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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on January 28, 2012: |
Aleshia
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment was for 8:30am, I turned up at 7:50am and had to queue for 50 minutes, however being ten minutes late wasn't important. Some people in the queue were 30 minutes late due to not expecting a queue and it was no problem. They allocate you a ticket once you get inside so there is nobody waiting on you as such. Entering the embassy was a high security process. Do not take large bags, people were turned away. Do not take any electronic devices, people were turned away.
I waited an hour to be called up for stage one. You are called to a specific window, there are 24 windows at the embassy. The woman was very friendly and British. I was asked first for my affidavit, and then my police certificate and finally my birth certificate. She asked if I wanted these documents back and I affirmed, so she asked for copies, which I then provided. I was asked a number of questions like, if I had ever been arrested, or ever refused entry to the US. I was then asked to pay for the visa at a separate window (12). I returned to my allocated window with receipt of payment.
I was then given a pink slip that I should fill out while I waited for the actual interview. The slip is for the courier that will deliver your passport back to you if you are allocated the visa. They do not give you the visa on the day. The courier service takes 5-7 days to return your passport with the visa stamped inside.
I waited a further two hours for my interview. The numbers are shown on a screen in the waiting area, and were not called up sequentially. When you are called to a window, they also announce it vocally over loud speakers. I noticed that they announce it a number of times, so if you need to go to the bathroom, you can go. They also announce a "final call" before removing you from the system. I obviously went up straight away both times, but some people apparently play closer to the edge!
I went up for my interview. The man who interviewed me was American. He had my file in front of him, it was very thick. I first had to raise my right hand and swear an oath to affirm that I would tell the truth. He read out the terms of the oath and I replied "I do".
He then asked me the following questions: Where I had met my fiancée, what date that was, what she did for a living, when she had returned to the US (she returned a few months ago to wait for me), when I had last seen her, what I did for a living, how I was paid (I am freelance). He also asked about the person who had signed my affidavit.
After I had answered all these, he said that the paperwork was in order and that he would be happy to give me my visa. He congratulated me, explained that I needed to now go to the courier desk and wished me farewell. I thanked him and smiled all the way to the courier desk and then home.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9075