SarahandTom11412

Thank you! We've had so many well wishes that I think they're the reason we were approved, haha. It's nice to feel the support from people in this little immigration community.

If you wanted to read about it, I posted here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=17326

Here's hoping your LND will show up soon. It starts getting exciting at that point because you can actually *do* things!

Sarah

You can get items notarized at the American Services side of the US embassy in London, but as far as I know, nothing needs to be notarized for DCF in London. I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to get it certified, you can get someone at your bank to "certify" the document for you.

Love it! We have our CR-1 interview upcoming and I love hearing all the positive reviews coming out of the London US Embassy. Makes me very hopeful despite his disability!

I sure hope so! I won't believe it until they actually say it, though! Tentatively working on plans in the US for the hopeful approval outcome, though. You have to be the calmest people going through this process, lol. I wish I could be so laid back, but we REALLY want to get off this grey island SOON haha.

2015 Medical to interview date

4 wk 2 days Feb 11 (TheAndies)
6 wk 3 days Feb 17 (kristenxo)
3 wk 4 days Feb 17 (Pheebs)
6 wk 3 days Feb19 (DaveNot)
3 wk 5 days Feb 23 (Kimberley95)
3 wk 6 days Mar 3 (vicks5721)
5 wk 1 days Mar 5 (Shana)
4 wk 0 days Apr 2 (TeamJS)
5 wk 6 days Apr 7 (Pilot)
6 wk 0 days Apr 9 (Chrismorrison)
9 wk 0 days Apr 13 (Allison_Simon2014)
5 wk 2 days May 18 (wbeem)
5 wk 4 days May 18 (bonzaigirl aka Tim + Ann)
7 wk 0 days May 27 (E + S)
7 wk 3 days May 29 (jenate)
8 wk 4 days Jun 2 (xbritto)
5 wk 5 days Jun 5 (Yanirose))
6 wk 0 days Jun 6 (DeborahNeil)
7 wk 4 days Jun 15 (JamesRenee)
7 wk 6 days Jun 15 (TLSR2014)
5 wk 5 days Jun 16 (Howeetest D)
7 wk 1 days Jun 17 (FoamoftheDaze)
5 wk 3 days Jun 18 (RLT8990)
7 wk 1 days Jun 19 (signalsfly)
5 wk 3 days Jun 22 (BryterMoon)
6 wk 6 days Jul 1 (Babushka545)
6 wk 4 days Jul 14 (MSCastillio)
7 wk 0 days Jul 16 (gjrhopkins)

7 wk 2 days Jul 16 (stevehaze) - (using the date that Knightsbridge received documents from my GP as the Medical date)

09 March 2015: I-130 Petition for Tom mailed to US Embassy London
10 March 2015 I-130 delivered to US Embassy
13 March 2015: I-130 received, processed, and payment taken (NOA1 dated March 11)
26 March 2015: Mailed ACRO for police certificate
14 April 2015: Received ACRO in post
21 April 2015: I-130 approval notice received! (NOA2 dated April 20, 41 days)
14 May 2015: Letter from Immigrant Visa Unit, LND Number obtained (NOA 3, dated May 12, 3 weeks 4 days from I-130 approval)
14 May 2015: DS 260 filled online and submitted
15 May 2015: Medical booked for June 3rd at 3:10 PM at Knightsbridge drs
02 June 2015: Notice of readiness form submitted online (according to USAinUKCGCorner Twitter feed, they were processing notices submitted on May 22, so 8 business day backlog)
03 June 2015: Medical attended: PASSED
09 June 2015: CEAC status "Ready"

19 June 2015: Interview date received! (July 14, 1:00 PM), courier arrangements made (home delivery), submitted notice to Embassy to attend with my husband and gave notice he will need ramp assistance with his wheelchair (12 days from Knightsbridge confirmation of delivery to Embassy)

Update we have received approval notification (NOA2).

Well done!! I know that has to feel good

It's been two weeks since my husband's medical, and no interview letter yet. I'm trying to get my head (and my internal sense of patience) around the fact that it will likely not be for at least another week or two. With all the delays and backlog that they have, I am not really surprised if it takes longer than expected. So glad we aren't looking to leave until the end of October!

I'm not certain what all they'd specifically want to know in Ghana, but generally (for London) these are the questions I've noticed being asked:

1. How did you meet your spouse and what is their name?
2. What work do you intend on doing (what do you plan to do when you get to America)?
3. When did you first meet your spouse in person and where?
4. Have you met your spouses family? When and where?
5. When will you be going to America?
6. Where do you intend to live in America?
7. Who has filed for your visa?
8. Where did you get married and what was the ceremony like?
9. How long have you been married?
10. What does your spouses' mother/father do?
11. Does your spouse have any siblings?
12. What does your spouse do for a living? How long have they been doing it?
13. What have you done from the time you met until now (how have you kept the relationship going?)
14. Who is the joint sponsor on your AOS?
15. Where was your spouse born?
16. Have either of you been married before?
17. Have you ever been denied entry to the US?
18. Why do you want to move to America?

I would just keep e-mailing and make sure they're staying on top of it. I'm neurotic about things like this, though, but to be fair it is pretty important life changing stuff! I submitted our notice of readiness on June 2 and Knightsbridge confirmed that they delivered his medical results to the embassy on June 6. They're currently processing notice of readiness forms submitted on or before June 8 so I'm pretty much thinking I should be getting a letter with an interview date any day now (but not today--the mail has already come and alas, no letter). It'd be fabulous if we could get an appointment before the end of the month, but regardless we aren't leaving until the end of October so there's no reason to really stress too much about it. It's just one of those things where I'd rather know sooner rather than later because there's nothing worse than stressing over something seemingly endlessly. I'm feeling reasonably confident (which is a scary thing with immigration) about our interview, though. It really does seem like the London US Embassy does try to approve most spouse visas. It's the trip down and back which is the worst part of the whole process so far!

I would in the event you want the copies back. If not, then I wouldn't worry about sending another envelope. I sure hope you guys hear something back about that soon!

No approval got an RFE end of last week instead, asking for both our fathers birth certificates (which neither of us have and both have passed away) so going to contact them to see if we can send passport/driving licence copies instead.

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope that you are able to get that resolved easily and quickly. Do keep us/me updated, okay?

Update on our situation:

09 March 2015: I-130 Petition for Tom mailed to US Embassy London

10 March 2015 I-130 delivered to US Embassy

13 March 2015: I-130 received, processed, and payment taken (NOA1 dated March 11)

26 March 2015: Mailed ACRO for police certificate

14 April 2015: Received ACRO in post

21 April 2015: I-130 approval notice received! (NOA2 dated April 20, 41 days)

08 May 2015: One year wedding anniversary! (Lake district break, tomahawk steak)

14 May 2015: Letter from Immigrant Visa Unit, LND Number obtained (NOA 3, dated May 12, 3 weeks 4 days from I-130 approval)

14 May 2015: DS 260 filled online and submitted

15 May 2015: Medical booked for June 3rd at 3:10 PM at Knightsbridge drs 4 Bentinck Mansions W1U 2ER

02 June 2015: Notice of readiness form submitted online (according to Twitter feed, they were processing notices submitted on May 22, so 8 business day backlog)

03 June 2015: Medical attended: PASSED

Interview date received

Courier arrangements made

Interview attended

Visa delivered

Immigrant fee paid

POE Miami, FL

Also, since our case involves the intending immigrant being disabled, I made an in-depth post about our medical experience here:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/marriage-based-visas-35/cr-1-ir-1-dcf-london-spouse-health-issues-858606/#post11665784

Consider you have your NOA2 I would imagine pending simply means it is yet to be assigned a LND number. Although I can imagine how you feel, but at least you're at the point where you are expecting an LND number, I'm unfortunately still waiting for my NOA2. Currently sitting at 48 days with an original estimate of 30-45 days, and their last update putting them over a week away from our application.

Did you ever get your approval? Been wondering about you!

Hi there,

This is where you go to register with the courier! You need passport number, ds 260 number, and LND number

http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/courier.html

Sarah

The cerebral palsy won't be an hinderance to the visa as such but yes, could be for the I-864/ public charge issue.

Now, it is possible it won;t come up at all, but often, in cases with ongoing medical issue, the sponsor is asked to show that they have extra funds/medical insurance that will cover the intending immigrant. This will be difficult for you due to the primary sponsor/ spouse being abroad also. What sort of qualifications/ job experience do you have? Ie, is it likely you will get a well-paying job with health insurance pretty quick once you move?

Thank you for your response! I have, in fact, gotten in touch with an insurance agent in the town we'll be living in and have registered both of us with their company. I've got correspondence that shows they are expecting us, with his conditions noted, and they've said it shouldn't be a problem getting us coverage. I've also gotten a few general quotes from them as well just based on our situation as it's expected to be. I feel like we've got our bases covered, but feeling reasonably confident is a scary thing when it comes to immigration, lol.

The only particular thing about one of his conditions is that it's an on-going wound care situation. It's no different than someone who has a stoma, but the fact that it's on-going, but stable, is something they may take notice of at the medical. With the letters, though, it should be perfectly clear what the situation is.

The joint sponsor has a job with healthcare coverage, but we will likely be taking out a policy of our own on the open market (ACA/Obamacare). Like I said, my husband has a little bit of savings (few thousand £'s) which we will bring proof of via bank statements and XE.com currency conversion into dollars. We aren't looking to leave until the end of October so the funds he is receiving now, he will keep receiving until we leave.

I am a nurse, and anticipate being able to find a job relatively easily in the US. Even if I can't find something in nursing, I have advanced university degrees in another field which will allow me to find work on a broader scale as well. My husband also has advanced university degrees in translation and interpreting in two languages, so he is certainly employable, just on a freelance at-home basis.

So what do you think?

Hi all,

This is where we are in the process so far:

09 March 2015: I-130 Petition for Tom mailed to US Embassy London
10 March 2015 I-130 delivered to US Embassy
13 March 2015: I-130 received, processed, and payment taken (NOA1 dated March 11)
26 March 2015: Mailed ACRO for police certificate
14 April 2015: Received ACRO in post
21 April 2015: I-130 approval notice received! (NOA2 dated April 20, 41 days)
14 May 2015: Letter from Immigrant Visa Unit, LND Number obtained (NOA 3, dated May 12, 3 weeks 4 days from I-130 approval)
14 May 2015: DS 260 filled online and submitted
15 May 2015: Medical booked for June 3rd at 3:10 PM at Knightsbridge drs 4 Bentinck Mansions W1U 2ER
03 June 2015: Medical planned to be attended
Notice of readiness form submitted online
Interview date received
Courier arrangements made
Interview attended
Visa delivered
Immigrant fee paid
POE Miami, FL

My husband (the intending immigrant) has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. With the medical upcoming, we have gotten letters from his doctors here in the UK which are honestly long-winded, but do summarize his current health conditions. He is stable, on several routine medications for his condition, and none of his conditions to my knowledge would meet any of the public health criteria concerns they would be checking for at the medical. I feel reasonably good that his medical would be approved, but I'd like to hear from other people who have had the experience of attending a visa medical with an ongoing health condition. Any advice is welcomed! I want to make sure we have all our bases covered before we go! As far as I know, having the letters from his doctors plus his vaccination records (which are up to date) would suffice.

Also, looking forward to the interview...how likely is it that his health condition going to come up in the interview itself? Most reviews I've read have been focused on sponsor/joint sponsor income and verification of relationship. How would you approach the health issue if you were asked? His joint sponsor meets requirements (25,300 on tax return for 2014, and currently makes 67k with a signed letter from his employer and paystubs). Do you think he's likely to be considered a public charge? My husband is capable of doing freelance translation and interpreting work from home, so if they asked what he intends to do he has that going for him. He also has a little bit of savings himself, though I'm aware the burden of support is on his joint sponsor, and not him.

Please feel free to put in your two cents on our situation. Do you think we have much to worry about?

Thank you!

Sarah

Progress!!

DCF London I-130 CR-1 Spouse US Immigrant Visa (to Greencard LPR)

09 March 2015: Mailed I-130 Petition to US Embassy in London (1st step in obtaining Tom's US Greencard)

10 March 2015 I-130 delivered to US Embassy
13 March 2015: I-130 received, processed, and payment taken (NOA1 dated March 11)

26 March 2015: Mailed ACRO for police certificate

14 April 2015: Received ACRO in post

21 April 2015: I-130 approval notice received! (NOA2 dated April 20, 41 days)

14 May 2015: Letter from Immigrant Visa Unit, LND Number obtained (NOA 3, dated May 12, 3 weeks 4 days from I-130 approval)

DS 260 filled online

Medical appointment made/attended

Interview attended/Visa delivered

POE Miami, FL

They do actually respond to questions posted on their twitter feed, just so you guys know! I'm off now to work on the DS 260 and set up a medical!! Hubs had immunizations done back in April so we're good to go Also, since he is disabled, we have letters from his doctors to take to the medical as well.

Congratulations!! Glad it all went so quickly and smoothly for you!

I know, I was thinking about you the last time I went and had a look there. It's just pitiful, really. They used to post relatively detailed updates, and now it's just nothing. It'd go by so much easier if they gave more information. Do you follow their twitter? They do post regular updates and respond to people...https://twitter.com/USAinUKCGCorner

I am going crazy waiting on this LND number. I e-mailed the embassy last week via the contact form, and I just heard back from them today claiming it appears USCIS still has our application as pending. I don't understand this because we got the approval letter in the mail 3 weeks ago. I've been looking at timelines for applications submitted around the same time as mine (early March 2015) and people have gotten their LND's within a week or two of getting their approval (NOA2) letter.

I'm thinking it's just due to the bank holiday, but there's another at the end of this month so I'm like UGH no!! Just...make progress!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed this. February filers seem to have had their applications processed generally quicker than March's have been. I was figuring it was due to holidays and such, but they seemed to have no problem over Christmas. Sigh...

I'm not sure you can call anywhere about it. The only thing I think you're able to do anymore is use the contact form on the website. :-/ I'm actually about a month behind a friend of mine and well, here's her timeline so far:

Feb 2nd: Posted I-130 to London
Feb 4th: Payment taken for I-130
Feb 9th: Email receipt received
March 13th: Petition approved, receipt by post.
March 24th: Requested ACRO Police report by post.
March 30th: Inquired about LND# via email and was given the number. Was told they sent letter saying they were ready for me to continue on March 17th (never received). Still waiting on ACRO.
April 2nd: completed DS-260 online, still waiting for ACRO.
April 7th: Booked medical for April 29th @13:50.
April 11th: Received ACRO thru the post.
April 29th: Attended Medical. Appt was @13:50, was finished around 15:30.

Going off her report, I contacted the Embassy via the contact form requesting an LND number for my husband. Since her I-130 approval and LND letter were issued literally 4 days apart I thought well surely if I waited a week they'd have an LND number available for him! I submitted my query via that contact form, and two days later I got this generic mess:

So who knows what's going on...lol. But do try! It never hurts!

Sarah

You would be correct! I have no idea why it varies so much lol. I've seen "normal" timelines that were started in November and took 6 full months, and timelines that started in January and have already been issued. Average for February/March filers so far is leaning towards about 4-5 months.

Prior to the approval of the I-130, I used uscis.london@uscis.dhs.gov . Once my husbands I-130 was approved, it was transferred to the Immigrant Visa Unit and I emailed them using this london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Hope that helps Looks like you should be getting your approval in the next few weeks! Hang in there

ok and haha mind you I don't sound super southern to myself....but apparently I am. But I'm not redneck southern you can just tell I'm from the south. But I work in customer service so I have to tone it down etc... and make sure I sound a certain way so that changes it a lot. My fiance is from Manchester...well Oldham UK and he doesn't really sound like they do either. He does sound English obviously and northern but not Oldham. lol

Small world! I'm a CR-1 DCF filer with London and we are in Bury (just across the road from Oldham). I'm waving

Sarah