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| France |  Review on October 22, 2021: |
neto-66
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Review by my fiancé:
I'm a Portuguese citizen and had my interview at the Paris embassy on the 20th of October 2021.
Before the interview I bought a Chronopost 29x38cm (the 25x36cm size no longer exists I believe) envelope from La Poste for €59. You can fill it out if you wish but I recommend you don't as they will do that for you. You can remove the foam protection inside if you wish but you can also do it at the embassy when they ask you to.
To enter the embassy I had to wait in the sidewalk opposite of a double wide tent which is the first security post. They called out for people to enter every 15 minutes. They were friendly and reasonable. At this first security outpost I was asked to present my passport and they checked their list. They asked me to put my stuff into a basket and searched me with a hand-held metal detector. I then headed into the permanent building, where again I was asked to put my stuff into a basket (belt and all). This time I went through a walk-through metal detector. After security, there were lockers where you can leave your phone and such. I don't know if they provide padlocks or if you have to bring your own.
After leaving the second security post I went up a few steps and enter the embassy building itself. To the right there was a waiting room with several rows of chairs, 2 photo booths, a photocopier (€0,20 a copy I believe) and a couple machines with drinks and snacks. Directly in front there was a counter. Here is where the process really starts, as I was asked to present my passport, police certificate and DS-160 receipt. They gave the documents back and handed me a ticket. I was then directed towards an area with booths where I was asked to hand in all the documentation they need. Portuguese applicants have the choice to go to booth 8 where a native Portuguese speaker can receive them. I recommend you do this if you can.
Documentation that was asked of me:
Birth certificate
Police certificate
(Renewed) Letter of intent from my fiancée
2x 5x5cm photographs
I brought many more documents than I was asked for and I recommend you do the same! I brought two affidavits of supports (I-864 and I-134), copies of both our passports, my updated letter of intent, I-797 and request to extend it, bank extracts, pay stubs, house deed, COVID vaccine certificate, negative COVID antigen test, my college diploma, 3 years of tax returns, my non Portuguese ID as I have dual citizenship, etc.
I was also asked to confirm my address, phone number and email for when the visa is shipped.
I was told if I was approved I would receive a sealed envelope together with the visa and that it can only be opened by border agents when I enter. I was also told to be prepared to present my lung x-ray from the medical exam at the border.
After this I was directed to wait in the waiting room I mentioned previously until my ticket was called for an interview. The wait was short, a few minutes.
The interview was in the same booth area as where I handed in my documents. Almost all of the questions were about my fiancée and the history of our relationship, "tell me about her", "how did you meet?", "what's her favourite band?", "what are her hobbies?". He was a bit assertive when I started an answer with "I believe ..." . The interviewer asked questions quickly to put pressure on me and often asked follow up questions. After I showed several photographs of us and our families together over several visits, and mentioned that she has a degree in STEM and a full-time job he became a lot more friendly.
The questioning lasted around 10 minutes, after which he told me I was approved. He told me the visa would be printed on that same day and I should get it very soon. He informed that I had to enter before my medical exam expired, marry within 90 days and adjust status. He warned me that if I left before getting the greencard I would not be allowed back in and that even with the greencard if I left for too long the same would happen. Because of this he recommended I become a citizen as soon as possible.
I exited the same way I came in.
The next day, the CEAC case status changed to "issued". As of two business days after the interview, still waiting to receive shipping confirmation.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30309