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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 1, 2020: |
Xyrstine
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I arrived an hour early for my 10.30am appointment on Thursday 1st October 2020. I headed to the entrance so I knew where I needed to go to. The Embassy was well signposted and I had travelled via train from Birmingham and took the tube from Euston to Vauxhall. It was only a short 10min walk from there. It is compulsory to wear a mask at the building.
There is a strong armed police presence all around the building. There are signposts that directs you to the South Pavilion entrance for all visa appointments. There were also two entrances there; American citizen services and visa services. I knew to approach the Visa services door. A lady was happy to register me in and advised me to come back in half an hour at 10am. The paperwork needed was the appointment confirmation and the DS-260 confirmation page. She also advised there was a cafe across the street.
I enjoyed a smoothie across the road with the big white foot statue as well as the embassy building as my view. I was prompt in my return and was allowed in after security asked me questions about whether I had any electronic devices. I just had my phone which I had to show was working, and open an app. I went through a small airport style security with putting my belongings in a tray and walking through a metal detector. No concerns. I was then directed to the inner main building where a receptionist was waiting. As I was half an hour early I was instructed to wait upstairs until 10.15am as this was the earliest I could head up for the interview. I waited with two members of security and another person waiting for their interviews. The floor was otherwise empty but you could hear booths being called on the floor above for American citizen services. When it was time to go back down the receptionist applied a sticker with a number on my DS-260 confirmation page. I was then directed to go back up to floor 1 and go left, and left again. Be aware the door lifts open on the opposite side- even though I read about this I was still facing the opposite way!
The interview waiting room was a little smaller but still spacious and clean with huge screens that lightly pinged when a number was called to a booth. There were two parts. The first was the paperwork side of things. All that was requested was my DS-260 page, interview confirmation, and the original/certified copies of birth certificate, police certificate, marriage licence, photographs and passport. The man at the booth was very friendly and professional. He also stated I could take my mask off. I had to get my fingerprints taken. He asked whether I had any previous names and when I was planning on flying out. He didn't require any other paperwork and was able to see my husband's affidavit and tax transcripts uploaded at NVC (I had copies that were not required). He said all my paperwork was in order and he kept the originals and passport. I was given a leaflet on Immigration rights and domestic abuse.
It was another little wait till the final part. I could hear other people's stories of how they met and dreaded sharing mine lol. They were all held in a booth with a little glass entrance and separations that still doesn't cover up sounds. When I was finally called to the other part. This was how it went. I had to get my fingerprints taken again and also raise my right hand to swear to tell the truth.
Questions asked:
- Do you have any questions about the leaflet? (This surprised me as the first question)
- How did you meet your husband and when? (She seemed surprised at us being in a long distance relationship for pretty much 10years)
- Why did you decide to meet him first, and not him? (We met online initially)
- So your husband has a physical condition? (We expedited on his medical grounds)
- What does your husband do?
They questions were more fluid than how they appear so it was more of a conversation. They approved me instantly. It came across more that they will approve you unless you give them a reason not to as opposed to the latter. The last interviewer seemed nice enough but you could tell she was used to asking these questions. She returned my paperwork but kept my passport stating it will be 1-2 weeks before I have it sent back.
The process was fairly smooth and easy going although you can't help but be nervous due to the enormity and life changing weight to the whole process. The embassy was fairly quiet and not so busy especially for visa services as there was 4 people usually at one time at the waiting area for the interviews.
I would advice people to only arrive 15mins before their allocated time, as even though they would fit you in earlier, you will just be waiting around inside. I left the embassy at 11am, so only an hour but felt a lot longer with the waiting. Everyone was courteous at the embassy and the building is lovely with a moat and a little waterfall at the entrance.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28633