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| Frankfurt, Germany |  Review on May 26, 2010: |
R&V
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment letter said 8am and do not arrive more than 15 minutes early. I got there around 7:25 and stood in line for maybe 10 minutes and was issued a number (Numbers seem to be sorted by type of visa - mine started with a W). I had to show my passport at the number counter.
New line - stood there for a few seconds and went to...
Short security check (no electronics), everybody was very friendly.
Inside the embassy there is a large waiting room and a bunch of windows (23 or so). They call your number very clearly, no problems there. The waiting room also has two "picture booths", a machine for stamps, a machine that gives you change (seemd to be broken though!), a copier, vending machine (I think), and a bar type thing (Had some snacks and drinks; I think it opened at 8:30).
-- So everything is there, but I'd definitely recommend bringing everything to the embassy; much less stressful (pictures - see below, stamps - 4,25Euros, copies of stuff - they kept my certified birth certificate, but would have accepted a copy and seeing the original).
I went to the first counter and the German lady didn't like my picture. I was wearing very small hoop earrings (NO!) and my hair wasn't tied back severly enough (tops of the ears should be visible). Had I known that I would have brought a few hairpins or a hairband. It's a good idea to read the picture guidelines on the website more thoroughly than I did...I took new pictures in the photobooth (6 Euros), they were fine.
I didn't have the visa deposit slip, but the order printout and the bank statement. That had me very nervous, but apparently that was fine. Not sure that is always the case (the website said it wasn't!), so deposit the money early!
Second counter: Friendly young German explains how the visa will come back (Sticker in passport + Envelope that should NOT be opened, but taken to immigration officer at POE + CD with lung scan from medical). I handed him my birth certificate, police certificate and I134. No problems.
Third counter: First American I talked to. Asked a few questions about how we met, where my fiance lives, etc. Nothing too private; nothing to be nervous about.
I'm not even sure I was approved, I just said 'thank you' and left, javascript:emoticon(' ')
I was in the embassy at 7:30am or so, out at around 11am. What threw me a little was the fact that I only talked at counters through windows with people. Had somewhat of a "German post office"-feel to it. Oh well.
My medical was afterwards/walk-in, and I wouldn't recommend that. The staff was very friendly, but there were a bunch of people waiting (most of whom I had seen at the embassy already!). It took another 2 1/2 hours or so, and I was already tired of waiting...
The embassy is very easy to get to by public transportation (U-Bahn), same for the doctors' offices.
All in all, very good experience.
(updated on May 26, 2010)
(updated on May 26, 2010)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6132