Quick question.... as I am noticing - I think we are behind on getting back packet 4. We sent packet 3 back like March 19th. Could someone please explain to me how to go about calling the state department? Or what should I do. We were kind of hoping for an interview around May 10th, which is looking like it won't happen!!

State Department Visa line: (001 if calling from the UK) 202-663-1225 Press 1, 0, then 0 again to avoid the long, boring recorded messages. Explain why your calling, they'll ask for your case number, and then they'll tell you your status. They're open during normal business hours, East Coast time, I think, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to ring them.

Each time I've called, they've been nothing but pleasant, and I haven't had to wait more than five minutes to talk to an actual person. Hope they give you some good news.

I sent my stuff in the first week of March and they havent even checked it yet. 2 months next week. It's only annoying when you see people here get a packed 4 and interview date granted within two to three weeks of submission yet the embassy hadnt "officially" receieved our package after 3 weeks. Did you send your request for interview and forms seperately? When did you say your wedding was on the intervew request form?

I found the state department is hit and miss, but better than the Scotland rip off line. One person told my fiancée last week it was all checked and waiting for an interview date, she rang up yesterday and they said they had only just got the docs!

I think the DOS is generally a better line and has better "reviews" than the Rip-Off Line; normally they're really helpful and informative. It was them that told me my visa had been issued a couple of weeks before and that the stupid couriers had fcuked it up.

I hate SMS couriers.