yunnipie

Another idea that may work for others. I have excellent credit (826) and a fear of unsecured debt 😅 When my husband joined me in the states I added him to my Discover card as an authorized user. His credit skyrocketed to the 730's in a couple of months. Not all cards report for auth users, so check with yours if this is something you're looking to do. We will add our boys when they get older, too, so that they get a good kick start. Do know that if removed from the auth user status they lose the benefit.

Good to know! We have a wedding to fly back for, and will probably be flying out of Seattle

Hi all, we learned a little something relating to "the packet" for his CR-1 visa when my husband travelled through Canada.

As we all know, there is the special packet that only US immigration opens upon entry to the US.  We booked my husbands flight a couple of weeks after I got home due to a job offer for me.  He flew from Gatwick in London to Seattle, with a layover in Calgary Canada.  My sister, niece, and I drove up from southern Oregon to get him (about 7 hours). We made sure he had everything he needed for entry in his carry on.  On the drive up I get a message from him, while he was in Canada, that they took "the packet."  Naturally, this panicked me. He said they didn't give it back.  We were weirded out by it because our understanding was that it would be taken upon entry to the US, not Canada.  He said that when he went through the customs line in Canada they asked his purpose of travel, to which he responded that he is immigrating.  There they sent him to the side immigration line and opened the packet and went through it.  They asked random questions, like where he will be living, the address, etc., then waved him through.  Still, we were worried because all of our research said this would happen in the US, and this was in Canada.

Turns out it was a good thing.  When he got to Seattle he just went through straight through and didn't have to check in at customs or anything.  This was good because he had a four hour layover in Calgary, and we got to the airport in Seattle around the same time as his plane landed.

Anyway, just thought we would share his experience so that nobody else worries like we did

3 hours ago, Cam73 said:

Just to complete the circle...visa approved yesterday after about 20 mins at the embassy.

Congratulations!!  When do you leave?  My husband is on his plane to come here now

8 minutes ago, Adam&Allison said:

Glad you got sorted in the end

Thank you!!  Us too

Husband picked it all up and said it's fixed - what a relief!!!

Update again:

We just got the email that it'll be ready for pickup tomorrow.  If, by some craziness, it is not corrected again I'll try the link Adam&Allison posted.

Fingers crossed!!

On 25/01/2017 at 7:31 AM, Adam&Allison said:

Just email them - you can't get through to anyone at London on the phone. The other alternative would be to contact Department of State. They can sometimes help with matters like this I believe. 

I was able to find a number, but it was for approved applications that went through the NVC and we were DCF. if we don't hear back by Monday, is this the number I should call do you think?

Update:

Starting to get worried.  Got through to someone at the embassy by pressing zero at the main menu.  But, she said that the visa department doesn't take outside calls (makes sense). We contacted them through the form, again with detailed info of flights and that we've sent it back before, and they responded on the 7th to send it back.  By then I was already flying back to the states, but hubby was able to drop it off on Thursday the 9th.  As of today, we haven't heard back from them if it is ready or anything.  We sent a request through the contact form asking for an update as we are nearing his flight date and getting nervous.  He leaves the morning of the 22nd.

We are really getting worried.  What if they don't get it back in time?  Any advice would be appreciated 

Where you're going depends on number of stops and such.

We use Skyscanner for booking flights.  Book on a Tuesday, and don't do it from a device you keep checking prices on.  Also, try kiwi.com.  It's one of the sites that Skyscanner searches.  That's what we booked my husbands through this time and it cost $340 for one way to Seattle.  It was also less than $25 CA$ to add additional checked bags ($19US, £15).  Other airlines are normally in the ballpark of $100US for an additional bag.  You can prebuy meals for the flight, but he doesn't like airplane food anyway.  If you prebuy they are really cheap, or do like he is and grab something at the airport after security and put it in the carry on.  I also looked into it, and this cheaper flight has the same sized seats.  I checked on the website seatguru for this info. 

Basically, I'm saying that the cheaper flights may not be so bad.  Just look at your options

Ok, I'm going to cry.  Might have more to do with me feeling ill though.

Thursday they emailed us that his packet was ready to be picked up again.  Today I made it down and picked it up (which was a hassle because the embassy didn't include me as someone authorised to pick it up).  Got home, opened it up, and found that they didn't change the passport number on the visa, nor on the Immigrant data summary on the sealed packet.  But, the "do not open" envelope is a new one.  I can send the embassy communications through the portal, but did it get fixed maybe on the back end?

Update:

We used the form on the website to contact them and gave detailed information, including scheduled flight dates. They emailed us in the afternoon on Friday with instructions to send back the passport and sealed envelope.  I'll be dropping it off with the courier tomorrow so fingers crossed it won't take long.

Hi all!  Just when we thought we were done with the visa (until removal of conditions in a few months ?) we found an issue!  Long story short, my husbands flight is booked for February 22nd, 4 weeks from today, and we processed his eTA since he will have a layover in Canada.  It is at this time I noticed his passport number on his visa is wrong.  It is entered correctly on the site where we scheduled his interview though.

So, as one does, I searched the VJ site and found that others have had the same error in other countries.  They indicated to call the embassy asap, not to email them.  So this morning I tried to call the embassy and can't get through to a person or an appropriate menu option.  I tried both the number listed on the website, and one that was given through that automated message.  I also found one on here (a pay by minute one) but seems it's an old number as it wasn't recognized when I called it.

Should we just email them via the contact form?  Is there another number available?  Does anyone know a number sequence to use in the automated system to get through?  Any other ideas?  Thanks!!

Here are the numbers ivencalled:

020 7499 9000

020 3608 6998

090 6820 0290

I've actully read a little a put this as I'm living in the UK with my husband on the spouse visa, but we are moving back the The US next week.  From what I've read from others you'll need the basic proof that you normally would when visiting, but also to bring your brp card.

Congratulations! 

I went to the window with my husband for his CR1 interview.  Some people have said that they were told they couldn't go to the window.  Not only was I allowed to the window, but she even asked me a couple of questions.

So even if he can't 'attend' the interview itself with you, it might put you at ease with him there waiting with you or even just outside the embassy.

Good luck!

Like everyone said, it all depends.  but, for reference only and don't book the flight until he has his passport back, my husband had his CR1 visa interview on Tuesday the 3rd and his passport was ready for pickup on Monday the 9th.  The woman conducting the interview even let us know it'd be about a week.   Don't let the 17 day average what time on the screen in the waiting area scare you

It is only needed if you have any medical conditions.  But do remember your vaccine records 

I don't know about others, but reading about the interview for us was more comforting knowing what we're going into, and not for preparing answers.  Just knowing what to expect

We went through the CR-1 process, which is similar and took a long time for us, like 3 hours.  Another member did the same process, the next day, and around the same time of say, and it only took about 45 minutes for them. 

Highly recommend taking a look at the consulate reviews on this site.  In there people have posted all of the questions asked as well as how long it took.  It's comforting to know exactly what you'll be walking in to, and it's been detailed in that section

Sadly I have to leave sooner than my husband because of a job opportunity for me, too.  I'm grateful they are holding it as long as they are.  He will be moving to Oregon at the end of February and I'm going on the 7th.where abouts are you moving to?

Yay, progress!  My husbands case number came within a week after the NOA2, I want to say just a couple of days later.  Also to help put you at ease, we had our incredibly relaxed interview on Tuesday, we were the very last one of the day, and got the email Friday that the visa is on its way to the courier.  That means we will be getting his passport back less than a week after the interview.  So seems it goes fast after the NOA2!

Ya'll are so kind, thank you for putting my mind at ease 

Ya'll are so kind, thank you for putting my mind at ease 

I'm probably over thinking this (all part other process,right?).  My husbands interview is tomorrow at the London embassy.  He's cleared on his medical, but his foot is bothering him.  His GP has never diagnosed anything, and just gives him aleve, telling him to lose weight - I think it is plantar fasciitis. 

Will they be sceptical of approving him since he has a limp right now, and may need to use a crutch?