Kiev Interview completed in June 2010--late update

[charger70 0]

Well, I went on vacation in June. I went to the interview with my fiance on 14 June 10. It was not exactly what I expected, it was actually a lot less than what I expected.

I was afraid we were going to be late. All of those bus rides, subway, and then more busses from from somewhere on 40 Let Oktyabrya to downtown. It was stressful but we made it there right on time. I was nervous about the process when I didn't need to be.

At the consulate we were greeted by a bunch of lines for each time slot for the scheduled interview. Her mom came along so everything we did not, or could not take into the consulate we loaded her down with. Once inside the security you sit in a tent. In the winter I can see how this could be miserable. After a short wait in the tent we were called inside. We went to another waiting room, sat there for a while. Other people trying to get visas were also coming in and there is limited space. We were called up and they do a preliminary inspection of the paperwork and take your packet from you. They also informed me of the fee increase that had just happened! I wasn't happy but knew I had to go get the money. Luckily there is an ATM inside so I was able to withdraw what I needed. After they take the packet you go sit down again. They have a "nice" welcome to America propaganda video playing on loop. Just hope you don't have to wait there too long or it will drive you up a wall on the third play through.

The interview is not too rough. They don't try to play stump the chump, but wanted to know how much we knew about each other. The lady who did the interview was an American woman with a slight southern accent who could break into fluent Russian, and then back to English with a drawl. I found it very funny! I was expecting some angry government worker with a chip on her shoulder. It couldn't have been farther from the truth.

She asked my fiance some simple questions like what my parents names were, if I had siblings, if I had animals and a few others I don't remember but they were just as simple. My fiance impressed her as she knew how many animals I had and each of their names!

We also had a situation to work around since I am in Iraq. If they gave us the visa right away it would have expired in December. They can do a reissue but the woman at the consulate said it would be easier to have us wait. She approved the file and said to write another letter stating my intent to marry my fiance. My fiance will hand carry it along with her passport in January and get the visa mailed back in a short period of time. We then walked out and paid for the shipping for the paperwork we need to send when the visa is mailed. That is also located back in the tent.

It was a much easier experience, and the consulate worked with us with our somewhat unique situation. I was very pleased with the professionalism and willingness to work around a problem. You don't find that very often in my experience.

[slim 1,530]

Awesome!

Thanks for the report and good luck with the rest of your Visa Journey.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Happy all went well. I was surprised to hear there were relationship validating questions during the interview, given that you were standing there. Pretty unusual for Kiev I think.

[charger70 0]

I never felt like anything was odd and the lady giving the interview even said that it was really great that I showed up for the interview and it obviously meant we were serious. Maybe they changed made some changes and ask a short list of questions as SOP. It would be interesting to hear what other people are being asked in the past few months if anything.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I never felt like anything was odd and the lady giving the interview even said that it was really great that I showed up for the interview and it obviously meant we were serious. Maybe they changed made some changes and ask a short list of questions as SOP. It would be interesting to hear what other people are being asked in the past few months if anything.

I say odd only because at the visa interview you only have to prove 1) you have met in the past two years, and 2) you intend to marry within 90 days of her arrival in the US. I don't think that has changed. At AOS there will be a slew of relationship validating questions, but early on - not so much.

I have heard about some beneficiaries (mostly young women) that get more questions when they show up alone, but usually with the USC in the room they just pass you through. Some other places, like PI and Vietnam, have some questions about family and the way you met too, but I have never heard of that in Ukraine.

[LvivLovers 39]

For the record, my wife went to her interview alone and they did not ask her a single question! It might have had something to do with the foot tall pile of documents/evidence I sent her in with (they even had to send someone out to pick it up since it wouldn't fit through the window). It was my version of shock and awe!

[charger70 0]

I see...I had a decent amount of info in the packet. Maybe she said something slightly off that made the lady ask a few questions.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I see...I had a decent amount of info in the packet. Maybe she said something slightly off that made the lady ask a few questions.

That could be. Or as suggested, the CO might have been new, or having a bad day, or something. Post your story in an embassy review though (blue bar up top).