ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
Thanks biggrin.gif
and Saffyre GOOD LUCK on your interview tomorrow!
i'll be keeping fingers crossed smile.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-18 10:51:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (Lansbury @ May 18 2008, 02:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sarahs @ May 17 2008, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Would you happen to know off-hand if on the DS-156, UK citizens need to put their National Insurance Number in the spot where it says "National Identification Number (if applicable)"?


I put "not applicable" because the National Insurance Number is not an identification number



Ok thank you again, that was what I thought, I just wanted to be completely sure before he filled the thing out again
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-18 03:55:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (Lansbury @ May 17 2008, 04:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sarahs @ May 17 2008, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For certain reasons he was unable to make copies of the forms so he would need another checklist and whatnot.


He can download copies of forms from here.

http://www.usembassy.../visaforms.html

The online checklist doesn't have the box to put the check mark in but that can be put alongside the item, and he would have to known his case number to write that on. It might save you a fews days if the forms you need are online.


Thanks, he's got the forms needed which I think were only DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, and DS-230 Part 1 only.

Would you happen to know off-hand if on the DS-156, UK citizens need to put their National Insurance Number in the spot where it says "National Identification Number (if applicable)"?
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-17 17:45:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (Lansbury @ May 16 2008, 07:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sarahs @ May 16 2008, 04:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh gosh I know there are people with far worse issues here than what this is and people who've been waiting WAY longer than me and I really hope everything works out for everyone the way it should, no matter what the issue.

Do you know if England has a sort of "return receipt" for their postal service...where you get a signed post card or something back when they receive the package at the destination?


Recorded or Special Delivery you can then go online and see if it has been delivered. However that delays things at the Embassy a few days as that sort of mail goes into the main Embassy mailbox to await collection, and then has to get sorted at the Embassy and passed to the Consular section.


Thank you for informing me of that smile.gif
A few days delay is fine with me as long as I can know for sure that they have gotten it.
My fiance should be getting a response email back from them early next week and if they confirm that they never received his Packet 3, I told him to request that they send him another (if they will do that).
For certain reasons he was unable to make copies of the forms so he would need another checklist and whatnot.
*I* have copies I filled out by hand because I was helping him with them so it would be easy to redo them, but he'll still need an additional copy of the checklist with his Case #.

Edited by sarahs, 17 May 2008 - 02:45 PM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-17 14:45:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
Oh gosh I know there are people with far worse issues here than what this is and people who've been waiting WAY longer than me and I really hope everything works out for everyone the way it should, no matter what the issue.

Do you know if England has a sort of "return receipt" for their postal service...where you get a signed post card or something back when they receive the package at the destination?

Edited by sarahs, 16 May 2008 - 06:02 PM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-16 18:00:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
unsure.gif I feel like I'm spamming, but I totally don't mean to - I told my fiance to keep calling till it went through and he did and got to talk to someone. They told him it's possible his file hasn't been updated yet and to send an email by tomorrow night, gave him the code and everything. So he sent and email and now we just have to wait for them to answer - which I hope is in a timely manner
*keeps fingers crossed for me and everyone else who needs it*

I really need to thank you all for the information and support smile.gif
It really does help calm the nerves
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-16 14:05:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
My fiance just tried calling the embassy as they're opened till 9pm gmt and he said the number doesnt work headbonk.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-16 12:05:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
Just to update... Just got off the phone with DOS, said the file still shows they are waiting receive Packet3 sad.gif

Soo I'm going to have my fiance call the embassy on Monday and see what's going on...
should i have him call the # in that thing I posted above? the 09042-450100?

Edited by sarahs, 16 May 2008 - 09:53 AM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-16 09:51:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
lol DOS closes at 5

inconvenient because i work till 5 or 6 pm every day, but friday is my day off.

so whomever i call it will have to be tomorrow anyways jest.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-15 17:58:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
I know a month's wait isnt unheard of...i just keep seeing everyone who's sent their's back around the same time i did who've gotten their P4 in a week and its frustrating wacko.gif

Edited by sarahs, 15 May 2008 - 05:05 PM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-15 17:05:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
meh i wish i could edit my last post...anyways I found this on the embassy site - Is this the cost thing? And what happens if the call last longer than 7 minutes? Are you charged $16 every 7 minutes?

Consular Affairs: Visa Services
Operator Assisted Visa Information

Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines; some mobile and network providers may charge more. In addition, callers from outside the U.K. and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number.

Callers from within the United States who wish to obtain information on, or schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview, should dial 1-866-382-3589. Callers are charged a fixed rate of $16:00 for up to 7 minutes which is payable by credit card - Visa, MasterCard, American Express only. Please ensure that you have your credit card details available when making the call. You will not be charged for the call until payment has been taken. Please note that you will be required to provide the agent with a U.K. address when scheduling the appointment.

Edited by sarahs, 15 May 2008 - 04:32 PM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-15 16:28:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (Chris_JennTX @ May 13 2008, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They do schedule interviews based on anticipated travel date. I was told that in a email from the embassy.

This is what was in the email:
QUOTE
It is standard procedure to delay the scheduling of the visa interview when the applicant indicates a later departure date to the United States, this is because the K-1 visa is only valid for six months from the date of issue.


Back in January we sent our information to embassy with a June travel date and we were not given a interview until May 21. It shocked the hell out of me that they would actually try to accommodate you when nothing about this process is accommodating. It wasn't accommodating for us really because now Jenn wont be moving until August.

If you put a date later in the year or did not put a date at all I would bite the bullet and call the embassy.

Someone mentioned calling the Department of State number but they can't really help in regards to the interview date. At least they could not tell me why it was taking so long. They told me to call the embassy because they do not have access to then entire case information. I talked to quite a few people and every time it was the same thing. Some said we were most likely missing something in our case or they would just give me a guess answer to get me off the phone. You will have to call the Visa Information line on the embassy website. If they cant answer your question(s) make sure they give you the email address to the embassy and code. Without that code in the subject they will delete the email.

Hope this helps



Thank you for this, I will be calling the embassy tomorrow morning.

I've been wondering about the cost of this also, I call the UK for free because I have Vonage...is there some additional cost I will get just for calling the Embassy? or is what everyone is talking about just the cost of a phone call to the UK?
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-15 16:18:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
Thank you everyone...
I'll be calling them tomorrow to find out info biggrin.gif

I don't think he filled out the anticipated times, we're hopefully getting married Oct 31st so I don't recall if he put that date down or not.
I hope everything's ok with his stuff cause he sent it on April 15th...and it's now been almost a month.

All I need when I call is the number from his packet 3 right?
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-13 19:13:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (NickyMcMillan @ May 7 2008, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mine took about 6 weeks. I agree, its the not knowing whats going on, adds to the stress.

Still, looking at your timeline. You haven't too long of a wait. Think of those of us who were/still are at the mercy of CSC. tongue.gif Will be coming upto a year for me, by the time I get the visa in hand.



oh yes i definitely feel for those filing at CSC
i was prepared to wait 6 months for the noa2, i almost had a heart attack when i saw we'd been approved so soon blink.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-07 16:57:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
QUOTE (Lansbury @ May 7 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The not knowing is what causes all the stress. If only they had a web site which showed receipt of documents and the progress of the application much of that stress would be removed.


that would be such a relief, and probably not too hard to do.
like each time the file is scanned into the computer it would update the website...kind of like the USCIS site, but with a little more detailed information and a running log...not just a change of date.
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-07 14:53:00
United Kingdomwaiting and worrying
It's been nearly 3 weeks since Rob sent back Packet 3 (April 15th) and we haven't heard anything from the Embassy.
I expected to wait, but I see people who filed around the same time I did and who've gotten their interview dates within a week of sending back Packet 3 and have their interview dates already coming up at the end of this month! It's so frustrating and I know you all know the feeling...
I'm just worrying that something is wrong. unsure.gif

And to add to the worry, I'll be going over to England to be with Rob when he goes to London for everything and I just see airfare prices going higher and higher as the weeks go by.
I'm probably just being paranoid, but I hate this whole being in limbo. Just adds to the stress of everything else going on in my life sleep.gif

Sometimes I wonder why I get myself into these stressful situations, but I know in the end it will ALL be 110% worth it.
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-05-07 14:33:00
United KingdomFINALLY!!! Interview date is set :D
QUOTE (debbylyn @ Jun 9 2008, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Finally got an email back from London embassy and now they say they have all Barry's documents except the document checklist! Unbelieveable! He is resending it tomorrow, I have replied to the email telling them he sent it in with all the other documents. Any suggestions?



oh man, someone needs to get their act together over there. We just kept sending emails and phoning them. I think we had to call/email them 2-3 times. First call/email was to ask about the status - if they'd received Packet 3 and if an interview date had been set yet. Got an email back saying they had gotten all documents and were waiting for the Document Checklist. Rob called them and said that he did send the checklist with all the other papers, the woman he spoke to found that strange that it would have been separated from the rest of the packet and gave him another email code. He emailed back as soon as he got off the phone with them stating what he had told her on the phone - that he did send the checklist back and if he needed to resend it, please instruct him to do so and he would as soon as possible. This email was sent the Friday before Memorial Day so we did expect them to be about a week getting back to us. They never emailed back after 2 weeks, so last Tuesday Rob phoned them again. He was told to wait until Friday for a response and if he did not get one, to send another copy of Packet 3. He also told them that the NOA2 was expiring in July and they told him he'd have to write a letter explaining everything in with this second copy of the packet. Friday came and he didn't get an email so we were getting ready to have to send another copy and then Saturday he got Packet 4 in the mail. I have a feeling it might not have taken so long if there werent the holidays in there interrupting it, but then again who knows with the government... wacko.gif
For a time frame, he sent in Packet 3 on April 15th

I definitely wish you luck and I hope they don't lose the second copy Barry sends in
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-09 19:29:00
United KingdomFINALLY!!! Interview date is set :D
Thanks everyone for your support...
it's kind of funny how this went, because Rob called the embassy earlier this week because he'd sent an email before memorial day weekend and never got a response. they told him to wait until friday to get an email response and if he didn't get one then, to resend Packet 3 back to them. So i was all worried that we'd be delayed and the NOA2 would expire before he got an interview, worried what if this second copy we send in gets lost too...then Rob texts me today and said "30th of June is my interview" luv.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-07 13:45:00
United KingdomFINALLY!!! Interview date is set :D
So after many back and forth calls and emails with the Embassy, them telling Rob that they received all his paperwork EXCEPT the Document Checklist, Rob telling them he sent all the papers at the same time in one envelope, today he finally finally got his interview date.

So...June 30th it is and now I've got to scramble to get my plane ticket but after all is said and done it will be 100 times worth it I'm sure.

dancin5hr.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-07 09:40:00
United KingdomCan US Citizen Go With Fiance/e to Interview?
Thank you biggrin.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-19 18:17:00
United KingdomCan US Citizen Go With Fiance/e to Interview?
I've seen conflicting information, so I'm just wondering if someone could tell me...

I'll be going to the UK next week and be going to London with my fiance for his interview on the 30th...

Am I or am I not allowed to enter the embassy with him.

He said he got a letter with his Packet 4 saying other people wouldnt be allowed unless they had a letter saying they could go in or something like that, but then I read on here that the USC was allowed in with the beneficiary.

Thanks in advance, I'd just like to plan ahead so I know if I'll be spending some time wandering around while he's inside.
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-19 10:05:00
United KingdomWhere in the UK are you?? (or you other half)
Rob's from Helmsley in North Yorkshire
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-07 11:15:00
United KingdomHotel recomendations for London interview and medical
QUOTE (wshelby @ Aug 14 2008, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a cheap and clean place to stay overnight in London? My fiancee is travelling from Scotland for both the medical and interview and will have to stay overnight.



My fiance & I stayed at the Edward Lear hotel.
It's very close to the Embassy and relatively cheap for a hotel a block from Oxford St.
their website is edlear.com

there was another hotel that we found http://www.parkwoodhotel.com/
its cheaper than the ed lear, but was booked solid when we went.

We were just looking to stay as close to the Embassy as possible because neither of us had ever been to London before and were very nervous about getting lost in the tube and whatnot.
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-08-14 13:05:00
United KingdomRob arrived yesterday
QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Sep 15 2008, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sarahs @ Sep 15 2008, 12:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well Rob flew in yesterday to Newark from Manchester airport. He was through Customs & Border Patrol rather quickly. He told me the guy who took his papers was rude, but after he told me what the guy said to him I'm sure he just took it the wrong way (which he does sometimes). Apparently the guy told him he shouldnt be coming to the US to get married and should go somewhere else, but I'm thinking he was joking around considering the current state of the country and all...

I only live about 25-30 minutes from Newark Airport so I just told him to text me when they allowed electronic device use once the plane reached the gate. Figured I'd have time to spare by the time I got there, yet when I walked into the waiting area he was already there waiting for me!

It seems crazy to me how quickly this has all gone, and now I have to get used to the fact that he is right now sitting back at my house instead of all the way across the ocean and I dont have to sneak on MSN at work to talk to him blush.gifwhistling.gif

I am completely looking forward to October smile.gif


It's great having him home, isn't it...I still pinch myself to see if it's a dream!

I wish I was having my wedding on October 31st, my favourite holiday!!!


It's going to take some getting used to, but I'm sure that won't take long at all. Just need a new routine hehe
Rather than sneaking on MSN at work, if i want to talk to him all i have to do is call my own house and instead of going home and plopping down on the bed and picking up the phone, i get to plop down on the bed and have him right there next to me.

We're going to vegas and getting married by Elvis on halloween cause its our fav holiday too and then next year we're going to have a more traditional ceremony so my whole family and hopefully his if they can stand to fly (his mum is afraid) can be a part of it.

Edited by sarahs, 15 September 2008 - 02:10 PM.

sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-09-15 14:09:00
United KingdomRob arrived yesterday
Well Rob flew in yesterday to Newark from Manchester airport. He was through Customs & Border Patrol rather quickly. He told me the guy who took his papers was rude, but after he told me what the guy said to him I'm sure he just took it the wrong way (which he does sometimes). Apparently the guy told him he shouldnt be coming to the US to get married and should go somewhere else, but I'm thinking he was joking around considering the current state of the country and all...

I only live about 25-30 minutes from Newark Airport so I just told him to text me when they allowed electronic device use once the plane reached the gate. Figured I'd have time to spare by the time I got there, yet when I walked into the waiting area he was already there waiting for me!

It seems crazy to me how quickly this has all gone, and now I have to get used to the fact that he is right now sitting back at my house instead of all the way across the ocean and I dont have to sneak on MSN at work to talk to him blush.gifwhistling.gif

I am completely looking forward to October smile.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-09-15 11:59:00
United KingdomWell...we did it!
Rob & I got married in Las Vegas on Oct 31st smile.gif

It's so weird to me because it doesn't feel any different, but we keep randomly looking at each other and going "WE'RE MARRIED!":lol:.
I'm just incredibly happy that all the paperwork is almost overwith and we can relax and get on with our lives without having to get something finished and mailed in by such-&-such date and worrying and stressing if we filled something out wrong.

We will hopefully be sending in our AOS stuff by the end of this week or early next week.
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-11-12 15:05:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
QUOTE (L & P @ Jul 17 2008, 06:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Had interview this morning ....Approved jest.gif


yay!! congratulations! biggrin.gif kicking.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-17 10:32:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
QUOTE (BexandAlan @ Jul 15 2008, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yey! SMS delivered my visa this morning!! Nearly there now smile.gif

xxx


congrats!! kicking.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-15 13:04:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
QUOTE (eggnut @ Jul 14 2008, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Interview at 9:00 this morning and visa approved! Paul had to throw out his headphones that he had forgotten were in his bag. Other than that everything went smoothly. Congratulations to everyone else who got approved!!



congrats!!! biggrin.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-14 08:30:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Just wanted to report in that Rob just called me and woke me up to say the courier had just arrived with his visa smile.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-14 01:52:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
QUOTE (SMB x2 @ Jul 9 2008, 08:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Stu was approved this morning (pending the medical)!!!! biggrin.gif
Congrats to everyone else that's been approved recently and good luck to everyone that has an interview coming up happy.gif

-Shan



congrats!!! kicking.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-09 07:19:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Rob had his interview & medical both on June 30th - everything was fine as far as the embassy was concerned & he's been approved pending medical.

The doctors needed a letter from his GP regarding an issue with his eye that he's had since he was little and shouldn't muck up the approval (we hope). He saw his GP soon as we got back to Helmsley from London on July 1st and the GP sent out the letter to the Knightsbridge Doctors on the 2nd so hopefully he'll be getting everything back soon!
*fingers crossed* smile.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-07-07 14:15:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Rob's interview is June 30, 2008
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-06-19 09:47:00
United KingdomAre Fiances allowed to attend the interview?
I was with my then fiance (now husband) when he had his interview in London June 30th last year and they did not allow me to go in with him so I sat in the park and waited
sarah&robFemaleEngland2009-01-24 23:01:00
United KingdomBrits in the USA
Sarah (USC) & Rob (UKC - Helmsley, North Yorkshire) - currently living in Morris County, NJ :)
sarah&robFemaleEngland2011-04-26 12:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 questions
QUOTE (Jesse G @ Mar 15 2008, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (reeses16 @ Mar 15 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"To whom it may concern" is fine. Blank, none, N/A or draw a line through are all fine.


I'd recommend against putting "none" unless it's the truth (ie - you have no assets). If "none" IS the truth, it's not helping your case.

Leave it blank.


Well the only thing I guess I could put would be my bank account, but because I don't really have a large amount of money in there and since i'd have to show how much is currently in there, I didn't want to put that on there.

My salary is high enough over the 125% poverty level that is all I want to use.

Thanks for the info! I'll just leave those extra spaces blank smile.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-03-16 01:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 questions
Okay so I've gone over the I-134 stuff at the top of the forum, but I was wondering about the letter from my employer.

I know the information that needs to be in the letter, but how would my boss address it? Would "To Whom It May Concern" suffice? I just want to know what to tell her when I ask her for the paper.

Also, if I'm following the example form from VJ, there are a lot of blank spaces. The only financial part I am including is my yearly salary which is sufficient. Do I really just leave everything else blank? Or would I put "none" in the blank spaces?
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-03-15 16:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions about benef.'s parents
thanks Don!
That's kind of what I thought too. I was thinking if they had any questions about the address they could RFE Rob or ask about it at the interview.
And maybe if they do send an RFE, by that time his dad would have popped back up and there'd be a chance to get the info from him
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-03-29 23:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions about benef.'s parents
eep no one ?

unsure.gif

if i've posted this in the wrong place could someone direct me where it should go?
sad.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-03-29 17:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions about benef.'s parents
Some of the forms in Packet 3 need the current address of both Rob's parents. His parents are divorced and his dad has minimal contact with them. Rob's mum doesn't know where her ex lives, doesn't know his phone # and neither do Rob or his sister's. He doesn't have a job. They prefer NOT to have any contact with him because of what he did to the family. He comes by every so often but has not been by in almost 2 months to see them.

Is it ok to put "unknown" in a case like this? It will really be a hassle to track him down and we want to get Packet 3 sent back ASAP.

I'm just worried if we don't know his address that it will cause problems. unsure.gif
sarah&robFemaleEngland2008-03-29 14:33:00