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| Caracas, Venezuela |  Review on November 22, 2008: |
vanessa-john
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
We were told the Embassy was going to send me a packet with instructions but they never did. After more than a month passed since we had received the letter from the NVC, I emailed the embassy myself to ask when I should expect the package. They emailed me back immediately telling me my interview would be in three weeks and giving me a whole list of documents I had to gather. They didn't want anything sent to them, they said I had to bring all the documents myself at the time of the interview.
I went through three weeks of incredible stress but I did finally manage to get every single document they asked for.
The interview itself was a breeze. My appointment was at 8:30 am but I showed up there at 7:00. This was actually not necessary because they really stick to their appointment times. I went through one security check when I arrived. You must take care not to have ANY electronic items with you. Not even a cellphone. And no lighters either.
Then I sat and waited until I was called in. The waiting area is open air and there is a little kiosk where you can buy some snacks and drinks. There is also a small booth where you can take pictures in case you forgot to bring those.
At 8:30 sharp I was called into the Embassy where I went through another security check, metal detector and x-ray. I was showed to the immigration area where, again, security personnel went through my purse and I had to go through a metal detector.
At the immigration area I had to take a number and wait my turn. At around 9:30 I was called up to the window (there is absolutely no privacy, everyone can hear everyone else's business). A Venezuelan woman took my papers and checked them. The only thing she asked me was what my profession was. She did not want the proof of relationship I had brought, she said she would ask for that when she actually interviewed me. Then she gave me a bill to go and pay the $131 fee for the visa.
The cashier was in the same building. I paid and went back to the immigration area. The same lady took the receipt from me and told me to sit and wait until she called me.
At approximately 10:30 I was called again, but this time by a very nice American lady. She congratulated me on having my application so well put together, took my finger prints and told me to sit and wait again while the prints were being processed.
At 11:00 she called me back, asked me one question regarding a name change I had had when I was a child and the told me my visa had been approved! She never even asked to look at all the proof I had brought. And I had taken plenty.
She even went the extra mile and asked for urgent processing of the visa, because I don't live in Venezuela and was supposed to fly back home the next day. I waited another two hours and got my visa on the same day! 
It was an awful lot of waiting but ultimately painless and easy. I was extremely nervous but the consular officers were very friendly and put me at ease right away. The security personnel was a little less friendly but I guess that is part of their job. Overall a good experience.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #3618