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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on July 8, 2007: |
robburnsefc
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My K1 US Embassy Interview Experience.
I stayed with a friend in South London and took the bus to Park Lane.
The embassy is parallel with Park Lane but a few streets to the east. The map
that they give you is a little basic but you get the general idea.
The embassy itself is a bit of a 1960s monstrosity where you can see it but the
significance of the place still makes you gulp. On the roof at the front is a giant
eagle. There is a little garden at the front but there is a lot of construction
around the building and of course the huge concrete blocks to stop terrorists
in jeeps getting too close.
The boundary is patrolled by armed police and a private security firm do the rest.
Not the US troops I expected. Even at 8am there was a crowd. They vet you first of
all by examining your letter and passport, before you join the line proper. They
also instilled panic into many of us by saying we needed our D156 applications
and if we didnt have them we would need to use a computer inside to produce another
one. Of course mine had been posted so there was no need for alarm.
They ask you to place electronic or metal items in a clear bag which they provide. Then, any change, belts etc goes in your own bag. They then funnel you into separate lines, based upon the time of your interview and your reason for visit - there were lots of people for things like lost passports, travel documents, work permits (like a whole gang of airline cabin crew) so it isnt just immigrants.
They are fairly meticulous over security and scan your bags and electronics. You go through a metal detector and they then inform you what you can take in with you and what they will keep in a little pigeon hole. You are given a numbered tag - apparently if you lose it they wont let you have your stuff until the last person has gone even if
you describe it to them, so be warned!
Once checked, we walked right around the front of the building to a small reception desk in a lobby. After showing the letter and passport again we were given 2 printed number labels - mine was 015.
Walking up some steps I entered the waiting hall through some big glass doors. Even at 9am (as it was by then) there were more than 100 people in there.
The room is like an airport lounge with rows of seats and to the side glass windows
like you find in a bank. There are 25 booths serving all of the applicants. There are a number of large screens which show the numbers in the queue for immigrant, non immigrant and homeland security issues. There were only about 6 ahead of me when I arrived. There are clear announcements (a bit like in Argos) calling your number and telling you which window to go to. The immigrant visas seem to take the longest as the queue moved much slower than the others.
When eventually called I went to window 14. An english guy checked my details and got my medical records. He gave me my XRays and told me I must carry these in my hand luggage on departure. I was given a small slip of paper which I had to take to a cashier at window 12 and pay my $100.
I went immediately back to the guy who then checked my birth certificate and police certificate, retaining my copies. He also took my I134 (I had 2 of these also). He informed me that the visa would need to be used within 90 days for entry and 180 (I think) Days after entry. He also reminded me that I would not be able to leave the US
and return until I had become a permanent resident which could take 6 to 9 months.He didnt ask for more photographs as I had sent 2 with my application.
I was given a blue form to fill out with my address details for the courier. He told me my number would be called again but it was a busy day and this could be 1 - 2 hours wait.
I took my seat again. It is interesting that there is a photo booth (just in case) and refreshments - tea, coffee, sandwiches, fruit, oreos, chipahoy cookies.
It took about 1 hour for my number to be called again. Armed with my folder, full of all my evidence - emails, letters, phone records, pictures, financial information, I went to a different window where a young hispanic American girl awaited. SHe explained to me that this was the second stage of the process and that she wanted to know about my relationship. She asked how we had met and had we dated immediately or become friends at first. She asked when we had visited each other and how many times. SHe asked about Carol's job (a teacher) - how old were the kids she taught etc. She asked if I had met her parents.All the time she appeared to be reading a screen and typing things in as I answered. I never answered that accurately, but she seemed to understand that I didnt know every visit date off by heart.
After 5 minutes she announced that she was satisfied with my answers and was pleased to tell me that my application was approved. She told me about the courier and said that once I had seen and paid them then I was free to go!
The courier offers deliveries before 530pm, before 12pm, before 10am and before 8am. They also text you the day before they are due for delivery. The standard charge I think was £20 but it was an additional £13 for the earliest delivery, which she suggested would be around 6am. They confirmed details, gave me a receipt and I was free!
It took around 30 seconds to skip round the building and back to the security post where I reclaimed my phone.
I called Carol as soon as I got outside and after pretending to be an embassy guy and asking her "do you know Robert Burns" and "how much would you say he loved you" in a bad American accent I told her the news that we were 'good to go'. In spite of the 4am wakeup call she was of course delighted. The relief was immense.
The whole process was generally friendly, efficient and took around 3.5 hours from start to finish. I almost feel bereaved now because I dont have my friendly black cloud over my head. I am sure that once I get to the next stage it will be back as good as ever, but at least there will be two of us to hold the umbrella!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1774