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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on April 6, 2016: |
oscarandangela
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Our personal experience was really great, actually. Everyone was very nice, and I was with my husband, the immigrant at the time so I attended the interview with him. My husband lives in Perth, the west coast of Aus, so we flew into Sydney the morning before the interview. Our interview was on the 5th of April. We got there the 4th, and basically just enjoyed ourselves, relaxed, and prepared ourselves for the interview. The interview was scheduled for 10:45 am, we made sure to get there at around 10:15 to go through security. The actual consulate is located in the MLC building, and you have to go up to the 10th floor to go through security. The girls at the I guess what you'd call check-in were very friendly and nice, they went through all of the files and took out what they'd think we'd need, and put them into a white folder. They also allowed us to take up all of our other documents and photos with no issue. Then, we went through security, had to remove our shoes, so please keep in mind to wear easy slip on-slip off shoes. Then, we took the elevator to the 59th floor, and found our way to the consulate office for the interviews. We entered a big, open room with lots of waiting chairs. Rather than interview in a private room, you go up to a window like at a bank. Everyone in the waiting room can hear what is being said between the interviewer and the immigrant. My husband took a number, and was first called up to have his fingerprints taken. Then, he came back and we waited probably about an hour and half before we were called.
This is where I'm going to be harsh, not on the interviewers or the consulate, but on the people who came to be interviewed and were the intending immigrants.
Out of about 10 spouse visa interviews while we were sitting there waiting, only two got immediately accepted, and only ours was accepted with only a short interview. Most everyone else's took at least 10 minutes, and a lot of grilling from the interviewers simply because the immigrant WAS NOT PREPARED. I cannot stress this enough!!! BE PREPARED. If you even have the slightest thought you might need something, BRING IT. You can never be too safe!
The one other than us that was approved on the spot was having a hard time because he was actually being rude to the interviewer, and was not being clear and concise in his answers. Everyone else was approved but pending, meaning they had to send in more information that was clearly asked for in the directions. Most people had issues with their police certificates. One woman didn't even get a federal police certificate, but rather a local one.
I don't mean to be rude, but honestly, this is something that will affect the rest of your life. You need to be prepared!! Just like anything else in life, if you are not prepared, you won't succeed.
We got to the window, and it was only about 2 minutes, a few easy questions such as, "Have you ever been to the US?" "For how long?" "Did you overstay your visa?" When my husband answered no, the interviewer guy laughed and said, "I know."
TLDR- If you actually follow the directions they provide, and do your due diligence, you will have no issues. 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #19258