I know this blog is about UWP. However, today I wanted to write about my experiences of applying for US visa, as that is also a part of UWP process.... ;) I don’t know how hard it is to get US visa in other countries…But let me tell you that applying and getting US visa in Nepal- whether for travel purpose, for studies, or for business, is hard…veery hard. Having said that, I applied for the visa two times and it was issued both times. People here call me lucky, which I think I am…J L.U.C.K.Y!!
So let me briefly describe the process. This process is just to get B1/B2 visa, which is the visa category for travel purpose. We first have to fill out the DS-160 form and take a visa photo (mine turned out like I was drunk :-/). After that, we have to book a visa interview date, pay the visa charge along with the bank service charge. The bank gives the date and time for the interview. On the given date and time, we have to arrive in the US embassy. There, we are asked to get on a queue, where we feel almost like a spectacle, coz everyone can see us from the road, many even stopping for a while. (I have been one of those roadside viewer and I have heard many others doing the same wonder which ones on the queue would be the lucky one that day :D). Then, we have to pass a security check tighter than that of the airports (we are asked to take off our belts, shoes, watches etc.!). We then have to get on queue once more, and then finally get inside the hall where the real test of our nerves awaits us. We have to hand over the file in one window, give our fingerprints in another window, and after a loooong wait, are finally called for the interview. During the wait, we can hear the interview of other candidates taking place in different windows. The rapid-fire questions and the nervous and bleak answers add on to the nervousness. Once the name is called, we have to move towards the window. The interviewer will be behind a glass window and will speak through a speaker on the window (be prepared for a robotic voice and having to ask excuse me? Couple of times). After the questions and answers, they decide then and there whether we qualify for the visa or not. If we are rejected, then they say that they are sorry but they cannot issue us a visa. If our visa application is accepted, then they say, “congratulations! You qualify for the visa. Please come on () day to receive your passport.” (In robotic voice of course).
How was my experience? Well, the first time I applied, I was so nervous that I had to use their restroom numerous times. I hadn’t felt so nervous even during my job interview! The second time around, I was nervous again, but not as much as before. I used their restroom only once, so go figure…haha.
Some funny, interesting, and sad incidents that I witnessed:
Female students coming for the visa interview in short summer dresses or party dresses and their male counterparts coming for the interview in grunge dress-up (torn faded jeans, slippers, or torn converse)… Sigh! It is hard to explain the importance of place/situation appropriate dresses to teenagers…
There was an old couple (I think they were above their 60s) who had applied for tourist visa to meet their son, who was living in USA. They looked so dejected after the interview. One of the female guards asked them what happened, and they replied that their visa application got rejected because they could not speak proper English and so could not understand what the consular officer said or answer their questions! Apparently they did not know that they can give the interview in Nepali language, if speaking English is hard for them!! I felt so sad for them L
I was able to overhear few interviews of the students and the answers some of them gave nearly choked me! I wonder how the consular felt….So a guy was asked how he can assure them that he would return to Nepal after completing his studies…his reply (in a pleading voice), “Because I love my country, because I love my parents!” …… another guy was asked why he wanted to study computer science and he replied because Nepal is a very poor country with underdeveloped technology and so he wanted to develop computer technology in Nepal…and the miss world type answers kept coming from the students one after the other, and their visa got rejected one after the other….funny but sad… I was able to listen to some interviews whose visa application got accepted and the difference I found between the two was in the smartness of their answer and their confidence.
So I request others applying for the visa to be prepared, dress appropriately, check all the documents carefully, think about possible questions (especially those related to finance), speak loud and clear, don’t give Miss World type answers- if they ask you why they should believe that you will return, give them proof of your ties here, or any other valid reasons….and finally, be confident!! J If it still doesn’t work out, then there is a Biiig sign board of some astrologer in the building just opposite the embassy who helps you get the visa…go visit him ;)
