The 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[LorriQ 0]

Congrats!!!!!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Yay!! Congrats VillaSpurs!!! and thanks for the update. Embassies are unfortunately always changing their ways, but good to know that the bane of the SMS couriers lives on! Hope you get yours soon xxxx

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Congratulations VillaSpurs............What a great early Christmas present

[Laura+Tom 2]

January 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Malia & Tom (Tom_g), jmrb, Dazzler, walkies_a, julez & Griff, English Muffin, Stephen & Amber, Chris & Amy, Shorty & Nilz, NikkisPrecious, Randy & Maggie(Mustang-sally), ddkm, Gwen666, Teachmehistory, Jeff & Bev (Wellywench), Shadow42 (Andrew & Robin), Chelsea & Ed (edchels), DD2004, Barrel_roll

February 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
C and J (Cheryl & Josh), Tinkerbelle, weedebz, nacampbell (Neil & Annie), kdancer, GlenandLisa, Lil-Lost-Girl, lostpup, jodinjames, Janaus, Courtney, Gareth's Girl, ericdraven

March 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Bforbarree, StillthePrettiest, toshtishtash, londonuk, pkscotus, lisalu100, Darren&Laura, tomsandi, DonnaB, ladyynara, babblesgirl, zoobuffalo and KJC.

April 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Geordielover, ajeanne, jeraly, minnietheminx, Poiteen, thejoz/thesquozenone, Chorely80, brooksmc, smallz, greeneyedgirlfl, lilysintrigue, AtlantiCat, sam and nic, NickyMcMillan

May 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Damian & Kelly, Coatsy, Saffyre, Robyn-n-Kris, Chris JennTX, Sal and Jay, ric

June 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Glyn & Kathy, bbpatel, Roselinda, Darren & Cristina, Jennifer & Jack, Stephen & Stacie, P & P, Carly & Andrew, K & L

July 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
celtic59, Charles & Sonya, Robbie & Sarah, Barry & Debbie, valerie & andy, Verity & Neil, D & N, SMB x2, Bex & Alan, Rebecca & Dominick, Eggnut, me!, L & P, Thomas F, Gerry & Karen, Mark and Hannah, Pattilou47, Nick & Nich

August 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
The Red Baron

September 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Nicoxcx, Welshcookie, Boobah, Thebigyard, Amy and John, SusieK, Roca, Guinness1969, sassasdave

October 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:
Barry and Jackie, BMJ, saraswaiti007,sunnybear, Damian P, Bexxie, cca, gingerblue, KYLady, Wifetobe, Scarlett, fickmoley

November 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London
andiste08, Stuart n Courtney, FeeandJosh

December 2008 Interviews

Isma.............................CR1..................................12/05/2008 APPROVED!!!!
newenglander................K1..................................12/09/2008 Approved pending additional information
desilu............................CR1.................................12/11/2008 APPROVED!!!!
rocks..............................K1...................................12/15/2008 APPROVED!!!!
villaspurs........................K1...................................12/17/2008 APPROVED!!!!
Hopeful5........................K1...................................12/19/2008
LorriQ............................K1....................................12/22/2008

2009 Interviews

Jason&Sarah...................K1...................................01/13/2009
Marie620.........................CR1.................................01/12/2009
Hannah+Vito...................K1...................................01/13/2009
Mrssmith & daughter.......CR1.................................01/14/2009


Still waiting for approval:

Sad Eyes..........................................02/25/2008 – Still stuck in AP?
stevi1123.........................................10/16/2008 - Approved pending additional documentation

[villaspurs 65]

Okay here's my lengthy (really lengthy!) review...

We showed up at 8:20-ish for our 9:00 interview, and had no problems in line--in fact, they were letting people with 9:30 interview times wait. My confirmation email seemed fine (good thing, especially since we STILL haven't received the official letter!) and we got through no problem. We went through the security area and discovered that I had forgotten to take my American cell phone out of my bag, which was super annoying (we had left the UK mobiles and other electronics across the street at our hotel). Spurs went in while I ran the phone back, and they were great about letting me back in.

Unfortunately, since we didn't have the official letter, the guy giving out numbers at the front gave us a 2000-level number (for E-visas) instead of a 5000-level (for immigrants). We didn't think twice about it until 2 hours later when we finally got called up to one of the small number windows (as others have said on here, you sit in the main waiting room with windows numbered 1-11). The nice woman at the window said we had been given the wrong number, so we had to go back and get a 5000-level one. That set us back to the end of the line, which was really frustrating. Eventually our 5000-level number was called and we met with a very nice Englishman named John. As we've heard before, he seemed REALLY impressed with our organization--we knew exactly where each form was and had the copies ready to go. We chatted while Spurs paid our visa fee, and I told him about the number debacle. He said it had been crazy in there all day and apologized for our wait time, explaining that they'd had problems with the system and were understaffed (seriously--it was PACKED in there all day, and 5000-level immigrant visas were taking forever). He said he'd bump us up a bit on the list for the interview.

Apparently he meant it, because about 30 minutes later we were called to the interview window. The gentleman had Spurs swear to tell the truth and fill out a form where he had to write my name and affirm his intent to marry me. He then asked questions of us both--where did we meet, where are we going to live, etc. Then voila! we were done, except for having to wait for the "regular" immigrant visa interviewer to come over to fix a computer issue. It turns out, this guy (who was great) is not usually on immigrant cases--I guess that because they were so backed up they had opened another window for interviews. It was super easy, and he was really wonderful.

We asked about the visa delivery time and if we could just come pick it up later that day, and the answer was a resounding no. We didn't ask this of the SMS person, though, so he/she might have a different answer. We paid a bit extra for before 10:00 AM delivery, and we just got a text saying it will be delivered tomorrow (two days after the interview). Woo hoo!

For those of you looking for a really conveniently-located hotel, we both loved the Millennium Hotel: Mayfair. It's right across from the embassy--literally a one-minute walk--and you can extend check-out to 1:00 PM for no additional charge, so you can leave your valuables in there. It's normally pretty expensive, but we got a same-day internet deal that made it really affordable (surprisingly so). We were so nervous on the morning of our interview, so being able to not have to be concerned at all with getting there was great.

[Laura+Tom 2]

Great review, thanks!

Good luck hopeful5 for today!

[newenglander 0]

Congrats and it must be good to finally have it over and done with. Funny about being told NO about picking up the visa the same day as Pete did ask at the information desk and was told yes, he could wait. Maybe someday we'll find out for sure.

We're still waiting.....................

[villaspurs 65]

Congrats and it must be good to finally have it over and done with. Funny about being told NO about picking up the visa the same day as Pete did ask at the information desk and was told yes, he could wait. Maybe someday we'll find out for sure.

We're still waiting.....................

If he asked at the SMS desk, they might have been the ones to say it was possible--we got the "no" from one of the British consular employees. The thing is, they tell you the visa can take up to five days for processing, so I'm not sure how same day could be guaranteed by SMS. So confusing!

New Englander, I hope you hear something soon--our fingers are crossed for you guys!

[Laura+Tom 2]

Wonder how hopeful5 got on.

[Laura+Tom 2]

Good luck Lorri, you're the last interviewee for 2008!

[LorriQ 0]

Good luck Lorri, you're the last interviewee for 2008!

APPROVED!!!!!!!

So very happy right now!!!!

2 simple questions - 1 in regards to the overstay - how long of an overstay and 2nd as to my employment (went from contract labor to salaried in 2007) and that was it! Approved!!!

Goodbye K-1 - Hello AOS!!!!

[Laura+Tom 2]

Good luck Lorri, you're the last interviewee for 2008!

APPROVED!!!!!!!

So very happy right now!!!!

2 simple questions - 1 in regards to the overstay - how long of an overstay and 2nd as to my employment (went from contract labor to salaried in 2007) and that was it! Approved!!!

Goodbye K-1 - Hello AOS!!!!

That's brilliant! Congrats!! :dance:

[Damian&Kelly 16]

Congratulations on the approval!! Great News!!! :dance:

[newenglander 0]

APPROVED!

Just now! He only needed some extra information, he sent it by courier last week and we know it got there. Today he phoned the embassy and actually GOT THROUGH TO SOMEONE! They found his papers and approved them!

He rang the courier service just now and they said: "Well, when we get enough deliveries to your area, we'll get it to you."

YEEEEEEEKS! After all this pushing and waiting now the courier service won't even deliver it in time for Christmas?

So Pete put his FIRM VOICE on and he told them, "Either you get it to me by (such and such time) or I'm ringing the embassy and my "lady friend" who lives near Boston and she will get in touch with Ted KENNEDY'S office!!!

(as if I know Ted Kennedy, as if THEY could do anything between now and Christmas....LOL)

But anyway -- he's APPROVED and it doesn't seem real yet. I think the world is going to look brighter to me now and I finally feel a sense of calmness coming over me. I hope everybody who's still waiting gets to feel this way pretty soon--and CONGRATS to LORRI! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[LorriQ 0]

APPROVED!

Just now! He only needed some extra information, he sent it by courier last week and we know it got there. Today he phoned the embassy and actually GOT THROUGH TO SOMEONE! They found his papers and approved them!

He rang the courier service just now and they said: "Well, when we get enough deliveries to your area, we'll get it to you."

YEEEEEEEKS! After all this pushing and waiting now the courier service won't even deliver it in time for Christmas?

So Pete put his FIRM VOICE on and he told them, "Either you get it to me by (such and such time) or I'm ringing the embassy and my "lady friend" who lives near Boston and she will get in touch with Ted KENNEDY'S office!!!

(as if I know Ted Kennedy, as if THEY could do anything between now and Christmas....LOL)

But anyway -- he's APPROVED and it doesn't seem real yet. I think the world is going to look brighter to me now and I finally feel a sense of calmness coming over me. I hope everybody who's still waiting gets to feel this way pretty soon--and CONGRATS to LORRI! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

YEAH!!!!

Amazing the weight that lifts, isn't it!

Here is to a Wonderous and Beautiful New Year with the Ones we Love!!

Cheers!