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| Auckland, New Zealand |  Review on December 8, 2012: |
kelnjohn
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My appointment was for 9:30am, Thurs 6th of December, and I was fortunate enough that my husband was able to attend the interview with me, I initially thought he may not be able to get off work, but the moral support/company did not go amiss.
We arrived at the citibank building (Consulate Office) at 8:45, went next door to the Post Office and purchased ANOTHER courier paid post bag as the one previously purchased was not an A4 size, thus would be too small. We then made our way upstairs at 9.00am
When we got up to the 3rd floor, we were greeted by the security guard, who was friendly, not intimidating at all, we walked through the metal detectors, and the guard directed us as to which window to go to. We were the only ones in the immigrant visa queue, so that was good, but there were quite a number of people in the 'non' immigrant queue, and as we would learn inspite of our interview time coming and going, they clear that queue first.
We were seen by the initial interviewer (the lady we'd been dealing with for a year) she was absolutely awesome, unsuprisingly helpful, and thoughtful of my nerves. When I receieved my interview letter / appointment dealio, it advised we would need to bring $299 cash, which we did, but when I asked whom I would pay the money to, I was told this was not necessary as I had paid all fees previously to the NVC, so that was a nice little bonus.
After checking all of our forms, giving them another once over, we were told to take a seat. At about 10:25am we were called up to another Interview Window, the office was now entirely empty but for us.
We had prepared so much paper work, and brought in bills/photos/social function invitations to us both, all original forms/certificates, everything we thought we'd need, and then some, and he asked for none of it lol I was almost dissapointed after all the time/effort I put in haha.
Interview took but 13minutes, he started the interview by making me swear that everything in our petition was true, and then handed me a leaftlet about spousal abuse, he asked but 4 questions, husbands full name/date of birth/favorite color/place of birth, and said 'welcome to america' advised my visa/passport would be in the mail, possibly friday / monday
I had grabbed te tracking / tracing number off the post bag I'd purchased, so was able to track that it actually left Friday the 7th, the morning after my interview, I got my passport and the visa sealed envelope in my hand this morning Saturday the 8th of December.
Whole process from start to end, about 5months. We'll be heading out of New Zealand on the 30th of May, flying into San Francisco, and driving our dogs/ourselves from California to his home in Missouri.
Thank you all so very much for your time/advice/encouragement/thoughtfulness, it was so needed/welcomed. And if I can offer any advice or help to others starting their journeys, dont hesitate to be in touch.
Arohanui, Kelli & Johnathan.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11042