He's Finally Coming Home!

[a-jeanne 2]

Well - we have made it! Phil had his interview in London this morning. I have his account of his experience at the Embassy. We are so elated - I can't describe it. Finally! Thanking everyone who has helped us in any way, shape or form and thanking everyone for just being here on this site. This is the chapter that we were so waiting to close and are ready to open the new one for the start of our wonderful life together.

Hiya Honeybunch -

So what do you think - am I coming across the water?? You bet I am - I should have the Visa in 3 or 4 days so we can then carry on with the rest of our lives after that eh? So I will be on that plane on the 18th have no fear!

It wasn't easy however??!!

Well first and foremost its paperwork gees why do people insist on it?

I get to the embassy at about 8:15 so ok there is already a queue of about 30 people argggghh and this is outside in the street. So I walk up to the high biz jacketed security person and she says, “Where's your appointment letter?” "My what"??!! “Appointment letter” she repeats. "No idea" I reply. And I really hadn't. I did not recall you putting it in the packet and I am sure it does not state on it anywhere to bring it with you. So I give the security person all the copy docs coz I know I wont find it and nor does she!! Now what?? She looks on her list of people turning up "More paperwork" I thought. Anyway of course I am nowhere to be seen on her list so she then says ok go to this website at that cafe down the road and print off your application letter and MRV whatever that is?? So off I trot with time ticking by and the queue getting longer.

I get on line but can I log in? NO! Why? Because there are so many people trying to do the same thing that it will take several attempts so after 5 or 6 minutes and $10 worse off I still haven't been able to log on. So I am now thinking this it, I come up to London, a place I hate, been ripped off and have no visa “What’s Audrey going to say to that!!??”

Right. Anyway I have another look in our UPS folder where everything has stayed for the past month, almost, and notice a folded up bit of paper in the bottom of this folder. Well you have guessed it!! It was my appointment letter – I knew that you were organized. So back I trot having made it to 9 am with yet getting inside the embassy!! Still have no idea what an MRV is but at least I could show the letter which let me in to the 2nd barrier after another 20 minutes of queuing so its now approx 9.15. I say approximately because the embassy does not allow cell phones and I don’t wear watches so there's no obvious time pieces around. I leave my bunch of keys at the 2nd security gate and head to the embassy visa section. At last but now what am I presented with?? (after collecting my "you are next number ticket" from reception) a bloody great room full of people all watching screens telling them when there number is up Christ I am going to be here until Thursday!!

Anyway I am no longer very calm after the ridiculous waste of time over an appointment letter so I sit down to wait my turn. They Visa centre is dealing with 4 different visa types Immigrant which was like me, Non immigrant which I assume is work permits?? E Visa whatever that is?? and DHS whatever that is? The most dominant was non immigrant and they seemed to go through reasonably fast probably 1 every 5 minutes. The numbering ticket system were 1000s for non-immigrant and 5000s for immigrant. My number was 5015 and when I sat down 5003 was on the screen so after some 35 minutes or so I worked out it would take about 20 minutes to get initially called to check paperwork and then a further 10 minutes to the interview so two booths were doing 5000 numbers so I reckoned 2 hours at least.

I get called to the first window (Its like getting a train ticket from the ticket office) and the very nice young man asks me for various forms which of course I am now in a complete muddle in my efforts to find the useless appointment letter so I spend at least a million years trying to get the forms he wants. He was very helpful saying there it is "where"? This farce went on for about 15 minutes but he was very patient until he flawed by asking for an additional picture!! That I knew I didn't have!! So he said after a few painfully slow moments when I thought the process was going to end, he said "Oh never mind I will just take a copy of this one" So I eventually finished at that window and then went to sit down to wait to be summoned to another window for the interview proper. They handed me a big envelope and said “that’s your X-ray, take that with you, but your medical was fine?? So you will be able to see my heart soon!!

Another 15 minutes go by and I am called to window 16 one along from where I had been some 20 minutes before!! This lady is extremely pleasant and asks when I met you and how so I explained the Sound Devices connection. She then asked had I been over since and also asked if you had been to the UK. She then said she needed to retain the passport as a visa had been granted and she congratulated me. But I was suddenly askance she's taking my passport Why?? Because we print the visa into the passport - What!! But I need my passport in 3 days time to fly to Bangkok!! Sorry you can take your passport but it will take at least 5 working days from receiving your passport when you get back from your trip to get the visa printed MMMMMMMM now what do I do?? I don’t want to put off this f***ng visa but I would like to go to Bangkok.

Anyway I do the right thing and say go ahead I will just hope the passport gets back in time for the Bangkok trip. She smiles and says “not sure but good luck and hope your are happy in the USA thank you.”

Now wait for it the queue isn’t over yet. Your visa forum people must have been sworn to silence over this procedure!! There’s now a 15 minute wait at the courier desk to get the visa printed passport and other sundry documents sent to me. I then notice there is an express service but I didn't want to pay for that right now because the sending out is based on when the courier gets the documentation from the visa centre So I ask the very helpful guy at the courier desk if they inform the recipient when the package is due to be sent out. He says yes we text you. I then ask is it possible to change to express service at that point He says yes no problem so that’s how I have left it!!

Finally I leave the embassy at 12.15.

This will be a good story to dine out on in years to come eh?

I wasn’t the only one with problems. Another guy was in the internet cafe trying to get several forms done because certain ones had been sent to his fiancée in the US by the Visa centre. But like me the rules are the rules and he could not get into the embassy without certain documents. He left almost the same time as me and he had left West Yorkshire at 2 am that morning to get to London for 8 am, so he must have been well tired

Another lady of Asian origin was trying to get into the embassy without yet having an appointment and she was told in no uncertain terms that she would not be getting her visa AND she had booked her flight out for 4 hours later. How dumb is that!!??

I am absolutely elated - none of what happened this morning matters now I am ready to be by your side.

All my love forever - Phil

[NCWife 0]

woohoooo.... congrats!!

[Aaralyn 0]

Congrats!!!!! (and such a sweet letter, too!) I hate that he had some problems, but so happy they were easy to remedy. He'll be with you soon! You must be bouncing off the walls.

[a-jeanne 2]

Yes yes yes - bouncing is an understatement.

[Jeraly 4]

YAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I knew you had the interview today but after all my interview/medical last minute panic I totally forgot on the day!! I am soo pleased it went well!!!!!

[*julez* 124]

:joy: Congratulations Audrey & Phil!!! :joy:

I'm so happy that you guys FINALLY have finished the K1 part of the journey!!! woooohoooo!!

[Zee Bee 61]

Congratulations!!!

[djaedi 0]

Far out!! Very happy for you two!! Congrats!!

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Congratulations!!!

[KimandRuss 0]

congratulations!

[Leafgal 3]

OMG that was quite an ordeal, but at least it is all over. Congratulations to you both, and have a great flight to the US.

[sara..... 371]

wow wow congratulations :dance: :dance: :dance:

[wakeywakeup 1]

Well - we have made it! Phil had his interview in London this morning. I have his account of his experience at the Embassy. We are so elated - I can't describe it. Finally! Thanking everyone who has helped us in any way, shape or form and thanking everyone for just being here on this site. This is the chapter that we were so waiting to close and are ready to open the new one for the start of our wonderful life together.

Hiya Honeybunch -

So what do you think - am I coming across the water?? You bet I am - I should have the Visa in 3 or 4 days so we can then carry on with the rest of our lives after that eh? So I will be on that plane on the 18th have no fear!

It wasn't easy however??!!

Well first and foremost its paperwork gees why do people insist on it?

I get to the embassy at about 8:15 so ok there is already a queue of about 30 people argggghh and this is outside in the street. So I walk up to the high biz jacketed security person and she says, “Where's your appointment letter?” "My what"??!! “Appointment letter” she repeats. "No idea" I reply. And I really hadn't. I did not recall you putting it in the packet and I am sure it does not state on it anywhere to bring it with you. So I give the security person all the copy docs coz I know I wont find it and nor does she!! Now what?? She looks on her list of people turning up "More paperwork" I thought. Anyway of course I am nowhere to be seen on her list so she then says ok go to this website at that cafe down the road and print off your application letter and MRV whatever that is?? So off I trot with time ticking by and the queue getting longer.

I get on line but can I log in? NO! Why? Because there are so many people trying to do the same thing that it will take several attempts so after 5 or 6 minutes and $10 worse off I still haven't been able to log on. So I am now thinking this it, I come up to London, a place I hate, been ripped off and have no visa “What’s Audrey going to say to that!!??”

Right. Anyway I have another look in our UPS folder where everything has stayed for the past month, almost, and notice a folded up bit of paper in the bottom of this folder. Well you have guessed it!! It was my appointment letter – I knew that you were organized. So back I trot having made it to 9 am with yet getting inside the embassy!! Still have no idea what an MRV is but at least I could show the letter which let me in to the 2nd barrier after another 20 minutes of queuing so its now approx 9.15. I say approximately because the embassy does not allow cell phones and I don’t wear watches so there's no obvious time pieces around. I leave my bunch of keys at the 2nd security gate and head to the embassy visa section. At last but now what am I presented with?? (after collecting my "you are next number ticket" from reception) a bloody great room full of people all watching screens telling them when there number is up Christ I am going to be here until Thursday!!

Anyway I am no longer very calm after the ridiculous waste of time over an appointment letter so I sit down to wait my turn. They Visa centre is dealing with 4 different visa types Immigrant which was like me, Non immigrant which I assume is work permits?? E Visa whatever that is?? and DHS whatever that is? The most dominant was non immigrant and they seemed to go through reasonably fast probably 1 every 5 minutes. The numbering ticket system were 1000s for non-immigrant and 5000s for immigrant. My number was 5015 and when I sat down 5003 was on the screen so after some 35 minutes or so I worked out it would take about 20 minutes to get initially called to check paperwork and then a further 10 minutes to the interview so two booths were doing 5000 numbers so I reckoned 2 hours at least.

I get called to the first window (Its like getting a train ticket from the ticket office) and the very nice young man asks me for various forms which of course I am now in a complete muddle in my efforts to find the useless appointment letter so I spend at least a million years trying to get the forms he wants. He was very helpful saying there it is "where"? This farce went on for about 15 minutes but he was very patient until he flawed by asking for an additional picture!! That I knew I didn't have!! So he said after a few painfully slow moments when I thought the process was going to end, he said "Oh never mind I will just take a copy of this one" So I eventually finished at that window and then went to sit down to wait to be summoned to another window for the interview proper. They handed me a big envelope and said “that’s your X-ray, take that with you, but your medical was fine?? So you will be able to see my heart soon!!

Another 15 minutes go by and I am called to window 16 one along from where I had been some 20 minutes before!! This lady is extremely pleasant and asks when I met you and how so I explained the Sound Devices connection. She then asked had I been over since and also asked if you had been to the UK. She then said she needed to retain the passport as a visa had been granted and she congratulated me. But I was suddenly askance she's taking my passport Why?? Because we print the visa into the passport - What!! But I need my passport in 3 days time to fly to Bangkok!! Sorry you can take your passport but it will take at least 5 working days from receiving your passport when you get back from your trip to get the visa printed MMMMMMMM now what do I do?? I don’t want to put off this f***ng visa but I would like to go to Bangkok.

Anyway I do the right thing and say go ahead I will just hope the passport gets back in time for the Bangkok trip. She smiles and says “not sure but good luck and hope your are happy in the USA thank you.”

Now wait for it the queue isn’t over yet. Your visa forum people must have been sworn to silence over this procedure!! There’s now a 15 minute wait at the courier desk to get the visa printed passport and other sundry documents sent to me. I then notice there is an express service but I didn't want to pay for that right now because the sending out is based on when the courier gets the documentation from the visa centre So I ask the very helpful guy at the courier desk if they inform the recipient when the package is due to be sent out. He says yes we text you. I then ask is it possible to change to express service at that point He says yes no problem so that’s how I have left it!!

Finally I leave the embassy at 12.15.

This will be a good story to dine out on in years to come eh?

I wasn’t the only one with problems. Another guy was in the internet cafe trying to get several forms done because certain ones had been sent to his fiancée in the US by the Visa centre. But like me the rules are the rules and he could not get into the embassy without certain documents. He left almost the same time as me and he had left West Yorkshire at 2 am that morning to get to London for 8 am, so he must have been well tired

Another lady of Asian origin was trying to get into the embassy without yet having an appointment and she was told in no uncertain terms that she would not be getting her visa AND she had booked her flight out for 4 hours later. How dumb is that!!??

I am absolutely elated - none of what happened this morning matters now I am ready to be by your side.

All my love forever - Phil

I tell you what you had an ordeal. I know it wasn't funny at the time but the way you told the story sure made me laugh. You have a way with words. Congratulations!