|
|
| United Arab Emirates |  Review on February 12, 2015: |
beharrr
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
So 441 days after starting this process I picked up my visa yesterday - what a relief!
Interview Date: Sunday 08-FEB-14
Arrived at the USEM Abu Dhabi at 06.20am; interview appointment was at 08.30am. There were what appeared to be 7 people already in front of me. There are wooden benches, with a canopy and fans (not needed for us given the time of day and year). IV Applicants sit on the left other visas on the right.
At around 07.20am the G4S security guards called the IV queue up to the entrance of the Embassy where we lined up to present our interview letters to a local lady in a kiosk. At this point I realise there are only 4 people in front of me, the rest were friends and family of the applicants ...
Once you present your letter the G4S security guard lines you up to enter security. Two by two you are called in to airport style security; phones must be switched off and along with car keys surrendered - you are given a token to collect the items later. TIP: Ladies do not bring handbags; I saw at least 2 people told to put them in their cars before entering, thus losing their hard earned place in the queue - it would appear they will not look after this for you at the security check area.
Once through security you are ushered into another room where you are held, wooden benches (fixed this time) which wind around the room. You are then called in groups of 4 to walk across the courtyard to consular section - nice chance to admire the architecture of the USEM in Abu Dhabi, pretty unique. When you enter this building you are given a ticket number, I got 006 - an elderly couple where allowed through security before me, and told to sit by windows 10-11.
Time now is around 08.05am; at around 08.20am the consular staff start to arrive at the windows and the entire area is a lot busier - I saw a sign saying maximum occupancy was 205 and I would say it was easily half full; so with 10 IV applicants waiting there easily 90 other people there for other visas - I assumed it was that busy because it was the start of the week.
At around 08.30am they stared calling the first ticket numbers up to windows 8,9 & 10. Number were being called in sequential order until the G4S security guards decided to take matters into their own hands (it still amazes me the amount of leverage those guys have in this part of the world, they are everything from security, to customer services, to subject matter experts ... anyway), they started ushering those with children and the elderly ahead of the queue system - not to worry however it made no difference as you will see later.
Around 09.10am I was called to the window and asked the following:
1. Full name
2. Address in the USA where I will reside
3. For a copy of my birth & marriage certificate
Fairly straight forward, a little hard to hear the CO over the noise in the room, plus she was handing me back a lot of paper work, so it pays to be organised here. It was obvious this was the first time my case had been looked at at the USEM. I can't believe the NVC packaged up the FEDEX envelopes as part of my case!!
Then told to sit and wait to be called for my finger prints. Again given the volume of people (everyone gets finger printed) this was a bit chaotic; I started to worry as over 30 mins went and no one had called my number, in fact number behind me were being called. But eventually they called 006 and I was finger printed - pleasant lady, simple task to do. Time now is around 09.40am
At around 09.45am the first numbers are called to the private room for an interview with a CO - these numbers are now called in sequential order, so no matter about the previously security guard interventions.
At around 10.15am I am called in, small room, 2 chairs, CO on the other side of a glass window. Nice guy, very pleasant and professional - asks how I am doing, the to take an oath with my right hand raised. Then the following questions:
1. When did you get married?
2. How did you meet?
3. Do you have any children?
All of this whilst looking through my file; at that point he said "I am approving your visa" and handed me a pink slip. Slip said to come back on Wednesday at 2pm to collect my visa.
I was out of the Embassy by 10.25am.
Wednesday 11-FEB-15; I arrived at the Embassy at 13.30; lots of people already there - a mixture of visa types and those with pink slips. No seating allocation or queuing as far as I could see - but not to worry the following takes no more than an hour.
At 13.40 the security guard lined us up, show pink card to the receptionist, queued, entered security, went across to the courtyard and was given a ticket.
At 14.10 first numbers are called, they churn through these numbers pretty rapid - I was handed my sealed envelope and passport - check it and was out of the Embassy by 14.20.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #16191