questions about DOS...

[micmac 6]

What is their purpose?

people keep talking about DOS... and calling them and stuff...

why do you need to call them? Is it necessary? Does it get you anywhere?

is there a way of checking progress online rather than calling?

[Inky 1,111]

Department of state. Go check out their website.

They are more accessible than calling/emailing the embassy and they have all the info the embassy has. They can update you on your case and if they passport has the visa printed and mailed etc.

[N&S 32]

For UK unfortunately no online option without calling first so you have 4 options:

- Wait for the letters to arrive (which can take a good week from when the information would be accessible over the phone)

- Call the London US embassy helpline and get an email code to email your question (cost per minute 1.23 GBP for the call)

- Call the London US embassy helpline and ask them direct over the phone (cost per minute 1.23 GBP for the call)

- Call DOS and ask them directly over the phone (cost of US landline - from skype less then 0.02 GBP per minute)

I know which option I went for

[micmac 6]

Ooh I never thought of skype! yeah the embassy phone line is a rip off, don't see how it can be justified.

or ill get my guy to call them

my packet three took 2 months to arrive, so I don't trust the embassy's mailing system much!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

What is their purpose?

people keep talking about DOS... and calling them and stuff...

is there a way of checking progress online rather than calling?

The Department of State is over all foreign consulate among other functions. Once your petition is approved, your case is no longer with USCIS. It is handed off to the DOS at the National Visa Center (NVC). That's why you get a new case number, a DOS number like LNDxxxxxxx in your case. DOS being the "parent" government office over your visa has access to everything entered into the database in London or elsewhere. So if London logs in your case, issues you an interview, receives your medical results, or prints your visa it will show up at the Dept of State in the US.

why do you need to call them? Is it necessary? Does it get you anywhere?

You do not need to call them, meaning it's not a required step. It's only for the curious because DOS can't change anything, just report what's been done. NVC will inform the petitioner when they sent the file to the consulate and the DOS case number by mail. London will inform the beneficiary by mail when they are ready for the visa application to be sent to them, as well as the new case number. London will inform the beneficiary by mail when they have assigned an interview date and the courier will inform the beneficiary when the visa has been handed over to them for delivery. But if you just can't stand waiting on the letters, then calling DOS is cheaper than paying the embassy in London to answer the phone.

[jim&nay 1]

Great advice from Nich-Nick there :-)

I'm my expereince my fiance in NYC called the DOS everyday. Doesnt hurt and its cheap yes but you do get the info quicker. For example, for me it took 10 days longer to hear from London by letter, then it did by calling the DOS. Which is a lifetime to us :-)

[micmac 6]

Ooh thank you. My medical wont be logged yet so I will call them sometime next week.