Waiting for an interview...

[cmoore25 4]

So, we have officially been marked "interview ready" since Sept 15th, 3 weeks ago today...and waiting is not my strong suit! I was just wondering if there was an average time to wait for an interview after the embassy marks you as ready?

I've looked at a few timelines, but everything seems to be so sporadic - is there any actual rhyme or reason to this process?

Lol I know you're all in the same boat (or have been) and I'm not trying to complain (much!), it's just after almost 9 months of this process I think it's safe to say, I'm nearly out of patience! Lol

**ooops - typo - after almost 8 months!!

[Chris921 13]

i wasn't even interview ready when they planned my interview, i had to send in some more forms, they sent me a letter asking for more forms, and the next day i got my interview date for a month down the line, so i don't think there is any pattern to it just when available

[cmoore25 4]

Hmm - well, they got our packet three August 23rd...so in that case we've really, really waited! Lol

[RachC 0]

It took me six weeks from posting my forms to getting my interview date which was three weeks later. Can be hit and miss.

[cmoore25 4]

RachC - thanks It'd be nice if the process was set in stone - and not so hit or miss!!

Still waiting - and monday is a holiday! But, trying to have some patience!

[N&S 32]

Could be a number of factors - they could have put fiance visas on a back burner to get all the student visas out in time for term to start for example and are working on the back-log now, but that's just a very wild guess.

A factor that comes popping up regularly is wedding date - if you've given them a wedding date that is further in the future they will probably give you less priority than someone who has said their wedding date is just around the corner.

Also - as you know you're interview ready I take it you're regularly talking to the friendly people on the US number to check on your status? There have been instances where the interview letter was never received.

Good luck!

[cmoore25 4]

N&S - yes, I am making daily (I shouldn't admit that!!) calls to DOS. They are very nice and just keep saying, "He's interview ready, but sorry, no date. Good luck!" Ugh. When we submitted our paperwork in August we put the wedding date of Nov 5th, which, I know we will have to move - thank goodness everything was SUPER flexible. But we figured 2.5 months was plenty to get the last leg done. Guess not! Getting excited for tomorrow as the embassy opens again!

Honestly, at this point, I would just be happy to get an interview date that allowed him to be here by Thanksgiving (as that is when we met face to face last year)...but I think in order for that to happen, we'd need a date assigned by the end of this week...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

N&S - yes, I am making daily (I shouldn't admit that!!) calls to DOS. They are very nice and just keep saying, "He's interview ready, but sorry, no date. Good luck!" Ugh.

I think it's appropriate to call every day now (or every other). Calling every day in August was too early, but now that all your documents/medical have been in for several weeks it's reasonable because they actually may have something to tell you any day now.

[wee carrington 33]

How long would be considered "normal" to wait for an interview date? I'm just curious myself, since I am sending out my packet 3 tomorrow and my husband is heading down south next week Wednesday for his medical appointment.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

How long would be considered "normal" to wait for an interview date? I'm just curious myself, since I am sending out my packet 3 tomorrow and my husband is heading down south next week Wednesday for his medical appointment.

It doesn't matter when you send P3 in if you haven't done the medical. So I'd say if the medical is done last, add 4 days to estimate arrival of the medical at the embassy. Then give it 3 weeks after that date before getting too panicky. I've been mulling ideas over in my head and want to create a spreadsheet to see what kind of pattern comes up. People keep pinning there hopes on when they sent in P3 and I have a couple of other theories to try out. Don't have time to get into it now because a pack of British in-laws land in about 3 hours. We're exhausted from fixing up 3 guest bedrooms and cleaning like crazy, but looking forward to their first visit to our house. Nick even put out a Union Jack flag in our flag holder. Going to tell his Mum, it's like when the Queen is in residence.

Oh wait...that's K1 answer and I see you're CR1. Doesn't NVC do the scheduling for you? Have you joined the UK thread in the spouse visa forum? They seem to talk about that alot, but I don't really follow it or CR1 details.

[wee carrington 33]

It doesn't matter when you send P3 in if you haven't done the medical. So I'd say if the medical is done last, add 4 days to estimate arrival of the medical at the embassy. Then give it 3 weeks after that date before getting too panicky. I've been mulling ideas over in my head and want to create a spreadsheet to see what kind of pattern comes up. People keep pinning there hopes on when they sent in P3 and I have a couple of other theories to try out. Don't have time to get into it now because a pack of British in-laws land in about 3 hours. We're exhausted from fixing up 3 guest bedrooms and cleaning like crazy, but looking forward to their first visit to our house. Nick even put out a Union Jack flag in our flag holder. Going to tell his Mum, it's like when the Queen is in residence.

Oh wait...that's K1 answer and I see you're CR1. Doesn't NVC do the scheduling for you? Have you joined the UK thread in the spouse visa forum? They seem to talk about that alot, but I don't really follow it or CR1 details.

Thanks!! I'll try the UK thread. Good luck with your in-laws!! Have the complaints about not being able to find a decent cuppa started yet??

[cmoore25 4]

I'd love to see the spreadsheet if/when you do it! Sounds like a great idea. I wonder if the wait time has more to do with when the packet is logged - or when you are marked interview ready (both packet & medical)...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks!! I'll try the UK thread. Good luck with your in-laws!! Have the complaints about not being able to find a decent cuppa started yet??

We told them each person has to bring the 480 count bag of Sainsbury's red lable tea bags (hubby's favorite)in their luggage to be admitted to our house. We've run out of last years stash, so have PG Tips from the British section of our grocery store. He's okay with Starbuck's Awake tea when we go there, which is about every day.