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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on April 11, 2014: |
Mochard
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Looks like it's my turn. My appointment was for 9am on April 10th. I decided to fly down from Manchester Airport the night before. Easier for me to do that as I currently work at the airport.
I stayed in a travellodge up near Marylebone Station. Suited my purposes just fine. It was a 20 minute walk down to the Embassy in the morning. I didn't sleep too great so was up bright and early. I completely ignored my appointment time as suggested by countless others on here. I arrived at Goulds pharmacy at 7:20am and dropped off my bag. Probably didn't need to but decided it best as I had medication in my bag which may have been a security issue (needles).
There was already a queue forming of about 30 or so people and a nice girl ticked me off the list as she walked by asking for immigrant visa people. I joined the second queue and took off my belt and put my coins and wallet into the clear bag provided. Managed to drop my photos and I134 form onto the floor.
I was then called into the security cabin, they were letting 4 people in at a time but a couple behind me with a baby and pushchair were having trouble finding there I160 form. So I went in on my own. Security were fine and I walked through and picked up my documents and bag (after almost forgetting it).
I walked round through reception and was given I903 as my number. The girl on reception asked her colleague if they had any other Immigrant visas and they said no. This was confirmed by the fact that when they called I901 and I902 out in the room upstairs, nobody came forward, so I was the first Immigrant visa of the day.
I arrived into the large room up the stairs at 07:50am and checked in on facebook that I was at the US Embassy feeling nervous but excited. The screens weren't working to begin with but shortly kicked in a little after 8 o'clock. I didn't have to wait long until my number appeared on the screen and I went down a corridor and round a corner to booth 13.
I was greeted by a friendly mid 30's lady who congratulated me on my engagement. She asked me to write my name on the back of my two photo's and take out my proof of payment / courier form while she went off to get my case file.
I did this and then she chatted to me while asking me for all the forms. She said she was going to look at my passport to see all the exciting places I had been to and I said oh nowhere exciting, just America. Then I realized what I had said as she said America's exciting which I agreed that it was
She then told me about the latest date I could leave the UK which is September sometime, she said all my documents are in order and kind of hinted that the interview was just a formality.
I went back and sat down. I didn't check my phone so wasn't sure of the times but I wasn't there for more than 10 minutes and that included finger printing etc..
Wasn't long before I was called back again for my interview to booth 15 this time. I was greeted by an American gentleman who never cracked a smile the whole interview. He asked me when I first met my fiance and I said May 2012. He then asked me how we met, I told him that we both had MS and met on a facebook support group. He asked me to tell him again what date we first met. I got confused thinking he meant in person but no he meant the date I had just told him.
He then said OK I have approved your visa, goodbye!
I was a little shocked that that was all he wanted to know but happy and relieved that it was all over. I walked out of the exit back through security, looked at my phone to see that the time was 08:50. Which meant I was all over and done before my 9am appointment. My advice is get there early regardless of appointment time!
Went and got a coffee after attempting to contact my fiancee via Skype several times before giving up and just posting it on facebook. The 8 hour time difference is something I won't miss!
Spent the day in London before going to the airport to fly home. Booked my flight to California so that I will be on the same plane as my fiancee and daughter who will be here within a month to meet my family and see the sights.
All in all a nervous but nothing to worry about experience. I should expect my documents within 5-7 days.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14280