Louie1988

VISA APPROVED!!!!!!   
 
Thursday August 24, 2017 Pakistan Time
 
7 AM:  Arrived at Visa Seeker Shuttle Service.  University Road and 3rd Ave.  Bought Executive Class shuttle ticket.  
7:30 AM:  Going to embassy, they didn't have enough cars available.  So ended up riding in the air conditioned Coaster Bus.  10 minute drive.  
8:00 AM:  Arrived at US Embassy.  Went through security.  
 
Inside the Embassy...
Immigrant vs. non-immigrant applicants separated.   Directed to at window #11.  Interview letter stamped with token number.  Passport checked.  Took 2 passport photos.  Digital finger prints. Told to sit and wait.  At second window, original birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport collected.  Including photocopies of these documents. Told to sit and wait.  At third window, interviewed by CO.  Asked what husband does for living?  Where does he work?  Whats your education background?  Where did you complete your studies?  Where did your husband complete his education?  Do you have wedding pictures?  Congratulations!  Your visa is approved.  You will receive call to pick up passport in two weeks.   10:00 AM:  Took executive shuttle back to station.
 
My wife also reports, Islamabad embassy was hammering other applicants on relationship questions.  Make sure your spouses know about your employment.  
 
CEAC website already says "ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING."  Gives generic information.  AP can take several weeks...If your visa application is approved, it will be mailed within two business days.  
Hopefully, visa is issued by end of day today.  And will receive call for pickup.  

Visa approved!!! Thanks everyone!! Thank you @JBMG for all your help! Let the dance begin jajajaja
 
Will post my review soon. Thank God, one more step... POE

Thank you so much -- it has been some journey and now we can actually focus on the rest of the ride! Cannot wait to the morning where I am actually driving to the airport to watch my hubby come through the customs doors! 
 
 
 

Ok, finally here is my looong (lost) review -- will post it under review section as well!  Thank you all, hope everyone will end up having a similar interview experience! 
 
 
Our interview was scheduled at 8 am and we arrived at the US Embassy in Delhi around 7.45 am. Got in line across the street as per directions from the Embassy personnel.

At 8 am, we were able to cross the street and get in line in front of the Embassy and after showing our (P4) interview appointment letter and our passports, we were told to follow the red line and made our way to the interview location.

We passed the security check and once inside, we continued walking along the red lines until it lead us to an area where we had someone arrange our paperwork. We were told to sit down -- far left side of the building had booths with benches across. We sat waiting for our turn and noticed that we did not have a number yet. When asked, we were told that our number would receive one in a while.

This leg of the process was conducted by Indian officers -- most of the time it was done in Hindi and once in Punjabi (as per my hubby). I was the only spouse there.

20 minutes later, we were called back to the same area and a sticker with 3 digits were affixed to our interview appointment letter. I came to realize that this was what others here referred to as a "token". So you are not actually handed a token or a piece of paper, but a sticker gets affixed onto your paperwork. Even better!

After that we were told to go back to the same seating area and wait for our number to be called. Once our turn came, we went up to the booth and I was asked if I was the petitioner (yes) and after that the whole conversation was in English. He brought (well, carried it with both hands is more like it) our case folder out and sat it by his desk. He collected all the documents we handed him (medical, originals). Did not ask for any further evidence, my W2 as it was mentioned on our "missing document letter" which I received 2 weeks prior to our interview.  
 
At the end, he gave a domestic violence pamphlet to my husband and asked him to read it. Handed back some documents that were no longer needed (stuff from my AOS file) as well as all of our originals. We were told to move to the middle area, where there was only two interview booths. Nevertheless, do not worry about the sections and booths, as you will be told where to be.

The number that was assigned and affixed to our interview appointment letter was used both times we were called up -- once, for the paper inspection and collection process where the officers were locals and then the interview.

Once our number flashed, we got up and went up to the booth. The VO did not ask me who I was, instead she asked my husband if he was comfortable with having the interview in English. Then she asked both of us to raise our right hands and swore us in.
 
I was surprised to say the least -- did not expect to be allowed to stand by my hubby let alone being sworn in. I was nervous yet excited at this point. We were not asked to produce any chat records, photos or evidence and so began the interview.

The questions seemed very methodical and pertaining to our case, hence I knew that the massive 7 lb file I carefully, lovingly and meticulous cultivated was definitely scrutinized over.

The VO fired off questions to the both of us. She was very professional, had a poker face and sublimely efficient.

Hubby: How did you guys meet?
Hubby: How do you guys communicate?
Me: Ma'am, when was your first visit?
Me: How long was your stay?
H: What did you do (on the first trip)?
H: Did you guys get married on that trip?
H: How did you marry each other?
H: Did you have your parents at that time?
H: Why not?
H: What's your religion?
M: And you Ma'am?
M: Did you have any of your family on your wedding day?
H: Have you ever been out of the country?
H: Where?
M: Ma'am, do you have any children?
H: Do you talk to her (child)?
M: Ma'am, why did you get divorced?
M: You have custody of your daughter, is that correct?
M: Anyone else living with you besides your daughter?
Both of us: What do you do for a living?
H: What will you do in the US?

Then we heard, "Ok, so your visa is approved."

Time stood still and we hardly remember what she said to us after that, but we managed to smile, thank her (a lot!) and hug each other and walk out. It took another 24 hours for us to really adjust to the news -- that it was finally over, that we had made it! 

Overall, the US Embassy in New Delhi runs like clockwork. Efficient, clean, orderly, comfortable and we have received courteous and professional service! While the whole thing took us about 2-2.5 hours, our main interview lasted about 5 minutes. 
 
Important Note:

1. Do NOT wear a digital watch, especially a smart watch! Even if it looks remotely like a smart watch, you will be removed from the queue and need to find a place to stash your watch. The person in front of us had a digital watch and no matter how much he tried to explain that it was not a smartwatch, he was not allowed to stay in the line (or enter the Embassy) with it. We watched his entire family leave the line as well.

2. During your VAC/Biometrics visit your Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application Form DS-260 confirmation page will be stamped. You *will* need this on your interview date -- please do NOT forget it. This is one of the papers the officer specifically asked for as he gathered our originals, sealed medical envelope etc. -- when he asked for my husband's DS-260, I went in our files and he noticed the first print out, which had no stamp on it. He said, "no I need the one with the stamp on it". I had that one right behind it as I printed duplicates of everything and secured them in twos with paperclips.

tickets bought. POE on the 18th of September

Good morning my Friends! How are you?
I received yesterday Thursday at 15: 15mn my passport with the visa and an envelop sealed. 
It was a very long process,  Therefore patient, will pass
I thank God the Almighty
I pray for all too May God help you!

@Louie1988 and @JBMG ....looks like Brazil Embassy is short handed. Saw many many job vacancies. Could be reason for delay. I was checking the US Embassy where I'm to be interviewd, so I looked at Brazil too.

yes.  Anyway you can to get a hold of someone.. def no worries on putting pressure on them.. i haven't tried but i've ready from several others, that it helped them out by contacting them... 

Hi,
I still don't have my interview date, and as some of you told me a couple days ago, I am trying to talk to a supervisor at the NVC. I called them twice, and they never let me talk to a supervisor, both times they gave me excuses and nothing happened. So, once again I don't know what to do. I already talked to my lawyer in the USA and she said that I have to be patient and wait.
Well, I don't know if there is anything else I can try to do, at this point I'm just sharing with you guys.

I already sent an email to the congressman, I'm waiting for an answer. Should I try him over the phone? 

Had my interview at 14:00 today. Arrived at the embassy around 13:50 and waited for a bit for the security to let me and my USC husband inside the big glass cubicle (security check). When we got inside, I asked if my husband was allowed to accompany me and they said yes, but that only I would be interviewed. Next, our bags went through the security check and we were asked to turn off our phones. We left everything there except for the big pile of papers I had taken with me. The security workers were chuckling a bit when they saw all the paperwork I had with me  .. 

We then proceeded to the embassy and waited there for approx. 10 minutes until I was asked to come to the counter and present some of the original documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate and my criminal records papers + passport and only one passport size photo). There were no other interviews today, just a couple of Americans before us but they weren't there for visas, I suppose They left and we were invited to speak to the consul (I think he was just new at the job since there was another man beside him). He commented on my husband's tattoos and said he liked them. That kind of set the mood already, it was a pretty relaxed atmosphere. I then had to do the fingerprints and take an oath. 

The consul was looking through our papers a bit and asked us how we met, what my husband does here in my country, how long he has been living here, how does he like it, what our plans are, some comments about a picture he saw in the stack we sent to the USCIS last year, which led to them to some small talk about skateboarding etc... Also, I was asked to briefly mention if I had previously been to the States. As he was looking through our stack of evidence we had sent with our application, he said that we have a LOT of information. He never asked to see anything I brought (no pictures or additional proof gathered after the initial application back in September of 2016). 

After we had probably been in the booth for maybe 8-10 minutes (not sure, didn't check the time), he gave me the domestic violence pamphlet to look through and said everything looks fine and they should have my visa packet and passport ready for collection TOMORROW. Then the lady who collected my papers said she will look if she can manage it within a day and said she will let me know by phone :).. So, we'll see. 

Status on the CEAC still shows Ready, so I am not sure if it will really make it through AP to Issued tomorrow within the working hours... Will keep you all posted. Overall a pleasant experience!!!

Can't wait to have the visa in my hands

Thanks so much

Sure thing, wishing you luck.. sorry you're still waiting for an interview.. def something wrong.. 

Thanks so much

Type in your US zip code here to find to correct office. 
 
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
 
Also, this thread can be useful. 
 
@Dinah Any advice for Louie? 
 

Have you contacted your congressman? 

My interview is tomorrow guyz bring all the best wishes 😜😜🙏🏽

Our interview is on the 5th of September!!! We are a medical expedite, so our case was not reviewed by the NVC, but we followed all the wonderful advice available on this website, so I am sure that will be no issue.

Good luck to you all!

I have talked with a supervisor when got checklist and yes they can help you, but it wasn't easy to talk to one I called many times first you need to convince to representative that you need to talk with a supervisor, if representative says all the supervisors are busy ask for a call back

Call NVC and insist on speaking to a supervisor. I'm sure there is some error. It should not take that long.

i did the same thing my embassy said i must ask nvc and nvc i should wait. cc june 22 i give up calling nvc and just wait til whenever they feel like to give me a date.

Finally! Checked late last night and AOS disappeared and it says "At NVC" 
Just called NVC and confirmed cc! 😄😭
 
Second SD:  06/05
CC: 08/08

aww Louie!! What's going on?!?!!?! crazy that you still have a date yet.. maybe in the next round of release next week!!?!?!?! i hope so.. hang in there.. 

Wow this is so strange in did  try to call every  week at the begin and at the end of week  and ask what its going on whit your case since your case is complete at 
2017-05-23   
 

You've been waiting a long time! So sorry, I hope they schedule you soon!
 
You've probably seen this forum already but I just searched and tried to see if anyone has had interviews from your country lately and I saw one recently on the last page