Consulate Review: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Review Topic: IR-2 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
May 20, 2019 |
| Embassy Review : |
A lot has changed since the IR-1 interview for my wife. This time she went with me for the interview for her two oldest children.
It was May 3rd and we arrived just after 6 am. The children were there and already near the front of the line.
The Vietnamese speaking greeters arrived around 6:45 and immediately tried to corral everyone. I stood back and watched as the movement down the line. They got to my family and started barking out instructions. I knew what was going on so I walked slowly back their position on line. I greeted the he greeter with a stern, authoritative voice, "Is there a problem here?" I think she wet herself. In her best broken English, she asked to see passports. I showed the passports of my wife and children. She then wanted to see mine so I politely showed her my US Federal ID which really confused her. She eventually moved on and I continued to walk the sidewalk as I refuse to simply stand in line in the Hot morning sun.
Since my last visit, bags and backpacks are no longer allowed inside. Everything has to be in pockets of held in your hands. Cell phones and electronics are still collected but for some reason they didn't want my flash drive even though it's battery powered and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Clearly they need remedial training.
Inside past the first metal detectors e everyone lined up. I took my position. on one of the bench seats along the wall. Last time I was asked to get back in line and had to explain to the greeter a little Fdereal law known as The SDS. This time I was only smilled at and left alone.
Once past that station it's on to the next security checkpoint and another line. A charming Vietnamese girl promptly escorted me to a seat and brought me a cup of water. My wife and children remained in line to turn in the letter and photos.
We eventually get called to the window to turn in documents. The Vietnamese clerk insists on speaking Vietnamese to the children. I insisted she speak to me in English. She insisted I sit down so I explained to her one of the children is a minor and that she is to address questions to me. She took the hint and we moved on. My son is 18 so he was required to register for Selective Service. I found this convenient as it saves doing this in the US.
A few minutes later we were called up for the actual interview. The Vietnamese translator asked questions in Vietnamese and of course I asked that she also ask in English, which she complied. Normal questions about are they going to the US voluntarily and does their family agree. The interviewer asked a question of my wife. "Why were the children not included on her application?" I answered by telling him we wanted them to study english before them came. He understand and agreed with my answer. He said,"That's all I need. Welcome to the U.S. and thank you for your service." I thanked him and we left.
I will add one other item. It's a relief that, for most cases, documents no longer have to be carried to the Port of Entry. One less item to worry about.
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| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0