First Contact

You will receive an phone call from a South African cellular number or an email from a xxx@state.gov email address based on your contact info supplied in the Statement of Interest.

In this phone call you will be asked to verify you have valid passports by submitting the numbers and expiry dates.

The official will likely set an interview for 1 or 2 weeks ahead.

Interview Centres

We expect that interviews will be conducted only in this location for now:

• Pretoria
  • US Mission / US Embassy (or alternative offices to be advised)
  • Address 877 Pretorius St, Arcadia
  • GPS Coordinates for Google Maps -25.746166438662236, 28.223831022077416 or CLICK HERE
  • Main Telephone 012-431-4000

Arrival and Security

Have your ID on hand when approaching security at the offices.

Bags, wallets, keys, laptops, phones, tables, smart watches etc. will not be allowed beyond security and will be kept safe in a locker for the duration of the visit.

Groups will be escorted to enter the building five at a time with visitor cards. This escort will accompany members of the group at all times.

NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS:  These may be combined going forward to streamline the process. The following is what was reported by the first 68 people first arrived in America.

First Interview

For the first interview, children (under 18) do not need to attend.

This interview is conducted by USRAP officials and is primarily about your experiences as a South African. The subject will be that of past persecution that you have endured or your fear of future persecution.

They ask varied questions – and then re-ask them in different ways. It’s vital not to lie or embellish your answers to ensure you are not caught in mis-stating little details.

The officials will speak mainly to the primary applicant, but others can participate.

Second Interview

This interview will be set by email and phone call. You will have to have your documents ready by now.

Here the officials go more in depth about your claims of persecution. This is very similar to the first interview just more in depth.

Bring a simple summary of your life, key events, and problems. This helps with your interview.

Interviews may include detailed questions about the family background, travel history, and reasons for applying.

You will be required to recall things for the previous 5 years like:

• Your previous home addresses, with dates (month and year)
• Your previous email addresses, with dates opened (month and year)
• Your previous cell phone numbers, with dates acquired (month and year)
• Your childrens’ birth dates and pregnancy information.

They will check the information supplied by the principal applicant with all the members of the family that are old enough to answer.

If your children have been adopted or biological parents are not included, they will ask about the other parent/ex-wife or husband.

Documents to be Scanned

• Passports for all applying – must be valid
• ID documents
• Marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Anti-Nuptial contract (if applicable)
• Divorce decree (if applicable)
• Any travel visas (current and expired)
• Unabridged Birth Certificates for Children under 18 (must show both parents)
• Adoption Papers (if applicable)
• Affidavit for Child to Travel from Absent Parent (if applicable)
• Vaccinations cards (for all family members if you can obtain these)

Prepare a spreadsheet with the following data

• Related Family Names and Surname
• Relationship (Parents, Siblings etc.)
• Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death (if applicable)
• Email & Contact numbers for all these family members
• Your immediate family’s Residential Address (and past addresses for 5 years)
• Your immediate family’s Social Media Accounts (used in the last 5 years, including when opened)
• Your immediate family’s Cellphone numbers (used in the last 5 years, including when opened)

At this stage you will receive your Case Number/Alien Number, which will be used and quoted at the Medical Center.

Third Interview (USCIS Interview & Medical Screening)  

This interview may be at a different location as USCIS is involved in all Visa applications too.

Once inside the building you may need to sit and wait until you are called.

Children may be separated while interviews are underway.

Once called, each person will be required to submit to:

• Biographic and Biometric Data
• Photos taken
• Fingerprinting

Applicants may need to complete forms from the U.S. Department of State or USCIS.

You are then interviewed again. In this meeting the USCIS officials will question you about your experiences again and ensure all your personal information is correct. You may need to wait again as they intermittently call upon you to do additional fact checking.

Security and background checks will also be carried out.

Medical Screening

Medical screening will likely take place on the same day, or day following, the USCIS interview.

This may include checks for communicable diseases, proof of vaccinations, and a general health assessment.

Applicants will be informed which medical centre, travel clinic or doctor to visit.

For Medical Screening, you will require:

• 4 x ID photos per person
• Colour copy of passports
• Vaccination card copies for the entire family

The doctor will conduct the following:

• Vitals – Blood Pressure, Weight and Height
• Checks your joints, reflexes, listens to chest and heart, checks ears and eyes. Checks your shoulders, knees, hips etc.
• Blood Sample – 6mls drawn from adults and 4mls from children
• Vaccinations – If you supply a vaccination card, you will not be asked to redo these.
• All applicants will be recommended a Flu Shot and a Hepatitis A vaccine.

(IMPORTANT NOTES ON VACCINES IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS – GO TO SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS)

The following vaccines will be recommended if you do not produce Immunization Cards:

• DTP
• IPV
• MMR
• ROTAVIRUS
• HEP A
• HEP B
• INFLUENZA
• MENINGOCOCCAL CONJUGATE

Furthermore, the following tests will be carried out:

• Pregnancy Test for Women
• Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis

Approval

Your approval (or request for other actions in complex applications) will come through a few days after your third interview.

Here you will be asked when you can leave, usually within days to a week.