Interview US Embassy London

[japointer 0]

Hi...my husband has his interview in London on Feb. 2 - does anyone know how long it takes to actually receive the visa after the interview? Also, is there any additional mailing fees we can pay to get it to him more quickly - just wondering as I need to book his flt back to the US & wasn't sure what day to book it for?

Thank you!!

[Claire and Troy 2]

Hi...my husband has his interview in London on Feb. 2 - does anyone know how long it takes to actually receive the visa after the interview? Also, is there any additional mailing fees we can pay to get it to him more quickly - just wondering as I need to book his flt back to the US & wasn't sure what day to book it for?

Thank you!!

If approved, you will be told the approximate wait. I've seen them take anywhere from 3 days to a month to be received. I think typically you're looking at 8 days average. The safe answer here is to wait to book any flights until visa is in hand.

As far as the fees go, there is a premium service but its not for faster delivery, just an earlier delivery, such as before noon, etc.

[Tnx 0]

Hi...my husband has his interview in London on Feb. 2 - does anyone know how long it takes to actually receive the visa after the interview? Also, is there any additional mailing fees we can pay to get it to him more quickly - just wondering as I need to book his flt back to the US & wasn't sure what day to book it for?

Thank you!!

I was approved on Friday 8th January, I got my Visa today!!

Good luck to your husband guys on your upcoming interview!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It's a bad idea to book a flight before the visa is in hand, unless you can afford to throw away a non-refundable ticket and buy another if things don't go as you anticipate.

Things that have gone wrong for others:

They took the wrong kind of birth certificate to the interview because they didn't read the directions on the website carefully.

Their fiance forgot to sign the Affidavit of Support or didn't include their W2 forms.

They weren't born in the UK, so got put on Additional Processing which can take weeks to months.

They were taking K2 children, but failed to get the notarized document from the other parent allowing permission.

They had a small mischief episode/arrest as a teenager that they thought was off their record, but were asked to get something from the court to show more detail.

Waiting for the visa, then booking two weeks out (for a cheaper ticket) could save you alot of stress if things go awry. Two weeks isn't a biggie in the scheme of the whole process. You have probably done everything perfectly and will have the visa in 3-5 days, but the other people who didn't were sure they had done things perfectly too.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

There are also a number of people (Mags springs to mind) who for no discernible reason, no hiccup on the day or before, suffered significant delay to delivery. What if the visa printer breaks down (seen it before), or there is severe weather affecting delivery (also seen it), or the courier does not arrive on the appointed day (also seen it!), etc etc. I'll be honest -- we booked our tickets from the UK before the interview, but they were for a date two months after the interview. Due to my work commitments, I couldn't leave any earlier than that anyway, but I also knew that should something go wrong, I had a decent size buffer in which to sort of problems. I know, it stinks -- you want to hop on a plane right away. And quite a few people have done that successfully. But the added stress of hoping all the little parts fit together correctly... it's not something I would choose, but chacun son gout and all that.

They weren't born in the UK, so got put on Additional Processing which can take weeks to months.

Just a wee note of clarification -- not everyone who was born outside the UK but interviews at London will go through AP. It really depends on your country of birth.

Edited January 13, 2010 by elmcitymaven

[Rito 28]

Their fiance forgot to sign the Affidavit of Support or didn't include their W2 forms.

You don't need W2 forms, do you? I'm just using income as proof... my understanding is that all you need is pay stubs and letter from employer - am I wrong?

[Claire and Troy 2]

It's my understanding that if you're using tax returns then a copy of your w2 is pretty much a given. I'm not sure about transcripts. I'm sure someone will clarify. I used tax returns with all schedules, letter, w2, and pay stubs.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You don't need W2 forms, do you? I'm just using income as proof... my understanding is that all you need is pay stubs and letter from employer - am I wrong?

Those two things alone will probably be acceptable. Most people bring income tax as a proof of income.

It's my understanding that if you're using tax returns then a copy of your w2 is pretty much a given. I'm not sure about transcripts. I'm sure someone will clarify. I used tax returns with all schedules, letter, w2, and pay stubs.

A complete tax return includes the Form 1040, any schedules like A, B, D that apply to your specific return, and a Form W2 from every employer and any Form 1099s if a significant amount of your income is based on something other than a salary. Interest, dividends, pensions come to mind as money reported on 1099s. People who just bring the tax forms without the W2s (or 1099s if needed) do not have a complete tax return.

OR a tax transcript is a stand alone document that covers all the above papers in a complete tax return. No W2 is required with a tax transcript.

[japointer 0]

Thanks for the replies - I think based on what you have shared we will just wait to book the ticket!