My visa interview was on the 22nd March at 9am. I arrived in the area just after 7.15am and left my phone, headphones and keys at Gould's Pharmacy (£3 for a small sealed envelope)and got a coffee and a breakfast bun from Grosvenor's cafe next door - much cheaper than Starbucks and the coffee is good! Gould's was very efficient. I headed over to the Embassy and joined a small queue - after about 5 mins a security guard came out and moved us over to the black bollards and made us form a queue behind two trolley desks. A blonde lady then moved down the queue checking visa appointment letters and asking about electrical items - quite a few people obviously hasn't read the information on the Embassy website as they ducked out and headed to Gould's to deposit their belongings. The queue moved quite quickly onto a security guard who checked our letters and passports - we were then called forward 4 at a time into the security hut for screening. I'd forgotten to take my torch out and had to duck out (luckily I'd read an embassy review on here and went and hung it over the park railings- it was still there when I returned! ). I rejoined the back of the smaller queue into the hut and tried again! No problems this time - I had a bottle of water and just had to drink a small amount to prove it was just water!
I got into the Embassy at 8am and was called to a window within 5 minutes. I had a small Asian lady who was efficient and friendly. We talked about the weather as she checked my paperwork. One sticky moment was cleared up quickly by her - I didn't have a police cert for Germany but as I'd not lived there continuously she just made me write a quick amendment on the DS230. Very helpful! I was with her for about 10 minutes and then went to pay.
After about 30minutes I was called by my number (some people state they were called by name but listen out for both, as they used both methods while I was there). I went to the next window and a African American lady interviewed me ( I say interviewed but if was more like a friendly chat) she asked:
- how we met
- how we kept in touch
- where Stephen was from
- what our wedding was like
- when we started to talk about marriage
We spoke some more about military service (she thanked me and Stephen for ours) and she then said I was approved! So happy. We discussed what I'll receive from the courier and paying the extra fees once I have my passport back. Apparently there is an information leaflet with the package.
I then paid the courier service and was out the door by 9.20am. Very quick service. They didn't seem to be sticking to the time on your letter and it seemed to be first come first served.
All in all from Gould's to the Embassy everything seemed incredibly efficient and well organized.
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11676
Review on March 22, 2013:
). I rejoined the back of the smaller queue into the hut and tried again! No problems this time - I had a bottle of water and just had to drink a small amount to prove it was just water! 