Interview in London - Jay's tale

[Jaylen Brit 0]

I had my interview today and as I already posted in OFF TOPIC, it was approved

So here's the tale - and of course, being a Murphy-to-be, it didn't go as smoothly to start off with as I'd hoped, lol.

First thing - to everyone going to London - don't turn up til at least 40 mins prior to your appointment - they won't let you queue; in fact they send you off and tell you to come back

I got there at 8.20am, there were already 2 queues, and the nice armed policeman I spoke to explained about the being there too early thing. He pointed me in the direction of a cafe, and I went and had breakfast there and generally tried to bend the laws of physics trying to make time go faster.

I went BACK to the queues at 9.15am, got told which line to stand in, and saw a face that looked vaguely familiar about 3 places ahead of me; so I boldly went up and asked a really puzzled guy was he Olly, Hannah's fiance? I could see him thinking 'who the hell are you'? but we chatted about where he's going to live and great places to see on the West coast (as I spent a few months there a few years ago). His appointment was 10.30am so I ended up going in first.

Here's where the Murphy-gene kicked in.

I went into the visa part of the building - which is a small trek to the right of the security station and round the consulate - and the guy giving out the tickets asked me which kind of visa? I told him K1 - he gave me a ticket, #281, and I sat down in the huge room which was already packed with people. I looked at the ticket, it said non-immigrant - and a K1 is non-immigrant right? Wrong..but I didnt find that out for almost another hour

So the overhead screen was showing which ticket numbers were being called (think the same over head screen deal that you get in ARGOS stores and you'll know what to expect) and it was currently on 259. So I knew I had a bit of a wait to go. It was around 1040am when I saw Olly come in. He said HI and we compared tickets.

His ticket was #24, and said 'immigrant visa'. I told him to go check it so he dashed back to the guy issuing the tickets and he was told his was fine, it was MINE that was wrong!

So back I go and get another ticket, which effectively puts me to the back of the queue.

Time passed very slowly.

By around noon I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be out in time to get home and collect my little one from school.

Olly got called and went up to the window, came back and got called again (the first call they take all your docs like birth certs, police cert and copies - the 2nd call is the 'interview')

Finally I got my 1st call - dug out all the info (found out I didnt actually need Len's birth or divorce certs after all! lol) and got handed a courier sheet to complete.

Sat down again - and waited.

1245pm - got my second call - and went to a different window with a different person. A very nice American lady.

She had all my original docs back for me, which I took and then I signed the forms that needed to be witnessed there - the DS156 et al.

Once I'd done that she asked me how we met.

So I told her - then she asked WHEN we first met and we had a little chat about how brave she thought I was to go overseas etc and I totally forgot about the 'don't volunteer stuff' and just chatted away (I told you munchkins! lol I KNEW I'd do it! ).

The she said 'well you guys seem to have taken things nice and slowly and I see its not a first marriage for either of you..so..I'm more than happy to issue you the visa' I must have looked confused cos she smiled and said 'That's it! You're all done!'

So I managed to blurt out 'oh thanks very much'

Then we had another chat about the ticket mix up - hey she seemed interested! ANd I left.

Then while waiting at the courier desk I saw Ollie again, and realised I had left my XRay envelope on the lady's window - so I had to dash back and get it

Told you it was a bit of a 'tale'!

Finally got out the Embassy around 1.10pm, called Lenny and headed for home.

What a LONG day!

But what a good result

[cheeky^Wolf 0]

I had my interview today and as I already posted in OFF TOPIC, it was approved

So here's the tale - and of course, being a Murphy-to-be, it didn't go as smoothly to start off with as I'd hoped, lol.

First thing - to everyone going to London - don't turn up til at least 40 mins prior to your appointment - they won't let you queue; in fact they send you off and tell you to come back

I got there at 8.20am, there were already 2 queues, and the nice armed policeman I spoke to explained about the being there too early thing. He pointed me in the direction of a cafe, and I went and had breakfast there and generally tried to bend the laws of physics trying to make time go faster.

I went BACK to the queues at 9.15am, got told which line to stand in, and saw a face that looked vaguely familiar about 3 places ahead of me; so I boldly went up and asked a really puzzled guy was he Olly, Hannah's fiance? I could see him thinking 'who the hell are you'? but we chatted about where he's going to live and great places to see on the West coast (as I spent a few months there a few years ago). His appointment was 10.30am so I ended up going in first.

Here's where the Murphy-gene kicked in.

I went into the visa part of the building - which is a small trek to the right of the security station and round the consulate - and the guy giving out the tickets asked me which kind of visa? I told him K1 - he gave me a ticket, #281, and I sat down in the huge room which was already packed with people. I looked at the ticket, it said non-immigrant - and a K1 is non-immigrant right? Wrong..but I didnt find that out for almost another hour

So the overhead screen was showing which ticket numbers were being called (think the same over head screen deal that you get in ARGOS stores and you'll know what to expect) and it was currently on 259. So I knew I had a bit of a wait to go. It was around 1040am when I saw Olly come in. He said HI and we compared tickets.

His ticket was #24, and said 'immigrant visa'. I told him to go check it so he dashed back to the guy issuing the tickets and he was told his was fine, it was MINE that was wrong!

So back I go and get another ticket, which effectively puts me to the back of the queue.

Time passed very slowly.

By around noon I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be out in time to get home and collect my little one from school.

Olly got called and went up to the window, came back and got called again (the first call they take all your docs like birth certs, police cert and copies - the 2nd call is the 'interview')

Finally I got my 1st call - dug out all the info (found out I didnt actually need Len's birth or divorce certs after all! lol) and got handed a courier sheet to complete.

Sat down again - and waited.

1245pm - got my second call - and went to a different window with a different person. A very nice American lady.

She had all my original docs back for me, which I took and then I signed the forms that needed to be witnessed there - the DS156 et al.

Once I'd done that she asked me how we met.

So I told her - then she asked WHEN we first met and we had a little chat about how brave she thought I was to go overseas etc and I totally forgot about the 'don't volunteer stuff' and just chatted away (I told you munchkins! lol I KNEW I'd do it! ).

The she said 'well you guys seem to have taken things nice and slowly and I see its not a first marriage for either of you..so..I'm more than happy to issue you the visa' I must have looked confused cos she smiled and said 'That's it! You're all done!'

So I managed to blurt out 'oh thanks very much'

Then we had another chat about the ticket mix up - hey she seemed interested! ANd I left.

Then while waiting at the courier desk I saw Ollie again, and realised I had left my XRay envelope on the lady's window - so I had to dash back and get it

Told you it was a bit of a 'tale'!

Finally got out the Embassy around 1.10pm, called Lenny and headed for home.

What a LONG day!

But what a good result

I did the EXACT same thing with the ticket mix up! Don't know if was the nerves or if the girl who gives out tickets is a dumbass and needs retraining.

Congrats yet again!

Helen

[Lizzy 0]

Same thing happened with me too!!! LOL

BTW - CONGRATS!!!!!! WHOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO

[raymaga 25]

Congrats and best wishes!!!!!

I thought the K-1 was a non-immigrant visa.

[irishgirl73 0]

way to go!!!!!

congrats

[cheeky^Wolf 0]

Congrats and best wishes!!!!!

I thought the K-1 was a non-immigrant visa.

So did we apparently! It's all very confusing.

[latitudes 0]

Hehe I think I heard more about the interview from you then from Ollie I'm really glad you introduced yourself! He doesn't have internet at the moment and has never followed VJ as I do, so I can totally imagine the "who the hell are you?" look. He mentioned they messed you about a bit with the tickets, glad it all worked out. Let us know when you get your visa!

[aussiewench 9]

I thought the K-1 was a non-immigrant visa.

It is technically but it is treated in many ways as an immigrant visa because the K visas culminates in immigration once one adjusts status.

Congrats again JB & JL

[munchkins 0]

You said you would chat away, Jay not to worry girl, you got it

CONGRATULATIONS

Now all I have to remember to do when it is our turn is zip my mouth otherwise I will have found out all I need to about the CO, never mind her about me

have a wonderful reunion Jay

[Vagina Journey 0]

Congratz

[Euro 3]

Congratulations.........................

[Miranda&James 8]

Congratulations!

[gym 0]

Congratulations

[Joey559 1]

Congrats!

Joey

[pnd629 0]

Congratulations!!!