After interview IR/CR1 interview

[Goblixie 0]

Hi everyone,

 

i had my interview yestrday. I was very prepared. Got called for biometrics and collection of ducuments. Gave the lady everything she requested then wanted to give me my folders of eveidence but she said they would ask for it if they needed it. Sat down and waited. There were 2 gentlemen before me and they were denied their visas. They argued with the lady doing my visa  interview so by the time I got there she was frustred and unprepared. She didn't ask for any photos of proof of relationship. 

 

She asked a few questions like how did you meet, when did you meet and where does my husband work and who is the petitioner. Then she looked for his divorce decree and said she couldn't find it. I offered her a copy then she said it has to be original or certified copies. Looked again and found it. Someone in the background asked her a question and she rolled her eyes and answered then irritably. Then she says they will get back to me in 3 weeks if they need anything. I asked if the visa was approved and she she said that if they need anything I would hear in 3 weeks. They kept my passport so I'm very lost and very heart broken as I really wanted to give my husband good news. I haven't seen him for 6 months. 

 

Ive been prepared for over a 3 months for this interview. There is no one here at the South African consulate in Sandton I can email or ask so I have no idea what to do next.  Can anyone shed some light as to what I can expect? 

[harsh2010 134]

Not much experience on that  but

I think they put you on administrative processing which does take usually around 1 month to review 

But on the other hand since they took your passport that seems like a good sign that you are almost likely approved  

 

I sure hope so 

Congratulations in advance 

[Goblixie 0]

I hear  the lady at the next window tell the people she interviewed congratulations they have been approved. The lady who did my interview didn't say anything. 

[harsh2010 134]

2 minutes ago, Goblixie said:

I hear  the lady at the next window tell the people she interviewed congratulations they have been approved. The lady who did my interview didn't say anything. 

Yeah if you are approved on spot they give you congratulations type card and instruction paper to pay your green card fee 

In your case they haven't approved yet but the fact they took your passport is good sign , might just need more time to review something 

[Gorkhali 214]

first of all, no one is allowed to argue with VO inside the consulate. What the hell? something is not true.

 

Anyway seems u are in AP .. They may need to verify some document or something u said or security clearance etc. They keeping ur passport is good sign. Keep checking ur visa status online.

 

 

[Goblixie 0]

Yes I know you aren't allowed to argue with the immigration officer .. Hence why the lady was so distracted when I got to her window. That's also the reason I just said thank you and left. I know getting upset right there and then would have been disastrous so I just gathered all the files I put together and left. 

[jle2234 68]

I, too, witnessed another applicant arguing with a visa officer while I was at my interview -- it may not be allowed, but it does happen.

 

I agree the other posters that it sounds like your are in Administrative Processing.  That means you have been neither approved or denied at this point; they are taking extra time to consider your case.  I'm sorry that you are going through this, but try not to give up hope.  While any delay is very disheartening in this process, try to remember that a few weeks is really a drop in the bucket when you consider how long this whole process has taken.  Hopefully you will get some good news soon.

[Goblixie 0]

18 minutes ago, jle2234 said:

I, too, witnessed another applicant arguing with a visa officer while I was at my interview -- it may not be allowed, but it does happen.

 

I agree the other posters that it sounds like your are in Administrative Processing.  That means you have been neither approved or denied at this point; they are taking extra time to consider your case.  I'm sorry that you are going through this, but try not to give up hope.  While any delay is very disheartening in this process, try to remember that a few weeks is really a drop in the bucket when you consider how long this whole process has taken.  Hopefully you will get some good news soon.

Thank you so much. We are trying to not let it get us down! 

[Ochili 21]

CO's may not like people arguing with them but it happens. The day of my husband's interview, I witnessed someone in the SA consulate arguing with the CO. The guy was drunk and the CO eventually just shut her window on him.

 

Have your husband call. They are good about answering the phones, except on Wednesdays when they have meetings. Wishing you a speedy process and success.

[Goblixie 0]

10 minutes ago, Ochili said:

CO's may not like people arguing with them but it happens. The day of my husband's interview, I witnessed someone in the SA consulate arguing with the CO. The guy was drunk and the CO eventually just shut her window on him.

 

Have your husband call. They are good about answering the phones, except on Wednesdays when they have meetings. Wishing you a speedy process and success.

WHo should he call. The immigration department doesn't take calls... do you have a number?  I'm completely lost at the moment. 

Edited November 3, 2017 by Goblixie

[Ochili 21]

This is the number on the info page:

Phone: (011) 290-3000 
Fax: (011) 884-0396 

Immigrant Visa Unit:011 290 3500 Note: Telephone enquiries are only answered between 9-12pm Monday to Friday.
 

Unless things have changed, they take calls. I had to call and speak to someone at least 3 times but this was some time ago.

 

[Goblixie 0]

1 minute ago, Ochili said:

This is the number on the info page:

Phone: (011) 290-3000 
Fax: (011) 884-0396 

Immigrant Visa Unit:011 290 3500 Note: Telephone enquiries are only answered between 9-12pm Monday to Friday.
 

Unless things have changed, they take calls. I had to call and speak to someone at least 3 times but this was some time ago.

 

Hello again,

 

Thank you so much. My husband is in Arizona, so will ask him to call on Monday first thing when he wakes up. I really appreciate your help! 

[Gorkhali 214]

45 minutes ago, Goblixie said:

Hello again,

 

Thank you so much. My husband is in Arizona, so will ask him to call on Monday first thing when he wakes up. I really appreciate your help! 

These phone lines will be answered in a standard format. Same with the emails to the embassy.

 

Get Congressman (Congressman from the residence of USC) involved so that congressman office will contact the embassy on your behalf and get the real scoop. This will be much more effective. 

[NYCruiser 423]

3 hours ago, Goblixie said:

Thank you so much. We are trying to not let it get us down! 

Yes it would be administrative processing. However, if concerns me that since AP can be one day, one week, or one year..no one knows...why would they keep your passport for an indeterminate time period? 

You might need it for travel to another country or ID or whatever. I think it will be much sooner than later for you. The Senior Administrative CO will note that.

 

I agree...people should not be arguing with the IO. Usually security will escort them away

[inloveVEN 46]

17 hours ago, Goblixie said:

Hi everyone,

 

i had my interview yestrday. I was very prepared. Got called for biometrics and collection of ducuments. Gave the lady everything she requested then wanted to give me my folders of eveidence but she said they would ask for it if they needed it. Sat down and waited. There were 2 gentlemen before me and they were denied their visas. They argued with the lady doing my visa  interview so by the time I got there she was frustred and unprepared. She didn't ask for any photos of proof of relationship. 

 

She asked a few questions like how did you meet, when did you meet and where does my husband work and who is the petitioner. Then she looked for his divorce decree and said she couldn't find it. I offered her a copy then she said it has to be original or certified copies. Looked again and found it. Someone in the background asked her a question and she rolled her eyes and answered then irritably. Then she says they will get back to me in 3 weeks if they need anything. I asked if the visa was approved and she she said that if they need anything I would hear in 3 weeks. They kept my passport so I'm very lost and very heart broken as I really wanted to give my husband good news. I haven't seen him for 6 months. 

 

Ive been prepared for over a 3 months for this interview. There is no one here at the South African consulate in Sandton I can email or ask so I have no idea what to do next.  Can anyone shed some light as to what I can expect? 

If she tooks your passport chances are that you got an approval but because of the interruptions she did not want to do anything in front of the others ( it was weird, i think if this things would  happened in the place where i went, probably she would call the police officer to stop the problem)   

 

 

I think you can celebrate