ToAliwithLove

Did you make reservations or just show up? Did they take a credit card?

Ells recommended this place, too. I was trying to decide between here & Christar Villas, but you sold me on this place with "hot water" and "$70."

LOL, hot water. I just called and made a reservation, I didnt give them a credit card though.

Just another suggestion: We stayed at the Prestige (Sandhurst Hotel)

Address: 70 Sandhurst Cresent, Kingston. 1-876-927-8294.

Note: Its not a fancy place its a home converted into a hotel. Its very clean, has a pool and its in a residential area. Similiar to a middle class area in the states which is really nice (quiet). There is parking, AC, hot water and the price is as low as $70 a night. It is also walking distance to the embassy, its right off of Old Hope Road. Close to the Soverign Center, Movies, Bob Marley Museum, Supermarket, you name it.

I was a little skeptical at first but, in the end, we were very pleased. If you dont have a car you can walk out to the main road and take the bus up to the embassy or taxi from the hotel (inexpensive).

The crowd. When we were at the hotel there was a group of college kids from PA and just us at the hotel, so maybe about 20 people in all. They have an old computer to use if you want the internet for a small fee, i saw it in the lobby but didnt use it. There is a kitchen but I the food wasnt that good, but they had a lot snacks like drinks and chips and stuff for late night.

Ok! Thats enough, I guess, I should be making a profit from The Prestige :-). Also, you can map the place on google maps as well.

Just another suggestion: We stayed at the Prestige (Sandhurst Hotel)

Address: 70 Sandhurst Cresent, Kingston. 1-876-927-8294.

Note: Its not a fancy place its a home converted into a hotel. Its very clean, has a pool and its in a residential area. Similiar to a middle class area in the states which is really nice (quiet). There is parking, AC, hot water and the price is as low as $70 a night. It is also walking distance to the embassy, its right off of Old Hope Road. Close to the Soverign Center, Movies, Bob Marley Museum, Supermarket, you name it.

I was a little skeptical at first but, in the end, we were very pleased. If you dont have a car you can walk out to the main road and take the bus up to the embassy or taxi from the hotel (inexpensive).

The crowd. When we were at the hotel there was a group of college kids from PA and just us at the hotel, so maybe about 20 people in all. They have an old computer to use if you want the internet for a small fee, i saw it in the lobby but didnt use it. There is a kitchen but I the food wasnt that good, but they had a lot snacks like drinks and chips and stuff for late night.

Ok! Thats enough, I guess, I should be making a profit from The Prestige :-). Also, you can map the place on google maps as well.

Thanks!

So on the plane (arrival to USA), the immigrnat only has to fill out the customs declaration form? Not the I-94 or anything else?

Ali

Thanks to all.

Ali

Thanks so much guys! I agree this site is the greatest. And very efficient when it comes to retrieving timely and accurate information. So this leads to another question in which I need a little more clarification. Currently right now he has a visa that expires in 6 months in his passport. In a month or so he is going to get his permanent resident card. Is there going to to anything stamped in his passport saying he 's a permenent resident once that 6 month visa expires?

Otto and Karin,

Thanks, very efficient in response. Love it.

Ali

RoxieJoe.

Thanks too.

Ali

Thanks, are you bumping me or did you respond and it didnt go through?

Ali

So, we received the VISA. We are soooooo happy. Very quick!So next steps.

Please tell me if the operational process for the next steps in correct.

1. When he arrives at the point of entry, they will stamp his passport with ________________________ (EAD Stamp or something else)?

2. We dont dont have to apply for the conditional greencard, it will come to us automatically, my mail?

3. For those of you that did get it by mail, how long did it take to come, from POA?

4. Go to the Social Security Office to apply for SS Card?

5. Do we need to bring anything besides the passport to the SS office?

6. Once the conditional green card is received we relax until 90 days before expiration date then we remove conditions?

Quick Question:

Does the immigration officer at POA give you the green card? Someone told me they do, but I dont think thats correct?

Does he need an AP to travel or the green card is enough?

NatPatPen,

DHL delivered it to the Montego Bay DHL Location (not his home).

We figured it was the safest and he went there to pick it up.

Note: You can track the shipment online through DHL, as well. If your looking to get it quicker, I say, have the embassy deliver it to the DHL Location in Kingston.

The reason why I say this, as I was tracking the package on the DHL website it appeared that it was processed at the Embassy the same day as our interview and arrived at the DHL Kingston location the next day. From Kingston it said next day shipping to Montego Bay, but it actually took two extra days.

Hope that helped.

Ali

JAPrincess,

LOL, LOL. Im putting that extra special blessing on your process. :-)

Ali

So, we received the VISA. We are soooooo happy. Very quick!So next steps.

Please tell me if the operational process for the next steps in correct.

1. When he arrives at the point of entry, they will stamp his passport with ________________________ (EAD Stamp or something else)?

2. We dont dont have to apply for the conditional greencard, it will come to us automatically, my mail?

3. For those of you that did get it by mail, how long did it take to come, from POA?

4. Go to the Social Security Office to apply for SS Card?

5. Do we need to bring anything besides the passport to the SS office?

6. Once the conditional green card is received we relax until 90 days before expiration date then we remove conditions?

Quick Question:

Does the immigration officer at POA give you the green card? Someone told me they do, but I dont think thats correct?

Does he need an AP to travel or the green card is enough?

Thanks everyone. I updated my timeline and added the embassy review so that others can benefit.

Ali

Before going in Embassy

Do not arrive extremely early. Arrive on time (within 15 minutes of appointment)
Go directly to the front of the line and only talk to the Embassy employees in the Yellow Shirts.
Make sure you carry a pen with you
Make sure you have all pictures signed with the applicant’s name
The person with the Yellow shirt will check your passport; passport photos and interview letter (make sure these are the only items out at this time.)
Leave your cell phone/camera at home/hotel/car.

Entering Embassy

You will go through metal detector (small building)
Then a courtyard to the main building
In the main building you will welcomed by a receptionist that will take your Interview Letter and give you a yellow piece of paper for DHL Delivery and a number (similar to going to the DMV in the states). Put your Passport number/ Address and Phone number on the yellow paper.
The receptionist will lead you to the Interview Area.
There are two different doors one for Non- Immigrant Visas and one for Immigration (aka Filing). Both doors lead to the same room. However, Individuals filing for non-immigration visas are on the left, Section B and immigration visas, Section A, are on the right. Sections B is 3 times the size as Section A.

1st Process and 2nd Process (Interview)

At this point I can only speak of my experience (Immigrant Visa, Section A)

This section has 5 windows (teller style), Window 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Windows 5, 6, and 7 (1st process –Document Collection and Fingerprints)

Windows 8 and 9 (2nd Process- Interview)

We were serviced at window 7 first, the young lady had our file, she put everything in order, my husband gave his fingerprints and we sat back down. Make sure no one sits in your seats when you stand up for process 1, because you wont have a seat when you come back, which is literally 2-4 feet from the windows. It’s a small space.

We sat down for like 20 minutes and then we were called to Window 8, we had to swear in (right hand up), then she took my husbands index fingerprint, then he had to sign the second part of the DS-230.

After all the administration stuff was done, she asked both of us when we met through the window, my husband answered, she asked where we met, my husband answered, she asked how many people were at our wedding, my husband answered, she said your approved go to window 26 and pay DHL. I’m thinking to myself, that’s it. You don’t need to see pictures? No evidence? No separate interviews? Wow! They didn’t ask my step son any questions.

DHL

We paid DHL $750JA for both passports/visas. We didn’t have to pay two fees.

Interviews before ours:

There was one couple that was interviewed separately through the phones on the outside on the teller window. They were approved.

There was a girl that was married, her husband was not there, she pulled out several post cards, western union receipts and pictures and the agent was not buying it, she got a blue slip to come back, don’t know what for.

There was a family of 5 kids and a mother, they were all approved.

There was a guy without his wife, he was approved.

There was another guy whose mother sponsored him, he got a blue slip because his mothers name did not match his and he needed his mothers divorce certificate.

Additional Information

Note: You do not go into small little interview rooms, everything is done outside the teller window, like at the DMV. No privacy unless you pick up the phone. I suggest you pick up the phone right from the beginning (only in process 2.)

Note: The gentleman that greeted us came in while we were seated he made some funny jokes. He came over and said he had good news and bad news. Did we want the good news or bad news first? We said bad news, He said bad news is that the numbers are not going to go in order, so be aware. Good news, Section A will leave before Section B, everyone laughed. Then he gave us the run down, he said everyone is going to go to Windows 5, 6 or 7 first. If you get to Window and 8 or 9, Yah go a Foreign! Everyone laughed.

Embassy Rating

Overall, we rated the embassy and our experience a “5”. Everyone was nice, no issues. Very timely.

We got there at 6:55am, got in the embassy and in our seat by 7:15am, out the door at 8:30am.

ok, thanks....................................................................

Ok, one last question. Are you suppose to bring 2 or 4 passport size photos to the interview for an CR-1 visa?

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks. Ill try not to. :-)

Thanks for all your help. Is there anything else im forgetting? Any more tips? I think we are prepared but you just never know.

I think it depend on the age of the child...

child is 7

So, its down to the last few days. Just have a few questions.

We filed a CR-1 and CR-2, so we have paid for the the I-130, AOS and Visa Application are there any more fees, before or after the interview?

What type of questions do they ask children?

Do they ask any questions about parents (the immigrants)?

Thanks,

Ali

So, the medical is offically over. No shots required. Mo Bay Hope was not bad at all.

FYI- The MoBay Hope Doctor was Dr. Watson. Very good!

My SO went to Mo Bay Hope, no problems in and out quickly. The appointment was made by email, their response time was impressive. They catered to all of our needs. I recommend.

So, the medical is offically over. No shots required. Mo Bay Hope was not bad at all.

My husband had his medical last July at MoBay Hope and after the doctor examined his immunization records he needed to have an MMR and a Tetnus shot which including the medical exam it cost him about $12,000J. He had already had the chicken pox and told the doctor that so they did not require him to have the chicken pox vaccine.

Thanks