US Consulate in Guayaquil, Ecuador

[TBoneTX 45,599]

Thread with new information has been merged with the patriarchal thread.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Hi guys, just wanted to let you all know that we had our K1 interview on august 27th in Gye consulate. Still to this day it is required for the US citizen to be there. For us, they didn't allow him to even go in the Consulate, he had to wait outside for about an hour until he was called in to be interviewed. However, they didn't even ask him anything. They said YOUR ONLY PRESENCE SOLVES OUR QUESTIONS. So yes, the petitioner has to be there, make sure to arrange travel plans to bet here with your loved ones.

Considering that people have been approved without their petitioner there, I think it probably depends on the circumstance, but I don't think it's true that they NEED the petitioner there. Not a requirement (and definitely not told by either consulate that it is), but definitely super helpful in approvals... It's a shame that they would approve some and then reject others who don't have their petitioner there. I'm not really sure why they would do that. Unless it's lack of evidence or something like that, but I could see why they would WANT the petitioner there. If it was necessary, though, there wouldnt be people who got approved without them. (PS: Really stupid that they did that to you, though. Did you talk to anyone about that? I've seen a lot of people go with their petitioner, but I've also seen several that haven't. It's actually pretty ridiculous to ask that of a couple regardless, if they have enough evidence.)

Not everyone has the ability to come to Ecuador for the interview. I'm here in Ecuador now until the 2nd, and I can 100% not return. at all, unfortunately, because I just got employed full time (obviously our weddings later on are all I can take off for). But honestly, I'm not super worried about my fiance's interview without me. We have great lawyers, who are family friends, prepping us, and a TON more evidence than we really need- plus the fact that I was here for 5 months then for 2 weeks for the holiday. Shame the interview (and PSH, the NOA2!) wasn't given in those times, but we can't really help that. Our financial situation shows that! So for those who can't make the meeting, I wouldn't stress too much about it.

Good luck to everyone! We're just excited for this visa stuff to be over! I'll be reading all of your posts soon to be prepping for what's to come... even though it'll be a whiiiiille (thanks, TSC! )

Edited December 28, 2014 by lovecometruex

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Also- TBone, I've been told by several other people that the Guayaquil consulate has recently not been as bad as you all make it seem, LOL! It seems like it might be a 50/50 chance of having a terrible experience. But some more recent people told me that it wasn't as bad as it was several years ago, so that's good

(Sorry I'm a little late to this thread. bahah. I will probably be making another appearance soon to be asking questions to those who still check it, hehe ). Happy holidays everyone!

[TBoneTX 45,599]

It couldn't possibly be as bad as it was, but until I hear firsthand that "it is absolutely not required that the petitioner be present," I'll continue to recommend that discretion is the better part of valor.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

It couldn't possibly be as bad as it was, but until I hear firsthand that "it is absolutely not required that the petitioner be present," I'll continue to recommend that discretion is the better part of valor.

Oh I totally agree that it's advisable but obviously just not possible for everyone. When we asked the consulate they told us it's not required. But they also still tell you you can't bring the petitioner so what do they know then?! Hahaha everyone contradicts! That's why I think it just depends on the person/circumstance

[TBoneTX 45,599]

Bump.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Hi, friends! I'm jumping back on... Anyone still out there? (I know you always are, TBone!)

So... I'm confused on the packet deal. I've heard that we can just download the packet online and send it once the application arrives to the embassy (since sometimes it can take a while to arrive), but the packet I saw doesn't have any info to send (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/pk4%20visas%20k%20span%20jul%202014.pdf ??). So where exactly is the packet, and do we just have it ready to send for when the application gets there? It's headed to NVC now so hopefullyyyy it will get to Ecuador in the next few weeks.

My fiance has his other stuff ready for the interview (copies of everything!) plus the police certificate. Does the police certificate get sent with the packet 3? I know that the embassy will send us information regarding this, but we don't have any time to waste once it gets there so we just want to be on top of this and understand what we're doing now!

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

[TBoneTX 45,599]

Egad... it's in Spanish... I have a headache...

It's been a long time; we ended up downloading it and preparing it when I was in Ecu the previous month (the postal mailing eventually reached Mrs. T-B.-to-be AFTER the interview date).

Re-surf the site; if no luck, e-mail the consulado (IVGuayaquil@state.gov) to ask. They might send you a link, or promise to send one when it's closer to the time.

Personal note: April 29 (last week) was the 7-year anniversary of our hosing and the start of months of torment.

Edited May 5, 2015 by TBoneTX

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Hi, everyone!

Santy & I are posting our review of the GYE consulate in a minute (I will post the link), but I wanted to post the document we used to prepare to help others who may need it! I went through literally EVERY review on VJ of the consulate and tried to make clear, concise information following the NOA-2 and consulate steps.

To calm anyone's fears (since some of you veterans out there like you TBone!, had a very hard time with the consulate), the consulate and consul were incredibly nice and pretty harmless to everyone there. As long as you bring a TON of evidence, are polite and professional, and organize everything, you should do okay there! Also, bringing your fiance(e) is NOT required at this point. However, it's definitely recommended if you do not have a ton of evidence, and they can and WILL ask you to come back and bring them if they don't feel like you have given enough evidence (as past VJ-ers have shown!). I'd recommend it for shorter relationships and for people who have not been able to visit as often as Santy & I have. (We had millions of pages, pictures, itineraries, etc!)

POST NOA-2 INFO FOR ECUADOR:

Steps after NOA2:

-Contact NVC to see if received application (takes 2-3 weeks normally from NOA2)

-Once received, get case #

-Complete DS160 online (https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx )

-Call NVC to check status or if it works, check online: (right now pre-consulate receiving stages are not showing up; only when it’s ready for interview) (https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ from here on out, you can check your status pre interview & post interview for the visa)

-Call consulate to check when received (takes normally anywhere from a day to 2 weeks to get there)

-Download Packet 4 instructions & make sure you have all the info you need for interview (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/pk4%20visas%20k%20span%20jul%202014.pdf )

-Download interview package & double check info (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/WEB%20PK4%20Visas%20K%20_April%202015_.pdf in English at the bottom!)

-Register for the visa on the Ecuador website (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ec/iv/users/sign_in – you will need your DS 160 confirmation number & case number; you will pay the $260 I think fee; then you will register an appointment!)

-Do medical before appointment

-Get police certificate if not done already (http://www.ministeriointerior.gob.ec/certificado-de-antecedentes-penales/ ; I recommend translating it, as well.)

-Go to appointment!

-Pick up visa at requested location

-Enter US & apply for marriage license

-Marry & apply for GC, EAD (employment authorization), & AP (advanced parole); GC takes 6 months; EAD/AP take 60-90 days

-Interview for GC

-----------------------

Closest/Cheapest Hotels (These hotels can all be found & booked using booking.com - I recommend doing that beforehand!)

Cost per night ; time it takes on bus to get to/from consulate:

Hotel California $25 19 min
Hotel Galapagos $25 16 min
Hotel Flamingo $20.50 18 min
Dreamkapture Hostel $17.50 22 min
**Hotel Eloy Alfaro $17 19 min (Santy stayed in this one. It was pretty decent. TV, wifi, AC, decent area. We'd recommend it to stay the night! Check it out here !)
Hotel Nevada Guayaquil $15 17 min
Hotel USA $15 30 min

-----------------------

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (REMOVE SPACES):

im mi help. com /visas/kvisa/sample-interview-questions. html (for the visa)

im mi help. com/ greencard/ familybased immigration/marriage-based-greencard-fraud-interview. html (for the marriage/GC interview; won’t happen until 4-8 months after marriage)

-----------------------

BRING TO INTERVIEW:

-Copy of I129f

-Police record & TRANSLATION

-Medical results in SEALED envelope (don’t open)

-I134: Affidavit of support & W2 forms (taxes, statement from each sponsor (main & cosponsor if any) about finances/work – get the letters NOTARIZED!)- make sure to have BOTH affidavits if you have a cosponsor (so my dad & I both filled out the affidavits, wrote letters, etc)

-Both of our bank statements (only really necessary for main sponsor, but good to have)

-Copies AND originals of all birth certificates AND passports, etc. (both of ours)

-Bring passport photos (at least 4 5cm x 5cm of JUST head)

-Continued proof of relationship (plane tix while filing visa; wedding plans if any; etc)- BRING A LOT! Front load! Ask friends/family/etc to write letters confirming your relationship & intent to marry, all flight itineraries, Skype logs, Facebook messages, phone bills for calls, lots of pictures, etc. Better to have a LOT!!

-Bring light sweater in case (can get really cold) but could probably be hot

-Put financial stuff together in one folder (affidavit of support, bank statements, W2s from parents, joint sponsor letter, taxes)

-Watch for track of time (since can’t have cell phone)

-Paper & pens to play hangman & tic tac toe

-NOA1, NOA2 copies

-DS 160 confirmation

-Letters of intent to marry (both P & B; signed and translated into english)
-Proof (receipt) of having paid the visa fee (you can do this online with a credit card when doing the ds 160, and it’s easier that way)

*Put everything organized in manila folders; bring 2 pens; extra folders & clips (For example, Santy and I had one folder for the I129f copy, one for extra evidence, one for the Affidavit, and one for extra general documents like police cert/medical/etc.)

*Do NOT bring anything else to the interview except the documents (no purses, etc). Bring extra pen & paper to have something to do while waiting (it’s a long wait).

*Do NOT bring large albums. Only pictures small enough to fit underneath the window slit (can bring 4x6 albums but will need to take out the pics for the interview)

*Try to have everything translated to English, if possible! Especially letters.

*Notarize things if possible!

*Remember all dates & years because they can be asked!

-----------------------

Questions asked to others in K1 interview (P= petitioner; B= beneficiary):

* P’s phone number
* How, when, & where we met
* Any plans for wedding, when, where
* If P has been in Ecuador
* If B’s family has visa and if they were going to my wedding
* If we have had an engagement family reunion

* If B has been to the US & if problems with law there

* Married before and any kids

* What both do for living

* Why P was in Ecuador & how many times

* Have both met each other’s families

* How we learned English & Spanish

* Where do we plan to live in US

* How many times we’ve seen each other

* Brothers or sisters?

* Write P’s full name

* Where B’s parents live

* Family in the US?

* The proposal

* How many guests in wedding

* Sometimes false questions to trip you up (like changing the year or saying you were illegal)

-----------------------

EXTRA INFO FOR INTERVIEW:

-Process: Arrive & wait to be allowed in; tell them you’re there for a residency visa (immigrant visa); show passport & give them confirmation paperwork for visa meeting (tell them the time of appt); go to security guards where they check everything you have; go thru metal detector; go inside courtyard (only tourist visas need to wait in a line) & say you’re there for residency visa again; another metal detector inside building; go to back where immigrant visas are & sit down; first fingerprinting; then two interviews (first general one; second one more about questions of P & B’s relationship & for proof of relationship); then given a slip that says congratulations if approved!; shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours

-We should be getting a RED badge, which is for immigrant visas (yellow is non-immigrant)

-Stokes Interview is when they call you back later on to have more extensive interview

-Good to have US petitioner there

-Prepare for the visa to take 1-2 weeks to arrive at requested location

-Get there at least 45 min early

-Don’t wear any metal to help avoid problems with the detectors

-Pictures with family members help

-SPECIFIC answers with specific dates & times

-Triple check everything on the pdf file available at the consulate site for the K1 visa interview (see above link!)

-----------------------

All in all, we were pretty happy with the consulate. Good luck to anyone's future interviews at the GYE consulado!

Edited June 19, 2015 by SantyAndAllie

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Annnnd our review here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=17093

[TBoneTX 45,599]

This is immensely helpful, including the lodging information. Everyone is reminded to adhere to the boldface cautions. Congratulations to A-Bone and S-Hueso!

[sophia5377 0]

Hi, everyone!

Santy & I are posting our review of the GYE consulate in a minute (I will post the link), but I wanted to post the document we used to prepare to help others who may need it! I went through literally EVERY review on VJ of the consulate and tried to make clear, concise information following the NOA-2 and consulate steps.

To calm anyone's fears (since some of you veterans out there like you TBone!, had a very hard time with the consulate), the consulate and consul were incredibly nice and pretty harmless to everyone there. As long as you bring a TON of evidence, are polite and professional, and organize everything, you should do okay there! Also, bringing your fiance(e) is NOT required at this point. However, it's definitely recommended if you do not have a ton of evidence, and they can and WILL ask you to come back and bring them if they don't feel like you have given enough evidence (as past VJ-ers have shown!). I'd recommend it for shorter relationships and for people who have not been able to visit as often as Santy & I have. (We had millions of pages, pictures, itineraries, etc!)

POST NOA-2 INFO FOR ECUADOR:

Steps after NOA2:

-Contact NVC to see if received application (takes 2-3 weeks normally from NOA2)

-Once received, get case #

-Complete DS160 online (https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx )

-Call NVC to check status or if it works, check online: (right now pre-consulate receiving stages are not showing up; only when it’s ready for interview) (https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ from here on out, you can check your status pre interview & post interview for the visa)

-Call consulate to check when received (takes normally anywhere from a day to 2 weeks to get there)

-Download Packet 4 instructions & make sure you have all the info you need for interview (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/pk4%20visas%20k%20span%20jul%202014.pdf )

-Download interview package & double check info (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guayaquil/231771/PDFs/WEB%20PK4%20Visas%20K%20_April%202015_.pdf in English at the bottom!)

-Register for the visa on the Ecuador website (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ec/iv/users/sign_in – you will need your DS 160 confirmation number & case number; you will pay the $260 I think fee; then you will register an appointment!)

-Do medical before appointment

-Get police certificate if not done already (http://www.ministeriointerior.gob.ec/certificado-de-antecedentes-penales/ ; I recommend translating it, as well.)

-Go to appointment!

-Pick up visa at requested location

-Enter US & apply for marriage license

-Marry & apply for GC, EAD (employment authorization), & AP (advanced parole); GC takes 6 months; EAD/AP take 60-90 days

-Interview for GC

-----------------------

Closest/Cheapest Hotels (These hotels can all be found & booked using booking.com - I recommend doing that beforehand!)

Cost per night ; time it takes on bus to get to/from consulate:

Hotel California $25 19 min

Hotel Galapagos $25 16 min

Hotel Flamingo $20.50 18 min

Dreamkapture Hostel $17.50 22 min

**Hotel Eloy Alfaro $17 19 min (Santy stayed in this one. It was pretty decent. TV, wifi, AC, decent area. We'd recommend it to stay the night! Check it out here !)

Hotel Nevada Guayaquil $15 17 min

Hotel USA $15 30 min

-----------------------

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (REMOVE SPACES):

im mi help. com /visas/kvisa/sample-interview-questions. html (for the visa)

im mi help. com/ greencard/ familybased immigration/marriage-based-greencard-fraud-interview. html (for the marriage/GC interview; won’t happen until 4-8 months after marriage)

-----------------------

BRING TO INTERVIEW:

-Copy of I129f

-Police record & TRANSLATION

-Medical results in SEALED envelope (don’t open)

-I134: Affidavit of support & W2 forms (taxes, statement from each sponsor (main & cosponsor if any) about finances/work – get the letters NOTARIZED!)- make sure to have BOTH affidavits if you have a cosponsor (so my dad & I both filled out the affidavits, wrote letters, etc)

-Both of our bank statements (only really necessary for main sponsor, but good to have)

-Copies AND originals of all birth certificates AND passports, etc. (both of ours)

-Bring passport photos (at least 4 5cm x 5cm of JUST head)

-Continued proof of relationship (plane tix while filing visa; wedding plans if any; etc)- BRING A LOT! Front load! Ask friends/family/etc to write letters confirming your relationship & intent to marry, all flight itineraries, Skype logs, Facebook messages, phone bills for calls, lots of pictures, etc. Better to have a LOT!!

-Bring light sweater in case (can get really cold) but could probably be hot

-Put financial stuff together in one folder (affidavit of support, bank statements, W2s from parents, joint sponsor letter, taxes)

-Watch for track of time (since can’t have cell phone)

-Paper & pens to play hangman & tic tac toe

-NOA1, NOA2 copies

-DS 160 confirmation

-Letters of intent to marry (both P & B; signed and translated into english)

-Proof (receipt) of having paid the visa fee (you can do this online with a credit card when doing the ds 160, and it’s easier that way)

*Put everything organized in manila folders; bring 2 pens; extra folders & clips (For example, Santy and I had one folder for the I129f copy, one for extra evidence, one for the Affidavit, and one for extra general documents like police cert/medical/etc.)

*Do NOT bring anything else to the interview except the documents (no purses, etc). Bring extra pen & paper to have something to do while waiting (it’s a long wait).

*Do NOT bring large albums. Only pictures small enough to fit underneath the window slit (can bring 4x6 albums but will need to take out the pics for the interview)

*Try to have everything translated to English, if possible! Especially letters.

*Notarize things if possible!

*Remember all dates & years because they can be asked!

-----------------------

Questions asked to others in K1 interview (P= petitioner; B= beneficiary):

* P’s phone number

* How, when, & where we met

* Any plans for wedding, when, where

* If P has been in Ecuador

* If B’s family has visa and if they were going to my wedding

* If we have had an engagement family reunion

* If B has been to the US & if problems with law there

* Married before and any kids

* What both do for living

* Why P was in Ecuador & how many times

* Have both met each other’s families

* How we learned English & Spanish

* Where do we plan to live in US

* How many times we’ve seen each other

* Brothers or sisters?

* Write P’s full name

* Where B’s parents live

* Family in the US?

* The proposal

* How many guests in wedding

* Sometimes false questions to trip you up (like changing the year or saying you were illegal)

-----------------------

EXTRA INFO FOR INTERVIEW:

-Process: Arrive & wait to be allowed in; tell them you’re there for a residency visa (immigrant visa); show passport & give them confirmation paperwork for visa meeting (tell them the time of appt); go to security guards where they check everything you have; go thru metal detector; go inside courtyard (only tourist visas need to wait in a line) & say you’re there for residency visa again; another metal detector inside building; go to back where immigrant visas are & sit down; first fingerprinting; then two interviews (first general one; second one more about questions of P & B’s relationship & for proof of relationship); then given a slip that says congratulations if approved!; shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours

-We should be getting a RED badge, which is for immigrant visas (yellow is non-immigrant)

-Stokes Interview is when they call you back later on to have more extensive interview

-Good to have US petitioner there

-Prepare for the visa to take 1-2 weeks to arrive at requested location

-Get there at least 45 min early

-Don’t wear any metal to help avoid problems with the detectors

-Pictures with family members help

-SPECIFIC answers with specific dates & times

-Triple check everything on the pdf file available at the consulate site for the K1 visa interview (see above link!)

-----------------------

All in all, we were pretty happy with the consulate. Good luck to anyone's future interviews at the GYE consulado!

Even though im petitioning for the CR-1 visa this is still very helpful thank you for posting this to help others. I still don't have an interview date =( but hopelessly waiting for it and it will be very soon. One question can you bring kids to the interview. When you went did you see any kids? lol im planning to travel to Guayaquil the day of the interview with our daughter. Can i bring her to the interview or are they not allowed in? Should i leave her with family. idk about having a 1 year old there for all those hours.

[TBoneTX 45,599]

Seven-year "anniversary" of our Stokes hosing at Guayaquil. Today. June 30.

[bluebook14 32]

Important!

There seem to be several versions of the PK4 PDF floating around. These two versions seem to appear everywhere - on the consulate's website as well as in this thread!

When browsing the packet 4 document, you will see a date on the bottom right corner of each page.

The older version says "February 2014"

The newer version says "May 2015"

They are substantially different, and probably the biggest difference is that the older one mentions sending documents via DHL, but the newer one does not. The older version appears in multiple places, even linked to within the consulate's presentation (which is otherwise quite helpful)

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Important!

There seem to be several versions of the PK4 PDF floating around. These two versions seem to appear everywhere - on the consulate's website as well as in this thread!

When browsing the packet 4 document, you will see a date on the bottom right corner of each page.

The older version says "February 2014"

The newer version says "May 2015"

They are substantially different, and probably the biggest difference is that the older one mentions sending documents via DHL, but the newer one does not. The older version appears in multiple places, even linked to within the consulate's presentation (which is otherwise quite helpful)

Thank you for the updated info, Mark!

We just ignored the DHL part in the old packet when we had to do ours, since we didn't have the updated version and knew that that part wasn't right, hahah! But I'm glad there's an updated one now!