|
|
| London, United Kingdom |  Review on May 3, 2011: |
pencils
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
The whole thing went really smoothly for me. I turned up at the Gould Pharmacy to hand in my mobile and anything else that i had in my pockets that was not needed (like earphones- i figured better to be safe than sorry). They put everything in a baggie and give you a receipt.
There was a queue out the front of the embassy when i arrived, and it was raining, there was no cover, but i didn't expect there to be. Someone checks your papers, then you proceed thru the little security hut where the x-ray you and your stuff, airport style.
Then follow the arrows to the lobby area which is just a large hall filled with chairs, information screens in the middle, and a little shop where you can buy refreshments. There is a passport photo booth too, in case you need it.
The desk in the antechamber stuck a sticker to my appointment letter which had a ticket number which was my turn to be called. I took a seat, and within 30 minutes my number had been called.
The first window contained a humourless woman who took my paperwork, and struggled to operate a small digital camera attached to her computer to take my photo. After this, she directed me to the cashier, where i paid my fees, and was told to take a seat back in the main hall again.
A little while later, I was called back to another window, where a very friendly, smiling man was waiting for me. He asked me questions about how me and my fiancee had met, and when. I can't remember whether he asked my anything else, but if he did, it was kinda obvious stuff. We laughed about something funny my fiancee had written in a IM conversation that we'd included in our evidence pack. I really wasn't expecting him to be so nice! He then smiled all the way across his face and told me he was delighted to approve my visa, and i allowed him to keep my passport so he could put the visa in and have it mailed to me (you can choose to keep the passport until they send you a notice, then mail it to them).
I was given some more pieces of paperwork, then directed to the courier desk inside the embassy, where i was given options about how quickly the courier would mail me my visa and passport once it was ready (regular 3 day, expedite, saturday delivery etc). Then i left, went to the pub and had a pint, feeling very pleased with myself!!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7545