I had my interview today morning at 9:15 AM, it lasted for 20 minutes and it was painless. The IO was pretty serious but he loosened up later and even smiled. Basically, he said everything is in place for my file and that he will approve it later today.
This was my interview outcome in brief...
I reached the USCIS office at 8:20AM but had to wait for my attorney who was running a little later (she got there by 9:00am), cleared security together, got into the waiting room upstairs, slipped the interview letter in the slot and waited for my name to be called. After a wait of less than 10 mins, my name was called and we were walked to the interview room by the officer. He was in his late forties or fifties, gray hair, kind of serious. He asked us to take our seats and went around took his seat. Then he stood up, asked me to stand up, raise my right hand for the oath.
Once done with the oath, we sat down and he asked to see our ID's and I showed my passport and he later requested to see my DL as well. He had my file open in front of him. He verified the application form with information from my passport and check marked the file after verification. Then he went through my I-485 and verified some of the information with me:
• Full name
• Date of Birth
• Current Address
• Last date of entry into the U.S.
• Country of birth and citizenship
• And about 5-7 questions from the part where it’s “did you ever….”
Next, he asked to see my original birth certificate. He also asked if there was any other names that I used ‘nicknames’ and such, so I told him that some of my friends call me by another name which he wrote down.
Then, he asked for the passport with the I-94 (it was in the old/expired passport) opened my passport, located the I-94 and tore along the perforated strip that was stapled to my passport (I could hear bells ring in my head. This could either mean that my GC was going to be approved)
Then he asked about whether I came to the U.S. for my graduate studies, which I replied that I’ve been here since high school through graduate school. He then asked what status I’m at right now, I replied H1.
The attorney then showed him my updated employment letter.
Then there was like 10 minutes where he spent discussing with my attorney about the process of making a payment before the interview and whether it was to KCC or NBC (He mentioned he tried to do some research and was curious, therefore asking her about the procedures and process)
But he later then said that my file is all at the office and that since my payment, biometrics are all out of the way I’ll not have any issues if the system shows my visa as current
Throughout the process, he kept making notes on his file and kept filling the "Official Use Only" section on the files he had in front of him.
He later told me that he has to review through my file and he will approve it if my visa is current in the system at the end of the day after he’s done with all his interviews. (Woohoo!) He then made a copy of my driver license and walked us out with a smile saying 'Have a good day'
For those of you still waiting for the interview... a couple of pointers that might really help you during the interview.
1. Follow the "Dont Ask, Dont Tell" policy.
2. Dont volunteer information
3. Stick to the point. Answer questions with a simple yes or a no unless asked to explain.
4. Pay attention to the questions, reply in a clear and audible tone.
5. Avoid asking unnecessary questions or quesitons which have an obvious answer
6. Keep it simple. Wear a smile on your face.
7. If you dont know, admit it. Dont guess and ruin your chances.
8. Prepare for the interview with your spouse and make sure both are on the same page
9. Carry all documents with you. Make sure you have copies of all originals
Good luck! Hope to update soon with the GC
PS I checked online to see if there was any LUD, but it still remained the same as before the interview