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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on November 17, 2006: |
Lunamel
Rating:  | Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
Went to the Consulate two times -- once when my husband T. filed the I-130, and once for my interview.
The I-130 story: we arrived at 7.20, before the lifts were operating, and went up at 7.30 to the 10th floor. Went through security, and waited in the first row of seats. Everyone in that row was then called up to go in the lift to the 59th floor. Kath had told me this previously, but here's a great hint: try to make sure you're at the front of the lift, as you'll be first out when you get to level 59! Once there, you go through security again (and have to check any electronic devices with the guards), then enter the Consulate and take a number. We were number 001, but had to wait until about 8.15 before we were called up.
From all reports, we must have had Rose. She asked us for all our paperwork in order, which T. handed to her. T. then went to pay our fee at the other window and came back to her. Lucky for us, she praised us for being so organized, and said "I wish everyone were as organized as you."  So that's the key lesson we learnt -- be organized! It really worked in our favour too, as she then gave me an interview date, and squeezed me in earlier than normal because she seemed to like us -- hooray!
T. also filed the I-864 and I filed the DS-230 parts 1 and 2 and DS-2001, as we'd already received packet 3 from the Consulate before the DCF changes were made.
We then had to wait while someone out the back assessed our papers. That took about one hour. T. was then called up to another window, asked a few questions ("How did you meet? What happened then? When was the wedding?") and then he told us that the petition was approved. We brought all our evidence of the relationship with us, but they never asked to look at any of it! We were out of there by about 10.15am, so just over 2 hours all up.
I then returned to the Consulate for my interview two and a half weeks later. Again, I turned up early, got in the first row of seats on level 10, and then was second out of the lift on level 59 -- but got ticket 001 again anyway! I got called up at about 8.10am, when Rose took my police checks, medical documents, and the other documents I was asked to bring. I paid my fee at the cashier counter and sat down again as my documents were assessed out the back. I was then called up again at about 8.55am, asked a couple of questions ("When did we get married? Why in Australia? What was I planning to do for work in the US?"), and then I was approved! So quick and easy!
Returned the next afternoon to pick up my visa, which took all of 20 minutes or so.
So, just make sure you're organized and have all the documents you need in the correct order, and you'll be fine!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1032