The 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

So this is what BG texted- DOS lady was happy and said wait for fingerprints to clear. He wanted to know what that meant. Did everyone get that statement? She didn't specifically say whether he was approved or not.

Yep, they mentioned something about fingerprints clearing to me too. I'm afraid I can't remember exactly what it was but something along the lines of "I'm happy to say that I can approve you today, providing your fingerprints come back ok" - or words to that effect. I had my visa delivered three days later so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

Gillian

Ditto here -- it made Bruce nervous that there was yet another hurdle to overcome, but the visa was in hand two days later.

[bakofoil 27]

Oh that's reassuring. I hadn't heard anyone mention the fingerprint thing before. Thanks for the info. And hopefully BG's visa is on it's way now

[janaus 0]

Oh phew...that's a relief...I thought maybe cuz he didn't shave his goatee...made him look more ominous and they wanted more background check!! :P

[bakofoil 27]

Haha, have you been giving him a hard time about not shaving it? "Our visa is in jeopardy because of your goatee!"

It's good to know though that this is nothing to worry about. I am fretting about goodness knows how many aspects of this now.

[weedebz 0]

the wee lady said about fingerprints to me too. She added that because we have handed over police certificates they are purely a formality and no need to worry!

[bakofoil 27]

Ok it's useless stats time!

Based on a 12 month period here are some average timeframes for people awaiting interviews at the London embassy.

'Received by consulate' to 'Packet 3 received' = 7.9 days

'Packet 3 sent' to 'Interview' = 40 days

'NOA2' to 'interview' = 91 days (skewed by some requests for a deferred interview)

Edited February 15, 2008 by babblesgirl

[mustang-sally 8]

No mention of fingerprints to me, the guy just told me I was approved and I got the courrier message the same day at 4pm.

On another note I have been looking at Tinkerbelle and Bunsk2007. I noticed that Tinkebelle received her visa 14th Feb, so she was approved, but nothing from Bunsk 2007 as yet. Hope its not bad news for them, I know he was very worried.

Our wedding is booked for 22nd April which just happens to be my birthday , double celebration plus he will have problems forgetting

[TracyTN 237]

I think the fingerprints thing is standard procedure. The interview is to make sure the paperwork is acceptable and in order, and to get recent prints - which they then run before issuing the visa.

This would explain people who were told they were approved at interview, only to be put on AP later (which I'm sure can be confusing once you're told it was approved).

I think the only thing that has changed is they actually tell you that your fingerprints must clear first -- better communication on their actual process is a good thing! But obviously that has not yet filtered down to all employees (as mustang-sally's experience proves).

*edited for clarity*

Edited February 16, 2008 by TracyTN

[londonuk 0]

timeline---------------------------------------

11 Jul 2007 sent application

13 Jul 2007 received by NSC

20 Jul 2007 received by CSC

26 Jul 2007 cashed out

27 Jul 2007 registered status check

01 Aug 2007 pending

30 Nov 2007 NOA2

26 Dec 2007 NVC -> embassy

07 Jan 2007 packet 3 arrives

11 Jan 2008 package sent back

18 Jan 2008 questionnaire sent back, medical exam

04 Feb 2008 embassy confirmed eligible status, waiting for interview date

13 Feb 2008 packet 4 expected

06 Mar 2008 interview

Edited February 16, 2008 by swisscottage

[janaus 0]

I think the fingerprints thing is standard procedure. The interview is to make sure the paperwork is acceptable and in order, and to get recent prints - which they then run before issuing the visa.

This would explain people who were told they were approved at interview, only to be put on AP later (which I'm sure can be confusing once you're told it was approved).

I think the only thing that has changed is they actually tell you that your fingerprints must clear first -- better communication on their actual process is a good thing! But obviously that has not yet filtered down to all employees (as mustang-sally's experience proves).

*edited for clarity*

Yet another hurdle...

Babblegirl...i've asked him many times that goatee needs to goo.. but he thinks that since all his passport pics have a goatee, then he should keep it...i'll just take care of it when he gets here, he hehe

[Toshtishtash 1]

I have my interview on 5th March

[lisalu100 0]

Tasha, are you going to stay up in London? Maybe we can meet up before or after your interview? It takes me about an hour by train into London.

[lisalu100 0]

Also Tash, what did you decide to do about the missing marriage certificate? I don't have Marty's one either. What did you write in the checklist? I didn't tick it, but I said it was surrendered in order to receive the divorce certificate. I'm getting nervous... I sent off for my Australian Police certificate today. If I'd known the extra ten days were going to cause me so much hassle in a few years, I wouldn't have spent the extra time there (I was in Oz for 6 months, 10 days).

[KJC 1]

Was anybody asked about their current job/unemployment or whatever at their interview?

[weedebz 0]

nope... My interview consisted of 5 questions max.

oh and folks...the VJ queen of stress is back on form....I'm trying to sort out stuff and pack. Super stressed!