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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on January 6, 2016: |
kevinmcmanus17
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
I thought I'd share my experience of my interview. I was at the consulate for an immigrant (cr-1) visa.
Almost got off to the worst start, only realised the night before that the passport photos for the u.s.a are bigger, luckily Paddington station had a photo both that done American size pics. It turns out the embassy has two machines for photos. Think it was £7.
Anyway, my interview was at 8.30, I was there for 7, just to have a look at what was going on. There's was already people waiting but no queues, I went for a walk until goulds pharmacy was open as I wanted to dump my back pack, just incase it wasn't allowed in the embassy. Didn't see any point in risking it for the sake of £3. They charge more the bigger the bag, as the girl infront of me was charged more for a small case. They also won't take bags with laptops or glass bottles. Mines only had clothes. Just to add, I did see people with back packs in the embassy but don't know if there was only paper work or anything else in them. I just had a little folder thing with pockets with paper work and evidence.
Once my bag was dumped I went to the embassy. They had a small marquee(tent) set up and 3 queues had formed. 1 large queue and two small. It was really a bit disorganised, no one knew what queue was for what. I noticed a girl walking up and down the big queue, so I stood in it, she would walk up and down asking people what visa they were there for and directed them to where they should be. My advice would be, just to ask people in the queues. Once you get to the front of the line, have your passport and interview letter ready, you will then be checked into the register. You then go through security. Because mines was an immigrant visa I didn't have to stand in the bigger queue. I guess it was a non immigrant visa line. So I went through security quickly. Security is just like the airport. Everyone was friendly enough. You then go round to the side door where they will give you a ticket with a number. Once inside, it was just like a big waiting room with a large screen at the bottom, that flashes up with ticket numbers. Much like Argos. There was lots of booths, a bit like a bank or a post office. The person is behind glass and you talk to them from there. I was expecting to be in a room and face to face with someone.
Get a seat where you can see the screen easy. Don't bother with a book, every 10 seconds a ping sounds and a ticket number appears on the screen. Your forever lifting you head to check if it's yours. I couldn't even concentrate on reading my phone.
Once my number came u I went to the booth, where the gentleman asked for my letter, passport, original, birth, marriage,police and name change certificates. He asked when I wanted to go, I said a.s.a.p so thats what he wrote on the form he was filling in. I then went to another booth to pay the visa then went straight back to him with the receipt. He then told me he had everything and to go take a seat again and the next part would be the visa. He was a really nice and friendly person, and actually made me chill out a bit. I was nervous.
Once my number came up again, I went to a different booth, this time with a friendly female. Her friendliness put me at complete ease. I had to swear an oath to say I was telling the truth. I didn't have to raise my hand, but she did. There was a person watching over her shoulder, I don't know if he was watching her or me. Once she started asking the questions I was 100% focuses on her. She then asked me, how we met, was either of us ever divorced, did we have any kids, where did my wife work and how long she had been an nurse, I didn't know the exact amount of time so just said a long time, maybe 7 years. She seemed happy with that. She asked what I would work as when I got over. Then explained my plan. She then typed a few things and said my visa was approved, easy as that. I tried not to smile too much. She didn't ask for evidence of anything, that doesn't mean don't take any. I had loads. Pics, proof I sent money to support wife, texts and phone call records, took scans of all my passport stamps and boarding passes. It would be crazy to wait this long for the interview and not spend a day or two to gather some. If I was sitting where she was and a guy turned up,with just his letter and passport, I'd be asking questions. Always be prepared for the unexpected.
I know it's easy to sit here now and say, there's nothing to worry about. I've been where you are and I was freaking but it really was easy. They are really friendly from start to finish. Only bad point was the queues at the start but to be honest it wasn't difficult to figure out what was going on.
Hope this helps, and the very best of luck.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18676