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| France |  Review on August 4, 2017: |
JBMG
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Background: My husband JB (beneficiary) and I (petitioner) MG live in France. Instead of using a joint-sponsor, we used our assets to meet the income qualifications. We received our CC from the NVC without any troubles. But received a checklist advising just to bring a joint-sponsor if our income didn't meet the requirements.. So to be safe we brought a back up joint-sponsor AOS form/supporting documents to the interview.
9:45
Arrived 15 mins before our 10am appointment. Security looked inside our bags, told us to turn off our phones. Security removed our water bottles and disposed them. Once they said ok. A lady asked to the see the ds-260 confirmation form, passport, and police report. JB pulled those out, she gave them back stuffed inside the passport. Asked if I (MG) was the petitioner and for my passport as well. Returned my passport, advised us to head on into the Embassy.
9:50
Second security check, very similar to an airport.. Asked to remove our belts/shoes (all metal objects) and to give them our electronics.. Even my husbands fitbit... . Baggage went through the scanners and we went through the metal detectors.. They then put our electronics in a freezer bag, they gave us a hang-badge with a number on it. Was uncomfortable (probably nasty too) so I stuck it in my bag.
9:55
Heading into the embassy.. 2 lines, one for Visa's, the other for American Citizen services (this area had seating). We had to stand and wait..
9:56
First queue/line:
Waited about 30 mins. (there was no clock in the embassy, so I'm just guessing)
10:25
The first window was with a French lady, nice, asked for 260 form, police report, and updated birth certificate, marriage certificate, confirmation receipt to mail our visa back. Said, thanks, now go to the next line to have your interview.. Was probably with her for 5 mins..
10:30
2nd queue/line:
They created this new line/queue as we were waiting in the first one because there were so many people ahead of us..
10:40
An American took my husbands fingerprints..
10:43
2nd queue/line: Finally the interview line! Waited about 30 mins.
11:15 (interview)
We got the guy that I didn't want, I saw 2 different people leaving his window without an approval, requesting to send in missing paperwork.. They weren't spousal visas, seemed like family ones.
IO (Immigration Officer)
JB (Beneficiary - French)
MG (Petitioner - American)
JB - Hello 
MG - Hello
IO - Hello, can I have your passport please.
JB - Gave IO the passport.
IO - Thanks, Be right back.
IO - So you're the petitioner.
MG - Yes
IO - Are you living in France together?
MG - Yes
IO - Wow ok.
he was looking at my husband's birth certificate which states that we were Pacsed (civil union) in 2009
MG - Yeah you can see we got Pacsed (civil union) in 2009
IO - yeah I see that.
IO- JB, have you lived anywhere else outside of France (while holding up the police report).
JB- No, just France.. (which i thought maybe wasn't the best response because he did stay with me in the US for 3 months.. but as a tourist.. But i didn't say anything.. Just left it as is. )
IO - Where will you live in the US?
JB- Maryland
MG - DC area but my permanent address is in Texas. I have a friend in Maryland that we'll be staying with.
IO - So which is it, Texas or Maryland?
MG- Well we would like to live in Maryland/DC area but will go to Texas first to get a car, and prepare for a move to DC area..
IO- Who lives at the Texas address?
MG- My mother, it's the house I grew up in. I kept my permanent address there...
IO- oh ok. So Texas then.
MG - Yes
IO - What is your financial situation?
MG - not working here or in the US but we're using assets to meet the financial requirement.. Goal is to get jobs ASAP..
IO- oh ok, using assets then, will live off of those?
MG- Yes, until we get jobs..
Then the IO picked up our package of bank statements which was 1 years worth of history..
IO - whoah, do I have to go through all of this?
MG- No, I made a summary, it's on the front.
IO- Ok, good.. since you're not working in the US, the calculation to use assets is different.
MG- oh ok? maybe it's 5x's more than the poverty limit?
IO - I am not sure.. rarely do that calculation but I know the requirements are different if you're not working in the US..
MG - We have a joint sponsor if needed. It's my mother.
he did some typing...
IO - ok well I'm sorry but unfortunately our computer system has been down since this morning, so I can't do anything more right now.. everything else looks good. Will work on that calculation tonight..
IO - JB, can you give me your passport?
JB handed it over.
IO- ok if all is well with your file, you should receive your passport back with your visa within 10 business days..I'll call you tonight if we need anything more..
JB- Do you want the joint sponsors info now?
MG- Yeah, we have her AOS form, here..
IO- Oh you have all of her stuff already?
MG- Yes (while handing it over)..
IO- This is great now I don't have to do that calculation.. what does your mother do?
MG- I said, she's retired.
IO - oh ok, perfect.. yeah all looks good to go now. so yeah, wait for your passport to come in the mail. Have fun moving to DC, Texas, Maryland.. Or wherever you're going.
MG- I gave a little chuckle and said thank you, have a nice day!
Interview was not at all what I expected.. He seemed to ask me more the questions than JB the beneficiary.. I've read some people have to "swear" or do an oath of some sort by raising their right-hand. The IO didn't ask JB to do that..
11:30
Headed for the exit, security asked for the badge, returned it, they gave us back our electronics..
MG- Merci Bonne journée!! (Thank you, have a nice day)
Left embassy..
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22286