Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
February 28, 2014 |
| Embassy Review : |
This is my review of my K-1 experience at London, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me by personal message.
I stayed in the Leonard Hotel which was an easy 15 minute walk if you walk slowly. It cost £140, and I could quite happily say that £110 was for the location. I had a pretty bad sleep, so I decided to walk down a little earlier than I originally intended, and I am now happy that I did.
I arrived at the embassy at a few minutes before 7am, and I was 5th in line. By 7.15, there was easily 30 people behind me, and I couldn't even describe how many people were there at 7.30.
They started setting up the security gate at just before 7.30, and started to let people in about 7.35. The two girls are pretty snappy, but I don't blame them, as there was a lot of people, and there were a few slow movers not doing what they were told. Went in through security, phones are allowed, tablets and laptops are not.
Walked up to the ticket counter and my number was printed by a lovely young blonde woman, who was training another girl, my ticket number was i-901. First one in the immigrant list.
Went to take a seat, and before my butt touched the ground my number was called to counter 14. A smart looking, middle aged, english fella greeted me. He asked if I had all my passport, (I had recently got my passport renewed the week before, I explained, and he said not a problem.) He took my passport, and said he would be back in one moment. He walked round the corner and came back with my file.
He then asked me for (in order) MRV/Courier receipt, Birth Certificate, Police Certificate (at this point I just handed over everything, because I had clipped my Birth, Police and Affidavit together, along with my notarized letter of intent. ( I seen him write letter of intent attached )
He then asked what was included with the affidavit, and I replied, pay stubbs, tax return and employer letter. He said that will do just fine. He then asked if I had made travel arrangements and what date I was planning on getting married. He said to take a seat and have a wait to be called back.
I took a seat, and waited (during this time Alex Jones from the One Show popped in, and sat right infront of me, so that at least distracted me for a little.
I must say, that once the first window is done, you do start to feel more confident about your chances.
Anyway, I got called up at around 8.35, greeted by a lovely African American lady. She asked the same questions everyone has stated. Where did you and your fiancee meet? Have you met her family? Does she have siblings? Are they older or younger? How did you propose? She seemed engaged, and extremely pleasant. She was typing when I was speaking, which I find a little distracting, but I got my answers out, which were shortish, clear, and most importantly honest.
She said with a huge smile on her face "I am delighted to say you have been approved for the visa, you need to enter the country by this date (some time in June or July cant remember) if your wedding date changes. I gave out a ten year old boy "YUSS" with fist clenched. And we both had a chuckle about it.
Overall, very daunting until the second you are greeted at the counter. Seriously as easy, if not easier, once there than my two student visa's and my B2. The amount of people they see in there is amazing. By 8.30 they had already seen 49 Non immigrant visa's and they got up to 8 Non Immigrant Visas being called back before I got called.
Was in and out before 8.45. My advice, especially if Friday is anything to go by, arrive early if you want out early. Also, bring a brolly if it is raining, there is no shelter. I arrived at a couple minutes before 7am, and if I did it over, I would do exactly the same.
This online community is an extremely helpful and knowledgeable lot. The more prepared you are, the easier it becomes. I was extremely organized, and I would suggest putting your documents in some sort of order or filing before attending the interview, as it does help an awful lot.
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| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0