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| Qatar |  Review on April 26, 2014: |
nina.mb
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Put it this way, I emailed the USEM Consular Services specifically to thank them for as smooth and pain-free a visa process as we could have asked for!
My fiancé is Moroccan but working in Qatar, so we had put in a special request with out original I -129F petition to have the case processed at the USEM in Doha. I followed up closely with NVC to make sure that the case was forwarded to the right place, and didn't encounter any issues.
Once our case was shipped out from NVC to the USEM in Doha, it was received just 2 days later (so fast!). When the CEAC status changed to Ready, we contacted the IV department in Consular Services and they got back to us within a few hours with the instructions for Packet 3. We had done enough research to have a good idea of what to prepare in advance, so we were able to put the Packet together in a few days, including Redwane's medical exam, which was about as straight forward as it gets. No appointment, just call ahead the day you want to go to be sure the appropriate staff would be there (Sat-Thurs), and only took a few hours. Results were available for pick-up the next day.
My fiancé dropped off the completed Packet at the Embassy the following morning, which took a few hours to move through several different layers waiting rooms (I would suggest arriving at least an hour early for 8am drop-off to get a good number). He received a phone call the same afternoon with his appointment time - less than 1 week later!
R. had his interview at the USEM in Doha on Wednesday (04/22) - I'm based in the region so I flew in for a few days to go with him, for moral support (which didn't require any special request, just show up with your fiancé and American passport). Again, it took us a couple of hours to get through security and the various waiting rooms. We reached the Consular section about 1/2hr before our 10am interview, but ended up having to wait until about 11:30am, when they had finished processing all of the non-immigrant visa business for the day. They finally called us up, took R.'s fingerprints, asked us to wait a few more minutes until a consular officer became available and then called us back to the window.
Surprisingly, the interview was held right there, standing at the counter. The consular officer was a very chill young American guy who presented the whole thing as nothing more than an amicable chat about our relationship, which calmed both of our nerves and allowed us to speak naturally. We had prepared thoroughly - proof of continuing relationship, renewed letters of intent, photo copies of everything we turned in with Packet 3. But they didn't ask for any of it! Just a few, really basic questions (directed at R., but I was allowed to supplement a few of his answers, especially for language issues):
1) Where/when did you meet?
2) Where/when/how did he propose?
3) Do your families support your decision?
4) When/where do you plan to marry?
Then, he closed the folder, gave us a big 'ole smile and told us "Mabrouk - congratulations, this is approved!"
We both think the fact that he was able to see how we interacted as a couple and observe the genuine dynamic between us really made a difference and perhaps replaced some of the more rigorous questions that may have been posed otherwise. So if your partner is able to come to the interview, I'd say, by all means, go for it!
Redwane received a call the following afternoon saying that the visa had been issued and that he could pick up his passport the very next afternoon. 220-something days after our NOA1, R has our K-1 in hand!! Traveling at the end of May...so excited to finally, FINALLY start our life together : )
(updated on April 26, 2014)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14344