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| Jamaica |  Review on June 28, 2012: |
IslandLady
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my follow-up appointment today - June 27, 2012 - and I got my CR1 visa and visa package in hand. Yayyyyyyy! OK, here's the LONG story, starting with the backstory.
When the CO instructed me last week to find a joint sponsor, they also cancelled my visitor visa AND my work permit, which is the usual procedure. However, that was a problem for me because I broke my work schedule in the USA to return to Jamaica for the iV interview. I pointed that out to the CO, who consulted with her colleagues then instructed me to re-apply for my work permit, then get an emergency date for that interview, so I could get back to work while my joint-sponsor and IV story was being sorted out.
I decided to focus on finding a joint sponsor. My husband worked the phones and we got 2 joint sponsors. When we got the paperwork for the first one, I scanned the info: I-864, W2s, pay stubs, citizenship evidence - as well as evidence of my work and work-related travel schedule. I attached all this to an email urgently requesting an expedited follow-up interview based on financial/business reasons. All this happened on Monday, June 25 in the evening.
On Tuesday afternoon, I got a call from the US embassy. The agent told me they had scheduled me for a follow-up appointment on Thursday 28th, at 1:30 pm. I told her I was available, then she told me to hold on... then asked me if I could make it on Wednesday 27th, at 9:00 am. I replied: "Absolutely!" She said all I needed to carry were the joint sponsor packet of documents, and my passport.
My husband and I showed up at the embassy at 9:00 am today. I was directed to the document intake counter. A Jamaican staff member took my documents, checked them, then informed me that she was going to pull my case and have it checked by one of the visa officers, then she would call me back to the counter.
After about 15 minutes, she called me back. She told me that they would try to "have it printed by 1:30 this afternoon", and I was free to leave the embassy and return at that time.
Hubby and I returned at about 1:35 pm. Again I was directed to the IV section - I was ALONE there - and eventually the same agent called me to the counter. She had my passport and a brown envelope filled with paperwork. She verified my ID and my information, then told me she was going to get my package stamped, so I should have a seat and wait. After about 5 more minutes, she returned with the brown package and my passport. She showed me the visa, had me verify the info, showed me the Social Security info sheet, told me to read it when I had some time, instructed me NOT TO OPEN THE PACKAGE, then told me I was free to go.
I walked outside trying to keep my face expressionless, but when my husband looked at me and raised one questioning eyebrow I couldn't help but smiling. God had come through for us again. Visa in hand, less than 24 hours waiting, direct from the embassy, no courier service. We are still amazed... and thankful!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9902