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| Guatemala |  Review on October 17, 2016: |
Immigrant84
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband had his interview on Sept 6, 2016 at 7:15am. I stayed here in the US as i had to stay with our 3 children. He arrived 1 hour early to be up close in line and was let in at 7am when they opened. They asked for interview appt letter and your passport in hand. You then go threw a metal detector (security) and they hand you your number. Once you get your number you go upstairs where you wait until they will call you by number up to the window, when you get too the window they will ask for your passport and your medical package and your police records (antecdentes de penales and the policillaca) and make sure you have your cargo express paper. They will also ask for birth certificates, marriage license, 2 passport sized pictures. DO NOT FORGET THESE PAPERS. My husband didn't give them the marriage license because he thought that he didn't have it even tho he did have it with his stack of papers but being that he didn't turn it in at the time of the interview he had to then go and turn that in at a cargo express which made his case go into administrative processing which added an additional 2 weeks onto his stay and from what we heard that was lucky because people he met people there were waiting for 7 months and more.That was the first window he went to that only took him about 5 minutes he then sat down and waited for about 4 hours he was then called to another window where he was asked questions like how long had we been married, how did we meet, our full names, how long had we been together, and how old I was. Being that he didn't turn in the marriage license at the interview he was given a paper I-221G stating what he needed and went and turned it in the same day at the cargo express (Sept 6) and got his visa on the 21st of Sept. They gave him a receipt in which you CANNOT lose or you cannot pickup your passport and visa. Also if you know anyone trust worthy to help you by all means have them ready to help you. Also make sure IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR DPI TO GET IT ACTIVATED AS SOON AS YOU GET THERE. Without that activated you can't get your police records. Also give yourself plenty of time to get everything done. Having someone to help you can really be worth it because knowing where you need to go will help you a LOOOOONG way. We used someone referred to us who is a pastor they are very nice and VERY helpful. Prior to the appt make sure you have copies of EVERYTHING! They will give you back your originals but keep the copies. If anything is in spanish get them translated and notarized in the english language.
Also to back up a little bit when you do your medical exam, plan to spend your whole day there. You can expect about 4+ shots, X-rays, blood work, and lots of questions. Also you don't get your X-rays done in the doctors office you have to go somewhere else about 5 minutes away when driving to get them done then you go back to the doctors office to get your SEALED package in which you CANNOT open. Also you have to pay in either a money order in which you can purchase all in the same building as the doctors office, or debit card. Just make sure you take a taxi or you will be walking forever. My husband had to pay about 2100.00 in quetzales. so here that is about $300.00 or a little less. Also when you get your police records you have to go to a couple different offices. Police records are about 30.00.
The biggest thing to remember is to come PREPARED AND EVERYTHING WILL GO SMOOTH. Bring everything even of you don't think you need it. I have seen others needed pictures and such to prove your relationship but in our case they didn't ask for them. But its better to have it than to not. His interviewer was very nice and explained things when he wasn't sure what he was asking. So as long as you know what you are talking about and have everything you need you will know if your approved the same day and they will tell you when to pickup your visa package.
I am not a very religious person but the power of prayer works. My husband had been in trouble here in the US before and we had to get the case terminated before he left but even with that on his record he still got it. We also had an approved I601A. That also helps a long way. In other words he had to jump threw many hoops and obstacles and even with those negative things on him he was still APPROVED.
You may hear that it is better to go with your spouse but it is honestly better to stay here, i had planned to go but couldn't and I'm glad i didn't. Had he really not had the marriage license no-one would of sent it to me and you don't have to worry about being drilled at the interview.
Also don't believe rumors and things that you will hear.
BTW make sure you call the cargo express EVERYDAY to see if your package is ready it says they will call you but they don't. Also know where the cargo express is so you know where your going.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask, i will never forget this nightmare that we went threw and i am happy to help anyone that i can.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20663