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| Ghana |  Review on June 27, 2014: |
ALHansen060712
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband's interview was scheduled for June 11, 2014 at 7:30 am. I wanted to be there by my husband's side. I arrived in Accra the night before the interview (I could get any earlier flights). The morning of interview we arrived at the Embassy at 6:55 am, and were in a long queue outside of the Embassy. We arrived at the door of the Embassy where they ask you to give up electronic devices/beverages/lotions, etc. I had to go through the metal detector and have my purse/bag screened. After that, we waited in another queue that led into the actual building where the interviews were held. They called my husband's name and we both went up to the window. The officer at window was a local guy. His questions were pretty simple: "How long have you been married?" , "Have you lived anywhere outside of Ghana?" "Do you have proof of Bona Fide marriage?" Lucky for me I brought a carry-on bag (yes, I did lol) full of documents, photos, and backup copies. After collecting what they asked for, we were asked to sit down. Then they called his name again...This time it was American officer. We both went up to the window, shortly after they asked me to have a seat and they will call me if they needed me. I sat down, but was still able to hear from an ear shot of was said. He got asked the following: "How long have you been married?" "How did you guys started dating?" "When did that happen (month/year)?" THAT WAS IT!! The officer gave him a blue paper telling him that he can pick his visa that Friday. I was actually surprised that it seemed that easy and the interview was quick. We went back Friday (early this time), and the "machine" that processes the visas wasn't working so they gave my husband another notice to come back Monday June 16th to pick it up. By that time I had to leave the night of June 15th so I wasn't with him when he got his visa. Overall it was an experience that required a lot of my patience because of the long lines and queues we had to wait in. Shortly after that my husband gave me his alien registration number, and I paid for his green card application fee. So far we picked a date of July 31st as his last day in Accra and he’ll be in the U.S . officially August 1st! I must say this has been a long time coming and we couldn't be happier. We've been together for three years, married for two years, and it took a total of 16 months to complete this process. God is so good.
For those who want to know the general semantics of preparing for your interview at the Embassy. They have different lines depending if this is your first visit at the embassy or if are making a return visit to pick up your visa, so make you listen to the officers very carefully to make sure you are in the correct queue. If you are not sure: Ask! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. RECOMMENDATION TO ALL: Because of traffic and such we got there later than planned, but I say to all who have interviews in Accra -- get there early before the officer call everyone to line up. On the second visit to pick up the visa, my husband and I got there like around 6:15 am to be safe and also so we can be closest to the front of the line. If you’re appointment is at 7:30 am you can wake up and be of the house around the 5am hour to catch a troski into town (depends on where your wife/husband lives). There’s not as much traffic around that time….but when it starts to creep into 5:30 am going to 6 am – traffic builds up.
As my mother always say “it’s better have and not need, than to need and not have”. I was crazy prepared with documentation. I had our paperwork separate in folders: Emails/Chat Logs, Bills, Taxes, USCIS/NVC correspondence, Travel documents, Affidavit of Support, etc. so it was easier to give the officers what they needed. They actually gave me extra copies back because I gave them too much (LOL). I know this is a long winded letter, but I just want to help others with their situation. Best of luck to all of you, and I pray visa approvals to ALL!!! javascript:emoticon(' ') javascript:emoticon('')
Sincerely,
Alissa & Wise
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14724