Interview done

[NotAFish 11]

Went to the interview today and passed.  The majority of people we saw did not pass, though the one person my wife saw there who she had met at the health check did get her visa.  I was the only obvious foreigner.

 

For people who are wondering about the process, here's a bit of a breakdown:

1. Initially wait outside across the street with the other applicants.

2. At 7:20 AM everyone crosses the street like a herd of ducks - likely best not to quack at this point, but you might be tempted.

3. Stand in  line until 7:30, be prepared to give a guard who checks the line while you wait your passport(s) and the invitation letter.

4. At 7:30 applicants and petitioners are let in about 7 at a time to go through the security (give up your electronics then).

5. Stop at a little desk where they check a couple of documents again (don't remember which, I think it is the passport and invitation letter).

6. You do NOT go to the regular area if you've been to the Consulate before, instead you'll be directed to a different area with about 20 windows like bank teller windows, though more separated.

7. Go to a front window and get a number (quick document check).

8. Wait.

9. Get called up to one of the other windows (both audible and an LED sign telling what number and what window), at this point give the clerk the original documents for the applicant - passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police check, divorce docs (if applicable) and answer a couple of questions (such as if the applicant has lived outside of Vietnam for over 6 months).

10. Wait.

11. Number gets called again, go to a different window they indicate and perform the interview.

12. You will find out clearly at the end of the interview whether the visa has been granted.

 

The process took us about 4 hours in total.  Perhaps 10 - 15 minutes or so for the actual interview.

 

I was asked the majority of the questions, such as when/how we met, whether we lived together, whether we had any children in common or separately, and other small details easily answered - nothing you would have to memorize.  It was generally conversational.

 

The only document that was requested was our lease when I stated I was on it.  They didn't ask to see photos or anything,  My wife is convinced that they had essentially made the determination before we even arrived based on the documentation we sent in because she saw a pink form already filled out when we arrived at the window instead of a blue one.

 

They asked a few questions of my wife such as:

1. Did any of my family come to our wedding (who).

2. Had we gone on any trips (answer was yes and my wife listed them out, but no documentation was asked for).

3. Where did we go on our honeymoon.

4. Did we get married in Vietnam.

5. If I had any brothers or sisters - had she met any of them.

 

For these questions I was specifically told that my wife had to answer (perhaps because I had been doing all the talking up to then), but it was stated in a nice way.  The gentleman doing the interview checked her answer against a sheet each time she answered.

 

All questions asked of my wife were in Vietnamese, at the beginning I was asked if my wife spoke English and I said she spoke a bit but that it was best to use Vietnamese.  I got the impression that English was in no way a determining factor in their decision, but I cannot say for certain.  The ability to communicate with the spouse would be heavily weighted, of course, but since we speak Vietnamese in the home it appeared that her English ability was not an issue.  My wife did not use English at all in the process.

 

All in all, if you are preparing for your interview the best advice I can give is to not worry.  As long as you know your spouse and your spouse knows you in a natural way considering your situation you'll be fine.  Have your documents in order and make sure you do your due diligence throughout the entire application process.

 

Good luck!

Edited November 19, 2020 by NotAFish

[Stein 276]

1 hour ago, NotAFish said:

Went to the interview today and passed. 

Outstanding!  Glad it went exactly as planned.

[CxP 22]

Congrats buddy!  Glad everyone so far has passed.

[TLG 3]

On 11/1/2020 at 10:34 PM, Stein said:

Just got home from our interview.  We passed.

 

There were about 80 applicants in the morning group today. I was the only US citizen attending the interview with their spouse, which wasn't surprising since the border has been closed to foriegners since March 22 due to COVID.

 

QUESTION........it was my understanding that the US embassy in Ho Chi Minh City was NOT offering any interviews at this time? How did you set up an interview??.........thank you

 

On 11/1/2020 at 10:34 PM, Stein said:

 

 

[TLG 3]

Is the US embassy in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) open and allowing K1 visa interviews to be setup at this time (12/20/20)???????