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| Frankfurt, Germany |  Review on February 3, 2007: |
Magnolia31
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I finally had my Visa interview yesterday, February 2, 2007. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and because of my positive experience, I would like to share it with others - perhaps it will ease your mind and give you some hope!
I stayed at the Friedberger Warte hotel ... it is right behind the consulate. I left there at about 6:20 and made it there at bout 6:30 am. When I got there, I was the only one already waiting out there. No one else started arriving until about 6:50am. I wasn't sure where exactly I needed to stand in line but the security officer told me I needed to go right to the window on the side of the consulate's entrance (to the left). So I went and stood there.
At about 7:25, a security officer gave a short briefing about what can be taken in the building and what not. He also explained the procedure of entering the building. Once he was finished, the little window openend where you get your ticket. Let me forewarn you, if you go to your interview and see this older man sitting at this window, he is VERY rude. He asked me for my appointment letter and when I pushed it through the slot, he screamed at me. LOL
Anyhow, once you get the ticket, you form a line in front of the consulate. Then they let you in .. you have to remove your jacket and everything from your pocket. It gets screened, just like if you get on a plane. Then you get your stuff back and finally get to go into the main area where you take care of business.
I first got called to window 22. I had to show my receipt for my application fee. Then I was allowed to sit back down. Next I got called to window 23. At window 23 I had to give her one picture and she gave me a piece of paper that had instructions for the paperwork on it. Basically, it told me to have photocopies of each original document and to put a few documents in chronological order such as, birth certificate, police report, aafidavit of support with supporting documents, etc. I didn't have copies of my police ecrtificate and affidavit of support so I went and used the machine there (50 cents per copy). My number got called to window 17 while I was still making copies. A girl that I met that morning, finished the copy and told me to go to the window. At window 17, I was asked for the documents that the lady in window 23 told me to have in order. I gave her the documents. Since I had sent in form 156, she told me to fill it out again and I had to sign it in front of her. Then she asked for the affidavit of support and the supporting documents. I had a letter signed by my fiancee's employer which showed how much he was getting paid .... I had 3 recent pay stubs, the last 3 income tax returns, and a signed bank statement. After seeing the original letter with the amount my fiancee gets paid, she really didn't even want to see the other paperwork. I guess he makes more than well enough for her to care about the rest. So I just went and put everything back in my folder.Then she asked me if I was taking my daughter - I said yes. She asked for my daughter's passport since she is an American citizen. I showed it to her and she said okay. Then she told me that she was satisfied and to go ahead and sit down and wait for my interview.
I waited about 30 minutes for my interview at window 16. I had all of my papers ready which supported my relationship with my fiancee. I brought pictures, plane tickets, emails, cards, and phone bills. As soon as I got called for my interview at window 16, the consular officer just asked me if I was ready to go to the US .. I said yes. He then told me I was approved and that I was done for the day. I was surprised because he didn't ask me anything about the relationship at all. I didn't have to show him anything! The interview was done and I was told I was approved!
Then he told me since I have my old green card still, I need to go upstairs to immigration and turn in my old card. I went upstairs and had to fill out some paperwork explaining why I left the states in 2002, and that I was returning with a k1 visa. I signed that paper and turned in my old visa. They gave me a copy of that paper and stamped it. Then I had to take it back to the consular officer that interviewed me and that was it! 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1259