MOM'S VISA ISSUED RIGHT AWAY! [merged threads]

[Bunny Gurl 9]

I believe, my experience can be helpful for someone.

My mother's interview for IR-5 visa was initially scheduled on June 18th. It wasn't possible for us to attend it on that date. When I called the U.S. consulate in Almaty, they told me to wait till the scheduled date and then I'll be able to reschedule it through their website https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-kz/iv/users/sign_in

But that information was wrong. In fact, I simply had to go to HOME ➡️CONTINUE➡️EXPEDITE THE APPOINTMENT after logging into my account and finding the scheduled interview information. 
Expedite doesn't necessarily mean you are requesting expediting. I actually requested delaying the interview through that button. My request was approved in less than a week. Now we have the interview scheduled on October 17th this year. Wish us luck!

[Bunny Gurl 9]

My mother's interview has been finally scheduled for October 17th - in less than 2 weeks from now.
Everything seems to be ready. But I am still worried, that they won't grant her the visa on the day of the interview. We need some luck here. 
Send us some good vibes!

[Ineska 27]

13 minutes ago, Bunny Gurl said:

My mother's interview has been finally scheduled for October 17th - in less than 2 weeks from now.
Everything seems to be ready. But I am still worried, that they won't grant her the visa on the day of the interview. We need some luck here. 
Send us some good vibes!

Hey- there is a thread already where a lot of us posted our experiences with the Almaty location. It was a good and positive experience for us. The only word of advice make is to sure your mom has  everything as required (originals of everything and translated certified copies, copies of sponsor income related docs, etc.) And you need to register for the pick up service and have the info with you for your apt.

 

We were asked to show every single item (but some people said they werent asked) and had a quick positive answer.  

I am sure your mom will have a positive outcome! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Ineska 27]

4 minutes ago, Ineska said:

Hey- there is a thread already where a lot of us posted our experiences with the Almaty location. It was a good and positive experience for us. The only word of advice make is to sure your mom has  everything as required (originals of everything and translated certified copies, copies of sponsor income related docs, etc.) And you need to register for the pick up service and have the info with you for your apt.

 

We were asked to show every single item (but some people said they werent asked) and had a quick positive answer.  

I am sure your mom will have a positive outcome! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

It looks like you duplicated this thread… search for the original “Upcoming interview IR5 Almaty”

[Dashinka 24,418]

Here is the Almaty thread with recent experiences.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

related topics merged.

[Bunny Gurl 9]

We are really happy about the outcome of my mom's interview on October 17th this year in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
My mom's visa was granted during the interview after a very short conversation between her and the consular officer.
Let me provide you with more details.
So, after the date was scheduled, which I told about in a separate topic, I also scheduled my mom's medical exam on October 14th. It went really smooth and even superficial. They only X-rayed her chest, no other tests or labs were run (she is 76). What I liked most is that you don't have to come again for picking up the results - they send them straight to the embassy. Their policy said, it can take up to 72 hours, that's why we took enough time before the interview - 3 days - to avoid any disappointment. Apparently, our fears were in vain.

     On the interview day we've arrived at the Samal business center, where the Embassy is located, 20 minutes prior to the scheduled time and asked, when we can enter. The guards told us, we could get in already. 
Very smooth and convenient security procedure. You leave your purses and cellphones at the security and go upstairs with just your documents, cash and essential items. They escort you in the elevator up to the Embassy office door. 
The first step there was checking our paperwork. Unfortunately, my mom brought wrong photographs. They were made like for Schengen visa. While the U.S. visa requires 5x5 cm. So, we had to return and go to the nearest photo salon to make proper photos. It took around 25 minutes, and we still were back at the Embassy before 11 am (the scheduled time was 10:30) This time everything went just fine - I've submitted her documents at the paper check desk, while enjoying the amazing view of Almaty through the 17th floor window.

Only the original birth and divorce certificates were taken from us. They haven't even looked at the notarized translations, i was preparing so thoroughly. In a short while my mom was invited to the consular's window. The officer, a young black Muslim girl, wearing a hijab, was very sweet and polite. She spoke Russian, with a really heavy accent, though. But she only asked my mom 2 questions: tell me about your daughter's life in the USA, and: do you have any grandchildren? After literally 2 minutes of that conversation the officer announced: your visa has been granted! I asked, when the passport can be picked up, and she said - not tomorrow, definitely.
But she was wrong - the very next day, on Friday at around 3:50 pm I've received an email saying the visa is ready for being picked up at the Visametrics center. I called a cab through Yandex Go, which is quite popular in Almaty and really dirt cheap, and around 4:30 I already had my mom's passport with the visa handed to me. 

As for the travel recommendations: Russian citizens with no Schengen visa can only have 1 layover in Schengen zone, no more than 24 hours between the flights. Take that into consideration, when you book the airplane tickets. 

 

[TBoneTX 45,063]

How exciting, and what a relief for you!  Thank you for including the crucial details surrounding the process.

 

*** Thread is merged with its related predecessor thread. ***