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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on January 8, 2024: |
Janilla
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
K1 Interview 10:30am 21st November 2023
I had my medical examination earlier in the month but I required a supporting letter from my GP; I was expecting to leave as "refused" pending that supporting document and "administrative processing".
I took the tube to Nine Elms station and it was a short walk. I arrived over an hour early simply because of the train times as I was traveling up from Hampshire on the day. At least 20 people were queuing outside with their documents. There were two gazebos set up with one for visa purposes and the other for citizenship. I resolved to walk around for a while though there wasn't much than a few shops (the cafe opposite was the only place with a toilet!)
It got to 10:00 when I decided to join the queue. I was called forward to have my DS160 and passport checked before rejoining the queue to enter again. Inside, it felt a lot like airport security. I was asked to open the clock app on my phone to verify my device. I took a water bottle through; I was asked to take a drink.
The other side of security takes you outside again briefly before you enter the main building. I distinctly remember being impressed by how clean and modern it looked but the doors were pretty heavy!
There was a reception booth where they checked my DS160 and appointment time. The man at the counter put a sticker on my document with my ticket number and the window numbers to wait at. For me, this was windows 20-21. The man then directed me to the elevator and that I should take a left and then a left again to window 20.
The waiting area had fold-down chairs like you'd find at a movie theater; surprisingly comfortable. There were screens with the ticket numbers called forwards. They announce the numbers and the windows to attend on screen and rather quietly over the intercom. I was called up within 5-10 minutes of sitting down.
I first spoke to a man who took all of my documents. He was polite and reassuring. He asked me some questions that felt like the "first line" qualifying checks: "Are you engaged?", "Have you been married before?", "Has your Fiance been married before?", "Were either of you adopted?", "Have either of you ever served in the military?". He then asked for my phone number for the record, which, ironically I completely drew a blank on in my anxiety. He put me at ease, however, and I checked on my phone (honestly funny that I spent all that time preparing for this and the one thing I forgot was my phone number!) He gave me a pamphlet on "Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa". He assured me that this wasn't to make me worry but that they were obligated to make sure people knew what their rights were and the support available if needed. Quite nice really and gave me something to read while I waited to be called up again.
It was maybe another 20 minutes before I was called up again to an adjacent window to a different attendance. She had an American accent - everything started to feel a bit more real then - and she was very friendly. She seemed to double-check a few of the "qualifying" things from before: "Have you ever changed your name before?", "Were either of you married before?", "Do either of you have any children?". She asked me to hold up my right hand and confirm that I was telling the truth (also very "American"-feeling; I was getting all excited by this point). I then confirmed my full name and date of birth. She then asked more questions; I would say this was the more subjective relationship-based check: "Where does your finance live?", "How did you meet?", "When did you meet each other in person?", "Do you see each other often?", "Has he visited over here?", "When did he propose?", "Were you expecting the proposal?", and "Have you completed your medical examination?". She was very smiley and reassuring throughout. It did feel like she was happy for me as she asked the questions instead of just probing for information.
I had to explain then that I had completed the examination but they had requested a brief medical report from my GP so they will not have sent it through yet. She understood and assured me it was not an issue. She completed a green form where, for me, she had ticked the "refused under Section 221(g)" for "submission of additional evidence" on the front and further ticked the "medical examination results" box on the back. She then went on to explain that if I checked my status on CEAC it would state "refused" until I got my results back which, while I already knew this, was incredibly reassuring to hear because it is unpleasant to see "refused" after all this time. My nerves got the better of me and I asked "Is everything else okay though? I'm good to go just waiting on the medical?" to which she confirmed "on their end" it was all admissible.
The embassy was organised, clean, and professional. The staff were nothing but kind and efficient with everything they did. I could not have asked for a better experience there (only if I could have been approved on the day but that's not their fault or mine). I don't think anyone needs to be any more nervous than you are bound to be regardless of their appointments; I wish everyone all the best ??
(As a side note, I might update this review when I get my decision back. It has taken 9 weeks for my GP to produce the report I needed but I expect Visa Medicals and the Embassy will be far more prompt than that!)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #32868