Teddy406

Teddy - this is what I'm getting from your posts so far: you had an issue with depression in the past. You got a letter from your doc now that was not so bad, and had no indication of suicidal thoughts. In your medical interview, they asked about suicidal thoughts. You said none. The doctor's note confirms none.

Later on, you went home, read something in your medical file that indicated yes, suicidal thoughts?

Most people don't routinely read their medical files. The Embassy won't get your medical file unless it's part of a legal record to which they have access or it's part of something you handed over to them during this process.

If what you said matches what was in the doctor's note you took in, then you sound like you're in good shape. If they magically turn up with that other paper, then your honest answer would be - at least it seems from what you said here - "i don't know why that's there, the doctor even said in the letter i brought that i didn't have those thoughts. i honestly don't recall what that could be about." if that's the truth, it's the truth.

in the meantime, you can speak to your doctor about what's in the file and ask why that popped up in the file but NOT in the letter. clear up the file is a lot - a LOT - more sensible than starting a long drawn out battle, potentially, with the embassy.

Yeah, that's pretty much it, except for my initial letter from my GP (the one that treated me) didnt mention suicidal thoughts.

When asking my GP for the letter, I asked if any of my actions or statements during my depression were considered 'suicidal' or whether i was a danger to myself or others. I asked her, "If there is anything that that was relevent to those issues, please put it on the letter" . My GP said in conversation "i wasnt suicidal nor was i danger to myself or others", she didnt actually put that on the letter though.

Final clear up :

1)I asked my doctor if what i thought was considered suicidal, if i ever was considered suicidal or if i was a risk to others she said no, and didnt put it on the letter; I asked her to and she said something like "there's no need"

2)I go to US medical, doctor happy with letter, said it was very good and explanatory but at the end of the interview, I get asked "thoughts of sucide?" along with other questions about general stuff : I say "No", Examining Doctor happy and says "yep, this is all good pending the blood and x-ray"

3)Subsequently I find out my GP held medical report has the phrase "thoughts of suicide" in it

4) Panic.

When doing the Visa medical I just wanted to answer truthfully based on my medical record and not create something that wasnt there, now it looks like i have done the opposite and lied about a fact on my medical record.

I just wish I had not followed the GP's advice and described to the examining physician what I believed to be the case was and I would have been much better off.

Teddy - this is what I'm getting from your posts so far: you had an issue with depression in the past. You got a letter from your doc now that was not so bad, and had no indication of suicidal thoughts. In your medical interview, they asked about suicidal thoughts. You said none. The doctor's note confirms none.

Later on, you went home, read something in your medical file that indicated yes, suicidal thoughts?

Most people don't routinely read their medical files. The Embassy won't get your medical file unless it's part of a legal record to which they have access or it's part of something you handed over to them during this process.

If what you said matches what was in the doctor's note you took in, then you sound like you're in good shape. If they magically turn up with that other paper, then your honest answer would be - at least it seems from what you said here - "i don't know why that's there, the doctor even said in the letter i brought that i didn't have those thoughts. i honestly don't recall what that could be about." if that's the truth, it's the truth.

in the meantime, you can speak to your doctor about what's in the file and ask why that popped up in the file but NOT in the letter. clear up the file is a lot - a LOT - more sensible than starting a long drawn out battle, potentially, with the embassy.

Yeah, that's pretty much it, except for my initial letter from my GP (the one that treated me) didnt mention suicidal thoughts.

When asking my GP for the letter, I asked if any of my actions or statements during my depression were considered 'suicidal' or whether i was a danger to myself or others. I asked her, "If there is anything that that was relevent to those issues, please put it on the letter" . My GP said in conversation "i wasnt suicidal nor was i danger to myself or others", she didnt actually put that on the letter though.

If the USA cant see your medical records, then it begs the question "why bother being honest about medical stuff all together? "

you could make the same statement about 99% of this process. if anyone wanted to, you could hoodwink the government 8 ways from tuesday and probably not face any serious consequences. except of course, if you get caught . . . .

in THIS case, however, i don't think you've misrepresented anything. they are not going to subpoena your medical records from your private doctor. they weren't submitted. and you took a whole letter with you upfront and everything.

i wouldn't open up that can of worms later by creating a problem you worry *might* exist. from what you've said, it doesn't.

Sorry there! I didnt mean had that attitude, rather, implying i didnt want to do the "they cant see your records so who cares?" routine, since i believe honesty is the best policy and I'd rather take action now to correct a situation than risk greater punishment later, for example, if i have to do a second medical because our AOS isnt within a year of my original. What should I do then? Will I need an identical copy of the letter I submitted to the examining medical officer? Will I have to indicate the same medical history again? Or is it just changes from my inital K1 medical?

Teddy

Peace,

Teddy

Thanks for your timely advice...

Well, I've done my medical and already submitted my letter at the time of the medical to the examining physician, he said it was excellent and exactly what was needed.

If the USA cant see your medical records, then it begs the question "why bother being honest about medical stuff all together? "

I certainly dont agree with that, and I know 99% of people here dont! I really dont want to do anything approaching "misrepresentation" and honestly, common sense wise, I would agree with you, my family and fiancée but if i need/should do "something" now regarding the situation, I'd rather do it.

Teddy,

I DID NOT advised you to do anything illegal or to lie to the consular officer - I did say you don't have to bring things up unless they ask you. Consular officers are that: consular officers - they are not MD's and hence have little experience about the complexity of health in general, and mental health in particular.

Like TimsDaisy said: why open a can of worms? But, at the end of the day, you will do what you feel is right for you.

Good luck in your journey, L.

Sorry, I think we were getting our wires crossed, I wasnt implying you advised a lie to a consular officer, I tried to explain further on that I'm not prepared to do that and, more, if anything, have infact asked "Is this a situation requiring further action before i turn up at the interview? If the officer asks certain questions, I want to be ready, I dont want to leave myself open to accusations that i was dishonest intentionally"

Which is why I have asked the question, I appreciate I cannot take it as legal gospel but if someone said "yeah, you've blatantly and clearly defrauded the process, get a waiver"; I'd probably get a cosnultation with a lawyer. People might say "if you believe your medical records are wrong or misleading then, speak to your GP about why this is".

Sorry for that misunderstanding.

Peace, and good luck to yourself.

Teddy

Teddy,

First of all, don't panic. From what I understand, neither the consulate or the panel physicians who perform the medicals HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS .- So there is really not much to worry about.

Since your personal physician gave you a letter with the details, bring it to the interview, but don't bring it up unless the consular officer asks for it or if there are any questions surrounding mental health.

A lot of VJ members have or had mental health issues and it did not seem to be a deal-breaker from what I 've heard... unless you are a threat to yourself or others.

I know this sounds trite, but try to stay calm - the interview will probably be stressful enough - don't worry about things waaaaay too much. Good luck!!!

L.

Thanks for your timely advice...

Well, I've done my medical and already submitted my letter at the time of the medical to the examining physician, he said it was excellent and exactly what was needed.

If the USA cant see your medical records, then it begs the question "why bother being honest about medical stuff all together? "

I certainly dont agree with that, and I know 99% of people here dont! I really dont want to do anything approaching "misrepresentation" and honestly, common sense wise, I would agree with you, my family and fiancée but if i need/should do "something" now regarding the situation, I'd rather do it.

Hello,

I am about to go for my interview and have become increasingly worried that I may have misrepresented a fact on my medical.

I had one bout of depression a few years ago, i was put on meds and recovered very quickly. When I got my packet 3, i went through all the questions with my doctor and asked if they applied to me and my medical record because i wanted to make sure I had declared the correct things and not "overstated" / "understated" anything.

Before going to my medical I got a doctor's note explaining what type of depression i had, the treatment, the fast recovery and the fact i was not pyschotic.

I asked my doctor about me saying somethings that could have indicated suicidal tendancies and she laughed and said it was nothing to worry about, I was never a threat to myself or others. I asked her to put this in the letter but again she laughed and said, "don't be silly!"

When I did my medical the doctor was very pleased with me letter and said it helped greatly, I passed all the physical aspects and he asked me at the very end "any thoughts of suicide?"

I replied "no".

I thought he meant the "serious" thoughts and that my vague "i feel like i could just jump out the window headfirst" werent "thoughts of suicide" since I never considered myself suicidal or a risk and neither did my doctor.

I believed my worst mistake was "thinking" , when checking later, my medical record does contain the words "thoughts of suicide" . I didnt think they were the same as "i've wrote this note and im going to do this, this and this on xxx day" but now I've seen how i should have probably said something else which covered that. I can honestly say every other thing my fiancée and I have done has been to acquire a visa for us to be together legitimately, and we/I honestly didnt set out to deceive.

The words hit me hard since technically I said "No" to something that WAS on my medical record.

I've become certain that I didnt describe my depression adequetly at the time of being asked about a symptom. The Doctor was happy with what I said at the medical and said "yep, you look all fine".

What should I do?

regards, Teddy.

the Scottish Misinformation line

You're calling the Scottish Parliament offices?

(serious note) The rate on that line is terrible, and they never have any records or answers to your questions >< the only use is for getting an inquiry number, I fail to see the point in even having it (the call center).

Does anybody have this week's code? I just got a "deleted" message even though my subject was just the case number!

:-(

Teddy, did you send back your checklist and the forms to the embassy at the same time or separately?

I'm really surprised its taking them this long (what does 'qualified' mean???). When was the last time you spoke to them - and was it by email or phone?

Yeah, I would def. send an email to the embassy asking....

Yep. That and have the USC call the State Dept. stateside and see if an interview has been scheduled (and perhaps Teddy did not receive the letter).

And I do know that the embassy will generally wait to generate an interview date if they've not received the checklist.

I sent an email, it was deleted without being read, we ring the state dept and they say "yep, we have everything, just havent done anything with it yet".

I was going to send another email I guess, but if they have everything, what can i say? :-(

Hello!

I havent seen my fiancée in half a year and am desperate to go see her. She doesnt have the holiday at work to visit me unfortunately so we are stuck.

I spoke to the State Department and they said i had to send a DS-230 to the embassy to apply for a tourist visa and ask for an interview, cant i just go on the VWP? Has anyone else used a VWP to visit?

I know the question of visiting gets asked a lot, but do people go on the VWP or do they obtain a tourist visa?

Thanks

teddy

The VWP is a Visa Waiver Program!!!

Sorry, I should have said it was for a two week holiday, not a "im tired of waiting, lets try it on" method!

Are you 100% sure they received your P3?

Well, they said they have all stuff including medical, they just havent "Qualified" it yet. One dippy person said they didnt have anything for me, but I have the royal mail special delivery receipts and two other people said "yes, we have the DS-230 and the other forms, but they arent "qualified" yet"

If you want to travel to the States then yes, you can use the VWP, you don't need an additional visa. I visited the States twice on it during the K-1 process. Just remember to bring some proof of ties to the UK along with you, incase they question you about it at your POE.

Utility bills, rental/mortgage statements, bank statement, letter from your employer stating you are still employed by them...stuff like that should be sufficient.

Good luck if you decide to go!

Well, I still live with the folks (shame, shame) so no housing bills and I havent told my work im thinking of leaving.

All my bills are paperless...I could bring my K1 stuff and a bank statement, i just would feel a little light on the evidence side.

Hello!

I havent seen my fiancée in half a year and am desperate to go see her. She doesnt have the holiday at work to visit me unfortunately so we are stuck.

I spoke to the State Department and they said i had to send a DS-230 to the embassy to apply for a tourist visa and ask for an interview, cant i just go on the VWP? Has anyone else used a VWP to visit?

I know the question of visiting gets asked a lot, but do people go on the VWP or do they obtain a tourist visa?

Thanks

teddy

If you qualified for the VWP in the past, there's no reason not to use it now. On the other hand, Teddy, I know it's taking you longer than normal to get an interview date, but are you sure you want to travel before you find out when it will be? What if they end up scheduling it while you're away in the States? It's just something to think about.

Whatever you decide, I hope you get some news about your interview soon.

Well, Its been over 9 weeks now, everyone else seems to be getting it back within 2 weeks then about a month till the interview date.

the people being issued interview dates NOW and previously are getting end of may date and we said we were looking at getting married in autumn on the interview request sheet, maybe they are doing the "AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!" people and leaving us for a few months.

I know what you are saying, It could be messy, but both me and my fiancée have reached that "it's hopeless, whats going on?" stage. I think two weeks together would revive our flagging spirits.

I guess we are only bummed because everything else flew through, we were on pace with a couple of other sets of couples here and they have both got pretty prompt interview dates and we've seemingly got a hiccup at the finish line!

The reason the state dept said to get a DS-230 was so i could get a tourist visa to visit, i was like "You already have a DS-230, and nothings been done with it, thats the problem!!"

Teddy

Hello!

I havent seen my fiancée in half a year and am desperate to go see her. She doesnt have the holiday at work to visit me unfortunately so we are stuck.

I spoke to the State Department and they said i had to send a DS-230 to the embassy to apply for a tourist visa and ask for an interview, cant i just go on the VWP? Has anyone else used a VWP to visit?

I know the question of visiting gets asked a lot, but do people go on the VWP or do they obtain a tourist visa?

Thanks

teddy

would they really expect me to get a letter from a psychiatrist i was treated by 15 years ago? or would it be more sense to try and get something from the counsellor i saw 10 years ago? just seems so long ago that im worried wont be able to retireve info they want.

will try and get to doctors as soon as possible though to try and make sure i can get all the info i can get.

thanks everyone xxx

One of the questions on the medical form you complete on the day of the medical "have you ever taken action to end your own life?"

Since you will have to put "yes" and "yes" to depression, you should get a letter of some kind from at least your GP.

A letter from your GP you along the lines of "when you were depressed, how you were treated including the therapy and any medicene, and the fact in the last ten years you have had no referrals or recurrance" would be a good start. Without this, you will find that either they ask you to get one and fax it over or possibly, IIRC, even have to go to a US approved psychologist for an examination/evaluation.

If you look at the criteria for a medical exam, they want to know there is very little chance you are likely to repeat such behaviour and be a potential danger to yourself our others.

Cheers

Teddy

Quick question.... as I am noticing - I think we are behind on getting back packet 4. We sent packet 3 back like March 19th. Could someone please explain to me how to go about calling the state department? Or what should I do. We were kind of hoping for an interview around May 10th, which is looking like it won't happen!!

I sent my stuff in the first week of March and they havent even checked it yet. 2 months next week. It's only annoying when you see people here get a packed 4 and interview date granted within two to three weeks of submission yet the embassy hadnt "officially" receieved our package after 3 weeks. Did you send your request for interview and forms seperately? When did you say your wedding was on the intervew request form?

I found the state department is hit and miss, but better than the Scotland rip off line. One person told my fiancée last week it was all checked and waiting for an interview date, she rang up yesterday and they said they had only just got the docs!

The answer is no...followed by why would it?

(Although I'm curious, I'm not sure I want to know what a dodgy burger is... )

Dodgy burger is a burger from the type of places that give England it's reputation for bad food! You only ever eat one after you have a drink or two because you'd never order something from their with a clear head!

We received Packet 3 three weeks ago and I posted the forms, including the checklist back to them the next day. I arranged the medical (which was yesterday - and went fine) and am now waiting for an interview date.

I have been looking at other people's timelines and nearly everyone seems to have heard from the embassy within 14 days of sending off the checklist from packet 3. I have been phoning the State Department but the date still has not been set, let alone a letter been posted out to me.

I know I need to be patient, but this process is taking so long and it is impossible to speak with anyone in the London Embassy to get any information.

Is anyone else in the same situation as us? How long should we wait for the interview date to be set before we really start to worry? We are supposed to be getting married in June - we put our application in October 2006

I sent my forms back on the FOURTH OF MARCH, and the checklist on the 14th and was told last week they havent even looked at my forms. Mind you, it took them untill the 20th odd to even say "yeah, we've got them but we arent doing jack ###### with them"

Im gonna call once this week and once next week. (the state dept)

Infact, im gonna go bug them now, and then wait till after Easter possibly.

Teddy

Hello,

This is way down the line for me but I just wanted to know for future reference.

When I had my medical, when I was asked have I ever been to hospital, i said "yeah, when I came home from a night club and a couple of hours later i was being sick with a fever my parents took me to hospital to see if my drink had been spiked, tests showed it hadnt, it was probably the dodgy burger from the van i had afterwards"

Im not sure if the doc even made a note of this but will this look bad further down the road?

Im pretty sure the answer would be "no", but so far nothing has surprised me.

Thanks

Teddy.

My fiancee spent nearly two hours waiting for her appontment this morning, an hour before an an hour late getting in. Forty five minutes later she was leaving the Embassy after being approved. They never looked at her version of war and peace, just took some of the required documents.

So now we have three weeks before we start worry about Aos, Ead, AP, etc.

Congratulations there!

Sounds like the short form. Try this link:

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/births/o...cates/index.asp

Yep, i used that website and got certified copies fairly speedy!

One thing to note though, DEFINATELY check the delivery details as they cannot be amended once confirmed.

Came home to find an official letter from the US embassy on my doormat

Interview date.....

: drumroll :

May 11th @ 10:30am!

Seems to be a lot later than those who posted packet III a week after me, but I have an interview date, so I am bouncing-off-the-walls happy

AND all being well, my darling fiancee should be over in the middle of the following week - I should hopefully get my visa and passport back when she is here Then maybe, just maybe, we can leave together

Timeline and .sig updated

!!Congratulations!!

... the courier brought it this morning!! And very pretty it is too - like a kid has been given free rein with the colouring pencils.

Now, if only I had the faintest clue when exactly I'd be using it, I'd be *much* more excited. Will avoid boring anyone rigid with details, but... if I resign from my job, I'm supposed to give two months (ugh!!) notice - but I'm waiting to see if they're going to make me (voluntarily) redundant first. It should have been happening as of April 1st (perfect!) but it's all been held up... so now I don't know what to do - how long I should wait before just going 'buggger it!' and handing in my notice. The two month notice period doesn't appeal when they might well just pay me to leave (woohoo!) and let me go at much shorter notice... if I resigned and then a week later all my also-hoping-to-leave colleagues got their redundancies... that would be fairly, um, annoying!

I would sooooooooo love to just get on a plane ASAP and get over there. The Boy keeps telling me not to be hasty and to be patient and to wait and see what happens. Bah. I am sick of being patient, I've had it up to here with being patient!

*stamps foot*

Um, anyway. That is all. The mini-vent felt good, though. Damn it, I've got my visa - now I want to be counting down to the day I can actually make use of it!

Right, back to eBaying my entire life away... people really will buy anything on there...

Congratulations, and Good Luck with the "push" before you "jump"

Hello,

I've just been doing some snooping around and actually managed to speak to a lady that was very helpfull in explaining the PO Box situation.

Basically,

Any letter than contains Package 3 forms will take around 4 weeks to process. If you have sent something recorded and Royal Mail have put it in the PO Box, then the embassy almost certainly has it but you wont know untill it's been "processed" whether it has technically got there and being looked at. (seems completely bureaucratic, but eh)

If you send a letter seperately asking for an interview (which I did) and that gets confirmed earlier or "sooner" from your posting date than the other package then dont worry, it's because they can acknowledge receipt of a letter quicker than they can a set of forms.

It makes sense in a confusing kind of way

I know some people are chilled out about this, but I'm a "Sprint for the line" kinda guy and I want my fiancée yesterday. She seems so close and yet so far away right now.

Peace and Love,

Teddy

I just checked with Royal Mail on the online track and trace...my request for an interview sent on the 15th is acknowledged as "delivered". The DS-230, 156, 156k and 157 I sent on the 4th of March #has a problem with the reference# .

What should I do? Anyone else have to crack some skulls? Would it be possible for me to be given an interview date without having sent the forms to them? (which i did, i just presume my first letter is lying around somewhere) Or should I send in a second copy of my DS-230, 156, 156k and 157 ASAP?

I feel even MORE stuck in PO BOX PURGATORY now...anyone actually have any luck with asking "what the funk is going on?" with any channels?

Thanks

Teddy

:energetic:

Just rung the state department and was told that my husband's interview is scheduled for 2nd May!! I did ask my husband to ring the £1.20 a minute number yesterday as when I called the state department, they had no record of receiving packet three. I just rung him to tell him the interview date and he told me he rung last night and gave them hell, so I think whatever he did helped! Packet 4 was sent yesterday!

Good luck to all of those still waiting...

Congratulations, and Thank You for the good luck thoughts!

I sent my packet 3 (forms, but no request for interview) the day before you, when I called up the State Department last night, They said "We havent received ANYTHING from you yet, please re send!",

I sent my request for an interview on Thursday last week so I'm kind of hoping when they have both they will then change the status to "all things received, go go go!"

Teddy.