[ej-momtobe]

Our agency just told us that the attorney does not provide anyone to go with us to the embassy, and that we could hire someone to go with us for $15/hour. Why would we need someone to go with us to the embassy? I'm sure they speak English (and DH speaks spahish anyway). Have others gone to the embassy without soemone from the agency/attorney? Is it that complicated????

[KKR213]

I found the person who took me and another couple to the Embassy invaluable. She picked us up, checked out our paperwork, drove us to the Embassy and got us there just as our numbers were due to be called to let us in. The guards as far as I could tell were Guatemalan so Spanish would help. Once inside she told us where to wait and she went to the window and dropped stuff off. Came with us to Door #8 and then came back for the cash and passports and then the waited with us until we were called for the final time. She drove us back and then the next day went back to the Embassy and picked up our visas and dropped them off at the hotel. It was pretty funny at 3:30 all the anxious people waiting for their lawyers to bring the Visas!

Others may have different views but I think having someone guide you would be a good thing.

Good luck and Congrats!!!

[Mariais5]

Our agency rep in GC took us.. I guess it would depend on what still needed to be done.. You have to wait outside in a line until the guard gives you a number.. We were there early ~ before 7 am, so we were number one. As soon as we had that number, the rep took us to get the baby's visa pic taken. That's about a block away but in the same compound. I don't know if some people get the visa pic done in advance or not.. Once inside the Embassy, you wait in one small room or an over-flow room for them to call your number.. She went to the window once our number was called and then waited in a line to pay. They then called our names to go for the little interview. We then waited to go to the next window and swear in.. It took almost 2 hours. Our rep then went back the next day and picked the visa up for us...

I would feel comfortable doing it alone now but not sure how I would feel if I'd not done it before..

[keithandkristy]

I agree with Kathy, the above poster. That is exactly what our person did...made us feel LOTS more comfortable!! She just told us what to do. She picked us up at 7:15am and brought us back to the hotel around 9:30am. So, I would definitely spend the $30 or so to have someone with you. BUT...that is just my opinion. You may feel differently.

[DPline]

We did have to pay our translator to go with us, but like the other's, I found her invaluable. There were several people there with no one with them, so our translator was running around helping them as well. You could do it yourself I am sure, but I think it would be well worth the money to have someone who is familiar with the process go with you. I didn't find it was so much the language as knowing what to do.

Good luck!

[AngelQT]

Well.....

I don't know....

But, CAN I GO WITH YOU????

[dawneg]

Also, we had to have the baby's photo taken (for the permanent resident card) and the facilitator took us to a nearby photo place (at 6:30 a.m.) before the embassy. Not sure how you'd handle on your own, but maybe hotel can advise.

(I don't see others mention this, so maybe it's already provided by some facilitators before you arrive?)

[DPline]

Originally Posted by dawneg

Also, we had to have the baby's photo taken (for the permanent resident card) and the facilitator took us to a nearby photo place (at 6:30 a.m.) before the embassy. Not sure how you'd handle on your own, but maybe hotel can advise.

(I don't see others mention this, so maybe it's already provided by some facilitators before you arrive?)

Yes, we did have to go have the visa photo taken that morning as well. Good point. I sure wouldn't have known how to go about it if she hadn't taken me.

[KKR213]

My attorney had my son's picture taken before I arrived in Guatemala. They even gave me a second little picture of him. It is so cute!!

[brink]

The director of our kids' orphanage goes with us. We've done this three times, but each time, we were glad she was there to tell us what to do. They talk so fast over the microphone and sometimes it was hard to even understand our own last name bring announced. She knew what paperwork to take to what window, etc. She also helped others in the room who didn't know what they were doing, so it surely seems like a good idea to have someone along who knows the process. The photo issue for the visa is also something to consider. One time the first photo we had taken that morning of our child was unacceptable, so we had to leave and have it taken in the back of a van nearby. They change requirements for photos now and then, it seems. Sometimes they want full face, one ear showing more, sometimes both ears, etc. One of our kids had their photo also in the back of a van...really funny with back seat taken out and little bench for child to sit on. Another one had it taken down the street at a photo shop. We would not have known where to go, how much to pay, etc. if it weren't for the director.

[truegirl]

Our case was a little bit different but I would not have done it alone for sure. Our facilitator and our FM got up at 4AM and came to GC to meet us about 6:45 for our 7:15 appt, they already had our number, number 4 I think, when we went in we sat down, she went and stood in all the lines and did all the work, she came and got the cash from us and went and paid and brought us back the reciept. Then we were called to he little door where you go in and say yes that is us, yes, or no, I visited dna dgive a dat and they approve the I600. Then we sat back down and waited to call our name. She came to the window to be sworn in and all of that. The pictures were already taken but I did see people getting their photos taken as we parked right in front of the photo place.

Having her there was priceless and she did this for 3 families at once and I am sure that she helped other people out as well as she is just that kind of person. Although we sat alone with our FM for most of the time, we trusted and knew that everything was getting done. The next day they brought us our vias and we had a visa get together in the lobby with the 3 families that got them at the same time.

I don't think I would feel comfortable doing it alone even though we have done it before for the simple reason that we have no idea what all she did just that she did it all and got it done...lol

HTH but I doubt it...lol

Nichole

[vh9076]

I would get them to go. I would not go alone. Just make sure they will help you through the process and not just a translator.

In addition, there are two sets of pictures you need. One we got before (with an extra) and one we got the day of the embassy appt. Is there a reason why it needs to be that day??? So, make sure you have both pictures.

Anyone know the deal on the two pictures and why many of us get them that day?

[adoptnky]

We just had our embassy appointment today, and I'm so glad we had someone from our attorney's office with us.

They already had Alex's pictures taken before we got there. She told us where to go and what to do. There are SO many people there, I wouldn't have known what to do.

PM me if you want the name of someone who will take you and help you through the process. We didn't have to use him, since our agency took care of it for us.

It's really not a big deal (as lifescience wrote in another post) but it was a little crazy!

Kim

[vadopting]

I went both times WITHOUT anyone from my agency. Just get 2 visa photos taken first.

I do speak spanish but everyone at the embassy windows speak English.

If your DH speaks spanish then you are all set!!