Johannesburg Consulate Logistics

[lenny_k 4]

Hi all,

 

we were just given an interview date (yay!). a few questions:

 

1. How long before the interview should the medical exam be scheduled? We will have the medical exam in Johannesburg.

2. How do you deal with buying plane tickets for entry into the US? Obviously waiting until after my spouse gets the visa would get expensive, since we do not want to wait any time at all to arrive (we've been together for 10 years!)

3. We will be staying in Johannesburg throughout the interview and will not be returning to his home country. What address do we put for the courier service for the visa? Our hotel?

4. Can I (the USC) go to the interview with my spouse? Can I go to the medical with my spouse?

5. Does anyone have any experience with interpreters at the embassy in Johannesburg? Interpreters at the medical exam?

 

Thank you!!

[mam521 2,052]

8 minutes ago, lenny_k said:

Hi all,

 

we were just given an interview date (yay!). a few questions:

 

1. How long before the interview should the medical exam be scheduled? We will have the medical exam in Johannesburg. Call the civil surgeon now.  You want the exam complete with the results sent to the consulate prior to the interview so as to avoid a lengthy AP. 

2. How do you deal with buying plane tickets for entry into the US? Obviously waiting until after my spouse gets the visa would get expensive, since we do not want to wait any time at all to arrive (we've been together for 10 years!) The Department of State states not to purchase any plane tickets or to dispose of any property until the visa is in hand.  One cannot predict how long AP will take, nor is there any guarantee that a DS-5535 won't be issued.

3. We will be staying in Johannesburg throughout the interview and will not be returning to his home country. What address do we put for the courier service for the visa? Our hotel? You may have to rethink this.  Are you willing to stay at the hotel for 2 weeks plus, if that's how long it takes? What if it's longer?

4. Can I (the USC) go to the interview with my spouse? Can I go to the medical with my spouse? Typically no.  Only those being interviewed are allowed into the consulate. 

5. Does anyone have any experience with interpreters at the embassy in Johannesburg? Interpreters at the medical exam? Someone else with experience will have to comment here.

 

Thank you!!

 

[lenny_k 4]

Thanks. He can't go back to his country because he will not have his passport, so there really isn't any choice as to staying there. he is not from south africa.

 

And, still wondering how long before the interview should the exam be scheduled, ideally?