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| Ukraine |  Review on February 15, 2008: |
mariapoe
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview went very smooth. I called on Mon, Jan 28 to find out if they got our approved petition from NVC (NOA2: Jan 7,) and they had it. I was very surprised that they offered February 4 for the interview, only a week after I called. It was scheduled for 9.30am.
TIME. I arrived at the Embassy at 8.40am. There were few lines set up according to the interview appointments time – 8:30-8:45, 9:00-9:15… (For me, it looked as a certain improvement; last two times when I was getting a student visa –2002, 2004, there would only be a crowd of people in front of the gates and you’d simply scream ‘Who is last for 9:30?’ to know where is the virtual line you belonged to. Now, it seemed a bit more organised.) So, I got into my 9:30-9:45 line. There were four people in front of me and, by 9:30, there were about thirty-forty people behind me. Later, I found out that everyone in front of me was scheduled for 9:45, so I was let inside before them (as all 9:30 people were let before 9:45 fellows.) Leaving my line, I was checked for the passport, signed application forms, and payment of $131. Everything was ok, so I got into another short line – 7-8 people – that brought me right to the security checkpoint. Ten minutes later I was checked and entered the Embassy territory.
BAGS. I had a little purse with me with my wallet, a folder with all the documents, and a cell phone (oh, I also had a book with me.) They don’t allow bringing anything inside the Embassy; only the documents, your wallet, and the cell phone are allowed (actually, you leave the cell phone at the checkpoint.) So, if you have big bags, there is a place where you can and HAVE to leave it, if only you don’t have somebody who could keep an eye on your stuff while you’re inside. There is an immigration attorney office in the building next to the Embassy where a little room set up for the luggage (it’s not the Embassy’s services.) It costs 10UAH ($2) and you pick up your stuff after the interview. IF YOU CAN, DON’T BRING ANYTHING TO YOUR INTERVIEW BUT YOUR DOCUMENTS, WALLET, AND CELL PHONE. OTHERWISE, YOU’LL HAVE TO USE THE LOCKER ROOM (where is no locks for all the bags; they have around 20 for purses but if you have a big bag, they’d give you a number and put it in a room where all other people’s bags are; that room is opened and locked by a person who manages the whole thing.)
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW. At the checkpoint, I was asked what type of visa I had. When I said it was K1, I was offered to go straight to the Embassy’s building, and to follow directions inside. (They don’t let student and tourist visa applicants inside the Embassy right away though; at the checkpoint, they all are given a card with the number and get called for the interview according to this number – which, basically, put them in another line. There is a big covered area where about 100-150 people wait for their turn to go inside. I’m telling this only because it felt good when I was told to proceed inside the building right away comparing to my previous visits when I’d wait with other fellows in that cold ‘room’ with plastic walls.) Inside the Embassy, I was directed to the Immigration section. There is a coat hanger, water, big American flag, TV quietly playing patriotic videos, and a couple of ‘Islands’ magazines telling you about wonderful spots for vacation and honeymoon In the room, there were about seven-eight people sitting on chairs waiting for the interview. As soon as I took my coat off, I went to the window where the lady did an original documents check. I was asked for the envelope from my medical, DS-156 and DS-156forms, the Affidavit of Support with supplements, and the proof of ongoing relationship. Basically, the lady at the window took almost everything I had with me including my passport. I was offered to sit down and wait for the interview. Few minutes later I was called for biometrics (took my finger prints even though they did it back in 2004 already.) One hour later I had an interview.
INTERVIEW. It was easy. I was asked three questions: When I first came to America? (2002 on a student visa.) For how long I stayed there? (2002-2007), and When I’d be travelling to the US? (I said that, if granted the visa, I’d travel in the end of February.) That’s it! No single question about my relationship . The CO who talked to me seemed very relaxed; it made my pounding heart to calm down. Two minutes later he gave me a pink card to pay for my visa delivery. I left the Embassy, paid 40UAH ($8,) got my cell phone back, turned it on, and called ten people in five minutes telling the good news.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW. I had interview on Monday, on Wednesday I got a call from the Embassy that they’d lost one of my little photos from the application form. Fortunately, I had two extra ones, so they offered me to bring it to the Embassy next day; in return, I’d get my passport with visa right away. So, on Thursday, I went to the Embassy, gave them the photo, and was asked to wait for ten minutes for them to finish finishing packing my brown envelope. I got my passport and the envelope exactly in ten minutes. That was it!
CALL CETNER. Our petition was approved on Jan7.Later, my fiance tried to call NVC to find out about the petition but had no luck. Responding to his email, they said that that they’d recently sent our petition to the Embassy. It was Jan24. I started calling the Embassy the same day (I assumed that ‘recent’ could mean whatever and I hoped that 2.5 weeks was enough for the petition go through NVC and be delivered to Ukraine.) On the website they say that they won’t have any info if the petition was approved less than a month ago. I figured, since I buy those stupid pin-codes ($12 for 8 min) to call the Embassy, I would call sooner than in a month and as many times as I want So, I call on Thu, Jan24; I’m told that they’re having some technical problems and to call later. OK. I call two hours later; the system is back to normal but no petition yet (I used KEV number from the email my fiance received from NVC); the girl mentioned that there would be a delivery on Fri and to try calling on Monday. On Monday, Jan28 I called early –9:30am and was told the same – no petition according to the number I provided. The guy was nice and offered to check one more time using my name. One minutes later I was informed that they actually had it (the different number was given to my case by the Embassy) and offered Feb4 for the interview. That morning I spoke English politely but using my firm tone; they seem responding better to English. First time I spoke Russian and the girl on the phone wasn’t that friendly. Also, if you have question about whatever prior to the interview, just email to them. Your email will be replied a week later but you’ll have an exact answer to the question you happen to have. KyivIV@state.gov. People on the phone are useless.
TRANSLATIONS/PHOTOCOPIES/NOTARIZATIONS. Check carefully what you need to have translated or notarized or both. If you have questions, email them. I saw two people in front of me at the interview, who was sent to translate/notarize missing documents. They’d come back later this day and to still have the interview, but it’s just a headache. As I mentioned, there is an immigration lawyer office in the building next to the Embassy, you can do it all there. It’s a bit more expensive, I guess, but it’s good that the Embassy people let you do it right away and don’t mind to wait. ALWAYS check the Information packet on the Embassy’s website for the most recent info. If have doubts, send an email. People at Call Center know nothing; answering your question, they’d replicate from the manual they have on their desks. Emails are responded by qualified personnel. I was given this tip by fwaguy, a VJ member, and I’m really grateful for it
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE !!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #2474