Interview preparation!

[k_39 2]

Hey everyone! I have my interview at the US embassy in Sydney coming up! I know this sounds like I'm clueless but I'd really love some pointers about what documents to bring (I already know this, but I'd love to hear about peoples' experiences), how to prepare/display your documents and any additional info that helped anyone. Thank you so much. I really appreciated this!

[Ausa 66]

9 minutes ago, k_39 said:

Hey everyone! I have my interview at the US embassy in Sydney coming up! I know this sounds like I'm clueless but I'd really love some pointers about what documents to bring (I already know this, but I'd love to hear about peoples' experiences), how to prepare/display your documents and any additional info that helped anyone. Thank you so much. I really appreciated this!

 

Check out this link: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Australia&cty=&dfilter=5

 

Under the tab OFFICE REVIEWS & INFO > CONSULATE & USCIS OFFICE REVIEWS > AUSTRALIA

 

Lots of useful information. Good luck!!

[Annalica 6]

I had my interview last Tuesday at Sydney embassy it was more stressful for me as I had to attend with with our (U.S petitioner) 3 year old son. Our interview was scheduled at 8.30 am I went up at 8.15am and was lucky no one was there so I was able to walk straight through to the ladies that checked our documents (strongly recommend stick to the checklist) i had all the documents in order as per the list so the ladies gave back what was not needed and then they direct you through to security. With my documents i didn't take any extra proof to substantiate our relationship but it's up to you. When you go upstairs take a ticket and wait for you number to be called. The first time you get called up is to give your documents and then you may get called again and they'll give you back any other documents they don't think will be needed for the interview. You will then be advised the next time you'll be called up is for your interview. The guy that interviewed me looked real serious at first but was really casual when he asked the first question he was typing and forgot for a moment to ask another question and at the end was telling me how long it takes to wait for your visa i was confused and he noticed that and realised he forgot to tell me that I've been approved lol It was a good experience everyone is nice. All up i spent 1hour 15 mins but the CO messed up and i had to go back to the embassy so he can take my fingerprints again but i couldn't be mad I was too happy i got approved. Just triple check your documents it doesn't hurt to have more that is required just in case you need it, know your information as they can ask any of these questions: when you first met, what date you met each other face to face, when you last saw each other, what you do for work, what your fiance does for work,  where does the petioner live. Those are some of the questions i heard others get asked and i only had 4 questions what is my relationship to the petitioner, how did you meet, when did you meet  and what do you do for work. Sorry for the long response but glad to help anyone else going through the same process as this site has helped me a lot. 

Edited August 7, 2018 by Annalica

[Ausa 66]

14 hours ago, Annalica said:

I had my interview last Tuesday at Sydney embassy it was more stressful for me as I had to attend with with our (U.S petitioner) 3 year old son. Our interview was scheduled at 8.30 am I went up at 8.15am and was lucky no one was there so I was able to walk straight through to the ladies that checked our documents (strongly recommend stick to the checklist) i had all the documents in order as per the list so the ladies gave back what was not needed and then they direct you through to security. With my documents i didn't take any extra proof to substantiate our relationship but it's up to you. When you go upstairs take a ticket and wait for you number to be called. The first time you get called up is to give your documents and then you may get called again and they'll give you back any other documents they don't think will be needed for the interview. You will then be advised the next time you'll be called up is for your interview. The guy that interviewed me looked real serious at first but was really casual when he asked the first question he was typing and forgot for a moment to ask another question and at the end was telling me how long it takes to wait for your visa i was confused and he noticed that and realised he forgot to tell me that I've been approved lol It was a good experience everyone is nice. All up i spent 1hour 15 mins but the CO messed up and i had to go back to the embassy so he can take my fingerprints again but i couldn't be mad I was too happy i got approved. Just triple check your documents it doesn't hurt to have more that is required just in case you need it, know your information as they can ask any of these questions: when you first met, what date you met each other face to face, when you last saw each other, what you do for work, what your fiance does for work,  where does the petioner live. Those are some of the questions i heard others get asked and i only had 4 questions what is my relationship to the petitioner, how did you meet, when did you meet  and what do you do for work. Sorry for the long response but glad to help anyone else going through the same process as this site has helped me a lot. 

Thanks for sharing! 

 

If you haven't already, can you please add your experience to the link I included earlier. That way all the information about the consulate interview experience is saved in the one spot for easy reference.

[AshMarty 360]

We brought our up to date documents in a binder. We made sure we had wet ink signatures on any paperwork that required signatures (mainly my financial sponsorship documents for him). My husband reported the first thing they did was go through the binder and pull all of the required documents for the interview. I was visiting at the time so I brought my updated employment letters and paperwork with me before I left the States. They took everything that was required and gave my now husband anything that was not (ie. they did not take any updates on our wedding planning/invites/etc). They only wanted what was on the check list from him. 

 

*** Most important part.. triple check your list before you go and make sure everything is filled out correctly and completely ***

 

His interview was less than 60 minutes. He was approved on the spot  

Edited August 8, 2018 by AshMarty

[k_39 2]

2 hours ago, AshMarty said:

We brought our up to date documents in a binder. We made sure we had wet ink signatures on any paperwork that required signatures (mainly my financial sponsorship documents for him). My husband reported the first thing they did was go through the binder and pull all of the required documents for the interview. I was visiting at the time so I brought my updated employment letters and paperwork with me before I left the States. They took everything that was required and gave my now husband anything that was not (ie. they did not take any updates on our wedding planning/invites/etc). They only wanted what was on the check list from him. 

 

*** Most important part.. triple check your list before you go and make sure everything is filled out correctly and completely ***

 

His interview was less than 60 minutes. He was approved on the spot  

Thank you!! Did you have the documents in plastic sleeves in the binder? Silly question, sorry!

[k_39 2]

On 8/7/2018 at 9:36 AM, Ausa said:

 

Check out this link: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Australia&cty=&dfilter=5

 

Under the tab OFFICE REVIEWS & INFO > CONSULATE & USCIS OFFICE REVIEWS > AUSTRALIA

 

Lots of useful information. Good luck!!

Great link, thank you so much!

 

On 8/7/2018 at 7:13 PM, Annalica said:

I had my interview last Tuesday at Sydney embassy it was more stressful for me as I had to attend with with our (U.S petitioner) 3 year old son. Our interview was scheduled at 8.30 am I went up at 8.15am and was lucky no one was there so I was able to walk straight through to the ladies that checked our documents (strongly recommend stick to the checklist) i had all the documents in order as per the list so the ladies gave back what was not needed and then they direct you through to security. With my documents i didn't take any extra proof to substantiate our relationship but it's up to you. When you go upstairs take a ticket and wait for you number to be called. The first time you get called up is to give your documents and then you may get called again and they'll give you back any other documents they don't think will be needed for the interview. You will then be advised the next time you'll be called up is for your interview. The guy that interviewed me looked real serious at first but was really casual when he asked the first question he was typing and forgot for a moment to ask another question and at the end was telling me how long it takes to wait for your visa i was confused and he noticed that and realised he forgot to tell me that I've been approved lol It was a good experience everyone is nice. All up i spent 1hour 15 mins but the CO messed up and i had to go back to the embassy so he can take my fingerprints again but i couldn't be mad I was too happy i got approved. Just triple check your documents it doesn't hurt to have more that is required just in case you need it, know your information as they can ask any of these questions: when you first met, what date you met each other face to face, when you last saw each other, what you do for work, what your fiance does for work,  where does the petioner live. Those are some of the questions i heard others get asked and i only had 4 questions what is my relationship to the petitioner, how did you meet, when did you meet  and what do you do for work. Sorry for the long response but glad to help anyone else going through the same process as this site has helped me a lot. 

This is a great help! I really appreciate it, the long response was great. Helped so much. Thank you

[AshMarty 360]

2 minutes ago, k_39 said:

Thank you!! Did you have the documents in plastic sleeves in the binder? Silly question, sorry!

We did but the first thing they did when my husband arrived was remove all the documents needed from the plastic sleeves. So it isn't necessary. 

[k_39 2]

 

9 hours ago, AshMarty said:

We did but the first thing they did when my husband arrived was remove all the documents needed from the plastic sleeves. So it isn't necessary. 

Ahh thank you so much!

[k_39 2]

Hi there, does anyone have any recommendations RE. hotels to stay at? Any bad experiences I should avoid? I will most likely only be staying an evening. The closer the better.

[AshMarty 360]

13 minutes ago, k_39 said:

Hi there, does anyone have any recommendations RE. hotels to stay at? Any bad experiences I should avoid? I will most likely only be staying an evening. The closer the better.

http://www.guestreservations.com/amora-hotel-jamison-sydney/booking?msclkid=029a656c029e158e989f3e00c5235d6c

 

We stayed here at the Amora hotel which was an easy walk to the embassy (less than 10 minutes walk, if I recall). My husband did the research to find a place but it was perfect for our purpose.

Edited August 9, 2018 by AshMarty

[k_39 2]

Do your documents have to be printed in colour?