Experience at US Embassy - Dhaka, Bangladesh - September 2013

[nybd 0]

This is my and my wife's experience at the US Embassy in Bangladesh.

My wife is the beneficiary. Her interview was scheduled for 1:30 PM. We initially planned that she would go alone but then decided we would go in together. I could not find anything stating not to or that doing so would be harmful.

We arrived at the entrance gate at 12 PM. There was a a guard there who directed people in. He stated we would not be able to enter until 1 PM. We decided to walk around to this lake a few blocks away and go back at 1 PM.

The guard stated no cell phone were allowed but it seems since I was a US Citizen, I was allowed use of one of their lockers. It seems they do not allow Bangladesh passport holders access to the lockers. We entered, went through metal detectors.

There were two long benches in hall and another room (with no back wall) filled with benches. We provided the interview letter to one of the employees with badges and they instructed us to have a seat. While waiting - I was seeing most people come out with a smile on their face and a small white piece of paper (the token). I did see a few with a big green piece of paper and did notice 221g written on them (AP/AR).

At 3 PM our name was called to the window. There were a total of 10 doors with window booths in them -- outside were 3 long benches of people waiting.

We went inside the door, the returned the medical x-ray, vaccination report, a copy of our interview letter. She asked for a copy of my wife's birth certificate - while taking it out - she stated she found it (I had provided copies of all documents when I sent in my DS230. She also gave back 4 passport pictures I sent with the DS230 (as instructed) then asked for 2 passport photographs. I am not sure why they did this but my wife gave the lady 2 new photographs she had.

After this, she told us to have a seat. Around 3:30 she called my wife and took her fingerprints and told her to sit back down. Around 4:15 - she was called to another booth where they took fingerprints for her her right hand only (again). Not sure why this happened.

Around 4:50 - we were called to another booth where a foreign gentlemen greeted my wife in Bengali 'apni kamon achen'. He asked her to raise the right hand and take a oath in Bengali.

Here's the part you're waiting for -- she was asked four (4) -- only a total of 4 questions and her visa was issued. I had a bundle of paperwork: 60 pages of call logs, money transfer receipts, email logs, mobile recharge logs, pictures from all our wedding parties and more. Absolutely nothing was used.

1. What is your name?

2. What does your husband do?

3. Is your marriage love/arranged?

4. What is your husbands name?

That's it. He then stated in Bengali that he is very happy to say that her visa has been granted. He then checked his paperwork for 5 seconds and spoke to me. Just stated 'ahh the petitioner'. We thanked him, he gave us a token to pick up visa in 2 days.

We left.

Overall - the only issue was the wait. We went in at 1:30 PM came out at 5 PM.

*I did notice some of the male applicants that went in came out with the green paper 221g AP/AR. I have read male applicants face more scrutiny so it may be true but cannot confirm.

I want to thank VJ and all its members for making my life so much easier throughout this whole process. Although the process took longer then usual - I am just happy it all worked out. I honestly couldn't have done many of the things without the wonderful, detailed VJ guides and posts. I just want to pay it forward.

If anyone has questions - please PM me and I will respond ASAP.

[hellraiser 42]

Heartiest congratulations. Except for the timing issue and few small hiccups, I think it was all part of standard process. However, it cannot be sweeter than this. Trust me, LOL

Done with all the shopping :-). ? Get ready for POE and if you will be coming through JFK, just keep few extra photo and cope of all her papers and it will be as smooth as the interview.

And thanks for sharing the details of your interview and I am sure many will find it helpful.

[nybd 0]

Heartiest congratulations. Except for the timing issue and few small hiccups, I think it was all part of standard process. However, it cannot be sweeter than this. Trust me, LOL

Done with all the shopping :-). ? Get ready for POE and if you will be coming through JFK, just keep few extra photo and cope of all her papers and it will be as smooth as the interview.

And thanks for sharing the details of your interview and I am sure many will find it helpful.

Thank you! You're absolutely right, nothing can beat the moment of when they give you the approval token.

We picked the visa up yesterday -- fortunately my wife's name was called pretty early so we were out of there about a hour and a half.

LOL - not done with shopping yet. Not that I am the one shopping...Wallet is getting empty pretty quick.

Hopefully POE will not be too much of a hassle. I usually get selected for extra checks when I am coming back into JFK -- not sure if this will affect entry time for my wife as well.