People between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~

[Kirsten UK 2]

I'm really sorry Laura, I wish you all the best for the future and hopoe things work out how you hope.

I got my visa interview date today after calling DOS, its on April 23rd at 9am

[MARM 7]

Now you've got me concerned that we might be in AP! I thought with a case number it meant I'd passed that part...Argh. And then to be feeling sick on top of that!! Sorry things aren't going well, and hope they turn upwards soon!!

Regarding the employment letter, I simply explained that I was sponsoring my fiance's visa to the US and needed to prove my ability to support him financially as he wouldn't be allowed to work for several months, and a letter from my employer with the following points was required. (and then a list of all the things needed to be covered) I went and picked it up the day after. I noticed as she was sorting through her files that there were a few other employment letters for other people, and there were no questions regarding my request.

Nik+Heather:

You guys are not in AP...I see from your timeline that your case arrived in London (thorugh DHL) and was signed for by KOKO (the same person that signed for my stuff). So you are out of NVC and in the embassy, no worries!

A couple of you know but we are cancelling our visa application. Things have gone too far downhill to even think about emigrating and getting married at the moment.

I won't be around much so I wish you all good luck.

Sorry to hear it Laura+Tom, wishing you the best in wherever life takes you!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Now you've got me concerned that we might be in AP! I thought with a case number it meant I'd passed that part...Argh. And then to be feeling sick on top of that!! Sorry things aren't going well, and hope they turn upwards soon!!

Regarding the employment letter, I simply explained that I was sponsoring my fiance's visa to the US and needed to prove my ability to support him financially as he wouldn't be allowed to work for several months, and a letter from my employer with the following points was required. (and then a list of all the things needed to be covered) I went and picked it up the day after. I noticed as she was sorting through her files that there were a few other employment letters for other people, and there were no questions regarding my request.

Nik+Heather:

You guys are not in AP...I see from your timeline that your case arrived in London (thorugh DHL) and was signed for by KOKO (the same person that signed for my stuff). So you are out of NVC and in the embassy, no worries!

Well, they SAID it left when I called NVC. Hoping that I tracked the right DHL package, and that it WAS in fact in that one. I won't believe it until we see packet 3!!

[PB&JAM 1]

Just a quick question...on the checklist included with Packet 3, it says "notarized statement"....what is this referring to? And also, when we have to check the boxes for the documents, I am assuming we only check what applied to us?

Hi there, my fiance and i wondered the same thing, if you look above the actual checklist it says: "a notarized statement of your intent to marry". So that is the letter of intent. Not sure what they mean by notarized? Its just new letters of intent with updated dates and signed.

If anyone else knows if we have to get them notarized, please comment...but i never heard that before, think its just our letters signed with current dates.

Yes, only need to check the boxes that pertain to u! Best wishes!

Laura + Tom, sorry for whatever u are going through!

[krystiandjon 0]

Just a quick question...on the checklist included with Packet 3, it says "notarized statement"....what is this referring to? And also, when we have to check the boxes for the documents, I am assuming we only check what applied to us?

Hi there, my fiance and i wondered the same thing, if you look above the actual checklist it says: "a notarized statement of your intent to marry". So that is the letter of intent. Not sure what they mean by notarized? Its just new letters of intent with updated dates and signed.

If anyone else knows if we have to get them notarized, please comment...but i never heard that before, think its just our letters signed with current dates.

Yes, only need to check the boxes that pertain to u! Best wishes!

Laura + Tom, sorry for whatever u are going through!

I remember reading on the embassy website that a notarized statement is required if the NOA2 is more than 4 months old at the time of the interview. I don't know if they stick by their requirement that the statement actually be notarized or not though. Regardless, hopefully your interview will be before your NOA2 expires.

[PB&JAM 1]

Just a quick question...on the checklist included with Packet 3, it says "notarized statement"....what is this referring to? And also, when we have to check the boxes for the documents, I am assuming we only check what applied to us?

Hi there, my fiance and i wondered the same thing, if you look above the actual checklist it says: "a notarized statement of your intent to marry". So that is the letter of intent. Not sure what they mean by notarized? Its just new letters of intent with updated dates and signed.

If anyone else knows if we have to get them notarized, please comment...but i never heard that before, think its just our letters signed with current dates.

Yes, only need to check the boxes that pertain to u! Best wishes!

Laura + Tom, sorry for whatever u are going through!

I remember reading on the embassy website that a notarized statement is required if the NOA2 is more than 4 months old at the time of the interview. I don't know if they stick by their requirement that the statement actually be notarized or not though. Regardless, hopefully your interview will be before your NOA2 expires.

yep, you're right. i went back n reread the checklist thing and it says: "Note: If more than 4 months has passed since the petition was approved, you will be required to furnish a notarized statement of your intent to marry within 90 days of your arrival in the U.S."

[JimandChristy 1,689]

NVC received our petition yesterday Fingers crossed by this time next week it will be on its way to the Embassy.

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Just a quick question...on the checklist included with Packet 3, it says "notarized statement"....what is this referring to? And also, when we have to check the boxes for the documents, I am assuming we only check what applied to us?

Hi there, my fiance and i wondered the same thing, if you look above the actual checklist it says: "a notarized statement of your intent to marry". So that is the letter of intent. Not sure what they mean by notarized? Its just new letters of intent with updated dates and signed.

If anyone else knows if we have to get them notarized, please comment...but i never heard that before, think its just our letters signed with current dates.

Yes, only need to check the boxes that pertain to u! Best wishes!

Laura + Tom, sorry for whatever u are going through!

I remember reading on the embassy website that a notarized statement is required if the NOA2 is more than 4 months old at the time of the interview. I don't know if they stick by their requirement that the statement actually be notarized or not though. Regardless, hopefully your interview will be before your NOA2 expires.

yep, you're right. i went back n reread the checklist thing and it says: "Note: If more than 4 months has passed since the petition was approved, you will be required to furnish a notarized statement of your intent to marry within 90 days of your arrival in the U.S."

Yep you need an updated, notarized intent to marry if your NA02 has expired. Just go to a bank & they will notarize it for you.

PJ&Jam, I don't think yours will have expired though. You've got until end June right? I wouldn't worry about it.

[PB&JAM 1]

Just a quick question...on the checklist included with Packet 3, it says "notarized statement"....what is this referring to? And also, when we have to check the boxes for the documents, I am assuming we only check what applied to us?

Hi there, my fiance and i wondered the same thing, if you look above the actual checklist it says: "a notarized statement of your intent to marry". So that is the letter of intent. Not sure what they mean by notarized? Its just new letters of intent with updated dates and signed.

If anyone else knows if we have to get them notarized, please comment...but i never heard that before, think its just our letters signed with current dates.

Yes, only need to check the boxes that pertain to u! Best wishes!

Laura + Tom, sorry for whatever u are going through!

I remember reading on the embassy website that a notarized statement is required if the NOA2 is more than 4 months old at the time of the interview. I don't know if they stick by their requirement that the statement actually be notarized or not though. Regardless, hopefully your interview will be before your NOA2 expires.

yep, you're right. i went back n reread the checklist thing and it says: "Note: If more than 4 months has passed since the petition was approved, you will be required to furnish a notarized statement of your intent to marry within 90 days of your arrival in the U.S."

Yep you need an updated, notarized intent to marry if your NA02 has expired. Just go to a bank & they will notarize it for you.

PJ&Jam, I don't think yours will have expired though. You've got until end June right? I wouldn't worry about it.

yes, think i'm safe! thanks! =)

[RBAL_TN 0]

US Embassy in London:

Callers from within UK: 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min

Callers from within US: 1-866-382-3589. Callers are charged a fixed rate of $16:00 for up to 7 minutes

As you can see from the ridiculous rates above ^, the best way to contact the US Embassy in London is by email:

LondonConsular@state.gov

FYI - The email address is no longer accepting 'unauthorized' emails. I sent a request in and it bounced back saying it was deleted without being read by saying:

This e-mail address is solely for individuals who have been authorized

to contact the Consular Information Unit about a specific matter. This

address is not for general inquiries from the public, attorneys or

agents of record. Please understand our workload does not allow us to

read unauthorized inquiries, but the Embassy has set up several

mechanisms to provide general and personalized guidance.

Guess, I'll be paying the phone charges tomorrow when the embassy opens from the holiday.

[Kirsten UK 2]

I have phoned the embassy in London several times out of sheer desperation and frustration only to be given the same old type of answer...they have limited or no knowledge of your case and are unable to transfer you to anyone that does. My advice is call the Department of State (i'm sorry I don't have the number to hand, literally all of my stuff except my notebook and overnight stuff have gone, moving out tomorrow) and they can tell you the same info that the call centre over here can and its far cheaper. The embassy here though will give you the email code for customer services but over the past 5 weeks I emailed twice and they only responded to my first email after a week and a half. My final email was to notify them of my change of address and they didn't reply, but I found out they had updated a few days later by phoning DoS

Edited April 13, 2009 by Kirsten UK

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

FYI - The email address is no longer accepting 'unauthorized' emails. I sent a request in and it bounced back saying it was deleted without being read by saying:

This e-mail address is solely for individuals who have been authorized

to contact the Consular Information Unit about a specific matter. This

address is not for general inquiries from the public, attorneys or

agents of record. Please understand our workload does not allow us to

read unauthorized inquiries, but the Embassy has set up several

mechanisms to provide general and personalized guidance.

That's standard. It has always bounced emails back with that reply...since 9/11 maybe?? Sometimes they answer anyway, even though they send that automated reply. And getting the email code is supposed to make sure they answer you.

[RBAL_TN 0]

Guess, I'll be paying the phone charges tomorrow when the embassy opens from the holiday.

Well, we called the embassy today (@ £1.20/min) to learn an important lesson when filling out the checklist for package 3. We had filled out our expected wedding date (5/31/09) and left the travel date blank since we didn't have tickets yet. The clerk told us that interviews are sorted based on travel date (if any) otherwise they get standard timeline processing. She cited 6-8 weeks for interview letter which would have it scheduled approx 4 weeks after that. She also said sometimes they do reference the wedding date, but the records didn't show that an interview date had been scheduled yet.

Now granted, its only been 4 working days since they received our package 3 so we likely are jumping the gun a bit - but has anyone else gotten more than 4-5 weeks between sending the package 3 and interview?

And for those who haven't sent in package 3 yet, you might want to considering filling out both wedding date and travel date fields even if plans aren't finalized.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That info has been covered here a lot of times. Too bad you didn't get a chance to read that tip before you sent yours. And 4 days is really early to be expecting an interview date, even if you had put an early travel date.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Guess, I'll be paying the phone charges tomorrow when the embassy opens from the holiday.

Well, we called the embassy today (@ £1.20/min) to learn an important lesson when filling out the checklist for package 3. We had filled out our expected wedding date (5/31/09) and left the travel date blank since we didn't have tickets yet. The clerk told us that interviews are sorted based on travel date (if any) otherwise they get standard timeline processing. She cited 6-8 weeks for interview letter which would have it scheduled approx 4 weeks after that. She also said sometimes they do reference the wedding date, but the records didn't show that an interview date had been scheduled yet.

Now granted, its only been 4 working days since they received our package 3 so we likely are jumping the gun a bit - but has anyone else gotten more than 4-5 weeks between sending the package 3 and interview?

And for those who haven't sent in package 3 yet, you might want to considering filling out both wedding date and travel date fields even if plans aren't finalized.

Thank you for providing that information. I haven't had time to read this whole thread and I probably would have left the date blank too. I'm sorry you have the additional wait I notice though that nearly everyone here has had interview dates quite soon after sending in packet 3 so hopefully the interview date wont be too far away.

I hope they get back to you with an int date soon.