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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on September 16, 2024: |
Melancholic Mage
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Stayed at Travelodge Vauxhall and scoped out the embassy the day before my appointment. The embassy is a very short walk from this hotel, about ten minutes if that, and is easy to get to. There's also plenty of restaurants (Vauxhall Market Place) and little grocery shops such as Sainsbury's and Waitrose dotted right outside of the hotel, along with a train stop and bus depot, so I would highly recommend staying here. Just keep your expectations modest with the hotel and it will be a comfortable stay as it is by no means 5 stars, but does the job. There was a very long line outside the embassy on my investigation the day before which made me decide to arrive extra early on the day of my appointment.
I left an hour and a half early to wait in line on the day and it took me 40 minutes to get to the front. There were only two people who stood at a small podium to take people's documents. They asked for my appointment confirmation letter and passport, then after checking me off on their list and scribbling on my appointment letter, allowed me to proceed. At the main door a guard stood who allowed entry in and out. They told me to turn on my phone and unlock the screen, then allowed me inside to go through airport-like security. I did not need to remove my shoes and only brought a hardcase filo with me so security was painless. (Most others in line also only brought poly-pockets with their information. I opted for a hardcase filo incase of rain.) I popped my passport and phone along with my coat and filo all in one tray to be screened. I did not need to remove items such as my deodorant and travel brush out of my coat.
Passing the metal detector, I picked up my items and proceeded outside of the screening area which opens up to the main garden path leading into the embassy building itself. On entering this building I waited in another line to then approach the reception desk. I was asked for my passport and appointment confirmation letter, then given a sticker with a number on my passport with instructions on where to go next, coupled with verbal ones from the receptionist. At this point it's almost impossible to get lost inside the embassy: there's a corridor you proceed to that holds two lifts. No stairs. No corridors. I was told to head up to the second floor, turn left, then turn left again. It appears CR-1 visas pass by what I assume are temporary and student applications, so be prepared to be glared at by throngs of people filed in line on the upper floors. Honestly somewhat perversely gleeful.
Following these instructions I ended up in a small waiting area with pull-down chairs like those found in a cinema, and a screen which highlights your number when called. Against one wall is a series of small windows like you would find inside a bank. These also have small screens above which tell you which number they are serving or calling next. I sat to wait and when my number was called, approached the relevant window. At this point I was asked for all of my documents: passport, birth certificate, police certificate, marriage certificate, passport photos, courier information/confirmation page... I also had my fingerprints taken via a small scanner by the window. I was asked when I plan to enter the USA, then told to take a seat once more between a certain series of window numbers.
The second time I was called, I was greeted and told to hold up my hand to swear an oath of honesty. I was then asked some basic questions such as how myself and my partner met, how long it was since we had last seen each other (about an hour ago I said as they were outside) and I was asked what my partner did for a living. I wasn't asked much more than that and was honestly expecting more in-depth questions. I did note that when I offered that myself and my partner had lived together for almost four and a half years they appeared to ease up more in body language and ceased to ask as many questions. What I was asked may differ from what you yourself will be asked. I had my fingerprints taken a second time on a small scanner by the window, then was told my visa was approved and I would receive it along with my passport in the post via courier. (I had chosen and paid for expedited delivery to my home address.)
Altogether I was in and out of the embassy in about an hour, with another 40 minutes added in wait times outside the building. Very relaxed once you're sitting down, very clean, and the staff were friendly even if some were clearly strained by the volume of applicants. (I was honestly shocked me to see so many people outside of the embassy and it really puts the filing times into perspective. Be prepared.)
Some extra things to note is that on the second floor, just outside the lifts, there was a small circular desk with drinks and snacks spread out. I did not see any prices on this manned desk: as following emails state prior to your embassy appointment there are no vending machines inside the building, but there does appear to be a small snack stand should you wish to purchase anything.
Another thing to note is I asked the person who approved my visa if I would receive any kind of 'packet' to give to the border officials on my point of entry. They told me I would not as my information was all uploaded online into their systems, so the border officials would be able to see all this at my entry point.
The final note I'd like to add is the officer who granted my visa advised me that their systems were being migrated and they were in some kind of 'hybrid' state (which might also explain wait time extensions), so I was told my visa might take some time to process. They didn't think this would be the case with my application, and this proved true as I got my visa exactly seven days/one week after my appointment, but it's still worth mentioning as they did with me.
They also told me if they needed any more information they would contact me and that this wasn't any cause for concern should it happen as it was within normal procedures. Thankfully I wasn't contacted and now have my visa, which is honestly an anti-climatic sticker inside my passport considering the monumental efforts required to obtain it. All I'm doing now if tying up loose ends in the UK (banks, tax office, employment, vehicle, etc.) but I hope this helps others through the process. Be prepared and don't stress too much. There's always someone there to help you.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33378