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| Ankara, Turkey |  Review on March 4, 2020: |
lady3jane
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Ankara Embassy apparently became much busier since the last time I had been there, which was for F-1 visa at the time, but the staff is very professional and they still manage to be kind and friendly despite increasing volume of applications and growing security concerns.
Only person who was mean-spirited and thoroughly unpleasant was the clerk, who was, but of course, a Turkish lady. She took my documents initially and asked questions that hardly make any sense. Asked me why I didn't change my passport to my married name, although the passport was good for another whole year. She insisted to hear my husband's job description in Turkish, which was pretty uncalled for. It was her tone and demeanor mostly that was insufferable. I believe another reviewer also mentions her, so I rest my case, i believe i wasted enough time on her , being the exception.
The consular officer, in a stark contrast, was a refined gentleman, who was very professional. You could tell he had a top-notch education but also he struck me as a very intelligent person, who, despite his youthful looks, seemed very experienced at reading people . He was a terrific listener , which I am sure is necessary for his task at hand. He was soft-spoken but in total control of the direction of our conversation. It was reassuring to see that the adjudicating officer who decides my fate was a person of merit and superb qualifications.
Since I was in the US for some extended period of time as a student and met my husband there and we had quite the evidence of a bona fide relationship, no joint sponsor, exceeding minimum income requirements, he mostly asked questions regarding my previous stay to establish that i have not overstayed or violated my visa. I brought my official transcript with me and he decided to keep it. At the end of the interview, he gave me the pamphlet , and told me I should hear back from the Embassy in a few days. I thanked him for a pleasant interview and he replied in Turkish. Fast forward two business days : Status changed to "Issued", visa at hand 6 days after the interview.
All in all, pleasant experience given the circumstances, since immigration is certainly no walk in the park. Ankara Embassy was the final and definitely the most agreeable part of this long , arduous journey.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28138