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|  Review on September 11, 2019: |
Jay_N
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
The interview was straightforward, just to give you some background info my wife is a dual citizen, Kenyan and American. She went to school in the US for undergrad, worked a bit then came back to Kenya and has been living here for the past 5 years.
On the day of the interview we arrived early and parked our vehicle at Warwick center next door to the embassy. After the short walk to the embassy, went through security where they retain all your electronics (so carry some reading material since you will not have your phone with you) after which you are directed to the 'reception' desk where they confirm your appointment and provide you with a ticket number. You then take a seat in the outside waiting area and wait for your number to be called. The numbers go in sequence so you can estimate when you will be called. After about an hour my number is called and we go up to the counter and a Kenyan lady collects our documents. This include birth certificate and copy, marriage certificate and copy, Affidavit of support forms, passport and passport photos. She did not ask for more evidence of marriage e.g photos but I could see my I-130 petition on her desk which had those photos. Please note since my wife has been living in Kenya, I also had to have evidence that my wife intends to reestablish domicile concurrently with me. This also meant I had to have a joint sponsor so our Affidavit of support submission had a lot of attached paperwork. The Kenyan lady also conducts a mini interview where she asked what was the shortest and longest duration I have been in the U.S, have I ever applied for a SSN, have any of us been convicted of a crime, have we been married before, do we have kids from any other union. After that she hands you an invoice to pay the USD 325 fee at the cashier counter. After paying you go back to the waiting area and listen for your ticket number to be called for the actual interview. An hour later it was called and only the beneficiary is allowed at the counter, the petitioner remains in the waiting area. At the counter was an American lady who administered the oath and then went on to ask the following questions
a) When did the petitioner first arrive in the United States
b) What did she do there and when did she come back
c) When and how did you meet the petitioner?
d) When did you start dating? when did you get married?
e) Why have you decided to immigrate?
The CO was very polite and it felt more like a chat than an interview. She was typing in my responses as I was speaking. She then congratulated me and informed me that my application is approved and I should expect to receive my passport in a few days. She also explained that I will receive instructions on how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
Tips
1) Be familiar with the Immigrant Visa Process. All official information required can be found on the website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/after-petition-approved/begin-nat-visa-center.html
2) Supplement the website information with data from the VJ forums. I looked through the Ghana and Nigeria forums to see what kind of questions they were asked as I assumed my experience would be similar. I also researched on experiences people had while providing evidence of reestablishing domicile which was our case since my wife has been living in Kenya.
3) if you have a morning interview dress warm and be prepared to wait. The waiting area is shaded but since you are basically outside it gets really really cold. Also carry some non-electronic reading material.
Thanks to the VJ community who provided me with so much valuable information. I felt it was only right for me to help the next person on their journey. All the best!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27038