|
|
| Naples, Italy |  Review on September 30, 2016: |
PriscaLS
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I will try to report anything I find useful as before doing the interview I had many doubts. My experience may not be the same as everyone else's but it still counts for something!
Step 1: e-mail with interview date
I received this a little below two months before the date scheduled. At this stage is also automatically booked a medical examination at Istituto Diagnostico Varelli for the day before the interview.
Step 2: arranging the accommodations
It is advised to book for a hotel or b&b near the consulate as appointments are often in the morning and the earlier you get there, the earlier you are accepted into the consulate.
- For those who want to book for a hotel near the consulate: we stayed at B&B Mira Napoli and had a good time, the price was fair and they treated us really well. It is about 5 minutes away from the consulate walking.
- For those who do not want to book for a hotel near the consulate: there is a metro station called Mergellina (it is Line2 and operated by Trenitalia) that can be reached from Garibaldi (by Napoli Centrale station) and various other spots. I think it should be about 15 min away from the consulate walking.
Step 3: the medical examination
This happens the day before the interview at Istituto Varelli. You are told to show up at 8:30, I think, but go earlier if you can. We arrived at 7:50 and there were already at least 10 people ahead of us for the process.
Once you get there, you'll see there is a line specifically for the people who have an appointment with the consulate (consolato) and you can get your number there. From then on, various different tests occur with waiting times between them that can get quite long. The first one was a blood test to check for syphilis, which only took a minute. The second was a chest x-ray, which also won't take long. After this, you have an interview with some of their staff to verify which vaccinations you may be missing, give out your personal information and pay for the visit (170€ is the visit cost, plus any vaccine given that may be needed).
After the interview there's a general visit by the consulate's physician where they check for blood pressure, talk about your medical history, check your sight and heartbeat, weight and height and then give you shots if needed.
Most hotels or lodgings will agree to book for a cab to take you to the institute if you ask, that is what we did. You get to wait several hours and often without whoever is accompanying you, so be warned! Bring a book if you can!
Step 4: interview
The day of the interview, show up at the consulate as early as you can if you want to get it over with fast. They will let you in earlier than your appointment if you are ahead of other people time-wise. I was scheduled for a 9:30 interview and was done with the whole deal by 9:40. I had showed up at the consulate at about 8:45.
At the entrance of the consulate you'll stand in line, then be called and have to leave all your electronics behind (and bigger bags). Then you'll be allowed into a room on the second floor of the consulate where visa processing / interviews happen. You'll be assigned a number and will be called at the counter once it's your turn. First you'll see a person who will check all your paperwork is there and in order, then you'll be called at the counter itself and be asked some questions and your file will be reviewed. You WILL be asked for more tax documents (from the US spouse). Once all that is reviewed and in order again, then you will wait for your turn for the actual interview (if you are a CR1 applicant, at least!). We were told the interview would be with the console but in fact we were just called almost immediately at another counter and a delegate asked us questions about our relationship and then approved our visa request. This all went by quite fast, with no issues whatsoever.
If anyone has doubts about the process, feel free to message me. Overall it was a good experience, the worst being the waiting times at the clinic. Cheers!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20556