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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 14, 2009: |
Shilps.Vik
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
For anyone attending a visa interview in London, my 1st piece of advice would be - go to the US EMBASSY LONDON website and watch their YouTube information video 'Attending a Non-Immigrant Visa Interview'. This will give you a very good idea what to expect, and I strongly urge you all to do this. The video can be found here - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/youtube/index.html. Otherwise here's my personal account of what happened on my own Interview day...
I was a little anxious to be honest and had been for a couple of days running up to the big day. My interview appointment was scheduled for 8am, and after a sleepless night and a very early wake up, I arrived at the London Embassy in Grosvenor Square just after 7am. It was still dark... luckily I'd missed the earlier rain and it was dry - but do make sure you bring a small umbrella or coat as you will be waiting outside for a while.
There are 2 queues, and I stood in the one by the VISAS entry. There was only 1 person ahead of me when I arrived, but the line quickly grew to around 25 people within 15 minutes.
At 7.30am, we were called forward one by one and asked to present our appointment letters and passports. Important - DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH YOU TO THE EMBASSY. LEAVE THEM AT HOME. The embassy does not permit mobile phones, PDA's, Ipods, etc. A lady behind me had her phone, and lost her place in the queue as she had to take it to a local pharmacy for safe-keeping (the pharmacy charges £5 for the privilege too I think).
After a security check, I made a short walk to the Embassy Reception and recieved my Ticket Number. By the time I had sat down in the waiting lounge it was 7.40am. There were 2 large screens displaying information, and at exactly 8.00am the 1st ticket number was called. I waited patiently, and at 8.10am my number came up. I took a deep breath and walked over to the appropriate counter...
A pleasant gentleman behind the booth asked me for my passport and interview letter, and then asked me to pay the visa fee at the cashier booth. I walked over and paid cash, but they accept VISA credit cards too. I recieved a payment slip/reciept, and went back to the 1st counter where my fingerprints were scanned. The nice gentleman then asked me for my documents. Birth Certificate and copy. Police Certificate and copy. My fiancee's Affidavit of Support and supporting material. 2 x Passport style Photos.
I was then handed back an envelope with my results from the medical, and was told to keep that safe as IF I was approved, I might need this in future.
The gentleman handed me a red sheet and asked me to fill that in (it was for the courier service they use). I was then told that the 1st stage was complete and that I should now take a seat in the waiting lounge until my number was called again. He kept my passport and original documents with him.
So I returned to the lounge at around 8.20am... and the place was absolutely full! I looked out the window and the queue outside to get in was snaking around Grosvenor Square! I found a seat and waited whilst ticket numbers were called by the electronic system. I tried to read my newspaper, but couldn't concentrate enough and gave up, waiting patiently instead.
Then, after about an hour, my number was called and I took another deep breath as I approached the appropriate counter. A nice American lady greeted me with a pleasant Good morning, and verified my identity. She asked me various questions such as what my fiancee did for a living, how we met, when the wedding was, and she seemed very pleasant and easy to talk to. After just three or four minutes, she said 'Well, that's all ok' and the interview was done. I was approved! I said something silly like 'Don't you want to see our photographs?', but she smiled and said no and that I would recieve my passport back in 3-5 working days - all I had to do was take the red sheet over to the courier desk and arrange delivery. That was it!
I thanked her and had a huge smile on my face as I walked away. You could sense the relief! The interview was less than 10 minutes, and after arranging for the courier (prices start at around £14), I made my way out of the embassy and was done. And it was only 9.45am!
I think I will sleep soundly tonight for the 1st time in about a week! 
Overall my experience of the US Embassy in London was a very good one. They have a very efficient system for dealing with applicants, and I was genuinely impressed by the speed and organization with which they operated. Everyone seemed friendly and staff were generally happy to help.
I wish anyone reading this lots of luck and every success with their Visa Interview too, and hopefully you will have just as pleasant an experience as I had too! Cheers!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5082