Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
April 17, 2019 |
| Embassy Review : |
K1 APPROVED!
Oh my goodness, after almost 8 months it was my consular interview day yesterday, 16th April. You read so many forums, stories and experiences it really is hard to envisage what you will encounter once you are at the embassy. This is my experience!
Arrived at the U.S Embassy in London at 10.00a.m for my 10.30a.m appointment, there was already two queues of people awaiting to have their documents checked at the check point outside. I was asked for my DS-160 confirmation page and passport. They checked against their list and wrote 10:30 on the document.
Next you must go through security clearance. This is similar to airport security, so all bags etc must be x-ray'd, belts off, liquids out and so forth. You can take bottled drinks in plastic bottles only, no glass is permitted into the embassy building. Have a sealed bottle, otherwise they just ask you to take a sip at the security line.
I took a small back-pack with me with all my documents and other in, and had no problems. You can't take large bags/wheelie cases etc! but a small personal bag/small back pack is permitted - this is information that should be emailed to you (was for me), regarding what you can and can not take into the embassy.
Joined the 'Visa Appointments'' line, the red line, for reception who once at the desk placed a ticket number on my DS-160 confirmation page.
I was instructed to take the elevator to the first floor and go to the left.
I stepped out the lift, turned left, saw some empty seats and was about to sit down, my butt didn't even touch the cushion and 'PING' my number was called and showed up on the screen. Yikes! No waiting. Straight in and round to the first desk. The officer there took my DS-160 and passport, then asked for my birth certificate, police report, affadavit of support, and all the other necessary documents, then went to grab my file.
The officer asked a couple of questions, took fingerprints and thumb prints of both hands. Checked all my documents off on a list and gave me a C.D of my chest x-ray from the medical and told me to keep hold of that and to travel with that in hand luggage as it would be needed upon entry into the United States. He asked when I was looking to travel and enter the United States, I replied 'towards the end of May'' which he noted on a document. Told me to take a seat in the immediate area and that a consular officer would conduct my interview and give a final decision on the case. My heart was racing!
I sat down, there was only me and 3 other people in that area! it was practically empty. About five minutes passed, 'PING' my same number came up... oh god! this was it! this was IT!
I took a deep breath and calmly walked up to the interview booth, a different one from before and a different officer. Officer smiled and greeted me, I was asked to raise my right hand and take an oath that the info I was to give was the truth. He proceeded to ask a couple of questions and it really was a pleasant chat. I know you read that it's like talking to someone you know, and it really was. He asked how we met, when did we meet, how did we communicate initially, when was the first time we met again after our initial meeting, and to describe briefly our last visit. He smiled and said ''I can't believe you guys waited for so long! I'm going to go ahead and approve the visa, congratulations!''
NOTE - Me and my Fiance have been dating for over 6 years. He proposed in August 2018 while we were on vacation! and he filed the petition shortly after he returned home to USA). We regularly saw each other. Either I would fly to USA or he would come over, or we would take vacations together somewhere, so we have regular visits throughout. - Worth pointing out we had submitted relationship evidence with the original I-129f petition, photos, some flight tickets to date etc, as well as a dual signed letter of our intention to marry in accordance with the terms of the K1 once approved. I took some other items of evidence with me since our initial filing of the I-129f, I wasn't asked to provide any further supporting information, but I felt confident in the knowledge that I had it there with me anyway.
I watched as he wrote a big 'A' and circled it on my file! He gave me a card which explained the process for receiving my passport back with the visa in, and he informed me of the process that would take. I couldn't help but cry! I thanked him, and he smiled and I said ''best day ever!'' and he smiled back and said congratulations! and was smiling once again. That was it! APPROVED!
I had to go sit down in the waiting area to compose myself, I was smiling but crying and was so so happy. I was in and out of there in less than 30 minutes! from security entry, to reception, to the interview. Boom! Done!
Like everyone before me has stated and I reiterate, this was just my experience and every case is different. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer, but I'm no legal substitute, and no information I give or offer is in any way any legal representation of the process, and I can only comment on my personal experience of this.
Once outside the embassy I called my Fiance in USA and woke him up with the news! ahaha!! I had the biggest smile on my face! I was so happy. I turned the corner and saw a builder at a site entrance and I just yelled ''YES! It's a great day to be alive!' he laughed a lot, and I continued down the road smiling and just saying ''wow!'' a lot hahah!!!
(updated on April 17, 2019)
(updated on April 17, 2019)
(updated on April 17, 2019) |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0