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| Ireland |  Review on July 29, 2012: |
dany brean
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Hello,
June 26th 2012 was my K1 Visa appointment date.Please bear in mind that I am an Irish born and raised citizen of Ireland marrying an American citizen in New York. I say that because if you were not born in Ireland but are now an Irish citizen, or just work and live in Ireland, or your parents are not Irish born, things may go different for you, in terms of what you are asked or what papers you need. My aim is to help with as much detail as possible.
The Dublin Embassy opens for petitions at 1pm. You wait outside,along the railings beside the guard entry,until you are allowed in. There is no shelter from the rain so be prepared for the weather. Parking is available all along Elgin road, raglan road and around Herbert Park. Bring plenty of change as the meter parking is expensive. In the two and a half hours I was there, it cost me €8 euro.
You will be checked through security (airport style) and asked to hand over phones, keys, notebooks and other devices for safe keeping. Your bags are checked and you will get a key to a lock box to claim your belongings afterwards. You go through a metal detector and then proceed out to the open courtyard (front garden of Embassy) along the narrow path to the building itself. You will have all your paperwork with you. The security guard will check what you are there for and give you a ticket and ask you to wait until you name or number is called. There is a toilet there if you need it. When I was there, it was cold so bring a sweater. It was warmer outside.
As with most couples, the paperwork started with your American fiancé filing a petition at a centre in the US. The turn around time for most petitions from start to finish is about 8 months if you filed the right papers.
Okay so, at the Embassy you will be called to pay your fee and asked to sit down again. I paid $240 dollars. Some people paid $350 dollars. Depends on your petition and how you were processed originally. Despite what they say, you can pay in euro and/or bank draft for the exact amount. The amount you should pay will be in the package you get from the Embassy with your appointment date. Please bring the exact amount, they do not give change. I cannot stress that enough. You will be sent away otherwise.
The room you are in, is small compared to the building, but not tiny like some people said. There are bank style hatches where you go up to and stand, to answer questions and give in paperwork. It is not private but everyone is in the same boat as you so don't worry about it. I made friends with two people and that passed the time for me. There are rows of chairs to sit on and wait. I had a sandwich with me and was allowed to keep it and so I ate it there. You will be called several times to different numbered hatches for different reasons. This is normal.
So, after being called up to the hatch several times in all I was asked for the following. N.B. - Please make sure the forms are completed correctly.
- 2 x form DS-156 (with a 2"x2" inch photograph of yourself paperclipped to each).
- 1 x form I-134 evidence of support.
- Passport - must have more than 6 months left on it or they may not accept it.
- A signed and stamped police certificate from your local Garda station.
- Your long form birth certificate (not a photcopy) You can get it online at www.groireland.ie for around €11 euro.
- Marriage Certificate. Again original or get at groireland.ie.
- Divorce Decree copy, must be signed and notorised by the county registrar in your area.Ring ahead for that if you don't have it, as they have to look for it and may charge you €15 to have it signed and stamped.
- your medical exam letter and x-ray. They don't seem to take the x-ray but bring it anyway in case for example, it shows a medical condition they want to ask you about.
- DS-156K form.
Some people get asked for more things and some less. If you are not married or divorced then you won't need those papers. It also depends on what the American office has in their possession from the original petition your partner filed in the US.
So to save any disappointment on the day DO bring the following as well.
- DS-230 part 1 (They should already have the copy you sent but you never know.)
- DS-230 part 2 I didn't need it but I had it with me.
- A photocopy of your passport. (Okay I am over prepared here but you just don't know.)
- Evidence of relationship. Absolutely bring this. This could be photographs of you together, emails - (not so personal ones but which prove you are a couple), printout of flights, birthday/christmas cards, photo of engagement ring or wedding ring receipts.
- DS-157 form. This seems be for people who belong to a tribe or clan, who have travelled extensively and held passports from different countries, or who have a specialised skills in firearms,explosives, nuclear,chemical or biological experience.
- Court or prison records. You must bring these if you have a record.
- Military records, if you served in the army here or abroad.
- Extra copies of everything.
Everyone was very nice to me. Having all the paperwork definitely helps. But if they are curt with you just stay calm and listen carefully. It's only a few hours out of your life. Your passport and visa papers will arrive within ten days or so, if you are successful. DO NOT open the orange envelope. Seriously, if you do you may not get into the US, if the officer at the American airport immigration section sees it has been tampered with.
If not successful, don't fret, you will get a checklist to help you get what you didn't have.
I gave the experience a 3 rating, because the AC made it cold in there and the fact that I had to ask the people to repeat questions to me several times, because I could not hear through the glass at the hatch, which made one lady turn on the intercom so everyone could hear the questions, not only me. That was embarrassing! 
But I got my visa and I am happy.
The very best of luck everyone and a long and happy life together.
(updated on July 30, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10095