HighlandScott

A friend is getting a B2 visa. He needs to send his passport to the embassy. 

Sounds like they want him to physically go to a DX courier location to send the passport. Nearest one is 4hrs drive. Can he just send via Royal Mail? It is not clear if it's MANDATORY to use the free service or if it's optional 

Comms are below:

If its relevant, he has it set up for the passport to be returned to his home address

I was approved 11/27/2013 if someone can please update me on the list

I can't update the list as I'm on my phone, but if someone else is able to please:

Baltimore, Maryland

Aug 2013

My appointment was for 12:30 on a Friday. I turned up 2 hours early and was let in without question. It was quite a busy place and at least 20 people were ahead of me. They operate a number system. Took me about 1.5 hours in total.

If anyone can please update me oh the list:

My case has transferred from VSC to CSC

Thanks

Thanks. That thread is useful.

I had my Biometrics appointed set for 30 Aug in Baltimore.

The time on the letter states 12:00pm.

My question is: how important is it I go at that time? I can make that time, in fact I want to go earlier so long as ill be allowed in the building and there is a chance they'll see me sooner. I wondered if there is maybe a "take a number and wait" system, and the appointment time is just generic?

Vamoai,

Only the person getting the biometrics can go. My letter actually states that nobody else is allowed to go with me (unless required for medical/mobility reasons).

My wife will be with me on the day anyway, but she'll have to wait in the car.

So, no you shouldn't plan to go even if you wanted to.

Please update me. Biometrics date 8/30/13

Thanks

Can anyone tell me how much notice you get for your biometrics appointment? I can't work it out from the dates maintained in this thread (unless I'm being dumb).

The pattern seems to be that your biometrics is around 4 weeks from the date of your NOA1. But when do you receive notification of your biometrics appointment date?

I'm mailing mine tomorrow.

Does anyone know how you get notified of NOA1, and more importantly the biometrics appointment? I will be out of the country for 3 weeks and suspect I may miss some mail and/or not respond in time to change it. If I get an email then great. If it's normal mail I may miss it

For those of you who have finished your interviews, could you please let me know how long it took for you to get your visa and passport back? My wife has her interview on the 31st of october, hoping to travel to US by the 10-11th of november. Gives us about 8 working days for them to process and ship, can it be done ?

Had my interview Tue 27 Sep. Visa/passport was delivered Sat 1 Oct (4 days later).

I just had John take a copy of the i-864 paperwork and the DS-230 paperwork. Luckly he had it because they said something was missing (although we sent it) and he just gave them a copy of it. Asked how long we had been together, why he left after he got here on the k1, how we keep in touch...that was it then said congratulations.

Pretty much the same as me. I took copies of everything but needed none of it (not the case for many- so go prepared). Then a few simple questions and was approved. Easy

Got my interview date today! 27 Sep. VERY soon (but my case was expedited due to a family medical issue in the US).

It turns out the Embassy just went right ahead and booked us an interview date without waiting for any medical results (we thought they were waiting). I brought forward my medical to 14 Sep (wednesday just passed - all went well), it was originally set for 28 Sep. Well the Embassy sent me a letter, on the same day as the medical, that I received today (no link between that happening and the medical) with an interview date of 27 Sep - so the expedite really did work and saved us somewhere between 3-6 weeks going by the dates other (non-expedited) people are getting.

Kinda talkin' to myself here lol...but maybe it'll help someone in the future.

It turns out the Embassy just went right ahead and booked us an interview date without waiting for any medical results. As I mentioned above, I brought forward my medical to 14 Sep (wednesday just passed - all went well). Well the Embassy sent me a letter on the same day that I received today (no link between that happening and the medical) with an interview date of 27 Sep - so the expedite really did work and saved us somewhere between 3-6 weeks going by the dates other (non-expedited) people are getting.

I've booked Lincoln House £39 plus free evening meal.

I'm stopping over for the medical as well as the interview. I'm not paying a ridiculous train fare in rush hour and praying my train is on time to get there.

How was your stay at Lincoln House?

Looking to book somewhere for 26 Sep and might give them a go

You had your case expedited at USCIS... have you requested an expedite at the embassy level as well?

That's what we did- as soon as we got our case closed at NVC, we emailed the NVC inquiry email address with our request to expedite the interview date, along with supporting documents (doctor's letters, in our case). NVC then forwarded our request to the London embassy, and we heard back the next day that the request had been approved. Instead of waiting at NVC for an interview date, our case was forwarded directly to the Embassy, and was received at London last week.

Just today, two weeks after our case left NVC, we got our interview letter with a date of September 27th- 11 days from now. So if you are able to do an expedite again, it can move quite quickly.

Good luck!

I'm a March filer too, and well on my way.

I'm not qualified to answer your question- I'm only making my big move to the US in the next month or two. I've visited the US several times though and generally agree with all the usual comparisons from what I've seen so far.

I am seriously giving up and heading back home to the Highlands of Scotland.

That is our long term plan. I met my wife in Scotland. She has visited many many times (of her own accord...long before meetig me) and loves it there. Other circumstances mean it's best if I move to the US to begin with.....maybe for 10 years....maybe less, maybe more, but one day we'll be back in the Scottish Highlands for sure, their call is too strong.....when I'm in the US, I'm quite sure I'll be wishing I was back in Scotland sometimes....

Now, next we need to get shops to start stocking Wispas and Jaffa Cakes...

Agreed!

Glad you're getting it sorted

I wonder why he has to actually visit the Embassy again? If that sort of thing happened to me, it might mean another huge journey from North Scotland which is not cheap.

Had my medical this week. Took about 90 mins. Seen the vacination nurse and xray man quite quickly then about 30-40 min wait for the doctor. There was about 5 other people in at the same time and we all seemed to be taking turns getting things done. A very easy process though, everyone at the practice really friendly and explain things well.

Oh, and they asked for a UK photo. (plus police certificate, passport and vaccination records).

i believe the medical can be arranged to suit you... when you get your case number you can just call them and arrange a time and date that works for you

That's right

Yep, I'm prepared for the gender check! lol. I've heard varying stories about that....anything from a quick peek to a full inspection!

How long did your medical take?

Just had my medical, and the woman confirmed that it will "help your visa paperwork along faster if the consulate has recieved your medical papers".

I agree- I've heard that too, however, the poster above you had a medical 2 months ago and it doesn't seem to have given them a date any earlier than others who have also got similar dates, but still not had a medical. Definitely best to get a medical ASAP though- it could make things a bit quicker if you're lucky.

Got an Interview date of October 31, however, trying to call in and see if I can get an earlier date. Embassy won't say anything until they receive file from NVC. Does anyone else know if their file has been sent from NVC to the embassy ?

My impression of the process is that you'll have no chance of getting an earlier interview date without very (medical/family emergency) good reason.

Has anyone ever just called and asked for an earlier date than scheduled, and actually got one?

Without google talk and skype, this process would have been a million times harder and alot more expensive. Plus weve been busy preparing for the wedding. I was fitted for my kilt two weeks ago and have been making alterations etc.

I'd love to marry in a kilt and her in a kilted skirt, but she insisted I wear my Army uniform. We will marry on the anniversary of my 31st year in the Army!

Another kilt fan here

<----- see profile pic

Thanks Nich-Nick. I do already have a few of each size, so I'll take both, but give them a UK one.

Not sure why it say's on the document I quoted above to take US size. They also don't mention anywhere (someone correct me if I'm wrong) to take a police certificate but we all know they want one. How hard can it be to provide a simple list of exactly what they need..........