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| Nigeria |  Review on April 14, 2016: |
Backarray
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE LAGOS CONSULATE FOR SPOUSAL VISA INTERVIEW
I was scheduled to attend my immigrant interview at the Lagos Consulate General, Lagos Nigeria today 14th April, 2016. Frankly, I was not particularly excited because of my experience at the same Lagos Consulate on 16th July, 2016 when I came for K1 Fiancé Visa. I wasn’t granted the K1 visa then because the Consular officer misinterpreted Nigerian Laws on Bride Price and being a Lawyer, I was having none of it. After I made the position of Nigerian Laws clear that payment of Bride Price alone without more cannot ground a valid customary marriage, (Sorry law can be boring), the Consular officer said she stood by her decision and suggested we file I-130. I graciously accepted her suggestion and left. Albeit disappointed.
Fast forward to today, the event of last year made took the shine away a bit but I seriously needed to remain confident and I was. I arrived at the Lagos Consulate at 7.00am for an interview scheduled for 10.00am. We had to overcome the early shock when one of the officers said they did not fix any appointment for 10.00am but thankfully, it was resolved and we were led into the first hall (not the interview hall) where the interview letter was taken and I was given a white paper to fill (Just brief information about myself, my address and the petitioner) and I was also given a brown tag known as the gate pass. We were made to sit there and it was not until past noon that it got to my turn. (Phew!!!...That took a while and it was pretty tiring)
Scene 2. I was led into the interview hall but before then we had to undergo security check at the entry when we were made to pull off any metal including belt and wristwatches. Once we were done with that, we put on our items back and straight into the interview hall. My tag number was B533 and it was there I began to have a faint idea of the impending wait again. For over 2 hours, I was on my feet waiting for my number to be called (not even for the interview) for collation of document. I was eventually called at 2:15pm. I walked up to the lady and handed over my Police Certificate, Birth Certificate, International Passport, Passport Photograph and one passport photograph. After that, I reported back to the waiting game. While waiting, I saw that same Consular officer who denied my K1 visa last year and I was close to a nervous breakdown (lol). For whatever it was worth, I just did not want her to interview me and I started praying against her picking my file. (Laughs, interview can make a strong man shiver). Just to make it clear, I had nothing against Consular officer in question, I just did not want to face her and I got my wish.
Scene 3. (The Interview) I was called at exactly 2:50pm to Window **** and I walked down to the window with my huge bag of documents (I was not going to take this interview lightly). I said a quick ‘Good afternoon’ to the Consular officer and I had a welcoming smile accompanied by a response. That settled my nerves really. I took my oath and I was ready for business. The following exchange ensued:
CO: Hello, How are you?
Me: I am fine. Thank you.
CO: What is your name please:
Me: **********
CO: Good. Who is looking for you in America (smiles)
Me: My Wife
CO: How did you meet?
Me: We met through her brother who was my colleague in the University.
CO: When did you ask her out?
Me: 2011
CO: When did you start dating?
Me: 2012
CO: So what have you been doing since then?
Me: After my University, I left for Law School. I concluded in 2014 and we got married in 2015.
CO: When did she move to the US?
Me: 2012
CO: What manner of wedding did you have?
Me: We had traditional engagement in January, 2015 and Court Wedding later same year (August 2015)
CO: Okay. Do you have Pictures? Can I see them?
Me: Yes
My wife is heavily pregnant but we have images of baby ultra sound scan and I decided to put those baby images as the first set of pictures the CO will be seeing, immediately she spotted this, she was happy and her reaction was ‘Awwwwwww’ (lol). Interview continued...
CO: Are you expecting your baby?
Me: Yes. In the next 25 days.
CO: Woow. Congratulations
Me: Thank you Ma’am
She only checked few pictures and told me to keep the wedding pictures and others. She obviously was not interested, perhaps, because my wife already submitted loads of wedding pictures and the CO was able to glance through before calling my number.
CO: I can see you’re a Lawyer. So how do you communicate with your wife?
Me: We chat everyday via Blackberry, WhatsApp, Voice call and in the evening, we Skype in the evening when I return from work.
CO: Are you on facebook?
Me: Yes
CO: What is your facebook name? Is it the same with the name on your passport?
Me: Yes
CO: Okay. I can see you guys tag eachother on pictures and share amazing moments too. Well done. This interview is over and everthing is fine. You can pick your visa in 3 weeks. (Hands over documents and USCIS Green Card Fee slip)
Me: Thank you so much.
CO: You don’t look too happy with the 3 weeks. Oh! You would like to be present when your wife will be putting to bed?
Me: YES
CO: Awww. That is so lovely. Okay. The reason is we have backlogs and we are trying to get this through in time. Okay. You can pick ypurs in 2 weeks. Call this number of the GSS office.
Me: Thank you so much. I am grateful.
CO: Its okay. Have a lovely time in America and take good care of your wife and baby.
Me: I sure will.
Isn’t this amazing? Loool. I had a good time and I am glad it went well. Good luck to everyone awaiting their interview. I hope it comes out positive. Best wishes.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #19316