Interview in Ciudad Juarez-our experience

[howard57 0]

My fiancee and I completed the process last month; this has been a wonderful forum for information, so we wanted to provide some specifics in case it can benefit others:

First, we waited 6 weeks for the packet to arrive in the mail. We finally hired an attorney, he contacted the consulate in CDJ, and they e-mailed him the info same day...we waited 6 weeks for nothing! Second, below is my fiancee's experience the day of her interview, which only took a couple of minutes:

"I arrived as they said no more than half an hour before my apt. I got there by 6.45 (my apt was at 7.15) first, they make you go to another place not far away (5 mins walking) where they perform the first “check” of the documents, and stamp one of the forms; it is in a plaza nearby, and there is a waiting room, I guess for the people that accompany the applicant. By the time I went in it was 7:05 and in the room there were already about 150 people. In many cases there were two people going together, couples, families..

When they say, NO food into the consulate, they mean gum too. In my case I had a packet of gum with 5 pieces left, the same that they made me chew, I wasn’t able to just throw them away. I was glad the packet wasn’t full.

Get a decent meal beforehand. I know it is early in the morning, but I waited 2hrs before I was called to review and gathered some papers and then, another 1hr15mins to be called for the interview. By that time I wasn´t feeling that good.

And yes, be prepare for a boring wait, you cannot even focus on read a book, since “your number” (NOT in order) could come up any moment on the screen, so you all get to do is to stare at the screens hoping you would be next."

[TBoneTX 45,329]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves that phase. ***

[DeWayne&CeCy 6]

My fiancee and I completed the process last month; this has been a wonderful forum for information, so we wanted to provide some specifics in case it can benefit others:

First, we waited 6 weeks for the packet to arrive in the mail. We finally hired an attorney, he contacted the consulate in CDJ, and they e-mailed him the info same day...we waited 6 weeks for nothing! Second, below is my fiancee's experience the day of her interview, which only took a couple of minutes:

"I arrived as they said no more than half an hour before my apt. I got there by 6.45 (my apt was at 7.15) first, they make you go to another place not far away (5 mins walking) where they perform the first “check” of the documents, and stamp one of the forms; it is in a plaza nearby, and there is a waiting room, I guess for the people that accompany the applicant. By the time I went in it was 7:05 and in the room there were already about 150 people. In many cases there were two people going together, couples, families..

When they say, NO food into the consulate, they mean gum too. In my case I had a packet of gum with 5 pieces left, the same that they made me chew, I wasn’t able to just throw them away. I was glad the packet wasn’t full.

Get a decent meal beforehand. I know it is early in the morning, but I waited 2hrs before I was called to review and gathered some papers and then, another 1hr15mins to be called for the interview. By that time I wasn´t feeling that good.

And yes, be prepare for a boring wait, you cannot even focus on read a book, since “your number” (NOT in order) could come up any moment on the screen, so you all get to do is to stare at the screens hoping you would be next."

THATS IT! WHAT ABOUT INTERVIEW????

[howard57 0]

Not much more to add, I'm afraid. Took about 3 minutes. Guy just asked for paperwork and asked how we met...

[FherJess 15]

Not much more to add, I'm afraid. Took about 3 minutes. Guy just asked for paperwork and asked how we met...

How much proof of relationship (such as pictures, texts, messages, emails etc) did you provide with your initial I-129F petition?

I ask this because I'm guessing they didn't ask to see relationship evidence at the interview, right?

[howard57 0]

Re: proof of relationship, we had a lot. We had a binder full of photos, all labeled by date and destination. (We had about 10 in-person meetings together prior, with many photos from each). Also affidavits from her siblings that they had met me, likewise from my family, and photos of each of us with the other's family. We also had corresponding stamps in our passports to accompany the photos and dates. I don't know if the gentleman at the consulate specifically asked for any of this documentation, though we had it ready if/as needed.

[FherJess 15]

Re: proof of relationship, we had a lot. We had a binder full of photos, all labeled by date and destination. (We had about 10 in-person meetings together prior, with many photos from each). Also affidavits from her siblings that they had met me, likewise from my family, and photos of each of us with the other's family. We also had corresponding stamps in our passports to accompany the photos and dates. I don't know if the gentleman at the consulate specifically asked for any of this documentation, though we had it ready if/as needed.

Cool but what I was asking was whether you guys had sent in a lot of relationship proof with your I-129F petition.

It's been stated before on VJ that when a couple front-loads their petition, the consulate has already seen and gotten an idea of their relationship hence not needing to see much (or any) additional proof.

[howard57 0]

Ah, sorry, yes we did. We sent in tons of photos up front with the original petition. And perhaps that is why things went so quickly at the Consulate....although I have anecdotally heard that less than 5 minutes interview is the norm at CDJ. By all means, if possible, overload them with photos and proof of relationship as early on in the process as possible.

[FherJess 15]

Ah, sorry, yes we did. We sent in tons of photos up front with the original petition. And perhaps that is why things went so quickly at the Consulate....although I have anecdotally heard that less than 5 minutes interview is the norm at CDJ. By all means, if possible, overload them with photos and proof of relationship as early on in the process as possible.

Thanks for the quick reply

We've already gotten the petition approved and are about to schedule the interview.

When we submitted our petition, we sent in 2 pictures and about 7 texts/messages.

I'm currently compiling more messages and Skype video screen shots as well as the rest of the pics of us together.

Hoping my fiance's interview is as quick as 5 minutes (or less!)

[howard57 0]

Another reco would be airline ticket itineraries and receipts if you visited one another (which can also tie back to passport stamps)...we didn't bother with that, given the abundance of photos and affidavits...but it was recommended to us as another potential source of documentation. And affidavits from family, or photos with them, are great if you have them. Best wishes to you both.

[FAIRNSQUARE 0]

Hey Howard, thanks for your information, however Im still confuse about a few details and I was hoping you could give me a hand.

• should I bring my fiancee with me or it should be just by myself?
• we are about to book a hotel and possible flying tickets, so, how long did you stayed at CJ? before and after your interview?
• How do you know if you have an approved visa or not?

Thanks for your time, I really appreciated

[Tavotevi 9]

My fiancee and I completed the process last month; this has been a wonderful forum for information, so we wanted to provide some specifics in case it can benefit others:

First, we waited 6 weeks for the packet to arrive in the mail. We finally hired an attorney, he contacted the consulate in CDJ, and they e-mailed him the info same day...we waited 6 weeks for nothing! Second, below is my fiancee's experience the day of her interview, which only took a couple of minutes:

"I arrived as they said no more than half an hour before my apt. I got there by 6.45 (my apt was at 7.15) first, they make you go to another place not far away (5 mins walking) where they perform the first check of the documents, and stamp one of the forms; it is in a plaza nearby, and there is a waiting room, I guess for the people that accompany the applicant. By the time I went in it was 7:05 and in the room there were already about 150 people. In many cases there were two people going together, couples, families..

When they say, NO food into the consulate, they mean gum too. In my case I had a packet of gum with 5 pieces left, the same that they made me chew, I wasnt able to just throw them away. I was glad the packet wasnt full.

Get a decent meal beforehand. I know it is early in the morning, but I waited 2hrs before I was called to review and gathered some papers and then, another 1hr15mins to be called for the interview. By that time I wasn´t feeling that good.

And yes, be prepare for a boring wait, you cannot even focus on read a book, since your number (NOT in order) could come up any moment on the screen, so you all get to do is to stare at the screens hoping you would be next."

Hello, its been 3 weeks and my appointment letter doesnt arrive, where do i call, i tried the consulate in el paso that sends the k3 ans they tell me they cant email it