People between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~

[Stinky Monkey 1]

More than happy to help guys I'm so happy with this suitcase. If you want an idea of suitcase sizes, just go into a regular luggage shop and innocently ask about dimensions -- that's what I did. Also check with the airline you're hoping to travel with about allowed luggage dimensions/weight. This one's pretty lightweight...I had to bring it up three flights of steep stairs and I was okay with it. It's got a surprising amount of space, more than it seems to from the outside. Standard inside, one pocket on the lid, but deep. I can sit in it! I'm sure if I curled up real small I could smuggle myself in it...wait, why would I want to do that?

I can post up the luggage link in a separate thread, if you like...I don't know how long the offers are lasting, though.

Enjoy that champagne, Shaz you earned it!

Magpie.

You know what.....I am gonna save it till tomorrow I am so tired and drained been a long day hahahahahaha but I am sooooooo happy

[mr and mrs 187]

<un-lurks>

thought it might be time to become part of all of this.

my name is lisabette. i am an american and jamie is my british fiancé.

i live in vermont (which is a great place, fyi) and jamie is from macclesfield, just south of manchester (also, not a bad place).

here is a little blurb about our timeline so you can get your bearings:

met online 6 yrs ago

met and started dating 5 yrs ago

lived together in paris and then glasgow (1 year)

have been living apart for 4 years

visit twice a year for 6 weeks (alternating countries); just got back from macclesfield last week.

I-129F Sent : 2008-10-21

I-129F NOA1 : 2008-10-22

I-129F RFE(s) : none

I-129F NOA2 : 2009-02-23

NVC Received : 2009-02-27?

NVC Left : 2009-02-27?

USE Received: 2009-02-28?

waiting for packet 3.

hoping for a us arrival in early may, for my birthday, but that might not happen. which wouldnt be the end of the world. we have a wedding to attend at the end of may, so i think we'd be happy with anytime in may. we shall see.

so we fit quite nicely into this thread.

i hope to fit in with all you people who seem so genuinely kind and, may i say, normal. : )

<swims with the us/uk school of fish>

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

waiting for packet 3.

hoping for a us arrival in early may, for my birthday, but that might not happen. which wouldnt be the end of the world. we have a wedding to attend at the end of may, so i think we'd be happy with anytime in may. we shall see.

so we fit quite nicely into this thread.

i hope to fit in with all you people who seem so genuinely kind and, may i say, normal. : )

<swims with the us/uk school of fish>

It's lovely to have you with us while we're grinding our teeth in this endless wait. I'm not sure about normality, though...a little off our heads, perhaps. If you're waiting for your Packet 3, you might want to start preparing documents in advance. What a lot of peeps seem to have done is send off their documents well before the Packet 3 arrives, as long as they have approval. It might also be easier to send the various forms in dribs and drabs (with a cover letter explaining what your case is and such) while you're getting stuff together for your checklist so they have a fair chunk of your documents already. A letter when your IV-15 is ready, requesting a date in conjunction with a travel date, is also a good idea .

Feel free to give any of us a prod . We don't bite!

Hugs!

Magpie.

[Laura+Tom 2]

I've found the new link on the embassy website very well laid out and the information easier to follow than it was previously.

I was a little bored today so I just completed all the DS forms bar the DS-156 as I don't have an address for Tom as he is techically 'homeless' for the next few weeks (I'll hand write it in for the other forms). It took me all of one hour as most of the info is repeated for each form, the only thing I had an issue with was remembering the year I went to Spain for the DS-157. I guessed in the end.

I also completed my form for the police certificate, will abuse my photocopier privilages at work and send that off on Monday.

Edited March 7, 2009 by Laura+Tom

[MonkeyJuice 3]

We got our NA02 approval on 24th Feb. My fiance has been trying to get through to NVC by phone but he says it just keeps coming up with the same message. The office is closed..blah blah! He tells me he's calling at 1pm Eastern time so I can't understand why he can't get through. Any ideas?

I'm hoping that the petition is on its way to the embassy by now.

Also, we have a lawyer who's gonna fill out all the forms for us & send them to the embassy direct before packet 3 arrives BUT they tell me that I should wait for instructions from the embassy before getting the medical done.

I've read on lots of posts that people just book it when they have the NVC case number. What should I do?

Do you have to have the medical done before packet 3 is sent back?

Sorry...I'm just confused with reading so many posts on here, my head is spinning!

[Kirsten UK 2]

The NVC line is always super busy, I tried to call many times last week during hours I knew they were open and got a variety of messages and on some occasions only got an engaged sound. When you do eventually get through be prepared to hold for up to 15 minutes. I only managed to get through after 10pm UK time.

[mr and mrs 187]

waiting for packet 3.

hoping for a us arrival in early may, for my birthday, but that might not happen. which wouldnt be the end of the world. we have a wedding to attend at the end of may, so i think we'd be happy with anytime in may. we shall see.

so we fit quite nicely into this thread.

i hope to fit in with all you people who seem so genuinely kind and, may i say, normal. : )

<swims with the us/uk school of fish>

It's lovely to have you with us while we're grinding our teeth in this endless wait. I'm not sure about normality, though...a little off our heads, perhaps. If you're waiting for your Packet 3, you might want to start preparing documents in advance. What a lot of peeps seem to have done is send off their documents well before the Packet 3 arrives, as long as they have approval. It might also be easier to send the various forms in dribs and drabs (with a cover letter explaining what your case is and such) while you're getting stuff together for your checklist so they have a fair chunk of your documents already. A letter when your IV-15 is ready, requesting a date in conjunction with a travel date, is also a good idea .

Feel free to give any of us a prod . We don't bite!

Hugs!

Magpie.

great! advice already!

so, while waiting for packet 3, we can gather and send in some of the required stuff. reading through the 'packet 3' london embassy link, here is what i think we can pre-send the embassy to get things moving:

DS-230 Form Part I

DS-156 Form (in duplicate)

DS-157 Form (in duplicate)

DS-156-K Form (in duplicate)

if and when we send these completed forms, we should include a cover letter of explanation referencing jamie's LND case number and other pertinent information with any correspondence to:

Immigrant Visa Unit

5 Upper Grosvenor Street

London W1A 2JB

[ the above forms are the ONLY things we can pre-send, correct? because the other items (listed below) need to be presented at the time of the interview, right? ]

additionally, we can get working on some of the checklist items that will be needed at the interview (but dont need to be sent in previous to the the interview). such as:

send off for the uk police certificate

work on and finish and then send to jamie I-134

gather (at least) 3 color passport-style photographs

get an immunization history [ may not be available. but it's best to get one before the medical, yes? ]

schedule a medical

attend the medical

wow. even just having to organize myself to write up this post (so that it is coherent and readable) is really helpful. i certainly hope that thinking, worrying, reasoning, wondering and venting out loud is allowed here. seems like it is. : )

if there is anything i have missed or lied about anything, please do point it out.

and thanks for the words of welcome, ms. magpie. <3

most sincerely,

lisabette.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

waiting for packet 3.

hoping for a us arrival in early may, for my birthday, but that might not happen. which wouldnt be the end of the world. we have a wedding to attend at the end of may, so i think we'd be happy with anytime in may. we shall see.

so we fit quite nicely into this thread.

i hope to fit in with all you people who seem so genuinely kind and, may i say, normal. : )

<swims with the us/uk school of fish>

It's lovely to have you with us while we're grinding our teeth in this endless wait. I'm not sure about normality, though...a little off our heads, perhaps. If you're waiting for your Packet 3, you might want to start preparing documents in advance. What a lot of peeps seem to have done is send off their documents well before the Packet 3 arrives, as long as they have approval. It might also be easier to send the various forms in dribs and drabs (with a cover letter explaining what your case is and such) while you're getting stuff together for your checklist so they have a fair chunk of your documents already. A letter when your IV-15 is ready, requesting a date in conjunction with a travel date, is also a good idea .

Feel free to give any of us a prod . We don't bite!

Hugs!

Magpie.

great! advice already!

so, while waiting for packet 3, we can gather and send in some of the required stuff. reading through the 'packet 3' london embassy link, here is what i think we can pre-send the embassy to get things moving:

DS-230 Form Part I

DS-156 Form (in duplicate)

DS-157 Form (in duplicate)

DS-156-K Form (in duplicate)

if and when we send these completed forms, we should include a cover letter of explanation referencing jamie's LND case number and other pertinent information with any correspondence to:

Immigrant Visa Unit

5 Upper Grosvenor Street

London W1A 2JB

[ the above forms are the ONLY things we can pre-send, correct? because the other items (listed below) need to be presented at the time of the interview, right? ]

additionally, we can get working on some of the checklist items that will be needed at the interview (but dont need to be sent in previous to the the interview). such as:

send off for the uk police certificate

work on and finish and then send to jamie I-134

Dont forget to tell him of all the supporting documents he will need his W2's and tax returns if your interview is after 15th April they will require the 2008 tax return, I also handed in at my interview valuation of propery, copies of 401K statements, copies of pay stubs, copy of savings statements and employer letter

gather (at least) 3 color passport-style photographs

I had my medical at the one near Bond Street station so on my way to the medical had my photos doneat snappy snaps which is right as you come out of the station

get an immunization history [ may not be available. but it's best to get one before the medical, yes? ]

You have to hand the immunization history in at the medical, when you go to your doctors to get it, if you are short of anything get it done there as it was free and they do charge a lot for them at Knightsbridge doctors

schedule a medical

attend the medical

wow. even just having to organize myself to write up this post (so that it is coherent and readable) is really helpful. i certainly hope that thinking, worrying, reasoning, wondering and venting out loud is allowed here. seems like it is. : )

if there is anything i have missed or lied about anything, please do point it out.

and thanks for the words of welcome, ms. magpie. <3

Good luck we are all here to help

most sincerely,

lisabette.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

You're more than welcome, Lisabette.

And Shaz (Stinky Monkey) covered everything there but I thought that they said the photographs had to be the US-sized ones? Or has that changed since then? There seem to have been quite a few changes since December...

Also, it's a good idea to get a small binder or one of those folders with the clear plastic pockets to organise things. I made a pretty checklist on the front cover, so if anybody wants a template, let me know .

Magpie.

[Laura+Tom 2]

You're more than welcome, Lisabette.

And Shaz (Stinky Monkey) covered everything there but I thought that they said the photographs had to be the US-sized ones? Or has that changed since then? There seem to have been quite a few changes since December...

Also, it's a good idea to get a small binder or one of those folders with the clear plastic pockets to organise things. I made a pretty checklist on the front cover, so if anybody wants a template, let me know .

Magpie.

Thanks for that checklist, it's sooo pretty!

[Stinky Monkey 1]

You're more than welcome, Lisabette.

And Shaz (Stinky Monkey) covered everything there but I thought that they said the photographs had to be the US-sized ones? Or has that changed since then? There seem to have been quite a few changes since December...

Also, it's a good idea to get a small binder or one of those folders with the clear plastic pockets to organise things. I made a pretty checklist on the front cover, so if anybody wants a template, let me know .

Magpie.

Medical pic can beUk or US size ,interview photos defo US size and they do have a photo booth at the embassy

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

You're welcome Laura I can change the colour of the boxes on the checklist for those who want it. It's a Microsoft Word document and you need a colour printer!

Also, thankums Shaz -- I did give a passport pic to the medical but I was confused whether you use the same size for the Embassy too. I do have the US-sized ones for that.

Magpie.

[mr and mrs 187]

Also, it's a good idea to get a small binder or one of those folders with the clear plastic pockets to organise things. I made a pretty checklist on the front cover, so if anybody wants a template, let me know .

ms. magpie, i would be happy to have a copy of your special checklist. from what i gather you are v. organized. thankyou.

and just to clarify,

DS-230 Form Part I

DS-156 Form (in duplicate)

DS-157 Form (in duplicate)

DS-156-K Form (in duplicate)

are the forms that can be sent in in advance of the receipt of 'packet 3'? and these are the only forms that must be sent to the embassy in advance of the interview, yes?

and as for the medical, we are confused as to if the immunization record is mandatory to have for the medical. jamie (the englishman) has been trying to track down this record, but is having trouble. (paper vs digital files at the GP's) i think he will be able to get it, but might take some time. he was thinking of going down to london in the next week or so to visit friends and get the medical done. after reading posts here (and in other topics), it seems that it is a good idea (though not mandatory) to take the immunization record to the medical because it is cheaper to have your GP give you the needed immunizations, rather than pay the hefty prices at the embassy doctors or to go through the hassle of another medical once he is stateside. am i stating the details correctly?

(how nice is it to have a place to be able to ask these kinds of questions? the psychological side of vj is very interesting.)

edit: edited for clarity

Edited March 7, 2009 by mr and mrs

[Talyss 0]

Also, it's a good idea to get a small binder or one of those folders with the clear plastic pockets to organise things. I made a pretty checklist on the front cover, so if anybody wants a template, let me know .

ms. magpie, i would be happy to have a copy of your special checklist. from what i gather you are v. organized. thankyou.

and just to clarify,

DS-230 Form Part I

DS-156 Form (in duplicate)

DS-157 Form (in duplicate)

DS-156-K Form (in duplicate)

are the forms that can be sent in in advance of the receipt of 'packet 3'? and these are the only forms that must be sent to the embassy in advance of the interview, yes?

and as for the medical, we are confused as to if the immunization record is mandatory to have for the medical. jamie (the englishman) has been trying to track down this record, but is having trouble. (paper vs digital files at the GP's) i think he will be able to get it, but might take some time. he was thinking of going down to london in the next week or so to visit friends and get the medical done. after reading posts here (and in other topics), it seems that it is a good idea (though not mandatory) to take the immunization record to the medical because it is cheaper to have your GP give you the needed immunizations, rather than pay the hefty prices at the embassy doctors or to go through the hassle of another medical once he is stateside. am i stating the details correctly?

(how nice is it to have a place to be able to ask these kinds of questions? the psychological side of vj is very interesting.)

edit: edited for clarity

I wouldn't send any forms until your case has reached the embassy and is on their computer system as until that point they know nothing about you and your forms may never meet up. The only real reason to send the forms separately from the checklist is if you are trying to delay the date of your interview but not let your petition expire. If you require an early interview because of wedding plans you can return the packet 3 documents along with the checklist as soon as you know its on the system as the packet 3 is probably winding its slow way by second class post. If you ring DoS they will tell you when it is on the system.

With regards to the vaccinations, it is best to get them done (get records from GP) before going for the medical as they will put any you have had onto their form which you can then get transcribed across by the civil surgeon in the USA onto the appropriate form before AOS.

Although the actual medical does not have to have been done you will need the date on the checklist when you send it in.

Edited March 8, 2009 by Talyss

[Talyss 0]

Also you have to confirm on the checklist that you have the police certificate so you probably want to get that done ASAP