waiting and worrying

[Chris_JennTX 0]

They do schedule interviews based on anticipated travel date. I was told that in a email from the embassy.

This is what was in the email:

It is standard procedure to delay the scheduling of the visa interview when the applicant indicates a later departure date to the United States, this is because the K-1 visa is only valid for six months from the date of issue.

Back in January we sent our information to embassy with a June travel date and we were not given a interview until May 21. It shocked the hell out of me that they would actually try to accommodate you when nothing about this process is accommodating. It wasn't accommodating for us really because now Jenn wont be moving until August.

If you put a date later in the year or did not put a date at all I would bite the bullet and call the embassy.

Someone mentioned calling the Department of State number but they can't really help in regards to the interview date. At least they could not tell me why it was taking so long. They told me to call the embassy because they do not have access to then entire case information. I talked to quite a few people and every time it was the same thing. Some said we were most likely missing something in our case or they would just give me a guess answer to get me off the phone. You will have to call the Visa Information line on the embassy website. If they cant answer your question(s) make sure they give you the email address to the embassy and code. Without that code in the subject they will delete the email.

Hope this helps

[sarah&rob 1]

They do schedule interviews based on anticipated travel date. I was told that in a email from the embassy.

This is what was in the email:

It is standard procedure to delay the scheduling of the visa interview when the applicant indicates a later departure date to the United States, this is because the K-1 visa is only valid for six months from the date of issue.

Back in January we sent our information to embassy with a June travel date and we were not given a interview until May 21. It shocked the hell out of me that they would actually try to accommodate you when nothing about this process is accommodating. It wasn't accommodating for us really because now Jenn wont be moving until August.

If you put a date later in the year or did not put a date at all I would bite the bullet and call the embassy.

Someone mentioned calling the Department of State number but they can't really help in regards to the interview date. At least they could not tell me why it was taking so long. They told me to call the embassy because they do not have access to then entire case information. I talked to quite a few people and every time it was the same thing. Some said we were most likely missing something in our case or they would just give me a guess answer to get me off the phone. You will have to call the Visa Information line on the embassy website. If they cant answer your question(s) make sure they give you the email address to the embassy and code. Without that code in the subject they will delete the email.

Hope this helps

Thank you for this, I will be calling the embassy tomorrow morning.

I've been wondering about the cost of this also, I call the UK for free because I have Vonage...is there some additional cost I will get just for calling the Embassy? or is what everyone is talking about just the cost of a phone call to the UK?

[sarah&rob 1]

meh i wish i could edit my last post...anyways I found this on the embassy site - Is this the cost thing? And what happens if the call last longer than 7 minutes? Are you charged $16 every 7 minutes?

Consular Affairs: Visa Services

Operator Assisted Visa Information

Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines; some mobile and network providers may charge more. In addition, callers from outside the U.K. and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number.

Callers from within the United States who wish to obtain information on, or schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview, should dial 1-866-382-3589. Callers are charged a fixed rate of $16:00 for up to 7 minutes which is payable by credit card - Visa, MasterCard, American Express only. Please ensure that you have your credit card details available when making the call. You will not be charged for the call until payment has been taken. Please note that you will be required to provide the agent with a U.K. address when scheduling the appointment.

Edited May 15, 2008 by sarahs

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Have you already tried the DOS line? Maven has the details above.

They won't be able to tell you if anything complicated is going on with your case, but they will be able to tell you if you've been assigned an interview appointment. And it's the cost of a call to washington DC i believe. Plus they'll be up right now, whereas the embassy is asleep

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

The US 1-866 number is not what you need -- they don't handle K-1 or other family-based visa enquiries. If you need to reach the Embassy, your fiance will need to call from within the UK; it is a premium rate number and costs 1.20/min. The only thing they're really good for is getting the special code to email the Embassy.

Calling the DOS could at least give you an idea if you're "eligible for an interview", as they put it. This just means you're about ready to get the date.

Or, you could try emailing the Embassy without the code, saying you're worried something's wrong. Although the autoreply is always that they delete without reading, that's b*ll*cks. If it's important, they will answer you. Seriously, a month's wait, although a pain, isn't unheard of. You should be getting th P4 shortly!

[sarah&rob 1]

I know a month's wait isnt unheard of...i just keep seeing everyone who's sent their's back around the same time i did who've gotten their P4 in a week and its frustrating

Edited May 15, 2008 by sarahs

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

All the more reason for you to call the DOS NOWWWW!!!!!

End the wondering

[sarah&rob 1]

lol DOS closes at 5

inconvenient because i work till 5 or 6 pm every day, but friday is my day off.

so whomever i call it will have to be tomorrow anyways

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I believe the DOS operators come on duty at 8am... set your alarm clock and call!

[Chris_JennTX 0]

I have always had a hard time getting anything from the DOS line. All they will say is whether or not you have a interview date scheduled. They could not tell me why it was taking so long or if anything was wrong. I tried calling the US number for the embassy only to be told they could not help me and my fiancee (UK citizen) would need to call. This call the guy was rude and just wanted me off the phone - I didn't even get to the point of paying for the call... lol I had my fiancee call the embassy which come to find out is not actually a number at the London embassy. I believe it's a call center in Scotland. Her call did not last long at all and was told the embassy was missing documents for our case but would not say what documents. They gave her the email address, email code and I emailed them. After a few days I got a reply back stating they had everything and the reason nothing has happened was due to what I posted above. (Date of planned move)

The DOS line can tell you when documents have been received by the embassy and whether or not a interview has been set. Other then that they have no idea and will most likely tell you to call the embassy line or tell you to call back in a week or two.

[sarah&rob 1]

Just to update... Just got off the phone with DOS, said the file still shows they are waiting receive Packet3

Soo I'm going to have my fiance call the embassy on Monday and see what's going on...

should i have him call the # in that thing I posted above? the 09042-450100?

Edited May 16, 2008 by sarahs

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Just to update... Just got off the phone with DOS, said the file still shows they are waiting receive Packet3

Soo I'm going to have my fiance call the embassy on Monday and see what's going on...

should i have him call the # in that thing I posted above? the 09042-450100?

That's the one. Tell him to ask to get the special email code too so you can email the Embassy about this as well.

It almost certainly got lost in the post, and you'll have to send another one. I hope you kept a copy! Sorry to hear this.

[sarah&rob 1]

My fiance just tried calling the embassy as they're opened till 9pm gmt and he said the number doesnt work

[sarah&rob 1]

I feel like I'm spamming, but I totally don't mean to - I told my fiance to keep calling till it went through and he did and got to talk to someone. They told him it's possible his file hasn't been updated yet and to send an email by tomorrow night, gave him the code and everything. So he sent and email and now we just have to wait for them to answer - which I hope is in a timely manner

*keeps fingers crossed for me and everyone else who needs it*

I really need to thank you all for the information and support

It really does help calm the nerves

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

That's what we're all here for

Plus we've all been through it, or are going through it, and believe me, you are not the most stressed of anyone here

If I was you fiance, and I had a copy of the packet 3 he sent in, I would send in another copy straight away, just to keep the process moving. He could include a covering letter explaining that he's already sent one in, and if they have it, disregard the correspondance, but if now, at least they get soon.

They usually take a day or two to reply to email queries, so it would be just staying a bit ahead of the game