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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9673

Sydney, Australia Review on May 15, 2012:

S and R

S and R


Rating:
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa

Just got back from the US Embassy. All went well - approved. Here is my experience:

MLC Centre in Martin Place, escalator to Level 10, through security (airport-like) - very friendly, helpful security staff. Dropped off the bag will all electronics switched off. 1 minute wait, guard walks me to a lift - fastest lift I have ever taken, seems to take off like an aircraft... to Level 59.

Another guard asks for passport, ticks off my name on a list. Points to the steel door that everyone talks about - not too heavy, likely bulletproof...

Inside, straight ahead, pressed IV button on panel, took a numbered ticket and waited. There were 3-4 people waiting. 5 minutes later, got called to No. 1. Very friendly and professional officer returns my civil documents and the photos. Takes the AustPost envelope, the medical report, looks at my Police report and stamps the copy 'Original sighted', hands it back to me. More ticks off another list. She asks when I will be travelling to the US - answer: in a months time. She tells me to wait for the interview in the middle area where the seats are. There are now about 7-8 people waiting.

The interviews are loud and clear - it was reassuring listening to the interviews and other people's stories. The issues of focus today were education and financial support. One gentleman was sent back to collect his university degree papers, which was strange. There was a professor, MBA, master degrees, almost every one has a house to sell. After listening to 4-5 people, my number was called.

Fingerprinted, signed Section 2 of the DS-230 form. Interview questions were straightforward:

- Have you ever stayed in the USA over the 90 day period?
- How did you meet?
- Do you have any children?
- Where will you stay in the US?
- What is the highest education level you have attained?

Long pause, types into the computer for 1-2 minutes, goes through the file, looks for the I-864, looks at the figures. Writes something on it then asks:

- How will you support yourself?
- Are these your savings or hers?
- Is this your property or hers?

Types into the computer some more and then says visa is approved, it will be in the mail in 5 business day, we will send you an email. Hands me a small note with the approval written on.

All over in less than 1 hour. I was in at 9:45AM and was out by 10:20AM. I felt a big relief, an anti-climax of sorts. 300+ days of stress fixed in 30 minutes.

Time to celebrate, start packing and shipping stuff and then put the apartment on the market....



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