Interview prep

[JoshKT21 4]

Hello all. My fiancee and I are hoping to get the NOA2 around late March-ish. She is in the UK. We are trying to make sure we have what is needed for the interview and have two questions we can't seem to find answers for.

 

Q1: how far in advance can she get her ACRO police report and it be valid? Does she have to wait until we get the request or can we get it sooner?

 

Q2: We saw somewhere that they request a business suit attire in a specific color at the interview. Is this still required or is it more casual now? What has been your experience?

 

Thank you all in advance.

[SalishSea 17,980]

16 minutes ago, JoshKT21 said:

Hello all. My fiancee and I are hoping to get the NOA2 around late March-ish. She is in the UK. We are trying to make sure we have what is needed for the interview and have two questions we can't seem to find answers for.

 

Q1: how far in advance can she get her ACRO police report and it be valid? Does she have to wait until we get the request or can we get it sooner?

 

Q2: We saw somewhere that they request a business suit attire in a specific color at the interview. Is this still required or is it more casual now? What has been your experience?

 

Thank you all in advance.

Business suit attire in a specific color??   LOL.   Can you post the link?

 

It’s not a job interview.   Could you have been looking at the dress code for the actual consular staff!

Edited January 14, 2023 by Jorgedig

[JoshKT21 4]

I don't have the link to support this but somewhere down the rabbit hole I thought we saw business suit attire and specifically it said gray or blue but not black. It may have just been someone's personal account. 

[yoda one for me 322]

16 hours ago, JoshKT21 said:

Q1: how far in advance can she get her ACRO police report and it be valid? Does she have to wait until we get the request or can we get it sooner?

Q2: We saw somewhere that they request a business suit attire in a specific color at the interview. Is this still required or is it more casual now? What has been your experience?

The London embassy page says;

Quote

Note: UK police certificates are valid for 24 months only.  Failure to present all necessary and valid police certificates at the time of the interview will incur significant delays to your application.

The ACRO page says;

Quote

There is no set period of time for which the Police Certificate is considered to be valid.
Embassies, High Commissions, consulates or other authorities have different validity periods, these can range from anywhere between 1 month to 1 year before your visa interview or travel date. It is your responsibility to check what the validity period is with the relevant authority before making an application.

So, take that as reading the Embassy wants it to be 'within 24 months'.

 

Check the ACRO site for estimates of how long it takes. I can't remember how long mine was pre-pandemic but I don't think I had to wait very long. I had everything in hand by the time I was having my medical before the interview. I'd probably look at getting stuff together once the NOA2 is in hand. 

 

For the second question... no. Never saw anything about that. Sounds like you're looking at a job interview page? You can wear whatever you like, basically. I went on the train in the height of summer so I wore comfortable temperature-appropriate clothing. I didn't have any issues getting in and nor did I get any questions or judgment about how I was dressed. I would say the other folks in the waiting area were all similarly attired - normal dress, nothing slobby but certainly not dressed like a job interview.

[powerpuff 6,744]

~~ Topic moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ~~

[Wuozopo 4,293]

18 hours ago, JoshKT21 said:

Hello all. My fiancee and I are hoping to get the NOA2 around late March-ish. She is in the UK. We are trying to make sure we have what is needed for the interview and have two questions we can't seem to find answers for.

 

Q1: how far in advance can she get her ACRO police report and it be valid? Does she have to wait until we get the request or can we get it sooner?

 

Q2: We saw somewhere that they request a business suit attire in a specific color at the interview. Is this still required or is it more casual now? What has been your experience?

 

 Order the police certificate now. She has to take it to the medical exam, which comes before the interview. It needs to come back saying “No trace”. If she has a caution or other hidden incident, it will say “no live trace”. If so, then order the Subject Access Report from ACRO, which takes a bit longer.

 

Dress code: There has been none for the  14 years I have been following the UK forum on Visa Journey. You will see everything from men in suits to others wearing cut off jeans and sandals. The interview is about 5 minutes standing at a window (like the post office) so they don’t really see anything but your top. It is very friendly and relaxed. 

 

Tip: Tell her to check her shot records and get any she lacks BEFORE her medical exam. It will save her hassle and expense later if she gets signed off at her UK medical. Start right NOW. 

 

Here are the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:

• Td or Tdap - Tetanus/diptheria/pertussis or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted. The latest shot must be no longer than 10 years ago or you need a booster. In the UK they will give Revaxis which is Tetanus/diphtheria +polio. Adults don’t need polio for immigration but that’s the combo available in the UK. They don’t have a Tetanus and diphtheria only jab like Adacel given in the US.  
• MMR - (if born in 1957 or later)-Mumps/measles/rubella.  It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first dose, and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval". If you only had one dose as a child, get a second one before the medical.
• Varicella - Not routinely given in the UK. A history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam. They will also waive the shot in the UK for "not routinely available". 
• Influenza - Required during flu season only, October 1 through March 31.  If your medical is not during flu season, you don't need it. 
• Hepatitis B - required for all applicants up to 59 years old. 
• COVID-19 vaccine - Completely vaccinated with primary dose 1&2. No boosters required at this time.(New starting 1-Oct-2021).