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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on June 1, 2015: |
SCOTTANDVICKI
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My appointment was for 1pm so I arrived at 12.45 and went directly to the gazebo set up outside the security station where the ladies there checked my appointment letter and passport and crossed me off a list. I proceeded into the security station, where the gentleman in there asked me to place my bag and jacket into a plastic tray to go through the scanner, exactly the same as the airport. Once you exit the security station you head to your right and round a corner (everything is clearly signposted), up a short flight of steps and into a reception area. At the reception area my appointment letter was checked again and a series of barcode stickers (including a number like you get at the deli counter or the post office!) were affixed to it. I then went up a few more steps and into a large waiting hall.
The waiting hall has rows of seats, big screens at the front and a row of windows down the right hand side. The restrooms are just around the corner from the door that you came in through, should you require them.
I took a seat and waited…and then waited some more! There were a lot of people there for nonimmigrant visas early on, so by the end of the afternoon it seemed to just be 20 or so people there on IR or K visas. The numbers flash up on the big screen with a little ping and direct you to a numbered window, but it isn't announced, you need to look up. Only 3 of the windows were open after 1.30pm. I waited about 2 hours to have my documents checked by a really friendly and cheerful lady who wasn't too irritated by my shuffling through papers to find the right things! She took my fingerprints, asked me to write my name on the back of one picture and put it into a little plastic bag. The one set of photocopies of your original documents that they ask for in advance are placed into a folder, you get your originals back later.
After that's done you are sent around the corner to pay the cashier. I'd read prior to my interview (I think on a DoS website!) that the fee is $230, but it was actually $325! That was no big deal but I'd not really prepared myself for it - just in case anyone else had seen the same thing. Perhaps I was looking at the wrong information. I was then directed back to the waiting hall to wait another 45 minutes to an hour for my interview.
The interview takes place at a window, same as the document check, and the American lady interviewing me was polite, friendly and not at all intimidating! After having me swear an oath the interview itself was more of an informal conversation about where and how I'd met my husband, where my father in law was born (he's our joint sponsor), if we have any kids, if either of us have been married before and what our plans are after we move. The lady had attended university in the city I met my husband in, which is only 30 miles or so away from where we currently live, so we discussed the benefits of that city over London too!
After about 10/15 minutes talking she advised me that she was happy to approve my visa and off I went!
I arrived at 12.45, left by 4.15 but only about 30 minutes of that was actually spent talking to someone. The rest was waiting. The process itself is absolutely fine and as long as you have all your documents in order and are a legitimate relationship it's nothing to worry about at all.
My CEAC status has just been updated to Issued so here's hoping we get my passport back very soon!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #16946