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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on November 10, 2016: |
FOSSLGRL
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Overall I am very impressed with my experience. My interview was yesterday (November 9th).
My appointment was for 7:30am and I arrived at 6:45am. I was the first person there, but shortly after another gentlemen joined me. Within about 20 minutes, there were another 10-15 people. They opened the doors for us at 7:30 and at that point there were approx 20-25 people waiting.
They let us in the building one at a time. Once inside the door, a woman checked my DS-160 and my passport. She put a sticker on my passport and gave both items back to me. She also gave me a laminated checklist with a number on it. I was number 1 since I was first. That was the number they used to call my name for the rest of that morning, and the checklist is the order of which you need to organize your documents after you go through security, when you are in the waiting area.
The security screening which was basically like being at the airport. They took my fitbit and phone out of my purse and gave me a ticket with a number which was used on my way out to retrieve my items.
I then proceeded downstairs into a waiting room. At precisely 8am, an officer came into the waiting room and removed the tape from the elevator, which we then started cramming into to go up to the 19th floor.
Once upstairs, there was a helpful employee who directed us to either the immigrant or non immigrant visa waiting area. Within about 10 minutes I got called up to the first window. I was asked my name, address, who my spouse was, his address and phone number. I also had to give them the documents as they asked for them. Keep in mind that you will need a photocopy of both your birth certificate (I copied both sides) and your passports biometrics page. Nowhere does it say to bring these items, but they do require them, so make sure you are prepared! I was also given back the xray result and vaccine record which is for later use once you adjust your status in the US.
I sat back down for what was the longest 15 minutes of my life. Then I was called to window #8 for my interview. I was interviewed by a woman who was neither friendly or unfriendly. She did not come off as intimidating and I felt comfortable with her. I had serious concerns because of a prior overstay, so after I was asked how I met my spouse etc., she started asking about the overstay. It was a 4 month overstay, and I think she just wanted to make sure that I only had the one overstay on my record and that I didn't incur a ban. Keep in mind I have been terrified of this moment through the entire process so my palms were sweating. She asked if I had ever been arrested and I said never. She told me that everything looked fine and that I can expect my visa within 1-2 weeks. She handed me my "Welcome to America" pamphlet with some info, and also a sheet with information about how to check the tracking of the package.
I thanked her profusely and she told me to have a good day! It was 9:00 at that point.
I walked away with a big smile and went back down the elevator, exited the building and immediately called my fiance to give him the news.
Anyone who is stressing about this interview... don't be! It was truly the easiest part of the process... just make sure you have all of your paperwork in order.
As for the medical... my medical was the week before and I picked up my results the day before. I had some concerns about my medical because I was just paranoid that they would find something. Well let me tell you, as long as you don't have any of the diseases they screen for, and are mentally sound, you will not have any issues. One thing I recommend, if you are in need of a flu shot, get it before your medical because they will charge you 25 dollars for it. I didn't realize they would force me to have it which is why I didn't. I also had to get an updated tetanus shot which was 40. So check the vaccine list, if you are missing anything, best to get it from your own doctor for free. My medical cost me about 520 after the vaccines. Yikes!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20847