Hi everyone

I sent Packet 3 back to London on Saturday and they received it today. I was just wondering how long people have been waiting recently to get an interview date at the London Embassy - I know there's no hard and fast rule, but it'd be good to have an idea!

My medical is June 15th (2 weeks today) - it'd be really great if I got my interview letter maybe a week after that (from what I've read they usually give you about a month's notice of the interview). Am I being completely unrealistic hoping for an interview by the end of July?
I'm just trying to plan when I'll actually be able to be in Phoenix, I have to give 6 weeks notice at work and as much as I'd love to hand my notice in tomorrow I know I can't until I actually have my visa!

Thanks

I sent mine away about the 20th May and booked my medical for the 8th June

My wedding date isn't flexible and it's the 6th August as I told the embassy and within a week I had my interview date on the 28th June! Glad it was quick but made me nervous all the same!

That's good that they let you know so quickly! I hope it'll be the same for me. We've set our wedding date for October 15th so we have time but I'd ideally like to be over there early September and that means I need an interview in 6 weeks or so in order to then work my 6 week notice period after the interview... I suppose if it comes down to it I'll just have to hand my notice in before my interview, but I know that'd only add to the pressure! I know there shouldn't be anything to worry about but still, I find it worrying!

What are they going to do if you give them less than 6 weeks notice... fire you? Either way... problem solved!

Ian

Mine took about 3 weeks hope you hear soon!

I read this at work - it made me laugh!

I think the only thing they could do is not give me a good reference - I'm not sure I'm too bothered, to be honest! (I kinda am, though - wish I wasn't!). We have absolutely no staff at the moment and I'd feel too bad for my patients if I just walked out. It would be great to get away with working my notice period, though!

Of course, I could go with my original plan and hand my notice in when I get notice of my interview, but that kinda makes me uneasy... what do you think?

Thanks! Me too!

3 weeks isn't bad - well done with that! Until I have my interview I'm keeping myself sorting and re-sorting my interview folder and photos etc. I'm pretty sure the officer won't wanna look at all of my photos (at least 70 I think!!) but I'm taking them anyway

RG

Well, if experience is any help... no US employer is going to bother to check overseas references!


Given them what notice you can, but remember that you must put your own self first.

Ian

Hi Randomgirl,

I sent my stuff on the 5th of May and still waiting for my letter for an interveiw, been told 6-8 weeks from when i sent it in.

Its hard waiting as i was planning on a end of July flight to Chicago.

Wally

I'm with Wally on that one - exerpt from an email from the US Embassy below..

We have noted your change of address, you should follow the instructions on the following links and make sure we have received the completed forms by 10APR, otherwise a new petition will need to be filed. Once we have received the completed forms (DS-230i part1 and DS-2001 check list) we will schedule your appointment with about 2 months, once your visa is issued it is valid for travel for up to six months.

I'm still waiting for the interview date..

Hmmm...

Well, I've decided I'm probably going to hand my notice in on July 12th so that I can leave work on August 20th. Hopefully by then I'll have had my interview and got my visa...

The other thing about that is that it'll get me out of being on-call for 4 straight days over the bank holiday weekend at the end of August!

I'll have stuff to sort out (read: get rid of!) before I fly out to Phoenix, so I guess if it ends up being a bit longer until I get my visa it'll be OK. Plus, I'll have to make sure I have time to meet up with friends / family before I leave too.

I'm just really anxious now to get the letter so I'll at least know when the big day is! Then I'll really start stressing! LOL.

Good luck everyone!

Just wanted to give you an advance welcome to Phoenix! It's 110 here today! LOL

Rene

Yup!

That's the only thing that makes me glad to still be in the UK!

16 April 2010 - Packet 3 sent
23 April 2010 - Interview date received
04 June 2010 - Interview attended

This was from not notifying the Embassy of any travel plans.

Wow, that was fast!

My packet 3 stuff was received by them on June 1st but when my fiancé phoned the Dept. of State yesterday (8th) they said it hadn't been received... I sent it special delivery and I know for a fact it was delivered last Tuesday as I've tracked the package, so I'm hoping that all it means is it's not been 'logged' yet on their system.



He's gonna try again on Friday and hopefully it'll be in the system by then. I really, really don't wanna have to complete and send those forms again!

I put "August" as my intended travel date, and our wedding date of 15th October. I don't know if that has any bearing on anything - seeing as you didn't put anything on the form about travel dates it probably doesn't!