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| Jamaica |  Review on August 1, 2009: |
ToAliwithLove
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Before going in Embassy
Do not arrive extremely early. Arrive on time (within 15 minutes of appointment)
Go directly to the front of the line and only talk to the Embassy employees in the Yellow Shirts.
Make sure you carry a pen with you
Make sure you have all pictures signed with the applicant’s name
The person with the Yellow shirt will check your passport; passport photos and interview letter (make sure these are the only items out at this time.)
Leave your cell phone/camera at home/hotel/car.
Entering Embassy
You will go through metal detector (small building)
Then a courtyard to the main building
In the main building you will welcomed by a receptionist that will take your Interview Letter and give you a yellow piece of paper for DHL Delivery and a number (similar to going to the DMV in the states). Put your Passport number/ Address and Phone number on the yellow paper.
The receptionist will lead you to the Interview Area.
There are two different doors one for Non- Immigrant Visas and one for Immigration (aka Filing). Both doors lead to the same room. However, Individuals filing for non-immigration visas are on the left, Section B and immigration visas, Section A, are on the right. Sections B is 3 times the size as Section A.
1st Process and 2nd Process (Interview)
At this point I can only speak of my experience (Immigrant Visa, Section A)
This section has 5 windows (teller style), Window 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Windows 5, 6, and 7 (1st process –Document Collection and Fingerprints)
Windows 8 and 9 (2nd Process- Interview)
We were serviced at window 7 first, the young lady had our file, she put everything in order, my husband gave his fingerprints and we sat back down. Make sure no one sits in your seats when you stand up for process 1, because you wont have a seat when you come back, which is literally 2-4 feet from the windows. It’s a small space.
We sat down for like 20 minutes and then we were called to Window 8, we had to swear in (right hand up), then she took my husbands index fingerprint, then he had to sign the second part of the DS-230.
After all the administration stuff was done, she asked both of us when we met through the window, my husband answered, she asked where we met, my husband answered, she asked how many people were at our wedding, my husband answered, she said your approved go to window 26 and pay DHL. I’m thinking to myself, that’s it. You don’t need to see pictures? No evidence? No separate interviews? Wow! They didn’t ask my step son any questions.
DHL
We paid DHL $750JA for both passports/visas. We didn’t have to pay two fees.
Interviews before ours:
There was one couple that was interviewed separately through the phones on the outside on the teller window. They were approved.
There was a girl that was married, her husband was not there, she pulled out several post cards, western union receipts and pictures and the agent was not buying it, she got a blue slip to come back, don’t know what for.
There was a family of 5 kids and a mother, they were all approved.
There was a guy without his wife, he was approved.
There was another guy whose mother sponsored him, he got a blue slip because his mothers name did not match his and he needed his mothers divorce certificate.
Additional Information
Note: You do not go into small little interview rooms, everything is done outside the teller window, like at the DMV. No privacy unless you pick up the phone. I suggest you pick up the phone right from the beginning (only in process 2.)
Note: The gentleman that greeted us came in while we were seated he made some funny jokes. He came over and said he had good news and bad news. Did we want the good news or bad news first? We said bad news, He said bad news is that the numbers are not going to go in order, so be aware. Good news, Section A will leave before Section B, everyone laughed. Then he gave us the run down, he said everyone is going to go to Windows 5, 6 or 7 first. If you get to Window and 8 or 9, Yah go a Foreign! Everyone laughed.
Embassy Rating
Overall, we rated the embassy and our experience a “5”. Everyone was nice, no issues. Very timely.
We got there at 6:55am, got in the embassy and in our seat by 7:15am, out the door at 8:30am.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #4799