That is super crummy that you both will be apart over the Christmas holidays. We waited 61 days between the packet 3/packet 4 ordeal. But, once you get the actual packet 4, it's a matter of Van opening the envelope and running upstairs to a computer to choose the first available interview date. And realistically, she can still travel back and forth because they don't take your passport until the Consulate interview. You then get it back with the visa stickered inside of your passport approx. 1week from the date of interview, then boom, she could be on a flight just after that!
Word of advice though...make copies of copies, make sure Van has her "long form" birth certificate, make sure she has $350USD CASH to pay for the processing fee - and then seriously, she'll be out within 2hrs and on her way back to her hotel. There is a burger king within walking distance, there is a western union within walking distance and there is a timmy ho's within walking distance. So she'll be set for the day providing she has all her infos and monies.
So, judging by your timeline, you should receive the packet 4 just after Christmas or New Years depending on how the govt feels, and then she'll have 2mths or so to sweat it out before interview time! Which, in all honesty, was a piece of cake. The guy I had was sarcastic and funny, and the interviewer was super short for a guy and he had to sit in a high chair to talk to me through the window. It's all very casual and laid back. So, she'll do great and by spring you both will never have to be separated again.
yourcdnangel got a reaction from Lohninck in February 2010 Filers -- I-129F -- VSC