Jay&Jo

Hi all, Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow and a big good luck to everyone who has interview next week. Tomorrow I'm off to London to meet Tony and then we'll be doing the rounds until we're back in London Tuesday for our interview. I'm so excited to see him but kinda anxious to have a week without vj!!!

Hopefully I'll be able to check in at some point and let you know how we get on.

Have a wonderful Turkey day wherever you are...gobble gobble!

Amanda

Amanda... if you dont get a chance to get online before the interview.... *good luck* it will be a breeze

im excited to hear (the good news) about how you got on!!! and enjoy your time with tony

jo xxx

Ok thanks very much guys!!! You're amazing! We have all the documents at the ready, but as London havent even officially recieved our case yet (grrr) we're not sending the forms back just yet. But we're well prepared with all documents needed just need more current pay slips from Russ's employer, but he'll give me those when he comes over for Christmas anyway. I'm sure I'm driving everyone on here crazy with my eagerness and organisational skills lol.

Oh and one more question if you dont mind?? Do all forms have to be signed? There seems to a bit of confusion over this...

Sorry to take over the topic! Oops!

DS 230 part 1 sign it

DS 156 sign it

DS 156k don't sign it!!

DS 157 no space to sign

also, dont forget to sign and date any additional sheets you need to use

xxxx

Ohhhh yes I have I was getting confused with the main application forms which only ask for travel plans, sorry.

So the IV-15k (Notification of Applicant Readiness) is all we send back or do we also have to send:

DS-230 Part 1,

Form DS-156,

Form DS-157 and

Form DS-156-K aswell?

it looks like you got the answer on another thread but yes, make sure you send all those forms back. and also make sure you send 2 copies of DS156 and DS157 i think i ended up sending them 2 copies of everything just to be on the safe side!!! lol! but thats not really necessary.

i'd also recommend keeping a photocopy of all the completed forms for your own personal record! again not necessary, but handy just in case

i must have filled that DS-156 online like 4 times seriously!!! each time i printed it off i found another mistake i made. apparently im not very good at proof reading... haha!!

Where does it say on the forms a space for the medical date? I filled out the forms yesterday and didnt come across that question. Nor a particular question about the specific wedding date? There is just a space to explain when you are intending to travel, yes? Am I right?

And also are you writing a cover letter to explain your plans too?

We put a provisional date of Feb 01 2010 for travel and said we'd be getting married as soon as possible, pending the interview. We really intend to marry on June 27th, but I would like the interview out of the way asap. I have also heard on VJ of people asking for an earlier date, as then the embassy schedules the interviews according to that more or less.

Have you downloaded the Checklist Form IV-15k?? (Notification of Applicant Readiness) It's the form you send back to the embassy to say you have all the required documents and are ready for an interview.

On that form you'll find a space for your date of wedding, date of travel, and date of medical

Hi, this is the "d" of "gmjdmj". I normally read rather than write on here. I leave that to "g", the much sweeter and better looking half!

First: The short version.

Don't worry too much about the interview. Not helpful advice, I know. When you are going to talk to someone who has the power to say you can't be with the love of your life, you're going to be nervous. But it really does seem that if you just do what you're asked, when you're asked to, it goes perfectly smoothly. I'm glad it is over, but I can't stress enough: I've had more vigorous grillings from friends over my international relationship! in fact the most problem I had came from the fact that I was lugging a case filled with documents that turned out to be completely unnecessary and it took time to shuffle them and find the one I wanted. I could have fitted everything I needed into a standard envelope. But I would rather be safe than sorry!

Now, the long version.

I got up super-early and headed in to London. I work in London, and I go past Bond Street tube station every morning without a second thought. I was so preoccupied that I somehow managed to get on the wrong train...

Outside the embassy they wanted to see my passport and invitation letter. I gave them the wrong letter, but it had the reference number on, which was all they really wanted.

They waved me to Security, where they made me take off my belt and x-ray everything that would fit into the machine.

I got to the front desk and took a ticket, and sat in the waiting area and watched the screens. I was I-855. The queueing system isn't really helpful for telling how long you have to wait (Will I-855 be seen before E-900? After N-163?) so I had to be on my wits.

When my number was announced I found myself moving to the window without even realising that I had heard it being called out. A polite and friendly man took two US passport photos, my adoption certificate (instead of birth certificate) plus copy, my police certificate plus copy, and sent me to the next window to pay. When I came back he asked for the I-134 and the last year's tax return. He handed me a pink slip to fill out my courier details and sent me back to wait.

I waited for a while, then was called up and a different, but really rather pleasant and friendly man interviewed me. It was the mildest interview I've ever had. He asked how we met, when and where we met in person. He did comment that "so things happened pretty fast between you", which made my heart stop for a second, until he smiled and said "When you meet the right one, it does". Finally he asked where she lives. He asked if I liked where she lives, and I told him that I love the people. That was it.

Oh, I also took a moment to check that the hyphen in my name wouldn't be a problem - he said the system just doesn't do them and that won't cause problems!

I gave the couriers my details, paid the money, then walked out half dazed. I paused briefly to search for my new home state's flag outside, then walked off wondering what I had been so worried about.

Congratulations!!! im so happy it went smoothly for you all the best for you POE and wedding!!

Jo

just to clarify... i do have a notarized copy of his tax return (1040)

its just a mistake on the W2

well Jay emailed me his W2 as requested.. only to realise that it has the incorrect SSN for him on there. he says the IRS were informed. so its wrong on the sheet but correct in the system.

anyone foresee a problem with this??!

and then you get to your interview all worried and then BAM your hit with something you have to do

I think the problem is trying to predict the unknown. I'm sure most of us have been in the same situation: we go over the forms again and again and again, looking for the slightest detail that they might pick apart, just so that we can then provide whatever additional evidance we think they might ask us for.

I try to think that it's reassuring to know that if I do go to the interview and they want something else, I'll have a chance to submit it to them. It's not like the visa is going to be denied because I forgot x, y or z. That should be a positive thing, something to help ease the stress. Yet, the fear of having to go through yet more indefinite waiting is enough to make even something that should be a reassurance into yet another stress.

I hope we aren't going to get into a pi$$ing match about who had the hardest time getting their visa or who has the shortest or longest timeline or who was separated while getting it and who wasn't and what not.

Because that would sure suck.

That's certainly not my intention.

As I've mentioned previously in this topic, there are a lot of other problems aside from long waiting times that can make this process difficult. Time-wise, my visa journey has been pretty straight forwards so far (no USCIS delays, that is), yet the whole process has still been incredibally stressful for my fiance and I because of other circumstances. I always try to be understanding and sympathetic to any who post their experiences, and I'm certainly not trying to "compete" with anyone for "who's had it worse". I post my experiences and feelings during the process because: 1) I know myself that reading others' posts and seeing people are feeling the same way as I am is immensely comforting and helps ease the feeling of "doing it alone", and 2) there are very few opportunities outside of this place to actually talk about the stresses of the visa process with people that know how it feels. Still, I apologize if I've offended anyone.

i totally agree on point 2!! i think thats been one of the worst things for me, trying to explain this situation to family members and friends, when half the time i dont even have a clue whats going on myself!!! so its great to be able to read other peoples experiences, and know that im not alone in the feelings im going through

sometimes when im having one of my sleepless nights, i lie there thinking, i wonder who else in the world right now is having a sleepless night worrying about their visa interview/I-134 documents/etc etc!! haha

Its the same old story - its sitting on a desk doing nothing. I find it hard to believe that it hasnt been recieved. Why would a package with our exact dates have been recieved, but ours hasnt? This is so frustrating!

I just wanna ask how long was it beore you heard anything directly from London? Did you recieve a letter or anything saying they have recieved and are processing your case, before they sent out packet 3?

Thanks for your advice everyone about doing things in advance. We're definitely on the ball with that one and I have my medical scheduled for December 21st anyway. Hmmm... we'll see

im pretty sure it wont be lost!!! i dont know that that has ever happened before...

so packet 3 is the first item of correspondance you'll receive from london. calling the DOS is the best way to find out if they have received your petition. from my experience of calling the dos, it sounds like your case will be at the embassy, they just havent got round to opening it up and imputting into their systems.

(someone correct me if thats wrong)

i waited 24 days from my case leaving NVC to receiving packet 3. at some point, around the 2 weeks mark i called the DOS and i was told the embassy had received my case, but packet 3 HADNT been sent out yet. i was among a group of people who all had their packet 3s printed on the same day. it really feels like london does things in bulk, as someone mentioned before... printing off a bunch of packet 3's, assigning interviews etc...

i know it sucks, but it really cant be too much longer now before you hear something!! got my fingers crossed for you!

jo

i wonder if its coco shreddies!!! lol

they're sort of pillow-like!!! and chocolately

Hi everyone! I am trying to order some of Matt's favorite things for Christmas, and I need help. I know where and how to get Brit foods, I just don't know the name of something and am hoping someone here knows it. I need to find his favorite cereal which is like little pillows with chocolate in the center. If I ask him, he might figure out what I am doing. One time one of the kids was eating Captain Crunch and he said it was kind of like that but with chocolate, almost like Nutella.

He has settled in well, but I know it's hard for him at times, even if he hates to admit it and never complains, so I just wanted to give him something he misses. The biggest thing he misses is Branston Pickle and I found that no problem, and of course real Cadbury's.

Thanx in advance for your help!

i love that he described them as little pillows!! haha... umm but i honestly cant think what he would be talking about?i cant think of any cereal over here that is like pillows with chocolate in the centre?? is it all chocolate, or just the centre bit (with a different outer flavour)?? haha... im searching my brain trying to think what it could be

my car is the biggest thing i want to sell the rest of my stuff doesnt really matter. i cant seem to find anyone locally who wants it, and webuyanycar.com wont give me a good enough price.. but there's still a bit of time left

alrighty this is the helpful link from the letter... which tells you more details about the interview.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/forms/IV019.pdf

have you had your medical appointment?! the letter says you need to have either had your medical, or have one booked... although there's been a lot of dispute over the fact the embassy wants people to have their medical BEFORE the interview now.

then the final thing the letter talks about is if you want a carer/translator or a US citizen to accompany you. at which point you just need to let the embassy know, and that person requires ID to get in.

my interview is the day before yours!!! getting nervous as well, but pretty confident i've got everything sorted

i spent an afternoon back in july listing all my dvds on amazon....!!! its november and i've probably cleared 75% of them. some only go for £1 or £2 but others you get lucky and can sell for like £6 or £7!!! ultimately you get a better price than computer exchange (for example) but its just the time it takes to list them all...

Gemmie: i like the idea of yes, no and maybe piles... maybe thats what i'll do this weekend

Oh, I intend to. Better safe than sorry, right? In fact, I might bring more than two, seeing as the Embassy website says three. Does anyone know of a good place to get them, somewhere near Knightsbridge Doctors? I'm going for my medical on Monday, so it'd be a good time to get more photos before the interview - gives me leeway in case anything goes wrong with them.

i wish i knew the name of this place on oxford street... as i remember it was almost opposite selfridges. on the other side of the road. its just a doorway with a sign, and you go up lots of stairs... there are quite a lot of places in that area that take them, i dont think you'll have a problem finding anywhere, but this particular place was the cheapest i found. others were in the region of £14 for 2, whereas this was £6.

Can anyone clear this up?? i've looked at previous threads on this, and people seem to say that 2 american sized passport photos are needed.

is this true? the information on the embassy website says i need 3.

i went to a very surreal place on oxford street, up about 5 flights of stairs, to this little room where i got 2 photos for £6. it took literally less than 2 minutes to have the photos taken, developed and pay for them! i was very impressed but anyway, should i have got 3??

Im so sorry you're going through this :-( i can only imagine how stressed out you must have felt when you realised this!!! if i was you, i'd schedule a medical. as you said in your opening post, your hi-lited the fact that the appointment letter says you only need a booking for your medical.

if it was me, i really wouldnt want to reschedule my interview when im so close...!! but i know you'll be fine. whatever happens you'll be ok, its really not an easy process to go through on your own without a lawyer!!! VJ is a godsend!! haha

Jo

If you have an interview, you'll be "on the list" and without an interview letter you can tell the guards you never got it, but you know it's today. They will cross check, then let you in.

If you still feel like you are having heart burn over it, you can call the extortion line, tell them you know your interview is next week (the 26th? Thanksgiving? They are working next Thursday??) but you don't have the appointment letter. They should give you the email code, and then after you email them they will email back with something you can print out to bring with you.

Im surprised as well that they've given an the appointment on thanksgiving. Anyone who follows the USembassy on twitter (like me... geek) will have seen the holiday list for the embassy.. which suggests its closed on thanksgiving...

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukpubhol.html

Packet 4 arrived this morning :-)

its official... december 3rd (2 weeks tomorrow!) 9.30am!

*waaaaaa* im so excited/nervous :-)

Congrats to you!! Best of Luck!

6-12 mailed packet 1

6-16 NOA 1

9-22 case sent to NVC

9-29 Hard copy NOA2 rec'd

10-6 case rec'd by Embassy

10-7 JG rec'd request for checklist

(need pol cert and MOC, requested on 10-7 and 10-13)

10-21 mailed checklist to Embassy for interview date :-ss they needed rest of forms.. sent courier on 10-28

10-28 MOC & Pol Cert recd

10-29 checklist rec'd by embassy w/ds forms by daniel /pol cert recd

11-10-09 per "Dana" at DOS - pkt 3 rec'd 11-05-09, give it 2 weeks for notice to be received of the interview date - diary for 11-19

11-13 called DOS "Allyson" said - we are ELIGIBLE for an interview!! Should have an interview date set up within 2 weeks! Called back at 2 pm - interview 1-4-10 - contacted Embassy and had moved up...

11-25-2009 9 am Interview

Thankyou :-) good luck to you too!!! we'll be fine, i know it!

Packet 4 arrived this morning :-)

its official... december 3rd (2 weeks tomorrow!) 9.30am!

*waaaaaa* im so excited/nervous :-)

thanks for the advice everyone!! its little details like that which build up and make me nervous im going to get something wrong!!! i'll be going through alot of these thoughts over the next 2 weeks i think :-(

I never actually provided W2s, I just gave copies of my federal tax returns sans W2s and a couple of current paystubs.

Tinypyraminds: is that all you took with you as supporting evidence??!

What are people's experiences of using photocopied or scanned (then printed) documents in London

My fiance is nervous about his original W2 getting lost in the post if he sends it to me... has anyone ever tried using a photocopy instead of the original and encountered problems??

Similarly anything with a signiture on would need to be an original too i imagine?

I think this is my last minute nerves before the interview. I dont want there to be anything that would delay us from getting the visa!

I have a question about the sending of packet 3 and interview dates.

I've had my medical on the 12th of November but I have to have a letter signed by my doctor and the soonest appointment I can physically get is the 27th of November. I will be sending my packet 3 checklist back to the US embassy in London in a week or two, to get there before December 5th.

Is there any chance that I'd have an interview scheduled for December or January? I'm actually hoping it's a little later - I'm hoping to be moving out there (pending the result of the visa interview of course) around April/May sort of time.

the good thing about the checklist is that it asks when your travel date and wedding date is... so if you put that you're travelling april xxth then when london sees it im sure they'd take that into account and delay giving you a date for a while. there are people who are desperate to get over a lot sooner than that who they'll prioritise if you're happy to wait.

is there a reason you want it to get there before december 5th???

DEC 3RD 9.30am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cant believe how happy i am that london got moving today :)

so excited.. best.news.ever!!!

It seems like noone has been granted an interview date since mid-October. Am I wrong?

Our P3 got there today.. hoping everyone pending gets word of an interview date very soon. Especially those of you waiting since 10/12. Lets pray we hear something by tomorrow!!!

oh gosh... i totally agree!!! it'll be here soon *we're almost there!!*