Azsara

I really feel for you. But good luck, I'm sure you will iron out the tiny hitches and they will approve it no trouble

Thank u!! Xxx

Thanks :-)

How's yours going?

Sucks they didn't approve it straight away. x

Yea it sucks...kinda my own fault tho!

Still waiting

Interview date is assigned after the medical

Congrats! See all that worrying for nothing

Most of the people I spoke to about it were at work - because before I quit my job last month I was working for a major british airline, so it was difficult to hide. They were all very excited and wanted to know the ins and outs. But those were my work collegues who im not as close to. Maybe they reacted differently behind my back.

The response from some of my friends were different...some would tell me how bad America is and that id hate it and do I realise that if I ever got sick id be bankrupt with their health care system

One particular friend with a sour face asked me "Have u even discussed moving to the UK or was it just not an option?" As though really offended I was choosing the US.

I definitely put this down to jealousy. Friends that are my friends would know that Steve and I explored all options before deciding I would move there rather than visa versa.

A lot of people lose sight of the fact that im moving to be with HIM! It could be Italy, Spain, Denmark or China for all I care. They tend to overlook that and focus solely on my decision to emmigrate.

I did want to keep things quiet about me leaving and just tell a select few as every day at work I get the " are u still here?!?!" "Have you not left yet" "thought u were leaving " sarcastic comments every day thanks to my boss who thought he would inform the whole built of my news when I told him

I am getting that CONSTANTLY right now! LOL

Im like WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE!! lol

Looking at the photo you have you do wonder how many people will get caught out. I was expecting your passport to look dog eared and machine washed....

I suspect they wonder if it's been tampered under the laminate layer otherwise like you say - if it's been used for US entry repeatedly - someone in London is being *really* picky.

Yea I know right... I should have just renewed it ages ago to avoid any complications....Shoulda woulda coulda...or is it....coulda woulda ...meh whatever...

Still in AP

Sounds like I'll be covered - the suggestion of an old passport will cover it.

Having only just recently been at the Embassy I appear to have quite a collection of documents with my name on it :-) Come to think of it I have my police record !

Hahah...this just reminded me ( a little off topic)

My fiance just signed a lease for an apartment and the landlady said they may need to do a small background check on me before they can allow me to be a partner lease on the flat. I dont think she realises I have just been through the K1 visa process with the American Government and am more than accustomed to a "small background check"!

Did I imagine it or did I read somewhere that you need a photo ID to sign for the passport/visa when it gets delivered to my work address ?

That could be a challenge as the only photo ID I have is my passport :-)

Same here!

I figure I have my old passport, though it has been voided now....and i have a load of different utility bills with my name on it. I also have some prescription medication to show them with my name on it. Thats all i can think of

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

Really what number did u call? Congrats! They are letting u go to London to pick up ur passport?

congrats!

Im still in AP since sending my new passport to London. Been in AP since the interview which was the 24th september.

They logged my passport as received on the 2nd october.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hopefully it will change tomorrow - good news before the weekend!!

We got married on Sunday..it was amazing. I've started to type "fiance" several times today and instead changed it to Alex because it's odd for me to type husband lol.

OH WOW! CONGRATS! Sorry i didnt even realise i am so happy for u!

I hope you get the ISSUE notice tomorrow keep me posted!!

Thank you I really hope so

AZ- I just saw your review - so sorry you had to go through that panic amazing that you got your docs sorted out so quickly...looks like from your signature timeline that you will still get here in time for the wedding - so excited for you! Congrats!

thank you! Yea was a nightmare

The embassy received our docs yesterday. In AP since the interview. Two updates on CEAC yesterday and today. hoping to see an ISSUED soon!

got a question from a friend going through the process. can you book your interview before you have the medical?

No they will only assign you an interview date on receipt of your medical results

Thanks so much for all the advice. I booked a fast-track appointment at the passport office for next Tuesday. I was thinking about check and send but I dont want to risk not having my new passport in time for my interview.

Thanks especially to Azsara for details of your experience, I think it was actually your signature that brought this to my attention!

Good thinkin! And your very welcome x

Hi All,

First of all, I would like to extend my thanks to this amazing community. It has been so helpful to my fiancee and I to be able to read other people's experiences and what to expect at each stage.

I finally recieved packet 3 last week and sent back the necessary documents, had my medical examination last friday and have not heard anything back so we can assume everything is fine there!

My new worry (I seem to find something new to worry about as soon as the last thing is done with) is the quality of my passport. It went through the wash about a year ago and looks a bit tattered on the outside & the inner pages are slightly creased and wrinkled where they got wet. The ID page is absolutely fine and all information is clearly visible with no real sign of damage. I have entered the US 3 times since it got damaged and had no problems. I hadn't considered this would be an issue until I spotted in someones forum signature that they were refused their visa due to poor condition of their passport. After waiting patiently for so long I would be pretty devastated if I get rejected because my passport is a little bit rough around the edges.

As I am still awaiting my interview date I could probably use the post office check and send service to get a replacement passport in 3 weeks, though I'm not sure if having a different passport number when I arrive at the interview will also cause a problem?

Any advice

I had my interview last week and they actually gave me a blue slip saying I had been refused due to the condition of my passport. They are pretty strict about passport conditions. My passport was in good enough condition to be allowed in and out of the states for the past 18months but not good enough for a visa.

I had an emegrency appointment at HM Passport Office place in Victoria (2 day wait for the appointment) where they issued the passport for me within 4 hours. If its busy they wont offer the premium service on damaged passports (premium service is 4 hours) only on renewals. The quickest they will offer is a week. But this time of year is quiet and they will do it if its quiet. Ive attached a pic of my passport page with the "problem area"

EDIT: Just to add the passport office were very efficient. I had my shiny new passport within 3 hours. The courier company collected it on Monday and the embassy signed for it today. SO hopefully now we should have an approval this week. My advice would be to renew your passport ASAP

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!!! I am so happy to say we've been approved!! Can't believe this part is finally over.. So crazy!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! CHUFFED!!!

werent u supposed to be travelling yesterday? what the heck? Have u tried to find these people on facebook? I tried searching the VJ member list but its too extensive

what happened

Glad to hear you're getting back on track. Hopefully since the visa process is funded by our fees, there shouldn't be too much of an issue there. I have warned my fiance to expect a lengthy delay though at her POE next Tuesday if this isn't cleared up soon. Luckily she doesn't have to worry about catching a connecting flight

Oh yea u reckon the POE's will be delayed? How come? Lack of staff?

Thank you, yes he has that from IRS and has given this to the attorney whom has forwarded to NVC, Now we are just waiting on CC.

Well i was there for the last yrs one so i can answer that with - Its not a necessity and its just another day of celebration to USA

Yea I just said it was like christmas

I was also asked

"What did you think of Thanksgiving?"

Hopefully nothing will be affected and it will be business as usual.

Guess I can join this thread seeing as DX picked up my passport yesterday to take to the embassy. I hope we are not affected by the government shut down. The embassy are pretty versatile so im sure they should be okay.

Fingers crossed

We are waiting on the medical center to call back with available times. Don't know if they will charge for another appointment or not, and it sucks that he now has to make a 3rd trip to London to get this taken care of.

Oh yea I forgot hes coming from Scotland too, let me know what happens hopefully they can fit him in soon

Best of luck to you Azsara! I am glad you were able to turn it around so quickly.

Update on my situation: The medical center has requested that my fiance return to London for another medical. Won't tell us why, but we are hoping it's no big deal and his visa can be issued soon. I have never heard of anything like this happening, but keep your fingers crossed for us.

I can't imagine how nerve wracking this must be for u both. I hope they dont charge u for another medical. I have never heard of this before either. were u able to make another medical appointment quickly or have u not done it yet?