OK I know this may seem like a dumb question, but our interview is scheduled for 8am, do we go to the embassy and just queue with everyone else in front of it, or go to the front with our letter? I don't want to do the wrong thing!

It will help if you let people know that you are applying for Immigrant Visas for yourself and your 3 children. (I just did, lol)

Queue. Nearly everyone else there in the visa line also has a letter, and this IS England, after all. Queuing is the national pasttime.

For an 8 AM appointment I recommend a 7 AM arrival, if the kids can manage that.

Yep queue early but remember that if you have phones/battery key fobs etc you cant take them into the embassy - you can leave them at the local chemist- Goulds about 2 mins away but they dont open until 7.30am

I had an 8am appointment time in late October. I arrived at the Embassy at around 7.30am and there were about 25 people in the queue outside ahead of me. However, almost all of these people were for non-immigrant visas as when I got inside I was issued only the second Immigrant Visa number and was done within a couple of hours.

Thanks, my son has a broken leg and I was debatIng taking the wheelchair or not, I will now! I also think paying extra for a hotel close by might be a good idea.

You might well be standing around in the queue for awhile so would advise the chair and staying in close hotel will make it much less stressful! You could maybe arrange to keep your electrical goods/cases in the hotel after your official check out time as you may not be out of the interview before you have to check out of the hotel

The Travelodge at Marylebone was very reasonable for a central London hotel (£65 I think I paid last April) and is a 15-20 minute walk from the Embassy. It is right next to the underground/rail station so that is handy. As with most TL's, it is basic but clean. Just a suggestion.

Thank you for this suggestion. We have a 9am interview and don't want to be too far away.

Also, I know backpacks and large bags are not allowed. Handbags? are they okay if they're on the smaller side?

I didn't take any bag myself, but saw people with normal hand- and shoulder-bags being admitted, subject to an airport-style x-ray machine check.

The travelodge( Rooms are £50 each) in mayfair only does single and double rooms. Great if there is less than 2 of you but for myself and 3 kids a no-no. I might stay in the holiday inn, cheapest of the lot £159!!!!

I went in Dec and took an ordinary sized handbag- no issue. It was big enough for a 1/2 litre bottle of water which they asked me to open and take a sip before i went in

Here's the Embassy security information: http://london.usembassy.gov/visas_security.html
Large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages are not allowed within the Embassy grounds. Please see this PDF file for a list of Left Luggage storage facilities (PDF - 36kb). Please also do not bring mobile phones or any other electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, PDAs or remote-entry automobile key "fobs" to the interview as they are not allowed within the Embassy. Failure to follow these instructions will result in the cancellation of your appointment.

Applicants are required to queue outside even in inclement weather. Please, therefore, do not arrive at the Embassy more than 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

Only applicants with appointments will be admitted into the Embassy. Exceptions will be made only if the applicant is under 18, if the applicant requires an interpreter or if the applicant is disabled and requires assistance. The parent or guardian, interpreter or carer’s name must be on the appointment list.

Always happy to help where i can.

Thank you EVERYONE!!!
Every bit of helpful advice you give settles the nerves just a little bit more.

We might take the coach down to London, National Express has a special £1 offer on tickets. What we save on tickets we can spend on something FUN.