I arrived outside the Embassy at 8am for a 9 am appointment.
The external queues that go to the initial check tent placed outside of the gates were already long but moved quickly and with no fuss.
Going next through the security hut and then into the embassy itself.
The London visa room is huge with more than 20 service windows (25?).
After about 30 mins I was called to the pre-processing 1st window where all my documents were checked.
I then waited for about 1 hour and was then called for the main consular interview.
I have to say now that this is my second visa and both times the staff I met at/in the London Embassy were professional and friendly in their approach.
Sadly this did NOT extend to the interviewing officer this time who initially grunted what I took to be "good morning" at me - without looking up ...and that set the tone of his attitude...
He questioned me really aggressively about when I last actually met with my wife ( i reminded him that we were not advised to travel to the USA during the process) - why did I have TWO police certificates? (one had expired while the case was at NVC for about 6 months) etc etc.
He told me he needed to check with his supervisor.
I saw him approach the supervisor and say something to him - the supervisor waved him off clearly impatient with whatever he was saying and he came back to the window and again without looking art me grunted "you're approved" - nothing else - I asked him what happens now and he said "you'll get an email" and turned away so I assumed the interview was over..... and walked away.
A poor ending to a long and stressful process - he iehter doesn't like his job or he needs some serious counselling in customer service!
I don't want this to put anyone else off about the Embassy of the interview - his behavious was unacceptable but an exception - most are friendly and understand the stress of the occasion!
I record here my thanks to all the other staff who were so kind and helpful.
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15592
Review on November 13, 2014:
