does wedding date help embassy prioritise interview dates?

[micmac 6]

Basically I have seen so many conflicting things on the subject of packet 3 - packet 4 - interview times.

me and my fiance want to get married late september/early october cause of the harsh winters where he says and the fact that our honeymoon will be a road trip. We filed in March, and given the approximate 7 months that would be october. Our NOA2 came 6 weeks early.

I kinda messed up on the whole packet 3 situation and I am freaking out that I knocked us back several weeks.

But I put our wedding date as late september on the forms.

Do they prioritise interviews by wedding date? I heard some people say they waited approximately a month for interview and some say they waited 2 weeks from packet 4. I assume it is all done on a case by case basis and that is why there is so much difference and there is not a blanket "4 week wait time" or anything like that.

If anyone could clarify this it would really help me put my mind at rest!

[nane1104 146]

I heard that some embassies try to accomdate you with the interview date based on when you want to get married. But I wouldn't say that's a rule and they always do it.

My interview date was 10 days after I submitted all my paperwork and 6 weeks prior to our thought of wedding date (I too just estimated and it worked out like that) but I think they just sscheduled me for the earliest interview date after I had sent in all my documents.

[Anh map 2,098]

There is no policy about accommodating wedding plans. There have been members who have shared that London has tried to help. Definitely do not plan on it, especially if you do not have a facility booked, etc.

[micmac 6]

I would book one but knowing my luck things will be slow! I am planning on booking when we get the interview date. I don't want to lose deposits or anything especially if wedding/travel plans give you no benefit in the visa process. I don't think the government websites are very helpful at all.

[JoannaV 174]

Giving a date can help, in that London do seem to try to accommodate when possible (although not to the extent of letting you totally jump the queue) and conversely if you tell them you are getting married next year then that can cause them to give you a later interview date, lol. But there are no guarantees, and you certainly don't want to plan on anything. :-)

[Sunshine Times 7]

I would book one but knowing my luck things will be slow! I am planning on booking when we get the interview date. I don't want to lose deposits or anything especially if wedding/travel plans give you no benefit in the visa process. I don't think the government websites are very helpful at all.

I stated an "unofficial wedding date" on my cover letter with Packet 3 of 26th August. My interview date is 16th September so I guess without proof of anything solid arranged/booked, that it doesnt make much difference.

Edited August 13, 2011 by Sunshine Times

[mimie 2]

guys what is packet 3 and 4?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Giving a date can help, in that London do seem to try to accommodate when possible (although not to the extent of letting you totally jump the queue) and conversely if you tell them you are getting married next year then that can cause them to give you a later interview date, lol. But there are no guarantees, and you certainly don't want to plan on anything. :-)

Best answer!!

I stated an "unofficial wedding date" on my cover letter with Packet 3 of 26th August. My interview date is 16th September so I guess without proof of anything solid arranged/booked, that it doesnt make much difference.

The problem here may be the timeline says the forms were sent to London 17 days before the wedding date. They can't accomodate you that much if all the slots are filled.

[Sunshine Times 7]

Best answer!!

The problem here may be the timeline says the forms were sent to London 17 days before the wedding date. They can't accomodate you that much if all the slots are filled.

My first Packet 3 was sent 25th June, that's 2 months notice. It was allegedly "not received" (although it was signed for on the 29th June) until I posted my 2nd response this Monday, which arrived there on Tuesday and I was assigned an interview date on Wednesday....so it probably wasn't lost in the first instance...

Edited August 13, 2011 by Sunshine Times

[micmac 6]

well I sent packet 3 over a week ago, but I resent it cause I thought I had the wrong address. so whether or not it was logged then I have no idea. I resent the forms on Thursday. That gives 6 weeks-ish to when I would need to leave for my estimated wedding date. I won't hold my breath! So long as the wedding is over by mid october I am ok with it. I just miss my fiance.

thanks for the replies. I will keep my fingers crossed and won't keep coming on visa journey cause I am psyching myself out! Will return once I receive word from the embassy.

[bigdog 376]

Basically I have seen so many conflicting things on the subject of packet 3 - packet 4 - interview times.

me and my fiance want to get married late september/early october cause of the harsh winters where he says and the fact that our honeymoon will be a road trip. We filed in March, and given the approximate 7 months that would be october. Our NOA2 came 6 weeks early.

I kinda messed up on the whole packet 3 situation and I am freaking out that I knocked us back several weeks.

But I put our wedding date as late september on the forms.

Do they prioritise interviews by wedding date? I heard some people say they waited approximately a month for interview and some say they waited 2 weeks from packet 4. I assume it is all done on a case by case basis and that is why there is so much difference and there is not a blanket "4 week wait time" or anything like that.

If anyone could clarify this it would really help me put my mind at rest!

No official policy, don't count on it. make flexible plans.