My Visa Experience

I've had a few questions about getting a visa. And since US visas certainly do not grow on trees, I just wanted to cover everything.

Pre-Interview
Getting a visa will be a LOT easier if you have 'someone' behind you, a reason for moving. A job, an agency, someone sponsoring you, a family member etc. Basically everyone at the embassy treats you like you want to stay in america forever and be poor and have 20 children and rinse the country, until you show them otherwise. So having the agency behind me was the first step. The reason you're moving to america will determines the visa type you'll need. Check this out

My visa is a J-1 and I'll be in the country as part of a 'Cultural exchange program'. I have a definite start/end date, there are certain terms to my visa - I have to study, set amount of hours I can work, I'm not allowed to get engaged etc (THAT'S RIGHT everyone saying I'll 'DEFINITELY get married in America' - Obama says 'No no')

I needed to call and get an appointment for the interview, (you have to do this, can't show up at the embassy). During the call you pay for the visa, and they ask a few questions, such as whether I'd paid my SEVIS fee (admin fee everyone has to pay). I then completed an online application form, and they tell you all the documents you must bring to the interview. The agency told me to bring 13 documents including bank statements, various letters from the agency, financial support docs, and a declaration letter (stating that I'd be returning to England after my stay).
Honestly I needed none of it when it came to the interview. It was good to have everything 'just incase' but really I think having 20 million pieces of paper just made me even more nervous.

Interview
My appointment was 10.30, I got there about 10. They tell you on the website you can't bring electronics like mobiles, ipods etc. But its not until I was there in the queue that I found out I wasn't allowed liquids, and even headphones! The woman ahead of me got told off for these things I knew full well I had in my bag. And theres no sign saying what you can/can't have. And they don't wait. So when I said I had headphones, they just kicked me out of the (LONG) queue and told me to re-queue after I'd thrown the headphones and water away. Pah.

After security, you go in and basically play Argos - You get a ticket number and you wait.
For h o u r s.
I brought stuff to read, but others, did not. After 2 hours of sitting in a hot room, with 'Ticket number X to window X' repeatedly played, (remembering that no-one has their phones to entertain) the lady next to me stood up, let out a huge wail and walked out. After my 3rd hour I wanted to do the same.
Finally my number is called, my fingerprints are taken (with bated breath) my passport is taken and I'm told to take a seat. A G A I N.
Another hour later and I'm called again (never in my life will I be as happy to hear the number 543). An immigration officer stamps some of my forms, looks up at me..
'Hey, how are you?'
'Fine thanks' (I'm shaking.)
'Why are you going to america?'
'I'm in an au pair program, here I have this..' (I go to show her one of the 13 documents I have, for the very purpose of answering this question)
'No thats fine, I don't need to see any paperwork, I'm asking you.' (Seriously?)
'Where will you be staying?'
'What are their names?'
'How long are you staying?'
'And you're coming back, to England, after 12 months?'
'Your visa has been approved'

I paid £14 for the delivery of my passport/visa, and left. And.. that was it!