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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on January 12, 2011: |
Douby
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment was set for 10am, i woke up at stupid o'clock after going to sleep at stupider o'clock...arrived at the embassy at 8.45am - the queue was already ridiculous. It felt like i queued for ages but turned out to be just under 30 mins. The security people working the queue were very friendly, checking we had the mrv and passports, giving out baggies for belts loose change etc reminding us not to carry any electronics and advising on the closest places to store things.
As i neared the front of the line i saw a notice saying that everyone should have available for inspection: MRV, Passport, Letter of appointment and a DS-160 Confirmation. Of course i had a lot of forms and paperwork with me, but no DS-160 Confirmation when i asked about it he looked at my letter and said the DS-160 wasnt applicable for me, so i assume that would be for non-imigrant visa's.
They were taking us in groups of four through security, pockets emptied, possesions in a tray, no need to take jacket off or shoes. Stepped through the detector machine and waited for belongings coming through, collected then up the steps i went (and glad to do so - it was raining umbrella's advised for anyone due their interview soon!).
Into reception, given a number (I917 for anyone interested) told to go upstairs and wait. Went in found a seat and sat down. Looked at the screen to see if i could judge my wait....there were a LOT of N numbers flying through but I901 and I910 were both on the board. The system didnt seem to make a lot of sense at that point but after 15 minutes or so i was called through to window 12.
There was a nice UK lady there, she handed me my chest xray (on a CD!!!!) and told me when i arrive at my POE i should have that in my hand luggage incase DHS ask for it. She took my BC (1 original 1 Copy) Police cert (1 Original 1 Copy) I-134 (1 Original) asked for tax returns (handed over 2007, 2008, 2009 - she only kept 2009) asked if there were any bank statements letters from employer etc (handed over one notarised letter from employer, statement of earnings and copy payslips from employer - my SO had a change of employer in dec 2009 so we had almost all of 2010 pay checks, she took the last 5). Scanned my finger prints, took my passport, issued me with a pink form and advised that i would need to fill that in as it was needed to courier my visa to me and i would need to have it ready to hand in and pay the fee after my interview.
Returned to waiting room and checked the screen I918 and I912 were on the screen so i figure that I912 was on the 2nd call out and actually in being interviewed. After that, the two windows dealing with I applicants were both doing interviews so i figure there must not have been so many of us there today. Might be worth noting they flew through around 200 non-immigrant visa's during the time i was in there. I Waited somewhere between an hour and a half and 2 hours for my interview (there was no I915 called which was strange).
Off i went to window 16 and there was a friendly American man waiting for me. He asked how i was today and then swore me in like you see in court. I thought we just chatting he asked when i met my fiance and where, when we met in person for the first time, if he had been over to the UK, how long his visit was, the address my greencard should be mailed to, what my job was, what my fiance's job was, remarked that it was quite a career for me to give up (i explained we had discussed at length more than a few times our options and that we believed that as a couple there were more opportunities for us in the USA), when we were hoping to be married, when i was looking to travel, scanned my fingerprints again and told me i would have my visa in 7-10days. I didnt realise the interview had really started!!!!!!I was dumbstruck lol i think i asked if that was it...he said he could assk me more questions if i wanted him to but that he had read through our file and he was more than happy to grant my visa! He wished me luck for the future and sent me on my way. Interview time from start to finish, just under 4 minutes.
Off to the courier desk, queued for 3 minutes, paid a fee for courier service, got reciept and tracking info, advised on procedure at POE (do NOT open the brown envelope or you will need to return it to us before you can use it and it will delay your plans. The envelope is only printed on one side usually - be VERY careful). I smiled, thanked him, he offered me congratulations and sent me on my way. Exit embassy (back through security desk who were also very nice and friendly) passed the armed police and at a safe and discreet distance made a small happy dance to myself checked the time 12.03 time spent all in just over 3 and a half hours.
Straight back to hotel made my calls and tendered my resignation. De-light-ed!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7046