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ShelbyvdMerwe Apprentice

ShelbyvdMerwe   1

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

Dear everyone,

My husband has his interview at the Johannesburg American Consulate in four days!!

We are making sure we have all of the documents in order that they asked for. Should we bring anything else? If you have any advice for us on what we should bring extra please post it on this forum. How early should we get to the consulate before his interview? Am I allowed to come in with him? What extras should we bring? What is the chances of approval and denial?

We are very nervous and stressed out,

PLEASE HELP

Regards,

Shelby & Steven

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,790

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion; topic is about this phase of the process.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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Confusedtinybird Collaborator

Confusedtinybird   41

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa (DCF) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

Hi!

I assume his interview is at 1? I would start to line up for the interview between 12:15 and 12:30. The location is not really in the best spot you will have your back to all way and will be outside the entire time while you wait to go in.

The Consulate is right across from the Sandton Mall. So if you have time to kill before or after your interview go pop into Sandton Mall for a little while.

They let me come in for the interview. I was living in South Africa at the time so I came to the interview. I brought my Passport with me.

Make sure you have pictures, but don't put them in a binder as they wont fit through the window. You can label pictures with the date and location on the back.

And then of course make sure all your documents are unabridged.

If you have any more questions just ask! But they are pretty friendly at that Consulate.

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ShelbyvdMerwe Apprentice

ShelbyvdMerwe   1

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: South Africa
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thank you so much for the comment ! The interview is at 1 so thank you for letting us know we will be waiting outside... As for the pictures... I have put everything (documents they need, extra papers, and wedding/relationship photos) all into one binder with a table of contents and lables to find where everything is. Is this a bad idea??? How should I put the paperwork together??? If the binder wont fit through the window? I am so nervous and reallly just hoping and praying everything goes good... How long does it take to get the visa issued after approval???

Hi!

I assume his interview is at 1? I would start to line up for the interview between 12:15 and 12:30. The location is not really in the best spot you will have your back to all way and will be outside the entire time while you wait to go in.

The Consulate is right across from the Sandton Mall. So if you have time to kill before or after your interview go pop into Sandton Mall for a little while.

They let me come in for the interview. I was living in South Africa at the time so I came to the interview. I brought my Passport with me.

Make sure you have pictures, but don't put them in a binder as they wont fit through the window. You can label pictures with the date and location on the back.

And then of course make sure all your documents are unabridged.

If you have any more questions just ask! But they are pretty friendly at that Consulate.

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,059

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

An accordion folder is more wieldy than a binder, because you can simply reach into the correct pocket and pull out what's needed, without having to snap and unsnap binder rings.

Just organize things so that you can grab items of a given category with relative ease.

The windows in consulates are like those in high-security banks -- a curved slot underneath a Plexiglass window. Flexible thin things can be slid under.

Try to relax. :)

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Confusedtinybird Collaborator

Confusedtinybird   41

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa (DCF) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

Shelby,

They are not going to go through your binder. So if want to bring your binder you can bring it but you will have to pull everything out and hand it to the officer. It doesn't matter how you present your paper. Just make sure that you have everything. :)

You will be notified if you pass the interview that day. Then you will receive instructions on how to receive your documents and passport via DHL. Should be less than 5 days if everything goes according to plan.

Everything will go smoothly!! :)

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