Waiting for an Interview Date

[ukcharlotte 4]

It's been just over two weeks since I sent off the 'Application of Readiness for Interview' form, and around 3 weeks since I sent back the other forms for packet 3. I phoned the embassy yesterday and asked if they had received them and the guy said that they weren't showing on his system as received. I know that they got there as I had them signed for (both were received the day after they were sent) but it just seems that this is taking longer than it should do. He said not to panic because they have my medical results and they will imput the info from packet 3 right before they send out the interview date, but I was wondering if it should really take this long? I'm hoping to leave for the US on the 6th of October and I am concerned that 7 weeks isn't enough to get this last bit sorted.

Can someone who has recently been through the interview shed some light on why it might be taking so long?

Thanks!

[photomile 101]

First off, did you call the Embassy or the Department of State?

The Embassy itself doesn't usually handle calls, so if you called something like the operator assisted visa information line, then they don't have full access to your notes.

Processing of files sent can take 7-10 days however this can vary. Just be prepared for a short notice interview.

I would call the DOS and ask directly if they have received the DS2001 ad if an interview date has been assigned if you haven't already.

Other things that could be holding it up are things like your medical results.

Did you have any missing shots? If you did and you haven't gotten them and updated the doctors they can delay sending your medical results off. So if you call the DOS, ask if the medical results have been received.

Otherwise I wouldn't sweat it. Yes it's taking longer than usual but it's not completely outside the norm. This is the busiest period for that office

[Elora & Rob 15]

it took me 21 days to receive packet 4.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Elora & Rob

[ukcharlotte 4]

Okay doke. Thanks! I'll hopefully receive mine at some point next week.

Edited August 21, 2012 by ukcharlotte

[TogetherSoon 0]

We're in the same boat too... What number should we call for DOS?

We're in the same boat too... What number should we call for DOS?

[LeedsUK 4]

Thanks for starting this thread, I am also anxious & hoping I get an interview sometime next month. Charlotte I also want to leave on 6th October but I think you have more chance than me of leaving on time. I have sent off my DS 2001 but technically the embassy won't get my medical results or my form until Tuesday as it's bank holiday. Photo - I did have tetanus missing but I will be having it shortly & at the medical they said to make sure I have proof of having had it from my GP before AOS to submit with the forms & I should be fine. As I understand correctly we don't need to have had all the shots now, but we need to have had them by the time we file for AOS?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Photo - I did have tetanus missing but I will be having it shortly & at the medical they said to make sure I have proof of having had it from my GP before AOS to submit with the forms & I should be fine. As I understand correctly we don't need to have had all the shots now, but we need to have had them by the time we file for AOS?

You don't have to get the shots to get a K1....BUT....because you didn't get them completed and fully recorded on your DS-3025 immunization record by Knightsbridge, now you will have to find and pay a civil surgeon in the US to copy all shots on a form I-693 and sign off. Some are lucky and find one that doesn't charge much ($30-$50) but many, many, many more have huge hassles. Here's one of the more typical stories in this story/reply http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/366093-tb-skin-test-positive-please-help/page__view__findpost__p__5351965 there's a few posts after that one saying USCIS rejected thee same thing Knightsbridge told you to do.

[ukcharlotte 4]

First off, did you call the Embassy or the Department of State?

The Embassy itself doesn't usually handle calls, so if you called something like the operator assisted visa information line, then they don't have full access to your notes.

Processing of files sent can take 7-10 days however this can vary. Just be prepared for a short notice interview.

I would call the DOS and ask directly if they have received the DS2001 ad if an interview date has been assigned if you haven't already.

Other things that could be holding it up are things like your medical results.

Did you have any missing shots? If you did and you haven't gotten them and updated the doctors they can delay sending your medical results off. So if you call the DOS, ask if the medical results have been received.

Otherwise I wouldn't sweat it. Yes it's taking longer than usual but it's not completely outside the norm. This is the busiest period for that office

Hi Photomile. Is the number to phone from the UK: 001 202 663 1225? I just wanted to check before making a potentially expensive call. Forgive me, but it seems odd to be phoning the US to see if they have received my forms when they were sent to the Embassy in London. But is that what I need to do? It's been just over three weeks since I submitted the forms, and over a month since my medical. Time is ticking away and I'm desperate for a date.

Charlotte

[ukcharlotte 4]

So I phoned the number and spoke to a a lady who informed me that they haven't received my forms... or, at least, they don't think that they have. I sent the first batch (everything but the DS-2001) in on the 27th of July and I know they got there because I had them signed for. The DS-2001 was sent in on the 6th of July but wasn't tracked.

I feel gutted about this response and wonder what I can do next? Wait and hope that it was in a backlog of paperwork or send the forms again?

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

[TogetherSoon 0]

Hi Charlotte, I sent our forms at around the same time and had it tracked and someone signed for it. I too have called the US number and the UK numbers wondering why its taking so long. I keep getting told the same thing. That it takes 2-4 weeks to process the forms to send out an interview. And that when an interview is scheduled then the system is updated. Did they advise you to resend the forms??

[ukcharlotte 4]

Thanks for your response. I resent the forms yesterday with a cover note explaining that they were duplicates of forms sent in previously. Hopefully they won't be required and they'll just use the old ones, but I didn't want to wait another week before discovering that they had been mislaid.

I hope that we both hear soon.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Thanks for your response. I resent the forms yesterday with a cover note explaining that they were duplicates of forms sent in previously. Hopefully they won't be required and they'll just use the old ones, but I didn't want to wait another week before discovering that they had been mislaid.

I hope that we both hear soon.

your on the right time frame Charlotte. It takes between 3-4 weeks for them to get back to you.

[LeedsUK 4]

You don't have to get the shots to get a K1....BUT....because you didn't get them completed and fully recorded on your DS-3025 immunization record by Knightsbridge, now you will have to find and pay a civil surgeon in the US to copy all shots on a form I-693 and sign off. Some are lucky and find one that doesn't charge much ($30-$50) but many, many, many more have huge hassles. Here's one of the more typical stories in this story/reply http://www.visajourn...ost__p__5351965 there's a few posts after that one saying USCIS rejected thee same thing Knightsbridge told you to do.

Thanks for posting that link Nick. I do remember you telling me it was ok to wait for the MMR booster & my form should still be ok for AOS. Until I'd got to the medical, I had no idea my tetanus was not up to date for US standards though, I just wish I had paid extra & gotten it done at Knightsbridge now as I trusted what the woman said about having no problem submitting my NHS records in the US! They will have sent my results to the embassy now. I guess I need to find & pay a civil surgeon

[ukcharlotte 4]

Update

After phoning the DOS number (202-663-1225) last week to be told that I was ineligible for an interview I re-submitted the whole of packet 3 and made sure that it was delivered and signed for. I phoned the DOS just minutes ago and was told that I am now elible although they could not tell me when an interview date would be arranged. So, for now it seems, I am playing the waiting game once more. An early October POE is looking less and less likely.

*sigh*

[LeedsUK 4]

Update

After phoning the DOS number (202-663-1225) last week to be told that I was ineligible for an interview I re-submitted the whole of packet 3 and made sure that it was delivered and signed for. I phoned the DOS just minutes ago and was told that I am now elible although they could not tell me when an interview date would be arranged. So, for now it seems, I am playing the waiting game once more. An early October POE is looking less and less likely.

*sigh*

You never know, you might get an interview next week! It's happened to others so stay positive. I also phoned DOS yesterday & a nice guy said they had indeed received all my packet 3 info & medical results on Wednesday & that I should expect an interview date any day. I know he cannot tell you anything else but he was very positive & friendly on the phone & it made me feel more optimistic. My fiance is also really positive so chin up Charlotte