Vanesa’s Visa Interview
Interviewing for a visa with the US embassy is a bit of a process. If only we made illegal immigration this difficult. Anyway, I paid the $15 to obtain a PIN code to talk with someone at the embassy and make a reservation. Then I scheduled an interview for next week. In the meantime I have to pay another $100 application fee in cash at a local bank. Along with this receipt, we need to bring:
- Vanesa’s school registration
- Last 6 pay stubs
- Letter of employment
- Family history book (common here, but still not sure what it is)
- Copy of my apartment contract (hopefully to prove I have a reason to return as well)
- My bank statements (to show I can pay for her time in the U.S.)
Among the things suggested that she does not have are:
- Evidence of prior travel
- Monthly bank statements
- Titles of properties
- International credit cards & current statements
- Evidence of legal status of any family in US
Before the economic collapse of 2001, Argentines could visit the US with only a passport. The visa requirement was put into place to curb illegal immigration after hundreds of thousands had fled Argentina for the US and Europe. The basic idea is we need to prove Vanesa has significant ties to Argentina and will be coming back here rather than illegally staying in the United States.
Monday, June 11th at 8:30 a.m. is somewhat of a D-Day. We’re both trying to be confident, trust this into God’s hands, and not talk about what happens if she’s turned down. But I would be lying if I told you we aren’t really, really nervous. We would like to visit the US July 14th or 21st and stay for 3 or 4 weeks. It’s vital that Vanesa has a chance to meet my family and see the country. To say that there’s a lot at stake with this interview would be an extreme understatement.
