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| Peru |  Review on August 17, 2010: |
MrsTang1016
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Well today, August 16, 2010, was my fiance's appointment with the U.S Embassy in Lima, Peru. He informed me of the appointment last month and I made travel plans to be there with him. The appointment was at 8:45 a.m. The packet my fiance received in the mail informed him to be there 30 minutes early. FIRST NOTE OF ADVICE: Arrive at LEAST an hour early. We arrived at the U.S Embassy at 7:35 a.m and there was a ridiculously long line. It is winter in Peru now and it was also drizzling so we were waiting outside in the cold getting wet! After about 30 minutes or so waiting outside, we went through security and had our items checked and scanned. SIDE NOTE: Don't even bother bringing a cell phone because they immediately confiscate that from you. lol. Don't bring electronics. After security, we were sent to a large room filled with people who had appointments. There were two seating sections in the waiting room. My fiance and I were sent to the furthest side of the room. Because both of our cell phones were confiscated and neither of us had a watch, we had no idea what time it was. We weren't worried about our appointment time because we had arrived significantly early. After what felt like an HOUR even though it was probably 20 minutes, my fiance was called to present his 156, 156k, and 157 forms. SECOND NOTE: Make sure your fiance has at least 3 5X5 passport photos. If they are not 5X5 they will send you outside the waiting room to an area within the U.S Embassy to take photos. Just save yourself the stress and have those photos prepared beforehand. Because as soon as you present those papers, the cashier comes to collect the fee. Because my fiance went out to take his photos, I had to go forward and pay for him.
He came back about 20 minutes later because there was a line from all the other people who did not have the required 5X5 passport photos. We sat down and waited about forty-five minutes and were called again. This time we had to present the Affidavit of Support, my fiance had to present his medical examination results, his police records, and our proof of relationship. The officer asked us a series of questions such as: How did we meet? How long have we been together? How many times have I come to visit my fiance? Has my fiance ever been denied a visa, if so, why? The officer writes down the answers on her computer, collects our evidence and asks us to sit down and wait to be called. THIRD NOTE: The more evidence-the better! Have in mind the amount of photos that you want to show them of you and your fiance. Don't bother bring photo albums like we did. They won't look at those. For proof of our relationship I brought photos, phone bills, a letter from my pastor stating that he would officiate the wedding, my wedding gown receipt, apartment lease contracts, the contract from the hotel where my ceremony will be held, etc.
TWO HOURS LATER... An American officer called my fiance to window 9. She was EXTREMELY friendly. She was so down to earth and very nice. She asked us the same questions the previous person asked us before and got a little more in depth. She asked how we met. She asked how long we've been together. She asked if we've ever been married before and if we have children. She asked if he's ever been in the United States, when, and if he's been denied a visa. FOURTH NOTE: Chemistry is KEY. The good thing about going to an interview with your fiance is that you have a support system. The officer asks you questions and observes how you and your fiance interact. Example: Do you both have children? We answered: No. My fiance responds: At least not yet. And we both smiled. This made the officer smile and she laughed. It is very important to be loving and show affection! After she finished her questions: She scanned my fiance's fingerprints. She then made him swear an oath. She asked him to sign a couple of documents and told us that our visa was approved! FIFTH AND FINAL NOTE: Be open about your relationship. Talk about your experience in Peru. The more you tell your officer about your relationship the more it works in your benefit. AND RELAX!!!!! The procedure is really easy. The most stressful thing is the wait. But relax and don't stress out. We did that in the beginning and we started forgetting dates and getting frustrated. It only makes things appear bad. So relax. Support each other. Be prepared with all your documents. Have substantial evidence. Everything will be just fine!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6488