The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[H&V 5]

Congrats MonkeyJuice and Gemmie! Awesome news! Man, that waiting sucks though, I'm gonna try my damndest to get there early next Friday.

Well done!

[MARM 7]

January 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Jason&Sarah, Hannah+Vito, Mrssmith, ShannonNick, adrianandlinsay, Marmite Lovers!

February 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Rob&Dawn, Zoe and Hal, Terri and Seb, Talyss, TeeKol,

March 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Stinky Monkey, skparker, Laurence+Lauren, pothergavel, paumanda, texpat cymru, obbynox, jhonscotland, Caminic, Furious Biscuit, ahlpo, jojo_gee

April 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
DairyFarmer, skeez&titanic, SwanTiger, miss g, LondonLad, niniel71, mr and mrs, Stinkerpotsam, Marty J, prima and jay, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK

May 2009 Interviews
1st May 2009.....Graziumphry..................K-1
1st May 2009.....gary e83........................K-1
1st May 2009.....emma77........................K-1
5th May 2009.....Monkey Juice.................K-1
5th May 2009.....Gemmie........................K-1
12th May 2009....MARM...........................K-1
12th May 2009....mrs_sdp.......................K-1
15th May 2009....H&V..............................K-1
19th May 2009....laura819........................K-1
22nd May 2009...PB&JAM.........................K-1

Still waiting for approval
stevi1123..........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Marie620..........12th January 2009 - Denied
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
Alixhilary..........27th April 2009- Approved pending additional documentation
Colinjess..........27th April 2009- Approved pending medical results

= APPROVED

Updates/New entries/changes highlighted in blue - will go to normal color in the next update.

Please let us know if you have an Interview Date to add to the list, updated information or corrections.

[Gemmie 142]

That feels good.

Oh yeah, I was kinda a naughty girl.. the brown envelope was already unsticking itself, and I was curious, so I peeked. It should be fine if I just stick it back up, right?

He told me to keep it in my luggage.. but I thought I was supposed to give it in at POE??

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

That feels good.

Oh yeah, I was kinda a naughty girl.. the brown envelope was already unsticking itself, and I was curious, so I peeked. It should be fine if I just stick it back up, right?

He told me to keep it in my luggage.. but I thought I was supposed to give it in at POE??

That brown envelope he gave you is not the famous Mysterious Brown Envelope -- the one you got contains your x-rays. Open to your heart's content! And congrats.

[Rob&Dawn 1]

congratulations Gemmie

[Marty J 0]

That feels good.

Oh yeah, I was kinda a naughty girl.. the brown envelope was already unsticking itself, and I was curious, so I peeked. It should be fine if I just stick it back up, right?

He told me to keep it in my luggage.. but I thought I was supposed to give it in at POE??

Congrats!

You'll get the envelope you're not supposed to open when they send your passport back.

[Gemmie 142]

Phew..

Thanks!!

[mrs_sdp 0]

Hi All ...

Woot!! Congrats to Gemmie and MJ ... amazing result!! It's so nice to hear about all the approvals and see those lovely, shiny, flashing graphics!! I want one of those ... real bad ...

I've been busy over the weekend. I got the hotel booked - Mum and I are staying at the Lincoln House for a couple of nights .. the one Nich reviewed ... Flights are booked and I have also booked the bus into the city ..

I have some questions ... OMG, when do I ever NOT have a question lol?? I think I'm ok with everything, I just need some hand holding ... I hope that's ok ...

OK, so my medical is the day AFTER my interview - I phoned the Embassy to make sure that this was OK. Initially, the guy I spoke to said NO!! I just about died on the spot lol. He went away and checked it out and eventually said that the "rule book" stated that it was in my own best interest to have the medical done BEFORE the interview because the visa progress stops until they receive the results of the medical. I knew that anyway, and it's only two days later than it would have been if I'd managed to get booked in for the Monday, so I can wait that long. I explained that the notice was so short that the clinic couldn't fit me in the day before! I made him repeat everything for clarification, and I almost asked him if our conversation was being recorded - just in case ...

I still haven't received my appointment letter yet. I know it was a bank holiday weekend, so I'm trying not to panic. Will the DOS know if a letter has been sent out? I don't want to phone the Embassy in a panic if it's winging it's way to me ... I read somewhere that they won't let you into the Embassy without it ...

Last query folks ... sorry! Because my medical is the day after the interview, what happens to "envelope" I should have taken to interview with me after my medical? Will it be delivered to the "powers that be" along with my results? Also, I'm hoping that the Embassy will keep my passport .. so is it sufficient to use my picture driving licence for ID for my medical? I'll take along a photo copy of the picture page of my passport as well .. so they can see that IT'S ME!!

OMG ... I am so excited .... breathe (one, two) breathe (one, two) breathe ....

Moira x

Edited May 5, 2009 by mrs_sdp

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Show a photo id to the medical people if you don't have a passport and tell them why if they ask where your passport is. They aren't the gestapo, just some docs and nurses so don't let them scare you.

You get a chest x-ray at the medical. They check it out for TB and send off your bloodwork. When they get the lab results back, they finish ticking their boxes and send the report and x-ray to the Embassy because normally you would be showing up at there after the medical. They don't want your x-ray anymore, they aren't going to keep it on file, and instead of throwing it in the bin, they send it for you to pick up at the Embassy. In your case, the Embassy will probably put it in the courier package that contains your "do not open" brown envelope and your passport. You don't need the x-ray for anything else in the process. They just give it back to you since nobody else wants it. You'll know the x-ray because it's in a huge brown envelope...much larger than the brown envelope containing your files to present at POE.

Also, at the Embassy they have a list of who has interviews so get an email confirmation or talk your way in by making them check the list.

Edit: In my haste to go eat dinner, I forgot to say congratulations to today's approvals. Glad you both got the nice guy.

Edited May 6, 2009 by Nich-Nick

[mrs_sdp 0]

Show a photo id to the medical people if you don't have a passport and tell them why if they ask where your passport is. They aren't the gestapo, just some docs and nurses so don't let them scare you.

You get a chest x-ray at the medical. They check it out for TB and send off your bloodwork. When they get the lab results back, they finish ticking their boxes and send the report and x-ray to the Embassy because normally you would be showing up at there after the medical. They don't want your x-ray anymore, they aren't going to keep it on file, and instead of throwing it in the bin, they send it for you to pick up at the Embassy. In your case, the Embassy will probably put it in the courier package that contains your "do not open" brown envelope and your passport. You don't need the x-ray for anything else in the process. They just give it back to you since nobody else wants it. You'll know the x-ray because it's in a huge brown envelope...much larger than the brown envelope containing your files to present at POE.

Edit: In my haste to go eat dinner, I forgot to say congratulations to today's approvals. Glad you both got the nice guy.

Thanks Nich .. I had a feeling there wouldn't be a problem with the photo id - but you know me - I just need to double check things ...

If I don't get my letter about the interview tomorrow, I'm going to phone the Embassy and find out what's happening. If it's been lost in the post, there's still time for them to send me out another one ... Like you say - they are just people, and nothing to be scared of ...

Enjoy dinner!

Moira x

[PB&JAM 1]

I texted Bill with "bad news.." just so I could give him the bittersweet pleasure of being approved. I know it's mean, but it had to be done..

lol...bad girl! congrats!!!

[Talyss 0]

Congratulations Gemmie!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

APPROVED!!

I waited FIVE HOURS and it was bloody awful (especially because I had just travelled for 4 and a half hours to get there). Everyone is right, the waiting is the worst part.

I was number 5019 (arrived at 8:40) so had a few hours to wait until I got to give in my documents (he only wanted the 134 and tax returns, after all of the worry and print-outs..).. he took my fingerprints and asked me some questions about our relationship at that window, so I thought that might be the interview. But I was told to go back and wait for some more. When it came to the interview, I got the nice American guy too; he was very friendly, and we just chatted about how Bill and I met, his employment situation, wedding plans.. when I plan on leaving. And then I asked if I was supposed to take my passport back and he said "Nah we're going to hold onto that so that we can put your visa in it. " and wished me luck in the U.S.

I was delighted.. tried to keep my cool though.

I texted Bill with "bad news.." just so I could give him the bittersweet pleasure of being approved. I know it's mean, but it had to be done..

Congrats Monkeyjuice!!

Wayhey! Congrats! Best of luck for those upcoming...

Magpie.

[Gemmie 142]

It's fine to book a return ticket, isn't it, guys? Obviously they're cheaper than a single, and I can tell POE that if I'm questioned?

[Ellie-and-David 38]

It's fine to book a return ticket, isn't it, guys? Obviously they're cheaper than a single, and I can tell POE that if I'm questioned?

Yep, dont worry about it. From what I have read it makes no difference to the POE guys whether you have a return or not, as long as you have that visa in your passport, that's all they care about.

Most also understand that it's cheaper to book a return.