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Netherlands US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.4
/ 5
186 Review(s)
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands |  Review #15434 on October 21, 2014: |
Jhalil&Mandy
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
The appointment was at 1:30 PM. But that's not when your actual interview is. You get there and in front of the building there's a tent for shelter. You stand under it and wait till a person comes out around 1:30 and starts calling names.
Here is why my experience was awesome and the 4 other people who were also there for their K1 interview was (probably) horrible.
First: RTFM (Read the freaking manual). Or in this case your interview instructions. 2 of the 4 other people there had their cellphones with them. If you have ANY electronics with you they will not let you in until they process everyone else without electronics first. Including non immigration appointments. Immigration appointments are called on first, unless you have an electronic device. Then anyone regardless of what kind of appointment goes before you.
The other 2 had no electronic device so they were let in along with me almost instantly. But they both had not read the instructions properly. One of the two hadn't booked their medical prior to the interview, thinking it said to take it AFTER. The other person could not speak proper English nor Dutch and brought a translator, but not a certified one.
Long story short: I was in there for 30 minutes total, 15 of those were the interview, 15 of those were waiting and getting my stuff checked by security.
Have all your documents, follow the instructions and you'll be in and out before you know it. Approved and all.
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #15211 on September 16, 2014: |
AlissaCarly
Rating: 
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I had my appointment at 13.30 and I was standing at the back of the line in front of the building at 13.20. The guard came out and called my name and told me to stand at the front of the line because I was the first appointment. Then he lined up the other appointments. We were all asked to show him our passport pics so he could check if they were correct. One lady got sent away to take new ones. The guard asked if I had any electronics, which I didn't. After scanning us all with a portable metal detector they let the first 3 of us inside and we went past a desk, where I had to show my interview letter and passport. Then we went through the metal detector after putting our folders in a seperate bin that went through a scanner too. I was careful to not wear any jewellery, shoes with metal parts or a belt. I left my bag outside with a friend, since you're not supposed to bring other stuff inside. I also had a plastic accordion folder with my papers in it and plastic paperclips on the sheets, so I had no issues at the metal detector.
Inside I was sent to counter 5 and told to wait. The officer popped up behind a glass screen and spoke through the intercom (in English, whole interview was in English). I had to scan my fingerprints on the machine there and then he asked for the following documents, one by one:
- Original police certificate (VOG) and a copy of it.
- Original long-version birth certificate and a copy of it.
- Two US-size passport photo's.
- My passport.
- The Affidavit of Support (I-134) with all accompanying financial documents. I had the following for my fiance: past 3 years of tax returns from both US and Holland, last 3 payslips and one bonus payslip, screenshot of his regular and savings bank accounts (his bank wouldn't write us an official letter), copy of employment verification letter (he forgot to give me the original, but they didn't care), copy of his pension plan, copy of the ownership deed of his house. (*Side note: I made a cover letter for the Affidavit stating what all the papers were and he really appreciated that, maybe worth doing too!)
- The confirmation e-mail about having paid the visa fee of 180 euros.
I had brought an envelop with registered mail sticker, but he said they stopped requiring that for K-1 visas a month ago. Thanks for letting me know earlier, waste of money  They do still require them for other visas though, just FYI!
Then I was told to wait while they reviewed everything. I got called to counter 6 and had to take an oath with right hand raised. Then my fingerprints were taken again and he started the interview. I was asked the following questions:
- What is your fiance's full name?
- Where does he live?
- What is his job title and what does his job entail?
- How did you meet?
- How long after meeting did your relationship turn serious?
- When is your anniversary?
- Have you visited the US, how many times and when?
- Are you planning on transferring from your NL office to the US one?
- What did you study and at which college?
- When is the wedding?
- Have you ever been in trouble with the police or immigration authorities? (I'm from New Zealand, so that last part was specific).
- How long did you live together? (specific question since my fiance lived in Holland for awhile).
Since we had lived together for so long and my fiance worked in Holland he said he already was convinced we were for real, so he didn't want to see the two new letters of intent to marry, or my 85-page folder of relationship evidence, which I had painstakingly put together over the course of 8 months! Doesn't mean I would advise not to bring the letters or the evidence though, I have heard they have asked for it other times and it does depend on the officer.
After that he said our finances were good and he saw no problem, so I was approved! He said I'd get the passport back in 5 working days, and that was that. The whole procedure from start to finish took 20 mins.
In short my advice would be:
- Make sure to NOT bring any electronics or anything metal along, they asked me that 3x! It will save you a lot of hassle. Best way is to go in with only your case file and nothing else.
- Have all docs ready to hand over right away, including COPIES!
- Bring original VOG and birth certificate, it's mandatory.
- Don't bind or sort your documents in any way. I had a plastic binder for the affidavit with colored tabs and he took it all apart.
- Don't freak out when they keep your original birth certificate, you'll get it back later by mail.
All in all quite a pleasant experience! 4/5 because they forgot to tell me about the envelope..
(updated on September 17, 2014)
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #14871 on July 20, 2014: |
NLgoingtoUS
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I will share with you my experience on one of the top-5 happiest days of my life.
First off, here are my visa process facts:
* my I-130 was approved in 282 days from my NOA1 date
* my interview took 491 days from my I-130 NOA1 date
Needless to say, this whole process took WAY to long and all that time (16 months) I have seen my wife only 4 weeks.
Things need to change, and for the better, because honest young families are being put through more stress than necessary.
Having said that, I was thrilled to FINALLY receive my interview invitation late in May.
The date was July 24th, and it wasn't until July 9th that I got an email saying they rescheduled it.
They had already processed my Medical Check results and wanted to move the interview date forward to July 17th.
That was actually the first good effort in 16 months, and we were really thrilled about it.
One tip for the interview date: DO NOT FORGET TO SCHEDULE IN YOUR OWN APPOINTMENT ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT DAY THROUGH THE SPECIAL WEBSITE FOR CONSULAR VISA APPOINTMENTS.
This is in the invitation email, but it is easy to read past it if you're not paying attention.
Ok, the day of the interview: July 17th.
12:45 PM - I arrived at the US Embassy in Amsterdam 45 minutes early, for wanting to be first in line.
01:15 PM - Security came outside, ordered a better line, ordered everyone carrying a mobile phone to form a different line (you will be delayed but will still be helped today). My name wasn't on the list at first, but the officer brought the wrong list with him so that got sorted out right away.
01:20 PM - After passing the screening at the entrance (no belt, no car keys, no watch, basically it's like going to the airport) I was told to wait at window 5 for the consular officer.
01:31 PM - The window finally opened, and I was asked to hand over my passport, the EUR 8,00 stamp and they took my 10 fingerprints. After that I was asked to take a seat until the consular officer at window 6 would call my name.
01:39 PM – Window 6 called my name. He asked me to take an oath to tell the truth. He needed 4 finger prints to verify I was still the same person as 7 minutes ago, and started racing through the pile of paperwork they collected from us over the course of 16 months. I was asked when and where we got married, how we met, and what happened to my wife's earlier marriage (I answered they got divorced, which seemed to satisfy the consular officer). Then, 4 minutes into it, I was done and approved. Next!
01:47 PM - I was back into the bright and sunny day feeling like a million bucks!
The waiting outside was fine, I brought a bottle of water.
The security officers outside and inside were very kind, calming everyone that came in and giving clear instructions.
The first consular officer was assisted by a senior colleague, but did fine nonetheless.
The second consular officer was extremely efficient, clear and compassionate while remaining professional.
I brought 3 pounds of supporting paperwork that I never had to show.
And after only 1,5 days I already had my passport and sealed envelope delivered to my house.
So a walk in the park, really, which was a relief after the slowest 16 months in my life EVER.
I wish everyone good luck.
Be super prepared, be super neat, be super punctual.
Read everything they send you very carefully.
Everyone with a genuine story should be able to pass this.
Good luck and so long!
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #14643 on June 17, 2014: |
ShaLe
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I got there real early. About 45 minutes before and I was second in line. I left my mobile phone at home, I heard from other people they got send away because they had an electronic device with them and had to come back some other time.
Went through security and had to report to desk five. This was just to give figerprints and my documentation. After 10 minutes I was called back to a second desk. A friendly man asked me 5 really simpel questions, looked at my papers and told me I was approved. I was back outside in 45 minutes.
note: I was supprised how many people were send away for not having the right documentation.
Like, not bringing original documents like a birth certificate or certificate of good conduct. Please read very carefully what you need to bring and have everything organised so they don't have to wait. They do not like waiting over there!
| | | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #14337 on April 25, 2014: |
D&Wontheroad
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment was at 13.30, the consulate doesnt actually open on Thursdays untill this time, so although I was very early at 13, I just had to wait outside.
When 13.30 came around, an officer came outside and called for the names who had an appointment, based on their list, that is also the order that you your case will be handled. You are not allowed to take any large bags (like a trolly) or any electronic devices with you. If you do bring them, its your own responsibility to store them somewhere (not able to do so in the consulate).
Then security screening took place, no bags inside allowed (they do store this for you) so I took only my papers and wallet inside.
Based on the order you were called earlier outside you were now asked to at the first window, give all your papers (including copies!!!) like birthcertificate, conduct of good behavior, payment slip, passport, pasphotos (2), affidavit of support, stamped envelope. You take some finger prints and you can sit again to wait untill you get called for the 2nd window (again same order).
There was 1 guy in front of me and it took about 10 minutes untill he was done. When I came to the desk the officer was very friendly and asked me what name my fiance goes by and how we met, he asked what kind of work we did and if I would transfer my job over to the US. Then he told me "great" all looked good! All in all the "interview" did not last any longer then 1.5minutes.
They told me my passport (with visa!!) would be sent back within 2 or 3 days  and I walked out just before 2, making my total consulate visit just about 30 minutes.
Overall I would say, very strict and structured approach, but security and the officers were very friendly as long as you have your *** together
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