Embassy interview- questions!

[bunsk2007 0]

My interview is going to be on Monday February 11th- I'm so excited!

But a little nervous as well......I just hope I think of everything....

A few questions that I hope you guys can help with...

1. I gather I can't take my mobile into the Embassy? Is there a place there that I can leave it safely? I don't want to go all the way up there without one really...I'll have loads of people to call when i get out of the interview.

2. Am not sure whether to go alone or with my other half....I know he's not required for the interview, but thought it would be nice to have a celebratory lunch or something....what did you guys do?

3. What do i need to take in regards to his (he's the us citizen) filing his US taxes- do I need to take his tax transcripts or something? I have had no info on this from the embassy!

4. My appt is 9.30 am. What time should I get there? How long should I expect to be there?

5. I can pay all the fees in US dollars, right? Does this include the courier service, for which I have been quoted the price in pounds sterling?

Any other tips or advice would be appreciated! Can I take water in with me , or is there a place to get a drink there? I take it that I can't take a coffee in there.....

Thanks all! Any help will be hughely appreciated. I will of course post my interview story once it's happened.

[Lansbury 19]

These are the instructions posted on the US London Embassy web site

Important Security Notice

Please do not bring mobile phones or any electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, or PDAs as they are not allowed within the Embassy.

Do not bring large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the interview as there are no storage facilities on Embassy grounds. Click on the following PDF file for a list of Left Luggage storage facilities.

Applicants are required to queue outside even in inclement weather. Please, therefore, do not arrive at the Embassy more than 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

Only applicants with appointments will be admitted into the Embassy. Exceptions will be made only if the applicant is under 18, if the applicant requires an interpreter or if the applicant is disabled and requires assistance. The parent or guardian, interpreter or carer’s name must be on the appointment list. Local authorities will not permit anyone to wait outside the Embassy, so please do not bring anyone else with you.

Applicants who do not follow these instructions will experience considerable delays at the security check point which could result in the interview being cancelled.

My comments:

At one time they did stop US spouses from going in but I believe they allow that again now. He will need to take his US passport with him. If they don't let him in the are several cafes nearby you can find before you go in and he can wait there.

You will need copies of his tax returns for last 3 years, they in fact for us only asked for the last one.

You can pay cash or credit card for the visa, the fee is in dollars. The courier you pay cash or credit card and the fee is in UK pounds.

Once through security and into the consular section, reckon between 45 minutes to 2 hours to you are finished and on your way out. Can't be more accurate than that but that seems a good cross section of what people have posted on here as the time it took. Most of the time is just waiting when we did ours it was around 45 minutes of which 35 minutes waiting and 5 minutes for each of the 2 visits to the counter, first to hand over documents and pay. the second to be officially told the visa had been granted, then off to pay the courier.

Take something to read, water if you like, tea, coffee, water, snacks etc are available inside (usual proviso if they haven't suddenly decided to stop doing refreshments).

This part is the easiest part of the whole process if you have all your paperwork is all OK. Arrange your paperwork in the order it is on the checklist, that is the order they ask for it in.

Edited February 4, 2008 by Lansbury

[gwenneh 7]

1. You can check your mobile in the security hut, but it's an at-your-own-risk thing.

2. We both went to the interview, for both the K-1 and DCF. No problems there.

3. You need to take tax transcripts OR tax returns and w-2's for sponsor and co-sponsor. This is part of the I-864 instructions. It is there!

4. You can get there no sooner than 1/2 hour before your appointment, they won't let you in the queue before then. They aren't kidding when they say you will be queueing in the rain if it's cr*ppy out, so make sure you bring an umbrella if it's raining!

5. Yes, all can be paid in USD. We just paid by card.

[bunsk2007 0]

1. You can check your mobile in the security hut, but it's an at-your-own-risk thing.

2. We both went to the interview, for both the K-1 and DCF. No problems there.

3. You need to take tax transcripts OR tax returns and w-2's for sponsor and co-sponsor. This is part of the I-864 instructions. It is there!

4. You can get there no sooner than 1/2 hour before your appointment, they won't let you in the queue before then. They aren't kidding when they say you will be queueing in the rain if it's cr*ppy out, so make sure you bring an umbrella if it's raining!

5. Yes, all can be paid in USD. We just paid by card.

Okay, thanks to you both for all the info. I think I will take my other half with me...won't be as fun celebrating on my won! I'll just make sure he has his US passport with him.

This has moved so fast in the last couple of weeks- we weren't prepared and haven't even arranged a shipper yet! But we're so excited and nothing's going to hold me back now. We're trying to see if we can get out there before the end of this month- I'm assuming of course that I'll pass the interview!