Run down of the London K1 Interview!
Nov 6th 2002, 4:52 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Run down of the London K1 Interview!
OK... here it is... probably not as good as Scarlett's but hey, I am no author ... :-)
Arrived London on the night before only to be called by the original hotel and told that they had to swap my to another hotel cause the other one was fully booked! I had maps too of the hotel, Docs, and Embassy, only to be told I was in some other hotel somewhere else in London! But... turned out OK cause I was closer to the Docs!
never slept the night before the interview... too cold in the hotel room and restless.
Got to the Docs at around 7.30am - first there! Pushed the door, but locked.. ligts were all off too... hum...! More people started lining up - counted 14 in total - and I heard later one of the nurses say it was a quiet day.
Bang on 8am the lights went on and the door opened at the docs. On the way to the waiting room we were given a red plastic folder with a laminited instruction sheet on it with things we had to supply - medical check list, picture and immunisation proof. Took this back to reception and paid the cash £125. They were having trouble with their visa machine that day. Then told to sit back down n wait for your name called. I was first called to walk down the steps to another waiting room - The Initial "B" helps I guess. Put my now green plastic folder in the tray on the wall and sat and waited around 5 mins. A young nurse called me into a small room and took some blood "You'll feel a sharp scratch!" Hum... "Is this your name?" Pointing to a vial of my blood! "yep!"
Went back out to the waiting room and was then called by the XRay guy ! He was cool! Happy chappy! Jumper off n tshirt... Up against a machine like a strussed chicken..."Deep breath... Ok thank you. Wait in the changing cubicle for the doc."
Doc called... ticked a few forms, asked some general questions, checked ears, eyes, heart, etc. Up on couch, cough n drop. Hum... "Ok, you can go now." I was give my xray by the xray guy who said I would need to take this in my hand luggage when I travel.
Got to the Embassy at 9.15am. Showed passport and letter. Got straight through the baggage machine and sat down after having checked in at Booth 1 or 2. Remember to check in with your letter, guys. Couple of people didn;t and waited a little longer.
Sat for about an hour, looking at the TV presentation thing about getting your visas and then saw on the screen "What if your visa is declined?" Yikes! Put that out of my mind. Was called back up to booth 3 this time and asked for the paper work etc. Was all cool. The guys was like some other nationality - not American. Was then told to sit back down again. Waited another hour, and then at 11am was called to Booth 5 and was asked some questions - nothing too much, when we met, how many times I had been there and then he said "has she ever visited you?" I said no. "Typical American" said the American Embassy guy! I laughed - he laughed ! Ahhhhh... Then he said come back at 12.30 for your visa if all your results come back OK!
I think I must have looked stunned or something cause he had to kinda dismiss me!!!! haha!
Left the embassy after asking if it was OK to leave my bag with the security guys - which it was. Walked around the block a few times and then headed back only to discover that half the bloody streets around the embassy had been sealed of with police do not cross stickers!!! ARGH! Some suspicious white van was the culprit. Luckily I could walked the back way to the embassy and got it OK.
Sat back down at 12:20 and then called at 12:30 and given the visa! The guy - back in Booth 3 - gave me it and explained what it entitled me too. "Good luck" he said. "thanks!"
Walked out and called Ruth - 4:30am her time! She was well pleased!
End of part one.
So how was that? Don't think I have missed anything out! All in all - it was a pretty enjoyable day! Sadistic? Nah... was just a good experience!
Good luck to all you other guys n gals going through this !
OH.. one other thing while I was there - this family of 5 didn't get a visa that day because they had forgotten to get their police checks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET YOUR POLICE CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy
Arrived London on the night before only to be called by the original hotel and told that they had to swap my to another hotel cause the other one was fully booked! I had maps too of the hotel, Docs, and Embassy, only to be told I was in some other hotel somewhere else in London! But... turned out OK cause I was closer to the Docs!
never slept the night before the interview... too cold in the hotel room and restless.
Got to the Docs at around 7.30am - first there! Pushed the door, but locked.. ligts were all off too... hum...! More people started lining up - counted 14 in total - and I heard later one of the nurses say it was a quiet day.
Bang on 8am the lights went on and the door opened at the docs. On the way to the waiting room we were given a red plastic folder with a laminited instruction sheet on it with things we had to supply - medical check list, picture and immunisation proof. Took this back to reception and paid the cash £125. They were having trouble with their visa machine that day. Then told to sit back down n wait for your name called. I was first called to walk down the steps to another waiting room - The Initial "B" helps I guess. Put my now green plastic folder in the tray on the wall and sat and waited around 5 mins. A young nurse called me into a small room and took some blood "You'll feel a sharp scratch!" Hum... "Is this your name?" Pointing to a vial of my blood! "yep!"
Went back out to the waiting room and was then called by the XRay guy ! He was cool! Happy chappy! Jumper off n tshirt... Up against a machine like a strussed chicken..."Deep breath... Ok thank you. Wait in the changing cubicle for the doc."
Doc called... ticked a few forms, asked some general questions, checked ears, eyes, heart, etc. Up on couch, cough n drop. Hum... "Ok, you can go now." I was give my xray by the xray guy who said I would need to take this in my hand luggage when I travel.
Got to the Embassy at 9.15am. Showed passport and letter. Got straight through the baggage machine and sat down after having checked in at Booth 1 or 2. Remember to check in with your letter, guys. Couple of people didn;t and waited a little longer.
Sat for about an hour, looking at the TV presentation thing about getting your visas and then saw on the screen "What if your visa is declined?" Yikes! Put that out of my mind. Was called back up to booth 3 this time and asked for the paper work etc. Was all cool. The guys was like some other nationality - not American. Was then told to sit back down again. Waited another hour, and then at 11am was called to Booth 5 and was asked some questions - nothing too much, when we met, how many times I had been there and then he said "has she ever visited you?" I said no. "Typical American" said the American Embassy guy! I laughed - he laughed ! Ahhhhh... Then he said come back at 12.30 for your visa if all your results come back OK!
I think I must have looked stunned or something cause he had to kinda dismiss me!!!! haha!
Left the embassy after asking if it was OK to leave my bag with the security guys - which it was. Walked around the block a few times and then headed back only to discover that half the bloody streets around the embassy had been sealed of with police do not cross stickers!!! ARGH! Some suspicious white van was the culprit. Luckily I could walked the back way to the embassy and got it OK.
Sat back down at 12:20 and then called at 12:30 and given the visa! The guy - back in Booth 3 - gave me it and explained what it entitled me too. "Good luck" he said. "thanks!"
Walked out and called Ruth - 4:30am her time! She was well pleased!
End of part one.
So how was that? Don't think I have missed anything out! All in all - it was a pretty enjoyable day! Sadistic? Nah... was just a good experience!
Good luck to all you other guys n gals going through this !
OH.. one other thing while I was there - this family of 5 didn't get a visa that day because they had forgotten to get their police checks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET YOUR POLICE CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 4:58 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 201
congrats, andy!!!!!!!!
Thanks for posting your experience, I'm going through London as well. (If Texas ever get their finger out and give us a "Yay"!!!!!!)
Good luck for the future!!!!!!!!
Kate. xxxxxxx
Good luck for the future!!!!!!!!
Kate. xxxxxxx
Nov 6th 2002, 5:00 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Re: congrats, andy!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by katesuiter
Thanks for posting your experience, I'm going through London as well. (If Texas ever get their finger out and give us a "Yay"!!!!!!)
Good luck for the future!!!!!!!!
Kate. xxxxxxx
Thanks for posting your experience, I'm going through London as well. (If Texas ever get their finger out and give us a "Yay"!!!!!!)
Good luck for the future!!!!!!!!
Kate. xxxxxxx
And good luck and best wishes to you guys too
Have fun
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 5:17 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 168
congratulations andy... we will be going through london too; we have a good combo, i think, vermont and london.
but he is muslim, this causes me some concern, makes me feel like it won't be as easy as if he were simply joe smith.
sigh.
but he is muslim, this causes me some concern, makes me feel like it won't be as easy as if he were simply joe smith.
sigh.
Nov 6th 2002, 5:51 pm
#5
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
Posts: 3,668
What no pirates
Thanks Andy,
Good story, even though I was slightly disappointed there where no pirates!
Sam is next Wednesday and Paul's wife and I (not as an item you understand) are there next thursday so I am getting very nervous, these stories are very heartening (except the lack of pirates)
Patrick
Good story, even though I was slightly disappointed there where no pirates!
Sam is next Wednesday and Paul's wife and I (not as an item you understand) are there next thursday so I am getting very nervous, these stories are very heartening (except the lack of pirates)
Patrick
Nov 6th 2002, 5:55 pm
#6
Just around the next bend
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,276
Well done Andy! It is really good to hear of your experiences. And the very best of luck to everyone whose medical and interview is coming up soon!
Debbie (who still hasn't filed for I-129f yet .. still waiting for the divorce)
Debbie (who still hasn't filed for I-129f yet .. still waiting for the divorce)
Nov 6th 2002, 6:09 pm
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 201
to andy...........
I forgot to ask before.......but did you take 3 years tax returns and W2 forms? I asked the consulate if they needed them, and they said the I-134 and employer's letter would be enough, but Corey doesn't have a bank account. (He's a bit odd, and prefers to hoard his money where he can see it!!! Lol!!!) If I go armed to the teeth with proof of his income, (which is quite a bit over the 125% poverty level) I figured this would be good. Does anyone know if his not having an account will matter, as long as he has a good wage? He doesn't own any properties or have any liquid assets, either. And is it worth getting the tax transcripts and W2's anyway, just as back up? I wouldn't like to get tripped up at the last hurdle.
Thanks.
Kate. xxxxxxx
Thanks.
Kate. xxxxxxx
Last edited by katesuiter; Nov 6th 2002 at 6:12 pm.
Nov 6th 2002, 7:01 pm
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 1,216
Congratulations Andy! Thanks for the walk through. It always helps to know what to expect. Now if all the expecting will just get over with and we can get on with it!
Cheers,
Leslie
Cheers,
Leslie
Nov 6th 2002, 7:10 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Run down of the London K1 Interview!
YaY ..... Applause !!! another ex-pat in the making *grin*
Jan
)
"andyjbilton" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK... here it is... probably not as good as Scarlett's but hey, I am no
> author ... :-)
> Arrived London on the night before only to be called by the original
> hotel and told that they had to swap my to another hotel cause the other
> one was fully booked! I had maps too of the hotel, Docs, and Embassy,
> only to be told I was in some other hotel somewhere else in London!
> But... turned out OK cause I was closer to the Docs!
> never slept the night before the interview... too cold in the hotel room
> and restless.
> Got to the Docs at around 7.30am - first there! Pushed the door, but
> locked.. ligts were all off too... hum...! More people started lining up
> - counted 14 in total - and I heard later one of the nurses say it was a
> quiet day.
> Bang on 8am the lights went on and the door opened at the docs. On the
> way to the waiting room we were given a red plastic folder with a
> laminited instruction sheet on it with things we had to supply -
> medical check list, picture and immunisation proof. Took this back to
> reception and paid the cash £125. They were having trouble with their
> visa machine that day. Then told to sit back down n wait for your name
> called. I was first called to walk down the steps to another waiting
> room - The Initial "B" helps I guess. Put my now green plastic folder
> in the tray on the wall and sat and waited around 5 mins. A young
> nurse called me into a small room and took some blood "You'll feel a
> sharp scratch!" Hum... "Is this your name?" Pointing to a vial of my
> blood! "yep!"
> Went back out to the waiting room and was then called by the XRay guy !
> He was cool! Happy chappy! Jumper off n tshirt... Up against a machine
> like a strussed chicken..."Deep breath... Ok thank you. Wait in the
> changing cubicle for the doc."
> Doc called... ticked a few forms, asked some general questions, checked
> ears, eyes, heart, etc. Up on couch, cough n drop. Hum... "Ok, you can
> go now." I was give my xray by the xray guy who said I would need to
> take this in my hand luggage when I travel.
> Got to the Embassy at 9.15am. Showed passport and letter. Got straight
> through the baggage machine and sat down after having checked in at
> Booth 1 or 2. Remember to check in with your letter, guys. Couple of
> people didn;t and waited a little longer.
> Sat for about an hour, looking at the TV presentation thing about
> getting your visas and then saw on the screen "What if your visa is
> declined?" Yikes! Put that out of my mind. Was called back up to booth
> 3 this time and asked for the paper work etc. Was all cool. The guys
> was like some other nationality - not American. Was then told to sit
> back down again. Waited another hour, and then at 11am was called to
> Booth 5 and was asked some questions - nothing too much, when we met,
> how many times I had been there and then he said "has she ever visited
> you?" I said no. "Typical American" said the American Embassy guy! I
> laughed - he laughed ! Ahhhhh... Then he said come back at 12.30 for
> your visa if all your results come back OK!
> I think I must have looked stunned or something cause he had to kinda
> dismiss me!!!! haha!
> Left the embassy after asking if it was OK to leave my bag with the
> security guys - which it was. Walked around the block a few times and
> then headed back only to discover that half the bloody streets around
> the embassy had been sealed of with police do not cross stickers!!!
> ARGH! Some suspicious white van was the culprit. Luckily I could walked
> the back way to the embassy and got it OK.
> Sat back down at 12:20 and then called at 12:30 and given the visa! The
> guy - back in Booth 3 - gave me it and explained what it entitled me
> too. "Good luck" he said. "thanks!"
> Walked out and called Ruth - 4:30am her time! She was well pleased!
> End of part one.
> So how was that? Don't think I have missed anything out! All in all -
> it was a pretty enjoyable day! Sadistic? Nah... was just a good
> experience!
> Good luck to all you other guys n gals going through this !
> OH.. one other thing while I was there - this family of 5 didn't get a
> visa that day because they had forgotten to get their police
> checks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET YOUR POLICE
> CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Andy
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Jan
)"andyjbilton" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK... here it is... probably not as good as Scarlett's but hey, I am no
> author ... :-)
> Arrived London on the night before only to be called by the original
> hotel and told that they had to swap my to another hotel cause the other
> one was fully booked! I had maps too of the hotel, Docs, and Embassy,
> only to be told I was in some other hotel somewhere else in London!
> But... turned out OK cause I was closer to the Docs!
> never slept the night before the interview... too cold in the hotel room
> and restless.
> Got to the Docs at around 7.30am - first there! Pushed the door, but
> locked.. ligts were all off too... hum...! More people started lining up
> - counted 14 in total - and I heard later one of the nurses say it was a
> quiet day.
> Bang on 8am the lights went on and the door opened at the docs. On the
> way to the waiting room we were given a red plastic folder with a
> laminited instruction sheet on it with things we had to supply -
> medical check list, picture and immunisation proof. Took this back to
> reception and paid the cash £125. They were having trouble with their
> visa machine that day. Then told to sit back down n wait for your name
> called. I was first called to walk down the steps to another waiting
> room - The Initial "B" helps I guess. Put my now green plastic folder
> in the tray on the wall and sat and waited around 5 mins. A young
> nurse called me into a small room and took some blood "You'll feel a
> sharp scratch!" Hum... "Is this your name?" Pointing to a vial of my
> blood! "yep!"
> Went back out to the waiting room and was then called by the XRay guy !
> He was cool! Happy chappy! Jumper off n tshirt... Up against a machine
> like a strussed chicken..."Deep breath... Ok thank you. Wait in the
> changing cubicle for the doc."
> Doc called... ticked a few forms, asked some general questions, checked
> ears, eyes, heart, etc. Up on couch, cough n drop. Hum... "Ok, you can
> go now." I was give my xray by the xray guy who said I would need to
> take this in my hand luggage when I travel.
> Got to the Embassy at 9.15am. Showed passport and letter. Got straight
> through the baggage machine and sat down after having checked in at
> Booth 1 or 2. Remember to check in with your letter, guys. Couple of
> people didn;t and waited a little longer.
> Sat for about an hour, looking at the TV presentation thing about
> getting your visas and then saw on the screen "What if your visa is
> declined?" Yikes! Put that out of my mind. Was called back up to booth
> 3 this time and asked for the paper work etc. Was all cool. The guys
> was like some other nationality - not American. Was then told to sit
> back down again. Waited another hour, and then at 11am was called to
> Booth 5 and was asked some questions - nothing too much, when we met,
> how many times I had been there and then he said "has she ever visited
> you?" I said no. "Typical American" said the American Embassy guy! I
> laughed - he laughed ! Ahhhhh... Then he said come back at 12.30 for
> your visa if all your results come back OK!
> I think I must have looked stunned or something cause he had to kinda
> dismiss me!!!! haha!
> Left the embassy after asking if it was OK to leave my bag with the
> security guys - which it was. Walked around the block a few times and
> then headed back only to discover that half the bloody streets around
> the embassy had been sealed of with police do not cross stickers!!!
> ARGH! Some suspicious white van was the culprit. Luckily I could walked
> the back way to the embassy and got it OK.
> Sat back down at 12:20 and then called at 12:30 and given the visa! The
> guy - back in Booth 3 - gave me it and explained what it entitled me
> too. "Good luck" he said. "thanks!"
> Walked out and called Ruth - 4:30am her time! She was well pleased!
> End of part one.
> So how was that? Don't think I have missed anything out! All in all -
> it was a pretty enjoyable day! Sadistic? Nah... was just a good
> experience!
> Good luck to all you other guys n gals going through this !
> OH.. one other thing while I was there - this family of 5 didn't get a
> visa that day because they had forgotten to get their police
> checks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET YOUR POLICE
> CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Andy
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Nov 6th 2002, 8:33 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Run down of the London K1 Interview!
wheeeeeeeee!!!
congratulations andy!!!!!
your story took me right back to halloween.
when do you fly?
be happy in your new life and keep us posted.
regards
-=-
scarlett
congratulations andy!!!!!
your story took me right back to halloween.
when do you fly?
be happy in your new life and keep us posted.
regards
-=-
scarlett
Nov 6th 2002, 10:25 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Re: to andy...........
Originally posted by katesuiter
I forgot to ask before.......but did you take 3 years tax returns and W2 forms? I asked the consulate if they needed them, and they said the I-134 and employer's letter would be enough, but Corey doesn't have a bank account. (He's a bit odd, and prefers to hoard his money where he can see it!!! Lol!!!) If I go armed to the teeth with proof of his income, (which is quite a bit over the 125% poverty level) I figured this would be good. Does anyone know if his not having an account will matter, as long as he has a good wage? He doesn't own any properties or have any liquid assets, either. And is it worth getting the tax transcripts and W2's anyway, just as back up? I wouldn't like to get tripped up at the last hurdle.
Thanks.
Kate. xxxxxxx
I forgot to ask before.......but did you take 3 years tax returns and W2 forms? I asked the consulate if they needed them, and they said the I-134 and employer's letter would be enough, but Corey doesn't have a bank account. (He's a bit odd, and prefers to hoard his money where he can see it!!! Lol!!!) If I go armed to the teeth with proof of his income, (which is quite a bit over the 125% poverty level) I figured this would be good. Does anyone know if his not having an account will matter, as long as he has a good wage? He doesn't own any properties or have any liquid assets, either. And is it worth getting the tax transcripts and W2's anyway, just as back up? I wouldn't like to get tripped up at the last hurdle.
Thanks.
Kate. xxxxxxx
Sorry Patrick... no pirates :-(((( If you seen any though, let me know?
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 10:26 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Originally posted by Scout
Congratulations Andy! Thanks for the walk through. It always helps to know what to expect. Now if all the expecting will just get over with and we can get on with it!
Cheers,
Leslie
Congratulations Andy! Thanks for the walk through. It always helps to know what to expect. Now if all the expecting will just get over with and we can get on with it!
Cheers,
Leslie
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 10:27 pm
#13
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Originally posted by dbark
Well done Andy! It is really good to hear of your experiences. And the very best of luck to everyone whose medical and interview is coming up soon!
Debbie (who still hasn't filed for I-129f yet .. still waiting for the divorce)
Well done Andy! It is really good to hear of your experiences. And the very best of luck to everyone whose medical and interview is coming up soon!
Debbie (who still hasn't filed for I-129f yet .. still waiting for the divorce)
Best of luck
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 10:28 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Re: What no pirates
Originally posted by Patrick
Thanks Andy,
Good story, even though I was slightly disappointed there where no pirates!
Sam is next Wednesday and Paul's wife and I (not as an item you understand) are there next thursday so I am getting very nervous, these stories are very heartening (except the lack of pirates)
Patrick
Thanks Andy,
Good story, even though I was slightly disappointed there where no pirates!
Sam is next Wednesday and Paul's wife and I (not as an item you understand) are there next thursday so I am getting very nervous, these stories are very heartening (except the lack of pirates)
Patrick
Good luck
Andy
Nov 6th 2002, 10:28 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 57
Originally posted by keatslamia
congratulations andy... we will be going through london too; we have a good combo, i think, vermont and london.
but he is muslim, this causes me some concern, makes me feel like it won't be as easy as if he were simply joe smith.
sigh.
congratulations andy... we will be going through london too; we have a good combo, i think, vermont and london.
but he is muslim, this causes me some concern, makes me feel like it won't be as easy as if he were simply joe smith.
sigh.
Let us know huh?
Andy
