Caresse33

Oh nice!!!!
Managed to book mine for next Wednesday - have got to get some time off from work for next week and the interview but at this point, it’s the least of my worries! 
 
Good luck today! 😁

Best of luck today! I'll share the events of my medical with you, incase it proves useful to anybody preparing for the experience:
I had my medical on Wednesday(11th) morning, 0930. Which I managed to book the evening before.
I drove to Richmond Tuesday night, booked the cheapest hotel room I could find (The Dukes Head Inn, Richmond) for the parking(kind of a nightmare)! and took an Uber from Richmond to 12-16 Bentinck St. (~£22).  taking the tube back from Westminster underground(25min walk?) to Richmond (£5.90) ---- it proved sensible for to have taken an Uber there in the morning, as the tube back to Richmond was rather problematic due to several cancelations.
 
The receptionist took my photograph upon arrival, which saved me having to hand over my £8 for four passport photos (yay!), and the urine samples were taken(given!). 
After the photos, I was directed to the waiting room, where I waited for ~30minutes before they gave me the medical questionnaire to complete. 
by about 09:35 I was called into a room for my chest x-rays, the vaccination check-ups with the nurse happened immediately afterwards- I was expecting to need the Hep. B vaccination as it was missing from my records- though this was not required (very specific medical profiles require it?), they did however inform me that I would need the tetanus + diphtheria + polio (which I wasn't expecting), I opted to have them conduct it to prevent any delays, which cost £40 for all three (as one shot).
---- also, don't forget, the period of 1st(?) October - 31st March, you are required to have a flu vaccination- I managed to get one about two weeks ago for £12 at my local pharmacy, I took the receipt as confirmation as my medical summary wasn't updated to reflect this. 
 
There was a ~30minute or so wait, after the vaccinations, before I was called in to see the Dr. 
- This was when my blood samples were drawn, as well as the eye/ear examinations, and general physical (undressed, robed examination), the Dr. went through my medical summary on a line-line basis. Acquiring my medical summary was such a rush that I hadn't actually reviewed it before the medical, so a few of her questions/observations threw me, but she was mostly seeking assurances that I had fully recovered from some serious sporting injuries (broken back, ruptured bladder, etc) she was a little confused when I told her that I was no longer taking pain related medication, and sought multiple assurances of this (I know morphine/opioid addiction is a serious issue in the US, and I expect this was the reason for her asking ~3 times). I also have a number of scars on my chest, arms and back that she wanted to talk through (injuries/ accidents/ etc). 
I managed to have my GP produce a letter of recommendation before the appointment, to provide professional recommendation that I was fully recovered, which I would *absolutely* advise and encourage anybody here seek out, if your medical summary includes complications, long-running recoveries/ injuries/ medication. - the letter cost me £20, and I managed to receive it same-day (urgency of an Embassy medical).
 
Upon finishing, I was issued a medical summary sheet (not to be given to the Embassy), which is required material to be given to US employers/ colleges/ etc. -- I will make multiple copies of this, as I'm not sure if we're able to request replacements/ pdf versions of it?
The receptionist told me that it would be a 'no news is good news' situation, and that I would only be contacted if there was an issue with my bloods/urine samples.
 
I was finished and out of the building by ~11:30am. Cost of the examination: £350 + £40(vaccinations)
 
I didn't receive any news/updates until ~14:30/15:00pm yesterday, Thursday (12th) November, when I was able to confirm my interview appointment for November 23rd.
-- I take from this that it took ~1working day for the medical office to submit my medical case to the embassy, which upon being received enabled my case to progress to interview stage?

This is the kind of good news I love to wake up to! And also, looking at the pattern it seems that the backlog is clearing. Interviews ARE being scheduled 4.5 months after DQ date and not 5 months anymore. Woohooo! 
 
Congratulations, everyone who heard today - there's nothing worse than the waiting and the not knowing. It looks like some of you who are motivated can even make it out before the holidays!

Great news! We had our interview, yesterday,  Nov. 9th, 2020.  We were approved!! It's been such a long long process and if felt like a two thousand ton weight has been lifted.  We arrived approx. 8:15am and literally didn't get our interview until about 2:30pm but is was well worth it.  We were asked how we met and a few other questions directly related to our history to clarify.   The officer was very nice and asked any questions to which she may have been unclear about...I  felt our interviewee was concise and very fair. We were asked for all documents except the affidavit of support which they said still bring...instead she asked for my W2...and I had it because we brought in everything but the kitchen sink lol!   We were told congratulations and I immediately began to cry because to finally be through this tough part was a tremendous blessing and every waiting minute seemed to disappear!  We will receive the visa in a week, flight booked and immigrant fee already paid.  
 
Blessings to everyone still waiting..mhang in there..I know it is tough TOUGH...but it is sooo worth it in the end to get that approval and officially begin your life together with no restrictions.  Keep the faith!  Love to everyone ❤

My husband and I keep reminding ourselves that although waiting SUCKS, we are appreciative that we both have our jobs during the pandemic. There is no saying if he got to move here in the summer as hoped for, he would get his docs in order, his SSN sent, and find a job due to the delays in SSN and employment unknowns due to the pandemic. We know everything happens for a reason and perhaps the delay is in our favor right now. We are so blessed in many other ways.
 
anyways, i still am dying for an interview date lol. 
 
That is just my slice of positivity. Happy Friday everyone!

Timeline: 
08/Aug/2019 PRIORITY DATE
01/Oct/2020 DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED
21/Oct/2020 Expedite request submitted
27/Oct/2020 Confirmation receipt received
04/Nov/2020 Expedite req. accepted.
05/November/2020 NVC e-mail received, + CEAC updated to IN TRANSIT
09/November/2020 CEAC updated to READY
10/November/2020 US Visa Medical BOOKED
11/November/2020 US Visa Medical COMPLETED
12/November/2020 Embassy Calendar AVAILABILITY (open dates: 23, 24, 30 Nov)
12/November/2020 Embassy Interview BOOKED
 
Interview is BOOKED for 23/November/2020, US Consulate London.
 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
EDIT: It would have made more sense for me to have posted this in the case complete Oct/Nov threads, but they've been closed. 

Oh no, sorry to hear that! It is still only the 9th and the September batch heard on the 10th, so tomorrow might be a possibility. But how frustrating for everyone waiting. 
 
I hear you about the "mission critical"wording  - to me that sounds like people who can develop a vaccine for Covid or something! Well, if no one hears by tomorrow, I will go ahead and ask them when I have my interview on the 17th what they're planning for the next batch. 

Just thought I'd pass on what I came across on another social media site- basically someone had their interview today at the London Embassy and they had confirmed verbally that they will not be shutdown for lockdown apparently as the previous shutdown had caused so much of a backlog that they know to avoid it this time. Most likely they will continue to run at a reduced rate (as they are now).
 
When I had my interview on October 1st. They were pretty scarce with their appointments and times and you could tell that safety was paramount. I don't see how they could do that any better to be fair.
 
Even though it's not first hand news I thought this may help reassure those waiting somewhat. 🤞

I honestly assumed that they would have cancelled November people by now considering the lockdown news has been public a few days now. The fact they have not, and the fact the statement says ‘reduced’ rather than suspended, and the fact the doctors office think we’re game on, makes me so happy! We might just get there before 2021 at this rate! Hoping for good news over the next few days  🙏

Hi 
My interview is on the 16th of Nov and my medical is the 8th.
I just spoke with the medical clinic and they told me they have had word from the Embassy that they are staying open and continuing with interview as 'normal'!
 
There was a meeting yesterday (Monday Nov 2nd) and they decided to stay open. 
Obviously this could change but I thought you guys would like to know. 
I was extremely happy to find this out. 
 

Yehaa... Approved this morning!! . All in all a very smooth process. 15min in total. 
On a side note, a chap in front of me waiting to get into the embassy was not allowed in as he had traveled abroad in the last 14 days. He had to reschedule. 
 
Good luck to all you guys! 
 

I had my interview this morning! I overheard another guy asking them and they said they expect no changes in the next few weeks... my interview was approximately 3 minutes long and I was so happy at how seamless everything was!!! They do a great job at getting you in and out. 
 
good luck everyone!!!!

I was a regular reader of the last London thread to keep myself updated with current timelines etc before it went to 70+ pages and way off topic.
 
I thought it was such a useful resource so I’ve decided to start the ball rolling again so we can keep each other updated on news as it comes in.
 
To kick us off, me and my wife were DQ 10th July so we’re hoping to get our interview appointment email early November. It appears June DQ dates have been scheduled so hoping this is our time after literally years of waiting.
 
Fingers crossed for no Tier 3 lockdown in London! 

DQ 07/10/2020 and interview date 17/11/2020 🙌🏼 (Expedite)

Excerpt from an update on the us embassy London website:
 
'On October 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined new restrictions in response to the continuing spread of coronavirus. Visit the UK COVID-19 website for detailed and updated information about these new restrictions.
 
In light of the new restrictions, the U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom has reduced some routine in-person consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information at https://uk.usembassy.gov/'
 
Interesting use of wording, reduced some routine consular services. Reduced, not suspended... Maybe there is hope after all! 
 
Any UK folk that get any updates on appointment please reply to this comment if you see it. Here's hoping all is well. Be safe everyone!

Hey you don't know if they are even going to close yet... Not a hard lockdown like round number 1 

Remember uk folks. Lockdown is only a month. It's a kick in the teeth but they have said nothing about any extensions. Chin up. It'll happen. ❤️

Happy New Month everybody.🥳🙌

Got an email this morning that we have our interview scheduled for next month!! We did not expedite or contact the embassy at all to move the case along. So excited!! 

I was DQ'd July 23rd. There were a few people got there interview dates who were DQ'd in June, but I'm not sure how much of that was due to expedite. Some of the late may ones went out a couple weeks ago thst were confirmed not expedited. From what I understand they go out one month with dates for the following month. Hope that helps. 

The London Embassy has been conducting quite a few interviews in the last couple months, but I'm sure they still have a backlog from when they were closed. In July for instance they issued 107 IR1/CR1 visas, so they ARE making progress.

Just got back from my interview. I got APPROVED!! 
 
It was really quick, was in and out within 30 minutes and nobody else was there. CO was really friendly. He asked quite a few questions but it was more like general chit chat. He congratulated me on our anniversary today and told me to expect my passport back within 2 weeks.

I called my husband once I got out (at 05:30 his time 😂) and woke him up with the good news! I still can’t believe it’s finally happening and that I’ll be with my husband soon!

So excited...my stepdaughter's interview just got scheduled for 9/15!!!!!! So freakin excited!!!! My baby girl can finally come home!!!!! 

I just paid the IV fee online after getting my passport back. I didn't get a slip with details about how to pay the IV fee. I just went to https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee, entered my A-Number (Registration Number on the visa) and DOS Case ID (IV Case Number on the visa) and followed the instructions on the site from there.
 
My flight is booked for September 25th to El Paso via Dallas FW, leaving from London Heathrow. If anyone else happens to be leaving from Heathrow that day drop me a message and we can rant about how stressful this process is while we wait for our flights 😂
 
I can barely believe I'm typing this, but after nearly two years since our NOA1, I can actually say WE'RE DONE with the IR1 process!
 
I honestly would've made a 100 more mistakes than I already did without the lovely, helpful and supportive members on this site 💙
Now I can relax for a few years before having to worry about naturalisation 😪🤣

My husband attended his interview at the London Embassy today and our visa is officially approved! It feels very surreal, apparently he was in and out of the embassy within 30 minutes and the interview portion only lasted about 5 minutes! I haven't gotten all of the details as he was desperate to get out of the city but he did tell me the questions they asked him: 
When did you meet? How did you meet? How often have you visited each other? Why did you decide to get married? Have you considered what you'll do for work in the US? Are you looking forward to living in Delaware? At first the officer asked him about me living in Connecticut but I have never even visited that state, much less lived there. Not sure if the officer was confused about Delaware being its own state (which wouldn't surprise me, most people only know about Delaware from Wayne's World) or if this was to test my husband's knowledge of where I live.