ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJUNE 2008 K1 FILERS CSC ONLY!!
I have no idea what to hope for--I don't want to start freaking out when it doesn't come as expected! We're hoping that Spurs can start classes at my university in January, so ideally everything could be done by then, but it's looking less likely by the day. sad.gif Ah well--we'll just do our best to stay patient and hope that we get sorted soon!!!

Have any of you thought about making wedding plans yet?
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-23 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJUNE 2008 K1 FILERS CSC ONLY!!
QUOTE (SoInLove16 @ Sep 22 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Man! CSC is behind like a month from the VSC


A little over a month, I think--so frustrating!

I just got back from seeing Spurs in Engerland (we went to watch my team--Aston Villa--play on Sunday--so fun!!!) and we discussed strategies for making it though this process without me losing my everloving mind. I get so emotional, especially when I see June approvals from VSC and we're still so far away. Sigh.
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-22 19:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJUNE 2008 K1 FILERS CSC ONLY!!
I had thought I was totally over this whole varying center approval rate thing. Turns out, I'm not--while I'm happy for the June filers who have been approved at VSC, I feel AWFUL for our May filers who are still. waiting. while watching others get their approvals and move along.

However, hopefully this will be a great week with tons of approvals!!!

How are you guys doing?
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-17 06:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJUNE 2008 K1 FILERS CSC ONLY!!
Having a CSC-specific thread probably isn't the worst idea, especially since June VSC filers are being approved while we're still probably at least two months out... So, hi!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-16 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAugust 2008 Filers
QUOTE (Shanira @ Sep 7 2008, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah, im soon going to go crazy..
It feels like I am waiting for ages for my NOA1, my timeline says it all :'(
I can't think of anything else, as most of you already know my fiance called the USCIS last Tuesday and got the respond that they would send a new one to us and if we did not have it within the next thursday that is now coming up we should recall them and God know what will happend next..

I am so tired of waiting and already starting to lose all hope all I want to know is getting confirmed that it is in their hands so I can relax again sad.gif

Sorry I just felt like sharing this with someone..


To echo the advice in the above post, not having a hard copy of the NOA 1 is not the worst thing--they can resend it. Your petition is sitting in a box somewhere anyway, so if they cashed your check you should be fine. I wound up having to have my NOA 1 resent because it was returned to sender (I didn't know the postal service won't forward USCIS mail) and it's fine--I have the new one in hand, and apparently this won't cause a problem at all.

Edited by villaspurs, 07 September 2008 - 04:08 PM.

villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-07 16:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJULY 2008 CSC FILERS ONLY!!
QUOTE (Cham @ Oct 16 2008, 02:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Navid+Hediyeh @ Oct 15 2008, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So Last week I checked the processed file date and it was around 5/20/08. Today it is at 6/6/08!

Thats 17 days in less than 4 business days!!

Are they picking up the pace or what? at this rate, we July Filers could be right around the corner, is it too good to be true?


it would be nice but remember there is still some april and may who have not been approved yet so I am not getting my hopes up to high. I do hope kai is home in february BUT not counting on it. He says He can see it being end of feb or first of march to come home.

So where did you check these processed file date??? Or is that your file?? I am SO lost ROFL

when I looked at CSC processing dates its in feb still...lets hope it moved up more to us LOL

*CROSSES FINGERS*


If you go to "Immigration Timelines" above, look in the upper right corner for "Approximate Processing Dates for Common Forms." It shows CSC at June 7 and VSC at June 21...
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-16 01:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMarch 08 Filers through CA Service Ctr
Stevi, I am so, so, so sorry to hear about this--I hope it all gets sorted out quickly. Taiwo and you will be in my thoughts...
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-16 18:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
Congratulations SapphireDreams!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-29 21:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
Congratulations all!!!

Now let's see if the angry smilies can work for California filers:

mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-25 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
Excellent news--congratulations!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-16 18:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
QUOTE (Madwoman @ Oct 2 2008, 10:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (panterchen @ Oct 2 2008, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
God, what's wrong with VSC this week? Hardly any approvals but the timeline says they are at June 16th?! sad.gif


I am trying to remember that VJ only represents a small percentage of filers and hoping that there are tons of VSC approvals going on that we just don't see! Still, it's frustrating to see all of those CSC approvals popping up without any Vermonters (no offense CSC filers! innocent.gif) Crossing my fingers that we at VJ are next in line--hang in there!!


I know what you mean--it's frustrating to see one center moving while the other doesn't! Keep in mind that CSC is approving May filers, though--there's still a way to go before we get to mid-June (although I can't wait!)!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-02 09:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
QUOTE (Chibby @ Sep 10 2008, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know what you mean. I have been waiting for so long now, we actually wanted to file last November (!), but there was always something, so it's been almost a year now unsure.gif
I thought we might be done by the end of the month, but it doesn't look like that. I'm not sure if I should get my police record and the passport pics done now, the report is only valid for six month, and I'm kinda worried we could get a RFE or whatever.
Did you do anything yet? Filling out the forms or getting some of the required documents?


My fiance just went today to get his U.S.-sized passport photos and get moving on having a picture signed for his UK police report--even though we're still a ways out from even possibly getting our petition, we want to make sure we're prepared so that we can move as fast as possible once we get to the embassy stage.

Of course, I spent all of last night reading threads on here that introduced whole new ways this process can get screwed up and am convinced that we'll experience all of them, so who knows!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-10 22:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
QUOTE (anka @ Sep 7 2008, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey everyone!

helpsmilie.gif
I have somewhat of a dumb, technical question... I am trying to update my timeline in my "signature" box but I keep on getting an error message saying that it is too long. Well, I wish it were longer since then we'd be further ahead (haha) but obviously it is not that long. Any ideas what I am doing wrong or what I am not doing?
thanks!

And I hope we start to see more NOA2's drifting in... so tired of going back and forth between #119 - 122 on Igor's list. Grrr! crying.gif


Hi Anka,

Unfortunately I have no idea how to fix your timeline issue, but! regarding Igor's List... Rumor has it that once you break 100, you could feasibly get your petition approved at any moment--it's basically fair game in there. So good luck, and I hope to start hearing good news from Vermont June filers soon!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-07 23:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
I lived in Manhattan for a couple of years--I loved loved loved it. I eventually moved back to Ohio (where I grew up), but still try to make it back as much as possible!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-06-19 06:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
Excellent! Than I shall hang out here with you!!!

I like the photo, by the way--are you guys in Times Square?
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-06-18 11:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune 2008 Filers!
Hello! Not a VSC filer (quite disappointingly, I might add!) but I thought I would pop over and say hi!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-06-18 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (emma_australia @ Oct 19 2008, 04:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Brad Charel @ Oct 19 2008, 12:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All the very best to you cca smile.gif



yeah! they mailed you packet! congrats! You can join the rest of the gang now and start getting police checks and medicals! Sending off my RFE hopefully tommorw so fingers crossed and prayn i get approved. I just put dates on back of pictures and places where they were at etc. I hope this will be ok i also included passport stamps and plane tickets of trips taken after we filed. nervous emmm xo unsure.gif


Edited because I just found Emma_Australia's other thread!

Good luck getting a quick turnaround Emma!!!

Edited by villaspurs, 19 October 2008 - 10:37 AM.

villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-19 10:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
I can't imagine the exact date would really matter; you could just put "October 2007" or something like that...
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-15 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Jason&Sarah @ Oct 15 2008, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, I talked to a living human being....603-334-0700 opt 1, opt 5.

I guess I'm just being stressed...


I think this happened to Kim and Russ--you might want to check in with Kim to see how long the process took. Good luck!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-15 15:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
I would guess you might still be able to find April locations with availability--there are probably good options still available! Is Vito calling around now or are you waiting for you to move?
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-13 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Hannah+Vito @ Oct 13 2008, 02:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
villaspurs, did you get my message about packet three? do you still want it? if so how should i send it?


think Vito and i need to start booking a date for the wedding. yes.gif I'm getting the demands for dates again and they seem to want April but will have to depend on when we can get a day booked. yes.gif


Thanks Hannah--I messaged you back smile.gif

And what a huge relief to be able to start really planning the wedding--April will be beautiful!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-13 18:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Hannah+Vito @ Oct 5 2008, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi guys, congrats to the recent approvals, sorry we havent been on here much but we have been busy, just came back from a night in the the new forest awesome!! yes.gif and we have ordered our wedding rings and they should arrive on tuesday. they are welsh gold gold cos my fasmily heritage is welsh. laughing.gif

now the really good news and the most puzzling, BrazilianXuxu and emma_australia and Kevin and anna are you paying attention? wow.gif

got an email from Vitos mum today, she checked his mail, as one seemed important so she sent a typed copy of what it said, here it is!!!

Dated: 10/1/2008
Dear Petitioner:
The State Department's National Visa Center has recently received an approved I-129F petition filed on behalf of your fiance. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where your visa interview will take place.
Our records show that you filed the I-129F petition for:
Name of Finace: HANNAH xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
INS Receipt Number: WACxxxxxxxxx
Case Number: LNDxxxxxxxxxxx

The case will be processed at:
Post: LONDON
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, VISA UNIT
24/31 GROSVENOR SQ
LONDON W1A 1AE
UNITED KINGDOM
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif WE ARE APPROVED!!!!! BEEN WAITING TO DO THIS FOR AGES!!!!
no mention of a noa2 arriving i assume the letter we got is from nvc and not noa2?? unsure.gif plus our case online still saying recieved and pending and no email unsure.gif now what?

those that are still waitng especially the early may filer like we were, i think its possible that the first you know of it is through the post.

Hannah and Vito (yup hes with me too)


Congratulations!!!! And does this mean you can do the medical while he's in the country?
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-05 21:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
Hopefully the late night CSC approvals will start popping up... Wishing all of you well!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-02 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (SRVT @ Oct 1 2008, 11:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
WOOOOHOOOO APPROVAL NOTICE SENT!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Ran through the house screaming, woke up Betty (5AM there) to tell her the good news!!

I can't believe it, yessss!!!!!

Thank you VJers! Couldn't have done this without everyone here too, especially you May filers sticking it out with me.

QUOTE
Receipt Number: WAC8********

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On October 1, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.


What a great day!

Edit: I checked all the way up until I left work at 7PM, came home, just decided what the heck, no expectations, found the approval notice.

Edit2: Never got an email from them either.


Excellent news!!!! Congratulations!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-01 23:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Jason&Sarah @ Oct 1 2008, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
Receipt Number: W*************

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On October 1, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.


WE'RE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there guys! I think this week and month will be very good for may!


YAAAAYYY!!!! Congratulations!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-01 21:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
Congratulations Don--and good luck SRVT!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-01 20:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (amit1947 @ Sep 29 2008, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: WAC

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 26, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.


Sincerely,


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Above is the email I got.
Is that what you approved K1's got? I know this seems paranoid but I just want to make sure I got the approval that I *THINK* I did.

Also for I134, what kind of financial supporting info did you send? Bank statement, tax records, pay stubs...?


Congratulations!!!

Also, please fill in your timeline--thanks!

Edited by villaspurs, 29 September 2008 - 02:29 PM.

villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-29 14:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
Generally it seems that the turnaround after you respond to an RFE is really fast, so hopefully you'll be within a week or two of your petition being approved!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-29 13:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Brad Charel @ Sep 27 2008, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats to all approved!!!!!
We got touched again today 09/27/08


Excellent news!!! Good luck!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-27 13:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (Marmite Lovers! @ Sep 23 2008, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's our time!!!!!! We have our NOA2!
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

I'm so happy and half asleep right now!

star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif


YAAAAY!!! Congratulations!!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-23 22:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (SRVT @ Sep 23 2008, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I only hope this goes much faster at the beginning of the next fiscal year (October 1st).



Ooh I hadn't thought about that... I hope so!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-23 21:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
In case it makes anyone feel better...

I was just reading through all the great news on the February CSC filers thread--tons of stories of successful interviews and partners moving to the States. I remember when I first started reading this thread in May/June and they were all waiting and frustrated and it felt like they would never get approved... and now they're together. I can't even begin to say how much better that made me feel-there IS a light at the end of the tunnel!

So yeah--it sucks now, but hopefully everyone will be through it soon!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-22 19:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (DairyFarmer @ Sep 18 2008, 01:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
WE ARE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif
Just got up to check, and there it is in my inbox!!!!

Goodbye Igor's, thanks for the memories!!!!!!


Excellent news! Congratulations!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-18 02:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (BrazilianXuxu @ Sep 17 2008, 12:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (villaspurs @ Sep 16 2008, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (BrazilianXuxu @ Sep 16 2008, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jason&Sarah @ Sep 16 2008, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think I'll be giving our congresswoman a call soon. Just to see if we can get the ball rolling a little more...



Does that actually help??? If so, I'm totally up for that!! This is driving me CRAZY!! I want him here by Thanksgiving, think that's too much of a long-shot???

Huge congrats to everyone that's been approved so far!!!! As for the rest of us, do you think someday we'll all look back on this and laugh???

Yeah, me neither unsure.gif


My understanding is that while that used to work--back when HuskerKiev worked for USCIS (the former adjudicator who posted on here a few years ago)--our Congressional representatives can no longer do anything to move things along at USCIS as long as you are within the current processing times (right now, Feb. 2).



Hmm, sad. dry.gif


No kidding!!! I think I'm getting to the part in the process when it begins to seem never ending--I'd been doing pretty well with staying positive, but now I'm getting down. Hopefully lots of approvals will come through this week so that May is well underway--that would definitely perk me up!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-16 23:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (BrazilianXuxu @ Sep 16 2008, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jason&Sarah @ Sep 16 2008, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think I'll be giving our congresswoman a call soon. Just to see if we can get the ball rolling a little more...



Does that actually help??? If so, I'm totally up for that!! This is driving me CRAZY!! I want him here by Thanksgiving, think that's too much of a long-shot???

Huge congrats to everyone that's been approved so far!!!! As for the rest of us, do you think someday we'll all look back on this and laugh???

Yeah, me neither unsure.gif


My understanding is that while that used to work--back when HuskerKiev worked for USCIS (the former adjudicator who posted on here a few years ago)--our Congressional representatives can no longer do anything to move things along at USCIS as long as you are within the current processing times (right now, Feb. 2).
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-16 23:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
Two late April filers approved today--excellent start to the week!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-15 22:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
This may be a double post, but... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-15 22:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 08 k1 filers ~ CSC
QUOTE (DairyFarmer @ Sep 15 2008, 09:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Hannah+Vito @ Sep 15 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (DairyFarmer @ Sep 16 2008, 01:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No touch here either, but its going to feel so good to break the 100 mark on Igors list!



i'm struggling to feel excited about moving up on igors now since the other may 1st filers got approved, am i wierd? Vito still gets excited. unsure.gif



I've calmed way down on it too. I feel like we're there, and any minute now we'll be approved, but I've no intention of moving up the list all the way to #1, so anything under 100 is great by me, I feel like we'll be approved now.


When I was bored and feeling sorry for myself the other night, I created my own spreadsheet reflecting what I think is closer to reality than Igor's list (taking out those who are approved but not updated, duplicates, etc.). It's much more palatable that way. We move from the 200 area up to about the 160s, which I greatly prefer!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-15 20:03:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Okay here's my lengthy (really lengthy!) review...

We showed up at 8:20-ish for our 9:00 interview, and had no problems in line--in fact, they were letting people with 9:30 interview times wait. My confirmation email seemed fine (good thing, especially since we STILL haven't received the official letter!) and we got through no problem. We went through the security area and discovered that I had forgotten to take my American cell phone out of my bag, which was super annoying (we had left the UK mobiles and other electronics across the street at our hotel). Spurs went in while I ran the phone back, and they were great about letting me back in.

Unfortunately, since we didn't have the official letter, the guy giving out numbers at the front gave us a 2000-level number (for E-visas) instead of a 5000-level (for immigrants). We didn't think twice about it until 2 hours later when we finally got called up to one of the small number windows (as others have said on here, you sit in the main waiting room with windows numbered 1-11). The nice woman at the window said we had been given the wrong number, so we had to go back and get a 5000-level one. That set us back to the end of the line, which was really frustrating. Eventually our 5000-level number was called and we met with a very nice Englishman named John. As we've heard before, he seemed REALLY impressed with our organization--we knew exactly where each form was and had the copies ready to go. We chatted while Spurs paid our visa fee, and I told him about the number debacle. He said it had been crazy in there all day and apologized for our wait time, explaining that they'd had problems with the system and were understaffed (seriously--it was PACKED in there all day, and 5000-level immigrant visas were taking forever). He said he'd bump us up a bit on the list for the interview.

Apparently he meant it, because about 30 minutes later we were called to the interview window. The gentleman had Spurs swear to tell the truth and fill out a form where he had to write my name and affirm his intent to marry me. He then asked questions of us both--where did we meet, where are we going to live, etc. Then voila! we were done, except for having to wait for the "regular" immigrant visa interviewer to come over to fix a computer issue. It turns out, this guy (who was great) is not usually on immigrant cases--I guess that because they were so backed up they had opened another window for interviews. It was super easy, and he was really wonderful.

We asked about the visa delivery time and if we could just come pick it up later that day, and the answer was a resounding no. We didn't ask this of the SMS person, though, so he/she might have a different answer. We paid a bit extra for before 10:00 AM delivery, and we just got a text saying it will be delivered tomorrow (two days after the interview). Woo hoo!

For those of you looking for a really conveniently-located hotel, we both loved the Millennium Hotel: Mayfair. It's right across from the embassy--literally a one-minute walk--and you can extend check-out to 1:00 PM for no additional charge, so you can leave your valuables in there. It's normally pretty expensive, but we got a same-day internet deal that made it really affordable (surprisingly so). We were so nervous on the morning of our interview, so being able to not have to be concerned at all with getting there was great.
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-18 15:22:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
We passed! Woo hoo! Am on my future brother-in-law's computer with a weird UK keyboard, so will write more later. It took forever (8:30-12:30) but was easy at the end. We asked about the same-day visa pick-up and they said no way--they're contracted with SMS. In fact, they said 5 days was the minimum due to processing times. I'll keep you posted on actual arrival!
villaspursMaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-17 09:28:00