Coopernaut

OK thanks!

CAProgrammer

Just got a text from DX Secure that the passport with visa will be delivered tomorrow morning.

So in total the whole process from the day we mailed the I-130 petition (2nd June, 2011) to the visa in hand (18th November, 2011) will be:

1. 169 days.
2. 24 weeks and 1 day.
3. 5 months 2 weeks and 1 day.

That's not that bad, glad it is finally over

I won't actually be travelling till the 10th of January, 2012 though (to get IR-1 status on entry).

Tracy_UK

You can send in the DS-230 and the DS-2001 now and include a cover letter stating the date of your medical and a request to have your interview scheduled for anytime after the 22nd December. This is what I did in September and they took notice of my request. I had sent them an email asking if it was at all possible to request DH's interview to be done during the week of the 21st-25th November due to our work obligations as posties.
They responded to me stating to include the dates of availablility to be interviewed in a cover letter and that they'll then place our file to be "Recalled" in October. Well, after he had his medical in September, I sent them an e-mail checking if they had received my hubby's medical results and our other forms and they said they did and even gave me his interview date of 22nd November in the e-mail stating that a letter was posted to us that very day and we did receive it the very next day. They do take notice of cover letters and peoples requests.

jeffreyhy

When the visa is in hand, don't forget to update with hours, minutes, and seconds!

Regards, JEff

CAProgrammer

Yes Sir!

jukes

Congratulations! What a relief for you! We are still waiting for the appointment with cardiac specialist to check out my sons heart murmur before sending details back to Knightsbridve Drs to send all info to embassy! Really want to be in US by February as have baby due in May!!

CAProgrammer

Congratulations on the baby! Wouldn't it be better to have your baby here for free on the NHS before you go over there? I heard it can be really expensive in the US and health insurance companies will not insure you as your pregnancy is a "pre-existing condition".

jukes

I know, but i found out i will qualify for Medicaid as i am the USC, so I will be covered. Otherwise it would be too expensive!

krazstir

Thank goodness for medicaid! We had a pregnancy scare (turned out I'm not pregnant thankfully) and while I was freaking out because of having no insurance for when we move back, my mom reminded me that in most states it's the law now that pregnant women receive care including hospitalization and coverage even after the baby is born. I'm the USC and would have been covered. Thank goodness too because I much prefer US medical care over the NHS... can say that too since I work for the NHS

jukes

Yes, i even called the medicaid people where i will be living to confirm i will be covered.seems simple to get. I am interested to see how maternity service differs to UK!

Tracy_UK

These might sound like silly questions but I've always been told that no question is silly if you want to gain knowledge.

So here are my "silly" questions "DH's IR-1 interview is on Tuesday in London and I was wondering if we should keep all the original documents seperate from the copies? Do we need my US Birth Certificate, Divorce Papers or just my hubby's divorce paper? Do we need copies of our passports?

I'm asking only because some of the originals actually look like copies but they aren't. Right now I have them seperated and placed in a see-through coloured plastic envelope and originals in a clear plastic envelope, with the DS-230 Part II, and my I-864.

CAProgrammer

They aren't silly questions I had very similar concerns about them getting the originals and copies mixed up and holding on to the originals by mistake. I was also concerned about the order in which I should place things in my file.

First off, they won't take your whole file from you, they ask you for individual items with the copies.

For example they will ask for your husband's birth certificate with the copy so he hands them to the administrative worker, he/she will tick it off on a list, file them in your case file and then ask for the next item. They have their own file that they place the items in.

He would need to have the original + copy for your divorce decree as well as his own.

At the end of the second interview with the Consular Officer he should make sure he has been given back all of the original documentation that he handed to them at the first interview.

You do not need copies of the passport or the passport photographs.

He should take all of the documentation specified on the US Embassy London's "Documents Required for the Interview" webpage including your birth certificate. They might not ask for the documents but he should have them just to be safe. The page I'm referring to is http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

krazstir

Thanks for the info! Our interview is tomorrow morning! Yikes!!! A bit nervous- but I think I have everything ready. One question though.... Do we need to make a copy of the I-864 and I-864A? Also, I have the tax transcripts, but do they want these + a copy?
Would really appreciate any help!

Thanks!

little-evo

Well we finally have all our paperwork in order and are ready for the interview stage, but have not heard back since our medical which was 24th Oct. I took the plunge and called the expensive help-line number was told the medical results had not been sent, but when i called Knightsbridge on the 26th Oct, they informed me everything was fine and dandy and that the results were couriered to the embasy that day...
I was given a reference number beginning with CIU and told to mail the consular office in London, here's hoping everything is fine

ian-mstm

You'll want to make copies for yourself anyway... make an extra one.

Ian