EB1A interview wait time in London, UK

[EB1Aspirant 5]

3 minutes ago, KVVO said:

Hi! We (my 20 year old son and myself) were also in at 10.30am and they make sure that you are seen so there's enough time for you to get down to the Embassy. I would get an Uber as it takes the stress out of the situation. It's about £18. They tell you at the medical it's between 12pm-1pm to get to the Embassy but it's actually until 2pm. I asked her and said I was concerned we weren't going to make it but she smiled and said not to worry! They let the embassy know that you are heading down there so when you get there you already on a list. I would get there earlier (for medical) if you are at all anxious as it seems to be first come first serve basis...

 

At the Embassy go to the window on the road first, they will give you a pink slip and then you go to another door which will take you through security, then another entrance with more checking. Then you go upstairs to get officially checked. We saw 2 different officers. It's all very well organised!

 

You will see 3 separate doctors. 1. Chest X ray. 2. Vaccinations. 3. Doc for medical check up/ go through report/ eye test/ weighed/ measured and blood test if you need it. Good Luck!

@KVVO Thanks for super quick response and the detailed explanation.

That makes me feel better certainly.

 

[KVVO 19]

Hi All, 

 

We had our interview this morning. 

 

8.30am - entered building and made our way up to 1st floor. 

9.45am - interview took place - handed over the sealed envelope. Had to be sworn in. Then he asked me ONE question. "Can you tell me about your profession?" Oh and also if we (my son and myself) had lived anywhere else. But that was it. He then checked our finger prints again. Handed back our original documents and said "I'm happy to say your visa has been approved - passports will be ready to collect in 7-10 days". I asked him if there was anything left to pay and he said no more money was due. 

10am - left embassy! 

APPROVED. The whole process from the EB1A being approved by NVC has taken 6 months. Sept 13th 2024 - March 5th 2025. Hope this helps. 

[EB1Aspirant 5]

56 minutes ago, KVVO said:

Hi All, 

 

We had our interview this morning. 

 

8.30am - entered building and made our way up to 1st floor. 

9.45am - interview took place - handed over the sealed envelope. Had to be sworn in. Then he asked me ONE question. "Can you tell me about your profession?" Oh and also if we (my son and myself) had lived anywhere else. But that was it. He then checked our finger prints again. Handed back our original documents and said "I'm happy to say your visa has been approved - passports will be ready to collect in 7-10 days". I asked him if there was anything left to pay and he said no more money was due. 

10am - left embassy! 

APPROVED. The whole process from the EB1A being approved by NVC has taken 6 months. Sept 13th 2024 - March 5th 2025. Hope this helps. 

@KVVO many congratulations!! Live the American dream!

 

If you don't mind, could you share what you do as profession? Do they ask for the sake of it, or actually mean it?

[KVVO 19]

1 minute ago, EB1Aspirant said:

@KVVO many congratulations!! Live the American dream!

 

If you don't mind, could you share what you do as profession? Do they ask for the sake of it, or actually mean it?

Actress and voice over artist. I think he was just cross checking with his own details! As I was telling him he was looking at his screen and then typing. 

 

[EB1Aspirant 5]

9 minutes ago, KVVO said:

Actress and voice over artist. I think he was just cross checking with his own details! As I was telling him he was looking at his screen and then typing. 

 

Actress & voice over artist... that sounds cool  

[banang 7]

Hi all, an update on my surprising interview this morning 😀

 

My appointment was at 8:30 but I arrived at 8:00, there were 2 long queues outside, I went to queue in row 1 for check-in first and the lady asked me to go straigth into the security check (IV applicant doesn't need to queue on row 2.

8:15 - hand over my sealed documents to the officer, they did some careful check once again - easy. I was asked to sit there and wait for to be called.

 

Weird thing begins:

8:55 - my number appeared on the screen. I went to a booth, made the finger prints. Tried many times still not success, but finally it's ok. Then he asked us to make an oath - just say "Yes" actually.

Then he asked me a few questions that I couldn't answer (sorry I want to hide these questions). Why that's strange, I requested him to double check my application number and names. Then he said "I'm really sorry, I was messing up your application" - the reason was that the application he checks on his PC was another one - lol - how that can be? Then he told us to go back to the chairs and wait for a few minutes.

 

Actual interview begins:

9:10 - we were called again. Did finger prints again and it worked at the first time. I was asked to make an oath - just say "Yes" actually.

Q1: could you tell me about your background?

Q2: What is your highest qualification?

Q3: How long have you been in the UK?

Q4: What did you do when you were in *** (my previous country)? how many years you were there?

FInal statement: "I would like to let you know that your application is approved, now I will return your original documents and you will receive your passport within 1-2 weeks".

I asked if is there anything else? He said, That's all, you can leave the embassy now.

 

I just check the CEAC website, and the status has changed to "Issued". 

Thank you everyone for your answers so far. Finger cross xx

Edited March 5 by banang

[KVVO 19]

5 minutes ago, banang said:

Hi all, an update on my surprising interview this morning 😀

 

My appointment was at 8:30 but I arrived at 8:00, there were 2 long queues outside, I went to queue in row 1 for check-in first and the lady asked me to go straigth into the security check (IV applicant doesn't need to queue on row 2.

8:15 - hand over my sealed documents to the officer, they did some careful check once again - easy. I was asked to sit there and wait for to be called.

 

Weird thing begins:

8:55 - my number appeared on the screen. I went to a booth, made the finger prints. Tried many times still not success, but finally it's ok. Then he asked us to make an oath - just say "Yes" actually.

Then he asked me a few questions that I couldn't answer (sorry I want to hide these questions). Why that's strange, I requested him to double check my application number and names. Then he said "I'm really sorry, I was messing up your application" - the reason was that the application he checks on his PC was another one - lol - how that can be? Then he told us to go back to the chairs and wait for a few minutes.

 

Actual interview begins:

9:10 - we were called again. Did finger prints again and it worked at the first time. I was asked to make an oath - just say "Yes" actually.

Q1: could you tell me what is your background?

Q2: What is your highest qualification?

Q3: How long have you been in the UK?

Q4: What did you do when you were in *** (my previous country)? how many years you were there?

FInal statement: "I would like to let you know that your application is approved, now I will return your original documents and you will receive your passport within 1-2 weeks".

I asked if is there anything else? He said, That's all, you can leave the embassy now.

 

I just check the CEAC website, and the status has changed to "Issued". 

Thank you everyone for your answers so far. Finger cross xx

i think you were with my son and myself today! you smiled at me when you came out of the booth! i had a pink jacket on. Mine was also approved today 😊

Edited March 5 by KVVO

[KVVO 19]

16 minutes ago, KVVO said:

i think you were with my son and myself today! you smiled at me when you came out of the booth! i had a pink jacket on. Mine was also approved today 😊

Sorry typo - I think you were there when my son and myself were also there! (Apologies - I am very tired!)

[banang 7]

10 hours ago, KVVO said:

i think you were with my son and myself today! you smiled at me when you came out of the booth! i had a pink jacket on. Mine was also approved today 😊

 

10 hours ago, KVVO said:

Sorry typo - I think you were there when my son and myself were also there! (Apologies - I am very tired!)

 

@KVVO Yes that was me (a family of 4). Congrats! 😃

[EB1Aspirant 5]

On 2/9/2025 at 3:53 PM, Hamd157 said:

Hi!

 

Can anyone please inform if we need to register our appointment after getting the interview letter from the USA embassy in London for EB1A, I have interview coming on 12th March and not sure if we need to register our appointment online before the interview?

@Hamd157 how did the interview go?

[Ricky07 1]

Hello!

 

My first post here. I've learned a lot from you all so I thought I'll pay it forward by sharing my story and the timeline:

 

EB1-A (sent as normal and then updated to Premium Processing after 3.5weeks)

I-140 Sent: 2024-09-16

I-140 Approval: 2024-10-23

Package received by NVC: 2024-11-15

DQ: 2024-12-04

IL: 2025-01-28

Interview: 2025-03-12

Three questions asked:

1. What is your profession?
2. Are you planning to work in your field?
3. Have you lived anywhere else?

Issued: 2025-03-13

Passport collection: 2025-03-20

 

People who were recently approved might find this information useful. Just before our interview at the embassy on 12th March, we were given an information slip stating that the courier service would change from DX to Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) two days later (14th March), and providing the address of the new courier.

 

Our visa status changed to 'issued' the next day (the 13th), and we patiently waited until the 19th with no tracking number or updates. Frustrated, we went to MBE to inquire. A slightly rude staff member dismissed us with a blunt "no tracking number, no passport here, bye." When we tried to explain and ask further questions, we received minimal information, along with some smirks and slight mockery from other staff.

 

I emailed UK.Visas@gdit-gss.com for clarification and received a response yesterday morning:

 

"Please be advised that your passport is in transit between the previous courier and the new courier, Mail Boxes Etc. As soon as your passport is received at the new location, you will receive an email notification confirming that you can come and collect it."

 

Determined to find answers, we legged it to DX. Initially, the staff tried to brush us off, but after some pleading, one reluctantly agreed to check. There was no record of our passports ever being picked up, no trace of anything. He mentioned that the transfer from DX to MBE should take a maximum of one day, and if our passports hadn’t surfaced by now, they might be lost.

 

We then hurried back to Mail Boxes Etc. for a second, more persistent attempt. This time, a slightly more helpful staff member confirmed that my wife and I were in their system but noted that it had a status of 'no tracking number'. They weren’t sure what it means, tried to tell us this is some in-between stage but nobody seemed to know anything. After checking their basement where they store the passports and the visa packets, they claimed our passports were definitely not there.

 

A lovely French gentleman came to our rescue, agreeing to dig deeper and email the embassy. He must have received some information because, after an hour of searching through their unsorted pile downstairs, our packet was finally found. It had been sitting there for seven days (since last Friday), addressed to DX with no proper tracking code. It must have been picked up from the embassy by DX and then dropped at MBE as part of a larger batch of documents, but the staff didn't even bother to go through them for the best part of the week. The level of incompetence, ignorance, and disregard for how they handle people’s lives was truly astounding.

 

While we were there, we witnessed four other individuals in a similar situation who, unfortunately, were turned away because they weren’t as persistent.

 

Good luck to everyone, and I hope this helps someone on the final leg of their journey toward their American Dream.

Edited 20 hours ago by Ricky07

[appleblossom 3,550]

Congrats @Ricky07. If you could add the details to your proper timeline (on your profile) that would be great, and very helpful for all going foward. 

 

Best of luck with your move. 

[KVVO 19]

3 minutes ago, Ricky07 said:

Hello!

 

My first post here. I've learned a lot from you all so I thought I'll pay back by sharing my story and the timeline:

 

EB1-A (sent as normal and then updated to Premium Processing after 3.5weeks)

I-140 Sent: 2024-09-16

I-140 Approval: 2024-10-23

Package received by NVC: 2024-11-15

DQ: 2024-12-04

IL: 2025-01-28

Interview: 2025-03-12

Three questions asked:

1. What is your profession?
2. Are you planning to work in your field?
3. Have you lived anywhere else?

Issued: 2025-03-13

Passport collection: 2025-03-20

 

People who were recently approved might find this information useful. Just before our interview at the embassy on 12th March, we were given an information slip stating that the courier service would change from DX to Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) two days later (14th March), and providing the address of the new courier.

 

Our visa status changed to 'issued' the next day (the 13th), and we patiently waited until the 19th with no tracking number or updates. Frustrated, we went to MBE to inquire. A slightly rude staff member dismissed us with a blunt "no tracking number, no passport here, bye." When we tried to explain and ask further questions, we received minimal information, along with some smirks and slight mockery from other staff.

 

I emailed UK.Visas@gdit-gss.com for clarification and received a response yesterday morning:

 

"Please be advised that your passport is in transit between the previous courier and the new courier, Mail Boxes Etc. As soon as your passport is received at the new location, you will receive an email notification confirming that you can come and collect it."

 

Determined to find answers, we legged it to DX. Initially, the staff tried to brush us off, but after some pleading, one reluctantly agreed to check. There was no record of our passports ever being picked up, no trace of anything. He mentioned that the transfer from DX to MBE should take a maximum of one day, and if our passports hadn’t surfaced by now, they might be lost.

 

We then hurried back to Mail Boxes Etc. for a second, more persistent attempt. This time, a slightly more helpful staff member confirmed that my wife and I were in their system but noted that it had a status of 'no tracking number'. They weren’t sure what it means, tried to tell us this is some in-between stage but nobody seemed to know anything. After checking their basement where they store the passports and the visa packets, they claimed our passports were definitely not there.

 

A lovely French gentleman came to our rescue, agreeing to dig deeper and email the embassy. He must have received some information because, after an hour of searching through their unsorted pile downstairs, our packet was finally found. It had been sitting there for seven days (since last Friday), addressed to DX with no proper tracking code. It must have been picked up from the embassy by DX and then dropped at MBE as part of a larger batch of documents, but the staff didn't even bother to go through them for the best part of the week. The level of incompetence, ignorance, and disregard for how they handle people’s lives was truly astounding.

 

While we were there, we witnessed four other individuals in a similar situation who, unfortunately, were turned away because they weren’t as persistent.

 

Good luck to everyone, and I hope this helps someone on the final leg of their journey toward their American Dream.

How absolutely appalling and such a highly stressful situation. I am so glad you got them back in the end. The whole process is nerve wracking enough as it is without that nightmare at the end. Good luck in the USA! I leave the UK on May 19th 🇺🇸

[EB1Aspirant 5]

33 minutes ago, Ricky07 said:

Hello!

 

My first post here. I've learned a lot from you all so I thought I'll pay it forward by sharing my story and the timeline:

 

EB1-A (sent as normal and then updated to Premium Processing after 3.5weeks)

I-140 Sent: 2024-09-16

I-140 Approval: 2024-10-23

Package received by NVC: 2024-11-15

DQ: 2024-12-04

IL: 2025-01-28

Interview: 2025-03-12

Three questions asked:

1. What is your profession?
2. Are you planning to work in your field?
3. Have you lived anywhere else?

Issued: 2025-03-13

Passport collection: 2025-03-20

 

People who were recently approved might find this information useful. Just before our interview at the embassy on 12th March, we were given an information slip stating that the courier service would change from DX to Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) two days later (14th March), and providing the address of the new courier.

 

Our visa status changed to 'issued' the next day (the 13th), and we patiently waited until the 19th with no tracking number or updates. Frustrated, we went to MBE to inquire. A slightly rude staff member dismissed us with a blunt "no tracking number, no passport here, bye." When we tried to explain and ask further questions, we received minimal information, along with some smirks and slight mockery from other staff.

 

I emailed UK.Visas@gdit-gss.com for clarification and received a response yesterday morning:

 

"Please be advised that your passport is in transit between the previous courier and the new courier, Mail Boxes Etc. As soon as your passport is received at the new location, you will receive an email notification confirming that you can come and collect it."

 

Determined to find answers, we legged it to DX. Initially, the staff tried to brush us off, but after some pleading, one reluctantly agreed to check. There was no record of our passports ever being picked up, no trace of anything. He mentioned that the transfer from DX to MBE should take a maximum of one day, and if our passports hadn’t surfaced by now, they might be lost.

 

We then hurried back to Mail Boxes Etc. for a second, more persistent attempt. This time, a slightly more helpful staff member confirmed that my wife and I were in their system but noted that it had a status of 'no tracking number'. They weren’t sure what it means, tried to tell us this is some in-between stage but nobody seemed to know anything. After checking their basement where they store the passports and the visa packets, they claimed our passports were definitely not there.

 

A lovely French gentleman came to our rescue, agreeing to dig deeper and email the embassy. He must have received some information because, after an hour of searching through their unsorted pile downstairs, our packet was finally found. It had been sitting there for seven days (since last Friday), addressed to DX with no proper tracking code. It must have been picked up from the embassy by DX and then dropped at MBE as part of a larger batch of documents, but the staff didn't even bother to go through them for the best part of the week. The level of incompetence, ignorance, and disregard for how they handle people’s lives was truly astounding.

 

While we were there, we witnessed four other individuals in a similar situation who, unfortunately, were turned away because they weren’t as persistent.

 

Good luck to everyone, and I hope this helps someone on the final leg of their journey toward their American Dream.

@Ricky07congrats on your visa & getting thru - what happens if there isn't MBE location near to where you stay? I suppose the Embassy would check that in advance if visa is granted? My interview is on Monday, so, just trying to understand.