IR-1 DCF Visa: Step 5 Visa interview

Organize your documents in order shown above. In my case, the consular officer only asked to see a few things. I think the complete list is for those who sent incomplete Packet 3.

Arrive at the embassy at least a half hour before your interview time. There will be a separate line for immigrant visa applicants. When it's time, a consular staff will do name check before letting you in. Turn off your cell phone and leave your items at the security. I recommend leaving other card than your national ID card as you may need it inside. For document bags and small purses, you can carry it with you.

Once you're through the security check, walk out the door, turn left, walk straight to Window 1-3 and wait for them to open. When I went, only Window 2 and 3 were open.

I was called to Window 2. The consular officer was very kind and friendly which helped me relax. I was asked to show only 3 documents: my birth certificate, marriage certificate, and medical exam report (all originals). So I recommend you keep these 3 things at ready.

Next is fingerprinting (all 10 fingers) and answering general questions to prepare your case for the actual interview inside.

Questions I was asked:

○ How my husband and I met, when, and where
○ What I do for a living and where
○ How many times I've been to the US and with what type of visa
○ How long we'd dated before we decided to get married
○ When we are planning to move
○ Why we don't have kids yet
○ If my husband is leaving with me or before me
○ My husband's parents' names

Once done, you'll be given a small piece of paper to bring inside the interview room to pay for the $325 interview fee. Bring the fee receipt back to the same officer. She will then instruct you to go wait inside the interview room.

Inside the interview room is pretty noisy as there are many people who come for the tourist visa interview. There are people walking in and out at all time and you can pretty much hear all their conversations. It's best to focus on yourself so you don't get too nervous. From where I sat, I could see through the window the consular office reviewing my documents. It wasn't long before I was called to Window 5 (the only Window for immigrant visas).

At the Window, the consular officer greeted me with a smile (which helped calm my nerves!). First he asked for a finger scan on my left hand then asked me to put my right hand up and swear that everything I was about to say was the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Questions I was asked:

○ How my husband and I met, when, and where
○ How many times I've been to the US and with what type of visa
○ Where I did my research
○ When we are leaving
○ What my husband plans to do for a living

That's about it then he said my visa was granted and would take about 7 days to arrive at my address. It was a HUGE relief to hear that. 🙂 He kept some of my bona fide documents but returned the rest to me.

The next day if you'd like to check your case status online, go to this page. In the AM, it should appear as "Administrative Processing" and in the PM, it should change to "Issued" which means the embassy has issued your visa.

I received my passport and visa back on the second day after the interview. I was also sent other documents to present at the immigration at port of entry. The enclosed brown envelope must not be opened or tampered with in any way. Only the immigration officer at port of entry can open it. To check the status of your passport, go to this page.