Approved!

[Clair.S 5]

Why do you have to pick up your visa? I thought that when you scheduled your courier (prior to interview day) it will be delivered to you. I started to read everything again so I don't miss anything. When you get anxious you tend to forget things. They scheduled wife's interview at 8am. I was hoping it was going to be more like 9:30, but I will most likely get a hotel near by instead of getting up at 4am. I'm curious, because wife's appointment letter, does not have my name on it anywhere and I included myself in the readiness form to be present.

When you schedule the courier you have a choice of pick up or delivery, the depot is less than 3 miles away from where I'm staying so didn't bother with delivery :-) I would say its best to get a hotel, we were up at 4.00 to make my 8.30 appointment and still had to rush. They do the queue's by timeslot e.g 8-9am and 9am+ So I would still suggest getting there 30+ minutes early. There is some good restaurants near by on Duke Street I think for breakfast celebrations afterwards ;-) You must take your appointment letter with you as you will need it when you are queuing outside the embassy. I also placed my husbands name on the readiness form but my husbands name wasn't on my appointment letter so I used the online enquiry form to request to be added to the list and they responded and added him to the list.

[bluebird74 34]

When you schedule the courier you have a choice of pick up or delivery, the depot is less than 3 miles away from where I'm staying so didn't bother with delivery :-) I would say its best to get a hotel, we were up at 4.00 to make my 8.30 appointment and still had to rush. They do the queue's by timeslot e.g 8-9am and 9am+ So I would still suggest getting there 30+ minutes early. There is some good restaurants near by on Duke Street I think for breakfast celebrations afterwards ;-) You must take your appointment letter with you as you will need it when you are queuing outside the embassy. I also placed my husbands name on the readiness form but my husbands name wasn't on my appointment letter so I used the online enquiry form to request to be added to the list and they responded and added him to the list.

Good to know. I might have to write them so I don't end up standing outside I also heard that those who are in line (queue) for CR-1/IR-1 will be placed in a separate line and go in first. I plan to ask them at the gate just to make sure I'm not standing there longer than I have to.

[Clair.S 5]

Good to know. I might have to write them so I don't end up standing outside I also heard that those who are in line (queue) for CR-1/IR-1 will be placed in a separate line and go in first. I plan to ask them at the gate just to make sure I'm not standing there longer than I have to.

From my experience CR-1/IR-1 do not go in a separate line and do not go in first. The queue outside the embassy is a bit chaotic and is done by time of appointment for two of the lines and the other line is for those who have checked in to go through security. So when you finally get to the front of your timeslot line and sign in for your appointment, you then join the line to go through security (they only let 4 people in at a time). When you get in the embassy tickets are based on what type of visa you are applying for be it immigrant or non-immigrant, my number was i918. These tickets are not called in order, by the looks of it 3 or 4 of the desks were dealing with immigrant visas. There were significantly more non-immigrant visa applicants during my visit than immigrant applicants, as such the wait for immigrant applicants didn't seem that long at all

[bluebird74 34]

From my experience CR-1/IR-1 do not go in a separate line and do not go in first. The queue outside the embassy is a bit chaotic and is done by time of appointment for two of the lines and the other line is for those who have checked in to go through security. So when you finally get to the front of your timeslot line and sign in for your appointment, you then join the line to go through security (they only let 4 people in at a time). When you get in the embassy tickets are based on what type of visa you are applying for be it immigrant or non-immigrant, my number was i918. These tickets are not called in order, by the looks of it 3 or 4 of the desks were dealing with immigrant visas. There were significantly more non-immigrant visa applicants during my visit than immigrant applicants, as such the wait for immigrant applicants didn't seem that long at all

Seems that some people post things here that are not accurate. So it's always good to get a second opinion. You were just there, so you have a fresh memory of what you've gone through. So if I'm understanding this correctly, we should not try to go and see a security guard/U.S. Marine but rather join the end of the line, right?

[bluebird74 34]

From my experience CR-1/IR-1 do not go in a separate line and do not go in first. The queue outside the embassy is a bit chaotic and is done by time of appointment for two of the lines and the other line is for those who have checked in to go through security. So when you finally get to the front of your timeslot line and sign in for your appointment, you then join the line to go through security (they only let 4 people in at a time). When you get in the embassy tickets are based on what type of visa you are applying for be it immigrant or non-immigrant, my number was i918. These tickets are not called in order, by the looks of it 3 or 4 of the desks were dealing with immigrant visas. There were significantly more non-immigrant visa applicants during my visit than immigrant applicants, as such the wait for immigrant applicants didn't seem that long at all

It's good to get this information from someone with a fresh memory of what and how it works. Some people tend to give information here that is simply inaccurate. So, if I'm understanding this correctly, we should not try to go and see the security guard at the gate, but rather go and join the end of the line right away, right?

[Clair.S 5]

It's good to get this information from someone with a fresh memory of what and how it works. Some people tend to give information here that is simply inaccurate. So, if I'm understanding this correctly, we should not try to go and see the security guard at the gate, but rather go and join the end of the line right away, right?

The staff outside are all British. Like I said before its a bit chaotic, you walk up towards the embassy and there are these queues with no labels or signs to say who should go where, so you have to ask one of the staff which queue you need to be in. Everyone is asked to get their appointment letters and passports out, the staff members then walk up and down the lines checking your letters and make sure you are in the right line and have a plastic security bag to put your electronics in :-)

Edited July 17, 2014 by Clair.S

[bluebird74 34]

The staff outside are all British. Like I said before its a bit chaotic, you walk up towards the embassy and there are these queues with no labels or signs to say who should go where, so you have to ask one of the staff which queue you need to be in. Everyone is asked to get their appointment letters and passports out, the staff members then walk up and down the lines checking your letters and make sure you are in the right line and have a plastic security bag to put your electronics in :-)

Gotcha. Thanks. I've never been to that Embassy before, so finding out early where to go sure helps, for in the morning things will be hectic. We plan on getting there by 7:30 and I guess this should be ok.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Bluebird---

There will be a few people getting spouse or fiancé visas and masses there for non-immigrant student, tourist, work, nanny, etc visas. Don't be discouraged by the huge number of people. Once inside, they give out I numbers (Immigrant) and N numbers (Non-immigrant). You are basically in a "virtual" queue with only the I numbers because you are not competing for face time with the N numbers. If you are ticket number I-905, then you are only waiting on I-901 to I-904 to finish, even if N-901 to N-965 got in the door before you. You may have read some version of that and thought there were separate lines, but you are never physically segregated outside or inside by visa type.

Those non-immigrants have a different and quicker process inside. Once inside the N numbers are called much more frequently than I numbers.

[1k1please 2]

Today was interview day, all in all it took about 2.5 hours. What surprised me though was at the interview they didn't ask me any questions about our marriage, just a general chat about Utah (where we are moving to).

I can completely co-sign this! Exact same experience for me yesterday in London. All in all around 2.5 hours at the embassy, all went very smoothly and relaxed - I wasn't asked many questions and received very friendly responses during both the 1st window document collection and 2nd window interview phases. Like you say, the interview was basically just a general chat, very short for me, my fianceé didn't even have time to get out from the restroom before I was done! Few minutes at max.

I was told at the end "you'll have a great story to tell your kids, I'm requesting an approval for your visa, you're all set!"

Very happy. Just awaiting my "ready" status to update to "issued" via the CEAC site now.

Cheers and good luck to all in the earlier stages. I'll write up my full interview experience including the docs I submitted shortly.

[bluebird74 34]

I can completely co-sign this! Exact same experience for me yesterday in London. All in all around 2.5 hours at the embassy, all went very smoothly and relaxed - I wasn't asked many questions and received very friendly responses during both the 1st window document collection and 2nd window interview phases. Like you say, the interview was basically just a general chat, very short for me, my fianceé didn't even have time to get out from the restroom before I was done! Few minutes at max.

I was told at the end "you'll have a great story to tell your kids, I'm requesting an approval for your visa, you're all set!"

Very happy. Just awaiting my "ready" status to update to "issued" via the CEAC site now.

Cheers and good luck to all in the earlier stages. I'll write up my full interview experience including the docs I submitted shortly.

Great. I love hearing about pleasant experiences at the Embassy. Not all Embassies have this high standard of customer service satisfaction.

You mentioned about your fiance - I take it you were the beneficiary, right? I applied for CR-1 visa for my wife. I'm wondering whether or not I can be allowed to accompany her to her interview? They might have questions my wife will certainly not be able to answer - language barrier, and I would not want this to have a negative effect in Embassy decision making. It seems I've read a review somewhere that a petitioner was right there with his wife, but the conversation was pretty much between his wife and the immigration officer. Basically, don't say anything unless you're spoken to. Which would be fine, but I would want to be there just in case.

[1k1please 2]

Great. I love hearing about pleasant experiences at the Embassy. Not all Embassies have this high standard of customer service satisfaction.

You mentioned about your fiance - I take it you were the beneficiary, right? I applied for CR-1 visa for my wife. I'm wondering whether or not I can be allowed to accompany her to her interview? They might have questions my wife will certainly not be able to answer - language barrier, and I would not want this to have a negative effect in Embassy decision making. It seems I've read a review somewhere that a petitioner was right there with his wife, but the conversation was pretty much between his wife and the immigration officer. Basically, don't say anything unless you're spoken to. Which would be fine, but I would want to be there just in case.

Yes, you're right, by the sounds of things London is general quite a nice one in comparison.

I am the beneficiary from the UK, yes, and my fiancee is the petitioner from the US.

I am unsure of how other visas work, but for me applying for the K1 visa in London, it was very easy for my fiancee to accompany me. I approached the sign-in desk and asked if her name was on the list - this is because during the DS-160 application on line you are able to enter effectively a +1 to accompany you to the embassy. My fiancee was not shown on the list but the girls at the sign in desk outside the embassy were nice enough to just call inside and add her name as a +1 for me right there and then.

As for the actually interview at the window, my fiancee didn't come with me, she just sat and waited. I did mention that she was there to the conofficer but they didn't seem too interested in needing to see or speak to her. We decided that it didn't make much difference whether she was there or not. I am unsure of whether she would have been asked any additional questions if she did follow me up to the counter, maybe, maybe not! But seeming as your wife may have some problems with the language barrier then it may be a bonus for you to accompany her. It really all depends on the conofficer as to what questions you'll be asked.

Hope this helps! Maybe some others have further info/thoughts on this?

[bluebird74 34]

Yes, you're right, by the sounds of things London is general quite a nice one in comparison.

I am the beneficiary from the UK, yes, and my fiancee is the petitioner from the US.

I am unsure of how other visas work, but for me applying for the K1 visa in London, it was very easy for my fiancee to accompany me. I approached the sign-in desk and asked if her name was on the list - this is because during the DS-160 application on line you are able to enter effectively a +1 to accompany you to the embassy. My fiancee was not shown on the list but the girls at the sign in desk outside the embassy were nice enough to just call inside and add her name as a +1 for me right there and then.

As for the actually interview at the window, my fiancee didn't come with me, she just sat and waited. I did mention that she was there to the conofficer but they didn't seem too interested in needing to see or speak to her. We decided that it didn't make much difference whether she was there or not. I am unsure of whether she would have been asked any additional questions if she did follow me up to the counter, maybe, maybe not! But seeming as your wife may have some problems with the language barrier then it may be a bonus for you to accompany her. It really all depends on the conofficer as to what questions you'll be asked.

Hope this helps! Maybe some others have further info/thoughts on this

My wife's interview letter does not have +1 on there, and we did include me on the applicant readiness form. I will definitely ask about including me and as far as my being present at the window with her - they can always just ask me to go and sit down. Thanks for the info.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My wife's interview letter does not have +1 on there, and we did include me on the applicant readiness form. I will definitely ask about including me and as far as my being present at the window with her - they can always just ask me to go and sit down. Thanks for the info.

Use the contact form to request being added to the interview list. http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Significant others have chosen to go to the windows or remain seated. It has been reported both ways. There are no bonus points for having the petitioner there, except maybe as in your case to help as a translator if your wife doesn't speak English. It is very informal and like a short chat as others have said. They will not be trying to trip her up with tricky questions. They want to approve her.

[Clair.S 5]

I can completely co-sign this! Exact same experience for me yesterday in London. All in all around 2.5 hours at the embassy, all went very smoothly and relaxed - I wasn't asked many questions and received very friendly responses during both the 1st window document collection and 2nd window interview phases. Like you say, the interview was basically just a general chat, very short for me, my fianceé didn't even have time to get out from the restroom before I was done! Few minutes at max.

I was told at the end "you'll have a great story to tell your kids, I'm requesting an approval for your visa, you're all set!"

Very happy. Just awaiting my "ready" status to update to "issued" via the CEAC site now.

Cheers and good luck to all in the earlier stages. I'll write up my full interview experience including the docs I submitted shortly.

Congratulations!! Hope it gets issued soon for you :-)

[Clair.S 5]

My wife's interview letter does not have +1 on there, and we did include me on the applicant readiness form. I will definitely ask about including me and as far as my being present at the window with her - they can always just ask me to go and sit down. Thanks for the info.

I think experiences can be different depending on the staff member working at each window - In our case my husband (the petitioner) did most of the talking. The staff were asking him about what state he was from and the gentleman from the first window was also from the same state so they talked about that a bit and where we would be moving too. The gentleman from the second window was also interested in where my husband was from and they were comparing the weather and things in their home states and the outdoor recreation in Utah where we will be moving to.