Snorbs

We were at the embassy today too after waiting 3 hours (immigrant visas take a heck of a lot longer!) we were approved, yay! Leaving the UK in 29 days, I think my British husband is more excited than me!

I've never thought of using any of these other airlines! I usually stick to the ones I see on the price comparison websites and then I head to their main website

But wow, checked out Icelandair, one way to Las Vegas for £570? Awesome! Do you need certain documents to stop at Iceland, like a type of visa or anything? Might consider this!

Iceland is considered part of Europe, so nope, nothing special needed!

Having flown back to the states about 13 times in the past 8 years, I really avoid flying the major US carriers as I don't think they are that great. I was loyal to Virgin Atlantic for a bit, as I flew them for work for awhile and built up air miles, and generally their planes are nice in economy, but once I used up my air miles I just started flying with whoever. I have found air New Zealand do great deals, and their planes are really nice. I'm picky about my entertainment system on a 10 hour flight - I want to pick from a wide selection of movies! And although I've only flown Icelandair from London to Iceland and back, I was impressed with their service. I see that you have to pay for food on their flights, but that's not the worst thing! I also saw online that you can have 2 bags in economy from Iceland to the US. So if we bring a second bag from London to Iceland we'd only have to pay 35 euros, as it would be free on the Iceland - US leg. Still need to look into that a bit more, but that's a great deal if I've read correctly. Right now you can stay over in Iceland for free as well, for one or more nights.

I've noticed Air Canada also has good deals from time to time. Although, last time my husband booked a flight on Air Canada, all the flights ended up being operated by United! We had a really ####### trip on United when we first immigrated to the UK. Vowed never to fly them again. In the end, my husband said it was a lot better than 8 years ago, and he had almost all of the economy section to himself!

I certainly recommend exploring all the other options, I have found some great airlines in the past.

Honestly I would say our timelines are almost identical, but my medical was the 25th and I didn't do my DS-260/Notification of Readiness until last Saturday. Also still waiting on a date for the interview, thinking I'll call them a week Monday (once two weeks has passed) and ask them if one has been set (assuming I haven't heard back at that stage). Let me know when you get a date!

We got a date yesterday, but only because we contacted the Embassy via their contact us form. they replied within 2 hours which is completely insane. Our CEAC status has not update since the 23rd, but apparently we were issued an interview letter on the 3rd Feb. Our interview is 20 Feb - two weeks from today!

Keep me posted on your timeline!

Aww im happy for you glad you got yours. Did the ceac status update for you?

I have had no such luck myself they seem to take about 4 weeks to reply to my emails.

The CEAC did not update, it still says 23 Jan, even though they apparently issued the letter on the 3rd Feb. I don't know if that's because our whole application never went though the US? Really just speculating...who knows.

I am still in shock we heard back 2 hours later. I don't even know how that happened, and I almost still don't believe the email my husband forwarded me from them. I used the form one other time, and they replied in 5 days. Again, I have no idea if it is because our case may be more straight forward, as we are getting an IR-1 visa, as we've been married for 8 years, lived in the UK for 8 years....again, I could just be making stuff up. Who knows.

I really feel bad that other people haven't been responded to...there is someone else here who is waiting for packet 3 and has not hear for about 4 weeks...I really don't understand how it works.

You could try tweeting them if you haven't already? Not sure if it makes any different....just a thought.

I once flew London- Reykjavik- Minneapolis with Icelandair, like you say it was definitely no frills but also cheaper than the alternatives. Will look out for the one way flight option with them as the rivals are not cheap at all!

We are also looking at Icelandair - London - Reykjavik - Seattle - Sacramento. £472, cheaper than anything else I've seen, and I want an excuse to stop over in Iceland as I went two years ago and fell in love. A trip to the blue lagoon is well deserved after this bloody visa waiting game. The planes are also quite nice. They gave us Icelandic Christmas drinks and biscuits last time we flew, that was kind of cool!

Also if people are flying West Coast, maybe check out Air New Zealand? I fly them to LA and connect to Sacramento, they had one way flights for March at about £480. Their planes are really nice with almost brand new entertainment systems (can watch films before take off, order drinks from a touch screen, even in economy)

I haven't had a bad flight with them yet, their daily flight just gets in too late for me to connect to Sacramento, taking into consideration it may take longer to go through customs on our first POE. Want to leave plenty of time when we arrive before needing to connect to another flight.

Thanks - thats the plan! I will make some coffee and hit the 10-midnight shift! :-) Fingers crossed!

Thanks so much,

I am DCF filing in London (not sure if that makes a difference), and we emailed the embassy via their contact us form. We got a response within 2 hours yesterday, which I am amazed by! We had an interview scheduled, so I guess it was easy for them to look this us up. Said our letter was mailed on the 3rd, haven't received anything yet, but maybe tomorrow.

We just got our interview date, 20 Feb at 8am. Used the contact form for the Embassy, and they actually replied with out date, 2 hours later. I think that must be a fluke, (to have such a quick reply) but just going with it! Going to update my timeline on here....

Here is that thread. I think five of us got it the same day.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/476742-i-got-my-date/#entry6773133

TrixieStep - We emailed the Embassy via the contact form today, they got back to us 2 hours later. We will be there on the 20th at 8am!!

As I recall, Queen submitted a request through the online form to have her fiancé added to the list as attending the interview. That's one of the choices. They confirmed via that email address that he could attend and as a side note mentioned the date. They don't routinely give out dates if that is the only reason you contact them.

If you call that contact number in the link, you will get the non-immigrant people (student and tourist visas) and they might give you all kinds of wrong information...like "I can scheduled your interview" because that is the process for those temp visitor visas not involving the immigrant visa unit.

My husband used the embassy contact form this afternoon, and AMAZINGLY, they responded 2 HOURS LATER. We do have an interview scheduled, for 20 Feb at 8am!!!!

Doesnt someone else on here have an interview that day?

I requested on my readiness form that London e-mail me back with an interview date. They e-mailed me back with my interview date from that e-mail address at least a week before my letter came in the post.

Just to update, I tried that email address and the auto-reply was this:

> Subject: AUTOMATED RESPONSE from the Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Embassy, London

> Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2014 13:27:28 +0000

>

> AUTOMATED RESPONSE from the Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Embassy, London:

>

> Thank you for submitting the requested documentation in support of your visa application. This email box is for document submissions only. If you have an inquiry concerning your visa application or require further assistance, please call our Operator Assisted Information Service. Contact information for the Operator Assisted Information Service is available from our websitehttp://london.usembassy.gov/visa_contact_information.html

>

>

> This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

I doubt they will respond, but fingers crossed! I wish I would have through to ask for email confirmation like you did.

Trying the US Embassy Contact Form.

http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Sorry if this is in the wrong section - my (USC) partner has just filed an I-130 petition for my visa in London (filed Saturday, fee taken from my card today!!!), and I'm hoping to spend the waiting time getting all my forms together. However, regarding the affidavit of support I'm... confused.

Basically, as she's living here in the UK, her father and/or stepmother have offered to be the joint sponsor. I'm confused however as to who fills out what forms! Am I correct in understanding that my (USC) wife fills out the I-864a form, and her father/stepmom fills out the I-864? What other forms/evidence do we need to go alongside that?

Finally - I jumped ahead and applied for my police certs from Ireland and Australia a few months ago - at what point do these get submitted, and how timely do they need to be? I'm concerned that, if they need to be less than 6 months old and are submitted at the interview, they'll be out of date - can anyone advise?

Hi Brian,

I note you started the process almost the same day we did. I was wondering what your timeline is so far? We are currently waiting for an interview...

Here is that thread. I think five of us got it the same day.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/476742-i-got-my-date/#entry6773133

Thanks. I guess I can take comfort in the fact that at least I am waiting with my spouse in the same country, as opposed to 8 years ago when we were apart, but the fact that we are giving up our jobs and starting completely over from scratch in the U.S. is very daunting - although hopefully, the right choice. I just can't believe that after we get the visa, this is really just the start! At least 8 years ago we were young and too naive to realise what the work it takes to start a life with someone....now I just feel old and tired! Months of paperwork and job hunting ahead... :/

Ok, rant over now!

Literally just checked.

My medical was on the 15th, had some complications, Embassy received my results on the 27th, Interview Scheduled 28th of Feb at 8am. If you follow the embassy on twitter, they seem to say when they are processing times. Almost like they do them in batches every couple of weeks. I must have been on the last ones before they restarted

Srvman - Did you get your letter already, if your results were received on the 27th? Or did you call to find out? Eek...getting a bit worried as our results were received on the 23rd...I think I need to take a chill pill...

Yes, it updated the 16th when the medical was received and then again on the 23rd. I called DoS that day and got his interview date.

Hmm, very interesting. Annoying, as it would appear we don't have an interview scheduled yet. Am a bit confused as the current twitter update reads: IV & K visa applicants. We are processing Notice of Applicants Readiness forms emailed to the Immigrant Visa Unit on or before February 1

Our readiness form and DS-260 was submitted on the 10th, ahead of the medical on the 20th. I have been trying to just be patient and not call or email, but if they have processed readiness forms up to the 1st Feb, perhaps I should call and see if there is a problem with ours?

Any thoughts, anyone?

My fiancé did his DS-160 and submitted the readiness form on 02/01, had his medical 13/01 with results logged 16/01. He was issued his interview date on 23/01 and interviews on 20/02 @ 10am. Some are waiting longer than this to receive theirs.

Can I just ask- was your CEAC updated when your interview was issued? So far, ours has updated once since the medical, 4 days after, which I assume was the embassy receiving the results. That was on 23rd Jan, and it hasn't updated again. Should we expect it to update again before we receive our interview letter?

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking too (that DCF filers might not be expected to have a U.S. phone number). Did you list a U.S. address in this section under "Sponsor's Place of Residence"? Or did you list your UK address for both "Sponsor's Mailing Address" and "Sponsor's Place of Residence"? And then for domicile, you put U.S.?

I haven't actually filled in my form yet, as my spouse doesn't have an interview date yet. It seems people do it both ways on here with the addresses, (or they put their US address as their mailing address and overseas address as their residence address) but that everyone puts U.S. as country of domicile. My form is basically irrelevant at the end of the day, as I am leaving my job here in the UK when I move, so have no US income to show, which I think is the main purpose of the form. Luckily for me my parents are co-sponsoring, and they have already completed their forms.

I will let you know how I end up filling it in!

My concern was not how I can use a phone number from another country in this field (I know I could write it in by hand or attach a separate sheet). I was just wondering if it HAS to be a U.S. phone number since the sponsor has to be domiciled in the U.S. (and I'm currently still in Germany and don't have a U.S. phone number yet). I think the sponsor has to list his/her phone number not just on the Affidavit of Support form, but also on the DS-260. So is it best to get a U.S. phone number, for example an online number?

I don't think they would expect you to have a US phone number if you don't currently live there. I have not done this on my form, I currently live in the UK with my UK spouse, and we will be moving back to the US together. I suspect a majority of DCF'ers would be in a similar situation.

My medical was on the 3rd of January and my interview is on the 10th of February. Hope this helps.

It does, thanks! Good luck for your interview.

Not exactly what your asking but my interview is 21st Feb, my medical was 13th Jan, apparently 'packet 4' was sent out on 23rd Jan, it arrived 28th Jan

That's exactly what I wanted to know - just trying to gauge when our interview might be. Medical was on 20th Jan (all other forms submitted on 10 Jan). Last date change on CEAC tracker was on the 23rd, which is when they would have received the medical results. Just wondering if it changes again before they send out packet 4?

Good to know you actually received your packet 4! We haven't had any problems receiving letters so far, so hopefully all will be ok.

Me too! See you there, hope it goes well for you.

For those of you who have interviews on the 10th, can I just ask when your medical was? Awaiting my interview date (well, my spouse's) and it would just be useful to know how soon after your medical you received your interview.

Thanks.

I think the poster meant they got a tetanus booster (needed every 10 years) rather than a "TB test".

The medical includes a chest x-ray for the purposes of looking for suspicious legions on the lungs that may indicate TB now or in the past.

The flu shot is only required in flu season (Oct 1st - March 31st) for all over 6 months old (as per guidelines changed in 2010).

http://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/updates/action-recommendations-flu-vaccine.html

Sorry, I did mean the tetanus booster. And the flu shot was definitely required at the medical, as lost_at_sea mentions above.

Hi!

I am waiting on an LDN number so that i can book my medical in London. Has anyone been recently? What was your experience like?

I have already rustled up my immunisation records, and have the police certificate ready to go. Could/would they need anything from my GP? They are 'disorganised' at best, and i fear that Knightsbridge needing to be in touch with them would throw a real spanner in the works!

Any reports on what your experience of the medical was like would be hugely appreciated!

My husband just had his medical, he was up to date on all of his vaccinations, but he didn't have a flu shot, which they made him have there, so I would say do that at your GP if you can because it might be cheaper? He also had to have another TB test as you need it every 10 years in the US. Now my husband is better vaccinated than I am, and I am the USC! He said the process was all very simple, and they were very friendly and helpful. Just had to pay the extra costs for the TB and flu shot, but other than that was all fine. I can see from CEAC that they received the medical results 4 working days after the medical, and they said they would contact him before that if there were any problems. No contact, so assuming everything was fine!

Just wanted to follow up and say that I filed 8 years of taxes yesterday at the Embassy in London, and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be.

Also, as mentioned in this thread, the IRS office was extremely helpful, I brought copies of each year's paperwork with me, which they stamped as received, so I could include this with my husband's AOS for the IR-1 visa. I went at 12pm on a Wednesday to the walk -in service and after scaling the fortress of the embassy and walking by about 15 people with machine guns (I am really going to have to get used to seeing more guns if I am moving back to the states, it totally freaks me out now) , I walked straight into the IRS section, waited about 5 minutes, and left my paperwork with them. I didn't actually owe any tax, and the guy at the help desk said I didn't actually have to filed for all previous years, but I wanted to have it all down and recorded before I move back.

Extremely grateful to the knowledgeable people on this board, who helped me put off something I'd been procrastinating on for years! Now I don't have to worry about filing until 2014!

If anyone else is in a similar situation, I am happy to answer questions and pay forward all of the help I've received here.

I can totally relate to this! I'm doing the same thing but from Canada. However, I have a timeline on when I will be immigrating back to the US now because I've applied to go to university in Hawaii where I'm from. Hoping there won't be a huge gap of time in between the time that I move to Hawaii to when my husband is able to come via PR or at least K-3 Visa!! It's not cheap flying from Hawaii to Canada all the time!

I just filed 8 years of back taxes....the embassy was grateful I even filed, I think. I didn't owe any money and it was surprisingly easier than I thought. Good luck with school and your spouse's visa!

Hi K,

For all of us in the same boat- can you please let us know what your timeline has been so far?

I am going mad waiting for the packet with my LDN number to arrive!

I've just replied to you in another thread. I found the embassy helpful in getting the LND number (use the online contact form) but, by the time they replied with the number in email, we had received packet 3 in the mail. I know waiting drives everyone bonkers - I am going crazy waiting for an interview date now...