I was wondering if anyone here has any knowledge about interviews in Embassy in Syria (Damascus)? How do they schedule them, are they far out there? (for I-130)...

And for those interviews in Syria, if everything goes smoothly, do they usually grant the Visa same day?? Or is there a reason that they would make you come back at a later date for it?

Please advise if anyone here has any idea at all about this...

Much appreciated!

its been along time since my husbands interview but i can tell u what happened at that time.

he kept in contact with them by phone calls and email. he was living in saudi arabia and once i found out his petition had been approved and sent to damascus i called them to ask which papers he would need from me so i can work on it. u know the affidavid of support. they really didnt like talking to me so i had my husband call and tell the story. they were more nicer with him.

they told him what he needed and even called the saudi embassy to have them give him a paper to get his police clearance. when he had everything and was able to go back to syria for the interview they made his appointment. they were really easy to work with on the appointment.

the interview was ok. they just asked the general questions that he would know. like what is her daughters name. how we meet. did i meet his family and his daughter. stuff like that.

he was not granted his visa on the spot. he was put in administrative review but thank god it only lasted a week. the woman said she needed something to come back from the united states before they could approve anything.

dont be surprised if u get put into administrative review. it happens to alot of middle eastern men. sometimes it takes along time sometimes a short time like mine. i think there is probably an extra security check they have to make or something and takes more time.

good luck

Our member wrestgirl just had an interview in Damascus last month. Theirs is not the typical case for Damascus as her fiance is Iraqi and was originally scheduled to interview in Amman, but I believe their interview was scheduled fairly quickly after the case was received in Syria.

At what point are you in your process ? Has your case been approved at USCIS -- or gone to the National Visa Center -- or is it already at the consulate ?

In general --

Visas are not usually granted the same day, even when everything goes great and all paperwork is in perfect order. Usually there is at least a few days to a week of office processing/administrative review at the consulate level. And there is always the possibility of complicated security checks which can involve various agencies and much lengthier delays -- many cases for MENA males involve these extended checks. Things like having a very common name, advanced education/training in certain "sensitive" subjects, or military background may trigger various "hits" and take a while to clear.

Also, the consulate may issue a request for more evidence -- like more photos, more proof of ongoing relationship, copies of other documents, etc. -- this can also cause a delay.

None of this is anything to really worry about. If your case is in order, you'll probably be just fine.

At the interview, if the consulate decides there is some other document they need from you and your husband -- or if they need to wait for long security checks -- they will give him something called a 221g. This is a routine official form letter that has a lot of scary sounding language about "not being able to issue the visa" but at the bottom it will state exactly what they're waiting for. Make sure your husband knows the 221g is not a denial or any reason to panic (just in case he gets one.) Many many people get them -- especially for security checks -- and most come through successfully.

Wrestgirl will probably have a lot more advice for you.... hopefully she will be along soon. Good luck !



-MK

I had my interview in Damascus embassy 2 months ago and received my visa last week cuase I had to provide some additional papers.
I was informed by email to come to pick up the appointment package . Also I had to wait about 5 months after generating my case before going to the interview.
There was no AP .

Feel free to ask any question.

I hope this is helpful

Sorry, I should've give more info - actually it is for my wife, in Syria, I am the USC. My case is now at NVC almost completed (last nite I called NVC, and the lady on the phone said "your case looks fine, doesn't look like any problems at all, it's almost complete, check back and call this Friday") she also said that after it goes "complete" they will schedule the interview for my wife...By the way, I wonder why the lady says that, what she sees in front of her in my file for her to say that my cas is "almost complete" - I mean, it's a good thing, it sounds like my case has no hangups thankfully, I was just wondering what they see in front of them, real time status of where it is in the Review process.

I was just wondering when they do schedule the interview, how I should make travel plans, based on when they do grant the actual visa after the interview is completed, if it's same day, or could be a lot later than that etc...

Haha what's in the computer ? That's the million dollar question ! Seems people get a different answer every time they call, depending on who answers the phone. Some operators will tell you lots of helpful and encouraging stuff, and others won't let loose of any info and just generally make you feel like crap for even having the impudence to ask.

Anyway..... if all your paperwork's in order and your wife is approved at the interview, it's not too likely that you will have a really long wait for the visa. MENA women generally have a much shorter AR than the men. I have only seen a couple of female applicants get held up in long ARs -- most of them zip right through and have a visa in hand within a week or two.

With that said, I still would not suggest booking a flight before the visa is in hand. There are too many variables. I know it's really tough not to be able to plan.... plus you get stuck with those jacked-up airfares when you have to buy at the last minute. But it's usually more expensive if you have to cancel.

Good luck on a speedy completion at NVC, and on to the consulate !



-MK