UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Ilovecake 11]

We finally got our London Embassy Packet, so our timeline looks like this:

NOA2 Sept 15

NOA2 Hard Copy Sept 19

Case Number Oct 3

In Transit Oct 5

Ready Oct 12

NVC Letter Oct 14

London Embassy Packet Oct 14

Phew! Good thing i didn't have to wait for those to book the interview @-@ thought this might help anyone who wants to get an idea of when their physical goodies should come though

Hi

At what point can I book my interview at the embassy? I have done my Ds160 form and have my medical next Wednesday.

My status on the ceac site says "in transit". Do I have to wait for the status to say "ready" before I can book an interview? Or do I have to wait from the letter from the embassy before I can book my interview? Do you also know the correct link to book the interview at the embassy?

Most of the links in the London Guide thread are broken.

Thanks

[ceisenbruch 53]

Hi

At what point can I book my interview at the embassy? I have done my Ds160 form and have my medical next Wednesday.

My status on the ceac site says "in transit". Do I have to wait for the status to say "ready" before I can book an interview? Or do I have to wait from the letter from the embassy before I can book my interview? Do you also know the correct link to book the interview at the embassy?

Most of the links in the London Guide thread are broken.

Thanks

Hi!!

If you're the beneficiary, make an account here >>> https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv <<<

That's where you'll make your appointment. I was able to make mine once the case status said "In Transit", you might have to try a couple times.

This will show you all the steps you need to complete before you can have your interview >>> https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-the-visa/ <<>

Good luck!!

[Ilovecake 11]

Hi!!

If you're the beneficiary, make an account here >>> https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv <<<

That's where you'll make your appointment. I was able to make mine once the case status said "In Transit", you might have to try a couple times.

This will show you all the steps you need to complete before you can have your interview >>> https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-the-visa/ <<>

Good luck!!

Oh great thank you!

[Kat&Jon 85]

CEAC status shows Ready at London today!!!

We are scheduling our medical and interview on Tuesday since Knightsbridge wouldn't let us schedule Jon's medical for December until November got here... silly doctors!

[ceisenbruch 53]

CEAC status shows Ready at London today!!!

We are scheduling our medical and interview on Tuesday since Knightsbridge wouldn't let us schedule Jon's medical for December until November got here... silly doctors!

YAY!!! Glad you're finally making progress!!

[JFH 12,190]

Interview date scheduled!

December 6.

So that's 302 days from NOA1. Quicker than we originally thought.

[trudi 1,317]

Interview date scheduled!

December 6.

So that's 302 days from NOA1. Quicker than we originally thought.

Congratulations!

[Kat&Jon 85]

Interview date scheduled!

December 6.

So that's 302 days from NOA1. Quicker than we originally thought.

Woot! I hope that is close enough for you! I know you were hoping for November.

[ceisenbruch 53]

Interview date scheduled!

December 6.

So that's 302 days from NOA1. Quicker than we originally thought.

Woo!!! Yay!! 2 weeks til Yule, you'll totally make it

[JFH 12,190]

Medical booked for 17 November.

This is going to be an expensive month.

[bcking 3,157]

Medical booked for 17 November.

This is going to be an expensive month.

So now that you have an interview date, are you allowed into a system that allows you to check for earlier dates if they become available? Or could you call to move it up if there are cancellations etc...?

[JFH 12,190]

So now that you have an interview date, are you allowed into a system that allows you to check for earlier dates if they become available? Or could you call to move it up if there are cancellations etc...?

No I can't change the date, unfortunately.

I imagine I could try my luck and keep calling to see if earlier appointments become available but who has the time for that?

Only K-1 and DCF cases can change the date themselves if a more desirable slot becomes available.

But December 6 will be here soon enough and in the grand scheme of things it's not that bad. When we started this in February it was rare to see cases going from NOA1 to interview in less than a year. Ours is 2 days shy of 10 months so I think we have done very well.

[bcking 3,157]

No I can't change the date, unfortunately.

I imagine I could try my luck and keep calling to see if earlier appointments become available but who has the time for that?

Only K-1 and DCF cases can change the date themselves if a more desirable slot becomes available.

But December 6 will be here soon enough and in the grand scheme of things it's not that bad. When we started this in February it was rare to see cases going from NOA1 to interview in less than a year. Ours is 2 days shy of 10 months so I think we have done very well.

Ya I was just thinking ahead for my wife and I since we may be 2-3 weeks behind you, which I fear is going to put us too close to the holiday and then we'll end up pushed back into January.

Compared to other CR1's our timeline is pretty good. We submitted our paperwork to USCIS around May 1st. However that doesn't mean in reality the wait is "not that bad". It's just not that bad compared to the expectations set by USCIS/NVC. I'm sure you'd agree that any extended period of time not being able to see each other is "bad" based on normal human standards...just not bad based on "US immigration" standards.

I wouldn't be so bothered if she could actually visit me but the darn airport officials are so unprofessional we aren't going to try that again. I'm going for Christmas though so only ~7 weeks left.

[bcking 3,157]

Ya I was just thinking ahead for my wife and I since we may be 2-3 weeks behind you, which I fear is going to put us too close to the holiday and then we'll end up pushed back into January.

Compared to other CR1's our timeline is pretty good. We submitted our paperwork to USCIS around May 1st. However that doesn't mean in reality the wait is "not that bad". It's just not that bad compared to the expectations set by USCIS/NVC. I'm sure you'd agree that any extended period of time not being able to see each other is "bad" based on normal human standards...just not bad based on "US immigration" standards.

I wouldn't be so bothered if she could actually visit me but the darn airport officials are so unprofessional we aren't going to try that again. I'm going for Christmas though so only ~7 weeks left.

Perfect example:

My wife just found out that someone working at her old job is being transferred to the US (Same city as we will be living). He found out about the transfer mid-September. He will start work December 1st (and is leaving in ~2 weeks). His visa was processed for himself and his wife in about 45 days.

So immigration can be quick, when there is financial incentive. He works for a very large multinational company. They have no other connection to the US (They aren't even from the UK but have been living there expat as well).

The system is messed up.

[JFH 12,190]

Perfect example:

My wife just found out that someone working at her old job is being transferred to the US (Same city as we will be living). He found out about the transfer mid-September. He will start work December 1st (and is leaving in ~2 weeks). His visa was processed for himself and his wife in about 45 days.

So immigration can be quick, when there is financial incentive. He works for a very large multinational company. They have no other connection to the US (They aren't even from the UK but have been living there expat as well).

The system is messed up.

I agree that the process is ridiculously long but that's what happens when you apply for the most superior visa there is. I know someone who transferred to New York with their job earlier this year on an L-1. Whole process took around 3 months. So, he got into the country quicker than me but he's not a permanent resident. He's just a temporary worker. There is a chance that his company may subsequently sponsor him for a green card but there's no guarantee. And I'd rather enter the country as a permanent resident based on the fact that I am married to a USC than as a temporary worker for my company. For me, status matters. Which is another reason we didn't do the K-1. There is no other visa that will get your wife into the country as a permanent resident immediately upon arrival and will let her acquire citizenship in 3 years. For me it is, without any shadow of doubt, the best visa choice. But it comes with a cost.

I'm thankful that the wait for an interview in London after case complete is very short - 6 weeks in my case. There are people who have been waiting since June for CR-1 interviews in Abu Dhabi with no date in sight. And us UK folk are less likely to go through AP after the interview. I've seen people spend up to 2 years in AP from MENA countries.