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| Costa Rica |  Review on December 16, 2018: |
jay9475
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Arrived early, but wasn't allowed in until 15 minutes prior, as others have stated. Be sure if you have a smart watch, leave it behind! This didn't cross my mind. We were able to rent a locker across the street for 2000 colones.
After going through security, we stopped at the desk to get our ticket number. Went inside, and waited about 20 minutes, and we were called to the window for the document collection. The gentleman spoke to me in English and Spanish, and my Fiance in Spanish. I had a large accordion file with everything organized. He collected the civil documents, medical envelope, and the I-134. I had brought bank statements, bank letter, employment letter, recent pay stubs, W-2, 1040, and tax transcripts. All he wanted was the 1040! I showed him the tax transcripts, but he said he didn't need them. He did mention to us "be sure that you do not get married before arriving in the USA", apparently people do, and of course, if nulls the visa. We told him we definitely would not be getting married before entry!
NOTE: nothing required translation or apostille, since the documents were from Costa Rica. However, we're getting the birth certificate translated for use here in the USA.
After the document collection, we waited another 20 minutes, then were called for the interview. The CO was very non-emotional, and spoke to me in English/Spanish, and my fiance in Spanish. Some of the questions asked:
- When/how did you meet?
-How long have you been together?
-(to me) When was your first visit to Costa Rica? How many times have you been to Costa Rica? What do you like most about Costa Rica?
-(to my fiance) What did you do for work? What did you study in university? Why did you stop your studies?
-(to my fiance) Have you ever been to the USA? What state does your brother live in in the USA? (they don't speak, he didn't know where his brother was, but he listed him as living in the USA on the DS-160, of course)
-(to my fiance) What do you like most about your fiance? What college degree does he have? What does he do for work?
-(to my fiance) Does he have siblings? What is his sister's name?
-(to me) Have you met his family? (He's not out to his family, so I've only met his dad, as a "friend") I said yes, I met his dad. She asked me, "what's his dad's name?"
-(to both) Where will you live in the USA? What kind of wedding are you having, large or small?
-(to him) Have you read the pamphlet regarding domestic violence that was sent with the Packet 3?
There are a few other questions that I can't remember. She then asked if we had more pictures (I'm guessing more than what she saw with the I-129F) so we gave them to her, she looked at them, and gave them back. She didn't ask for any financial support documentation, call/chat logs. At the end of all of it, she said in Spanish that she is approving the application, and that it should be ready for pickup at Correos de Costa Rica in 10 days.
I definitely got the vibe from her that she may have been uncomfortable that we were a same-sex couple. Especially when he was explaining why I hadn't met his family. As others have mentioned, the entire room can hear what the CO is saying, so it can be a bit intimidating to someone that's not out to his family. But, we were prepared, and were approved.
(updated on December 17, 2018)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #25218