Items allowed into the embassy?

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase Beatlesrebel! I think Im just gonna take a handbag and a shopper bag for my A4 folder. Mine also has the sections like someone suggested for finding things quickly. I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

Anyway, as I said before, many congratulations on your successful interview! I cant wait til were in the same position!

Can I just ask a silly question? Hope you dont mind... all this preparation plays tricks on your mind... You don't need the USC's proof of ID do you? I mean their passport of birth certificate. I don't even have a copy. Is that ok?

[doghandler 2]

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase Beatlesrebel! I think Im just gonna take a handbag and a shopper bag for my A4 folder. Mine also has the sections like someone suggested for finding things quickly. I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

Anyway, as I said before, many congratulations on your successful interview! I cant wait til were in the same position!

Can I just ask a silly question? Hope you dont mind... all this preparation plays tricks on your mind... You don't need the USC's proof of ID do you? I mean their passport of birth certificate. I don't even have a copy. Is that ok?

Telepathy at work. I've just asked the very same "silly" question in another forum. When they say originals, they don't specify that it's just the beneficiary's originals, and whilst it would be ludicrous to think they want the beneficiary to have the USC's original docs at interview, they are the masters of ludicrous, so I thought I'd just check too. We await clarity from the clever people.

[FrostyMist 1]

I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

I'm glad to hear it's not just me that's worrying about this. I'm getting myself into quite a state over trying to get everything organized so I don't end up there at the interview, rummaging through paperwork and not able to find what the interviewer wants.

Edited January 8, 2010 by FrostyMist

[Claire and Troy 2]

Telepathy at work. I've just asked the very same "silly" question in another forum. When they say originals, they don't specify that it's just the beneficiary's originals, and whilst it would be ludicrous to think they want the beneficiary to have the USC's original docs at interview, they are the masters of ludicrous, so I thought I'd just check too. We await clarity from the clever people.

Dunno about clever >.> but as far as the ID question goes, Claire took a copy of my passport but was not asked for anything from me, the petitioner, aside from the affidavit of support and its supporting evidence (tax returns, wage slips, etc).

Hope this helps.

[doghandler 2]

Dunno about clever >.> but as far as the ID question goes, Claire took a copy of my passport but was not asked for anything from me, the petitioner, aside from the affidavit of support and its supporting evidence (tax returns, wage slips, etc).

Hope this helps.

Total clarity! That's one question crossed off on my big list. Big thanks x

[Sweets85 0]

You are allowed to take a small amount of food and drink in (well, I managed it - a bag of crisps, a chocolate bar and a bottle of water), they will make you drink some of the liquid as you enter to prove it is what it is.

I would highly recommend taking something along these lines. My first visit there I was waiting for over 5 hours (they had computer problems) and while they have a small stand it is very expensive.

[beatlesrebel 0]

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!

I'm sure the laptop case will work just fine. Thank you and good luck at your interview...I think you'll find it to be an okay experience!

[beatlesrebel 0]

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase Beatlesrebel! I think Im just gonna take a handbag and a shopper bag for my A4 folder. Mine also has the sections like someone suggested for finding things quickly. I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

Anyway, as I said before, many congratulations on your successful interview! I cant wait til were in the same position!

Can I just ask a silly question? Hope you dont mind... all this preparation plays tricks on your mind... You don't need the USC's proof of ID do you? I mean their passport of birth certificate. I don't even have a copy. Is that ok?

You're most welcome. They don't seem to be as gung-ho about stuff as they seem. The security guard told Phill that he could have brought his cell phone inside, he would have just had to make sure it was turned off!! We were thinking "what the heck?" lol Thank you very much and can't wait to celebrate your approval! Hey, I understand...no you don't need any proof of ID from the USC.

[beatlesrebel 0]

I'm glad to hear it's not just me that's worrying about this. I'm getting myself into quite a state over trying to get everything organized so I don't end up there at the interview, rummaging through paperwork and not able to find what the interviewer wants.

Oh Frostymist, you will do just fine. Phill took a huge binder down there that I had prepared for him and had everything marked by sections. He looked through it to kind of familiarize himself with what was in there. The woman who took the documents from him was pleasant and from what he told me, he didn't feel rushed. He only had to give her a few documents and that was it. He said she was a little hard to understand because she had a Chinese accent and was behind the glass. lol But really, I know you'll do just fine. *deep breaths* hehe

[beatlesrebel 0]

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase Beatlesrebel! I think Im just gonna take a handbag and a shopper bag for my A4 folder. Mine also has the sections like someone suggested for finding things quickly. I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

Anyway, as I said before, many congratulations on your successful interview! I cant wait til were in the same position!

Can I just ask a silly question? Hope you dont mind... all this preparation plays tricks on your mind... You don't need the USC's proof of ID do you? I mean their passport of birth certificate. I don't even have a copy. Is that ok?

Also, I do know if you have a co-sponsor you will need a copy of their birth certificate to send with the affidavit of support paperwork when you file for adjustment of status. This is to prove that the co-sponsor is a legal citizen. I don't think they require the USC's birth certificate because they will obviously have found out that you're a citizen by now.

[FrostyMist 1]

Oh Frostymist, you will do just fine. Phill took a huge binder down there that I had prepared for him and had everything marked by sections. He looked through it to kind of familiarize himself with what was in there. The woman who took the documents from him was pleasant and from what he told me, he didn't feel rushed. He only had to give her a few documents and that was it. He said she was a little hard to understand because she had a Chinese accent and was behind the glass. lol But really, I know you'll do just fine. *deep breaths* hehe

I've heard a few nasty stories of people that have had someone unpleasant when called to that part of the interview. I guess it's like the medical-I read all sorts of horror stories about that, too, and got myself into quite a state, and then when I actually had my medical the doctor was really nice.

I'm worried at the moment that they're going to be mad because I need to hand them updated DS230 etc forms. Mine were sent in in August, and I noticed recently that there's some outdated information on them. Too late to post them in to the embassy, so I'm hoping I can just hand them over on the day.

My mum found me an old bag to take with me to the interview - looks like it's not so huge that they wouldn't let me in, but I'll need to check whether it will even fit my documents inside it. I'm trying to enjoy a few days of relaxing at the moment though - spent all week stressed out and totally overwhelmed by everything.

I'll be okay-I coped with the stress of the medical better than I thought I would. I'm sure this'll be the same. I hope we dont' get more snow though.

Edited January 10, 2010 by FrostyMist

[beatlesrebel 0]

I'm trying to enjoy a few days of relaxing at the moment though - spent all week stressed out and totally overwhelmed by everything.

I'll be okay-I coped with the stress of the medical better than I thought I would. I'm sure this'll be the same. I hope we dont' get more snow though.

Wonderful idea! Take the next few days to pamper yourself! Hope the weather holds out for you! Can't believe how bad it is there. Will be thinking good thoughts for you in the days to come! *hugs*

[FrostyMist 1]

Wonderful idea! Take the next few days to pamper yourself! Hope the weather holds out for you! Can't believe how bad it is there. Will be thinking good thoughts for you in the days to come! *hugs*

Yeah, I think taking the time to take it easy has been good for me. I don't want to go to the interview all stressed out and emotional. I've done nothing but have nightmares the past week, though yesterday (thanks to my rest, I'm sure) was the first time I had a decent night's sleep. Thanks for the good thoughts.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Thanks for the input about needing the UCS's passport. I did think we didnt need it as they've already had form of id we own. Thanks also to sweets85 with the suggestion of taking something to eat and drink. Im hoping I wont be there 5 hours though. Two weeks today for our interview... oooh Im really excited now. A lil nervous (cos Im going down to London, staying there alone and then going to the interview) but Russ is waking up early to share the good news with me once Im done. FrostyMist, I was in a right state about the medical (have no idea why) but I also didnt understand what I was worried about after. Im sure you'll be fine at the interview. Sending you lots of luck