Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
September 4, 2014 |
| Embassy Review : |
Approved, finally! Had my interview at the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday 2nd August, and here's how it went. Hopefully there will be some information here, for anyone else going through the same process.
My appointment letter had a time of 9am, and stated I wouldn't be allowed in until within 30 minutes of that time. Turned up at 8.30 to find two queues outside the embassy. There is no shelter outside the building, so be sure to check the weather forecast before you turn up. Thankfully, the sun was shining for me. There was a large stack of umbrellas inside the gate, I guess for the days when it doesn't.
The first queue was quite short, and all that was checked here was that I had my DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, and passport. At the desk, my appointment letter was signed, and I was sent to join the main queue. This queue led up to the security booth, through which was the entrance to the embassy grounds. Laptops and large bags are not permitted in to the embassy, but mobile phones now seem to be allowed. Clear plastic bags were on offer for people to place them in, before going through the security booth.
All in all it took an hour to get to the security booth (long enough to conclude that the bush outside the embassy must have over 5 million leaves...), where my possessions were scanned, and I had to go through a metal detector gate. I was then sent through the door on to the embassy grounds, and followed signs around to the right. It was pretty clear where to go, and once up the steps and through the main door, I was given a ticket number, and directed to the waiting room.
In the waiting room, there was a large screen at one end, and a series of windows on the right, numbered 1-11. There were also snacks and drinks available, and a sign for toilet facilities, around to the right of the windows.
Ticket numbers flashed up on the big screen, along with a corresponding window number. After taking a seat, it was around 20 minutes before my number was displayed, and I headed to window number 1 as directed. Here my paperwork was checked, my fingerprints were digitally scanned, and I was given a CD apparently containing my chest x-ray. The lady who presented it to me, said it was mine to keep, and I didn't need to give it to anyone at a later date.
The documents she asked me for were my original birth certificate (I had a certified copy of my full certificate, but she seemed happier with the original small one, which thankfully I had with me), passport photo, police certificate, affidavit of support, confirmation of courier booking / visa payment, and my passport. I was then directed to sit back down and wait for my number to be called again.
Another 20 minutes or so, and I'm sent to window 15, around the corner from number 11. A gentleman there informed me that this was now my visa interview, before checking my fingerprints, and getting me to raise my right hand and swear that I would be truthful.
The questions that followed took the form of a fairly informal chat, checking details of how long Jamie and I had been in a relationship, how we first met, and when we'd met in person. The feeling one got from the gent behind the glass was one of utter skepticism, but after all the questions, he solemnly congratulated me, informed me that my application had been approved, and that I should have the visa within two weeks. I was so tired from lack of sleep, and the long boring wait, I didn't jump up and down with excitement as I thought I would. It was 11am when I left the embassy via the same security booth I'd come in through.
Now the excitement starts, and definite plans can be made :D |
| Rating : |
Moderate |
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ver 5.0