My experience

[lizzybelly 0]

-ok, so fortunatly my husband and I finished the whole visa process in three months and a few days! Here are some of my experiences from Naples Italy, and a few tips.

FIRST: I am speaking about Direct Consular Filing, so the process may be different if this is not the route that you are taking... but i suggest if you have the possibility to do direct consular filing DO IT!!!!!!! It took us three months, and I met another couple in our same situation (husband italian, wife was american but legal resident of italy) it took them A YEAR AND A HALF not doing DCF!!!!! If you are an american living in italy married to an italian, or you are military, see if you fit the guidelines for filing Direct Consular Filing, and I would recommend 100% going that route!

1.) Send the 1-130 to Rome, dont bother taking the trip there if it is far... some friends of mine took theirs and dropped it off, it was a waste of money and time, sending it is just as fast.

2.) Rome will be very helpful if you call. In general, if you have questions that they can answer. After I sent my 1-130 they were very helpful to tell me where in the process I was, and if it had been sent off to Naples, processed, etc. Dont hesitate to call.

3.) When your 1-130 is approved and processed it will be sent to Naples. Naples will be the one to send you the information on your next steps. GET INFORMATION FROM ONLINE!!! They will send you outdated forms! They sent me outdated forms, but luckily I got the same forms, but updated from this website http://italy.usembassy.gov/english/. Check the date before you fill out your form. (Even the form I got from the internet was out of date, but the woman on the phone told me the ones from the internet were the most recent)

4.) There is a number they suggest you call (899-34-34-32) IN MY OPINION DONT CALL IT!!!! I tried calling it, and I spent 10 euro and didnt talk to a single person.... I always called 081-583-8111.... Sometimes I got someone who was a bit rude, but in general they are very willing to help you and very nice. Make sure you call between the hours of 2-4 Tuesday and Wednesday... that is the only time you will get ahold of someone to speak to, otherwise you will be directed to a message system with information regarding VISAs.

5.) For the Medical, bring extra cash in case vaccinations are necessary, at the medical center they were incredibly nice and helpful... the appointment was at 8:45, and everyone arrives at the same time, a big group of people.... they tell you at the beginning that the process will be finished at 1:30, so allow yourself plenty of time.

6.) The next day again, expect a lot of waiting. At the interview they were very nice, and the actual interview process was quick and completely painless But expect quite a bit of waiting.

7.) If you are buying tickets to come to Naples, because you live in another part of Italy... allow yourself plenty of time after the interview.... When we went, everything was fine and my husband was approved, but we were told there was a computer glitch, and seeing as how our appointment was on a friday then monday was martin luther king day, we had to pick it up the following tuesday. Allow yourself a nice relaxing few days in naplesafter the interview. (Or if you dont need the visa immediately, you could always have it sent IF there is some problem).

8.) last but not least..... When we got our packet of information (damn mystery brown envelope) ther was no stamp saying to be opened only by immigration. Considering that we had to pick up our visa the following tuesday at Mailboxes Inc. we were not given ANY explanation of what to do with it. Seeing as how we had no idea we opened it! Stupid I know, but we went back the next day, and without a problem, they inspected it sealed it back up, and we took it home that day.... **The new brown envelope had TWO of the stamps they previously had forgotten! Anyways, what i am saying is if you are not given an explation or stamp, like me, DO NOT OPEN

That is all the information that I can think of, but anyone who has any questions to ask feel free to ask me! I would love to help, There were so many people on VJ who humored me, as I asked my panicked questions when something went wrong, and helped me through the process, and I would love to pay it back! Good luck to everyone and I am off to America in FOUR DAYSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Edited January 29, 2008 by lizzybelly