The End is in Sight

[melissameeks 3]

Hello, everyone!

My husband had his interview on December 27, 2012. His appointment was scheduled for 7:30a. We arrived at 5:30a because we were coming from out of town and weren't sure of how long it would take us to get there. That meant we were first in line. I had already done some research, so I knew that we could not have electronic devices of any kind in the Consulate. We couldn't even have chargers. We also couldn't have deoderant, cologne or any other item that could be bomb material. There are people outside that are not affiliated with the Consulate that will hold your items for you for a fee. The fee ranges from 100JMD to 400JMD. They will place your items in a bag, then give you a number for pick up later. They do this every day, and most of them are reputable.

The next thing that happens is when it gets close to 6:30, representatives will come out and divide the line into Immigrant visas and other visas. Once the lines are divided, they ask everyone to take out their letter, passport and photos. They look at all of it. After that you are told to go into the first set of doors where you are greeted by security. They have you remove belts and any items from your pockets to go in a basket and go through x-ray. Each individual then goes through a metal detector and is visually assessed. Once cleared, you gather your belongings, are directed out into the courtyard and put yourself back together.

Next, you walk through the courtyard to another building where you go through a set of doors and a person is there that asks for your appointment letter and gives you a number. You then go through into a waiting area to sit until you are called. There is a restroom for anyone needing it. If your American spouse attends with you, they will have to remain in the courtyard. There is a snack bar there where drinks and snacks can be purchased, and seating is in a covered area. Plan on being at the Consulate 3-4 hours no matter how organized you are or how close to the front of the line you were.

Once inside, you will wait for your number to be called the first time. When they call it, you will go up to a window, pay the security fee (the US site says $45US, the Jamaican $75US) and give them the documents they ask you for which will include your police certificate. If all of the original documents were submitted earlier in the process which was indicated in your appointment letter, they will not ask you for any documents, or the security fee.

After that, you will sit back down and wait to be called for your interview. A lot of people will seem to be going before you and be processed quickly. Most of them are visitor or work visas. Once your number is called again, it is time for your interview. My husband got a white gentlemen probably in his thirties. People have talked about him in other posts. He is friendly. He is also tricky. He is just wanting to make sure the relationship is genuine. His questions were pretty basic except for two.

He asked my husband when and where we met. He asked for specific dates of when we met, when we wed, when I visited, when I left. He asked if he had met my family. He asked if I visited and how we communicated. He asked him about the names and relationships of people in our wedding photos. He asked if he was married before or had any kids. He asked if he had traveled to the US and if he had a criminal record. He asked him about my likes. He noticed that I travel alot on my passport, so he asked him why. I had mentioned in one sentence in one letter that my husband was vegetarian, so he asked him about his special eating. He noticed that I had submitted a change of address and asked him what was so special about the new house. He even indicated that I had sent a detailed letter about it which I did not. That was it. He told my husband that he was going to be spending some time with his wife, and gave him a blue square with a V on it. He was approved.

Ryan came out into the courtyard with a huge smile on his face. We went back to the building where we came in and went to the window to pay the DHL fee. It is 1100JMD. They will send it to the satellite office of your choice to be picked up in 7-8 business days. My two suggestions to everyone are this: paperwork, paperwork, paperwork for proof of relationship, and know your American spouse inside and out. Make sure the paperwork is neat and organized. Chance favors the prepared mind. It is is better to have too much information than not enough.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

*** Moving from Student Visa to CR-1 Progress Report forum ****

[jamdown22 5]

what is the 75$ pay for thanks

[Kitkat88 1]

Yes please what was the 75 dollars for

[ik2011 2]

Congratulations!!

He told my husband that he was going to be spending some time with his wife

It is funny, isn't it? They expect us know everything about our spouse who barely got a chance to live together for a few days while they themselves confess they don't know much about their spouse living together.

[cayjam 3]

This was really detailed (thanks)

[Darnell 8,478]

great write up ! Congrats on the approval !

Can paste yer writeup into an Embassy Review, from yer timeline over at http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=145788 soonish? TIA !

[velrich 50]

Congrats on the approval for your husband.

I have never heard about the type of fee you said you paid. What was this for?