|
|
| United Arab Emirates |  Review on October 26, 2017: |
doggieandsam
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview was scheduled at 9.30AM. When I arrived at around 9AM, there was no queue at the security gate (i guess most people scheduled for early morning appointments were already inside) so the security guard just directed me straight up to the intake window. There, the lady asked for my passport and my appointment confirmation print-out. After handing them over, she checked that I was indeed on the list for the day, returned my passport back to me and buzzed me in. Once inside, I was asked to leave my purse including other loose items in my pockets such as mobile phone and car keys. I was then asked to pass through a body detector and was patted down on the other side. I was then directed to exit the security gate, walk a few yards across the lawn towards the entrance to the main building.
Once inside the main building, I passed through one more body detector and then the guard gave me a token based on the visa type i was interviewing for. I was inside the main building before my appointment time of 9.30AM. I estimate there were around 10 or people ahead of me in the queue so i had to wait a while before it was my turn. After a hour of waiting I was called to one window to submit all my documents (passport, photos, birth certificate, police certificates, affidavit of support and related financial docs). The officer then put all my docs into a pink folder. I observed that for other visa types a yellow folder was used instead (maybe a standard, maybe they just have yellow and pink folders that day, who knows). More waiting until it was my turn at the fingerprinting window. More waiting after that was done. I observed that before calling interviewees to the window, the IO spends some time reviewing each person's folder (maybe 10 mins or so for each). The actual interviews themselves are maybe 15 minutes at least, with some lasting way longer than others.
When I was finally called to the interview window it was 12.30PM and I was the only person left to be interviewed. The IO first asked routine confirmation questions, such as my name, my fiance's name, our jobs, where we lived and the dates of my last trips to the US. She then asked me to tell her "our story". I narrated the timeline of our relationship but at the end it turned out that what she was interested in hearing was the proposal story. So I did, and after that she visibly relaxed and said congratulations and told me my visa was approved and that i should have my passport back in 7-10 working days. I thanked her and quickly gathered my papers to I can get our of there. As I was doing that, she said, "oh by the way, what are your wedding plans?". i quickly told her the gist of our plans, and she said very good, congratulations. i thanked her again and quickly got out of there before she remembers to ask more questions. LOL :P
Over-all my interview experience was smooth and straightforward but I am rating this a 4, because it was a nerve-wracking experience nonetheless. 
Other info:
Parking: Lots of parking available across the road and around the embassy. There is a lot in front of the embassy itself but that is designated for employees only and therefore is not open to the public. IIRC it was free.
Bringing guests and other company: There were some people waiting outside in some benches who I'm guessing were waiting for their friends / loved ones interviewing inside but were not allowed in. This was in the middle of the summer in the UAE so it was very hot and humid outside - not fun. Best to not bring company or have them wait in the car where there is airconditioning if interviewing during this time.
Where to stay: There are lots of hotels within a reasonable walking distance (about 15 mins) to the Embassy IF the weather is nice and cool, such as Premier Inn and Aloft Hotel. Best to drive or take a taxi in the summer.
Where to eat: The embassy is located in the Embassy area. There are no restaurants or shops nearby. The closest place where you can find some food is in the hotel area, but mostly just snacks and sandwiches though. No actual restaurants, not even a fast food joint, that I can see. I thought I read that there was supposed to be a small cafe inside the embassy - there is none. So make sure you eat beforehand because you will be stuck inside for a while.
(updated on October 26, 2017)
(updated on October 26, 2017)
(updated on October 26, 2017)
(updated on October 26, 2017)
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22732