My husband's interview experience with the Cairo visa office:
We applied in March. My husband had his interview on Oct 1st. He'd requested French in the initial application but as they didn't have anyone in the embassy who spoke French, they did the interview in Arabic (he could have done it in English as well, but he was given the choice and Arabic was obvs better for him). They spoke for about an hour and a half. The interviewer was pleasant -- direct but not aggressive or confrontational. I could hear them laughing occasionally through the door. She did not ask any 'weird' questions that I've heard others being asked (how many cavities does your wife have, etc) and no one asked to look at his phone (in Cairo you must check your electronics and lighters with security upon entering the embassy).
My husband is very calm and confident and I knew he wouldn't have a problem with the interview. I had a panic attack a few days before the interview and decided to fly out to Cairo and attend it as well. I don't know if this helped sway the interviewer, but having me there definitely gave both my husband and I the strength and confidence to keep going (it's been a long year!)
So after she spoke with my husband, she asked me to come into the room, said she didn't have any questions for me but I could say anything I wanted. So I spoke a little about how hard this year has been being apart, etc. She then asked my husband to leave the room and she asked me a few more questions, where were you born, what is your work, could you live in Egypt, what do you love about your husband? I was very nervous and blurted out, "he's so sexy!" and the interviewer laughed.
My husband got the impression that the interviewer had not read our application, so either someone else in the embassy read it and flagged him for an interview or they simply interview all applicants (our lawyer said that if they have the time and the staff, some offices will interview everyone regardless).
The interviewer did not look at the additional documents they requested we bring, but said she would look at them after the interview. We were asked to bring our marriage certificate, evidence of sponsor’s visits, proof of ongoing relationship between applicant and sponsor (pre and post marriage), wedding, honeymoon and engagement photos, and any photos of sponsor with applicant's family. We had an envelope 3" thick of photos and viber chats and receipts and boarding passes, and etc etc etc.
On Oct 5th, they emailed and asked for his passport, 2 photos, his height and eye colour on a separate sheet of paper, and a sworn affidavit from me about when I split with my ex (we were commonlaw)
My husband dropped those items off on Tuesday (Oct 10th) and today (Oct 12) we received an email that his visa has been issued and he should arrange to pick up his passport!