run down of the timeline of our intimacy... ) she asked about the wedding, his family. She didnt want to see any pictures or past trips taken together.

Then she looked at my affidavit, sighed a bit, clenched her teeth, pulled her face and typed something into the computer for about ten minutes.

I did submit some assets too but they were menial at best and would have never qualified for the affidavit (about 20k in dollars) and I only had my first six months of self-employment money to show as I used the 2013 year for my calculations. Because hubby works in the UK, his employment did not count and he also doesnt have any assets (something the Angry Asian Lady did not believe me!!!) .

So I only qualified based on my average monthly income which I calculated for the entire year basically.

After some more typing and teeth clenching and grinding the nice black lady looked at me with a stern face, closed the folder with my documents and said to me: Based on the information you have provided here today I can tell you that your visa has been APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly I burst out in tears and she handed me a tissue She told me to go pay the courier fee and congratulated me.

After I walked back into the hall, she called me back to the window and I thought oh nooooo!!! She changed her mind!!!! But she only forgot to give me my chest Xray

So Im still not 100 % relieved because I have heard of cases where people got denied even after the interview was approved and they simply got an email saying they were put into AP or flat out denied. So I wont be happy and dancing around until I have my visa in hand!!

Im sooooo glad this is over now and I am grateful to all the information I have received in this forum.

I hope my story was able to help someone too.

Im going home everyone!!!!

[NikLR 13,227]

*** moved to progress reports ****

OMG what an ordeal for you! I'm happy it's over!

[rawas 13]

congratulations

[JParce 8]

Congratulations!!!!

[lonelywithouthim1 36]

Thank God it's over, I'm so glad you didn't give up so easily with the first lady. It's amazing to me how they try to intimidate the person during the interview. Congratulation and welcome back :-)

[TexasHoldEm 0]

Thanks )

I know, I did not think they were going to be so difficult. I heard different stories, so I guess it boils down to which officer you're going to get... (try to avoid Angry Asian Lady if possible

[Fab+She 0]

Congrats!!! Happy for you!!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Why should you take his name? That's a ridiculous hole to poke in things - it's 2013, people! I have not taken my husband's name, so now you've got me worried. Also, where did you get the photos done that she didn't like? I've been getting mine at SnappySnaps (for more money than they're worth) and the ones I sent with the I-130 were accepted.

Congratulations though. Sounds like you really earned that visa today.

Edited July 1, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Robinhood 13]

Congratulations

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Congratulations. With all due respect to Angry Asian Lady (who I observed in 2008 at my fiance's interview) she is a clerical worker and makes no decisions on your visa. Good for you for not being intimidated.

So basically you got approved on the I-864 by showing your income would continue in the US and you had $20,000 assets to top off any shortfall they may have perceived.

Also, can you explain the two lines and what they are for? I only know of one line outside.

[TexasHoldEm 0]

Yeah, there was a line for US citizens and visitors (tourists) - on the left of the building going through the left security check and there was a line on the right of the building for immigrants and K1 applicants going through the right security check.

Well, it sounds like I was able to convince them my income would continue. It's always good to have assets I think even if you think that your income will be enough.

as for the photos: I got them done at SnappySnaps too!!!!!!! Be careful!!!! Mine got accepted for the I-130 too and then again for the biographics info but the one that will be in your actual passport needs to be of a certain texture apparently. Both photos looked matte so I don't know what she was going on about. I paid lots of money for that SnappySnaps thing and they sure know the US guidelines.... but I spotted a photo box directly in the waiting hall, which is there for just such cases I think. Just bring enough cash for them and make sure you look good, in case you need to get another photo done

[lost_at_sea 995]

as for the photos: I got them done at SnappySnaps too!!!!!!! Be careful!!!! Mine got accepted for the I-130 too and then again for the biographics info but the one that will be in your actual passport needs to be of a certain texture apparently. Both photos looked matte so I don't know what she was going on about. I paid lots of money for that SnappySnaps thing and they sure know the US guidelines.... but I spotted a photo box directly in the waiting hall, which is there for just such cases I think. Just bring enough cash for them and make sure you look good, in case you need to get another photo done

Ugh. I wouldn't mind, but SnappySnaps are on their list of suggested photographers on the London embassy site, too! I think I might go get a set taken at Gould's or something. There's no requirements in the photo document about the "matte-ness" other than "photo quality paper":

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html

Edited July 1, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[TexasHoldEm 0]

I know. I even looked at the photo requirements IN the embassy waiting hall and it said nothing about texture or particular mattness. I think that lady just had the goal to make my day as miserable as possible right from the start.

Word of advice: When the two lines formed outside the embassy the lady said All US citizens and EuroCitizens into the left line, all others the right line... so that is how I ended up in the wrong line. ALWAYS go to the right line because it is the only way that leads into the Visa section of the embassy, the other line goes to the other side of the building.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yeah, there was a line for US citizens and visitors (tourists) - on the left of the building going through the left security check and there was a line on the right of the building for immigrants and K1 applicants going through the right security check.

Well, it sounds like I was able to convince them my income would continue. It's always good to have assets I think even if you think that your income will be enough.

as for the photos: I got them done at SnappySnaps too!!!!!!! Be careful!!!! Mine got accepted for the I-130 too and then again for the biographics info but the one that will be in your actual passport needs to be of a certain texture apparently. Both photos looked matte so I don't know what she was going on about. I paid lots of money for that SnappySnaps thing and they sure know the US guidelines.... but I spotted a photo box directly in the waiting hall, which is there for just such cases I think. Just bring enough cash for them and make sure you look good, in case you need to get another photo done

Oh, I thought you meant they were separating the visa people into lines. They did that prior to our visit by appointment time, but since Summer 2008, it's all been one line first comes first served. Yeah, I know about the other side of the building where Americans go in to tend to business not visa related.

I think she was yanking your chain about the photos. And they don't attach the photo to the visa. It's all scanned and printed as part of the visa printout.

[mounir412 101]

Congratulations!!!!