Items allowed into the embassy?

[beatlesrebel 0]

Hi all,

My fiance goes for his interview on Thursday (YAY!) and we just want to clear up some last minute things. He plans on taking all of our paperwork in his briefcase (it's a full sized briefcase). These are still allowed into the embassy, correct? Also, he was wondering if he's allowed to take a book to read while he's waiting. Any other suggestions anyone can think of?

Thanks!

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Hi all,

My fiance goes for his interview on Thursday (YAY!) and we just want to clear up some last minute things. He plans on taking all of our paperwork in his briefcase (it's a full sized briefcase). These are still allowed into the embassy, correct? Also, he was wondering if he's allowed to take a book to read while he's waiting. Any other suggestions anyone can think of?

Thanks!

No suitcase allowed at Embassy in London...check out this link -> http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/visa_security.html

I'd still call them and double check.

Edited January 4, 2010 by Joe & Nadya

[christeen 966]

I would suggest a soft sided bag or pack... but you can check specifics with the embassy

[Justine+David 218]

One of the biggies is having no cell phone, I know.

[n1dom 0]

I took a messenger bag containing a full lever arch file and a book in to the Embassy without any problem back in September. As Justine+David say, no cell phones, I saw someone get turned away for ignoring that requirement.

[familyguy 2]

Mobile phones, Blackberries, PDAs, music players, remote-entry automobile key "fobs", laptops and all other electronic devices are prohibited within the Embassy.

Also, security officers have been instructed to deny entry to any visitor carrying a large bag, backpack, suitcase or any other package. Visitors may only be admitted with briefcase, purse or similarly small bag.

[beatlesrebel 0]

Thanks everyone. We did know about the no cell phone policy, which kind of stinks because he won't be able to let me know right away what the decision is! Will let him know he should be able to take a book to read. Not sure how large his briefcase is, I wish the embassy website would have the dimensions of bags that are allowed. Thanks again for the help!

[FrostyMist 1]

I've been wondering about this one. I'd need a pretty large, briefcase sized bag in order to fit all the documents I need to take with me. Not too sure what to do. Wish the embassy was more specific about what they deem to be a "large bag". That's a bit vague.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

I'm wondering about this too... Does anyone else have any ideas about bag size? What are you supposed to do with your A4 size documents etc...?

Are you allowed a carrier bag, at least, with an A4 folder in then?

[beatlesrebel 0]

I'm wondering about this too... Does anyone else have any ideas about bag size? What are you supposed to do with your A4 size documents etc...?

Are you allowed a carrier bag, at least, with an A4 folder in then?

Hey RUSSandRachel and Frostymist, tell you what we're going to do. Phill has his interview tomorrow and he's taking his old briefcase with our binder in it. He told me if they don't allow him in with it, he'll just chuck it because he was going to throw it out before he moved to the states anyway. If he IS allowed in with the briefcase, I will let you guys know and I'll also have him measure his briefcase so I can give you the measurements. At least then maybe that will give you an idea of a bag you can take!

[FrostyMist 1]

That's a wonderful idea, beatlesrebel. I'm very curious to hear the answer. And good luck with your interview tomorrow! I hope everything goes well.

[beatlesrebel 0]

That's a wonderful idea, beatlesrebel. I'm very curious to hear the answer. And good luck with your interview tomorrow! I hope everything goes well.

Thank you so much!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

An idea for your papers....one of those accordian folder type things with divided sections. That's what we used. You only need the items on the checklist, so you can put those in a front section: passport; birth certificate w/ photocopy (long form version); police certificate w/ photocopy; two US sized passport photographs (and anything else that might apply to a specific person like military record, court record, divorce decree, notarized statement from other parent of you're taking his child out of the UK.)

Then you can put your affidavit of support with it's income proofs in another section. That would include at least two of the following: 2008 tax return with w2s/1099s or 2008 tax transcript; pay stubs; letter from employer; financial/bank statements if you don't have enough salary and need to show assets. And perhaps if you have a co-sponsor then their finanacial papers could be in a separate section. Remember to take photocopies of any document that you want back. You probably would like the paystubs back and the letter from an employer to use for the AOS affidavit of support so photocopy those to go in your file. If you don't have an extra copy of your tax info, then don't turn in the only thing you have because you'll need the same things in a few months for AOS. Make photocopies.

Other than those required checklist documents, any other things you lug to London are extraneous and your choice of how much you want to carry. London doesn't want to look at photo albums or reams of emails or Skype logs. They want your legal documents and good proof of financial support.

[beatlesrebel 0]

Okay RUSSandRACHEL and Frostymist...here is some info for you! Phill got into the embassy just fine with his briefcase. It's a hard sided briefcase-standard size. He was so tired when we talked, so I'll have him get the exact measurements tonight. I sent him a 3 ring binder full of our info including the documents that were required also our proof of relationship etc... (better safe than sorry was our thinking). He had that in the briefcase and they gave him no trouble at all. As for what they took a look at:

~Took my affidavit of support stuff, didn't ask for our co-sponsor's but he gave it to them anyway

~His passport obviously with two passport sized photos

~One copy police certificate

~Showed them his original birth certificate and they kept the copy he made for them

They did NOT ask for letters of intent! Never looked at my employer/bank letter and all my tax info and pay stubs were copies, didn't send any originals for those and they accepted them. I'm glad we prepared all the info just in case. I did write a review, so if you view my timeline you can see how the whole day went for him.

[FrostyMist 1]

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase, beatlesrebel. I just asked my mum yesterday, and she apparently has an old laptop case which she doesn't want, so I'm probably going to take all of my paperwork in that. It won't matter too much then if they won't let me take it in-I can (hopefully) just leave it there.

Congratulations on the approval, by tthe way. I can't recall whether I've said so in another topic, but I know I haven't wished you congratulations here. So, congratulations! Exactly one week to go for me today. I just wish I could stop having nightmares about the whole thing!