Paulonto

Bah!! I was nerve wrecked!!
I guess it's better to worry too much than not enough but when you leave the Embassy you want to sing 😁
 
Thanks!

Hi all !!!!!
 
So I have just been to my interview in the London Embassy this morning, and since this forum really helped me, all the way down to the last day, I thought I too would give you a little review of what I experienced there today, because since this is the very last step upon which all are culminating, it can be rather nerve racking.
Previous reviews helped me.
 
My appointment was at 10:30am, and I was told to arrive 30 mns earlier. 
I actually arrived earlier than that and it turned out to be a good idea. Here's why:
When you arrive at the Embassy's building, walking the little serpentine road to the left, alongside the created large pond, you quickly arrive at a little queue of about 30-40 people, and it took around 15 mns to reach the little red tent-like kiosk clearly marked VISA, at the end of the queue. I reached it at 10:00 and they let me through. That was 30mns before my appointed time. Allow therefore queuing time.
They will ask for 3 things: 1-appointment letter, 2- the DS260 sheet (DCF US flag header paper or whatever online application cofirmation) and 3- of course the passport.
 
Then, through the door, I made my way through an airport-like security control room (belt off etc - incl E-Cigarette ok).
 
Pass that room, I made my way left toward the actual building where I reached another small queue. There, there was a young woman, casually drinking her cup of bought coffee, calling out late arrivers, those who had an appointment earlier than mine and were running late. They also called for those waiting for immigration (which I didn't respond to because at that point I innocently thought that we ALL were there for that reason  - silly huh?). Anyway, I followed the small queue, and once inside, we all waited for our time to arrive. Whilst waiting, again they called for late arrivers (there was one that was 1 hour late and seemed quite casual about it) and ALSO again those waiting for immigration. At this point, a family took the call for immigration so I followed them just in case.... I had nothing to loose, and was right. The girls at the counter, eating cakes and drinking coffee (which casual behaviour actually reassured me), looked at the same 3 things and told me where to go (up level 1 turn left twice) and stuck a label on my papers telling me the same thing plus what counter I should be hanging around by.
Up from the lift, I arrived at a waiting room. Ikea white and light stone grey is the theme, it is peaceful, well air conditioned and very clean. It's basically centered by bust-height dividers, to which, rows of 5 or six comfortable fabric chairs are attached. There's about 15 dividers at which end of half of them is a screen silently displaying numbers (mine was on my sticker). The elevator is on stand-up booths (18 of them in line), opposite are the large windows, and soft rows of chairs go from boths to window with plenty of room to walk around.
I was Immigration, so my number started with an "i", not an "N", and I had to turn left twice, so I plodded along to the left end of the room and turn left again, and found myself in a room, miniature to the first, with only 5 booths. I waited about 15mns, and my turn came.
 
There, and very nonchalant, polite and accurate English gentleman (Style shop-keeper of the Big Bang Theory) greeted me and helped me.
He was very friendly and made me at ease straight away (thus far I was very nervous)......very.
He asked me for my marriage certificate and my police reports, and asked if I had their photocopies, which I didn't but he kindly offered to copy them for me.... I remember now to read I should photocopy all the requested docs but thought it was nonsense . It turned out that they don't keep anything original but only the sponsor's papers, which he asked me also, with my photos and passport. We chatted extremely casually, feeling more like a little chitchat because he was interested. He never really looked at my papers but was more interested in filing them properly (kind of paper gatherer who's curious what sort of people come into this building). He took my digital prints, gave me my chest x-ray CD, thanked me and asked me to go to next booth now to pay, which I did. All and all about 15mns of chilled out chat with a nice guy who took my forms and filed them.
 
Next I waited around 10mns in the same room and was called to another stand-up booth, where an american young lady greeted and helped me.
She was very pleasant and relax. By then I was feeling relaxed anyway because the whole thing had so far been casual.
She asked me about my wife, how long I was married and where she is now, if I know the family.... very casually and relaxed.
She asked me to raise my right hand and swear that I've been truthful with everything, and then said that there's no problem, that they'll see my visa through. I had to hear the word "approved" so I asked her and she said "Yes!"  
 
ShooK hand (as if) and departed this lovely experience happy!
 
I need to say, the whole thing was really fine... lovely day. I wasn't sure what dress code I should adopt, but nearly everyone was dressed casually, some women with nice dresses, some men with nice shirt, only one or two with a tie on, but nearly everyone was dressed like if they were going to the park with the family. I'd say smart casual is good. I don't think they like it toooo formal there, they just like clean and fresh. 
If you bring a lot of paperwork, it's ok, as long as they have what they asked for online, they're happy, the rest is for you to carry, that's all, and it's better for your peace of mind to have more than you need, hey....why not!!!
The building is not as impressive as the previous one, with the huge overlooking eage, which looked like a impressive fortress of camera and guards. This one is not decorated but only with some discreet sculptured walls and is aesthetically relaxing in it's simplicity. 
 
I hope this helped folks! I know I was anxious the night before and I read all I could about Embassy reviews so Although this is a long one, I know it'll help someone.
 
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PWEW!!!! THANK YOU!!
4 days????????????
You lucky you!! Hee Hee
I'm realky glad for you!
Thank you so much!
(I have the feeling I will be developing an addiction to that update screen) lol

You will @Meisha&Jake!!!! You'll see!
I went there yesterday and it was a wonderful experience! See my review on it too... they're all very chilled out.
 
@sremlif, my status online still say that my appointment is still due. Was that like that for you too and then it changed after a couple of days? 
Thank you so much 
AND CONGRATULATION!!!!!

The Knightsbridge offerings and prices are on their website http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-price.htm
 
Some GP offices give free. Mine did. I just got them from the nurse,  lined up with all the tots. I did not have a doctor appointment. It's up to you what you find most convenient at a price you are willing to pay. I think Sainsbury's has shot clinics too. Maybe some Tescos. I haven't lived there in a while. It doesn't have to be the GP or Boots.
 
Spouse visas are a bit different than fiancés because you must have every required shot or a waiver marked prior to your interview. So Knightsbridge offer anything needed to fix you up. That's because you get a greencard upon arrival.  With a fiancé, they apply for a greencard after the marriage in the states. They can interview with zero shots and get them later in the US before they apply for their greencard. The drawback is they will pay another approved doctor in the US to fill out their USCIS immunization forms, whereas if they got everything before or on the day of their visa medical, that would count as the official form to use for their greencard application. 
 
Also, once done at Knightsbridge medical, you don't ever have to get any more jabs for immigration purposes. The shots waived are waived forever. For example a pregnant woman could have MMR waived. She never has to go back and get it after delivery.

Congratulations! Have a great trip to the US.

Thank you for the detailed experience and congrats on your next step onto US soil as an LPR!!!!

Just for the record
I went to Knightsbridge yesterday
And the did both MMR and Tdap
For £90
I must say I was really impressed with the service and attidude there.
They made so painless and so comfortable.
The whole thing lasted just over an hour.
Very happy I am 😁

Traveling before the interview is not an issue.
Traveling after having the visa in the passport is not an issue.
 
From the point of the interview until you get the visa - assuming everything goes well and they take the passport at interview - you won't have the passport. Normally this is a matter of days to couple weeks, but can be longer.
You can technically request it back, but it would delay your case since they can't issue the visa unless they have the passport.

The minute you get your passport back, you can travel. My husband (from South America) and I went to Europe for over a month together with the K1 in his passport before we used it to enter the US. 

They usually keep your passport for a few days.  Your passport is returned with a visa inside and you have a big (white?  brown? LOL we've had two brown, one white) envelope that you have to keep unopened and untouched until you enter the US.  You turn in the envelope at the immigration counter.
 
You have 6 months (from medical date) to use the visa to enter the US.  What you do in that 6 months doesn't matter.  You can plan to visit your family now or after your interview - just book your ticket to the US inside the visa expiration date.

If your paperwork is in order, they keep your passport to put the visa in. It should get back to you in one week (London specific info). Sometimes things can happen that would delay a day or two but a week is average. For me the delivery truck broke down and they didn't come. So don't plan France for exactly one week after the interview. 
 
The courier will bring a white envelope of your immigration files (marked do not open) ,  and your passport, all in an outer delivery wrapper. Open the wrapper to get out your passport. Take the sealed white envelope to turn in at POE.  No problem going to France with a USA visa inside your passport. France doesn't care. 

Thank you all so much! You've been incredibly helpful and supportive! I had no idea about the DCF option till this week but I'll definitely be using this route. I really appreciate all of you for taking an active interest in me and my family 😊

Hi! 
I'm so glad you found this forum Srckmc, It has helped me so much!
 
The guys are right, DCF is the best and quickest route for you, without a doubt, and forget these lawyer fees, they make mistake just like everyone else, only theirs are expensive!
My wife has been in the UK since 2009, but I have no children. It's basically the same route though.
 
Check my posts, and then ask what you need on this DCF part of the forums, and if i can help in anyway, I will, just like all the others 
(I keep my signature updated)
 
I wish you and you lil family the best journey!!!

Hello everyone. I hope you could help me because I am stucked here right now. I dont know what to do next. 
 
Im the beneficiary from the Philippines and my Fiancé is from US. He came to Pi for school but he went home already bec he's done with school and now he's just waiting me. Last April He received that I-797 NOA. And now we don't have any idea what to do next. Can I already go for medical or do I need to wait a letter that they will send to me here in my country? I already prepared all my certificates and it's ready (police cert etc.) please help me. Thank you so much in advance. 
 
Picture in the attachment is the latest letter my fiancé received in US

I am not sure about the Philippines but your letter should give you instruction.
In my case, once i received the letter, it told me to apply for the actual visa online. (DS-260).
 
In London, you cannot have an interview if you t had the medical first. Then you can't have the medical without the police certificate first. 
So in order: 
1 police certificate
2 medical
3 interview
Before all these 3 things I had to actually apply for the visa first.
(The petition was just to be approved to apply)
I hope that helps
 
To start a question you need to click on "Start a New Topic" on the top of the page of your chosen forum

Thank you so much Jorge V~ 
I've just made a request for the French police certificate online.
That's wonderful Jorge!!!!!!! I have my letter then!! What such good news!!!!!
I so appreciate your help each time! Thank you!
 
Thank you JoannaV!!
I'll get the police certificate pronto!
The French certificate online is so simple strangely .... no ID request and no fee!!!
It'll be with me in a few days (I'm worried about it because I skipped military circumscription back in 87... )
Thank you so much for such insight JoannaV, I never knew all that.
1 thing though please?
Would there be a reason why I would need to have 2 MMR when I can just have the 1 at the medical please?
Which would be best out of the 3 options?
Thank you so much for helping me JoannaV, I really appreciate! 

I got mine after. 2 weeks  
 
but can I also ask a question coz i dont know how to post. Im just new here. 
 
What will be the next step when after receiving
I-797 notice of action? Im stucked right now coz idk what to.do. When can I know I will be able to go for medical? Do I have to wait a mail? Btw im the beneficiary, from philippines

There's a UK user on here, @Sylv, who is currently going through the DCF process at the London embassy. He's been responsive to questions and generally active on the board. If you look through the DCF forum you'll find several posts by him. It couldn't hurt to reach out to him for some guidance since he has the freshest knowledge regarding DCF in the UK.
 
And as others mentioned, a lawyer shouldn't be needed unless the beneficiaries have previously run afoul of the US (think visa overstays or criminal activity). DCF is he fastest way to immigrate to the US, clocking in at around 3 months. The non DCF route takes 12-14 months.

Hi, my wife and I wish to move from our current home in the UK to my wife's hometown of Philadelphia. She has full US citizenship as she lived there her entire life until moving to the UK in 2010. My children (18 and 15 years old) and I were born and raised in the UK and they will be moving with us. We considered hiring a lawyer to help with the visa process but having spoken to a couple of law firms, we were shocked at the exorbitant fees they charge. And that's how we discovered VisaJourney! We've researched the visa process and have a basic understanding of what we need to do and would like some advice and tips on how to get through the visa process as quickly and painlessly as possible. We'd also be grateful for advice on any pitfalls we should avoid! 

Hi, we booked our medical a few days ago and our interview today. Our medical is on the 21st of November and the interview is on the 1st of December! It is really fast in london, and they have many appointments available so you shouldn't have to wait too long at all.

Thank you so much @shumway88, that's what I though.... the ohone number thing threw me off guard but I understand now! Much appreciated, and @TNJ17 too!!!

@Sylv Unfortunately this is outside of my knowledge or experience, so I'll leave this for someone who knows what they're talking about.

You cannot file through the London Embassy if your spouse resides in the USA

100% with Jorge V yes