|
|
| London, United Kingdom |  Review on November 18, 2014: |
Ketsuban
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Ok, so my appointment was 9:30 but I got there super duper early at like 6:50 since I'd heard immigrant visa appointments would be dealt with whenever they turned up. Luckily, it was to be the case, though I had to ask about it when they started dividing the lines up. That started happening at about 7:30. When I was passed over to a man holding an invitation list, my name didn't appear to be on there and he was confused, but I was still allowed in anyway 
Security was painless, just went under a metal detector while my bag was scanned through an x-ray machine. After leaving the security booth, I followed the signs round the corner to the front door of the embassy.
When I got in, there was a reception desk. The older woman sitting there took my letter, put a sticker on it saying I901 (first ticket of the day :D) and then I turned left up the stairs to the waiting area.
It was about 7:45ish when I got in, so it was quite empty and the coffee shop lady was setting up. None of the windows were open at that time, but I could hear people behind the windows saying hi to each other and setting up their work areas etc.
At a little past 8, the numbers started being called out, and I'm pretty sure I was the first, if not one of the first. Most of the numbers called out were L numbers, there was maybe 8 total I numbers? I had to go to Window 13 which was around the corner. I met a friendly American guy who took my passport, courier confirmation, 2x passport photos (he had me print my name on the back) and my interview letter (he gave his back but pealed off most of the I901 sticker and stuck one part on my passport). I mentioned to him I forgot to put my middle name on my DS-260 but he said it was fine and they'd figure it out :P He was very friendly - he even jokingly remarked about my birthday being on Christmas Day!
He asked when I planned to fly out and I said Sunday if possible. He looked at me like I'd decided to run around naked, but calmed down when I assured him I hadn't actually booked a flight and knew it might take a bit longer. He wrote "ASAP" on something.
At one point in all this, he said "I'm going to get your file". When he came back, it was like a Harry Potter novel thickness of papers o.o I was like "omg I'm going to have to carry all that through immigration?!" and he lol'd.
When all was done, he handed me back my x-ray CD then told me to go back out and wait for my number to be called again.
After about half an hour, my number was called again and I went to Window 16 for my interview with an American lady. She was quite softly spoken, as was I, so we couldn't hear each other :P but she asked:
- How/when I met my husband
- When we met in person
- Who the sponsor was on my AOS
- If I'd ever been denied entry to the US
- What he and I did for a living
After all that, she said the magic words "I am recommending this application for approval" :D then after a few seconds, she clicked stuff on her computer and said "ok, I've approved you :D". She handed me back my originals and then I was free to go. It's pretty easy to exit, you follow the signs and then let yourself out through the other side of the security booth. I checked CEAC right away and it had changed to Administrative Processing :D
All in all, I was there for about an hour and I felt I was treated fairly and it seemed like a well-oiled machine for the most part. I hope I get my visa package back quickly!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15621