Interview related questions

[SW1 0]

Hi,

I have my interview at the US embassy in London in February, and now beginning to get anxious. I have a few questions, if anyone would be kind enough to advise me further.

1. Recommended interview clothes – smart suit or smart/casual (no tie)?

2. How long do the interviews last, on average, and what kind of questions? How best to prepare?

3. Do I need to take anything with me? With the original I-130 we provided quite a few photos going back several years. I just read on another post about someone considering taking photos, money transfer receipts and phone bills to their interview. The NVC did not write to request anything like this.

4. I think I read a discussion on another post before that sometimes both the husband and wife will attend the interview, but this is optional? I am the (hopeful) immigrant and my wife can’t take time away from her job too easily if not absolutely necessary. We would rather have a holiday later! It’s ok that I attend alone, right?

5. What happens after the interview? What is the wait time from then on? How soon can I go to the USA, either with green card or for a visit (visa waiver)?

6. Am I right in recalling having read that the green card will be sent to my wife’s address?

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

[h13rma 35]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

This has a post in it that covers pretty much everything you ask here and was written by people who have just gone through the process.

Your Visa will be in your passport, and you won't be able to travel till you get your passport back but it doesn't seem to take long.

It's worth taking some proof, photos or the like, just so you have something if you are asked.

London seems to be a pretty low stress interview from what you hear on here.

Your green card will be sent to your address in the isa after you move there.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi,

I have my interview at the US embassy in London in February, and now beginning to get anxious. I have a few questions, if anyone would be kind enough to advise me further.

1. Recommended interview clothes smart suit or smart/casual (no tie)?

2. How long do the interviews last, on average, and what kind of questions? How best to prepare?

3. Do I need to take anything with me? With the original I-130 we provided quite a few photos going back several years. I just read on another post about someone considering taking photos, money transfer receipts and phone bills to their interview. The NVC did not write to request anything like this.

4. I think I read a discussion on another post before that sometimes both the husband and wife will attend the interview, but this is optional? I am the (hopeful) immigrant and my wife cant take time away from her job too easily if not absolutely necessary. We would rather have a holiday later! Its ok that I attend alone, right?

5. What happens after the interview? What is the wait time from then on? How soon can I go to the USA, either with green card or for a visit (visa waiver)?

6. Am I right in recalling having read that the green card will be sent to my wifes address?

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

The link to the guide is for K1s. Only posts 6-8 will be loosely helpful to a CR1. Watch the video (there's a link) and you will see people wear everything and most don't wear suits.

Time: Get in line by 7am and when they start interviewing at 8am, you might be the first immigrant interview and out by 8:30. Got at 9am and there will be many ahead of you and you may wait inside a couple of hours. The interview itself is maybe 15 minutes.

Take with you. London provides a list. Since most of your documents are already there from NVC...passport and appointment letter would be the minimum. Relationship evidence...London isn't interested. Maybe take a couple of photos together if you want.

No the spouse is not needed at a London interview at all. London requires special permission in advance if she wanted to attend.

Visa returned by courier in 5-10 days average. Did you already schedule the courier online? As soon as you have your passport/visa, you may go to the US on the VISA, not greencard or VWP. You won't need ESTA when you have the CR1visa in your passport. Greencard is issued after arrival in US.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[Ryan H 3,894]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion; topic is about this phase of the process and is applicable to multiple visa types.

[SW1 0]

Hi,

Thanks very much for your replies. I looked at the page suggested by h13rma (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/), although I understand from Nich-Nick’s comments that this page is not entirely relevant, as it is for K1 fiancé visas, so I focussed on posts 6-8 on that page. But I was surprised to see the information on post 6 as follows: “Before going to the Embassy, check your mobile phones, car keys, headphones, thumb drives, and any electronic items at Gould’s Pharmacy…” I note also from the video link provided, that we’re not allowed to take backpacks and phones etc. It seems strange that this information is only available on a forum like this and a youtube video – it’s not mentioned in the letter which stated my interview date and information, nor on the official website.

Similar, Nich-Nick’s question, “Did you already schedule the courier online?” No, I haven’t. This is the first I heard about this. Please can you advise me further? It seems strange to have to schedule a courier when I have no collection date or other collection information. But the embassy youtube video shows paying for delivery after the interview ?

I note that on post 5 of the URL above, there are guidelines for registering the appointment date and paying £150. I’m so confused now! Please tell me that’s only for K1 visas, and that I don’t have to register anything online at this stage and pay £150? However, I understand that there is another fee to pay after the interview, e.g. http://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-immigrant-fee ? Please can anyone clarify?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi,

Thanks very much for your replies. I looked at the page suggested by h13rma (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/), although I understand from Nich-Nicks comments that this page is not entirely relevant, as it is for K1 fiancé visas, so I focussed on posts 6-8 on that page. But I was surprised to see the information on post 6 as follows: Before going to the Embassy, check your mobile phones, car keys, headphones, thumb drives, and any electronic items at Goulds Pharmacy I note also from the video link provided, that were not allowed to take backpacks and phones etc. It seems strange that this information is only available on a forum like this and a youtube video its not mentioned in the letter which stated my interview date and information, nor on the official website.

Similar, Nich-Nicks question, Did you already schedule the courier online? No, I havent. This is the first I heard about this. Please can you advise me further? It seems strange to have to schedule a courier when I have no collection date or other collection information. But the embassy youtube video shows paying for delivery after the interview ?

I note that on post 5 of the URL above, there are guidelines for registering the appointment date and paying £150. Im so confused now! Please tell me thats only for K1 visas, and that I dont have to register anything online at this stage and pay £150? However, I understand that there is another fee to pay after the interview, e.g. http://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-immigrant-fee ? Please can anyone clarify?

Hey --thanks for checking so thoroughly all the advice you were given above. Most can't be bothered. I can tell you are trying to sort yourself out by reading things.

That fee is the K1 visa fee. You already paid your CR1 visa fee at NVC. K1s don't pay or send anything to NVC, so different. Since summer the courier is arranged in advance. The older video shows the former way of courier arrangements. But the desk is still there for those who couldn't pay online or didn't see the instructions. They request you do it online now.

I am not super informed on CR1s, but here are some links for you

http://london.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visas.html first two paragraphs are for you.

http://london.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visas/interview.html same info as above in the right column here

http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html third paragraph and below for review of documents

http://london.usembassy.gov/visas_security.html security and what not to bring

I don't know what your appointment letter said, but the K1s and DCF applicants are referred to the London website. There are many things in the left column to read (some I linked you to here). You have to take it on yourself to click Medical, visa Fees, the Interview, Security, Location, Courier, etc to find out what to do for a London interview.

Hope that helps. Start clicking.

[SW1 0]

Hi Nich-Nick,

Thanks for your reply and the further guidance. I have registered the interview (the required amount of bureaucracy never ceases to amaze me!) and paid for the courier for the passport+visa delivery. I checked the other links you sent me and have been through everything.

One final question (hopefully my last question!) is that my wife recently moved to a different apartment. We tried to email NVC to let them know, but they replied saying that the papers had already been sent to the US embassy in London, so we should notify them. Therefore, I have a signed letter (notification of change of address) from my wife to submit at the interview next week. That’s ok, do you think?

Thanks again.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes, not a big issue. You present passport and any documents you might be bringing the first time you are called to a window. You can turn in the change of address then. Or even without a formal letter, you could just tell your interviewer (second window) that she has moved. The address change is important for you because they will mail out your greencard to the US address after your POE. Double check with your interviewer that the address is changed, even if you tell the document person. If you were a K1, it wouldn't matter so much because nothing gets mailed to the US address. K1s could just put the new address on their adjustment of status applications.

[SW1 0]

Hello,

Thanks to everyone on here who helped us! My visa was approved! Now waiting for my passport to be returned to me with the visa and hope to arrive in America next week, and receive the green card soon after. It's really good news.

I would post our timeline etc on here, but we had various delays which weren't part of the usual process. Firstly, my wife was not a citizen when we began the I-130 process. Then when she became a citizen and things could have sped up, we slowed things down by submitting some papers etc. as late as possible, to fit around some other big life events / circumstances. So, our timeline would be very misleading to others who are trying to get a sense of things.

Anyway, happy to answer any questions if I can help anyone else.

Thanks again.

All the best!