the interview date

[jaygregory 1]

i have read a load of the reviews and things from people who have had their interview at london.

but id really like to find out what i need to take and if anyone has any little tips to make that day a little less stressful for people coming up to do it soon. mine is in a week and i still havent got the letter in the post,would love to know what i need to take and things.any help would be great

[UKGirl123 24]

Tip 1

If you are staying over somewhere in London the night before, get somewhere which will guarentee you a good nights sleep. I stayed at a cheap hotel (premier inn) just outside Euston station and could hear buses all night and got the most awful night sleep ever. On top of that staff couldn't promise that someone would make sure I was awake (no phone or alarm clock in room so someone would have to come up and knock) and I was parnoid that my mobile phone alarm would fail. In hindsight, if i had to turn back the clock I would have paid the extra for one nearer to the embassy and had some piece and quiet.

Tip 2

Scout out where your going the night before. Even with GPS, there are several embassies in the same vacinity. Again in hindsight it did look like an American Embassy, big with lots of flags from different countries, but I still had to ask someone if it was the American Embassy.

Tip 3

Find out where goulds pharmacy is the night before too, as you will need to store handbag, keys, phone here.

Tip 4

Have your folders organised and your appointment letter ready before you queue up, it will save you time.

Tip 5

Prepare for a long wait. People say bring a book but I didn't as I was petrified I would miss my number being called on the boards and knowing me if I was reading something I would have missed it.

Tip 6

Bring some cash, there is a snack place. Has sandwiches too.

Tip 7

don't panic if you are going for a k-1 visa it seems like the other visa types are moving faster and you worry you have been missed. This is not the case just less windows doing it. The good news is that there are also less people. I think the day I was there (which was busy, according to people there) there was only like 5 people.

good luck, hope this helps

[jaygregory 1]

ah thats perfect thanks so much, im planning on just arriving in london at some ungodly hour as i only live a couple of hours away on the coach,saves a bit of money. do you by chance remember what you needed to take to the interview?

[thescreecher 0]

I had my interview on March 10th and would advise you to get there as early as possible - before 7.30am if you can. Goulds pharmacy usually opens around 7.20am I think. My appointment was scheduled for 9.30am but that doesn't mean anything. I got there at 7.30am and was out by 9.45am. I was the fifth immigrant visa to be processed that day.

I was definitely over cautious with what I brought:

Appointment letter & MRV receipt (Have these handy for when you join the queue at the embassy)

Birth cert + copy

Police check + copy

3 US size passport photos

I-134 + (from USC) payslips, tax returns, W2s, letter from employer, letter from bank, letter intending to marry within 90 days of entering the US.

I also had loads of relationship evidence (emails, texts, skype history, photos, tickets, boarding passes), my engagement ring receipt, wedding dress receipt, bank statement, relationship timeline and my CV but they didn't ask for any of that.

You'll be fine. They just asked me how we met, how we kept in touch and if we'd met each other's families. Good luck!

[ameribrit 37]

Read Nich-Nicks UK K1 Help Guide here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jr6c9V7Z0YUrFfnlk_t58PXQXVVWEsNPR7hQbOrgBgM/edit?hl=en&authkey=CL_KmL4P&pli=1

Has all the information that you could possibly need.

Good luck for the interview

[jaygregory 1]

thanks guys for the help with all this. i think we got pretty much everything worked out now...just a couple more things to ask if anyone can help with it...

our interview is at 8am....is this a normal time or is there some reason its so early?

and also,as you all have said its a good idea to get there at least an hour early....that would be 7am...that gaulds place doesnt open till 7 30

is there anywhere else i can drop off my backpack?

[* Kristin * 49]

My fiance's interview is scheduled for 8, too, but on Tuesday next wk.

Thanks for sharing the tips, all I've sent them all to my other half, too ;-)

thanks guys for the help with all this. i think we got pretty much everything worked out now...just a couple more things to ask if anyone can help with it...

our interview is at 8am....is this a normal time or is there some reason its so early?

and also,as you all have said its a good idea to get there at least an hour early....that would be 7am...that gaulds place doesnt open till 7 30

is there anywhere else i can drop off my backpack?

[ameribrit 37]

thanks guys for the help with all this. i think we got pretty much everything worked out now...just a couple more things to ask if anyone can help with it...

our interview is at 8am....is this a normal time or is there some reason its so early?

and also,as you all have said its a good idea to get there at least an hour early....that would be 7am...that gaulds place doesnt open till 7 30

is there anywhere else i can drop off my backpack?

They don't start opening security at the Embassy until 7:30. Goulds usually opens up between 7:20 and 7:30 so I wouldn't bother trying to find somewhere else to drop off your electronics, Goulds is your best bet.

[jaygregory 1]

ah,from what i can see they are pretty close together anyway so i guess thats pretty good timing to drop the bag off

[scotchland5206 5]

The pharmacy is literally a 30 second walk, they're really efficient and organised. £3 to store your electronics, which is pretty reasonable in my opinion, considering they have the monopoly for the US Embassy and could charge a lot more if they felt like it..!

Getting there early doesn't mean you'll be seen earlier. I got there at 8:15, my time was 10:00 (!) because I couldn't sleep so I thought I might as well go. Had a cup of tea in Starbucks (couple of doors down from Gould's Pharmacy) and joined the queue at 8:45.

I was in the door with my ticket number by 9:05, but wasn't called to the first window until about 10:50. After that, it was about another hour before I was called to the second window. I was out of there around 12:30. (I'm just about to do a proper review)