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Austria US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.2
/ 5
33 Review(s)
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| Austria |  Review #31937 on April 3, 2023: |
ABertozzi
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my IR-1 visa interview today, April 4, 2023. Originally I received an appointment for April 17th, but I then contacted the consulate directly, asking them for an earlier date - I said that I had no particular reason other than myself and the kids really wanting to join my husband as soon as possible. They immediately said that it should be possible, they just had to wait for my case to get there. A few days later they emailed me and gave me an appointment for April 3rd.
My appointment was at 1 pm and I got there at about 12:35 pm. The security guard was friendly and told me to come back about 5 minutes before the appointment time, since at the moment everyone was at lunch break anyway. I came back about 10 minutes earlier and waited the rest of the time in front of the entrance. A few minutes before 1 pm I was called towards the security area, where I gave them my name and passport. The guard nicely explained the security procedures and I want through it without problems. I went into the waiting area, which was completely empty. A few minutes later, another visa applicant came in and it remained the only person I would see in the visa section, it was not busy at all. The other person was called up first, so I had to wait 10 or 15 minutes for my turn. I was called to window 5, where a local employee (who was just filling in for his colleague who was out sick) asked me for exactly the documents specified in their email (passport, photo, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates) and checked that they all were correct and valid. He also made sure my medical was there and that I had signed up for my preferred method of having my passport returned. I was also asked to give my fingerprints. This was all done in a very friendly manner, it all felt very relaxed.
I then went back into the waiting area and waited another 20 minutes or so - this was probably the most difficult time, since I was getting a bit anxious, knowing that the interview was coming up. Finally I was called to window 7, which is in a slightly separated section, almost like a tiny room with a door that can be closed (though it remained open for my interview and the one before). The consul greeted me and asked me to raise my hand for the oath. He then started by asking what kind of visa my interview was for and if my husband is a US citizen. He asked how we met and the interview developed from there. Some of the questions asked were the following, I don't remember in what order:
How did you meet?
What does your husband do?
Why have you decided to relocate?
Where are you going to live?
Do you have children?
Where do the children stay?
When will you travel?
So you already go all your affairs in order?
When was your medical?
Did your husband already move to the US?
On what basis was he in Austria before - student, work...?
What is your job?
When did you get married?
Overall it was just like a normal conversation, he was friendly, I tried to supply the information requested but without oversharing (which I tend to do). He didn't ask for any further documents, but when he asked about the children I offered him to have a look at their birth certificates and CRBAs, which he accepted. At the end he said "It looks like we have everything. You are approved!" and he wished me all the best. It was a great experience and the entire interview lasted less than 10 minutes for me. I was out of the door by 1:55 pm.
One thing - which might throw some people off - is that the consul kept typing in his computer while I was talking and then after I finished my sentence he kept typing for a while, looking quite serious while he did that. It didn't mean anything though, because after he was finished he always looked at me with a smile/friendly face again.
So overall it was a great experience, every single person at the Vienna Consulate was nice, including the cleaning lady!
| | | Review #31683 on January 3, 2023: |
Barbara &Joe
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: General Review
Rating only
| | | Austria | Review #28643 on October 5, 2020: |
mallasharas
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My interview went very smoothly. Everybody was very friendly and professional. The CO asked me two questions: How did you meet your husband and if he visited Austria before. He was surprised when I told him that he’s been to Austria 6,7 times and that he is coming again next week.
He told me that everything looks perfect and is approved already and that they’re only waiting to receive my medical exam to issue my visa.
This conversation lasted probably not even 2 minutes 🤗
| | | Austria | Review #27315 on October 22, 2019: |
Nyalimera
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview was scheduled for 11am, so I made sure to be there a bit earlier since I've heard that it can get quite busy and lead to long waiting time. So I got the at 10.30am.
The officers were very friendly, asked why I'm here and checked if I had an appointment as mentioned to them. Make sure not to have any charging cables or electronic devices like a laptop or power bank with you because you'll get into trouble and they won't allow you to come in.
Once they have confirmed my appointment, the officers led me through a door and I was told to sit down and wait for them to call my name. There was a family in front of me at one of the windows. It wasn't busy at all, which I was very surprised of. Once the family sat down, they have called my name and I had to go to the same window as the family previously did before me.
At the first I handed in my passport and my appointment confirmation, same as some of the financial supporting documents like tax returns etc. which were required. I remember the lady didn't take everything, but it's possible that I had more than enough with me, which is always good! Be prepared. Other than that she was very friendly while going through my paperwork and very optimistic. It almost sounded like I would have gotten my K-1 visa already. Once she was done, I was told to sit down again and wait for my name to be called again.
I sat down and wanted to reorganize my papers but it didn't even take 2-3 minutes until my names was called once again. This time I had to go to the next window which was covered with a weird curtain. I assume because of privacy reasons. A friendly man greeted me while holding my passport and going through my papers. It didn't feel like an interview, more like a casual chitchat. All he asked me was "How did you met?" and "Did you make any plans for the wedding yet?". He ended the interview with congratulating me and wishing me all the best! Then I had to sit down again, just to be called once last time at the first window where I started off.
Since my medical exam was scheduled so close prior to my interview and the results were not ready yet (apparently this happens a lot and is very usual for Vienna), I had to go back the same week to pick up my results and take them back to the consulate to complete the whole package. It was a busy week especially since my process at the consulate was overlapping with Independence Day, so I had a small delay, but it wasn't a big issue. She also told me I'd get my passport back within 5 business days. Once it's ready, I'll get an e-mail and it'll be ready for pick up.
I was out the door of the consulate by 10.55am and 3 times total at the consulate to wrap up things, incl. dropping of my medical exam and picking up my passport. The staff was great!
| | | Austria | Review #27304 on October 20, 2019: |
gsiberger
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
no issues - fast interview. got an appointment quickly.
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