K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Jul 9th 2004 | 1:38 am
#1
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 502
From: Santa Fe, NM from Dublin, Ireland
K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Wow! What a day! I had acid reflux all day, a tight feeling all along my spine, clammy hands. I am pretty certain if you have these symptoms for too long, your body just quits and you keel over. But we got the K3 visa, and here's the full story (will be posting this to Kamya):
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (passport, DS-156, marriage cert copy and original, birth cert copy and original, original police certificates, medical envelope, affadavit of support stuff, photos). She wanted two 2" front face photos instead of one 2" and one 3/4 view (which is what the Embassy's instructions included in Packet 4 asked for specifically). Luckily we had extras of both types of photos.
She asked if David was an Irish citizen, then asked again with his Irish passport in her hand (how did she think he got the passport?)! She asked about four times if there we'd had any prior marriages (no, no, no and no again). It took all of five minutes, she was stone-faced the entire time.
We sat back down, and then watched all these other people (DCF, K1s, K3s - most had their spouses/fiances with them) getting rejected right and left by the form-gatherers for incorrect or insufficient affadavits of support, incorrect police certs. One guy was sent out to get another 2" photo. Then he came back and was told he needed an affadavit of support from his wife. There was a really nice camaraderie in the Embassy waiting room (maybe a result of having no confidentiality at all!). There were about 15 other couples waiting. We were warned that it almost always took more than one time to collect the visa. One couple was on their third trip to the Embassy, another their fourth (they got their greencard this time - phew)! We were getting really anxious, David turned simultaneously pale and red and looked like he was about to bolt out of there!
Even though we were first in line, we weren't called for the interview for almost 2 1/2 hours! They were having all sorts of computer problems.
When we were called up the ConOff (who let us know he was completely fed up with his job - he was the only one doing interviews that day and was swamped) asked David to put his finger on the fingerprint scanner, and the computer pooped out again. We sat back down, they all huddled around the computers in the back, then called us back up. This time it worked. Then the guy poked around in the folder, and muttered something about form DS-230 part 2 saying "But that's not in here, is it? Because you weren't asked for it... (grumble grumble)" and I produced the form and handed it to him. David took the oath and signed the form.
The ConOff was pretty friendly. He asked my profession (said he wanted to be an architect), then David's (and said he'd heard of David's book), then asked about what David studied for his bachelor's and M.Phil. He asked if we had a big wedding, and if we were planning on having another one in the US. He asked what job David was planning on doing in the US. it was pretty casual.
Then he muttered something like "you've got the visa" and handed back original birth and marriage certs. It was almost like an offhand remark; very weird. I said "thank you!" and then he said "Well, we'll try to print it today, but as you can see, we're having computer problems, so just wait a few minutes and we'll see what we can do." He was nice about it, but seemed frustrated. So, approved on the first try, and we are certain it was because of all the info from this NG!!!!
About 20 minutes later, David was called up again. They gave him the sealed envelope for the POE, but was told to go get a swiftpost pack so they could mail his passport back. So David said, all casually, "We live right here in Dublin, I could come collect the passport instead..." and she said "Oh, ok then. You can collect it tomorrow. Or Monday." David said "Tomorrow will be fine" and she told us his name would be on the list at the front gate and to come at 1:30.
So it's 2:30 now, and he just called to say that he collected his passport, and the visa is inside with the correct name and validity date (I made him check while he was still there just in case).
So Santa Fe, here we come!!!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone on this NG... it really has been an incredible source of tips and information and great moral support, too. Here's hoping for smooth sailing for everyone... and on to EAD/AOS!
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (passport, DS-156, marriage cert copy and original, birth cert copy and original, original police certificates, medical envelope, affadavit of support stuff, photos). She wanted two 2" front face photos instead of one 2" and one 3/4 view (which is what the Embassy's instructions included in Packet 4 asked for specifically). Luckily we had extras of both types of photos.
She asked if David was an Irish citizen, then asked again with his Irish passport in her hand (how did she think he got the passport?)! She asked about four times if there we'd had any prior marriages (no, no, no and no again). It took all of five minutes, she was stone-faced the entire time.
We sat back down, and then watched all these other people (DCF, K1s, K3s - most had their spouses/fiances with them) getting rejected right and left by the form-gatherers for incorrect or insufficient affadavits of support, incorrect police certs. One guy was sent out to get another 2" photo. Then he came back and was told he needed an affadavit of support from his wife. There was a really nice camaraderie in the Embassy waiting room (maybe a result of having no confidentiality at all!). There were about 15 other couples waiting. We were warned that it almost always took more than one time to collect the visa. One couple was on their third trip to the Embassy, another their fourth (they got their greencard this time - phew)! We were getting really anxious, David turned simultaneously pale and red and looked like he was about to bolt out of there!
Even though we were first in line, we weren't called for the interview for almost 2 1/2 hours! They were having all sorts of computer problems.
When we were called up the ConOff (who let us know he was completely fed up with his job - he was the only one doing interviews that day and was swamped) asked David to put his finger on the fingerprint scanner, and the computer pooped out again. We sat back down, they all huddled around the computers in the back, then called us back up. This time it worked. Then the guy poked around in the folder, and muttered something about form DS-230 part 2 saying "But that's not in here, is it? Because you weren't asked for it... (grumble grumble)" and I produced the form and handed it to him. David took the oath and signed the form.
The ConOff was pretty friendly. He asked my profession (said he wanted to be an architect), then David's (and said he'd heard of David's book), then asked about what David studied for his bachelor's and M.Phil. He asked if we had a big wedding, and if we were planning on having another one in the US. He asked what job David was planning on doing in the US. it was pretty casual.
Then he muttered something like "you've got the visa" and handed back original birth and marriage certs. It was almost like an offhand remark; very weird. I said "thank you!" and then he said "Well, we'll try to print it today, but as you can see, we're having computer problems, so just wait a few minutes and we'll see what we can do." He was nice about it, but seemed frustrated. So, approved on the first try, and we are certain it was because of all the info from this NG!!!!
About 20 minutes later, David was called up again. They gave him the sealed envelope for the POE, but was told to go get a swiftpost pack so they could mail his passport back. So David said, all casually, "We live right here in Dublin, I could come collect the passport instead..." and she said "Oh, ok then. You can collect it tomorrow. Or Monday." David said "Tomorrow will be fine" and she told us his name would be on the list at the front gate and to come at 1:30.
So it's 2:30 now, and he just called to say that he collected his passport, and the visa is inside with the correct name and validity date (I made him check while he was still there just in case).
So Santa Fe, here we come!!!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone on this NG... it really has been an incredible source of tips and information and great moral support, too. Here's hoping for smooth sailing for everyone... and on to EAD/AOS!
Jul 9th 2004 | 1:49 am
#2
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,860
From: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Originally posted by Buendia
Wow! What a day! I had acid reflux all day, a tight feeling all along my spine, clammy hands. I am pretty certain if you have these symptoms for too long, your body just quits and you keel over. But we got the K3 visa, and here's the full story (will be posting this to Kamya):
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (passport, DS-156, marriage cert copy and original, birth cert copy and original, original police certificates, medical envelope, affadavit of support stuff, photos). She wanted two 2" front face photos instead of one 2" and one 3/4 view (which is what the Embassy's instructions included in Packet 4 asked for specifically). Luckily we had extras of both types of photos.
She asked if David was an Irish citizen, then asked again with his Irish passport in her hand (how did she think he got the passport?)! She asked about four times if there we'd had any prior marriages (no, no, no and no again). It took all of five minutes, she was stone-faced the entire time.
We sat back down, and then watched all these other people (DCF, K1s, K3s - most had their spouses/fiances with them) getting rejected right and left by the form-gatherers for incorrect or insufficient affadavits of support, incorrect police certs. One guy was sent out to get another 2" photo. Then he came back and was told he needed an affadavit of support from his wife. There was a really nice camaraderie in the Embassy waiting room (maybe a result of having no confidentiality at all!). There were about 15 other couples waiting. We were warned that it almost always took more than one time to collect the visa. One couple was on their third trip to the Embassy, another their fourth (they got their greencard this time - phew)! We were getting really anxious, David turned simultaneously pale and red and looked like he was about to bolt out of there!
Even though we were first in line, we weren't called for the interview for almost 2 1/2 hours! They were having all sorts of computer problems.
When we were called up the ConOff (who let us know he was completely fed up with his job - he was the only one doing interviews that day and was swamped) asked David to put his finger on the fingerprint scanner, and the computer pooped out again. We sat back down, they all huddled around the computers in the back, then called us back up. This time it worked. Then the guy poked around in the folder, and muttered something about form DS-230 part 2 saying "But that's not in here, is it? Because you weren't asked for it... (grumble grumble)" and I produced the form and handed it to him. David took the oath and signed the form.
The ConOff was pretty friendly. He asked my profession (said he wanted to be an architect), then David's (and said he'd heard of David's book), then asked about what David studied for his bachelor's and M.Phil. He asked if we had a big wedding, and if we were planning on having another one in the US. He asked what job David was planning on doing in the US. it was pretty casual.
Then he muttered something like "you've got the visa" and handed back original birth and marriage certs. It was almost like an offhand remark; very weird. I said "thank you!" and then he said "Well, we'll try to print it today, but as you can see, we're having computer problems, so just wait a few minutes and we'll see what we can do." He was nice about it, but seemed frustrated. So, approved on the first try, and we are certain it was because of all the info from this NG!!!!
About 20 minutes later, David was called up again. They gave him the sealed envelope for the POE, but was told to go get a swiftpost pack so they could mail his passport back. So David said, all casually, "We live right here in Dublin, I could come collect the passport instead..." and she said "Oh, ok then. You can collect it tomorrow. Or Monday." David said "Tomorrow will be fine" and she told us his name would be on the list at the front gate and to come at 1:30.
So it's 2:30 now, and he just called to say that he collected his passport, and the visa is inside with the correct name and validity date (I made him check while he was still there just in case).
So Santa Fe, here we come!!!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone on this NG... it really has been an incredible source of tips and information and great moral support, too. Here's hoping for smooth sailing for everyone... and on to EAD/AOS!
Wow! What a day! I had acid reflux all day, a tight feeling all along my spine, clammy hands. I am pretty certain if you have these symptoms for too long, your body just quits and you keel over. But we got the K3 visa, and here's the full story (will be posting this to Kamya):
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (passport, DS-156, marriage cert copy and original, birth cert copy and original, original police certificates, medical envelope, affadavit of support stuff, photos). She wanted two 2" front face photos instead of one 2" and one 3/4 view (which is what the Embassy's instructions included in Packet 4 asked for specifically). Luckily we had extras of both types of photos.
She asked if David was an Irish citizen, then asked again with his Irish passport in her hand (how did she think he got the passport?)! She asked about four times if there we'd had any prior marriages (no, no, no and no again). It took all of five minutes, she was stone-faced the entire time.
We sat back down, and then watched all these other people (DCF, K1s, K3s - most had their spouses/fiances with them) getting rejected right and left by the form-gatherers for incorrect or insufficient affadavits of support, incorrect police certs. One guy was sent out to get another 2" photo. Then he came back and was told he needed an affadavit of support from his wife. There was a really nice camaraderie in the Embassy waiting room (maybe a result of having no confidentiality at all!). There were about 15 other couples waiting. We were warned that it almost always took more than one time to collect the visa. One couple was on their third trip to the Embassy, another their fourth (they got their greencard this time - phew)! We were getting really anxious, David turned simultaneously pale and red and looked like he was about to bolt out of there!
Even though we were first in line, we weren't called for the interview for almost 2 1/2 hours! They were having all sorts of computer problems.
When we were called up the ConOff (who let us know he was completely fed up with his job - he was the only one doing interviews that day and was swamped) asked David to put his finger on the fingerprint scanner, and the computer pooped out again. We sat back down, they all huddled around the computers in the back, then called us back up. This time it worked. Then the guy poked around in the folder, and muttered something about form DS-230 part 2 saying "But that's not in here, is it? Because you weren't asked for it... (grumble grumble)" and I produced the form and handed it to him. David took the oath and signed the form.
The ConOff was pretty friendly. He asked my profession (said he wanted to be an architect), then David's (and said he'd heard of David's book), then asked about what David studied for his bachelor's and M.Phil. He asked if we had a big wedding, and if we were planning on having another one in the US. He asked what job David was planning on doing in the US. it was pretty casual.
Then he muttered something like "you've got the visa" and handed back original birth and marriage certs. It was almost like an offhand remark; very weird. I said "thank you!" and then he said "Well, we'll try to print it today, but as you can see, we're having computer problems, so just wait a few minutes and we'll see what we can do." He was nice about it, but seemed frustrated. So, approved on the first try, and we are certain it was because of all the info from this NG!!!!
About 20 minutes later, David was called up again. They gave him the sealed envelope for the POE, but was told to go get a swiftpost pack so they could mail his passport back. So David said, all casually, "We live right here in Dublin, I could come collect the passport instead..." and she said "Oh, ok then. You can collect it tomorrow. Or Monday." David said "Tomorrow will be fine" and she told us his name would be on the list at the front gate and to come at 1:30.
So it's 2:30 now, and he just called to say that he collected his passport, and the visa is inside with the correct name and validity date (I made him check while he was still there just in case).
So Santa Fe, here we come!!!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone on this NG... it really has been an incredible source of tips and information and great moral support, too. Here's hoping for smooth sailing for everyone... and on to EAD/AOS!
Hurray!! Congrats. Westward Ho,
!!
Jul 9th 2004 | 2:00 am
#3
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,816
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Woo hooooooo!!!!!!! I can imagine how nerve-wracking that must've been with all the staff losing the plot with the computers!!! Glad to see that everything went smoothly for you in the end, though!!!! Have a safe journey over to this side of the pond!!!!
Kate. xxxxx
Kate. xxxxx
Jul 9th 2004 | 2:08 am
#4
heading to Ohio
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 58
From: England (Cambs)
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
WOOHHOOOO Congratulations so happpppppy for you both !!
Jul 9th 2004 | 3:00 am
#5
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 47,664
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Congratulations and thanks for the kamya posting.
Rete
Rete
Jul 9th 2004 | 3:06 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,345
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Congrats, and have a safe trip....
Jul 9th 2004 | 3:47 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 260
From: UK
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Originally posted by Buendia
.... we got the K3 visa......
.... we got the K3 visa......
Jul 9th 2004 | 3:56 am
#8
Don't Know, Don't Care
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,385
From: California
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Originally posted by 21stcenturylove
Congratulations !!!!!
Congratulations !!!!!
Bet you are feeling a little more relaxed today
Patrick
Jul 9th 2004 | 4:06 am
#9
Queen of the Obvious
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 313
From: VSC District
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Congratulations Buendia! I'm very happy you passed the first time around...
Jul 9th 2004 | 4:12 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 89
From: US and Indonesia
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
CONGRATULATIONS !! Have safe trip to US !!
Jul 9th 2004 | 5:20 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 163
From: Ireland
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Lots of applause...Big CONGRATS to you and David!!
Jul 9th 2004 | 7:59 am
#12
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Originally posted by Buendia
Wow! What a day! I had acid reflux all day, a tight feeling all along my spine, clammy hands. I am pretty certain if you have these symptoms for too long, your body just quits and you keel over. But we got the K3 visa, and here's the full story (will be posting this to Kamya):
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (SNIP
Wow! What a day! I had acid reflux all day, a tight feeling all along my spine, clammy hands. I am pretty certain if you have these symptoms for too long, your body just quits and you keel over. But we got the K3 visa, and here's the full story (will be posting this to Kamya):
We arrived early, were in the front of the queue, and were called up first. The first step is the form-gatherer (ours was an older Irish woman) who collects all your paperwork, reading from a printed checklist and asking for things in rapid-fire succession (SNIP
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Aww I feel like shouting!!! :PARTY: :PARTY: :PARTY:
When are you guys flying in??
What a happy day!!
Jul 9th 2004 | 10:28 am
#13
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 502
From: Santa Fe, NM from Dublin, Ireland
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Thanks so much everyone!!!
I feel like shouting, too, Hyper! (Actually, I did when David called to say he had the visa in his hand, and I scared Arthur the cat!)
We fly from Dublin to Chicago next Wednesday the 14th, then overnight in Chicago (because we'll have Arthur with us and didn't think a 6 hour layover in a cage would be good for him). Then Chicago to LA (where my parents live - they've had my car for a year). Overnight in LA, and we leave on the 16th - it's a 13 hour drive to Santa Fe (so we'll spend a night in Flagstaff, AZ).
I feel like shouting, too, Hyper! (Actually, I did when David called to say he had the visa in his hand, and I scared Arthur the cat!)
We fly from Dublin to Chicago next Wednesday the 14th, then overnight in Chicago (because we'll have Arthur with us and didn't think a 6 hour layover in a cage would be good for him). Then Chicago to LA (where my parents live - they've had my car for a year). Overnight in LA, and we leave on the 16th - it's a 13 hour drive to Santa Fe (so we'll spend a night in Flagstaff, AZ).
Jul 9th 2004 | 10:30 am
#14
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
Originally posted by Buendia
Thanks so much everyone!!!
I feel like shouting, too, Hyper! (Actually, I did when David called to say he had the visa in his hand, and I scared Arthur the cat!)
We fly from Dublin to Chicago next Wednesday the 14th, then overnight in Chicago (because we'll have Arthur with us and didn't think a 6 hour layover in a cage would be good for him). Then Chicago to LA (where my parents live - they've had my car for a year). Overnight in LA, and we leave on the 16th - it's a 13 hour drive to Santa Fe (so we'll spend a night in Flagstaff, AZ).
Thanks so much everyone!!!
I feel like shouting, too, Hyper! (Actually, I did when David called to say he had the visa in his hand, and I scared Arthur the cat!)
We fly from Dublin to Chicago next Wednesday the 14th, then overnight in Chicago (because we'll have Arthur with us and didn't think a 6 hour layover in a cage would be good for him). Then Chicago to LA (where my parents live - they've had my car for a year). Overnight in LA, and we leave on the 16th - it's a 13 hour drive to Santa Fe (so we'll spend a night in Flagstaff, AZ).
).It's ok to scare the cat once in a while, I scared mine yesterday when I farted lol.
Man it is sunny again!! wooo!!
Happy Happy Friday!
Jul 10th 2004 | 5:04 am
#15
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: K3 visa experience - Dublin!
YAY!
Big excitements I never doubted that you'd get it 'right' the first time (an architect who's not partial to details?) and your journey 'home' sounds great.
Congrats to you both!
mo
Big excitements
I never doubted that you'd get it 'right' the first time (an architect who's not partial to details?) and your journey 'home' sounds great.Congrats to you both!
mo
