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| Naples, Italy |  Review on June 16, 2015: |
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Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
First, you can reach the "Istituto Varelli" from M5 Montesanto "Circumflegrea" 2 stops Saccavo and walk for 10 minutes from there. They say to come at 8.15 but I was there at 7.40 and number 12. They have a special line for the Consulate, take the number when you enter, but the line is not extremely strict, depending on what you have to do and how they handle the passports.
The exams are easy: blood test for syphilid, rx chest, a meeting with a clerk to print 3 papers for the doctor to fill up during the visit: 4 regular italian photos are required and a fee of 170 plus 60 if you need the two immunization: in that case they will provide a certificate for the vaccinations that is valid in US (a plus maybe for some jobs). Will ask about your address in Italy and US, so be sure to have it written. Finally the visit with the doctor, with height, weight, temperature, eyes, previous health problems, auscultation and at the end the vaccinations if you decide to do with them. Ended at 11, but 25 people did the same today, so a busy day.
The next morning I arrived at 8:30 am for a 9:30 appt. There were the same amount of people from the exam (quite a lot). I read that this part was fairly organized but with the group I came with there were a lot of people missing documents and having to go back to get different ones and then return, etc. The people checking documents were very kind, as stated in other posts, and did their best to help anyone. While I was not close to the last one in to wait, for some reason I was the last to be seen after 1 pm. I watched everyone go to the various windows with very few questions asked-the other men even speaking in Italian; not English. They seemed very relaxed and very short. I was called to see a woman at another window. She was very professional with a rigid manner. The interview lasted about 20 minutes. She asked about my spouses divorce and asked to see the original (very big warning; our interview packet listed what we needed in originals but had this as a code meaning it was already forwarded and not needed.I am lucky to be prepared only because I read this happening at another consulate interview on VJ). She asked a lot of personal questions about the ex husband of my spouse, the dates of the divorce and the relevance of the dates, etc. I explained our personal circumstances, stressed that we have been married a number of years now and that a lot revolved around my step-children. She asked the relationship I had with the kids and asked to see the photos I brought. After seeing the photos we had (compiled 6 years into about 99 photos.....)she loosened up visibly then asked more about the kids. We met the limits with our assets and pay but we had been nervous about what we had and how much our home, etc would count. We chose to have a joint sponsor. We had her tax forms, paystubs up to the week of the interview, etc. She asked where the original tax forms were and I responded that the lawyer had those and we were told the copies sent were acceptable. She was quiet after and asked the relationship we had with the sponsor. We explained a friend but also showed the photo from our wedding 5 years ago where our sponsor was one of only two couples that were involved in the wedding. She was quiet a moment but then approved me. She was always very professional in response and in questioning. I would not say friendly nor relaxed and making light of any answer would probably not have helped in this situation while there were other officers whom were much more relaxed.
All in all I would not classify this as the smoothest day nor the easiest interview. I have read all other posts and they seemed to have a much easier time with it; my last conclusion for anyone coming to the Naples consulate is to expect professional behavior from anyone but to also expect that the officers vary greatly. There were situations that were much more complex then ours (yes, the glass windows do not afford a lot of privacy) and were asked only 3 questions then sent on their way. It depends on whom you get. The wait was about 4 hours and I am not certain how they figured whom goes when at this time but on the plus, I learned much more about the world; CNN was showing all morning. But, in the end, I am APPROVED and on my way back to my wife and children.
I also highly recommend to bring a lot of earplugs for the nights to sleep if you are in the city at all.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #17067