On the 24th of February 2004 I went to London to have my Medical and Interview for my K-1 Visa. We arrived in London the day before my interview, seeming my Medical appointment was scheduled at 8am. We caught the 10:30am train to London on Tuesday and got there just before 2pm, we then had a taxi to our Hotel. Which was actually 4 doors down from where my Medical was being held. The nerves were already starting to kick in early that afternoon. But my mother was very determined to make this trip, an enjoyable one as well. So off we went to explore London and the shops, I found a very nice bag that I liked as well as a Welsh Winnie the Pooh from the Disney store. We decided to come back for them after by Interview on Wednesday. After walking around London in the rain, we decided it would be nice to go and see a show at one of the top local London theatres so we went ahead and saw Agatha Christie "The Mousetrap" which was very good. At 10:30pm we made our way back to the Hotel, and had a very restless night, worrying about the next day.

Wednesday the 25th February starts early, my alarm went off at 6:45am. And I was up getting ready for the long day ahead of me. Clayton phoned me at 7:30am to wish me luck which was nice. I left the hotel around 7:45am there was already a large que of people forming outside Dr Phelan's office. The lady then opened the doors to the surgery at 8am, which seemed to be like a grand old fashioned house inside, very victorian style. We were welcomed and were all presented with a pink plastic folder, containing an information card explaining everything that would be happening at the medical. The receptionist then asked for us to put our medical questionnaire from packet Four, our passport along with 1 photo and any vaccination records we had, into the pink plastic folder and hand it in at the front desk. We then waited to be called to the front desk where we signed a basic consent form, we also had to sign our photo and pay the £125. We were then handed a green folder which was basically everything from the pink folder.

You then turn left and follow the stairs down, where you put your green folder into a file holder on the wall, which is directly infront of you, as you come down the stairs, towards the waiting room. You sit in the waiting room for a while, which is actually next to a big map of the USA. The nurse then collects the Green folders from the wall, and begins to call each of us in to go over the vaccine history and to take a blood sample for HIV and veneral diseases. The nurse was very nice, she asked me where I was planning on living in the US, and we chatted about the "Sleepless in Seattle" movie for a while. She was very gentle in taking the blood, and I have no bruise on my arm which is good.

After that you sit back down, while you wait to be called for your chest X-Ray. We were called in groups, but were split in order of Gender. We went through a door and were shown into a little cubicle. We were told to listen very carefully to the X-Ray Doctors instructions, we were told to remove our tops, bras and any necklaces that you may have on. "When you get to skin then stop" You were then given white gowns which were actually pretty see through, but if you folded the gown over at the front twice then it wasn't that bad. One by one we were called into a room and X-Rayed, this just involved placing your chin on some kind of bar that was in front of you. You then placed your hands behind your back to hold what seemed to be like a rubber mat behind your back. Then you had to breathe in and hold your breathe, whilst they X-Rayed you. It was actually over very quickly and the X-Ray guy was very funny, and was cracking jokes all the time which actually broke the ice a little. Seeming us women were a little uncomforabtle being naked from waist up. We were then told to sit and wait back in the cubicle, until the Doctor called us in.

Dr Phelan then called me into his office, which was basically just like a doctors room. We welcomed and greeted each other, then he asked me to read from a plaque straight ahead of me from the green line down to check my eye sight. He then checked my eyes, ears and mouth with a light instrument. He then checked my blood pressure and mentioned that I was nervous, I think my blood pressure must have been a little high seeming as I was very nervous. He then listened to my chest with a stethoscope, and asked me to breath in and out slowly. He seemed pretty happy with that, and then mentioned for me to lie on the bed for him to have a quick feel of my tummy. He was pretty gentle, I asked him why he had to check my stomach and he mentioned something about the liver. After that we went through my vaccination history, he seemed very happy about that, and mentioned that I didn't need to have any vaccinations. That was it, he told me to pick up my chest X-Ray on the way out and head straight to the Embassy for my interview.

It was such a relieve to have that done and over with, I got back in my cubicle and got fully dressed. I then had to wait about 10mins for my X-Ray to be developed. The X-Ray guy then handed me my chest X-ray, it is given to you all rolled up in a brown envelope. The X-Ray guy then mentioned that the embassy doesn't need to see it for the interview. But it wasn't to be opened I was to keep it in my hand luggage when I travel to the US as Immigration officials have the right to ask for it at your port of entry. The medical took about an hour and a half I was out of there by 9:40am.

So then it was off to the Embassy, I went back to the hotel room for about 10mins to tell my mother all about it and to have a quick cup of tea before I left. We called for a taxi because my foot was starting to hurt and it was pouring down with rain. We got to the embassy around 10:45am, you present your appointment letter and passport to the Security guard out front to be checked. Then you walk straight in without joining the que. Next you will have to put any bags or other possessions through an x-ray machine just like in an airport. After that, I went straight up the stairs to the main entrance, where I was presented with another security guard, who asked for any cellphones or cameras to be handed in. He in turn gave me a number for me to reclaim my cellphone, when I left.

You then take the stairs to the right and the door will be unlocked as you approach it. Once inside I went straight to booth 1 to hand in my appointment letter. I think you can only go to booth 1-4 to do this, but there was a lady already in booth one. She asked me to take a seat and they'll call me up in about 45mins, I sat and joined the other people I had previously met in the Medical Examination. Be prepared to wait quite a long time, and bring plenty of bottled water with you. As it can get quite hot inside once your there. I eventually got called up to booth 1 again at around 12:10pm. I was asked to supply my birth certificate, police certificate, affidavit of support form as well as evidence of support. Original and 1 copy. Also 2 addit photos. Then I was asked to sign the forms that you were explicitly told not to sign in Packet 3. He asked me a few questions from the checklist - Had I been adopted changed my name, or worked in the military? He also asked me when I intended to travel, and I told him towards the end of April. I was then told to sit down again and would be called up shortly. The guy was really nice and friendly, I had everything pretty much organised in sperate folders, so handing in my evidence and forms wasn't that hard.

I sat back down again, and waited for another hour and a half. This didn't really bother me as I had company from the people I'd met from the Medical. We all were very friendly with one another and told each other our stories of how and why we got here. There was only one woman who was doing the K-1 like me, the rest were doing the K-3 Spousal visa. Each went up for their interview in turn and I could hear snippets of their interviews taking place, they all came back with good news. Time was passing by and I was getting more nervous by the minute, finally I was called to booth 6.

The immigration official then asked me to raise my right hand he asked me to take an oath that all the information I provided was truthful and to the best of my knowledge. I said "Yes I do." He then proceeded in asking me questions about Clayton, Where did we meet? How long have we been together in person for? When did we get engaged? What does Clayton do for a living? He was a bit apprehensive about Clayton's income and mentioned how we'd support ourselves? I said that Clayton was due to graduate college very shortly, he then asked what was Clayton doing in college? I then went on to say that I did intend on working once my employment authorisation was cleared. I also mentioned that we had a co-sponser. And then he went on asking questions about my co-sponser, what relation is the co-sponser to us? How much do they earn each year? What type of employment are they engaged in? He then paused and looked through my papers and mentioned that everything seemed to be in order here. He also noticed that I was refused my B-2 Tourist visa last year and asked me questions on that. I said yes I was refused, I then told him that the immigration official asked me to apply for the K-1 visa instead, that this way was the right way to go. He nodded and smiled and said "Yes you are certainly right, this is the right way to go" He then asked me to print my Fiancés name on the DS-156K form, and then I was to sign it. He then checked the form over, and handed me back my original Police and Birth Certificate. Then he mentioned that all my medical results came back fine and that I could have my visa. He said "Congratulations" and for me to sit back down, where I'd be called in about 30mins to collect my visa. The interview only lasted about 3-4 minutes, and the immigration official was very friendly and helpful.

I sat back down with everyone, we were all very emotional and grateful that we'd received all our visas. 30mins passed and I was actually called up first for my visa, he showed me the visa sticker in my passport. You can see my visa here He then explained that the visa was only valid for 6 months, and is valid for only one entry to the United States and that I wasn't able to leave the United States without filling for advance parole or until my status is adjusted. He then went on to explain that Clayton and I had to marry within 90 days, and then I must file to adjust my status with my local INS office. He then handed me a big brown envelope which was sealed tight with an embassy seal stamp. I was told not to open it, and to hand it with my chest X- Ray at my port of entry. I was also handed a copy of my vaccination record and a visa slip which stated exactly what the guy had mentioned. This is what the visa slip stated.

"TO ALL FIANCÉ(E) VISA APPLICANTS Fiancé(e) visas, also known as K-1 visas, are valid for only one entry to the United States. K-1 visa holders must marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States and must thereafter adjust to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) prior to any departure from the U.S.

K-1 visa applicants, therefore, should plan to remain in the United States until they have married and adjusted to LPR status. Applicants may adjust status by applying to their local INS office after the marriage has taken place. This process may take a few months. These travel restrictions apply to any trip outside the United States (i.e. Honeymoons, emergency travel to the fiancé(e)'s home country, etc.) If your departure from the United States is absolutely unavoidable prior to adjusting your legal status, please immediately contact the nearest office of the INS before leaving the United States."

We were all so excited to receive our visas it was really surreal getting them, it was kinda like graduation for us all. Luckily all the people I met in the Medical had their visas we all exchanged e mails and said we'd keep in touch. I went back down to claim my cell phone, I called my mum to tell her I had my visa and there was a huge hurray down the phone. I then phoned Clayton to let him know the good news even though it was only 6am his time. He didn't mind so much though seeming he was very nervous about the whole thing too, he actually didn't sleep at all that night.

I was glad that I had researched the visa on the Internet and I knew my stuff. I had everything organised, as long as you research your visa well enough and get all your documents organised then you'll be fine.