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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on February 12, 2019: |
David and Nicole
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I was approved on February 12.
The following is my account of what happened from start to finish.
After my packet was sent from the NVC to Sydney, I monitored the ceac site daily for the status to change to 'received' and then finally to 'ready'.
As soon as it was 'ready' I called and made a medical appointment for ASAP (4 days later) I then went into my draft emails and sent a pre-composed email of the following:
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Hi,
With my case number showing as 'Received' on CEAC.state.gov I am pro-actively writing with the information required to proceed with packet 4 and/or to schedule an interview date.
Name: {your name}
Case No.: SYD00000000000
Email: {your email}
DS-160 Confirmation: {your DS160}
MRV transaction confirmation and payment receipt are attached.
I have all the required documents (and copies printed where required) for the interview:
+ K1 Document cover checklist
+ MRV Fee receipt of payment
+ DS-160 Confirmation page
+ NOA2 Confirmation proof
+ Re-validation letters
+ Passport
+ Passport photos x 2 (to USA standards)
+ Birth certificate (original) + copy
+ Australian Federal Police Certificate (original) + copy
+ UK ACRO Police Certificate (original) + copy
+ I-134 (with W2, tax transcript, pay stubs, letter from employer) (original) + copies
I have my medical appointment scheduled for February 4th, 2019 and I am ready for an interview ASAP.
Regards,
David
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They got back to me within a few days and supplied me with an interview date ahead of some people who had already been given dates.
At the actual consulate I took along bare minimum (phone plus documents, and a book to read).
Upon entering, all visa applicants are sent to a desk with a couple of Australian girls. They go through the documents and put the needed ones into a plastic sleeve. The rest (proof of recent visit etc) they gave back as they came across them. In other words, don't bother, they aren't needed. The only documents you need are the ones listed on the official Sydney consulate check list.
Security is next. Just like an airport you remove electronics, belt, shoes. They are extremely professional. You can then store your phone for collection afterwards.
There are pidgeon holes for larger items, so I think you could bring carry on sized luggage but for anything more you will be turned away.
You will then be taken to a lift upstairs. As mentioned in other reviews try and get to front of the lift to get an earlier number, each number saves about 5 minute.
Grab a number, sit down. You will be called fairly quickly to a person to go through your paperwork again and make sure you have everything. They will also give you back some documents which aren't needed (such as the front letter of your police certificate).
You be told to sit down again. This will be 30-40 min. Bring a book or newspaper. You can hear some people's interviews if that is your cup of tea.
Once called up they will ask questions.
I had:
What is your fiancee's name?
Where did you meet?
Why did you spend so much time apart? {Probing questions}
What are you doing for work over there? Continuing your current work?
The last two questions are unique to my fiancee and I as we were long distance for 5 years. The one regarding work was making sure I didn't have a job lined up.
I was given an approval on the spot.
My interview took at most 2-3 min. It was by far the quickest of all the ones I heard.
The people who took about 15 min were ones where extra probing obviously need to occur such as meeting online or being a recent Australian immigrant.
My advice is to know your story but no more. If you are a genuine couple then you will have no problems. If you are trying to scam the system, i hope you get your money wasted.
Good luck to everyone coming after!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #25569