Hey Dan & Nikki - I have also got friday 13th ! Not too long - and good luck - I waited to send my checklist and forms in together - so not sure it makes any difference -

Oh yeah, meant to say (where are my manners!?) - congrats to everyone who's got P4 in the last week or so... I've been away from VJ for a while, but now I am baaaaaack!

And good luck to the lot of us in our interviews! I am starting to get inexplicably nervous the last couple of days, even though I know there's nothing to be nervous about, really! Eek.

Wow!!! Apart from the date which I am not superstitious I'm sure it's going to be fine, depending on what time your interview is, we might even bump into each other!

Thanks VJ-ers....our packet 3 went out today, so now we're added to the "waiting for P4 list". It could have gone sooner, but we got bad advice from our attorney. Get this: they told us to send just the checklist and DS-230.....that DS-156 and DS-156K wouldn't be needed until the interview. I cut and pasted the instructions and asked if we should "ignore the embassy's SPECIFIED forms"?
There was much stammering and hem hawing, then we were advised to "follow the embassy's request"! Honestly! Thank goodness for VJ or we'd be weeks wondering why we hadn't heard anything! Gggrrrrr

Called the State Department Friday and was told his interview date, April 2nd 9AM. The lady I spoke to actually laughed at my reaction. I hope she gets the hearing back in that ear really soon.

We are also waiting for Packet 4 but it was sent back Feb. 27 so not as long as others. But had an interesting interaction with State & Embassy. We knew that the Packet 3 was received by the Embassy mailroom on Feb. 28 (Royal Mail Special Delivery) but on March 8 (8 days later) there was no computer record of it being received. The State Dept. operator agreed that we might want to contact the Embassy and inquire. So phoned the Embassy main phone number and at 1st the woman tried to have me phone the visa number that costs money but I pointed out that they would have no information on delivery of a package to the Embassy mailroom and she agreed. She told me to send an email with the subject being "United States" which we did. Although we got an email back which said it had been automatically deleted, we received a reply the next day. The reply did confirm that our Packet 3 was received (good news). Then it goes on to say that it will take 4 weeks to recieve Packet 4 (whether this is from date of email, March 9, or date of receiving Packet 3, Feb. 28, is uncertain) and not very good news but it may be their standard answer (hoping). However, the email also indicates that we can email them again by replying to this current email. Might try to get more information from them in a follow up email.

So a hint to other VJ members ... subject line "United States" might get email read by London Embassy.

As of this morning, I am "waiting for Packet 4" also.

Good luck to everyone, and "COME ON YOU BLUES" FA CUP FINALS HERE WE COME.

Just an update on ours, Been 1 month now since we mailed off our first packet 3 to the london embassy and still saying no records of it at the embassy when I call the state dept. My fiancee and I have declared it lost and mailed a new packet 3 to them Friday the 9th of March, Delivery Confirmation says they received it today, so here we go waiting again...

Aww, that totally sucks! I've been wondering if you had heard anything, but still no posts yet. Sorry that happened, but at least you know they received it this time. Keep us posted.

I gave in and phoned the state dept today because I have been so antsy with all of this waiting.

Yep, they received my packet 3 documents and scanned them in to the system on the 21st of February. Everything looks in order and they are waiting to assign me an interview date.

So very happy that the docs got there Tempted to send another copy of the checklist which was mailed at the start of the month, although I should probably wait a week or so before doing that

JustGimmeAnInterviewDateDarnIt!

:deep breaths: Please let it be around the middle of April, please.

Catica - so sorry to hear about this - how awful.. I still have my fingers crossed for you. Hopefully the second packet will go through alot quicker..

FeatherB - can you please let us know how your interview goes in the 15th? I have my on the 20th so want to hear all about it !!

Good luck with the wait everyone else

Hi all, Im sending my P3 in tomorrow an dhave a medical on the 26th March, do I have to collect P4 from the Embassy or will it be sent to me ? If it needs collecting I may as well try while Im down there .... Heres hoping.

Adrian & Shannon

You can't collect it in person, unfortunately. You have to wait for it to arrive in the mail. If you're obsessive like I was, you can call repeatedly to check on the status of the paperwork, but be prepared to hear frustrating things like "they haven't received it yet" (which actually means they have it and it's in "to do" pile on someone's desk).

packet 4 is just a confirmation of your appointment date and a map showing the location of the embassy.. you can call and find out the interview date from the state dept a few weeks after sending in your packet 3.. ( i waited a week then OCD took over )

Thanks everyone - if waiting was an Olympic sport Id be a gold medalist ...

Must...not...call...State...Department.
Must...wait...two...more...days.
Must...not...obsess...about...interview...date.

Oh, who am I kidding? Now, where did I put that number for the State Department...

(rings SD, waits for a bit, talks to nice woman)

Right, now I know at least that they received packet 3 and put Gary's paperwork into the system as of March 12th.

I hope we all get our Packet 4s soon. Having other people waiting helps me be a little less crazy. Looking at recent history for London they usually send Packet 4 within 3 weeks of receipt of Packet 3 ... unless they lose the forms ... which seems to happen too frequently (sorry for Catica & Hawk&UK). It has been 2 weeks for us and don't think I can stand another week. Last phoned the State Dept. on Tues. so will probably phone again on Thurs. Also waiting to see if Embassy responds to a 2nd email ... inquiry about changing address is stated reason for email but maybe we will get additional information.

Yeah!!!!!!
Email to London Embassy worked ... got email this morning with interview date of April 18!!! Who knows how long it will take for actual Packet 4 to get to my husband.

Our Packet 3 was received by the Embassy on Feb. 28 but was not recorded as received until Friday, March 9. Sent an email concerning how to change my husband's address on Monday, March 12 and received a reply with appointment date on Thursday, March 15.

I used a lot VJ timeline data for the London Embassy to estimate when our interview date and it estimated April 16 or 17. VJ data is so much better than what the Embassy will tell you! Thank you all so much for keeping your timelines updated!

Hope everyone gets their appointment date soon ... many of you are right behind us so it looks good.

Congrats on the interview date. I was worried that we might not get an interview until early or mid May, but your news gives me hope that it'll be in late April. I know it's only a few weeks difference, but it means we might be reunited that much sooner.

I'll be sure to make Gary use the "change of address" excuse if he decides to email about his interview date. Oh, I almost forgot. The Embassy finally responded to an email he'd sent them nearly two months ago. He'd had the correct code in the subject line, but they didn't bother getting back to him with an answer until yesterday. The best part is they ignored one of the two questions he asked, and for the other question, they gave a form answer that wasn't actually applicable. How very helpful.

I need some advice.

My husband received packet four on 28th Feb. I filled out the forms online and then scanned everything back to him with explicit instructions as to what to sign, how to put it together, etc. It seems I wasn't as through as I thought and I forgot to send him an additional sheet for the countries he has visited. He is a courier, so he gathered everything together (besides that one sheet) and traveled down to the embassy and hand delivered the packet (with checklist and everything). Well, he rung me and told me that he put all the countries on a piece of paper and added it to the packet, but didn't put the dates he visited them! I made a covering letter with the sheet I forgot to send by email and asked him to deliver it as before. They wouldn't accept delivery. They told him he had to go to the post office and have it sent by royal mail special delivery.

The brunt of the documents were delivered by had, and the additional sheet was delivered two days later by special delivery. the state dept is sitting at the "packet three sent" info, so no info has been put in. I am just concerned that the papers were not accepted the first time (even though they were) because the second envelope was rejected and he was told to send it by royal mail.

What should I do? Should we just wait (it has been 9 days since he delivered most of the papers) or should we send everything again by special delivery? I know he was just trying to be helpful (he is a courier by trade and goes to the embassy all the time) but I think he might have accidentally f*?~ed us!

Advice please!

Just wanted to pass on a bit of info to those waiting for Packet 4 & Interview Date from London Embassy. I looked at the timelines of 43 couples who have had (or have scheduled) London Embassy interviews from Jan. 2007 through now (I am a bit of a geek). The average number of days from sending in Packet 3 to Interview Day is 49 days. So take your Packet 3 send date and add 49 days and you may have a fairly good estimate (e.g. March 1 Packet 3 sent results in estimating an April 19 interview date). (This assumes that the Embassy is actually able to find your forms after you mail the forms to them ... they seem to misplace quite a few.)

For my husband & me, this formula was 1 day off from our actual scheduled date.

I would be interested to see what the Min/max days were for the 43 couples.

Me too, Ive just sent in Packet 3, whats the procedure, numbers, email addresses for chasing the Embassy about a date ?

I would be grateful for this information also......the phone number for the State Department in particular.....

My fiance, Phill and I have been waiting on Packet 4, with much of the same problems as the rest of you. He first sent in his Packet 3 documents in mid January and got confirmation that they were received the next day. He was only waiting on his police check to send in his Packet 3 checklist. The medical exam was done on Feb. 8th and he got his police check a few days later and sent it in on the 15th of Feb. A week or so later he got a letter from the Embassy stating that they could not proceed until they had his Packet 3 documents!!!!!! Seems they were "lost" on someone's desk!! That's the only explanation.....We were so distraught!!!

I tried to email the Embassy and kept getting back responses saying that our email was deleted without being read. So Phill just resent the documents on Feb. 28th. And now its the waiting game again.....We had a flight booked and everything.....he should have been here by now.

Everything has went sooooo smoothly up until now. Ive been a member of this site for a while and only just lurked a bit. There is so much information here and reading about other's experiences has helped Phill and I keep the faith!!! We went thru a lawyer and its something I'll never regret. But getting to this place with Packet 4 is out of everyone's hands now.....

I wish you all the best and God's speed till you are together!!! I miss my Honey!!!!

Hi Guys,

Good luck to all in waiting for packet 4 (well knowing the interview date at least).. This was the most frustrating time for me throughout the whole process..


If you want to call the state department to find out if you have been issued a date for interview here is the number:

Call (202) 663-1225, then hit 1, 0, 0. That will put you in the operator queue to talk to someone.

They will give you the same information at Washington State Dept as the operators on the London $$ telephone number..

FeatherB - i see you got your Visa from your embassy feedback. CONGRATS!!

The longest time I found for sending Packet 3 to Interview date is 95 days and the two longest after that are 84 and 86 days.
(There may be reasons for these long waits but if couples don't disclose than we don't know ... already adjusted one that was 120+ days since it turned out the couple rescheduled the interview because she was giving birth around the time of the 1st interview)

Four couples were scheduled in 24 to 28 days after sending Packet 3.
(Either very lucky or special circumstances)

Most of the interviews are scheduled from 31 to 60 days. A little over 80% of the couples had interviews by 60 days. Almost 89% had interviews by 70 days (only 5 couples went past 70 days)

I was going to upload my Excel spreadsheet but it does not seem to allow Excel to be loaded. Then I thought I would upload it as a pdf but that file was too large. If you want the actual file, you can email me.

Thank you for that number!! I just called and they told me that the Packet 3 documents were uploaded today and that Phill's status for interview is eligible, but no interview date was assigned yet! This is still good news!!! At least they didn't "lose" the documents again!! And Packet 4 should be on its way!!

Its such a relief to get to talk to someone who is willing to help and not push you off to some dead end!!!

Thanks again!

Hugs!!!
Lisa

Hey Hawk - thats great news - any day now !!!

Glad to be of assistance ! Hang in there

Man, thank you Jlivings and GaryandKris! Your combined statistics and info have been so helpful on these forums, your time and effort is so kind. Much appreciated

Called the State Department and their feedback pretty much just consisted of "It's being processed". So we still have no idea how close or how far we are away from interview. I've examined loads of timelines too, but I have a sneaking suspiscion that we're all caught up in another backlog wave or something. My fiance' sent his forms as he went along as well, starting back in January. He was instructed to do so, but now I'm feeling nervous that he should have sent it all at once. Didn't realize what a rep the Embassy has for losing things, though I shouldn't be surprised really. My contention is that you shouldn't be able to work at the embassy unless you've personally gone through this experience. Man, imagine how efficient they'd be then???

Want to thank GaryandKris again for pointing us in the direction of calling the State Dept. Many, many thanks for your help. Good luck to everyone enduring this wait as well, here's hoping for good news for all of us soon!

Congrats

See, sometimes our OCD pays off.




And mucho congrats to you too!

I sent mine to the address that was listed on the package 3 they sent to me

VISA BRANCH
5 Upper Grosvenor Street

Is that correct? I should have read this thread before venting but I would assume they would check their mail, sign for it then throw it into their "Crystal Maze" esque machine and start plucking letters at random after they've been in the machine for a month or so!

Just rung the state department and was told that my husband's interview is scheduled for 2nd May!! I did ask my husband to ring the £1.20 a minute number yesterday as when I called the state department, they had no record of receiving packet three. I just rung him to tell him the interview date and he told me he rung last night and gave them hell, so I think whatever he did helped! Packet 4 was sent yesterday!



Good luck to all of those still waiting...

That is awesome news I just phoned up the state dept and they are still waiting to issue me with an interview date. Have been in that state for over a week now and it is getting very frustrating

Called the £1.20/min line and they said that I should call back in a couple of weeks to see if there is an update. Heh, they even asked if I had sent back the checklist (that is my packet III date - sent the original forms in the middle of Feb).

2nd of May? The date is slipping further and further away, lol ANd here was me hoping to be out of here and in her arms at the end of May

I also just rang the State Department, and we're also still waiting for an interview date. Ages ago, Gary had bought plane tickets and later changed the departure date to 20th March. He called yesterday and changed the departure date to 1st May based on the interview dates people were getting. Looks like he'll have to change it again. BA is going to be very, very sick of us. Tigersden, we still might get something in April, as we've no idea how they allocate interview dates.

Congrats, helzie! Wonderful news!

Congratulations, and Thank You for the good luck thoughts!

I sent my packet 3 (forms, but no request for interview) the day before you, when I called up the State Department last night, They said "We havent received ANYTHING from you yet, please re send!",

I sent my request for an interview on Thursday last week so I'm kind of hoping when they have both they will then change the status to "all things received, go go go!"

Teddy.

I just checked with Royal Mail on the online track and trace...my request for an interview sent on the 15th is acknowledged as "delivered". The DS-230, 156, 156k and 157 I sent on the 4th of March #has a problem with the reference# .

What should I do? Anyone else have to crack some skulls? Would it be possible for me to be given an interview date without having sent the forms to them? (which i did, i just presume my first letter is lying around somewhere) Or should I send in a second copy of my DS-230, 156, 156k and 157 ASAP?

I feel even MORE stuck in PO BOX PURGATORY now...anyone actually have any luck with asking "what the funk is going on?" with any channels?

Thanks

Teddy

I would just send the forms in. They'll probably be received before those stupid people at the Embassy find them!

Alright, I know they aren't stupid, just probably extremely busy, but I feel they don't know how important this stuff is to us! Actually when I first sent in our I-129F, I was seriously thinking about how in the world you become one of the workers who do our petitions and such. I think that would be a interesting job and I would try to rush thru it as soon as possible, knowing that most of the couples are legit and just are eager to be with each other.

Hello again this update finallly brings a little good news just a little late posting it. We finally got packet 4 Monday, our Interview Date is April 20th at 9am. Thanks Everyone for the support no way could I or we get through this without VJ and VJ'ers. We were also looking at buying our plane tickets for him to come to the USA for April 27th(assuming we make it through the interview the way our lick is going who knows lol) anyone think this is a little soon? Dont really no how fast the courier service is after the interview date.

Thanks Again
Cat

Awwww, Catica, that's terrific news! You must feel so relieved to be at the final "leg"? You had a longer wait than most! I hope you get the nicest CO, in the best mood!!!

Congrats, Catica - so glad to see your fiance has his interview date at last! That's excellent news... one thing though, I think April 27th might just be pushing it. I mean, if all goes well at the interview, he more than likely will have the visa in hand by then... but if it gets to the 25th and he still hasn't got it, you'll both be in a blind panic - thinking, 'it needs to arrive tomorrow'.... if he's booked onto a morning flight on the 27th, having the courier show up sometime that day with the visa will be a bit late! My interview was on the 15th, and the couriers texted me on the 19th to say they were going to deliver on the 20th (I called and asked them to make it today instead)... but I wouldn't have banked on definitely having it this soon, and would have spent the whole time having a panic attack if I knew I was booked on a flight a couple of days later!

So... even if you are going to hedge your bets and book a flight before having the visa in hand, you might want to give a bit more time than that, just to be on the safe side... unless you book a ticket that can be easily changed without having to shell out a fortune, that is! Then again, maybe the two of you enjoy a bit of nail-biting suspense!

Congrats, Catica!

I just received word from the State Department that Gary's interview is the 30th April at 8:30 am. So we're going through the flight booking dilemma as well. We're hoping BA lets Gary change his previously-booked flight for the umpteenth time, but we can't decide which date to pick, either. I'm leaning towards being on the safe side and saying ten days after the interview, but Gary's leaning towards six or seven days after it. Of course, he's the one who'll be making the reservation, so I won't be able to have the final word on this one. I will, however, be able to say "I told you so" if his departure dates comes and goes with no visa in sight.

Congrats CATICA, Garyandkris, Its a nice feeling, isnt it?

Congratulations on the many scheduled interviews ... Buxton Babe, Gary&Kris and Catica ... also ChelseaFan, Helzie and TheZilla a few days ago ... what a difference a week makes ... hope everyone else hears soon

Buxton Babe ... I am curious ... did you give them your planned wedding date? ... is this why you got March 26? ... they said my husband having to live with relatives after March 31 (lease ends) was not sufficient reason to have a March interview

Buxton Babe ... I am curious ... did you give them your planned wedding date? ... is this why you got March 26? ... they said my husband having to live with relatives after March 31 (lease ends) was not sufficient reason to have a March interview
[/quote]

(In answer; cut and pasted)
YES, The first two weeks of April was the only time my fiancee could have all her children fly to the Usa for the wedding. So we booked everything, some with refundable deposits. We then included a letter with Pkt 3, including confirmatory reservation letters attached. All very risky, but they must have took pity on us. And yes as you can see by our timeline we showed the Embassy we were doing our part by getting everything in our power ready.

Who can know the mind of a consular officer? expedite a married or unmarried applicant?

I do feel that with the help of you all, I did my my homework, planned my date with conviction and provided copies of four letters to prove our story. The only reason I have put the wedding a week back is because I had boooked a trip to the uk, just in case I was turned down. That trip will now be used to bring my Fiancee to the USA.

Sent Packet 3 of today so I guess I'm now in the 'waiting for packet 4' club!

Welcome It seems like you wait forever, but when you get it... wow

We sent 3 off 2007-03-20 and got 4 today - Now just to pray lots that the interview goes ok (4 may)

London received our checklist and packet 3 on March 21st. Still no news on the interview (I called the State Dept. today)....but maybe ours will be on it's way in the next few days.

Fingers crossed......

We sent off our Packet 3 today! Hopefully ours will be here soon!

Good luck for your interview. That are quite a few of us with interview dates around the same time. I hope we see an epidemic of approvals.

Welcome to the waiting for packet 4 thread, everyone who is, well, waiting for packet 4. If you start to get paranoid about your interview dates before packet 4 arrives, like a number of us did a couple weeks ago , we found that you can often get better info calling the State Department in the US than trying to deal with the London embassy's insane email system and not-really-all-that-much-helpline.

For anyone keeping score, we've now had two emails with the correct subject code that haven't received a response beyond the initial "we've received your email" message three weeks ago, and one that received a response nearly two months after we'd sent an email. From now on we with only attempt to communicate with the London embassy via semaphore.