US Embassy, London - IR-1 Interview

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Hi all,

 

Had my interview at the London Embassy recently, and it went a lot better than I was anticipating so I thought I’d share my experience to help anyone in a similar situation:

 

- I only managed to get my medical submitted the day prior to interview due to my GP taking 2 weeks to sign a paid-for letter that the doctor at Knightsbridge asked for as extra info. (This is despite me chasing with my GP every day, as politely as possible.) Time between my medical and interview was 11 working days. I recommend a longer period if you can. 

 

- I have a historical mental disorder which lasted around 4 years.

 

- I have history of minor drug use.

 

- My police certificate was over 12 months old.

 

My appointment was at 10am. The queues seem to be busiest in the mornings. If you’re facing the South Pavillion, there are three queues: one on the left, for US citizens, and two on the right that run alongside each other.

 

I arrived at exactly 9.30am and asked one of the staff where to queue - she said in the left-hand queue of the two that run alongside each other. 
 

That queue moved fast and when I got to the front (about 9.43am) and showed my passport and DS-260 confirmation page, I was specifically told skip any other queues, to go through the airport-style checks and get my ticket number at the desk inside. 
 

(If you need the toilet before you enter the main building, there is one next to the security area. After you’ve gone through security and you’re outside again, turn left and you should see it.) 

 

Inside the main building, when you get your ticket number on your DS-260 confirmation page, you’ll be told to go ‘in the lift to floor 1, left, left and sit and wait for your number’. 2 lefts will take you to the correct waiting area, but check the directions on your ticket to be sure.

 

I sat down and waited for my number to be called at 9.51am.
 

I was seen at the first window at 10.04am. They took my civil documents and said my photo’s background was too dark. (Even though they were done in a professional Photo Booth, I can see how they were too dark.) On the same floor they have a Photo Booth so I paid £8 for two new photos (at 10.11am) and handed them to the person at the window when they were free. Documents were accepted and (at 10.24am) I was asked to sit and wait for the next window to call my number.
 

The person didn’t say anything about my police certificate date, which was a huge relief. I’d recently paid for a new certificate anyway, but due to current delays related to last year’s ACRO cyber attack, I won’t receive it for around another two/three weeks. You can’t currently expedite police certificates. 

At the first window, you should be given a 2-page leaflet on your rights as a spouse of a US citizen for your perusal. At the next window, they’ll ask you if you’ve received this. 

 

I was called to the next window at 12.20pm. I was SO GLAD I brought a book. Highly recommend it as a calming distraction. 
 

The officer was polite, asked me the essential questions (‘where did you meet’, ‘do you live together’ etc.) and then approved my visa. 
 

I was out of the building at 12.30pm. 
 

Just to put this into context as it may have helped my case:

 

- My husband lives in the UK with me.

 

- We have lived together for around 5/6 years.

 

- We supplied additional, recent supporting information (birthday cards, text messages) before the interview. If you do this, be sure to upload copies to the CEAC website and press ‘submit’ BEFORE your interview. I was told by a lawyer that the officer isn’t allowed to view your recent supporting info on the day if you don’t do this. (Having said that though, on the day of interview the only original documents I was asked to provide were my civils.)

 

- I didn’t respond to interview questions with any more info than they asked for/needed. If it’s a ‘yes/no’ response, give a ‘yes/no’ response. They’ll ask follow-up questions if they need more info. Remember, the officers are working on tight timescales and their job is not easy.
 

I know this info is detailed, but I know some people (like me) like detail! Hope this helps someone.