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|  Review on April 19, 2018: |
Team Hayward
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I attended my interview at the (new) US Embassy in London on April 18th 2018. From start to finish the process was painless and straight forward. My interview was scheduled for 10.30 and I arrived at 10 am. Upon arrival I was asked to present my passport and my D-260 receipt page outside the embassy. Immediately after this I passed through airport-style scanners and then made my way into the embassy where I was filtered into a queue. However, an attendant noticed that I was holding paperwork for an immigration visa application, spoke to me to confirm this, and then walked me to the front of the queue.... so it is possible that I had joined the wrong line in the first place and was standing with people that were seeking non-immigrant visas?
No harm done... So I proceeded to the back of the hall area and took the elevator up to the first floor where visa interviews take place. Upon exiting the elevator (doors open on opposite side to entry side), I entered the large waiting area that resembles somewhat an airport gate seating space. The room here is bordered by approximately 18 numbered 'check-in' windows.
None of the windows in the main room are relevant to people seeking an immigrant (I) visa. These windows (19 through 23) are located in a separate section, located to the far left side of the room.
I took a seat in this area at about 10.10 and was called up to the window for the first stage of the two stage interaction at about 10.20 (10 mins early). This first stage is primarily administrative and concerned with things like verification of courier arrangements for the eventual return of the passport & visa. I was also asked if I had a travel date set (I did - 3 weeks in the future... which was fine as far as the embassy was concerned). I was also fingerprinted on all fingers of both hands and provided a passport photo for their file as per the pre-interview instructions. This all took about 5 minutes, after which I took a seat and waited for the interview stage.
I was called up to begin the interview stage at around 10.35 and, following raising my right hand to swear in, was asked questions on when and how I met my wife, how long we'd been together, and where she lived in the US? All very straight forward. The interviewer then announced that the visa would be approved and that I should expect to receive it in approximately 7 days.
All in all, the embassy part of the process is by far the most straight forward. In total, I think I spent about 40 minutes inside the embassy. Obviously I say this as someone who had everything in order before hand and had followed instructions to the letter throughout. If you've done the same then it all ought to be entirely painless! 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #23658