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|  Review on August 15, 2012: |
greenmandarin
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
***updated with more information for Mauritians  ***
**ALSO PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FOR AN IR-1 VISA**Please do NOT PM me with questions on how to pay the MRV fee, all our fees were paid with NVC.
The US Embassy in Mauritius does not issue IR-1 or K-1 visas. The interview needs to be done in Kenya. This *is* annoying and frustrating, however it\'s just how it is.
The medical exam needs to be done in Nairobi, and takes 2 days to complete. It\'s a good idea to allow the IOM a day or 2 to get the results back to the Embassy. The Nairobi Embassy website lists the vaccinations that are needed, and it\'s a good idea to try to get them done in Mauritius prior to going. Basic vaccines can be done at a local hospital, Yellow Fever, and varicella need to be done at the Air Mauritius clinic in Port Louis. If you have a vaccination record, please ensure that it is stamped by a medical officer. My husband\'s vaccination record had been destroyed and reissued and the stamp was missing. The IOM will handle your medical forms and deliver them to the embassy.
Once you have an interview date you can register on the CSC site and you need to register for DHL. They list the locations and you can find them on Google maps so you know what is closest to your hotel.
My husband\'s interview was August 7, 2012. He arrived at the embassy at 630am and went inside and got his number and handed in the AOS forms(i864 and i864a). He waited until 11am for his interview.
The guy asked him:
what year was your wife born?
what is your son\\\'s birthday?
why did you wait so long to petition? we waited almost 5 years because of the birth of our son, we wanted him to know his family here and know some of the culture.
why did you wait so long to move? (yes, they asked him the same question twice) (same answer given...lol)
what does your mother think of you moving? my husband said 50/50 she\'s sad but knows the US has more options for us.
Then he said he was approved and had him do the oath and sign the papers. Asked him about the Indians in Mauritius (my husband was born in India.)
He said he couldn\\\'t expedite the Visa but he should have it in 2-3 days, they will send out an email with the waybill number needed to pick up the Visa from DHL. All in all it was pretty painless, it was just a long wait time in the embassy.
We received the email on Friday (Aug 10) evening with the waybill number. DHL will not hand over passports on Saturday/Sunday.
My husband stayed at Progressive Park (http://www.progressiveparkhotel.co.ke/) the location was very nice, across the street from a large shopping center, safe location, breakfast included in the rate. laundry service available, restaurants nearby that deliver (my husband and I are vegetarians so this was important...Indian food delivered at his door was nice) The hotel also will pick you up and drop you off at the airport depending on your length of stay.
Air Mauritius operates flights to/from Nairobi on Monday and Saturdays ONLY. There is usually availability for standby if needed on the return and changes are generally permitted on the airline tickets. (please check the fare rules prior to purchase).
My husband planned to stay for 3 weeks. He arrived on 30 July, did the medical exam 31 Jul and 01 August. Interview on 7 August, and hoping to pick up visa and come home on 13 August.)
We paid all our fees for the visa (except the medical exam) with NVC. However, for the K-1 visa the fee needs to be paid either by mobile or at the bank. There isn\'t a way around this, unless you know someone in Nairobi to pay it for you.
My husband had copies of all the documents I filed with NVC, as well as my passport and our son\'s passport to show that we are present in Mauritius (incase they asked how we communicated, he could show them that we live together. I explained this in all my paperwork as well.) He had 8 passport photos he brought with him, 2 for the medical and extra for the Embassy however they didn\'t take any of them at the Embassy. He also brought in the AOS papers because we got an RFE on the joint sponsor\'s form.
Overall, his experience was positive. (Other than the long wait time at the embassy and the poor flight schedule.)
(updated on August 10, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10185