Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
June 4, 2014 |
| Embassy Review : |
So I got to the Embassy pretty early, at about 6:45 am, for my interview at 8:00 am. At this time there was already about a dozen of us waiting around.
Things didn't really start progressing until around 7:30-7:45 am, at which point they started processing the queue, which by that point was pretty long. First off, we queued to talk to some individuals in a small temporary tent just in front of the security entrance. They checked my passport, interview letter and DS-160, and then sent me to a second queue, still outside. In this queue, they check your passport and interview letter again, then send me to go through the security checkpoint. This is very much like an airport security point, with x-ray and metal detection.
Once inside the Embassy grounds, you go around the side of the building to the Visa entrance, and speak to a receptionist who again checks your passport, your interview letter and DS-160. They then issue you a ticket number, which they stuck to my interview letter, and told me to go through to the waiting area and keep an eye out for my number being called.
Going through the door to the waiting room, you are lead into a room that looks very similar to an airport waiting lounge, with lots of chairs facing some large screens on the far wall. At the very beginning, these were not up and running, and so all tickets were being called over the PA system, but within 5 minutes it was up and running. The screens beep every time a new ticket number comes up, so it's hard to miss, although the sheer number of tickets being called is a little hypnotic, so be sure to pay close attention.
After about 10-15 minutes, my ticket number was called and I went and found my window. The gentleman there asked for my passport and DS-160, my interview letter, and then the confirmation letter of payment for the visa, original Birth Certificate and a copy, the original Police Certificate and a copy, and the instruction e-mail. He also asked for the details of payment for the courier, but I explained I was picking it up myself from the depot, and was satisfied with that. At this point he gave me a sealed envelope with a CD of my chest x-ray from the medical, and told me to put it in my luggage when entering the US.
After that he scanned my fingerprints, then took my Affidavit of Support, along with supporting evidence. I wasn't sure how much they wanted, so I had a letter from her employer, her latest W2, and two paystubs. He took them all, and after a few minutes gave me back my interview letter, and told me to head back to the waiting area for my number to be called again.
After waiting nervously for nearly an hour, I was called up again to a different window. Here, a woman asked me to scan my fingerprints again, then take an oath that I was telling the truth during the interview. After this, she gave me back my original Birth Certificate, and original Police Certificate.
She then asked me how we both met, and I explained how we met 10 years ago in an online roleplaying group. I went on to talk about our relationship and how it had progressed, talking for several minutes, during which I got several smiles from her. I assume I gave more than enough information, because after that she only asked whether I had ever lived outside the UK, and also whether I had ever been issued a student visa.
After this, she said we were pretty much done and all set. I confirmed whether that meant we were approved, and she said yes! I double checked the process for recieving the visa, and she confirmed I should recieve an e-mail within the next week or so when it was with the courier. And then I was done! I headed out the exit, back onto the main street and immediately texted my fiancee, and called my family. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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