Phone Number: |
Switchboard: [44] (0)20 7499-9000
Operator Assisted Visa Information Call 09042-450-100 (120p/min)
Monday through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm
This number is a premium number and only available in the U.K., within U.K. may be unavailable from some business telephones and mobile networks. |
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E-Mail: |
LondonConsular@state.gov
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Address: |
Mailing Address:
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom
Physical Address (GPS & Google maps):
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
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Working Hours: |
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m |
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Best Contact Method: |
Best way to contact is through e-mail, although you need to phone them to get the 'code' to send them an email.
Upon sending an email, will likely receive an automated message that the email was deleted without being read, but that was instituted around the terrorist attacks in London (7/7) and has been in place since.
LondonConsular@state.gov |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
An interview date is *sometimes* issued more quickly if applicants can show that they have concrete wedding/travel plans, but not always.
If applying through London, plan for a 10-12 week wait in between the Consulate's receipt of packet 3 and the actual interview.
E-mail is definitely the best way to contact London if necessary. |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
Packet three is just now a letter with a link to where to download all the forms and the IV-15 checklist http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html
The letter also provides a link on how to book your medical http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/medexam.html
The forms that require downloading and filling in are:
DS-230-I Part I
DS-156 x2 (Fill out online to generate barcode http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/electronic.html - Do not sign) (Not necessary for CR1/IR1)
DS-156K x2(Do not sign) (K1/2 Only) (Not necessary for CR1/IR1)
DS-157 x2 (Not necessary for CR1/IR1) |
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
Appointment Letter
Instructions for interview
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Forms to Consulate? |
IV-15 and all forms requested by the link in packet 3.
The consulate will not issue an interview date without receiving the IV-15 (checklist) so make sure to return it once you have procured all the forms. |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
Police Certificate.
Go to http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp or call 0845 6013999 (Office hours are 8:30-16:30, Monday to Friday).
U.K. police certificates are considered valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents_Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Same_Day |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
The passport with visa is delivered back to the applicant via Secure Mail Services (SMS) courier. This takes anywhere from 24 hours to a week. The cost is £14.20 for the basic service.
SMS contact number 0870 950 1760
SMS website www.securemail.co.uk |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
Prior to Interview |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
£180 + any necessary vaccinations |
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List of doctors? |
Knightsbridge Doctors in London is the sole contractor for Embassy medicals. Instructions on how to schedule an appointment there are included with packet 3.
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
1 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
Varies wildly. Do not show up more than an hour before your scheduled interview time, as you will not be let in more than an hour before that time.
You just take a ticket and end up waiting.
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Vaccination requirements? |
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/vaccinechart.html |
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
BRYANSTON COURT HOTEL - http://www.bryanstonhotel.co.uk/
MARBLE ARCH INN - http://www.marblearch-inn.co.uk/ |
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Additional Info? |
If you are interested in DCF in London, you must have been resident in the UK for at least 6 months with an appropriate status (LLR/ILR/spousal/long-term student/work, etc.) Tourist visas and the VWP are not acceptable for establishing residence in the UK.
Fees may be paid in cash - sterling or dollar equivalent; by International Money Order or Bankers Draft; by Credit Card - Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, Discover or American Express; or Debit Card with the Visa logo. The Embassy does not accept any other credit or debit cards, or personal checks.
There is a snack bar / coffee shop inside the consulate in the waiting area.
There is also a photo booth inside the waiting area inside the consulate. It produces the required size and format.
Fiance(e) visa processing: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/fprocessing.html
The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!, Post your dates and news here!
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168968 |
