4 weeks since sending in DS2001

[NewChapter 0]

It's a bit frustrating but I will keep my hopes up.

Our process has been a bit long, but now we are so ready to go. Interview date scheduling can take 4-6 weeks I hear, but I see some people on got it a bit sooner, so that's good to know. Just wondering if anyone else is waiting? We're getting there, bit by bit...

US Wife, UK Husband

May 2013:Filled i130

July 2013: approved and received LND #

August 2013: Police Certs received, scheduled medical

September 2013: DS 230, 2001, and Medical completed and received

October 2013: called Department of State (no interview scheduled yet) (flipped out a bit and then calmed down:) )

Edited October 8, 2013 by NewChapter

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi,

London has been having delays lately in processing the information.

Have your forms been logged? When you call DoS do they tell you that they have received everything, or do they say that some information has not been put into the system yet?

Normally, forms are logged within 4 weeks of reception, but that has not been the case lately due to the delay.

If all of your forms have been logged, you should be in line to get an interview assigned, which can take about 2 weeks or so. If your forms haven't been logged, you have to wait until they process them.

Due to the time you've waiting already, I would send in an enquiry through this contact form : http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

You should get a response within a few working days.

Good luck!

Deborah

[JamesandJamie 6]

We are K1 Visa applicants-all of our info has been logged since September 27 and we don't have an interview letter yet. When my UK fiance emailed, he got a reply that said it would be 4 weeks before receiving anything, but hopefully it'll be sooner and that's just typical reply jargon.

[Dbkrantz 16]

We are K1 Visa applicants-all of our info has been logged since September 27 and we don't have an interview letter yet. When my UK fiance emailed, he got a reply that said it would be 4 weeks before receiving anything, but hopefully it'll be sooner and that's just typical reply jargon.

It is the typical reply, it seems. Normally, it should take about 2 weeks. I hope your interview letter comes soon!

[anandpreece 0]

Hi,

I have seen Status updates on the CEAC Visa Checker on the 2nd and 4th October ( I presumed this was the logging of our DS2001 forms )

When I called the DOS to check the status they informed me that as the application was filed in London I would have to contact someone in the London office to confirm

a) If all documents have been received

b) If the interview had been scheduled

Can anyone confirm how they spoke to the DOS ? Or if the status updates on the CEAC tracker are actually meaningful in any way ?

Thanks a lot

Anand

US Wife / UK Husband

Timeline

Filed i130 via DCF in London- 15/07/2013

Recieved NOA - 25/07/2013

LND number received after much chasing

DS260 - Completed online - 13/09/2013

Medical Completed - 23/09/2013

Medical Updated - 27/09/2013

DS2001 / Cover letter sent -30/09/2013

Status Update - 02/10/2013

Status Update - 04/10/2013

Awaiting Interview

[Dbkrantz 16]

Hi,

I have seen Status updates on the CEAC Visa Checker on the 2nd and 4th October ( I presumed this was the logging of our DS2001 forms )

When I called the DOS to check the status they informed me that as the application was filed in London I would have to contact someone in the London office to confirm

a) If all documents have been received

b) If the interview had been scheduled

Can anyone confirm how they spoke to the DOS ? Or if the status updates on the CEAC tracker are actually meaningful in any way ?

Thanks a lot

Anand

US Wife / UK Husband

Timeline

Filed i130 via DCF in London- 15/07/2013

Recieved NOA - 25/07/2013

LND number received after much chasing

DS260 - Completed online - 13/09/2013

Medical Completed - 23/09/2013

Medical Updated - 27/09/2013

DS2001 / Cover letter sent -30/09/2013

Status Update - 02/10/2013

Status Update - 04/10/2013

Awaiting Interview

Hi !

DoS can check your status and should have access to your file even if it was filed in London, so the fact that they would say that is very bizarre.

You should call back and ask to check your status again with someone else. Some people at DoS are not very helpful unfortunately!

You should ask them to confirm that the forms have been logged into the system. If they have not, they will say that the forms have not been received (don't mean it hasn't arrived in London).

The CEAC status updates are hard to guess unfortunately. I would not advise on trying to find out what they mean, because I was disappointed a few times thinking that the forms have been logged when it wasn't the case.

My advice would be too call back DoS and try to speak to someone who can tell you how your case is advancing!

Let me know how things work out!

[NewChapter 0]

Hi,

London has been having delays lately in processing the information.

Have your forms been logged? When you call DoS do they tell you that they have received everything, or do they say that some information has not been put into the system yet?

Normally, forms are logged within 4 weeks of reception, but that has not been the case lately due to the delay.

If all of your forms have been logged, you should be in line to get an interview assigned, which can take about 2 weeks or so. If your forms haven't been logged, you have to wait until they process them.

Due to the time you've waiting already, I would send in an enquiry through this contact form : http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

You should get a response within a few working days.

Good luck!

Deborah

Thanks so much Deborah:) We are also looking at LA for final destination. If you have any tips or advice about life there, we'd love to know. Haven't visited there yet! Thanks again:)

[anandpreece 0]

Wow lots of people heading to LA here. Me too

My tips would be:

1. learn how to drive if don't already know.

2. Bring a coat / jumper it gets a lot colder in the evening / night time

3. Live as close as u can to work

4.Go to Ritz Carlton @ Laguna Niguel for the Sunday Brunch to celebrate everything being sorted

5. Go to Six flags

6. It can be cheaper to eat out or get takeaway

7. Speak to as many people as possible before deciding where to live

8. I could go on...

US Wife / UK Husband

Timeline

Filed i130 via DCF in London- 15/07/2013

Recieved NOA - 25/07/2013

LND number received after much chasing

DS260 - Completed online - 13/09/2013

Medical Completed - 23/09/2013

Medical Updated - 27/09/2013

DS2001 / Cover letter sent -30/09/2013

Status Update - 02/10/2013

Status Update - 04/10/2013

Awaiting Interview

[TomandCatie 7]

Wow lots of people heading to LA here. Me too

My tips would be:

1. learn how to drive if don't already know.

2. Bring a coat / jumper it gets a lot colder in the evening / night time

3. Live as close as u can to work

4.Go to Ritz Carlton @ Laguna Niguel for the Sunday Brunch to celebrate everything being sorted

5. Go to Six flags

6. It can be cheaper to eat out or get takeaway

7. Speak to as many people as possible before deciding where to live

8. I could go on...

US Wife / UK Husband

Timeline

Filed i130 via DCF in London- 15/07/2013

Recieved NOA - 25/07/2013

LND number received after much chasing

DS260 - Completed online - 13/09/2013

Medical Completed - 23/09/2013

Medical Updated - 27/09/2013

DS2001 / Cover letter sent -30/09/2013

Status Update - 02/10/2013

Status Update - 04/10/2013

Awaiting Interview

Definitely agree with these! I'm not a Six Flags person, more of a Disneyland person, but other than that, this list is pretty dead on!

1. It gets FREEZING at night, especially if you live by the ocean (Venice Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Clemente,Seal Beach ect..)

2. Depending on where you're living, be careful of certain areas at night. These areas include (Downtown LA, South Side), Santa Ana, Compton, Anaheim, and even Venice Beach. These areas not only include a high gang population, but also have a lot of (bad) neighborhoods. LA and Compton are most known for shootings, which is why you steer clear of doing anything alone near there, ESPECIALLY at night. I'm saying this because I don't expect foreigners to just immediately understand where the bad parts are. I remember my British husband giving me a schooling on where not to go in London. Be careful!

3. Enjoy the new holidays you can experience! Remember, we have Thanksgiving and 4th of July, and Halloween (I know you Brits do halloween, but it's VERY different)

4. I also agree with the above statement: Eating out/Takeaway is less expensive sometimes. This is sadly all too true. You can buy groceries OF COURSE, but buying set meals to cook for dinners ends up being WAY MORE expensive than just getting a dinner salad/Burger. Hence why we Americans have such a hard time staying fit! haha!

5. I know most of you JUMP for JOY at the thought of sunny weather all year round, but PLEASE remember your sun screen. This is a different heat all together. I'm saying this because my husband got heat stroke on his last visit because he didn't put enough sunscreen on. He ended up not feeling well for almost 3 days!

6. This one is just for fun, but still it's a warning lol - "Cinema" or the "Theatre" whichever you prefer it to be called

You get FREE refills on your drink. They don't have to be paid for, however you need to get the large of everything to get free refills. Now you're thinking, ok, well large isn't that big here in the UK. It IS IN AMERICA. A large coke is big enough to SWIM in. This goes for pretty much any fast food restaurant as well. Our portions are HUGE, so please order a small first and see what you think. In the event that you're still hungry, order again, otherwise I think you'll have a heart attack just seeing the sizes.

7. American money names will seem funny at first. For new timers, I'll break it down

25 cents = Quarter

10 Cents = Dime

5 Cents = Nickel

1 cent = Penny (That stays the same)

Also, you get some cheeky people that can see your foreign so confuse you by using the presidents names on the bill, instead of the number. Instead of saying "That's $100 sir/madam" they'll say "Ok, one Mr. Ben Franklin" - This happened to my husband about 80 times. If you're British, you'll also get the annoying teenage girls/boys who flock to you asking where in "London" you come from. As if London is a country by itself.

8. Theme Parks that are a MUST do, not only because they're fun but because they are almost historical:

Disneyland (This is the FIRST and ORIGINAL Disneyland) - located in the good part of Anaheim. Across from Disneyland is California Adventure. I recommend getting a Park Hopper Ticket and go from one park to the other.

Universal Studios Hollywood - This is again, the ORIGINAL. Orlando is fun and all, but it's not where movies are made on a daily basis, and not where MOST of television is produced. Also, going to the Hollywood location, gives you chance to see celebrities on the tram ride through the lot!

Sea World - Overpriced, but something you would want to do if you haven't done it!

San Diego Zoo - One of the biggest zoos in the world, and it's areas are themed to the animal. So for example, you have to walk through a JUNGLE (a real jungle) to get to the tigers/lions, ect... super fun!

9. If you have a CERTAIN brand of drink/tea that you are partial to, try and take a few boxes in your luggage. We have liptons and herbal teas all day long, but you might have a hard time finding the ones you want. We don't have Ribena, or Juicee's.

10. This list is kinda geared towards brits who come in, but I'm hoping it's beneficial for everyone However, one last thing for my brit friends.

1. Crisps = Chips (Chips are NOT fries, and if you ask for chips, you'll get crisps!)

2. Chips = French Fries ( French Fries/Fries is the only word you use to get what you know, as chips)

3. Biscuits = Rolls (If you ask for a biscuit, you'll get a white fluffy roll, not a cookie type biscuit... think KFC)

If anyone wants to add, feel free

Hope I helped a bit!

[Dbkrantz 16]

Definitely agree with these! I'm not a Six Flags person, more of a Disneyland person, but other than that, this list is pretty dead on!

1. It gets FREEZING at night, especially if you live by the ocean (Venice Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Clemente,Seal Beach ect..)

2. Depending on where you're living, be careful of certain areas at night. These areas include (Downtown LA, South Side), Santa Ana, Compton, Anaheim, and even Venice Beach. These areas not only include a high gang population, but also have a lot of (bad) neighborhoods. LA and Compton are most known for shootings, which is why you steer clear of doing anything alone near there, ESPECIALLY at night. I'm saying this because I don't expect foreigners to just immediately understand where the bad parts are. I remember my British husband giving me a schooling on where not to go in London. Be careful!

3. Enjoy the new holidays you can experience! Remember, we have Thanksgiving and 4th of July, and Halloween (I know you Brits do halloween, but it's VERY different)

4. I also agree with the above statement: Eating out/Takeaway is less expensive sometimes. This is sadly all too true. You can buy groceries OF COURSE, but buying set meals to cook for dinners ends up being WAY MORE expensive than just getting a dinner salad/Burger. Hence why we Americans have such a hard time staying fit! haha!

5. I know most of you JUMP for JOY at the thought of sunny weather all year round, but PLEASE remember your sun screen. This is a different heat all together. I'm saying this because my husband got heat stroke on his last visit because he didn't put enough sunscreen on. He ended up not feeling well for almost 3 days!

6. This one is just for fun, but still it's a warning lol - "Cinema" or the "Theatre" whichever you prefer it to be called

You get FREE refills on your drink. They don't have to be paid for, however you need to get the large of everything to get free refills. Now you're thinking, ok, well large isn't that big here in the UK. It IS IN AMERICA. A large coke is big enough to SWIM in. This goes for pretty much any fast food restaurant as well. Our portions are HUGE, so please order a small first and see what you think. In the event that you're still hungry, order again, otherwise I think you'll have a heart attack just seeing the sizes.

7. American money names will seem funny at first. For new timers, I'll break it down

25 cents = Quarter

10 Cents = Dime

5 Cents = Nickel

1 cent = Penny (That stays the same)

Also, you get some cheeky people that can see your foreign so confuse you by using the presidents names on the bill, instead of the number. Instead of saying "That's $100 sir/madam" they'll say "Ok, one Mr. Ben Franklin" - This happened to my husband about 80 times. If you're British, you'll also get the annoying teenage girls/boys who flock to you asking where in "London" you come from. As if London is a country by itself.

8. Theme Parks that are a MUST do, not only because they're fun but because they are almost historical:

Disneyland (This is the FIRST and ORIGINAL Disneyland) - located in the good part of Anaheim. Across from Disneyland is California Adventure. I recommend getting a Park Hopper Ticket and go from one park to the other.

Universal Studios Hollywood - This is again, the ORIGINAL. Orlando is fun and all, but it's not where movies are made on a daily basis, and not where MOST of television is produced. Also, going to the Hollywood location, gives you chance to see celebrities on the tram ride through the lot!

Sea World - Overpriced, but something you would want to do if you haven't done it!

San Diego Zoo - One of the biggest zoos in the world, and it's areas are themed to the animal. So for example, you have to walk through a JUNGLE (a real jungle) to get to the tigers/lions, ect... super fun!

9. If you have a CERTAIN brand of drink/tea that you are partial to, try and take a few boxes in your luggage. We have liptons and herbal teas all day long, but you might have a hard time finding the ones you want. We don't have Ribena, or Juicee's.

10. This list is kinda geared towards brits who come in, but I'm hoping it's beneficial for everyone However, one last thing for my brit friends.

1. Crisps = Chips (Chips are NOT fries, and if you ask for chips, you'll get crisps!)

2. Chips = French Fries ( French Fries/Fries is the only word you use to get what you know, as chips)

3. Biscuits = Rolls (If you ask for a biscuit, you'll get a white fluffy roll, not a cookie type biscuit... think KFC)

If anyone wants to add, feel free

Hope I helped a bit!

That reminds me of the conversation we had where we did make fun of Brits (a little!)

Can't wait to go !!!!

[NewChapter 0]

wow! Thanks you all:) I love the fact that you can get so much info on here. looks like were all headed to CA:)

Well an update for y'all....Interview is next Friday! SCREAM!!!!!!!!! So excited and happy.......

Any tips on the interview:

Do i need to go?

What should i do to prep besides paper work?

How long is it?

What kind of questions do they ask?

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

US WIFE/UK HUSBAND

May 2013:Filled i130

July 2013: approved and received LND #

August 2013: Police Certs received, scheduled medical

September 2013: DS 230, 2001, and Medical completed and received

October 2013: called Department of State (no interview scheduled yet) (flipped out a bit and then calmed down:) )

October 25, 2013: Interview date

Edited October 16, 2013 by NewChapter

[Dbkrantz 16]

wow! Thanks you all:) I love the fact that you can get so much info on here. looks like were all headed to CA:)

Well an update for y'all....Interview is next Friday! SCREAM!!!!!!!!! So excited and happy.......

Any tips on the interview:

Do i need to go?

What should i do to prep besides paper work?

How long is it?

What kind of questions do they ask?

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats!!! That's great news!

You can go if you wish to, just make sure you send them an online enquiry ( http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html ) asking for your name to be added for your list and print their reply to make sure they let you in.

I just took paperwork + proof of relationship and things like that. Not much else. Make sure you have photocopies of everything

For us it took about 2 hours but there was A LOT of waiting to do. The first window we were called to was about 20 minutes because the cashier to pay the fee was nowhere to be seen, but once it got started, it was fast. Then waited about 45 more minutes before being called again.

That interview lasted about 10 minutes with a very nice African American Lady. She was just asking questions like:

How did you meet?

How did your relationship evolve after that?

Do you know her family?

Does she have siblings?

And a few very basic questions like that. Very easy, very smooth. As long as you have all the paperwork, that the affidavit of support is in order (I-864), then there really is not much to worry about.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Dbkrantz

[NewChapter 0]

Thanks so much for that!!!! We're just so excited:)

[NewChapter 0]

Visa Approved!!!!!!!! Thanks everyone for everything all your help and advice was so beneficial for me!

[Dbkrantz 16]

Happy to help! Congrats on your approval! You should get the passport back on Wednesday if it says "Issued" today