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| Hong Kong, China |  Review on October 21, 2025: |
pineapplesdream
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Arrival
My appointment was scheduled at 830AM and was not allowed in till 825AM. The security guards checked interview letter, DS-260 confirmation page and passport and Hong Kong ID at the entrance.
Security check
The security check was quick and easy. I read you are not allowed to bring a bag exceeding certain size but I think the rule is quite relaxed as they will check the content in your bag very thoroughly at the security. I brought a cloth bag, an A4 size binder, a document folder and my wallet with my ID cards. I was asked to turn off my phone and leave it with the security and you can get it back later when you leave.
Pre-interview documents collection
Immigration visa interview area is on the 1/F. The room is small with a few rows of chairs and there are four windows. Two or three of those windows were with local Hong Kong officers where you’ll be asked to hand in some essential documents. They all need to be original, not copies if I remembered it correctly. I was asked to hand in - current passport, old passport where I had my B1/B2 U.S. visa, Hong Kong ID, marriage certificate, birth certificate and police certificates. I also brought with me a lot of other documents such as financial support affidavits, relationship evidence, etc. but they were not requested.
In the end, they gave me three pieces of documents -
(1) arranging for passport delivery (which was asked to be completed by the local officer on the day of the interview if not done yet),
(2) submitting additional information to the consulate (the green sheet) and a form of requested documentation submission (the white sheet)
(3) domestic violence brochure
Also was asked to provide a contact number for the passport delivery and additional documents submission if the visa was not approved today.
The original documents including my passport were kept by the local officer and would be used for the official interview later. If the visa is approved today, all the original documents would be returned to me except for the passport.
Then I was asked to take a seat and wait to be interviewed officially by the consular officer. While I was waiting, I also heard other applicants being reminded of the domicile issue by the local officers.
Interview
There was only one window open for official interview with the consular officer. I was called to the window by the consular officer. These were the questions asked by the officer during the interview:
1. Swore under oath that everything is truthful
2. Finger prints taken
3. Who petitioned you?
4. When did you last see him?
5. What is his address?
6. Did he fly back from the U.S. for your interview?
7. Do you have any domicile proof or plans to move to the U.S.?
8. How long have you been married and why are you deciding to move to the U.S. now?
9. Are you going to live in XX (state) when you move to the U.S.?
10. Are you working now and where do you work?
11. Do you plan to look for jobs that are similar to what you do now in the U.S.?
12. Have you started job searching in the U.S.?
13. What did you do in Germany? - this is regarding the German police certificate and I explained I was there for a school program.
14. What did you study? (following the previous question)
15. How old were you when you first came to Hong Kong?
16. Is this the first marriage for both of you?
17. Do you have any kids?
18. Have you ever stayed in the U.S. longer than permitted?
19. Have you ever worked in the U.S. without permission?
20. We will cancel your previous visa.
21. We will recommend approval for your case.
I would say the focus of the interview is definitely the domicile issue. There were three others ahead of me and two were given the blue sheets and asked to submit additional documents for the exact reason. The tricky thing is there is really no one-size-fits-all answers/solutions to this.
Besides the verbal approval, I was not given anything else after the interview was over. Only asked to check my emails in the following days.
I was the third or fourth in line when I first arrived in the room and by the time I left it was around 1045AM so it was quite a lengthy waiting period. There are some reading materials in the room to pass the time. Or you could bring your own. Unfortunately there were no clocks in the room and there was no water (unlike what was said on their website). So remember to wear your non-smart watch and be prepared to be parched lol!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33813