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| Auckland, New Zealand |  Review on September 2, 2018: |
KiwiinMaine
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Interview date 08/30/18 10am
I got to the consulate at 9:30, went to security and they said come back at 5 to 10. So I went downstairs and waited in the lobby until 9:55. I went through security which is very easy, just place your interview documents onto the scanner and then you personal items. They took my personal items and put them in a locker, I got a number that corresponds to my locker. Then you walk through a scanner, they open the door to the consulate and direct you to the correct window.
I was directed to window 6 which is usually non-immigrant visas, so I was a little confused at first. I got up to the counter and was warmly welcomed by none other than the lovely B! She is a lifeline! She was so helpful answering all my emails leading up to my interview. She helped calm my nerves and relax before my interview. She checked all my documents and then took my finger prints. I have crooked fingers thanks to breaking them riding horses (lol), so I had some issues getting my fingers flat enough for the fingerprinting, but we got there in the end. After that was all done I went and sat down but I thought it was odd that I didn’t have to pay the fee. I waited until another interview we went up to pay and then asked if I could pay. They were all confused and got B because they were convinced I’d already paid the fee. Not really sure why, but B quickly corrected it and I paid the fee. After that I went and sat down again and waited my turn for my interview. I took a book with my because I’d read that it would be a long wait with nothing to do. I finished my book about 1.5 hours into waiting, so twiddled my thumbs for a while after that. Just before 12 I was finally called up! The officer was very nice and polite, asked me how I was and commented on the massive folder I bought with me 😂 We went straight into questions after that:
What’s your husbands name?
You were a LPR previously?
How did you become an LPR?
Why did you and your husband move to NZ?
What does your husband do?
What did he do previously?
What do you do?
Will you be doing the same in the States?
Why are you moving back?
Then he reached under his desk and grabbed a little white pamphlet, I saw that it was about my rights as an LPR so I knew it went well. Then he said you’re approved and your passport will be back with you in 1-2 weeks. I asked if that was it and if I needed to do anything else, he said no that’s it you can go now. I started fumbling trying to get all of my stuff together to leave and he gave me a big smile and told me to have a good day 😊 I went down stairs, got in the car and started crying with relief that it was all over!
A few things that I think are worth a mention:
There are toilets at the consulate, but are outside security
They have change so you don’t have to pay in correct cash
Bring some reading material, not a kindle as it’s not allowed in
They have a water cooler in the consulate
You can wear a non digital watch
All in all the Auckland consulate is great! The staff are all super lovely and the atmosphere is official but relaxed. You have nothing to be nervous about!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #24548