ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomLondon People- Anyone else in my shoes?

Thank you all for the advice.

 

I did find the contact form, which I did not know existed for K-1 applicants, so I will wait out their reply, and then I'll most likely have to do the $16 phone call.. 

 

I would like to think the second and third DoS people I talked to are just misinformed, but I am never that lucky!! 

 

If I get nothing from the email, I think I will have Jake resend the DS-2001.

 

Jola, have you found that resending the forms has helped at all up to this point?


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-12 11:50:00
United KingdomLondon People- Anyone else in my shoes?

Hi everyone--

 

I wanted to share a bit of my problem to see if there are other people that this is happening to..

 

So, on August 13th, we sent back packet 3 to the embassy, had the medical on the 14th, and then sent DS-2001 on the 15th. This week marks four weeks without hardly a peep from anyone.

 

Finally, on August 29th, our status was updated on the ceac website. I called DoS, and they informed me that the embassy has received the medical results, and all of packet 3, minus DS-2001.

 

So, another week passes and we had a new status update for September 5th. I called DoS again to see what it was about, and the lady I spoke with said all necessary papers had been received and now we were to wait for an interview letter. She even advised that I call early in the next week to see if an interview had been scheduled.

 

So, that brings us to Tuesday, September 10th. I called inquiring about an interview, as the first woman had suggested, and the man I talked to said the last update on my case was August 29th, not September 5th, and the embassy is still waiting on the DS-2001. I told him about the lady I had spoken with before, and he basically said she was wrong, etc., etc.

 

Today I wanted to call again since I received conflicting information, just to clarify some things. The man I spoke with today said the same as the man I spoke with on Tuesday.. There was no update for September 5th, and the embassy needs DS-2001....

 

Why can I see the update being from September 5th, when they only see August 29th???

 

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I am starting to get really frustrated and upset about this whole process and just want to know of others with any experience in this area so far. 

 

If anyone has any comments, they would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-11 22:20:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

Just got my interview appt letter. Had medical on 7 aug, docs (DS forms etc)  all received the same day. On 13th and 15th CEAC updated so I reckon thats medical and docs received and logged. Letter was dated 23 Aug and interview is for 23 Sept.
CEAC site has not updated to reflect letter being sent so don't count on that happening. In my letter I sent with DS forms I asked them to send appt letter to a different address which they completely ignored so be careful there. I had a redirection anyway so no issues there. I also mentioned a wedding date and they have been unable to accomodate that either so again, dont count on the begging letter working.
Hope this gives folks and idea of timescales anyway.


Congrats to you!! What date did you put on your cover letter regarding your wedding?

emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-30 08:45:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

I had my medical on Friday 23rd and my forms were signed for today... I'm guessing I have a long wait to hear back from them :/


Unfortunately, you probably have a while to wait for an interview. :(

Edited by Ejjett, 28 August 2013 - 09:22 PM.


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 21:22:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

 
Our wedding date got overlooked too. I think this is a new thing - until this week, it seemed London commonly honoured people's wedding plans. I messaged them on Friday asking the same question and have tried and tried to get any news since but nothing. I wish they hadn't taken down that premium phone number because everyone I speak to now is so useless!



I think they really do try to accommodate wedding dates, but all of us have started to deal with the embassy at the worst time of the year. They will be dealing with thousands of student visas that have to be done by September when their school year starts.


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 19:18:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

I had a CEAC update yesterday and have just found out i have an interview date of Sept 24.
 
The timeline updates were thus:
7 Aug - medical completed
9 Aug - packet 3 received by Embassy (signed for)
13 Aug - medicals logged
16 Aug - packet 3 logged
27 Aug - Intervew scheduled
24 Sept - Interview
 











This gives me hope that I will be hearing something within the week. If I don't, I'll just crawl into a hole and cry.. Not that big of a deal!! ;)


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 19:16:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

They received my packet 3 on Aug 21st, though my medical is booked for this Saturday. I was hoping they would be able to issue interview dates with medical confirmation, wasn't 100% if they needed the results or not, but looks that way. Oh well, fingers crossed they can still get our interview in September :/

 

 

My packet 3 was also received by the Embassy on August 21st, and my medical is next Tuesday, I am hopeful, but not expecting an interview date until early October, seems like it is at least 4 weeks post medical 

 

Do you both mean that the embassy actually logged your DS-forms??


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-28 12:09:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

 
We had a CEAC update today, I am still awaiting my packet 4, though DoS gave me my interview date so who knows what the update is. maybe they are finally sending me out the hard copy. I know its taking them a while to log packet 3's at the moment so im confidant you'll hear something this week


Thanks for the optimism :) I am just so impatient!!! I know I am not the only one in this boat, so I guess that makes it a little better!! I hope we know something this week!!

emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-27 20:40:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

Thanks for the tips, everyone.. 

 

I am wondering if anyone had any updates from the embassy today. They are still showing that they have not received our packet 3.. even though we sent it nearly 3 weeks ago! I am getting so impatient!! 


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-27 13:55:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

 

Most states show that the SSN is required and most states do require it of all US citizens applying for a marriage license.  Most states though allow non-residents to get married and waive the rule for non US citizens.  Only people who will know for sure is the licensing agency in your state, but I'd think they could just fill in the form with 000-00-0000 for non US citizens.  I have checked mine and it is required for me, but not for my fiance, but I'm not in Indiana either

 

Okay, thank you! It seems that we will probably be fine without him having a SSN, but I will call tomorrow just to see if I can get any more insight.

 

Thank you all :)


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-26 20:46:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

Marriage in Indiana http://www.in.gov/judiciary/2605.htm is that your state? It does say Ssn, but mine said that too and he didn't need it. There is a place to click your county for more info. You might say you are marrying a person from another country who does not have a SSN, so what can they do to accommodate that? Ask for a supervisor too. You can always go to a destination in the next state to be married, if it is not already planned out.


Yes, Indiana! That is what I was wondering about because it says it is a state required thing, but I wasn't sure if that actually applies to all counties. I tried calling today when I got off of work, but they close at four! Oh well, there is always tomorrow!! Thanks for your help, as usual!!

emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-26 16:20:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

 

Hey steve and I applied for a marriage license last month in NJ, which was a form we both needed to fill out and where it asked me for my SSN the lady told me to put NA and they granted our marriage license no problems. We had to fill out a marriage application designed specifically for when one person doesnt have a SSN where as the normal form u have to both put a SSN.

 

Oh, you can actually apply before the K1 visa is received? I didn't know that!! I am assuming, though, that you had to be there, is that right? I couldn't just go pick one up with Jake still being in England, I don't think.. The clerk might think I am nuts if I go to that alone, so I should probably hold off!! haha I will call the courthouse again today and see if I can ask if they have applications for marriage licenses that do not require a SSN. Thanks for the tip!!

 

Each county or state could have their rules, but usually a SSN is not required. My county for example posts on their website bring photo id, SSN, etc. But in speaking to them they said if one has a SSN, they must give it, but if not the foreign passport was sufficient. Maybe clarify again with a supervisor. Maybe they don't get many foreigners there and the clerk was unfamiliar with what to do with one. And maybe it is a state law. But not everybody is successful getting a card in two weeks. Some take months.

Landing cards (i-94W) were discontinued for VWP a few years ago. For visa holders (I-94) landing card went paperless this summer. It is automated, but you can retrieve an online record of your entry (after arrival) to print out and take to Social Security and include with your AOS paperwork . The only thing handed out on the plane is the
Customs declaration....what are you bringing into the country, have you touched livestock, etc. White form with blue band at the top. Fact sheet about I-94 http://www.cbp.gov/l...4_factsheet.pdf


 

Thank you so much. I had assumed that the clerk had most likely never dealt with a K1 visa, so I think I will call back and get some information from a supervisor..

 

As for the I-94, you are a life saver!! I never would have known that, had I not asked. I tried searching in the other forums, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for.. Perhaps I am the only one that was left in the dark on that one!! blink.png


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-26 13:41:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

You don't need a SSN to marry or file AOS. AnnaGrant's experience was an odd one. Get the SSN whenever and marry whenever (within 90 days of course.)
 

 

Are you sure this is the standard rule? I called my county's courthouse, and they said they cannot allow anyone to marry if both participants do not have social security cards. We had originally planned for my fiance's family to fly to the US with him, but I don't think they want to be waiting around for 2 weeks doing nothing!

 

Is there a different law for K1 visa holders? I asked the lady at the courthouse, and she said it is not possible for them to even type up a certificate, because it requires the SSN for both parties in their computer program..

 

Not really sure.. Although, laws regarding requirements vary from county to county anyway, so perhaps she is right.

 

Also, Nich-Nick, when you say that the I-94 is online, does that mean that before my fiance flies the the US, he will need to fill that out so that he has it at POE? I am confused about the whole I-94 thing, as I had originally thought it was the landing card that is given to people mid-flight!


Edited by Ejjett, 26 August 2013 - 12:08 PM.

emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-26 12:00:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?
Sounds like a plan!! I really hope to hear something soon!! Did you put a wedding date on your cover letter? I put October 12th.. I'm not sure if that would keep them from logging the papers, but who knows!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-24 01:05:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?
Congratulations, everyone!! Jola, I'm in your boat! This Moday will be two weeks since the embassy signed for our DS forms, and they still haven't been logged. It's definitely frustrating!!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-23 20:23:00
United Kingdomhow long should i expect to wait for interview date?

I am wondering this, myself. I looked at the K1 processing times, and it looks like this year, people have been getting interviews in London about two, three and sometimes even 4 months after NOA2.

 

This shows recently assigned interviews, and you can see the difference in time between NOA2 and interview.

 

http://www.visajourn...m&dfile=No&adv=


Edited by Ejjett, 12 August 2013 - 01:07 PM.

emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-12 13:03:00
United KingdomAnyone ever have an afternoon appointment for K-1 visa?

You're right, Jola. The embassy only holds interviews in the morning.


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-18 08:32:00
United KingdomAnyone recently receive packet 4 in London? We still haven't got ours.
We just got our interview letter on Thursday, and the interview is this coming Wednesday. All of our documents + medical were logged mid-August, and we waited a total of 6 weeks to the day from sending back Packet 3, to receiving an interview date. We put Oct. 12 as our wedding date, so I am thinking they wanted to help us make it, even if that meant giving us notice only 6 days in advance.
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-29 09:00:00
United KingdomSomething new to obsess about

Congratulations on your approval, rjm_cmyk!!


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 07:21:00
United KingdomSomething new to obsess about
Well good luck!! I'm interested in knowing how it will all go down!!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-30 08:20:00
United KingdomSomething new to obsess about
We used a Photo-Me booth at Sainsbury's, and the US visa photo seemed a bit large to me as well! Surely it'll be good though, right?? Fingers crossed!!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-30 07:34:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
Thanks, that's good info to know!! My mind has obviously gone to bad things happening! Haha
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-02 13:54:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
Thank you!!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-02 11:12:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
Great thanks so much!! It still says 'ready', but I bet that sometimes stays like that for a while.
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-02 10:46:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
Thanks so much, everyone!! It's quite a wonderful feeling being done with this stuff (for a few weeks, anyway)! How exactly am I to read the ceac updates now? There was an update for today, of course, but it just says ready,
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-02 08:08:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!!! I am so happy to say we've been approved!! Can't believe this part is finally over.. So crazy!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-02 04:46:00
United KingdomFeeling nervous!!
I am feeling quite sick about the interview tomorrow!!! I wish I could be there with him... Ah, surely I am creating this sense of impending doom for no reason, right.
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 21:04:00
United KingdomWait Time for Appointment Letter (London Embassy)
Unfortunately there seems to be a long wait at the moment to get an interview date. I know all cases are different, but the embassy had received all of our papers + medical on August 15, and we just got the appointment letter on September 26th.
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-30 15:37:00
United Kingdomadvice about when to send the DS2001

Appart from a covering letter do I send anything else with the DS2001 form? Thanks guys. So nervous about getting any of this wrong!

 

Nope, nothing special needs to go with the DS-2001, just make sure your cover letter has the information that the embassy asks for!


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-05 13:39:00
United Kingdomadvice about when to send the DS2001

I agree with Nobbie.. Send the forms together. We made the mistake of not sending them together, and there was a five week difference in them logging the DS-156, 156k, etc., and them logging the DS-2001. It won't hurt anything to send them all at once, at the rate London is taking to hand out interview dates.


emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-05 08:44:00
United KingdomPassport condition
I agree with Sara and Jola- better safe than sorry! Get a new passport ASAP!! Good luck!
emyardyFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 13:23:00
United KingdomLondon Medical - Knightsbridge Doctors
Yep! He's ordering one now so once he has that he will schedule it. I sent the only original he had in with the IV package so he's getting another one but said it shouldn't take long and since they just got our AoS and IV package this week I don't think we will be delaying anything or waiting. But that's a good reminder!
ZandraOFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-05 10:34:00
United KingdomLondon Medical - Knightsbridge Doctors

London schedules the interviews. I think you can book the medical so long as you have your case LDN number, as far as I understand it. And yes, they won't send you an interview date until the medical has been done and they've received the results (and, of course, the other readiness paperwork). This is the information: http://london.usemba...gov/ds2001.html


AWESOME thanks!!!!! yep we have and LND case number so he will schedule that ASAP! Love the fast reply!
ZandraOFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-05 10:01:00
United KingdomLondon Medical - Knightsbridge Doctors
Hoping I'm asking this in the right place. My husband just called the London embassy and they told him he can schedule the medical whenever but that the interview would not be scheduled until after he has the medical. But I have seen based on others' timelines this seems wrong and I thought the NVC scheduled the interviews? We have everything at NVC and just waiting on case complete hoping in a week to two weeks. He is and can schedule the medical whenever but just wondering is he supposed to wait until after the case complete and we have an interview or can he go ahead and schedule it and try to get it worked into his work schedule now?

Thanks in advance for any help!
ZandraOFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-05 09:29:00
USCIS Service CentersVSC transfers to TSC

Okay okay, I've been reading these recent posts about some Dec and Jan filers being moved over to Texas... and here is my two cents. In theory, IF they get processed in the upcoming weeks, this means that by that time VSC would have approved/denied 99% of Novembers' petitions, they'll fast track onto the leftover Dec/Jan petitions that were left at VSC and straight onto Feb, March, April etc... So, we could be looking at more approvals back within the 5 month time frame, maybe less? Either way we should never lose hope and keep our fingers and toes crossed and ride this stressful process through til the end!!


alexndillon2125FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-06 15:13:00
USCIS Service CentersBoth VSC and CSC at 5 months as of June 18th

https://egov.uscis.g...TimesDisplay.do LOL i love how they updated it yesterday and stated both centres are processing at 5 months, yet CSC is already starting March Filers and VSC are still in December. Stop trying to make yourselves look good USCIS and give us an honest processing time! Who knows though, maybe now VSC transferred December and Jan filers to TSC they'll start on Feb filers etc... what a mess! 


alexndillon2125FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-19 10:06:00
USCIS Service CentersTexas service centre and i129f

all petitions go through Texas lockbox then get sent to the appropriate service centre, either VSC or CSC. However VSC are backlogged quite far at the minute so most petitions are being sent to Texas Service Centre (TSC) hence why your receipt code starts with SRC. Texas ARE processing the backlogged petitions from VSC only, this is a good sign... 


alexndillon2125FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-11 14:24:00
United KingdomQuick question, please help!

So this might seem real stupid, but I just got my letter from the Embassy in London, and it gave me my checklist; forms DS-230, DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157 and checklist DS-2001 etc... however it says an interview can't be scheduled until they've received these? Does this mean I have to complete the forms and mail them to the embassy?? Or do I take them with my to the interview??


alexndillon2125FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-06 07:12:00
USCIS Service CentersIs this Fraud by definition
(L)(F)Love is patient..If you cant tolerate USCIS for a year,Can you be able to tolerate her when you both are together....love is patient...it took you time to know her,to seat down everyday after work to talk to her on your laptop,it took you time to understand her,it took you time to love and trust her and still took you time time to fly half way round to world to meet her,why then is it too hard to wait regardless of how long it took for her to get to you becus true love is patient and can lead you thru when you both are not together.....Love is patient.....Try and keep busy,Talk to her more online,use skype,use webcam...it will help to bring you both together....and reduce the worries...


Cant give up becuz we live for each other.....(L)Love is patient
Oscar12MaleNigeria2011-03-01 17:31:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)K1 Visa Denied By Consulate
So sorry,I can understand your pains...I just thought if i was in this position,how would i really feel...Too hard on myself i guess but Delay is not denyal,They can only delay you and your love from been together for a while not forever...I think the best way forward is just to revoke the visa and refile and move forward from there...Prepare more and gather more evidence and Get your Senate man involve....Am sure USCIS will approve in no time and you just have to hit Lagos Consulate real hard...

When i had my interview back in Lagos last year,i notice that most people get denied becouse of not been confident during the interview process...Basically,Lagos Consulate base there decisions with how they conversation with the applicant and the CO goes...Becouse Immigrant visas such K-1 or so are not meant to be denied in the embassy level unless they noticed some foulplay in the beneficiary decumentations or maybe the way the interview went...Like his or her reactions,If the beneficiary was able to answer the basic questions during the interview and was bold enough to speak up loud and clear....Its always on the approval end...lol....Trust me,When i was in the interview room in Lagos...Is an Open room where you can see and hear how every other person is been interviewed ...,While waiting to be called,I noticed that the CO"s themselves find it difficult to approve some people as much as they try to--- with the way they react,shake and answer question...I still remm one guy that was been interview befor me,During the interview,The guy could not even remm his fiancee middle name and that is crazy...What of the age...He was repeating different date at random...The guy totally messed up,I felt for him though but i know it wont turn out good and within 5 mins,The guy got denied......That is just it...Most times they dont care the full load of the evidence you bring in and all that...They go with the conversation first...Then if that goes well,They look bit at maybe phone log and that is just it...And thats one of the major reason why they dont let American citizen to be present inside the interview room.....Becouse they ar very very bold and Confident,they know there right and the will look in to your eyes and tell you what you wanna know and thats the answer to Lagos Consulate...lol is funny but is true.......During mine,Immidately i was called up for a window,cant remm the no again,I Stood up and after the Oath process....They guy started with looking at me face to face...I think he ask like whats your fiancee full name,the age...Which city she live in...the kind of house she live in,Which i know him his self didnt even know the kind of the house my sweetheat live in...But well i know this things and was able to be answer them promptly and he repeated questions like twice or so...Which i dont mind...I just keep on smiling and laughing professionally and all that and Within 5 mins or less...He brough out the Package we first sent to USCIS which include the whole evidence ...Pictures,phone log ,email and so on and so fort....He couldnt even look at any of them becouse they ar just so much plus the one i came in with for the Interview process,....So after like 5 mins or less of the questions...They guy ask to see phone record..I brought out Verizon Phone log with my fiancee name on top of it and with my MTN line in every single day on each month...They guy just look at the first page and said that i should wait till next week and collect my passport with my visa....He gave me back all the pictures including the ones we sent in iniatially when we file for our k-1 in califonian service center.....

So what am saying is mostly about knowing your fiancee very well,Secondly,Confidence is the key and Be ready to smile and laugh professionally.I always tell my guys is not a do or die thing...As much as Immigration benefit is not my right,Is my life and i decide on what to do with it.......So maybe you need to take time and ask your finace to tell you the detail of the interview with every bit of the questions and how he answers them but experience is the best teacher.Once again am sorry for your pains and i pray you remain strong and fight for the love of your life....For my own suggestion on what to do...Dont waste your time for them to reopen your case here in the US.Just go on and cancel it and refile immiddatly,gather more evidence and if possible...Get your Senate man involve and befor you know it,You will be right there...Forget What people say about Lagos Consulate that is hard and all that,You can always make a differnece and people go thru there,So will you...Prepare hard and hit them hard...You ar good to go...Once again...Take heart and remain strong in love,Thats the key to a successful relationship

Edited by Oscar12, 22 February 2012 - 02:41 PM.

Oscar12MaleNigeria2012-02-22 14:35:00