Interview+med exam in Naples: info

[Vivi6 12]

Hi All,

I got back from Naples today with my visa in my hands!

I went for my medical examination on Monday and had the interview yesterday. I just wanted to tell you how it went.

The lab people were very nice. There were 8 or 9 people going through the examination, and I was out of the place in less than 2 hours. My name was the first one on their list. I advise to take a cab, it was only 7 euros from the Mergellina area (where the Consulate is) to the lab, which is in the Soccavo area.

The blood test is just for syphilis and not for HIV anymore. The nurse said they changed the procedure only one week ago. Then after the blood test, I went through a short interview where they checked my vaccinations and they filled out the forms. Remember to bring 1 picture. I paid 160 euros, plus 46 euros (!!!) for a second shot for measles...unfortunately in Italy only one shot is necessary but the US want two. I don't even think they would give you the extra shot through the public health system in Italy as it is not mandatory, so unfortunately I had to spend the extra money.

The examination lasted 10 minutes: they check your vision (20/20 ), blood pressure, feel your abdomen, check lymphnodes, heart and lungs. They ask you quick general questions (for examples when I had my period last and if I was pregnant), then you are off the chest x-ray (3 minutes!).

After this, they told me to get to the Consulate at 8am the next day. I got there at 7:45 and I was given the number one for the interview. The lady who took my forms was very nice, her name was Cristina. She made jokes about my many visits to the US (my DS 230 had like 4 addendums!) and she told me they would call my name for the interview. They want 2 pics, not 3 by the way:-). Oh, and they give you the x-rays and the vaccination record back, too.

They called my name and here's what they asked at the interview:

-Is your fiance here too? (No)

-How long have you two been together?

-Have you ever been to the US?

-Were you ever issued a visa?

-Are these pictures of you ? (My passport was stolen in 2007 so they also had my old pic from an f1 visa in their system)

-Does your fiance work or study?

-Where did you two meet?

And that was it! "Please pick up your passport at the MBA spot after 5pm". YAY! I picked it up together with an envelope I have to give to immigration when I enter the US (which is in 2 weeks!). The lady who interviewed me already had a bog file about us, as I spotted some pics my fiance had sent as proof.

I would also like to add a note for all Italian people filing for K1 visas: the forms from the Naples Consulate are OUTDATED, especially teh DS 156, which you have to e-file. And remember to get your birth certificate as an "estratto di nascita con paternita' e maternita', i.e. with the names of the parents. My lawyer did not say that to me, so the first one I got didn't have those and I went back (luckily I spotted it well before the interview!). Also, the Consulate checklist only mentions a "proof of financial support, form i-134" but you do need the petitioner's tax returns too!

I was out in 1 hour, but I have to say this could be due to the time of the year...I am assuming the summer and the holidays in general must be busier with student visas and such (at least at the Consulate). All in all, the whole process took us 6 months sharp since the petition was mailed to USCIS. It would have probably taken us less than 5 months, but we took our time to fax the info to the Consulate as we were afraid they would schedule the interview for me at a time when I was still in the US (I went to visit for Xmas). It worked out for us but I guess the timing could be different depending on the couple's needs. I wanted to spend some time here with my parents, so I didn't mind the extra month!

I hope this is useful and good luck to you all...I am getting married on March 6th! Hooray!

[Audy_Rob 26]

Wow, sounds like you had a great interview experience. Congratulations.

Measles shot, 46 Euros ???

[Otto 83]

It helps a lot of folks, I think, to hear other people's experiences. Thanks for sharing.

** Topic is US Embassy/Interview related and may be better suited in "US Embassy/Consulate Discussion"; moving thread there.

[Vivi6 12]

Measles shot, 46 Euros ???

I know, right? I was speechless for a couple of seconds!

[Nwanyioma 11]

Congratulations!!!

Nwanyioma

[bankermai 1]

Congratulations!!!!!

[Alessandro P 1]

Congratulations!!!

I got mine thursday the 18th at 2 pm and I lived the worst nightmares in that two days, tracking the envelope each hour, hoping that DHL wouldn't mess everything and, more, that i would receive passport, visa and the big envelope and not a simple sheet with written "we're sorry but..."

Now i'm fixing all the last things here and i hope, for the end of march, to take my last flight to the USA