British Expatriate Network

Hi,

Just got my H1-B petition approved by the INS via my future employer in the USA smile

I was always under the impression that, to get my passport stamped with the entry visa, that I had to appear in person at the US Embassy in London ( or one of the Consulates, but London is most convenient for me ). Looking on the Embassy website it seems to suggest that this process "must" be done by post unless they have specifically requested you to appear ( they haven't ). And it will take considerably longer post-911( weeks ! eek )

My question(s) to you all is/are Did any of you go down in person ( recently ) ? Do I have to make an appointment or do I just pole up early one day and take a 'deli-style' ticket and wait my turn ( and it'll be done on the day ).

The last thing I want to do is take a day off work ( arouses suspicion wink , haven't given my notice in yet ) only to be turned away at the door.

BTW, I know I have to have the DS-156 pre-paid by a Bank and have passport photos etc.

Thanks for your help, Mark.

Nope, you don't have to go.
I used a visa company, who's name I cant remember, and they took the passport to the embassy, got it stamped (its actually a very fetching sticker thing!) and sent it back. whole process took about 5 days. Good luck smile

Nope, you don't have to go.
I used a visa company, who's name I cant remember, and they took the passport to the embassy, got it stamped (its actually a very fetching sticker thing!) and sent it back. whole process took about 5 days. Good luck smile

Jim, that's what we did. A courier company who specialises in Visas to the US embassy.

They are your quickest bet as they get priority from the Embassy too. If you call them all up and ask them what their waiting time is they should give you a pretty good idea.

I have a feeling the one we used is called Rapid Visa, but I could be wrong. I think American Express do some type of visa service too.

I got told that I couldn't go to the Embassy in person.

Instead I used Rapid Visa Service. They have offices just round the corner from Victoria tube station, I popped in there, gave them the stuff and 4 days later I picked it all up again. Cost was 25 pounds for their bit, and 35 (?) for Embassy. On the Embassy website it explains the proceedure (payment bit is awkward if you don't use an agent) and lists all the agents you can go through.

Would recommend Rapid Visa though, they were nice and this was only back in April so can't think much has changed.

Good luck.

first H1 I got, I went in person to the Embassy - queued for about an hour, had all sorts of documents (proof of residency, ties to UK etc..). They interviewed me, said they didn't like me and would have to "investigate". 7 months later, I got the visa.
sad sad

Lucky my company had an office in London!

Since then I've used Thames Consular Services - no hassle at all! I figure the US Embassy gets a kick-back from visa agencies lol

My husband is currently in US waiting for his new visa (long story - involved flight to Dallas, 15mins on ground, flight back to Gatwick) and he said you can't get near the Embassy now with all new security since Sept 11th.


Den

just a quick follow-up about current H1b visa processing at US Embassy in London.

Hubby put his in on 29th May (via Thames Consular Services) and has just got it today (June 13th) smile - that did include 2 holiday days in UK.