biggish data

Packet 3 letter asks you to go to the Embassy website (something like IV-15.HTML) and follow the instructions for the gorms that need to be completed.

Packet 4 is the interview letter telling you the date of your interview.

In the unlikely event that your medical results arrive at the Embassy before your case is registered, it may cause some confusion as your case number on your medical will not match a case they have registered.

Sorry, I'm on my cellphone so can't tell. Are you a K1?

Edited by Anna Grant, 05 August 2013 - 07:36 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-05 19:34:00

BTW - your file will continue to say 'Ready' on CEAC until after your interview now. It will change to 'Administrative Processing' whilst it is going thrrough the issuing process and then change to 'Issued'.

Currently all that will change on your CEAC file is the 'touched' date.

This was the situation 8 weeks ago.

Edited by Anna Grant, 05 August 2013 - 06:58 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-05 18:57:00

Okay. My experience was 2 months ago but I had my medical before I hd received 'packet 3' letter. I also mailed the forms before receiving 'packet 3' letter. I knew from tracking my case that it had been received in London. It just had not been registered.

I took a chance that my forms and medical results would arrive at the Embassy around the time that they were due to send packet 3 letter and they did.

Obviously London seems a little screwed up at the moment but I would not cancel medicals. It will take at least 3 days for your results to get to thr Embassy anyway. There is a set order that London would like you to do things but I anticipated what would be happening and when.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-05 18:53:00

No problem! You should definitely fill those forms out and have the ready to send as soon as you get your Packet 3 (and please do signed for - I really regretted not paying an extra £2!) I was advised to refer to my old forms in the 129F file, so all the forms and answers are consistent/same where they ask the same stuff over and over. Also have you got your Police cert?

You don't need the affidavit of support until the interview, which you bring with you on the day, here is the list/info- http://london.usemba..._documents.html

Maybe get your Fiance to start working on it anyway, as it takes some time to get tax returns etc. Better to be as prepared as you can I say!

Also, remember that the I-134 will need a 'wet' signature from the petitioner, so build in the time it takes for that form to be posted from the US to the UK (assuming that the petitioner is currently in the US, that is).

Request 'tax transcript's rather than 'tax returns'. Tax transcripts show precisely what the IRS received - tax returns may or may not be what was precisely sent off (as we've found clearing out my MIL's house - we found a tax return for last year but she never sent it in!).

Tax transcripts can be requested here http://www.irs.gov/I...er-a-Transcript but can only be mailed the address registered with the IRS.

I called DOS tonight and they said they don't have anything logged yet, but to give it another week because sometimes it takes a bit. How long does it usually take after the Embassy receiving them to have them logged?

I think in my experience in June, it was 7 days.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-05 16:20:00

is this the UK number that costs £1.50a min? Switchboard: [44] (0)20 7499-9000

http://london.usemba...v/ukaddres.html

I feel like I should call London embassy to double check? or is the DOS pretty up to date?

That is the switchboard number, so won't cost 1.50 a minute. It was the call center which cost $1.23 a minute but I believe that may have been disbanded.

By all means phone the switchboard but be aware that you may be passed from person to person. They should be open until 5:30pm.

DOS are usually pretty up to date with things.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-02 10:35:00

They don't have them! ok, panic attack starting now.

I had my medical yesterday, I guess its not too late to send them...

Do you think I should call the London branch to see if they did get them? The woman I spoke to says they are still waiting for my forms :|

(I didnt get signed for, which, in hindsight was stupid of me)

OK. Don't panic. Did you send a covering letter? If so, go back and edit it to say that you completed your medical on 1 August (rather than you have booked it for 1 August). Print off the forms again, ensure you sign the ones that need to be signed and get down the post office and send it by Special Delivery 1pm - http://www.royalmail...=CLT_0613_LP_19 I suggest sending it tomorrow morning as there will be no one to sign for it on Saturday at the Embassy. By sending it tomorrow morning, it will be delivered to the Embassy by 1pm on Monday.

You probably haven't lost any time as the Embassy wouldn't start to anything with your file until they receive the results of your medical and they won't get that until Monday or Tuesday next week.

Have you sent the DS-2001 (readiness form)?

P.S. It's annoying but at least you now know that they don't have your forms.

Edited by Anna Grant, 02 August 2013 - 09:53 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-02 09:52:00

Does the CEAC website update when they get your Packet 3 forms? I sent mine 12th of July and nothing has been updated....I'm starting to think I should be worried as so many posts say theirs did update...I

I think someone here posted a free number to call the embassy? (Or some new process?) If anyone knows please help!

Thanks!

Try phoning DOS in the US on 1-202-663-1225. Ask them what is the last update they see on your file.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-02 09:14:00

Yes it does say that but it is wrong. I had 'no trace' as did most of the people here and there is nothing to discuss with the Embassy!

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-01 19:15:00

Yes I do

My fiance is in the army so he cant at the moment

You can phone. I was the beneficiary and I was able to phone. I used Skype to make cheap calls to DOS several times. They are open for phone calls from 8:30am until 5pm EST.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-01 06:08:00

Check the CEAC site first to see when the last update was nd that phone DOS and ask 'My file was updated on 30 July. Can you tell me why it was updated please?' Sorry - can't give you phone number as on my cellphone. Search DOS under advanced search here and you will find it.
Check the CEAC site first to see when the last update was nd that phone DOS and ask 'My file was updated on 30 July. Can you tell me why it was updated please?' Sorry - can't give you phone number as on my cellphone. Search DOS under advanced search here and you will find it.
Oops - sorry double post. Darn cellphone.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-31 20:14:00

So someone signed for our forms at London yesterday morning according to the Royal Mail tracker - do you get an update on CEAC once they've input them or do whatever they do with them? What does the update say? I'm just wondering whether we should be calling them to ask or what to do now.

The CEAC site will update but just to show an 'update date'. It will now continue to say 'ready' until after your interview. It may take a few days for your forms to be registered and the CEAC site to be updated. Once you see a new update date, I would suggest phoning DOS and asking what the update is about. It should be about the forms being registered. Obviously, you won;t be sent an interview appointment letter until after the medical results have been received my the embassy. Did you send DS-2001 with your forms?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-31 07:48:00

Sorry to bother you all but I was wondering if someone can help me please.

When I go on the CEAC website its now saying

Ready
Immigrant Visa Case Number: LND###################ND Case Creation Date: 18-Jul-2013 Status Updated Date: 30-Jul-2013
Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at:http://travel.state..../info_3731.html

On the 26th July the status updated date was 26th July 2013 and today it change... any idea why?

OK. Looking at your timeline, my guess would be:

26 July - file received and registered in London

30 July - packet 3 letter sent

But that is just a guess. Best idea is to phone DOS on 1-202-663-1225 and ask them why your file was updated today.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-30 12:08:00

Ooh thanks Anna, thats what I'm hoping too. Our medicals are booked for August 7th. My fiance keeps offering to call the DOS (he's says they're very friendly and helpful!) for info but it didn't occur to me that they might actually be useful, since USCIS absolutely wasn't when our petition was mired in the transfer between VSC and TSC.

Thanks for the tip about using the US number too - good idea.

Last question for anybody that knows - Is the letter advising of the interview date sent via normal mail or is it also sent as an email?

You, the beneficiary, can phone DOS. I used Skype to do that as it's relatively inexpensive. You also don't get left 'on hold' as long as with NVC.

The interview date letter will be sent by normal mail. Again, your CEAC info should show an update date when that happens. I must admit, whenever I saw a CEAC update, I phoned DOS that day to see what the update was about. That way, I found out my interview date two days earlier than receiving the letter.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-30 11:07:00

I have not travelled to the U.S. however, since receiving our NOA2 at the end of June, and we're waiting out the torturous process through to the Visa Unit in London and hoping for packet 3 soon. Our case status on the CEAC site changed to 'Ready' on Friday 26, and the status was updated again to todays date this morning. Anybody want to hazard a guess as to what this means?!?

My hazardous guess would be that your 'packet 3' letter has been sent. Have you had your medical yet?

IIR correctly, calling the US Embassy in London costs £1.25 a minute from within the UK otherwise theres a flat fee of $20 if you want to call from the U.S. or anywhere else outside of the U.K.

You can just phone DOS in the US and get most of the information that the Embassy line has - sometimes better information! Phone them now and ask why your file has been updated today.

You can also phone the London Embassy using the US number from within the UK and pay the $20 flat fee. Useful if you think you may have a long call.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-30 10:30:00

I looked at that but I went ahead and sent an inquiry through their main website. Hope this helps. Thanks

Some people get the e-mail which says their e-mail has been deleted but get a response anyway. Some people get the e-mail which says their e-mail has been deleted and never hear anything more.

The only way to be absolutely certain that your e-mail will be opened, not deleted and responded to is to get the code from the extortion line. The code is valid for a week (they change it each week - I would assume that they register on your file that it has been given to you).

Thanks for your response AG..I spoke to my fiance about it last night and he feels strongly that it's not worth risking..plus he's pointed out that the congressman's office is still trying to get an expedited interview date and it's possible he would have to return right away for an interview anyway...we're just going to wait it out..

I think that's probably wise. Your congressman's office seems to be getting some traction, so it may be best for your fiance to stay put.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-30 08:52:00

I hear you AG - our lawyer did say that he has had several clients visit with no problems but did have an issue once..I guess it's his responsibility to tell us that when we asked ...especially since my fiance seems to get grilled so much when he comes here. He said they do have manifests of who is coming and he may be on some sort of watch list since he has been pulled out of line more than once...but you could be right too..I just wanted to tell him that there is a slight chance of an issue..

I was seriously thinking of having my fiance try it next week since with the medical issue, he won't be making the family trip with my dad even if we are risking the money...problem is, he's an elementary school teacher and school is out and he didn't take a contract for next year since he'll be here. So I'm thinking it's probably best not to risk it, right?

It is at the discretion of the CBP officer on the day. I would hope that they would recognize that you are so close to end of the K1 visa route, that you wouldn't screw it up now by your fiance overstaying.

This is the daft thing about this. I was trying to sever my ties in the expectation of emigrating to the US (our NOA1 date was 24 July 2012). That means for the last two trips I have had no job and no home (I was renting a room in a friend's flat). I have never been take to secondary questioning but have had a few questions both at passport control and the CBP officers who check whether you're bringing anything into the US.

Only once have I had to show my return ticket and that was on my last trip. Other than that, I've never had to show any other documentation (although I had loads in my hand luggage, just in case).

I can't tell you whether to risk it or not. I risked it as I had the time to go and stay in our apartment and it felt ridiculous to be in the UK when I could be in the US with my fiance. I could also risk losing the money on the plane ticket. Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to lose the money on the plane ticket but I thought it was worth the risk.

However, I did all this before getting our NOA2 in April. As we didn't know when we would possibly be together permanently, it seemed worth the risk. Whether I would have done it after NOA2, I don't know.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-29 10:00:00

http://www.visajourn...-you-can-visit/

Hi all, I tried to find the thread for this answer but I couldn't - if anyone on here can help that would be great;

- Can I go to the States in a few weeks on VWP for 5 days to visit my Fiance?

I'm currently about to do my medical this week and then I'm guessing my interview will be Sept/Oct.

I just wanna make sure I'm allowed to travel there during this K1 process.

Thanks!

See this thread about the large number of people who have visited at different stages of the K1 process - including me who visited 3 additional times after submitting our petition.

And here is a checklist of things to show your ties to the UK:

http://www.visajourn...content/k1visit

BTW - a word of caution about the lawyer's story. That may not be correct and could just be used by the lawyer to scare their clients. Our lawyer told me that I must not travel after we had submitted our paperwork.. It was only by finding the VJ site that I realized he was wrong. Had we believed him, we would have not seen each other for 8 months.

Edited by Anna Grant, 29 July 2013 - 09:02 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-29 09:02:00

Yea hmm that may be a helpful addition actually as soon enough I will be back with my parents in Hampshire, so really not far

I don't know that it makes any difference but it did indicate to them how eager I was to have an interview (as we all are, really).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-27 11:13:00

My cover letter said :

(though i havent sent it yet so if anyone sees any mistakes please tell me)







                                                  DATE

Case Number: LND********8

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to inform you that I am now ready for my interview.

Please find enclosed DS - 230 Part 1, DS ?156, DS ? 157, DS- 156k and DS-2001

My email address is ************@gmail.com

My medical exam is scheduled for 13^th August 2013

My wedding date is 28^th of September 2013. (around a month earlier than we are hoping)

Yours Sincerely,

MY NAME

Looks good. I included in mine 'I am available any time on any day for an interview. As I live in London, I can also attend any cancellation appointment at short notice.'

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-27 10:17:00

Okay - another question:

Since we are trying to time everything so that we can by some miracle make our 8/9 date for POE, we are thinking of this timing:

File is in transit from NVC as of 7/22

Medical is 7/26

Mail packet 3 forms plus DS2001 and cover letter (with begging ) on 7/26 from London when he's there for the medical, instead of doing it from Wales - figure less chance to get lost

Hoping everything will arrive and be logged around the same time and they will have the Congressman's email asking for expedition.

Question - how do people mail Packet 3 - regular post or via courier?

I mailed it from the US, so used Fedex. However, had I been in the UK, I would have posted it by either 9am or 1pm guaranteed with Royal Mail - http://www.royalmail...3#UK Guaranteed I don;t think the massive price difference between 9am and 1pm warrant sending by 9am.

BTW - are you aware that London Embassy is about 1/2 mile from the Knightsbridge doctors? They are either side of Oxford Street. I don't know if the London Embassy allow packets to be handed in rather than posted.

Edited by Anna Grant, 24 July 2013 - 02:01 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-24 14:00:00

Ok, that's great. We'll book our medical in sometime this week then and look to send our stuff off including DS-2001 on Saturday. I just wasn't sure if there could be an issue if I put date of the medical exam on the cover letter but I hadn't actually attended it yet. We'll do it that way then.

My cover letter was dated 15 May and my medical was 30 May (and I put that in the letter). I had no problems.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-23 15:00:00

Never mind, found them both!

I suggest that you phone the DOS number rather than the Embassy call line (commonly known as the 'extortion line' as they charge 1.23 a minute). DOS are in the US but you should be able to phone them cheaply. I used Skype to do it. DOS have all the info that the Embassy has and I always found them more helpful and they didn't appear to be reading from a script!

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-16 06:19:00

Oh really? I didn't even think of the employment contract until now! Well that's a bit of a relief. He's going to scan me a copy of it when he gets home and we'll try establish how suitable it'll be.

Yeah I will have pay slips too. Not sure how many to take though, I was thinking 6, covering a 3 month period?

I took 6 with me which covered a 6 week period, so you'll be fine with those.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-11 14:32:00

I already tracked it with DHL. Left NVC on the 19th (confirmed with DoS) and arrived on the 21st.
I'll just wait a few days and try calling again. I just wish I'd known all this before I sent the forms, I'd have waited a bit longer. Ah well, not the end of the world I suppose.

OK. It took my file 8 days from being received by the Embassy to it being registered as received. The 'packet 3' letter went out the same day. So yours should be registered as received very soon.

Personally, I would DOS every day - I know I did :-)

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-01 13:16:00

http://www.visajourn...nvc-to-embassy/

So I just got a Skype subscription to call the US for £3 a month (way cheaper than calling the embassy). Called DoS and got through to an operator within seconds, so I have no idea what my fiance was doing and why he found the menu so hard to navigate.

But basically, London apparently haven't received the petition yet (or logged it), and haven't issued Packet 3 yet. Damn.

OK - do you know the actual date that NVC sent your case to the Embassy? If yes, you can track the package that includes your petition using the instructions in this thread:

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-01 13:02:00

Hello Fellow VJ,

Is this the number your Fiance has been calling for the Department Of State (202) 663-1225? What is the extortion line you are speaking of?

'Extortion Line' is the name we normally give to the London US Embassy Call Center number. It costs 1.23 a minute (in US - no pound sign) to call from the UK or $20 flat fee to call from US (paid by credit card). It is a call center based in Scotland and they tend to say everything takes 6 weeks (that is my experience, anyway).

DOS don't charge to answer calls and they have as much info as the Embassy call center (of course, bear in mind that they are 5 hours behind the UK).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-01 12:17:00

Still no Packet 3. I've been nagging my fiancé to phone the DoS and each time he gets hung up on, and now won't call. Other than calling the extortion line, I can't find out if packet 3 has been issued can I?

You can call DOS. I was the beneficiary and called them from the UK using Skype. Generally, they only need the case number but have your fiance's DOB with you, just in case.

I have found DOS far more helpful than the extortion line. People on the extortion line are worjing in a call center and seem to be reading from a script a lot of the time e.g. everything seems to take 6 weeks.

Edited by Anna Grant, 01 July 2013 - 11:11 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-01 11:02:00

1. You can call the NVC and ask for it, else it'll come by post from the London embassy once they have your case (that letter is what we call "packet 3" on here and is your LND plus a link to this webpage: http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html) The only way to find out if London have your case is to keep calling them.

Rather than phone the extortion line for the Embassy, phone DOS in the US on 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0. It will just cost you the price of a call to the US. They have all the info that the Embassy exortion line has. If you have Skype, that should be inexpensive - certainly cheaper than 1.23 per minute it costs to phone the extortion line! If you do need to speak to the Embassy extortion line, it can be cheaper to phone using the US number and pay $20 for that phone call.

Once you have your case number, you can check your status online on the DOS website https://ceac.state.g...er/Status.aspx?

Edited by Anna Grant, 01 July 2013 - 09:20 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-01 09:19:00

I know my Fiance should start doing the Police Certificate even before we know the Embassy has our stuff... because it takes a while and he has to take this to the Embassy for Interview. He is also getting a police certificate from Morocco just in case. Now I'm a bit confused about when he can start doing the medical exam....? My logical guess is that it has to be done after we know the Embassy has our case? or after he gets the forms in the mail? because I know the medical records will be sent directly to the U.S. Embassy in U.K... And I would hate for them to send it before they our case correct?

Thanks Fellow VJ's

As soon as you have the case number from NVC, you can schedule the medical by phoning the Knightsbridge doctors - http://photos.state....18a_medical.pdf. That is the one piece of information you need for the appointment. You need to be a little careful as you don't want your medical results arriving at the Embassy before your case does!

What I did was book the medical as soon as I knew that our case had left NVC. It took three days for our case to get to London and then 7 days for them to register it and send out the 'packet 2' letter. As the wait time to book a medical appointment is around 10 days at the moment, that worked out fine.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-30 18:26:00

I received my NOA2 LETTER in the mail today June 29th 2013. Valid from June 25 2013 - 10/24/2013. Does this mean we have until 10/24/13 to get the interview scheduled or to get married? Or is it 3 months once he gets into the U.S. to get married and 6 months to leave the UK for his Visa to be valid... I believe I just answered my own question... 0_o correct me if I'm wrong!

Theoretically, it means you have until 10/23/13 to have the interview. However, this only really comes into play if you have no interaction with the Embassy before that date. As you will be sending in your forms before that date (which you will, if you have spent your time before getting your NOA2 making sure you have your Police Certificate, I-134 and supporting evidence), it will be automatically renewed should you pass that date. Even if you pass the date, I believe you just need new 'letters of intent' from the petitioner to show that they are still 'on side'.

With the other timings, you have to arrive in the US within 6 months of the issuance of the visa. However, it is actually 6 months from the date of the medical rather than the date that the visa is issued.

Once the beneficiary has entered the US on the K1 visa, they have to marry the petitioner in the US within 90 days.

Edited by Anna Grant, 30 June 2013 - 04:44 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-30 04:43:00

awesome ! congrats and welcome to the US (a day early)!

Actually, I beat the average by 16 days as the 77 days that Nich-Nick quoted is NOA2 date to interview. When you consider that my 61 days included 2 weeks in AP at NVC, I think I did really well!

Now in the Executive Lounge at Heathrow waiting for my flight. I have a mixture of excitement and being scared running through my veins (plus far too much caffiene). I have been chasing, chasing, chasing to get to this point and now it's here, it's actually a bit scary to be leaving everything I've ever known at the age of 50 for my fiance and the good old US of A.

Nich-Nick - I wanted to send you some proper English crumpets that I've put in my luggage for you. Not those ones that say they're English crumpets in US supermarkets. But your PM box is full (not a surprsie - everyine asks you questions). If you're happy to do so, please PM me your postal address and I'll get them in the mail tomorrow. They have a best before date of next Wednesday. You deserve a lot more than crumpets for all the help you've given me but I noticed you discussed them in another thread.

Edited by Anna Grant, 27 June 2013 - 07:09 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-27 07:05:00

I'm flying to the US tomorrow on the return portion of my last US flight i.e my outward journey was US to UK. I can't do online check-in as United say 'Based on the documentation provided, you must present proof of a retun ticket or onward travel at the airport before a boarding pass can be issued.'

Now I assume that the K1 visa I have now overrides this requirement as the whole point is I don't want to return! But do I need to tell United this in advance or will the people at Heathrow be used to this? I would assume that most people with K1s actually go to the US on the outward portion of their ticket and never use the return portion (as returns are usually cheaper than singles) so don't normally encounter this message.

Edited by Anna Grant, 26 June 2013 - 10:19 AM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-26 10:19:00

The job thing won't fly as you have already learned. it all depends on how fast each step goes and there is potential for a lag anywhere. Approval of petition>> VSC sending to NVC >> NVC sending to London >> London opening their masses of mail and getting your case logged in so they are ready to process>> London getting around to filing your medical and reading your DS-2001>> having an open slot in the interview schedule. Here's one of our current person's timelines. She has been on top of everything to be ahead. It's still more than two months from NOA2 to interview http://www.visajourn...cfl=0&id=143641
The London average over the last 6 months has been 77 days between London receiving the file and the interview date. But you will beat that average because you are learning the ropes before you need them.

I managed to beat the average by being ahead of the game and having so much in place already when we got our NOA2. Even though I was in the US when the NOA2 came through, it was exactly 2 months between our NOA2 and my interview date - and that included 2 weeks in AP at NVC!

Beating the average came reading the guides, reading Nick-Nich's many helpful posts and then asking questions when I was unsure of things. And chasing! Phoning NVC. Phoning DOS. Phoning the extortion line and begging for the al important code. Booking my wedding and including the details in my covering letter (the date could have been changed with the chapel had the dates not fallen into place).

Tomorrow, I leave the UK for good, which will be 10 weeks since our NOA2

Edited by Anna Grant, 25 June 2013 - 11:22 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-25 23:18:00

Thanks Anna...we were completely naive to this whole process - i wish I had found this site and researched before we just contacted a lawyer. he seems to tell us only little nuggets of info when we need them.

I totally agree with you. I wish I had found this site before we engaged our lawyer. This site has been more useful than he has been! He has actually told us incorrect information. If I am being kind, it could be because he is not familiar with the 'London way'.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-25 23:10:00

2 - my UK fiance is a primary school teacher. He did not take a contract last year so is not paid thru July and August and if he's not here by August, would not be able to take a few of the teaching positions here that a few people had possibilities for him and he would then miss out on either all this year or half unless someone gets ill or goes on pregnancy leave. He obviously could tutor or do something else but it's not ideal.

I've read differing things on what counts as financial hardship and I doubt we'd qualify for that even though not having him here by August would greatly affect our financial situation..but would we be able to notify the embassy once the NVC number is assigned to see if there was anything to do to expedite?

Your fiancé won't be able to work until he is your husband and he has submitted his AoS and is in receipt of his EAD, which will probably not be until 8 weeks after he's submitted his AoS.

So even if he was to arrive in the US next week, he would be unlikely to be able to work until September/October.

Edited by Anna Grant, 25 June 2013 - 02:40 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-06-25 14:40:00

Well today was the day I had been dreading for a long time....Yes the visa medical!!!! And am I glad it's over.....

The whole medical process wasn't too bad, I arrived outside the building in Knightsbridge about an hour and a half before my appointment so decided to wander in to the pub opposite. I was really tempted to order a pint but sense got the better of me so I decided on an orange juice instead.

Anyway, I arrived at the doctors about 1.40pm, half an hour before my appointment time. When I got to reception I had to give over my passport, vaccination records & passport photo. I was then given another medical questionnaire to fill in, very similar to the one I had already filled out. The ladies on reception were very polite and helpful. About fifteen minutes later I was called by this guy, so I followed him to this room, this is where I was going to have the xray done. Stripped down to my waist & was told to put a robe on, then I had the xray, he got the xray up on the computer and he said it looked fine, although he mentioned that they would look at it further!

I went in to another waiting room with said robe on and there was an english chap sitting there, as I walked in I dropped all my clothes Lol.....And the last thing that landed was my bra, how embarassing lol. Sat in that room for about another fifteen minutes then was called in by a chinese/japanese male doctor. Sat down, he went through my responses to the questions I had answered then measured my height, and weight. After that he asked me to stand straight, put one leg out in front of me and close my eyes, then he said "flap your arms up and down like a bird" I said "Eh, you are joking aren't you, this isn't you've been framed or something similar?" Lol...Just seemed like an odd request lol, it was apparently to check my balance..Next thing I had to do was lie down on the bed, and he said, open up the top half of your robe, we need to check your breast for lumps....This is something I didn't expect at all and never thought would happen, and I was more annoyed that he was feeling my breasts without a woman present, but I didn't want to cause a scene...It's just that everytime I've had anything done like that the doctors usually requested a female to be in the room...Not angry about it. just shocked me....After that he checked my breathing, ears, eyes & throat.

He then proceeded to take my bloods, to check for syphilis. Then the last thing he did was check my blood pressure & that all my vaccinations were up to date, which they were...final cost for medical £227....Plus travel etc

All in all it wasn't too bad. Just felt quite uncomfortable him fiddling with my boobs like that, because I wasn't expecting it...

Well I'm hoping I've passed..can't see why not.....

I'm pleased to read a recent report as my medical is next week. Surprised about the breast exam but happy to hear the blood pressure is taken towards the end. I have white coat hyper-tension i.e. it's normal under normal circumstances but elevates when I'm in a doctors surgery. Having it taken later in the appointment might bring it down a bit - and knowing now that I will have a breast exam will mean that it won't jump up when that happens!

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-05-24 06:32:00

This is the bit that concerns me the most....not because I'm not who I say I am, just not quite sure how they go about it.....

Depends if you're a man or a woman, I suppose. With men, it's fairly easy to see they've got external genitalia - I've heard with women, it's just a peep down your knickers

Could anyone who has actually been through this could enlighten us please?

Edited by Anna Grant, 03 May 2013 - 04:16 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-05-03 16:16:00

I'm not entirely sure why BP is even taken. The medical grounds for inadmissabilty for a visa are as I understand it

1) Communicable disease of public health significance

2) Failure to show proof of vaccinations

3) Mental health

4) Addiction or substance abuse

As an addition I can see why doctors have the lovely task of checking sex by checking your bits but apart from that ?

Thanks - that's put my mind at rest (and probably reduced my blood pressure ).

Yes - I told my fiance about the 'checking external genitalia' bit and he went 'What?' I said 'They need to check that you are the gender you say you are on the paperwork'.

Edited by Anna Grant, 03 May 2013 - 04:05 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-05-03 16:05:00

I'm slightly worried about having my blood pressure taken. I suffer from white coat hypertension - that is, when I'm in a situation where my blood pressure is being measured by a doctor/nurse, my blood pressure rises. If I measure it at home, it is fine. I have even taken my cuff into the doctors and we've measured it at the same time so I can show her that it's the situation, not my blood pressure that's the problem.

I know that my blood pressure is likely to elevate at the medical - last time I had it measured by the doctor it was 160/98. Is taking my blood pressure just part of the process or could they suggest that I go to my doctor and be prescribed medication for hyper-tension and 'fail' my medical? And I would have to re-do the medical after my blood pressure is artificially reduced? Would it be best if I just mentioned the 'white coat' thing at the beginning of the medical?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-05-03 13:36:00