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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on October 24, 2017: |
shawndee
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I had my interview at the US Consulate in Sydney on Tuesday, 26 SEP 2017 at 08:50 am.
I arrived 20 mins early after rushing to get a pre-paid envelope from a nearby post office, only to find that this was not needed. I arrived a little flustered and took a few deep breaths as I tried to navigate my way around the building - you can only access level 10 from one half of the lifts so be sure to check you are in the right place. The buttons for the levels are on a touch screen are just outside the lift area as you walk up to the lifts, not directly in front where they would normally be.
Once you get up to level 10 you are directed by security into the reception area where you will leave your bags before heading to the interview room. You will walk up to the front desk and hand in your passport and other documents for them to check over (briefly), and then you will be guided through the security check similar to an airport. You need to leave any electronic devices, and any other possessions that you do not wish to take with you to the interview. Be sure to carry your documents with you, and take something to read as you may be waiting a while.
After the security clearance you will sit down briefly until they call you to enter a different room, where the interview takes place. It is a very sterile environment, it feels like a high security bank or something. You will walk up and take a number and then sit down and wait to be called.
The first time your number is called do not get too excited - you will make your way to the teller who will check over your documents and take your fingerprints and then instruct you to sit back down so you can wait some more. In the meantime you can hear the questions and answers of the other people called before you. Some people seemed to be talking in a lot of detail, while others kept to the facts. In a way it's reassuring to hear as the questions are not difficult and help you prepare for your interview.
When your number is called for the second time you will walk up to a different officer (one of two on my interview day, a man and a woman). I was called up to see the female officer, she was very pleasant and had quite a calming tone to her voice. She asked me to take an oath and again took my fingerprints. She then asked me only a few very basic questions - she asked if my medical had been sent straight to the embassy (which it had), and then asked me when I met my fiancee, when was the last time I had seen him, how had we kept in touch and what was I planning to do for work when I was living in America. It was very brief, it felt like less than 5 mins, and then she kindly told me that my Visa had been approved and that I should receive my passport and visa within 2 weeks. I had to refrain from jumping with joy at this point, and politely thanked her for her time, before making my way back down to reception to grab my bags.
Although I was anxious, the whole experience was over within an hour and was actually very painless. My case was pretty standard, and while most people in front of me seemed to be getting approved I could overhear some others being denied for various reasons such as incorrect/incomplete paperwork or positive results to drug testing on the medical. Make sure you do the right thing, are prepared with all of your paperwork and know the dates of your time together you will be fine! The next day I received an email to say my passport and visa had been despatched, I received it 2 days after the interview with the entry packet.
I cannot thank the VJ community enough for all of the help, my fiancee and I initially thought we would need a lawyer to help guide us through the process but the VJ forums were so helpful every step of the way - especially in regards to filling in the forms which can often be confusing.
Wishing everyone approaching their interview dates the best of luck!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22721