general interview questions

[stevelo]

Hi all,

I have some general questions about interviews and maybe some experienced members can help answer for me please?

1. Do you know right away after an interview if you passed / failed?

2. If we passed the interview, how long might it take (estimate range) to get COPR?

3. Since my wife is on a visitor status, she's going to have to go through the border officers upon re-entering Canada (re-apply for visitor stamp) after the immigration interview. If she passed the interview will she get to enter without problem? How about if she failed and we have to appeal?

4. Our medical is currently expired; however they have not asked for a redo, and we have been scheduled for an interview. In that case, or in cases where not every information is submitted / expired, do we have to wait until these things are completed?

5. For the interview we are requested to bring entry/exit record. Originally our application history we wrote the application from memory and missed the dates 1 or 2 months in a couple of cases. Is that a big deal?


Thanks in advance everybody! More questions later but I have to go now

 

[computergeek]

1. Do you know right away after an interview if you passed / failed?

Frequently, the VO will tell you at the end of the interview. However, the VO may reserve the decision to a later date. This is often the case if they need to corroborate information that you have provided to them.

2. If we passed the interview, how long might it take (estimate range) to get COPR?

There is no set time for that. I've heard cases in which the visa was granted on the same day, at the end of the interview. Others must wait for several months.

3. Since my wife is on a visitor status, she's going to have to go through the border officers upon re-entering Canada (re-apply for visitor stamp) after the immigration interview. If she passed the interview will she get to enter without problem? How about if she failed and we have to appeal?

The outcome of the interview shouldn't have a direct bearing on her ability to re-enter Canada, but there is definitely no guarantee that she will be allowed to re-enter. It would be unusual, but it's within the discretion of a CBSA officer.

4. Our medical is currently expired; however they have not asked for a redo, and we have been scheduled for an interview. In that case, or in cases where not every information is submitted / expired, do we have to wait until these things are completed?

The VO has the option to ask for an extension on the medical. If they have not done so, they will ask you to repeat the medical examination, most likely after the interview (assuming the interview is successful).

5. For the interview we are requested to bring entry/exit record. Originally our application history we wrote the application from memory and missed the dates 1 or 2 months in a couple of cases. Is that a big deal?

It doesn't look good, so you'd best have a reasonable explanation for why your original application was not accurate. It doesn't sound like it rises to the level of misrepresentation, but ultimately it is up to the VO to decide.

Good luck!

 

[stevelo]

Thanks Computergeek.

well, with regards to the slightly-off dates, my wife moved several times back then and some of it was years and years ago. For her stays in Canada she never stayed illegally or overstayed, and there would have been no difference between what we filled out and what we found out in the records for everything else except the date; the difference in dates would not serve to hide anything. Hopefully the officer is a reasonable person who understands we filled out the forms to the best of our ability and to our best knowledge.

Any ideas on what happens if the sponsor also attends the interview? How is the format like would we get interviewed together or separately like in the police dramas and grilled to see if our evidence are similar or not? (consultant scared us a lot...) Anyway, the interview request was sent to the applicant only; what if the sponsor attends will it be up to the officer's discretion to allow the sponsor to attend or even give me an impromptu interview? Is there a strict format or is it completely up to the officer?

 

[computergeek]

well, with regards to the slightly-off dates, my wife moved several times back then and some of it was years and years ago. For her stays in Canada she never stayed illegally or overstayed, and there would have been no difference between what we filled out and what we found out in the records for everything else except the date; the difference in dates would not serve to hide anything. Hopefully the officer is a reasonable person who understands we filled out the forms to the best of our ability and to our best knowledge.

In my experience, the officers are generally reasonable. Given a reasonable explanation of the discrepancy and the fact it was not material, I suspect you'll find that the VO accepts your explanation.

Any ideas on what happens if the sponsor also attends the interview? How is the format like would we get interviewed together or separately like in the police dramas and grilled to see if our evidence are similar or not? (consultant scared us a lot...) Anyway, the interview request was sent to the applicant only; what if the sponsor attends will it be up to the officer's discretion to allow the sponsor to attend or even give me an impromptu interview? Is there a strict format or is it completely up to the officer?

I've never been through an interview, so I'm not sure of the protocol. The officer certainly has the discretion to allow (or not allow) the sponsor to be in the interview. I'd think that both of you coming together could be interpreted favourably. The officer has broad discretion, but must be asking questions about the application and the relationship. So it would be inappropriate of the officer to ask questions outside of that area.

Have you reviewed your case notes? If not, your consultant is an ass because that's the first thing one should do as soon as you get called for an interview. It will provide you with an understanding of the doubts the officer might have about the relationship, or if there are other issues with respect to your wife's application that have prompted the interview. By understanding their concerns you can be prepared to address them.

 

[canadianwoman]

Any ideas on what happens if the sponsor also attends the interview? How is the format like would we get interviewed together or separately like in the police dramas and grilled to see if our evidence are similar or not? (consultant scared us a lot...) Anyway, the interview request was sent to the applicant only; what if the sponsor attends will it be up to the officer's discretion to allow the sponsor to attend or even give me an impromptu interview? Is there a strict format or is it completely up to the officer?

It is up to the visa officer. If you go with your wife to the interview, you will be waiting outside while she is interviewed. The visa officer will most likely know you are there - either because your wife says so, or because the security officers will. The visa officer can then ask you to come in. You will probably be interviewed separately. I've heard of a few cases where the husband and wife were together in the interview room; usually these cases were cases where the visa officer did not seem to be questioning the bona fides of the relationship. If they are suspicious, you will be interviewed separately. As for 'grilling' you, that also depends on the visa officer. I was grilled, as was my husband. Others have reported that their visa officer was polite and friendly. Try to get information from someone who has gone through the Seoul office to tell you what it was like.

Some people see the sponsor attending the interview as evidence the relationship is genuine: you are there for support. This is just my opinion, but I say don't go. If they interview you, this is just adding one more nervous person to the mix.

 

[stevelo]

Again, thanks Computergeek and Canadianwoman for the advice. Also, congratulatins Computergeek!

I am definitely going to go; I can't let my wife suffer through this by herself, and I won't even tolerate dropping her off in front of Seoul office. Bringing our dog for the trip too (but I guess she will have to go to doggie daycare; which is too bad since she's scared of every person/dog except for us and she would be good evidence to authenticate our relationship).

Yes we submitted the proof that she is in Canada, so GCMS notes should be re-processing now.

In some ways, I am glad we are getting the interview (because it's been a nightmare waiting every month past the average processing time; we are over twice the expected time when we began now) and the chance to explain any issues and give the officer a chance to actually know us in person. On the other hand, it's so stressful.

Canadianwoman, there's so many posts on this board so it's hard to follow every thread, but how did your interview go? What's your situation now?

 

[canadianwoman]

Canadianwoman, there's so many posts on this board so it's hard to follow every thread, but how did your interview go? What's your situation now?

If you are in Seoul at the time of the interview, it would look more normal to go to the embassy with your wife. Most people who have gone with their spouse to the interview have said it was fine. It wasn't fine in my case, so I do advise people to think about it.

In my case I was with my husband at the embassy, waiting outside while he was interviewed. When the visa officer found out I was there, she called me in and interviewed me separately. Neither my husband's interview nor mine went well. Our visa officer is one that is notorious in the Accra office for being difficult. She yelled at both of us, she threw our application on the floor, she kept on asking me (and I mean over and over and over) how I knew my husband would not just run away once he got to Canada.

Anyway, he did not get the visa. We appealed, and lost. We're still together; I'm planning to send in a new application soon.

 

[stevelo]

Whoa that is pretty bad. I hope you guys remain strong and be successful the next time around.

I am getting the picture that I need to prepare to give every evidence and assume that the officer's disposition will be against us from the start. It would be great if the officer is kind but its certainly true that our application stands out from the 'normals'.