NealandCari

Well, after calling them back for like an hour and a half, I guess they decided to open again. I guess we still haven't "qualified" for an interview date. I'm not so concerned about the date being super soon, I just want to know when it is. It's the not knowing that drives me crazy!

And I still can't get my email to the Embassy to go through. I've tried multiple times over the last few days, and it's always deleted without being read. Frustrating!!

Is there some reason why I keep getting the "Our office is closed message" when calling DoS? Do they have a lunch break or something? They keep telling me to call back Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, but it's now 11:20 am there on a Wednesday.

Bummer, Daisy! I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know anything about security checks I'm afraid, but here's hoping it will prove to be only a minor delay. Fingers crossed!

[quote name='psho' date='Jul 10 2007, 09:55 PM' post='1038437'

I used the LondonConsular@state.gov address, and I did get the "Nyah nyah we deleted without reading it! How dare you use this email?" but they did respond, eventually. And the email the sent telling me our interview date was completely unsolicited, so I was quite surprised.

Just make sure you reference the case in the subject line and the body of the email. I emailed them twice over the course of two weeks.

Haha, good to know, thanks! I will keep trying then!

I was under the impression though that to have at least one joint account would be good evidence for AOS. I agree, however, that you should have some money of your own elsewhere. I don't really think much about that though because my fiance and I have always shared and he's alwys been generous. He would never try to claim my money to himself if it was mine.

Yeah, anyone who is considered too "high risk" has to go in the state pool. My mom was bipolar, and eventaully lost her insurance. I think she was paying somwhere near $1000 a month for insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico state pool.

Congrats, psho!! It looks like they're finally getting their butts in gear!

Just a question, what email do you use for the Embassy? is it LondonConsular@state.gov? Do you just have to keep emailing them until they don't automatically delete your email without reading it like they've done mine?

I am wondering because I wanted to email them about our medical date. Neal didn't get through to set one up before he sent off the P3, so he simply wrote "pending" for medical date on the checklist. He called the next business day and set up an appointment for a week later, July 3. I wanted to inform the Embassy that he had, in fact, already gone to his medical. I am worried they will wait to give us an interview date if they have not received the forms from the doctors (Neal had to go into his GP July 4 to give them a form requesting they send a letter regarding his past depression and I'm not sure how quickly the doc sent the letter back to Knightsbridge).

We put September 1st as our travel date, so I'm hopeful they will take that into account.

I think I'm hyperventilating!!! We got an interview date for July 31 at 9:00!!!!

This means we should make the August 11 wedding - granted he'll be coming over with the whole family about 3 days before, but hey - it works!!!!

I'm a HAPPY GIRL!

That's awesome guys!! Congratulations!

I just called the DoS line and our case was "received" by the Embassy yesterday, July 9, though the woman told me we did not yet qualify for an interview date. She said to call back every day this week to see when we qualify. Oh well, at least it's finally in their freakin' system!

She also told me that everyone seems to be calling about London today, she's already had about 5 calls. Haha!

On a happy note, bought a ticket last night to fly to the UK for a long weekend. I leave on Thursday. It was completely unplanned, but we're both pathetic, so what the hell?

That's awesome, not pathetic! As soon as Neal finds out his interview date, I'm booking a ticket out there. I can't wait!

On a completely unrelated note, someone I know just married her sweetie this past weekend. She is a USC, and he is a UKC, but they are doing it the other way around - marrying here, then moving to the UK. But I get all giddy at all the international love happening, and hopefully will be attending their UK reception Augsut 25!

That's good to hear, as I'm planning on travelling back to the US with my fiance and going through JFK with him.

I haven't followed through with it just yet, but I asked my bank how difficult it would be to add my fiance onto my account without an SSN, and they said that it should be no problem as long as he fills out some form relating to the Patriot Act (is that the W-8 everyone is apeaking of?) and shows his passport.

We have one at Target, and what's nice about it is that after your wedding you get 10% off everything that is not purchased for you.

We also have a wish list at Urban Outfitters for a few more kitschy things. It works a lot like a registry in that it tells us what people have bought for us, etc.

anyone transfer through paypal??

Neal has sent me money through Paypal before, and they have twice randomly tacked on a rather large fee, so I'm not sure I trust them anymore.

Congrats Daisy!! That's so awesome.

I called DoS again today, and there is still no indication of receipt of our P3 even though it was signed for almost 2 weeks ago. Why are they talking so darn long to send out those P4s right now? I know you can't go just by people's timelines, but just a month ago people were getting their P4s a week after posting their P3s! I put our travel date as September 1, because I was really hoping to have the interview by then since our wedding is in October, but it's not looking too good for August interviews.

Well, I don't know if they are in the habit of just passing out the DS-3025 or if you have to inquire about it. I know TracyTN's Chas got a copy of his at his recent medical.

Yes, I'd definitely see about obtaining it. You need proof of your vaccines when you file for AOS. This form helps pave the way for that.

Neal got one; they even told him he would need it when he got over here.

Yeah, it's really hard. In the 2.5 years Neal and I have been seeing each other, we've been lucky enough to never go more than 2 months apart. Since we've filed our K1, we haven't seen each other at all. Last time I saw Neal was March 5 and I've really suffered since then...depression, anxiety, the whole works. Plus it doesn't help that I am trying to plan our wedding at the same time, bit by bit. Just hang in there. I know it's easier said than done, but just try to communicate as much as possible (Neal and I talk on the phone every single day...it's the highlight of my day!) and keep yourself occupied.

Congrats to all!

Neal had his medical today and said it went really well. Apparently they were really laid back and nice in the office. They told him he needed his tetanus shot since he hasn't had one since 1997, but they still marked it as okay and said to get it done somewhere cheaper and it was no big deal. They gave him a form to take to his doctor to get a letter about his history of depression, and as soon as they get that back, they'll send it to the Embassy.

Still waiting on that P4 though.

I called the DoS number just now -- the latest notation on the computer is the receipt of Packet 3 forms from my guy on June 4 -- no notation of receipt of checklist or anything since then.

The DoS operator said "Maybe they just haven't updated their computers yet" but it's been 12 days since they got the checklist.

If it hasn't changed by Thursday night, we're calling the extortion line.

I called DoS today too, and they have no indication of receipt of our Packet 3, and they told us the same thing ("They probably haven't updated their computers yet, give it a couple more weeks and call us back"). Oh well.

I take those dates with a grain of salt too, because there are some people who take longer than others to send back Packet 3. 83 days is based on people who have both sent their Packet 3 before even recieving it, and those who have taken a month to send it back, since it is based from when the Embassy receives the case from the NVC rather than when they receive Packet 3. We sent our packet back two days after receiving it, so I'm hoping in my heart of hearts for slightly faster turn-around. Though on the other hand I know there is no rhyme or reason to this process in the slightest.

it has been 3-4 months now for me to get to ok credit so much quicker than the UK would be. I'm hopeful that in a year or so I will be considered "good" or even "very good". I will continue to open store cards, buying small things and paying off the bill promptly in the hope that the creditors will write nice things on my credit report !!

It's been over a year for me, and I only have a so-so credit, though I've always paid everything on time. I thought my score would grow faster than it does I guess, length of credit history matters quite a bit, simply paying bills on time isn't enough... Now I'll just wait for my credit cards to mature and see what happens..

Being fresh out of college, I only have a little more than a year of good credit history. I have been struggling to get accepted for credit, because of both credit history and because I had a late payment on a credit card I had back in high school that I used as overdraft protection. I didn't know anything about credit then, so I wasn't very careful about this. That account was closed in 2002 or 2003, but I guess I have to wait two more years until that drops off my report. It still is a struggle now, as I have over a year with no late payments, but I can only get a card with a $300 limit (now raised to $450) and a $50 annual fee. I got offered a better card from my bank a few weeks back, but when I applied, I was again denied. I am hoping my SO will have more luck!

I called DOS today, because I saw that our Packet 3 had been received (i.e. signed for), but they don't have acknowledgement of receipt in their system yet. Oh well.

I am wondering, we never sent a cover letter with our Packet 3 explaining our wedding plans or anything. Neal only sent a cover letter explaining the contents of his packet. We put our travel date as September 1st and our wedding date as October 19 on the form, but provided no supplementary letter about this. Do you think we'll need one? I mean, i am still holding out hope for an interview date end of August/beginning of September, just so Neal can come to the States a little early to help out with final wedding plans. We have already put down deposits for October 19th, but have not booked flights or anything yet. I just don't want to have to have the interview too close to the wedding date so we have to scramble to get everything together over here. Is there anything we can do to indicate this or will the dates on the form be enough?

Thanks in advance!

I have a question...My SO has OCD, not a severe case and mainly the obsessive part of it (obsessive thoughts and worries, etc.) He has been on various antidepressants before and has seen a private therapist for it. Will he need a letter from his therapist? I'm not sure it's on his record, I think he asked to see a psychologist through NHS, but never received an appointment after 1.5 years. He has never attempted suicide or tried to harm himself or anything. Should he even disclose this? Or will it just be a case that they will ask for him to fax over a letter after the medical if they need it? His medical is next Tuesday, but his interview won't be for a while yet.

Neal is from Wallington, South London. A craphole if there ever was one.

Well, we mailed off the Packet 3 on the 23rd and wrote "pending" for the medical date. Neal booked his medical at the beginning of this week. It's next week, on the 3rd of July at 3:30 pm. Obviously that will give plenty of time before the interview date.

My question, however, is this: Should he email or call the embassy to let them know he now has a legitimate medical date? Or will they figure it out?