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|  Review on January 9, 2022: |
Lana and Tom
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Everybody was extremly friendly and accommodating. I was first very nervous but was so much more relaxed after the security check. The staff was just so friendly and was making a lot of jokes.
The people in front of me had their phones on them and
were only asked to completly turn them off. Same for smart watches and tablets. And did not have electronics on me, but it seems like it would not have been a problem.
I had my appointment at 9 a.m. I arrived at 8:20 am and went around the block because I was so nervous. The line was already quite long the first time I arrived and got even longer when I calmed down and came back around 8:40 . It was pretty cold, so I kind of wished to have gotten in the line earlier. It didn't seem like the actual appointment time was important or that
people stuck to the "coming only15min in advance "rule. I'm not even
sure If that was still required. I highly recommend talking to the people in line with you. It was a nice way to pass the time and we all get more relaxed.
The waiting time outside of the building was probably the longest in my case. It took almost one hour until I was in the main building. But the line was really long. I actually think that is probably about the longest you can expect to wait until getting in the main building.
Afte rI arrived in the main building I went to counter 22 to drop off my photo and delivery confirmation. I did not need to pay any fees any more but get a bit nervous when I saw that they don't accept goman debit cards and mastercard. The man at the counter was very friendly, explained The process and gave me a number for the next two counters.
I waited probably around 15 min until my number was up. The lady was again very friendly (talking in german). She asked to see the original documents. She realized that my name was different from my birth name . I explained that I changed it after my mom got remarried. she wanted to see the official document proving the change and then was so kind to scan and upload that document to NVC. She asked me a few questions about which countries I lived in and for how long to check if I have all the police records needed. She was joking a bit in between and overall I felt very relaxed talking to her.
All the documents were fine. she explained how I will receive my passport with the paperless visa and send my on to wait for the actual interview.
Everything was happening in a big hall with open counters like in a bank so can kind of overhear other people's interview, which made me very vous again.
The interview itself was in English. I was first asked about my citizenship because I was born in Russia, but hold german citizenship since the age of 8.
The mister was again friendly, it felt like an official conversation, but he never mad me feel anxious (like it happens all too often at the us border).
The questions were :
▪︎how did you and your husband meet
▪︎ have you ever lived together
▪︎where do you intend to live in the US (just the city,no specific address)
▪︎why did you overstay and if that overstay was less than 3 months
▪︎what is your job and what is your highest degree of education
He told me that everything looks fine, the visa is approved from his side but he can't guarantee me to 100% that it will be granted. Which seems to be a normal procedure.
I started queing at 8:40 at left the consulate at 11:50.
All in all it was a very good experience.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30579