Done123

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'We Haven't Been On A Date In A While,' Says Wife Who Apparently Doesn't Remember Yesterday's Costco Trip
 
COLCHESTER, VT — A local marriage is reportedly on the rocks after a woman expressed a desire to go on more dates with her husband, apparently forgetting he just took her to Costco yesterday.  [...]
 
https://babylonbee.com/news/we-havent-been-on-a-date-in-a-while-says-wife-who-apparently-doesnt-remember-yesterdays-costco-trip

Hi all,
 
Had my interview at the London Embassy recently, and it went a lot better than I was anticipating so I thought I’d share my experience to help anyone in a similar situation:
 
- I only managed to get my medical submitted the day prior to interview due to my GP taking 2 weeks to sign a paid-for letter that the doctor at Knightsbridge asked for as extra info. (This is despite me chasing with my GP every day, as politely as possible.) Time between my medical and interview was 11 working days. I recommend a longer period if you can. 
 
- I have a historical mental disorder which lasted around 4 years.
 
- I have history of minor drug use.
 
- My police certificate was over 12 months old.
 
My appointment was at 10am. The queues seem to be busiest in the mornings. If you’re facing the South Pavillion, there are three queues: one on the left, for US citizens, and two on the right that run alongside each other.
 
I arrived at exactly 9.30am and asked one of the staff where to queue - she said in the left-hand queue of the two that run alongside each other. 
 
That queue moved fast and when I got to the front (about 9.43am) and showed my passport and DS-260 confirmation page, I was specifically told skip any other queues, to go through the airport-style checks and get my ticket number at the desk inside. 
 
(If you need the toilet before you enter the main building, there is one next to the security area. After you’ve gone through security and you’re outside again, turn left and you should see it.) 
 
Inside the main building, when you get your ticket number on your DS-260 confirmation page, you’ll be told to go ‘in the lift to floor 1, left, left and sit and wait for your number’. 2 lefts will take you to the correct waiting area, but check the directions on your ticket to be sure.
 
I sat down and waited for my number to be called at 9.51am.
 
I was seen at the first window at 10.04am. They took my civil documents and said my photo’s background was too dark. (Even though they were done in a professional Photo Booth, I can see how they were too dark.) On the same floor they have a Photo Booth so I paid £8 for two new photos (at 10.11am) and handed them to the person at the window when they were free. Documents were accepted and (at 10.24am) I was asked to sit and wait for the next window to call my number.
 
The person didn’t say anything about my police certificate date, which was a huge relief. I’d recently paid for a new certificate anyway, but due to current delays related to last year’s ACRO cyber attack, I won’t receive it for around another two/three weeks. You can’t currently expedite police certificates. 

At the first window, you should be given a 2-page leaflet on your rights as a spouse of a US citizen for your perusal. At the next window, they’ll ask you if you’ve received this. 
 
I was called to the next window at 12.20pm. I was SO GLAD I brought a book. Highly recommend it as a calming distraction. 
 
The officer was polite, asked me the essential questions (‘where did you meet’, ‘do you live together’ etc.) and then approved my visa. 
 
I was out of the building at 12.30pm. 
 
Just to put this into context as it may have helped my case:
 
- My husband lives in the UK with me.
 
- We have lived together for around 5/6 years.
 
- We supplied additional, recent supporting information (birthday cards, text messages) before the interview. If you do this, be sure to upload copies to the CEAC website and press ‘submit’ BEFORE your interview. I was told by a lawyer that the officer isn’t allowed to view your recent supporting info on the day if you don’t do this. (Having said that though, on the day of interview the only original documents I was asked to provide were my civils.)
 
- I didn’t respond to interview questions with any more info than they asked for/needed. If it’s a ‘yes/no’ response, give a ‘yes/no’ response. They’ll ask follow-up questions if they need more info. Remember, the officers are working on tight timescales and their job is not easy.
 
I know this info is detailed, but I know some people (like me) like detail! Hope this helps someone.  
 

 
 

Hi all,
 
Had my interview at the London Embassy recently, and it went a lot better than I was anticipating so I thought I’d share my experience to help anyone in a similar situation:
 
- I only managed to get my medical submitted the day prior to interview due to my GP taking 2 weeks to sign a paid-for letter that the doctor at Knightsbridge asked for as extra info. (This is despite me chasing with my GP every day, as politely as possible.) Time between my medical and interview was 11 working days. I recommend a longer period if you can. 
 
- I have a historical mental disorder which lasted around 4 years.
 
- I have history of minor drug use.
 
- My police certificate was over 12 months old.
 
My appointment was at 10am. The queues seem to be busiest in the mornings. If you’re facing the South Pavillion, there are three queues: one on the left, for US citizens, and two on the right that run alongside each other.
 
I arrived at exactly 9.30am and asked one of the staff where to queue - she said in the left-hand queue of the two that run alongside each other. 
 
That queue moved fast and when I got to the front (about 9.43am) and showed my passport and DS-260 confirmation page, I was specifically told skip any other queues, to go through the airport-style checks and get my ticket number at the desk inside. 
 
(If you need the toilet before you enter the main building, there is one next to the security area. After you’ve gone through security and you’re outside again, turn left and you should see it.) 
 
Inside the main building, when you get your ticket number on your DS-260 confirmation page, you’ll be told to go ‘in the lift to floor 1, left, left and sit and wait for your number’. 2 lefts will take you to the correct waiting area, but check the directions on your ticket to be sure.
 
I sat down and waited for my number to be called at 9.51am.
 
I was seen at the first window at 10.04am. They took my civil documents and said my photo’s background was too dark. (Even though they were done in a professional Photo Booth, I can see how they were too dark.) On the same floor they have a Photo Booth so I paid £8 for two new photos (at 10.11am) and handed them to the person at the window when they were free. Documents were accepted and (at 10.24am) I was asked to sit and wait for the next window to call my number.
 
The person didn’t say anything about my police certificate date, which was a huge relief. I’d recently paid for a new certificate anyway, but due to current delays related to last year’s ACRO cyber attack, I won’t receive it for around another two/three weeks. You can’t currently expedite police certificates. 

At the first window, you should be given a 2-page leaflet on your rights as a spouse of a US citizen for your perusal. At the next window, they’ll ask you if you’ve received this. 
 
I was called to the next window at 12.20pm. I was SO GLAD I brought a book. Highly recommend it as a calming distraction. 
 
The officer was polite, asked me the essential questions (‘where did you meet’, ‘do you live together’ etc.) and then approved my visa. 
 
I was out of the building at 12.30pm. 
 
Just to put this into context as it may have helped my case:
 
- My husband lives in the UK with me.
 
- We have lived together for around 5/6 years.
 
- We supplied additional, recent supporting information (birthday cards, text messages) before the interview. If you do this, be sure to upload copies to the CEAC website and press ‘submit’ BEFORE your interview. I was told by a lawyer that the officer isn’t allowed to view your recent supporting info on the day if you don’t do this. (Having said that though, on the day of interview the only original documents I was asked to provide were my civils.)
 
- I didn’t respond to interview questions with any more info than they asked for/needed. If it’s a ‘yes/no’ response, give a ‘yes/no’ response. They’ll ask follow-up questions if they need more info. Remember, the officers are working on tight timescales and their job is not easy.
 
I know this info is detailed, but I know some people (like me) like detail! Hope this helps someone.  
 

 
 

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

Welcome to Visa Journey.  Unfortunately, you are misinformed.  Your only route is a CR-1 spousal visa.  You can forget about a K-3 visa.  They just don't issue them anymore. You cannot live in the US during the I-130 process.  The process for you will take 18 months or so from filing to interview.  Read, study, and learn the process below.  Ask questions.  The good folks here are eager to help.  The immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  Good luck.  Immigration is quite a ride!
 
 

I was in for my appointment at the US embassy in London today. I thought it would be useful to share my experience. 
 
My appointment was at 8am. I arrived around 7:30am to be faced with sizeable queues. There are three queues that I could see. 1 on the left hand side for us citizens. 2 on the right. One of those to check in after which you would join the other longer queue. As you have an appointment you can go straight to the front of the check in queue. Make sure and have your ds-260 confirmation printed to show along with your passport. 
 
Security step is next. I had a small back pack, bottle of water, phone, keys, wallet and documents. I just had to open the water bottle to take a sip I guess to show it was nothing dodgy. 
 
Then walked through the courtyard and into building where there is another queue. This one is to get your ticket number. 
 
After this take the elevator to the first floor. Once there I was directed to sit in the main area but soon noticed that I should've been round the corner. Left out the elevator then left again to the very end. There are instructions on the ticket. 
 
I was in the first few appointments of the day and was seen around 8:02. This initial counter visit was to take my docs. Passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police record and passport photo along with my biometrics. Was asked when I planned to move to the US. Was asked for my confirmation that I had set up passport delivery. I didn't have this but confirmed that I had done it. Was then told to sit down again. 
 
Was called up again around 8:30. Confirmed my name, date of birth, asked how and when I met my partner, what she does for a living, where in the US she lives, does she or I have any children or previous marriages then that was that. Congratulated me, returned my docs and told me the passport would be sent in 3-5 days. Was out of there by 8:40am.
 
All in all it was really straightforward and both people I spoke to were friendly.  
 
Delighted this is finally coming to an end. Good luck to everyone else on the journey.