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| Honduras |  Review on November 29, 2019: |
GraceJ21
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I loved all the detailed Embassy reviews here, since it really calmed my nerves to read others positive experiences, so I hope this is helpful for others despite being long.
**My spouse was unable to come to the interview with me, so I went in by myself.
**We are a same- sex couple, this fact was never mentioned and I was treated like any other couple.
My appointment was set to 8:15 am for CR1 visa and I arrived at 7:30 am at the embassy.
There is a long line for Visitor visas, so make you ask the guards to guide you to the Immigrant visa line, he pointed me to a lady that told me and three others to make a line.
I waited in the line outside for about 30 more minutes. During this time a person came by to check me off a list and he asked to see all of our 2x2 inches photographs, some people's pictures were non compliant so they turned them away to get properly sized ones nearby.
Around 8:00 am we went inside the embassy and went through a security checkpoint.
(do not bring cellphones or any other electronics because they won't let you in with them)
After the security checkpoint we had to make a line in the Immigrant Visa section and you're told to prepare your documents. They have two little tables for you to organize your stuff and there's also a list of what you should have on hand:
- Passport
- 2x2 Photos
- Certified copy of your Folio Birth Certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate (if necessary)
- Police Records
- Medical results
- Affidavit of support for Petitioner and Joint Sponsor
- Taxes for Petitioner and Joint Sponsor
- Waivers (if necessary)
- Proof of relationship with petitioner
(I brought an accordion folder with everything neatly organized, I was extremely anxious that day so I was really glad I already had everything already on hand)
When it was my turn I went up to a lady behind a glass window, she asked for Passport, the 2 photos, Folio Birth Certificate and Police Records.
She wasn't friendly, but she wasn't rude either. She only asked four questions:
- Have you traveled to the United States?
- Did you travel illegally or with a visa?
- Is your visa still valid?
- When did you get married?
After that I got fingerprinted, she typed on her computer, kept my documents and was sent to sit down and wait to be called.
*** I noticed that not everyone was asked for the same documents, some people where asked more than others despite the visa category being the same. I was not asked for proof of relationship (despite taking 7 years worth of it) or any tax info. Take all documents because you never know what they'll ask for. I overheard someone being asked for every bit of ongoing relationship proof they have, while I wasn't asked for any. Again, be prepared just in case.***
I waited about 30 minutes for my name to be called, some people who got their documents checked after me were called in before me. Finally around 9:00 am they called my name into a tiny room with a teller glass.
The person who interviewed was a young american man, he was very personable. It did not feel like an interview at all and more like a relaxed conversation with the questions sprinkled in between. The whole time he was smiling and making friendly chit-chat, it helped relax a lot honestly. He first asked me to raise my hand and swear to tell the truth. These are the questions I was asked:
- How old are you?
- Who is petitioning for you?
- When did you get married?
- Where are you going to live?
- Who is your Joint Sponsor?
- What was your longest stay in the United States?
- Did you stay more than 6 months?
- Is your wife in college?
*I am recently graduated Doctor, and there was a question in the DS260 regarding practicing medicine without a license, to which I clarified in the form that I was preparing to take the necessary examinations for it, and that I will not be practicing medicine without it. He asked about this during the interview and I clarified again- All friendly, he did not sound accusatory at all, just wanted to know more about the process.
I was not asked for proof of our relationship, and beyond her name and her graduation college or not nothing else was asked. He handed me a pamphlet with info about Domestic Abuse and another one with information on how to pick up the passport. After which he continued typing and said, "The visa is approved, you can pick it up in 5-10 business days at Cargo Expresso and make sure you prepare for winter in Chicago!"
*The interview was not more than ten minutes, I walked out of the embassy at around 9:10 am.
After the interview this was the CEAC status progression:
Tuesday: Day of interview -> Ready
Wednesday: Administrative Processing
Thurday: Thanksgiving, they weren't working. Remained in AP
Friday at midday: Issued!!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27594