The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[viknkam 0]

Well here's the news... I WAS APPROVED!

We're on such a nice high at the moment, it's incredible. I sat in the embassy worrying my head for no reason, got a fairly severe questioning from the consular officer who dealt with me, but barely anything about my arrest! She asked me to explain the circumstances surrounding it which I did and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

I will make sure I post a full review of what happened when I get a chance, busy night ahead of me I must say! I'd just like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has listened to me drone on here, and to all of you who helped me so much (I have to admit, it was down to VJ that I was the most well-prepared applicant the CO had seen today, such a nice thing for her to tell me!) So here's to the rest of my life in America

Thanks again!

The Sam's.

CONGRATS!

[settler72 0]

Well here's the news... I WAS APPROVED!

We're on such a nice high at the moment, it's incredible. I sat in the embassy worrying my head for no reason, got a fairly severe questioning from the consular officer who dealt with me, but barely anything about my arrest! She asked me to explain the circumstances surrounding it which I did and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

I will make sure I post a full review of what happened when I get a chance, busy night ahead of me I must say! I'd just like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has listened to me drone on here, and to all of you who helped me so much (I have to admit, it was down to VJ that I was the most well-prepared applicant the CO had seen today, such a nice thing for her to tell me!) So here's to the rest of my life in America

Thanks again!

The Sam's.

CONGRATS!

Thats Fantastic News. Congratulations.

[sammills89 2]

Thanks guys

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Congratulations Sams.

and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

Of course the lady CO smiled, you're so cute!!!

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Well here's the news... I WAS APPROVED!

We're on such a nice high at the moment, it's incredible. I sat in the embassy worrying my head for no reason, got a fairly severe questioning from the consular officer who dealt with me, but barely anything about my arrest! She asked me to explain the circumstances surrounding it which I did and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

I will make sure I post a full review of what happened when I get a chance, busy night ahead of me I must say! I'd just like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has listened to me drone on here, and to all of you who helped me so much (I have to admit, it was down to VJ that I was the most well-prepared applicant the CO had seen today, such a nice thing for her to tell me!) So here's to the rest of my life in America

Thanks again!

The Sam's.

Congrats!!

[sammills89 2]

Congratulations Sams.

and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

Of course the lady CO smiled, you're so cute!!!

Haha, thanks very much!

[sammills89 2]

So here's the run down of my interview for future reference:

Arrived at the embassy about 8am, queued for 15 minutes and was allowed inside to do all the security checks etc.

Spoke to a lady at the front desk who gave me a number and I went to do the waiting part!

Took about an hour and a half for me to get called up where an English guy checked over all my forms, particularly my affidavit of support and all the supporting evidence (before all this he asked me to pay the visa fee). He then told me it was all in order, explained that they would hold my passport if that was okay with me etc and told me that I had to wait to be called up for my interview.

Waited about another hour (full of worrying!) and got called up again. This time I spoke to an American lady who had a very, very emotionless face!

Questions were as follows:

How did you meet your fiancé?

How long did it take until you classed yourself as in a relationship?

How many times have you visited her?

When did you first start talking?

How long after this did you meet?

How many times has she been to the UK?

When was the last time you saw her? (I said a few hours ago and gave her a smile, didn't get any reaction for that!)

Have you ever had any problems with US immigration?

Have you ever been arrested (which I clearly answered yes too)

Then she asked me to explain the details surrounding my arrest and whether or not anyone was injured, and why I didn't press charges against the assailants. I did what I was advised to do by everyone here and just answered honestly and confidently and it must have worked!

She then said would I be needing my passport in the next 5 days so I said no, that's when I knew I was approved! Followed by, well Sir you are the most well prepared candidate I have seen all day - and I am happy to tell you that you're approved - and for the first time throughout the whole ordeal she gave me a nice smile All in all it wasn't too bad, just like everyone has said, be honest and outright, don't hide anything and you should be fine

Thanks again VJ'ers, couldn't have done it without you all!

[essjay 0]

Well here's the news... I WAS APPROVED!

We're on such a nice high at the moment, it's incredible. I sat in the embassy worrying my head for no reason, got a fairly severe questioning from the consular officer who dealt with me, but barely anything about my arrest! She asked me to explain the circumstances surrounding it which I did and she told me it was okay and that I was approved! With a lovely smile I might add!

I will make sure I post a full review of what happened when I get a chance, busy night ahead of me I must say! I'd just like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has listened to me drone on here, and to all of you who helped me so much (I have to admit, it was down to VJ that I was the most well-prepared applicant the CO had seen today, such a nice thing for her to tell me!) So here's to the rest of my life in America

Thanks again!

The Sam's.

Congratulations both of you.... Really wonderful news..... On to the next phase of your lives together.

[viknkam 0]

Vik had his interview last night... His medical and everything was good. They took his fingerprints and collected his passport. The officer said they had to do some computer checks, but that was all... Does this mean he was approved? Please lemme know... kinda freaking out. Also, how long would it take for him to have his visa in hand if he has been approved? (Interview was August25 at 8:30am)

[Nik+Heather 121]

Umm. That's what they say to everyone. It DOES mean that they don't need anything from you - additional documentation, etc. You've done all you can, and done well.

Sometimes they give the passport back, sometimes they keep it, but those computer checks can be longer than expected.

For example, with MARM's fiance, they have his passport, but now he's in AP.

For non UK born people, expect it to be a couple of weeks at least. (happens to Australians too!)

Edited August 25, 2009 by Nik+Heather

[Nicoxcx 1]

They kept my passport. Luckily I didn't fly because I would have needed photo ID to go back home (from England to Scotland) and I didn't bring any other ID's :X .

Gratz Sammills! now you get to celebrate before AOS . Congrats viknkam, I would imagine non UK born residents have to wait a wee tad longer , I was told by the blonde hair lady (who done my interview) I would receive my Visa soon.

Anyway I was wondering, those Brits who are working in the USA now, how long did it take for you to get a job? or for those of you who's other half is the brit how long did it take?. I fortunately had a job in advance of my EAD thankgod!, I have a friend who is still searching. Just curious.

[viknkam 0]

They kept my passport. Luckily I didn't fly because I would have needed photo ID to go back home (from England to Scotland) and I didn't bring any other ID's :X .

Gratz Sammills! now you get to celebrate before AOS . Congrats viknkam, I would imagine non UK born residents have to wait a wee tad longer , I was told by the blonde hair lady (who done my interview) I would receive my Visa soon.

Anyway I was wondering, those Brits who are working in the USA now, how long did it take for you to get a job? or for those of you who's other half is the brit how long did it take?. I fortunately had a job in advance of my EAD thankgod!, I have a friend who is still searching. Just curious.

What do you mean they "kept your passport?" Is this a good thing or a bad thing. Please explain.

Umm. That's what they say to everyone. It DOES mean that they don't need anything from you - additional documentation, etc. You've done all you can, and done well.

Sometimes they give the passport back, sometimes they keep it, but those computer checks can be longer than expected.

For example, with MARM's fiance, they have his passport, but now he's in AP.

For non UK born people, expect it to be a couple of weeks at least. (happens to Australians too!)

I don't have it in me to wait. I called DOS and they said that no decision has been made as of yet and that I should try back tomorrow. So, until then...

Edited August 25, 2009 by viknkam

[Nicoxcx 1]

Don't worry viknkam like the post above mine said sometimes they take it sometimes they don't.

They kept my passport and sent it back to me in the brown envelope. I wasn't in AP and got my Visa in hand pretty quickly. They keep your passport to stick the Visa into it. (or at least they did with me) this is a stupid question but if they don't take your passport where does the Visa go?

P.S. As to my work question ignore it, didn't realise this was the thread for interview experiences.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Don't worry viknkam like the post above mine said sometimes they take it sometimes they don't.

They kept my passport and sent it back to me in the brown envelope. I wasn't in AP and got my Visa in hand pretty quickly. They keep your passport to stick the Visa into it. (or at least they did with me) this is a stupid question but if they don't take your passport where does the Visa go?

P.S. As to my work question ignore it, didn't realise this was the thread for interview experiences.

Well, there are usually two possible outcomes to the visa interview:

1. Face value approved - you have all the documents, and it looks like they are all correct (Well done! You've done the best you can do). However, this is the first time they have seen things like your police clearance etc. They usually say something like, "I'm recommending approval, and we're just going to do a couple more checks, should be a couple of days" They keep your passport. Especially it seems for non-UK born people, these checks take longer - hypothesized because it takes more time to interface with other countries as opposed to only interfacing with UK for any extra "checks" whatever they are. Also, if you have your medical scheduled same day, (day after, day before), and they don't have the results yet, they'll also keep it even though you are technically still "pending documents"

2. Face value NOT approved - you don't have all the documents, or are missing some supporting evidence. They give you the 221g form, and instructions about what's missing, and how to return it to the embassy. Frequently we call this "approved pending additional documentation". They do NOT keep the passport, and you mail it in with the 221g, and additional documents/evidence requested once you have collected everything. Usually you are given a chance to provide additional information before they issue a full denial.

ViknKam, hang in there. If you're even in AP, with London it is usually so much faster than for other consulates. Keeping my fingers crossed for you (and MARM on the other hand!)

Edited August 26, 2009 by Nik+Heather

[viknkam 0]

Vik got a text so he called the courier service that said that they are going to deliver something to him tomorrow... his passport with visa- maybe?!? The DOS and the London Embassy had no information to share... except that the embassy said that his file was being forwarded the NVC .... any ideas? Could it be that he is getting his visa so soon?

Edited August 26, 2009 by viknkam