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|  Review on June 11, 2014: |
cezzie8210
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I Had my interview scheduled last June 9, 2014, at the US Embassy Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, KSA. Immigrant visa appointment time was 1230nn, came in at 1045am but wasn't allowed to enter until 1210nn. The place was very hot, and the line was also filled with people lining up for tourist visa mostly, some were group of families who were also lining up to get either student or tourist visa. I had to wait at the benches where most ladies are staying and good thing there was a humidifier very 5 mins to cool down the dry weather. At exactly 1210nn I went to the counter where you present your passport and appointment letter, and after checking my name on the short list, I was allowed to enter, however mobile phones and other electronic devices was not allowed so you had to deposit them to the guard and they will give you a red claim stub to claim it after you business inside. Security check was next, place everything you have under the xray, make sure to let the guards know that some of your docs cannot be folded esp. sealed ones like your medical. Good thing though no frisking for ladies since no lady guards were available. Move to the next building where you open the heavy door and get a ticket number from the guard. You will be instructed to sit on the blue chairs hall where all other interviewees are waiting to be called as well. I was 804. For my case there were only 5 or 6 of us. However there were also different people coming in for other business, like those who are US citizens coming to other counters for official business. Counter 12 and 13 were the only counters that entertained for my case. The first call was for counter 12, giving only your passport and interview letter. Short questions were also asked, just making sure you know what kind of visa you are applying for. Mine was like, where is my spouse right now, so i said in the US. We are asked to sit doen and wait for our names to be called again. The second call, this time was for biometrics finger printing, questions were asked about my spouse, what kind of work she does, and how did we meet, where are your vacation photos from the first time you met. Mind you it wise to bring small photo album that would fit through the counter. I brought a bigger one which took us time to figure out how to put it through. Questions about how did we meet and what kind of work do i do here, were also asked. I had problems doing the biometrics since my fingers are too dry, so had to repeat it again. The third call was thru counter 13, where i had to swore that all things asked were truthful. Asian guy this time who did the interview, he was cool, though with a very stern look, (but i guess that is part of their job). Questions like how did we meet, and how did we know each other. Who were the people involved, how did the proposal and wedding go? What is the work of your spouse....this time while talking the consul documents something from my files that were previously sent through NVC. After answering these questions consul said everything is fine at this point, expect 10 days - 2 weeks for visa to be released and sent to you. He instructed me to wait for my name to be called for instructions how to claim you passport thru fed ex. after calling my name back to counter 12 i was given a purple card to bring to fex ex and u had to hurry and run because it was already 4pm and fed ex was outside the consulate had to walk and run in the blazing heat, and when i got there, it was closed! Good thing when i walked back and forth the FED ex opened the door and allowed me to pay....Goodness gracious, this was that crazy part!!! So i had to run back to the consulate office and go thru another series of security check and had to run back to counter 12 to give my receipt. They returned my original marriage certificate and photos. Again the consul asked me, So what's the plan...so i answered that i wanted to go before our first year wedding anniversary. He said wait 10 days to 2 weeks before passport would be returned, and said Goodluck! I left the consulate office very happy, though after that i was so tired. Overall time I comepleted the interview process was 3.5 hours, from 1230nn-400pm.!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14603