K1 visa interview review (Tue 10/04/2018)

[Elliott & Nickey 19]

Before beginning the review of the embassy or the interview itself, I'd like to say that if you intend to drive down to the interview then please leave plenty of spare time before your actual entry time for the interview. It was supposed to take me just under three hours to get to the embassy for my 11:30 appointment, so I left at 7 in the morning assuming that I would arrive around 10ish with plenty of time to spare. Due to heavy traffic I actually arrived at 11:40, so ten minutes after my appointment time, and forty minutes after my proposed entry time. I parked at the Waitrose across the road which gives you two hours free parking, but longer than that gains you a hefty £90 fine.

 

After arriving late to the embassy I ran down the path to the east pavilion, and then followed the signs to the south pavilion, where a found the small security entry point. I was the last person through security for the 11:30 appointments, so I was able to breeze through in a couple of minutes and then follow the pathway up to the embassy itself. As I neared the embassy doors I noticed four waiting lines, each one different depending on how soon your appointment was, and the exit line on the far left. Once again there was no one here so I went straight through and up to the front desk. Here I found a friendly woman who stuck a number onto the front of the confirmation email that I had printed off, this number being the one that you will have to look out for on the screens upstairs. I was told to use the elevator to go to the first floor, with only two floors to choose from and both of the clearly labelled, you shouldn't get too lost if you forget. Once on the first floor you turn left out of the elevator and follow the wall along and left again around the corner, where there is a much smaller waiting area with around 4-5 booths if I remember correctly. This waiting area, and the embassy in general, is all very up to date and clean, with large flat screens showing which numbers go to which booths. As I was late I only found a couple of other people in the waiting area, but I was instantly called up to the far right booth where I handed over most of the paperwork that I had taken ( I-134, Police certificate, one photograph, birth certificate, passport). However, strangely perhaps, they didn't ask for my DS-160 confirmation, delivery information, or confirmation of payment, but I wasn't too fussed. He asked me some general questions as we went through everything bit by bit, and then finally my fingerprints were taken. He handed back some of my documents and then I returned to my seat in the waiting area where I sat for what seemed like forever.

 

Now onto the interview itself, which came around in about 25 minutes after I'd sat back down. I was expecting to walk up to the booth and find a stern US officer preparing to grill me for all of the juicy details about my application and evidence. Instead what I find is a cheery officer, who I then proceed to have a short 3 minute interview with, which to be honest felt more like a nice chat. I was asked about four generic questions, like where my fiancee lives, or how we met, and in next to no time I was approved, with a big smile and congratulations from the bubbly US officer. Now strangely again she didn't ask to see any I-134 evidence, despite me taking a work letter and W2 from my sponsor. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't take any evidence when you go for your interview, but I found it odd that I went through without the US officer checking over the evidence at all. I was told that my visa would be delivered within two weeks and that was it, the interview was over and it was time to leave.

 

The new embassy is simple to navigate, and everyone that you meet will be friendly and helpful. I stressed a lot over this day, but the whole experience made it a lot easier. 

 

Good luck to all those going for your interviews, I hope that your day will be as smooth and as joyful as mine was.

[payxibka 10,044]

2 hours ago, Elliott & Nickey said:

the embassy in general, is all very up to date and clean, with large flat screens showing which numbers go to which booths. 

Of course it is, it is brand new

[CaptainAmerica 115]

Thank you very much for your review. I find these comments so helpful as to what to expect, especially given the new building. My interview is Tuesday morning and I'm fretting that I have everything in order. Regarding the US-sized photos they ask us to bring, may I ask from where you got yours? I got mine at one of those passport photo booths that also provides US sizes. I'm hoping those will be fine... I rarely see anyone commenting that their photos weren't correct, but it still has me anxious! 

[TransplantUSA 167]

6 hours ago, CaptainAmerica said:

Thank you very much for your review. I find these comments so helpful as to what to expect, especially given the new building. My interview is Tuesday morning and I'm fretting that I have everything in order. Regarding the US-sized photos they ask us to bring, may I ask from where you got yours? I got mine at one of those passport photo booths that also provides US sizes. I'm hoping those will be fine... I rarely see anyone commenting that their photos weren't correct, but it still has me anxious! 

I also got mine from the little booth in the supermarket and nothing was said so you should be fine  Good Luck!

[Elliott & Nickey 19]

6 hours ago, CaptainAmerica said:

Thank you very much for your review. I find these comments so helpful as to what to expect, especially given the new building. My interview is Tuesday morning and I'm fretting that I have everything in order. Regarding the US-sized photos they ask us to bring, may I ask from where you got yours? I got mine at one of those passport photo booths that also provides US sizes. I'm hoping those will be fine... I rarely see anyone commenting that their photos weren't correct, but it still has me anxious! 

Not a problem at all, I know that I was in the same position as you before I went for my interview, and I was constantly looking at embassy reviews to get an idea of what to expect. I promise you that it's really nothing to worry about, everything with go smoothly. I had my photos done at a small photo booth and picked the £8  US style photo option, and the embassy was perfectly happy with them. I wish you good luck for next Tuesday and I'll have my fingers crossed for you