My DCF Madrid experience

[girlafraid7 0]

Well, after months of preparation, we finally filed in Madrid last Wednesday. (For those hoping to do the same, you can file only on Wednesdays from 9-11.) So we went at 830 expecting to be the first ones but there were two other couples in front of us, but at least they let you wait inside. We turned in the I 130 and she asked us to pay at the cashier and then wait for her to call us again. So even though I read on the Italian USCIS website that you can pay with US issued money order, they wouldn't accept it and only accepted cash or credit card. So we paid in Euros at a very unfavorable rate (1.25), but what can ya do. So after that we spoke with the consulate I suppose he was, and he said before he could approve me that day but now he must email the US to do a background check on me and would approve me if all was well in a week to 10 days. After that we went back to the initial woman and she explained all about gathering the "Packet 3" information. I told her that we had already gathered all the information, but she said she would only accept the DS 230 part 1 at that time. She said I must mail them a form saying we are ready for our interview. I asked if we could just give it to her and she said no it needed to be mailed to be fair to everyone...ok. So we mailed it about a half hour later from Madrid to Madrid. She said that on April 18th they were making appointments for May 9, so we are hoping ours will be either the 9th or 16th (they only do appointments on Wednesdays). The only thing left to do is come back to Madrid the day before the interview for the medical exam (must be done in Madrid by one of their selected doctors), pick up the results the morning of the interview and YA ESTA! in total (including half hour waiting for them to open the visa section, we were there about 2.5 hours).

A few side points:

-we forgot my husband's passport at home (many kms from Madrid) and at this point it was no problem, they just made a copy of his ID card and I assume will ask for the passport at the time of interview.

-I meticulously put together everything with cover sheet, post its, etc. and the woman almost seemed annoyed at it!

-As for the G 325 forms, all 8 pages of them, she asked why I had so many copies of the same thing. I said they aren't copies they are all originals of the same form. (Had she done this before?)

At any rate, I am now back in the states after two years abroad, anxiously waiting my husbands approval!

Hope this helps somebody out there!

[j-manu 0]

Wow what an adventure! Congratulation on getting this far. Soon you two will be together.

[meauxna 15]

A few side points:

-we forgot my husband's passport at home (many kms from Madrid) and at this point it was no problem, they just made a copy of his ID card and I assume will ask for the passport at the time of interview.

-I meticulously put together everything with cover sheet, post its, etc. and the woman almost seemed annoyed at it!

-As for the G 325 forms, all 8 pages of them, she asked why I had so many copies of the same thing. I said they aren't copies they are all originals of the same form. (Had she done this before?)

Felicidades! Thanks for the great report, too!

re side points:

-d'oh. It's always *something* isn't it?! The passport WILL be requried for the visa interview.

-Darnitall anyway. Same thing happened to me. They really don't want any extra fluff on the Consular petitions (probably not the Service Center ones either, actually)

-this form is quickly becomeing obsolete and it is not uncommon for the Consulates to only ask for the first page from each person. You did what you were 'supposed' to do, and she can certainly shred your extras. When filed in the US, the G-325a was supposed to be sent to 4 different places--anyway, don't sweat it. Sounds like you are all on track--way to go getting the provisional file started (DS-230 I)--we did the same, and had the same issue--even tho we were totally ready, they wanted the papers mailed in.

We're just *too* prepared for them.

Good job on all your hard work--here's to a quick reunion!

[josefine 0]

-this form is quickly becomeing obsolete and it is not uncommon for the Consulates to only ask for the first page from each person. You did what you were 'supposed' to do, and she can certainly shred your extras. When filed in the US, the G-325a was supposed to be sent to 4 different places--anyway, don't sweat it. Sounds like you are all on track--way to go getting the provisional file started (DS-230 I)--we did the same, and had the same issue--even tho we were totally ready, they wanted the papers mailed in.

In Bucharest they wanted all the four pages.

[Niels Bohr 72]

GOOD JOB!!