K1 Interview Review

[SC & HS 0]

My interview was scheduled on 15th July, 2010. I was told to report at 8 a.m. I reached the US embassy at 7.15 a.m. After the security check, I was given a token number. Waited in a hall where immigrant and non-immigrant interviews were to be taken and got my finger print done.

Then I had to wait patiently for my turn. I went to the counter when my token number was displayed. An Indian lady took my papers and went through them.

She returned me few papers such as:

- Call logs, emails, greeting cards,

- Documents showing my fiancés visit to India (boarding pass, hotel and restaurant receipts)

- Birthday gift receipts, original date of birth certificate,

- I-134 supporting documents (bank statement, investment details, 2008-tax return) and X-ray report.

Finally, she told me to deposit the fees and informed me that K1 visa fees had increased to $350 US dollars. I submitted the bank draft and returned her 2 copies of the receipt. You can check exchange rate from the embassy’s website. Also, it is better to call or email them upfront to get the correct exchange rate. http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ivvisafees2.html

I had to wait for the final interview which was to be taken by the Consulate Officer who was an American lady. I was asked the following questions.

1. Who was sponsoring me?
   
2. How did we meet?
   
3. Was it an arranged match or other arrangements?
   
4. I previously visited US on J1 visa (Exchange visitor visa) and the Consulate officer wanted to know for what purpose my previous visit?
   
5. Whether I had gone to US for studying or whether I was working there?
   
6. a) Consulate officer asked for J1 waiver document (Two year foreign residency requirement documents)
   
7. When did I return from the US?
   
8. What is my qualification?
   
9. When did I get engaged?
   
10. Where is snaps/pictures?
    

Finally, the Consulate Officer told me I should get my passport/visa within a week. I was out of the consulate office by 9:30 AM.

TIPS for folks who visited US on J1 visa and applying K1/K3 (fiancé or Spouse visa):

Please ensure that you get the J1 waiver (Two year residency requirement) first before applying for any K1/K3 visa. Without the waiver the consulate officer will not issue K1/K3 visa. Also, getting J1 waiver from India is a real painful task, so start working on it upfront.

Edited July 17, 2010 by SC & HS

[Gingerpants 8]

Thanks for posting, it's helpful to see how other interviews went to prepare for our own. The questions seemed a lot more basic then I was expecting, I thought there would be more of a focus on your relationship and such.

[Robert de Bonda 3]

Congratulations. Thanks for posting the review. I would like to hear as many different questions as possible. I generally like the tone of the questions that have been reported.

[santale 1]

My interview was scheduled on 15th July, 2010. I was told to report at 8 a.m. I reached the US embassy at 7.15 a.m. After the security check, I was given a token number. Waited in a hall where immigrant and non-immigrant interviews were to be taken and got my finger print done.

Then I had to wait patiently for my turn. I went to the counter when my token number was displayed. An Indian lady took my papers and went through them.

She returned me few papers such as:

- Call logs, emails, greeting cards,

- Documents showing my fiancés visit to India (boarding pass, hotel and restaurant receipts)

- Birthday gift receipts, original date of birth certificate,

- I-134 supporting documents (bank statement, investment details, 2008-tax return) and X-ray report.

Finally, she told me to deposit the fees and informed me that K1 visa fees had increased to $350 US dollars. I submitted the bank draft and returned her 2 copies of the receipt. You can check exchange rate from the embassy’s website. Also, it is better to call or email them upfront to get the correct exchange rate. http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ivvisafees2.html

I had to wait for the final interview which was to be taken by the Consulate Officer who was an American lady. I was asked the following questions.

1. Who was sponsoring me?
   
2. How did we meet?
   
3. Was it an arranged match or other arrangements?
   
4. I previously visited US on J1 visa (Exchange visitor visa) and the Consulate officer wanted to know for what purpose my previous visit?
   
5. Whether I had gone to US for studying or whether I was working there?
   
6. a) Consulate officer asked for J1 waiver document (Two year foreign residency requirement documents)
   
7. When did I return from the US?
   
8. What is my qualification?
   
9. When did I get engaged?
   
10. Where is snaps/pictures?
    

Finally, the Consulate Officer told me I should get my passport/visa within a week. I was out of the consulate office by 9:30 AM.

TIPS for folks who visited US on J1 visa and applying K1/K3 (fiancé or Spouse visa):

Please ensure that you get the J1 waiver (Two year residency requirement) first before applying for any K1/K3 visa. Without the waiver the consulate officer will not issue K1/K3 visa. Also, getting J1 waiver from India is a real painful task, so start working on it upfront.

Hi to India

thanks for very useful post.I have been to the US on J1 visa as an au pair and until yesterday i did not know i need to submit my DS 2019 form to the I-129F package.The thing i did not know is that I should bring it with me to the interview also so thank you.Is the DS 2019 what you mean by J1 waiver right? Just making sure:)

[SC & HS 0]

Hi to India

thanks for very useful post.I have been to the US on J1 visa as an au pair and until yesterday i did not know i need to submit my DS 2019 form to the I-129F package.The thing i did not know is that I should bring it with me to the interview also so thank you.Is the DS 2019 what you mean by J1 waiver right? Just making sure:)

Hello,

You need to first check if you have Two year Residency requirement for your J1 visa. If INA 212(e) Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement Pertaining to J-1 Exchange Visitors also applies to you then you need to get the waiver first.

Here is the link for J1 waiver.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1288.html

Also, you can do Google search and you will find lots of postings on J1 waiver. Hope this helps.

Best.

[santale 1]

Hello,

You need to first check if you have Two year Residency requirement for your J1 visa. If INA 212(e) Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement Pertaining to J-1 Exchange Visitors also applies to you then you need to get the waiver first.

Here is the link for J1 waiver.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1288.html

Also, you can do Google search and you will find lots of postings on J1 waiver. Hope this helps.

Best.

thanks for info!!! My DS 2019 form says that I am NOT a subject to the 2year residence requirement,is that ok??

I heard so.

Thank you.

[hotpizza 0]

Hey,

My interview is on Aug. 6th, 2010 at 8 AM at New Delhi. Any tips you have because I am sort of nervous...

My interview was scheduled on 15th July, 2010. I was told to report at 8 a.m. I reached the US embassy at 7.15 a.m. After the security check, I was given a token number. Waited in a hall where immigrant and non-immigrant interviews were to be taken and got my finger print done.

Then I had to wait patiently for my turn. I went to the counter when my token number was displayed. An Indian lady took my papers and went through them.

She returned me few papers such as:

- Call logs, emails, greeting cards,

- Documents showing my fiancés visit to India (boarding pass, hotel and restaurant receipts)

- Birthday gift receipts, original date of birth certificate,

- I-134 supporting documents (bank statement, investment details, 2008-tax return) and X-ray report.

Finally, she told me to deposit the fees and informed me that K1 visa fees had increased to $350 US dollars. I submitted the bank draft and returned her 2 copies of the receipt. You can check exchange rate from the embassy’s website. Also, it is better to call or email them upfront to get the correct exchange rate. http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ivvisafees2.html

I had to wait for the final interview which was to be taken by the Consulate Officer who was an American lady. I was asked the following questions.

1. Who was sponsoring me?
   
2. How did we meet?
   
3. Was it an arranged match or other arrangements?
   
4. I previously visited US on J1 visa (Exchange visitor visa) and the Consulate officer wanted to know for what purpose my previous visit?
   
5. Whether I had gone to US for studying or whether I was working there?
   
6. a) Consulate officer asked for J1 waiver document (Two year foreign residency requirement documents)
   
7. When did I return from the US?
   
8. What is my qualification?
   
9. When did I get engaged?
   
10. Where is snaps/pictures?
    

Finally, the Consulate Officer told me I should get my passport/visa within a week. I was out of the consulate office by 9:30 AM.

TIPS for folks who visited US on J1 visa and applying K1/K3 (fiancé or Spouse visa):

Please ensure that you get the J1 waiver (Two year residency requirement) first before applying for any K1/K3 visa. Without the waiver the consulate officer will not issue K1/K3 visa. Also, getting J1 waiver from India is a real painful task, so start working on it upfront.

Edited July 27, 2010 by hotpizza