Switzerland US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.6
/ 5
37 Review(s)
|
| Bangladesh |  Review #19049 on March 4, 2016: |
C+L
Rating: 
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
The consulate is obviously Bern, Switzerland, but "Bern" wasn't in the option menu.
Entering the embassy was kind of funny, because I had to step outside to open the sealed enveloppe from my medical under the supervision of a security card. It was raining and I felt a bit silly. But everyone was very nice. Inside, I went into a room where a clerk took all my papers. She then asked me to wait for my interview with the consulate.
The interview was really more a quick conversation I had with a very friendly younger woman. She asked my what my fiancé does for a living and how many times we see eachother.
My visa got sent to me a few days later.
|
|
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Review #18367 on November 17, 2015: |
theskeets
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Took slightly over 4-months to receive CR-1 from start to finish. Petitioner was residing abroad for 1-year so this automatically took us through the process very quickly.
Interview process was quick and easy.
NOTE: do not bring phone or electronics with you, they will send you on a separate line and let everybody else in before.
After checking my backpack I was told to wait in the Immigration room. 10 minutes later I was called and asked to provide the last original documents needed (birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport).
Waited 10 more minutes and another lady called me to her window. Sworn in front of her that all information is true, took fingerprints and I was asked a couples of questions:
- Where did you meet your wife
- When did you get married
- Do you like her parents
- Do they like you
- Why are you moving to the US now
- Where will you live
- Ever had problems with US Immigration or police
- What's your job
- What's her job
- Has she worked here
As she asked me these questions she was going through the pile of documents that NVC had transferred to the consulate.
At the end she approved the visa and told me to wait up to 5 business days to receive documents, passport with visa and instructions on POE at home.
All in all it was a quick process, people were kind and result was positive!
|
|
| Switzerland | Review #17991 on October 7, 2015: |
n00biene
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
45 minutes after entering the embassy I got the notification that my visa appliation was approved. The interview itself took 10 minutes - they didn't ask me for any evicence. The people working there were all very friendly and showed me the way to every place I had to go. Small things like smartphone, headset, ... can be lodged at the entrance but be careful not to take any bigger electronic device (like your notebook) with you.
|
|
| Switzerland | Review #15978 on January 16, 2015: |
mofatsd
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Switzerland US consulate used to do direct filing but since 2012 they have stopped and all paperwork goes through the Chicago lock box. Switzerland does not get many requests/filings so expect things to go pretty quickly when you are at the consulate.
Because I, the USC, was living abroad with my husband and family the filing/interview may differ based on your case situation. You have two lines that are outside of the consulate, the non-immigration line and the immigration/US citizen line. Our interview was at 9am and there was already a line at the non-immigration (about 10) We were in welcomed ahead of the non-immigration line and if you have not been to the consulate before there is an metal detector and a place to store your keys (small items) in a box. Please do not take bags, backpacks or briefcases. Only your paperwork will be allowed into the consulate.
The consulate is downstairs in a separate building. Bathrooms are there, a photo booth (if you need photos), coffee/hot chocolate and a small box with very 'old' toys (if you have kids).
The line inside the consulate was extremely long but because we had an interview schedule (and it was for an immigrant visa) we were quickly welcomed to skip the entire line and go to window number 8. The lady checked the paperwork, had my husband take an oath and do biometrics of his fingerprints.
We waited for an additional 10 minutes and he was called to another window (window 11) which was hidden behind a movable wall (three or four windows hd this wall for separation of the waiting room and the interview area).
Husband was asked about how he met me, where he met me and where do we plan on staying after we get to the US. After a quick view of our AOS form she put 'meets' and then asked for his passport. She said that the visa would come back to him by middle of next week (we live an hour away and choose to have the visa mailed to us - you can also pick it up the next day after 4pm) and told us best of luck on our move to the US.
This whole process took no more than 30 minutes and we left.
|
|
| Switzerland | Review #14545 on May 30, 2014: |
Avi_NM
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I reached the Embassy at 10:30 for a 11:00 interview. There were two separate lines - longer line for non-immigrant visa and a shorter line for US citizens and immigrant visa applicants. I stood outside the door in line for about 20 minutes before going through the security. They have small plastic bins (too small for the X-Ray film) to put your documents, wallet, keys, coins, belts, watches, etc. I also had a paper bag with my X-Ray, some large size documents and an umbrella (it was a rainy day). They do not allow any bags with zippers and any kind of electronics inside the Embassy (some people were asked to leave the line because of this). I was asked for the Medical Report and then to open the sealed envelope before I could go through the security. I was also asked to leave my umbrella, paper bag and my car keys with the security and was given a token to collect the items on my way out. Security is similar to the airport security (a bit more strict but easy if you follow their instructions and stay calm).
After security you go downstairs (you have to walk out of the security building and go down to the main building) through another metal detectors. Security sitting behind the desk will ask about the purpose of your visit (in my case - Immigrant Visa). I was asked to bypass the long line of non-immigrant visa applicants and go to the front of the line to the two staff members who were checking everybody's documents. Before I could make my way up there, my name was announced and I was asked to 'Go to Window 5 and ring the bell'. There is no window 5, it is a door that leads you to a small room and also there is no bell outside the door or inside the room. I sat there for a few minutes until the officer showed up. She was very nice and friendly. She asked for my medical report (without the X-Ray), pre-stamped return envelope and also if I need to update the passport photos she had on file (I declined and asked her to use the photo she already had with the file). She checked the file to make sure they had everything they needed. She had a checklist that she went through to make sure she covered everything. She then took my fingerprints. She explained about the sealed envelope to be opened by the Immigration Officer (IO) at the POE and allowing enough transit time at POE for the processing of all paperwork. She asked me to wait outside in the general waiting area until my name is announced for another finger print verification and an interview by the Consul Officer (CO).
After about 10 minutes I was called directly by the CO for an interview. After a couple of quick questions about where I will stay, what kind of work I do, etc. I was told that my visa was approved and by post I will receive the passport with the visa stamp, a sealed envelope to be opened by IO at POE and instructions to pay the Immigrant Visa Fee in the next couple of days. I was also handed back the original documents (Birth, Marriage Certificates, PCC, etc) to take back with me.
After the interview you back track your way to security area where you collect your belongings and walk out.
The visa package arrived by post on second business day after the interview (my interview was on Tuesday and my visa package arrived on Friday (Thursday was a public holiday).
It was quick, easy and efficient.
|
|
| Now Showing Records 11 to 15 (of 37 total) |
Submit New Consulate Review
