whiterabbitt

Hi All,
 
This is my experience for anyone with an interview in the near future - I will also be adding a review on the office review section.
 
Interview 9am, March 2nd (Medical, 24th March - only 3 working days between these appointments)
 
Arrived at the embassy 8:50am and waited in a very long queue outside in the rain. First checkpoint looked at my DS-260 and passport. Approx wait was 30 minutes in the queue. Was told here not to queue again inside, but to head straight past everyone to the desk as I was waiting on an immigrant visa.
 
In to security, they checked my DS-260, then I had to open an app on my phone, take off jacket and belt etc, standard airport style security. This took a few minutes and I was through.
 
Inside the embassy I walked past the queue, as directed, and spoke to a lady at the desk, who again checked my DS-260, then printed a few stickers with my information on and directed me to the floor above, and was told to turn left, and left again to the waiting area.
 
As I left the elevator, 2 embassy workers beckoned me forward in to the crowded room and told me to sit down to the right hand side - I told them i'd been directed to turn left, to which they replied "Ah okay, yeah left and left again". Be careful here - I think they are working with an influx of J1 visas etc, so just expected me to be waiting for the same category.
 
Once round to the correct waiting area, I sat down and waited 45 minutes to be called up to the first window, at which point a man checked my passport, courier confirmation, DS-260, birth certificate, police certificate and asked me who my joint sponsor was (How I know them). He had all of the financial information on his screen, and asked about my joint sponsor by name, he also only looked at originals and made copies rather than using mine. He handed me a sheet about modern slavery etc, scanned my finger prints and asked me to take a seat again. Contrary to common reviews, this interaction was very friendly and easy, I was expecting someone moody from what i've read! (The few people before me seemed to spend ages at the window with multiple problems, luckily for me it was over in 5 minutes without any problems)
 
I waited 10 mins and was called forward for the final interview. The lady asked me to raise my right hand for an oath of truth, and then scanned my finger prints again. I was asked if I had received the sheet on modern slavery, and whether I had any questions about this. I was asked where I met my spouse, and where we are going to live, she handed my documents back to me that had been held from the first window, and then told me she was accepting the visa application and that I would receive my passport back in 1-2 weeks. Done!
 
Important points: I took, but did not need, all financial documents submitted to the NVC, passport copy for my spouse, photocopy of everything. It seems that the embassy specific instructions are out of date now, so they ask for much more than they need. At my medical they told me it would be a minimum of 5 working days to be sent to the embassy, so I expected to be rejected pending medical results, but to my surprise they had already received them!
 
The process, apart from the waiting, was very straightforward and simple to follow. I'm hugely relieved now it's over! Good luck to anyone with an interview coming up.

Hi,
 
Just wanted to write on here for all those people who can’t get a medical before their interview date and are stressing (me up until today!). I am in that position and today I anxiously attended my interview in London. It all went well, it was quite busy and I had to wait outside in the rain for a little while but once inside it wasn’t too bad. They weren’t too phased that I hadn’t done my medical yet. They gave certified a copy of my passport for me so I can take it to my medical next week (they asked me for a copy so make sure you have a copy with you).
 
They only question they asked me during the interview was “how did you meet your husband?(I’m applying for a CR1).
 
At the end of the interview they gave me a document to say that my visa was “refused” based on no medical results but explained that as soon as they get the medical results through they will complete my visa process.
 
So don’t stress, go to your interview and all should be well! 
 
PS they also told me that the police certificate is now valid for two years instead of one, news to me and could have saved me getting another certificate but oh well! 

Hi,
 
No worries you can go to the interview even if your medical exams are not completed, The Visa officer will certify a passport copy for your medical, 
 
I did the same two weeks ago.
 
regards,
 

For anyone who's interested, we had selected for an SSN as a part of the DS-260, which I'm sure most people will.
 
We entered on Sunday 30th Jan
Our Social Security Cards were printed/dated Tuesday 1 Feb
We received them Saturday 5th Feb.
 
Much quicker than I expected and others had seen in the past.
 
Visa type etc in Timeline.

Yes. They can’t approve a visa without a medical exam so have to choose refused until they are provided with a medical report.  Even if you had the medical a few days before, the results wouldn’t be there yet and they would still have to hand you the refusal paper.
 
This problem is new and there are many posts in this UK forum about it. In the past, NVC always gave around four weeks between their notification and the interview date. Medical appointments were easily available in the four week gap.  NVC is suddenly pushing out lots of F visa interviews with only two weeks notice. The medical clinic is backlogged for the first time in a dozen years that I have followed.  I know of cases in the past where people had a need to have the medical after the interview and were allowed. It messes up their desired work flow and of course and having the medical report there would suit them much better. But they are nice people there and I can’t imagine your family all standing there at the counter inside and them pushing you out the door. Look sad, cry, plead..whatever it takes if you decide to carry on. At some point, a person of authority there needs to work out a solution to this new bottleneck. They could start with telling the NVC that four weeks notice is needed when they assign interviews  and it would soon straighten out. 

Your interview invite should come through quickly they seem to have dropped the monthly cadence and are now sending them out on  <2-3 week basis with interviews held within 2/3 weeks of the invite. 
 
In the unlikely event you do not get your interview letter before your exam date, I would recommend calling Visa Medicals and ask if you can attend anyway knowing that you will get your interview soon, and they can complete the file once you get your invite letter and pass it to them. 

I was DQ'd from the NVC yesterday, now waiting for an embassy appointment to come through to me.
 
Following advice from another user (thank you @Saqib-s), I phoned today and booked my medical for the end of the month.
 
Points of interest, for those approaching this stage:
 
- I mentioned to the person at VisaMedicals that it seems like a very busy time for them, she agreed and said that the embassy have been sending out such high volumes of appointments it's hard to catch up, so it seems to be just the increased volume - not necessarily any Covid or staffing related issues causing scheduling problems
 
- The earliest available exam was 18th Feb, I ended up booking for the following week. Week beginning 21st Feb was still very booked up, the day I asked for only had 2 available slots left
 
- I am gambling on getting an interview date in the next few weeks, and sadly will need to reschedule the medical if it does not come through in time
 
- I was informed I am in their e-visa system, so have been told I don't need to bring passport photos 
 
- All in all, very pleasant process to book, just have your case number and personal details at hand. An email comes through straight afterwards with plenty of details, so don't worry about researching too much
 
Hopefully this is of interest/helpful to people!

I would add, if you've been DQ'd and are awaiting an interview date in London, go ahead and call Visa Medical and book your medical asap, don't wait for the interview invite.  

But for 13 years they got the Medicals to the embassy in 3-4 days, even when they went physically by courier. The exception was for about two months after the new embassy opened when nobody’s medical results seemed to be available when they went to interview. That could have been just an embassy glitch handling received reports. 
 
For a decade,  before Covid, when the embassy was processing over 100 visas a day, one could always get a medical appointment the same week or the next. I am just curious what changed this month. Perhaps Covid has taken a toll on their staffing. But if the capacity has increased that much recently, they need to look at expanding their practice or opening a second location like the one they previously had on Basil St. 
 
Yes. Great suggestion.

The thing that has changed since towards the end of last year 2021 is that the Embassy have been scheduling interviews about 2 weeks before the actual interview. Usually they would schedule an interview around 4 weeks giving enough time to book a Medical exam.
 
Yes for sure Visa Medicals is probably under staffed / possibly working through maybe limited number of people per day due to covid safety. When I went for my medical exam a few weeks ago the doctor there told me she was going in Saturdays to catch up with the backlog. No they don't open on weekends and she was working overtime out of her own will. She also managed to get my medical results to the Embassy in less than 7 days. I was really impressed.
 
The embassy seem to be working very efficiently, however Visa Medicals I think are struggling with the capacity. The two don't seem to correlate with each other in terms of appointment booking at all. They are probably just working individually trying to get through the backlog of people. 
 
To anyone who is trying to book a medical before their interview - your best bet is to call everyday for cancellations. 

The thing that has changed since towards the end of last year 2021 is that the Embassy have been scheduling interviews about 2 weeks before the actual interview. Usually they would schedule an interview around 4 weeks giving enough time to book a Medical exam.
 
Yes for sure Visa Medicals is probably under staffed / possibly working through maybe limited number of people per day due to covid safety. When I went for my medical exam a few weeks ago the doctor there told me she was going in Saturdays to catch up with the backlog. No they don't open on weekends and she was working overtime out of her own will. She also managed to get my medical results to the Embassy in less than 7 days. I was really impressed.
 
The embassy seem to be working very efficiently, however Visa Medicals I think are struggling with the capacity. The two don't seem to correlate with each other in terms of appointment booking at all. They are probably just working individually trying to get through the backlog of people. 
 
To anyone who is trying to book a medical before their interview - your best bet is to call everyday for cancellations. 

I agree.  when you go to the document check window at the interview, they can see if they’ve received your medical or not.  They ask you if you have completed it.  If you have not then the interview stage ends there and you need to rebook.  If you have had the medical but the results are not yet in, but all else is well, then they’ll hold your passport until the results come in then process it.

Wed 26th Jan approx 10:30am Email to confirm dispatch via DX
Thurs 27th approx 9am DX email saying "out for delivery"
Thurs 27th approx 10am Collected from DX Chancery Lane

Tues 25th Jan approx 13:20 Case status changed to Issued.

Another thing to consider is that a K1 holder can't freely travel internationally until they get their Advance Parole. So many cases on VisaJourney about K1 holders having emergencies in their home countries that require them to travel ASAP. Some people have to endure not travelling at all, while others travel but then can't return to the States because they didn't get Advance Parole in time.
 
While emergency Advance Parole exists, it can't be counted on, especially with all these coronavirus-related delays. A spousal visa holder has none of these problems.

I’ve read UK fiancé sad stories for over a decade. Some just can’t cope with the limitations. It’s worse if you are poor or have to live with the spouse’s parents.  For me a K1 was no problem because my wife didn’t work so we spent all day together doing things. And I was an old guy, decades past still hanging out with my school mates. I didn’t mind my wife paying for everything and she didn’t either. And my work permit wait was only about 50 days. It really depends on the individual situation and how one can cope with their specific situation. 

I don’t think K1 denials in London are something to worry about  or base a decision on. They are pretty easy on K1s and don’t put you through some grueling interview trying to catch you out. If you are a real couple, you have no worries. If you are a dodgy case and trying to commit immigration fraud they are pretty good at figuring it out whether fiancé or spouse.
 
The thing most beginners don’t know is a spouse becomes a greencard holder the minute they arrive in the US. They can work and get a driver license. A K1 is merely given a 90 day entry with no further immigration status. They have to apply for a greencard and work permit ($1225). You may be together, but you won’t be able to get a job or driver license or go visit back home for months. (whitrabbit says above currently it’s about 11 months). I’ve seen many, many K1s over the years who can’t deal with being stuck at home all day while the spouse is at work. They get really bored and homesick with no friends or family around and feel bad they aren’t contributing to the household expenses. So many sad stories of these couples not making it.  So I would ask myself if I could tolerate the total boredom and isolation that long. And do you have enough savings to contribute some or does you finance have enough money to pay for your essentials like a phone, health insurance, etc. it depends a lot on your age, how social you are with many mates or none, how much money you bring with you, if you are in a big city with easy bus or subway access or a small town with no public transport. 
 
 

Mon 24th Jan approx 09:30 Last Updated change to today's date, status remained as Refused
Mon 24th Jan approx 12:30 Case status changed to Administrative Processing  

To round off this... my status changed from Refused to Administrative Processing the following day, which I assume means they got my results. The following week, my status changed to Issued, and a two days later my passport was ready to collect with the visa from the DX office (I opted for in person collection). Took a week from the interview to having my passport with visa in hand. 

For those of you who are collecting your passport / visa / documents from DX in person as opposed to paying the extra to have them deliver to your chosen address I have a small note:  If your tracking status says 'Out for delivery today' - that means the item is ready to collect. 
 
I opted to collect my passport in person from the Chancery Lane branch of DX, as I'm local to London and didn't  trust a courier trying to get my passport to me in my apartment block. You can see my time line below for the blow by blow. I watched the tracking status all day today and it remained in 'Out for delivery today'  status with no tracking updates. I waited till 3pm and decided to visit the office on the off chance it was there. The gentleman behind the desk confirmed it was, and told me that it's an issue with DX's system; if it says 'Out for delivery today' - it means the item is ready to collect. DX are aware of the issue but not resolved it. I had tried to call or chat to DX online but wasn't able to get through to anyone. 
 
recent timeline:
13 Jan Thu - Interview no major issues, 'Refused' pending medical exam results 
14 Jan Fri   - Case status changed to 'Administrative Processing'  (believe my medical results were confirmed)
18 Jan Tue - Case status changed to 'Issued' 
19 Jan Wed - Email informing me my passport had been given to courier and was provided tracking 
20 Jan Thu - Tracking had package marked as 'Out for delivery today' with no tracking status updates. Visited office at 3pm and collected passport. 
 
 
 

Nice review. Glad it went so well for you. Are you going to tell us your super powers?
 
He was a bit of a nightmare. 

I just uploaded a review of my interview.  I was so stressed, mainly because the only real in depth review of an EB1A case on this forum or anywhere  (Richard Purves, from a few years back) sounded like a total nightmare!
 
In reality it was simple, zero stress, zero waiting and all over in 20 minutes from entering security to being back on the street waiting for our Uber home.
 
https://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=30644
 
AMA !

We rescheduled our interview. Originally we had it on January 10th but rescheduled for February 9th. When we rescheduled there were many slots to choose from. I attached a photo. 

you might find this article helpful (written for immigrant visas)
 
https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/entering-on-immigrant-visa-green-card.html
 
 

Attended my interview this morning, and it went well, aside from my Medical results not having arrived, so am in the 'Refused' until results arrive queue, they kept my passport. 
 
Medical exam: 5th Jan  , Visa Medical confirmed they sent the results to the embassy on 11th Jan, and today 13th Jan was my interview (9am). I suspect the results had not been processed at the embassy in time for my interview, so should come through in the next week or two. 
 
I was surprised at how busy the embassy was, there seem to many non immigrant visa people there. Will write up a more detailed review in the embassy review section.