- Sep 29, 2009
- 105
- Category........
- Visa Office......
- Hong Kong
- Job Offer........
- Pre-Assessed..
- App. Filed.......
- November 2009
- Med's Done....
- October 2009 and 15 April 2011
- Interview........
- 4 April 2011
- Passport Req..
- 4 April 2011
- VISA ISSUED...
- 7 July 2011
- LANDED..........
- 15 July 2011
I’ll try to answer the questions raised by different people in this single post.
I don’t know what will be in the letter requesting a medical that the medical officer should see. I’ll let you know when I get the letter.
The questions centred on the differences between us (age, culture, education) – to assess whether we had an authentic relationship. Most of the interview was with my wife, while I waited outside the interview room. The VO did ask my wife if she married me for the visa (his tone was respectful; he was just doing his job). She replied that she had no burning desire to go to Canada, that she is happy with her friends here in China, and that it is I who is more interested in Canada – all true.
When the VO invited me into the interview room, he mentioned the differences between my wife and me, and asked me to explain how we could have a real relationship. I replied that my first marriage (I was divorced) was perfect on paper, but didn’t work out. So, similarities and differences on paper don’t mean much. What counts is compatibility and chemical attraction. No one understands the latter two, or divorce rates would not be so high around the world. I then listed a few of my wife’s great qualities, and ended with the simple statement that a day with her goes very quickly.
If personal aura counts, or vibrations – or whatever you want to call the element of communication that is non-verbal – then yes, I think it was helpful that I was there with my wife at the interview, and that the VO could see us interacting in real life. Documents are a poor way to assess how two people interact.
Our answers were not challenged; the VO accepted what we said without argument. I suspect the interview was called just to be safe, to verify that we were good. I also suspect that every Chinese person from the south of China gets an interview. I was talking to a young couple – he a naturalized Canadian citizen, she a sweet thing from Guangzhou. No reason to doubt the validity of their relationship, yet they were called to an interview too. They also were in and out in about 10 minutes.
Was the translator necessary? I asked the VO that after the interview, and he said that where the case is a “good case” (like ours was), the translator was probably not necessary. But where the VO has serious concerns to explore, and the applicant does not answer clearly, the VO is left to wonder if the applicant is being evasive. Having a translator present allows the applicant to answer clearly, if he is legitimate.
I was glad to have the translator there just to be safe. Why risk everything on a mere linguistic misunderstanding?
So … a happy experience and a good outcome for us both. I still think someone needs to take a close look at the process, and make it much clearer and kinder for applicants. Imagine the confusion that would reign without this forum!!
I don’t know what will be in the letter requesting a medical that the medical officer should see. I’ll let you know when I get the letter.
The questions centred on the differences between us (age, culture, education) – to assess whether we had an authentic relationship. Most of the interview was with my wife, while I waited outside the interview room. The VO did ask my wife if she married me for the visa (his tone was respectful; he was just doing his job). She replied that she had no burning desire to go to Canada, that she is happy with her friends here in China, and that it is I who is more interested in Canada – all true.
When the VO invited me into the interview room, he mentioned the differences between my wife and me, and asked me to explain how we could have a real relationship. I replied that my first marriage (I was divorced) was perfect on paper, but didn’t work out. So, similarities and differences on paper don’t mean much. What counts is compatibility and chemical attraction. No one understands the latter two, or divorce rates would not be so high around the world. I then listed a few of my wife’s great qualities, and ended with the simple statement that a day with her goes very quickly.
If personal aura counts, or vibrations – or whatever you want to call the element of communication that is non-verbal – then yes, I think it was helpful that I was there with my wife at the interview, and that the VO could see us interacting in real life. Documents are a poor way to assess how two people interact.
Our answers were not challenged; the VO accepted what we said without argument. I suspect the interview was called just to be safe, to verify that we were good. I also suspect that every Chinese person from the south of China gets an interview. I was talking to a young couple – he a naturalized Canadian citizen, she a sweet thing from Guangzhou. No reason to doubt the validity of their relationship, yet they were called to an interview too. They also were in and out in about 10 minutes.
Was the translator necessary? I asked the VO that after the interview, and he said that where the case is a “good case” (like ours was), the translator was probably not necessary. But where the VO has serious concerns to explore, and the applicant does not answer clearly, the VO is left to wonder if the applicant is being evasive. Having a translator present allows the applicant to answer clearly, if he is legitimate.
I was glad to have the translator there just to be safe. Why risk everything on a mere linguistic misunderstanding?
So … a happy experience and a good outcome for us both. I still think someone needs to take a close look at the process, and make it much clearer and kinder for applicants. Imagine the confusion that would reign without this forum!!
