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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on December 15, 2009: |
alex and astrid
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Interview appointment time was set for 8am. Went up to level 10 at 7.30, handed over my handbag and sat down in the second row of chairs. We all got called up to the lift, and me being sneaky, let everyone in ahead of me so I could be the first one out when we got to level 59. This is where it got a bit strange.
I was the first out the lift, went right to security, and the guard could not find my name on the list. She double checked my letter and let me in anyways. Got ticket number one, and barely sat down when I was called to the first window. The man made small talk with me, took my prints, and then went to grab my file...which he came back and said he could not find. Cue me having an instant panic attack. He asked me if I was already married, to which I said no, I was pursuing a K1. He checked with me what Alex's full name was, went looking again, and then finally found my file. Have to say it was pretty nice to see our file again! He looked through it, took my passport, receipt and platinum post envelope, and got me to check some things off that I had missed on one of my forms. He said that everything looked good to him, and to enjoy the view and take a seat for the CO interview. And yeah, the view is amazing. Lucky buggers.
It was another five minutes or so before the CO called me forward for my interview. I took the oath and she asked me if I had been to the states, how long was my longest visit, what degree did I get while I was studying in the states, explain my living situation with Alex during the time I was in the states, did my parents like Alex and what kind of wedding were were planning. And as I mentioned earlier, she referred to Alex as my boyfriend a few times, which each time in my response I corrected her as him being my fiance. She did not ask to see my big folder of additional evidence, or my ring, or anything, just asked questions related to the original petition. I think the CO asked me so many questions because she had a woman from another immigrant section with her, maybe doing some training, as she was explaining her thought processes to her as she was typing my answers into her computer. She then made a comment to the woman who was listening in about the I-134 which I found interesting. The CO mentioned that the Affidavit is not even needed, and they do not really look for a certain dollar amount to be reached by the petitioner (meaning, the 125 percent of the poverty level), though she did mention the poverty level was around 17,000. So I guess, when she is adjudicating, she just wants to see that they make more than the poverty level, though not always the 125 percent marker. I don't know if she was just talking about what she looks for, or what Sydney looks for in general. It just piqued my curiosity, since we all are sticklers for that on VJ!
She chatted more to her coworker about some other points of Adjudication, and I was just standing there for a few more minutes, so I asked "What should I tell Alex about the interview when I leave here?" and she said "Oh, you're approved." and handed me the letter saying how I would get my visa. So I thanked her, and got myself downstairs as quick as I could to get my phone to tell Alex! I didn't cry like I thought I would, I just had a massive sense of relief that the hard part was over and the uncertainty was gone. And Alex was just as relieved, and went on facebook while we were talking to let everyone know we were a success. Ah, youth and technology
So that was it really. Was in MLC for pretty much an hour, but only spent 20 or so minutes within the consulate. All in all, a quick and easy experience. 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5408