Interview Day Checklist
Most London interviews are under 5 minutes. Preparation is what makes them that way.
Note: Petitioners and attorneys are not permitted in the waiting room or at the interview. You attend alone, except for an interpreter or one accompanying person for special needs visitors.
1. What to bring
2. Community interview reports
Real experiences from community members who have been through the London consular process:
Arrival: Normal queue bypassed. Documents: Submitted in minutes. Wait: ~1 hour. Questions: "Where does your husband live, how did you meet, what does he do?" Duration: 40 seconds. Result: APPROVED
Arrival: 7:40 AM for 8:00 AM slot. Questions: Meeting, prior marriages, residence. Duration: ~5 minutes. Total time: ~30 minutes. Result: APPROVED same day
Arrival: No queue joining. Questions: Son's citizenship, joint sponsor relationship. Duration: ~5 minutes. Total time: ~1.5 hours. Result: APPROVED
3. If approved
Passport is retained for visa printing. You'll receive an email from the embassy with collection instructions.
Typical passport return: Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) — 2–3 days for pickup, 5–7 days for mail delivery.
See data tracker for current community averages on passport return times. Next: Life in the USA
4. If not approved
221(g) (Administrative Processing): Case under review. You'll receive an email with next steps. Most resolve within weeks to months.
Visa Pause: If you hold dual citizenship and one country is on a pause list, wait for DOS update.
Denial: Rare. Officer explains reason. Limited recourse; consult attorney.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Verify all requirements against official sources before your appointment. If your case is complex, consult an immigration attorney.