CR1 Visa Interview at USEM

[ChscDvd 2]

Hi everyone,

 

I just had my interview this morning at the USEM and I wanna share how it went for the benefit of those who have an interview coming up. 

 

Quick recap of our entire petition/application process:

Feb ‘17: NOA1

Aug ‘17: NOA2

Mid Oct ‘17: Applied for CR1 Visa

Dec ‘17: NVC contacted us asking for a copy of our marriage contract with PSA seal

Jan ‘18: Received email with interview schedule

Mar 2: Medical Exam

Mar 5: Got medical exam results

Mar 12: Interview

 

What I brought to the interview based on what USEM emailed:

 

1. PSA issued Birth Certificate

2. PSA issued Marriage Contract

3. PSA issued CENOMAR which indicates that I have a marriage contract filed under my name and my husband’s

4. NBI clearance (mine was issued in October 2017)

5. Medical Exam Results

6. Old passports (this is really important if you have another valid US visa)

7. Interview letter (ended up not being asked for or looked at)

8. DS-260 form (this was really important, it acted as a routing paper)

 

Anyway, my interview was scheduled at 10:10am. My husband and I arrived at the embassy at around 9:00am. Just as soon as we arrived, I heard that they were calling applicants that were scheduled at 9:15am. So we decided to wait where everyone was sitting and standing (behind a sign that said 9:15aam). After I looked more closely at the sign, I noticed that it said Non-Immigrant Visa. So we walked up to the security guard to ask where immigrant visa applicants wait and he directed us to a tent closer to the entrance. 

 

At the tent, they immediately asked for my DS-260 form and passport. They placed a sticker on my form that has my name, visa classification, tick boxes with the steps and a bar code. They also placed my passport inside a ziplock bag. Afterwards, they instructed me to go inside.

 

Inside the embassy, there are several ushers whom you can ask if you’re not sure where to go. We went up to one, told her my visa classification and then she directed me to where I should sit and wait. After around 20 mins, we got called to line up in front of the pre-screening window. I guess this is the window where you will be screened by a fellow Filipino which I’ve read in several blogs. When we got called, I was asked for my DS-260 form and passport right away. The lady at the pre-screening window scanned it, looked at the screen then left her seat. She came back with my file from the NVC. Then she asked for all of the documents I stated above one by one as she asked me questions. Some of the questions she asked were how we met, who our joint sponsor is, when we got married, where we got married, how many times I’ve been to the US and how many times my husband has been to the Philippines. She then directed me to the Finger Scanning window after returning my DS-260. 

 

At the Finger Scanning window, the line was quite long. Maybe because it was the only one doing it? Anyway, an American consul was at the window and the first thing he asked was my DS-260. Same thing, he scanned the bar code too. Then he asked me to scan my fingers. After that, he returned my DS-260 and told me to go to window 60 where the interview is at.

 

We didn’t really have the interview at that  specific window. I guess the windows on that side are where the interviews were conducted. Anyway, some lady told us to be seated first and wait to be called. This is where my nerves started kicking in coz you can hear most of the interviews going on. We even saw someone get denied. Then finally it was our turn. Again, I gave the DS-260 form and the lady scanned it. She left to get our file then came back and made us take the oath. I scanned my fingers again after. Then she proceeded with the interview. Since my petitioner was around, she kindly let us know that questions are directed at me and she will only ask my petitioner for more information if necessary. Not all consuls might be as polite as the one we got, so if your petitioner will join, he/she should let the applicant answer unless asked directly by the consul. She asked how we met, when we first met in person, how many times we’ve visited each other, when and where we got married, who our joint sponsors were, names of his parents and siblings, if I’ve been out of the country, if I stayed in other countries for a year or more. She asked for photos from our wedding but I only had a Polaroid photo of us showing off our wedding rings 😒. She asked if I had more to show but unfortunately I didn’t bring them. So tip for you guys, bring printed photos of your wedding! Anyway, after around 5 minutes she said everything seems to be okay and that she should be able to issue our visa. She asked us to take a small piece of paper by the window which has the USEM’s phone numbers to register/nominate a delivery address for my passport and visa packet. Now I just have to wait for 1-2 weeks for it! Oh and they also took my expired passport with a valid B1/B2 visa. So if you have a valid US visa, don’t forget to bring the passport that contains it!

 

Overall, we spent an hour at the USEM. We got out at around 10:05am. Which was good coz our interview was originally scheduled at 10:10am. There was no need for us to go extra early. I don’t know if today was just not as busy as usual or USEM just got more efficient. But unlike what I’ve read in the past, there wasn’t a need for us to go hours prior to our interview. Especially because they let immigrant visa applicants in right away.

[Ryan H 3,795]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[j&ana 363]

Congrats on your visa. 

[Ajsnaer 0]

You've been to US before?

[ChscDvd 2]

58 minutes ago, Ajsnaer said:

You've been to US before?

Yes I have

11 hours ago, j&ana said:

Congrats on your visa. 

Thank you!