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| Naples, Italy |  Review on May 14, 2018: |
baggles
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Hello,
So, I thought I'd give my review too, in case it might help.
DAY 1 - MEDICAL APPOINTMENT at ISTITUTO DIAGNOSTICO VARELLI
Thanks to other reviews, I read to arrive early and so I did. I was there at 7.34 and I was n. 13. I took the taxi to arrive, which was a good idea. I was told buses might take a long time and you just end up waiting forever.
Anyway, when you go inside,this is what I did:
1. Select the ticket with the C option (consulate). They will call your number and make you sign a form and give them your passport (they will keep it and return it later).
2. Blood + Urine test. After waiting for my turn, a nice woman took my blood and she explained it was just to check I didn't have syphilis and gonorrea. I highly suggest you don't eat or pee before this part. (but bring some snacks for later! - I didn't and I was starving!)
3. X-rays. Again, I waited in line for my turn and finally had chest x-ray. (they don't ask you to remove rings or earrings, not even glases!)
4. Vaccinations check. Waited again and finally called my name. They asked for my Italian address, my future American address and my personal email and I gave them my 4 photographs (5x5). Then, they checked my vaccination history and put the dates on the computer. Luckily, I had all my shots, so I didn't need to do any extras. (I highly suggest you check while waiting for your visa appointment and get them done at your local ASL) Here, they told me to pay the 220€ fee, either cash or card was fine. (if you pay cash, you can pay them right there, otherwise they ask you to go back upstairs, pay, and go back downstairs with the receipt).
- I want to point out I completed all these 4 parts in 2 hours, it was around 9.45 -
5. Final medical test. It was a very brief medical check. First, the doctor asked me a bunch of question about my general health history and completed a form on his computer. Then he: checked my blood pressure, eyes sight, weight and height and lungs. I was done in less than 10 minutes. But I had to wait more than 3 hours.
He also informed me I would receive all the medical results the following day at the consulate and to remember to bring the envelope with me in my carry-on when I'll fly to the US.
I finished everything at 1pm.
The rest of the day was free.
DAY 2 - VISA APPOINTMENT AT US CONSULATE
My appointment was at 9 and I read not to go too early, so I waited till 8.40. (My b&b was less than a 5 minutes walk, so pretty convenient).
At the gate, the policeman asked me the reason I was there and, after telling my name and the time of my appointment, he let me in.
I had to pass through security, like at the airport. Scanned my bags and I passed through metal detector.
I was told I couldn't bring my phone, headphones and my umbrella (I don't really understand why) but they would keep everything and give them back later. They also gave me a number, which was the number they would call inside and a visitor pass to put on my clothes.
At the 2nd floor, there were already a lot of people waiting (all the same people I met the day before at the medicals).
1. They called my number (the one I was given at the entrance) and a young lady (she spoke Italian) at a glass window checked all my documents:
- passport;
- ds-160 confirmation;
- appointment confirmation;
- birth certificate;
- casellario giudiziale & carichi pendenti;
- affidavit of support of my fiance + supporting documents.
She checked everything and then told me to wait again for the Consul to call me for the real interview.
She didn't ask me any questions regarding my fiance.
2. After waiting again, probably for an hour, I was called with the same number.
I was very unimpressed by the fact the Consul wasn't interviewing people in a private room, but at the same glass windows in front of everyone. I honestly really didn't like this lack of privacy.
Anyway:
First of all she asked me for my passport and made me swear to tell the truth.
She then asked me (not in order): where was my fiance in that moment, where and when we first met, the exact dates of all my flights to the US with the exact number of days for each time, how much time together we spent the first time we met, if we already had a date for the wedding and why this particular date, what is my work background, what kind of job i'm planning on doing when I'll be there.
I was very surprised because she didn't ask anything about my relationship with my fiance, his job, if we have ever met each others parents, she also didn't ask to see any of the evidence I provided and took with me.
** I had some real trouble hearing what she was saying. I asked her multiple times to talk lauder or closer to the microphone because I couldn't hear her at all. I also answered wrong to a question because of this reason. So: if you have the same problem, don't be afraid to ask.
At the end, she only said my documents were fine and she approved my visa. I would received the package with my passport at home within a week. She reminded me to not open the package and to bring it with me along with the medical results. She wished me well and told me I was free to go.
Overall, it was pretty easy. I'm a very nervous person myself and had some serious anxiety issues. But everything went well. What I kept telling myself was that I of course knew all the answers because it's my life, I lived it and nobody knows it better than me. I also tried to look as confident as possible, even though I was shaking from the anxiety.
Additional infos:
- I stayed at "La Dimora di Nettuno B&B" and it was pretty nice and clean. They also booked the taxi to the medical place.
- I suggest, if you live far from Naples, to arrive the day before the medicals, so you can relax a bit.
- I found it very helpful having everything organized in a big folder, so I could keep all my documents separated and have easy access to them.
- Most important: be nice and always smile. I know it sounds silly, but it really made the difference.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a private message, I'll be happy to help.
Good luck with your process! And be positive, you will be soon reunited with your beloved one!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #23787