|
|
| Guayaquil, Ecuador |  Review on February 5, 2013: |
AB&MJ
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I stood in line for my 7:15 am appointment at 6:15 am, and four families were already in line before me just outside the consulate. Just before 7 am, they started checking people's interview letters and photographs to let us into the building. I advise you take nothing but your documents, otherwise they'll make you either throw it away or take it back to your hotel. They scheduled 35 people for 7:15 am that day (all IV applicants, although I was the only CR1), so I'm thinking that how much time in advance you get there really makes no difference. They called people's names in no noticeable order - although my guess is that we were being called based on our NVC case number. Still, I could have arrived at 7:15 am and I feel like it would've been just fine.
They started interviewing applicants at 7:45 am. My name was called to turn in documentation and fact-check at around 9:30 am. A lady asked me the general "how did you meet"/"how long have you been together" kind-of-questions and typed up my answers - it seemed like she was writing an abstract for the consul to read later, or perhaps just to file. They also asked about my stays in the States, and which has been my longest stay - to which I responded with my best guess. They seemed satisfied with my answer. About an hour later, they called me for fingerprints, and my interview finally took place at 11:15 am. The interviewer wasn't exactly friendly, and didn't mind being interrupted by a colleague of his a couple times during my interview. He was blatantly uninterested in my collection of proof of relationship documentation - everything from pictures, to passport stamps, to letters, bank account statements, and proof of joint-accounts, etc. - and pretty much just put it aside. I must say I was a little disappointed, but it's always better to be prepared than sorry. I didn't really care as long as I got the approval to finally be with my husband!
The interview didn't take longer than 15 mins (interruptions included), even though the wait took a total of about 5 hours. Do take a sweater with you, it's pretty cold inside, and try to sit in the IV room. If the room is packed, they will ask you to sit upstairs and you won't hear your name being called.
Thanks VJ for all the great feedback and the amazing guidance! I'm so happy we're done with this for at least a couple of years, and it feels great to have done it all without the "help" of a lawyer and without any RFEs!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11415