Iceman_rph

CP Success in London !! (Interview experience)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

I had my employment based GC interview in London on November 13th, 2003.
Following is a brief outline of the interview experience:



1. The documents we took to the UK included:



a) Appointment Letter (Comes in Packet 4)

b) Passports

c) DS 230 Part II (filled but NOT signed)

d) Birth Certificates (if you don't have one, need non-availability
letter and 2 affidavits)

e) Marriage Certificate

f) Police Certificates (Needed from all countries resided in after the
age of 16, US not needed)

g) Photographs (4 photos of each immigrant needed)

h) Evidence of Support (form 1-134, Letter from Bank, Notarized
Employer Letter)

i) Tax Returns (Last 3 years)

j) W-2's (Last 3 years)

k) Pay-Stubs (Last 3)

l) Bank Statements

m) Degree Certificates/transcripts

n) Labor Certification Documents (LC), H1B Documents, I-140 Documents
and Packet 3 Sheets

o) SSN/ITIN Card's and Copy



This is not an exhaustive list. All documents may not be needed, but it
is 'better to be safe than sorry'.



-- We bought clear plastic folders from office-max and placed each of
the above documents in each. On the front of the plastic covers we wrote
what each contained e.g. police certificates etc... We then put all the
plastic sheets into a 3 ring binder/folder. This made it very easy to
carry and also to access during the interview process.



--Get photographs done a few days before. We got ours done at Passport
Photo Services (449 Oxford Street) opposite Selfridges, London. They
know exactly what size is required. Do mention that the photos are for
an IMMIGRANT visa. We got 2 sets of 4 photos done (total 8 photos each)
just to be on the safe side.



Day Of The Interview:



1. Arrived at the US consulate around 7:23am even though my appointment
time was at 8:00am. Initially there was only 1 line that everyone
joined immigrant or non-immigrant, nearer the time those with
appointments (immigrants) were told to stand in a separate line.
Appointment time does not matter but the main thing is the order of
appearance at the immigrant visa window inside the consulate. Upon
arrival at the consulate's entrance we went through a security check.
Then we were sent up some stairs to the interview room. Reported to
the FIRST booth, the very nice lady took the appointment letter. We
had already paid our visa fees as part of Packet 3, so we were told
to take a seat.



3. We were then called after 20-30 mins, to another booth/window where
the male clerk greeted us and asked for the documents needed before
the actual interview. He asked for documents B-H from the above list
in the exact order as stated in the packet 4 letter sent. The guy
verified some basic information on the forms such as address etc and
told us that the original documents will be given back after the
actual interview by the visa officer. Again he told us to wait in the
waiting area until we were called again and this time for the actual
interview.



4. After about 15 mins we were called for the actual visa interview.
There were only two visa officers who handling the immigrant
interviews that morning. He was very polite and in his 30's. He
greeted us as we entered the interview booth and asked us to raise
our right hand and repeat the oath that whatever we are presenting to
him was true etc.



5. The actual interview from this point on was only about 5 minutes. He
basically asked me about my employer and what I did. He was very
straightforward and I felt pretty comfortable talking to him. He put
us very much at ease. He then told us that everything was in order.
We were then told to report to the US Consulate Doctor for our
medical. We were given directions for this, and told to return to the
consulate at 1.00pm.



6. Time was now 9.45am. We set off to the office of Dr Michael Phelan,
which was like a 10-15 minute walk. After arriving there, we were
asked for the filled medical questionnaires (sent in packet 4), 1
photo each and payment (at the time was 125 sterling per person). We
were then sent to the waiting room, and were called promptly to the
clinic downstairs. Here we had the chest x-ray, physical check and
were asked for our vaccination records. As we did not have any
vaccination records, the doctor gave us 2 choices: either get the
required vaccines done later and come back with proof or have them
done here and now. Visas would not be issued unless required vaccines
had been undergone. Obviously, we had the vaccines done straight
away. For the age group 20-34 only 2 vaccines are needed DT
(diphtheria/tetanus) and MMR (measles/mumps/rubella),. The charge was
35 sterling for each vaccine. A nurse administered these.

We were then given our chest x-rays and also the proof of vaccination's
and were told to keep the x-rays in our hand luggage when flying back.



6. Time was now 11.30am. We then relaxed and had some coffee and lunch
and returned by foot to the consulate. We reported back and went
straight to the guard, (do not line up) went through the security
check again and went back to the room. Here we waited for our name to
be called to pick up the immigrant visas. After about 25 mins our
name was called and we were given sealed envelopes with the actual
immigrant visa (1 page) stapled on the outside of the sealed
envelope. We were told not to open the envelopes and that the US
immigration official at the port of entry would open it. We were also
told to verify the information on the visas (such as name, date of
birth, parent's names etc) before leaving the consulate in case there
are errors. He then took our passports and stamped the H1B's
'cancelled without prejudice'.



7. We left the consulate at about 2:00pm. Overall it was a nice
experience. Everyone at the consulate was nice and friendly and this
was totally opposite to what I was expecting.



8. We entered the US via Washington Dulles (USA). Immigration officer at
Dulles airport opened the sealed envelopes, re-checked that all
documents were in order, put them in 2 folders and then told us to go
to the secondary immigration room. This was a room full of people. We
reported to the desk and handed the folders to the immigration
officer who told us to have a seat. The wait was like 45 minutes. We
were then called and our passports stamped with a temporary Permanent
Residence stamp. He then, explained that the stamp was valid for 1
year and LPR (legal permanent resident) status valid forever. Our
fingerprints were then taken. The passports were then handed back. He
said the green cards would be mailed to our home address (as stated
on the DS-230 Part II) and could take up to 6 months to receive them.



9) Within 6 days of returning to the US we received mail that welcomed
us as permanent residents. The letters stated that the green cards
would be sent within the next 3 weeks.



10) 4 days later we received the plastic green cards. Finally all
done..... Our green card process took 26 months in total from start
to finish.



Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Good luck to all of you who are waiting for an interview at the London
consulate.



Email:

November Soul

That's some fantastic information, thanks for sharing.

Just a quick question... When you said the entire process took 26 months,
does that include the state and federal labor certification, or did you
count from the I-140 filing date?

It'd be nice to get a breakdown of each part by date, i.e. filing date and
response date for each stage.

Bob.

"iceman_rph" <member18974@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:...
    > CP Success in London !! (Interview experience)
    > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    > ----------
    > I had my employment based GC interview in London on November 13th, 2003.
    > Following is a brief outline of the interview experience:
    > 1. The documents we took to the UK included:
    > a) Appointment Letter (Comes in Packet 4)
    > b) Passports
    > c) DS 230 Part II (filled but NOT signed)
    > d) Birth Certificates (if you don't have one, need non-availability
    > letter and 2 affidavits)
    > e) Marriage Certificate
    > f) Police Certificates (Needed from all countries resided in after the
    > age of 16, US not needed)
    > g) Photographs (4 photos of each immigrant needed)
    > h) Evidence of Support (form 1-134, Letter from Bank, Notarized
    > Employer Letter)
    > i) Tax Returns (Last 3 years)
    > j) W-2's (Last 3 years)
    > k) Pay-Stubs (Last 3)
    > l) Bank Statements
    > m) Degree Certificates/transcripts
    > n) Labor Certification Documents (LC), H1B Documents, I-140 Documents
    > and Packet 3 Sheets
    > o) SSN/ITIN Card's and Copy
    > This is not an exhaustive list. All documents may not be needed, but it
    > is 'better to be safe than sorry'.
    > -- We bought clear plastic folders from office-max and placed each of
    > the above documents in each. On the front of the plastic covers we wrote
    > what each contained e.g. police certificates etc... We then put all the
    > plastic sheets into a 3 ring binder/folder. This made it very easy to
    > carry and also to access during the interview process.
    > --Get photographs done a few days before. We got ours done at Passport
    > Photo Services (449 Oxford Street) opposite Selfridges, London. They
    > know exactly what size is required. Do mention that the photos are for
    > an IMMIGRANT visa. We got 2 sets of 4 photos done (total 8 photos each)
    > just to be on the safe side.
    > Day Of The Interview:
    > 1. Arrived at the US consulate around 7:23am even though my appointment
    > time was at 8:00am. Initially there was only 1 line that everyone
    > joined immigrant or non-immigrant, nearer the time those with
    > appointments (immigrants) were told to stand in a separate line.
    > Appointment time does not matter but the main thing is the order of
    > appearance at the immigrant visa window inside the consulate. Upon
    > arrival at the consulate's entrance we went through a security check.
    > Then we were sent up some stairs to the interview room. Reported to
    > the FIRST booth, the very nice lady took the appointment letter. We
    > had already paid our visa fees as part of Packet 3, so we were told
    > to take a seat.
    > 3. We were then called after 20-30 mins, to another booth/window where
    > the male clerk greeted us and asked for the documents needed before
    > the actual interview. He asked for documents B-H from the above list
    > in the exact order as stated in the packet 4 letter sent. The guy
    > verified some basic information on the forms such as address etc and
    > told us that the original documents will be given back after the
    > actual interview by the visa officer. Again he told us to wait in the
    > waiting area until we were called again and this time for the actual
    > interview.
    > 4. After about 15 mins we were called for the actual visa interview.
    > There were only two visa officers who handling the immigrant
    > interviews that morning. He was very polite and in his 30's. He
    > greeted us as we entered the interview booth and asked us to raise
    > our right hand and repeat the oath that whatever we are presenting to
    > him was true etc.
    > 5. The actual interview from this point on was only about 5 minutes. He
    > basically asked me about my employer and what I did. He was very
    > straightforward and I felt pretty comfortable talking to him. He put
    > us very much at ease. He then told us that everything was in order.
    > We were then told to report to the US Consulate Doctor for our
    > medical. We were given directions for this, and told to return to the
    > consulate at 1.00pm.
    > 6. Time was now 9.45am. We set off to the office of Dr Michael Phelan,
    > which was like a 10-15 minute walk. After arriving there, we were
    > asked for the filled medical questionnaires (sent in packet 4), 1
    > photo each and payment (at the time was 125 sterling per person). We
    > were then sent to the waiting room, and were called promptly to the
    > clinic downstairs. Here we had the chest x-ray, physical check and
    > were asked for our vaccination records. As we did not have any
    > vaccination records, the doctor gave us 2 choices: either get the
    > required vaccines done later and come back with proof or have them
    > done here and now. Visas would not be issued unless required vaccines
    > had been undergone. Obviously, we had the vaccines done straight
    > away. For the age group 20-34 only 2 vaccines are needed DT
    > (diphtheria/tetanus) and MMR (measles/mumps/rubella),. The charge was
    > 35 sterling for each vaccine. A nurse administered these.
    > We were then given our chest x-rays and also the proof of vaccination's
    > and were told to keep the x-rays in our hand luggage when flying back.
    > 6. Time was now 11.30am. We then relaxed and had some coffee and lunch
    > and returned by foot to the consulate. We reported back and went
    > straight to the guard, (do not line up) went through the security
    > check again and went back to the room. Here we waited for our name to
    > be called to pick up the immigrant visas. After about 25 mins our
    > name was called and we were given sealed envelopes with the actual
    > immigrant visa (1 page) stapled on the outside of the sealed
    > envelope. We were told not to open the envelopes and that the US
    > immigration official at the port of entry would open it. We were also
    > told to verify the information on the visas (such as name, date of
    > birth, parent's names etc) before leaving the consulate in case there
    > are errors. He then took our passports and stamped the H1B's
    > 'cancelled without prejudice'.
    > 7. We left the consulate at about 2:00pm. Overall it was a nice
    > experience. Everyone at the consulate was nice and friendly and this
    > was totally opposite to what I was expecting.
    > 8. We entered the US via Washington Dulles (USA). Immigration officer at
    > Dulles airport opened the sealed envelopes, re-checked that all
    > documents were in order, put them in 2 folders and then told us to go
    > to the secondary immigration room. This was a room full of people. We
    > reported to the desk and handed the folders to the immigration
    > officer who told us to have a seat. The wait was like 45 minutes. We
    > were then called and our passports stamped with a temporary Permanent
    > Residence stamp. He then, explained that the stamp was valid for 1
    > year and LPR (legal permanent resident) status valid forever. Our
    > fingerprints were then taken. The passports were then handed back. He
    > said the green cards would be mailed to our home address (as stated
    > on the DS-230 Part II) and could take up to 6 months to receive them.
    > 9) Within 6 days of returning to the US we received mail that welcomed
    > us as permanent residents. The letters stated that the green cards
    > would be sent within the next 3 weeks.
    > 10) 4 days later we received the plastic green cards. Finally all
    > done..... Our green card process took 26 months in total from start
    > to finish.
    > Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    > Good luck to all of you who are waiting for an interview at the London
    > consulate.
    > Email:
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Iceman_rph

Hi,



The ENTIRE process from labor certification to plastic green cards took
26 months. We thought this was pretty good going...



iceman.



Originally posted by November Soul

    > That's some fantastic information, thanks for sharing.


    > Just a quick question... When you said the entire process took
    > 26 months,

    > does that include the state and federal labor certification, or did
    > you

    > count from the I-140 filing date?


    > It'd be nice to get a breakdown of each part by date, i.e. filing
    > date and

    > response date for each stage.


    > Bob.


    > "iceman_rph" <member18974@british_expats.com> wrote in message

    > news:"]news:1120621.1071591-
    > [/url]...

    > > CP Success in London !! (Interview experience)

    > > -----------------------------------------------------------------
    > -----

    > > ----------

    > > I had my employment based GC interview in London on November
    > 13th, 2003.

    > > Following is a brief outline of the interview experience:

    > > 1. The documents we took to the UK included:

    > > a) Appointment Letter (Comes in Packet 4)

    > > b) Passports

    > > c) DS 230 Part II (filled but NOT signed)

    > > d) Birth Certificates (if you don't have one, need non-
    > availability

    > > letter and 2 affidavits)

    > > e) Marriage Certificate

    > > f) Police Certificates (Needed from all countries resided in
    > after the

    > > age of 16, US not needed)

    > > g) Photographs (4 photos of each immigrant needed)

    > > h) Evidence of Support (form 1-134, Letter from Bank,
    > Notarized

    > > Employer Letter)

    > > i) Tax Returns (Last 3 years)

    > > j) W-2's (Last 3 years)

    > > k) Pay-Stubs (Last 3)

    > > l) Bank Statements

    > > m) Degree Certificates/transcripts

    > > n) Labor Certification Documents (LC), H1B Documents, I-140
    > Documents

    > > and Packet 3 Sheets

    > > o) SSN/ITIN Card's and Copy

    > > This is not an exhaustive list. All documents may not be needed,
    > but it

    > > is 'better to be safe than sorry'.

    > > -- We bought clear plastic folders from office-max and placed
    > each of

    > > the above documents in each. On the front of the plastic covers
    > we wrote

    > > what each contained e.g. police certificates etc... We then put
    > all the

    > > plastic sheets into a 3 ring binder/folder. This made it very
    > easy to

    > > carry and also to access during the interview process.

    > > --Get photographs done a few days before. We got ours done at
    > Passport

    > > Photo Services (449 Oxford Street) opposite Selfridges, London.
    > They

    > > know exactly what size is required. Do mention that the photos
    > are for

    > > an IMMIGRANT visa. We got 2 sets of 4 photos done (total 8
    > photos each)

    > > just to be on the safe side.

    > > Day Of The Interview:

    > > 1. Arrived at the US consulate around 7:23am even though my
    > appointment

    > > time was at 8:00am. Initially there was only 1 line that
    > everyone

    > > joined immigrant or non-immigrant, nearer the time those
    > with

    > > appointments (immigrants) were told to stand in a separate
    > line.

    > > Appointment time does not matter but the main thing is the
    > order of

    > > appearance at the immigrant visa window inside the consulate.
    > Upon

    > > arrival at the consulate's entrance we went through a
    > security check.

    > > Then we were sent up some stairs to the interview room.
    > Reported to

    > > the FIRST booth, the very nice lady took the appointment
    > letter. We

    > > had already paid our visa fees as part of Packet 3, so we
    > were told

    > > to take a seat.

    > > 3. We were then called after 20-30 mins, to another booth/window
    > where

    > > the male clerk greeted us and asked for the documents needed
    > before

    > > the actual interview. He asked for documents B-H from the
    > above list

    > > in the exact order as stated in the packet 4 letter sent. The
    > guy

    > > verified some basic information on the forms such as address
    > etc and

    > > told us that the original documents will be given back after
    > the

    > > actual interview by the visa officer. Again he told us to
    > wait in the

    > > waiting area until we were called again and this time for the
    > actual

    > > interview.

    > > 4. After about 15 mins we were called for the actual visa
    > interview.

    > > There were only two visa officers who handling the
    > immigrant

    > > interviews that morning. He was very polite and in his 30's.
    > He

    > > greeted us as we entered the interview booth and asked us to
    > raise

    > > our right hand and repeat the oath that whatever we are
    > presenting to

    > > him was true etc.

    > > 5. The actual interview from this point on was only about 5
    > minutes. He

    > > basically asked me about my employer and what I did. He was
    > very

    > > straightforward and I felt pretty comfortable talking to him.
    > He put

    > > us very much at ease. He then told us that everything was in
    > order.

    > > We were then told to report to the US Consulate Doctor for
    > our

    > > medical. We were given directions for this, and told to
    > return to the

    > > consulate at 1.00pm.

    > > 6. Time was now 9.45am. We set off to the office of Dr Michael
    > Phelan,

    > > which was like a 10-15 minute walk. After arriving there, we
    > were

    > > asked for the filled medical questionnaires (sent in packet
    > 4), 1

    > > photo each and payment (at the time was 125 sterling per
    > person). We

    > > were then sent to the waiting room, and were called promptly
    > to the

    > > clinic downstairs. Here we had the chest x-ray, physical
    > check and

    > > were asked for our vaccination records. As we did not have
    > any

    > > vaccination records, the doctor gave us 2 choices: either get
    > the

    > > required vaccines done later and come back with proof or have
    > them

    > > done here and now. Visas would not be issued unless required
    > vaccines

    > > had been undergone. Obviously, we had the vaccines done
    > straight

    > > away. For the age group 20-34 only 2 vaccines are needed
    > DT

    > > (diphtheria/tetanus) and MMR (measles/mumps/rubella),. The
    > charge was

    > > 35 sterling for each vaccine. A nurse administered
    > these.

    > > We were then given our chest x-rays and also the proof of
    > vaccination's

    > > and were told to keep the x-rays in our hand luggage when flying
    > back.

    > > 6. Time was now 11.30am. We then relaxed and had some coffee and
    > lunch

    > > and returned by foot to the consulate. We reported back and
    > went

    > > straight to the guard, (do not line up) went through the
    > security

    > > check again and went back to the room. Here we waited for our
    > name to

    > > be called to pick up the immigrant visas. After about 25 mins
    > our

    > > name was called and we were given sealed envelopes with the
    > actual

    > > immigrant visa (1 page) stapled on the outside of the
    > sealed

    > > envelope. We were told not to open the envelopes and that the
    > US

    > > immigration official at the port of entry would open it. We
    > were also

    > > told to verify the information on the visas (such as name,
    > date of

    > > birth, parent's names etc) before leaving the consulate in
    > case there

    > > are errors. He then took our passports and stamped the
    > H1B's

    > > 'cancelled without prejudice'.

    > > 7. We left the consulate at about 2:00pm. Overall it was a
    > nice

    > > experience. Everyone at the consulate was nice and friendly
    > and this

    > > was totally opposite to what I was expecting.

    > > 8. We entered the US via Washington Dulles (USA). Immigration
    > officer at

    > > Dulles airport opened the sealed envelopes, re-checked that
    > all

    > > documents were in order, put them in 2 folders and then told
    > us to go

    > > to the secondary immigration room. This was a room full of
    > people. We

    > > reported to the desk and handed the folders to the
    > immigration

    > > officer who told us to have a seat. The wait was like 45
    > minutes. We

    > > were then called and our passports stamped with a temporary
    > Permanent

    > > Residence stamp. He then, explained that the stamp was valid
    > for 1

    > > year and LPR (legal permanent resident) status valid forever.
    > Our

    > > fingerprints were then taken. The passports were then handed
    > back. He

    > > said the green cards would be mailed to our home address (as
    > stated

    > > on the DS-230 Part II) and could take up to 6 months to
    > receive them.

    > > 9) Within 6 days of returning to the US we received mail that
    > welcomed

    > > us as permanent residents. The letters stated that the green
    > cards

    > > would be sent within the next 3 weeks.

    > > 10) 4 days later we received the plastic green cards. Finally
    > all

    > > done..... Our green card process took 26 months in total
    > from start

    > > to finish.

    > > Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    > > Good luck to all of you who are waiting for an interview at the
    > London

    > > consulate.

    > > Email:

    > > --

    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com/"]http://britishexpats.-
com[/url]

Iceman_rph

The filings were as follows:



Labor certification 10/1/01

Labor Approval 9/14/02

I140 Filed 10/25/02

I140 Approval 4/16/03

Packet 3 Mailed 7/18/03

Case sent to Consulate 8/12/03

Interview Date 11/13/03



Hope this helps



iceman.



Originally posted by iceman_rph

    > Hi,


    > The ENTIRE process from labor certification to plastic green cards
    > took 26 months. We thought this was pretty good going...


iceman.