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| Frankfurt, Germany |  Review on July 13, 2024: |
Rosaly
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment was at 8.30, and was instructed to arrive 15 minutes before that time. When I arrived there was already a long line.
There are 2 Windows, and the line moves fast. At either window 1 or 2 you'll be asked for your passport and confirmation page of DS-160, mine was a black and white print and this was fine. They put a sticker or label on your passport with your info on it and a number, which will be called when you are wating in the bigger hall. Check if they put the right label on it before you leave the window (they accidentally switched 2 for other applicants, which was quickly resolved though).
After that you go stand back in line and wait again. We were let in 5 at the time. Inside there is a small area, where you get instructions to put everything you brought with you in a bin, empty pockets, remove belts, etc.
I only brought to transparent folders with all my documents in it, I did have to remove my belt.
I did see all kind of binders, harmonica folders and things like that, they were all allowed in. Phones and bags were all allowed in after being thoroughly scrutinized. Phones had to be turned off. While waiting, do not put your hands in your pockets!
It's like on the airport, it gets xrayed, you step through the portal and you are requested to stand around a table and wait for our belongings to be returned to us. The security staff is friendly but strict!
Then through a door, through a garden kind of area (just follow the green lines on the ground) and into the big hall. Not everyone here is for a K1 even though there's maybe hundreds of people there. You take place in the waiting area, there's chairs. My number was called pretty quick, I was asked for my documents and translations and they checked some generic administrative information like email address and if I used a visa or and Esta when traveling to the states. Passport and pictures where asked for too. The letter in packet 3 said 1 photo, so I only had 1, it was okay, but I recommend bringing 2 because that's what they will ask for. Then back to being seated, and I had no sense of time here. I don't wear watches and there's no clock. I've seen people being called in multiple times, or twice, I've seen them submit more documents, I've seen people laughing, I've seen people with watery eyes... there's really no telling who is there for what. I was called up to the window again. The lady at the window was very serious, did not smile, it was all business. I did not have the 'friendly' feeling with this person, but she was polite. When she noticed I was nervous, she did say something like : you can relax, just relax. And she continued.
I was to take the oath and then she asked questions.
- so this will be your second marriage? (Yes)
- what about your spouse to be? (Confused: started telling story about how we met, got interrupted)
- I mean if he's been married before. (Oh! Sorry, yes)
- where is his divorce certificate? (Grabbed it from my folder and gave it to her)
She looked at it, then gave it back.
- do you have any kids? (He has a 5 year old daughter)
-have you met her? (Yes)
She went through my documents, gave back all the originals and told me to do the fingerprint thing.
She was very quiet for what felt like a couple of minutes, and was typing things
-you're approved and you're visa will be returned to you in 2 weeks( blanc stare... not realizing what just had been said)
(Louder) - You're approved and your visa will be returned to you in 2 weeks...(oh! Thank you!)
I then walked away and realized in didn't get any packet or whatever, so turned around and walked back to window.
Had to wait a minute, she was talking. Then I asked about if I wasn't to receive a packet I had to bring to port of entry, then was told everything will be mailed to me.
All of this was very fast, I don't think it was any longer than 10 minutes.
I then walked back outside, through exit, follow green lines again, again through exit and you're in the outside waiting area again where you started.
I asked for the time immediately and it was now 10.30. I had been inside for over 2 hours.!
Overall experience is good! There's a photobooth inside, and there's toilets as well. The chairs are uncomfortable, and I have seen plenty of people pacing up and down in the area , or even people sitting there with a book to keep themselves occupied.
It's weird to leave my passport, I always have it with me. I hope to receive the email with track and trace soon.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33294