Inside CDJ, what is the i130 interview like?

[Sueetp]

I am curious to hear from others who have already gone for their 130 interview, about the interview process, and the wait time they had for the day.
Is the best time to arrive the time on the invitation letter, or to form on line at 3:30 am like for the K3?
If you already got your K3, and went back to CDJ for the 130, did you have to re take your medical exam?
Was anyone told to return the next day for anything?
Was the spouse's presence needed?
If you have the K3 is there any way you can be denied the 130?
If you have the K3 do you have to return to the US through the consulates bridge choice?
How long did your interview last?

ANy and all information would be helpful.. I know that before the site changed there was a plethora of info on everyones interview experiences. How can I find that?

Thank you all so much..

[M&M]

You don't need to get in line at 3:30!!! It doesn't matter if you're at the front of the front of the line or not. They don't call people in the order that they were in line anyway. Last year my husband went for for a K3 interview and he didn't get to the consulate until, I think almost 6:00am. He was out of the consulate and done by 1:00pm! In the packet for our visa pickup appointment it says not to get in line too early, since it makes no difference anyway.

I would always give 2 days for the medical, since there have been times were people had to go back the next day.

At my husband's visa pickup he is getting the IR1 visa (I-130) and he does have to get a new medical done. Of course it's been more than a year since his K3 medical, but I think he would have to anyway, since the 2 medicals are different.

Not very often is the spouses presence needed, but there have been cases where it's happened. If you can go to Juarez with your spouse than I would say by all means go!

Can I ask what your timeline is?

[Sueetp]

M&M thanks for your post..
my timeline is:
i130 filed 2/06
129f filed 4/06
i130 case completed and sent to CDJ 9/06
129f K3 visa appt. 11/28/06
rec K3 visa and came to US with my husband
i130 appt 10/5/07 at 7:30 am
(Unfortunatly I also filed for AOS on July 27th)
But we will be pursuing the Juarez route since its next month..

Im going to find out if he needs a new medical. Good Luck, Enjoy being with your husband when all of this is over!!