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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on August 15, 2012: |
photomile
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I arrived at the US Embassy after dropping my phone off at Gould's just minutes before and joined the short queue at around ten to eight.
A few minutes later I was told to place any items that were in my pockets into a clear plastic bag before while I wait for security to check my details. I was ushered forward and they checked my passport, MRV fee receipt and interview appointment letter before being directed through the security hut and to go on to the main building.
Once inside I was given my ticket number and told to sit down. I must have been early as they were calling N1 just as I entered the room!
if you're going, dress light. The room is an oven. Even with my nerves there were numerous people fanning themselves off. There is a passport photo machine but you'll need change. FYI no one accepts American Express in the Embassy.
After about five minutes I was asked to go to window 14 where in was greeted by a British man who took my prints and confirmed that I was born in the UK, hadn't lived outside the UK and if I had performed any military service. He then asked for my birth certificate, passport photographs, police certificate and I-134 and supporting evidence (I gave the employer letter and some pay stubs but he seemed much more pleased when I handed him L's Tax Transcripts) before handing me my chest X-ray CD and asking me to fill out a pink form for the courier. This all took about five good minutes to go through.
I was asked to take a seat and told I would be interviewed at window 14 or 15, that it shouldn't be long and that he wished me the very best of luck. My heart of course still firmly in my mouth!
After about fifteen minutes I was called to window 15 and greeted by a younger gent of presumably Chinese descent. He was very pleasent, especially after the number before me came running up to find out why he hadn't been called yet! (After stage one, the numbers do not necessarily go in order).
He scanned my right hand and asked me to swear to the oath and then asked me about the relationship.
How long have you been together?
How did you meet?
How did you meet on twitter? (he wanted a little more info when I said we met on twitter and I told him that I had boked a flight to go and see her within two weeks)
How many times have you seen each other?
How many times have you been to the USA to see her?
How many times has she been to the UK if any?
What does she do for a job?
How long has she been in the United States? (L is a citizen by birth so I presume he was just checking to see if I had my facts right)
Where in the United States was she born?
(sorry forgot to add this in when I first uploaded this review)
I was also asked
What do you do for a living?
Do you have any travel arrangements?
What's the plan once you arrive in the United States?
What will you do for work once you arrive in the USA?
Where will you be living once you enter the United States? (he seemed a little taken aback when I said we were going to go apartment hunting after I get there)
He held up a photograph from the original I-129F submission and asked if the two other girls were in the picture were her sisters before asking me to identify them. I even named the Cat!
Finally he asked if L was the eldest of the girls and I explained she was the middle child.
A little typing later and he looks up and very calmly says "Okay your visa is approved, please take your form to the couriers desk to pay for delivery and you're done". and handed me the photographs from our I-129F.
I said thanks, and before I walked away I confirmed if the envelope containing my chest X-ray was supposed to be open as it was split at the top. He advised that it was fine and just to keep it in my hand luggage and that they would be sending a sealed envelope to me with my visa.
I paid up and by 9:05 I was in Gould's getting my phone. I'm fairly certain I skipped my way out there!
All in all, easy enough although my heart didn't come down to a normal pace until about an hour later. If you're going, dress light!
(Sorry for all the edits!)
(updated on August 15, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10189