91 587 2244

Phone calls are only taken between 1430 and 1630.  Closed for US Holidays and major Spanish fiestas.  It is difficult to get through but perseverance does pay off. 

NOTE: 
The people taking your call will also be processing your paperwork on the day of your interview.  I found that politeness, verging on grovelling goes a very long way with them.

Office hours: Interviews by appointment only.
For telephone inquiries dial: 906-421431 (only in Spain). The cost of your call varies depending on the time you call: 0,78 euros per minute for calls made from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 0,71 euros per minute for calls made during reduced/after hours, vat included.

DS156
DS156K
DS230 Part I
DS230 Part II
DS157
I-134
Medical Information Sheet

NOTE:  There is a common misunderstanding that the DS157 is only required for males.  Regardless of sex you will receive this form and MUST complete it.  I was advised that they even require this for children so it must be done.  Failure to complete it will annoy the person processing you on the day and you will be given a form to fill in there and then.

Due to postal problems in my area I never received this.  Your name will be on the security list for day of interview so the interview letter is not essential and I wasn’t asked for it.

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This can be paid at any Banco Santander.  You have to take your passport, tell them it is for the United States Embassy Immigrant Visa and they will do the rest.  The payment is in the region of €90 with a small fluctuation for exchange rates.  Remember to keep the original receipt as this is needed on interview day.

Once you have sent back your packet three following the instructions given, and you are sure they would have received your papers, you can call to set up an interview date over the phone.  Again remember that the people you speak to will be the ones processing you on the day so be nice!  I did eavesdrop when I was there and they do seem to get a hard time from some applicants.

No

The medical exams must be completed BEFORE the interview.  There are two doctors on the list and both can provide the results the next day so it’s possible to have the medical the day before the interview to save two trips to Madrid.  Appointments for both doctors must be before 11.30am.  The X-rays are in a different building so expect a short walk or cab ride after your exam.

€102  This is payable on the day at the doctor’s office, in cash only.

PROCEDURE
I had a quick and painless blood test.  This is for HIV and Syphilis. 
After that I was shown to the Doctor’s office.  He took my medical history.  My height and weight were done along with my blood pressure.  He also listens to your heart, chest and takes your pulse.

X RAY
For this I had to go to a hospital by Plaza Marques de Salamanca, which was a 5 min cab ride away.  It’s a very nice hospital though I did have to wait about an hour for the X-ray and result.  Your X-ray is delivered to the doctor the following day with your result.

RESULTS
These are available the following morning.  You will be given a sealed envelope and the X-ray.  Keep the X-ray in the folder or bag in which it is handed to you.  Do not open the sealed envelope.  This must only be opened by the Consulate staff.

NOTE
The Medical Information from the Embassy states that one photo is required.  This is not the case.  Two passport-sized photos are needed and you must also take the Medical Info form provided in your packet three.

I used Unidad Medica Angloamericana.  They are located a ten minute walk from the Embassy.  The offices are quite sumptuous and the staff very helpful.  Your fiancé(é) or anyone else accompanying you will be able to wait with you.  I found them more helpful than Centro de Radiodiagnostica, which is why I elected to have my medical there.

Centro de Radiodiagnostica advised me that I needed my MMR and Tetanus before the exam or they would fail me.  The Unidad Medica Angloamericana say this is not the case and did not want to see my vaccination record on the day.  The Embassy staff corroborated this.  However my understanding is that it is needed later for AOS so it’s worth having it done beforehand if you do not have a vaccination record.  Bear in mind that I am a K1 so it may be different for K3 applicants.

I stayed at Hotel Convencion.  This isn’t the cheapest hotel and at €110 a night it seemed overpriced for the facilities and quality offered. Two drinks at the bar and a sandwich cost €14.   It was however centrally located and I never had to pay more than €5 for a cab ride to the Embassy, Doctors Office or Ministry de Justica.  I wouldn’t stay there again and if I had to go to Madrid in the future I’d stay at either a Sol Melia or on Serrano.

INTERVIEW DAY

There is only one entrance to the Embassy, which is staffed by Spanish security guards.  Their English is not that great.

All you bags will be taken from you, along with your mobile phone.  Remember to take out everything you need for the interview.  There is a payphone inside the Consulate.

On my interview day there was no line so I went straight in.  When you get to the main building, there is a glass-fronted office staffed by a receptionist.  She takes your name and phones through to let the Consulate staff know you have arrived.

You will be called to Window 16 for your paperwork to be processed.  This booth does have a door but it’s very squeaky and makes a really loud noise when you close it!

While I was being processed I saw my original I-129F with the big red “approved” stamp on it!  Have all your paperwork in an order that you can access easily as the processor does ask for them quickly.  She works from a checklist and works her way down to the DS forms.  All paperwork handed over is kept, so remember to take photocopies beforehand of everything.

Once your paperwork has been processed you take a seat and wait to be called.  I was called up again very quickly and went to window three.  You will be seen for the interview at one of the windows with yellow numbers.

The Consulate Officer swears you in.  My Consulate Office was David Carruthers.  I was asked the following questions.

What does Steve (my fiancé) do for a living.
How long have you two known each other.
Where will you be living in the United States.
Have you been to the US.

Each answer resulted in a chat which whilst very friendly, I am sure was also information gathering.

I wasn’t asked for any proof of relationship, despite having taken a wealth of papers and photos with me.

The Consulate Officer also asked me about my career as I’ve had two drastically different jobs.

I then signed the declaration on form DS156K which states my intent to marry my fiancé  under the terms of the K1 Visa.

He then told me he was happy to grant my visa and explained I had 6 months to enter the US and 90 days in which to marry.

He was very chatty, friendly and polite but I did get the impression he is very sharp and would pick up any inconsistencies immediately.

I was in and out of the Embassy in an hour but I do know that in other cases it’s taken a lot longer.

NOTES
There is a photo machine inside the embassy.  I had a look at it but it does not take ADIT sized photos.  Be sure to get yours done ahead of time.  If worse comes to worse there is a place over the road next to the bookstore on the corner that can do them for you.  If you need change there is a machine inside the Embassy next to the photo machine.

Iberia has some great offers flying within mainland Spain. I got a return flight from Valencia for €57, which worked out a lot cheaper than either driving or taking the train. If you’re searching for flights you may have to take ones that get you in very early in the morning and leave later at night but I find it the more stress-free way of travelling around Spain. A cab ride from the airport to downtown Madrid will cost you no more than €20.

I found the Embassy staff very helpful and even a pleasure to deal with. Madrid does seem to be a quieter embassy for K visas and on the day I went I was the only K applicant that day. I know that each person’s experience is different but I have been incredibly impressed so far.