Spousal visa update

I got email notification that my application had been approved on 21 Nov. On Monday (8 Dec) I emailed the consulate requesting an update, thinking that I'd never hear anything back, but hey it's worth a shot.

I got a call from the consulate today, much to my surprise! The gentlemen I spoke with said he needed a few supplemental documents, and I could fax them in. He also said as long as he gets those, I will have my visa by Christmas!!!!!

I was so happy I hung up the phone and then screamed for a good 30 seconds...

Oh good, congrats!

When did you mail everything out, btw, and which consulate did your application have to go to??

Thanks!

I mailed everything out to Chicago on Wed., Nov. 19th, it was received at 8:01 AM the next morning, and I got the email the morning after that. So it's been 13 business days and I was told I'd have it before Christmas (which would be 21 business days). Not bad at all....

Congratulations-it must be a relief!

What email address did you use?  I have been waiting 22 business days now without a peep.  I sent a fax to Chicago a week ago and no reply, so thought I'd give email a try.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

May I ask, how long did you both take to get your supporting documents together for the visa?  I'm wondering if my fiance and I should start after the New Year, because we're getting married here at the end of March, and want to file for the visa a.s.a.p. while he's still in the States.

It took me and DH about a month to get all the documents together.  Mostly because he would forget to post something to me that I needed, etc.  I may have overdone it, but I had the following documents ready to go, and made sure official documents were either originals or certified copies:

phone bills (we sent in 3 months worth)
bank statements (again, 3 months worth)
emails, print out inboxes to show contact
a few photos together (not too many, you don't want to overdo it!)
flight ticket stubs
any other evidence of contact - I printed our Skype history
his letter of intention
P-60 or paycheck stubs
letters from employers
tenancy or mortgage contract
your letter of intention
divorce decrees, if applicable to you
both birth certificates
marriage certificate - original (it specifically stated original on the document request they sent to me, the divorce decree and birth certificates were certified copies)
passport-sized photos of yourself for your application
I also sent my cv and collegiate transcripts so they would know I would have employment prospects, but that is up to you. 

and it's a good idea to make copies of everything that you are sending, so you can keep them for yourself, in case your package (God forbid!) gets lost.  Keep in mind you will have to send both of your passports in with the application, so he may be in the states for a few weeks waiting for that to be returned.  Good luck!!!

May I ask, how long did you both take to get your supporting documents together for the visa?  I'm wondering if my fiance and I should start after the New Year, because we're getting married here at the end of March, and want to file for the visa a.s.a.p. while he's still in the States.

Since my husband lives here with me (he's a dual citizen) it was easier for us to gather everything over the course of a few days. I think it took less than a week for us.

Included in my package was:

-my old and new passport (I had the new one with my married name issued before I applied)
-original birth cert. (just mine)
-original marriage cert.
-4 months of my bank statements
-a letter from my husband, authorizing his sponsorship
-a copy of his passport that I made on my computer
-a letter from DH's aunt stating that we are intending, and invited to stay in her home until we find a flat of our own
-Telephone records (a year's worth)
-Passport photo (possibly the worst one of me ever taken)
-Completed and printed out online app with biometrics stamp on front


And my IO requested the following yesterday:

-the mortgage/deed to my DH's aunt's house
-Pay slips or a letter of employment verification from both of our jobs


HTH!