2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

[nickm 1]

I have a couple of questions about this actually - one of which I've asked before but as you folks are recent grads of the embassy you may have a clear answer

So with the medical - guesstimate of what the wait for an appointment is at the moment? Just trying to figure out if I should just book it (and try and align it with a work trip to London so I don't have to pay for the train ) or wait a bit.

Also, I have a problematic vaccination history. I had an allergic reaction to the Measles vaccine when I was a kiddie and so pretty much haven't had any vaccinations since (Mumps and Rubella being notable omissions). Will a letter from my doctor advising I shouldn't have any vaccines grown on eggs for medical reasons suffice?

From the way I understand the vaccine chart I'm only supposed to have Tetanus, MMR and Varicella anyway for my age group - I'm just worrying about it.

I booked my medical yesterday, and it is on the 23rd of march, so two weeks wait. I too was trying to get to only have on train journey, but it seems that i will have to have two. I'm sat here with all my forms ready to go and just waiting for an acknowledgment that they have the petition and i can send the forms to book my interview. But this way at least i wont have to wait for the embassy to get the medical results in order to issue my visa.

As for the vaccinations, i went to the doc's with a list of requirements and they did what they could, i am going to have to pay for the MMR because the NHS will only administer it to children, if you are worried then when you phone to make your appointment ask the receptionist, i had a few questions and she was very helpful. It may also pay to get a doctor to sign somthing saying why you cant have the measles and book to see a practice nurse who will give the the rest of the shot, Tdap which is atriple vaccine and anything else you need.

From what i have read varicella/chicken pox, is not available as a vaccine here and if you have had chicken pox you dont need it anyway. This BBC news story says it all about varicella http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8557236.stm.

good luck.

[doghandler 2]

If you call the Dept of State for status, they will tell you if P3 has been sent. If so, you can send your forms into the embassy.

We never did get a letter regarding P3, and didn't run into any problems doing it the way I described.

Hi snowbunnies! Nice to see you helping us all out here.

That Dept of State phone number: 202 663 1225

For the life of me, I cannot get passed the "menus" at all! It's just a recorded list of "information". If you press the number for "fiance visas" it's just a recorded message explaining the process! Like we don't know! LOL. Cannot seem to get an option for a "live operator", or to "check case status" option.

And, everyone else here - going by current state of backlog, wait times for interview, what are my chances of getting interview and having visa in hand for last week in June. Zilch?

I am in a catch 22 situation. I have sold my house as I cannot leave UK without selling my house. It was not an option for me to leave it unsold indefinately and in the current market, I was lucky to sell it all. My buyer is holding me to ransom and will pull out and/or sue me if I don't get out for 30th June (I have pleaded with her!). If it was just me, being homeless is totally fine. Would wait as long as it takes. I have friends who would give me a sofa. However, I am now stressed out of my head over my dogs, who I am taking to the US with me. I have no family at all, and my friends are unable to take in my dogs as well as me, so they will have to go in kennels, which one of them can't cope with, and the worst thing for them is being subjected to more upheaval and stress before having to be put in crates and put on an plane.

I have never "off loaded" on VJ before. Sincere apologies for doing just that! The stress of this has just cracked this tough old dog.

[Rito 28]

You just call them up and see what days they have available, basically.

Definitely get a letter from your doctor about the vaccinations.

Oh:

WE ARE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 hours waiting, 5 minutes of interview said David.

Congrats!!!

[SunDrop 59]

January 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Jewel-8, Claire and Troy, lirwin2000, laura00412, beatlesrebel, Kimmy and PJ, NotworkSte, xSweeTiex, FrostyMist, viol8torUK, TeamMoran

D_G, Andrew + Bethany, RUSSandRACHEL, david'sgirl/Scotinmass, Nikki-UK, earlgreygirl, jonoger1984, jenanddan2010, amykathleen2005

February 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Hindocha, munkeynuts, yorkshirerose22, .Jay'n'Terri, ajbe1986, brit la, Think~Pink, h1a1, karenista

March 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

April 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

May 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy

March Interviews (* days between (K1) returning P3/ (CR1) returning DS-3032 and Interview)

K-1..........kjrrem....................2 Mar 2010 (49 days)

K-1..........MattHeartCass.........4 Mar 2010 (123 days)

K-1..........jkminney................5 Mar 2010 (40 days)

CR-1........pwac......................5 Mar 2010 (41 days)

CR-1........ruth_a....................9 Mar 2010 (62 days)

K-1..........Justine+David........10 Mar 2010 (98 days)

K-1..........moss.....................16 Mar 2010 (51 days)

April Interviews (* days between (K1) returning P3/ (CR1) returning DS-3032 and Interview)

DCF........ohlpomr....................6 Apr 2010 (please fill in your timeline!)

K-1.........Rito..........................6 Apr 2010 (59 days)

K-1.........Hellojulie..................6 Apr 2010 (please fill in your timeline!)

K-1.........Ricky+Vanessa.........19 Apr 2010 (109 days)

K-1.........JMR..........................30 Apr 2010 (74 days)

May Interviews

= APPROVED

Waiting for interview date:

Adrian+Mike (K1) P3 sent 21 Jan

Between NOA2 and P3

doghandler - NOA2: 23 Feb

Miss Jess - NOA2: 1 Mar

visacat - NOA2: 16 Feb

[Lansbury 19]

oh: He said that nobody asked him to pay for his visa, although he did pay for the courier. Has anyone run into this before? I told him to call the US embassy hotline...they did keep his passport though!

That will be a problem if they realise a copy of the receipt for the payment isn't in the paperwork. Not sure if they have a final double check before printing the visa or not.

[thatbritishlass 2]

Question 1 answered. Medical booked for April 7th (and did manage to combine it with a work meeting in the afternoon - thank you £55 saved!! )

[*julez* 124]

Hi snowbunnies! Nice to see you helping us all out here.

That Dept of State phone number: 202 663 1225

For the life of me, I cannot get passed the "menus" at all! It's just a recorded list of "information". If you press the number for "fiance visas" it's just a recorded message explaining the process! Like we don't know! LOL. Cannot seem to get an option for a "live operator", or to "check case status" option.

And, everyone else here - going by current state of backlog, wait times for interview, what are my chances of getting interview and having visa in hand for last week in June. Zilch?

I am in a catch 22 situation. I have sold my house as I cannot leave UK without selling my house. It was not an option for me to leave it unsold indefinately and in the current market, I was lucky to sell it all. My buyer is holding me to ransom and will pull out and/or sue me if I don't get out for 30th June (I have pleaded with her!). If it was just me, being homeless is totally fine. Would wait as long as it takes. I have friends who would give me a sofa. However, I am now stressed out of my head over my dogs, who I am taking to the US with me. I have no family at all, and my friends are unable to take in my dogs as well as me, so they will have to go in kennels, which one of them can't cope with, and the worst thing for them is being subjected to more upheaval and stress before having to be put in crates and put on an plane.

I have never "off loaded" on VJ before. Sincere apologies for doing just that! The stress of this has just cracked this tough old dog.

When I've called DOS in the past, here is what I dialed: (202) 663-1225 - press 1, 0. Never had a problem getting through, but it can be a bit unsettling after you press 0 there can be prolonged periods of silence.

Regarding your interview & visa, if you've mailed P3 in already I'd say you chances are pretty good. If you haven't, when you do, I would include a cover letter describing your urgent need to be out of the UK by 30 June. London tend to be excellent in accomodating special requests.

WE ARE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 hours waiting, 5 minutes of interview said David.

Congrats Justine & David!

[Justine+David 218]

Hi snowbunnies! Nice to see you helping us all out here.

That Dept of State phone number: 202 663 1225

For the life of me, I cannot get passed the "menus" at all! It's just a recorded list of "information". If you press the number for "fiance visas" it's just a recorded message explaining the process! Like we don't know! LOL. Cannot seem to get an option for a "live operator", or to "check case status" option.

And, everyone else here - going by current state of backlog, wait times for interview, what are my chances of getting interview and having visa in hand for last week in June. Zilch?

I am in a catch 22 situation. I have sold my house as I cannot leave UK without selling my house. It was not an option for me to leave it unsold indefinately and in the current market, I was lucky to sell it all. My buyer is holding me to ransom and will pull out and/or sue me if I don't get out for 30th June (I have pleaded with her!). If it was just me, being homeless is totally fine. Would wait as long as it takes. I have friends who would give me a sofa. However, I am now stressed out of my head over my dogs, who I am taking to the US with me. I have no family at all, and my friends are unable to take in my dogs as well as me, so they will have to go in kennels, which one of them can't cope with, and the worst thing for them is being subjected to more upheaval and stress before having to be put in crates and put on an plane.

I have never "off loaded" on VJ before. Sincere apologies for doing just that! The stress of this has just cracked this tough old dog.

Couple of things, for DOS, press 1, then 0. That will get you to a live operator. You can ask if London has received your case file and what your LND number is to book your medical.

As long as you are not going through AP at NVC, I think you might be able to squeak by. Do you have your P3 documents ready to go and your birth certificate long form/police certificate, etc? If not, do it NOW so that as soon as DOS tells you that London has sent out the P3 you can mail it straight in, requesting ASAP for an interview.

[doghandler 2]

When I've called DOS in the past, here is what I dialed: (202) 663-1225 - press 1, 0. Never had a problem getting through, but it can be a bit unsettling after you press 0 there can be prolonged periods of silence.

Regarding your interview & visa, if you've mailed P3 in already I'd say you chances are pretty good. If you haven't, when you do, I would include a cover letter describing your urgent need to be out of the UK by 30 June. London tend to be excellent in accommodating special requests.

Julez, thank you so much for responding to me.

Thanks for the tip on DOS line. I just got through, no problem, only to be told London not received it yet (sent 7 days ago, but never mind!).

Thanks for the assurance that London may accommodate my request if I write a letter. I didn't know I could do that. I would NEVER ask for any expediating for my own self - could not care less how long I have to wait personally, even if I had to sleep in the streets. and I am not having any wedding with guests (I have no one to invite, just my dogs!).

It's just like being a "single parent" with serious responsibilities for dependents (makes no difference if they are dogs, same as kids, they are wholly dependent on me for their care, shelter and wellbeing and one of them is 12 with arthritis) who will suffer enormously if they are moved and separated from me before the fear and stress they will endure of the flights. Am just hoping my letter doesn't land in the lap on any dog hating official!

Thanks again x

[sveta & jeff 0]

Please, put me into the waiting list. (IR-1) paket 3 sent 6 March

[Kristin&David 0]

That worked for us when calling DOS as well, pressed 1 and the 0 and were through to a live person in less than 5 min! Much different experience than the NVC line!

[doghandler 2]

Couple of things, for DOS, press 1, then 0. That will get you to a live operator. You can ask if London has received your case file and what your LND number is to book your medical.

As long as you are not going through AP at NVC, I think you might be able to squeak by. Do you have your P3 documents ready to go and your birth certificate long form/police certificate, etc? If not, do it NOW so that as soon as DOS tells you that London has sent out the P3 you can mail it straight in, requesting ASAP for an interview.

I do have all paperwork ready. Thanks for the reassurance.

There is hope that I may not be facing selling the Big Issue with my dogs on the streets after all! I'll sleep a bit better tonight.

[Amy and Michael 21]

Hi

Just reporting to say hi and join everyone here. Good luck to everyone waiting for their interview dates, and their Packet 3.

We got our NOA2 on 2/25/2010, NVC received it 3/4/2010, and sent it to London 3/8/2010.

I'm really hoping we get an interview by the end of May, that would be amazingly awesome. Flights to the US seem to rise dramatically starting in June.

Doghandler - I really hope you are able to get your interview and visa by the end of June, I think that's a do-able timeline. Best of Luck and post your progress.

Here's wishing everyone a smooth journey for this last part with the medical and interview and getting those dates!!!

Oh, 1 question if anybody knows the answer - I've read you can book your medical before receiving Packet 3. What number do you need to call. What information do you need in order to book it? Any tips?

Thanks so much!!!!

[Kristin&David 0]

Oh, 1 question if anybody knows the answer - I've read you can book your medical before receiving Packet 3. What number do you need to call. What information do you need in order to book it? Any tips?

Thanks so much!!!!

We just booked our medical today! You can call Knightsbridge Doctors at 020 7486 7822 (9am-5pm). We found out from DOS that our packet 3 has been mailed but we have not received it yet. All they wanted to know when my fiance booked was his name and case number, LND..., that was it, and he's going in two weeks on March 24.

Hope that helps!

[doghandler 2]

Hi

Just reporting to say hi and join everyone here. Good luck to everyone waiting for their interview dates, and their Packet 3.

We got our NOA2 on 2/25/2010, NVC received it 3/4/2010, and sent it to London 3/8/2010.

I'm really hoping we get an interview by the end of May, that would be amazingly awesome. Flights to the US seem to rise dramatically starting in June.

Doghandler - I really hope you are able to get your interview and visa by the end of June, I think that's a do-able timeline. Best of Luck and post your progress.

Thank you Wales!

Yes, here's to ALL OF US getting interviews in good time and not facing the shocking price hike as soon as June hits (never mind July, or god forbid August, when you literally need to take a mortgage out to afford it. The dogs flights are costing £2,000 each and they don't even get the inflight entertainment, never mind the drinks trolley!).

And, to add to the debate on why have only 1 medical location for the whole of the UK, why does the US Dept of State not make full use of their other consulates in NI and Scotland? I live a couple of streets away from the US consulate in Edinburgh. The flag flies, the doors are open, but very few people going in there! Goodness knows what they do in there, but it doesn't look like the are even remotely busy and if they at least carried out the interviews for the Scottish people, it would take the pressure off London. I know the US government aren't soliciting my humble opinion, but it would make sense.