Concerned
 

Hello All...

Well, I sent off my 'ready for interview' form on the 18th Feb. What is the usual waiting time between sending the form off and receiving the date for interview? For the intended date of travel we put April 1st.

What are the chances of getting the interview before that date?

I've already had the medical, police check done, affitdavits in order etc.

Thanks for any advice

David

Re: Concerned
 

Not much chance. You put the date a bit too close I think. It's reported that you can "beat the system" to an extent by putting a closer "preferred departure date" than you actually, need, but I think 6 weeks is a bit on the short side.

I'd expect your interview date about 2-4 weeks later than that.

Re: Concerned
 

I can't remember the exact date, but i sent my 'ready for interview' form in the first week of february, got a reply less than 2 weeks later, and had my interview on febraury 24th.... got visa 2 days later!

It may still be possible for you to make april 1st, if you hear back sometime next week. Hope it all works out for you.

Re: Concerned
 

Wow that is quick Kev. That's the first time I've heard anyone say it's been that quick for them.

Re: Concerned
 

Dave,

I sent off the checklist of February 6th 2008, went for my medical on February 14th (great Valentines day activity!), received interview date letter on February 22nd and will go for my interview on March 18th.

Good luck. Hope you get yours soon! :)

Re: Concerned
 

Thanks Everybody!

Well, my wifes UK visa expires on the 7th April so it'd be good to know soon if i'm going to be interviewed before that date or we need to apply for extention for my wife.

Everthing else is sorted out. The medical I had done last December year just to get ahead of the game. Police certificate arrived in January. We've just been waiting on the joint affitdavits arriving from my wifes grandparents.

I've never been the most patient of people but this entire experience has forced me to be that way!

Re: Concerned
 

dave, maybe you could look into what the short term extension possibilities are for your wife.. can she convert to tourist status for the short term?

She can always travel out ahead of you; hopefully you are looking at a very short lag if any at all.

Re: Concerned
 

Well, I called the Border and Immigration Agency a few weeks back to see if she could adjust status to that of a tourist, but I couldn't understand a word of what the phone operative was saying! I may call back tomorrow to see if i can get any sense out of somebody else.

My only concern about my wife travelling ahead of me (probably unfounded) is if I get denied the visa. I wonder what's happened to other people in this situation. It just seems risky to me.

Re: Concerned
 

For a bog-standard spouse immigrant visa, frankly I have never seen anyone taken out in stealth. If you are ineligible, you should already know it. If you've been clean as a whistle, are actually married to your USC and have the money on the I-864 sorted out, that is really all there is to it.

You could also have a snoop on the uk-yankee or dive into america discussion boards; I'm sure someone there knows what the Border folk were saying to you. :)

I got lured up to Bellingham for a year once.. it is a beautiful place!

Re: Concerned
 

The only reason I can think that I may be refused is that during the medical the doctor asked for a letter from my GP asking for details about my anxiety disorder and depression, which is well controlled. I haven't heard anything back from Knightsbridge Doctors since they recieved the letter from my GP so I hope thats a good sign.

I'll have to take a look at the other boards about the UK visa issues, or give them a call back tomorrow.

I can't wait to live in Bellingham! It really is the prefect town/hippie commune!

Re: Concerned
 

Following up on the depression is pretty standard; many people have to include the sort of letter you describe, and have no visa problems.

But about Bellingham! There is another, traditional side to that area so don't be surprised to hear about 'blue' towns where you're not allowed to cut your grass on a Sunday... :D But if you love outdoor sports, you will be in hog heaven. The scuba diving in the area is particularly wonderful.
And remember: Portland Oregon is where hippies come to retire. :thumbsup:

Re: Concerned
 

I thought hippes usually retired in Eugene? Hehe.

Well, Washington is pretty diverse isn't it. You can drive 5 minutes outside of Bellingham and pretty much fear for your life if you're a man wearing pink! I've been snowboarding on Mount Baker once, never again! Cycling around Lake Padden was fun. I've not tried the scuba diving though, will be on my to do list! :D

Ah, you're getting me excited about moving again! The past few months have been filled with worry, but I must say you've put my mind at ease a little!

Re: Concerned
 

lol, Eugene is for the working years.. how else would we keep all those Saturday markets stocked with handmade beeswax candles?!
If you're moving there for the Uni, you'll have a built in network. Otherwise, watch it.. we were convinced that people didn't want to make friends just in case they had to feed you during an ice storm. <g>

And so close to Vancouver! You'll have a great time. I am getting road trip fever! I do have some hippy friends to visit up there before their summer travel season... hmm.

Re: Concerned
 

Yes, things went quickly for me once I received my packet from the embassy. Which was pleasing, seeing as it took 6 months for the 1-129 petition to be approved.

Re: Concerned
 

Mine went thus

January 30th - Sent off I-129
February 1st - Recieved by Vermont
February 7th - Cheque cashed!!!
February 7th - NOA1!!!!
March 17th - NOA2 email!!!
March 21st - NOA2 hard copy
March 23rd - NVC forwarded to US Embassy in UK
April 5th - Packet 3!!
April 10th - Packet 3 returned
April 10th - Medical
May 1st - Packet 4
May 30th - Interview
June 1st - Visas delivered

Re: Concerned
 

33 days, petition to visa in hand. :)

Just want you to have accurate records and all. :lol:

Re: Concerned
 

Just an update. I called the Border and Immigration Agency again, spoke to somebody coherent this time who informed me that a change of status to a visitor for my wife is possible. Also, the application forms for this don't have to be with them until the day that her visa expires :) so that should save us spending uneccessary money.

Also, just been photocopying all of the documents for my interview. Just to be on the safe side :)

Re: Concerned
 

Hi,

Currently living in Bellingham, WA. Originally from Luton in a previous life. Not sure about the type of visa you have but consider being processed at the Blaine border crossing, fly into Vancouver, BC. Much smoother than Seattle.

Let me know if I can be of any help, do you have any work lined up?, there isn’t much happening in sunny Bellingham.

Re: Concerned
 

Hey there!

No work lined up as yet. I'm hoping to get some kind of work in a bar over there. My wife and her friends tells me the drunks will tip highly due to my accent! Then after that i'm hoping to go to college and do a surgical technology course.

You're right about the Blaine border being better than Sea-Tac. I got flagged one time going though Seattle because of the number of visits i'd made to go and see my wife (to be at that point). I got through in the end after another immigration officer spoke to me. The guys in Blaine on the other hand we're laughing and joking with me, giving me tips on the I-130 form. In fact, one of the officers had extended family near to where I live in the UK, so that was nice.

I didn't realise that you could cross the border at Blaine as a new immigrant. Thats always good to know.

David

Re: Concerned
 

You can use any legal Port of Entry when you arrive with your Immigrant Visa. I would think they are more used to dealing with them in SeaTac, but whatever floats your boat. :)
If you fly in via Canada (you wouldn't) be aware that US-bound flights go through PreFlight Inspection inside of Canada and you clear Immigration on their side of the border.

Here is an article about the POE experience so you have an idea what to expect: Arriving In America: Navigating the POE/Port Of Entry

Re: Concerned
 

Right, thats good to know :) I know when travelling to the US from the Republic of Ireland that you clear US Immigration aswell. It's a good idea, saves people travelling for hours on end just to be sent back if things aren't in order.

Well, we have no idea right now where we'll be transitting through. Could be through Mexico if the flights are the cheapest! Direct flights to Seattle tend to be expensive. But knowing Blaine is a viable option is good to know.

Also, back on topic, we still haven't recieved the interview letter. It's looking likely that we'll have to get the extension for my wife afterall. Eh, goodbye £400!

Re: Concerned
 

To switch to a tourist status? Or did I misremember something?

The London-->SEA direct flight on BA is great. If you price it in the shoulder season, you might be amazed. I haven't checked London-->Vancouver since we are further south, but how would you get home & over the border--it's about an hour drive, isn't it?

Re: Concerned
 

Yeah. It costs £400 to change from a residents visa to a tourist one! I was hoping they'd say it's free but apparently not.

Since we're staying in Bellingham, Vancouver and Seattle are about the same distance. In fact, I think Vancouver is a bit closer. There is a direct flight from Manchester to Vancouver with Zoom, although they only operate it a few times a week so it's sold out for the next few months. Oh well.

Re: Concerned
 

Not trying to be a nudge here, but what if she left the country and returned as a tourist? Surely there must be an option that costs less than $800 bux!

Re: Concerned
 

Hehe, I know! We've been thinking of that a lot actually. A flight over to the Republic of Ireland would cost about £60 for both of us, and the other £340 could go towards some digs and a few pints of Guinness! But, running the risk of being faced with a stern immigration officer always puts us off.

I'd just like to say thanks for all the advice :)

David

Re: Concerned
 

Just an update,

I contacted the call centre today to see what was going on with my case. They gave me the e-mail address and reference number to contact the embassy direct.

Hoping for a quick reply!

David