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|  Review on April 7, 2024: |
lunarwire
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Let's just say it was kind of a mess at the embassy so I'm breaking down this review into two parts: getting into the embassy, the interview.
Getting Into The embassy:
We arrived at the embassy roughly an hour before our scheduled interview. The staff at the security gate are locally contracted, so you can freely communicate in Spanish. There were multiple lines that we had to jump back-and-forth to. Do not hesitate to direct any questions to the staff. If you are not sure, and you don't ask questions, you may be standing in the wrong line and wasting your time. So ask questions.
For K-1 visas, you'll want to jump over to the tiny line all the way to the right. The staff may pull you out of that line not knowing that you belong there. Be sure to announce to them that you are here for a "novia/novio" visa, and they will keep you in that line. There is also a tiny sign for that line but it's hard to see.
At the window they'll take your passport and your copy of your DS-160 confirmation page (make sure to bring a copy of this). If your petitioner/fiance is there, they'll need his/her passport as well. It helps if the petitioner comes along for the interview.
Then you'll be directed to a kiosk to check-in your belongings. You cannot bring cell phones, purses, digital watches, and other listed objects into the embassy. It costs S/10 to check in small items and S/20 to check in a larger item like a backpack. Bring cash. They do not accept credit cards or Yape.
After checking in your belongings, you'll have to jump back in a different line. This time you'll be at the line closest to the entry. They'll take your passports once again, check them, and then you'll pass through security.
When you arrive inside there is a patio where many people are waiting. You can take a breath there and do any final organization of your paperwork.
There's a worker at a podium. Approach this worker, and let them know you have a scheduled appointment. They will then direct you inside the air-conditioned building.
The Paperwork/Interview Process:
When entering the embassy, you are given a sheet of paper indicating the documents you are to produce for the interview. I believe this document applies to fiance and other family visas, so not all required documentation may apply to K1 visas. You should already know what to bring to the interview. As this is a review of the interview, I won't go into detail on what you should have brought. Organize your paperwork before entering the building.
Inside the air-conditioned building, be sure to let the staff know you're here for a "novia/novio" visa. There are multiple lines, so the staff will help you get to the right place. You'll first meet with an agent behind a window (much like a bank teller window). They are there to help you organize your paperwork one last time, and the beneficiary will need to answer a few administrative questions and scan their fingerprints.
Then you'll be asked to sit down and wait further. For us we waited about 20 minutes.
When they call your name one last time, you'll either go back to the window or be asked to enter a quiet room. We were lucky to be brought into the quiet room as there was more privacy and less distractions. The agent asked my fiance to swear an oath to truthfulness, scan her fingerprints one last time, and began with the questions. While our questions were very similar to other reviewers on the forum, I'll state ours here for the record. The agent asked my fiance (beneficiary) most of the questions. The only question he asked me was if I spoke Spanish at all, which I answered that I partially do.
Questions to my fiance (beneficiary):
- Why are you here?
- How did you meet?
- Which countries have you lived in?
- Which countries have you visited?
- Have you met his family?
- How is your English? How do the two of you communicate given the language differences?
- When do you plan on getting married? Civil or religious?
The agent then announced to us that our visa is approved. It would take about two weeks before we receive the visa, and that we would be notified via email with instructions to pick up the visa. The interview was only 5 minutes long.
Our NVC case status updated to "Approved" and "Issued" on the same day. That was fast! However, we haven't yet received an email regarding our visa pickup, so that may still take some time.
Conclusion:
The overall interview was a smooth and pleasant experience. I'm docking one star in the review given how unorganized the security process was at the front gate.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33096