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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 30, 2008: |
HikerMark
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
The interview went very smoothly. I arrived at 8.00am and was out at 9.30am.
The security check point outside the Embassy was efficient and they supplied a plastic bag in which to put loose change, belts, bangles etc. It was then like airport security, put the bag and other loose items such as papers in a plastic tray and then walk through the body scanner.
Once through security it is a walk round the outside of the building to the visa entrance which is up some stairs. Once through the glass doors there is a reception desk where they issue you with a number on two stickers. You are then directed up some stairs to the waiting area.
In this waiting area there are loads of chairs facing some screens which show which numbers are waiting and when numbers are called up which kiosk to go to. A voice also calls out the numbers as they come up for interview. It is like being in Argos. My wait was about 40 minutes to be called up for the first part of the interview. At this stage your finger prints are taken electronically, passport handed over and the officer gets your file. He checked that all the papers were there and asked for one photo. He also handed back the x-ray from the medical and advised that this should be brought in your suitcase at the point of entry. He also gave me a slip of paper to complete with address and contact details for the courier to deliver the visa.
It is was then back to the waiting room to be called for the second part. In my case this was only a 5 minute wait. The officer for this stage checked my finger prints and then asked me to hold up my right hand whilst she read out what I was swearing that everything I said was the truth. She then proceeded to ask me some questions about our relationship. These were:-
How and when did you first meet?
How many times have you seen each other?
How far apart was each meeting?
Why did you choose to move to the USA?
When did you last see each other?
The visa was then approved. She confirmed that at the point of entry it was still necessary to join the visitors queue as you are not a permanent resident until you have passed through the POE.
On leaving the interview you then go to the courier desk which is by the exit and hand over the slip you completed with the address and contact details. In my case it was £14.50 for the courier service and they advised that the visa would be delivered in four to five business days. In fact it was delivered the next day at 1.15pm.
The package delivered consists of your passport with the visa put in it plus a sealed envelope which needs to be given to the officers at the POE. This envelope must not be opened before then!!!
So, overall quite a straightforward process and nothing to get worried about.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #3524