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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 7, 2010: |
scrosso
Rating:  | Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
after much waiting and nervous hanging around, today I had my interview at the London Embassy. The appointment was at 9, and I got there pretty early - 07:50 just to check location etc. They were already queuing to get inside so I joined the queue. As expected no electrical items allowed and quite a few people were turned away and directed to the local store.
On entry I was given number 14 for immigrant visas time stamp at 08:08. The room was quite large, and they have screens indicating which numbers are being called to which area. and immediately went straight for the coffee to try and relax the nerves. ON entry they were only on number 1, so I knew it would be wait. A rough estimate on timing was that every 20 mins the next immigrant number will be called (non-immigrant visa every minute - and the constant announcements of numbers got pretty frustrating).
As my number got closer, the nerves started to build up. I was called up at 10:20.
I got to the window and handed over my passport, interview letter, and photos. It was difficult to hear her through the screen but not that bad. She then asked for fingerprints, followed by the original and 1 photocopy of birth certificate, marriage certificate and police certificate. She also handed over a large envelope with my chest x-rays on a disc.
I was then asked for i-864, and mentioned I also had an i-864a to hand over. She didn't want that just yet. When she asked I handed over the tax returns for last 3 years, and she only took the most recent one. It was at this point she then asked for the i-864a, and the co-sponsors birth certificate (slight heart flutter here, as I only had a passport photocopy - luckily this was fine). She asked who the co-sponsor was and what she did, and that was that. I handed over the tax forms for my co-sponsor. (no domicile request at this point)
I could see her ticking off everything on the checklist - very similar to what we are provided with. She handed back all original documents and said I need to go the next counter to pay and then return to her to provide the receipt, I would then have to wait for the actual interview where my number would be called again. The cashier would take all forms of payment, I paid in UK sterling (£255), and then popped back to the original counter to hand back my receipt. The lady was already on the next person but she asked him to step aside and took my receipt.
I was back to waiting and this went a lot faster knowing the end was in sight, at around 10:45 my number was called up again, and I went to a different counter round the back. She had a copy of everything I had handed over and asked (from what I can remember in order)
1. How long have we been married? 5 months
2. Where Is my wife? returned to the US 4 weeks ago
3. Does she have a job? no
4. Do I have a job? no - but looking into transfer with current company just not confirmed
5. When do I plan to go across? 10th NOv. my wife will fly back over here and we will then go across on the Queen Mary.
At no point was I asked to prove domicile, and most of the stack of documents I went in with I came out with.
This lasted all of 2 minutes, and she said with a massive grin I am going to grant you your work permit, I signed the part 2 of DS-230 and was very relieved. She then showed me the bag my passport will come back in which I can open and then the brown envelope I cant open. I was then instructed to another counter to pay for the delivery.
There are lots of options of when you want it delivered etc. I paid for the basic 5 business days at £14.95. Word of advice on this part though, you cant pay in cash they would only take card, and on receipt of your passport photographic ID must be presented. I was planning to get this sent to my parents house, but as I wont see them for a few weeks they wouldn't have ID so had to change it to work address.
I was out by 11:00, and a very happy man - I just couldn’t phone anyone until I got into the office a bit later in the day.
That afternoon I looked into booking our transatlantic trip to NY, and then discovered that the prices had dropped - £370 one way for a cruise across the Atlantic lasting 6 days with all meals etc. and in the knowledge that we can take as much baggage as we want - as long as we can store it on our room - last count we were on 14 bags.
I hope this helps and if you have any questions I am happy to try and help. I have copies of everything.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6701