FlyingForFun,
I paid my deposit to NAC back in October and received the I-20M form (the yellow one) together with the letter to the Immigration Counsel within the post two weeks later (beginning of November). They have also added me to the ISEAS computer system. Without these and being entered onto the computer system you are not able to apply for a visa.
Although I was then ready to apply, I didn't apply for the visa before christmas as I'm not going until the end of April so thought I would wait until the new year. However I spent nearly half a day reading up on the M-1 visa application process on the US Embassy website and filling in the required format hat I had printed off.
As I had some spare time and checked the US Embassy website to check if any of the process had changed and found that an interview is required, I called the US Embassy on Tuesday and they gave me the earliest interview date which was the 28th of January. Before then I should have through the post a paying in slip that I am required to pay into the bank before my interview (£67 non-refundable application fee).
As far as I am aware the visa should be approved and issued within a couple fo days after the interview.
I was speaking to someone who had their interview yesterday and he said that his interview was quite a relaxed affair, about 10 minutes in total. The worst part was waiting around for an 1 and a half hours for his number to be called out. They also informed him that his application was successful and they would be sending out his visa yesterday evening. (I'm not sure if he has received it yet though). However I am not sure if this is normal as they do say on the embassy website that it will take a couple of days to process the application.
So in total the process has taken me 10 weeks, probably a total of 3 months by the time it has been issued. But I am sure you could get the process down to 4-5 weeks if you don't delay it like I did!!!
I will provide more information after my interview/visa has been issued.
Hope this helps.
Charlie Zulu
PS. What course are you thinking about going over to the USA for?
Last edited by Charlie Zulu; 17th January 2003 at 11:45.