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| Naples, Italy |  Review on June 11, 2014: |
Lbrock
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
After drawing on this wonderful community for so long, searching for and gathering so much information through your threads and explanations, I have decided to register just to offer a review based on my personal experience.
Me and my husband (he is the U.S. Citizen and Petitioner, I am the Beneficiary) returned from Naples, Italy, yesterday after being granted a CR-1 Visa!
First of all, friends, I would like to reassure you all: everyone, both at the Istituto Varelli and at the Consulate, was extremely friendly and I was made to feel at ease at all times. There is absolutely no need to worry yourself to death (however comprehensible it might be), since the entire staff involved in the process seems to be willing to help in every circumstance.
I had left for Naples the day before my medical appointment, on a Sunday, feeling confident, yet quite nervous at the same time. I had gone through all my paperwork over and over making sure that everything was into place. All documents were organized in five clear sheet folders, separated by colorful tags (one containing all the civil certificates and docs listed on their checklist, one for the whole Affidavit of Support "package", two for our evidence of bona fide marriage and relationship, another one for medical documentation). I knew exactly where each and every piece of paper was located in the pile, and this helped a great deal. I highly recommend you to do the same, or something similar: not only will the entire process be as smooth as butter, but it will also make you look most prepared in front of the personnel.
On the first day, my husband and I showed up at the medical appointment after a light breakfast at a coffee place near the Istituto Varelli. In fact, there is no need to fast before your exams. Once in the clinic, I got a number and handed in my passport at the desk. I was the first in line and only a few other people were scheduled for that day, six or seven at most. It wasn't long before two nurses started calling for a blood test. I was expressively told that the lab would only check for syphilis, nothing else. I then proceeded to a different section of the clinic for a brief interview with a doctor and chest X-rays. The physician that called me in was easygoing and only asked a few questions concerning past medical history and vaccinations. He checked the "Libretto delle Vaccinazioni" (Vaccine Record) I had brought with me and found that I needed no extra shots: it actually seems that they are only interested in MPR and Tetanus injection. If you are Italian you are advised to have those two done before your appointment - it will save you something like 60 euros! Otherwise, no worry, you can always get the missing shots there at the clinic, at an extra cost on top of the fee that is already due, 170 Euros. Don't expect a receipt: everything will be shipped to the Consulate, including the results of your tests.
After the X-Rays, it was time for a general checkup: a doctor and his assistant will take your height and weight, ask a couple of questions, just as simple as that. I was out by 9:15, everything was conducted quickly and efficiently. You basically leave the facility with no piece of paper and are free for the day! We took advantage for some city sightseeing, which was like a balm for my mind. By the end of the day, I was so exhausted that, after taking a shower, I just fell asleep around 10 o'clock and slept all night long.
The following morning, me and my husband arrived at the Consulate ahead of our appointment (scheduled for 8 o'clock), at 7:15, and there were already seven people waiting, included a few that I never met the day before at the medical, which surprised me, but evidently every case is different. As a matter of fact, I was pretty much the only one applying for a IR-1/CR-1 visa that day. We were let in early, around 7:30. One by one, everybody shows their passports, goes through security, drops off their cellphones and other electronic devices, then they give you a number by which you will be called to the "window". It is just like at the post office: you speak to the employee through a glass, they examine your civil documents, certificates and the affidavit of support first. These are the items checked and picked up at this preliminary step, so make sure you have everything well-organized and be ready to hand in what they ask for. Everybody was nice and polite, so just relax and concentrate on what you have. A lot of people seems to fall on the police certificates. Ensure you have two pieces: the "Certificato del Casellario Giudiziale" and the "Certificato GENERALE dei Carichi Pendenti"; if you don't bring them with you, your Visa will not be issued that day and the process might encounter a delay. They also take your fingerprints.
Afterwards, I went pay the appropriate fee at the Cashier's window and was given a receipt to be handed back to the same employee that looked at my paperwork.
At that point, I only had to wait to be called by the Consul or the Vice Consul for the real interview (they were a man and a woman, not sure who was who to be frank). This takes place in the same way in which your documentation was checked, through a glass, so there isn't much privacy at all but, on a positive note, the atmosphere is quite relaxed and both the Consul and the Vice Consul appear courteous and laid back with everybody. Upon call, I finally approached the window behind which a very smiling lady welcomed me and immediately made feel at ease. My husband was allowed to stand next to me for moral support, yet was not to answer any questions specifically addressed to me, the beneficiary. She had me raise my hand and swear that I would tell the truth and that all statements contained in my application were correct. She then made me smile saying that the hardest part was over and to please relax, which I did. I was only asked for a few questions, such as where we met and how, when we got married, where we are planning on living in the U.S., what my husband's job was etc. She checked his Affidavit of Support and everything was in order. I felt particularly proud when she complimented my English and the work I had put together. Never was I asked to hand in evidence of bona fide or proof of domicile for my husband, which even disappointed me after all the effort I had put into those... Not complaining, though!
We were finally told that my visa was approved and all documents, passport included, would be shipped to my address through courier. That was one moment of pure happiness...
We were free to leave the building and pick up our belongings and the entrance.
This pretty much sums it up, but let me write down some notes for you:
- There is no particular dressing code to follow, but it is definitely appropriate to dress neatly, in a business-like fashion. After all, it is a formal interview.
- Have your paperwork organized and try to remember where you put this and that item. Make sure you've got the Police Certificates.
- There is no need to be too nervous, everybody is friendly and helpful, just concentrate on what you have and remember that each case is different and what applies to one might not apply to yours.
- Accomodation: I booked a room at the H Rooms Boutique Hotel, situated only 500 m away from the Consulate. The morning of the interview, we were there within a five minute walk. The place, more a B&B than a Hotel, was cozy and quiet, cheap compared to others that I had checked out. The location is also beautiful, right in front of the port where the ferry-boats leave for the islands. There are restaurants, pizzerie, coffee bars all around; an ATM machine is just around the corner. The taxi ride from the B&B to the Istituto Varelli costs 10 Euros and, once you call RadioTaxi, a cab will be sent to you in just a couple of minutes.
I hope you will find this contribution helpful! Wish you all a wonderful future!
(updated on June 11, 2014)
(updated on June 11, 2014)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14607