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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on July 11, 2017: |
Amainzing
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Quite straightforward process, interview was booked for 12:30, and you are told to arrive no earlier than 15 mins prior, which is what I did. The embassy is easy to find, it's a huge building, and there was a small pavilion marked "visa" outside with a lady that checks you in. She asked for my time of appointment and embassy letter, but as I have mentioned previously, this never arrived, so instead I gave her receipt of payment that I printed out, which was sufficient. She wrote a number on this, and then I had to go through security, similar to an airport (note: laptops are not allowed). From here I was allowed to enter the embassy proper, where a receptionist again asked for my embassy letter(I gave her the receipt too, which again was accepted) and she checked me in again, and put some stickers on my print-out (these have an "I" number on them). From there I entered a large waiting room, which was mostly empty (I believe my interview was one of the last), and waited for my "I" number to appear on a screen. This took about 5 minutes, after which I was called up to one of the booths on the side of the waiting room. Here, a very nice man took my paperwork - IMPORTANT: though some guides have said to bring photocopies, he only wanted the originals of my birth/police certificate (these are later returned to you), he asked for letter again (again, I gave him the receipt), the affidavit of support/tax return/letter from employer (though at the interview later another man said that the affidavit of support was actually not needed, so take from that what you will), he also took my photograph (there are two photo-me booths within the embassy if you need american passport-style photos) and my fingerprints - nothing else (including the DS-160) was ever asked for. He then let me know that (boo) my medical results had not yet arrived, despite it being 7 days since my medical, which resulted in my visa not being approved (yet). After this, I had to wait for 1 1/2 hours for my actual interview. I couldn't find any sockets in the waiting room to charge my phone, so bring a book!
After the long wait, I was called up again for my actual interview at another booth. I had to swear an oath, and then I was asked a couple of questions - when's the date, how did you meet, have you ever been married before etc. There was another person present too, who I assumed was being trained, which added to my nerves! I was informed again that as my medical results had not yet arrived, my application could not be approved, and I was given the 221(g) form. They said it was unsual for medical results that did not require extra info to take longer than 7 days to arrive, so for most people booking, a 7 day gap is enough - I was just unlucky. After this, they gave me back some of my forms and said I should contact Knightsbridge to see if there had been a delay in sending them - bit miffed that I was the one who had to sort this but whatever. After this the interview was over and I was allowed to leave - luckily the results issue was the only problem with my application, so fingers crossed, once they receive that it should be smooth sailing!! Without this issue, I was told fiance visas take 17 days to be approved/arrive, so I'm expecting maybe an extra week on top of this for mine. I can't fault any of the staff at the embassy (everyone was very friendly), my only comment is maybe leave longer inbetween the medical and interview!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22126