vernier caliper
14th May 2014, 18:22
Hi everyone. I am delighted to have my US visa approved, with multiple entry and valid for 10 years for both tourism and business purposes. In the interest of others who are thinking to apply for US B1/B2 visas, I am posting my experience.
Please follow the link (http://london.usembassy.gov/visas.html) for the online application.
Before starting, please make sure the following items are made available:
1. Scanned copy of your photo ID (photo requirements (http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/photo.html) ).
2. Parents details – Birth dates.
3. Hotel accommodation details – You don’t need a confirmed booking, just provide name and address of your prospect hotel.
4. Relative details, a friend or anybody you know in the US – Full name, complete address, and telephone number.
5. Detail of the nearest DX (https://www.thedx.co.uk/) in your place. Courier services are free of charge if you choose to have your documents returned to one of the DX collection points. Otherwise, delivery is available at a cost of $30 (£19) per application if you want special.
The application fee is $160 or £100 payable by card, cash not accepted.
The embassy does not accept walk-in application. You are required to schedule an appointment for an interview. The appointment waiting time is 2-3 weeks.
Once online application is completed, you will receive 4 e-mails.
1.Attachment: CEAC Confirmation (Personal Reference Number) – DS 160
2. New User Account
3. Confirmation of Successful Payment
4.Visa Application Appointment Confirmation
If you wish to change your application details or interview date, information needed is included in the New User Account.
You need to print DS 160 and Appointment Confirmation so make sure your laptop is connected to a printer.
I prepared the following as supporting documents:
· Old and New Passports (Mine + Hubby)
· Original copy of the marriage contract
· BRP
· 3 months payslip and bank statement (Mine + Hubby)
· Savings
· Council Tax
· Travel Insurance (covering US)
For further details, click here (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/appointment_letter_b.pdf) for the documents required in support of a B1/B2 visa application.
On the day of the interview I arrived 30 minutes early. A young lady has checked my documents and asked me to take away DS-160 and Appointment Confirmation. She then confirmed my appointment and noted my papers. Even I have a scheduled appointment, Trefor and I were standing outside for 30 minutes as the queue was big. When my turn came, the security reviewed my papers, placed my bag for screening then I went through body scanning. Btw, only applicants with appointment will be admitted into the Embassy. Therefore, Trefor spent his time in the café while I was inside.
In the reception area 3 employees were waiting. Again they checked my documents, confirmed my appointment, posted a sticker on the DS-160 and issued a number. When I got inside I immediately saw a large number of people waiting for their number to be called. 25 windows were in use to serve applicants, windows 1-11 for document admission and windows 12-25 for the interview. The system is a bit strange as you need to watch the monitor carefully since the number appears to be called in random. I waited another 30 minutes to hand in documents before my finger prints were electronically scanned. After handing in my docs, I waited another 30 minutes for my interview. The young American guy just asked me one question – What is the purpose of your travel. Then he immediately confirmed my visa is approved!
After 2 days I received an email from the embassy to inform my passport is ready for collection. I picked my passport at the DX office near us.
Trefor and I are travelling to the US in June. I will post photos :smile:
Please follow the link (http://london.usembassy.gov/visas.html) for the online application.
Before starting, please make sure the following items are made available:
1. Scanned copy of your photo ID (photo requirements (http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/photo.html) ).
2. Parents details – Birth dates.
3. Hotel accommodation details – You don’t need a confirmed booking, just provide name and address of your prospect hotel.
4. Relative details, a friend or anybody you know in the US – Full name, complete address, and telephone number.
5. Detail of the nearest DX (https://www.thedx.co.uk/) in your place. Courier services are free of charge if you choose to have your documents returned to one of the DX collection points. Otherwise, delivery is available at a cost of $30 (£19) per application if you want special.
The application fee is $160 or £100 payable by card, cash not accepted.
The embassy does not accept walk-in application. You are required to schedule an appointment for an interview. The appointment waiting time is 2-3 weeks.
Once online application is completed, you will receive 4 e-mails.
1.Attachment: CEAC Confirmation (Personal Reference Number) – DS 160
2. New User Account
3. Confirmation of Successful Payment
4.Visa Application Appointment Confirmation
If you wish to change your application details or interview date, information needed is included in the New User Account.
You need to print DS 160 and Appointment Confirmation so make sure your laptop is connected to a printer.
I prepared the following as supporting documents:
· Old and New Passports (Mine + Hubby)
· Original copy of the marriage contract
· BRP
· 3 months payslip and bank statement (Mine + Hubby)
· Savings
· Council Tax
· Travel Insurance (covering US)
For further details, click here (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/appointment_letter_b.pdf) for the documents required in support of a B1/B2 visa application.
On the day of the interview I arrived 30 minutes early. A young lady has checked my documents and asked me to take away DS-160 and Appointment Confirmation. She then confirmed my appointment and noted my papers. Even I have a scheduled appointment, Trefor and I were standing outside for 30 minutes as the queue was big. When my turn came, the security reviewed my papers, placed my bag for screening then I went through body scanning. Btw, only applicants with appointment will be admitted into the Embassy. Therefore, Trefor spent his time in the café while I was inside.
In the reception area 3 employees were waiting. Again they checked my documents, confirmed my appointment, posted a sticker on the DS-160 and issued a number. When I got inside I immediately saw a large number of people waiting for their number to be called. 25 windows were in use to serve applicants, windows 1-11 for document admission and windows 12-25 for the interview. The system is a bit strange as you need to watch the monitor carefully since the number appears to be called in random. I waited another 30 minutes to hand in documents before my finger prints were electronically scanned. After handing in my docs, I waited another 30 minutes for my interview. The young American guy just asked me one question – What is the purpose of your travel. Then he immediately confirmed my visa is approved!
After 2 days I received an email from the embassy to inform my passport is ready for collection. I picked my passport at the DX office near us.
Trefor and I are travelling to the US in June. I will post photos :smile: