K1 Interview in Ukraine

[Knoll 1]

Hello All,

Our K1 interview is this coming May 21st, 2008 in Ukraine.

1. Are the interviewers expecting us to be dressed up as in men wearing a suit and tie? Is it the norm for men to wear a suit and tie to the interview as they accompany their fiancée? Is that what others are doing?

2. Can anyone recommend a safe hotel or lodging within approximately 1 mile of the Embassy where the interviews are held? What would you recommend? (No apartments please). My fiancée does not live in Kiev otherwise I could stay at her place.

3. So, obviously couples may typically have a few days before and/or after their interview which leads me to the question, what do others do to keep safe all their critical documents with so much personal information on them? Do you leave them hidden in your hotel room or apartment?

Thank you in advance.

Tim

[mariapoe 0]

Hello All,

Our K1 interview is this coming May 21st, 2008 in Ukraine.

1. Are the interviewers expecting us to be dressed up as in men wearing a suit and tie? Is it the norm for men to wear a suit and tie to the interview as they accompany their fiancée? Is that what others are doing?

2. Can anyone recommend a safe hotel or lodging within approximately 1 mile of the Embassy where the interviews are held? What would you recommend? (No apartments please). My fiancée does not live in Kiev otherwise I could stay at her place.

3. So, obviously couples may typically have a few days before and/or after their interview which leads me to the question, what do others do to keep safe all their critical documents with so much personal information on them? Do you leave them hidden in your hotel room or apartment?

Thank you in advance.

Tim

Hi Tim,

I don't think men are expected to wear a suit and tie. You can but it's not necessary. Just wear something nice. In winter, I'd recommend you to have some warm clothes on but Kiev is beautiful in May, you'll enjoy it.

About hotels. I don't think there is any hotel that close to the Consulate. Try Dnipro, Kershchatik, Ukraine, or Kozatski - they are the closest (15min away) and affordable, too. All or them are located around Independence Square which is downtown Kiev.

http://www.hotels-kiev.com/

I'm sure that if you stay in these hotels, you can just leave your documents in a room. Carry your passport and wallet with you and stay away from dark and unknown portions of the city, nothing else!

And, good luck for the interview ! (For tips, you can ready my Consulate review after I went for my interview in early February; it's long and boring but informative.)

Masha

[Knoll 1]

Thank you Masha!

This is great information. I have been to Kiev before but had poor experiences with apartments. In my opinion, they can be dangerous for foreigners who are alone and can't speak the local language.

I agree completely about staying away from dark areas and alleys. I try to blend in and speak as little as possible when I visit.

I will be sure to read your review.

Noll

[payxibka 10,045]

If your documents are complete and organized then the interview is anti-climatic. My wife's interview consisted of one question... "who helped you put the packet of documents together as this one of the best I have ever seen?"

[Knoll 1]

Thanks fwaguy,

That is reassuring to hear. I will check with my attorney to go over the checklist and be sure I am not missing anything. The impression I got from calling the Embassy to schedule the interview is that they are very “ cold” and “rigid”. It seems like if you forgot or lost one document, they would send you both away. I think if I had assurance the interviewers were more reasonable, I would be more relaxed.

[payxibka 10,045]

Thanks fwaguy,

That is reassuring to hear. I will check with my attorney to go over the checklist and be sure I am not missing anything. The impression I got from calling the Embassy to schedule the interview is that they are very “ cold” and “rigid”. It seems like if you forgot or lost one document, they would send you both away. I think if I had assurance the interviewers were more reasonable, I would be more relaxed.

That is exactly what I am trying to tell you... They are sticklers for the required paperwork.... If one item is missing then you will not have a good experience... If all is complete then your experience will be fine. Most "failed" interviews are the result of incomplete paperwork.

[mariapoe 0]

Thank you Masha!

This is great information. I have been to Kiev before but had poor experiences with apartments. In my opinion, they can be dangerous for foreigners who are alone and can't speak the local language.

I agree completely about staying away from dark areas and alleys. I try to blend in and speak as little as possible when I visit.

I will be sure to read your review.

Noll

You're welcome! And don't worry about those people on the phone. I was told a long time ago that those call center representatives are not the Embassy workers; it's just some company that provides services to the Embassy. Unlike the people who answer the emails who, in opposite, are the Embassy employees. I remember calling to find out if I needed a criminal record from the US since I had previuosly lived here for six years and every time I was told that yes, I needed it (I'm sure they were just looking up the answer in the manual, that's it!) Later, being totally confused, I asked the same question via email and the answer was NO, I didn't need it which I was almost sure about. To me, they all sound like college kids on that phone actually.

Good luck and have a nice trip !

[payxibka 10,045]

Thank you Masha!

This is great information. I have been to Kiev before but had poor experiences with apartments. In my opinion, they can be dangerous for foreigners who are alone and can't speak the local language.

I agree completely about staying away from dark areas and alleys. I try to blend in and speak as little as possible when I visit.

I will be sure to read your review.

Noll

You're welcome! And don't worry about those people on the phone. I was told a long time ago that those call center representatives are not the Embassy workers; it's just some company that provides services to the Embassy. Unlike the people who answer the emails who, in opposite, are the Embassy employees. I remember calling to find out if I needed a criminal record from the US since I had previuosly lived here for six years and every time I was told that yes, I needed it (I'm sure they were just looking up the answer in the manual, that's it!) Later, being totally confused, I asked the same question via email and the answer was NO, I didn't need it which I was almost sure about. To me, they all sound like college kids on that phone actually.

Good luck and have a nice trip !

The call center is actually located somewhere in Poland. Do not know if they handle calls just for Kiev or ho many other consulates as well.