Tigersden

2/14/2007 - Packet 3 arrived

2/21/2007 - Packet 3 sent

3/01/2007 - packet 4 arrived

3/14/2007 - Medical

3/28/2007 - Interview

Good afternoon I have a small question on your timeline - you say that you sent Packet III on the 21st Feb - was that everything including checklist, or had you sent the documents prior to that?

I'm trying to work out what people mean by saying they sent Packet 3 as it's a two stage process Just trying to gauge how long away my Packet 4 receipt is, along with possible interview dates

ONLY the DS-230 Pt 1 and DS-2001 should be returned to the Consulate now. Then the Consulate will schedule your Interview. All the other forms go with you UNSIGNED to the Interview where they are signed in fornt of a Consul Officer.

The DS-156 requires 2 photos. You are submitting 2 forms.

My Fiancee is taking a couple extra passport photos for the Interview, just in case.

In your forms list, there is also a "FS-257a", unless your Consulate does not require it. Maybe it's only a Brazil thing.

NOTE: Make the copies for the beneficiary also. The Consulate wants the originals and normally 1 copy also.

Just a quick note - it looks like the original poster is going through the US Embassy in London. Having sent mine off recently, I should point out that the form specifically states:

"Please complete and return the following forms to us straight away [..]

DS-230 Part I [..]

DS-156 [..]

DS-156K [..]

DS157 [..]"

So it looks like the US Embassy in London _does_ need the DS-156 to be sent in with the rest of the Packet III docs. Looks like each embassy is a little bit different

And to the OP: Yeah, Packet III is a PITA I have found that Klick Photopoint do two US passport photos for £4.99 - make sure you do it via their laser-printer service, and not the self-service booths. I managed to get 6 - two for the DS-156's, two for the interview, one for the medical, and one to send to C . Whilst they probably don't have to be identical, they should be similar

Thanks you so much! I called the Knightsbridge Doctor's and they said they have a few spare. This helps me out so much. I really appreciate it!

And can I just say that my experiences with the Knightsbridge Doctors (at Basil Mansions) were excellent today. A little slow, but kept me informed and we very chatty when I was in the various rooms with them!

Can we be added to the list please?

Christi (Lake Charles, Louisiana), Jon (Sheffield, United Kingdom). Will be living in the Lake Charles area of Lousiana when I'm approved

Thanks for such sterling work!

First of all, thank you to all who responded to my post yesterday. I do aim to respond to you all, but I'm not been home long.

The Medical, a saga in one part, by Tigersden

A sleepless night resulted in an early rise at about 4:30 am on Tuesday the 20th. My fiancee called me soon thereafter to wish me luck on the days tasks. We video chatted through skype for about 20 minutes before I had to head and grab a shower, and make sure for the millionth time that all was packed and ready for my trip to "The Big Smoke".

With sleep far from my mind, and nerves racing, I got into my car at about 5:30 and drove the 30 or so miles to Leeds so I could get the fast train down to London. Parked at work and walked over to the slightly bustling center of transport that I had passed through so many times before. The sweet smell of the bakeries readying their wares for the day, the low rumble of trucks and vans as they deliver their goods to the traders in preparation for the hordes that would descend upon them soon after.

Checked the display screens, located my train and headed through the barrier, making my way to the designated platform. The air was fresh but still warm as it had been cloudy the night before. A nice GNER train with comfortable seats and decent legroom was the order of the hour and as I settled down in my seat I started to note a few things in my makeshift journal - a letter to C. The train started off with a small jolt and I settled back into my seat, my nerves starting to calm a little at the day I had ahead of me. Rolling up my jacket into a pillow, I decided to try and get some sleep as I placed it between my head and the window. The two hours flew by as I drifted in and out of consciousness and I was soon at London Kings Cross.

Stepping out on to the platform, I headed towards the exit to try and get my bearings, the throngs of people around me causing me to panic slightly. I made my way up to the surface, the distinct difference in odour from "up north", and the drizzle making our capital city look a little depressing.

I ventured back down into the tube station, checking the tube map as to where I wanted to go. My appointment was at 11:15, so I figured that I could probably mill around for a bit beforehand, spend about an hour at my appointment, and then go explore some of the free things that there are to do in this famed city.

Purchased the necessary tube ticket, double checked where I needed to go, and headed into the cattle-pens that they call the Tube 10-15 minutes later I had arrived at Knightsbridge. I took my time to locate Basil Mansions - not difficult to find given the map that was given, but you wouldn't expect a Doctors facility to be located there!. I had an hour and a half to kill before my appointment and I was starting to get a little overwhelmed at the crowds, the traffic, and the very tall buildings. I noted from my maps that Hyde Park was across the way so I headed onwards to the green space C called me while I was doing this and we talked for quite a while. She'd had her own dramas during the night, and we talked through them. Conversing with her while I headed out in to the grassland and lake area that is Hyde Park really centered me. I am so grateful for that.

11am soon came around so I meandered back to Basil Mansions. Went in, handed in my forms and my passport to the receptionist and sat down in the waiting area, writing more in my makeshift journal. An administrator came through and handed me my passport and a questionnaire to fill in. I couldn't help but notice the "dated" look of the waiting room. Very "quaint" olde-english style decor. Not shabby, just dated Filled out the form and handed it back to the receptionist. At about 11:45 I was taken through to have a TDP shot as my Tetanus (or whichever one it was) was out of date for the US. Talked with the nurse about the Visa process, and about how my fiancee and I met. We also joked about my goofy passport photo that was attached to my form. She took me through to another waiting room which appeared to double as their kitchen!

Waited for about half an hour in there before I saw the Doctor. He was a very good natured German man who took the time to explain everything to me. We even ended up talking about the Visa process and his history as a doctor. I explained that C was doing her nursing degree, and the sort of work I would be looking at doing while I was over there. He asked a few cursory questions, weighed me, took my height and then had me strip down to my underwear and lay on the tabley couchey thing. He palpated my stomach, checked my eyes ears nose and throat, pushed down on either side of my groin and had me cough. He had me pull down my underwear "Just to check it's all still there" and then listened to my breathing. He took my blood pressure, and a phial of blood.

Throughout all of this we were chatting away like we were good friends - he certainly made me feel at ease. He told me that everything seemed absolutely fine with my checkup, and if there was anything at ALL amiss with my blood test results, he would personally call me to discuss it. I thanked him for his time, and for his explanations of what was going on and why certain things were done. He said he understands what it's like when you've not gone through this before - far too many doctors say the same thing day in and day out and don't end up considering the important people - the patients

He led me back to the waiting room where I was sat with someone who appeared to be about my age, and a few families who didn't appear to speak English. Started chatting to the guy next to me and it turns out that he was in there for his K-1 medical too! I pointed him in the direction of this site for support and information, and we exchanged email addresses. He said that he'd not found anyone else who had been going through this process. I welcomed him to the fold :grins:.

After a while I was called through for my X-Ray - removed my top and my pendant necklace thing (a US coin that has been cut into two with interlocking hearts - C has the other half ) and stood in front of the X-Ray film. I was made to stand like a chicken and was told to practice breathing in through my nose noisily When the radiographer was happy that I could do this simple task, my internal picture was taken and I dressed. We briefly chatted about how C and I met (Started talking 12 years ago?! WHat the ?!) hehe and then went back to the waiting room. About 5 minutes later was called back in to have it re-taken. There was a fault on the film itself. Went through the chicken posture, the deep breathing, and the internal mugshot again, and then was led back to the waiting room.

Started talking to my new friend and we were called through individually for them to take payment from us. £195. Ouch, but it was expected so I'd made sure to prep my bank balance for it . After that wallet-raping, I headed back to the waiting room, got my things together and headed out with our K-1 Comrade Walked past the Kensington tube station, where he was due to head off and get back to working on some artwork he's been commissioned to do. Looking at my watch in dismay, I noted it was around 2pm. I was due to get a train at about 4pm so couldn't really go expore. I wandered around Hyde Park for a while, revelling in its beauty and seclusion in such a busy metropolitan area, took a few photos, and ate a toasted sandwich.

C called me to see how it all went. We talked for a while and I expressed my sadness at her not being there with me to see all of this. I don't want to explore unless she is there with me - I want to share these new experiences with her. What has happened to the J that wanted to find new things on his own? I guess that part of me disappeared when I became involved with C. Not in a bad way, of course, it's just a case of we want to make "waves" together, and to learn things together. In a non-co-dependant way, of course

It got to about 3pm and I decided it wise to head back towards Kings Cross. Rode the tube for the final time that day, made my way through the commuter crowds and eventually found my platform.

Managed to find a seat on the train that wasn't reserved (!) and settled myself down to doze. I was exhausted. The lack of sleep, and all that travelling combined with the nerves I'd experienced really zapped my energy.

As we pulled in to Leeds at about 6:30pm it was drizzling. Ahh, almost home. I made my way back to the car and started on the final leg of my journey home. Got to near the motorway and saw it was at a standstill. I was too tired to just sit in traffic - I would have fallen asleep at the wheel, so I took the back roads instead. Ended up getting home around 8:15, utterly exhausted but pleased that the day was over. Talked with C and my family to let them know I was back safe, and here I find myself with a big mug of refreshing tea, writing up my experiences.

A good day, got the essentials done, very tiring, but now only 2 steps to go (Get I-134 from C and send off checklist, then interview!)

It's truly amazing just how quickly things are going, but just how impatient I am getting along the way :grins:

My medical is tomorrow. I know all will be fine, but I'm getting pig-sick in case there is something there that will hinder the Visa process. Does anyone know if they tell you if anything is wrong? Or do you find out at the Embassy?

Still waiting on C to send me the I-134 of her and her co-sponsor. Hope to have them by the end of next week so I can send off my checklist.

Then I wait for the interview! Looks like it takes around 2 months from the sending of the checklist to the interview date at the moment. Wow, our July-planned wedding looks like it might actually happen!

We are making such good progress with the I-129F

I can't wait to be with my honey again. This is such a long time apart :/ I'm so glad we get to speak each day on Skype. I wouldn't wish this distance on anyone :/

Congratulations and good luck It's a journey that isn't the easiest in the world and feels like it takes forever, but what are a few months a bit of hard work when compared with a lifetime together at the end of it?

RAH! Congratulations

Good evening to you Congratulations on this fantastic occasion

That is awesome news Congratulations

Congratulations Yes, this would appear to be the NOA-2 Expect the paper copy in the mail soon Ours took a little under a week to come through

Welcome to "the club"

Yayyyyy! Congrats

:bouncebouncebounce:

Thank you It's so good to have such an amazing support group

Congratulations and good luck on your further journey!

Thank you Whilst we know we will need all the luck in the world (as people do when dealing with beaurocratic nightmares like these ) we are buoyed up by the support and stories on here.

All being well, we should be married in July/August

I am trying to not be jealous since our NOA1 from California was a couple of weeks before yours.

However, on your comments, since my husband is from the UK we have been looking at the history of the Londond Embassy and I think you can be more optomistic concerning interview date. It seems to be fairly common for the Packet 3 sent by the London Embassy to arrive 3-4 weeks after approval (and rare to be more than 5 weeks) and when you respond to Packet 3, the Embassy figures out when your interview is (from what I can figure out). However, after rsponding to Packet 3, the time people wait for an interview does seem to vary significant, For example, there are 7 people on visajourney indicating an interview in London in January and after responding to Packet 3 they waited anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks for an interview. So I think if you respond promptly to Packet 3 the beginning of May is the absolutely latest for the interview but could be earlier. (You can use the timeline search function to search for this type of information ... it is very helpful.)

Oooh, thank you - that makes me feel even happier Now we just have to talk with her parents to see if they could afford to have the wedding earlier than planned :grins:

Thank you for the information re: the timeline search. It's a very powerful tool that I hadn't really got to grips with.

Oooh, hopefully if we are very lucky, things will speed through nicely I aim to get Packet III sent off within 48 hours of receiving it - I want this to process as quickly as possible

Congratulations.

Thank you We feel like the luckiest people ever at the moment Even more so when we get through the interview and are finally past immigration in the US of A

Congratulations Lots of approvals this morning

There were indeed looks like the service centre had people on caffeine drips or something :grins: I'm not going to complain though

CONGRATULATIONS! :dance:Another mile marker past both of you now. Next will be the interview, Best Wishes on your journey!!!

:grins: We are certainly looking forward to getting past all of this. As we keep saying - that's something to tell our kids about :grin:

Congrats!

Thank you By the way, cool avatar!

That is really great news!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to you both. ENJOY!!!!

AJ1

Hehe, we will do, thank you It seems like a process that will never end, but we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel (and other such aphorisms) and are working hard towards it

Great - Good Luck!

Thank you I would say "We'll need it", but this seems to be going well so far. We are just following instructions and filling forms as needed :nods:

I can't wait for this to be over

Congrats!!

Thank you - that is most kind of you I'm so glad of all the support we have found on here - reading peoples stories, hints, and tips really doeos help us to feel like we're not alone

Congrats!

Thank you Trying to go through the USCIS website left us very confused - this site has helped us both very very much!

Congrats that's good news

:grins: We are so very happy about this It made it impossible to work on Friday afternoon (found out in the afternoon due to the time difference, lol) because I was bouncing off the walls, very giddily

Now we have the next 1-2 month wait while they send packets places and send me Packet III

Congrats & best of luck with the rest of your journey!!!!

Thank you - I know we still have a little way to go, but we are so very hopeful now after the first major hurdle has been passed - getting the NOA-2

Been talking with my colleagues about when we get the final approval and they have said that they may even be able to shorten my 2-month notice period requirement to 1 month

I can't wait to be with my baby once and for all. We have waited for so long for this, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her

Another Nov NOA2er. Aww right!!!

:hi5: We are all getting there Heh, maybe things will speed up a little due the usual "summer rush" that seems to happen at Embassies

Congratulations

Why thank you

Hmm, these all seem to be coming under the same reply - wonder if it is because I opened up the "replies" in tabs in FF first

She, I, and our respective families are so happy at the news

Congrats!

I'm still waiting for mine... but so happy for you!

I'm sure yours will come along soon I was most anxious during this process, although my better half had done such an awesome job on the initial application that we were fairly sure there would be no holdups (200 pages of it, in total - all cross referenced )

Such a heart-wrenching process to go through, but the end results are more than worth the wait

Congratulations! It is a great feeling, I remember how awesome that day was for Melinda and I. Hoping that your process goes smoothly and that you can be together soon

Rob and Melinda

Thank you I am hoping that we will be together in about 17 weeks. If all goes well, I should also be approved by then. We can proceed to return to the USA together Well, I can hope

Congrats!

Thank you We are very excited about all of this. It's quite a scary process, even if it _is_ fairly straightforward!

Good morning everyone. My Fiancee, Christi, received an email from the USCSIS.

NOA-2 Approval sent!

We are _so_ happy According to the user timelines, we could expect my interview to be as early as the beginning of May!!

Not getting my hopes up too much, but I can't deny that this news does make me want to run round the office screaming like my hair is on fire

So, from what I have seen am I correct in thinking the following:

It should take about 20-30 days for our case to be forwarded to the NVC

It should take about 30 days for the US Embassy in London to receive the packet from the NVC

I should have my interview about 30-40 days after that? In the meantime they send me a packet to fill out?

Trying to stay calm is _not_ easy