Timing of packet 3 submission and interview date

[july2009 1]

Hi all,

First of all, thank you so much to everyone who has shared their experiences, I'm not sure what I would have done without the guidance on this site...actually, I probably would have gotten lots of RFEs by now:) Thankfully we received our NOA2 on April 12, and are now just waiting on getting the LDN case number so that my fiance can schedule the medical.

The only thing we're a little worried about is when to submit our Packet 3 documents. He will be out of the country between May 22 and June 17. I've seen wait times vary from anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months. If we mail in the packet 3 forms on May 21, what are the odds that he would be assigned an interview date before June 17? I'm not looking for a guarantee here, just an estimate.

If he is somehow assigned an interview date really quickly, before June 17, do we then just call the extortion line to re-schedule? What have people's experiences been like with re-scheduling interviews- do they tend to slot you in a few days later, or a few weeks?

Thanks for any advice!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If you need to stall for time, then don't make all the phone call people do to try to rush their way through.

Wait for NVC to snail mail you the case number.

Wait for the embassy to notify him by mail he can apply for the visa (send in Packet 3 forms). Send in only the 4 application forms about 2 weeks after they notify him. If a month goes by after NVC indicates they have sent the file to London and he hasn't heard from London, check with DOS because there are people who never got the letter from London. DOS will know if the letter has been sent. You don't want to wait so long that they think you abandoned the visa.

Schedule the medical for two weeks before he leaves, just to leave time to take care of anything if there is a problem with the medical.

Send in the ds2001 readiness form 2-3 weeks after the P3 forms went in. Include in the cover letter in large bold type: Please can you schedule the interview after June 17 as I will be out of the country prior to that date.

I didn't count up weeks, so adjust the mailing schedule to fit his timeline as events unfold.

We requested the interview after a certain date because my fiance had already booked a 3 week trip to see me. They assigned him one about 1-2 weeks after the date he requested. I think that's better than cancelling and waiting weeks for them to send him a new appointment.

Meanwhile get all the forms done and the documents gathered and police certificate ordered.

P3 instructions start HERE with many links to look at and study in the left, middle, and right columns.

[july2009 1]

Thanks, that is very helpful. He'll state the request clearly in the cover letter that goes with the readiness form. Your guidance on everything has been unbelievably great- we've literally printed out posts that you've written to help us with our planning! Thanks so much.