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 09.00 am and 4.00 pm
Visa Information Line: 09068-200-290 (24 hour) * 60p/min;
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: |
IV-15 Checklist
Information on how to book your medical
Medical Questionnaire
A link to download all the forms as hardcopy forms are not provided http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html
Request download and filling in of:
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)
DS-156K (Do not sign) (K1/2 Only)
DS-157 |
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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 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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FYI
The OLD manner of getting police certificates is below, and are no longer accepted.
To obtain a Police Certificate in the UK, go to your local police station and request a form called "Subject Access". Send send this with the £10 fee to the Data Protection Officer of the police force for the area you are resident in. This form is then sent by the police to Scotland Yard and the results are supplied to the individual requesting them within a statutory 40 day time limit. If you're waiting for your certificate try 0207-230-3751 to see where it is.
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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.
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, be aware that in VJers' experience, London only allows DCF for U.S. citizens with ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) status in the UK, rather than LLR (Limited Leave to Remain) status. This means that, generally, unless you've been resident in the UK for at least two years, you may not be eligible to file DCF.
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 |
