biggish data

one final interview dilema

Three and a half hours? Whew! I thought my fiance's time there from 7:00 - 9:30 was long ;-)

When I was at the embassy on Thurs, the guy in front of me in line for security had a smallish backpack, no one batted an eyelid. As long as you have no electronics (that includes any cables, headphones as well) and don't have a backpack that looks so big you could take it on a mountain expedition (!) I'm sure you'll be fine :-)

Be prepared to get v bored! I was in there for 3 and a half hours...Took a trashy magazine with me, but was so worried about missing my ticket number that I didn't even look at it. LOL

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-22 16:03:00

packet 4

Congrats on receiving your 'official' packet 3... good luck with the rest of your journey!

Replying to myself, but I just got home from work and 'Official Business of the US Government' was waiting for me!

It's just a letter though, nothing else in there except for a link for what they want you to bring.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-24 11:27:00

Interview shceduled but no Packet 4??!!

My other half never got his packet 4, even though they claim it was posted on 8th March (his interview was this past Tuesday).

Just bring the payment receipt that they email you and you will be fine. They have all the names on a list.

I called the embassy on wednesday and the operator couldnt/didnt give much detail. Maybe he was new I don't know but when I asked him if my packet 3 docs had been logged and my interview had been booked he didnt seem to have a scooby.
So Rach (USC) called DOS on Thursday and they said Im booked in for an interview April 12 and my packet 4 stuff was sent out 3 days ago. This totally contradicts the UK embassy guy.. what do I do? Is it normal for the letter to be delayed? Also is it normal that DOS appear more updated than London..?

Any help would be great on this..

cheers.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-25 13:43:00

The "brown envelop"

My fiance's interview was Tuesday morning (8am) and he received his passport w/ visa and envelope on Friday.... so three days! Very speedy!!!

Kristin,
Congrats on getting the big brown envelop!

How long did you have to wait for it? I am still waiting for mine, really hoping that I will get it this week!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-28 10:07:00

The "brown envelop"

My fiance received his passport back and the lovely brown envelope this mornign ;-) Exciting times!

Hi Nich-Nick

Thanks for the info.
Send my passport last week and I am hoping to receive it next week, fingers crossed!

Thanks again

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-25 11:01:00

Interview scheduled! Woop!

Congrats!!

So it looks like I really could be reunited with my lovely fiancée in May! I called the US Embassy today and they told me that they have scheduled my interview for 29th March.

Really exciting news (just wish it was on or after pay day though!)

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-23 10:17:00

Help!

Oooh hun, I think it might be best to postpone the wedding; that's very tight that you're looking at.

Even if you were to get approved in the next month on the I-129F, your finance would still need to have his medical, have an interview, etc.

Has he reviewed all the packet 3 forms, etc. just so he can be prepared to send them off as soon as possible, once you guys have a case number?

Hello. I mailed out my i129-f K1 Fiance Visa to teh Vermont Service Center and it was received on September 28, 2010. I have not received an approval yet. i called two weeks ago and they were processing filers from September 11, 2010. I called today because I was expecting it to be complete and they told me they were still on September 11, 2010.

Here is the major crisis. My wedding is May 29th!!! Two months. My fiance is from the UK. Do you guys honestly think that it will make it in time??

I am overwhelmed and do not know what to do. It is a month over normal processing times for Vermont. WE have spent close to $25,000 for our wedding. Will it be done on time or should I just prepare myself for canceling the wedding?!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-29 10:38:00

Packet 3 Timing

FYI - ours was logged in 6 days.

So there also hope

Overnight it and they will receive it VEEEEEEEEERY soon. It doesn't mean it's going to make everything go faster though. I sent mine priority and it still took almost two weeks to find out it was "logged in".

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-29 17:44:00

Packet 3 Timing

See my timeline below... we just went through London.

I'm not sure if I understand correctly, but I wouldn't try to time your sending back of packet three before it's actually logged by them..

Sooo heres the deal: we are RACING to get my fiance here before the wedding (no comments please, ive heard it all before, no planning etc etc. whats done is done.) about how long does it take london to log your case/send packet 3 after its sent from NVC? my goal is to send packet 3 so that it arrives the day or two after they log it. ill have him make extra copies so he can send it again if need be.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-29 16:48:00

GP Medical Records

I just moved to the US and didn't take any records with me...

Have registered with a doctor here just fine w/o any problems....

Hi all Again
I was thinking of taking my medical records when I move to America, but I saw the receptionist and she told me they belong to the NHS so I cannot take them. Do I need them to register with a health center in America or not. Has anyone had this problem.
Thanks in anticipation
Dave

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-31 11:28:00

getting a cheap flight?

@jaygregory,

Not sure your age... but when I moved from the UK to the US in February, I bought my tickets 4 days out on statravel.co.uk. for 289 GBP, non-stop from LHR to LAX.

Looking into that option for my fiance, too. His are running around 394GBP at the moment for a similar nonstop flight from Heathrow to LA.

hey any one have any ideas or tips about how to get the cheapest possible flight to dallas?
going from london....preferable monday,as in 5 days away now....any help would be great

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-30 11:35:00

visa from courier

Finace had interview on Tuesday (22nd) and got his passport back yesterday - Friday (25th). Very quick these days!

hey so we got approved today at our interview!!!
anyway,we cant work out how long itl take for us to get the k1 visa and passport back from the courier.
and we have no idea how to search the timelines....so please,can someone who done it recently tell us how long its taking to get the visas back please?
many thanks,we really wanna start planning things right now,ah so happy

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-26 21:34:00

Interview with no medical - possible?

The embassy will have your medical results on file when you go (they told my fiance it would take 5 days for them to be transferred), but they also give you documentation for later.... apologies that I can't describe it any better, I actually haven't seen it ;-)

As far as I am aware no, you will need to carry the medical documents with you when you go for interview.
You will have to work with either one - either with consulate to push the date as medical is not available or work with medical asking them to give you some time before your appointment.
Unfortunately medical office and consulate dont work in sync.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-29 10:41:00

I-134 Question

Hey there,

If your fiancee's mum send the stuff off Thursday - you should be absolutely fine. I sent mine Express via USPS (from California to London), and it got to him in about 4 days.

Interview in 3 weeks = you'll be perfect

Edited to add: Express with tracking, that is. Cost me bloody $40 but it was worth it

I have no idea how to self sponsor, couldn't find anything looking around after work yesterday. I don't have a ton of savings or anything, so I doubt I'd qualify anyway.

I've asked my fiancée to get her mum to sign an I-134 (which she has said yes to) and send it to me this thursday - express, it should get here by the 27th. Let's hope, huh?

Edited by * Kristin *, 05 April 2011 - 06:26 PM.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-05 18:25:00

Medical before case is logged

:-/

If you don't hear anything by tomorrow, reschedule the medical? Worst thing that could happen, as Nich-Nick said, is to go through the medical and all that, and have them 'lose' / misplace your results. If they don't know you yet - it won't do them much good!

So this is how I understand it... "additional processing" can happen at any stage, including the NVC; "administrative processing" is what can happen after the interview. i think. anyways, you get a london number before it leaves the NVC, so we thought we were golden and the case would be in london within a week or two, so scheduling a medical wouldnt be an issue. ugh.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-06 10:54:00

Waiting for K1 interview date in London

Wednesdays are those pesky days

Better luck today!

I tied to call early on today, but they said they have different timings on Wednesday and they were closed. I just checked out the time difference for the DOS, so I can call them right when they open tomorrow. Fingers crossed I have a date...the anticipation is building!

Edited by * Kristin *, 07 April 2011 - 11:41 AM.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-07 11:40:00

Waiting for K1 interview date in London

Agreed - call DOS. Much cheaper ;-) And you get the same information.

Hope you get it scheduled soon!

Hi I had my medical a day after u and I called dos on Monday and they told me I had an interview for apr 20th.

I wouldn't bother calling the embassy just call dos direct, try calling now and I am sure they will have a date for you as long as you sent in your ds2001 and all packet 3

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-06 10:48:00

What to do! :(

I think the other person might be referring to - how are you going to pay to have a baby in a US hospital? It's not free.... not by a long shot. And w/o US health insurance - which you probably don't have since you're living abroad - it will be VERY costly..

Thanks Justine+David for your kind response,

Obviously it is much more than the NHS!

We have in the past tryed to contact our congressman which has led to little success. His office sent a message to the DOS and it came back with the usual "administrative processing". From what our lawyer has mentioned, the senator / congressman needs to directly contact the DOS rather than the office.
I have been calling the 090 number for the US Embassy but to be honest what I have realised is that their networks are not linked to the Embassy in London or DC. They don't have it in their files that I have sent my passport whereas DC and London have it on their system. Sad state of affairs.

I do get an email code from them and I have emailed London twice already this week. Really hoping to hear something back today or tomorrow.

Apart from that there is nothing much that I can think to do. I will look into contacting my MP. All we know is that checks have been completed and my passport is in London, god only knows why they are taking so long to send it back!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-07 10:53:00

Foreign police certificate requested

I did a search on 'Dutch police certificate' in the search box on VJ here... it looks like the country that you are residing in needs to request it?! There are only 3 - 4 posts on the subject (none of which I found very helpful) :-/

Good luck...!

I have just had a RFE from the NVC in Portsmouth for a Dutch police certificate. I live in the UK, but lived in The Netherlands for 6 years. I did my research and saw that I could not apply directly to the Dutch authorities for this as only the US Embassy can make such a request (as highlighted in the above quote from post #11).

I assumed the US Embassey would make this request upon receipt of my detials from the NVC. But apparently not as I have this RFE! (To make matters worse, they are also refusing to accept my birth certificate too....but that's for another thread!).

Can anyone please advise what I need to do?

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-07 16:14:00

My fiance had his medical fairly recently, and he was given the DS-3025 right as he paid for the medical, upon departure. All good to go!

Oh, that simple huh? I was under the impression from other threads read on here that the DS-3025 is part of the sealed package that gets couriered to the embassy and to ensure you ask for a certified copy, which may not be given to you. Seems to be a lot of differing info on this subject. I see you passed your medical just 2 weeks ago though at London, so i'm sure your answer is the most accurate in relation to my case. Thanks.

Did this happen to others who have had a recent medical at Knightsbridge?

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-31 11:31:00

I think I just kept pushing 0.... but I believe this is some proper order to the numbers (if you listen to the menu... 1 and then something? can't remember..!)

But yes - it is a live person that you will talk to who you will tell that you want to check to see if an interview has been scheduled for your K1 visa, she/he will ask for the case number, tell them, they will tell you to hold on whilst they look it up - and then they can tell you what activity is going on.

Be prepared to wait though... I've waited up to 20 minutes before :-/ But other times I have called, it was answered in less than 5 minutes. If you call and it says that the lines are busy right now, and it disconnects you, just call back in a little bit. I guess that means their queue is full. That happened to me a few times.

Thank you so much everyone! All brilliant advice and clearly well-informed! I can't stop smiling right now.

So when calling the DOS, I select the option to talk to an operator. This will be an actual person who then comes on the phone, right? Then I just simply ask that person for the status of my application and whether an interview has been scheduled yet, quoting my LND case number, is that correct? as stated before, I'm really no good on the phone and I panic! haha.

Thanks again everyone, I'm sure there will be more questions to come in the next few weeks.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-30 18:04:00

Correct - when I called the DOS, they asked for our case number and the beneficiary's name.

ah,so sorry for the grim reply then....misread.
youl be fine for an august wedding, unless something comes up i should imagine given my timeline as a basis, and i got my visa in hand today.
and when calling the dos...have your fiance do it from the states,much cheaper. i think its just your london number

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-30 11:33:00

If you travel at the end of July, that is fine. End of July to 18th August = less than 90 days, so you are good.

*Edited, as I mistyped and wrote 13th August ;-)

The US Embassy reports to the DOS, their computers are networked - one data base.

They'll ask for the LND number, when they get that, they can see everything and answer any questions you have. They've been pleasant and helpful when I've called.

BTW - you can get a good idea of what your dates are likely to be from the VJ timelines: this link

Not everyone keeps them updated but there's enough to give some idea .. as long as there's no complications ... good luck.

My thought on your target date in August is that you might need to delay entry to the US because the visa requires marriage in 90 days or less. Watch for that.

Edited by * Kristin *, 30 March 2011 - 10:21 AM.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-30 10:21:00

|nterview date

Uggggh... I don't even want to IMAGINE the chaos / backlog that would happen if the govt' shut down for that long (which, I doubt, it would be that long.) Even one DAY is going to cause a backlog :-/

I'm happy for you, but don't count on it 100% in case we have the government shutdown. Hopefully it would be nowhere near 20 days that are until your interview date, but I imagine there might be a backlog of cases that might bump yours forward. Wishing the best for you!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-08 16:53:00

K1 Interview at London Embassy

Correct.. in London you bring all the originals to the interview.

At the first desk in side the Embassy, where you paperwork is checked, my fiance was asked for the original of his birth certificate, then a copy. The copy was retained by the Embassy and added to their file of paperwork on him. The same was true for his name change decree.

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am a US citizen and my fiance is in the UK and we have our K1 interview scheduled for April 20th. We sent in our packet to the Embassy WITH all of our original documents. I hear that was not the right thing to do. DANG! Anyways, has anyone gone through the interview? Did they check you on your way to check your documentation packet?

We've emailed the Consular asking for help in this matter. We cannot get all of the originals in time for the interview next week. I am hoping that since they have them all, my fiance can go in with the photocopied package.

Any words of advice or knowledge?

Many thanks!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-11 11:02:00

Call 020 7486 7822.

That's what's listed on the web site..

http://photos.state....ical_letter.pdf has the phone number and all pertinent contact details

-K

Thanks Amy/Nick
You quota the phone number, but on the link it says to phone 020 7486 7822, do they both go to the same place?
Thanks
Dave

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-02-24 11:58:00

Ours took 11 days.

It actually took 12, because we had it signed for, and weren't actually home when they tried to deliver it, so had to pick it up from the post office..

yes i did the uk one....so its going to be about 2 and a half weeks or so in real time?

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-02-23 18:23:00

JayGregory:

10 WORKING days not including day of receipt or sending if you did the standard one
2 WORKING days not including day of receipt or sending if you did the express or 'expensive' one

That's assuming you requested a UK certificate...

sorry to change the subject a tiny bit,but im waiting to book my medical,have the london case number,just waiting on the police report...and idea how long from you sending it to recieving it takes generally? i used the standard service

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-02-23 17:15:00

Dave,

Medical questionnaire here:
http://photos.state....ical_letter.pdf

Hope that link works.. I'm having some trouble opening it (perhaps because I'm on my work computer ;-) )

If not, go here: http://london.usemba...xamination.html
And click the link on the right hand side.

Thanks Kristin,
Where do I get the medical questionnaire from. Don't you fill it in there?
Thanks
Dave

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-02-23 17:13:00

Bring your completed medical questionnaire and police certificate!

When you book your appointment, they will remind you what to bring, too

Thanks Amy/Nick
Could you tell me what I need too? I know I need my proof of vaccinations and a photo, but not sure about anything else.
I also see your local office in the U.S is denver, I am heading to Denver too lol
Dave

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-02-23 17:00:00

Trying to fill required forms and send to the embassy. Please assist

1) No. Your fiance is your fiance, not your spouse. Yet.
2) No, they don't send you a message, per say, that they have received it. You will receive a letter stating your interview date. You can also call the DOS to find this out
3) You can ring up and pay, too. They will email you a receipt, which you need to take to your interview.
4) I would try to obtain your vac records; Knightsbridge Doctors is a bit expensive. See here for more info on the medical: http://london.usemba...xamination.html

My questions are

1.) In the spaces where they ask for spouse's name do I write my fiance's name?
2.) When you send the forms without the readiness form do you get a message that they have received it. if not how do you know.
3.) How do you make payments for the interview?
4.) For the medicals, I do not have any record of my vaccinations as I had them all in Nigeria but I am resident here now. What vaccination do you think they will need me to have. I am 27yrs. I want to know how much to budget to take with me. Do you think if I explain my situation to them while booking the medicals they'll advice me on what to do.

Thanks for your assistance

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-14 15:20:00

How long to process Visa

bucknutt - so sorry to hear that!! :-/ Ours was returned 3 days after the interview....

Hello everyone, my fiance had her interview on the 1st of March and now they are saying that the visa is still being processed so there is no tracking details available yet. I was wondering if anyone knew how long it takes for them to get it in the mail to get sent to you. Many thanks for your time.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-19 10:09:00

Packet 3 forms

Print two copies.

I read on the US embassy site that the forms DS-156 & 157 needs to be filled in duplicate. Does this mean I should fill them twice or fill them and print two copies. However if I fill them twice it means I will have 2 different barcodes for the DS-156. Thanks for all your assistance

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-19 17:40:00

Interview tommorow, please help..

It takes usually several days for them to receive your medical results... soo.... it you had the medical on the 7th... today would be 6 working days, so no need to worry.

Best of luck in getting your date on Monday or later today!

(Edited for a typo

)

Okay, thanks for the advice. So I sent my forms back, including the DS-2001 form on 11/3/2011 and had my medical on 7/4/2011. My fiancee called the DoS again today and still no interview date has been set...is this normal?? Looking at others timelines, it seems that I should have my date by now. Getting very anxious! Will have to wait till Monday to call now seeing as they are not available on weekends.

As for the attire, I was planning on just dressing normally, I mean, they aren't gonna be looking at the way you dress right?

Oh also, can I ask what date you sent your packet 3 forms back to the embassy? I.e. the package containing DS-2001

Edited by * Kristin *, 15 April 2011 - 10:37 AM.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-15 10:37:00

Interview tommorow, please help..

Best of luck!

Seems like you got everything... !

Thanks for taking the time to reply folks..

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-11 11:03:00

Shipping Stuff

I took my stuff as extra baggage when I moved back on BA... I think it was like 40 - 50 quid a bag - so for me it was 80 pounds extra. Shipping quotes from London to California were RIDICULOUS.

Any way you can pack it in a suitcase or two and bring it with you, just pay the additional baggage fee? Usually about $50 or £30 per item, much cheaper than shipping if you're travelling the same time.

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-26 15:18:00

Appointment date set!!!

Don't buy a plane ticket til the visa is in hand... you wouldn't want her to have a plane ticket, and then have them hang on to the passport longer than anticipated.

Ours was returned in 4 days, but I think things have been moving a tad slower lately..

For London, the interviews are VERY easy. Read some of the reviews of people who have gone.

Thank you all for all you support so far, it's been helpful! My fiance now has an appointment date set! So now we will go over the documents she is taking in and make sure everything is ok. We know each other very well but we will still do practice interviews. I hear the london embassy is very nice so i am not worried much.

i have some quick questions:

Can i ask to have the interview date bumped up so she can have it sooner? will that be a problem?

Do you think it will help if i was in London with her for the interview since she has a Nigerian pasport? we don't have any problems or criminal or immigration problems either, clean records.

Do they take her passport from her or they mail her the visa?

and if she does her interview on a thursday, how long does it take for her to get her visa in the mail?

thanks guys!

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-05-04 11:45:00

medical exam help

Great info about the medical here:
http://london.usemba...xamination.html

Tells you what jabs you need to have had, etc. and also has the questionnaire that you need to fill out (it's in the PDF on the right)

My fiance is in glasgow, scotland. We just got our LND number the other day and he's waiting for his police certificated to come in the mail. He needs to book for his medical exam now i assume... What all will he need to bring with him to the medical exam? Also, he went to his general practitioner to get his medical records and they said they didn't know what he was talking about ??? Any thoughts on that?

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-05-07 20:38:00

Jumping the gun.

Wait til the visa is in hand... some individuals posting lately have been waiting, what seems to me, longer than the average wait.

Unless the flight you are booking on to has a low/no fee to change the flight?

Okay so I am jumping the gun a little here but I was just hoping someone might help.

I have my interview at 8:30am on June 6th. How long on average does it take to receive everything back in the post (i.e. passport)?

My wife is here in the uk with me at the moment and returns to the U.S. on June 16th, there is still seats available on her flight but I don't want to book anything just in case there is a delay. The problem is that the later you leave these things the more expensive they become.

All this is of course assuming my interview is successful!

Thanks

Andy

* Kristin *

Female

United Kingdom

2011-05-09 12:19:00