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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on September 18, 2020: |
Charlie1234
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my interview on the 10th of September 2020, I was so nervous and had read all the other reviews a million times so I'm hoping this review might help someone else!
Everything was so quick and all of the staff there were so lovely! They really made you feel relaxed and at ease (or at least as relaxed as is possible given the circumstances..). I arrived 30 minutes early for my 10.30 appointment and they let me through security straight away, you're also allowed to take in water as long as you have a little sip from it to prove it's nothing sinister. Then you go through a very heavy door and up to the main building. When I got there they told me I was too early and could wait in the gardens for 10 minutes or stay where I was, I chose to stay and had a nice chat with the staff. I'd hyped everything up in my head for so long and I couldn't believe how nonchalant everyone there was, I'm not sure if it's just because things are quiet at the moment with Covid, but I actually found the whole thing quite pleasant!
After waiting a few minutes they put a sticker on my DS 260 with the interview number and told me to head over to the lifts, go up a floor, turn left and then left. The kiosks looked kind of like at the Post Office, except with dividers between each of them, you just get called up to a desk and everyone in the waiting room can hear what you're saying. I only just had a chance to sit down and my number was called to the pre-interview desk. I'd brought every single document and proof of relationship there ever was, but all they asked for was my marriage license, birth certificate, passport, police record, DS 260 and the page confirming I'd booked the passport courier service. They didn't ask for the sponsor documents or proof of income etc.
Then they told me that all of the documents were fine and I could sit down and wait for my interview. I sat there for what felt like an eternity, but I think it was probably less than 10 minutes. I was called over for the interview and it was more like a friendly chat. I was asked:
-Why do you have 2 financial sponsors when your husband earns enough to be your sole sponsor? (When we filed in 2018 my husband didn't have a full year tax return at his job so he was below the earning threshold to sponsor me, when I explained they removed the other sponsor and just left it as my husband)
-How long have you been married?
-How did you meet?
-Did you have a wedding?
-What do your family think of your relationship?
That was it! The officer even remarked at my "fancy" marriage license, anyone who got married in Texas will know how massive they make them!
The officer said I was approved and would get my visa next week. The only thing that they gave me was a little business card with the passport tracking website on the back, I thought I'd be loaded with documents but I was free to go and felt a little underwhelmed like "is this it?!".
When I left the building a security guard even came over to me and asked if I was okay and how everything went! If that doesn't explain what a pleasant experience the whole thing was then I don't know what does. I was in and out in 40 minutes (and only in the interview area for about 20 minutes).
I had the interview on the Thursday and my passport was released on the following Monday, and I had it delivered on the Tuesday! So only 5 days to complete everything.
I hope this review helps to ease other peoples fears, try to relax and know that everyone there is so kind and it will be over before you know it!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28578