thebighash

Hi everyone,
Just want to thank you for this great website & thank everyone for their useful threads & posts that helped us throughout our DCF filing process.. I'd like to share our experience with those who file in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
The process is a bit different over here, here's our summary:
Petitioner: My Wife (Lebanese/American)
Beneficiary: Myself (Lebanese)
Marriage since: March 25 2009
We both live & work in Dubai, UAE
- Mar 06 2010: We sent an email to the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi to schedule an appointment to submit our application & attend the interview.
- Mar 08 2010: US Embassy responded confirming the appointment on March 23 2010.
- Mar 23 2010: We went to the US Embassy and submitted all docs as per their website http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/media/file-i-130_for_a_spouse.pdf
during our interview the officer asked us when are we planning to move to the US, we mentioned December 2010 so she mentioned that she couldn't issue a Visa at that time due to CR-1 validity of 6 months only, and asked us to submit a Domicile Plan and mention the planned travel date.
- Mar 31 2010: We submitted our domicile plan (sent by DHL).
- Apr 5 2010: US Embassy responded confirming receipt and that our case is under review and they will contact us when required.
- Aug 18 2010: US Embassy called and asked me to submit my passport on Aug 22 2010 to stamp the Visa.
- Aug 22 2010: I submitted my passport and they asked me to collect it on Aug 26 2010.
- Aug 26 2010: I collected my passport with CR-1 Visa valid 6 months from date of issue.
If you have a strong case & have all the documents ready and sorted out as per the requirements, I believe the whole case can be closed within 1-2 months from A-Z! But of course our case took longer since our planned date of travel was beyond the 6 month Visa validity.
Hope this helps those of you who plan to do DCF in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Regards,
Haissam

Thanks!
My interview was scheduled at 9:55am. I checked-in at 9:20am at the reception, received my ticket, and was directed to go to the third floor waiting area. They were at approx. ticket no. 32 when I got there and my no. was 62. I did not have my phone with me as I thought I wouldn't be allowed to bring it through security, but others did. I sat patiently and watched CNN for 90min or so
I was called at around 10:55am. We entered the officer's office, shut the door, and I was placed under oath. Then the officer asked for my notice letter, my passport & green card. I don't think he even looked at my passport. The officer then asked if my wife was with me, and I said she was not. I wasn't sure why he asked that question. He then asked how long we've been married and whether we have kids. Then I signed my photos, read 1 sentence, wrote one sentence, answered 6 civics questions, and went through select items on my N400. I signed three sheets related to my name change. Then I signed the N400 application and the officer gave me a piece of paper showing that I passed the civics test. The officer then said that all went well and I should expect my oath letter in the mail. I asked him what would be different due to having the name change, and he said that my ceremony will be conducted at the court, which will be explained in the oath letter. We shook hands and I left. The interview & test took approx. 15 min.
I'm not sure whether they were doing same day oath ceremonies.

Woohooooo!!
I just received a text from USCIS saying that my status has been updated. I signed-in to my account and it says: "On May 30, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283."
We're so excited!
Is May 30 the "Approved" date to update the list?