I’ve never won the lottery, but I imagine the feeling is similar. I woke up early 2 days after I flew back to America, partly from jet-lag and partly from excitement. Mr.D’s interview with the Embassy occurred only 2 short days after I left England. As you know, he (we) were approved!
I asked Mr. D to write up his account so that if you’re going through this process maybe this will help ease your fears and frustrations. You can also find several personal accounts on VisaJourney.com under embassy reviews.
“My appointment was scheduled for 9.00am, but I was reliably informed by Miss D’orsay that there would be a queue, so I should get there early. I duly set my alarm for 6.00am, with a plan of getting to the embassy around 8.00am to scope out the situation. You may think 2 hours is a long time to get ready, but I had to drop off my bags as, inconveniently, the embassy does not allow you to take backpacks/suitcases or any electronic devices (including mobile phones) into the building. Unfortunately, it was at the point I realised my first FAIL — I would no longer have a concept of time without my phone.
I arrived at the embassy, and there was a small queue, so I asked someone for the time. It was 8.15am, and I remember that my letter stated that I would not be allowed into the embassy more than 30 mins before my scheduled time. I decided to take my chances and joined the back of the queue.
On joining the queue, there was a notice saying I should have the following documents ready:
- Appointment Letter
- Photographs
- Form DS-156
- Receipt
I wasn’t exactly sure what the receipt was, but I gathered my documents and shifted up the line. Once I got to the front, the nice lady glanced at my appointment letter, asked me if I had a mobile phone with me, and then sent me off to the next checkpoint, where again I needed my appointment letter and also my passport. I produced the documents to the nice gentleman, who then instructed me to go to the next checkpoint. I was then beckoned to enter the perimeter security office where all my belongings were sent through an airport scanning device.
A short walk around the side of the building led me inside to the reception area. I showed the lady my appointment letter and in return she handed me a sticker, which has the number 5012 printed on it (it also has the time; it’s 8.23am). This was now my “number” and she instructed me to go into the waiting room and wait for my number to be called. In the waiting room there were lots of people (maybe a few hundred at least) and some large TV screens, with numbers flashing up on them (think Argos if you’re from the UK! {or the DMV if you’re American} ). Each time a number flashed up, it was accompanied by an automated voice over stating the ticket number and which desk to go to; there are 25 desks. This is where I realise my second FAIL — I’ve left my glasses in my luggage. I sat near the front and waited patiently, for my number to come up. I’d say that after about an hour (remember, I have no watch and there are no clocks in the waiting room) I get called to desk 14. I make my way around and I’m greeted by the officer, who is sitting behind a glass window, he asks for my passport and then goes off into the back to retrieve my file. Once he gets back with my file, he asks me to go to window 12 to pay the $131 processing fee. I do this and return with a receipt to give to the officer. He then asked me for the following documents:
- Birth Certificate
- Police Record
- Support Documents (I-134 etc.)
- Photographs x 2
He puts all these documents in the file and then asks me a few questions about how many times I’ve travelled to the US. He then asks me if I have any more documentation relating to the support from my fiancee’s mother (who is co-sponsoring). I don’t have anything else (I believe I’ve provided everything), so he decides to inform me that “he hopes the interviewing office doesn’t have a problem with this”.
He then instructs me to return to the waiting room and wait for my number to be called again. Now I’m really nervous, thanks. Another hour passes, my number flashed up and I make my way to desk 15. On my arrival the interviewing officer was speaking to her colleague — I was worried they were discussing my “missing” support documents!
The interviewing officer seems nice and I began to feel a little more relaxed. She then says that she needs Miss D’orsay to fill out the I-134 form, which they don’t have (and presumably my visa will not be issued). But I had given them that document (and I have a backup copy in my folder)! I tell her and she re-checks her file and it’s there! She tears up a blue sheet of paper and puts it in the bin — I think I’m back in business for my visa!! She then asks me a few questions:
- Where did you meet your fiancee?
- When did you start dating?
- When did you get engaged?
- Tell me about the proposal?
- What does your fiancee do for a living?
- What do you do for a living?
- Is that what you intend to do for work in the US?
All the questions are asked in an informal manner, and I take the time to answer and chat informally. I then had to raise my right hand and swear that all the information that I had submitted was accurate and true. And that was it, she told me that the visa had been approved!! The officer gave me a pink form to fill in and take to the courier desk where I had to pay my £14.20 for the visa to be sent back to me. I also took the opportunity to ask the courier desk what time it was — it was 11.15am, so I was in there almost 3 hours. And that was it, I was on my way… singing, dancing, running… as I needed to get back to Euston to retrieve my phone to call Miss D’orsay to tell her the good news!”
There ya have it, and a few days later he received his passport in the mail with the K1 inside! The US government approves of our relationship!
