The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[Gary_UK 17]

Well my VJ Friends. I have just returned from London. one of the longest days of my life. Up at 3:30. On the road by 4:15am and got to the tube station by 6:!5am was looking at marble arch by 6:50. was in the embassy (following some dumb idiotic antics on my behalf which i will explain in the review not here )

As some have said "what an anticlimax" but perhaps for other reasons. let me explain....

When I was called the first time I handed over my I-134. passport, copy and originals for the police check and birth certificate, had finger prints taken etc and had a number of questions asked by a nice Afro Caribbean woman around middle age at a guess.. like "had I ever been in the military" and "have I ever been in trouble with the police" and some small chat. She got herself a paper cut on my police certificate and I sympathized on her miss fortune.

I offered her my shiny new photographs but she didn't take them while organizing the paperwork I had handed over. But I did notice that she used a tripod mounted camera on her desk pointing straight down and scanned or took an image of the photo i submitted on my medical paperwork.

Anyways she handed me my x-rays and a pink slip to fill in for the courier and sat back down.

Looks like I was seen by the same interviewer that Nich-Nick had mentioned. ;o)

Went through a few informal questions like " have I ever been in trouble with the police?" and " have I ever lived in any country for more than 6 months " and talked about my profession. And this is where it went a bit weird...

while we were talking he said "OK. well everything seems to be in order, take your pink slip to the courier and they will get your passport & visa back to you in 4-5 days " I paused.. looked. and I asked " so we are approved" and he pulled a face and wobbled his hands and said " weeeeellll sort of pending some background checks we are doing, don't worry you'll get your visa next week".

So I thanked him and headed off to the courier desk kind of stunned. He only handed back to me my original birth cert and police check form. he didn't ask for my photographs. and he certainly didn't raise any questions about the I-134 question I was worried about yesterday.

I have previously worked at a company that did some outsourcing work for the home office so I am assuming that they will be doing something similar with mine ? My circumstances and situation hasn't changed so that would be a "formality" to me.

So I am taking it that I am approved !

Sorry its a weird update to all this but I guess till the passport is in my hand with the K1 in it. It's a bit uncertain. ? Or am I wrong to think this ?

Edited July 31, 2009 by Gary_UK

[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, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK, Colinjess, Alixhilary, prima and jay

May 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Graziumphry, emma77, Monkey Juice, Gemmie, mrs_sdp, H&V, RBAL_TN, laura819, JM&Vid, Brookeluvsadam, Bob and Patricia, MARM

June 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
JimandChristy, krystiandjon, Nik+Heather, John and Camie, Ellie-and-David, aoifee, John & Mary, karenandtrev, emma88

July 2009 Interviews
7th July 2009.......JerrysGirlAnne.............DCF - APPROVED PENDING ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
7th July 2009.......WHITE COW.................K-1 - APPROVED PENDING ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
9th July 2009......Julie Ivy........................K-1
14th July 2009....aidy............................CR-1
16th July 2009....Jenn and Nick................K-1
21st July 2009....app-girl.........................K-1 - APPROVED PENDING MEDICAL RESULTS
23rd July 2009....Yvie and Brett..............DCF - APPROVED PENDING ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
29th July 2009....morretti.......................DCF
31st July 2009....Gary_UK........................K-1
31st July 2009.....Hanshi..........................K-1
31st July 2009....yorkster.........................K-1

August 2009 Interviews
4th August 2009......imaisha..................CR-1
11th August 2009....Sherri and Matt........K-1
20th August 2009....sammills89..............K-1

Still waiting for approval
stevi1123.........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
PB&JAM............22nd May 2009 - Denied, to file waiver
grapeeyes.........30th June 2009 ?

= 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.

[Gary_UK 17]

Well my VJ Friends. I have just returned from London. one of the longest days of my life. Up at 3:30. On the road by 4:15am and got to the tube station by 6:!5am was looking at marble arch by 6:50. was in the embassy (following some dumb idiotic antics on my behalf which i will explain in the review not here )

As some have said "what an anticlimax" but perhaps for other reasons. let me explain....

When I was called the first time I handed over my I-134. passport, copy and originals for the police check and birth certificate, had finger prints taken etc and had a number of questions asked by a nice Afro Caribbean woman around middle age at a guess.. like "had I ever been in the military" and "have I ever been in trouble with the police" and some small chat. She got herself a paper cut on my police certificate and I sympathized on her miss fortune.

I offered her my shiny new photographs but she didn't take them while organizing the paperwork I had handed over. But I did notice that she used a tripod mounted camera on her desk pointing straight down and scanned or took an image of the photo i submitted on my medical paperwork.

Anyways she handed me my x-rays and a pink slip to fill in for the courier and sat back down.

Looks like I was seen by the same interviewer that Nich-Nick had mentioned. ;o)

Went through a few informal questions like " have I ever been in trouble with the police?" and " have I ever lived in any country for more than 6 months " and talked about my profession. And this is where it went a bit weird...

while we were talking he said "OK. well everything seems to be in order, take your pink slip to the courier and they will get your passport & visa back to you in 4-5 days " I paused.. looked. and I asked " so we are approved" and he pulled a face and wobbled his hands and said " weeeeellll sort of pending some background checks we are doing, don't worry you'll get your visa next week".

So I thanked him and headed off to the courier desk kind of stunned. He only handed back to me my original birth cert and police check form. he didn't ask for my photographs. and he certainly didn't raise any questions about the I-134 question I was worried about yesterday.

I have previously worked at a company that did some outsourcing work for the home office so I am assuming that they will be doing something similar with mine ? My circumstances and situation hasn't changed so that would be a "formality" to me.

So I am taking it that I am approved !

Sorry its a weird update to all this but I guess till the passport is in my hand with the K1 in it. It's a bit uncertain. ? Or am I wrong to think this ?

Forgive my confusion about the process today. Part of me wants to wait till I see the visa in my passport in my hand before I give out the dozens of thank you's and set the fireworks off and drink some healthy alcohol giving thanks to the people who have helped me and Danielle through this difficult process.

But without doubt, Without VJ and without the patience understanding and support of you guys we would have never EVER got through this so quickly and smoothly as we have. blessings to you all. from a heartfelt grateful and very very happy couple.

[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, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK, Colinjess, Alixhilary, prima and jay

May 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Graziumphry, emma77, Monkey Juice, Gemmie, mrs_sdp, H&V, RBAL_TN, laura819, JM&Vid, Brookeluvsadam, Bob and Patricia, MARM

June 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
JimandChristy, krystiandjon, Nik+Heather, John and Camie, Ellie-and-David, aoifee, John & Mary, karenandtrev, emma88

July 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
JerrysGirlAnne, WHITE COW, Julie Ivy, aidy, Jenn and Nick, app-girl, Yvie and Brett, morretti, Gary_UK, Hanshi

August 2009 Interviews
4th August 2009......imaisha..................CR-1
11th August 2009....Sherri and Matt........K-1
20th August 2009....sammills89..............K-1



Still waiting for approval
stevi1123.........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
PB&JAM............22nd May 2009 - Denied, to file waiver
grapeeyes.........30th June 2009 ?
yorkster.............31st July 2009?

= 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.

[yorkster 0]

Interview was today and we were approved pending his long form birth certificate. He has it at home (who knew?) so hopefully it will be resolved soon. Can't help but feel rather disappointed for the moment, just want the waiting to be over!

[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, Helen&Dougie, KAT&Allie, KnightAndMagpie, paul., Kirsten UK, Colinjess, Alixhilary, prima and jay

May 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
Graziumphry, emma77, Monkey Juice, Gemmie, mrs_sdp, H&V, RBAL_TN, laura819, JM&Vid, Brookeluvsadam, Bob and Patricia, MARM

June 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
JimandChristy, krystiandjon, Nik+Heather, John and Camie, Ellie-and-David, aoifee, John & Mary, karenandtrev, emma88

July 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London
JerrysGirlAnne, WHITE COW, Julie Ivy, aidy, Jenn and Nick, app-girl, Yvie and Brett, morretti, Gary_UK, Hanshi, yorkster

August 2009 Interviews
4th August 2009......imaisha..................CR-1
11th August 2009....Sherri and Matt........K-1
20th August 2009....sammills89..............K-1



Still waiting for approval
stevi1123.........16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation
Dave and Jess..10th March 2009 ?
The Dip Sticks..25th March 2009 ?
PB&JAM............22nd May 2009 - Denied, to file waiver
grapeeyes.........30th June 2009 ?

= 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.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well done Gary_UK for being so prepared and having all your docs. See, I was right. You had very good odds that what D put on the I134 would be fine. Happy for you. You'll have the visa soon, but I know how you feel about wanting it in your hands.

[app-girl 0]

Hi,

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a medical around the same time as the interview? The only reason I ask is that I will have to fly from Belfast to London for both and would love to keep it to one trip (I got laid off recently and money is tight....Boo hoo!)

I do have someone I can stay with in London for a couple of days if necessary.

I thought you had to have your medical results available to the embassy at the time of the interview however I saw on Marms post that you can have your interview approved while the medical results are pending.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Andrew tried to do that as well, but he got his interview date only a few days before the interview. When he call up the doctors they only had an appointment the same time as interview. They offered him one the next day but ended up getting an appointment a week after the interview, which was easier for him. At the interview he just told them his appointment was the next day.

[~*Maria*~ 1]

I won't have access to a computer after tonight for the next 5 weeks of my holiday to Scotland!!!

Good luck to imaisha on tuesday!!

Sherri and Matt on the 11th

Sammills on the 29th

Bring back 3 approveds you guys!!

[Speeditup 0]

HI everyone, just to update i also have my interview for CR-1 visa in London in AUGUST - the 14th. Its coming up sooooon. Cannot actually bleieve after waiting a year the date is in 11 days!!!

I was emailed my notification of interview on 9th July. I was actually expecting a sept interview, so was very pleased!

[Thayani 0]

Hey guys..just wanted to add in my interview date (actually my fiance's) August 7th @ 8 am!!!!

No police certificate yet from age 16-25 since Sri Lanka is taking forever!!! Fiance has UK police clearance for 5-6 yrs. is that enuf??? ... well pray us guys..i'll pray for the rest of you too regardless

Good luck

[imaisha 0]

So the hubby's visa was approved. Lil star for me please!

He said it was a piece of cake, just one question- "How did you meet your wife?" I feel bad for drilling so much into his poor brain and making him drag every scrap of paper down to London with him now but always better safe than sorry! Will post a review in the embassy review section when he gets back home to give me all the details. And of course many thanks to all!

[Gary_UK 17]

So the hubby's visa was approved. Lil star for me please!

He said it was a piece of cake, just one question- "How did you meet your wife?" I feel bad for drilling so much into his poor brain and making him drag every scrap of paper down to London with him now but always better safe than sorry! Will post a review in the embassy review section when he gets back home to give me all the details. And of course many thanks to all!

Congrats. I did the same thing. I took photos.. emails. phone and skype call records.. even birthday cards and what not. they didn't even want to ask to see them. even though i did offer

[Nik+Heather 121]

Hey guys..just wanted to add in my interview date (actually my fiance's) August 7th @ 8 am!!!!

No police certificate yet from age 16-25 since Sri Lanka is taking forever!!! Fiance has UK police clearance for 5-6 yrs. is that enuf??? ... well pray us guys..i'll pray for the rest of you too regardless

Good luck

No, it's probably not enough.

Go to the interview as well prepared as possible, and expect to come out with "additional documentation required." When you get the other police cert, you'll send it in with your passport. At this point, I would tell you to expect to be put into AP for an unknown amount of time, as we have seen a trend where people who were not born in the UK get extra scrutiny after the interview.

Just telling you so that you'll have the right mindset, and any surprises will be good ones.

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

We were approved "pending additional documentation" on July 23rd, but I got my Visa in hand today!! WOO!!!

It has only been 90 days since I posted our application (84 days since NOA1) so I'd like to thank everyone who helped me on my journey, I'm pretty sure I would never have done it so quickly without the excellent guidance provided by VJ