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| Bogota, Colombia |  Review on October 21, 2019: |
emefcue
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I know how it feels to want to know how the interview/embassy process is, so I will be as thorough as possible in this review!
My fiancees interview was at 8:30 am on October 16th (a wednesday) and I had flown to Bogota to be with her for the interview.
We arrived at the embassy at about 8:10 am. Weather was mild and overcast, At the corner of where the embassy is and also across the street at the corner, there was a large group of people. Most everyone had folders or documents/passports in their hand and were dressed for the occasion so we knew we were in the right area. Then we had saw a woman with jacket that signified she worked for the embassy (it said something but I can not remember exactly). She was also holding a loud-speaker in which she periodically used to call out interview times. When your time was called, you got in line. (this is all done outside the actual embassy before you enter).
When they called the 8:30 am interviews, we hurried up to be near the front of the line (first come first serve basis). We then were waiting along the gate of the embassy for maybe 5 minutes. Then they told us to proceed through the first gate area. They had checked everyone's passport at this time to make sure you had the sticker on it from the ASC appointment. They did not ask for my passport and i simply told them I was the petitioner and they let me in.
Then we were confronted by another worker who asked which visa we were there for. Obviously we said the K1 visa and then they put us in one of two lines. Then we waited for about another 5 minutes. When they told us to proceed, we then were under a small tented area where they asked us again our purpose there and wanted us to take out some documents to have them ready in her hand and ready. I believe it was the main items that are listed on the packet of instructions. (ds 160, affidavit of support, birth certificate etc) They then gave each me and my fiancee a little round green sticker with a K on it (im guessing K for k1...).
We then proceeded forward and entered a small little building at another gate. This was security. We had to remove everything from our pockets as well as remove our jackets. They even asked us to turn off our cell phones. We walked through the metal detectors and then were given our belongings back.
We then walked and followed the line to the gate of the actual embassy interview/waiting area. Once entered, there was yet another worker asking our purpose there (all these small checkpoints to make sure you have what you need in your hand and to sort everyone to the right area). Since we were there for a K1 visa, they directed us to the right. We then saw 2 ladies who then asked the name of my fiancee. They then put it on their list and told us to have a seat. There was a small seating area for us with about 20 people waiting in total.
This is where we did most of our waiting. We had time here to go over any last minute questions they might ask and to keep each other company. This whole embassy interview/waiting area is not fully enclosed. it is outside with limited coverage. The seats are metal, similar to what you might find at sporting events. We could see the other line, (for non-immigrant visas im sure) and it was extremely long. I would say at LEAST 100 people.
Finally, (after about 3 hours) my fiancee's name was called and we went up and they directed us to a numbered booth. These booths are almost identical to a box office in which you order a movie ticket from. The only difference, instead of just a speaker to talk between the person behind the glass, there is a phone to the right of you which you must pick up to talk to the worker.
There was a man in front of us so we still had more waiting to do. (This whole process was mostly waiting...your interview time is not the actually interview time. it is more of a "when you need to arrive at the interview time" and your actual interview is when they are finished with everyone in front of you.
So this is it, we were next in line, very anxious, nervous and excited to get through the interview. We proceed up to the number (it was number 29 out of 31 or 32 total booths in this whole embassy area). My fiancee picks up the phone and i stood beside her while she spoke to the worker. She then handed the medical packet to the lady. The lady also gave her a paper to sign and agree that she intends to marry me within the 90 days of entering the united states. After a few more questions, my fiancee hangs the phone up turns to me and said. "That wasn't the interview. Now we will go to the interview".
So after all that waiting and thinking this was the interview...it wasn't. It was just some legal things that had to be done and to open the medical packet. We were then directed to go to another section (a seating area near the non-immigrant line). We were confronted by another worker and then they gave us a number. We were given number 45. We then sat down and waited more. This was about another hour. They were on number 38 when we sat down.
This was our last chance to go over what questions they might ask my fiancee and we finally were able to read the medical packet while we waited. They embassy has a little cafe area. "cafe iguana" I believe is the name, and I went and purchased a coffee and some cheese bread to have while we waited.
Finally, they call number 45. We stand up and go to booth number 5 (if I recall the number correctly). It was a woman worker and my fiancee picked up the phone. She had to give all the documents to her and the worker looked through them and input several things into the computer as she asked my finacee several questions. (the part most of you are probably reading for)
Questions like:
"What is your fiance's parents names and where do they work?"
"How did you meet your fiance?"
"how many times has he visited colombia"
"Where did fiance propose?"
"Was the proposal a surprise?"
"When did your fiance graduate high school?" (probably the strangest question to us. she did not know and was honest about it and estimated)
"what work does your fiance do?"
"how did you communicate with your fiance?"
Some of their questions seemed to want to have her give a specific date for things, but it is a little difficult for my fiancee to recall dates so she tried her best and gave estimates.
Then after a barrage of questions, the worker passed through a paper stating about her rights on domestic violence. This is the same document that is sent via email before the interview. Once she said she agreed and understood, she returned the paper. The woman then asked for our pictures together (our evidence of relationship) and then took them and went in the back somewhere. We are not sure exactly what she did with the photos, but I am guessing it is to check for authenticity.
After a few minutes, she returned and gave back our photos.
Then the worker wanted to talk to me! (I honestly was not prepared for this and I thought only the beneficiary would be asked questions)
So I pick up the phone and the woman spoke wonderful English. (we are 99% sure she was a native english speaker who learned spanish as a second language)
She then asked me several questions.
"Where did you meet?"
"how many times have you visited colombia"
"when was the last time you were in colombia?"
"was the proposal a surprise?"
"have you met her parents?"
many of the questions were similar and im sure it was to see if we would have conflicting answers. But just be honest and it is not difficult. It is just recalling things you should already know about your relationship.
After all the questions addressed to me, she then said. "I am unable to have the visa processed in the computer at this moment. But we have all the documents we need and by the end of the day it should be in the computer for final processing. The visa can be expected to be ready within 1 to 2 weeks. Do you want me to tell her?"
My heart skipped a beat. At first I thought it was not approved, but then when she said that, I was super happy. I then handed the phone to my fiance (meekly...I did not want to give away the surprise...  ) And the woman explained to her what she told me. Her passport was kept by the embassy.
After nearly 5 hours total time spent at the embassy, my fiancee was given approval of the K1 visa.
Later that day, the visa case status online changed to "administrative processing". Then the day after that it changed to "issued". My fiancee received an email with tracking number and info on shipping of the actual visa. It is expected to be ready for pick up on 10/21/2019.
I hope this review/experience of this embassy for the K1 visa was helpful. For any more questions, you can always send me a message or leave a comment on my profile and I will be glad to answer!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27307