Hi all,
The visa bulletin finally moved after the covid hiatus making my priority date current in May 2023. My PD is March 30th 2007.
I initially received W.L. in December 2019 and was D.Q since June 2020. (Covid Stall)
During the last week of April 2023 I received the interview date via email. It was set at June 15th 2023. It is a small country therefore wait
times for interviews are a bit shorter.
I received a message to upload documents on ceac before the interview as previous CoC expired and new taxes needed to be submitted.
I did the medical in POS as there is only one approved doctor and received the necessary vaccinations accordingly. This cost will vary person to person, there is a base fee plus additional charge for vaccines needed.
I scheduled the medical on a Tuesday as there is a new procedure for document review, so I planned to get it done on the same day. Visit the US embassy website for updated procedure.
I got a folder at the doctor's office with a list of required documents which included all originals submitted to Ceac. Medical was uploaded online via the doctor but I still called to confirmed it was done prior to the interview day.
Document Review Day
Original Birth Certificates of all applicants
Original Birth Certificate of petitioner
Copy of Proof of US citizenship ( Copy of US Passport)
Updated tax transcripts and AoS.
Police CoC
Pictures ( Us Passport size)
Marriage certificate
Received a tick on the folder as I did not have the CoC .
Documents were placed in the folder and was told to add the missing document This folder must be brought on the day of interview.
Day Of Interview. (Nervous and prepared an additional folder for whatever I thought might be requested.)
Arrived early and joined the line. Only clear folders and documents allowed in the Embassy.
No cellphones or handbags, please make alternate arrangements as there is no where available at the last moment.
Embassy Staff requested appointment letter and passport. Two lines were formed, one line for non immigrant section and another for immigrant & USC services
Entered, after security check forwarded to information desk where passports was taken.
Call to window after 1/2 hour.
C.O. Who is petitioning??
C.O. Is this your only marriage? (as both my spouse and I are applicants)
C.O. Did you live anywhere other than London?
C.O. Where does your sibling work?
C.O. requested new CoC
C.O - Everything looks okay but system is a bit slow so we chatted a bit about random things. Then the magic words "visa issued"
Stood in disbelief. Thanked him for great service and walked out in utter happiness and relief.
Got the passport with visa in less than 5 days. Visa Expires six months from date of medical. No packet given but note in visa all documents are electronic
Left for the US soon after.
Received S.S card within 10 days of entry and awaiting G.C. in the mail.
Personal recommendations
This is a stressful long journey 16 years + for my family preference category.
Don't stress as I did. It makes it worse.
You have no control over the vb
Try to be prepared as possible and always be truthful.
It will eventually work out and then you'll look back and feel relieved.
Excited about my new chapter. Thanks to everyone on this site for sharing their knowledge.
I hope this can be useful, especially to my trini ppl as there is barely any info. online about our embassy.
Goodluck and best wishes to everyone on this journey.
