I was approved at my interview on Friday October 15th!
I arrived 5 minutes before my appointment time as I have heard many others advise they are turned away and asked to return. I got in the line that had formed outside the doors. It was the last appointment of the day. The security guard was letting one person in as one person was leaving. My time was 9:45, I don't know the exact time but it was after 10:00 AM when I was let in. Went through security like the airport. No bags, no phones etc. They have lockers but I left my phone with my husband to make things easier. The security at the door asked covid screening questions including if I had left Canada in the last 14 days. I showed my passport, he checked my name on a list (before security.) They explained exactly where to go and it was very easy to navigate- first floor window 6. The guard upstairs tells you to have passport ready with passport photos (photos are returned.)
I was given a number and sat down to wait. There were quite a few people waiting by this point. The room was nearly full since they have increase capacity! (yay) I have no idea how long the wait was since the clock is still broken. My number popped up on the screen telling me which window to go to- I handed in my documents which were:
-marriage certificate
-name change certificate
-police certificate
-affidavit of support form I-864
I sat back down and waited for them to call my number again.
I was asked:
who is your petitioner
how we met
when did we meet in person
when did we get married
Do we have any children
who was at our wedding
what I do for a living
what he does for a living
Have you been convicted of any crimes or arrested?
Longest stay in the USA
where have you travelled in the last 5 years
The officer was straight to the point but I did feel at ease. I had a hard time hearing because there were two interviews right beside me and I could hear their interview over the mic better then I could hear mine! I was not asked anything out of the ordinary. I was there for nearly 3 hours. So make sure you have plenty of time if you are traveling that same day! I could hear many of the interviews while I was waiting. Seems spousal interview questions are much easier and the interview part is only about 5 minutes. It sounded like everyone was approved that I heard! (for spousal)
Just wanted to note because I saw many asking- they did ask me if I had travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days. I got back from the US about 18 days before, so I said no. Not sure if they would have asked more questions if I had said yes, I don't want to panic anyone just wanted to let everyone know I was asked.
Here are the documents I was asked for:
-passport and passport photos at window 6- I got a new passport after I was DQ (in my married name) so I waited to bring my new passport to the interview as I've seen others do. I brought my old passport and new one and explained I wanted to change it. It was fine. They kept my new and gave me back the old one during the interview portion.
-original birth certificate (long form) I did a legal name change and also got a new birth certificate reflecting new name
-original marriage certificate
-original police certificate- Mine was the type that says " Privacy act request type: For Non-certified criminal information". I got it Oct 23 2020 and it was accepted.
-original name change certificate
-the affidavit- Form I-864
We uploaded 2020 tax transcript ahead of time. I don't know if they viewed this as they never said anything.
I was asked the same questions as everyone else. The interviewer was right to the point as was the officer who took my documents. I felt at ease during the interview. They don't make you feel as if they are interrogating you or anything like that! Sitting there waiting for your number to be called is the worst part! (I found the day to be very emotionally draining since you are anxiously waiting for the words "I intend to approve your visa.") I was there for nearly 3 hours. So make sure you have plenty of time if you have travel plans that same day! I was the second last interview of the day so my CEAC case status has not yet been updated, which I expected and am hoping for an update tomorrow! I will update with passport return details.
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30277
Review on October 18, 2021:
