Thick skin and steady breathing are essentials when you talk to Immigration officers – two qualities missing from my conversational repertoire. Instead, I become defensive and wait with baited breath for horrible news; I refuse to pursue issues; and, I apologize for things that aren’t my fault. “Right, so you’re denying my visa because you accidentally shredded the paperwork, of course, I’m completely sorry about that …”
Though border crossings and airport customs are especially nerve wracking, I’m thinking of all those earlier interactions you have, in order to get the visa that gets you to the border. All those multiple phone calls and e-mails made to sort out details of the visa application process.
After applying through the Immigration departments of assorted national embassies, I’ve learned a few helpful ways to handle this initial communication process:
- Be firmly polite, but not pushy. Spatter ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ throughout your speech – after all, you’re talking to a normal human being who has feelings. Remember that Immigration officials follow a set of standard procedures to decide the status of your visa. While your tone of voice will show your concern, it can’t alter these procedures. Express consideration and the sentiment should be returned.
- When in doubt, ask again. If you feel like your question or concern was not properly answered the first time you called, call back. Send an email. If you continue to remain professionally polite, this won’t be seen as an aggressive or pushy move.
- Get a name and keep notes. Whether you speak to someone over the phone or via email, be sure to save the information they share. Store the email in a special folder and make notes of what you discussed on the phone. Write down/highlight the name of the officer you spoke with – this may come in handy, should the information they provided turn out to be incorrect or challenged by a different Immigration officer.
- Ask for deadlines. Want to know how long it will take before you find out about your visa? It is entirely within your right as an applicant to ask for specific dates. “So, I can expect a response by …” Typically, this information is already provided on the country’s Immigration website; but, because the timelines given are often vague, it helps to ask an officer for a more specific date. They may not be able to provide you with one, but it’s always worth asking!
- What’s your advice for talking to Immigration?
~ Until the next adventure! ~ Kelli
Photo credit: US border notice – Wikimedia, Makaristos; aiga airport symbol – openclipart