JennyWhiteley

As i myself am also going down the exact road you have , may i ask what paperwork you took to your interview please? i just want to be sure i have all i need for January.

Thank you and Congratulations.

Hi!

I took literally every single piece of paper I could think of, honestly the more you have the safer you will be, just take EBERYTHING!

Here is my interview review if that also helps you prepare =) Please dont hesiate to ask me any questions and super good luck! Oh and laso, i was never able to reschedule my interview =)

London CR1 interview

I left my friends flat at 7:00am after triple checking all my paperwork. I arrived at marble arch just before 7:30, and I picked up a chai latte and dropped off my cellphone and key fob at Goulds Pharmacy before waking to the embassy. I had assumed there would be a really long queue, but I just walked straight up to the desk and showed the woman my interview letter and I was directed to the security booth, where I out my bag through the scanner and was told to take a sip of my drink to prove it wasn't dangerous. I walked round the right had side of the building to a set of doors and walked up to a reception type desk where I handed over my interview letter again and the lady stuck a strip of stickers on it all with barcoded and the number I908. Now my interview was only at 9:00am, but I think that when you arrive at the embassy, irrespective of the time of your "actual" interview, you're given the next number along in your visa category and you essentially form a new queue with your assigned numbers. So if you want to get out of there early, get there early And don't listened to the "don't arrive over an hour before your interview" because I did and no one seemed to care in the slightest!

Right back to the interview: you walk into a really long rectangular room with rows and rows of seats facing a bank of television screens up high on the opposite wall to where you came in. The left hand screen was black at the time but as soon a the interviews started at 8:00am it was turned on and flicked through the N(non immigrant) I(immigrant) visas and various other letters and numbers to indicate other visas (I also saw L & V). I have no idea how long it took for me to be called up finally, but I chatted to naive guy there for a tourist visa for probably an hour and a half before I was called up to window 14.

A really nice friendly American guy greeted me and took my fingerprints from both hands and had a look through all my paperwork. He took my passport and interview letter, made me sign the back of my photos I had brought (just incase, even though I sent some to the NVC too, good thing I did!!). He also asked when I wanted to fly, and even though I wanted to leave on the Monday or Tuesday the next week, I told him I wanted to leave on the weekend. I wold very strongly advise that even if you want to fly in a month, tell them you want to fly asap, or you get put on the bottom of the pile! My interview was Tuesday, my visa was issued 24 hours later and is available for pick up today(Friday) from my local depot. I have seen too many people waiting weeks for their passports and it really stresses them out, so unless you need to delay the return of your passport for as long as possible I would just say you are flying within a few days to get it back asap and take that stress off yourself! After he had asked me a few further questions about where I lived and had a look through everything, he handed back my interview letter and told me to go and sit down and listen out for my number again.

After chatting to more people (it's really good at cal ing you down!) I was called up again to window 16 this time and was greeted by a very stoned faced, brown haired American man called Michael. After checking my fingerprints to see if it was still me, and making me raise my right hand and swear the information in the documents before him and that I was about to give was correct, he asked me:

Where my husband and I met

How he proposed

What our degrees were

What Dan wants to do for a job

What first attracted me to my husband

Where we are going to live when I get there

How long it had been since I last saw him

What did we do for our first date

He hardly smiled at all though the interview and didn't do much to settle my nerves, unlike the man I had before who put me at ease! What was worse was that after asking me this question he just got up and walked away!! No "excuse me a moment" or "I'll be right back" he just buggered off down the row of desks behind him and went to talk to someone there. It really terrified me that I was about to be denied!! Thankfully when he came back he said "I'm going to approve your visa" to which I squealed yay!! He then told me about how I would get my passport back (courier) and that I shouldn't open the envelope that comes with my passport as that's only for the immigration officers at the POE. I also told him about my imminent travel plans to reiterate the need for a quick issuance before hugging my paperwork to my chest and dancing my way out of there!!! Needless to say a lot of skyping ensued between my husband, his parents, my parents, my friends and I!! We are all so thrilled

A quick summary of some pointers:

Take extra passport photos, it can't hurt

Get the early to get out early

Tell them you plan to travel within a few days to get your passport back ASAP and not stress about where it might be.

Good luck on your interview day

WOOOHHOOOOOOO VISA APPROVED!!!! Approved on Tuesday, issued Wednesday, in my hand 20 minutes ago and flights booked (plus cats) for Monday!!!!

Review for the UK soon to go up!!! Good luck everyone!!

YYYAAAAAAYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello,Does anyone have the number to call for the DX courier service where I can speak to a real person as they only have the automated service numbers on the website and they ask for a tracking number to which i do not have. If anyone can help i would be so grateful.

Thankyou

I've always gotten through on 01753657350 ask to speak to the US embassy passport section

I've been having issues with the courier selection actually because you have to select and

Ay for home delivery within 24 hours of SETTING up the account, not within the interview date, and I was out of that time! My interview is tomorrow, and after emailing back and forth for 2 weeks to try get home delivery I eventually caved in and set up another account, I just hope it doesn't mess up anything tomorrow!

Anyway, a solution for you that I was offered is that once your passport is delivered to the depot you chose, you can ring them up to pay for home delivery and give them your address.

I would probably start ringing asap and try to book and pay for home delivery before its even delivered to the depot? But anyway the telephone number for DX secure is 01753657350

Soooo nervous for my interview tomorrow morning! eek!!

I'm getting so nervous, my interview is on Tuesday!! Eee!! Even though I'm 99% sure everything will be ok and go according to plan, I still can't help that tiny 1% of sheer terror!

I do have a question though. On the CEAC website, I just checked it again and it has changed slightly, I'm wondering if anyone knows why?

This is what it says:

Immigrant Visa Case Number: LND0000000000 01 LND

Case Creation Date: 21-Jun-2013

Status Updated Date: 05-Sep-2013

But the status updated date has changed, it used to say August 12th? Any idea why it's been changed and if I have anything to be concerned about?

Many thanks! And good luck to the rest of September interviews

Ok, so I call the embassy.... they tell me they are just the non immigrant section and can't help me and say have to use the contact us email form on website.... so .........I use the contact us form on said website like I am advised and guess what?!?!?!.......

Dear Applicant,

We can only provide general information regarding how to use the appointment scheduling website and/or how to register for courier services.

The system will show an update to your status when the documents have been turned over by the consular section for delivery to you. We cannot provide case status updates or estimates as we are not consular officers and the adjudication of each applicant's application is at the sole discretion of the consular section.

We are not the Embassy or consulate.

We are only the non-immigrant visa appointment scheduling service for the US Mission to UK. You would need to address your question directly to the consular section you are seeking to make the decision.

Please note: We are not authorized to provide any contact information for the US Embassy or consulates beyond what is already on the Consulate Information page of our website.

Thank you,

The Contact Desk Support Team

So, in short.... when calling the number on their website for help they tell me to use email so i do, they then tell me they cant help me and not only that but they aren't allowed to tell me how they can help me... is it just me who is finding this incredibly frustrating when I have paid thousands of pounds for this service, I kind of expect to at least be able to contact someone ya know?! The only number we get any info from is the number to call america costing lots!.... and when my case is in london with all my documents here it just doesnt make sense to me that i have to call another country to find out whats going on with my case GRRRRRRRR

sorry.. rant over......

Have you used this email address: LondonInfoUnit@state.gov

I got that from a reply to the online query, and I sent an email to them today and received a response within a few hours, with the word URGENT in the subject line?

Good luck, I'm sorry this is so stressful for you!

I was there on July 25th and had a really nice South African doctor, who didn't look at my bits at all. He says he finds it stupid because its supposed to be there to check for STD's but almost all STD's are not visible when looking at the bits, so he just doesn't do it. Very easy time there, everyone was very very professional and kind perhaps ring and ask which doctor is on which day and get a better idea of if you are in for a bits check or not? Seemed there was one,u the one doctor on when I was there, then a couple of nurses and the guy doing the X-ray good luck and don't worry!

Well the LondonInfoUnit@state.gov was the email address response I received from my online query. I sent them a reply to their email on Wednesday and have yet to hear anything back from them.

Also got the email deleted without being read response, as well as a second one that said this:

We aim to respond to routine enquiries in 3-4 working days, more complex enquiries may take longer.

I haven't heard anything back from them yet, but then again (if you don't count the Wednesday) this is only day 3.

Get hold of your local senator or congressman and explain your situation to them too, sign a waver for them to ask for info on your behalf and hope they have some sort of magical connection with London we don't. I'll let you know tomorrow what response my contact in our senators office gets from London, if any!

I'm also so angry at how terrible they are to get hold of!

I did send an email to USCIS.London@uscis.dhs.gov and got a response within hours, but it was useless:

You need to contact the visa unit. Please see the following link for information on contacting them: http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/contact_page.html.

Perhaps try them anyway?

I also sent 2 letters 2 weeks ago and haven't heard anything back from them either!!

Great, good luck!

If it helps, the email address I gave you that was in response to my question via their online contact I of section only replied on Wednesday the 7th to an email I sent them on July 26th, if that gives you an idea of how quickly they respond and if they may see your query soon.

I really hope you can get this sorted, I've got my fingers crossed for you

Does anyone know how I can get a hold of someone at the embassy.

I ll make this as short as possible

we were in AP for almost a year. wife had an interview last year in August and was told she is not denied and won't have to come back to the embassy once AP is completed. In March they asked her to complete another medical and Police check. which was completed within a few days and sent to the embassy.

In July they asked her to send in her passport via DX service and they received it on July 22, 2013.

On July 26 they changed their whole contact syste and I can no longer email like i used to get an udpate with a code.

I have sent a couple of email thru the contact us section on visa contact form from the website and Have not gotten a response.

it has been over three weeks now and our return tracking number is still not showing any update on dx website.

CEAC website was showing us AP till August 7th, 2013. now it says expiring soon. which I am sure is DATA ERROR since they have asked and received passport from us.

Does anyone know how and where I can contact the embassy. I have tried every number listed on the website to no avail. They have gotten back to me via email. NVC stated that I need to contact the embassy and they do not have any info for me.

I would appreciate if anyone has anything other then I have tried so far to get a hold of someone at the London Embassy.

Thank YOu.

I'm so sorry you have been having so many issues I agree they are now TERRIBLE to get hold of!! I'm trying desperately to contact them to get an earlier interview date and have had one very useless email in response. I do have a few suggestions:

Try contact them via twitter, I have had a response or two from them there @USAinUKCGCorner and according to them The new call center number is: 020 3608 6998

I waited for 1.5 hours on that number with NO response.

I contacted the medical place at Knightsbridge and they gave me this number - 0207 499 9000

I haven't tried it, but be careful as it is charged at £1.5 per min apparently.

I have asked via a contact in our senators office (Senator Casey) which is probably something you want to do as you have waited so long. I'm not sure yet if she has had a response as she has been away n holiday and only comes back tomorrow.

The email address I got a response from my online query was LondonInfoUnit@state.gov which I haven't seen anywhere else online so hopefully it will be read. The emails I've sent to LondonIV@state.gov and LondonConsular@state.gov haven't been responded to in 2 weeks.

For the LondonInfoUnit@state.gov email, They say they will not reply if the original query didn't come from the online form, but put all caps in your subject line and give it a go!!

I'm so sorry I can't be more useful! If you do get through on the expensive line and they give you a code I would appreciate it of you could pass it on we don't have the money to spend on such an expensive line unfortunately!

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!

Xxxx

So I phoned the Knightsbridge people and asked them what jabs I needed, and was told updated MMR as I only had proof of one, and tetanus. Went to my nurse who gave me the MMR and tetanus(polio and diphtheria rolled up) for free, because they are free for babies and so they should remain free for adults if you are not up to date

It can take a day or two to appear on DHL's site, especially if it was JUST sent out. You need to be patient and wait a bit. Try again later tonight or tomorrow.

Thank you Saylin!! I didn't realise it would take a little while to show up, that makes sense I just thought I was doing something wrong

I'll check back later!

Thank you for your help!

Our status changed to IN TRANSIT a few hours ago on the CEAC website, we haven't rung the NVC to ask about when it was sent out.

If my status just changed on the CEAC website does that mean its only going out tomorrow? Thanks

Please can someone help me track mine? I read all of the instructions and gone to the right page, and it keeps saying that it can't find mine!

Ok so mine was sent out today (literally changed to transit in the last couple of hours)

I put in:

EXP 07 AUG 2013A

Date range from 06 aug 2013 to 08 aug 2013

Left the account number blank

And sending to the UK.

please, what am I doing wrong?

Please can someone help me track mine? I read all of the instructions and gone to the right page, and it keeps saying that it can't find mine!

Ok so mine was sent out today (literally changed to transit in the last couple of hours)

I put in:

EXP 07 AUG 2013A

Date range from 06 aug 2013 to 08 aug 2013

Left the account number blank

And sending to the UK.

please, what am I doing wrong?

Don't want to ruin the list by trying to update so here is my news!!!!

Case complete 26/07

Interview scheduled 30/07

P4 received 30/07

Interview date 10/09

I can't believe it was only 4 days(including the weekend) from our CC to interview scheduled!!!

BRILLIANT!!!!

Thanks to EVERYONE for all the information, help and support you give to us all!! <3

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO CASE COMPLETE!!! ADD ME TO THE INTERVIEW THREAD PLEASE!!!! :D

Case complete 29/07/2013 (going to double check this when the NVC opens today, hubby phoned last night and was told case complete but could have been complete on Friday)

Now just waiting for an interview date like everyone else does anyone have any advice on trying to get a short notice interview in London? I'm there from August 15-30 so could literally be ther at a drop of a hat for any cancellations or no shows, and I've already had my medical done thanks guys!!

Oh and also for those who want AOS and IV statistics:

AOS sent 29/06 received 02/07 accepted 24/07

IV sent 03/07 received 08/07 accepted 29/07

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO CASE COMPLETE!!! ADD ME TO THE INTERVIEW THREAD PLEASE!!!! :D

Case complete 29/07/2013 (going to double check this when the NVC opens today, hubby phoned last ninth and was told case complete but could have been complete on Friday)

Now just waiting for an interview date like everyone else does anyone have any advice on trying to get a short notice interview in London? I'm there from August 15-30 so could literally be ther at a drop of a hat for any cancellations or no shows, and I've already had my medical done thanks guys!!

Oh and also for those who want AOS and IV statistics:

AOS sent 29/06 received 02/07 accepted 24/07

IV sent 03/07 received 08/07 accepted 29/07

Hello, all. Please add me to the list.

Case complete 16th July. No interview yet.

Do you guys think I've missed the boat for August interviews in London?

I hope not, but keep ringing

Please update/fill in your timeline? There is no timeline at the moment and it helps others to see how they may progress at each stage in comparison to yours. For example, when did you send off the AOS and IV packets?

I'm waiting for a London case complete !

Thanks!

Oh I see, wasn't aware of the computer issues. I've booked my medical but it's not til the 31st July so they have a good two weeks to get moving If I don't have any paper work by then I'm sure the consulate would help me out?

I don't think you need the interview letter for the medical in London. I've been talking to them about booking a medical now before I've even gotten the interview letter (I've not got a case complete) so that I can go onto a waiting list at the embassy to get an earlier interview date if possible, as London sometimes does that. I'm desperately unhappy here and want to move as soon as possible, and London will apparently give you an interview with 24-48 hours notice if they have had a cancellation or had an interview moved.

I'll get back to you on it but I'm pretty sure that you don't need to have the interview letter in your possession for the medical on London, as long as you have an LND case number from the NVC. All you need is the PCC, 2 passport photos, your immunisation records, glasses if you wear them(or contacts) and your passport

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong?

Hi everyone =)

Firstly, I have looked high and low on the forums and cant really find an answer to my question, so if anyone does find it please let me know, but I did also try to answer my question before I asked it =P

I have sent my AOS and IV packets to the NVC and I'm now waiting for a case complete. (And hopefully no RFE's!)

Once my interview is scheduled in London, I want to know how easy it is, and likely it is to get an earlier interview date, and how I would go about it? I was just having a look and I can get a 6 hour train to London for £60 leaving latest 6:00pm to be able to attend an interview the very next day.

I can also head to London asap to get my medical done so that can be done well before the interview.

Has anyone on here asked for an earlier interview date in London? Are they likely, or even possible? Would they give me one with 24 hours notice if I asked for it? I'm so desperate to move already, and I have everything ready to go so I can leave in a heartbeat! =)

Any information or advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you very much =)

NVC.

When you get a moment, start clicking through the links in post #1, reading all. There's tonnes of content in there... If'n yer on a handphone, remove the battery, come back on a PC.

DS-2001 form not apply to yer casetype.

Thanks

No need for the old passport, the birth registration, or a photocopy of the police certificate.

And the DS-2001 is for K1 applicants and DCF applicants. Not needed in your case.

Thank you so much Saylin!

Xxxxxx

I'm just getting our IVpacket read, and just wanted some reassurance that everything I'm sending is ok!

Bar coded cover sheet (still pending invoicing)

Cover letter

Completed DS-230 part I & II and ONLY part I signed by beneficiary.

2 x passport photos of me. Name, DOB & case number on back

Photocopy of the beneficiary's NEW passport biographic data page.

Photocopy of the beneficiary's OLD passport biographic data page (just recently changed to married name. Overkill sending it?)

Original copy of my long form birth certificate.

Photocopy of My long form birth certificate

Original copy of my birth registration document (overkill?)

Photocopy of my birth registration document

Original copy of our marriage certificate.

Photocopy of our marriage certificate.

Original police certificate for Me

Photocopy of My police certificate

Also, read about a DS2001 form (http://www.**.com/immigrant-visa/form-ds-2001.pdf) should I send this now too? I do have all the documents ready. Or is it only for DCF?

Thanks

I'm just getting our IVpacket read, and just wanted some reassurance that everything I'm sending is ok!

Bar coded cover sheet (still pending invoicing)

Cover letter

Completed DS-230 part I & II and ONLY part I signed by beneficiary.

2 x passport photos of me. Name, DOB & case number on back

Photocopy of the beneficiary's NEW passport biographic data page.

Photocopy of the beneficiary's OLD passport biographic data page (just recently changed to married name. Overkill sending it?)

Original copy of my long form birth certificate.

Photocopy of My long form birth certificate

Original copy of my birth registration document (overkill?)

Photocopy of my birth registration document

Original copy of our marriage certificate.

Photocopy of our marriage certificate.

Original police certificate for Me

Photocopy of My police certificate

Also, read about a DS2001 form (http://www.**.com/immigrant-visa/form-ds-2001.pdf) should I send this now too? I do have all the documents ready. Or is it only for DCF?

Thanks