Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
September 30, 2014 |
| Embassy Review : |
My appointment was for 9am, but I arrived at the embassy around 7.30am. Shortly after I got there, they split the line into 2, those with appointments at 8am, those with appointments after. I was lucky enough to be 4th in line for those with appointments after 8am, despite the majority of people behind me having appointments at 8.30, 30 mins before mine! So to mirror what's been said on here before, get there early, it really pays off.
A little after 8am, they had cleared the 8am appointments and moved onto the 2nd line, my DS-260, interview letter and passport were requested (well actually they asked for the DS-160, so when I presented the DS-260 she said "oh, you are here for an immigrant visa." Also, I didn't receive my letter because my appointment was brought forward at such short notice, so I presented the email I received which did say on it to show this if the letter hadn't arrived). All checked, all good, asked to stand in the security line.
In the security line, a guard checks the DS-260/160's then you stand in another short line and are called in 4 at a time. Just a note, you ARE allowed cell phones, NOT allowed laptops, and don't take perfume or aftershave/cologne bottles unless they are small. One person had to put theirs in the trash, I was allowed to keep mine (as it was small). The reason, we were told, is that it can be smashed and used as a weapon. Once I cleared security, I walked round to the visa applicant entrance. At the front desk I was assigned the number I-911 (meaning I was the 11th immigrant applicant that day).
By this point it was approx 8.15 am, so 45 mins after I arrived. I got a coffee from the cafe up front and waited while they called numbers. I did have a book with me, but to be honest, my eyes were glued to the screen the whole time, I didn't even take the book out. After another wait of 45 mins, my number was called. By now it's 9am, the time of my appointment. I went to desk 14, where the portly African American woman many talk about on here was standing. She seemed quite stern at first, and a little intimidating. I started to get nervous. I started shaking when asked to give fingerprints, but she just joked with me asking if I found it difficult, whilst laughing. I just joked that I didn't think my fingers were long enough.
She asked a few questions about documents, dates, addresses, employment etc and said that everything was in order. She asked my age, and since my birthday was just a couple of days away, I've been rounding up my age so I paused for a moment confused. She again joked with me for forgetting my age. I just laughed it off with the explanation about my birthday being soon and rounding up. She was actually really friendly and jovial, but it took me a few mins to warm up to her. She handed my chest x-ray back to me and told me to take a seat and wait for my number to be called. It was 9.15.
No sooner had I sat down, my number was called again, this time to window 15. There was already someone there. I went back through to check my number and it was gone. A member of staff asked if I was waiting for window 11 (I didn't realize how close to it I was standing) so I explained the situation. She told me to take a seat as my number would be called again. Just as I sat down, my number was announced over the tannoy. I briskly walked back to window 15 where this time I was met with a youngish American gentleman. I didn't even feel like I was having an interview. Apart from the oath, everything else was just conversational. He was asking me things my friends ask me on a daily basis! Well apart from the first question, but even then it was more a statement:
CO: You had a short courtship!
Me: When it's love, it's love. Who can put a timestamp on that.
CO: (jokingly jumps back and puts arms in air) "There isn't anyone judging here" (with a grin on his face)
CO: When did you last see each other?
Me: December last year, 2013. I travelled out to be there for my birthday and Christmas then came back to the UK
CO: Why haven't you been out since?
Me: I was told by border control I wouldn't be allowed back in the country because of a pending immigration application
CO: (cut to CO going on a rant about how ridiculous it is, there's no law that say's you can't travel, if I was going to do it illegally I would have done it)
CO: Why hasn't your OH been out here
Me: He doesn't have enough vacation time, we had a family cruise planned which I didn't get to go to because I was told I couldn't go back to the states, also since we had a courthouse marriage we are having a ceremony in November in front of family and friends followed by a honeymooon, so all his vacations have been used up for the year.
CO: That sucks. (spotted we married in Maine, starts talking about Maine as he used to live there.) Oh sorry, I'm just ranting on, you are approved by the way, your passport will be returned in 1-2 weeks, have a great day.
Time, 9.30am!
All in all a pretty relaxed experience compared to what I expected. Nice consular officers, friendly, not out to catch you out, just to do their job, but take interest in people at the same time. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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PVR Bound on 2023-06-08 said:
ver 5.0