Interview in Kenya - experiences, tips, advice?

[mehellie 9]

My fiancé's interview will be in Kenya, which I know little about. The research I've done suggests that Nairobi is somewhat dangerous, but should be fine if you are cautious.. does anyone have any experiences and advice they could share?

The VJ consulate page says the visa waiting time is "Usually 2 days for a 'mandatory security check' but if you tell them your fiance is from a different country. If your fiance is Muslim and male, the security check can take much longer. Be prepared, so you won't be disappointed, and don't buy the plane ticket quite yet."

How much longer is "much longer"? My fiancé is not Muslim but has a Muslim name. Do they base this off of name alone? Do they ask? Do they base it on your country? Muslims are more of a minority in Mauritius.

Regardless, I'm mostly concerned about the safety aspect and tips for being safe while in Kenya. Any help would be much appreciated!

[rodceasar 34]

Hi, Feel free to inbox me for any questions or concerns you might have regarding interviewing in Nairobi. It isn't as dangerous as many might indicate. My wife and I interviewed there, stayed in a hotel in the cheaper parts of the city and not far from the embassy. We felt safe the entire time and moved around quite a bit, even at night. I would certainly be careful but common sense and intuition go a long way!

The hotel was not great by far, but affordable, especially not knowing how long the interview process might last and have visa in hand. In Nairobi, the date you are scheduled to interview is the date for submitting all of your documentation. They will then schedule you to return at the same time the next morning for the interview.

This is a very challenging embassy and be prepared for a denial or to see several others denied. We were not denied, although nearly were, until towards the end of that day when we interviewed (stokes) with another CO, who interviewed us both and looked thoroughly through everything and asked every question under the sun. He told us, that we were very prepared and how did we know to bring all of this? My wife told him, my husband. We obtained the visa that very day, after too much confusion and them telling us that we need another police certificate, which was not true and the last CO who interviewed us saw that fact. I was almost about to lose it, for my wife lives in Uganda and traveled to Nairobi, only for the interview and to have to go back to UG and return would have cost me money, time, my job, etc. We purchased the tickets to leave that day and were off to Washington, DC by the end of that week! Others weren't given their visa's that very day like us. They had to return in a couple of days to pick it up.

My best advice to you is to have as much proof as possible, for if not, they will give you a form to return with the requested documents. I mean, have chat logs, emails, gifts, cards, phone logs, family pics showing your foreign finces family in them, passport showing visits to your fiance and every other thing you can possibly think of! Also, be on the same page, don't lie and be sure your fiance knows you inside and out! Do come over prepared, for it will save you. After seeing everything, the CO said that he is certain we have a bonafide marriage. The CO, who gave us the hard time said that we are lucky for few make it through this process the first time. I looked at her, like yeah, whatever! Thanks for the hell I experienced for I was not leaving that Embassy w/o a thorough review of my documents and the opportunity to make my case. Prior to my losing it, my wife was called to the window for the 2nd interview at 3:30pm in the afternoon. I was there prior to 6 am that day and the day before.

This is a mega-embassy servicing over 12 countries, so expect a long line of people. Good luck for this will be an experience of a lifetrime that you willnever forget but you can survive it. I read VJ posts form the beginning of my petition for all coutries and took note of what others did to make it through. I suggest you doing the same for there is little margin for error.....

Good luck...

Rodceasar

[yketwaroo 10]

hi, I'm the fiance.

I'm from island of Mauritius, off the east coast of Africa. My fiancee, mehellie, and myself applied for a K-1 Visa some 4 months ago. So we're expecting to receive the NOA2 somewhat soon (if the 5 month objective the USCIS still holds true).

I've read this page: Nairobi Consulate Information for information but there are some things that are unclear and some things may not apply to my situation.

For one thing my country isn't anywhere near Kenya. The plane ticket for me to Nairobi is about $600-$800. For my fiancee, it'll be about $1300. So we really can't afford to go back and forth.

Here are the questions I have so far:

• Can I ask for an appointment date or does the embassy issue one? We'd both like to be there rather than me alone but we can't drop our other commitments to travel there on short notice. Do I receive packet 3 first then call to make an interview appointment. I don't think I can go there and pick up the packet in person as suggested in case I forget some documents home.
  
• Do I really need ALL the vaccination listed? Most other embassies list vaccinations by age group. Is that not the case with the Nairobi embassy?
  
• About the medical exam. Does the doctor fill the forms the same day or is there a waiting period before I get the documents?
  
• Do I need to provide a medical record? I ask because I don't think I have a medical record that I know of.
  
• About the Muslim name causing delays. How long of a delay are we talking about? I'm not from Kenya (and really I'm an atheist) and am unlikely to be able to stay there for more than 10 days. If their so-called "security check" takes longer, will they insist that I come back to Nairobi to receive the visa? I can't leave my passport with them to have it mailed back because I need it to go back home.