London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Shezi 108]

Thanks LeftCoastLady

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Ok technically, this doesn't fall in to the 'NOA2 to interview' category but I watch this thread every day so I thought Id post my question here.

We're still awaiting our NOA2 and, in the last month, our VJ adjudication timeline projection has gone from July 11th to Aug 20th. We're assuming this is wholly as a result of the olympics since we've had no RFEs/other communication since our NOA1. Is anyone else in this position?

Shezi

I don't really see how the Olympics have any effect on USCIS, which is where you are. The VJ prediction is based on everybody's VJ timeline. Maybe you didn't get an RFE, but maybe 50 others did, skewing the timeline. Maybe they took over a month to respond. So many human factors play into how long to get from A to B. As newer data is added, your prediction moves with the averages.

Also the service centers get varying amount of applications. They are doing work petitions, adjustment of staus, removing conditions. Sometimes they shift their workforce to do focus on a different application from the important one--the K1 hopefuls!!!! hahaha

Look at way the services centers vary over time (as reported by VJ members)

Maybe a bunch of people got engaged at Christmas time and there was a rush of petitioners who sent forms in January and February. There's so many reasons why it slows down.

If you haven't looked at the USCIS dashboard page, it's a good page of data trends to scrutinize. http://dashboard.uscis.gov/index.cfm?formtype=6&office=6&charttype=1

[Shezi 108]

Thanks Nich-Nick, yeah I do look at the dashboard and I try to factor in the law of averages to keep a perspective on it. I guess I've managed to keep a lid on my impatience the last 4.5 months because I've been in school. 1 day into the summer break and I'm already agitated about the late projection. In an ideal world, it would have been great to make the move during summer before starting another school year - but I do appreciate that life doesn't work that way.

Thanks for taking the time out to reply

Shezi

[xXJulzXx 0]

I mailed my DS2001 with all the other forms and included a cover letter stating my medical date. I received my interview date 9 days after the Medical, 4 days after they received the Medical results.

Others have done it differently.

So if I were to include a cover letter letting them know of my medical date, what else would I need to state on it? Are there any examples of cover letters I could look at?

[kittylondon 47]

So if I were to include a cover letter letting them know of my medical date, what else would I need to state on it? Are there any examples of cover letters I could look at?

Don't forget about this magical page - http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

As it says, you should include a cover letter stating your email address/contact details, date of your wedding and date of the medical examination. Mine was exactly that - 'Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to confirm my readiness for interview, and attach the following forms... My medical exam is booked for xxx. I have a provisional wedding date of xxx and am contactable on xxxx'. Nothing fancy!

[xXJulzXx 0]

Don't forget about this magical page - http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

As it says, you should include a cover letter stating your email address/contact details, date of your wedding and date of the medical examination. Mine was exactly that - 'Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to confirm my readiness for interview, and attach the following forms... My medical exam is booked for xxx. I have a provisional wedding date of xxx and am contactable on xxxx'. Nothing fancy!

Yeah I keep forgetting to check on the embassy website so thanks for the reminder and hmm okies, that seems easy enough. Also I notice you have your interview next week, good luck with that

[Elora & Rob 15]

my medical is on thursday. i wont be able to send my packet 3 stuff until monday. is this a problem???

[kittylondon 47]

my medical is on thursday. i wont be able to send my packet 3 stuff until monday. is this a problem???

nope.

[LorRenee 6]

Just out of curiosity, for those who already have NOA2, how many of y'all have booked (or will book) a plane ticket before interview or before your visa came/comes back? I guess I'm feeling anxious...Expedia has a deal going with British Airways that could save us a good $600 bucks. We don't know how long the deal lasts, but we also don't want to pay a boat load just to get him here last minute.

I'm trying to hold back because what if something goes wrong and his passport takes longer than expected to come back or, for whatever malicious reason, he gets denied at interview and we already had a plane ticket. Am I over thinking?

Basically I just want to hear what you guys have in mind, or if we should just brace ourselves for the large expense...

[orangedesk 27]

Just out of curiosity, for those who already have NOA2, how many of y'all have booked (or will book) a plane ticket before interview or before your visa came/comes back? I guess I'm feeling anxious...Expedia has a deal going with British Airways that could save us a good $600 bucks. We don't know how long the deal lasts, but we also don't want to pay a boat load just to get him here last minute.

I'm trying to hold back because what if something goes wrong and his passport takes longer than expected to come back or, for whatever malicious reason, he gets denied at interview and we already had a plane ticket. Am I over thinking?

Basically I just want to hear what you guys have in mind, or if we should just brace ourselves for the large expense...

Hi! We're going to wait until we have the visa in-hand just to be on the safe side. Flights are SO expensive right now though, it sucks

If it can save you $600, it might be worth it, I haven't seen anything that would save me more than $100.

[keji247 0]

I mailed my DS2001 with all the other forms and included a cover letter stating my medical date. I received my interview date 9 days after the Medical, 4 days after they received the Medical results.

Others have done it differently.

With the way this VSC sting is dragging we plan to follow your lead as we have all ducks in a row already...just waiting for the all-important NOA2 any day now

[kittylondon 47]

Just out of curiosity, for those who already have NOA2, how many of y'all have booked (or will book) a plane ticket before interview or before your visa came/comes back? I guess I'm feeling anxious...Expedia has a deal going with British Airways that could save us a good $600 bucks. We don't know how long the deal lasts, but we also don't want to pay a boat load just to get him here last minute.

I'm trying to hold back because what if something goes wrong and his passport takes longer than expected to come back or, for whatever malicious reason, he gets denied at interview and we already had a plane ticket. Am I over thinking?

Basically I just want to hear what you guys have in mind, or if we should just brace ourselves for the large expense...

ooh, thank for the tip, i'm heading in the same direction as mark so will check out expedia - i've been looking at lastminute.com and can see returns for around £600 at best (although i'm not going to book until post-interview). also, what are you guys doing about the return date? i was gonna make it completely fictitious if it saved a lot of money, but for the same amount it looks like i could actually try come back for xmas... but then, will we have AP by then? seems worth a shot, if we get married labour day weekend and apply ASAP as planned. but then i do get stuck in a cycle of always having a return ticket from london instead of where i'll actually be living!

Edited July 24, 2012 by kittylondon

[photomile 101]

ooh, thank for the tip, i'm heading in the same direction as mark so will check out expedia - i've been looking at lastminute.com and can see returns for around £600 at best (although i'm not going to book until post-interview). also, what are you guys doing about the return date? i was gonna make it completely fictitious if it saved a lot of money, but for the same amount it looks like i could actually try come back for xmas... but then, will we have AP by then? seems worth a shot, if we get married labour day weekend and apply ASAP as planned. but then i do get stuck in a cycle of always having a return ticket from london instead of where i'll actually be living!

We've got it in our eye that with an interview on the 15th, I'll be entering the USA on the 5th of September. Believe it or not, Expedia has a one way for this magical figure... I would imagine we're giving more than enough time anyway but yeah, this is a nerve point

[Elora & Rob 15]

don't book anything until its sorted. I guess i am in a good position as I am not moving for until December and my visa should be approved in September.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Putting together my additional sheet for DS-156 Question 29. Have you ever visited the U.S.

I have a trip planned for August 18th. I will be sending my first set of DS forms on Saturday and won't schedule my interview until after my trip.

Should I mention the trip on the additional sheet? At the moment I have put...

Please note I have an 8 Day visit to Las Vegas, NV U.S.A. planned for August 18th 2012.