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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on September 12, 2013: |
patrickhb
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
A quick note before I go on - I've heard a lot of people saying the consular interview is easy, that they want you to succeed, they're not trying to trip you up, etc. It's true, and when you really think about it, it makes perfect sense. If you want to keep people out of the US, you join the border patrol. If you want to regulate immigration, you join USCIS. If you want to represent the United States and be the smiling welcoming face, you join consular services.
This morning was easy - by far the easiest part of the entire application process.
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ARRIVAL
I arrived at the embassy at 07:05 and was the 9th person in the queue. We lined ourselves up next to the permanent security kiosk but at 07:20 they brought out a little gazebo, set it up right in the middle of the paved area, and had us queue up in front of that. They asked what time my interview was and wanted to see my passport and appointment letter. If it had been applicable to me, they would've wanted to see a DS-160 as well. They took a very brief look at the letter and passport, gave me a plastic bag to empty my pockets into, then had me step two paces to the right and line up again.
SECURITY
There you step forward, one by one, for another chap to look at your passport - this time holding it up next to my head to check the photo. Then I joined another queue a few feet from the security kiosk. They open the door of the kiosk and ask a few people at a time to come in. They take your little plastic bag - which by now should be filled with the contents of your pockets (except loose change - they let you keep loose change), as well as any bags, belts, or jackets. Those belongings go through the airport-style x-ray while you step through a metal detector. They ask you to grab your belongings and move on as quickly as possible - you'll have ample time to sort your stuff out when you get inside.
RECEPTION
Once through security, you go around to the right side of the building - the doorway you're looking for is huge, and very clearly signposted for "visas". At a reception desk I was asked to show my passport and DS-160; I handed over my passport and told her that I was a K1 visa applicant so I didn't have a DS-160. I also handed over my appointment letter and MRV receipt but I don't think she looked at those. She gave me a ticket with my number - I was I901 - and which had several barcodes attached. These barcodes were removed throughout the morning and attached to various documents and files, presumably so that they could all be identified together. The time was also printed on my ticket - it was 07:33. She pointed me to the left, up the stairs, and into the waiting room.
WAITING & INTERVIEW 1
The waiting room is a huge room on the first floor of the building - if you look up at the embassy from the front outside, you'll see it there, with high ceilings and row upon row of chairs. Along the right wall is a line of kiosks, much like a bank or post office. The screen at one end is enormous. One side displays ticket numbers as they are called up to the kiosks (you'll also hear a little Windows 'ping'); the middle part is largest and shows tourism/immigration propaganda; to the left are three smaller screens, showing advice on passport photos, BBC News (although the subtitles weren't working so good luck guessing what's happening), and children's TV. Below the screen is the tuck shop, which started opening at 07:40 but the chap was very slow so it took him about 40 minutes to set everything up. Tea and bottled water are £1 each; various other drinks and food are available. I took a seat at 07:35 and watched the propaganda; it's mind numbing, but then my only other option was a Dan Brown book so I wasn't complaining.
At 07:50 the first number was called, and it was mine. I went to the kiosk and was immediately asked for my appointment letter and MRV; then for my fingerprints on the airport-like scanner; next my police certificate, birth certificate, and copies; two passport photos, which were attached to forms I'd sent in months ago; and finally for the I-134 Affidavit of Support and the letter from my fiancée's employer. I had plenty of other evidence which I offered to her, but the letter was all she wanted. She also asked when I planned to fly, and for a contact number while I'm still in the UK. She handed me my x-ray CD and told me to keep it in my hand luggage when I fly. She asked if I'd paid in advance for the courier, which I hadn't; so she informed me that when I was done, I would have to exit the building, walk around the front and enter the opposite side, where the courier company has a desk. Then she asked me to take a seat and wait for my next interview. The woman was very friendly throughout and we chatted about various subjects only loosely related to the visa, so I really didn't feel tested.
That interview ended at 08:05. I sat watching propaganda and drinking tea until 08:45, when my number was called again.
INTERVIEW 2
The second interviews are conducted down a corridor to the right; it's the only corridor and is difficult to miss. My interviewer was the first American I'd spoken to at the embassy. She asked for the fingerprints of my right hand, again on an airport-style scanner, then took an oath affirming that everything I'd written, and was about to say, was the truth. She asked me various questions about (in no particular order): How we met; about our first meeting in person; whether we'd both visited each other, and how often; what we did on our most recent visit; about the engagement; about my fiancée's family and her work. It was all very conversational; the interviewer smiled, laughed and joked, and I felt very at ease. At the end she told me I was approved; had me sign my name and print my fiancée's on the bottom of form I-don'tknowwhat, which we'd submitted ages ago; then asked me about the courier. She repeated what the first woman had said, gave me a form to give to the courier company, explained the packet I'd receive in no more than 10 days (I assume she meant working days), and sent me on my merry way. The exit is at the end of that corridor. I went outside and around to the courier, paid them £8.85 for the standard service (they've cut the prices recently) and gave them my address, phone number and email. They handed me my receipt and tracking info, and I was out of the embassy compound by 09:15.
ALL IN ALL I WAS ASKED FOR:
Passport
Appointment letter
MRV receipt
Birth certificate & 1 copy
Police certificate & 1 copy
Passport photos (x2)
I-134 (Affidavit of Support) and letter from my fiancée's employer verifying her employment and salary
Credit/debit card for the courier (not cash or American Express)
... and that was my morning.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #12752