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Netherlands US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.4
/ 5
188 Review(s)
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands |  Review #16958 on June 2, 2015: |
Avandongen
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: General Review
Smooth process. Asked a couple simple questions and it was done!
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #16776 on May 7, 2015: |
Arjan1979
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Well, how it works is pretty well known from previous reviews, just as a reminder: Let your phone and other electronics at home or in your car, it only costs you more time if you don't!
The papers that matter were all perfect when I came at the first window.
One thing though: When you get your birth certificate, make sure to ask for an INTERNATIONAL one, not jsut a normal one with translation, I know that's what it says when you get info about getting documents, that you needed to get a translation, but they don't find that good enough these days,
in my case it didn't cause problems because it happens often.
Also she said at the first window that taking a lawyer really isn't needed as long you read everything carefully you're fine, lawyers just cost alot of money mostly.
Also she wasn't a fan of visajourney because she had alot of people crying at her window because they followed advice from here.
In other words: make sure that your first priority is follow every detail you get from USCIS/NVC/consulate, that is the best help, also because alot of info you can find here can be dated by the time you have your interview or when you file your visa request.
All in all they were very friendly, and after just a few simple questions my visa issuance was approved 
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #16317 on February 26, 2015: |
AngelaMatthew
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Here's my review about my interview (rescheduling) experience...
I was visiting my husband in the States when I finally got word from NVC that they forwarded my case to the consulate. I had received my interview date one week later on jan 13th. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the scheduled interview date, they scheduled me on feb 17th, the day I was flying back to the Netherlands! Crazy timing. So I emailed them, they gave me instructions to first make an appointment for the medical exam...which I ended up scheduling on the day I flew back into the Netherlands. Wao crazy. Fly, land, medical... Then one day later I got an email from the consulate that I could come in the following week for an interview on the 26th of Feb, so basically one week later - they wouldn't give me the interview date before I had my medical, but said there isn't a long waiting time after they would receive medical results.
I brought so much paperwork with me for the interview, I even got extra certified copies of birth, marriage certificate and police records.... but they only needed two pasport pics... So easy. Had to answer questions about how I met my husband, what work he does, what I studied and what I plan to do in the States and then I got my approval. javascript:emoticon(' ')
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #16303 on February 25, 2015: |
NickTijs
Rating: 
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Went relatively smooth, short summary:
First of all: Please do not bring a phone or any other electronic devices. You won't be allowed in while carrying one.
Because I don't trust the dutch public transportation system I drove to Amsterdam, and parked at the Qpark parking lot. This is 2 euro's for every 20 minutes or part thereof, in total I spent 20 bucks on parking because I got there very early and I didn't go home straight from the interview.
I arrived at the consulate around noon, 90 minutes early, just to be sure I was on time. They had a tent pitched outside to keep you dry what was very nice. Since I was so early and the doors really won't open before 1:30, I decided to get a bite to eat downtown which is only 15 minutes away by foot.
Around 1:15pm more and more people gathered around the entrance of the consulate, besides me there were 2 more gentleman for the R/C-r visa, the rest seemed to be non-immigrant visa applicants.
At 1:30pm the door opened and a security guard came out, asking for names and what visa you were coming for. The R/C-1 visa applicants were let in first, you'll go through a security check similar to the one on the airport: Gates that check for metal and a X-ray machine that will see if you are trying to bring in anything dangerous. You'll have to take off your watch, shoes, belt, etc.
You have to leave your bag at the security check, but you may bring the contents of the bag (folders containing papers in my case) with you.
After you go through the security check you go through a door, and on your right there is a small waiting room with 3 windows, 5 through 7. There is also a bathroom located, which comes in handy if you have a nervous bladder like myself.
My experience with the windows is as followed, it might change in the future or have been like this incidental:
At window 5 you will have to provide any additional papers, or provide originals if you sent in copies. You'll be asked to scan your 4 fingers of your left and right hand, and then both your thumbs at once. After that you may take a seat again.
After a while, at window 6, the interviewer will call your name and he will conduct your interview. The interview itself is a lot simpler and more easy-going than some of the threads here on visa-journey imply.
He asked me:
Name of my petitioner, and if she was my spouse.
Asked if my spouse is a US citizen or not, and if so if by birth.
Where my spouse is right now, US or NL.
Where we plan to live after getting my visa (just saying the state sufficed).
When was my wedding, and to describe it.
What kind of work and/or school my spouse does or has done.
What kind of work and/or school I do or have done AND what I hope/plan to do in the states.
Asked the name of my joint sponsor and our relation to him.
Asked if my join sponsor is a US citizen or not.
After this there was a small hickup with the computer system so he wasn't able to tell me for sure if the visa was issued but he was fairly confident it was (bit odd, but ok).
He didn't return my passport, which is a good sign because they'll need that to print the visa. Don't forget to bring a backup-ID since carrying ID is mandatory in the Netherlands (a drivers license will suffice).
The next day, I checked the ceac website to check my visa status and it said Issued. Yay!
If any of you have any questions or want to hear something in greater detail, feel free to PM me.
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #15762 on December 9, 2014: |
Mariniertje
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Today, I (J) had my interview at the Amsterdam Consulate General.
It was a very quick and good experience for me.
If you come by car; park in the "Q-park Museumplein" parking garage under the Museumplein, the entrance is right across the "Concertgebouw" and under the Albert Heijn. This way you don't have to worry about getting back to your car on time or getting a parking ticket.
There is no need to be at the Consulate General any earlier than 13:15. This is just the line for getting in and going through security; not the order in which people are being served by the CO. The security guard will line people up outside first. Immigrants (including K1) line up at the front of the line and go in first, all Non-Immigrants have to wait and go in later.
OK. You have made it inside of the Consulate. Have your passport and original interview confirmation letter in hand, since you will need to show this to the security guard inside, before going through the security scan process (similar to airport security).
Try to bring as less as possible!!! Since you will need to empty ALL your pockets, from both your jacket as your pants. You will only be allowed to take inside whatever you need for the Visa interview. So, try to bring nothing more than your paperwork, your wallet and your (car) keys. You bag/purse will stay with the security guards until you leave the Consulate again.
Once you are cleared by security, you pull open a really heavy door to go into the main part of the Consulate. Go right immediately to enter the room for Immigrant Visas. Just sit down and get comfortable. There is no need to form a line, since the CO has a pre-defined list with names, defining the order in which everyone will be served. They will call out your name when it's your turn. When you hear your name the first time, walk up to window 5 and greet the CO. In my case the CO behind window 5 spoke Dutch.
They will need (in my case):
* Passport
* 2 (two) U.S.-style passport pictures
* Original + Copy Birth Certificate
* Original + Copy Police Report (VOG)
* Original I-134 + all related proof
Then the CO will ask you to provide your finger prints:
1. the four fingers of your left hand
2. the four fingers of your right hand
3. both your thumbs (left and right) at the same time
After that you will be asked to sit down, and wait for the other CO to call you at window 6.
In my case this took only 2 minutes. So, even though I was the last one to get through security, I was the first one to be served. Overall, I was in and out in less than 20 minutes.
This second officer will ask you to raise your right hand and swear that all the information and documents you have provided are true. You just need to answer with "I do" or "I swear" or something like that. Once you have done so, he will browse through your documentation set (not just what you just provided to his colleague, but the complete file they received from USCIS). The CO asked me the following questions:
1. What is the name of the person who sponsored your visa?
2. Where does he/she live?
3. Where did you meet?
4. How often have you seen each other in person?
5. Have you met each others parents?
6. What does he/she do for work?
7. What do you do for work?
8. When do you plan to get married?
And after that, he went through the paperwork once more, and said that everything looked good and that my visa would be approved, and I would receive it in the mail within 5 days.
After that, you are done, and can go back to the security guard to collect your belongings.
Overall a really great and quick experience.
(updated on May 13, 2019)
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