|
|
| London, United Kingdom |  Review on August 8, 2024: |
SL2024
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Hi all,
I had my visa interview earlier today and I am happy to say that I was approved. I thought I would leave a review in regards to my experience and that it might help answer any questions that some people have.
I got up at 06:00 this morning after stopping the night at my cousins and decided to get an Uber to the Embassy as although I could have taken the train to Battersea Park Station and then walk to the Embassy I felt getting a Uber was the better option from where I was staying in London as it was quicker, direct and didn't run the risk of any public transport delays. It took about 30 minutes to get to the Embassy and I arrived at 07:05. There were a lot of people queuing up already.
As I was too early for my 08:30 appointment, I went across the road to one of coffee shops - District Coffee - as I had read online that they stored bags. They were open from 07:30 but there were 2 employees who were outside around 07:15 and I asked one of them if they stored bags and if so how much. He said they did store bags and laptops and then he asked his colleague the price for these and it is £10 per bag and £5 for per laptop. He asked me to wait 15 minutes and then they would take my bag but after 5-10 minutes he said he would take my bag now. I paid £10 and then they took my bag to the baggage storage facility.
I then went back across the road to the Embassy with the folder with my documents/paperwork in and saw that there were 2 check in areas. The one on the left was for American Citizen Services. The one on the right is for Visas (this is the one you need to be in). This is the one I went and stood in at about 07:30. The line was moving fairly quickly. I decided to ask one of the Embassy staff who was walking down the queue whether this was the line for K1 visas. She asked me what time my appointment so I told her and she said that I didn't need to queue to be checked in and advised me to wait until 08:00 and then go straight to the desk at 08:00 to check in and to have my passport and DS-160 ready.
I decided to go to the desk at 07:55 and told one of the ladies on the check in desk that I had a K1 visa interview at 08:30 and she checked my passport and DS-160 and signed them and told me to go straight through to security. The man on the door asked me to open any app on my phone which I did and then he letting me through to Airport style security. After going through that I was told to take all items in the tray and to go into the courtyard outside.
After putting my belt back on and putting my items back in my pockets apart from my document folder I proceeded to walk up to the building. I followed the sign for Visas and then spoke to a gentleman on reception. I told him that I was K1 visa. He told me to the lift, first floor, turn left and then to take another left. After doing this I arrived at a waiting area which was near some windows (similar to a bank in terms of the layout). I waited here until my number was shown on the screen. At around 08:30 my number showed up on the screen so I went up and the man at the window asked me a few questions such as "Had I been married before?", "Has my fiances been married before?", "Have you lived in any other countries?", etc. He asked me for my passport, DS-160, Birth Certificate, Police Certificate, 1 x USA size photo and I-134 (Affadivit of Support - he didn't ask me for any of my fiances Employment Letters, Tax Returns or W2 which surprised me but I will explain in a bit). He then took my fingerprints. He didn't ask for the signed Petition Affirmation Letter my fiance has provided either. I did check with him if he needed this (as I have seen people on the forum say that they gave this supporting evidence during their interview process) but he said I could discuss this during my interview. He also gave me an IMBRA pamphlet to read.
I then went back to the waiting area and waited for my number to come up on one of the screens. At around 09:50 my number was displayed on one of the screens so I went up and took my document folder with me to the relevant window where I was interviewed by a very polite lady. She asked me to raise my right hand and to take an oath to tell the truth. The questions I were asked were "Where does your Fiance live?". "How did you meet?", "How many times have you met in person?", "When did you first meet in person?", "Have you been married before?", "Has your fiance been married before?" and "What plans have you made for your wedding so far?". She then confirmed that my case was approved to which I expressed my gratitude to her. She asked if I had read the IMBRA pamphlet and if I understood it. I confirmed that I did. She then said it would take 7-10 working days for my passport and sealed documents to be delivered back to me. They had me down to collect the document from the DX Freight London address but I had changed the address to the delivery address I booked about 2 days ago so I gave her the printout with the updated address. I asked if I need to go to another window or back to the waiting area and she said no and that I was ok to leave the Embassy.
I got my folder, thanked her once again and followed the signs to exit the Embassy. I then went to collect my bag from the coffee shop and then proceeded to walk to Vauxhall Station where I took the tube on the Victoria Line to London St Pancras and took the train from there back home.
I hope that his helps! javascript:emoticon(' ')
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33322