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| Nigeria |  Review on September 24, 2012: |
yeppers
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Rarely do we post on VJ but we've both gained so much knowledge (some good, some not-so-good) that we'd like to do our part to contribute to the VJ knowledge about the CR1 interview process, particularly dealing with Lagos. It's about giving back to the wealth of knowledge that we all benefit from. To anyone that is new to the forum, our general advice to:
1. Remember every case is different so do what you feel is best for you.
2. There are some people that will tell you information matter-of-factly when you have to remember that was their experience and/or opinion. (This also goes for our post below.)
3. God is the author and finisher of all things. Pray for favor.
What those things being said, the biggest myth that we were told on VJ was that you can't add information at the NVC stage. We barely sent any information to USCIS (no photos, phone records, etc.) and were approved very quickly (though USCIS). At the NVC stage, we sent a photobook (i.e., very thin portfolio with 150 pics and tabs for organization in chronological order and a note to the CO that we want our book back), phone records (a small subset), and travel itineraries. Lots of VJers said, "Bring those things to the interview because NVC won't send them." Or they told us that NVC would delay us. We got through in less than a week after they received the documents. I wouldn't recommend sending 1000 pages but we sent roughly 100 pages (front/back).
At the interview, not only was everything there but the CO had already put the approval letter on top of everything and was hesitant to ask questions. The question period lasted less than 5 minutes. She keep flipping back through photo book, using the tabs as reference. Clearly she thought it was nice (which it was).
-Where did you first meet?
-What does your spouse do?
-How do you handle cultural differences?
-What do you enjoy doing together?
-When was the last time you've seen your spouse?
-Have your family met your spouse?
-Where did you get married? Why that city?
She asked for phone records but I said everything should be in the file but I have additional ones if you'd like. She said, no, that's fine. She said you're approved and gave us the original documents and the photobook back.
I asked her if she wanted another police report since the one that was submitted was done more than 3 months ago and she said no, they accept them up to a year. She wouldn't accept the new police report that we had already done (a waste of money but at least a piece of mind that we had it).
Interview Tips
-If your appointment is at 7am, you can join the 630 line and save time. I joined the 630 line and got the number by 7:21 (after going through security). They won't stop you if you join a slightly earlier line. If you have a 10am appt, don't try to join the 6:30 (that definitely won't work).
-Open the medical envelopes when you are standing in line.
-Bring a copy of the appointment letter because they check that.
-Avoid carrying any metal because it slows you down in the line. There are 3 security checkpoints in the embassy (1 outside, 2 inside).
-Once inside, pay attention to your name being called for the documents and look at the people that call your name (not your number at this point). They skipped people who didn't get up to submit their documents (i.e., the copy of the marriage certificate & birth certificate, police report, passport photos, passport, call number).
-They first deal with pregnant women, children, and elderly before they begin calling the numbers sequentially (i.e., for the CO interview).
-No need to carry X-rays. Collected 3 passport photographs at the door but two were returned after the interview. That could have been because we submitted 2 at the NVC stage.
-Have photo copies of birth/marriage certificate. All the originals are returned after the interview.
-Don't be nervous. One guy was asked what does he and his fiancee talk about and his response was "love." Denied. Just talk to them like they are normal people.
-Be flexible with your schedule because you never know what could happen. The embassy had an emergency shut down when I was there because of "security" reasons. Most likely having to do with the threats to the embassies from extremists in Libya. We got rescheduled for the next business day but others were rescheduled for 3 weeks later. This happened at 10:300am so I had waited for more than 3 hours inside already. And people from the previous day were NOT given priority on the next day.
Best wishes to all and thanks to everyone on VJ for sharing their invaluable experiences.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10483