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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on February 1, 2012: |
Amy and Nick
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
So the interview is complete, and what an anti-climax it was!
Interview was scheduled for 9am and I arrived at 8:30am (later than I meant to arrive!) Got the train from Brighton at the obscene hour of 6:29am and arrived into Victoria at 7:35. Tubed it to Green Park and walked from there, which probably took 15 minutes (navigated by my iPhone looking like a right tourist!). Actually ended up at the Canadian Embassy and it took me a while to spot the giant American flag on the other side of the park!
I had been to the embassy before about 5 years ago for my J1 student visa, so knew vaguely what to expect. I had prepared before hand and didnt even bother taking anything electronic with me, just a bag full of everything ive ever sent in and more!
Queued for about 5 minutes, if that, then a lady took my interview letter and sent me forward to another line (compiled of two people!) Got called forward and gave my passport to the guy and he joked about me being a baby for being born in 1986 (I was actually born in '87 and thought this might be a trick so quickly corrected him!javascript:emoticon(' ')!)
Sent forward again and then was called into a little room with a metal detector and scanner like at the airport. Bag on conveyor, documents and passport in tray and me through the metal detector. Sorted, although the person behind me wasnt so lucky. She was asked if she had a phone and she said no, and the lady got quite funny saying that she definitely had something in her bag that looked like a phone and they were gonna have to search it!
Walked all the way round the building, up the steps and gave my interview letter to the receptionist where she stuck a label with my number on it and sent me into the main room. My number started with an 'I' and there must have only been 3 other people who were 'I's' and the rest were 'N's'.
Then began the long wait, although I would estimate only about an hour and a half (no clocks in there so dont make my mistake - TAKE A WATCH!).
My number was finally called and I went to the window where the guy had my MASSIVE file! Asked me if my husband was in America, I said yes. Then asked if I had ever been known by any other names other than maiden to which I said yes, and he asked for my Deed Poll. I told him I sent a copy in with the original packet but when he looked it wasnt in there. (luckily I did have itin my huge pile pf papers!) Then was given the courier delivery form to fill out and told to go sit down again and wait to be called for my interview. (This first part took 10mins).
After another 15 minute wait I was called to the window where there was a VERY hyper American woman who talked at warp speed. This was interesting as I realised she did not care AT ALL what I was saying, just how I was saying it. She fired of questions such as what is hubbys name, where does he live, why, where did you get married, why, who came to wedding, where did you meet. (I'm not kidding, I talk fast as it is but this girl was just trying to trip me up!). Luckily, it was all basic information so I had no trouble answering, and the interview only lasted 5mins tops. At this point shesaid "i'm happy to tell you your visa has been approved" (at which point I very nearly said aloud 'seriously, that easy'!) and done!!
Had to go pay £14.90 for courier delivery. They tell you it takes 7-10 working days but my interview was Monday and I got it back Wednesday!
And there you have it, ran out of there as quick as possible, spent £10 on a 4min conversation in phonebox to hubby to tell him the news, and I was done!
Months and months of misery to spend 2 hours in the embassy! javascript:emoticon(' ')
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9096