|
|
| Guangzhou, China |  Review on May 18, 2015: |
triterp80
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My wife had her interview at the United States Consulate in Guangzhou. She stayed at a hotel very close to the consulate. I was not in China at the time of her interview so what follows is my record of what she relayed to me after the interview.
The interview time was 9:00 AM. She arrived at 8:30 AM with many people outside. There were several vendors looking to sell the services to help with the visa process - I'm not clear on exactly what services were offered.
First she showed an attendant her passport and interview letter. Then she saw there were two lines formed, one on the right side for non-immigration visas (like travel or student visas) and one on the left side for immigration visas, so she joined the one on the left. At this time it was about 9:00 AM so very punctual performance by those at the consulate.
The line proceeds into a small building for security proceedings. She went through a metal detector and had a pat-down.
She then proceeded into a separate building where the interviews take place. She went into another line on the first floor. Then an attendant checked her paperwork again and she proceeded to the third floor to get into yet another line.
Once through this line, she gave the interview letter to an attendant who then gave her a booklet describing her rights in the case of domestic abuse. She also received a number as was told to wait in 'Area A' until the number is called. At this time about 10-20 people were in the same waiting room. There were electronic signs showing the current number and what window to go to much like the Chinese Embassy in the Washington, DC or many DMVs.
Once the number was called, she went to a window and the lady asked for:
1. interview letter
2. passport
3. two passport photographs
4. sealed/unopened medical packet. The lady asked my wife to open the sealed medical packet in front of her and give it to her. My wife also handed the following items to the attendant:
5. police certificate
6. marriage certificate
7. Original, signed AOS form
note: my wife gave them her birth certificate but they gave it back to her saying they didn't need it
Then the attendant gave my wife another ticket with a number on it and she proceeded to 'Area B'. When the number was called, she went to another window where the interview took place.
An American consulate officer came to the window and began speaking in Chinese. They went to a room with a window divider between her and this officer. He had the paperwork that had been given to the Area A lady.
At first the officer spoke Chinese and asked the following questions:
1. What is your husband's name?
2. Can your husband speak Chinese?
3. Has he come to China? How many times?
4. What is your husband's job?
At this point he started speaking English once he realized my wife can speak good English.
5. Can I see the pictures you brought? They talked about the pictures.
6. Where does your husband live?
Then he smiled and said, congratulations you are through!
He gave her a white paper. The paper states "Congratulations! Your visa has been approved!" It gives some caveats like not making travel plans or selling real estate and belongings until the visa is in hand.
The interview was a painless process but we prepared several times. Best piece of advice: practice the interview questions.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #16841