UK Embassy Interview Experience

[LukeU 413]

So I thought as I’d done one for my medical, I may as well do one for the Embassy also as there doesn’t appear to be that many (obviously there’s the reviews section but).

 

March 11^th 2019 Appointment time of 9:30am

 

Where

I had stayed at the Premier Inn at Wembley Park which was an absolute bargain, 5 minutes off of the motorway and only £6 for parking up until 12pm on the day of checking out.

 

2 minute walk to the tube station to jump on the Jubilee line for around 15-20 minutes and get off at Green Park and change to the Victoria Line to get off at Vauxhall. From Vauxhall you’re looking at around a 10minute walk to the embassy, (weather depending) I highly recommend taking the walk along the riverside for some views in a morning.

 

Waitrose is a couple of minutes walk around the corner from the Embassy for a coffee and whatnot.

 

As usually I’m rambling, review now:

 

Embassy

Arrived at the embassy around 9:05 – 9:10am and there’s a queue outside and just wait it out with Passport & DS-160 confirmation printout in hand.

 

Upon entering it is airport style security belt, watch, pockets empty…blah blah, we’re all familiar with that here I’m sure.

 

Walk through into a large open foyer and there were 2 queues but we were just advised to jump in any of them until you’re at the desk and a lady will let you know which level you should go, first floor turn left and follow it round until you’re in a waiting room with like bank booths with privacy dividers there.

 

First Window

You’ll have had a number allocated on your paperwork and when this is called up on a screen, go to the booth showing your number and they’ll ask questions regarding documents, I took with me and handed over:

• DS-160 & Passport,
• Birth Certificate,
• Change of name deed,
• Police Certificate,
• Affidavit of support and supporting evidence (W2, Bank statements, letter of employment).

I had copies of all of these however the lady wanted my originals to take digital copies of.

 

After these were checked I was informed it’s all in order and my medical was there and they handed me my x-rays on a disk to keep and carry on my person through the POE and finger prints to be taken.

 

Asked to take a seat and wait for my allocated number to pop up for the interview, maybe 10 minutes wait and interview time.

 

Interview

This was insanely laid back, raise right hand and take an oath, finger prints.

 

On to the questions:

• When did Courtney & I meet?
• What was the next trip after meeting for the first time? (We'd mentioned the subsequent trip on our initial petition so),
• What does she do for work?
• How long has she done it for?
• Where does she live? 
• Has she always lived there?
• Where are her family?

 

None of this was like an interrogation it was more of a conversation along the lines of “Oh okay and has she always lived in the state?”  At times with some of the questions he'd ask them and then give you pointers, "Where does she live?...like which state?"  "After meeting what was the next trip, did Courtney come to you next?"

 

That was it. “I can see no reason why we can’t issue your visa it will be with you within 1-2 weeks you’re approved.”  A little shocked I asked if that was it, are we done, I’m approved?!

He congratulated me handed me back my Change of Name Deed and some photographs we submitted within the initial petition and that was it.

I was at the window about 7 minutes (8 minutes between texts so), I was back on the street walking back to the tube by 9:50 am practically cartwheeling all of the way. Called Courtney and let her know also, managed to tell her and get back to the car like a big boy and then 20 mins up the M1 here came the tears of joy as it finally hit me, it's done!

 

I’d read people’s reviews saying this was pretty laid back and they weren’t lying, this was the most painless part of the process up to now.

 

Side note:

13^th March, 10:30am case status updated to “Nonimmigrant Visa Application Administrative Processing”

 

As always with these, sorry for the wall of text but any questions throw them at me and if I can help I will. 

Edited March 13, 2019 by LukeU

[brackpool13 19]

Thanks for the write up Luke, and congratulations! I'm guessing you didn't need any proof of relationship?

[LukeU 413]

5 minutes ago, brackpool13 said:

Thanks for the write up Luke, and congratulations! I'm guessing you didn't need any proof of relationship?

Bah I missed that sorry! This is what happens when you write a review at work! 

 

I did take additional evidence and proof of ongoing relationship, we had updated letters of intent also and none of that was asked for. 

[brackpool13 19]

Easily done! What sort of things did you take for that out of curiosity? I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now!

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, brackpool13 said:

Easily done! What sort of things did you take for that out of curiosity? I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now!

I took screen shots of our call log (we use whatsapp) and just pasted them into word, message counter, few photos of more recent trips since filing, wedding & engagement ring receipts. They wanted nothing.

I didn't bother with additional texts and whatnot as generally speaking as we both cuss like crazy! 

 

It's an unreal feeling, it genuinely is. Just sheer elation. 30+ thousand miles, 10+ months of paperwork, so many worries, stressors and uncertainty on the process and that's it. All for 7 minutes at a window  

This site has made it so much better as there's always someone who knows what's needed and sometimes it's just nice to read other's experiences. 

[O-J 174]

Wooo congrats! Hopefully I’ll be posting the same thing next week when I have mine. Interested to see how long it takes for you to have the visa in hand. Keep us updated on the status   

Edited March 13, 2019 by O-J

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, O-J said:

Wooo congrats! Hopefully I’ll be posting the same thing next week when I have mine. Interested to see how long it takes for you to have the visa in hand. Keep us updated on the status   

I'm sure it'll all go smoothly! Keep me posted. 

 

I'll be sure to update when I get it, to be honest if you're in Mainland UK you'll probably hear me yelling when I pick it up. 

[Ashley May 60]

Congratulations on your approval!! It must be such a relief to know it’s all over and you’ll be together soon.

 

I am currently at the NVC stage so all this is great for when I’m going for my interview. 

[O-J 174]

1 minute ago, LukeU said:

I'm sure it'll all go smoothly! Keep me posted. 

 

I'll be sure to update when I get it, to be honest if you're in Mainland UK you'll probably hear me yelling when I pick it up. 

 Will do! Haha I’m in N.Ireland but I may still hear you 🙊 I’m so looking forward to being at the same stage

[adsanctis 1]

Congratulations! How long from the NVC accepting your documents did you get an interview date? 

[LukeU 413]

31 minutes ago, adsanctis said:

Congratulations! How long from the NVC accepting your documents did you get an interview date? 

We're a K1 so we booked our own interview. We received our case number on the 8th Jan and started booking things.

[Paigepaige 28]

Congratulations!! We have our interview this week, my fiancé is flying over now 😊 

[LukeU 413]

2 minutes ago, Paigepaige said:

Congratulations!! We have our interview this week, my fiancé is flying over now 😊 

Thank you.

Good luck, you'll soon be celebrating also! My fianceé lands the 28th for the last UK visit for a little while 

Edited March 13, 2019 by LukeU

[Paigepaige 28]

2 minutes ago, LukeU said:

Thank you.

Good luck, you'll soon be celebrating also! My fianceé lands the 28th for the last UK visit for a little while 

Ooo I hope so!! It's so exciting. 

Where abouts is your fiancée from in the states? 

[LukeU 413]

Just now, Paigepaige said:

Ooo I hope so!! It's so exciting. 

Where abouts is your fiancée from in the states? 

It genuinely is and it's such a relaxing process at the embassy once you're in so it's really not too bad. 

 

She's from Michigan and yours?