BRAZIL K1 Process/Experience, Feedback, Concerns, Advise

[K and L 27]

Oh? The document order list aside, I haven't heard anything from them, and my interview's in a week and a half... They're not using the DS-160, so it's still the same DS-156/156K/157/230ptI forms.

ETA: They're still using the Oct09 fiancé(e) instructions and Nov09 document order list, and I see they've updated the authorized physicians list...but not seeing any changes in the instructions or anything like that...

Edited April 23, 2010 by K and L

[K and L 27]

Our interview was yesterday, and the medical the day before.

The medical with Duarte went very smoothly. I don't know if he's offered the blood drawing before, but the email he gave us implied we'd have to go to the lab. Total price at his office was R$390, and another R$20 at the radiologist's office. We had an 12:00 appointment, but weren't seen until 13:00, but it was really fast. We walked to the radiologist (who was on Rua Araújio Porto Alegre) and back -- we were there about 30 minutes in total, and dropped off the X-ray at Duarte's office before returning to the hotel for a few hours, and picked it up at 16:45 (though it had been ready at 15:30).

All in all, the interview was basically the same as expected, though there was MUCH more waiting than I had anticipated. I thought we'd be out of there by 10:30, but we barely arrived at the hotel at 12:00. The only thing of note (besides "bring a book") is that the document order form on the consular website is NOT what's being currently used. The website has the Nov 09 version of the document list, and they're using the July 09 version still. There are two differences in the forms: July 09 switches the order of the DS 156K and DS 157 forms, as well as the order of the I-134 and medical envelope.

They didn't ask to see any proof of relationship/etc. Either the photos they saw in the original petition (combined with the fact that L previously applied for a tourist visa specifically to visit me and meet my family) or my presence was sufficient to convince them it was a valid relationship.

The TNT counter has a R$5 surcharge that's NOT listed on the paper on the wall -- the sign said that Bahia would be R$45, but they charged us R$50.

Of the 6 groups (2 families, 3 fiancées/wives, 1 fiancé/husband) that preceeded us, only one of them (a fiancée/wife, and the second person to be interviewed) was denied. Only she and two others were alone of everyone, the rest had their petitioners present.

[DoneWaiting 15]

Our interview was yesterday, and the medical the day before.

The medical with Duarte went very smoothly. I don't know if he's offered the blood drawing before, but the email he gave us implied we'd have to go to the lab. Total price at his office was R$390, and another R$20 at the radiologist's office. We had an 12:00 appointment, but weren't seen until 13:00, but it was really fast. We walked to the radiologist (who was on Rua Araújio Porto Alegre) and back -- we were there about 30 minutes in total, and dropped off the X-ray at Duarte's office before returning to the hotel for a few hours, and picked it up at 16:45 (though it had been ready at 15:30).

All in all, the interview was basically the same as expected, though there was MUCH more waiting than I had anticipated. I thought we'd be out of there by 10:30, but we barely arrived at the hotel at 12:00. The only thing of note (besides "bring a book") is that the document order form on the consular website is NOT what's being currently used. The website has the Nov 09 version of the document list, and they're using the July 09 version still. There are two differences in the forms: July 09 switches the order of the DS 156K and DS 157 forms, as well as the order of the I-134 and medical envelope.

They didn't ask to see any proof of relationship/etc. Either the photos they saw in the original petition (combined with the fact that L previously applied for a tourist visa specifically to visit me and meet my family) or my presence was sufficient to convince them it was a valid relationship.

The TNT counter has a R$5 surcharge that's NOT listed on the paper on the wall -- the sign said that Bahia would be R$45, but they charged us R$50.

Of the 6 groups (2 families, 3 fiancées/wives, 1 fiancé/husband) that preceeded us, only one of them (a fiancée/wife, and the second person to be interviewed) was denied. Only she and two others were alone of everyone, the rest had their petitioners present.

K and L, congratulations on this great step. Best wishes and blessing in this journey.

[Carolina+James 1]

Congrats!! I saw it on the Portal yesterday that it was the day of yours, I got a bit nervous myself just remembering beign in that line outside the Rio consulate! Glad it all went good!

I guess they change that list between Nov and Jul randomly just so that people have to sit a little and actually put something in order and give them more time to read our cases.

To those that go alone, don't be afraid! I was there by myself, with my 15 year old face (though Im 24), and got interviewed and approved first of everyone else. Your relationship and the right documents is what matters the most.

[K and L 27]

Oh, yeah, I don't think that it had anything to do with her being alone! She was in the interview room for a LONG time. Most of the people who were approved were in there about 10 minutes. One was there 15 (but had a kid that was also interviewed). The girl who was denied was in there almost 45 minutes, so there was definitely something else going on with her case.

Anyone who's coming up - I have a detailed review regarding timing and what not in the consular review section. Bring a good book to read!

[Carolina+James 1]

Very happy you guys are past that interview part! Now to move together and the brazilian to make some cute cultural mistakes!! I know I did corn muffins yesterday thinking they were like a sweet cake, not something to have as a side! Poor little me I will have to restrain myself from digging the groceries when I'm alone at home!

[K and L 27]

Unluckily for us, L is going to start out in Arizona, land of demanding paperwork for traffic stops and multicultural education being compared with high treason by their state department of education... o.O

Completely unrelated, Carolina, have you had Mexican food yet? A woman from Bahia who was at the medical and interview with us (seeking an IR1/CR1 - oh, and she was on the flight home for L, as well!) was telling me how she thinks the food is very similar to the foods in Bahia (and some Brazilian food in general). I'm thinking of translating some recipes for L's mom, who loved the pork chop and pineapple salsa recipe I sent her. xD

Edited May 7, 2010 by K and L

[Carolina+James 1]

I'm in Oklahoma, I have no idea how they'll chew me or not when I show my little brazilian degree! It is all translated and evaluated by a company from US to say its equivalence to American degrees... which means I am not a psychologist here, just a psychology bachelor. If you need that evaluation for L, let me know and I send you the link.

I am from south Brazil, where we don't eat as much spicy food as the folks in north east. Bahia has a very good reputation regarding their spicy food. BUT I do love Mexican food! It's my favorite fast food stuff. And I love what they call "Tex-Mex" food also! Still learning how much jalapenos I can eat without screaming though

But if L really aches for brazilian food, he could try http://www.brazilianshop.com/

I never bought from them, but I feel good to know that if I crave real bad for something I can reach it

[K and L 27]

Oh, L is pretty thrifty - I don't know that he'd want to spend $3 (plus shipping) on, say, Brazilian condensed milk when we can purchase it at the store for $1 or less! Most of the basic ingredients for things he loves is sold here - manioc flour was hard to track down, but I discovered my local megamart has it in the gluten-free flour section of the organic area (though no fermented manioc - but his mom said she never cooks with it, so regular manioc flour will do for our purposes). The only things I really haven't found a good affordable source for are guaraná and dendê, and the fruits (and import rules make pretty much impossible to find pinha, etc). I've even found affordable sources of coconut water and cashew juice (which I really thought would be harder to find!).

BTW, coconut water is muuuuuuuuuuuch cheaper at amazon -- brazilianstore charges $25 for 12 of 330ml Viva Coco plus another $20 for shipping, and amazon charges $23, with free shipping. Actually, amazon has a ton of Brazilian stuff there (though you may have to search for it in Portuguese, English, AND Spanish to find it), and offers a 15% discount for getting a subscription for things you know you'll go through quickly (like coconut water, juices you can't find locally, etc) - and you can always get a longer subscription period for things you don't go through that quickly, but like to have on hand.

More on topic, there's a restaurant across the street from the consulate in Rio - mara mara, I think? The sign's bright orange, and it's between 21 and 31 México, just a few doors down from Duarte's office. They're a pay-per-100g place, and L and I went there after his medical AND after the interview, and the food was just fabulous both times. Menu changes daily. Really really good picanha com alho, and there was this chicken dish that was creamy and had rice (I didn't look at the names of the dishes, just what the food looked like ) and man. Soooo delicious. It was honestly some of the best cheapish food (R$2,30/100g) I've had.

[Carolina+James 1]

OMG you found manioc flour?! I need to search that section around here!

I don't really miss any food from Brazil so far, but I like a good "farofa" with bacon every now and then. Thank you for the tip!

[K and L 27]

Let me rephrase, I am 99% sure that manioc flour is the same thing as what is sold in the US as tapioca flour or tapioca starch. This is one brand of tapioca flour. If you look at the English wiki for Tapioca, it talks about things that (to my knowledge) manioc flour is used for, but the wiki is *definitely* talking about tapioca flour/starch there. Just make sure that you use a fine milled tapioca flour and NOT tapioca pearls. I haven't tried it out, and I don't know if my palate would know the difference. It might be a little different if the cassava roots are being grown in the US (because geography does play a subtle part in agriculture -- look at wine/beer/liquors!) but it *should* be more or less the same.

I don't remember what megamarkets are in OKC, but if you can't find it at Albertson's or the like and you don't want to try the "natural foods" type stores, you *can* order it from Amazon!

[Carolina+James 1]

Thank you! I will try that!

By the way, I can't understand how U.S. has super tender sweet corn and Brazil doesn't! The corn in Brazil is horrible when compared

[Bira & Derice 0]

Hey all! just wanted to happily report that we passed the interview last Thursday! I guess we switched the Sworn Statement form which (although we were first at the consulate) pushed us to the end of the interview line, but whatevs...we had 5 hours of togetherness with other VJ couples (hey minme )

We also decided to pay the express TNT fee to get the passport/visa to Bira in Sao Paulo (R$240) this week since our trip to the US is this Sunday!

I can't believe we're at the end of this leg of the journey!

For those of you with interview dates to come, God Bless you...you'll be fine!

[K and L 27]

I don't know oif the "express" fee is worth it. We didn't pay it (just the R$50 fee to Bahia and were approved the 5th and received the 8th), but another couple here (Carol & Nigel) paid the rush to São Paulo on the 18th, didn't get their visa til the 24th. Is SP that crazy?!

I hope you get his passport back in time -- and congrats!

Edited May 26, 2010 by K and L

[Carolina+James 1]

Congrats!