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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on June 16, 2014: |
paddington_bear
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
We were approved here's our review!
Jake emailed ahead of time to request that I be on the list to accompany him!
We arrived in London around 715, mosied around and landed in front of th embassy at 8:06 for our 9 am appointment. Outside there are three lines (or queues)--one for US Citizens on embassy business (avoid) and two queues for visas---the first queue is a sign in. They took our DS160, appointment letter, and passports. They checked my name on the list too and wrote me down on the appointment letter. Then you go all the way back to the end of the line of the second queue (took us until 830ish) for security. We got through security by 9:05--you can bring water and stuff and small electronics like kindles and iPads, though you won't use them!
We walked around by following easy signs and up a few stairs to reach reception. They looked at our passports, letter, and DS160 then placed a number on our letter. We walked into the waiting area and took a seat for maybe 10 minutes. We were called up to the window by 920. It took about five minutes--a polite if stoic American fellow took Jake's prints, then his original birth certificate, his passport, his police certificate, and returned th medical chest x rays to us. He said he didn't need our copies. I then handed over my affidavit of support, and he only wanted the forms, the letter from my employer, and my 2013 tax transcript--he didn't want my 2012 one! And really all he asked for was my transcript. He took our receipt and courier arrangement receipts. He also asked us when Jake would be traveling for the wedding--we told him. He wrote it down then told us congratulations on being engaged.
Then we waited another 15 minutes. We were called up around 945 for the interview proper. The guy looked mean at first, and after he had Jake scan his prints and take the oath, he loosened up. I was waiting behind him and he said, "Ma'am you can come right up to the window to be with your fiancé. Just know the interview is directed at him not you, and I'll only address you to embarrass him." We laughed and relaxed a lot more. He asked jake these questions in the following order:
How did you meet?
When did you meet? (When was that?)
When did you decide to get married?
When are you getting married?
So you're going to return to Indiana?
Did you like Indiana?
--he then went on a fun little tangent about being offered a job in Indiana and being glad he ended up in London, which made me laugh because as a non-Indiana native, I sympathize.
Where else in the US did you visit?
--he was interested in our travels, he asked Jake how we got place to place, etc. when he said we visited Vegas the officer asked:
You didn't get married in Vegas did you?
--we both made faces and laughed as we said no.
He then said, "Well you guys your visa is approved! Congratulations!" He then handed back our original police cert and birth cert copies and said two weeks, but more likely one week or less!! In the end he was chatty and kind, funny even.
We walked out the doors approved and relieved at 9:56 am. Now we are celebrating before heading back to Edinburgh late tonight!!
Thank you all for all of your support -- now we just hope it all goes smoothly in AP, issuance, and courier stuffs. We are looking at a POE for July 5th, a courthouse wedding on July 11 (Jake really wanted 7/11) and a lovely big ceremony with dresses, kilts, and dancing in mid September. We will keep everyone posted, but thanks!!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14632