My Interview (long)

[mustang-sally 8]

My Interview

January 14th 2008.

I arrived at Waterloo station at 08:15am and jumped in a cab to Grosvenor Square (this cost just under £10 but well worth it to avoid the tubes at that time in the morning). I arrived at the Embassy at 08:30am. My Interview was at 09:30am so as I was early, my friend and I decided to check out the area. Directly opposite the entrance area to the Embassy is a small street and we found a ‘Starbucks’ a couple of blocks down. After using their loo! , I arranged to meet her there after I finished and then made my way back to the Embassy.

I joined the queue and went through a security post, who asked for my letter. She asked if I had any electronics or metal items, I had my mobile phone and she asked me to switch it off and gave me a plastic bag to put it in. It was 08:45am and there were only 2 lines, one for 08:30 and one for 09:00. She told me to join the 09:00 line. I went into a portacabin, they put my bags (handbag and a bag with my files in) into a basket along with my watch. I walked through the metal detector and it beeped, here we go I thought. They said it was probably my shoes though they never asked me to remove them. They had me lift my trouser legs to show my socks and the soles of my shoes, gave me my watch and bags back and after giving me a ticket for my mobile phone that they kept they told me to follow the signs to the main door.

I was inside the Embassy at 09:00, so was only outside for 15 minutes. I had to show my letter and passport at the reception and she gave me a number - 5007, and told me to go up the stairs and take a seat and wait for my number to be called. After I sat down, I noticed it had started raining hard, this stopped soon after I left the Embassy

The room was crowded but I soon figured that most were in there for non-immigrant visas. The monitor said there was just 2 waiting in line to be seen for an immigrant visa, my number was 2nd. At just before 09:30 they called my number and asked me to go to window #1. Here a very quietly spoken Chinese lady took my letter and passport and went to find my file, she then asked for my birth certificate and divorce certificate plus copies (I had taken my marriage certificate but wasn’t asked for it) also the police certificate plus a copy and my photos. She then asked for the I-134 and any supporting documents, I had copies of this but she didn’t want them, plus a recent notarised intent to marry from Randy. I then had to sign 2 copies of the DS-156 and she stuck the photos onto them after scanning the photos (I assume for the visa itself). I had a full 10 fingerprints taken (4 left, 4 right and 2 thumbs). She gave me a form to go and pay the visa at window 12 and told me to come straight back. The fee was $131, I paid on my credit card, this equated £66.81 (exchange rate being $1.96 to the £)

I went back and she wasn’t there. After waiting 5-10 minutes she came back. I gave her the receipt for my visa payment and she gave me my x-ray from the medical and a pink form to fill in for the courier but told me not to pay until I had an approval. She then told me to go and sit down and wait for my number to be called again.

About 10 minutes later I was called to Window 15.

Here was a friendly American guy with a big smile, made me feel at ease immediately (his badge said he was a vice something or other). He took the 4 fingerprints of my right hand again (just to make sure you are the same person he said) and then made me raise my right hand and swear that I am telling the truth.

The questions he asked were -

Where did you meet?

Have you ever been to the USA?

When and where did he propose?

Why the USA v UK?

When are you hoping to move to the USA?

He had me sign a form saying I intend to marry Randy within 90 days of my entering the USA, I had to write his full name in and then sign it. He then told me that he was pleased to tell me that I was approved and to take my courier form to the desk to sort out the visa delivery. If the Perspex screen wasn’t there I would of hugged him, he was all smiles from beginning to end and made me feel so relaxed.

I waited in the line for the courier and paid £14 for standard delivery + £10.50 for a delivery between 8am and 10am = £24.50. From arriving at the Embassy to leaving took a total of 90 minutes, totally pain free!!!

Incidentally at 4pm on the train back to Surrey, where I was staying, I got a text saying they were going to deliver the Visa and passport the next morning(less than 24 hrs!! ). I had to phone to re-arrange as I wasn’t going to be back by then!!!!!

I will now get the visa tomorrow morning between 8am and 10am.

[English Muffin 59]

Congratulations!!

You had the same people as me. I also had the Chinese lady at Window 1 and the nice American chap at window 15. Your interview sounded as painless as my own.

Gillian

[Amby 490]

CONGRATS!

[*julez* 124]

Thanks for the detailed account! I'm so happy for you guys, maggie! Its been a long haul and you certainly deserved a friendly face and an easy interview! So, when is the big move???

[Randy + Maggie 0]

Thanks for the detailed account! I'm so happy for you guys, maggie! Its been a long haul and you certainly deserved a friendly face and an easy interview! So, when is the big move???

NOT SOON ENOUGH

[rebeccajo 14]

Congratulations! And welcome to America soon!

Can you tell me - did they want tax returns with the I-134?

[ajames79 0]

Congrats! Not much longer now!

[j4k 0]

congrats! i guess the rain was a good omen for you in this case! thanks for posting about your experience.

[mustang-sally 8]

Congratulations! And welcome to America soon!

Can you tell me - did they want tax returns with the I-134?

I gave them tax returns for last year (2006) plus a letter from his employer plus a copy of a couple of wage slips. The tax return for last year was lower than the minimal wage + 25% (he has been promoted since then). They accepted a letter from his employer plus wage slips.

[rebeccajo 14]

Congratulations! And welcome to America soon!

Can you tell me - did they want tax returns with the I-134?

I gave them tax returns for last year (2006) plus a letter from his employer plus a copy of a couple of wage slips. The tax return for last year was lower than the minimal wage + 25% (he has been promoted since then). They accepted a letter from his employer plus wage slips.

So they didn't require the most recent tax return?

[mustang-sally 8]

Congratulations! And welcome to America soon!

Can you tell me - did they want tax returns with the I-134?

I gave them tax returns for last year (2006) plus a letter from his employer plus a copy of a couple of wage slips. The tax return for last year was lower than the minimal wage + 25% (he has been promoted since then). They accepted a letter from his employer plus wage slips.

So they didn't require the most recent tax return?

Just the latest tax return (up until dec 31st 2006). This was below the 125% level so I know they accepted the recent employer letter plus wage slips (he now earns well over 125% minimum level).

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Congratulations and thanks a lot for posting a detailed account!!!

[paulinespens 3]

Congrats.

It seems like 5 mins ago since I was in London going to the embassy.

[wellywench 0]

Thanks for such a good post and congratulations!!! Fingers crossed I'll be posting good news in a couple of days!

[janaus 0]

Congrats and thanks for the post :dance: