Hope and top tips from my experience! K1 VISA APPROVED!!

[yogi3859 6]

Hi everyone,

I had my interview at the US embassy in London on 29th August and have been approved!!!! I just thought I would add my experience of the process.

TOP TIPs

1. Keep calm and carry on!

Yes I know the whole process is a nightmare but keep on filling in every form, dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's and eventually there are no more forms to fill in and you get to the interview.

2. Dont sweat the small stuff!

If you are like me and have spent hours worrying about a form you have sent in, whether or not you put the right date on, or even signed it, or did it get delivered, or whatever.... then don't worry. I made a whole pile of little errors (including being 2 years out on my sons d.o.b. lol) but was still approved.

3. Take 2 big envelopes

Envelope 1 - should have everything in it that it says to take on the list that you get online when you receive your appt letter.

Envelope 2 - take every other piece of paper you have that you may think possibly could be relevant. I took copies of every form i had filled in... extra photo copies of birth/marriage certs police record checks etc etc

You probably wont need anything out of envelope 2 but its just comforting to know you have it!!

3. They want you to succeed!

I found the embassy staff to be very helpful and fair. Obviously they have a job to do but if you are an honest person in an honest relationship then you have little to fear. They are on your side. I'm pretty sure that they already know 99% if you are approved or not... they just want to give you a looking over!

4. At the Embassy

Read the forums. They are spot on. My appt time was 9am. I arrived at 7.45am and dropped off my overnight bag and iphone etc at Gould's pharmacy (very efficient service). Then I joined the queue. There was probably 15-20 people already there. A couple of ladies check your invite letter and passport then you go through airport style security. I was in the embassy by 8.15am. Hang around waiting for your number to come up and then bingo go to the window.

5. At the window

I struggled to hear the lady behind the window because of the background noise and her Chinese accent made it a little difficult but she was a lovely lady and patient. She asked for various forms (out of envelope 1 lol) and ticked a few boxes and asked if I had paid the fee and did I have the receipt. I had paid the fee but i had forgotten the receipt!!!!! it wasnt even in envelope 2!!! panic panic!! it was left on the floor by my printer in my lounge 200 miles away aaaaghhhhhh!!

She asked her supervisor and after a little bit of discussion they just ticked the boss and trusted me! (I have an honest face!!). All done at the window go back and sit down.

6. At the 2nd window

This window was around the corner in a quieter area and an American young man explained that he needed to ask me a few questions under oath. Raised right hand and repeated the oath. He asked me how we had met? How long ago? How we were going to manage financially? When did I plan to travel? I waffled on a bit until he said you are approved!!!!! They have security glass in-between you and the interviewer which i think is there to stop me kissing him!!!

I was out by 10am, all approved, walking in a daze around the park opposite trying to phone my wife to be at 5am her time she was so pleased lol.

One other recommendation. I stayed overnight at the imperial college near Exhibition Rd which was a cheap and cheerful £59 including cooked breakfast. The place was very clean and only 20 mins away on a Boris bike which is a fantastic way of getting around London on a nice weather day

So now in just over 2 weeks I retire and fly out to the USA and yes im gonna fly 1st class cos I deserve it!!

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to K-1 Progress Reports ~

[nufcfc 1]

Great tips! And good job on getting approved!

[Tebessa1111 16]

Congratulations to you both !!!!

[johnnyv 20]

Good write up. Congratulations!!!

[yogi3859 6]

Thanks Kay.. I knew someone would put this in the right place lol

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Very well said. Copy and paste it into the embassy reviews so others will find it. A link is in your timeline and says "Submit Review".

My fiance booked first class too . He had saved up flyer miles for that treat.

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations to both of you.

[Togbega II 25]

Congratulations and thank you for this great info. Thanks

[adambrooks 0]

Hi, thanks for this post and congratulations on being approved. This gave me a good insight into the embassy itself..i had thoughts of a chlostrophobic interogation room with coffee in styrofoam cups...i have a couple of questions..did you dress smartly for the interview and do you think wearing a suit to set a good impression is a good idea?, how long did the whole process take for you?

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Congrats for approval, and thank you for the top tips. Those are really come in handy

[Mufmer 24]

Congrats guys,,,, n great tips for Uks

[aamirpearl 47]

congrats

[bigdog 376]

Good Job, nice write up.

[mounir412 101]

Congratulations!!!