Phone Number: |
Switchboard: [44] (0)20 7499-9000
Operator Assisted Visa Information Call 09042-450-100 (120p/min)
Monday through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8:00 pm, and Saturday, between 09.00 am and 4.00 pm
Visa Information Line: 09068-200-290 (24 hour) * 60p/min;
only available in the U.K., within U.K. may be unavailable from some business telephones and mobile networks. |
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E-Mail: |
LondonConsular@state.gov
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Address: |
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom |
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Working Hours: |
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m |
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Best Contact Method: |
Best way to contact is through e-mail.
LondonConsular@state.gov |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
As of October 2006, waiting time is still varying between 4 and 12 weeks, but processing seems to be speeding up again after a dramatic slowdown in the fall of 2005. 8 weeks is now about standard, but as always, your mileage may vary.
From the UK embassy site (10/06):
There is currently a back-log in the Immigrant Visa Unit of forms and applications waiting to be processed. If you have submitted the completed forms in connection with the administrative processing of your application, you should allow approximately 3 months for your case to be processed. During this period, we regret we cannot provide information on the status of the application or confirm if the forms have been received. On completion of the administrative processing of the application, you will receive notification of the scheduled visa interview.
An interview date is *sometimes* issued more quickly if applicants can show that they have concrete wedding/travel plans, but not always. If applying through London, plan for a 10-12 week wait in between the Consulate's receipt of packet 3 and the actual interview.
E-mail is definitely the best way to contact London if necessary. |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
IV-15 Checklist
Information on how to book your medical
Medical Questionnaire
Request download and filling in of:
DS-230-I Part I
DS-156 x2 (Fill out online to generate barcode http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/electronic.html - Do not sign)
DS-156K (Do not sign) (K1/2 Only)
DS-157 (Male only)
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
Appointment Letter
Instructions for interview
Payment slip for £65 for visa processing |
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Forms to Consulate? |
IV-15 and all forms in packet 3. |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
Police Certificate.
To obtain a Police Certificate in the UK, go to your local police station and request a form called "Subject Access". Send send this with the £10 fee to the Data Protection Officer of the police force for the area you are resident in. This form is then sent by the police to Scotland Yard and the results are supplied to the individual requesting them within a statutory 40 day time limit. If you're waiting for your certificate try 0207-230-3751 to see where it is.
U.K. police certificates are considered valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. |
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents_Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Advance |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
The passport with visa is delivered back to the applicant via SMS courier. This takes anywhere from 24 hours to a week. |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
Prior to Interview |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
£160 |
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List of doctors? |
Knightsbridge Doctors in London is the sole contractor for Embassy medicals for 2006. Instructions on how to schedule an appointment there are included with packet 3.
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
1 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
Varies wildly. Do not show up more than an hour before your scheduled interview time, as you will not be let in more than an hour before that time.
You just take a ticket and end up waiting. As of October 2006, it was averaging 2 hours for an immigrant visa. |
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Vaccination requirements? |
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/vaccinechart.html |
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
BRYANSTON COURT HOTEL-http://www.bryanstonhotel.com/
MARBLE ARCH INN-http://www.marblearch-inn.co.uk/ |
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Additional Info? |
If you are interested in DCF in London, be aware that in VJers' experience, London only allows DCF for U.S. citizens with ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) status in the UK, rather than LLR (Limited Leave to Remain) status. This means that, generally, unless you've been resident in the UK for at least two years, you may not be eligible to file DCF.
Fiance(e) visa processing: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/fprocessing.html
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6529 - London Interviews! |
