London Embassy K-1 Interview c. 2001

[bakofoil 27]

I found this interview and medical experience on a random internet search. Thought some of you, especially those who have been through the K1 interview, might find this interesting and/or amusing.

He arrives at 1.15pm and takes his MBE and passport with K1 visa away at 1.55pm! Incredible!

Edited September 11, 2008 by bakofoil

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Yeah I read allot of those old sites when I was researching the K visa route, before I found VJ. You'll notice a few years later, it was changed so that people would not get the visa same day. But could collect from the embassy the next day.

[bakofoil 27]

I was shocked that everything was done and dusted within 40 minutes. I know this might not be typical but I had to wait much much longer than that just to pay the courier fee!

[*julez* 124]

Ahhh...the good ol' days. Kinder, gentler times for our great nation.

[bakofoil 27]

Ahhh...the good ol' days. Kinder, gentler times for our great nation.

Yep, I should have made a note in the original post that this was pre- 9/11. But nicky was saying that the policy wasn't changed until some years later and even then you could stay in London and collect the following day.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

I don't think 9/11 had an immediate impact. Visas were being given out day of the interview well into 2002. Then it was changed to next day collection, for those who wanted it.

I seem to recall there was a security breach at the embassy 3 or so years back. I'm guessing that probably put paid to being able to return to the embassy to collect.

The embassy changes its rules all the time. When I had my interview in April, I could take in my wallet/keys. Now you can't even do that.

[*julez* 124]

I can understand them keeping out cell phones and other electronic devices. But keys???? That's just crazy.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I never have, and will never understand why all the paperwork can't be submitted on the same day. I-130 or I-129f all the way through to the I-1864 and DS-230. Every single piece of information they will ever want. All at the same time, and then they say yay or nay. If it's a fiance visa they issue the visa at once and the GC once you show them the marriage cert. Very easy, efficient and relativley painless. Why why why why???? do they have to make the process so drawn out and repetitive

[bakofoil 27]

I never have, and will never understand why all the paperwork can't be submitted on the same day. I-130 or I-129f all the way through to the I-1864 and DS-230. Every single piece of information they will ever want. All at the same time, and then they say yay or nay. If it's a fiance visa they issue the visa at once and the GC once you show them the marriage cert. Very easy, efficient and relativley painless. Why why why why???? do they have to make the process so drawn out and repetitive

Yeah, I totally agree. Having provided all that evidence for the K1 visa at both USCIS petition stage and at the embassy, I don't understand why stateside, you're not allowed to work at least, without having to wait out yet another application approval. I can see them being cautious about giving a permanent GC until the marriage is a couple of years old.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

But I mean all the forms are so repititious. I mean one form asks for 5 years of employment history, and the next asks for 10, why not ask for 10 in the first place and stop bothering me??? dumb beauracrats trying to make more out of their job than is necessary. Just make a realllly big form with allllll the info required. Why is that so hard.

P.S. I didn't know I was still so annoyed about this!

[bakofoil 27]

Haha, yes I knew what you meant. So many forms and so very little new information to add. I just drew from your idea about having the embassy look at everything and say yay or nay to lead to more efficiency this side of the process. The K-1 work issue is one that particularly irritates me.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Yes AOS is the most needless and expensive parts. Why didn't they ask for all that stuff before??? Oh well. I don't suppose I'm going to fix it.