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| Moscow, Russia |  Review on October 26, 2015: |
Sekhvaruli
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-5 Visa
Result - form 221, they kept the passport, though, and we are waiting for the approval any day.
My Mom's interview was on October 23rd 2015 in Moscow, Russia. It was appointed at 8 am. By the time we arrived at 8 am, there was already a long line of about 60 people. But we were not in a hurry, our priority was not to stand outside in a cold snowy morning.
Anyway, shortly after 8 am we were inside the embassy. I was allowed to follow my mother for the interview. I requested that by email, and I was answered my name would be added to the visitors list on October 23rd. Still, I was feeling nervous and praying for being allowed to walk in, for I heard there are a lot of discrepancies between what the embassy does and say.
Regular security clearance check was disappointing, for I had to throw off my memory card and 2 headsets, I forgot to take out of my purse. Remember -no electronic devices of any kind are allowed.
First after entering the embassy, at the window right by the entrance, we showed our VISA DELIVERY ORDER CONFIRMATION PAPER WITH THE BARCODE and the P4 LETTER. From there we were directed to the Immigration Visa Interview waiting hall, a tiny little one, probably 150 square feet large, which only fit about 10 chairs. For we were the last in the line outside the building, there were were the last as well. So, for those, who wants to leave the embassy ASAP - get there early, 7 am at least, to be among the first to enter.
But we were not in a hurry, like I said.
First, we came over to the window 22, handed the card, given to us by the entrance and received the ticket, saying K008 - our turn #.
Shortly after that we were asked at the window 23, where my Mom's fingerprints were taken and we handed the originals of her birth and divorce certificates. Also, I was asked to submit my 1040 and W-2s, which I had sent to NVC, but they were not at the embassy. So, the lesson to be learned - bring ALL documents to the embassy. You never know, what might be lost by NVC or the embassy. The Russian-speaking lady there listened to my arguments, but said, the decision will be made by the CO.
After that we sat down and started waiting. It took them about 1,5 hours to get to call us to the interview room, which they still call window - they have window 24 and 25 for the interviews, and iit's good, those are separate rooms now, for you don't have to get embarrassed, having the other applicants listen to your stories behind your back.
The CO was a nice and friendly young kid in his early 30s, slim and handsome. I got the impression he was talking to my Mom just to practice his Russian. The questions he asked were: when did you retire? what does your daughter do in the US? where does she live in the US? have you visited her there? why not? Here I said, she didn't actually want to immigrate, but I persuaded her.
He also asked me, how I got to the US, which was through K1- visa in 2009. So, he asked as well, whether I was still married (no)
That was it, and upon the receiving of 1040 and W2s from me, he said, the visa will be issued within 10 days. He kept my Mom's passport, and we said goodbye.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18163