Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11717528)

Wow that's a wait and a half.

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11717529)

congratulations on getting the email, unless the system crashes again I think you should be ok, but maybe you could go on your holiday and send it in when you get back just to be safe if they allow you to do that not sure on the timeframe you have to get your passport back to them once you receive the email.

Originally Posted by Jo3ler (Post 11717534)

Thanks!

It says you have 30days to get in back to them or you'll experience further delays. Might just risk it. I have 10 wks before I fly. I hear you can get a temporary passport anyway, or I could at least contact the embassy and just get them to send mine back surely.

If it's not back in a month though I'll start to worry!

Originally Posted by Jo3ler (Post 11717534)

Thanks!

It says you have 30days to get in back to them or you'll experience further delays. Might just risk it. I have 10 wks before I fly. I hear you can get a temporary passport anyway, or I could at least contact the embassy and just get them to send mine back surely.

If it's not back in a month though I'll start to worry!

Originally Posted by cazz0069 (Post 11717599)

So we have decided to go to Canada instead this year. They approved my visa, total wait time was 3 months. Bless em. We will travel to the states next year. I'm just hoping if my US visa is approved its for longer then 6 months.
My interview was 12th Feb so all going well it's still a while off. Haha. Who would have thought I am now wishing it gets delayed.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11717478)

Today is 27 weeks since his appointment and he has received an email asking for another copy of his criminal record.

Originally Posted by Jo3ler (Post 11717534)

Thanks!

It says you have 30days to get in back to them or you'll experience further delays. Might just risk it. I have 10 wks before I fly. I hear you can get a temporary passport anyway, or I could at least contact the embassy and just get them to send mine back surely.

If it's not back in a month though I'll start to worry!

Originally Posted by WendyWoo52 (Post 11717794)

Glad to hear you have had the e mail. Once you have your waiver sorted will you please post how long between sending your passport in and receiving it. thanks

Originally Posted by Jo3ler (Post 11717522)

My appt was Thurs 18th December in London, so 33 weeks to the day.

Originally Posted by Newyork (Post 11714281)

Hi folks, further update to my post number #1802 June 26th which was MY timeline experience and not anybody else's......got to make that clear.

Finally arrived in Boston USA Saturday August 1st woop de doo

When I arrived at the boarding desk in Amsterdam to board my connecting flight to US I was directed to one side to another desk where they checked my visa details and asked a couple of questions then onto the plane with the other passengers, so expect that slight anomaly.
Then arriving in Boston at border control the guy at the desk asked advice from another guy who said " He needs to go down to secondary for a check to see if he has done anything since he applied for his visa"
So off we go to the secondary interview room where after about 10 minutes and the usual questions i.e. purpose of visit, how long, where staying, etc a " Enjoy your visit" and through the exit door onto the airport concourse and I had arrived in the USA .

I will get back in late September and start the whole process again to get a visa that continues when this one finishes next June

Hope this has been useful
I

Originally Posted by cazz0069 (Post 11718390)

Hey Newyork. Are you traveling by yourself? Do they take just you or everyone travelling with you. My partner has little patience and I have begged and pleaded that when and if this happens to me he keeps his mouth shut. He guarantees me he will but I would be happy that it was just me they interviewed. Bless him. I'm sure he will be ok but I'll relax more knowing he's not going to lose his cool.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11718457)

In our previous trips they have taken my husband on his own. They are also discrete as our kids are teenagers and don't know anything.

Originally Posted by cazz0069 (Post 11718390)

Hey Newyork. Are you traveling by yourself? Do they take just you or everyone travelling with you. My partner has little patience and I have begged and pleaded that when and if this happens to me he keeps his mouth shut. He guarantees me he will but I would be happy that it was just me they interviewed. Bless him. I'm sure he will be ok but I'll relax more knowing he's not going to lose his cool.

Originally Posted by Newyork (Post 11718625)

As was mentioned ,all discreet and friendly, so do not worry

Originally Posted by ian-mstm (Post 11718632)

FIFY! :)

Ian

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11721700)

Hope you hear back soon yes iam the same about the control issue lol did u end up sending in a new police report or just the original one?

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11721874)

Hi everyone just an update from my case got the email today at 11.38am after a wait of exactly 1 day short of 27 weeks they requested I send my passport along with a copy of the email & payment of $AUD$32.50 (assuming this is the charge for the issue of a 5 year visa) they also advised it must be received by 11 October otherwise this will invalidate the received approval. Hope this info helps others.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11721878)

That is such good news. Well
Done so you still get to make the wedding?

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11721910)

suppose to be flying out 23 Aug so does not leave much time to have my passport/visa returned so will probably miss the wedding but maybe able to go a few days later hoping the turn around time is close to the 5-7 days stated on website, they pretty much got it right with the 27 weeks for me, still keeping my fingers crossed. will let everyone know as soon as I get it back.

Originally Posted by KM34 (Post 11721886)

Well my 6 months was up two days ago - still nothing, feel I am permanently checking my emails, in the meantime congrats to those of you who have heard positively.

Originally Posted by cazz0069 (Post 11721915)

My 6 months is up today also. But having gotten approval for Canada I don't mind if they take a bit longer. Last thing I need to do is book another holiday before this one even starts 😉
Is there a genuine consensus to how long your visa is the first time round?
I wasn't sure if I saw someone that only got a 3 month one quite a few posts back.

Originally Posted by KM34 (Post 11721923)

Just one point are any of you in UK or are you dealing with US consulates in other countries. wondered if they all work the same timescale.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11721913)

If it does only take 5 to 7 days then that's not to bad I hope it does for you. Do you have a ticket that you need to change? I just want that positive email so we know where we are at. I don't understand why we were asked for the reports again. I am a little worried they aren't going to be satisfied with what we sent them and that's just going to reunion our family holiday. This process is so stressful.

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11721938)

Yes I have a ticket but can change with a fee up until the day of the flight. I had been checking my email obsessively for past 27 weeks also. cannot understand why they asked you for the documents again as I thought they were just all scanned at the time of your interview, my police record does not show anything on it as it is spent. but each application I had to show them a current copy anyway. I was under the impression they don't have access to police records that's why they make you obtain it for them but I could be wrong. sorry what was your interview date again?

Originally Posted by KM34 (Post 11721923)

Just one point are any of you in UK or are you dealing with US consulates in other countries. wondered if they all work the same timescale.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11721943)

Appointment was 29 January hubbies gave them a current one at the time of appointment. I think it was from late last year. Then the consular guy said to him don't worry about the time I can look it up anyway and he said he did and it was all good no changes. They took copies of it and said all good on your way. I wonder if things weren't scanned properly I don't knew it's just really frustrating because if it wasn't for this it should have been approved last week and we would have everything back in time and happy days. Now I am not sure what to do we have a ticket that he will post pone if need be for a fee bit because we are taking the kids I a, going no matter what but it won't be as much fun without him. Not the same and yes I know they say don't book but we have done this so many times and there has been no changes I just never dreamed it would take so long.

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11722085)

I know the waiting times have just seemed to get ridiculous if u show a current police cert & u have been approved previously they the consulate should just b able to approve it on the spot the whole system needs an overhaul including the ESTA system. Looks like they are currently processing jan/feb interview applications & u wld think it wld go in some kind of order. I think they somehow lost or as u said didn't scan your docs properly just terrible if that the case after such a long wait. what date are u suppose to fly out?

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11722098)

September 1st so 3 weeks today. There does need to be a better way also a little bit of accountability I think that's the most frustrating part. I have dealt with many organizations and giversnts and never one that doesn't have to be accountable for have an escalation process.

Originally Posted by Aussiegirl28 (Post 11722098)

There does need to be a better way also a little bit of accountability...

Originally Posted by downundergirl (Post 11721910)

suppose to be flying out 23 Aug so does not leave much time to have my passport/visa returned so will probably miss the wedding but maybe able to go a few days later hoping the turn around time is close to the 5-7 days stated on website, they pretty much got it right with the 27 weeks for me, still keeping my fingers crossed. will let everyone know as soon as I get it back.

Originally Posted by KM34 (Post 11721923)

Just one point are any of you in UK or are you dealing with US consulates in other countries. wondered if they all work the same timescale.