Hey everyone! First of all, I'm SO relieved to see that the interview letters went out this month - I've been thinking of everyone, I know I would've been beside myself back in August if that happened when I was expecting mine. Second, this website (and this thread) have been a saviour throughout this entire process. My interview was this week. I have a friend who used a lawyer and received a 221(g) I used this forum and was approved. It would feel like a disservice to not post my experience after I leaned so heavily on this thread.
My interview was on the 26 (Thursday) at 8am. I arrived at 7:45am, presented a printout of my interview letter, and they let me in the consulate right away. All I brought was my folder of documents and my phone, I went through security (like airport security) and locked my phone in a tiny phone-sized locker on the ground floor.
At 8am, there's less staff working. I probably waited about 30ish minutes before I was called to the first window for document collection - this lady was very friendly. She confirmed that my medical had been received and asked for:
my photos
my passport
my original, longform birth certificate (make sure you have the one with your parents' names on it)
my original marriage certificate
my original Canadian background check (+ one that I had for another country, I also provided a translation signed off on by a native speaker who is a friend)
she asked for the hard copy of my I-864 (more on this below)
she also asked for "financial evidence" for my sponsor - she didn't specify which type, I gave his 2022 W2, his 2022 1040 tax return, and 2022 tax transcript
she took fingerprints
I had read mixed opinions about whether I needed the I-864. One HUGE takeaway from this forum was to submit an updated I-864 through the CEAC website before your interview if any of your info has changed (I wonder if my friend's 221g may be related to missing this step), but note that we were only able to submit a second batch of supporting docs ONCE. Save copies of your completed I-864s on your computer, I brought printouts of both the original and the new I-864 and handed them both over.
My husband's employment had changed (he took time off to come and be with me and to take courses) and we now had his 2022 tax return info so we uploaded a new I-864 and I also brought quarterly financial statements as evidence of his assets - they never asked for these and instead still relied on last year's tax docs. If anyone's interested I can also post or send a list of all the docs I brought to my interview.
I spent maybe 10-15 minutes at the first window while she checked and updated all of my documentation info, then I waited another 30-40 mins before being called to the second window for my interview. This lady was friendly but more serious and to-the-point. I can't remember everything she asked, but the following definitely came up:
how did I meet my spouse
have I ever been arrested in any country
have I ever had issues with US immigration
what other countries have I travelled to
what was my longest stay in the US (I brought a printout of all my US and international travel dates and lengths of stays for the past 5 years)
It took about 5 mins and at the end she said "I'm going to be able to approve your visa". I left the consulate and happy cried. Altogether, I was in the consulate for about an hour and forty-five minutes. By the following day (the 27 - Friday), my visa was issued and I received a tracking number. I opted to have it sent to a post office pickup location that is walking distance from my place and it says it will be here by Tuesday.
Ok, that was real lengthy - but thank you again to everyone who posts here, it was so, so helpful for me. Hang in there, it does end!
