August 2011 F2A filers

[guvnor2010 3]

Congratulations!!! Do you mind telling us what questions were asked? When are you leaving for the US?

Just the usual kind of questions; who petitioned for you, what does he do, how did he get to US, how many sibling does he have in US.

No additional evidence was asked nor checked. Will likely leave late August.

Goodluck with your interview in August.

[Athena June 37]

Just the usual kind of questions; who petitioned for you, what does he do, how did he get to US, how many sibling does he have in US.

No additional evidence was asked nor checked. Will likely leave late August.

Goodluck with your interview in August.

Thanks! I am glad it was easy.

I have been wondering how much evidence of bona fide marriage to bring to the interview - from the reviews I have read here, Frankfurt doesn't usually ask to see anything, but I would still rather bring good evidence than go to AP or be denied for the lack of it.

Good luck wrapping things up at home... It seems like there are a ton of things to do before POE!

[Athena June 37]

I had my visa interview this morning and the visa was approved! I'll try to write a proper review in a little while.

[waiting sucks 3]

I had my visa interview this morning and the visa was approved! I'll try to write a proper review in a little while.

Congrats!!!

[Mourad81 20]

I had my visa interview this morning and the visa was approved! I'll try to write a proper review in a little while.

Congratulations!! Very happy for you

[lubnajavid 20]

Congrats @AthenaJune!

Good luck with the rest and when do you plan on POE?

[f2aforconsular 11]

Congrats Athena June

[apple21 953]

Congrats Athena!

[Athena June 37]

Thank you everyone! Here is the promised review of my interview - sorry if it's too long and detailed, but I wanted to write this as a souvenir for myself.

My interview was scheduled for 9.30 am yesterday morning. The tram stop closest to the consulate is closed at the moment due to construction work, and I had been advised that the replacement buses running on the route may take up to 15 minutes to arrive, so I left home early and ended up arriving at the consulate about 35 minutes before my appointment. There were two lines in front of the consulate, one for non-immigrant visas and one for all other services. The queue for non-immigrant visas had quite a few people on it, but I was the first in line for other services. There were two windows open for registration.

I showed my passport and appointment letter to the officer at window 2. After receiving a number, I proceeded to the security guards outside, and I was instructed to remove my belt and my watch and to place them in a plastic bag. The actual airport-style security check was then inside a small building. The consulate does not allow any electronics inside - and I can't tell you how much I hated leaving my phone at home as I would have wanted to text my husband as soon as I was done - but little did I know that apparently a compact powder case with a mirror is also a dangerous weapon. The guards checked my handbag and confiscated my powder, although I was given a receipt and told I'd get it back when leaving the building.

After the security check I had to go outside to the courtyard and continue to another building. Only once inside the second building was I allowed to put my watch and belt back on. A receptionist gave me a leaflet describing what would happen during the interview day and instructed me to go directly to window 22.

There was no line at window 22. A friendly officer activated the number I had received outside, took the DHL label I had brought with me (and it's entirely thanks to VJ that I had known to get one from the post office as nowhere in the interview letter did it say to bring one, and the consulate-specific guidelines on travel.state.gov just ask you to bring stamps), took my fingerprints and asked me to sit down and wait for my number to be called.

I waited for 5-10 minutes before my number came up. I walked up to the window and was surprised when the caseworker greeted me in Finnish. This was nice and made me relax somewhat, although only for a moment: She said the NVC had listed me as a spouse of a US citizen, and asked me if I had a copy of my husband's naturalisation certificate or his US passport. We had sent the certificate to the NVC, but according to her the consulate had not received it. At this point I was kicking myself, as I had brought five kilos of documents with me but it had not occurred to me to bring the naturalisation certificate! The lady explained that they would go through the interview, but we'd have to email the certificate to the consulate before the visa could be issued. I was happy they weren't going to send me straight back home, but upset that I had been preparing for the interview since July and forgotten to bring a copy of something so important.

She also asked me if Finland and Germany were the only countries I had lived in, whether this was the first marriage for the both of us, and when I was planning to travel to the United States. I was also given a leaflet on domestic violence and asked to read it while waiting for my number to be called again at the next window.

I sat back down and had just enough time to read the leaflet when I heard someone calling my name. My number had not come up yet and I could not see who was looking for me, but I figured I'd have to go to window 18 where a consular officer was browsing through a casefile which I assumed to be mine. I had to swear that the information in my DS-230 was correct and sign Part II.

The CO browsed through our casefile, and while waiting for him to actually ask me something, I saw that my husband's naturalisation certificate was right there in the file. What a relief!

The interview was easy. The CO only asked me the following:

- has either one of us been married before

- do we have any children

- what does my husband do for work

- if I am also working in Massachusetts (I don't know if this was a trick question or he was just absent-minded - I told him I work here in Germany but would like to find work in Massachusetts).

He looked up my husband's tax return, and commented that I was already in it (my husband filed "married filing separately"). For some reason he could not verify my fingerprints, and I was instructed to go to window 9, where a new set of fingerprints was done. When back at window 18, I saw the CO give my file to one of the colleagues. I wasn't sure what was going on, but he then turned to me and told me that they would authorise my visa "when the system allows it" and it would be delivered within 5-10 days. At this point it was 9.55 am and I couldn't believe I was done already! No relationship evidence was requested.

I walked out, got my powder back from security, and made my way home to text and call my husband and to book a flight for 21 September. We are both happy that the process is almost over, although it will be hard for me to leave my friends and family in Europe.

I want to thank everyone here who has been through this journey with me. VJ has been such a great resource over the past years and I wouldn't have made it without your help and support. I was devastated when we first learnt about the long waiting times for F2A visas, and it has been such a comfort to come in contact with people who are going through the same process.

Good luck to all of you who are still waiting for approvals, case completes and interview dates - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Edited August 29, 2013 by Athena June

[guvnor2010 3]

CONGRATS

Thank you everyone! Here is the promised review of my interview - sorry if it's too long and detailed, but I wanted to write this as a souvenir for myself.

My interview was scheduled for 9.30 am yesterday morning. The tram stop closest to the consulate is closed at the moment due to construction work, and I had been advised that the replacement buses running on the route may take up to 15 minutes to arrive, so I left home early and ended up arriving at the consulate about 35 minutes before my appointment. There were two lines in front of the consulate, one for non-immigrant visas and one for all other services. The queue for non-immigrant visas had quite a few people on it, but I was the first in line for other services. There were two windows open for registration.

I showed my passport and appointment letter to the officer at window 2. After receiving a number, I proceeded to the security guards outside, and I was instructed to remove my belt and my watch and to place them in a plastic bag. The actual airport-style security check was then inside a small building. The consulate does not allow any electronics inside - and I can't tell you how much I hated leaving my phone at home as I would have wanted to text my husband as soon as I was done - but little did I know that apparently a compact powder case with a mirror is also a dangerous weapon. The guards checked my handbag and confiscated my powder, although I was given a receipt and told I'd get it back when leaving the building.

After the security check I had to go outside to the courtyard and continue to another building. Only once inside the second building was I allowed to put my watch and belt back on. A receptionist gave me a leaflet describing what would happen during the interview day and instructed me to go directly to window 22.

There was no line at window 22. A friendly officer activated the number I had received outside, took the DHL label I had brought with me (and it's entirely thanks to VJ that I had known to get one from the post office as nowhere in the interview letter did it say to bring one, and the consulate-specific guidelines on travel.state.gov just ask you to bring stamps), took my fingerprints and asked me to sit down and wait for my number to be called.

I waited for 5-10 minutes before my number came up. I walked up to the window and was surprised when the caseworker greeted me in Finnish. This was nice and made me relax somewhat, although only for a moment: She said the NVC had listed me as a spouse of a US citizen, and asked me if I had a copy of my husband's naturalisation certificate or his US passport. We had sent the certificate to the NVC, but according to her the consulate had not received it. At this point I was kicking myself, as I had brought five kilos of documents with me but it had not occurred to me to bring the naturalisation certificate! The lady explained that they would go through the interview, but we'd have to email the certificate to the consulate before the visa could be issued. I was happy they weren't going to send me straight back home, but upset that I had been preparing for the interview since July and forgotten to bring a copy of something so important.

She also asked me if Finland and Germany were the only countries I had lived in, whether this was the first marriage for the both of us, and when I was planning to travel to the United States. I was also given a leaflet on domestic violence and asked to read it while waiting for my number to be called again at the next window.

I sat back down and had just enough time to read the leaflet when I heard someone calling my name. My number had not come up yet and I could not see who was looking for me, but I figured I'd have to go to window 18 where a consular officer was browsing through a casefile which I assumed to be mine. I had to swear that the information in my DS-230 was correct and sign Part II.

The CO browsed through our casefile, and while waiting for him to actually ask me something, I saw that my husband's naturalisation certificate was right there in the file. What a relief!

The interview was easy. The CO only asked me the following:

- has either one of us been married before

- do we have any children

- what does my husband do for work

- if I am also working in Massachusetts (I don't know if this was a trick question or he was just absent-minded - I told him I work here in Germany but would like to find work in Massachusetts).

He looked up my husband's tax return, and commented that I was already in it (my husband filed "married filing separately"). For some reason he could not verify my fingerprints, and I was instructed to go to window 9, where a new set of fingerprints was done. When back at window 18, I saw the CO give my file to one of the colleagues. I wasn't sure what was going on, but he then turned to me and told me that they would authorise my visa "when the system allows it" and it would be delivered within 5-10 days. At this point it was 9.55 am and I couldn't believe I was done already! No relationship evidence was requested.

I walked out, got my powder back from security, and made my way home to text and call my husband and to book a flight for 21 September. We are both happy that the process is almost over, although it will be hard for me to leave my friends and family in Europe.

I want to thank everyone here who has been through this journey with me. VJ has been such a great resource over the past years and I wouldn't have made it without your help and support. I was devastated when we first learnt about the long waiting times for F2A visas, and it has been such a comfort to come in contact with people who are going through the same process.

Good luck to all of you who are still waiting for approvals, case completes and interview dates - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[walidetmouna 6]

Congrats athena , u are leaving Europe and home but ur real life will just begin.

Thank you everyone! Here is the promised review of my interview - sorry if it's too long and detailed, but I wanted to write this as a souvenir for myself.

My interview was scheduled for 9.30 am yesterday morning. The tram stop closest to the consulate is closed at the moment due to construction work, and I had been advised that the replacement buses running on the route may take up to 15 minutes to arrive, so I left home early and ended up arriving at the consulate about 35 minutes before my appointment. There were two lines in front of the consulate, one for non-immigrant visas and one for all other services. The queue for non-immigrant visas had quite a few people on it, but I was the first in line for other services. There were two windows open for registration.

I showed my passport and appointment letter to the officer at window 2. After receiving a number, I proceeded to the security guards outside, and I was instructed to remove my belt and my watch and to place them in a plastic bag. The actual airport-style security check was then inside a small building. The consulate does not allow any electronics inside - and I can't tell you how much I hated leaving my phone at home as I would have wanted to text my husband as soon as I was done - but little did I know that apparently a compact powder case with a mirror is also a dangerous weapon. The guards checked my handbag and confiscated my powder, although I was given a receipt and told I'd get it back when leaving the building.

After the security check I had to go outside to the courtyard and continue to another building. Only once inside the second building was I allowed to put my watch and belt back on. A receptionist gave me a leaflet describing what would happen during the interview day and instructed me to go directly to window 22.

There was no line at window 22. A friendly officer activated the number I had received outside, took the DHL label I had brought with me (and it's entirely thanks to VJ that I had known to get one from the post office as nowhere in the interview letter did it say to bring one, and the consulate-specific guidelines on travel.state.gov just ask you to bring stamps), took my fingerprints and asked me to sit down and wait for my number to be called.

I waited for 5-10 minutes before my number came up. I walked up to the window and was surprised when the caseworker greeted me in Finnish. This was nice and made me relax somewhat, although only for a moment: She said the NVC had listed me as a spouse of a US citizen, and asked me if I had a copy of my husband's naturalisation certificate or his US passport. We had sent the certificate to the NVC, but according to her the consulate had not received it. At this point I was kicking myself, as I had brought five kilos of documents with me but it had not occurred to me to bring the naturalisation certificate! The lady explained that they would go through the interview, but we'd have to email the certificate to the consulate before the visa could be issued. I was happy they weren't going to send me straight back home, but upset that I had been preparing for the interview since July and forgotten to bring a copy of something so important.

She also asked me if Finland and Germany were the only countries I had lived in, whether this was the first marriage for the both of us, and when I was planning to travel to the United States. I was also given a leaflet on domestic violence and asked to read it while waiting for my number to be called again at the next window.

I sat back down and had just enough time to read the leaflet when I heard someone calling my name. My number had not come up yet and I could not see who was looking for me, but I figured I'd have to go to window 18 where a consular officer was browsing through a casefile which I assumed to be mine. I had to swear that the information in my DS-230 was correct and sign Part II.

The CO browsed through our casefile, and while waiting for him to actually ask me something, I saw that my husband's naturalisation certificate was right there in the file. What a relief!

The interview was easy. The CO only asked me the following:

- has either one of us been married before

- do we have any children

- what does my husband do for work

- if I am also working in Massachusetts (I don't know if this was a trick question or he was just absent-minded - I told him I work here in Germany but would like to find work in Massachusetts).

He looked up my husband's tax return, and commented that I was already in it (my husband filed "married filing separately"). For some reason he could not verify my fingerprints, and I was instructed to go to window 9, where a new set of fingerprints was done. When back at window 18, I saw the CO give my file to one of the colleagues. I wasn't sure what was going on, but he then turned to me and told me that they would authorise my visa "when the system allows it" and it would be delivered within 5-10 days. At this point it was 9.55 am and I couldn't believe I was done already! No relationship evidence was requested.

I walked out, got my powder back from security, and made my way home to text and call my husband and to book a flight for 21 September. We are both happy that the process is almost over, although it will be hard for me to leave my friends and family in Europe.

I want to thank everyone here who has been through this journey with me. VJ has been such a great resource over the past years and I wouldn't have made it without your help and support. I was devastated when we first learnt about the long waiting times for F2A visas, and it has been such a comfort to come in contact with people who are going through the same process.

Good luck to all of you who are still waiting for approvals, case completes and interview dates - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[Athena June 37]

_{My passport with the visa just arrived}

[Anil2013 5]

_{My passport with the visa just arrived}

Congratulations, Athena on your visa and your detailed review of the interview was a pleasant read.

Good luck as you prepare for your trip across the pond.

[Mourad81 20]

_{My passport with the visa just arrived}

Congratulations Athena! Thank you very much for sharing with us Your interview process.

Thanks again for your support and help you provided to everyone here

When are you leaving to the States?

[f2aforconsular 11]

Congrats on receiving your visa Athena.

Can you please explain the two points below:

took the DHL label I had brought with me

and

the consulate-specific guidelines on travel.state.gov just ask you to bring stamps

I have been following VJ for some time now and must say it is a great source of information and support for all of us.

Glad to have hit upon the above points now in your post. It will be helpful if you could explain that or direct us to any relevant thread.