Interview News!!!!

[chris4336 3]

Okay just heard from my fiance. He is an Algerian National who has been living in Spain for the past 2 years, but does not have permenant residency in Spain. His interview was in Madrid. He got there at 9, they called him to a counter, took all our forms but not any of our letters/cards/photos and then told him to wait. He waited 2 hours (I would have freaked out sitting there for 2 hours) then they called him for the actual interview. He said the guy was kind of "looking him over" and asked him some pretty easy questions - How did you meet your fiancee, what does she do, what do you do in Spain. They asked about the Police certificate, and my fiancee explained he could not get it because he does not have residency in Spain, and they said ok.

Then they asked for my phone numbers, and told Mohamed that they were going to call me before issuing a Visa. Mohamed gave them my home and cell numbers. They gave him back the letter from the Medical Clinic and told him not to open it and to carry it to the US. Then they checked his address to mail the Visa and he was done.

This sounds pretty good to me - I was really preparing for the worst. He is pretty skeptical however. I have a few questions:

Has anyone ever had an embassy calling the USC to verify? What kinds of questions did they ask?

I have read on these boards that the immigrant is given an envelope to carry with them to the POE - is this envelope just the medical report from the clinic or are they going to mail my fiancee another envelope with his visa?

Is there any way to tell if they are going to run security checks on him? They did not mention anything...

Thanks

Christina

[noura 0]

This sounds good Chris - the brown envelope must be the medical records is *not* to be opened. I have heard of the USC being called but have no idea what questions they may ask. As for security checks - **everyone** coming into the US will go thru security checks. It sounds like it went well and I hope he hears something soon!

Edited January 31, 2007 by noura

[chris4336 3]

Thanks!!! Are these security checks the same thing that people from Morocco go through (you know that takes months - Avanced Processing?)

Edited January 31, 2007 by chris4336

[noura 0]

Thanks!!! Are these security checks the same thing that people from Morocco go through (you know that takes months - Avanced Processing?)

yep, but it doesn't always take months - ours took one week. Folks from Muslim countries most definitely have security checks, but I'm pretty positive that everyone does. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it could be any length of time.

Edited January 31, 2007 by noura

[chris4336 3]

Thanks!!! Now I'm just in class waiting for the Embassy to call

[Jenn! 918]

Thanks!!! Are these security checks the same thing that people from Morocco go through (you know that takes months - Avanced Processing?)

yep, but it doesn't always take months - ours took one week. Folks from Muslim countries most definitely have security checks, but I'm pretty positive that everyone does. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it could be any length of time.

I think in most other countries though they do the checks *before* the interview, which is why the visa is often issued the same day as the interview. I'm not sure of Spain's procedures.

I think there's more to the brown envelope than just the mdeical. I think they'll be delivering the other envelope along with the visa.

Congratulations!!

[melly 0]

Sounds like pretty good news!! Hopefully we can give a firm congratulations for the visa in hand sometime soon.

[gonewiththewind 0]

congrats on good news

[Henia 11]

Sounds like good news Christina! MABOURK to Christina and Mohammed!If you got over the hurddle of him living in Spain without papers, all is good then!

Has anyone ever had an embassy calling the USC to verify? What kinds of questions did they ask?

In recent case that I know of(same consulate), the USC was called to verify certain informations on the application. It is not common, buuuuuut it is done. They do have right to do that.

I have read on these boards that the immigrant is given an envelope to carry with them to the POE - is this envelope just the medical report from the clinic or are they going to mail my fiancee another envelope with his visa?

The brown envelope contains all files pertaining to your case. These papers are what gets him in the US.

The visa in Alger is computer generated, then sent visa UPS to either the benefactioner's home or he can pick it up at the UPS office in Hyra. The consulate should given him some type of ye or nay answer. They make their decision there. If they said it is a ýes' then he will have to wait about 10 days for the visa (if there is more need for reviews) UPS takes about 3 days (no matter where the visa is sent to) But I recommond picking it up in the UPS office. And do not verify anything on the phone with them... they love give people the run-a-around. Here is the UPS address.

UPS Algerie

8, Rue Imam El Ghazali

Colonne Voirol 16035

HYDRA - Algiers

Tel.: 213-21-69-33-55

Fax: 213-21-69-35-55

Is there any way to tell if they are going to run security checks on him?

Did the guard hug him? That is a good sign from Alger. And if the officer mentioned anything about coming back or AP...then they are running security checks. But with the recent John Walsh law, I would just tell you to except *some* delays with checks.

Bonne chance and donnot worry. Alger is a great consulate!

Edited January 31, 2007 by Henia

[Henia 11]

Thanks!!! Are these security checks the same thing that people from Morocco go through (you know that takes months - Avanced Processing?)

In Alger, these checks take no longer then 3 weeks. But usually aorund 10 days. But like I said I would not worry.I have been hearing all good news from Alger lately.... approvals approvals approvals!

[chris4336 3]

Thanks Henia for your support but we actually went through the Madrid embassy. But your advice about picking up the the visa at the post office is great I will make sure to tell him to do that

Actually speaking of Algeria - I actually have another question. My fiance has not seen his family in Algeria in 2.5 years. He did not have the residency in Spain and therefore if he left Spain he couldn't reenter. He also was very concerned about the Algerian police force taking away his Algerian passport upon entry because he overstayed his tourist visa to Spain (I have heard different things about the truth to this, but my fiance swears its true).

Anyway, if inchallah we get the visa I would love for him to travel to Algeria to see his family from Spain, then come to the US. Is this at all possible? I'm assuming the visa is good for entry into the US regardless of the country your flight comes out of? He is pretty scared to but I'm scared that our AOS will take really long for whatever reason. Any thoughts?

[chris4336 3]

Thanks Henia for your support but we actually went through the Madrid embassy. But your advice about picking up the the visa at the post office is great I will make sure to tell him to do that

Actually speaking of Algeria - I actually have another question. My fiance has not seen his family in Algeria in 2.5 years. He did not have the residency in Spain and therefore if he left Spain he couldn't reenter. He also was very concerned about the Algerian police force taking away his Algerian passport upon entry because he overstayed his tourist visa to Spain (I have heard different things about the truth to this, but my fiance swears its true).

Anyway, if inchallah we get the visa I would love for him to travel to Algeria to see his family from Spain, then come to the US. Is this at all possible? I'm assuming the visa is good for entry into the US regardless of the country your flight comes out of? He is pretty scared to but I'm scared that our AOS will take really long for whatever reason. Any thoughts?

[Henia 11]

Thanks Henia for your support but we actually went through the Madrid embassy. But your advice about picking up the the visa at the post office is great I will make sure to tell him to do that

Welcome, trying to help. Buuuuuuuuuut Oooooooooo ok I donnot know I assume you went throu Alger...

Actually speaking of Algeria - I actually have another question. My fiance has not seen his family in Algeria in 2.5 years. He did not have the residency in Spain and therefore if he left Spain he couldn't reenter. He also was very concerned about the Algerian police force taking away his Algerian passport upon entry because he overstayed his tourist visa to Spain (I have heard different things about the truth to this, but my fiance swears its true).

Um, not for sure, but I know in Tunezia (even thou we are not even talking about Tunezia he would have lost his citizenship. But I will ask my husband to be sure about Algerie.

Anyway, if inchallah we get the visa I would love for him to travel to Algeria to see his family from Spain, then come to the US.

That would be nice idea! But better have his family check. And as I said I am going to ask my husband too!

I'm assuming the visa is good for entry into the US regardless of the country your flight comes out of? He is pretty scared to but I'm scared that our AOS will take really long for whatever reason. Any thoughts?

Well, if you check the timeline for AOS you can get an idea of the time frame in which he will not be able to leave the US. Visiting the family is a great idea, but it means losing the passport, then better to just wait. As above, all I can say is: Have his family go to the local police station or to the Gerndaime to ask. I would actually have them ask in their town which they live in, in the wilaya they live in and also in Alger. Before to hear it from 3 different sources...then to have one say one thing and then lose the passport. Algeriens are afamous for giving the run-a-around and false information.

And if this helps any, the UPS in Madrid:

United Parcel Service España Ltd. Y Cia SRC

Vía de los Poblados, 1 - Edificio Alvento 2

28033 Madrid

Tel.: 902-88-88-20

The manager is Jesús Frontelo there.

O BTW in the UPS Alger, donnot talk to the woman that works there on the phone, she is a moron. And when you speak to them ask for their names (they like to say they *never* talked to you )

Edited January 31, 2007 by Henia

[chris4336 3]

Haha wow SORRY...blame it on the sleep deprevation

[doodlebug 3]

Sounds like it went well!! Congrats!