Visa Interview

[jeffenburg 9]

So, I have a date for my interview (CR-1 visa, London embassy).

I had been pretty nervous about this step to say the least; I tend to get very nervous for anything official and formal like this.

However after reading through a few reports of people having done their interviews, it *seems* like it's almost a formality? That might be overstating it somewhat, but it does appear that getting to this stage pretty much makes it a sure thing...is this the case?

Now, I realise people are probably going to reply and say no, no, no, it's far from a formality. But what I was expecting was something like being grilled in a room for 30 minutes What I've read seems to indicate it's just a 10 minute stand up thing infront of a window.

What should I expect?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You may want to post this in the regional forum, but for Montreal it was pretty informal. It took about 45 minutes for the interview and document review. If you are not from a high fraud country, no criminal background trouble, or drug issues, it should be pretty standard.

Good luck

[Boiler 45,488]

Mostly hanging around and then a couple of minutes.

Formality is a reasonable description.

[jeffenburg 9]

Thanks for the replies.

If you are not from a high fraud country, no criminal background trouble, or drug issues, it should be pretty standard.

Yeah, I'm from the UK. I have some convictions from driving offences (dangerous driving and latterly driving without license) 16 and 14 years ago respectively (no custodial sentences) and absolutely no drug issues (or anything else for that matter).

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to US embassy and consulate discussion from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~

[Jack2107 46]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, I'm from the UK. I have some convictions from driving offences (dangerous driving and latterly driving without license) 16 and 14 years ago respectively (no custodial sentences) and absolutely no drug issues (or anything else for that matter).

What does your police report say?

[jeffenburg 9]

What does your police report say?

No Live Trace

[Jack2107 46]

They will want to know what you have done wrong. No live trace means you have done things in your past. The officer may question you on what you have done. The officer may want a report from ACRO

So best thing to do is order a Full Access Report from ACRO

Then when questioned you can provide the report.

[UnaMexicana 153]

I stressed and stressed over this unil the moment I set foot in the consulate.

Once I was inside it was mostly just waiting here and there... Interview... Five questions and it was over in 5 minutes, tops.

LISTEN carefully. I almost mess up by admitting to having lived in the US when that was not the case... Just because of a noisy wheelchair passed when the officer was asking that question.

DO NOT assume anything. If you can't hear, if you don't understand.. As to have the question repeated or explained.

And finally my best advice to you is to breathe in and calm down. You don't want to raise flags that are not even there, so don't walk up to the window nervous.

TMI Alert - there was actually vomit on the floor, on the last spot where we lined up before coming up to a window to be interviewed. I know. I know...

A LOT of people get really nervous and while that is normal because it is a big deal... Well, you need to calm down.

Good luck!

UnaMexicana

[Boiler 45,488]

I stressed and stressed over this unil the moment I set foot in the consulate.

Once I was inside it was mostly just waiting here and there... Interview... Five questions and it was over in 5 minutes, tops.

LISTEN carefully. I almost mess up by admitting to having lived in the US when that was not the case... Just because of a noisy wheelchair passed when the officer was asking that question.

DO NOT assume anything. If you can't hear, if you don't understand.. As to have the question repeated or explained.

And finally my best advice to you is to breathe in and calm down. You don't want to raise flags that are not even there, so don't walk up to the window nervous.

TMI Alert - there was actually vomit on the floor, on the last spot where we lined up before coming up to a window to be interviewed. I know. I know...

A LOT of people get really nervous and while that is normal because it is a big deal... Well, you need to calm down.

Good luck!

UnaMexicana

Wow

London is nothing like that.

[jeffenburg 9]

They will want to know what you have done wrong. No live trace means you have done things in your past. The officer may question you on what you have done. The officer may want a report from ACRO

So best thing to do is order a Full Access Report from ACRO

Then when questioned you can provide the report.

Yeah I'm well aware of that, got the full report.