London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Knope2012 10]

you hate to spend $16 on a gamble but probs spent 30x that on a wedding....which was always a gamble?

just call them!

while i sympathise with you guys can you really expect the US goverment to bend to your agenda? everybody knows "DONT MAKE WEDDING PLANS UNTIL YOU GET THE VISA"

I knew not to make wedding plans, and I know I shouldn't have done it anyway. I'm not asking more than I should be getting anyway, as the normal London timeframe is an interview within two months of receiving packet 3, which would be October 2nd for me. I haven't asked for sympathy either. I just want an interview within the next two months. My wedding was rescheduled for November 21st, which would be 10 months from my filing date. I'm not blaming the government if I miss my wedding, as that would be my fault, but I am asking for an interview within a reasonable time frame. You got your visa in 7 months. Less than 10 sounds reasonable to me.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Knope2012

[Cori and Rob 55]

I knew not to make wedding plans, and I know I shouldn't have done it anyway. I'm not asking more than I should be getting anyway, as the normal London timeframe is an interview within two months of receiving packet 3, which would be October 2nd for me. I haven't asked for sympathy either. I just want an interview within the next two months. My wedding was rescheduled for November 21st, which would be 10 months from my filing date. I'm not blaming the government if I miss my wedding, as that would be my fault, but I am asking for an interview within a reasonable time frame. You got your visa in 7 months. Less than 10 sounds reasonable to me.

I personally think you allowed for a reasonable amount of time, Knope. Fingers crossed for you!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

. We have sent the form of readiness with the packet 3 responses. We have all necessary documents and have already paid for the interview.

For you, I would send a new form of readiness and in the cover letter explain they have your forms and medical results and you are respectfully begging for an interview date prior to October 12 (or 19...pick one you like) and would be happy to take a cancellation spot and attend on short notice. (include email adLdress for that last minute notice.) Grovel a bit and say you were so foolish for not understanding that USCIS would be two months past their stated time for approving petitions. Thank them politely for assisting you with your request in anyway they possibly can. You are still within a normal timeframe for hearing from them, but trying to get a specific date a little sooner rather later is your objective. You want to get slotted in ahead of the guy getting married in mid December or next Fevruary.

For anybody else just getting to the NOA2/NVC stage:

My random theory is that circumventing London's intended order of operations trying for speed, might result in things getting mislaid or out of synch. They made up an order that is most efficient for them. Try to follow it but as fast as you can.

I suggest this order and it's totally my own logic of how I've seen things progress.

1. Mail DS application forms as soon as you know from DOS that London has logged your case. You don't have to have their letter in hand, but they need to have at least processed your forms and created your file.
   
2. Have the medical exam, not before your application forms are at the embassy. Knightsbridge normally have appointments open with very little wait. If you want to make your appointment as soon as NVC gives you a case number, then schedule it at least 3 weeks out. Or wait until DOS says your case is logged and schedule it one week out.
   
3. Mail your readiness for DS-2001. Ideally it should arrive the same day or one after your medical results. That way they see you are totally ready because your #1 and #2 components are already in place. Your special requests will be viewed at the time you are actually eligible to be scheduled.
   

Edited September 13, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Elora & Rob 15]

Well, it was for a number of reasons. We initially filed with a lawyer who told us he'd be here by May (hahahaha!), so at the time, we thought we could forgo a visit since it wasn't that long to wait. Of course, when we discovered VJ in May, we learned the wait would be considerably longer. But then I received a big promotion at work, and I wasn't going to be able to take time off for the first three months in my new position, and Rob and I both decided we'd rather save money so we'd have enough saved up in case it takes a long time for him to find a job. It hasn't been ideal or easy, but I do think it was the smarter decision for us. Prior to us filing, we'd only go a few months at a time without seeing each other. The nice thing is I have a bunch of vacation saved up, so I'll be able to take a bunch of time off when he gets here

yeh thats a problem for me elora has not time off left will only be able to get the wedding and the day after off.

[distressedbride 0]

ok! so what i found out today.

It is taking 6 weeks from when they receive the Packet 3 to log it.

when they log it they also assign you an interview date.

that interview date tends to be 3 weeks more.

so total 9 weeks from when they received your packet 3 or whatever limiting factor you had. 9 weeks until your british half walks in to the interview.

then it is another 5 business days to put it in your passport, and if you pay for overnighting then 24 hrs. to get the passport back.

sadly, that puts us, with everything exactally how they said, at nov. 8th.. for a nov. 11th wedding.

[MissAAA 9]

ok! so what i found out today.

It is taking 6 weeks from when they receive the Packet 3 to log it.

when they log it they also assign you an interview date.

that interview date tends to be 3 weeks more.

so total 9 weeks from when they received your packet 3 or whatever limiting factor you had. 9 weeks until your british half walks in to the interview.

then it is another 5 business days to put it in your passport, and if you pay for overnighting then 24 hrs. to get the passport back.

sadly, that puts us, with everything exactally how they said, at nov. 8th.. for a nov. 11th wedding.

wow! :crying:

[kimmie 2]

ok! so what i found out today.

It is taking 6 weeks from when they receive the Packet 3 to log it.

when they log it they also assign you an interview date.

that interview date tends to be 3 weeks more.

so total 9 weeks from when they received your packet 3 or whatever limiting factor you had. 9 weeks until your british half walks in to the interview.

then it is another 5 business days to put it in your passport, and if you pay for overnighting then 24 hrs. to get the passport back.

sadly, that puts us, with everything exactally how they said, at nov. 8th.. for a nov. 11th wedding.

And so the frustration and wait continues... I don't care about planning the wedding, it's the simple things like work schedules and appointments and stuff that I am putting on hold until I know when I can go get him. Told the kids he'd be here by Halloween because that seemed reasonable...will have the change that AGAIN. Grrrrrr.

[LouisePaul 0]

Hello everyone!

Quick question:

On form DS-2001 at the bottom it says:

Please send this form, along with Form DS-230 Part 1 (for each applicant), to the

address of the United States Embassy or Consulate listed on the cover letter of

this information packet.

So they want you to send a copy of From DS-230 Part 1 along with form DS-2001 and a cover letter?

Louise

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello everyone!

Quick question:

On form DS-2001 at the bottom it says:

Please send this form, along with Form DS-230 Part 1 (for each applicant), to the

address of the United States Embassy or Consulate listed on the cover letter of

this information packet.

So they want you to send a copy of From DS-230 Part 1 along with form DS-2001 and a cover letter?

Louise

Follow London's instructions. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

1. DS application forms with duplicates as instructed. (no documents or photos attached)

2. Medical

3. Ds2001 readiness form and cover letter with additional info requested on London website No additional DS230 because they got it in #1 mailing.

4. Pay fee on phone

5.Go to interview with all documents, I-134 and passport photos in hand

Edited September 15, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[LouisePaul 0]

Follow London's instructions. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

1. DS application forms with duplicates as instructed.

2. Medical

3. Ds2001 readiness form and cover letter with additional info requested on London website No additional DS230 because they got it in #1 mailing.

Oh okay thank you!

I intend to follow London's instructions I was just double checking because the from says to send the DS230 with it but I hadn't heard anyone else mention sending that form with the readiness and cover letter.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Oh okay thank you!

I intend to follow London's instructions I was just double checking because the from says to send the DS230 with it but I hadn't heard anyone else mention sending that form with the readiness and cover letter.

And the DS 156 or 156k (forgot) says attach documents. Ignore that form instruction too. London will "attach" when you provide them at the interview.

I editeded my post as you replied, so there's a #4 and 5 now.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Thank you so much for this thread! Alan and I spent some time working on the forms today. We're at the RFE stage right now but want to get going on some of the other stuff now. I think I referred to this thread about 10 times during the process LOL. You guys really do rock!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much for this thread! Alan and I spent some time working on the forms today. We're at the RFE stage right now but want to get going on some of the other stuff now. I think I referred to this thread about 10 times during the process LOL. You guys really do rock!

If you've mailed back your response, you ought to be approved within 2 weeks (unless that's changed a lot recently). Please send him to get shots before his medical exam. Not too early or he may need a 2nd MMR if 4 weeks pass and he hasn't had his medical. If he had a MMR just before (< four weeks) his medical, then it would be medically inappropriate to have another MMR by the appt, so they give him a waiver and it's good for AOS. So no MMR#2 ever. Or he can start now and get the second 4 weeks later, but before the medical.

The BIG mistake people make is believing the Knightsbridge nurse when she says enough time has elapsed since MMR#1 to need MMR #2, but if you don't want to pay them you'll be fine getting it at the GP after the exam. That means you won't get the waiver accepted by USCIS, and you will pay a civil surgeon in the US to sign a new immunization sheet. Sounds easy enough, but it's often an expensive nightmare.

What did you get the RFE for? You've been very meticulous with your stuff.

Edited September 16, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[LouisePaul 0]

If you've mailed back your response, you ought to be approved within 2 weeks (unless that's changed a lot recently).

Your right, ours was approved on September 13, 12 days after we sent our RFE response.

[OrderofProtection 42]

ok! so what i found out today.

It is taking 6 weeks from when they receive the Packet 3 to log it.

when they log it they also assign you an interview date.

that interview date tends to be 3 weeks more.

so total 9 weeks from when they received your packet 3 or whatever limiting factor you had. 9 weeks until your british half walks in to the interview.

then it is another 5 business days to put it in your passport, and if you pay for overnighting then 24 hrs. to get the passport back.

sadly, that puts us, with everything exactally how they said, at nov. 8th.. for a nov. 11th wedding.

This is so annoying as Julian and I finally picked 11/15 as the date we really wanted to marry, considering it's exactly 1 year from our first date. It sucks that we might have to push it back. At least he put it on the form, so maybe they'll see it and hook us up with something a little earlier. I mean.... more waiting..... *epic sigh*