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| Dominican Republic |  Review on January 8, 2007: |
4726888
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Yes, the wait is very frustrating. My fiancée got her visa after 18 months of waiting.
Apparently the consulate is working on a new and improved building with better equipment and even more employees.
But the long wait is not entirely the fault of the US Embassy. You have to consider that the MAJORITY of the visa applicants are MORONS who in most cases have never even left the country, never traveled and grew up in one of the most disorganized societies I have ever seen. Trust me, I grew up in the Dominican Republic. I love the country, not so much the turmoil. Noticed I said MAJORITY, not everybody
That is why I'm writing this, to help you be well informed.
The consulate papers arrive about 1 week after the interview date appears on their list. http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/scheduled_appointments.htm
Make sure that if her address changes she calls the consulate to update the address.
Double and triple check that you have all of the required forms and related paperwork.
Here are the links to the same package of documents the consulate sends out:
Read http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/K1-K2%20Instructions.htm
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/K1-K2-appointment-package-e.htm
On a K1 visa, both persons must try to be there the day of the interview
It is not required by law, but the consulate "Highly recommends it" (Meaning that by law they cannot require it but if you are not there it will hurt her chances of getting the visa)
Read the consulate weekly FAQ at http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ask/atcindex-2006.htm and http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ask/index-e.htm
Do not buy plane tickets until the visa is in the passport
I made that mistake and had to pay US $150 to change the ticket
Complete form DS-156 online at http://evisaforms.state.gov/
Completing form DS-156 online will significantly reduce the waiting time the day of the appointment
The night before the interview, try to stay at a hotel close to the consulate office, will minimize stress and will allow faster arrival at the consulate office.
there are 2 hotels that I know of that are very good
1 block away is the courtyard by Marriott at about 120 per night and book early because it gets full fast. Expedia.com has it listed as Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Downtown.
About 3 or 4 blocks away is the Hotel Lina $102 per night if you ask for the business rate(Orange building at the corner of Ave. 27 de Febrero and Ave. Maximo Gomez) and listed on Expedia.com as Barcelo Lina
1 Week before the interview, the medical exam
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/examination-vaccines.htm
The same day you pick up the medical exam, pay for yet another application fee at any Popular Bank branch.
About US $200
The night before the interview, practice, practice, practice the questions with your fiancée
http://immihelp.com/visas/kvisa/sample-interview-questions.html
http://immihelp.com/greencard/familybasedimmigration/marriage-based-greencard-fraud-interview.html
(some questions may not apply to your current relationship)
Some of the questions I know are
What is his/her birthday?
What kind of work he/she does?
What is his/her work schedule?
Where do you plan to get married?
When do you plan to get married?
Did you propose?
When did you propose?
Where did you propose?
What did she/he said?
Was there a ring?
What did her/his parent said or thought?
How many brother and sisters does he/she have?
How many brother and sisters does you have?
what are their names?
Who took a shower first this morning?
Who when to bed first last night?
What did you had for dinner last night?
Who sleeps on which side of the bed?
You must try to get as many as possible correct (7 out of 10 correct) or there could be problems. Very important to practice even if you think you know all the answers.
When the day of the interview arrives, make sure to go to the consulate office early and do not bring anything on the following list
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/prohibited_items.htm
Once inside the consulate, sit down on the front row, between the 2 sets of stairs, this will ensure that the green form mailed to the beneficiary is picked up by the consulate floor employee sooner.
Smile, make her/him feel like everything will be ok because it will. You will stay informed and minimize the fear.
Good luck. 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1177