Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
March 5, 2015 |
| Embassy Review : |
On Tuesday 3rd March
I woke up at 3:30am and left at 4:30am to walk to the train station which takes 30 minutes, then I topped up my oyster card got a bus to Stanmore(north London) and got a train to Bond Street on the Jubilee Line which took 30 minutes, next I got the central line to Marble Arch. I was early as it was only 6:30am so I hanged around Oxford Street, I walked to the Embassy by almost 7am, when I got there I saw a queue had already formed. I joined and I counted about 12 people in front of me, not much was happening other than the Embassy people setting up the outdoor desk under a small marque tent. Then after about 20 minutes a man handed out small clear plastic bags to put all your metal things in, I had my house keys, phone, a mini mirror and then a lady came to check everyone's appointment letters, DS160 and passports. I watched the security people set up and some people bring out signs saying what can't be brought into the Embassy and I was reading the tv screen in the security window giving information about visas and VWP. (yep I was that bored) Then finally at about 7:30am a lady said to form another line if you have your interview after 8:30am, as mine was 8am I stayed where I was. Then finally we could start taking turns going up to the outdoor desk, at my turn I showed my appointment letter and DS160 and passport to the person, she signed my interview letter, then I walked over to a man who checked my passport looking at the photo. Then I walked into the security area, I was given a tray to put my metal things in and my bag, I was thinking should I take off my coat like have to at the airport but they didn't say I have to, so I kept it on. I went through the metal detector and after I realised I had my engagement ring on but it didn't set alarm off how odd.
Next I walked round the side of the building and I walked up the steps to the reception, I showed them my letter, DS160 and passport, then they put my ticket number as stickers on my appointment letter, I had I903, a low number so I thought maybe I will be called up sooner. I went into the waiting area and saw it has changed since I last came 4 years ago, there isn't a courier booking desk at the back anymore, just rows and rows of chairs. I was one of about 6 people who were sitting down, and I saw a mini cafe at the front just shelves of snacks and drinks, a lady standing there who you pay. All the windows for interview or giving your documents are like at the bank besides they each have electronic finger print scanners. I sat down waiting until about 8:15am my phone was off as I thought that's best and so I am guessing, as there is no clocks. I did see free magazines tourist guides you can take and read if like to. I decided to just sit and wait, I read the tv advert screen and it gave information about what documents you need for the different visas and photos of places in America and information of what to expect at Embassy. At 8am they started to have the screen pop up numbers, I noticed they were mostly N numbers which I am sure is Non-Immigrant like for holiday and work visas. I sat there watching the screen every time it pinged numbers and people watching.
Next I finally had my number called at 8:15 am and I went to window 13 which is down a side corridor to the right, the man was friendly and said good morning he went to get my petition and came back opening it up, it was so thick and had purple tabs on sections. He asked for my confirmation I have paid Embassy fee and he put it in a clear plastic folder/bag( Which must be for the courier later), then he asked for my UK police certificate, Affidavit of support and just my Fiance's Employer's letter.
I mentioned Pay stubs but he said the letter from his employer is all that is needed.I also had tax returns but that wasn't asked for. Also he wanted to see my Birth certificate and asked if I have had a visa before I said yes, and no questions asked about it, also if I lived in other countries I said yes Austria and Greece, but oddly he didn't ask to see the police certificates, then finally if I have been married before and I said no, then he asked for a photo, I gave two but he said only need one. Then he gave my police certificate, birth certificate back and my photo, I was surprised he didn't at least want to keep the photo but I can guess they do it electronically. He asked me to do my finger prints, first left hand and then right and then both thumbs and gave me my Chest xray on CD. After that he told me to go sit back down and wait until my number is called again.
I went to sit back down and I waited about 40 minutes until my Interview, at about 8:50am I had my interview at window 15 and this time with a nice American Lady she asked me scan my fingerprints to confirm it and she had my petition in front of her, She said to put my right hand up to say an oath, she said " do you solemnly swear that everything in your petition is true?" something along those lines, I didn't know what I was meant to say, I said "I solemnly swear" then she ask the questions.
Who is filing the petition for you?
She asked me to confirm my UK address
When do you plan to enter the States? I said at end of March
Where will you live in America? I said Minnesota, Maple Lake.
How have we maintained the relationship? I said with skype, whatsapp everyday
She said she meant how did you meet? I said we met online a dating site called Okcupid in 13th February 2014 and she commented it was a quick engagement, I said we knew we wanted to be together and she said it must of been love at first sight I said it was, I said he came to England on 14th May 2014
How long did he stay?I said 11 days
she asked if he met my family? I said he met my parents
she asked how did it go? I said it went great.
She asked if I went to visit him in America? I said No as I couldn't.
Have you had a visa before for America? I said yes
Have you lived in any countries other than UK? I said I lived in Austria for a year and Greece for 8 months
she asked to see my police certificates for both the countries and after she looked at them she gave them back to me.
Tell me about your fiance's family? I said he has two sisters and said their names, I even said his sister's job
Then she asked where my fiance works? I said as a Nanny Assistant at...
Then she gave my affidavit of support back and typed something on the computer.
Then she said "I am pleased to tell you your visa has been approved"
I said "okay, smiled and said Thank you" I was just unsure out of happiness what to say, she said it will take two weeks for the visa to be sent to me.
Then I walked out of the Embassy and went to call my Fiance to tell him we have been approved and call my mum, dad and sister!
I was out by 9am, so the interview was about 10 minutes long.
Then I got the train back to go home.
(updated on March 5, 2015) |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0