|
|
| Argentina |  Review on April 3, 2019: |
Fer Schvarztman
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview appointment was 10am. I arrived 1 hour erlier because I live 2hs away, good thing is there's a caffe Havanna nearby where I waitted.
At 9:45 I arrived at the door, asked a woman where I had to announce myself for k1 visa interview. She directed me to a screen. Another woman behind the window gave me a green folder where you need to place the documents they ask for (the folder has a list on the front explaining what documents and in which order you need to present, for example some of them are "Acta de Nacimiento", passport and pictures, picture of medical exams,etc) also told me to do step 4 and 5 after security check, whithout doing the line, just announce myself.
Before getting into the embassy, a guard asked me if I had any of the prohibited objects: you can't enter food, phones, headphones smartwatches, no technology at all, makep up, creams, medications, sharp objects like nail cutters or pens) said no and let me in.
Once inside passed the security check, did no problem (suggestion for women: use no bra or any sport top like I did, so the "detector de metales" don't activate with the metal "aro" some bras have inside. I've seen this issue today, and also a guy was delayed because he had headphones and a pen. Just go with the papers.
After that, I had my biometrics done, the girl was very nice to me, she asked me with a smile If I was ready to marry, and I smiled back while saying yes, then I got into a different building, announced myself and let me in. There was a big line of people waitting for the tourist visa interview, all the immigrant visa applicants were waitting on the left hand side of the building. I sat with 2 more couples.
They called me and asked for the green folder with the documents required and also returned me all the I129F and packet 3 proof. The consul mentioned it was not the actual interview, they were going to review the papers first. I got worried when the consul asked me for the "Acta de nacimiento", I only had my birth certificate. She said it's ussless the birth certificate for the American law, the Acta is the only thing that works for them, she said the consul was going to explain at the interview what I needed to do to get my acta de nacimiento.
After that It was 10:30, I waited an hour and the consul called me for the interview at 11:30. He was nice, serious and professional. He made me swear all documents and statements I presented were true as well as my declarations at the interview , after that his questions were:
How we met?
How old are you?
How old is your fiance?
Have you ever travelled to the States?
Do you speak english? The consul didn't gave me the chance to choose if I wanted the interview to be in english or spanish, he talked to me in spanish all the time, but I always communicated with them through email in english, as well as when I delivered my packet3 at the embassy so they already knew my english sound native.
Is your fiance a permanent residence? said no; He was born in the states, so asked me for my fiance's original birth certificate, and if I didn't have it the copy. I showed him my fiance original birth certificate, and that was the only document he asked for, he really examinate it. When he was satified returned it to me.
In the end, he explained all the paperwork and interview was fine, but could not approve my visa until I send them my "acta the nacimiento", and try to do it ASAP.
Finally asked me if I was going to travel overseas to give me my passport back, said no, so they kept it. He printed out a paper, he signed it and marked it.
I left with a bittersweet feeling, and half worried because the sheet of paper he gave me mentioned I was regected because "missing acta de nacimiento".
When I got back home I realised I had the acta with me at all times at the interview and didn't realise because it was attached to the certifocate of no previous marriage. So ad soon as I got back home, got into the CEAC, checked the steps I had to follow and the next day sent it to the CEAC building in Santa Fe Av.
My visa stayed in "Administrative Processing" status for 11 days, until April 1st, that showed status as " Issued"
The embassy also sent me an email, letting me know my visa was ready for pick up at the Santa Fe facility, with the rest of documents I need for customs at the US port of entry. ( I didn't cgoose the option to havenit delivered at home by DHL)
Please don't think acta de nacimiento is the same legaly as certificado de nacimiento, because the acta is the only valid document for legal and migration process.
That day we where only 5 couples 3 for k1, 2 for CR1 and only 2 were approved from 5. Don't review or practice for the interview at the waitting room, because cameras are watching, a coupe did this and they did not get their approval, maybe was something else the reason why, or Im too paranhoid, but I do not recommend that, try to relax or show yourself as confident as you can, and believe in your relationship. In my special case, the interview felt as a burocrasy step, like they already knew they had the will to approve our case.
Good luck to everyone and hope my experience helps you out! 😊
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #25916