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| Switzerland |  Review on May 8, 2017: |
CMJuilland
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
There is not much information around about this embassy, and since I have found this forum very helpful throughout the whole process, here is my own review:
After we had finally gotten our NOA2, I tried to gather as much information as possible about the U.S. embassy in Bern. Yet, since Switzerland is comparatively small, finding anything beyond this forum was close to impossible. Luckily, a couple of really nice VJ members I contacted could give me a few hints.
As soon as we received our case number from the NVC, I contacted the embassy to make sure they had the correct email address for me. And once our paperwork reached the embassy, they got back in touch with me immediately by sending me packet 3 (instructions regarding medical, which documents to bring, i.e. I-134, police record, birth certificate, proof of ongoing relationship, unexpired passport, etc., and where to obtain some of them). There is a checklist in the following PDF: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/BEN%20-%20Bern.pdf.
After having received packet 3, I finished up and digitally signed my DS-160, paid the visa fee, and sent them my DS-160 confirmation page, proof of payment (statement I downloaded through my e-banking), and the checklist (completed and signed). This was about half a week after receiving their initial email. Also, I gave them the exact date of my medical and stated that I was ready for the interview, and they got back to me within 24 hours, providing me with an interview date (packet 4) roughly two weeks later.
The interview itself was quite unspectacular. I had my appointment at 2pm, and it turned out that going there ahead of time is to no avail as the security guards won't open the door until 2pm. Once I was let in, I had to go through security first. As others have stated, it's a bit like airport security. As instructed in packet 4, I had left my purse (including phone, wallet, etc.) in the car and only had my documents, my car keys, and an umbrella on me. The latter was to be left in the designated umbrella stand, while the car keys were stored by the security staff on duty (I received a tag with a number to reclaim them on my way out). After clearing security, one of the guards escorted me downstairs, took my passport, and called the embassy staff to ask when they expected me, and right after this phone call had ended, I was directed to take a seat in a small room labeled "Window 5". After about 2-3 minutes, a lady appeared behind the window, and I was instructed to hand her my documents, and since I had obviously brought way more than enough, here is what she kept to put in my file for the CO:
- I-134, tax returns (1 year), W2 (1 year), employment letter, pay stubs
- birth certificate + photocopy (I got the original back at the end)
- police certificate + photocopy (I got the original back at the end)
- 2 pictures (2x2in)
- passport and photocopy of biographical page
- medical results
She asked me a couple of questions regarding some of them, wanted to know my fiancée's phone number, and verified her address. She also took my finger prints. Furthermore, she wanted to know whether I wanted my passport sent back to me or whether I wanted to pick it up. When I said pick up, she handed me a pick up slip where she noted the presumed pick up date (2 days later). After about 10 minutes, she instructed me to go back out and wait for the CO in front of Window 12 around the corner. About another 10 minutes later, the CO appeared behind Window 12 and waved me toward him. He was very friendly and welcoming, scanned my fingerprints again for verification reasons, and swore me in. He didn't really ask any actual questions regarding our relationship; in fact, most of what he said were observations made based on our files (i.e. "so, you guys met in [year]?"). I usually added some kind of information because I felt a little silly by just confirming that what he said was right (i.e. "exactly, that was in [city where we met]"). He did want to know though what I did for a living here in Switzerland, what I intended to do for a living in the U.S., and what my fiancée did for a living. And based on my profession, he even gave me a suggestion as to where to look for jobs when the time comes. I was quite surprised about that.
The interview was over in no time; although I didn't have a watch on me, it can't have taken more than a couple of minutes. At the end, the CO said that everything looked good and that I would most likely be able to pick up my visa at the pick up window outside two days later at 4pm. He finished the conversation by saying congratulations, and before I knew it, I was on my way out. The whole deal did not even take an hour.
I wasn't asked for any relationship evidence, and when I asked the lady that checked my documents whether she needed that as well, she just said, "have it ready if the CO wants to see it. He might." Well, he didn't, but I would still advise people to bring a couple of pieces of evidence - I'm much rather overly prepared than not enough. It was a very good experience, but because it was so quick and unspectacular, it took me hours to realize that it was over. Now, I just hope that I'll get my passport back soon so that I have the visa to look at for proof that this easy appointment and interview was really all there is to it.
(updated on May 8, 2017)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #21775