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| Naples, Italy |  Review on May 23, 2010: |
schillaci
Rating:  | Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
We got to Naples Sunday afternnon and checked into the Bonapace Mergellina B and B not far from the consulate. 70 euro a night. Nothing fancy but close to the consulate and subway and in a nice quiet and clean neighborhood.
Monday morning had the medical. We took a cab from the hotel and it cost about 10 euro or so. Got there at 745 checked in and sat until we were called around 815. They checked the papers we brought them, we paid for the medical and had to have 2 other vaccines. They did a quick check-up and asked a few health related questions and then told us to wait for the chest x-ray. Everything was done by around 11 am.
We then went to the consulate for fingerprinting which took about an hour.
Next day we had our appointment at 9 but arrived at 830. We were given a number by security when we came in. We sat in the waiting room for our number to be called by a girl at a desk as soon as you walk into the room. She told us what documents were needed. It was a fraction of the papers I brought. She told us they needed 2 photos, birth certificate with translation, my divorce certificate with translation, and police certificate.
We then sat and waited for our number to be called again but this time to be called up to the window. When we got up there she asked for the same documents that the other woman told us about and also the I-864 and last years tax return. She looked at what I had written for salary and asked if that was what I made and I said yes and had an employment letter. She said it wasn't necessary. We told her we needed our originals back when we were done and she put them aside with a post it on it. Then we sat again and waited to be called by the consul. Funny story though, the night before we were out at a pizzeria and sat next to some Americans, one of whom happened to be the consul. So when he called my wife up for the interview he told her to relax and take a deep breath because he had a very important question to ask her. How was your pizza last night was what he asked. He then asked her how her English was so good and where we planned to live in the States. Then he asked if we wanted to pick up her passport or if we wanted it sent to us. She said pick up and he said ok it will be ready by 5 today. She asked if she was ll set and he chuckled and said yes and he wished us luck.
Moral of the story, be very prepared but dont get too stressed by the tiny details. I made myself crazy making sure I had every possible scenario covered and in the end didnt need most of the papers I brought with me. They are very laid back and want to issue the visa. Unless you really screw up, like one guy we saw who was there alone without his USC wife and didnt meet the 3 times poverty level assets since his wife's salary was nt sufficient, then you will get the visa. He was told what he needed and left to get the funds sent to an account. It seemed to me they were going to issue the visa once he was able to do this.
I, the USC, was able to be with my wife at all stages of the process but left he rto interview by herself since her English is very good. It was very easy and they do everything to not let you feel stressed. So dont worry. You will get your visa if you have everything you need. Also remember, you will read a great many things on here and get some good advice but dont forget that a phone call to the Embassy works even better. They want to help you so dont be afraid to call.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6117