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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 24, 2013: |
Jo Amelia Finlay
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Reading other reviews really prepared me for this, and I'm the kind of person who likes being *super* prepared!
Well, after stress and nerves over ridiculously windy rainy weather and a delayed train on my way in, I still got to Gould Pharmacy very early. Popped to Starbucks to kill some time, then back to Goulds for around 7.05am. They saw me waiting and let me in to leave them my phone at around 7.15 or so. Five mins later I was sheltering from the rain with the others in the queue (I think I was about seventh in line).
Not having my phone for time reference, hard to say when exactly the embassy people came out to start processing us but it didn't feel long, I didn't even get to finish the magazine article I was reading! Like everyone says they announce about Goulds etc, and this thins the line a bit. After showing my interview letter and passport to two gentlemen, I went through the airport-style security booth thing and then into the embassy itself. Issued my number by the nice girls at reception and up the steps, through an extremely heavy door (a man behind me laughed as I heaved it open!) and into the big waiting room.
Now, word of advice: *stay alert*! I was so tired and slightly burnt out having been up since 4am, that despite my nerves etc I kinda zoned out watching the big TV on the wall (tourist videos for different states) and consequently didn't decipher the terrible PA system announcement of my number (I was the first I-number of the day). Not all my fault, as it literally sounded like "Buh-buh-duh-duh-buh, duh-buh!" through the speakers, but if I had been more on the ball it might have made a difference. They were again having technical problems with the visual display, so the garbled rubbish was all we had for about 15mins. Anyway once I realised what had happened I popped back out to reception, and told them my mistake, the girl clicked something on her screen and told me to head straight to Window 1.
I had the infamous softly spoken Asian lady! Had to inwardly chuckle when I realised. And then strained to hear her and asked her to repeat lots of things, haha. She was very efficient and quick, throwing back any paperwork with gusto through the gap under the glass (like in a bank). She asked me Bob's full name, when I would be traveling and reminded me that March is the latest I can leave the UK. I handed over a tonne of financial evidence to support our affidavit but I think she only took the employer's letter. She also gave me back my CD with the chest x-ray on, but putting it in my laptop last night, it appears to be blank...!
In any case, soon enough I was done, and back sitting down. Having learned my lesson I sat with deliberately no visibility to the TV this time! And just stared at the now working display of ticket numbers being called/served at windows. I estimate it was about 30mins until I was called for interview, and met another infamous-on-VJ employee, the smiling African-American lady. She was an absolute delight, I was immediately at ease and we laughed and chatted throughout. I will try to remember the questions though they were nothing out of the ordinary, from my research on here:
-How did you meet?
-And when was this?
-How did you stay in touch after your return to the UK? (as we met while I was on holiday)
-I take it you have visited one another since...? (I mentioned I was there for Thanksgiving last year, and she asked if I tried pumpkin pie and did I like it, when I said a big yes she said "Okay, this interview can continue!" :P).
-When did you start talking about getting married?
-And you’ve met his family...?
I think that was it. She jokingly said "I suppose you would like to know if you have been approved today?" And then said she was happy to tell me I had. I did a big "Yaayyyy!!!" and then she explained about what I will be getting back from the courier, and told me that was it, I was free to go and we were all done! "Long process, short interview huh?" :D
I then walked out in a daze, back to a now packed Goulds for my phone, got a coffee and gave Bob a call... at nearly 5am his time, poor sod!
As everyone says, it was a quick (well, 2hrs ish?) and easy time in there - small hiccups aside, but I'm owning that! Everyone was pleasant, efficient and made a nerve-wracking "everything we've done has come down to this daaayyy" appointment as nice as possible, even for a stress-head like myself :P
Felt like a weight had been lifted as I walked out. Literally felt like skipping, but the slippery leafy pavements put me off!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #13093