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| Nigeria |  Review on June 23, 2013: |
SMANNE
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We give thanks to God and all VJ Members.My husband's interview was scheduled for friday June 21st 2013.I came in from the US on the 19th so I could be with him on the day of the interview.The day before the interview we arranged the documents we needed and we booked a hotel close to the consulate. The hotel was about 15 minutes drive from the consulate. My husband was not nervous but I was. That night, he did not want to go over any questions.I was so nervous I could not sleep. I woke up at 12 midnight, 1 am and 2am. I couldn't sleep. I felt like I was the one to be interviewed. I stayed up all night and eventually watched the match between Nigeria and Uruguay lol! We woke up at 3am prayed and then got ready.The hotel was about 10 minutes drive to the consulate but we didn't want to take any chances especially since it was raining. We eventually got to the consulate at 5:09am.When we arrived there, there were only about seven people in line. At 6:15am we were asked to form another line and it did not matter if you were going to be interviewed or not. After we were screened those who were going in for interviews were taken to a separate line including my husband. I waved goodbye to him and went and sat under a tree. A few minutes later, it began to rain again and those of us waiting had to seek for shelter. Now here comes my husband's part...
After i left, my husband said he was the first in line for the CR 1 visa. He went through the first check point, a second check point(where he was asked to open his medical result, show his passport and appointment letter) and then a third checkpoint ( where they scanned him) and then a final checkpoint where he was asked to take off his belt and wristwatch .Then he went in to the consulate. My husband said he could hear approvals and denials and he could see why people suddenly developed fear in the embassy. According to him the environment was tense.They first attended to those with non immigrant visa and then in his category, they start with pregnant women,women with children and those who won visa lotteries.My husband said he sat for about three hours and thirty minutes before his number flashed on the screen and a Caucasian lady was his CO. Here is his account
CO: Good morning
Hubby: Good morning
CO: You are welcome
Hubby:Thank you
CO: Can we start now?
Hubby: Yes
CO: Put your fingers on the scanner( Left four fingers, right four fingers and both thumbs)
Hubby already knew about the fingerprinting process as he had watched others being interviewed)
CO:Gave hubby the DS 230 to sign.
Hubby: Signed the part 2 of the form. Hubby says he didn't take any oath or swear. Guess the CO was kind of excited lol!
CO:When did she travel to the US ( WEIRD RIGHT)
Hubby: Answered
CO: Where does she work?
Hubby:Gave answer
CO: How long have you guys been together?
Hubby:Answered
CO: Where did you meet?
Hubby:Answered
CO: You mean she left in ---- and came back in ----and you got married?
Hubby: Yes and she is outside waiting for me
CO:Oh she is around? Right here with you?( Excited CO)
CO: (Still in an excited voice)How many people came from the states to attend the wedding
Hubby: Nobody but the relatives in Nigeria,her mum and other siblings attended the wedding( Provided about four photos of my family members on our wedding day)
CO Still excited)That's enough photos. Its okay Everything is fine you are
approved. Have a wonderful stay( Hubby said she said \"have a wonderful stay\"thrice) lol. He only showed her 4 photos and we front loaded with only about 10 photos including our wedding invitation card, souvenirs and wedding programme when sending the I-130.Although we came prepared for the interview with more photos, phone records, emails chats another police clearance and photocopies of documents but all these were not even looked at. My husband was given back the original marriage certificates( church and court), birth certificates and two passport photographs.He said the interview lasted about 4 minutes.
I believe it was God because my husband was bold. One secret he says is to be bold and answer the questions confidently even if the CO is trying to intimidate you.
Back to me.... I was outside waiting and by now it had stopped raining. I watched as people came out of the embassy with happy and sad faces. I even got a chance to see one Nigerian actress.I saw my husband from afar at about 10:30 am coming out of the consulate and smiling. I knew we had been approved and could not help hugging him. It was such a joyous day for both of us.We really thank God for it was he who saw us through the whole process. We want to encourage others with these words. Pray, pray and pray, Believe in God and have confidence in him. Also visit visa journey and ask questions when you are not sure.
Visa journey was really helpful to us. We thank all VJ members whose questions and contributions contributed to making our interview a success.God bless you all. If you have questions you can email or ask me and I would gladly provide answers.
(updated on June 23, 2013)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #12188