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| Dublin, Ireland |  Review on December 4, 2012: |
orla
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Interview scheduled for 1pm. Arrived at 12.45, 5th in queue of about 15 people. Went through security around 1.10, they were nice and let me take a few bags in with me as I had a lot of documentation! They put my phone, headphones and water in a locker.
I was given a ticket when I entered the embassy, asked what type of visa I was applying for and told to take a seat. I was expecting a long wait but was called to a counter as soon as I sat down. A nice Irish lady asked me for the following documents: Passport, Birth Cert (I gave original but I think a copy would have done as she said I won't get it back), One passport photo (they never took the second one), Payment (I used Bank draft in Dollars), DS-230 Part 1, Form DS-156k (which she asked me to sign), and the i-129 with supporting info so gave her all the bank letters, letters of employment, wage slips, benefit printouts, and tax returns from the last four years. She looked through everything and then said that because my fiance was was working in Europe not the US for the last few years we would need a co-sponsor in order to proceed with the application. I hadn't heard this anywhere before and since he was earning way above the 'poverty level' they request I never thought we'd need a co-sponsor. I told her I had a lot of savings and she said that might suffice but she'd have to pass the case on to someone else.
I sat down and was called up to another desk about 20 mins later. Another very nice lady gave me a receipt for my payment, took my finger prints and proceeded to ask me my interview questions. There was a crying baby at the desk next to me so it was hard to hear but this actually made the process easier, I was too busy trying to hear her that I forgot to be nervous! Really basic questions and she kept joking about everything to make me feel even more relaxed. She just asked about my fiance's Irish name, who I had met in his family, where we got engaged, where we are going to be living etc. Nothing difficult at all. She said that my fiance was fine as a co-sponsor (didn't explain why the first lady wasn't happy with it but I didn't want to jinx it by asking questions!). So she said if everything checks out I'll have my visa in a few days! I was shocked it was so quick and easy I just thanked her and left.
Unfortunately after picking up my belongings in security and leaving the embassy I realised they never asked me for my envelope! (approx 12 x 15 inches, hard back, from Eason). Security kindly let me leave all my bags with them and let me run back in with just the envelope where I handed it to the lady who interviewed me and finally left again.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised at how nice, friendly, relaxed and helpful everyone was; And surprised how quick it was, I was in there less than an hour! Just have everything well prepared and double check they took everything they need before you leave!! I got my visa a week later and flew out the next day.
(updated on December 4, 2012)
(updated on December 4, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11021