SLMcT

Yeah, it seems like everyone gets a different story when you call the DOS. I'm really still hoping Rob has an October interview too. Our original wedding date was October 20th, and I was kinda hoping he'd be here so we can still do something special that day.

Only positive we have been able to draw from things taking so long is Jason building up more leave!!! We're now hoping to be interviewed etc in time to run off for our 'weddingmoon' the second 2 weeks in November and take advantage of 2 federal holidays meaning only 8 days leave!!

I called the DOS today and the guy encouraged me to call again on Monday or Tuesday to see if they had set an interview yet which sounded to me like they are arranging interviews all the time...it's difficult to know what to believe!

YAY!!! I just called the embassy and was informed that our forms were processed on the 18th and that we should hear within 3 weeks when our interview will be!!

I'm so excited... Tom gets to Toronto tomorrow

He, along with his dad, and our friend/bridesmaid, are coming up for our Jack and Jill shower on Friday. So so so so so so so excited!!! They're only staying for 4 days, but it's been 3 months since I've seen him (and at least 2 of those months were spent with me being all depressed because of the no NOA2 thing LOL), and I am SO ready for a reunion

WOW how exciting!!! I hope you have a fantastic 4 days

Yay, awesome news. Glad to see your on to the next waiting period So what's the difference between the DOS and embassy?

Honestly...I have NO idea!!!!! It's the Department of State Visa Information line on 202-663-1225 and if you press 1 to get the options and then 0 to speak to an advisor they seem to be able to access your case. It was them who told me first about my medical being received...then the embassy confirmed that for me the next day! I have a MagicJack so I get free calls to US numbers so it works for me!

Thank you. Yes I was a bit perplexed with the 9 weeks, so really happy the paperwork is done. 3 weeks for an interview date? Does it take that long to check the diary? Again, I'm hoping that's just the maximum wait and I actually hear early next week or earlier I'll keep everyone posted though on here

I just called the DOS and was told our forms have all been received and we're now eligible for interview but that a date has not been set yet! She seemed a bit reluctant to give out information so I didn't press her with any questions on timing...i'll save them for the embassy!!! It's free for me to call the DOS so i'm calling them and when I get some positive news I follow it up with an expensive call to the embassy the next day for more info!!!

I called the US Embassy, they said that my paperwork had been processed and I should hear within 3 weeks for my interview date. Really hoping that they make that within a week

So it took them just over a week to process my paperwork(packet 3) for those of you going through the US Embassy here.

This makes me smile You are a few days ahead of me in terms of paperwork/medical so maybe mine will be processed by the end of the week

I teach English in high school, just hung my boots up as a head of year for the last 10 years too... it's something I could do in the States for sure but, you know? I'm kinda looking for a new challenge... I've been a middle leader for 12 years so I'm thinking I might look for a post in management but this is all wishful thinking. Whilst I would go crazy without work, I think at the end of the day I might take what I can get and be grateful

Teachers abroad huh? Still, the kids I teach think I'm going on a massive adventure and I just might be...

I think the kids would just laugh at my accent!!! Been trying to learn all the US spellings and pronunciations of words with Jason's help!!

Yay, now on the interview wait list

Oh the joys!!!

Massive congratulations!!! That has become the goal for me and just can't see my life beyond it!!

I was pretty good at running numbers on a daily basis but, with a return to school and an NOA2 so the next part to prepare, there suddenly aren't enough hours in the day. I'm thinking of all of you who haven't yet had your approval - February is nearing completion so it just has to come soon for you. I hope so.

For everyone else at various stages of completion, let's hope things go smoothly for all of us and we achieve our end goal very soon. I just want to get married. Would like very much to be able to set a wedding date - I have 2 grown up kids who are waiting to make arrangements to fly out, a sister who is waiting to book leave, a wedding dress that arrived today, a headteacher who is desperately trying to find a replacement for me so that I don't have to serve my 3 months' notice and various other things to attend to... not least of which is an impending OFSTED inspection... Please God let me leave before OFSTED get here

What do you teach? Are you planning to teach in the US? I am a primary teacher in Scotland, altho just been on the supply list the past few years while i've been in and out the country!! It's the obvious option to pursue but i'm kinda up for a change!!

Really? They must have it by tomorrow. I looked at the AOS stuff a couple of months ago, found some good videos on youtube for filling in some of the forms. I'll have to look them up again and post some links. Not too sound a bit girlie, but I'm really looking forward to my fiancee putting on my wedding ring. *cough* *cough* me man, strong

I just called the DOS to see if they could give me a different update and they told me the embassy have my medical

I'll join in... Boo! Still, I'll call again tomorrow and see what they say

I called again today and they still haven't got my medical report lol! Oh well...meanwhile i'm starting to try get my head round all the AOS and work permit stuff so we can do that asap after I become a Mrs!!

LOL, I had to do a few appendixes too... for my work history (I work contracts in TV, usually 1-3 months at a time is one job... soooo when I have to provide every job I've worked at for the last 10 years, it goes on a while! haha) and for my visits to the US.

LOL i'm totally the same...had a 2 page appendix for one of the forms!!! Think how many trees could be saved if we could just do it all online!!!

All, we finally got the interview date of Sept 27!!! Wish us luck. I want to thank you for all the support. For those of who are still waiting, keep your heads up and stay strong!!

Nice one! London could learn something from the Indonesian embassy it would seem!!! Great news getting an interview so quick...hope all goes well

Yeah mine said that but i discovered that's just the way they write it on the NOA2 to say its on its way to the embassy VIA the NYC. It totally confused me too!!!

Wow, I can't even imagine... you guys really put things in perspective!!

Coming from Canada, I'm basically keeping ALL my stuff, and just loading it in a van/uhaul. Anything that doesn't fit, my parents will stash at their house for me and maybe bring it down to me in future drives to Florida, if I need it... or just hold it. I'm probably going to leave most of my winter clothes at their house, for future visits. I want to bring some of my furniture (dresser / nightstand / kitchen table / shelving maybe) down, because my dad built it for me, so if it doesn't all fit, they'll just bring it down later.

I'm not hugely attached to "stuff" and would definitely give it up if I needed to... but it's so hard to picture leaving home with just two luggages!

Yep...i'll leave a few things here that my parents can bring whenever they get to visit also. I now wish i'd thought of selling all my camping stuff a few months ago

You son asks the right questions

I'm almost there with selling or dumping my things. It's weird to think that when I go to the airport, all I have (aside from my fiancee) will be in 2 cases a rucksack and a laptop bag. Granted Heather took a case back when she left and I've left some little bits on my last visit. Saying that though, Heather has moved into our apartment now, so I may only have room for 2 hangers and a spot for a pair of shoes left in the wardrobes

If you're lucky!!! I'm planning on selling more valuable things but then taking all the left overs to a car boot sale!!! Makes you really think about what IS valuable and what you treasure in life! i'm the same tho...Jason took some stuff when he was here in May and July and i have things i have left but yeah i'll be packing my life into 2 suitcases...my cabin luggage will be my wedding dress It's going to be a crazy weird day...saying goodbye to family at the airport will be emotional but i'll also be uber excited with my wedding dress in hand knowing i'm just hours away from Jason!

That really is harsh after the NOA2 wait! We're hearing 6 weeks for UK plus 3 to the actual interview - It really better not be.

Yeah I called the embassy at lunch time to check if my medical report had been logged and was told to get back in touch if I hadn't heard from them in 5 weeks I called again at 4.55 just to check if they'd done any logging this afternoon and were able to give me a positive push into the weekend...still nothing but the funny thing is I got the same guy on the phone!!!!! He was probably thinking..."Woman, I said wait 5 weeks...not 5 hours!!!"

Rob bought a US version of the PS3 already, and I already own a 360. God forbid he goes without his gaming.

Well i figure i don't use the Wii enough to justify using baggage allowance on it! Jason also has an 360 so we'll survive with that

That's a guestimate. It seems, at least lately that the interviews are around 1 1/2 months from NOA2 providing you get everything in. Will that be true for us? I don't know. I do know that we met on 11/15 last year and if we can make it happen, we'll be getting married on that date. If not. we'll shift things around. We are considering Niagara Falls or just the Courthouse.

Gotcha! I am praying for a date around then...we are going to make plans as soon as we get the interview date but are planning on a flight to Hawaii 2 days after I arrive and having a 'weddingmoon'!!! Then we'll take time over the coming months having weekend visits in the many various states all his family and friends live in but hopefully timing will work to allow us Thanksgiving weekend with his mom Then most of his family at Christmas. We then plan on a first anniversary trip to Scotland where we are going to have a reception for family and friends here and do like we've just got married and walked in as newly weds I'll wear my dress and he's even considering wearing a kilt

Can't WAIT to make plans!

Congratulations on all the new approvals

KTandTommy, Montreal is really slow on scheduling interviews! But let's cross our fingers that you are there by christmas.

I'm waiting for a interview date, on packet three they said they send it out by e-mail. Almost back to obssesively checking my e-mail! I don't know how long it will take to get it, it's so few people here from Denmark, Sweden and Norway (they process all immigrant visas in Sweden..... )that it's hard to get a estimate. I'm hoping for October even though we won't be able to leave before early December....

And a big hooray for me: I sold my apartment yesterday after the first viewing for a really really good price! The housing market here is crazy these days..... One step closer to our big move

Great news about your apartment...mine sold on August 1st and it's an amazing feeling to know that the reason is to move to be with my love Now i just need to get moving on selling some more stuff i have laying around...can't see my Wii coming to the US with me!!!

Thanks SLMct!!

I told him, he could most likely mail everything on Friday and that should be good in terms of it getting there after our petition is logged. It's so funny how fast we want everything to get logged and viewed and filed since we've all waited so dang long in the first part of this process!!

Hey Mary! I'm curious...I notice you added a wedding date to your signature...is that just a guestimate?!? We were wondering if we'd be able to do UK style 10/11/12!!! Had hoped for US style but the mm/dd will most likely be switched!!!

Just let everybody know, we are approved today,

We almost lost hope yesterday, and "I worked all day"

When i got back, like 10 mins ago, My fiance called me and told me we are approved without a RFE

God Bless me!!!!

Thanks everyone here for the encouragement and support!!!

CONGRATS!!!

Thanks SLMct!!

I told him, he could most likely mail everything on Friday and that should be good in terms of it getting there after our petition is logged. It's so funny how fast we want everything to get logged and viewed and filed since we've all waited so dang long in the first part of this process!!

I know...it's crazy!!! It's like...YEESSSS I can DO something I'm giving the embassy a break from me and leaving it until Friday to call them next to check they got the medical report and check the progress of them working on our forms! Hoping I can find out the interview date before getting the letter...more notice the better for me booking flights down to London and also plan on booking flight to the US for the week after Can't wait to start the countdown

Hi friends!

Happy to see some of you that have been waiting got your approvals. Julian's medical is Friday and it looks like, (through DHL) that the embassy got our package this morning!!!!

Julian spent all day yesterday working on the packet 3 paperwork and is all done with that so we are getting it done!

YAY

Excellent!!! My package was signed for last Tuesday and on Friday when I called I was told they had mailed the letter (packet 3) two days ago (so the Wednesday) and that I could mail all the DS forms in so it might be worth having it all ready to mail on Friday if possible and calling the embassy early afternoon to see what's up and Julian might be able to get it mailed then

http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

That's the forms that you need...you really just need to spend time going through the website and searching out the information...click every link...i think at one point i had about 15 tabs open on my browser!!! It's time consuming yes but you can't always rely on people to give you the answers...i got a wrong answer from someone once!