Tuesday, November 14, 2006 ;
4:55 PM
It was a humbling experience.
I had everything prepared, all the things they required (eg online forms with barcodes printed)
, plus they wanted supplemental evidence that we will not stay on and be immigrants so I had an employer's letter, bank statements (what the website suggested) and so on, all organised neatly in clear holders in a ring binder.
We arrived in good time after dropping the kids off at mom-in-law's. I let my mom alight first and parked at the Botanic Gardens since we couldn't park there. When I walked back to the embassy, my mom was in the queue already, there were many people and we stood in line in a tent in the open. The tent provided shade from the scorching sun but all of us were still sweating profusely in the humid heat. I was already prepared for this though, because Mrs Ang, dh, and others (like students and friends) who applied for visas recently had told me about it. That was why I did not bring my kids.
After a wait, it was our turn to go through the security checks at the guard house, where our bags were scanned. Handphones, cameras and other stuff must be kept at the guardhouse too. Then we were allowed in the main building.
The air con was so welcome. Took a seat and waited for my number. It came pretty quickly. Someone in front of me did not have the cashier's order from a local bank and was asked to leave. My forms were checked at one counter first, then we waited for our interview at another counter.
Dh had received his approval very easily after the interview. His interviewer was friendly and interested in his bow-making course. So I thought it would be smooth sailing, after all my forms and stuff were found to be sufficient and in good order.
During our wait, we could hear all the Qs posed by the interviewer as the mic projected their voices into the waiting room loud and clear. It actually made me more tense as I heard several applications being rejected. Most applicants had their salaries announced, one guy's was too low, and his application was rejected. Another's salary was pronounced as ok. So I was thinking, mine fell between that range, it got me a little worried. Another had his job scope queried and doubted, so I felt even worse, although I had a perfectly respectable profession, I can't help being just that bit more nervous. The way we were being grilled and interrogated seemed like we were suspected criminals? After a few more got rejected, I was already thinking seriously about the $8000 I spent on the air tickets from Zuji that did not allow date changes or refunds.
Then it was our turn. I was hoping to get another counter, whose success rate seemed higher and whose grilling seemed less intense. But we got the one I was feeling more worried about. Anyway I went forward, she wanted to interview me alone so my mom remained seated. My fingerprints were taken, and then she asked for my birthdate and profession. That was ok. Then she asked about dh. She asked where he had his visa approved first. She felt it was too easily approved?
Then she casted her suspicions on his course of study. She asked me about bow-making, why he wanted to study there (SLC). Then she said it looks to her we will stay on in USA and not return. She told me my application was only so-so. It doesn't make a strong case about us returning. I said I had my employer's letter stating I took no pay leave and will return, but she said she didn't care. My mom had a shocked look. I wanted to fly the Singapore flag then, to show her I was definitely fiercely loyal and proud of Singapore, that I love Singapore and will surely return, but how to prove this kind of love??
She then said it was very odd for dh to go pursue a high school kind of diploma, what good would it do him? She said there were so many superior European bows and violins on sale here, what will he be able to do with this? I explained that it will be a niche market and he intended to set up a music school or business dealing with music instruments, but she didn't buy it. She then said she can't even be sure he is actually studying at the school now. I was stunned because he is, and how to make her believe me? She was convinced we would go on to do other stuff in USA, especially since I was bringing my kids and all.
I think it must be the first time in my life I found someone who really didn't believe me and I couldn't make him/ her do so. The feeling is indescribable. Maybe cos I have a serious/ innocent/ honest look or face, haha, so I'd never really been doubted much before.
Also I wanted to tell her I'd definitely return to Singapore cos my family and friends are here! These relationships built up for so many years are surely the most important factor pulling me back, but how do I show her these intangible links and bonds? Haha, maybe next time I must bring all my photos, my blog excerpts, my diaries, cards my students wrote me etc to show how much I love the people here and how I actually do not want to be away from them for long!
On hindsight I can understand why they give us a hard time and disbelieve us. I think there are just so many people who overstay and who end up being immigrants even though they convincingly said they wouldn't at the consular interview... Sigh.
She then waved me aside and interviewed my mom. She told my mom frankly that her visa had slim chance of being approved. Then asked her about my dad's job. When told he taught in a Bible college, she asked how many students are enrolled. When my mom said 8 this year, she exclaimed, "8??!?", then how does my dad get paid and how does the organisation make a profit? My mom explained it is a non-profit organisation and funded by the church. At this point, she took off her headset and mic and turned to her colleagues, (but still loud enough for us to hear) saying, "What an INTERESTING family!!!" She carried on talking to them, so I quickly handed my mom the itinerary printed by Zuji which stated her return tickets were bought, proving she'd definitely return home?
When the lady came back to her seat, my mom told her I suffer from air sickness and she only wanted to accomnpany me on the flight there so that she can take care of the 2 young grandchildren during the 28h journey. Somehow, she seemed to relent after this. She took a look and said, "So you only plan to be there for 3 weeks?" Then she told my mom, "This time I will only grant you a short-term visa. If you indeed do return to Singapore after this, I will issue you a longer one next time."
Ahhh, anyway, in the end we got it. Hooray!! Yippee!! Both mine and kids (dependent's visa), and my mom's tourist visa.
I collected the passports today. In the end, my mom got a long tourist visa (valid for 1 year!), so she could actually make more than one trip based on that. Maybe she'll go with daddy later next year! :-)
The collection was a breeze compared to last week. I was just required to show my card at the guardhouse and the passports were given to me. One person could collect for everyone else too. I am just so happy and delighted to have it issued, it is a load off my mind now, can concentrate on other matters now.
rainbows every day, do not worry for the morrow
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