UK Embassy Interview Experience

[LukeU 413]

7 minutes ago, helen83 said:

Ahh I've been waiting for your review and I'm probably going to read it over and over for reassurance for mine on Friday!

I hope to be posting the same kind of elated and happy post as you and also for such a speedy issue of the visa as I am so ready to get going back over there and starting my life!

Congratulations again!!

Thank you! I can't wait to read your happy rant also! Hey if my review helps, that makes me more than happy. I know how much it helped me when reading people's reviews etc and experiences. 

Even the bad ones, granted they plant seeds of doubt and worry but they still contain amazing knowledge  

 

I'm going to wait until it's in hand but May 11th is looking more and more likely. Then to see about renting a car from Chicago to Detroit as that seems the cheapest for a one way! 

[helen83 52]

11 minutes ago, LukeU said:

Thank you! I can't wait to read your happy rant also! Hey if my review helps, that makes me more than happy. I know how much it helped me when reading people's reviews etc and experiences. 

Even the bad ones, granted they plant seeds of doubt and worry but they still contain amazing knowledge  

 

I'm going to wait until it's in hand but May 11th is looking more and more likely. Then to see about renting a car from Chicago to Detroit as that seems the cheapest for a one way! 

I just want to sleep knowing its all done...I know we start the next stage again soon and its more paperwork,forms and waiting again but once I'm there I don't care about that. I just want to stop stressing about it all...wouldn't mind too much but I'm not lucky enough to lose weight from stress I eat instead so this is doing nothing for my prospective wedding dress 😂

[VanillaCats 12]

Congrats, Luke! I'm glad it went well for you  the affidavit of support was completed by your fiancée right? did you bring the original or photocopy? 

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, helen83 said:

I just want to sleep knowing its all done...I know we start the next stage again soon and its more paperwork,forms and waiting again but once I'm there I don't care about that. I just want to stop stressing about it all...wouldn't mind too much but I'm not lucky enough to lose weight from stress I eat instead so this is doing nothing for my prospective wedding dress 😂

I don't have that excuse, I eat like an absolute horse continuously haha! My suit is getting pretty snug but I'll fix that...hopefully! 

 

We said that, it's another tonne of paperwork but I don't care, we'll be filling it out sat down together, not 3750 miles apart when one of us has just finished work or the other has stayed up late. We'll be doing it normally, fed and watered together and that's the important bit! 

[LukeU 413]

Just now, VanillaCats said:

Congrats, Luke! I'm glad it went well for you  the affidavit of support was completed by your fiancée right? did you bring the original or photocopy? 

Thank you! 

 

The affidavit was completed by my fiancée yes we didn't require a co-sponsor I brought the original of the affidavit but (poor) scans of the W2/bank statements. Literally, flicked to the salary page and the signature page and that was it. Topped off with the letter of employment and she was happy  

[VanillaCats 12]

1 minute ago, LukeU said:

Thank you! 

 

The affidavit was completed by my fiancée yes we didn't require a co-sponsor I brought the original of the affidavit but (poor) scans of the W2/bank statements. Literally, flicked to the salary page and the signature page and that was it. Topped off with the letter of employment and she was happy  

Ah, okay. Thanks. You didn't have to bring any proof of your own income in the form of bank statements, then? Just your fiancée's.

 

I booked my medical for April 8th. What date would you advise to book the interview? End of April/beginning of May?

[LukeU 413]

Just now, VanillaCats said:

Ah, okay. Thanks. You didn't have to bring any proof of your own income in the form of bank statements, then? Just your fiancée's.

 

I booked my medical for April 8th. What date would you advise to book the interview? End of April/beginning of May?

No I didn't, I have read that London will allow self sponsorship but I don't have that sort of money sat in the bank  I can't remember the figure but I imagine it's got 5 digits after the £ sign. Again as I said though, if you feel like you'd be more comfortable taking them...100% take them in a seperate folder.

I had x3 brown envelopes in my docs bag, 1. Originals, 2. Copies, 3. Evidence.

Envelope 3 stayed sealed but had proof of relationship and what not. So it's maybe best to take whatever in a third folder should you think they may want it. Within the booths is a decent shelf for you to lay documents on and get them out of folders etc  

 

With the 8th April, I think end of April would be good. Remember there's public holidays in April so yeah. I had my medical 8th Feb and interview 11th March but we weren't particularly in a rush. Aim for 10 clear working days, between medical - interview to be safe, so 25-29th onwards I imagine is a safe area. I just don't like the idea of doing the interview when the medical isn't there  

[Rayge 40]

Congrats on your approval,

 

I was also at the Embassy on Monday 11th March only my appointment was at 10:30am, so we probably walked past each other at some point, the only difference for me was they did not ask for my DS160, as soon as the girl see the instruction page print out she just asked for that and my passport, 

 

You really shouldnt show up to early as they will make you wait outside, and ask you to come back 15 mins before your appointment, same rules apply here as inside the building if they ask you to come back, do not queue, go straight to the girl at the desk, as you will be taken straight into security.

 

I will say, when you get past security and in the main doors there will be a queue of people, do not be afraid to just walk past them, i feel they could have laid the entrance out a little better for people with appointments, id also say that when you go to the first floor the girl told me to go left, because of the design of the building i didnt even realise that it was shaped like an L and you had to walk around the corner to the back.

 

The questions i was asked.

 

How did we meet.

When did we meet.

What does she do for a job.

What state does she live in.

 

That was literally it, i was standing there in almost shock when she said congratulations your visa has been approved today and you will get your passport back in 7-10 days, have a good day. As i was walking out i was thinking is that it, i was talking to them for less than 15 minutes, and was out heading to the tube for 11:15am. 

 

I will say this, i seen someone else on this topic saying they are from N.Ireland, i highly recommend you fly out the day before, if i had flown out on Monday morning from Belfast i would have missed the appointment, as Belfast international is having major issues with security esp for morning flights, there is a Travel Lodge directly outside the exit from the Vauxhall Tube station ( exit 3 or 4 i think it was ) and then its less than 10 minutes to the Embassy from there, for me i flew into Gatwick, got the Gatwick Express directly into Victoria, then the tube from Victoria to Vauxhall ( 2 stops ).

 

 

Edited March 13, 2019 by Rayge

[O-J 174]

3 minutes ago, Rayge said:

Congrats on your approval,

 

I was also at the Embassy on Monday 11th March only my appointment was at 10:30am, so we probably walked past each other at some point, the only difference for me was they did not ask for my DS160, as soon as the girl see the instruction page print out she just asked for that and my passport, 

 

You really shouldnt show up to early as they will make you wait outside, and ask you to come back 15 mins before your appointment, same rules apply here as inside the building if they ask you to come back, do not queue, go straight to the girl at the desk, as you will be taken straight into security.

 

I will say, when you get past security and in the main doors there will be a queue of people, do not be afraid to just walk past them, i feel they could have laid the entrance out a little better for people with appointments, id also say that when you go to the first floor the girl told me to go left, because of the design of the building i didnt even realise that it was shaped like an L and you had to walk around the corner to the back.

 

The questions i was asked.

 

How did we meet.

When did we meet.

What does she do for a job.

What state does she live in.

 

That was literally it, i was standing there in almost shock when she said congratulations your visa has been approved today and you will get your passport back in 7-10 days, have a good day. As i was walking out i was thinking is that it, i was talking to them for less than 15 minutes, and was out heading to the tube for 11:15am. 

 

I will say this, i seen someone else on this topic saying they are from N.Ireland, i highly recommend you fly out the day before, if i had flown out on Monday morning from Belfast i would have missed the appointment, as Belfast international is having major issues with security esp for morning flights, there is a Travel Lodge directly outside the exit from the Vauxhall Tube station ( exit 3 or 4 i think it was ) and then its less than 10 minutes to the Embassy from there, for me i flew into Gatwick, got the Gatwick Express directly into Victoria, then the tube from Victoria to Vauxhall ( 2 stops ).

 

 

Congratulations 😁 thank you for sharing. I’m from NI. I have booked to fly the night before as you suggest. I realised I needed to do this after doing the medical in one day and having a delayed flight that morning. So really could not risk it for the interview! And the interview time slots are way too early to even consider flying in that morning. Hopefully there will be no issues with my flight out there next week. 

[LukeU 413]

6 minutes ago, Rayge said:

Congrats on your approval,

 

I was also at the Embassy on Monday 11th March only my appointment was at 10:30am, so we probably walked past each other at some point, the only difference for me was they did not ask for my DS160, as soon as the girl see the instruction page print out she just asked for that and my passport, 

 

You really shouldnt show up to early as they will make you wait outside, and ask you to come back 15 mins before your appointment, same rules apply here as inside the building if they ask you to come back, do not queue, go straight to the girl at the desk, as you will be taken straight into security.

 

I will say, when you get past security and in the main doors there will be a queue of people, do not be afraid to just walk past them, i feel they could have laid the entrance out a little better for people with appointments, id also say that when you go to the first floor the girl told me to go left, because of the design of the building i didnt even realise that it was shaped like an L and you had to walk around the corner to the back.

 

The questions i was asked.

 

How did we meet.

When did we meet.

What does she do for a job.

What state does she live in.

 

That was literally it, i was standing there in almost shock when she said congratulations your visa has been approved today and you will get your passport back in 7-10 days, have a good day. As i was walking out i was thinking is that it, i was talking to them for less than 15 minutes, and was out heading to the tube for 11:15am. 

 

I will say this, i seen someone else on this topic saying they are from N.Ireland, i highly recommend you fly out the day before, if i had flown out on Monday morning from Belfast i would have missed the appointment, as Belfast international is having major issues with security esp for morning flights, there is a Travel Lodge directly outside the exit from the Vauxhall Tube station ( exit 3 or 4 i think it was ) and then its less than 10 minutes to the Embassy from there, for me i flew into Gatwick, got the Gatwick Express directly into Victoria, then the tube from Victoria to Vauxhall ( 2 stops ).

 

 

Congratulations! 

 

Ahh you see I wasn't aware of that but I wouldn'nt have known my number as the lady at the desk (after security etc) gives you your appointment number and checks you off a list? 

But yeah no arriving too early or you'll be marched back! 

[Rayge 40]

1 minute ago, LukeU said:

Congratulations! 

 

Ahh you see I wasn't aware of that but I wouldn'nt have known my number as the lady at the desk (after security etc) gives you your appointment number and checks you off a list? 

But yeah no arriving too early or you'll be marched back! 

 

Im not sure what you mean, if its about the DS160, the girl outside asked people for the DS160 and passports ( im guessing different visas need this only ) but when i got the paperwork out and seen the top page was the instruction page, so she said dont worry about the DS160, when i went inside the girl at the desk also did not ask for my DS160, she took my instruction page that showed the interview time, and gave me my number and told me to go upstairs to the left, and when i got to the booth upstairs, the girl asked if i had the DS160, i showed her it, she said no problem and gave it back to me, as she didnt need it.

[LukeU 413]

Just now, Rayge said:

 

Im not sure what you mean, if its about the DS160, the girl outside asked people for the DS160 and passports ( im guessing different visas need this only ) but when i got the paperwork out and seen the top page was the instruction page, so she said dont worry about the DS160, when i went inside the girl at the desk also did not ask for my DS160, she took my instruction page that showed the interview time, and gave me my number and told me to go upstairs to the left, and when i got to the booth upstairs, the girl asked if i had the DS160, i showed her it, she said no problem and gave it back to me, as she didnt need it.

I was questioning about walking past the queues of people I wish I knew that because I stood and waited in the queues haha. The lady outside also looked at my DS-160 and wrote the appointment time on it. 

[LukeU 413]

21 hours 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 have just received notification email that my visa is now with the courier and should arrive within 1-2 business days!    

[O-J 174]

4 hours ago, LukeU said:

I have just received notification email that my visa is now with the courier and should arrive within 1-2 business days!    

Yay that’s great 😁 that’s went so quick! Visa in hand within the week of the interview! 

[LukeU 413]

31 minutes ago, O-J said:

Yay that’s great 😁 that’s went so quick! Visa in hand within the week of the interview! 

Yup I can collect it tomorrow unless anything goes wrong but pretty happy with a 4 day turn around lol