I-130

Hi Everyone,

Yes, that is good news for us who filed before the 4th of May.  Although bad news that they will be closed for a week.....Oh well, we've waited this long.  The email address is londonconsular@state.gov, I hope this helps.   They are really good in responding quite quickly.

Thanks for the info.

Mel

A whole week...what's that about? 

I guess that's going to hold up our interview now...does anything ever go quickly for us?

Well Mel...you shouldn't have long now at least!

I've been following everybody's progress because I'm repatriating with my Brit husband too...

I wonder why they are closed for a whole week?  At the moment, we're waiting for my husband police report.  Once we get that, we can send off the form saying we're ready for an interview.  We should be able to do this soon, but if the immigration office is closed, I wonder what their backlog will be when they return.

We were hoping to get an interview by the end of August, which might actually be within about two weeks of selling our house...

It's always something!  More insomnia awaits me!

Hi Kellie8yearsinUK,

I too was watching everyone's progress. Since it appeared to be pretty slow I took the chance and ordered the police report around the same time I sent all my docs to the embassy. I figured the police report had to come back within 40 days (its their limit to get back to you) and seeing that it was much faster than that I took the chance and began the embassy process. We received the report within 10 days or so. I was prepared with everything but the police report the day I officially filed.  I am glad I did given the fact that I received a post card stating it would be a 12 week wait.

As for being closed for a week, I was surprised to say the very least!! It seems that when you go through the immigration process on either side its a big waiting game.....yet we all have lives we want to move forward with.

Julie

  At the moment, we're waiting for my husband police report.  Once we get that, we can send off the form saying we're ready for an interview. 

I would suggest sending it now - the report will be there soon enough!

Just wanted to say ditto to what missy_jx2 said.

Send the form now. The police report doesn't take that long and you'll certainly get it before your interview.

We got the police report in about two weeks. They say it takes up to 40 days but other people I have spoken to about this found, like us, that it took a lot less than that.

Laurie

Well good news that theyre processing from May now. Maybe theyre off for a week to focus all the office efforts on processing the backlog of documents.

MelB, shouldnt be long for you now - case numbers are a good sign! *fingers crossed* how goes the house selling?

Hey  Marsbar,

Well, there is a story to this, but we did sell the house.  We sold it for just under the asking price.  How is your sale going?  At least you got the really nerve racking part done, with the visa and all.  We have also found a house in S.A. that we really really like, so I hope the interview date comes really soon.  We are thinking or more less hoping on leaving here in the middle of Sept.  Hubby says that there is no reason for us to be hanging about after his friends wedding (that he is best man in)....YIPPEEE!!! I didn't think that was going to come out of his mouth.  Major shock.  Well, hope all is well, we are doing fine here.

Take Care,
Mel

Glad to hear that you sold! When do you close? Our sale goes not at all. Had a nice viewing about 2 weeks ago but nothings come from that. But one never knows if the woman will come back for a second viewing as they near the sale of their own house. fingers can only be crossed at this point in time. thanks for asking.

take care everyone

Hi Marsbar,

How is it going.  Well, we are not quite sure when the closing is, I am kinda hoping for the end of Aug.  Today we recieved our NOA.  How much longer do we wait for the interview date to come through.  Well at least we are one step ahead.

Mel

Hello MelanieB,

I too am in the process of selling my house and waiting for an interview at the embassy.  We too are hoping to close on the house in August and get an interview around the same time.

Have you exchanged on your house yet?  I don't know about you, but I'm finding doing the two things together quite stressful; it keeps me up at night because my brain just spins and spins.  I'm a coffee addict and I don't think the vast quantities of caffeine helps...

And MarsBars:  Any news on your house?

I hope that everything goes smoothly for everybody.  I think it does help to know that people are experiencing the same things...

Good luck all!

Kellie

Hi Kellie,

Mel here.  Yes, it is doing my head in, with the sale of the house and the visa thing.  Have you recieved your NOA? 

We haven't yet closed on the house, the paperwork is just now going through.  I wish they could push it through a bit quicker here.  It is a bit strange how it is done, but I guess just as long as it gets done, that would be one less obstacle that we have to encounter. 

We're also talking to Wells Fargo in the US ref. a mortgage over there.

Hiya gals.

Mel, congrats on getting your NOA! You sent in your checklist for the DS-230 right? If so, give them a week or so to hook up your I-130 approval and your DS-230 and you should have your interview date in a month-ish and a half depending on how quickly theyre processing. From the date you get your interview letter, the interview could be anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks away. Lets hope those estimates are right

No news on our house yet. No real news anyway. Martin and I have decided to see about putting it up for Auction. The next auction would be in September and once the gavel goes down its a binding contract that has to be completed within 28 days. So the finality of that would suit us really well. A chap is coming round on Monday eve to tell us about the process. Fingers crossed it'll work out.

Btw, we're looking into Wells Fargo too lol. I can so see an ad here - "wells fargo, choice of the american repat"

WEEEE!!!!!!!! *CHEER* Just to say again, CONGRATS!!!

Brooke / Laurie!! Maybe you'd better email the embassy or have someone keep an eye on your post while you guys are together!! It shouldnt be long now hopefully. Fingers crossed. Laurie, when are you back?? Hope everything is ok there.

Hello from San Diego  ,

Congratulations to Melanie B on getting your interview date...YAY! 

After reading your post we decided to send an e-mail to the embassy last night. We received a reply this morning saying:

"You have been scheduled for a visa interview at 0800 on 30 July 2004 and a letter and further information have been sent to you today."

  Wow!!  That's just 2 weeks away!!

We are very pleased  , but shocked at how soon it is... We had expected a little more notice.

I am back from San Diego on 26th....4 days before the interview    I have scheduled an appointment with my doctor for 26th to get the innoculations I need and Brooke is flying over on 29th. She is returning to San Diego on 2nd August and because of the short notice the flight is costing $1900! 

On a side note, when I flew here I was armed with a letter from Brooke's father's doctors, letters from my employers and a rental agreement to show immigration, as I was very nervous about flying here with a pending visa. When I got to immigration they asked me...What was the purpose of my visit...how long was I staying...then they said "Welcome to the United States"...THAT WAS IT!! They never even looked at any of my paperwork.  Oh well, better to be on the safe side I suppose..

Obviously we are enjoying our time together, but unfortunately her father has taken a turn for the worse and his doctors are not allowing visitors at the moment.

Thanks Sarah (MarsBar) for thinking of us 

We will of course let you all know how the interview goes.

Laurie & Brooke