People between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~

[MARM 7]

I really don't think you should take the chance of relying on the 28 day rule(it's like a discreet rule and sometimes u need to have a lawyer to make them enforce it), have your fiance apply for the extension asap or go for the premium service if possible...that way he will have his passport with him for when the embassy decides to interview him. The embassy will not accept an expired visa which is what your fiance will possess at that time and with the automatic AP trend for foreigners in the UK...u might get caught up in that. It's better to be safe than sorry and it might hurt your pockets a bit but it's better than going there and being turned back for an expired visa. Just my thoughts though. All the best

[viknkam 0]

I really don't think you should take the chance of relying on the 28 day rule(it's like a discreet rule and sometimes u need to have a lawyer to make them enforce it), have your fiance apply for the extension asap or go for the premium service if possible...that way he will have his passport with him for when the embassy decides to interview him. The embassy will not accept an expired visa which is what your fiance will possess at that time and with the automatic AP trend for foreigners in the UK...u might get caught up in that. It's better to be safe than sorry and it might hurt your pockets a bit but it's better than going there and being turned back for an expired visa. Just my thoughts though. All the best

Hi,

We are not relying on the 28 day rule. I wrote this out in detail in a personal message to MARM, but I guess even she is under the wrong assumption. My fiance is going to renew his UK visa on Thursday and pay the outrageous fees to have it done the same day. He has a substantive account balance, and is enrolled in a university so based off the points system, he will be eligible for same day processing. As for the financial strain- it is significant. The cost of a traditional visa is about 300 pounds, but this way it will cost about 600 pounds. Thus, his visa will not lapse. We do not want to risk any more confusion or time lapse due to address changes or embassy transfers. What we were hoping for was at least some notice from the London embassy on how to proceed, but apparently that is too much to ask for. Also, what do you mean 'Automatic AP' trend for foreigners in the UK? Please advise.

Thanks,

Kam

Edited July 28, 2009 by viknkam

[MARM 7]

Hi,

We are not relying on the 28 day rule. I wrote this out in detail in a personal message to MARM, but I guess even she is under the wrong assumption. My fiance is going to renew his UK visa on Thursday and pay the outrageous fees to have it done the same day. He has a substantive account balance, and is enrolled in a university so based off the points system, he will be eligible for same day processing. As for the financial strain- it is significant. The cost of a traditional visa is about 300 pounds, but this way it will cost about 600 pounds. Thus, his visa will not lapse. We do not want to risk any more confusion or time lapse due to address changes or embassy transfers. What we were hoping for was at least some notice from the London embassy on how to proceed, but apparently that is too much to ask for. Also, what do you mean 'Automatic AP' trend for foreigners in the UK? Please advise.

Thanks,

Kam

Kam, according to your PM to me, you were asking for advice on what to do regarding your fiance's expiring visa. I never did and still do not suggest that you rely on the 28 day rule. I laid out your options for you according to our experience and opinion. You have made a good choice for him to renew his UK visa to ensure smooth processing with regards to his status in the UK. Good luck.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also, what do you mean 'Automatic AP' trend for foreigners in the UK? Please advise.

Thanks,

Kam

AP in this case refers to Additional Processing or Administrative Processing. The consulate runs everybody through a final database check at the end of the interview and if that goes okay and everything else (paperwork, interview) then they say "you are approved." They have you pay the courier for delivery of the visa.

There are additional databases/security checks the consulate has the option to also run the names through. Those aren't instant. From experiences read here on VJ, it seems that people not born in the UK seem to be "chosen" to have those extra checks run on their name even when there was nothing questionable about their case. So they say something like this will take some additonal processing. Normally they say they will contact you when the processing is complete so you can arrange for the courier to come to your home and collect your passport to deliver back to the Embassy to receive the visa.

The people I can think of off-hand who had to wait are MARM, Knight and Magpie, Linkin, BadDogi, Dairy Farmer. It used to take longer I hear, but is going faster. BadDogi was about 8 wks. Linkin and Magpie were maybe 4 weeks. MARM knows some others with various times.

[MARM 7]

Yes, including the ones Nich has mentioned, this is a bit of research I have done using VJ statistics:-

Member Name........Total days in AP

KnightAndMagpie...............30 days......+15 days until visa received in hand

mansehra.........................40 days

sad eyes..........................387 days

KhanShahid......................26 days

merijan............................21 days

DairyFarmer.....................62 days.......+4 days until visa received in hand

BadDogi...........................61 days

Linkin...............................35 days

All these members have either one of the following things in common: they were citizens of a different country such as Australia, India, Pakistan, but were applying for a K-1/CRI-1/K-3 at the US Embassy in London because they were residents of the UK. Except Magpie: she is a UK citizen, but was born in India.

[viknkam 0]

Hi,

We are not relying on the 28 day rule. I wrote this out in detail in a personal message to MARM, but I guess even she is under the wrong assumption. My fiance is going to renew his UK visa on Thursday and pay the outrageous fees to have it done the same day. He has a substantive account balance, and is enrolled in a university so based off the points system, he will be eligible for same day processing. As for the financial strain- it is significant. The cost of a traditional visa is about 300 pounds, but this way it will cost about 600 pounds. Thus, his visa will not lapse. We do not want to risk any more confusion or time lapse due to address changes or embassy transfers. What we were hoping for was at least some notice from the London embassy on how to proceed, but apparently that is too much to ask for. Also, what do you mean 'Automatic AP' trend for foreigners in the UK? Please advise.

Thanks,

Kam

Kam, according to your PM to me, you were asking for advice on what to do regarding your fiance's expiring visa. I never did and still do not suggest that you rely on the 28 day rule. I laid out your options for you according to our experience and opinion. You have made a good choice for him to renew his UK visa to ensure smooth processing with regards to his status in the UK. Good luck.

Marm,

I was implying the change of Embassy, not the 28 day rule. My apologies if this was not clear.

-Kam

[viknkam 0]

Yes, including the ones Nich has mentioned, this is a bit of research I have done using VJ statistics:-

Member Name........Total days in AP

KnightAndMagpie...............30 days......+15 days until visa received in hand

mansehra.........................40 days

sad eyes..........................387 days

KhanShahid......................26 days

merijan............................21 days

DairyFarmer.....................62 days.......+4 days until visa received in hand

BadDogi...........................61 days

Linkin...............................35 days

All these members have either one of the following things in common: they were citizens of a different country such as Australia, India, Pakistan, but were applying for a K-1/CRI-1/K-3 at the US Embassy in London because they were residents of the UK. Except Magpie: she is a UK citizen, but was born in India.

Do you mean to say that ALL non-UK born beneficiaries are put on AP? Or are most? I'm seriously concerned here...

[MARM 7]

Yes, including the ones Nich has mentioned, this is a bit of research I have done using VJ statistics:-

Member Name........Total days in AP

KnightAndMagpie...............30 days......+15 days until visa received in hand

mansehra.........................40 days

sad eyes..........................387 days

KhanShahid......................26 days

merijan............................21 days

DairyFarmer.....................62 days.......+4 days until visa received in hand

BadDogi...........................61 days

Linkin...............................35 days

All these members have either one of the following things in common: they were citizens of a different country such as Australia, India, Pakistan, but were applying for a K-1/CRI-1/K-3 at the US Embassy in London because they were residents of the UK. Except Magpie: she is a UK citizen, but was born in India.

Do you mean to say that ALL non-UK born beneficiaries are put on AP? Or are most? I'm seriously concerned here...

No need to apologize Kam, we are all here to help each other

And I seriously understand your frustrations because my fiance and I have dealt with similar situations.

Now, when I post this list of members out of the US Embassy in London that were put on AP/AR, I do NOT mean to say that ALL non-UK born beneficiaries are put on AP. All I am saying is that there is a definite pattern and trend for non-UK born beneficiaries to undergo some type of AP/AR. Is there a possibility that your fiance is NOT put on AP/AR after his interview? YES, of course. But is there an even more likely possibility that he WILL be put on AP/AR according to a historic pattern as shown by VJ statistics? Yes, this is very likely.

I don't want you both to be in for a rude surprise at the end of the interview, so all I am saying is hope for the best but be mentally prepared just in case. Oh and of course, he should not book tickets, give notices at the work place, or give up his lease until his visa is in hand.

[viknkam 0]

Thanks MARM...

[MARM 7]

Thanks MARM...

You are welcome, but don't get depressed! Both of you will get through this as many, many have. Each day is closer to the day you two will be together

[viknkam 0]

Vik's UK Visa has been renewed... Now, if only the US would get its act together!

[MARM 7]

Vik's UK Visa has been renewed... Now, if only the US would get its act together!

Congrats! The premium process for renewing UK visas really saves you a lot of hassle.

[Aniomaman 0]

Vik's UK Visa has been renewed... Now, if only the US would get its act together!

Now that's brilliant! Just waiting on the interview date, right?

[viknkam 0]

Vik's UK Visa has been renewed... Now, if only the US would get its act together!

Now that's brilliant! Just waiting on the interview date, right?

That's right.

[Lisa and Ian 7]

I called NVC yesterday and found out our case had been received a few days ago. They told me our packet hadn't been shipped yet because it's under "additional processing". Hopefully, they don't take too long. I guess we all want our packets received and shipped the same day, or close to it.