Hello mom and Everyone,
I am happy to announce that I finally got my IV stamp from the Embassy in Tunis on July 11. My interview was on July 5/6. AF29XXX.
Below is a summary of my background and DV and interview experience.
Background info for any relevance it might have:
Bio: i am a Tunisian national. I've been living in the US for the last 2 years (F2) accompanying my Wife who's been on OPT. We’ve also lived in the US 10 years ago, while i was grad student myself. we have a US born child (2005) and a newly US born child (June 2018). I lived in Bahrain and Saudi for about 5 years each.
AoS vs. CP: I switched 4 times. first selected AoS. it was an intuitive choice given I was already in the US. then started to understand the intricacies of each choice. CP seamed more convenient and fitting to my situation. i needed to leave for vacation in the summer of 2017. My understanding was that it could be problematic to come back on a F visa while having the intention to AoS. I switched to CP. Then we became pregnant and the due date was about what I estimated the interview date would be (didn't end up be the case since the Visa bulletin pace was unlike any other previous DV year.) I switched back to AoS. Then the VB pace made it clear that I would be stuck the whole 2018 summer waiting for the interview, in addition to the risk of visas being used up before a USCIS interview. I switched back to CP in March.
DS 260 unlocks and updates: a couple of times: (1) to add the Alias/other names used (2) to add violation of visa terms: in 2004 there was a requirement for certain countries’ citizens to report to CBP before traveling. I didn't pay attention to that requirement. I was advised it qualifies as a violation of my visa terms. I disclosed it accordingly (3) to add a conviction (court sentenced fine for a traffic accident causing injury to another motorist).
Embassy communication: sent an email once to inquire whether my Police certificate from Bahrain would be acceptable. I had it issued in March 2018, while the certificate mentions a validity of 3 months, which would be expired before my interview by a couple of weeks or so. emailed the Embassy referencing the general rule of the 1-year validity. They responded that it would be acceptable as long as I didn't go back to Bahrain since the time the PCC was issued.
Interview day (1):
We were called to the first window. it was a Tunisian/American officer (Officer 1). Here is how it went:
Officer 1 (in Tunisian/Arabic): are you the winner of the lottery or is it your wife?
Me: I am the winner
Officer 1: would you like to change the address you have in the US
Me: No, we will keep it. (I had it set at my Brother’s address in the US)
Officer 1: (one by one) give me your passport. Birth certificate. Marriage certificate. Tunisian PCC. Bahraini PCC.
Me: Here you go ....
Officer 1: we need a translation for the Tunisian PCC
Me: Sir, according to the pre-interview checklist from the Embassy website, the PCC does not require a translation. For everything else (except also court convictions) the request for translation is made clear in bold and underlined.
Officer 1: No, we do need a translation for the PCC
Me: Ok
Officer 1: How long have you lived in Saudi
Me: 5 years
Officer 1: I will then need a PCC from Saudi as well
Me: Sir, according to the reciprocity schedule of the DoS, Saudi PCC is not required for those who are not resident of Saudi anymore
Officer 1: We will see.
…Then finger printing…
Officer 1 to my wife: Passport, birth certificate, PCCs, etc.
… same issue with the translation of PCC, then:
Officer 1: Marriage certificate
my wife: we have just the one my husband gave you already.
Officer 1: we need a separate one for you
my wife: Ok
…Then finger printing….
Officer 1: have a seat. we will call you at the cashier window.
...
Cashier: Tunisian Dinars or US Dollars?
Me: US Dollars, please
Cashier: it will be $660 (330 each)
Me: here you go
Cashier: have a seat. an officer will call you.
...
We were called to a different window. It was an American officer (Officer 2). Here is how it went:
Officer 2: Hello, do you speak English?
me: yes, please
Officer 2: where do you live?
me: we've been living in the US for the last 2 years. my wife was studying. she's on OPT right now. I was accompanying her.
Officer 2: So you're the F2.
Me: Yes, Sir.
Officer 2: what did you study?
Wife: Masters of ...
Me: we've also lived in the US 10 years ago for 2 years as well
Officer 2: Ok
Officer 2: would you swear that the information contained in this file are true?
Me: I do (raising my hand)
Officer 2: do you have your High School Diploma and translation?
Me: Yes, here you go.
... scanned it and gave it back…
Officer 2: Do you have a bachelors' degree?
Me: Yes, I also have a masters' degree from a US university
Officer2: Do you happen to have your bachelors' degree with you?
Me: Yes, here you go. Do you need the translation for it?
Officer 2: no need. looked at it and gave it back.
Me: Here is also my Masters' degree.
Officer 2: looked at it and gave it back.
Officer 2: You don't have a PCC from Saudi?
Me: Sir, according to the reciprocity schedule in the DoS website, Saudi PCC is not required for those who are not resident of Saudi anymore
Officer 2: ok, I'll check. If that's the case, then you're good
Me: I have a printout from the DoS website in this regard
Officer 2: ok, let me see it, it will save time
Me: here you go. the relevant parts have been highlighted.
Officer 2: (after glancing at it) Ok, you're good. but we still need a translation of the Tunisian PCC.
Me: Sir, I followed the instructions provided in the Embassy's pre-interview checklist. the translation is specifically clearly mentioned for some documents. the PCC is not one of them. (I was showing the checklist)
Officer 2: We do require it. but let me see the checklist. if, it's the case, then we will need to correct the information. .... you're right, but we do require a translation for the PCC.
Me: No problem. we will have it done.
Officer 2: so that will be that and the additional marriage certificate for you (looking at my wife). Here is a paper mentioning the missing documents, you may come back any day between 10am and 11am
Me: Ok. Thank you. We expect to be back tomorrow.
Officer 2: Ok, then.
Me: Thank you.
Interview day (2)
The following day, back to the Embassy with the requested documents:
Officer 1: ok, so, may I have both PCCs with translations, and Marriage certificate for the wife with translation.
Me: Here you go.
Officer 1: Ok, have a seat.
...
Officer 1: here is a ticket for the passports pick-up (3rd following business day)
Me: Ok, thanks. so does that suppose ...?
Officer 1: that supposes that you're all set
Me: Thanks. Sir, please note, my wife hasn't taken the oath yet.
Officer 1: don't worry. you're all set.
Me: Ok. Please I would like to provide you with my cell number in Tunisia
Officer 1: Sure.
Me: Here you go (on a piece of paper). Thanks.
...we left the embassy
about 20 min later, a phone call. It's the Embassy!
Officer 1: Hi, we apologize, your wife has to come back for the oath.
.... back to the embassy.
Officer 1: have a seat, we will call you.
....
Officer 2: Hi, we apologize for the inconvenience. (to my wife) You have to take your own oath. The cases have to be treated on a standalone basis.
Me: No problem at all.
Officer 2: would you swear ..... true
Wife: I do.
Officer 2: ok. let me make sure this goes through and that nothing more is required, so that we don't have to call you again. (tapping on his computer)
Officer 2: you're all set.
Me: Sir, I have a question .... we had a new born, a US new born. she's not mentioned anywhere in the DS 260.
Officer 2: she's a US citizen, right?
Me: Yes
Officer 2: In that case you’re fine. We will see you next week for the pick-up, then.
Me: Ok thank you. Have a nice one.
....
Side note: no question about the financial aspect or the i134, which I had ready if requested. Also, no explicit “congratulations” or “welcome to the US” or “You’re approved”, which I read in some of the posts. I would have preferred that! But the passport pick-up ticket was reassuring enough.
…
NVC Website status check:
the evening following the first appointment, the status changed from Ready to Administrative Processing
the evening following the 2nd appointment, the status changed back to Ready ... stayed for 1 more business day
2nd business day: changed to Administrative Processing
3rd business day (pick-up day): changed to ISSUED! by mid-day.
It has been a long and mentally exhausting journey. This forum was of an indispensable help. I hope I will measure up to the opportunity. May God make, whatever good come easy for everyone.
Dear mom, I can't thank you and Britsmon @Britsimonsays.com, enough, for your time and the resources you're providing to this community.
Thank you!
which I truly enjoyed reading. Also, thank you for returning with an update. All the best and enjoy your new status.