We had our interview at 1:30pm on Thursday 12th July 2012 and it had sat in our diaries for what seemed to be forever.
We took the metro out to Dunn-Loring in Virginia which took nearly an hour as it was pretty much the end of the Orange line. We made a point of getting there in plenty of time and went through the officious security about 20 mins before our appointment.
We had our names called by a lovely IO called Vivienne about 15 mins late. She took us to her office and made us swear an oath.
I had made a point of putting any relevant information in plastic wallets in a big folder. She remarked that our case was quite an easy one to sort and that she only had two more to go that day.
The questions for my wife (the petitioner) was "What date were you married?" and that was it. The rest of the questions were really conversational. We provided evidence of a joint bank account and she had our joint lease on file. She took 3 or 4 of the photos which we bought along and stapled them into our file (this was a mighty stack of papers). From there she said that we were approved and that we should get the card in 7 days. All this was great until she asked me whether I was travelling in the near future. I actually have a flight booked for 7 days time. My wife and I had decided to throw a big wedding reception in the UK and have booked all of the suppliers, venues etc. With this in mind, I had expected to travel on either my H1B or EAD/AP whilst waiting for the Green Card. She told me that I wasnt allowed to do this as it would cancel the card immediately. She told me that I needed to go downstairs and get an info-pass.
On going downstairs I noted the info-pass machine and put in my information, only for the date for an inteview to be after I have left. I stood in line for a futher 30 mins and the lady had told me that it was the IO who had to stamp my passport and that she could do it. Back upstairs I went.
We left a message for the IO and waited for a considerable amount of time, before asking if she could call us. She did call us back at the end of the day and was as lovely as ever. She told me that as long as I could get someone to send me the Green Card via a FedEx, that I would be fine. As I don't fly back to the US until 10th August. I am hoping that this will be the case.
I think that as long as you are organised, these interviews should go well for you. Thanks to everyone on VJ who has helped, supported and encouraged me. You are a great Internet resource, an invaluable one.
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9998
Review on July 13, 2012:
