Just had my AOS Interview!

[danengland 0]

Hey everyone. I've been terrible at updating this site with my progress, but it has been such a useful tool that I feel I need to tell you about my interview experience.

My interview was at 8.30am (I know - I was still wiping the sleep from my eyes when I rolled in to the office) at the Monterrey Road office in San Jose, and of course my wife and I were late! When asked by the security guard why we were late (literally 5 minutes) Stacy blurted out "because there was a line" (she's not good in the mornings) The security guard was not amused by this and retorted "you'd better come up with a better excuse than that or we'll just reschedule you appointment right now". Ok, we thought, they are not here to make nice! So after changing our story to "terrible traffic on the 280" we were allowed in. By the way, I was sent back to put my mobile phone in the car, so don't bring it with you!

We arrived at room 200 on the second floor to see that there were 2 or 3 other couples ahead of us. We put our appointment letter in the tray and settled in for the wait. As we waited, a whole load of other people came in, and sure enough, had their interviews before we did! Well, after an hour, I asked them how much longer we were going to have to wait (trying my hardest not to anger them in to giving me a horrible interview!). They said they will check. As it turned out, they somehow managed to lose our paper! So we were brought in about 5 minutes later. We were interviewed by a man named Rey. He was thoroughly pleasant and made us feel at ease straight away! He led us to his office and closed the door. There was a video camera there, but it was not turned on. It was just him in the office, no-one else like some of the other accounts on here (not saying they're lying - every interview experience is unique). He had us stand up and take the oath. After that, it was plain sailing!

Here's why you don't need to worry - Despite flying in and out of America on a cancelled passport (accidentally), despite having my medical in England well over a year ago and not updating it in America, despite NOT EVEN BRINGING MY PASSPORT TO THE INTERVIEW!! (I know, I’m an idiot), we were still APPROVED!!! All he asked were things like my birth date etc - easy questions, as he went through the form checking it off. He did require my wife to fill out another form though. We went in it thinking that if they need anything else, they'll just ask for it.

Then came the point where he asked for evidence of our relationship. We didn't have any joint accounts, any joint rental agreements, nothing! If asked, we would have told him that I couldn't get any of that until I had my Social which only came through 3 weeks ago. But, of course, he didn't. He simply looked at 5 of the 200 or so photos we took in and said that they will be fine. All he needed was to be satisfied that we are a real couple. (we were going to have a row in the interview to prove we were married, but decided against it!)

So all I need to do is take my passport in to him next week and he'll send out the approved letter. He said that 2 weeks later, I will receive my GREEN CARD!! Woo hoo!

So the moral of the story here is this... Train hard, fight easy. So do by all means read as much as you can on visajourney and gather together as much evidence as possible. also plan your answers to any tough questions that might come your way (for all I know, we might have just got lucky), but rest assured that it will be fine. If you prepare for the worst, your experience there will be a breeze!

If you have any questions, please feel free to respond, or private message me and I'll be happy to go through anything with you

Dan

[joey-roseanne 0]

good for you! CONGRATULATIONS!! im gettingf nervous our interview will be tomorrow at 7 am..i can't relax..my husband said i'm really a stress-case..can't help it..but congrats to you!

[Nancy2015 2]

Hey Dan!!! Congrats!!! :dance:

You're my neighbour - I went to the same offcie for the interview. And I also forgot to bring my passport

[~krakatoa~ 27]

What an experience Dan! Congratulations. And thank you for offering kindness with your desire to share to others.

Edited May 30, 2007 by mysticbluerose

[Ngoc-Anh 1]

congratulations!!!!

[KEN's ROSE 0]

Congratulations there!

I just want to know how the I864 (financial form) play into the interview.?

[jg_am 0]

Congrats!

[danengland 0]

Congratulations there!

I just want to know how the I864 (financial form) play into the interview.?

Well we had her mum (that's right, with a U!) fill one out as Stacy wasn't earning at the time. We thought this would be ok, but as it turns out, She had to fill one out too because although she doesn't meet the minimum income requirements, she is still a sponsor. He was very cool about it though and just printed off the right form and had us complete it in the waiting room

Hope that answers you question!

There was no pressure the entire time, but the wait in the waiting room is the worst bit!