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| Algiers, Algeria |  Review on September 6, 2017: |
zizou2017
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Interview went very smooth according to my wife. She was an early bird showing up at 7:15am. As a result, she was first to be interviewed even though her appointment was at 8:10am as some other applicant reported their appointment to be scheduled earlier than hers, 7:45am.
She first passed security. Once in, an Algerian lady, who some report she may not be pleasant all the time, nicely asked for her civil documents while she was about to take her fingerprint. Then, she handed the domestic violence pamphlet and nicely asked to patiently wait until her name gets called for the interview.
At the time of the interview, it was a nice African American who made my stressed wife comfortable the minute she walked to the counter. The interview itself had few questions, but it was mainly to build rapport rather than an interrogation. We expected the CO to speak in French. However, it was a surprise to realize he spoke Arabic, slightly an Egyptian accent. I am glad it did not throw my wife off. At the end of the day I am so proud of her managing not only the stress, but also conducting the whole interview in a language that she does not perfect.
The questions were mainly to confirm her knowledge of my life as follow:
1. CO: So you guys got married in 2016?
2. My wife: Precisely today marks our first year anniversary.
3. CO: How did you meet?
4. Knowing we met on Facebook through a friend the CO asked what we talked about the first days and what we did when I visited.
5. CO: What made you keep talking to someone on Facebook who you just met? This might sound tricky, but the CO was so pleasant and courteous asking personal questions as such.
6. CO: What does your husband do?
7. CO: How and When your husband immigrated to the US?
8. CO: Do you have wedding picture? This is where it gets interesting in Algiers. My wife and I only had our civil marriage and front loaded our case with bonafide evidence. However, apparently Algiers would not approve CR1 unless you have pictures of wedding. My wife nicely articulated our reasons for not having our wedding ceremony as of yet. That is because I have limited time off from work knowing we have consumed some of it to travel earlier this year. We did however have receipts of all her dresses for the wedding. She also gave him a date when our wedding will take place. He seemed satisfied with the answer.
After taking sometime typing and wrapping everything up. He told her "Ok, everything looks right to me, I will go ahead and approve your visa, Congratulation" He also explained the process of picking her passport up in few days.
We are pretty pleased by the service and to finally see an end to this lengthy process. If I have an advice to give. I would say, front load your application since day one, USCIS, NVC, and at the interview date. Be prepared for the worse questions they might ask. Smile and show confidence on your responses and if evidence needs to be provided, absolutely leverage that. Good luck.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22456