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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on March 15, 2013: |
Lovemad
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my interview at the U.S Embassy in London at 8am on Wednesday, March 6 2013. I came to London on the previous day ensure that I arrived for my interview on time. As I was staying in a hotel in the Bayswater area, I was fortunate enough to be near to the Queensway tube station, which is on the central line. So I left my hotel around 6.15am and took the central line from Queensway directly to Bond Street, from which it's about a 10 minute walk to the embassy.
In anticipation of the queues that I've read so much about, I arrived at the embassy a little after 7am. Sure enough there was already a queue, so I got in line and waited until they opened the doors around 7.45am. I came prepared ensuring that I did not bring any electronic devices with me, and left them at the hotel.
At around 7.30ish (time was a bit blurry for me) a lady came to the queue post and informed us all to have our interview letter and passport ready for inspection. She then checked this, and made sure our name was on the list, then I was led to wait near the door of the security screening room. Once inside, I was asked if I was wearing a belt, had any keys and then placed my coat and rucksack in a box on to pass through the security machine. I then walked through the scanner, collected my belongings and proceeded to the embassy. My appointment letter was then checked at reception and then I was directed to the waiting area. The wait this time seemed so much longer than when I had gone for my F-1 student visa, even though in reality it was shorter.
I was sitting in the waiting area by 7.45am and anxiously awaited the screens displaying our I numbers to be switched on, which happened around 8am. Whilst waiting to be called up to the first window, I had a quick check over all of my documents, making sure everything was in order. Around 8.10am, I saw my I number displayed on the screen and I proceeded to the first window. I was greeted by a very friendly lady, who asked me for my passport and then scanned my finger prints on each hand (first finger, then my two thumbs). She then asked if I had some recent passport photographs, which thankfully I did, and handed over and she handed back my older ones. We then went through my documents to make sure everything was in check for my interview. I had received an RFE for the AOS, so asked about handing over the requested documents. She then checked over my file and said that because all of my joint sponsor's documents were there, nothing more was needed, but she said that if I had a copy of my husband's most recent W-2, then that would be good. Thankfully, I had this to hand which I gave to her. I was then handed an envelope with a CD of my chest x-ray, which she advised me to hand over when I enter the U.S. She also asked when I planned to enter the U.S. and just advised me that my visa is only valid for 6 months from the date of my medical, so to make sure I go before it expires, which I assured her I would be. I was also given a courier form to fill out to have my passport sent back, if my visa was approved. And I was also provided with a document, which provides immigrant spouses with information on their rights in the U.S. She then wished me a good day and told me to look out for my I number to be called to the second window.
It was around 8.20-8.25am that I went to sit down in the waiting area again. Although I had brought a book with me to read to help pass the time, I was unable to read and my eyes were glued to the screen. During this time, I also filled out my courier form. At around 8.30am (could barely believe it), my I number was displayed again and I went to the second window. I was greeted by a friendly Consular Officer, who first checked my fingerprints. She then administered the oath to which I replied, I do. I was then asked to sign part 2 for my DS-230. The first question I was asked was who is petitioning for me; to which I replied my husband and gave her his name. She then asked how we met; what type of family he is from (ie large, small, etc); what type of wedding we had and asked about a couple of our photos, which seemed to be more out of interest. She then asked how I know my joint sponsor. The officer then said that my visa had been approved. My original documents were all returned to me, and the CO then advised me to go to the courier desk and that I would receive my passport and an envelope containing my immigrant visa documents in the mail. I thanked her and she then wished me good luck. At no point did I find the questioning to be intense, it seemed more of an informal chat with questions thrown in.
I could barely believe it, by 9am my visa had been approved and all of my worries seemed to be completely unfounded. I went to the courier desk and then selected the standard option. Upon leaving the embassy, I went to "le pain quotidienne" to grab some breakfast before heading back to the hotel to collect my things. For the remainder of the day, I felt completely elated and like I was walking on air and even called my husband at the anti-social hour of 5am EST to tell him I was approved and we would be reunited soon. So overall, my interview experience was great, a good mixture of American efficiency and friendliness. If anyone has any questions, then I'd be happy to answer them and I hope this review is of some help.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11637