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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on September 1, 2014: |
Ally86
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I took the coach to London on the morning of my interview to arrive in Victoria about 7.15am; my interview time was 9:00am. I used the CityMapper app on my phone (highly recommended) to find my way to North Audley Street, where Gould's is located.
Walking from Victoria station(s), you'll likely pass the embassy itself, which is a large, unassuming building with a giant golden eagle atop it. I started to notice a handful of people gathering outside at this point.
I checked in my bag into Gould's (I was carrying my travel pillow, phone, charger, soft drinks and snacks along with my documents. I expected security to be like the airport so didn't want to risk losing anything). It cost £3. They give you a little locker-room/raffle ticket and take your phone number. So you can take your phone into the embassy now - but just make sure it's switched off at the window.
Made my way up to the embassy, greeters will ask you to join the queue on the left, and to have your DS-160 ready, this is the confirmation page with the barcode on it. You also need that instructions page printed from the visa payment website.
When I got to the desk outside (not long after about 3 minutes max), a very polite gentleman reassured me after he had to call up someone about not being able to find my name. I freaked out, thinking I'd got the wrong day somehow. Turns out he was looking on the wrong list and didn't realise I was for immigration, not visitation. Upon realising this, he apologised and led me through the second queue and up to a security officer who told me to wait at the security booth.
They let in 4 at a time into the security booth. Be prepared for airport-style security. Empty your pockets of loose change, cellphones, metal objects. Take off your belt if applicable. Leave your jewelery on, and walk through the scanner. Collect your things and don't belt-up in the room; they like to keep a steady flow of people not milling around in there after they have to. The door needs a slightly forceful push (or it may have been a pull).
Check-in to the reception desk right in front of the main doors after you go up the steps, and they'll direct you up to a waiting area and give you a sticker on your DS-160 with your ticket number on it. Watch and listen for this on the big screen and PA system and go to your instructed window.
Questions I was asked were simple things like "how did you guys meet", "has she been here?", "what date did you meet?" etc. Non-invasive stuff like that. I had a younger African-American lady for the first interview, and an older African-American lady for the second one. Both were friendly and calming - nothing like some of the CBP officers I've had in the past :P
After a long wait and repetition of some of my answers to the second lady, she simply said: "Okay, I'm going to recommend that your visa is approved and you should receive it within ten working days. You're all set!" Sounds familiar, some of the K1 London reviews say the same thing. I wonder if this lady has only K1s to deal with all day! It must be a nice feeling approving all those couples, if she does!
She walked away to file my documents before I could finish saying thank you very much in a typical British bumbling fool kind of way. I collected my documents and made my way back down the hallway to the waiting room. I had to ask the lady on the desk if there was anything I needed to hang around for; 'she said I was all-set, can I just leave now? Is that everything?' I asked with a smile on my face. "Yeah! If you're all done, that's it"
Overall, everybody was really friendly while still maintaining a official government atmosphere. I didn't use the snack bar in the waiting room because I was too scared of missing my number. There was a moment of hysteria amongst the staff for a few minutes when one of the officers had left his PA mic open, and the questions 'So, where did you study?', 'Is this your only passport?' and others came over the loudspeaker. That gave some people a chuckle and settled the nerves of a few I imagine. 
tl;dr: Legitimate petitions need not worry if their Consular interview is at London
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15101