UK DCF -- the ins and outs and ups and downs

[jhphi 0]

Hadn't posted in a while since I've been working horrifying hours, but an update on our progress: we have our interview date for May 6! I haven't seen my husband since January so I couldn't be happier - that's not too far away! Do you all recommend booking for 7+ business days from the interview or just waiting it out?

Best of luck at the interview, Reow!! I bet you're so excited. Just popping back in to let you know that we (like several recent "graduates") also received the passport back three business days after the interview-- got to us at noon today. Are you thinking you'd at least wait till getting the interview day approval to book, or are you thinking of being extra brave and booking pre-interview? The courier said we should expect the passport in 3 to 5 days, but they also made a point to say that it was not guaranteed. We booked our flights for Friday, so we're very glad it arrived today.

On another note, has anyone heard from Jamie and Tati (londonhornet)? I feel like a stalker, but am just hopeful that the interview went well for them.

[Matt_UK 0]

Received approval notice today, filed 24th Feb with one request for further evidence and now approved on 26 April.

Very happy, collecting stuff begins again!

[jhphi 0]

Congratulations, Matt_UK! Best of luck with collecting all the bits!

[Matt_UK 0]

Just thought I'd post here about a confusion I've overcome...

I was fairly sure that I was expected to fill in both parts of the DS230 and send it back to the VISA branch, then at a later date submit the ds2001 and await an interview. The instructions sent to me however suggest that I fill everything in, collect all the documents and only send the DS2001 back.

The letter links us to the usembassy website /cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html. Which states;

Step One

Complete the Form DS-230-Part 1 for each family member applying for a visa. The formcontains questions regarding specific biographical information required for the immigrant visa.

Step Two

Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application. When you have obtained all of the required documents and are prepared for the visa interview, you are required to complete Form DS-2001 and document checklist.[/Quote]

The clearer instructions though appear to be on /cons_new/visa/iv/ivprocess.html which state;

"What do I do first?

The biographic data form DS-23O-I should be completed for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. The form may be photocopied if insufficient copies are received for each family member. The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy in order for them to begin the administrative processing of the application."[/Quote]

[Hokie97 5]

Just thought I'd post here about a confusion I've overcome...

I was fairly sure that I was expected to fill in both parts of the DS230 and send it back to the VISA branch, then at a later date submit the ds2001 and await an interview. The instructions sent to me however suggest that I fill everything in, collect all the documents and only send the DS2001 back.

I got into trouble with this as well. I had all the forms and filled them in, but only sent the ds2001 in. 30 days later I got the letter saying they needed ds230 pt1 for each of my family members. 30 days after that I got my interview date. I could've had the interview and been done with the waiting if not for me messing it up. I felt so bad having to explain to my husband why we were delayed.

[Matt_UK 0]

If I wasn't desperately avoiding upsetting them I would send some feedback on it. They could easily set up clearer instructions that are repeated either less or in the same format each time.

[Matt_UK 0]

Over cautious questions !

1) Do I need to write my case number LDN<number> on the DS230-I or will they just match it up by name?

2) Do I need to send parts of the DS230 at the same time? or do I not send the 2nd part at all?

3) How risky is sending the checklist back without having a few of the key documents ready at the moment. (Joint sponsors I864 etc).

[sveta & jeff 0]

Over cautious questions !

1) Do I need to write my case number LDN<number> on the DS230-I or will they just match it up by name?

2) Do I need to send parts of the DS230 at the same time? or do I not send the 2nd part at all?

3) How risky is sending the checklist back without having a few of the key documents ready at the moment. (Joint sponsors I864 etc).

1) They do not need your LDN № on form 230.

2) It does not matter. You can send DS230-II or bring whith you on interview as well. The important thing is do not sing this form. You will do it in front of consular officer.

3) My advice to send the cheklist ASAP and write in a date of travel. Looks like they pay attention to this to give you sooner date of interview. But you still have minimum 3 weeks to get the answer and 5 weeks until the interview.

[scrosso 0]

After months of trying to get sorted our I-130 went off today to the London embassy. I will keep everyone updated on timelines, but we now wait eagerly for the RFE's.

[Stann 3]

Hi Guys, I have my interview a week on Friday and have just checked all my paperwork for the 10th time! But I think I have found a problem so would appreciate your advice quickly! My joint sponsor's tax return is filed with his wife yet he has only sent me his w2's so the amount on the tax return is more than his w2's. not by much as the wife only works part time but do i need to get her w2's also? On the i-864 he has only stated his earned amount for last year (which is what his w2's add up to) its just the form 1040 that has a higher amount as wife is included.

He is my joint sponsor and the i-864 is in his name only.

Please advise - trying my very hardest not to freak out right now - cant believe i did not think to add the w2's up before - i hate the finance bit its the worst

Stacey

[Reow 0]

We had the interview on May 6, and besides the waiting, it went really smoothly. My husband arrived here in New York day before yesterday, and his arrival at JFK couldn't have been easier - he had to wait about 5 minutes. I couldn't believe it!

This process feels like it's taken forever though I know I should be thankful as it could have been so much worse. Best of luck to everyone going through the process!

[uk2usa2010 2]

Interview today went well and we got APPROVED!!!! Very excited. We fly out 7 June all going well with my passport delivery.

One thing I wanted to note, which I found confusing was whether we needed ALL birth certs for the family (even my spouse and children who are USCs) or just mine (the UKC). The notes seem to differ depending on where you look. Some places say "all family members" or "all persons travelling with you" and some say "all persons immigrating". I took it safe and took the lot, but was only asked for mine.

The other non-paperwork related things I thought it might help to mention were:

I have calculated the total cost from I-130 to Visa Reciept to be around £950. This includes all filing fees, medical/vaccination fees, birth cert/police cert fee, photographs and postage/courier. I really hope this is helpful to people starting this journey

You cannot take ANYTHING with a battery in it or which could be considered "electrical" into the embassy. I had accidently brought a small torch on my keyring. BIN! Some other guy had his small headphones taken away. You can drop things at a small Pharmacy just a minute or so's walk away. Not sure what they charge though, but a number of people on this site have taken advantage of this so hopefully someone can advise.

The embassy credit card machines had broken so they were only taking cash. This is not such a rare problem apparently! I had to leave the embassy and find a cashpoint. All in all it took about 20 mins (just slightly further up the road from the Pharmacy). I did not need to queue again but still needed to go back through security. The main problem I can imagine is being hit by the daily ATM limit (which is typically £250-£300 per account per day). I needed £280 for the visa and luckily my wife and I had not already withdrawn and spent any money already that day. If you can afford to do so, I might want to think about bringing cash as a backup!

There is a small snack bar for coffee, cold drinks and a selection of snacks.

The system that calls out your ticket number is loud! Good luck if you want to try and read! I think most people (like me) are too fixated on watching for when their number comes up, but if you do want to take something along to bide the time, you might want to consider something like a magazine which doesn't need any concentration!

The time you get there does seem to impact how quickly you get seen (you are assigned a ticket number only once you get inside the embassy). They merge everyone in the queue together even if you have an earlier appointment time than others, so it is similar to first come first served. I had an 8am appointment and stupidly got there at 8am! The queue was long. Took 55 mins to get into the building, then I had a 1hr wait until my number was called. The first stage of the interview was quick (5 mins) but I then had to go and get cash which took 20 mins. I was then called up again less than 15 mins later (I do not know if this is normal!) and about 5 mins later I was told I was APPROVED!! TOTAL TIME APPROX 2hrs 45mins.

BEST WISHES TO ALL, AND THANKS SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE ME AND HELPED OUT MASSIVELY.

[Stann 3]

Hi all,

had my interview on Friday and got approved so I am extremely happy about that. It was not nearly as scary as I expected although there was a bomb scare just before my number came up so we were all hearded into the only windowless room for about 20 minutes! I have my flight booked for a week on Monday (the 7th, BA strikes permitting!) which I thought would allow 5 working days for visa to arrive but I forgot about the bank holiday tomorrow so not sure whether to take a chance and wait it out or rebook?!

I will put a full review of my interview in the relevant place.

Good luck to all of you still processing and a massive thank you to everyone that helped

Stacey xx

Edited May 30, 2010 by staceyafreeman

[Stann 3]

Hi all,

further to the message above I got my visa on June 3rd which was the third working day since my interview so very quick. Looking forward to seeing hubby Monday

Good luck to everyone and thanks again for all the help

Stacey xx

[Stann 3]

Hi all - just a quick update - I entered the US on Monday 7th, my POE was Atlanta airport. Everything was fine with the journey except the 'do not open' envelope was so big that I could not fit it in my hand luggage so i carried it in my hand for the entire journey and had it on my lap for the entire flight as I was so paranoid about leaving it loose in the over head locker!

Anyway when I got to Atlanta the passport control officer looked at my visa (I joined the US citizens and residents line) and asked for my envelope and had someone escort me to the immigration room. I had a really long wait here but only because there were so many others in front of me! I waited about 1 and a half hours and then an immigration officer called me forward, took my fingerprints and signature and asked me a couple of questions. Then I sat back down for about another 15 minutes and then she called me back and explained my visa had been stamped and was good as proof of permanent residence for a year and that my greencard would take 3 - 6 months and she double checked the mailing address with me. Then I was free to go!

A very helpful baggage person had pulled my suitcases to one side as it had taken me so long to get to the carousel and then I cleared customs and finally found hubby! My flight got in about 7pm and I left the airport about 9.30 pm. Like i said before the wait was not because of any immigration problems i had but just because the office was so busy and thier were only 2 officers working.

Hope that is of some help

Good luck all!

Stacey