EB1A interview wait time in London, UK

[ChiefB 1]

6 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

It sounds as though you’ve somehow missed the usual website for the whole process - as your questions about how to schedule medical, fees, documents etc, are all on there! Better late than never, here it is - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview.html Make sure you follow the London specific guidelines. 

 

And please fill in your timeline, thanks. 

I really appreciate your very prompt response and explanation. Will look ahead positively to receive the invitation letter. 

[kennyHM 1]

12 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Your wife will have to fly to London for her medical and interview. When do you plan to move to the US?

 

Please fill in your timeline, thanks.

Thank you for your feedback.

 

I plan to move immediately my visa is approved (from the timeline have seen so far I reckon July/August). My timeline is filled now 

[kennyHM 1]

10 hours ago, kennyHM said:

Thank you for your feedback.

 

I plan to move immediately my visa is approved (from the timeline have seen so far I reckon July/August). My timeline is filled now 

@appleblossom Do you think my wife will face any issues at the point of entry into the U.S. when we receive our green card visas, considering she traveled abroad for NVC processing while holding a valid F-1 visa (valid until December 2025)?

 

If there are no potential issues, I would like to start planning her trip to London once we have the medical and interview dates confirmed.

[EB1Aspirant 9]

21 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

CEAC can show other stages, but often it’s super quick so can be missed - mine was only ‘Administrative Processing’ for about two hours before it changed to ‘issued’. DX are no longer the couriers for London consulate, it’s now Mail Boxes Etc. 

 

 

@appleblossom thanks, looking into the members in forums who had their visa’s issues in March, seems like it’s taken way longer for us to get the visa’s ISSUED? Have you seen this happen before?

 

I read randomly on Reddit that some people get their visa’s rejected even after the CO approves verbally during interview- not sure if it’s true for IV.

 

we are a bit worried- although the US embassy website says it can take about 10 days to get passports?

[appleblossom 3,615]

10 minutes ago, EB1Aspirant said:

@appleblossom thanks, looking into the members in forums who had their visa’s issues in March, seems like it’s taken way longer for us to get the visa’s ISSUED? Have you seen this happen before?

 

I read randomly on Reddit that some people get their visa’s rejected even after the CO approves verbally during interview- not sure if it’s true for IV.

 

we are a bit worried- although the US embassy website says it can take about 10 days to get passports?

Yes, visa status can change to ‘rejected’ (which actually just means Admin Processing) after interview, verbal approval doesn’t mean a lot unfortunately.
 

Were you born in the UK? If so I doubt you’ll be put in to Admin Processing unless your occupation is on the TAL list. AP is usually for those from countries that are high risk. But I really wouldn’t worry at this stage as it’s still early, just keep an eye on your status. 
 

Good luck. 

Edited Saturday at 11:13 AM by appleblossom

[EB1Aspirant 9]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

Yes, visa status can change to ‘rejected’ (which actually just means Admin Processing) after interview, verbal approval doesn’t mean a lot unfortunately. But I really wouldn’t worry at this stage as it’s still early, just keep an eye on your status. 
 

Were you born in the UK? 

@appleblossom thanks for info. I was born in India - my case was transferred from Mumbai to LND. I have been here in UK for a while though.

[appleblossom 3,615]

Just now, EB1Aspirant said:

@appleblossom thanks for info. I was born in India - my case was transferred from Mumbai to LND. I have been here in UK for a while though.

Sorry, just edited my post. It’s possibly extra background checks then but I still think too early to worry about that if it’s only been a few days. 
 

Best of luck. 

[appleblossom 3,615]

25 minutes ago, kennyHM said:

@appleblossom Do you think my wife will face any issues at the point of entry into the U.S. when we receive our green card visas, considering she traveled abroad for NVC processing while holding a valid F-1 visa (valid until December 2025)?

 

If there are no potential issues, I would like to start planning her trip to London once we have the medical and interview dates confirmed.

No, not at all. Assume she was granted the F1 long before you applied for your EB IV? 
 

 

[Sandes456 0]

1 hour ago, EB1Aspirant said:

@appleblossom thanks, looking into the members in forums who had their visa’s issues in March, seems like it’s taken way longer for us to get the visa’s ISSUED? Have you seen this happen before?

 

I read randomly on Reddit that some people get their visa’s rejected even after the CO approves verbally during interview- not sure if it’s true for IV.

 

we are a bit worried- although the US embassy website says it can take about 10 days to get passports?

Hi there, we had our final interview March 14 and received our passports with visas back on March 24. The consular processing updated to ‘issued’ on Mon, March 17. The issue is that the usual pickup location in London (DX) closed down and it’s been transferred to Mail Boxes collection point - they are extremely disorganised and do not have a system in place to manage the enormous undertaking. If you can, I would perhaps suggest asking for it to be mailed to you vs. pickup - if you do it that way, I wouldn’t be surprised if you get it sooner. Otherwise you just have to be patient. 
 

as for when you enter the country the first time on your Immigrant Visa, you will be given a visa package that is sealed and which you need to hand to the Customs officer when you’re entering for the first time. They will open it, see the embassy’s paperwork and allow you through. From there, you need to fill out specific info on a website to have your greencard card mailed to you when you land in the US. 
 

Hope this helps. 

[Sandes456 0]

On 3/28/2025 at 6:22 AM, EB1Aspirant said:

Hi Everyone,

update on my case. We had our interview on 24th March. the questions were very straightforward and similar to asked before in the forum:

• What is your profession
• Do you intent to work in your profession after going to US
• Where have you lived before coming to UK?
• Where were your children born

The VO said he's happy to approve my visa and I should receive passport in the next 7-10 days.

 

One question to @KVVO @banang @Ricky07 and others who received their passports with visa stamped - did you receive any envelope that you're not supposed to open until you reach US? I read online that not every visa applicant gets this. Nothing was handed over to us after the interview.

 

Also, how do you track the status of passport? Is this the website below:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=IV

 

Thanks for everyone on the forum for all your help.

 

Late to reply on this, so you may have other updates. When you pickup or receive your passport and visa you will be given an envelope that say it need to remain sealed that you need to carry through customs with you. When you get  to customs/border you hand over the package and they will open it, it contains all the embassy info on your case. From there they will just let you through. It’s important to know, that customs/border do not have any jurisdiction at this point to not let you through so it’s more of a formality. 
 

yes track status of passport through CEAC, we received an ‘issued’ update the day after our interview. You then need to wait to receive an email from the carrier that tells you your passport is ready for pickup or is on its way to you if being mailed. 

[Sandes456 0]

1 hour ago, kennyHM said:

@appleblossom Do you think my wife will face any issues at the point of entry into the U.S. when we receive our green card visas, considering she traveled abroad for NVC processing while holding a valid F-1 visa (valid until December 2025)?

 

If there are no potential issues, I would like to start planning her trip to London once we have the medical and interview dates confirmed.

Not an issue at all, I was an O1 visa holder and went to the UK for my medical. Entered back into the US on my O1 for 2 weeks before I then flew back to the UK for my interview appt. 

[appleblossom 3,615]

19 minutes ago, Sandes456 said:

From there, you need to fill out specific info on a website to have your greencard card mailed to you when you land in the US. 

 

Or before - GC fee can be paid anytime from when the visa is received, most people choose to do it before they travel so the 90 day clock starts ticking as soon as they enter on the IV. 

 

Thanks for filling in some of your timeline, if you could complete the rest when you get a moment that would be fab. 

 

[kennyHM 1]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

No, not at all. Assume she was granted the F1 long before you applied for your EB IV? 
 

 

Thanks this is clear now.

She has been on F1 for close to 3years now. She keeps re-applying to schools whenever she is about to run out of OPT.

1 hour ago, Sandes456 said:

Not an issue at all, I was an O1 visa holder and went to the UK for my medical. Entered back into the US on my O1 for 2 weeks before I then flew back to the UK for my interview appt. 

Thank you 🙏 

Quite positive now with your experience.

[KVVO 20]

I have a question regarding our Social Security numbers. Does anyone know how long it takes to generate and does this automatically happen once we've passed through immigration? I was out on an 01 visa years ago so I do already have an SS but not sure if they've re allocated back to me. Any advice? 

[appleblossom 3,615]

46 minutes ago, kennyHM said:

Thanks this is clear now.

She has been on F1 for close to 3years now.

 

That’s fine then (assuming you didn’t apply for the EB more than 3 years ago?). It would only be an issue if she had got her F1 when she actually had immigrant intent and could be accused of misrepresentation - but doesn’t sound like that’s the case at all. 

 

 

Just now, KVVO said:

I have a question regarding our Social Security numbers. Does anyone know how long it takes to generate and does this automatically happen once we've passed through immigration? I was out on an 01 visa years ago so I do already have an SS but not sure if they've re allocated back to me. Any advice? 

 

If you ticked the box on your DS-260, then you should receive them automatically within 2 weeks of entering on your immigrant visa. Ours were waiting for us at our rental house 8 days after we arrived. 

 

If you didn’t tick that box, you’ll need to go to a SSA office and apply in person.