|
|
| London, United Kingdom |  Review on September 25, 2009: |
n1dom
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Was up nice and early and headed into London getting to the Embassy just before 0700 for an 0800 interview. Thankfully it was a glorious morning, so hanging around outside the Embassy was fine but be prepared if inclement weather is forecast; there is no shelter!
I was forth in the queue, the others were applying for non-immigrant visas, and the line grew VERY rapidly from just after 0700 onwards. There were no staff posted outside until 0730 so my tip, if you have an 0800 interview is just to get there nice and early despite the letter telling you not to get there until half-hour before.
At 0730 a lady came over and asked to see appointment letters and told us to prepare for security screening. The Embassy has airport style screening, however absolutely NO electronic devices are permitted. No phones, no ipods, no car alarm zappers. Nothing, you will be turned away if you do. Security only took a minute or so and then it was on to the reception.
At the reception, I was asked for my appointment letter and was given some sticky tabs with my appointment number on (I635). And then it was up to the waiting area. Like I said, there was no one there so I took up a seat near booths and had a read. None of the screens displaying the numbers had been booted up so I figured that there was going to be at least a half-hour wait.
Bing - 0800 - I635, first number called for the day. Off to window one. The lady behind the window was very pleasant and asked me for my passport and photographs. She then took my fingerprints and ran through a list of required documents. Birth certificate and copy. Police certificate and copy. I-134, 2008 tax return and letter from Jen's employer. I only had one copy of the tax return, as we have it electronically I figured that they could keep that one, but the lady said it would be no trouble to run off another copy as it kept my document folder complete for me.
She asked me a couple of questions: Which countries have I resided in for more than a year and had I ever been in trouble with the police. She then gave me a yellow slip and told me to trundle around to window 12 and pay for the visa (Just a tip, the Embassy does not accept Maestro debit cards). Did that and was back round in just a couple of minutes to window 1. I gave the lady the receipt and she handed me a pink form to complete whilst I was waiting for the consular official to interview me.
So, I took a seat in the now pretty crowded waiting area, and had (or tried to) have a read of my book. At 0905, I685 to desk 17. Here we go! I was greeted by a very pleasant consular official, she took my right four finger prints and then asked me to raise my right hand and affirm that I was going to answer all her questions truthfully.
She proceeded to ask me about how I met Jen and when we first met in person. She also asked me to tell her about how we got engaged and where we were. Then she asked me about if I had ever been in trouble with the police and if I'd ever had any difficulties with US immigration. She handed me back my police certificate and my birth certificate, then asked if I needed my passport for any reason in the next seven days.
With a pleasant smile, she said that concluded the visa interview and she was pleased to tell me that the visa had been approved. I think my expression may have said everything at that point the old eyes were welling up, she said that she wished Jen and I happiness and all the very best for the future. She told me to take the pink slip to the mail counter where they would arrange delivery. I was with the consular official for no more than 5 minutes! I wasn't asked to produce any other documents such as chat logs, phone calls, travel documents. I apologise to the animals for destroying a small forest's worth of paper for the interview, it appears it wasn't necessary!
I trundled off to the mail counter where I was served by a polite and chatty lady. I paid for the 10am delivery - £25 and I was outta there!
So all I can say is, what a pleasant experience I had today. I was in a out of the Embassy in an 1 hour 50 minutes, plus a half hour wait outside. And, to boot, everyone was really friendly and polite.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5012