This is exactly why I tell people that they shouldn't try to follow anyone else's timeline.

Ian

Then what the hell are we doing them for?! Reference, no? Isn't that the whole point? So we can see relatively how long the various stages are currently taking compared to other's experiences? They're not just there to contribute to the zeitgeist, unless they are, in which case--my bad.

Hi Y'all!

New to the forum, but I've been reading for some time.

I'm a UK citizen married to a US/UK Dual citizen.

I'm going to start the process this autumn in preparation for moving July/Aug 2016 and I'm doing some research in advance.

I understand the various aspects of the process, but I have one specific question:

Submitting the 'Notification of Applicant Readiness' form - (HERE) - it asks for the date of your medical.

Is it possible to submit the form well in advance of the medical?

The medical is the bottleneck in the process, as one has to enter the US within 6 months of it. I would like to get the I-130/DS-260/ARCO etc all completed towards the end of this year and then go ahead and schedule my medical appointment for early Feb.

I want to know, assuming i've completed everything I can by late December, if I could submit the readiness form then, with my medical scheduled for mid-Feb.

Thanks!

George

Quite frankly, I believe we shouldn't be doing them.




Timelines give an unrealistic expectation that a specific case will follow a similar path. I don't really care if people agree with me or not on this... but more people are disappointed having followed timelines, than are pleased.


Ian

Hi George,

Based on having gone through the process, you *can* submit the notice of readiness before the date of the actual medical, but the issue is that you technically have to have your LND number from the Immigrant Visa Unit before you can book your medical (they ask for it when you call to make an appointment). So, as long as you have that number to make an appointment for your medical, you can submit the notice of readiness. I'm sure you know though that they don't actually process the notice until they've received the file from your medical so there isn't a huge benefit in doing it early (as far as I'm aware).

I hope that helps!
Sarah

In advance, yes. Well in advance? No.


Ian

No, not technically. You actually have to have the LND number.

Ian

It seems like the LDN# is issued once the I-130 is approved, right? So in my theoretical timeline, I should hope for that to be a couple of months before I need to book my medical, so that would work out fine.

The reason Im trying to bring order to the chaos of this process is that my husband is a teacher and so will finish term around the 20th of July. We want to GTFO as soon as possible after that so that we have time in the US before he would start teaching there. Hence, I want to make sure that we've completed the process in good time so there are no holdups. I also don't want to be buying last-minute transatlantic flights during school holidays.

NVC assigns the LND case number, after they receive the approved I-130 from USCIS.

Just a reminder not to pay for flights until the visa is in hand (or be OK with paying change fees).

Rene

Are they doing DCF or going through NVC?

DCF in London

Change fees would work out waay cheaper than trying to scrounge a last-minute flight. And, all the tedious caveats aside, I feel like Interview early Feb -> Depart late July is an acceptable risk to take. I'm confident that it'll be sorted in that time. (See previous statement about caveats).

I'm not sure why you think the caveats are "tedious"! A number of us have been following immigration timelines for many years... and those caveats seem to be well grounded. Perhaps you see them as tedious because they don't fit into your preconceived concept of how things should work. Your attempt to bring "order to the chaos" is admirable if you're a Borg, but US immigration isn't set up for your convenience.



That's your choice, of course... but from where I sit - it's a foolish choice. I strongly suggest you rethink your strategy.


Ian

Thank you for your critique.

Reflecting on your ample experience, what alternative strategy would you advise?

Quote:

Originally Posted by furrmacist

Thank you for your critique.

Keep in mind that immigration is a 2-step process. You can't submit the DS-260 until such time as your husband's I-130 petition has been approved.

Quote:

... what alternative strategy would you advise?

If you're not planning on leaving until late July, there's no reason you can't have the medical in early May. Submit the readiness form a week or so before the medical. The interview is usually scheduled within 4-6 weeks of that, which puts you into mid-late June. It then takes about a week to get the passport and visa back... and still plenty of time to leave at the end of July. You need to take your ACRO certificate to the medical, so you can order that at the beginning of 2016. It'll take 4-5 weeks to get, but its valid for 1 year - and plenty of time to get it before your medical in May.

So, work your entire timeline back from the end of July and then add an extra month as a buffer - because things do slow down at Christmas time. I suggest he submits the I-130 to start the process sometime in late October.

Ian

Hello peeps...its me again!!! Just been lurking and reading but now have a question.....to which address did you all send your I-130 to in London? Thanks and waiting for reply from anyone......