Approved and ready to go!

[leigh 2]

Hello again everyone.

Well, the London Embassy received our file on 20 October, but we didn't hear anything from them so I called them on 20 November and was told when they had received my file. As I already had everything ready for sending off Packet 3 to the Embassy, I went ahead and made my appointment for a medical, which I had on 2 December. The staff were fantastic, polite and friendly and everything went well. A few days later, the Embassy finally sent Packet 3 by email and so I filled in the forms and sent everything off by recorded delivery post. I was aware that they give you 4 weeks notice for interview, but asked for their earliest appointment anyway, and was surprised to hear from them by letter on 22 January saying my interview date was 2 February! I went along with a large file full of evidence of relationship, sponsor information - just about anything they might want. My appointment was at 9am and I arrive outside the Embassy at 8.40am to find that you have to go through security OUTSIDE the building (just like the airport, have to put your bag through an x-ray machine and go through a metal detector. I already knew I wouldn't be able to take my phone, so I left it behind. Lots of other people were being redirected to a local pharmacy to deposit their phones etc before they could go through security. I got into the Embassy at 8.55 and was given a number. I sat and waiting for 10 minutes before my number was called, and a nice girl at the window took my original birth certificates etc and went through the papers in my file. She was very friendly, and asked me to pay the fee at another window, and then took my fingerprints. This took about 15 minutes, then she told me to sit back down and wait for my call for interview. I sat another 40 minutes and then was called up to speak to a lovely young man who made small talk with me while tapping some things into his computer. After about 1.5 MINUTES, he said Congratulations, your visa is approved! Didn't ask me for a single piece of paper, or even ask me any questions of note. Just pleasantly chatted to me about how I met my fiance, and what he does, etc. I was beginning to wonder when my interview would start when he told me I was done! After a brief further stop to give my address details to have my passport/visa couriered to me, I left. I was in the building about an hour and 15 minutes. Lovely! I've booked my flight for 1 March. My passport was delivered to me today with my visa inside, along with a large sealed envelope with instructions not to open it, but to hand it over when I enter the US. My point of entry will be Atlanta, so now all I need to do is find out from this forum if anyone has experience of entering in Atlanta, and what kind of reception they got. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!

[leigh 2]

Does anyone have any information about what they are like in Atlanta as a point of entry?

[TwoCats 55]

Does anyone have any information about what they are like in Atlanta as a point of entry?

You can find POE reviews here.

[ameribrit 37]

Congratulations on your visa journey. I am surprised that they even let you in the Embassy, because payment is usually done in advance over the phone nowadays. And you have to show proof of that payment before being allowed in.

You can read Atlanta reveiws from VJ members here http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Atlanta&dfilter=0

Enjoy your new married life in the USA

[Lucy NY 1]

Congratulations!! I just completed my medical today and hoping for a swift interview - i will hold my nreath!!

I see your from Bristol - me too

[zips 0]

Congrats on your visa . . . I only hope when it's our turn it goes as smoothly. Did you have to pay for your medical there or is it covered under NHS?

[kutakendra 3]

Atlanta is a bit of a confusing airport with lots of nice, clean trams, although I was lost in Heathrow! It is well-marked. Southern Americans are polite, helpful people, on the whole. As an American, I have never gone through customs there, so I can't speak to that, but I assume you'll have a bit of a walk and a tram or two before you see your honey. All in all, it is a pleasant, comfortable (huge) airport. Congrats. And I'm happy to see some fast interview news. Would love to hear more about it.

[arwen 8]

Cool, congratulations! May I ask if they gave you your original birth certificate back? I only have my original copy all beautifully hand written. I have scanned both the long copy and the short copy and was hoping they would be satified with that, after me showing them the originals of course!

[marklovetina 52]

[ameribrit 37]

Cool, congratulations! May I ask if they gave you your original birth certificate back? I only have my original copy all beautifully hand written. I have scanned both the long copy and the short copy and was hoping they would be satified with that, after me showing them the originals of course!

You hand over the original and a photocopy of both your birth and police certificate, so that they can compare and make sure that they are a perfect match. And then, of course, you do get your originals back.

[matt y andrea 0]

Congrats!!

Did you ask for earliest date possible on your cover letter or where??

[LoriT 16]

Congratulations!!! My fiance is from england as well and it's really nice to see posts about interview experiences!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations, good luck on your interview,

[Richie Rich 70]

Does anyone have any information about what they are like in Atlanta as a point of entry?

Atlanta is the second busiest airport after JFK . It is hugh and have many terminals . You have to take a skytrain to get around . They are many freindly customer service reps who will help you .After deplaning , you will be directed to the customs area .After that you will go to baggage claim and claim yr luggage then pass through security before meeting your POC. Where is your final destination ?? Good luck .

[MelandDavid 0]

Congrats to you and thank you for sharing your experience with the London interview. My fiance will be interviewing in London and then here to Atlanta to start our lives together. Hartsfield Jackson airport is simple to navigate and the customs line usually moves quickly. If Atlanta is your final destination just follow the signs to the Tram and get off at baggage claim. There you will take a long escalator to the arrivals lobby where most people stand to meet their loved ones. So happy for you! Can't wait for our day!