adamweitzelleishman

Hello,

I have a few questions about my upcoming interview, and I have only been able to find contradicting answers when I search the web, so I'm hoping this group may have more knowledge than the rest of the internet! This is my first post, so go easy on me please, even if the questions may seem a bit stupid!

So my interview for my CR1 visa in on September 18th at 8 am. First, I'm wondering what time I should really be there, as it seems there is often a queue?

I would also like to bring my wife with me (she is the American citizen, and I am the UK citizen, obviously). Can I just bring her along or do I need to get permission for someone first? Or would it be better/faster if I left her at the hotel?

I'm also unsure on what documents I need to bring with me to my interview? Some people are saying nothing, some seem to bring a lot.

Finally, if I do (hopefully) get approved, I have seen that you may pay extra to get your new passport with visa delivered to you sooner than 5-10 days. If so, does anyone know what that would cost?

And I know this is impossible to really pinpoint, but about how long should I expect to be at the embassy?

Thanks so much!

Adam

Hangrald

They say not to arrive more than a half-hour before your appointment. I was there probably about 7.20am for my 8am appointment and was in by 8am with no problem -- it was waiting for the embassy to open and the line to begin moving that was the slow part, not the queue itself.

You have to contact them and have her added to the list. Details about how to do this should be on your interview letter.

Bring the documents you had to assemble prior to sending your DS-2001. They're listed here. Some people say to also bring anything that can support your case: evidence of your life together, and proof of your intent to move. I didn't need to show these things, but if you've got them it doesn't hurt to put them in a folder.

I was out by 9am, but it can depend on a number of factors. If you're there later than 1pm, you've probably gotten lost or arrested.

Most people find it a simple, quick experience that's actually quite anti-climatic. Just make sure you're there on time, with the documents you need, and answer the questions you're asked.

Speedwell

Short version:

Be at the office first thing in the morning. There is often a queue. Don't bring anything with you except your paperwork (a copy of every official document you submitted as an original, and an original of every official document you submitted as a copy, and a copy of everything else in case they've lost it), and not in a large bag such as a backpack. You cannot bring anything electronic with you. Leave your gadgetry (including transponder car keys) at the pharmacy around the corner; they hold things for a nominal fee. Your wife will need advance permission to enter, and this is often fouled up (spouses left off the list through some miscommunication), but it isn't actually important or even expected for her to accompany you. The extra fee isn't really to get your passport delivered to you sooner (or it wasn't several weeks ago when my husband paid for his); you can pay extra to have it delivered early on the day it arrives. You have to do this online now.

Check in the marriage-related section of the forum for excellent writeups on what actually happens at the interview.

jeffreyhy

What documents you need to bring depends, in part, on whether the petition was submitted to a USCIS lockbox in the USA or to the USCIS field office in London. You don't say which. "nothing" is definitely incorrect, "a lot" is way too vague. Regards, JEff

Noorah101

Thread has been moved to the Marriage-Based Visa section.

Rene

civilservant

If your interview is for 8am, ten you really must be there at .30 ready for opening. They begin the interviews promptly at 8am.

austamck

Hi Adam,

Im waiting for my Husbands Interview date - how long from when you filed your DS-2001 and getting your interview letter with the date?

Thanks

Austa

Speedwell

Gah. I always feel like I'm tracking two completely different conversations sometimes on these threads. Mods, can we pleeeeeeeeeeze do a sticky for the category that explains the difference between DCF and filing in the US, and exhorts posters to clarify which track they're on?

ian-mstm

Right - as though they'll actually read that prior to posting! Most people don't even read the Forum Usage Guidelines prior to posting!

Ian

Speedwell

Ian, most people don't even read the original post prior to posting a response in the thread. I just thought it could be something to point to when the confusion inevitably arises.