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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on August 25, 2010: |
MikeH60
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Wary of the thought of being late for my interview with the massive queues that are said to form outside the US Embassy in London, I showed up 2 hours early just to be sure (appointment was 10.00). In the end this was a good idea as it took 70 minutes to get through the queue, initial letter and passport check and then the security check at the gate. This all went pretty smoothly though the staff outside were a bit abrupt - guess you would be too if you had to deal with lots of mildly confused and apprehensive people all day every day.
In through the VISA entrance and a quick check in at the reception desk where I got my ticket number to watch for on the screens. Into the waiting area where I was 45 minutes early but still kept my eyes glued to the screen just in case. As it was, I was called at 10.10 and went to the window of a lady who was a little difficult to understand (it's hard to hear them through those screens) but I gave her all the documents she required - quick bit of info for those going down. TAKE COPIES OF ALL THE PACKET 3 DOCUMENTS YOU SEND DOWN TO GET YOUR INTERVIEW DATE. Mine had somehow gone missing, she even tried to say "You must not have sent them" which couldn't be true or else how did I get an interview date in the first place?? Thankfully I had printed out all the forms in triplicate when I did them originally so she accepted the copies I had with me. When she was satisfied she had all the required docs I was told to sit down again until I was called for Part 2 - the interview. This could take "several hours" to happen, apparently so I was told to be patient.
10 minutes later (lol) my number was called again and I went to another window. An older American gentleman asked me to confirm my fingerprints then flicked through all the documents, certificates, financial info et al, occasionally asking me a question relevant to my fiancee and getting me to sign where necessary. Once he'd double checked a couple of the financial things he said "This is fine, just need you to complete this credit card slip for your VISA" so I'm standing there thinking "Really? That's it?" as I fill in the credit card info. He reminds me to check in with the courier desk and says "Thanks for being a straightforward case" and that's it! No checking of continuation of relationship, no nothing! I spent literally 10 minutes in front of people. I fill in the courier form and go to the desk, pay by card again and I'm out the door by 10.50!!
So, other than the mild panic attack when the first lady claimed they didn't have my packet 3 forms (not sure how they could possibly have lost them) that was a very positive experience.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6527