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| United Arab Emirates |  Review on January 16, 2014: |
jayjayj
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
This is a review of the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The original interview for my wife and stepson was scheduled for January 12, 2013, but was pushed back one day due to the Embassy being closed for a UAE national holiday.
The interview was rescheduled for 8am on January 13th, 2013. We arrived at 7:30am and there were 10 people ahead of us. We were let into the Embassy a little bit early, around 7:45am. The Embassy security staff was very friendly and helpful. As expected, you cannot take your cell phone into the Embassy. You must turn it off and leave it at the main security check point. It will be secured by the security staff and you will receive a ticket to retrieve it when you leave. You also cannot take your purse, car keys, or anything other than your interview specific documents and your wallet.
There are limited snacks and refreshment available inside the waiting area, but the snack stand was not open until 9am. The snack stand only takes cash – UAE dirhams or U.S. dollars.
The security staff in the waiting area has a toy for toddlers, similar to a doctor’s office. It is under their desk and they will give it to you if you ask.
We waited about one hour and twenty minutes for the interview. The interview itself took about 5 minutes and my wife was only asked four questions. We have two children together, so proving a bona fide relationship was fairly easy. My stepson, who is 10yrs old, was not asked any interview questions.
Questions:
1. Where did you meet your husband?
2. When were you married?
3. Where does your husband work?
4. When are you moving to the U.S.?
The interview experience was somewhat anticlimactic - it is hard to believe we had to wait 9 months for a 5 minute interview.
My wife was handed a pink slip and told to come back in two days to retrieve the passports.
We went back to the Embassy two days later and received the passports with the Immigrant Visas inside them. The Embassy would not allow entry for the U.S. Citizen spouses – only the intending Immigrant is allowed entry for this part of the process. I was able to get around this, because we were also picking up the U.S. passport for our newborn son.
We were given the Immigrant Visa pouches that can only be opened at the U.S. Port of Entry by a U.S. Immigration Officer. We were also given a piece of paper that detailed how to pay the $165 Immigrant fee, which must be paid prior to departing for the U.S.
Overall, it was quick, easy, and drama free. I’ve haven’t had great experiences with this Embassy in the past (U.S. Citizen Services and Non-Immigrant Services), but the Immigrant Services staff were very friendly and helpful. The female Consulate Officer, who conducted the interview, even gave me a reassuring smile and thumbs up when the interview was finished.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #13647