My LONDON interview

[jenart 0]

Here's my tale:

Arrived in London Marble Arch 3pm the day before the interview - travelled in on National Express.

Walked to the Embassy then timed our walk to the hotel so that we knew how long to allow the following morning. We're not fans of big cities - prefering the countryside - so booked into the hotel:

TIP: If you need to find a hotel at the best rates - log onto www.easyjet.com then click on 'hotels'

We had planned to eat on James Street as there are lots of cafes down there where you can dine outside if the weather is good - which it was. Food was good but the traffic was a bit much - didn't spoil things though.

Crowds were thinning out by then so more pleasant walk back to hotel for the night.

Great continental breakfast the next morning before setting off for the Embassy. Couldn't wait to get there so arrived 9.05am for interview at 10. I know it said you shouldn't be there more than half hour before but we thought we'd try and if they turned us away we'd just go sit on a park bench. There were 2 queues and we were pointed to the one on the left. By 9.17 we had gone through security where our bags were put though the x-ray and we walked through the usual alarm thing as at the airport. We then followed the signs which took us around the building and up some steps through the doors and up some steps to the left. On entering the waiting room just to the left was the queues - at the desk immediately on the left the man asked which visa - I said 'immigrant' and he gave me 2 tickets - non-immigrants were directed to another much longer queue. He said take a seat and wait for your number to be called.

The room was already 3 parts full - and it was quite warm in there. We sat down and looked at our number - 900 - OMG - then when I put my glasses on I had it upside down - No.006 WHEW!!! - When you get to our age you will know what I mean..........

There were screens above and numbers were being called all the time - after studying the screens it looked like the vast majority were non-immigrant visas - it looked like No.004 was the next one to be called in immigrant section but all the numbers being called were in the hundreds - they didn't start calling our section until just after 10am. 006 was called to window 14 at 10.25 - this window was just up the corridor across from the toilets. This miserable looking fellow asked us for our birth - marriage certificates etc police reports and photos - he was busy sorting through our file with the stuff from NVC and stapling sections together - I could see he had all the tax returns and I-864 there (this was all the stuff which was the RFE which our daughter had been told to send to us so we could bring it to the interview - they had it all the time ) So I had spent all that time numbering each sheet and photocopying - and carrying down there for nothing They didn't need it so we had to take it all back with us (hoping that our bag would be lighter going home!). Next we had our fingerprints done - which incidentally took all the time - you have to place your fingers on in a certain way - one hand at a time and keep them there until he is satisfied. Then you put your 2 thumbs together which is extremely awkward especially me as the desk is quite high - I had to stand back with my arms almost straight - you need to be a contortionist Anyway that done we were given a pink paper to take back to a seat and fill in (for the courier service to return your passport, visa and 'mystery envelope'). Back to our seats by 10.40. We were called back to window 15 at 11.45 where 2 really nice ladies (one I think was being trained up) greeted us. We had to put up our right hands and swear an oath - and were given back our original documents (birth/marriage certificates etc) - my mind goes blank here (my age you know) as I can't remember much of what was said at which window........... But I do know that the only questions which we were asked were re our financial state - we produced our house details (brochure from the estate agent) as valuation - did we have any outstanding mortgage (at our age no) and when did we plan to travel. The I asked the senior lady if I could ask a few questions - and she was only to happy. Basically that was it - papers were stamped and we left to pay our courier fee (14.50 GBP - for a couple - its 13.50 for a single person).

All done and dusted by 12 o'clock - I did notice that the number for 'immigrant visas' only went up to 14 so am assuming that was just the morning appts.

So all there is to do now is wait for our final package - WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!!!!

I would like to thank everyone who has helped on Vj - I am so glad I found this site. Reading your experiences has made the wait so much more bearable.

THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE AND I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST OF LUCK.

Jenny

Edited August 10, 2006 by jenart

[gym 0]

Fantastic....Congratulations..we were all wondering how you got on

[Ladylethal 12]

Congratulations !!!

[munchkins 0]

already spoke to you Jenny but I just want to add my wholehearted Congratulations to you both I am so glad that this process is over for you now. have a good flight at the end of the month and I hope you have a wonderful reunion with that fantastic horse of yours

All the best Jenny

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

Giving you one more congratulations. Thanks for sharing your story.

Bethanie

[dirtyd301 0]

Congratulations to you!!!!!

Diana