Tweet
Just a note to first of all thank Nichole who has been invaluable to me during this process ..........your a treasure
I had my interview 0900hrs Friday 26th Feb at the US Embassy in London.
Having gleaned more than a few invaluable tips from this website I stayed over on the Thu night at a hotel and that gave me plenty of time to find out where I needed to be in the morning, I found Gould's pharmacy and checked with them their opening times and how early/late they thought I should arrive there to leave my bag/electronics etc, they were very helpful.
I set off early next morning and had to pass the Embassy to go to the Pharmacy and at 0815 there was already a long line outside there.
I checked my belongings in and went to join the line, I know they don't like you to turn up any earlier than 30 mins prior to your appointment so as it was 0830 I was fine.
I got in line and it only took 10/15 mins to get through the first check which was just a desk outside, checking my passport for ID against my appointment letter, then passed a policeman/security guard (can't remember which) then into a little gatehouse where my paperwork was checked again.
I was shown the way to go for Immigrant visa's and followed the instructions, went inside the Embassy building and was given my number/sticker and went into the waiting area and sat down to await my number to be called, after almost 2hrs!! I was finally called, I was asked for the following:
Passport
Birth certificate plus copy of
Divorce papers plus copy of
UK Police Cert plus copy of
Army Testimonial and Discharge papers plus copy of
Affidavit of support
Tax return from my Fiance (thanks for that bit of info Nichole cos I wasn't going to ask him for that till you recommended it to someone)
I was given a large envelope which included my x-rays from the medical I had in Jan.
I was directed to the window next door to pay the fee $131.00, then told to sit back in the waiting area.
A further hour and I was called again to another window.
The American chap there was very nice, he said he had been reading my army reports and that they were very good
and proceeded to ask how long I had served, 14yrs, he asked if I had enjoyed it and I told him immensely, he said "so your hoping to get a K1 visa? how long have you known your fiance?", I told him since 2003, he asked what he does for a job and I replied that since he left the US Navy he has been doing the same office job for them since retiring from service and he said "you know the exact same thing happened to my brother etc, etc, so you've waited all this time to finally try to join him?" I said that we wanted to wait till he had left the Navy and put down roots (bought a house etc) before I moved to the US.
He said something to the effect of that being a wise move and then said "oh I have just one last question?? regarding your medical? (my heart was in my mouth as I was diagnosed with MS a while back and was sure this was going to open a can of worms
) he then said "I See you suffer from Migraine? I told him it was monthly cycle kinda stuff, he replies oh! no problem I totally understand, well I'm approving you for a K1 Visa".............you could have knocked me down with a feather 
I have had so many worries over this process and that was it??? Still not quite convinced I asked him "so you mean I can go home today and book my flight?" and he said "You can go home and book your flight Miss, I'm approving you on the spot!! Welcome to the US.
I took every piece of paperwork that they might want to see, even stuff they didn't ask to see, and most of it I brought back home...............not every case is the same and I would urge anyone to err on the side of caution, don't get denied because of something you could have taken but didn't (that was my philosophy)
I'm now awaiting my visa to be couriered to me and hopefully that will be as easy too and that I won't have to chase it? I know they said I should have it probably by the end of this week? but I also know from reading on here that it's not always that quick so I will have to exercise some patience.
Izzy x
I had my interview 0900hrs Friday 26th Feb at the US Embassy in London.
Having gleaned more than a few invaluable tips from this website I stayed over on the Thu night at a hotel and that gave me plenty of time to find out where I needed to be in the morning, I found Gould's pharmacy and checked with them their opening times and how early/late they thought I should arrive there to leave my bag/electronics etc, they were very helpful.
I set off early next morning and had to pass the Embassy to go to the Pharmacy and at 0815 there was already a long line outside there.
I checked my belongings in and went to join the line, I know they don't like you to turn up any earlier than 30 mins prior to your appointment so as it was 0830 I was fine.
I got in line and it only took 10/15 mins to get through the first check which was just a desk outside, checking my passport for ID against my appointment letter, then passed a policeman/security guard (can't remember which) then into a little gatehouse where my paperwork was checked again.
I was shown the way to go for Immigrant visa's and followed the instructions, went inside the Embassy building and was given my number/sticker and went into the waiting area and sat down to await my number to be called, after almost 2hrs!! I was finally called, I was asked for the following:
Passport
Birth certificate plus copy of
Divorce papers plus copy of
UK Police Cert plus copy of
Army Testimonial and Discharge papers plus copy of
Affidavit of support
Tax return from my Fiance (thanks for that bit of info Nichole cos I wasn't going to ask him for that till you recommended it to someone)
I was given a large envelope which included my x-rays from the medical I had in Jan.
I was directed to the window next door to pay the fee $131.00, then told to sit back in the waiting area.
A further hour and I was called again to another window.
The American chap there was very nice, he said he had been reading my army reports and that they were very good
and proceeded to ask how long I had served, 14yrs, he asked if I had enjoyed it and I told him immensely, he said "so your hoping to get a K1 visa? how long have you known your fiance?", I told him since 2003, he asked what he does for a job and I replied that since he left the US Navy he has been doing the same office job for them since retiring from service and he said "you know the exact same thing happened to my brother etc, etc, so you've waited all this time to finally try to join him?" I said that we wanted to wait till he had left the Navy and put down roots (bought a house etc) before I moved to the US.He said something to the effect of that being a wise move and then said "oh I have just one last question?? regarding your medical? (my heart was in my mouth as I was diagnosed with MS a while back and was sure this was going to open a can of worms
) he then said "I See you suffer from Migraine? I told him it was monthly cycle kinda stuff, he replies oh! no problem I totally understand, well I'm approving you for a K1 Visa".............you could have knocked me down with a feather I have had so many worries over this process and that was it??? Still not quite convinced I asked him "so you mean I can go home today and book my flight?" and he said "You can go home and book your flight Miss, I'm approving you on the spot!! Welcome to the US. I took every piece of paperwork that they might want to see, even stuff they didn't ask to see, and most of it I brought back home...............not every case is the same and I would urge anyone to err on the side of caution, don't get denied because of something you could have taken but didn't (that was my philosophy)
I'm now awaiting my visa to be couriered to me and hopefully that will be as easy too and that I won't have to chase it? I know they said I should have it probably by the end of this week? but I also know from reading on here that it's not always that quick so I will have to exercise some patience.
Izzy x
Comment