K1 Visa Interview - Tips?

[kurto 0]

Hey guys,

So I'm the USC living with my partner in Australia. Next Tuesday is our K1 Visa interview at the Sydney Consulate. We have the medical and everything on the checklist. Does any one have any final tips or advice? I've read a bunch of people's experience at the interview on this website, but not many specific to Sydney. If anyone who's completed the interview has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

I'll also provide my experience once the interview is done. Fingers crossed we get approved! The only thing I'm a bit worried about is the Domicile part, I've NEVER been to the US before (got my citizenship due to father) and I tried to register to vote, open a bank account, get license but was unable to do any of those without first going to US. I'll be living with cousin for a bit, so have facebook chat logs but that's it. I've only been a citizen for a year so not enough tax records.

Thanks,

Kurt

[TBoneTX 43,422]

*** Country-specific thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Australia/New Zealand regional subforum. ***

[TheCaptain 67]

Hey guys,

So I'm the USC living with my partner in Australia. Next Tuesday is our K1 Visa interview at the Sydney Consulate. We have the medical and everything on the checklist. Does any one have any final tips or advice? I've read a bunch of people's experience at the interview on this website, but not many specific to Sydney. If anyone who's completed the interview has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

I'll also provide my experience once the interview is done. Fingers crossed we get approved! The only thing I'm a bit worried about is the Domicile part, I've NEVER been to the US before (got my citizenship due to father) and I tried to register to vote, open a bank account, get license but was unable to do any of those without first going to US. I'll be living with cousin for a bit, so have facebook chat logs but that's it. I've only been a citizen for a year so not enough tax records.

Thanks,

Kurt

Hi Kurt,

I had my K1 approved through the Sydney Consulate. I can definitely say to make sure you get there early to make sure that you know where to go. You will enter the consulate through the 10th floor of the MLC building and go through security.

This is exactly the same procedure as the airport so make sure you don't have anything you are not allowed. You are not able to take ANYTHING besides you documentation in a folder, no cell phones, no laptop's, no picnic tables, etc so make sure you have EVERYTHING you need in that folder. They do have storage facilities for a small bag and will give you a coupon to get your bag back once you return.

After you are through security you will be escorted to an elevator and taken to the 56th floor. This is the actual consulate, you will need to show your passport and have it checked off with the security officer before you go through the big heavy door. Once inside you will get a ticket and sit to wait for your number to be called.

Use this time to get everything arranged and ready in your folder. You will be called up multiple times so don't be worried. The first time you get called up the officer will take all required documentation, medical information, passport and ask for anything else they may need or have lost. (Make sure you take copies of everything sent so far, they have a tendency to loose things)

You will then sit down and wait, wait, wait and wait some more...... Eventually you will be called up again and the actual interview begins.

You will be asked a variety of questions relating to the relationship, where you got engaged, family, friends, what your fiance does for a job etc.

If everything goes well the CO will tell you congratulations and give you a cheap crappy photocopied piece of paper with your name written on it.... Whheeee.

That is it, it's over. Exit the consulate, go back downstairs to level 10 and get your bags.... Total Anti Climax I tell you.

Your passport and visa will be sent via express post within approx 14 days.

Don't hesitate to ask me any other questions you may have.

[kurto 0]

Hi Kurt,

I had my K1 approved through the Sydney Consulate. I can definitely say to make sure you get there early to make sure that you know where to go. You will enter the consulate through the 10th floor of the MLC building and go through security.

This is exactly the same procedure as the airport so make sure you don't have anything you are not allowed. You are not able to take ANYTHING besides you documentation in a folder, no cell phones, no laptop's, no picnic tables, etc so make sure you have EVERYTHING you need in that folder. They do have storage facilities for a small bag and will give you a coupon to get your bag back once you return.

After you are through security you will be escorted to an elevator and taken to the 56th floor. This is the actual consulate, you will need to show your passport and have it checked off with the security officer before you go through the big heavy door. Once inside you will get a ticket and sit to wait for your number to be called.

Use this time to get everything arranged and ready in your folder. You will be called up multiple times so don't be worried. The first time you get called up the officer will take all required documentation, medical information, passport and ask for anything else they may need or have lost. (Make sure you take copies of everything sent so far, they have a tendency to loose things)

You will then sit down and wait, wait, wait and wait some more...... Eventually you will be called up again and the actual interview begins.

You will be asked a variety of questions relating to the relationship, where you got engaged, family, friends, what your fiance does for a job etc.

If everything goes well the CO will tell you congratulations and give you a cheap crappy photocopied piece of paper with your name written on it.... Whheeee.

That is it, it's over. Exit the consulate, go back downstairs to level 10 and get your bags.... Total Anti Climax I tell you.

Your passport and visa will be sent via express post within approx 14 days.

Don't hesitate to ask me any other questions you may have.

Thanks Captain! This was a VERY helpful response. I feel like the Sydney Consulate should include this sort of information in the Interview Confirmation Email which has the instructions on what to bring etc. They don't mention anything about what you can/can't bring to interview (like phones), or even a basic "here's what to expect on the day". I'll make sure I have a printed copy of every document.

[Lainie B 465]

Ask the CO for a photocopy of your medical report.

[TheCaptain 67]

Thanks Captain! This was a VERY helpful response. I feel like the Sydney Consulate should include this sort of information in the Interview Confirmation Email which has the instructions on what to bring etc. They don't mention anything about what you can/can't bring to interview (like phones), or even a basic "here's what to expect on the day". I'll make sure I have a printed copy of every document.

Any updates to share?

How did your interview go?

Would be great to get an update

[kurto 0]

Any updates to share?

How did your interview go?

Would be great to get an update

I'll create a new thread to go into detail and let people ask questions, but interview was fantastic! My fiance was approved that day and we picked up the Visa package yesterday! Her passport has the Visa in it and we also received the yellow package which we know we're not allowed to open.

The interview itself was so easy we thought something was going to go wrong. We rocked up at 7 and sat in foyer until they let us up to level 10 (7:30) where a very kind officer explained how the day was going to go and he had a lot of humour and was very friendly. We then went through the security screening (very airport style). I wasn't allowed to proceed from there as we were supposed to indicate prior to the appointment if US citizen was attending or not, this part I wasn't aware of. My partner proceeded to the waiting room, I sat in the foyer on level 10. Within about half an hour she returned with a smile on her face, approved! There were about 10 other people with us at 7:30, but more people kept rolling in while I was waiting. There were even a few gay couples which I was proud to see (wasn't sure what the laws were around that). We were out of the building before 8:30 when we were expecting to be in there until 3pm (based on many other stories I had read). We also got a copy of the medical and received all original documents back. I've read online that the yellow "do not open" package also contains the medical so I assume it's very important for immigration.

Now we're looking up flights to US in October / early November. Getting very excited!!!

Thanks for all the help I'll create a thread soon

[Lainie B 465]

Congratulations!