Folks...... good news....... I got my VISA with a DUI arrest record in Amesterdam, The Netherlands. I was arrested on the charges of DUI in April 2007 and the case is pending final hearing on 30th April, 2008. I prepared all the documentation required. FBI fingerprint record, copy of court records, attorney's and courts correspondence apart usual documents. My appointment was at 2:15 p.m. Reached the consulate 15 minutes before. I was dressed in blue bussiness shirt, blue neck tie, balck pants, totally formal attire. At the begining an officer calls my number to collect the application form(DS-156, DS-157), passport and asked me why am I applying here. I told him that I had change of status in US and here on a bussiness trip. He asks me to take a seat until I am called again. 20 minutes later another officer calls my name:
Me: GA
Counsel: GA
Counsel: Why are you applying here?
Me: I had change of status in US and here on bussiness
Counsel: Did you get the offer after coming here or when you were in US? Can I see your job offer?
Me: Explaining the events gave him the job offer
Counsel: Everything is in order, you should recieve your VISA by mail in 2 to 3 bussiness days,( but surprised he didnt talk about my arrest record despite the fact that I checked "yes" on DS-156: I am positive that he didnt notice)
I had mixed feeling when I left the consulate. However after a week, I recieved an email from the consulate to be present again with the copy of the arrest record. Then after the weekend I went to the consulate again in the same formal attire. The same officer was explaining that I had a class hit and asked me present the copy of the court record. I showed him. He told me that if had more than 2 or more convictions it will be difficult to authorize. However, I explained him that I had only one and I am not convicted yet. The officer told me thatz fine and not to repeat it and be careful. Finally, the usual saying....Everything is in order, you should recieve your VISA by mail in 2 to 3 bussiness days. I got my passport with stamped VISA yesterday. Uhhhhhhhhhh..... what a hassle.
Me: GA
Counsel: GA
Counsel: Why are you applying here?
Me: I had change of status in US and here on bussiness
Counsel: Did you get the offer after coming here or when you were in US? Can I see your job offer?
Me: Explaining the events gave him the job offer
Counsel: Everything is in order, you should recieve your VISA by mail in 2 to 3 bussiness days,( but surprised he didnt talk about my arrest record despite the fact that I checked "yes" on DS-156: I am positive that he didnt notice)
I had mixed feeling when I left the consulate. However after a week, I recieved an email from the consulate to be present again with the copy of the arrest record. Then after the weekend I went to the consulate again in the same formal attire. The same officer was explaining that I had a class hit and asked me present the copy of the court record. I showed him. He told me that if had more than 2 or more convictions it will be difficult to authorize. However, I explained him that I had only one and I am not convicted yet. The officer told me thatz fine and not to repeat it and be careful. Finally, the usual saying....Everything is in order, you should recieve your VISA by mail in 2 to 3 bussiness days. I got my passport with stamped VISA yesterday. Uhhhhhhhhhh..... what a hassle.