Scandinavians

[Mr. Borkström 63]

U.S. embassy in Stockholm evacuated

(CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, was briefly evacuated Wednesday after an alarm was raised over a suspicious envelope containing white powder, Stockholm police said.

Stockholm police are moving the envelope to a secure location in order to examine it, police spokesman Albin Navery said.

"The embassy has been evacuated and we are working with Swedish authorities to investigate the incident," a U.S. State Department official told CNN. All employees are accounted for, the official said.

The all-clear has now been given and staffers have begun to return to the building, CNN affiliate TV4 said.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

' The embassy was briefly evacuated after a suspicious envelope sparked an alert

' The envelope contained white powder, Stockholm police said

' Stockholm police will examine the contents of the envelope in a secure place

' The all-clear has now been given, CNN affiliate TV4 reports

[robhaa 1]

Advice on police certificate and interview

Hi guys! I have my interview in Stockholm for K1 visa scheduled for November 1st. I ordered my police certificate ahead of receiving packet 3, and sent back the check list saying that I had received it, expecting it to be here way ahead of the interview. Turns out that the police messed up my application, and I had to reapply. With their current processing times, this means that I might or might not have the certificate before the interview. I know I probably should have waited to send the check list until I actually had the police certificate, but I thought it would be here... I have tried to reason with the police, telling them that I should not suffer for their obvious mistake, with no luck.

My question: If I come to the interview without the certificate, will they still be able to process the rest of my application, and can I send them the certificate as soon as I have it? Or should I postpone my interview? I read of other cases with some missing paperwork where the beneficiary would get their visa "approved", dependant on presenting missing papers after the interview.

I really don't want to risk a rejection, but at the same time I want this thing to move as fast as possible. Any advice?

[Alaska2012 462]

Advice on police certificate and interview

Hi guys! I have my interview in Stockholm for K1 visa scheduled for November 1st. I ordered my police certificate ahead of receiving packet 3, and sent back the check list saying that I had received it, expecting it to be here way ahead of the interview. Turns out that the police messed up my application, and I had to reapply. With their current processing times, this means that I might or might not have the certificate before the interview. I know I probably should have waited to send the check list until I actually had the police certificate, but I thought it would be here... I have tried to reason with the police, telling them that I should not suffer for their obvious mistake, with no luck.

My question: If I come to the interview without the certificate, will they still be able to process the rest of my application, and can I send them the certificate as soon as I have it? Or should I postpone my interview? I read of other cases with some missing paperwork where the beneficiary would get their visa "approved", dependant on presenting missing papers after the interview.

I really don't want to risk a rejection, but at the same time I want this thing to move as fast as possible. Any advice?

They usually say it will take longer than it actually does, I had my police records within 3 days.

But if u don't get it in time I would still go ahead with the interview they most likely will let you send it in when you get it and then decide...

[MissK 5]

They usually say it will take longer than it actually does, I had my police records within 3 days.

But if u don't get it in time I would still go ahead with the interview they most likely will let you send it in when you get it and then decide...

Agree, you probably will have it in time for the interview,if not I would still go ahead with the interview and ask to mail them the police certificate as soon as you have it. I think that will be fine!

[robhaa 1]

Thank you for your advice, Alaska and MissK. Really appreciate it

[jaycali 415]

Finally. The day of my medical! Going to my x-ray appointment right now, and the actual medical in Oslo a couple of hours after. Since it's the most exciting thing to happen since the interview scheduling I'll be sure to entertain you guys and future Scandinavian readers with a review.

Robhaa: I agree with Alaska and MissK; I cannot picture a scenario in which they'd flat out deny you for not having received the police certificate. I've read countless embassy reviews from other European countries where they just hold the visa until they receive the police certificate - This is actually quite a common scenario, especially with applicants who have lived in other countries as well.

Lykke til neste uke, be sure to write a review!

Edited October 24, 2012 by Jay Jay

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Finally. The day of my medical! Going to my x-ray appointment right now, and the actual medical in Oslo a couple of hours after. Since it's the most exciting thing to happen since the interview scheduling I'll be sure to entertain you guys and future Scandinavian readers with a review.

Break a leg! And if that doesn't help, break someone else's leg.

[jaycali 415]

Break a leg! And if that doesn't help, break someone else's leg.

That would have certainly added some spice to my day

The x-ray and medical are both done! Went to Unilabs at the Bryn location in Oslo for the x-ray, they were very helpful and flexible on scheduling. Had my x-ray scheduled for 14:00, and I was out of there by 14:20 with the results and CD. Turns out I don't have TB I hope the helpful men and women go buy themselves a round of beers tonight for the 990 NOK I paid for the 20 minutes I was there.

The medical itself took 2 hours. Be aware that if you get your medical in Norway, there's only one clinic you can go to, (KAL Klinikken). They're very nice and helpful, but it's gonna cost you 2850 NOK plus 100 NOK for every vaccine you need. Basically what happens is a nurse will have you fill out a questionnaire regarding your physical and mental health, as well as any drug or alcohol abuse. You take a urine sample and you get any vaccination you may need. I needed to have a booster for tetanus (stivkrampe) but that was it (you need a booster if it's been more than 10 years since the last tetanus shot).

After that is your actual doctor's appointment. The doctor was really nice, fun and friendly. He went over the questionnaire with me and did some basic physical examinations. He was also very helpful in answering any questions I had. They also told me they'd make sure the embassy had my file before my interview in 2 weeks. The clinic only accepts cards, no cash. But they can also give you a giro/faktura. Be aware that if you choose to pay by giro they will not send your file to the embassy until you have paid.

All in all, the medical was a lot less "serious" than I had thought. It was actually over and done sooner than I had expected!

Edited October 24, 2012 by Jay Jay

[Mr. Borkström 63]

All in all, the medical was a lot less "serious" than I had thought. It was actually over and done sooner than I had expected!

I would say the same thing about the medical in Stockholm.

[Alaska2012 462]

I don't know if I linked this already here. https://andersonbutik.hostasaurus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=8a5dbf71e0e1d1dac2a8e762e5d47b07&Screen=SFNT&Order=0&Store_Code=AB

It's a Scandinavian store in Kansas where u can order real Scandinavian food, snacks, jam and candy. They also got adventsljusstakar made for American electricity. For Xmas you can also get a proper Swedish julskinka sent to you.

I'm expecting my first shipment from them any day now! Can't wait for advent to put up my lights!! And a couple of days before julafton my ham will get here!!

Anyways just thought I'd share in case anyone was interested.

This other store in NY www.sockerbit.com have all the Swedish losgodis you can think of, and they will also ship it to you!

[Mr. Borkström 63]

This other store in NY www.sockerbit.com have all the Swedish losgodis you can think of, and they will also ship it to you!

My wife and I are going to my cousin's college graduation in NY in May, I'll make sure to remember that store. Looks like they're located on Manhatttan.

My wife LOVES Ahlgrens Bilar. I've sent her care packages a couple of times.

[jaycali 415]

I don't know if I linked this already here. https://andersonbutik.hostasaurus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=8a5dbf71e0e1d1dac2a8e762e5d47b07&Screen=SFNT&Order=0&Store_Code=AB

Thanks!

Also, http://www.buysnus.com/ - Saved me when I went to school in the US

Edited October 27, 2012 by Jay Jay

[izola 1]

Hi guys, I've been looking through this thread but I can't seem to find it if it's here. Does anyone have the list of doctors for the medical exam in Sweden? NVC finally got done with our paperwork on friday and I want to go ahead and book the appointment since we're coming up on a time of year where its hard to book anything in this country. I saw someone mentioning Hälsobrunnen, but are there more so I could call around?

Tack på förhand!

[Mr. Borkström 63]

1. Click on this link.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

3. Under point 2 of the Preparing for the Medical Examination step you will find a scroll down menu that says "- Select Case Number (embassy)".

4. Click on it and scroll down until you find "STK - Stockholm".

5. Click on the "Medical Examination" button to the right.

6. A PDF file will open. Scroll down a bit and you will find three different panel physicians; one on Stockholm, one in Gothenburg and one in Malmö.

Edited October 28, 2012 by Mr. Borkström

[izola 1]

Thank you! It appears the woman I went to a few years ago that scared me shitless is no longer listed. I'm quite glad to not see her again... I was looking at that page earlier but must have been doing something wrong as I didnt actually get the listed doctors to show.