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| Honduras |  Review on October 26, 2012: |
maki11
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
First, I must recommend the Hotel Paseo Miramontes. We had been searching around for a relatively well priced hotel that was safe. After finding it on the US Embassy's website, we decided to give it a chance and it worked out great. Much more affordable than the Clarion or Hilton (it averaged to about $67/night, really clean and nice accommodations, about 15 minute taxi ride give or take traffic to embassy).
We arrived at the embassy at 5:45am and were second in line. When we got out of the taxi, we were greeted by gentlemen who directed us to the resident visa line (heading down hill). They explained that cell phones were not allowed in the embassy and that the embassy no longer provided lockers. This is absolutely true, CELL PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE EMBASSY. We ended up paying 50 lempiras and the gentleman gave us a little number while he held our cell phone (we took out the memory chip just in case).
Around 6:45am, a young woman came around to check everyone's passport and appointment letter (e-mail confirmations were accepted) and we were told we were first in line, given no one had "Priority" written on their interview letter. We checked in and sat down. They certainly seemed to prioritize those individuals with children. Around 8:45am, everyone who was over 14 were called to provide their fingerprints at booth 5. Sebastian returned and we waited another 45 minutes or so.
Finally, they called his name and we were greeted by a very friendly woman who asked us to provide her with all the paperwork (DS156, Affidavit, Birth Certificate (only his), DS230, etc). She asked basic questions: how did we meet, when did we meet, how many times I had visited (after hearing that I had been back six times, she commented "es cierto, estan enamorados"). I knew she could tell we were both nervous and told us with a big smile to relax. Sebastian and I both laughed because she was absolutely correct. She then suggested for me to go pay the $240 fee. I returned and provided her with the receipt. She asked why I had only worked for a few months in 2011 and I explained that I had returned from Honduras in June and started working at a school in August. I then provided her with my paystubs throughout 2011-Present as well as my father who had signed an affidavit of support and I believe that put her unease to rest. She told us to then take a seat once again.
Probably 20 minutes later, Sebastian was called to "Ventanilla 5" where we were greeted by a young, friendly, US woman. There were two other women with her (must have been in training), so as she reviewed our paperwork, she would take the time to show and explain the documents to the other two women. She asked us to raise our right hand and take an oath. She asked basic questions which she didn't seem to mind who answered:
a) When we had met
b) Why I had spent a year in Honduras
c) How and when the marriage was proposed
d) What Sebastian did for work
e) What we had in common
f) Where/when we were planning to get married (at this point, I provided her with receipts of my dress, the letter written from our JOP as well as contract for the Country Club we had put a reservation on)
She then pulled out all of our pictures. She also had the pictures I had sent with the first package. She reviewed them and again showed the two women. She asked, Sebastian about one picture where I was holding one of his nieces and asked him, who the baby was.
After explaining further information to the trainees, the woman looked at us and said (in Spanish) at this time your visa has been approved. She gave us a slip to return the next day at 2:45pm to pick up his passport and visa.
**CAUTION**
Of course in the excitement of everything, I moved my flight to Saturday and went ahead and purchased Sebastian's flight to return with me. We went back to the embassy around 2:15pm and there were about 15 or so people already in line. A woman came out around 2:35pm and said only one person per family. Sebastian went inside and I stayed outside waiting with other family members. Around 3:25pm, people started coming out with their passports and big envelopes containing their documents. The number of family members quickly diminished and there I was with only one other woman waiting outside, I knew this was not a good sign. Sebastian came back outside with the same little appointment card. What happened?! Apparently, him and about three others with K1 visas were asked to return Monday (embassy does not issue visas on Fridays) to pick up their passports and visas. We were crushed and not really clear on why this had happened. We went back up to the window and I spoke with the same woman who let everyone in. She explained that it was perfectly normal and that Washington only allows a certain number of visas to be issued per day. She said this was perfectly normal. I explained to her that we had already made plans to return Saturday and I had even taken off four days from work. She explained that airlines should not be allowed to issue tickets without passport/visa verification (which I agreed) and that unfortunately there was nothing we could do but wait.
We walked away rather broken-hearted but focused on the fact that nonetheless we had been approved and we were not the only K1ers who had to return on Monday. Unfortunately, I have to return to work and will return on Saturday to the States. Hopefully when Sebastian returns on Monday, he will receive his visa.
Overall, I was relieved to interact with friendly people at the embassy. I will recommend that no one purchases any flights until the actual passport has been issued (rookie and hopeless romantic/optimist mistake). I wish they would tell people there may be a chance that the passport may not be ready but really, it's immigration, silly of us not to assume that.
Best of luck to everyone!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10745