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| Athens, Greece |  Review on January 27, 2016: |
mdollan
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Generally my experience with the American Embassy in Athens was very good. My interview was scheduled for 8.15am and I arrived there at least 45 minutes earlier just to be sure. There were already about 20 people waiting in lines. A polite and patient Greek police officer was right outside the building giving information and gathering the passports for the inside security. She kept saying to us that the arrival time should be at least 20 minutes prior to the interviews and not sooner (to avoid a long wait). When it was time, the officer allowed groups of 5 people at a time to enter the building. My turn was at least 45 minutes after my arrival. The whole procedure generally takes a long time so make sure you eat before you get there, because food is not allowed in the building. I first went through security and they asked if I had any electronic devices with me such as mobile phone. They also gave me my passport back. If you do have a mobile phone you must leave it with security until your interview is over. After I was done, I entered the main building where another police officer looked up my information and gave me a number. She told me to have a seat and pay attention to a board for when my number shows up and into which booth to enter. About 3 minutes after I sat down, my number was called and I entered a booth where 2 Greek agents asked only for my passport. I returned back to my seat and about 30 minutes later my number was called again and I went through an approximately 20 minute interview with two very pleasant, cheerful and professional Greek agents. I felt really comfortable because the whole interview was like a conversation, not interrogation and the questions asked were very simple and basic, and according to the information given in the petition. After that, I went back to my seat, and shortly after they called me to take my fingerprints. About 45 minutes later, my number was called one more time and I went through a second interview with an American agent this time who was more official and formal and who was basically asking the same questions as the other agents, for verification. I was answering the questions under oath and the interview lasted about 15 minutes. She let me know that everything looked fine and informed me about how I would receive my VISA, and generally what was going to happen next. I had my VISA 3 weeks later.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18837