Maryanne Kehoe

Wouldn't that be nice if ALL embassies conducted immigration business
like London does?

Maryanne Kehoe

Ken's BP was high but the only thing the consular officer asked was if
he was "treating" it (he is.)

The officer said "that's fine for us" and said he would get his visa the
next day!




Re: Processing times updated on website (US Embassy London, DHS)

Group: alt.visa.us.marriage-based Date: Fri, Jul 30, 2004, 10:57pm
(EDT+4) From: member13497@british_expats.com (mstracy)
Originally posted by antjen
ok - heres a summary of my
succesful day today
....
well thats a brief ok not too brief)
account of my day - if anyone has any questions feel free to ask
still got a big grin on my face !!!!
Sounds easy enough
but I'll still be nervous on Monday. I wonder what sort of blood
pressure readings he gets? I bet mine will be high, lol Great write-up,
thanks.
Mark
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Maryanne Kehoe

Oh one more thing I forgot, somewhere in the Packet 3 paperwork from
London it says that due to the limited seating that it is advisable to
not bring anyone with you to the interview.

That is incorrect. The seating area for those waiting on immigrant visa
interviews in London is plentiful, although the a/c wasn't on when Ken
and I were there. I think the consular officer that interviewed him was
impressed that I came "all the way from Atlanta" (to use his words) to
be with Ken. I think it DOES carry a bit of weight, especially with the
London embassy, as I recall there wre only 2 or 3 other couples that day
that had their spouse with them.

Dimsie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by antjen
ok - heres a summary of my succesful day today - hope its of some use to everyone else - if anything just to put minds at rest, as i know the unknown was making me nervous...

Thanks, Ant for your very good and helpful description of your day at the Embassy. We're pleased to know things went so smoothly. Knowing all the small details will help me a great deal when my turn comes !
Ann

Dimsie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by antjen
ok - heres a summary of my succesful day today - hope its of some use to everyone else - if anything just to put minds at rest, as i know the unknown was making me nervous...

Thanks, Ant, for the very clear and helpful account of your medical and interview. Knowing those details will help me a lot when my turn comes.
Well done you !!!!!!!!
Ann

antjen

i wouldnt worry about the bp readings too much, mine were higher than normal but he just put that down to the stress/pressure of the day.

Ant

Dimsie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maryanne Kehoe
Oh one more thing I forgot, somewhere in the Packet 3 paperwork from
London it says that due to the limited seating that it is advisable to
not bring anyone with you to the interview.

That is incorrect. The seating area for those waiting on immigrant visa
interviews in London is plentiful, although the a/c wasn't on when Ken


Thanks for that information Maryanne - I had been feeling a little perplexed about the possibility of Fred being thrown out to wander the streets of London - that's another thing less to worry over!!
Ann

Maryanne Kehoe

The guy that interviewed Ken was a bit rotund (with a great sense of
humor), hopefully you will get him or Catwoman (those are the two good
people that work there.)




Re: Processing times updated on website (US Embassy London, DHS)

Group: alt.visa.us.marriage-based Date: Sat, Jul 31, 2004, 9:27am
(EDT+4) From: member13111@british_expats.com (Dimsie)
Originally posted by Maryanne Kehoe
Oh one more thing I
forgot, somewhere in the Packet 3 paperwork from
London it says that
due to the limited seating that it is advisable to
not bring anyone
with you to the interview.
That is incorrect. The seating area for
those waiting on immigrant visa
interviews in London is plentiful,
although the a/c wasn't on when Ken
Thanks for that information
Maryanne - I had been feeling a little perplexed about the possibility
of Fred being thrown out to wander the streets of London - that's
another thing less to worry over!!
Ann
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Maryanne Kehoe

Addendum, if you bring your USC spouse to the London embassy, make sure
they have their US passport as ID---I was asked for mine on the day Ken
interviewed.



Re: Processing times updated on website (US Embassy London, DHS)

Group: alt.visa.us.marriage-based Date: Sun, Aug 1, 2004, 1:44am From:
[email protected] (maryanne kehoe)
The guy that interviewed Ken was a bit rotund (with a great sense of
humor), hopefully you will get him or Catwoman (those are the two good
people that work there.)
Re: Processing times updated on website (US Embassy London, DHS)
Group: alt.visa.us.marriage-based Date: Sat, Jul 31, 2004, 9:27am
(EDT+4) From: member13111@british_expats.com (Dimsie) Originally posted
by Maryanne Kehoe
Oh one more thing I
forgot, somewhere in the Packet 3 paperwork from London it says that
due to the limited seating that it is advisable to not bring anyone
with you to the interview.
That is incorrect. The seating area for
those waiting on immigrant visa
interviews in London is plentiful,
although the a/c wasn't on when Ken
Thanks for that information
Maryanne - I had been feeling a little perplexed about the possibility
of Fred being thrown out to wander the streets of London - that's
another thing less to worry over!!
Ann
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Dimsie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maryanne Kehoe
Addendum, if you bring your USC spouse to the London embassy, make sure
they have their US passport as ID---I was asked for mine on the day Ken
interviewed.



Will do! ----Thanks for the hint, MaryAnne....

half-pint

Many congratulations to both of you! Hope you have a great life in the US.

Well done!

Ellie

Maryanne Kehoe

Thank you! At our ages (I will be 49, Ken is 52 and we have never been
married before), we have had a different kind of "Adjustment of Status"
to make, since we have been single so long.

Health issues sometimes come up on this board in regards to the London
embassy. I recall that the issue of cigarette smoking came up and the
lady that was asking was worried that her UK hubby could have been
turned down for health reasons (i.e. assuming he has future problems
related to smoking in the future.) As I recall, he got his visa. I don't
smoke myself (neither does Ken) but I said that some people enjoy fine
food and wine, and likewise some people like to relax with a cigarette
and that shouldn't be a barrier to visa issuance.

Drinking was another one---enjoying a couple of beers a week shouldn't
be an issue.





Re: Processing times updated on website (US Embassy London, DHS)

Group: alt.visa.us.marriage-based Date: Sun, Aug 1, 2004, 9:16am (EDT+4)
From: member25258@british_expats.com (half-pint)
Originally posted by antjen
i wouldnt worry about the
bp readings too much, mine were higher than normal but he just put that
down to the stress/pressure of the day.
Ant
Many
congratulations to both of you! Hope you have a great life in the US.
Well done!
Ellie
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

antjen

Woohoo!

recieved the visa by courier this morning - paid extra to receive it b4 10:30 but was suprised when it came at 8am! - v early i thought

big stamp/sticker in my passport and package to take over with me - though not to be opened by other than an immigration officer - itching to see whats inside though!!

- shame i have to wait ow - as i probably wont be going over till early/mid oct

Ant

Dimsie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by antjen
Woohoo!

recieved the visa by courier this morning - paid extra to receive it b4 10:30 but was suprised when it came at 8am! - v early i thought
(Ant)


Woweee.....I bet you are over the moon now!!!!
Super-dooper !!!!

Wonder how Mark got on today....I meant to say Good Luck to him but didn't get on in time.

Ann

mstracy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dimsie

I could have done with a bit of luck it seems.. lol

I got an RFE! Luckily it's not too serious.

Here we go.....

The day started badly as although I got up on time, just about everything I did seemed to have a problem associated with it and consequently, I was late for the train I was trying to catch. As I live in North London, I thought I could catch the 6:24 to London and have plenty of time to cross London by tube... wrong! By the time I got to the station, the next train was almost 3/4 of an hour after the one I wanted. So, I ran home and jumped on my motorcycle instead. The journey in to the city was OK, if rather hot and I arrived at the embassy at 7:59 having foud an empty space in the motorcycle parking bay at the other end of Grosvenor Square. I joined the line for immigration ( there were 3 lines, 1 for non-immigrant visas, 1 for US citizen services and the one for immigrant visas). We were processed within about 5 minutes through the security cabin an allowed inside. Just as I got in there, I realised I had forgotten to bring my £10 in cash for the courier (I told you I was having a bad day). I was told that there was a cash machine around the corner and that I should let the man in front of the security cabin where I was going... so off I went. % mins later, I returned with cash and was let through security a second time but this time no wait. I walked around the building to the far side to find the way to the immigrant visa section which I note, is not marked. I was directed to the courier counter to purchase my envelope and then on to the immigrant visa section. I was amazed at how many seats there are in there and how few people. I walked to booth 1 to let them know I was there and was seen after a few minutes. The guy checked my interview letter, my passport and the photo's I had brought. As today is the official switch over from ADIT to passport style photo's they would accept either. I had brought all the photos I had lying around most of which were ADIT but I had 3 passport style left over from where I renewed my passport last week. He said they were fine and told me to wait. I'm not entirely sure what the order of calling was, but everyone who was in there before me and a few that came after were seen before I was. I thought for a little while that they had forgotten me or something but eventually I was called and went to the counter where I saw an oriental lady. Firstly she wanted the payment and got me to fill in a credit card payment form which she sent to the payments department downstairs. I know it's downstairs as she told me twice that the man downstairs doesn't like it if you get the card number wrong as he has to walk all the way upstairs to correct it (and that happened twice last week!). She didn't ask for my paperwork in order, in fact she kept asking for stuff I'd already given her. She didn't like the affadavit of support from my wife and didn't seem to understand the one from my father-in-law but eventually she seemed to get the paper under control and scribbled some notes on the form she was filling in. She told me that I needed to supply lots of things and then sent me to sit down to wait for my interview. I went to sit down and tried to sort the disarray of paperwork I had left in my folder, but as soon as I was seated, she called me up again to give me the receipt from my payment. I was called for the interview some time later. I don't really know how long each wait was as I tried not to look at my watch. The guy that interviewed me was much more together and pleasant. He explained that I would need to get my father-in-law to fax his passport and 2003 tax return to me and I would then need to send them in with my passport for the visa (as long as I passed the medical). So, it was off to see the good Doctor... As I was last of the group out of the visa section, I was last in to the doctors (well I shouldn't have been, but someone didn't show for their interview or medical it seems). Everyone there was nice and friendly but it was hot and humid inside. The process was quite simple although the instructions sounded complex. First submit your doccuments to the receptionist, then wait.... Then make your payment, take your paperwork downstairs, put it in the holder on the wall and wait.... there was a fan downstairs and I was glad of it! I was on my own in the downstairs waiting area as I was the last one for the day. After a short while, I was taken to have the blood taken for the test, then returned to the waiting room to wait..... then I was taken to the changing area to remove my shirt and I waitied there and after a while was taken to have my forms checked through, my blood pressure checked and my chest listened to and to be poked and prodded a bit around my stomach and sides. I didn't have to wait long for the x-ray after which I put my shirt back on and went back to the downstairs waiting room. The x-ray did take a little while to develop, but once that was checked, I was presented with it and told to return at 1:30. I went to get some lunch and made it back at about 1:10 along with a coupe of others. Although we were early, the results were in and we were all told everything OK and we could go.

So that's about it for now. I called my mother-in-law a little while ago and she's organising the paperwork which I should have soon. Sorry it's so long but if there was something I learned, it was that I should have got a hotel room so I could have been there on time without the added stress.. lol

Mark