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Approved in London - Our Experience

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My fiancée had her interview at the US Embassy in London this morning and was approved. Because I've gotten so much useful information from this site to get us to the point of today's approval, I wanted to share what I could about her experience. Obviously your experience may differ based on innumerable factors, so I'll start with a bit of background for comparison.

Background:

My fiancée is English. We have known each other for more than three years, and we met at a time when neither of us was looking for anything close to a relationship. We spent about a year communicating fairly (and increasingly) frequently via Facebook and email as friends, then talking daily via Skype for several months (and ever since, whenever she's not here). Her first visit to the US was in December 2009 and since then she has spent about equal time in the US and the UK. (Being back in school with the Open University is what made this possible.) We became engaged in September 2010 and filed our I-129F paperwork shortly thereafter.

We are both of European ancestry with no criminal records, with adequate finances, of similar age, and so on -- in other words, nothing to raise a red flag. I have traveled to England and spent time with her family, and obviously she's been here and spent TONS of time with mine. We've both been married previously. She has no children; I have three who live with me full-time. We have tons of photos, have vacationed as a family, and generally have more legitimate documentation of our three-year relationship than I did of my previous eleven-year marriage.

In short, we're a "normal" couple with lots of documentation of a relatively long and well-developed relationship. To be honest, we couldn't have made it any easier for USCIS and the Embassy to give us their blessing, and that's why I offer the caveat that your experience may vary.

The Interview:

The interview was scheduled for 9:00 AM and she arrived at the US Embassy in London at about 8:35. It's undoubtedly said elsewhere, but I'll mention these things here for the sake of completeness:

  • The Embassy specifically told her that she shouldn't arrive more than 30 minutes before her interview. On arrival, they also told her to expect a 2-4 hour wait. (This was a surprise, and she wished at that point she hadn't told her mum, who accompanied her, that she'd probably be out in about an hour. Live and learn!)
  • When you arrive at the Embassy, you queue outside with hundreds of other people. It doesn't matter that you have an appointment, and it doesn't matter if it's sunny, raining or hailing. Dress appropriately in terms of both outerwear and footwear.
  • No electronic devices or bags are allowed in. That means no watches, cell phones, iPods, purses, rucksacks or satchels. There's a pharmacy (chemist) down the street where you can leave things for a fee if you don't have someone along with whom you can leave your stuff.

She stood in line for about 15 minutes and got inside the Embassy around 8:50, whereafter she took a number and waited. And waited. And waited some more.

About an hour later, at 9:50 AM, they called her number and she went to the appropriate cubicle. There are many, and you need to pay attention because if you're in the loo or daydreaming when they call your number, you're out of luck and you can go back to the end of the line. At this first cubicle they asked for originals and two additional copies of her birth certificate, decree absolute (divorce paperwork), affidavit of support, and passport photos. (This should come as no surprise to anyone, since it's all spelled out in the materials provided in the packet they provide.) They also asked her for my name, so be sure that you know the name of your fiancé(e) when you go for your interview, even though it isn't on the list of things they say they'll want from you. In return for all this, they provided her with a copy of her chest x-ray from her medical exam on CD, which apparently she will have to provide to the Customs agent when she arrives back in the US in a few days.

She then waited for another 15 minutes before her number was called once again, this time to head for the interview. Now, she had been preparing for this moment for months, diligently printing numerous photos marked with date/time/location; a year's log of Skype calls; numerous emails between her, myself, my kids, my parents, my sister, etc. to demonstrate the family bond; and so on. The gentleman at Desk #2, therefore, caught her by surprise when he struck up a very casual conversation with her. "How did you meet? Oh, that's really great." "When did you first go to visit? What? Your first visit to America was to Minnesota in the winter? Are you kidding?" "You seem like a really nice, genuine person." Eventually she asked if he wanted to see any of the photos or paperwork she'd painstakingly assembled. His reply? "Nope, don't need to see any of that. I'm just getting ready to approve your visa." He looked at NONE of her supplemental evidence but simply returned her original papers that she had turned over at Desk #1, took her fingerprints, had her swear an oath that she was telling the truth, and sent her on her way to the DX Secure (courier) counter, where she arranged to have her visa/passport returned to her.

Once upon a time in the not-too-distant past, the courier service would return your stuff in a day or two, which is what we had been expecting until last week when we looked into it again and discovered that the Embassy website had changed. Now it's several days. You can pay the base fee of £14.80 (incl. VAT) and they'll deliver the stuff sometime on a designated day, but at no set time and you must be there to provide proof of your identity. She opted to spend an additional £11.20 (for a total of £26) to ensure delivery before 10 AM so she didn't have to sit around all day. They provided a tracking number.

At 10:35 AM, precisely two hours after arriving at the Embassy, she was on her way to a black cab. Ten minutes later, at 4:46 AM local time, I got the good-news call I'd been restlessly awaiting.

So ... that's our experience. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Batteries not included. Don't take the brown acid. :)

Edited by B.Rossow
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Thank you so much for posting your experience in London. My fiance has been wondering what that experience will be like! Congratulations to both of you and best of luck!

May, 2010 became penpals

Many, many phone calls and letters

September 10, 2010 met for first time in Rome. Love at first site, absolutely.

October, 2010 visited him in England.

December 31, 2010 he came here for Christmas/New Years. Engaged New Year's Eve.

January 21, 2011 Sent I-129F

January 22, 2011 Delivered Lewisville, TX

January 27, 2011 Received email notification of NOA1, case forwarded to VSC

January 29, 2011 Received hard copy NOA1 via snail mail

February 11, 2011 Visited him in England for 10 blissful days and met his wonderful family

April 23, 2011 Spent 10 amazing days together in Cancun and wished even more that we could go home together!

May 24, 2011 NOA2!!! Finally!! We are absolutely thrilled!

July 1, 2011 Medical with Knightsbridge Doctors (all is well!)

July 2, 2011 Mailed ready documents to London embassy via signature delivery

July 5, 2011 Embassy signed for documents

July 18, 2011 Received Packet 4

July 29, 2011 Flying to London for visit with my love and his family! So excited

August 24, 2011 Interview approved!!

POE:

October 9, 2011 Wedding

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Scotland
Timeline

Hey Just thought id say hi, I think i spoke to the same guy as he laughed thinking i was crazy wanting to come to Minnesota to live at the end of february!

Congrats on the approval!

I am based in the twin cities though my mother in law is based in Waseca and we also have some friends in Mankato.

Hope your Visa arrives quickly, my interview was the wednesday and the visa arrived the following thursday



K1 Timeline
07/01/10- K1 Mailed
07/16/10- NOA1 Hardcopy
12/15/10- NOA2 Hardcopy Received
02/16/11- Interview at 10am London Embassy
02/24/11- Visa in Hand
02/27/11- POE - Minneapolis

AOS Timeline
04/22/11- AOS, EAD, AP sent today
04/28/11- AOS, EAD, AP Notice Date
05/04/11- Hard copy of NOA1 for AOS, EAD, AP
05/12/11- Early Biometric walk in(Scheduled for 05/31/2011)
05/12/11- I-485 Case Transferred to CSC
06/13/11- AOS approved, card production ordered
06/20/11- Green Card Recieved

ROC Timeline

04/25/13- ROC package sent

04/26/13- ROC pack delivered

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: England
Timeline

Great story! thanks!

love the bit at the end! :P

K1 PROCESS:

11/1/10: NOA1 Received

4/14/11: NOA2 - Approved!!!!

8/18/11: Visa in hand

8/29/11: POE in ATLANTA!!!!

9/16/11: Married!!!

AOS PROCESS:

10/4/11: Social Security Card Arrived!

11/10/11: AOS Package mailed to Chicago Lockbox

11/19/11: NOA1

12/2/11: Biometrics

12/10/11: Case transferred to the California Service Center

03/06/12: EAD approved and card production!

03/14/12: EAD card in hand!

08/04/12: Green card in production!

08/09/12: Green card in hand!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Congratulations, good story and thanks for sharing. Very similar to our life's journey. Best of luck!

Debbie & Dave

4/12/2010 Filed I-129F

4/15/2010 Recvd NOA1

7/20/2010 Recvd NOA2

7/23/2010 NVC received

7/28/2010 NVC left

7/31/2010 Consulate received

8/03/2010 Packet 3 received

8/31/2010 Packet 3 sent

10/13/2010 Packet 4 received

11/15/2010 Interview London--APPROVED

11/30/2010 Visa received

12/16/2010 POE - Chicago

02/18/2011 Married

_______________________________________________________________

AOS

03/30/2011 Filed AOS paperwork

04/08/2011 NOA1 received

05/09/2011 Biometrics Appt

05/31/2011 EAD approved

06/06/2011 AP Approved

06/08/2011 EAD card received

06/20/2011 AOS Interview - APPROVED !!!

06/29/2011 Green Card Received

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: England
Timeline
...At this first cubicle they asked for originals and two additional copies of her birth certificate, decree absolute (divorce paperwork), affidavit of support, and passport photos. (This should come as no surprise to anyone, since it's all spelled out in the materials provided in the packet they provide.) They also asked her for my name, so be sure that you know the name of your fiancé(e) when you go for your interview, even though it isn't on the list of things they say they'll want from you. In return for all this, they provided her with a copy of her chest x-ray from her medical exam on CD, which apparently she will have to provide to the Customs agent when she arrives back in the US in a few days....

Two additional copies? Does it mention that in the interview appointment letter, as it only says one original and one copy on the embassy website!

Ben

10/23/2009 - Met on eHarmony

09/20/2010 - Got engaged at the top of the London Eye 🙂

11/24/2010 - I-129F sent to Texas dropbox

11/29/2010 - I-129F received by CSC

03/21/2011 - Touched!

04/18/2011 - NOA2 approved by CSC 4 months 3 weeks after NOA1

07/18/2011 - Interview - APPROVED!!

09/20/2011 - Married!

10/11/2011 - AOS package mailed to Chicago lockbox

10/18/2011 - AOS package routed to National Benefits Center for processing

10/19/2011 - I-765 EAD noted on USCIS site

10/22/2011 - I-797C for AOS and EAD received

11/08/2011 - AOS file transferred to CSC

11/10/2011 - Biometrics appointment in SLC

12/12/2011 - Green card received dated 11/23/11

09/20/2013 - I-751 sent to CSC

09/23/2013 - I-751 received at CSC - NOA1

10/18/2013 - Biometrics appointment in SLC

08/29/2020 - N400 Application submitted online

08/29/2020 - N400 fee taken

01/20/2021 - Biometrics re-use notification

04/14/2021 - Interview scheduled notification

05/11/2021 - Interview!

05/11/2021 - N-400 Recommended for Naturalization!

06/02/2021 - Naturalization oath ceremony!

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Two additional copies? Does it mention that in the interview appointment letter, as it only says one original and one copy on the embassy website!

You're right -- I believe it was just one copy, plus the original. I was typing that at midnight having been fully awake since 4:46 AM and not sleeping well before then. (I had two copies in my mind because I was thinking of the original plus the photocopy of each document.) Can't edit the post to correct it now. Sorry about that! :blush:

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Jamaica
Timeline

congrats on the approval!

K-1

9/23/2010 NOA1

3/31/2011 NOA2!!(189 days)

6/06/2011 Interview Approved

AOS

7/29/2011 AOS and EAD sent by USPS

8/01/2011 NOA date

8/15/2011 Biometrics walk in (appointment for 8/29)

9/26/2011 EAD Approved

10/4/2011 EAD in Hand

10/18/2011 Interview Green Card Approved

10/28/2011 Green Card in hand :)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Great review! Congratulations. star_smile.gif

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

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Follow-up:

According to the tracking info from DX Secure, she will receive her passport / visa paperwork before 10 AM on Monday. Given that, she's booked her flight back to the US for Wednesday and should be home in time to celebrate my youngest's birthday that evening. Of course they advise you to not make any travel plans until your paperwork has been received from the courier, but prices certainly aren't going down and we decided it was worth the minimal risk to get locked in. At the very worst it will be a £90 fee to change the flight, but considering DX Secure has all day Monday and Tuesday to deliver it even if they miss their promised deadline, we're really not concerned.

After that, it's just five and a half weeks of massive house cleaning and other prep for the small civil ceremony at home on July 4 with immediate family and one of my best friends. And yes, we're well aware of the irony of my losing my independence to a Brit on the day our nation celebrates its independence from the British. :lol:

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Addendum the Second: Visa/passport were delivered Monday, May 23 as expected. She boarded a plane yesterday morning and was home before I was done with work yesterday afternoon. (My dad met her at the airport.) On to wedding planning! :)

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