Speedwell

Rob, do lockbox filers need to file DS-2001, or is that just for direct consular filers?

robUK81

Yeah sorry I think I must of read that the whole NVC process takes that long. But Having a case number in 2 weeks is good only I may need to delay a little as I've been working on a Oct/Nov move and it's my understanding that the visa is valid 6mths from the date of the medical.

Hahaha I'm in Taunton too

robUK81

I'm not actually sure. I am more likely completely wrong

civilservant

Only DCF Speedwell, since NVC books the interview rather than the Consulate

robUK81

The medical or the interview?

sarah2011

Call the consulate

civilservant

Interview

Speedwell

Thanks, CS, no part of the process confuses me more than the difference between the two sorts of filing.

jeffreyhy

You won't be submitting DS-2001.

Regards, JEff

robUK81

Thanks JEff

lansbury

Actually booking tickets isn't a good idea until you have your passport back with the visa in it.

There are some who had done what you suggest and their passport and visa hasn't come back from the Embassy in time. There have been instances of the passport and visa not being received for 3 weeks or more after the interview.

henryh

The usual advice not to book tickets until after a successful interview seems to ignore the fact that waiting until shortly before you travel to book tickets results in much higher ticket prices. It also ignores the fact that tickets can usually be changed with minimal fees.

The calculation of the expected cost incurred given the aforementioned costs, the probability of successful interview, and the probability distribution of processing times is left as an exercise for the reader. But I feel that in most cases it favours booking tickets ahead of time. Of course, there are no guarantees.

Speedwell

The cost of a nonrefundable ticket plus the change fees plus the fare difference at the time of the change is often less than the cost of a refundable ticket that can be changed without fees. The company I work for prefers that you buy the nonrefundable ticket and pay the change fee if necessary, to save them travel money over the long term and multiple tickets. The fees to change are not minimal, though.they can run a few hundred dollars or more once you take into account that you're also charged the difference in fare between the two tickets.

wuthering

I read through this thread with interest because we have also booked our flight to the US and wanted some info.

The medical forms etc. were there at the Embassy IVB, they had received but not processed the DS-2001 yet. We were told that from date of receipt it can take up to 6 weeks to process. We leave in 4 weeks.

So, we asked what happens if we don't respond to the letter (you know, because we'll be away), operator said they close the file. Not good. The operator then said we should call every week just in case they send the letter with the interview date - so calling from the US every week will be 10 weeks x $20!

We know we can visit the US as my hubby (UKC) has an ESTA, and we just won't make any moves to close down and sell up etc. in the UK - whereas we would have made those moves if we'd gotten the visa. Shame really, but we'll roll with the punches, as they say and do what we can.

syed84

Just from my experience

I had a succesful interview with everything approved only 2 weeks later to be advised that my case is in additional administrative processing and here I am 7 weeks later. I would suggest not to book anything until you have your passport and visa in hand.

I was lucky enough to have a fully flexible tickets which I have changed 4 times already at no cost.

On my forms and cover letter I had put down travel date of 1st April but for me that never helped. Maybe it might make a difference for you as each case is different.

My forms were received by the consulate on 29th Jan 2013 I was given written confirmation of my interview on 25th Feb with an interview date of 13th March