|
|
| London, United Kingdom |  Review on August 8, 2019: |
yoda one for me
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Got a west midlands train to Euston then the Victoria line to Vauxhall. Walk to the Embassy was short and very easy (signposted right as you turn onto Nine Elms Lane too). Arrived 30 minutes early for my appointment and headed straight to the desk at the South Pavillion - was immediately told that as K1 is being processed by the Immigrant visa unit I could go straight through to the security area. Security was quick - I had to show the guard that my mobile phone switched on and open any app, then I put my bag and documents through the x-ray machine and walked through the scanner airport-style.
I waited in the (fairly short - only a little way out of the door) visa services queue for about 15 minutes before getting my sticker and being sent up to the waiting area with the windows. Once I arrived, my number was on screen above a window so I went straight over for a document check. The man who dealt with me here was very friendly and clear, though when I gave him my fiance's W2 he asked if we had the 1040 tax form instead - a little bit confusing since as far as we knew we had to provide the W2 for this. However, I also had an employer letter which he accepted with the affidavit of support and said that all ought to be fine if I didn't have a 1040 on me. (My fiance later told me he files his taxes online which is why he'd never seen or had a 1040 paper, but it's something we were never aware that we would be asked for tbh!) Also noting the fingerprint machines were apparently playing up so I had to do my main fingers twice but otherwise all fine. Aside from that the man at this window went over some basic details such as name, DOB, phone number, whether I'd changed my name, been adopted, married, or ever had a visa before etc, and was generally double checking things and noting things down on a form. He told me my medical had arrived and gave me a CD with my x-ray on it (it was exactly two weeks after my medical at Knightsbridge) and advised I should carry this in my hand luggage at POE on the off chance they wanted to see it. I was also asked when I intended to enter the US on approval and I said as soon as possible (work notice period allowing).
If I remember rightly at this first window I was asked for: DS-160 and appointment confirmation, passport, passport photo less than 60 days old, ACRO police certificate, birth certificate, affidavit of support, tax document (1040 but i provided W2), and I also gave the employer letter. Was not asked for any other financials such as bank/investment statements or pay stubs, though I brought them all just in case.
I waited perhaps 20 minutes after this before I was called to the next window for the interview. I was quite nervous so I probably wasn't quite clear enough in some of my answers as he was under a few wrong impressions about my relationship and how many times I'd visited with my fiance but it was easy to clarify as the officer here was very patient and friendly. We had a bit of a laugh and a joke as he asked me some very casual-feeling questions about how long I'd known my fiance, where and when did we first meet (what game did we play that we met on?), what did he do for a living, what did i do for a living, and what was i planning to do for a living long-term in the US after we marry and I am allowed to work. He also asked where about I was moving to, and whether I'd been there before - he seemed to know the city so I had a few words about how nice it was myself  He also said I should avoid buying any winter clothes here in the UK because they won't stand up to a Wisconsin winter! With that, he told me that I would enjoy living there and that I was approved, then gave me some of my original documents back, along with a card with information about tracking my passport as it's returned once they put the visa in.
Very positive experience. I was in the Embassy for about an hour in total, give or take, and had a nice chat with some of the other K1 and CR1 applicants who were waiting at the same time - it was a friendly and positive atmosphere, not oppressive or scary even though we were all sat there very nervous about such a big decision!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #26833