UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Allison_Simon2014 12]

Any news Chris? Our interview was on Monday but still says 'Ready ' on CEAC - grrr. What is weird though is that the date seems to change every day so they are working on it I'm sure!

Simon wants to fly on Wednesday but we are going to wait until 'ISSUED' to make the call for sure.

[chrismorrison 96]

Kas received his visa today! I haven't seen it yet as he's been busy at work, but it shows on the DX website as delivered!

Has your creation date and status date changed yet?

[Allison_Simon2014 12]

Oh yeah! Both of them have changed to today - what does that mean? And also, what is the tracking website that you use to track the visa package? Sorry - so many last questions!

HOORAY that Kas has his visa!!!! How exciting!!!!

[-PiLoT- 11]

Anyone got a good idea of the best time needed at poe layover. the cheapest flights seem to only have 1hr 50 minutes in ORD

[chrismorrison 96]

Oh yeah! Both of them have changed to today - what does that mean? And also, what is the tracking website that you use to track the visa package? Sorry - so many last questions!

HOORAY that Kas has his visa!!!! How exciting!!!!

The website to track the visa will be on an email from the depot. If he's having it delivered, they will provide a tracking number. Here is the website to track it:

https://www.dxdelivery.com/consumer/my-tracking/

As for your CEAC status update, I reckon based off what I've experienced and seen-your status should switch to AP tomorrow sometime. Those updates you have mean your case is moving along in the right direction.

Anyone got a good idea of the best time needed at poe layover. the cheapest flights seem to only have 1hr 50 minutes in ORD

I've heard it varies on airport, time of day, day of the week, etc. Phoebe was immigrating for about 30 min. I would say 30-90 minutes depending. Does your connecting flight offer multiple flights to your final destination? For example, Kas lands in Seattle and has an hour and fifteen minutes-but Seattle and PDX have "shuttle" flights that operate every half hour.

Does your POE airport have multiple terminals / concourses? If so, your domestic flight may be in a different terminal from an international flight.

I am not familiar with the airport you're landing at, so I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

[-PiLoT- 11]

its be chicago. it has a layover of 1hr 50 minutes then a flight to sioux city

[wbeem 568]

its be chicago. it has a layover of 1hr 50 minutes then a flight to sioux city

Is there a terminal change? ORD is beautifully laid out but huge and busy. I'd never leave under 2 hours. We plan on shooting for around 3 hours, depending on the airport for entry on a visa. All it takes is a delay on your outbound flight from the UK and everything can go pear shaped.

What you can do if you are a bit brazen, and I confess to having done it before, is check if there are any other connections that leave after the connection you book and if you miss it due to immigration delays, go to the desk and get them to put you on the next flight out, since it's not due to your own error. They are usually very accommodating and you're not quite in the peak of summer yet so flights should still have seats available for you.

[Pheebs1201 269]

I personally left a three hour layover and only needed about an hour of it however the airport (Vegas) wasn't very busy and better to be safe than sorry! I'd shoot for three hours.

[-Shana- 152]

Well, if you think about it, your airplane will land but then it'll take about 10-15 minutes to get to the gate, then you will walk to customs which depending on the airport could be another 5-10 minutes. The wait at customs could be between 30-90 minutes as mentioned, THEN you have to get your bags and put them on the next flight and then go through security all over again. If you did everything in the minimum time then you could do it in 1 hour 50 minutes, but that is banking on the fact that immigration won't take long.

I'd take wbeem's advice and check for later flights, they will put you on another flight if you missed a flight due to circumstances out of your control. Whenever I would book with US Airways I would check purely because they're always delayed! I always missed my connections.

I paid extra to fly with BA since they offer flights directly from London to Denver because I know I'd be stressing out if I had a connection.

I'm all packed up and ready to leave! Unfortunately I have to wait until Monday though. I'm leaving a lot behind but thank god for parents who will let me store stuff in the house. Saturday is my leaving party with closest friends then Sunday I'll have a family day. I can't wait to get over there and get started.

Also, I transferred all my money using Transferwise and was very happy with the experience. I tried XE but they wanted me to confirm my identity and felt like I was jumping through too many hoops - I left it too late and didn't have the time to get all the paperwork they wanted so I went with TW and it was super simple.

[wbeem 568]

Pilot, have a look at the historical wait times for ORD. Pay attention to the day of the week you are looking at and the approximate time. Also, check which terminal you will be arriving at and departing from. I use this link for my calculated risks, and for general information http://awt.cbp.gov/

[xbritto 25]

Hi everyone. Congrats on all the recent approved interviews, so happy for you all!

Just a quick question, how long does it generally take to hear back about and interview date after the medical. Josh had his medical on April 2nd and still no letter with an interview date.

Thank you

[-Shana- 152]

Hi everyone. Congrats on all the recent approved interviews, so happy for you all!

Just a quick question, how long does it generally take to hear back about and interview date after the medical. Josh had his medical on April 2nd and still no letter with an interview date.

Thank you

From my experience:

01.28.2015 - Medical

02.10.2015 - Received Interview Letter

So just under 2 weeks!

[-Shana- 152]

I don't need an ESTA to travel to the US do I if I've got the K-1 Visa?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I don't need an ESTA to travel to the US do I if I've got the K-1 Visa?

ESTA authorizes travel WITHOUT a visa. You have a visa. No ESTA.

[-Shana- 152]

Cheers! Thought as much. Getting into jittery travel mode o_O.