ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhen to post the Packet 3 Documents?
At the London Embassy the interview date is around 4 - 6 weeks after you return packet 3 checklist. The police certificate normally comes between the 30th and 40th day after you applied for it, the certificate is valid for one year so apply as soon as possible.

If you are ready to send back the checklist I personally wouldn't do that until at least 3 weeks after you have applied for the police certificate, if you want to take it to the interview.

Having said that if you attend the interview without the certificate they just will not issue the visa until you have obtained it and sent it to them.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-16 13:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOoops at UK Embassy!
At least everything worked out ok.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-17 19:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEngland embassy: when to send back checklist?
The interview is normally 4 - 6 weeks after you return packet 3 checklist.

If you send in the checklist before you have all the information and they schedule the interview it would really depend on what is missing.

If it is just the police certificate, others have gone for the interview without it, they conduct the interview but say the visa will be issued when they receive the certificate and if there is no problem with it. The odd few people who have done that have all had clear police certificates no one has said on here they have done that if they had convictions recorded against them.

If it is a document contains more substantial information, as an example the evidence of financial support I don't recall anyone going without something as important as that. If you did my guess is they would not do the interview but issue a notice requiring further information.

If he is just waiting for the police certificate it is probably safe to send the checklist back 14 - 21 days before the 40 day period ends. Anything else I guess he should wait until at least you have put it in the post to him, or to be really safe until he has it.

I believe that is roughly what I said in answer to your original post.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-29 12:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI have returned from Divorce Decree War
Unfortunately I have to agree the USCIS were right. You were not legally divorced when you filed the application, and were therefore not able to remarry. If you cannot remarry when you file the application hard as it may seem what else can they do but refuse the application.

You last comment is right but should really read don't apply until all the required documents are in order.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-31 21:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDo I need to bring the NOA2?
Certainly didn't take mine to London, and nothing in the instructions or checklist said it was required.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-04 17:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSemi-Urgent Question
When you go to the interview at the Embassy you take all the original documents and ONE copy of each.

They check the originals, give them back to you and keep the copies. If you don't take copies they keep the originals so take copies.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-11 13:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Reports - Please let this be the last question!
If it helps put your mind at rest I concur no certificate is required from India
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-16 12:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionemail address for London Embassay
You have to phone the helpline first. If an e-mail is need they give you the weekly code to include in the subject line.

Without that code the odds are the Embassy will ignore the e-mail unread.

A search of the web site will produce the e-mail address.

Edited by Lansbury, 27 March 2008 - 05:56 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-27 17:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionALL SPOUSES OF US CITIZEN WAITING
It is the not knowing what is happening that makes the waiting so hard I found. If there was someway to easily follow the progress of an application and know when it would be completed it would be easier. While it is hard is does come to a successful conclusion and that makes the waiting and hardship worthwhile.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-26 15:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionImportant Update for UK Based K1 Visa Applicants.
QUOTE (dariusp @ Apr 29 2008, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh boy, I do feel silly or what? blush.gif I have NO idea how I could have missed that!


No need to feel silly it comes as a timely reminder to those who might have missed the other posts or more importantly decided to chance ignoring the new requirement.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-04-29 17:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionImportant Update for UK Based K1 Visa Applicants.
That must have come as a surprise after all the postings on here about it. biggrin.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-04-29 17:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUK medical and Interview
Like I said you normally get around 3 weeks notice of your interview. The doctors as a general rule have appointments within 7 days. So it is reasonable to expect that if the doctors have 3 weeks or so notice of when you want an appointment there is an extremely good chance they will be able to fit you in the day before or after your interview.

Not a good idea to fix a doctors appointment the same day as the interview as there is no way of knowing how long you will be at the Embassy. People have done but why add to the stress level, if you can manage an overnight stay in London. There are reasonably priced hotels near the Embassy where people have stayed so I'm sure they will be able to point you to them.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-08-17 16:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUK medical and Interview
You get the instructions to arrange the interview when you get packet 3 back from the Embassy.

Packet 3 also contains the instructions on what documents you need to have ready for when you go for the visa interview.

There is no point in bothering about the short cuts to try and arrange the medical early as packet 3 contains a check list which is the list of documents you require for the interview. When you have all those documents you send the check list back to tell the Embassy you are ready for the interview. About 3 - 4 weeks after the check list is received at the Embassy you get the interview. So you can see there is plenty of time to arrange the medical before the interview if you wish.

Check list can be found here: http://london.usemba...iv/docs169.html

Details for medical here: http://www.visamedicals.info/us.asp

That information should give you plenty of time to start gather the documentation asap.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-08-17 00:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNeed advice PLEASE!
QUOTE (MARM @ Dec 13 2008, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We wanted to know:
Should we include his original birth certificate also? Even though it is in such terrible condition?
Or should be just say that he does not have a birth certificate?


Take the original birth certificate, if it is possible to obtain a copy before the interview do so and take that as well. Explain that the original is so bad you obtained a copy for clarification.

Do not say he doesn't have a birth certificate. Never lie to an immigration official it could came back to haunt you and be a problem some time in the future.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-12-14 12:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCan I attend my wife's visa interview
QUOTE (payxibka @ Mar 10 2009, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Mar 10 2009, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I did at London being able to wave a US passport will not always get you in so it isn't always an invitation.


so what good is an Embassy/Consulate compound if a USC cannot at least go inside?


Perhaps you should address that inquiry to whoever at the London Embassy makes the rules. But I am sure they make a distinction between someone needing assistance providing it isn't something for which you need an appointment, and someone who is just waving a US passport because they just want to go inside.

As some have found out on odd days for some reason just wanting to visit doesn't get you past security.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-03-10 18:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCan I attend my wife's visa interview
QUOTE (*julez* @ Mar 10 2009, 12:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anecdotal evidence suggests that USCs with passports have been denied entry for the purposes of attending a fiance's K1 interview. It is rare, but has happened.


It has happened on particular days. That is occasionally on a particular day they seem to not let the accompanying USC in. Most days there is no problem.

What has not be discovered is why that happens. Might be just a new or more strict security staff that day or some sort of heightened security.

QUOTE (payxibka @ Mar 10 2009, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Mar 10 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (payxibka @ Mar 10 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
as a USC... your PASSPORT is all the invitation you need to gain entry to the Embassy/Consulate compound...



How do you explain then how in the past at the London Embassy on some days USC have been refused entry into the Embassy Consular section when accompanying the applicant, or that now more often than not even to use the US Citizens Services section you need an appointment.


read my post more clearly....


I did at London being able to wave a US passport will not always get you in so it isn't always an invitation.

Edited by Lansbury, 10 March 2009 - 05:21 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-03-10 17:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCan I attend my wife's visa interview
QUOTE (payxibka @ Mar 10 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
as a USC... your PASSPORT is all the invitation you need to gain entry to the Embassy/Consulate compound...



How do you explain then how in the past at the London Embassy on some days USC have been refused entry into the Embassy Consular section when accompanying the applicant, or that now more often than not even to use the US Citizens Services section you need an appointment.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-03-10 13:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNew UK Police Certificate process for US visas - you MUST read this!
QUOTE (charisma1 @ Mar 19 2008, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ARE THEY INSANE????????? Where the hell do I find someone so silly to write that on the back of a PASSPORT-SIZE photo??? And I need to provide evidence that the person IS a barrister or whatever?

AND who the HECK is ACPO?? why not the standard access office?


The back of the photographs is to be endorsed in the same way a photograph for a UK passport is. Lots of people are silly enough to do it, I did it lots of times for people.

ACPO is the Association of Chief Police Officers
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-19 18:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNew UK Police Certificate process for US visas - you MUST read this!
Why not get the new one as well and be on the safe side. It is hardly a world stopping problem.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-19 13:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNew UK Police Certificate process for US visas - you MUST read this!
This is one of the conditions on the form for the new certificate

3. I authorise ACRO to make any enquiries it deems necessary in relation to the information given on this form and to share this information to the extent necessary to enable a decision on my Immigration Application.

That is very worrying. ACPO is just a staff organization, like the Police Federation, but for high ranking police officers. As such the officer in charge of Met Police Counter Terrorist Command, which incorporates what was Met Special Branch is an ACPO member with complete access to all Special Branch records. There is no way of knowing who will see your information, what checks they are doing or what information will be passed back that you know nothing about.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-18 12:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNew UK Police Certificate process for US visas - you MUST read this!
QUOTE (BritishGuy36 @ Feb 17 2008, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi all

Within the last week as I type this (somewhere in the middle of Feb 2008) the process by which you obtain a police certificate valid for application for a visa for entry into the US has CHANGED.

I cannot claim credit for this find as I only found out about it on another forum. Could a mod please make this sticky and perhaps link to the other forums or put a general note in the guides, as this is important.

The page on the US Embassy website detailing how you apply for a police certificate has changed. This page:

http://www.usembassy...sa/iv/ukpc.html

...now gives a link to this page:

http://www.acpo.poli...ertificates.asp

...for obtaining a police certificate. This is a much faster process, but is more involved and you have to send them much more info and proof than you did before. It also appears to superceed and NULLIFY the previous "subject access application" process.

I have an email address from the letter I got from the police acknowledging my subject access request - I have emailed them asking for comment on this change.

For now, don't waste your £10 on the "old" method as it appears that the US consulate will no longer accept this kind of report for the purposes of visa applications.

If like me you are part-way through the I-130/visa process this is a bit of a nightmare, and it requires some clarification.

I will post back as I get more info.

BG36


The police certificate has no part in the I-130 process, it is needed for the actual visa application which starts when the I-130 process is complete. Therefore you will need to apply as per the current instructions on the US Embassy web site.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-17 20:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiondate format for K-1 visa interview
QUOTE (dave0992 @ Aug 22 2009, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks for the fast replies. im sure they aint looking for mensa candidates, il use the american format for forms but im sure they will understand if i give "25th of april 2009" in my interview


If you are coming to live here you might as well start practicing to say it the US now whistling.gif

LansburyMaleEngland2009-08-22 18:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUS London Embassy
No they do not and no you cannot
LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-25 12:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRead This: YOU WILL NEED A Police Certificate (Subject Access) if you have had ANY Criminal Offenses, No matter HOW small or spent!!!!
QUOTE (sueandbarry @ May 29 2008, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, and thanks.......It also states on the forms sent to Barry by the US Embassy in Stockholm that he now provide them with adetaile Subject Access, and possible court records....He cannot simply explain as your post suggests--the seem to want proof, and details.

Barry has just sent off for the Subject Access,and he clicked the box that said PNC.......and this is what they said they wanted/.

Just trying to jump through all hoops here.
So you think also that we will have no further info on this form??

This delay and the unknowing of what the forms might/might not say and how to get them the info they want is daunting!

Sue


I used to have access to the PNC for many years but for the life on me I can't recall what details go on the reply to the subject access request in the case of a criminal record being on the PNC.

At the most it will have the date of any conviction(s), the offense(s), the court where the case was heard and the sentence.

The problem with what the Embassy will asked for differs from Embassy to Embassy. He doesn't have to wait for the Subject Access reply to contact the court(s) concerned to get copies of the record there. In fact if it would probably save a fair bit of time not to wait.

Edited by Lansbury, 29 May 2008 - 02:26 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-05-29 14:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRead This: YOU WILL NEED A Police Certificate (Subject Access) if you have had ANY Criminal Offenses, No matter HOW small or spent!!!!
I asked ACPO to provide an explanation of No Live Trace, this is their reply:-

NO LIVE TRACE - this means that you do have a Police record and
information is held about you on the Police National Computer. This
information does not appear on your Police Certificate as it has been
'stepped down' in accordance with the Retention Guidelines for Nominal
Records held on the Police National Computer. The Retention Guidelines
for Nominal Records can be found on the ACPO and Home Office websites.
It must be stated that although your conviction/s may have been 'stepped
down' they still form part of your criminal history. If asked whether
you have been convicted of a criminal offence, you must declare all
convictions. If your Police Certificate states 'NO LIVE TRACE' and you
have not declared your convictions, you may be asked to explain this
outcome which could delay your visa application.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-05-29 11:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWow, Is this TRUE?
QUOTE (itzallgood @ Oct 26 2009, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Oct 26 2009, 09:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
A pretty good estimate by the attorney I would think. Iran is a T country and security checks will take longer. Don't know where you got the three months from but you wouldn't even get a K1 visa that quick anywhere.


I've never heard of the term, "T country." Can you inform what this means? Thx.


One of the terrorist countries.

Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan I'm sure there are more on the list. If the visa applicant comes from a country on the T list the security checks take much longer.

Edited by Lansbury, 26 October 2009 - 01:05 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 13:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWow, Is this TRUE?
QUOTE (Ney @ Oct 26 2009, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The three months comes off the embassy site as an approximate date for the time of interview from the arrival of the package to the embassy. I've seen numerous Iranian people on this site that have been granted an interview within the three month period. My son has already completed the process with USCIS and NVC and his package just got to the embassy yesterday. We were hoping for an interview by the end of January.


OH right you missed that out of your first post and my crystal ball missed it as well.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 12:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWow, Is this TRUE?
A pretty good estimate by the attorney I would think. Iran is a T country and security checks will take longer. Don't know where you got the three months from but you wouldn't even get a K1 visa that quick anywhere.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 11:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa in Hand
QUOTE (thepizzadude @ Oct 13 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well maybe this will be better since others say the consulate is wrong and it only takes 2-4 days to get it...Here are some timelines from 20 similar to yours of them only 3 have had appointments so far, and approvals at interview and all of them are at 10 days or longer and the results are 1 got visa in 10 days 1 in 11 and one with interview on 28th and still no visa...
Hope this helps to calm your jitters....
http://www.visajourn...l...l=&id=38756
http://www.visajourn...l...l=&id=68944
http://www.visajourn...l...l=&id=61353



Well done so you can look up a few timelines, how much knowledge do you have of the London Embassy over the many years people have been posting here. I have just had a pleasant lunch this afternoon with a friend on vacation from the UK where she works in the Consular section of the US Embassy. She still seems to think 2 - 5 days for a visa after the interview is the normal but heck what does she know.

There is some hiccup which has slowed things down but that doesn't make it normal.

Edited by Lansbury, 14 October 2009 - 07:22 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-14 19:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa in Hand
QUOTE (thepizzadude @ Oct 13 2009, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the person i spoke to said that the process would be between 5-10 days
before it is sent to the courier services for them to deliver.

If they said the above sentence, then why would the below sentence be anything but normal?


My question is is it normal for it not to have been delivered yet, 5 working days later?


If you knew the London Embassy than you would know that 5 days is slow. The normal is 2 - 4 days from interview to being in your hand.

Edited by Lansbury, 13 October 2009 - 06:37 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-13 18:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa in Hand
QUOTE (Liam and Kara @ Oct 13 2009, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My question is is it normal for it not to have been delivered yet, 5 working days later?
how long did it take from the interview until you actually got the visa delivered?


from what I've seen over the time I been on this forum it can be anything from 2 - 15 days. The latter end of the scale being a rarity.

Some hiccup slowed things up again happens every now and then, nothing to worry about.

Edited by Lansbury, 13 October 2009 - 06:36 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-13 18:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUS Embassy email address
That isn't the normal e-mail address for London. The normal one is LondonConsulate@state.gov

Edited by Lansbury, 15 March 2010 - 11:18 AM.

LansburyMaleEngland2010-03-15 11:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDid a mistake. How to fix it or how bad could it be?

Unfortunately you have lied, which if found out is a material misrepresentation which I'm sure you know is a lifetime ban.



That is a very harsh interpretation of the what he said. His wife was training to be a model, as part of her training she undertook modeling assignments. It was part of her training. In much the same way as trainee teachers get sent to schools for practical experience as part of their training. She was paid for the assignments but it was still training and can be explained in that light. As to a material misrepresentation might I suggest you look up the legal definition of that because what he did falls quite a way short of it I believe.

As to her helping out unpaid. I volunteer unpaid as an emergency blood courier for the America Red Cross. When I applied for citizenship I most certainly did not list it as employment on the application because it isn't. I help out unpaid because I choose to do so, that isn't employment. In conversation walking to the interview the interviewer asked me what I did to fill my time out now I was retired I said "I volunteer with the Red Cross". Nothing at all was said in the formal interview about not showing it as employment on the paperwork.

I don't think he will have any problems at all. It would need an explanation if the doctor for some reason mention she worked in the medical report but what relevance is that to the medical. I don't think anything needs fixing it is best to see if it is raised in the interview and if so to explain it as I just have. Certainly no need to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Edited by Lansbury, 20 March 2010 - 05:13 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2010-03-20 17:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDid a mistake. How to fix it or how bad could it be?

I opened a business there and she helped me in the company. She was not on the payroll. She just liked to help me.



Think that covers it quite well.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-03-20 15:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical was today
Please you should not make statements like if he is all clear you will be fine. You have noway of knowing what the outcome might be and could mislead people.

To the OP. They have been quite a few people going through the London Embassy over the years who have had similar problems. Most got resolved, some didn't. One thing they seem to look at is the cost of any ongoing treatment in the US and your ability to fund it. You say he needs medication to help him sleep, you might find it helpful if your doctor will stress it is for sleep purposes and not to treat his depression. They have in the past seemed concerned about the possible outcome of people coming off their meds because they cannot afford them and the likely consequences.

Not trying to alarm you just to make sure you understand what they are looking for so you can cover your bases. In the past the Embassy doctor has not approved the applicant until they have got the letter from their own doctor(s) that have been requested. This will either delay your interview or you will not be approved until the medical is sign off on.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-03-27 16:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionaverage wait from I-129 and I-130
No-one of any nationality gets to move to the US to live as a Permanent Resident until they have been granted the appropriate visa. There is nothing to stop your son-in-law coming to visit but he would have to return to Canada and maintain strong ties there to do so.

I doubt they are in any worse a situation than any other married couple where one is a US citizen and they wish to live in the US. All have to remain apart or live in the other persons country while the visa is being processed so I doubt they would get the matter expedited unless they can show the medical needs of her father somehow warrant it. But as she is already in the USA it probably isn't going to be a very strong argument.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-04-07 08:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlease help!
Information you need is all here

http://www.acpo.poli...ertificates.asp
LansburyMaleEngland2010-04-08 07:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon Packet 3 wait time concern

Do cases routinely sit at the embassy for a while before somebody gets it together to send packet 3?


Yes they are processing all the applications they received before yours gets to the top of the pile.

Edited by Lansbury, 12 April 2010 - 12:48 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2010-04-12 12:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAssets calculation

but nobody mentioned them being overly strict with the income thresholds.


That is because they have no discretion with the income threshold. If you met it if only by the exact amount they must accept it. If you are under they cannot accept it so strictness doesn't come into it. You either met the income required or you don't.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-08-08 16:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAssets calculation

I just looked it up on the i-864 instructions and the formula would be: needed assets = (required yearly income - actual yearly income) * 3. It says its multiplied by 3 if its your spouse.


Yep it is 3 if it is your spouse, that is what I said, but he said for the I-134 and that I thought was for a finance so not a spouse so would be 5 would it not?.

It is the use of the I-134 I'm not sure of having done DCF via London.

Edited by Lansbury, 03 August 2010 - 06:39 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2010-08-03 18:37:00