I arrived and joined the line at 8am for an 8.30am. In hindsight I wish I has ignored the embassy letter and arrived earlier as it took about 30 minutes to get through checks and security and to collect my raffle ticket the embassy building is a strange one - very modernist and very circa Soviet Union 1960s - very out of place with the period buildings of the square. The line to enter is also on the side of the square and you should check in with the ladies at the tables before joining the queue. Some people didn't and unfortunately were asked to rejoin the queue at the back.
After padding through security and walking around the building, you enter through glass doors and collect your ticket from reception. You are then directed into an oblong sports hall type room with big screens on the front of the wall.
I waited four hours for my number to pop up on the screen. I think the I numbers take a lot longer than the other number tickets. I tried to read a book but as the numbers for the other visas were pinging on the screen every other minute (and I was nervous I would miss my number) it didn't really help. They also show videos of America on loop - you will watch them quite a few times before your interview
Little booths line the room and this is normally where you will have your documents checked, when they call your number. I had a very funny Asian lady who talked to me about really random topics. But at least it put me at ease and made me laugh. I was told to wait for my interview. I figured however at this point it should be fine as the lady had spoke like I was going to the states ( when you get to the states ... Etc). I then sat down and waited a further thirty minutes to get called to window 15 which is a larger booth. That and window 16 seemed to do all the interview and was around the corner from the main room past the toilets and photo booth.
I had a quite stern American man who asked me four questions. How did I meet my fiancé? What does he do for a living? When did we first talk about getting married? Why the us instead of the uk? That was it - we were approved! Was very happy and thanked him!!
Struggled to get my 3G to connect and had to wait until i got to Oxford street to Skype him. As this was four hours later - he was a bit inpatient to hear!! Overall straight forward and very easy process - just very long morning and would advise eating breakfast and getting coffee before hand!
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #13289
Review on November 21, 2013:
the embassy building is a strange one - very modernist and very circa Soviet Union 1960s - very out of place with the period buildings of the square. The line to enter is also on the side of the square and you should check in with the ladies at the tables before joining the queue. Some people didn't and unfortunately were asked to rejoin the queue at the back. 