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| Frankfurt, Germany |  Review on November 14, 2008: |
Germanchick2502
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that my visa was granted yesterday! The interview was in the morning at the Frankfurt, Germany consulate. The day began by waking up early and being so nervous that I was not even able to eat any breakfast. Then I left the hotel and took the subway to the consulate.
When I got there there already was a line. So, we waited in the cold to get our number and finally be admitted to the consulate. For that we had to show our invitation letter and then go through a airport-like security check. After leaving my cell phone in the care of the security officers I continued on to the great waiting hall.
The security woman there told me to go to window 22 and "pay" the visa fees, then sit down and wait. Of course my fees were already paid for, and the cashier told me to just sit down and wait till my number was called. So that's what I did. They called my number and I went up to window 23. The woman there wanted a bunch of documents from me that I had already sent to NVC. I informed her of that and she went to check my file. She came back and told me that they really did already have those documents. Funny that. She asked me if I really did not wish to hand in anything. I denied and in return got a look. She gave me an envelope and told me to address it to myself and put €4.25 postage on it (my polite question about where a postage machine would be got a stare and bitchy reply in return). I got the postage from the machine and then sat down to address the envelope.
I met a nice family who had won the greencard lottery and another spouse. We talked which made time go by a little faster. We all had similar experiences with USCIS and NVC which we found pretty hilarious. It was nice to have other people around who were going through the same process. They were ahead of me in line and also had their interviews before me. It all went well for them. Congratulations again!
For me it went on with going up to window 20 where all the lady did was check that the information on the paperwork was correct. She also explained the further procedures and what would happen once my visa was granted and when I am entering the U.S. for the first time as a permanent resident. She also informed me that my paperwork looked good and that all should work out. Once she explained the contents of the brown sealed envelope that will come with my visa and all the legal details (green card can take up to 12 months until then my visa is suffice to work and travel) she told me to sit down again and wait for my interview with one of the consuls at window 16 or 17.
I sat back down and continued talking to the others. They went up to window 16 before me and all seemed quite relaxed.
Then it was my turn: finally after 468 days it was the big moment. My visa interview, the moment that would decide if I were to be allowed to permanently live in the U.S.. And then... it was so unspectacular. She first took my fingerprints (all 10) and then had me sign my DS-230. The she asked me exactly two questions: When did you get married (07/06/2007, but the German date format slightly confused her for a moment  )? And where did you meet (in high school when I was an exchange student, he was a senior, too. We became friends and met up again 6 years later, when I wrote my thesis in the U.S.. Then we fell in love and got married a year later and since then we have had a long distance relationship/marriage)? Her comment: Oh, how cute. You're almost high school sweethearts. My reaction: broad smile. The next thing was that she said all looked good and unless they got any negative results concerning my finger prints I should receive my visa via signed receipt mail next week. Congratulations and welcome to the U.S.. That was it. Now all I am waiting for is my visa in the mail. YAY!
All in all it was pretty easy going and the people at the consulate in Frankfurt were quite nice. Thank you for all the support over the past year. I am rooting for all those of you who are not done yet! All will work out just believe in yourselves and your relationship and it all will go well.
:D :D :D :D :D 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #3575