Phones at US Embassy

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot or has been asked before.

We are filing to get hubby's green card (again, since he had to abandon it when we moved here) and we will have to go to London sometime soon for his interview. We have read that phones are not allowed in the US Embassy, and they have to be left at a nearby chemist... who will babysit it for a fee.

Is anyone aware of this, or does anyone have any information about it? It seems odd to me, since it is technically American soil, and you are allowed to have your phones in US government buildings within the States, but they must be turned off.

I'm not sure about the US Embassy, but when hubby had to go to any appointments for his green card in LA, no cell phones with cameras were allowed in (in 2004).  You had to leave them at home or in your car.  I don't remember it being a total ban on cell phones, just the ones with cameras.

We have read that phones are not allowed in the US Embassy, and they have to be left at a nearby chemist... who will babysit it for a fee.

Is anyone aware of this, or does anyone have any information about it? It seems odd to me, since it is technically American soil, and you are allowed to have your phones in US government buildings within the States, but they must be turned off.

Yes, this is true - I have been to the US Embassy 4 times for visa interviews (July 2003, Nov 2007, Nov 2009 and Sept 2011) and I have never been allowed to take a mobile phone or any other electronic item inside with me.

For US citizen appointments (US passport applications etc.), I believe they may hold phones at the US citizens' entrance, however, they will not hold phones for non-US citizens coming for visa interviews.

I believe this is because of fears of possible terrorist attacks... in fact, all electronic items are forbidden inside the US Embassy - this includes mobile phones, mp3 players, e-book readers, radios, electronic key fobs, laptops etc.

There is a pharmacy down the road - Gould Pharmacy - who will hold any electronic items for you for a small fee.

Thanks for the info. I wondered if it had something to do with possible terrorist problems. We'll both be going for his interview, but it looks like we'll be dropping the phones at the pharmacy.

I've never had a problem with taking a phone in either Indiana or Kentucky government buildings, up to early 2010. It may have changed there too.

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot or has been asked before.

We are filing to get hubby's green card (again, since he had to abandon it when we moved here) and we will have to go to London sometime soon for his interview. We have read that phones are not allowed in the US Embassy, and they have to be left at a nearby chemist... who will babysit it for a fee.

Is anyone aware of this, or does anyone have any information about it? It seems odd to me, since it is technically American soil, and you are allowed to have your phones in US government buildings within the States, but they must be turned off.

Sorry I can't help with your question, but did you have to go the DCF route to reactivate your husband's green card?  My husband had one for almost 10 years (came over to the States on a work visa).  There is a chance that he will be transferred back to the States and would much rather get another green card than go over on a work visa.  
If we do have to go DCF we will use the I-864W as he has 40+ quarters of social security history.  

We are filing to get hubby's green card (again, since he had to abandon it when we moved here) and we will have to go to London sometime soon for his interview. We have read that phones are not allowed in the US Embassy, and they have to be left at a nearby chemist... who will babysit it for a fee.

I've stored my phone twice. The second time (last summer?) the security guys told me that because I'm a US citizen, they would have let me leave my phone with them rather than paying the chemist to store it. So you may want to try that first, and if they won't store it for you, then head over to the chemist (it's just half a block away).

Sorry I can't help with your question, but did you have to go the DCF route to reactivate your husband's green card?  My husband had one for almost 10 years (came over to the States on a work visa).  There is a chance that he will be transferred back to the States and would much rather get another green card than go over on a work visa. 
If we do have to go DCF we will use the I-864W as he has 40+ quarters of social security history. 

We're going DCF this time. He had to abandon his green card, although it was valid through 2018, when we moved here because he was out of the country over 2 years.

I've stored my phone twice. The second time (last summer?) the security guys told me that because I'm a US citizen, they would have let me leave my phone with them rather than paying the chemist to store it. So you may want to try that first, and if they won't store it for you, then head over to the chemist (it's just half a block away).

It will be worth going early enough to find out, on the off chance I have to go to the chemist. I'm sure they wouldn't store his, but if we could save the babysitting charges for one phone, it is still savings. We're planning to make an event of the trip, so it is a bit of money that can go toward something fun.

We're going DCF this time. He had to abandon his green card, although it was valid through 2018, when we moved here because he was out of the country over 2 years.

Thank you for your reply. MrRed5 gave his up late 2005/early 2006 (can't remember the exact date).  We have gone through the possibility of him being transferred to the States before but it never came to fruition.  Hopefully this time we will actually get to go back. 
 All the best to you in your repat journey! 

Not all government buildings allow cellular phones...it just depends on the agency.

For US citizen appointments (US passport applications etc.), I believe they may hold phones at the US citizens' entrance, however, they will not hold phones for non-US citizens coming for visa interviews.

Hi - is anyone able to confirm that US Citizens can still store their electronic devices at the security hut?   

I recall doing this 5 years ago when we registered the birth of our child, and am wondering if this is still the case or not...

thanks for any info anyone can provide.

I was there this summer and they no longer allow you to store anything in the security building.