New member...Please help put my mind at rest

[Dan&Aylin 1]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and so please forgive me if I am about to ask questions that have been asked 100 times over. I was just wondering if experienced UK K1 visa applicants who have recently been through the London embassy stage of the application could help put my mind at rest regarding my particular case.

I recieved a letter on 8 March 2011 detailing that my approved petition was received by the London embassy. As was asked for on the letter, I sent forms DS-230 part I, 2 x DS-156, DS-156K, 2 x DS-157 and the checklist DS-2001 back to them on 11 March 2011. I then booked my medical which is scheduled for 7 April 2011, a week tomorrow. My wedding is on 18 August 2011.

So...

1. Will I/should I have already received a letter from the embassy comfirming they have received my forms? or will I not hear from them at all until they receive my medical results, most likely around 12 April?

2. Once the embassy receive my medical results, how long should it be until I receive a letter with my interview date?

3. When should I call the Operated assisted info service to pay for the interview?

I am desperate to get to my wife-to-be and to be married on 18th August, is my worrying unjustified at this stage? I just hate it when forms have been sent and I have no idea on the staus of my case.

Thanks.

Dan.

[jaygregory 1]

no you wont get a letter saying they have the forms, ul just get a letter when they have the medical too about an interview date....took me about a month between medical and interview date.

and i got my interview letter the day before the interview....a few days after the medical start to call the DOS or london to see about an interview date being set.

i payed for my interview a few days before the interview...they sent u the recipt by email so no worries there.

as for a wedding on april 18th....i wouldnt think it was to likely, they wont book your interview until they have the medical results...that takes about 3 days to get to the embassy...that takes it to the 12th or so (if you dont count weekends).

assuming they booked your interview for the day after which really wont happen, they say to allow another 4 to 5 working days to get the passport back, so thats the 20th or so....and then theres another 3 days between getting the passport and being able to fly over. and even after that...theres a few days you have to wait after the you get the wedding licence.

i really hope things go smoothly for you but honestly i dont think theres much hope of that wedding date.

[GDHB 3]

1. Will I/should I have already received a letter from the embassy comfirming they have received my forms? or will I not hear from them at all until they receive my medical results, most likely around 12 April?

2. Once the embassy receive my medical results, how long should it be until I receive a letter with my interview date?

3. When should I call the Operated assisted info service to pay for the interview?

Our interview was late March 2011.

1, 2. When the Embassy gets your medical results they'll schedule the interview. You should get a letter telling you when the interview is, but a number of VJ members didn't get the letter until shortly before the interview, or even at all! You can get the interview date/time from DOS (202-663-1225, 1, 0) if you have your LND #, and it's NOT a premium $$$ call. I just kept calling every couple of days once the medical results were in. The security staff like to see an interview letter but as long as you're on their list you'll get in.

3. You'll need the E-mail receipt to get into the Embassy. I didn't delay, paid it as soon as I could, that would be my advice.

[ameribrit 37]

as for a wedding on april 18th....i wouldnt think it was to likely,

OP's wedding date is August 18th, which will be no problem at all, providing they don't get put into AP

To OP: Sounds like you have a similar timeline to me, apart from the medical.

As Jay said, from about 4 days after your medical start calling DOS 1-202-663-1225 for an interview time.

The Embassy may well have a interview slot ready for you, but won't disclose it untill they have the medical results.

Good luck

Edited March 30, 2011 by ameribrit

[Dan&Aylin 1]

no you wont get a letter saying they have the forms, ul just get a letter when they have the medical too about an interview date....took me about a month between medical and interview date.

and i got my interview letter the day before the interview....a few days after the medical start to call the DOS or london to see about an interview date being set.

i payed for my interview a few days before the interview...they sent u the recipt by email so no worries there.

as for a wedding on april 18th....i wouldnt think it was to likely, they wont book your interview until they have the medical results...that takes about 3 days to get to the embassy...that takes it to the 12th or so (if you dont count weekends).

assuming they booked your interview for the day after which really wont happen, they say to allow another 4 to 5 working days to get the passport back, so thats the 20th or so....and then theres another 3 days between getting the passport and being able to fly over. and even after that...theres a few days you have to wait after the you get the wedding licence.

i really hope things go smoothly for you but honestly i dont think theres much hope of that wedding date.

Wow, thanks for the detailed reply!

Few questions in response to that...

1. Is the DOS the operator service? The 09042 450100 number? I'll give that a call a few days after my medical then. What will I need when I call to check about an interview dateand what can I expect from the call?

2. My wedding is August 18th, not April 18th. Was hoping to travel at the end of July, is that looking okay do you think?

Thanks mate, sorry for all the questions, I'm just nervous. We met 3 years ago now and I just cant wait any more!

[Dan&Aylin 1]

Just read the replies from the other two posters after my reply. Thanks so much! Really put my mind at rest, this site is fantastic! I'll be sure to call the DOS then shortly after my medical and pay the fee asap!

[ameribrit 37]

DOS= Depatment of State, in the US. Calling them, as GDHB outlined, is the best way to get updates on your case.

Call the number in this link http://london.usembassy.gov/visa_contact_information.html to pay for your interview

[Dan&Aylin 1]

DOS= Depatment of State, in the US. Calling them, as GDHB outlined, is the best way to get updates on your case.

Call the number in this link http://london.usembassy.gov/visa_contact_information.html to pay for your interview

Okay, thank you very much! How come the Department of State can give updates on the case if it is now handled my the US embassy in London? Would not have even thought of calling them, so thanks! What can I expect when I call that DOS number? wan't to be prepared, I'm not too good on the phone! lol

[ameribrit 37]

Okay, thank you very much! How come the Department of State can give updates on the case if it is now handled my the US embassy in London? Would not have even thought of calling them, so thanks! What can I expect when I call that DOS number? wan't to be prepared, I'm not too good on the phone! lol

DOS track everything concerning your case from the moment it leaves NVC.

When you call, don't worry about listening to the recorded message, just press 1 for the main menu and then 0 for an operator. At times you will get a message that the lines are too busy to take calls, but just keep trying and you will get through in the end. I have usually had to wait 10-15 minutes to get an operator online, but the crazy thing is that it is much, much cheaper and more informative than calling the London Embassy.

When you get through just quote your London case number and they will tell you the last action on your case.

[GDHB 3]

Okay, thank you very much! How come the Department of State can give updates on the case if it is now handled my the US embassy in London? Would not have even thought of calling them, so thanks! What can I expect when I call that DOS number? wan't to be prepared, I'm not too good on the phone! lol

The US Embassy reports to the DOS, their computers are networked - one data base.

They'll ask for the LND number, when they get that, they can see everything and answer any questions you have. They've been pleasant and helpful when I've called.

BTW - you can get a good idea of what your dates are likely to be from the VJ timelines: this link

Not everyone keeps them updated but there's enough to give some idea .. as long as there's no complications ... good luck.

My thought on your target date in August is that you might need to delay entry to the US because the visa requires marriage in 90 days or less. Watch for that.

[* Kristin * 49]

If you travel at the end of July, that is fine. End of July to 18th August = less than 90 days, so you are good.

*Edited, as I mistyped and wrote 13th August ;-)

The US Embassy reports to the DOS, their computers are networked - one data base.

They'll ask for the LND number, when they get that, they can see everything and answer any questions you have. They've been pleasant and helpful when I've called.

BTW - you can get a good idea of what your dates are likely to be from the VJ timelines: this link

Not everyone keeps them updated but there's enough to give some idea .. as long as there's no complications ... good luck.

My thought on your target date in August is that you might need to delay entry to the US because the visa requires marriage in 90 days or less. Watch for that.

Edited March 30, 2011 by * Kristin *

[jaygregory 1]

Wow, thanks for the detailed reply!

Few questions in response to that...

1. Is the DOS the operator service? The 09042 450100 number? I'll give that a call a few days after my medical then. What will I need when I call to check about an interview dateand what can I expect from the call?

2. My wedding is August 18th, not April 18th. Was hoping to travel at the end of July, is that looking okay do you think?

Thanks mate, sorry for all the questions, I'm just nervous. We met 3 years ago now and I just cant wait any more!

ah,so sorry for the grim reply then....misread.

youl be fine for an august wedding, unless something comes up i should imagine given my timeline as a basis, and i got my visa in hand today.

and when calling the dos...have your fiance do it from the states,much cheaper. i think its just your london number

[* Kristin * 49]

Correct - when I called the DOS, they asked for our case number and the beneficiary's name.

ah,so sorry for the grim reply then....misread.

youl be fine for an august wedding, unless something comes up i should imagine given my timeline as a basis, and i got my visa in hand today.

and when calling the dos...have your fiance do it from the states,much cheaper. i think its just your london number

[nylonmac 10]

You'll be fine mate, I had my interview yesterday (which was a breeze), the case was with the Embassy in early January and the only reason it took this long was because I had booked a 3 week trip to see my fiancée in February.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay, thank you very much! How come the Department of State can give updates on the case if it is now handled my the US embassy in London? Would not have even thought of calling them, so thanks! What can I expect when I call that DOS number? wan't to be prepared, I'm not too good on the phone! lol

All foreign consulates fall under the Dept of State. You are no longer with USCIS. NVC is the handoff and that's why you have a new DOS case number and the embassy forms start with DS-. Once you get to the US, it'll be back to the USCIS to apply for permanent residence.