|
|
| Bucharest, Romania |  Review on August 23, 2018: |
shumway1756
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We had our visa interview yesterday (August 22, 2018), so I wanted to share our experience. Overall I was incredibly impressed with the experience. The embassy was organized and efficient, the security and staff were all friendly and patient, and the wait was not bad at all.
Here's how things went down to the best of my recollection:
-Our appointment was for 1pm, so we (my wife and I) arrived around 12:45pm. We waited across the street in a bus-stop style waiting area. At close to 1pm, a security offer waived at us to cross the street and stand in front of the security entrance. He then called out the names of everyone on the scheduled list and checked their passports. He also checked the passports of those accompanying applicants (for example me, the USC). So be sure to have your passport with you if you accompany. Also, be sure to call or e-mail the embassy in advance if you (the USC) wish to attend the interview. They will add you to the appointment list so you can enter the embassy.
-We went through security (basically an airport style security experience), left our phones with security (they cannot be taken into the embassy), and proceeded to the main building. We were immediately directed to a window where embassy staff took my wife's passport. We sat back down and waited about 10-15 minutes before being called back up. The lady was nice enough (not super enthusiastic, but not mean either). She collected all of our documents. Civil documents, relationship proofs, affidavit of support, etc. You name it, she took it. She then explained to us how the conditional green card would work (almost as if she was sure we would receive it). Then we sat back down to wait our turn for the interview with the consular officer.
-Sometime around 1:50-2:00pm, the consular officer called us both up to the window for the interview. He administered the oath to my wife, and immediately began the interview. He was incredibly nice and friendly, and introduced himself as soon as we got to the window. The moment we started talking I knew we were going to be fine. The interview was entirely in English and went something like this:
1. (To me) "So what's it been like living in Romania?" He asks this because I've been a resident in Romania since my wife and I were married.
2. (To my wife) "Tell me how you guys met". My wife told him our story. He asked a few questions for clarification, nothing intense, just a nice conversation to fill in all the details.
3. (To my wife) "How is his family? Have you met them?"
4. (To me) I don't remember exactly how he phrased the question, but he inquired about my work situation (in relation to my affidavit of support). I work for an American company remotely from Romania, so he wanted to verify that this employment would continue. He was perfectly satisfied.
5. (To me) "When do you intend to return to the United States?"
6. (To both of us) "Congratulations on your little one!" One of the pictures we included in our evidence was a pregnancy announcement (so it's clear that he did look through the evidence we provided).
6. (To both of us) "Everything looks completely credible. You will receive your visa sometime early next week."
That was it. The interview lasted less than 5 minutes. Ours definitely went quicker than other spousal visa applicants that went before us, not sure if they had a more complicated situation or what, but ours was an absolute breeze.
For those who must travel to Bucharest for the interview and have bags, I recommend leaving your bags at the Baneasa shopping center (about a 15-20 minute walk south of the embassy). There is a free baggage storage locker area there, close to the food court area.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #24498