thesnowman

I got my visa today, Wohooo.

You're in Bristol, aren't you? We got our visa today, the day after the interview?! Thought that was fast but since they brought yours, maybe they brought his....

Yeah I am in Bristol. I got the visa sent to my work address and was away from my office when they came, as I wasnt expecting it untill at least thurday, so it was a mad panick back to reception when I got the call.

Its all good now though.

Well I travelled up the following day to London and stayed at the Travelodge Wembley (booked for £26), next day walked the 1/2 mile to the tube station and took the 20 min journey to Bond street, went to the picture place and then walked the 5 mins to the embassy.

I got there at 9:15 (my interview time was 10), and was let in at 9:40. Walked round and got my number and sat down. After just under 1hr I was called up and asked for all my documention. I had forgot to photocopy my birth cert and my police cert, but the guy moaned at me and then photocopied them for me. He then gave me my x-ray and took my fingerprints, all this took around 20 mins and I then sat down for around 1 hr.

I was then called again and was met by another guy he asked for pics of my son (that I had with my fiancee). He looked at them and then asked about her mum and dad and our Co-Sponser, what my fiance does in america and he then said barring anything getting flagged on the fingerprint scans I would get my visa in 3-5 working days, which then turned up 2 days later without getting the promised text message.

Glad to have it in my grubby little hands.

I got my visa today, Wohooo. Leaving the UK on the 12th, got my flights booked and my POE is going to be Boston, has anyone flew into there as there POE, if so is it any good?

So stressed at the moment getting everything sorted, which is complicated by the fact that I have to go away with work till Sunday. I am working right up till the Wednesday before I leave so I can get as much cash together as possible.

I am sure that it will all get sorted in time, but I cant wait to sit on the plane and just relax.

Just got back from London and we passed our interview. will post details later, going to have a drink

We had our interview today and we got APPROVED also. Such a relieve to be over and done with. America here I come.

Was in and out in 2 hours, didnt get any questions about my fiance, more about her family.

Anyway I will post a review at some point, now going to have a drink.

I only had to get the TD jab and my MMR and I already had chickenpox. The rest I already had or what not required as I was 25

There is a place on Oxford street in London that does US passport and visa pics, it is only 5 mins walk from th embassy and is very quick and painless. Not too pricey

Well I have my interview on Monday and I am getting a bit nervous. I still havent received all the neccessary paperwork from my lawyers, though they insist that it is on its way. I am moving out of my house in one week (staying with friend and away with work), I have flights booked for the 12th October and my work is letting me go on unpaid leave in the hope that I find a position with them in america, therefore no need to resign just yet.

Boxes were picked up yesterday, going to a car boot sale on Saturday and been to the dump more times than I can remember. Spending money hand over fist and booked up our wedding in Las Vegas, we are having a small wedding in Vegas and then sometime next year we will have a blessing service where we will invite all our family over.

My POE is going to be Boston, anyone had any experiance with flying into there, any hope of getting the temp EAD (I suspect not, but I am going to ask anywhere).

Cant wait to get there and take a break

We'll be glad when Monday is over too!!! But by all accounts it doesn't seem too bad, just hoping we crossed all our t's and dotted all our i's. Oh well, we'll find out on Monday! All the best to you!!!

Good luck to you to, probably see you there.

Well I have my interview on Monday and I am getting a bit nervous. I still havent received all the neccessary paperwork from my lawyers, though they insist that it is on its way. I am moving out of my house in one week (staying with friend and away with work), I have flights booked for the 12th October and my work is letting me go on unpaid leave in the hope that I find a position with them in america, therefore no need to resign just yet.

Boxes were picked up yesterday, going to a car boot sale on Saturday and been to the dump more times than I can remember. Spending money hand over fist and booked up our wedding in Las Vegas, we are having a small wedding in Vegas and then sometime next year we will have a blessing service where we will invite all our family over.

My POE is going to be Boston, anyone had any experiance with flying into there, any hope of getting the temp EAD (I suspect not, but I am going to ask anywhere).

Cant wait to get there and take a break

Yeah you dont need chickenpox, they did ask me if I had had it. I got a tetanus and MMR from my NHS GP before I went to the medical, saved me paying £35 each at the private medical clinic. They printed out my vacination record and the people at the medical were happy with that.

I used www.excessbaggage.com and we got 8 3CUF boxes and the cost is just over £500, dropped boxes at the house and they got picked up today.

Thanks, where are you shipping to in America? It will make a difference...

How much stuff are you looking to actually ship ?

I brought 3 extra suitcases in addition to the 2 I was allowed on American Airlines. I paid about $170GBP in excess baggage charges and the bags arrived at the same time that I did.

I paid about 150GBP to ship my bike using UPS using a 7 days door to door service but its worth mentioning that if you have a bike properly packed in a bike box or carrier, it can be checked in place of one piece of luggage.

You may be looking to ship far more than would fit in suitcases but if you're just talking clothes / CD's etc.. then I'd contact the airline and inquire about excess baggage limits and charges.

Mark

He doesn't want to deal with extra bags at the airport. It's mostly books so slow is OK.

I am moving to Kansas City in Missouri

I used www.excessbaggage.com and we got 8 3CUF boxes and the cost is just over £500, dropped boxes at the house and they got picked up today.

Hi,

1) there is an expiration date on NOA2. What does it mean? Do we have to get an interview date before the expiration date? If it's expired, will the officier reject the visa?

2) DS-156K also requires

birth certificate, police certificate, evidence of engagement and evidence of financial support

so do we have to attach them to the package 3 and mail them back?

do we send copies or the originals?

thanks,

lele

1. yes I believe so

2. No do not send any of the supporting evidence with the DS-156k, you bring it all to interview.

We havent actually booked our flights, but those are the days that we are looking to leave. I havent resigned yet as I have saved up my leave to take two weeks off when I leave (thus getting a paycheck once I am in America), plus I might be able to move over with my current company.

I am taking a bit of a risk by booking flights, but I am confident that I have everthing in order and my Fiance will be with me at the interview. We are looking at getting the visa around 5 days after the interview date and then leaving around a week later.

I could all go horribly wrong, but I have waited so long I just want to get over there and get on with my life.

It does seem that on average it takes around 2 months to 2.5 months from NOA2 to interview.

see my signature

Thanks for the advice on calling the DOS, unfortunately they have given me the same information as the UK helpline - although they are a lot nicer than the UK helpline.

I need to just sit and wait patiently.................

Congratulations to those who have received the interview dates!!!

Yeah the UK helpline is very unhelpful and uninterested, especially annoying as it is £1.20 a min

Wohooo got my interview date today, 2nd October @10.00

Now got to look at booking flights etc

Well I still dont have an interview date. I phoned up the expensive phone number and they told me that the system still hadnt been updated with my checklist being received, but they had my 2301 part one on file, which was in the same envelope. So hopefully I will get a date next week sometime.

Since I have sent packet 3 back and got my medical booked I am now trying to plan actually moving over there. I am selling most of my stuff, but there is some stuff that I want to take over with me, what is the best and cheapest way of getting it over there, has anyone got any suggestions.

I only have around 100kg of stuff (I think), with no bulky items like wardrobes or bed, its mostly clothes, some choice books, baby stuff and bits and bobs.

anyway thanks in advance

I sent back my packet three on the 18th August and I have booked my medical for the 6th September. Hopefully get packet 4 through soon. Also got my police report through yesterday as well, yay

I got my packet 3 through, havent looked at it yet though. Woot one stage closer

I got aproved on the 31st, mine was received at the NVC on the 4th and left on the 7th. Hoping that my packet 3 comes soon

The worst I have ever had was with NTL in the UK

Guy comes to the house and installs, TV, phone and broadband, so the phone and the broadband work great, but the TV only has the free channels and not the full package that we paid for. The guy informs us that the channels will come on in around 30 mins. So happy with that the guy leaves.

Around 2 hours later, a bit annoyed that the channels havent come on I phone up NTl, after waiting for around 3 0 mins to get to a real person she informs me that we have to switch the box of at the mains, keep it off for a minute and then switch it back, effectievly rebooting it. So I hung up and done what she told me, but it didnt work.

So I tried phoning back, but after 45 mins I gave up and went to sleep

next morning I got up and checked to see if the channels were on, but again no they werent so I phoned up and after around 15 mins got through. She told me that she had now forced the channels through and all I had to do now was reboot the box, so I put the phone down and tried that, again nothing worked.

left if a couple of hours I was ready to bite the next persons head off, so i then tried again and the woman started by saying

NTL: what you need to do is switch the box off ...

me: I aint switching the box off, you have told me to that twice and it never works.

NTL: Well sir we cant help you unless you follow our advice

Me: I aint getting off this phone untill I have my channels

NTL: OK sir please wait a second..

(please note this was the short version of the conversation)

as she said please wait the channels started magically apearing and the box was updated. She then came back and asked if our channels were there. I thanked her, but WHY THE HELL DIDNT THEY DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE

I am right at the beginning of the process but do you think it would be sensible to apply for a police certificate now to be on the safe side?

And can I double check you only need one for countries lived in for longer than one year? Jon and I met in Germany where I lived for 10 months and I have no idea how to begin obtaining a certificate from another country!!

Sorry I'm being pedantic, I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about what we have to do!! I think that might have been a product of too much time spent on this site

I want to make sure we get it all right first time!

Thanks guys.

Yes you only need one if you have been in the country for 12 months, see below

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/docs169.html

Found out today that my petition has been through NVC and is now on its way to london. As I am trying to get my interview before my sons birthday I was wondering if there is anything that I need to have ready so that I can send back packet 3 as soon as it arrives.

I have already filled for my police report and that should be here soon. Also has anyone managed to get there GP to give them any missing jabs.

thanks in advance