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United Kingdom US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.4
/ 5
1803 Review(s)
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| London, United Kingdom |  Review #33302 on July 19, 2024: |
Jonrodrii
Rating: 
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Hello all, wanted to share my case and hopefully help someone who wants their questions asked.
I'm excited to share that my visa was approved this morning!  Here’s my experience:
I drove to the Sainsbury car park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the US Embassy—perfect if you plan to drive and need parking. I arrived at 08:15 and waited in the car until 08:30 before heading to the embassy.
Upon arrival, I reached a small reception area outside the building where I was asked to present my passport and DS-160 form.
The staff there noted a number and signed my DS-160, then returned both documents to me.
Since I was early for my 09:30 appointment, I was instructed to wait on one of the benches outside until 09:00.
At 09:00, I returned and was kindly allowed inside, where I encountered the security area. The process was similar to airport security: they checked my passport, DS-160, my unlocked phone, and my open bag. They asked me to remove my watch and belt too. Once through security, I entered the building, where there were two queues leading to a reception desk. Only 2-3 people were ahead of me, so I didn’t need to skip the queue as I had been told to skip it by the woman in the reception outside area.
At the inside reception, a gentleman scanned my DS-160 and passport, then printed out a number starting with "I" (mine was I908). He directed me to the elevators, and to go to first-floor, instructing me to turn left after the elevators and then left again at the end of the corridor. I waited for about three minutes before my number appeared on the screen, directing me to desk 20.
There, a sweet American gentleman asked if my fiancé or I had ever been married, and about the countries I’d lived in for more than six months since the age of 16 (the UK, Spain, and Portugal). He then requested my original birth certificate, criminal records from Portugal and Spain, the ACRO certificate for the UK, my passport, DS-160, I-134 form with its evidence, and a 2x2 US-sized photograph.
After collecting these documents, he asked me to read a leaflet on abuse rights while I waited for my number to be called again.
After approximately 20 minutes, I was called to desk 23. A very nice American lady asked me to confirm my fiancé’s name and to swear an oath to tell the truth. She then asked five questions:
How did you meet your fiancé?
How did your fiancé/you propose?
Where does your fiancé live?
How many times have you seen your fiancé, and has your fiancé ever lived in the UK?
Have your fiancé and your parents met each other?
After answering, she smiled and informed me that my visa was approved. She asked if I had any questions and confirmed the address where my passport would be sent once the visa was issued.
The process was quicker than I expected, taking about an hour from start to finish, even in the early morning. Everyone was very nice and kind. The questions can vary; I overheard others being interviewed, and while their questions were different, they were also asked only five. I initially thought the interview would be conducted in a private room, but it took place in the same area where you wait for your number to be called.
They returned my birth certificate, DS-160, and criminal records but kept my passport, I-134 form, and supporting evidence like the employer letter, W-2, tax return, and savings statements of my Fiancé.
I hope this helps, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!
Regards
Jon
| | | London, United Kingdom | Review #33260 on June 25, 2024: |
Haynes
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Although the area the Embassy is in is very nice, the area by Vauxhall station which most people will travel through is very much not a great place to be. I stayed at the Travelodge London Vauxhall as most here did, and it's the standard Travelodge experience, nothing special but perfectly fine for an overnight stay. I paid the extra few quid for late checkout which was worth it for me to freshen up after before heading home.
My appointment time was at 9.30am, so I arrived around 9am which most people here recommended. The queue for visas wasn't too long, so I didn't skip as I read a lot of people here do. (For what it's worth, I wasn't told at any stage to skip any queues, I might have tried it if the lines were busy but I never queued for more than 5 minutes at any point.). At the first queue outside, my passport and DS-260 was checked and sent onwards into the security queue.
G4S who operate the security were unpleasant to deal with and left a sour taste. There is an X-ray machine and a metal detector. I asked if I should take my belt off for the metal detector that apparently required a committee of people to decide, and took longer than what it would have taken me just to take the belt off. Once my items were scanned, I was told I had to put my belt on outside in the courtyard? It wasn't in the slightest bit busy there so seemed odd. I started to pick up my items including the belt to take them outside, and was yelled at that I had to put the belt on outside. Then, after trying to walk outside with only my belt, was yelled at again for leaving my items behind! Bit of a bizarre experience, and I imagine for a lot of people who wouldn't have English as their first language this would be a nightmare of confusing instructions.
Across the courtyard and inside to another queue to check in at reception, once checked in I was given a number to look out for and instructions to take the lift up to the first floor, turn left, walk all the way to the end of the corridor and turn left again. I had to tell the person who greeted me immediately outside the lift that I was here for an immigrant visa and didn't need to join those queuing for their non-immigrant visas.
I sat down in the waiting room, and after about 10 minutes was called up to provide my documents. Passport, DS-260, marriage certificate, police certificate, birth certificate and courier confirmation page. I was asked basic questions about myself, my name etc. and asked for a planned travel date. I was given the pamphlet about domestic abuse to read then told to sit down and wait for my number again.
Unfortunately, there appeared to be two booths open taking documents, but only one for interviews. This meant there was a bit of a backlog when I was there. I tried to estimate how long I would be waiting by timing interviews and looking at the numbers ahead of me, but not everyone with an I (immigrant) number required an interview and of course some interviews took (a lot longer) than others. There isn't much in the way of privacy at the booths either so be prepared to hear everyone's life story whether you want to or not. There are no signs pointing towards toilets or anything which is a bit annoying, for reference if anyone reads this, head back towards the lift and you'll find them. There is also what appears to be a little café here, although I only noticed this when the lift doors were closing so couldn't investigate further.
I waited about an hour and 50 minutes after handing my documents over to get my actual interview (hour and 40 after my appointment time). I was asked three very basic questions about my relationship with my wife, and then asked if I had read the pamphlet and if I had any questions. I was then told that I had been approved and to expect my visa to be delivered in the next two weeks. I was stood at the booth for my interview no more than three minutes. Back the way I came in, through security and outside to call my wife and tell her the good news.
The visa itself arrived around 50 hours after my interview via the courier, who shoved it through my letterbox despite my apparent need to be in to show ID.
Although the process was simple enough, I did feel a bit annoyed by security and how long it took to be seen for my interview. Obviously not everyone has a simple open and shut case like mine (married for four years and lived together in the UK for quite a bit of time) and I understand their interviews can take a while, but I only really had about 10 minutes of actually doing something during the two hours or so I was in the building.
| | | London, United Kingdom | Review #33270 on June 10, 2024: |
Green Lady
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my interview 10th June 2024 at the US Embassy, 9 Elms, London. Other peoples detailed reviews have helped me so here's mine and i hope it helps someone else!
I travelled down from the Midlands on the Sunday afternoon for a Monday 8.30am appointment. I didn't want to risk running late or being delayed (waited too long for this!) so i booked the train to Euston, then taking the tube south on the Victoria Line to Vauxhall. I booked in at the Travelodge there and arrived a bit earlier than expected for my 3pm check in, so wasted some time at the Starbucks and then at the Waitrose that are on the same block, just steps away. You can take food into the hotel. A few notes on the Travelodge. It was great for what it is - good location and half the price of other hotels nearer to the Embassy - but just small niggles make me hesitant to recommend it 100% unless you are on a budget - then its perfect. Know that if you check in before 3pm you will be charged £10 early check in fees. This isn't clear on the booking, however I was able to enter the building early and they have sofas next to the check in desks that you can wait on. I experienced a 'newly refurbished Super Room', which was missing an office chair although it had a desk, and had no 'modesty' curtains only the choice of fully open or light blocking curtain. This would be ok if it didn't face the platforms of Vauxhall station! I was on the 3rd floor which was a quieter room than others below due to the open air bar next door playing pretty loud music. So you can book a quiet room if that's important to you. The beds are good and i managed to sleep well there. The staff were lovely and helpful.
I left the hotel at 6:55am and used google maps to find the walking route to the embassy which is only a 10-15min walk. (To note: There's buses that take literally 5mins from Vauxhall to the embassy. Its so close to walk or bus it!) I wanted to have a look at the Mi6 building so i walked across the road from the hotel to the bridge, passing Pret A Manger (open from 5am!) and took some pictures from the bridge. I then doubled back and took a right onto Riverside Walk, which was surprisingly nice even in heavy rain! Around about the Nine Elms Pavillion i crossed over the road to the embassy, walked past the main entrance and around to the Visa Services areas. Even with a slow walk (i knew i was early) and taking pictures on the way i still arrived before 7:15am.
On arrival there were already around 30 plus people waiting and the staff were only just bringing out and erecting the two marquees! I went to the blue one first just because i wanted to see if i needed to wait there. There were only about 10 people but it took around 10 mins for them to open up and see the people who were there first. When i got to the front they sent me to the red one but told me not to queue. I did this and the staff at the red one said i needed to get in the queue so i did. I was so early it didn't matter to me which was good. I got to the front at 7:50 am and they told me i was too early and to go away and come back to the front at 8am. They are really strict on this! So i wandered towards coffee places and back. Then i was asked for my passport and DS-260 printout and let through towards the doors between the two tents. At the entrance another staff member asked me to show my phone, unlock the screen, then let me through.
I was inside to security and had to wait again here because a lady with a baby had a bottle of baby food in a glass jar - they don't accept glass through security. Once the glass jar issue was sorted out the line got moving again and i was swiftly through security which has scanners like in the airport. You take your coat off and put it with your bag into a tray and walk through the scanner. Through the set of doors and you are in an open courtyard area and its a short walk to the main building.
In here there are queue barriers in a maze shape but there were only two people in front of me so it was straight to the reception desk which was a very calm area after the hustle and bustle of the queues outside. The receptionist checked my DS-260 and passport and printed off a number sticker for my passport and sent me through a corridor with instructions to take the lift to the 1st floor turn left and left again. Its pretty straightforward but as you come out of the lift, even at 8:20 in the morning there are so many people in the cordoned area waiting for the non immigrant visas. Its a little awkward as you have to walk in front of them waiting, between the heads of every queue and the window they are waiting to go to. But once you get past that and round the other side its very quiet.
There were 4 people already there and I could listen as i sat there as its not completely private so I generally knew what to expect by the time i went up to the window when my ticket number got called. This first part is to give your original documents to the officer for checking which i did. I was asked for my birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certs with translations if necessary, and the divorce papers. Questions were 'is this your first marriage' and 'how many times has your partner been married', then questions confirming what you have put in your applications, confirming names and basic info. Then i was told to take a seat again and wait
This next wait took longer. The first was only a few minutes, maybe 10 max. But this time took more than an hour and it was very quiet and relaxing in there, all white everywhere with blue cinema style seats which are well spaced from each other. The seats are really comfy and i had to be careful not to drift off to sleep!
Finally i was called up and asked to swear on oath for which you just put your hand in the air and the staff member says his piece, then you say i agree or i will, (something to that effect). He then asked some more questions to check full names and the US address of my petitioner. He asked how we met and i answered. He was very non-judgemental and was pleasant and not intimidating at all. He then was asking me about the timeline of how often we had visited each other, when we got married, and asked when i was planning to leave the UK. He said all my documents were in order and he was pleased to say he could approve the application today. I was trying not to shout YAYYYY! He smiled and gave me my documents back, then pre-empted my next question - when would i get my passport back? Within 5-10 days he said. Of course i was so excited leaving there!
I walked out and waited to text until i got to the courtyard. To leave you go back through the same security area but are not scanned again or checked at all.
Once out i decided to take a walk to Battersea Power Station which has a new tube station and a large new mall. It only took 10mins to walk and was completely different from Vauxhall and much less busy so i would recommend going that way if you want a quieter/newer station. I got an uber boat from the riverside at Battersea to Westminster, changed to the open top tourist boat and had a fun ride down to Tower Bridge before getting the tube back to Euston. I would recommend the river cruises - it costs a lot more than the tube but definitely worth it for an experience of London from a different point of view.
So to summarise it was a very good experience, especially once inside the building. The signage for queuing could be improved out the front but get there early like i did and you'll have no issues. All the staff were pleasant and seemed quite happy in their work.
I got my passport delivered to my house on the Thursday after the Monday interview which was fast, although i couldn't be home as i was away that day and they'd only notified me that morning! They did not post it in my absence but sent me a text to choose which redelivery day. I chose Friday but on that day they did not actually deliver and it wasn't until late afternoon i got a message saying they couldn't deliver and i'd need to rearrange. I didn't try to update this until the Sunday by which time they had already scheduled it for Monday anyway. This delivery went well and I received my passport with visa a week after the interview.
| | | London, United Kingdom | Review #33182 on May 15, 2024: |
Mil123
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Medical appointment:
The medical appointment was pretty straightforward, but felt like a rip off in terms of how much they do for that £385. The only speed bump I hit was not having a recent Covid jab, which was a nightmare to get privately but by some miracle I got one within a few day.
US Embassy:
Again, pretty straightforward. There seemed to be two queues into the building. I got directed to one and handed over my passport and DS260 form which they signed and then said I would need to wait until half an hour before my appointment.
Once it got to that time I waited a few minutes in the other queue and then had to show my phone and open the clock app. Don’t bring a laptop, but iPads and kindles are fine you just need to have them turned on. I then got directed to the security queue and had to go through a toned down version of airport security. I would avoid bringing liquids, a family before me got stopped due to having several bottles of perfume. They asked me to have a drink from my water bottle, and didn’t seem to watch me do it and then let me leave the security building.
I did notice that anyone with young children was able to skip the previous queue and be taken into security.
I walked into the entrance and there wasn’t a queue inside and someone took my paperwork, gave me a number and pointed me towards the lift. She told me to go left and take another left. It’s pretty straightforward to find the area for the immigrant visas and there seemed to be a lot of people to point you in the right direction.
The first window you go to you hand over your documents, make sure you have the shipping confirmation if you’re going to have your passport posted back to you as they need that. They took fingerprints and then gave me some light reading about my rights when I get to the USA. The focus seemed to be on domestic abuse. I was a little worried as I have been in waiting for my marriage certificate to get to the UK from the USA and I only had a scan, but I did have the original marriage license so I gave both with my police certificate and birth certificate.
I waited around an hour/hour and a half for the “visa interview”. I got asked to swear I was telling the truth, a few questions about my husband and when we last saw each other, and that was it. He told me I was approved after this incredibly brief conversation. Relieved is an understatement. He gave me back my documents and didn’t need them I see any of my husband’s financial documents. This has been the easiest part of the whole process.
| | | London, United Kingdom | Review #33180 on May 14, 2024: |
Lee Thacket
Rating:
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Medical Appointment
My medical was very underwhelming. In fact, I would scarcely call it a medical. There was no request for blood or urine samples. Neither did they ask to weigh or measure me. (They did ask for my weight and height, but I insisted THEY did the measurements!) I had a quick chest x-ray to check for tuberculosis. Afterwards, I had an interview with one of the doctors. He quizzed me on my GP medical record as well as the questionnaire I had filled out. He picked me up on an incident of work related stress I had at work twenty years ago. He seemed happy enough when I told him the problem had been resolved by leaving the job.
The medical ended with a discussion about vaccinations. Unfortunately, my GP records did not the ones I had as a child. Visa Medicals offered to provide the missing vaccines for an extra £250. I declined as I felt I had given them enough money already. It important to note K-1 visas can be granted without all vaccinations, but you will need proof of being up to date before you apply to adjust your status to be a permanent. Visa Medicals will give you a leaflet explaining the rules and what vaccines you require.
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