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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on January 14, 2013: |
Tim42
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Since I had an interview early Monday morning, we stayed in London for the weekend so that Janice could look at some last exhibitions before she left for the US(top tip - we found the 4 star Cumberland Hotel right by Marble Arch has winter weekend special rates for only £85 a night - bargain for this part of London, very short walk to the Embassy)
Put the phone into Goulds at around 7.15 (they were already open and doing business) and joined the queue, already about 40 strong, outside the embassy, waiting in the light snow (settling on the shrubs in Grosvenor Square but not on the pavement). They started allowing people through security at 7.30am, where they discovered that I had a head-torch in my pocket that I'd forgotten about. Since I've broken my foot and it's difficult to walk, rather than take the torch back to Goulds, I left it hanging over one of the railings in Grosvenor Square (it was still there when I got out) and returned to the head of the queue, which they allowed since I had already got there and returned quickly.
Back through security, so they could scan everything (including the walking stick) and into the Embassy proper by around 7.50am - they started calling numbers (mostly N numbers with a sprinkling of E and I numbers) promptly at 8am.
I had number I-906, and was called to the first window to present my documents at around 9am. An unsmiling British woman who asked for the documents without making any comments.
On to the interview proper at about 9.50am with a youngish (well at least to my eyes) American man. He asked about how we met and where Janice was now (actually looking around the V&A for the last time prior to moving mack 2 days later) - he was fascinated with the way we met in the South Pacific and took away some details so perhaps could go there one day.
Rather than relying on income or a sponsor in the USA we were relying on my (UKC) assets. He appreciated that I had them laid out so that the flow of money from investments to bank account (well over the required amount) could be seen. We did have to show Janice's tax returns as is standard as well.
He said everything was in order and approved the visa by 10.00am, so I could go and find Janice (and my torch) in short order.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11261