How far ahead can you schedule your interview?

[Dave Moseley 0]

Hey everyone,

We're approaching the 5-month mark since filing our petition and haven't heard anything yet, which is fine as I understand this is the absolute minimum it'll take and could be closer to 9 months... I was planning to visit the US in September for a couple of months (for a 6-week long Halloween event in Orlando and, time permitting, staying for Thanksgiving) but was wondering what to do if we get approved for an interview between now and then. For anyone who's gone through this stage already, when you are notified that you can go to an interview, a) is that interview in the US or at an embassy in your own country (for me, the UK), and b) do you get given a specific time and date, or can you schedule it yourself? And if so, how far out?

I haven't booked my flights yet and will wait until a month before, most likely, but wanted to know what to do if I'm requested to attend an interview at a time when I'll already be over there.

Many thanks!

[Cathi 5,610]

interview is in your home country, always

[lost_at_sea 995]

If you're interviewing in London, then you don't get to schedule it. It's scheduled for you.

(If you are a beneficiary living in the UK, it will be in London)

This is a long and detailed thread about what happens from NOA2 (petition approval) through to interview, what the stages are and what you need to have ready: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

Edited June 19, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Enigma23 68]

Hi Dave,

Read these.. this should answer pretty much everything.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Rough Timeframe

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1tips

according to VJ member data it will be about 68 days after NVC has the file before you will be scheduled for an interview:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/stats.php?cfl=

United Kingdom K1 183 84 99 68

Edited June 19, 2013 by Enigma23

[lost_at_sea 995]

Also, if you complete your timeline, you'll get an estimate based on other VJ users' timelines as to when your petition may be approved: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=150652

More on timelines: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/102797-create-a-vj-timeline-to-track-your-case-and-get-estimated-approval-dates/

Edit Having re-read your post, it sounds like you're unclear what happens at NOA2 and just after. Once your petition is approved (NOA2), the pack goes to the NVC who do some administration on it and then it goes to the London Embassy. At that point, you'll be invited to submit paperwork for the visa application itself and only after then (and after attending a medical, also in London) will you get an interview date.

So, if you're away when NOA2 happens, it doesn't matter, there's at least 4-6 weeks between then and when you'll be invited to submit your paperwork.

Edited June 19, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I haven't booked my flights yet and will wait until a month before, most likely, but wanted to know what to do if I'm requested to attend an interview at a time when I'll already be over there.

Many thanks!

London will not schedule you for an interview until you notify them you are ready by submitting form DS2001 and having a medical exam. You can take your trip and control your interview by not getting the medical (also in London) or mailing DS-2001 until you return to the UK.

Before you ask, no you can't get the medical before your petition approval. But you can work on this list before your trip http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/