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| Guangzhou, China |  Review on July 17, 2019: |
azazaz123
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Arrived in GZ the day before the interview, the appointment was at 8:30am. Booked a hotel about 700 meters away from the consulate. In the morning we took Didi (Uber) to the consulate.
They only allow the beneficiary to go in, remember that because when we arrived, there was this couple arguing with security. The guy (citizen) assumed that he would accompany his wife and child inside, but they denied his access. So the wife was crying her heart out complaining about how she didn't know anything about the documents her husband prepared, nor the process and she had a child with her. So definitely have your spouse prepared beforehand.
You can't bring any electronic or bag inside either. Basically, the only items you're allowed to bring are documents and your passport. I recommend depositing your phone and bag outside in many of the stores that offer such service.
After passing security, you are handed queue slips. There are two waiting areas, the first one is where they check-in all your documents and prepare them for the CO. Then you move on to the second area to wait for your interview. If you request a Chinese-speaking CO, the wait is longer. I don't recommend asking for an English-only CO solely for the purpose of saving time. You've waited this long already, what's the extra hour really worth in comparison to misunderstanding a question and the risk of denial?
The interview wasn't as basic as other reviewers had gotten. My spouse was asked about 20 questions. All were in the Wiki this site provided. We were very well trained in those questions. I suggest going over them as well. Some of the more difficult questions were:
1. Joint tax filing - why file jointly?
2. Divorce related questions (I, the petitioner, was previously married), the questions weren't very personal, just general questions (the when and whys)
3. Petitioner's job and job title
4. Petitioner's family
5. Plan upon arrival in US
6. Questions related to the photos we provided (who's such and such, the occasion/event)
7. My spouse had lived in another country before, so they questioned her on that too
I can't say with 100% certainly but just based on the reactions of the CO, we think the photos are super important. And the fact that I accompanied her to the interview was very very important as well (she was asked when was the last time I visited her, and smiled when she said I was outside waiting).
The interview lasted about 20 minutes, the CO approved her and gave her a white piece of paper that just basically says congrats and not to sell houses and quit your job, and pay your green card fees before travel, you know, the usual generic stuff that you probably read a million times already.
They took her passport and asked us to wait for the return (/w visa). We signed up for home delivery.
After the interview, the CEAC status showed AP for about 3 business days, then updated to 'Issued'. We got the passport back in 8 days through EMS delivery. The online tracking site for passport is not accurate at all. We received our passport but the status still said at the consulate.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #26685