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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on June 24, 2015: |
RN0880
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview date was the 17th of June. I stayed in a boutique hotel near Victoria station and did some sightseeing the day before.
On the interview day, I left the hotel at 11am thinking I had plenty of time to get to the embassy. I got off at the Bond Street station and had a quick lunch in the foodhall at Selfridges. I looked up in google maps where the embassy was and sure enough it took me only like less than 10mins walk to get to the embassy. There was a couple of people waiting in queue and we had a small chitchat on thoughts regarding the process of application and the delays caused by the system hacking. There were more people arriving at this time.
I was third at the queue and about 1230 the staff started to check out documents-interview letter, ds-160,passport and then when she found out I was a k-1 applicant, she asked me if I had brought pictures. I read on the forums that this particular embassy rarely asks for pics as proof to be brought but good thing I did bring about 15 pics. Whew!! The "just-in-case" thinking did prove handy. Lol
After going through security, there was a lady at the desk who again asked for my documents. She didn't ask me any questions and on my paper she stuck a sticker I-903. It didn't take long before I was asked to go to window 13. There was a nice gentleman who asked for the initial docs, and he added that I should submit my police certificate and birth certificate as well as payment and courier printout. He asked for 1 ID photo and the 1-134. And then he said about supporting docs for the i-134. I told him that I have payslips, tax returns and employment letter. "Oh that employment letter would be fine. I don't need the others." he said. And here I had brought a folder full of documents and proofs of our relationship.  Then he did the fingerprint scan and told me to await for my number to be called again. It didn't seem to take that long when my number flashed again on the screen and I was supposed to go to window 15. The previous applicant was still there and I walked back to the waiting room to make sure I was going to the right window. There were a lot of things going in my mind that's why I sort of was anxious.
After I approached the window, the nice American lady said that this would be my interview and made me take the oath. She hardly was looking at me at first as she was looking at the docs and typing on her computer. I was only asked 5 questions and it was pretty light conversation and not a formal interview. She seemed friendly and said afterwards that I am approving your application. Oh thank you!!!! We have your details for the courier service and they will text you when it is to be delivered. I asked how long it would take knowing the delays caused by the glitch in their system. She said in about 3-4 weeks but I can't be entirely sure as we are working on it. She advised me not to book a flight yet until I have the visa on hand.
I was out of there by a little past 2pm. I hurried out of the building and rang my fiance immediately. He didn't sound excited at first as he thought I rang him to say there was a problem. I think he was caught off guard as it was only past 6am in his location ahhahaha.
I found the experience worthwhile, nothing to be too anxious about so long as you are genuine in your relationship and prepared with all your paperworks. The staff at the embassy aren't intimidating at all and are friendly.
Anyways, just like the rest if you I am waiting until I received my visa. Hopefully they'd get to fix the problem soon. The entire process in itself and being away from my loved one is truly character building. Keep the faith peeps!
Goodluck to everyone.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #17151