Auckland Consulate packet 3

[ArianneChris 6]

Actually I didn't update the Auckland Consulate page, the user 'tcsm' did that earlier this month.. I found that to be really good timing for us September interviewees!

Oh, thought it was you! hehe. It was nice meeting you at the consulate Hope your interview went well!

Overall, the interview appointment went well, and my case manager and interviewer basically said that I was approved pending sighting of my original birth certificate (I'll take it in to the consulate next week). Basically, the outline of events was

1) went through security (left bags there, was allowed to bring folder with documents, wallet, some snacks)

2) went to Window 5 and rang the door bell. There were two ladies Ivy and B I think, I'm not sure which one was who. But they asked for my passport, took my fingerprints, and went over my documents. That was when they told me that they needed my original birth certificate, and I can bring it in to the consulate or mail it to them after the interview.

3) went to Cashier window to pay $312 fee. There was the option to pay via credit card, but I brought the exact amount in cash so I paid it that way. The lady then told me that they'll send all my documents via courier in a brown envelope, and that my passport would be in this package but outside the envelope. She also reiterated the requirements for the K1 visa - need to get married within 90 days, not to plan trips to the US before then as it will invalidate the visa, etc. She was very nice and reminded me to apply for AOS as soon as we get married, etc.

4) the lady called me over again since she forgot to give me the photocopy of my vaccination records. and told me to keep it in a safe place for AOS

5) called to an Interview window. The interviewer was very friendly, and joked around. I saw approved stamps on my forms, like previous reviewers have said. Questions included: where did you meet your fiance? how did your relationship progress since then? have you met each others' families? what does he do for a living? what do you do? what are your plans after this? do you have a wedding date yet?

Overall, it was a good experience, and we didn't have the long wait. I got to the consulate at 9:20 and left by 10:15. My case status is in "Administrative Processing" on the CEAC site, pending my original birth certificate.

[Stella_w 0]

So glad it went well for you! thanks for the review hope you can submit your birth certificate soon and have your visa in hand!

Also I have a silly question, did you have to be formally dressed for this interview? or was it pretty casual at the consulate?

[ArianneChris 6]

So glad it went well for you! thanks for the review hope you can submit your birth certificate soon and have your visa in hand!

Also I have a silly question, did you have to be formally dressed for this interview? or was it pretty casual at the consulate?

Thanks! Yep I submitted it today and they said that my visa would be printed and sent to me early next week .

Everyone there was pretty casual. I just wore jeans, sneakers, a long sleeved shirt and a scarf. My consular officer was dressed similarly. My interviewer had a polo shirt on. They only really see your top half. Though, I had to tip toe to be be closer to the glass window/mic somewhere so the interviewer could hear me better. Good luck for your interview next week!

[Stella_w 0]

Thanks! good to hear that the consulate is pretty casual there btw when you said we have to submit police certificate for places stayed for 6 months or more earlier in this thread, did you mean cumulative or continuous?

Thanks! Yep I submitted it today and they said that my visa would be printed and sent to me early next week .

Everyone there was pretty casual. I just wore jeans, sneakers, a long sleeved shirt and a scarf. My consular officer was dressed similarly. My interviewer had a polo shirt on. They only really see your top half. Though, I had to tip toe to be be closer to the glass window/mic somewhere so the interviewer could hear me better. Good luck for your interview next week!

[R & L 0]

Oh, thought it was you! hehe. It was nice meeting you at the consulate Hope your interview went well!

Overall, the interview appointment went well, and my case manager and interviewer basically said that I was approved pending sighting of my original birth certificate (I'll take it in to the consulate next week). Basically, the outline of events was

1) went through security (left bags there, was allowed to bring folder with documents, wallet, some snacks)

2) went to Window 5 and rang the door bell. There were two ladies Ivy and B I think, I'm not sure which one was who. But they asked for my passport, took my fingerprints, and went over my documents. That was when they told me that they needed my original birth certificate, and I can bring it in to the consulate or mail it to them after the interview.

3) went to Cashier window to pay $312 fee. There was the option to pay via credit card, but I brought the exact amount in cash so I paid it that way. The lady then told me that they'll send all my documents via courier in a brown envelope, and that my passport would be in this package but outside the envelope. She also reiterated the requirements for the K1 visa - need to get married within 90 days, not to plan trips to the US before then as it will invalidate the visa, etc. She was very nice and reminded me to apply for AOS as soon as we get married, etc.

4) the lady called me over again since she forgot to give me the photocopy of my vaccination records. and told me to keep it in a safe place for AOS

5) called to an Interview window. The interviewer was very friendly, and joked around. I saw approved stamps on my forms, like previous reviewers have said. Questions included: where did you meet your fiance? how did your relationship progress since then? have you met each others' families? what does he do for a living? what do you do? what are your plans after this? do you have a wedding date yet?

Overall, it was a good experience, and we didn't have the long wait. I got to the consulate at 9:20 and left by 10:15. My case status is in "Administrative Processing" on the CEAC site, pending my original birth certificate.

It was nice to meet you too Arianne! You probably could've guessed that I was still a little nervous at the Embassy, despite having read all of the positive reviews here on VJ

My review of my interview is pretty similar to yours - they were very friendly and calm in going through the various things at the interview with me.

When I arrived, I first left my bag and umbrella with security and only took in with me my folder of documents/evidence, my passports (current and expired), and my fee. The security guard then directed me inside to Window 5 and as it was occupied at the time, I took a seat nearby. When it was vacated, I went up to push the button so that I could report my presence. After they were finished dealing with other applicants, one lady came up to the window (I think Ivy?) and she talked me through about how when they return my passport it will be together with a brown envelope (but outside of it) and that I should take the brown envelope with me to POE, and not to open it. She then took my fingerprints and directed me to another window where I paid the fee in cash. After doing this, she directed me back to Window 5 and then handed me a (stamped) copy of my DS-3025 medical form, which she then made sure that I know to keep this for AOS.

Afterwards, I headed back to sit down and it wasn't too long until they called my name to be interviewed. I went over to Window 3 and was interviewed by an older gentleman. Although I still felt a little tense, the interviewer made things a little easier as he had a faint smile as he was asking me questions. Some of the questions included: How did you meet your fiance? Have you visited him in the US before? How many times/how long? Has he visited you before? Where does he live in the US? What does he do for a living? Who will you be staying with when you head over there? What do you do for a living? Are you planning to continue this [career] in the US?

All up, the interview must have taken between 5-10 minutes. One of the things that I remember from the interview was how he asked me one of the questions twice (how long each of my visits were to the US). The second time around when he asked it, was towards the end of the interview, it seemed he was making sure my answers were consistent Apart from this, however, I was pretty pleased on how the interview went, especially after flipping through my papers he finally announced "Congratulations" and that I was approved!

I didn't have to open up my folder at all (containing my ongoing relationship evidence/other documents) - but I felt so much more at ease with it, if the need ever arose

I left the Embassy around 10:40, so I was there for a little over an hour (arrived at 9:30am, for my 10am appointment). A lot quicker than I had anticipated!

So now just waiting on the visa, the brown envelope, and my original birth certificate returned to me!

So glad it went well for you! thanks for the review hope you can submit your birth certificate soon and have your visa in hand!

Also I have a silly question, did you have to be formally dressed for this interview? or was it pretty casual at the consulate?

They seemed to be pretty casual - almost just smart casual? I myself wore a woolly black jacket and had dark jeans. Like many others have said, they only see your top half as the interview is conducted through a booth window (similar to a bank situation) ... while other people (who are waiting for their turn) can hear your interview, might I add!

Good luck on your interview next week Stella!

[Stella_w 0]

Thanks. Congrats on the visa! I feel a bit better now after reading you and ArianneChris's reviews

They seemed to be pretty casual - almost just smart casual? I myself wore a woolly black jacket and had dark jeans. Like many others have said, they only see your top half as the interview is conducted through a booth window (similar to a bank situation) ... while other people (who are waiting for their turn) can hear your interview, might I add!

Good luck on your interview next week Stella!