Here is how our interview went in Rio last week. I decided to attend since Elaina had never traveled before (she lives in Recife) and we really wanted to see each other.

Wednesday (April 26, 2006)

0700 We arrive at the Consulate early since we were both nervous and could not sleep. There are 2 lines. One line is for K-1/K-3 visas and the second line is for everything else. Just ask the guard with line you should be in and don’t forget to bring the letter stating your interview date.

0740 They let everyone in after checking your interview letter and making sure you don’t have a cell phone or any other electronic devises (Camera, translator, etc.). You can NOT bring these in. There is someone that will hold them for you (about R$5,00) and return it to you when you are done. After security, you will go upstairs to start your wait.

0800 They conducted a role call and provided everyone with the order they want the documents. Thanks to the information provided here at VJ we all ready had that done and were second in line to turn in the documents. When we turned in the documents, the photos Eliana had didn’t completely show her ears (they only showed half) so we had to go and have new pictures taken. There is a Kodak shop around the corner. The cost was R$10,00 for the 2 photos. Of course if I had paid attention, we would have had this done the day before. I was just concerned about everything being filled out correctly. Anyways, we had the photos taken and turned them in and began our wait to be called.

0930 They called the first couple in. Their interview lasted 45 minutes (K-3). We were now thinking this is going to be very difficult.

1030 They finally called us in (and we were second). We sat down and he returned several documents back that I guess they didn’t need (2003 and 2004 tax return, pay stubs, my birth certificate, letter from employer). He asked Elaina if she spoke English or Portuguese. She answered Portuguese. He asked me the same and I asked English. He said no problem and he would conduct the interview in both. He had Eliana sign a few documents and asked to her to discuss how we met and how our relationship developed. She talked for about 5 minutes as he went over the documents about 10 times to make sure everything was in order. When she was done, he only asked me 2 questions. 1. How do I like Recife (he is being transferred there in 2007). 2. What do I do for a living. As I was explaining my job, I see him stamp APPROVED on our file. He told us we could have it mailed or pick it up on Friday at 1500. We told him we would pick it up on Friday. He handed us a slip of paper that we needed to bring with us. The whole interview was over in less than 10 minutes.


Friday (April 28, 2006)

1430 We arrived at the Consulate and waited in line with the others to pick up the visa.

1500 We go back thru security (of course this time everyone left their electronic devices at home or in their hotel rooms).

1510 The first person is called in. Also, there is no order of when you will be called. The third person interviewed on Wednesday as one of the last to be called. By 1645 we were still waiting to be called (along with 4 other people). They called everyone who was still there to the window and took our names and had us sit down. They called us back and told us that our visa was not ready (this happened to 2 of the other people there) because of a computer problem in the US. Apparently, this happens to a few people every week. They told us we can pick up the visa on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday) or they would mail it to us. Since we had flights scheduled for Saturday, we told them we would have it mailed. They gave us a form to take downstairs and to pay for shipping (R$86,00) and bring it back upstairs. We were told we should receive it by Friday (5/5).

I am just glad that we didn’t plan on leaving for the US that day. Elaina wanted to work for a few more days and spend sometime with your family before moving here. She is scheduled to arrive in New York on May 18, 2006. Only 17 days until she is here!!!!

Thanks for sharing

Congratulations

Congratulations, Craig !! and thanks for posting the experience... it is really important for us

Thank you for sharing!! this is very important to us!
and ..... Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Felicitacions!

Congratulations!!

Thanks for sharing! Awesome news that you´re all set! Can´t wait to get past that interview in Rio!

Congrats Craig. Glad to hear everything went well.

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratz

Congrats Craig! and thank you very much for posting this. I was under the impression that the Consulate gave your fiance back her Passport with the Visa in it the same day as the interview.

I'm hoping to be able to fly out there to go with my fiance to her interview (when ever that happens... sigh) as well.

I was also under the impression (since a few of my friends stated when they went with they're fiances) that if the USC is there, and he flashes his Passport the USC and his Fiance were not made to wait in line. Did that hold true for you?


Congrats again! and if there is any other little things you found out, please let us know... or send me a private message, everything helps!

Erik,

The flash the passport trick doesn't work for immigrant visa interviews.

We had our interview a couple of weeks ago as well. The review can be found here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...topic=13752&hl=

Congratulations