CR1/IR1 interview- US Embassy, Bahamas

[Chris&Jen 0]

Hello all!

Sorry for the late posting, but this forum has been really helpful in completing our case, so I thought I'd return the favour so you guyes know what to expect at hte interview..

We had our interview in Nassau, Bahamas on Jan 8, 2008. Although I'm from South Africa, we filed through the Bahamas embassy because I was working in the Caribbean at the time.

Our interview was at 14:30. Luckely Nassau has a fairly small embassy which wasn't too busy at all. We went through security and took a seat in a general area. After a few mins, a lady called me to the window in front of us, and asked me if she could help me. Not the question I was expecting(since it wasn't me who scheduled the apointment, but any way..) I told her I was there for my IR1 interview and gave her my Passport along with my interview letter. She told me that she wasn't aware that I had an interview scheduled that day, but said that my last name looked familier and that she was sure that she had received my case file from the NVC. That made me feel slightly better, cause I really didn't feel like coming back another day. She asked me to take a seat, and that she'd call me in a bit..

After a couple of min's I was called to another window, where my fingerprints was taken. I took a seat again untill I was called to another window where a lady asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth and all that :-) She asked me a few questions. Can't remember all the questions but these are some of them I remember.. She asked what job I did in the Caribbean. How long I've been living and working in the Caribbean. Where and when I met my wife. How long we've been married. She asked me for my photographs and my Police clearance from the Caribbean Island I lived in. She then asked for my afidavit of support evidance. She went through the evidance. My wife was with me, so she asked her a few questions about her job, and about the AOS. The last question she asked me was if I was going to work as an Airline Pilot in the States(that was the work i was doing in the Caribbean) I said yes, and that was it.. She asked me to phone the Embassy in the morning to check if my visa was processed and ready for pick up.. She didn't ask me for any evidance of our relationship. No photo's no emails, no joint bank accounts NOTHING.. But I would suggest having it with you, cause I'm sure most embassy's want it..

I called them the next day at about 8 and was told that my visa and immigration packet was ready for pick up. Went to the embassy and met with Mrs Elcock who gave me my visa and brown envelpe and explained everything about what needed to be done when I entered the States. I have to say that the people at the embassy(doing the interviews and MRS Elcock) where really very freindly and helpful! It all in all was a pretty painless experiance..

My POE was Charlotte, NC and also a really painless experiance. Was told to enter through the non-resident section( cause you only become a resident once your visa is endorsed). The Officer took my visa and envelope and gave me a card with a nr on it and asked me to collect all my bags and hand in the card she gave me to the customs agent. Also a really nice and friendly lady.. I then collected all my bags and went to the customs agent. He directed me to a nother customs officer who had my paperwork with him. He took my fingerprints and and asked me to sign a white card and that was it.. He just welcomed me to the US and I was on my way..

Just wantesd to say thanks to everyone. This forum was really a big help. hope this helps the next person going through this..

I just have one question though? I have indicated on my DS 230 that I wanted the SSA to alocate me a SSN. For how many people has this actually worked? And how long does it take to receive the card?

Anyway, please excuse the spelling errors, I hate typing :-)

and good luck to everyone!!