Netherlands US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.4
/ 5
186 Review(s)
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands |  Review #13653 on January 17, 2014: |
a.post
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
There's a lot said about the Amsterdam Consulate already. I just know from my own experience that reading someone else's review made me more confident going there myself. So here it is:
I went by train and took one early so if anything would happen I would still be on time. Despite the tram in Amsterdam getting into an accident I was still almost 30 minutes early. The guard told me I would be let in 5 minutes prior to my appointment. It was raining but I was almost first in line so I didn't mind. After 15 minutes quite the crowd had gathered and out of the consulate came an employee with sort of a party tent and put it up for people to hide from the rain. Nice gesture since I've always been treated like a number during the whole visa process.
Then out came another security guard who did the initial screening:
He checked the passport, asked if I had any electronic devises (I left them at home thanks to other reviews warning me about that), checked my bag and sent me trough to the security check inside. There I had to go trough airport-like security and was on my way to the waiting room. Now here is something I want to emphasize:
The woman in front of me (No. 1 in line) had a pair of scissors in her bag. The security guard asked her why they were in there and she replied that it wasn't her bag but she borrowed it form a friend. That's a phrase security doesn't like to hear and she was sent back outside. By the time I was done with my interview she was back inside but all I want to say is: Check what you're taking with you when you leave to go to the consulate and think about what you're saying to security!
Anyway, I was called to window #5 almost right away and the woman (speaking Dutch) asked for everything she needed. As I expected after reading previous reviews they didn't even ask about the proof of a relationship. Also, I had made two packages: 1 with original forms and papers 2 with copies. She didn't want half of the copies that I made. Not the I-134, proof of relationship, USCIS/NVC/DOS forms (NOA1,2 etc). **btw Im not saying don't bring that stuff because it's still a requirement according to the checklist they send you!
After handing her everything I had to wait 10 more minutes before being called to window #6. The guy there (speaking English) had me state that I was telling the truth about everything and then asked me some questions:
"This is your first marriage, correct?"
"Has your fiancee been married before?"
"How did you two meet?"
After answering them he told me I was approved and I would have my Visa within four days.
Kind of stunned by how fast and easy that all went down I walked out.
So, to sum up my tips:
1. Although every review tells you they don't look at the evidence of relationship, bring it with you
2. Don't forget to take with you evidence of payment to the consulate
3. Don't forget the 'Post.nl sticker voor aangetekende brief'(Envelope isn't necessary!)
4. Before leaving your home double check your bags for anything other than what is strictly needed for your appointment
5. Be on time
6. It pays to be early, rather wait outside for 30 minutes than inside for an hour
7. Don't be nervous! The consulate employees are friendly. Countless people have preceded you. You have prepared yourself at the best of your ability and knowledge and you'll be fine!
Best of luck to everyone!
(updated on January 30, 2014)
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #13422 on December 10, 2013: |
Sarah---Nichelle
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Emailing them for assistance or questions isn't very effective. It was difficult to get proper answers out of them about things - so we often had to figure it out ourselves.
There was an issue with filing the DS-160. Apparently they did not receive the electronic confirmation page and told us we had to re-do the form.
After doing it all over again, they emailed back saying that they did have the original one but that it was sent to the Non-Immigrant Visa unit, so they were unable to open it, since technically the DS-160 is a non-immigrant form.
Eventually they figured it out themselves and we were all set.
The interview went fine - they did not look at any pictures or evidence of our relationship. They looked at the bank statement of the beneficiary showing the transaction for the interview fee.
They reviewed the evidence of support form and documents (petitioners bank statements, tax records, pay stubs, letter from boss) - they did keep some of these documents for their file.
They reviewed the birth certificate of the beneficiary - which we actually had the wrong one and had to do a second interview (essentially just went and dropped it off) to bring in the correct version. You need to make sure you get the international version of the birth certificate.
Then they took the passport and the stamp of the beneficiary, said we are approved and will receive everything within 5 days.
Everyone at the embassy was pleasant and friendly in person. The interviewer asked basic questions like, how did we meet, if we had met each others parents, who proposed to who etc. It was only about 5 questions.
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #13233 on November 14, 2013: |
2Hearts1Love
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Very fast and very smooth. My fiance said he had to wait outside in the rain, but they had like something to shelter them. He only had to show the co-sponsor's I-134 (and no other financial documents), his birth certificate, his police records and one or two other documents that were his. Didn't even have to show them our on-going relationship proof! After that then he had to go to another consular officer to answer a couple questions, which weren't hard at all. "When did you meet? How did you meet? etc..." Then told him his visa would be in the mail within a week! Wooooooo!!!! Pray and stress for nothing! ^_^ To our Most High God be the Glory and Majesty for all of it! Halleluyah!
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #13216 on November 11, 2013: |
Roos26
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I had my interview on 10-31-2013!! And I got approved!!
My interview went very good! I was so nervous because my fiance recently before the interview changed jobs so he had to fill in a new I 34 and send it to me! Everything came on time and they I did asked them if they wanted the new one and the old one because with his new job he didn't have that much benefits but it wasn't a big problem. They said aslong as he still has an in come! I also had the letter of his nee company with me saying how much he is making a year!
Everything has been already said about the way things work with the interview! It all went reall fast and easy! They did change the process. Now you have to get your own police certificate (VOG) and you don't need to translate it into english! I wasn't sure about that but I did do it and it cost me 50 euros but they didnt even took the translated part with them. You won't find this information yet on this website so that's why I decided to write a review cus for me it was sooo confusing!! Cus it can take up to 4 weeks to receive your VOG( police certificate) in the mail. So you might get one already. You do have to at the letter of the embassy of Amsterdam along with you application. You can find this letter in the link on the checklist.
I receveid my visa two days later in the mail and I couldn't be more happier!
I hope the rest of the upcoming visa interviewers good luck and if you have any question you can always email me!
I
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #13051 on October 18, 2013: |
Anonymous100
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: L-1 Visa
I must say the process was very smooth. The visa officer to the security guards were very helpful/ friendly. The processing time was very fast also. It takes about 3 days for the visa to be delivered( provided there is no additional administrative process) The only thing I would strongly recommend is to ensure not to take any electronic devices ( cell phone) to the embassy as they are very strict on this. Additionally, make sure not to forget any documents and proof of visa payment ..
The whole experience is a 5/5. Courteous,professional and fast processing!!
All the best to everyone else  )
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