|
|
Czech Republic | Review on June 20, 2007: | Len & How
Rating: | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My embassy visit and the inteview experience was pleasant and quite uneventful. I got there 15 minutes before my appointment time, went through the security check and proceeded to the Immigrant Visas/US Citizen services area of the consular section. My appointment was for 3.30pm and there was only another couple (reporting the birth of their child) and a person whom the consul was interviewing right there in the waiting area (he had some problems working on tourist visa - not good!).
I got called to the window right at 3.30 and a Czech woman took all the documents that were on the P3 checklist - nothing more, nothing less. She said the consul will talk to me shortly. Well, I had to wait for another 40 minutes before he actually interviewed me because they had some technical problems with their systems. I was there all by myself (and almost frozen because of the A/C) when the interview started. The consul was nice and professional, only asked a few questions. How we met, where my Fiance works, what I did for my internship - and when I told him I was working in the reservations office of a rafting company, he was so excited to tell me he took his children innertubing a few weeks ago in Virginia. He just glanced through the forms from our petition and the affidavit of support. He didn't want to see any other documents - no employer letter, paystubs, statements, taxes, not even our pictures! That was almost disappointing to me! I spent so much time putting everything together and he wasn't interested at all. I know, better safe than sorry (I was telling that to myself all day long dragging that *heavy* bag around the city); and at least I had something distracting to do while waiting for the NOA2.
So, in the end he told me that the visa issuance/printing takes overnight and if I can come the next day morning. He didn't say "you are approved"; the whole interview seemed only like a formality, not an event where there are actually two options (approved vs denied) being considered. It took mere 2-3 minutes. I even didn't get as excited as I was expecting afterwards, I was just relieved.
I picked up my passport with the visa and the MBE (mysterious brown envelope) this morning. The consul told me to come at 10am. It was crowded! Mostly Americans applying for passports. I waited for about 20 minutes and then got called up to the window. A Czech lady gave me my passport and the big brown envelope, explained the requirements (US entry within 6 months, marriage in 90 days therefrom) and off I went!
I'm rating my experience 4 of 5 for too much waiting. Yahoo, I'm coming home, Baby!
| |
|