To be or NOT be at the K-1 Visa Interview

[TBoneTX 43,545]

Come again.. they denied your fiance her visa without you there?

Absolutely, si man (sigh, man). It will be no different if the sex of the beneficiary is different. It cost one of the respondents here approximately $10,000 to rectify the mess created from not going; another respondent here got permission to leave for the second visit from his boss after just 5 days on a new job; another respondent became physically ill after weeks of sleepless torment.

The consular reviews about Guayaquil are exceptionally artificial, in terms of positive tone and positive ratings -- because very few of those who were hosed have written a review. Some are considering holding in the anger until the spouses have been U.S. citizens for 2 years (and thus free from reprisals), and then no-holds-barred, smoking-hot "after-visa complaints" will be written to the Department of State and to whoever the Consul General at Guayaquil then is. This was advice from an immigration attorney who used to be a vice-consul in Caracas, and who was quite taken aback to hear of the treatment. Until then, the best that we can do is to remain on VisaJourney and try to prevent others, like you, from being blindsided and 100% hosed as we all were.

Ed Hall is right: No matter what the cost of a last-minute ticket is, it will be well worth it to invest in that, rather than in months or more of damage-control.

Oh -- when you try to set the interview appointment, expect to get jacked around by those harpies on the $12-per-call PIN line who almost certainly get commissions for how many times they can make you call back.

And oh -- when you get to Guayaquil at least a full day early, spend your entire time furiously taking pictures of yourselves in different situations & activities, and find a camera store in a mall to print the photos out. You will be asked for them at the first window.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Gosh...

Reading this thread and the review by PDX made me sick to my stomach. I send my deepest sympathies to all the people who were "hosed". So sad.

ps. I would definitely listen to the advice of VJ members and go if this is the type of experience you and your fiance may have....

[TBoneTX 43,545]

This thread really ought to be combined with the "granddaddy" thread, sigh man:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/page__st__240__gopid__4976950#entry4976950

If you think that the current thread is horrifying, read the one above.

Edited October 28, 2011 by TBoneTX

[SuperDuper! 230]

Also, make sure you bring tons of evidence. We brought over 500 pictures and 3 reams of paper consisting of emails, online chats and e-cards. It all weighed in around 40 lbs. There is no such thing as too much evidence at this consulate. No matter how much you present to them, their standard motto is "Lack of Evidence". Anyways, good luck and don't become a victim.

Overkill.

Good luck.

Peace.

[TBoneTX 43,545]

Overkill.

No, it was NOT.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Makes me want to become an immigration lawyer.

[Ed Hall 7]

Overkill.

Good luck.

Peace.

It was not overkill. Remember, this particular consulate is not your typical consulate that plays by the rules. They play by their own rules. We submitted tons of evidence multiple times only to be denied time after time due to "Lack of Evidence". It quickly became clear that we were dealing with a consulate that had a different agenda other than granting K1 visas to credible couples who wanted to spend a lifetime together. Finally, the only way to bring the suitcase full of evidence was by an 8 hour bus trip to the consulate. Fortunately, it finally worked but it was costly. Anyways I repeat, don't take any chances with this dangerous and unpredictable consulate.