Last minute interview Checklist

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

My interview is Monday (eeeeek!) I'm so excited!!! Not looking forward to all the waiting around though, I just want to get it over and done with. My interview is for 8.30am so I'm planning to arrive outside at 7.45. Does anyone have any suggestions about whether this is advisable?

Also, I have my paperwork all ready but just wanted to run it by everyone to see if I've left anything out...

I have:

Appointment Letter

My Birth Certificate (long version) & a copy

My passport (and copies of each page)

My police certificate (& copy)

x2 US sized passport photographs

Our Affadavit of Support (& copy just in case)

Russ' 2008 Tax Return & Tax Transcript (& copies)

Russ' payslips (& copies of each one)

Russ' employer letter (& copy)

Additional Evidence June - present - I know this is never really asked for, but just in case...

Updated letters of Intent (& Copies)

x2 recent photographs (taken after I-129F)

Recent proof of posting packages to each other

Recent Flight Itineraries & Boarding Passes

Fees:

$131 - Visa Processing Fee (has this now increased to $350?)

£14.20 - Courier Fee

Have I missed anything??

[FrostyMist 1]

That sounds pretty close to what I took with me.

I also took my NOA2, etc, and a copy of the original I-129F. Not that any of them were asked for.

$131 - Visa Processing Fee (has this now increased to $350?)

It was $131 when I had my interview (Jan 15th). Don't know if it's been changed since then, though.

Good luck on your interview. Thinking back to how I was in the few days before mine---my interview was Friday, and Wednesday I spent the day in a strangely numb sort of state. This worked out well for me, since it never really went away right up until the interview.

Try to keep busy/occupied whilst you're waiting for the final hours to pass by. Try reading some reviews posted on Visajourney, (if you haven't already done so) to familiarize yourself with what to expect on the interview day. I felt that doing this helped ease the stress a little on my day.

And again---I wish you the best of luck. I'm going to be hoping for the best for you on Monday.

[Leenie 15]

Good luck, Rachel! I'm not really at the point where I can dish out advice, but you look to be set!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Looks just like what Nik brought to his interview. I'm sure things will go just fine. Getting close!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Thanks everyone!!! Yay! I cant wait for this all to be over! I'm feeling ok at the minute actually, I'm more excited than nervous, but I just wanted a few people to cast their eyes over my list. Looks like I'm good to go!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Couple more questions while I have the chance...

• Where do you actually go when you arrive at the Embassy (I was thinking of arriving at 7.45am)?
  
• Is there a main entrance?
  
• Does everyone who's had their interview think that 45 mins for queuing is enough?
  

[FrostyMist 1]

Day before my interview, I was in a pretty good mood. I was kept busy by family sending me best wishes. I didn't sleep at all the night before the big day though. Your list looks good, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

[TeamMoran 0]

What time is your interview? I arrived in the queue at 0815 for a 0900 appointment, and was in the door at 0830.

Once you find the embassy, there are two queues outside. One for US citizens, and the other for visa applicants. You'll go through security, and take a number then sit and wait!

Your list of documents looks absolutely fine. I wasn't asked for any supplementary evidence, and nor were they interested in Morgan's pay slips or anything like that.

You'll be fine. Good luck!

[FrostyMist 1]

I was relying on my step-father to actually figure out where we were going when we reached the embassy, but from what I could gather, everything is quite well sign posted. There are also security personnel who will be happy to direct you to where you need to go.

My appointment was at 9, and I got there for about 8:20 (at a guess, didn't have a watch so I can't say what the exact time was). For me, getting into the embassy was delayed because of having to wait for security to come escort me via the back route (since I had the wheelchair) but I expect none wheelchair users would have a much quicker and simpler time.

There was hardly a queue ahead of us when we arrived - just three or four people, but the queue was moving forwards quite fast. Give yourself about half an hour to get in, and I think you'll be okay. I've heard it said that you won't be allowed in if you're too early, anyways.

Edited January 24, 2010 by FrostyMist

[Andrew + Bethany 4]

Umm...updated letter of intent. Is that necessary??? I don't have one. Obviously I could type one out now but I can't get a signature from Bethany until after the interview which is tomrrow. Having a slight panic attack now!

[FrostyMist 1]

Umm...updated letter of intent. Is that necessary??? I don't have one. Obviously I could type one out now but I can't get a signature from Bethany until after the interview which is tomrrow. Having a slight panic attack now!

The embassy information I found on this subject states that you are supposed to have updated letters of intent if it has been over one month since the I-129F expired (the I-129F has a three month validity period once it is approved). From what I can gather, both of you are supposed to have notarized letters of intent, if you go past the validity period.

However! When I had my interview, very little about this was said until I myself brought the subject up (I was worried there'd been a mistake and they'd overlooked the matter). At that point, the interviewer explained that they had my fiance's letter of intent, and didn't need anything else. They took mine, just becuase I inssted they should. Our petition expired in October, so we were certainly a long way past then (interview was January 15th).

Other people have gone to the interview and not been asked anything at all about letters of intent. You certainly only need it if the I-129F validity has expired.

Edited January 25, 2010 by FrostyMist

[Andrew + Bethany 4]

Thanks for replying they didn't mention it so I didn't ask yay!

[FrostyMist 1]

Thanks for replying they didn't mention it so I didn't ask yay!

Good. I'm glad it wasn't a problem for you.

Edited January 25, 2010 by FrostyMist

[david'sgirl 134]

Couple more questions while I have the chance...

• Where do you actually go when you arrive at the Embassy (I was thinking of arriving at 7.45am)?
  
• Is there a main entrance?
  
• Does everyone who's had their interview think that 45 mins for queuing is enough?
  

How did it go for you? I just realised we were there for our interview at exactly the same time as you! We got inside after I threw away my ipod earphones. Oops. We had our doucments checked and were told to take a seat and were called to a different window a little while later. The interviewer we had was wicked nice. She asked us a few questions, sent us to the courier to pay and we were done. I had brought copies of everything, photos, current paystubs, wedding album, affadavits from friends and family declaring we are a real couple. They never asked for a thing. We had one minor glitch. When we got to window #1 she said she could not find his medical info. We had the receipt so she looked out back and found it. The medical results had arrived before we had an interview date scheduled and therefor were not with our file. It was a lot easier than we expected. He is coming in less than 2 weeks! I just flew home last night. I'm not sure what time it is anymore! Hope you had an easy interview as well. Congrats.