Consulate Review: Frankfurt, Germany
Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
|
| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
December 23, 2022 |
| Embassy Review : |
From the start of the process (applying for DCF through exceptional circumstances) and through all of the steps, the Frankfurt Consulate did a professional job answering questions and getting to the next stage promptly. This is my review of the interview step.
I got there around 7.20am, it was already pretty busy. It was a really cold December morning but they had covered the queueing area and had heaters too which melted the ice on the ground.
I presented my appointment paper at the first kiosk and stood in line for a security check. This was slow until they opened properly at 8am, when they started taking 5 people at a time. There is a strict no laptop policy and people were turned away who had laptops and told to store them at a local store. They did emphasize that even if that made them late, they would wait for them. Mobile phones, smart watches, fit bits etc. are all stored at the security kiosk. They even took my car keys and a random charging cord from my briefcase, gave me a number and stored them until I was done.
I went to Window 22, where they asked for another photograph (I had a couple spare US size from my last batch) and a payment. I used my Mastercard Debit. I asked if they had received my medical and the lady confirmed. She also described what would happen today, and what would happen should the visa be approved. I then waited about 15 mins to be called to another window (15 I think) where they took the rest of the required documents - birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates. All original and a copy of each documents. Then she asked for the I-864s (with joint sponsor in my case) which I provided.
I then waited about 20-30 mins (no watch, no phone and couldn't see a clock) before being called for my interview at Window 19. There she went through all my documents systemically and asked me questions under oath. It took around 20 mins to go through everything and I felt the process was quite thorough. There were typical questions - how did we meet, where and when did we get married, who is your joint sponsor, have you served in the military and where do you intend to live.
Then she looked through all the documents one more time and told me that the Visa is approved, and handed me a receipt and paperwork about what to expect. I thanked her, and got myself together and back to the car. I would say all in all about 2 to 2.5 hours total from waiting in line.
It all seemed organized and pretty efficient. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
|
ver 5.0