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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on October 3, 2007: |
ice_arrowmaker
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My review of my K1 visa interview.
My appointment was at 10am, and after reading all the reviews and tips on this website, I decided that I would get there early.
I arrived outside the Embassy at 8:55am where a security card asked to see my appointment letter and then pointed me towards one of the queues. My queue was row D. Everyone in this queue at a 10am appointment. The only other row that had people in was C, and after asking around, they all had 9:30am appointments. Security was then re-checking appointment letters and passports before calling you forward to join the queue for the x-ray machine.
9:35am and my appointment letter was checked, and I was asked to remove my belt and put all valuables and mobile phone into a clear plastic. They put this and my folder through the x-ray machine and I went through the metal detector. My wallets and belt were handed back to me (I didn't have my phone on me, but I’m guessing that isn't allowed in)
I asked the guard which way to go, and he pointed me towards the arrows for "Visas" which led me around to the back of the Embassy.
Up a few steps and through the door to the reception desk who I told I was there for a K1 visa interview. She printed off a ticket for me that start 5000, mine was actually 5015. She then told me to go up the stairs to the left, and sit near window 1. This was around 9:50am
Once inside, I could see the screens that I had heard about on this website and it’s a good indication of how long of a wait you have. I had 4 people in front of me. I decided it would be a good idea to get a cup of tea to settle my nerves that had been building for the last hour. Tea is £1 and coffee is £1.50 and all can be located at the back of the waiting area.
After drinking my tea, and nerves... well, not sure if they were building or fading as I was starting to become numb I noticed that they were calling 5013.
About another 10mins past, and they were calling my number. I jumped out of my seat and looked at the screen to see which window to go to...13! "arhh!" I thought, "I hope this won't be unlucky!"
I got to the window, and the lady handed me a pink slip and told me to go leave my stuff window 12 and pay $100 for the visa! "This is a good start I thought!" But this is just normal, pay for the visa before being approved.
After paying my $100 (which I actually took in dollars and they seemed grateful for) it was back to Window 13 for some questions.
The lady asked for my birth certificate and a copy, my police report and a copy and two photo's of myself that would be stuck to the application. The lady then told me that the application was over 4 months old and was now out of date. My heart sank! She asked me if I had an up to date letter from my fiancée stating that she still wants to marry me. I replied "I wouldn't be here if we didn't still want to get married"
The lady then said "I need an up to date letter, otherwise I can't process your application." I had a look through my folder and found one that my fiancée had put in with affidavit of support dated 8th June. I asked the lady if this was ok and she said "It must be within 4 months, so this is ok... just" and then asked for the documents of finacial support, which i handed over.
She then asked me for me to place my fingers on the reader so she could take my finger prints.
She stapled everything together, handed me a piece of paper and told me to go back and sit down, fill out the form and wait to be called again.
I went back to the waiting area and went to fill out the form...of course, I had forgotten to bring a pen, and had to ask around for one.
The form was for the courier service for my passport, and only took about 2mins to fill in.
Once I had filled it in, I was thinking about getting another cup of tea expecting another wait. But within 5mins of completing the form I was called to window 15.
I was met there by a very bubbly lady who asked me to place my fingers on the reader again, and then once I had done that, she asked me to raise my right hand and to swear what I was about to say was the complete truth... which I did.
She then asked me about how I had met my fiancée, when we first met in person and how I proposed. She thought it was all very sweet.
She then said I had marked on my forms that I had "been convicted of an offence or crime" and could I please explain that. I explained that it was 2 driving bans due to speeding and that I had my court records to show. She said she didn't need to see them, and asked if they were drink related. I said no, I was just speeding in road works and had learnt my lesson; I had even sold my motorbike to pay for the first trip to the US to see my fiancée.
She then told me that she was very pleased to inform me that my visa had been granted and that she hoped that my "lead foot" wouldn't be going to the US with me. She then explained about the "big brown envelope" and not to open it.
I then went over to the courier service desk and paid the fee to get my passport sent back to me.
After this, I was free to leave the Embassy, and was out the door by 11am!
All in all, a fairly pain-free experience.
Tips:
Makes copies of everything before you go!
Make sure that you have a signed letter from your fiancée stating that they still want to marry you dated recently.
Be calm and answer everything clearly and honestly
So glad that this part of the visa is now done with... onto planning the rest of the wedding! woohoo!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #2077