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| London, United Kingdom |  Review on June 8, 2012: |
orangeneko
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I'm the US petitioner, my fiancé is the UK citizen. We took some advice from the forums here and wrote the Embassy to ask if they'd do the K1 interview during the week I was in the UK. I wasn't sure the request would be granted, but to our luck it was. They sent an appointment letter for 8am on May 29th. Upon receiving it, my fiancé wrote again specifically asking for them to allow me into the building on the day. That was at my urging since I wanted to be doubly sure I'd be on the entry list.
We went to London the day before the interview, spent the day out and about, and then had a get together that evening with friends. The next morning we were up very early for the interview. Our hotel in Paddington held our bags for us, so we didn't have to bother with the pharmacy thing for our electronics. Someone ahead of us got turned away for having his phone on him, so be careful about this as others have said.
We showed up around 7:30am, and there was already a big line of people waiting. However, once the Embassy started letting people in, it went very quickly. When we got to the front, we found I wasn't on the entry list. However, they simply wrote my name down and let me in. I know others have had to leave when not on the list, but I was either very lucky or they've changed policy? Unless it depends on who's working there that day?
We went to the first inside area and through some security scanners. I had a pocket umbrella in my bag, which set their sensors off. I'd forgotten it was there so wasn't even sure what they were looking for at first. After this, we went to the Embassy building itself and were told to take a seat and wait for our number. I can't recall the exact timeframe, but our number popped up probably about half an hour later. Most of the numbers called are N numbers btw. Very few I numbers. Everything moves quickly, so it's not a sludge of waiting time at all.
My fiancé went to his first window, which was 13, and when he came back he said the man he spoke to asked for the financial forms (he didn't take all the info I provided and mostly wanted my employer's letter), did fingerprints, gave him his xray CD which he said to have it on hand for when he entered the US, and gave him a courier form to fill out. He also mentioned that the visa to enter the US would expire at the end of October (4 months from then). Not much was really said overall, but my fiancé said the man was very friendly.
Interestingly, the man told my fiancé that I could come in for part two of the interview. I don't think I've read that anyone has been allowed to do that here before? Unless I missed that tidbit? I was surprised by it, but I figure if the Petitioner is there, they may want to take a look at the two of you together and see how you interact, and maybe it makes it easier for them?
We waited to be called again, and were then called to window 14. A different man was there, one with a beard. He was very friendly and asked my fiancé to scan his thumb (? I looked more at the machine rather than what fingers were on it!). Then he had us both raise our right hands and take an oath, and he started to ask questions. I thought he just wanted to hear from my fiancé, but then I asked if I was allowed to answer too, and he said yes.
It's all a bit of a blur, and was even while this was going on! I recall he asked my fiancé to write my name on a form. He asked how we met and he asked why we went with the US and not the UK. He then asked about the living situation here in the US and how my fiancé got along with another family member in the house. Then he asked my fiancé how he knew I was the one, which was a bit of a put a person on the spot question, especially with me there! He probably asked more, but again, it's a blur. It all went very quickly. He then told us he was happy to tell us he was approving us and made a comment about going off to celebrate. Neither my fiancé or I can remember the exact wording as it was such a blur. We'd gotten maybe a block from the Embassy and were already asking each other what wording the man used as we couldn't remember.
Before leaving, we went to the courier counter to pay for the passport and visa delivery. We were told it could take weeks, and that ID of the recipient (such as a drivers license) would need to be shown when it was delivered. The courier counter woman was very friendly and congratulated us. The visa itself arrived today (June 8), so nearly 2 weeks after it was granted. He also received the "do not open" envelope. From the photo he took for me, you can't miss it.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9803