UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[vicks5721 18]

I have my interview in 13 days!! I am so excited but nervous as well, I always am about such official things. How do you combat the nerves and focus on the positive?? I am generally a positive person but I also let nerves get to me easily.

Edited February 18, 2015 by vicks5721

[xbritto 25]

Hi there, I'm Brittany. I live about an hour outside of Chicago. And my fiancé Josh lives in the East Midlands in England. I just came across this thread and wanted to say hello and ask a couple questions. We filed in November and got our NOA2 approved in December. When we were looking into the process, we expected it to take much longer around 5 months or so before we would see NOA2. So now, although were both extremely happy and grateful for our quick approval, we are now trying to extend the time out a little bit. My fiancé, Josh, has been planning to officially move here end of September. Because of family, work, savings, etc. So our plan is to book our medical for April. Then with having 6 months to use the visa from April, as long as things all go well, we'll still be within that 6 month range for him to fly at the end of September. Then get married in October. Is anyone else in a similar situation to us?

Also a couple other quick questions. We haven't booked his medical yet, we tried but they only allow you to book a month in advance. So we'll have to call again at the beginning of March to book it for beginning of April. Can he fill out the DS-160 form, even though he doesn't have a medical date yet?

Second, I saw quite a few things on driving. Josh does not have a driving license yet, but he was planning to take lessons next month and get his test done so he'll have a UK license and then be able to drive in America without having to take the test here. Is that correct? Or will he still have to take a driving test and get a license here? Thank you SOOO much.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have my interview in 13 days!! I am so excited but nervous as well, I always am about such official things. How do you combat the nerves and focus on the positive?? I am generally a positive person but I also let nerves get to me easily.

We weren't nervous because I knew we were a real couple and there was no way in hell we would be denied. It's just a matter of waiting however long each step takes and finally going to the interview saying to yourself "we will be approved". Why wouldn't you be? They aren't going to try to trip you up. They just need to see your documents and talk to you in person. It's way easier than a driving test where you have to perform skills. And easier that a school exam where you have to remember facts.

Even if you forgot some important document, you still can fix it by sending it in later.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi there, I'm Brittany. I live about an hour outside of Chicago. And my fiancé Josh lives in the East Midlands in England. I just came across this thread and wanted to say hello and ask a couple questions. We filed in November and got our NOA2 approved in December. When we were looking into the process, we expected it to take much longer around 5 months or so before we would see NOA2. So now, although were both extremely happy and grateful for our quick approval, we are now trying to extend the time out a little bit. My fiancé, Josh, has been planning to officially move here end of September. Because of family, work, savings, etc. So our plan is to book our medical for April. Then with having 6 months to use the visa from April, as long as things all go well, we'll still be within that 6 month range for him to fly at the end of September. Then get married in October. Is anyone else in a similar situation to us?

Also a couple other quick questions. We haven't booked his medical yet, we tried but they only allow you to book a month in advance. So we'll have to call again at the beginning of March to book it for beginning of April. Can he fill out the DS-160 form, even though he doesn't have a medical date yet?

Second, I saw quite a few things on driving. Josh does not have a driving license yet, but he was planning to take lessons next month and get his test done so he'll have a UK license and then be able to drive in America without having to take the test here. Is that correct? Or will he still have to take a driving test and get a license here? Thank you SOOO much.

Hi Brittany-

You can drag it out by not trying to jump steps like most want to do. Read the website of the order you are "supposed" to do things. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/fiance_instructions.html. Note the medical appointment is not Step 1.

Wait for your letter from London.

Then wait a few weeks and send DS-160.

You don't have to go to the medical so quickly. Go in May or June.

Don't send readiness form until after the medical.

Your NOA2 will be expired, so write a new letter of intent for Josh to take to his interview. That's it. Easy.

Meanwhile send Josh to his local GP clinic to get any shots he needs well in advance.

Driving: He will take all tests over again in the US. In most states, he will not be allowed a driver license until he has EAD or his greencard. If he had a UK license, he could drive as a visitor on it and when he visits the UK, he would have a license. But it might also just confuse him as a new UK driver to switch to the other side of the car and road when he moves. his choice what to do.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[chrismorrison 96]

Looks like you might be able to make your (soon to be) sister-in-law's wedding, Phoebe! That's fantastic!

[xbritto 25]

Hi Brittany-

You can drag it out by not trying to jump steps like most want to do. Read the website of the order you are "supposed" to do things. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/fiance_instructions.html. Note the medical appointment is not Step 1.

Wait for your letter from London.

Then wait a few weeks and send DS-160.

You don't have to go to the medical so quickly. Go in May or June.

Don't send readiness form until after the medical.

Your NOA2 will be expired, so write a new letter of intent for Josh to take to his interview. That's it. Easy.

Meanwhile send Josh to his local GP clinic to get any shots he needs well in advance.

Driving: He will take all tests over again in the US. In most states, he will not be allowed a driver license until he has EAD or his greencard. If he had a UK license, he could drive as a visitor on it and when he visits the UK, he would have a license. But it might also just confuse him as a new UK driver to switch to the other side of the car and road when he moves. his choice what to do.

So even though our NOA2 expires mid-April, we can still schedule the medical for beyond that date? I believe Josh got his letter from London at end of January, early February. I'll have him work on the DS-160 in the meantime and I'll pass along all of this information to him. Thank you for your help.

[chrismorrison 96]

So even though our NOA2 expires mid-April, we can still schedule the medical for beyond that date? I believe Josh got his letter from London at end of January, early February. I'll have him work on the DS-160 in the meantime and I'll pass along all of this information to him. Thank you for your help.

Yes, because Knightsbridge only need the case number for the medical (they don't need your NOA2 receipt number). By any chance, can you tell me how long it took for your fiance to receive his letter from London after the embassy received your case?

The embassy can extend your NOA2 expiration.

[xbritto 25]

Yes, because Knightsbridge only need the case number for the medical (they don't need your NOA2 receipt number). By any chance, can you tell me how long it took for your fiance to receive his letter from London after the embassy received your case?

The embassy can extend your NOA2 expiration.

Thank you so much.

We think that he got his letter sometime at the end of January or early February. He's working at the moment, but he said he'll check the letter when he gets home as it's dated, so I can give you a more approximate date a little later on.

[chrismorrison 96]

Thank you so much.

We think that he got his letter sometime at the end of January or early February. He's working at the moment, but he said he'll check the letter when he gets home as it's dated, so I can give you a more approximate date a little later on.

That would be most helpful. Did you ever receive anything from the NVC?

I am only asking because we haven't gotten anything yet-and I just want to make sure he has something, anything to provide at his medical. We got trigger happy and he booked his medical as soon as we got our case number. Someone said he just printed out his CEAC website status update-and they accepted that. However, by the time his medical hits, our case will have been 'ready' for 2 weeks.

[xbritto 25]

That would be most helpful. Did you ever receive anything from the NVC?

I am only asking because we haven't gotten anything yet-and I just want to make sure he has something, anything to provide at his medical. We got trigger happy and he booked his medical as soon as we got our case number. Someone said he just printed out his CEAC website status update-and they accepted that. However, by the time his medical hits, our case will have been 'ready' for 2 weeks.

I never received anything from NVC. I got the NOA2 hardcopy in late December. And then only spoke to them over the phone late January to get our case number. Then Josh was the one to received the letter which I think was "packet 3" and it contains a hardcopy of the case number and I believe just some extra stuff about submitting the ds-160, police forms and the applicant readiness form too. But as soon as I know, I'll pass along the information to you.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Looks like you might be able to make your (soon to be) sister-in-law's wedding, Phoebe! That's fantastic!

Fingers crossed! Hoping to fly on thursday and the wedding is Sunday!

Edited February 18, 2015 by Pheebs1201

[vicks5721 18]

We weren't nervous because I knew we were a real couple and there was no way in hell we would be denied. It's just a matter of waiting however long each step takes and finally going to the interview saying to yourself "we will be approved". Why wouldn't you be? They aren't going to try to trip you up. They just need to see your documents and talk to you in person. It's way easier than a driving test where you have to perform skills. And easier that a school exam where you have to remember facts.

Even if you forgot some important document, you still can fix it by sending it in later.

We are a real couple too lol I am not nervous about that part, just the whole process of it all. I feel confident we are going to be approved that never has concerned me Thank you for the perspective about it being easier than a driving test or exam, thats a good way to look at it. Yeah true I can send in stuff later if forgot it.

Edited February 18, 2015 by vicks5721

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So even though our NOA2 expires mid-April, we can still schedule the medical for beyond that date? I believe Josh got his letter from London at end of January, early February. I'll have him work on the DS-160 in the meantime and I'll pass along all of this information to him. Thank you for your help.

Don't even worry about the NOA2 expiration. They don't cut you off on that date. I think of it more like a shelf life date where if you did nothing for a whole year, they could say "sorry you expired" and have a date they could use instead of arguing what is too long to get around to applying for the visa. DS-160 is the application.

When he sends in his DS-160, it shows he is actively pursuing a visa. Some people take a long time on Step 2 (gathering documents) because they have to get police certificates from foreign countries. Some of those take several months. They know getting all the documents could require some time.

[Pheebs1201 269]

I have my interview in 13 days!! I am so excited but nervous as well, I always am about such official things. How do you combat the nerves and focus on the positive?? I am generally a positive person but I also let nerves get to me easily.

To be honest all the waiting around was so boring my nerves soon dissipated

[chrismorrison 96]

To be honest all the waiting around was so boring my nerves soon dissipated

Did you call Dan right away? I want Kas to call me regardless of the time difference.

Question: So, we have already done most of packet 3 (the medical is still pending as it's next week), however, I noticed on CEAC that our case status updated today. Does anyone know what that might mean?

Edited February 18, 2015 by chrismorrison