Did my research on here by reading lots of embassy reviews...so glad I did as it put me slightly at ease with the whole process!
Pretty smooth morning in the embassy. Joined the queue at about 7.30am and was in the embassy at 8am. My appointment said 9am so no problem with getting in early. Sat around looking out the window waiting for my number to flash up. Got called up to the first window to be met by a very friendly American guy. Went through all my paperwork taking my passport, birth certificate, police certificate, MRV payment receipt and then the sponsorship forms from my fiance and his dad. He congratulated me on my engagement and then told me the next time my number gets called it will be for my interview. Went back to the big room and continued to watch all the various N numbers fly through. Glad the I numbers are called in order as it makes it a lot easier to know when you're gonna get the call. About 10.30 my number appeared again...my stomach flipped at that point....its taken about 10 months to get to this point so I felt like a lot was riding on this!
I then got called up to desk 15 to be greeted by another guy who wasn't as friendly as the first guy but I guess he has to be more serious. So he started with the "So tell me about your fiance"....how do you start answering that?? Anyway we started with when we met and when it got serious...what changed in the relationship. Then how we got engaged...then how I would support myself until I can work. Luckily I decided at the last minute to print off my savings statement so I said to him that I have savings and did he want to see the statement? He said yes and just took a quick look and said thanks a lot for bringing that in, that should keep you for a while. He then took another breath and I waited for the next question....he then said "well that all seems good to be so you're approved"........I just stood there staring at him...couldn't quite believe the words were out there!!! I said thanks and then he ran through getting the visa back in 8-10 business days and the sealed envelope etc. I gather up all the paperwork and walked away. I ended up going in to the toilets and just hiding in a cubicle for a couple of minutes to calm down!!!
Then I went back out the security booth to the outside world again...it was such a relief to be able to look at the people still in the queue outside and think thank god I wasn't still there!!!
I then waved goodbye to the embassy and went to the Starbucks to meet my mate...I tried to do the serious face thing so she couldn't tell....but as soon as she looked at me....I just started smiling and couldn't stop! Its such an amazing feeling to finally know for sure.
Called my fiance and he asked "Is it good news?" I said "It's very very good news!!!!!!!!!!"....we both had a little cry!!
Overall a great experience...straight forward entry into the embassy and all ran good. I think I was in there maybe 2.5 hours.
Good luck to everyone who is going through this process....its worth it!!
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #13115
Review on October 27, 2013:
