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| Bogota, Colombia |  Review on December 14, 2019: |
Tybeau2
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
We had our interview for our CR-1 visa on Monday, December 9 at 7 am. We arrived at the Embassy at 630 am and were instructed to wait across the street. There is a coffee shop in that area so we were able to get a cup of coffee. At around 645 the loudspeaker instructed those of us with 7 am appointments to enter the embassy. They first check the passports and then you stand in line for the first check of documents. This is outside under a canopy...luckily the weather was warm (at least for me...my wife thought it was freezing). After the documents are checked and placed in order they send you through security and into the embassy proper.
When you go in you are separated based on the type of visa (immigrant vs tourist). There were far more individuals applying for tourist visas than immigrant. At least at our time slot there were maybe 10 -12 immigrant applicants, vs probably over 100 tourist visa applicants.
After one more check of your documents you stand in a line...we stood there for about 10 minutes before she was called to the window. Not the interview...just one more check of the documents. This took about 20 minutes as they checked my wife and my step-daughters documents here. When that was finished we were given a number and went to the area for immigrant interviews...and waited. There is a small cafe there with some bad coffee and bread only...but at least it was something.
After about 45 minutes we were called up to wait in another line for the actual interview. We stood there for about 10 minutes and then finally....called to the window for the interview itself.
The Consular Officer could not have been more pleasant to my wife. She asked for the documents which we slid under the window to her and she began her process. She asked my wife some basic questions...How did we meet? How many times have I been to see her? Have I met her family? Has she met any of mine? And that was about it. She did not ask my step-daughter any questions at all.
I saw her get the Domestic Violence information sheet ready and I was certain at that point she would be approved...and it was hard to keep my excitement in check...I didn't want to say anything to my wife until we were sure. After checking the documents again she told my wife that they were approved and to expect the visa in 2 weeks. Never asked to see proof of the relationship (I had about a 6 inch stack of proof...photos, chats, everything). Did not ask to see anything regarding support. And that was it. A year of waiting and it was finally over! Her visa was sent to her and she received it in 4 days...so now all that is left is to get her here with me. Was a very professional and courteous experience at the Embassy.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27675