Going with spouse to her visa interview

[kcck 0]

What do I have to do to be able to go in to us embassy with her? I was only able to find one topic relating to this.

[lost_at_sea 995]

She needs to have the embassy put you on the access list for the day. It's as simple as sending them an email or giving them a call, from what I've seen from others who've done the same (I wish I could remember which thread I saw it in now, I'll have another search and see if I can find it). You'll need your US passport.

Same'll apply to you re: not being able to take your phone and other electronics.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Ah, here's one: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/382919-how-do-i-arrange-to-accompany-my-spouse-to-interview-at-us-embassy-in-london/

[kcck 0]

My wife got a failed to send to londoniv@state.gov. Has the email change or how have people been able to bring their spouse with them to the interview?

[lost_at_sea 995]

My wife got a failed to send to londoniv@state.gov. Has the email change or how have people been able to bring their spouse with them to the interview?

I don't know - did your wife call up first and ask the embassy for a code? I believe that's the email address that you have to have a code in the subject line for to have it read. That thread I linked isn't that old, so it shouldn't be out of date yet.

I guess call the embassy would be the next thing to try. Let us know how you fair - I want to do the same for my husband soon.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

My wife got a failed to send to londoniv@state.gov. Has the email change or how have people been able to bring their spouse with them to the interview?

You could write a letter requesting it to the IV Unit. Since you haven't been assigned an interview yet, there's time for a request by mail. Give your email address and ask that they confirm by email.

Emailing the embassy is not straight forward. You will have to call the info line. That may set you back 20 quid from what some say. It's a per minute charge. Request that your wife attend. Likely they will give you the email code and email address so you can request it yourself. The person on the phone is in Scotland and has little access to your file info and has no power to schedule or change anything is my understanding.

I attended the interview with my fiancé. I just went along and once at the head of the line outside, I showed my passport and said "I'm an American and would like to go into the embassy with my fiancé." He said "okay". I don't know of anybody lately who has tried that. I have read of others who were told no and even some who had a permission email who were refused because their name hadn't been added to the line list. I was fully prepared to hang out in a coffee shop or browse around Oxford St if I didn't get in. Going to London together on the coach and playing tourist after the interview was the fun part. The embassy part was hot and boring.

[kcck 0]

Apologize for not updating my timeline. I just updated it with the interview date.

My wife just called a number that she has to pay. They provided her a email and a code to use in the email. Takes 3-10 days for a reply.

[lost_at_sea 995]

For future reference, I emailed LondonConsular@state.gov without having to call anyone first and got a confirmation the next morning that my husband had been added to the access list.

[david'sgirl 134]

My wife got a failed to send to londoniv@state.gov. Has the email change or how have people been able to bring their spouse with them to the interview?

We never knew that we were supposed to send anything. I am the USC and thus it is my country's embassy so I just showed up with him and when he showed his letter I said I am his wife and here for the interview. They showed us to the line for security. We got a number at front desk and waited. When he was called we both went to the windows. This was in 2010 so it may be different now.

[david'sgirl 134]

"Going to London together on the coach and playing tourist after the interview was the fun part. The embassy part was hot and boring."

I agree with you! We had a great time. We met in Heathrow and stayed in a hotel in Mayfair across from the embassy. We went to the palace, the national galleries,took a ride up the Thames, Harrods and a lot more in a few days.

It never even occurred to me to ask permission since I am the USC and he had an invitation to be there. But the rules may have changed or it may be the same as any other US entry point where it is all down to the individual who is working that day.