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| Indonesia |  Review on November 29, 2016: |
J/G
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My experience dealing with the US embassy in person has been as stellar as it is when dealing with them via email.
1. Quick
2. Efficient
3. Friendly
4. VERY accommodating.
Both my fiancé and myself are residing in Bali throughout our petition process. Being that my USC fiancé's attendance won't change anything / speed up anything we opted that I will travel to Jakarta and attend the interview alone.
My interview was scheduled at 12:30. I arrived at the embassy around 11:30. First off, the guards were SUPER friendly and helpful. They told me that I need to wait outside as everyone else and we will only be allowed to enter the embassy 5 minutes before 12:30. They told me where the toilet facility was should I need to use one.
By 12:25, they line us up, and allowed us to enter the security check 4 person at a time. They explain clearly on what we can bring or what we must leave at the security post. They gave us a laminated card to claim / collect our belonging prior to leaving the embassy.
Once you passed the security, you walk along the hall into a small (small as in comparison to the US embassy in Surabaya) room. The whole thing will be based on first come first serve.
I presented my documents to window 8, all is organized and perfect. all in all this administrative check last about 5-8 minutes. She then gave me a white slip to give to the cashier (Window 6) and an orange slip with domestic violence information to read while waiting to be called for your interview.
TIPS: I know I tend to over do my preparation because I want to have everything, EVERYTHING, lined up and perfect and to avoid any stress on my part. So please, please, PLEASE, read the embassy email when you receive the Packet 3 List and please make sure that you have EVERYTHING they requested. It's just sad to hear / know that some people attend their interview without having this document or that form. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!
Next, I was called to window 6 to pay my visa fee (approx. IDR 2.600.000). They will offer you to pay either in cash (Rupiah) or with credit card.
Upon completing the payment they will tell you to sit down and wait to be called. And really there's nothing you can do but wait..... There're some magazines that you can read.... There's water dispenser and disposable cups that you can use.... Bathroom us just outside....
I waited for approx. 1.5 hours before finally being called to Window 1. Although I was completely confident and ready with my papers, I have to admit that I am feeling a little nervous, but the lady that was interviewing me couldn't have been nicer, polite and incredibly friendly. She welcomed me with a smile and told me, "oh my god, I can't tell you how excited I am to finally meet you and MG (my USC fiancé)." She then told me how much she enjoyed reading our story and to see how our relationship has bloomed and continues to grow.
I apologized to her that my fiancé couldn't make it today due to other engagements but I'll make sure to let him know that her hard work and effort in compiling our petition didn't go unnoticed.
I told her that I am a little nervous and she said, "please don't be nervous! the hard part is over." she then proceed to ask me:
1. Do we plan to move back to the US? (yes)
2. Where is my fiancé right now? (in bali)
3. What does my fiancé do? (retired)
And by the end of my answer, she said, "well, I think we have everything we need, congratulations, you will receive your visa within 1-2 weeks. These are all your original documents."
I was like, "That's it?? Does that mean I got the approval?"
She said, "Welcome to America!" with a smile.
We chatted a little bit while I tidy up my files and I told her thank you very very much, happy holiday and have a nice day.
TIPS: It is actually REALLY worth it to front load your petition, because I think the State Department, the Consulate Officer(s), or whoever in charge on reviewing your petition will have sometime to read and fully comprehend that you and your fianceé have a legit, on going, and real relationship. Our petition was approx. 175 pages long. They didn't even ask for recent proof of relationship.
TIPS: If you're from out of town and have to stay near the embassy, there's the Mercure Sabang hotel 5 minutes walk from the embassy, if you go down 200 meters from Mercure Sabang there's MaxOne Hotel.
Also that street, where the two hotels are, are filled with printing shops, restaurants, and anything that you could possibly need to help you prepare your documents should you ever need to do so.
One last final tips, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Come prepared!!! Read and read more!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20958