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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on March 31, 2025: |
team-joric
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
[I had my interview on 31 March 2025 at London Embassy for a CR1 immigrant visa. I've been petitioned by my spouse (US citizen). I already did my medical exam and document review on 13 March.]
My interview was at 8am. I walked to the Embassy from Nine Elms station which was easy to find despite roadworks. The south entrance of the Embassy already had a long line of people queueing but I walked to the front of the line and asked the attendant checking everyone in which line I should join for an immigrant visa. Once he confirmed I was applying for a green card, he asked to see my passport and put a Post-It note on the back of it. He asked me to come back at 7.45am (I was early; this was at 7.30am)
At 7.45am I returned to the same attendant and he lifted the barrier and took me straight to airport security-style area, bypassing a second queue. I felt like a celebrity! Ha. The airport style screening was fine - I took a medium size backpack and just had to take a sip of water - then went straight through to the Embassy building. You check in at the desk inside the Embassy building - they give you another sticker on your passport, then you're directed to the first floor, then to go left then left.
The area where they deal with immigrant visas is very clean and quiet compared to the rest of the building. I took a seat and waited for the number on my ticket to be called.
At ab out 7.55am my ticket number was called and I went to the window. The woman I spoke to was pleasant and business-like; she just asked for the sealed envelope I received at my documents review, my courier confirmation, and my passport. She asked if I had been told to bring any additional and I confirmed that I had not been. She gave me a fact sheet about domestic violence with my passport sticker on it, and told me I would be seen shortly.
At about 8.25am I was called back to the window to see a different person - this man was pleasant. I had to take an oath that I was telling the truth. Then he asked if I understood the information on the domestic violence fact sheet and if I had any questions. I didn't have any questions. I had to scan my fingerprints on my left hand. Then he asked me some questions about my relationship with the petitioner (my husband). It was only after the third or fourth question that I realised I was being interviewed - it really just felt like a pleasant conversation! He asked: How did we meet? When was that? What does he do for work? Where is he living currently? At that point I asked if I could update my US destination address, and he advised that I didn't need to do it at the Embassy but that I need to update USCIS. Then he said, congratulations, I'd been approved, and that my passport would be delivered to be in 1-2 weeks.
My USCIS visa status was showing as "Issued" by the time I first checked it that same afternoon (about 3pm). Overall I was very happy with my experience - the staff were efficient but overall very pleasant and they didn't say or do anything that was uncomfortable or intimidating.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #33620