ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomPOE paperwork

We still have the Xray. Just in case.

I agree, make sure you get the I-94. They actually stapled that into Annies Passport. Our POE was Dublin, which I thought was wierd. It did make things easier though.

Not so wierd--Dublin and Shannon airports have IMMIGRATION (but not customs :( ) PFI's. You can think this way: "reassured that I don't have to talk to imm official AFTER being jetlagged and then being told to go back (once you clear immigration at Dublin or Shannon, you CAN't be sent back)". Admittedly, it still has the flaw of dealing with customs when jetlagged/fatigued.
Saddle BroncMale02006-09-25 14:41:00
United KingdomPOE paperwork

Hi Everyone.

I am flying out to San Francisco on Friday to start my new life in the USA.

I had a couple of things i was unsure about regarding the POE:
Do i have to hand-carry my XRay (as well as the sealed brown envelope) ?
Also, do i still fill-out one of those I-94 (Visa Waiver Program) forms on the plane??

Thanks in advance!
Oh, and any other tips to prevent me from looking like fool would be welcome!

:D :D

as boiler said. BTW, it's a plain-jane I-94 not the I-94W (visa waiver, green) which you fill out now.
Saddle BroncMale02006-09-25 11:00:00
United KingdomJust had a sudden craving

I have to stock up on curly whirlies for my wife


:lol:

The thought of only having hersheys available gives me the gibblies! :P

Why do you think I so oft call it "cursey's"? :lol:
Saddle BroncMale02006-09-30 08:59:00
United KingdomJust had a sudden craving

I would kill for one right now.
Especially the curry flavoured one.

Are those the same as the "Maggi" noodles I see all-the-time in desi stores?
Saddle BroncMale02006-09-29 09:08:00
United KingdomApproved
congrats
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-06 07:52:00
United KingdomPOE

First of all...lets get one thing straight. I am not a moron. In fact, I use to live in Canada most summers all through out my childhood...so YES I HAVE travelled through Canada and YES I have travelled from Pearsons airport and have had NO problems what so ever. If you read my question again, you will see how I have put that Toronto is an hour and a half drive from where I live which is Lockport NY which is like 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. I was asking if that was an acceptable means of entering.

LJ

Your post here was redundant as I'd already answered your earlier one. To paraphrase, "yes, it is acceptable so long as you don't mind the headache of clearing two sets--Canadian AND US--customs and immigration". (earlier one below)

What about flying in at Toronto??? Would that be suffice???The toronto airport is only an hour and half from where I live and it is the cheapest way for us to fly.

I would suggest Montreal with its three-star from Globe And Mail magazine, over Pearson's (Toronto) ZERO (undeniably worst airport in Canada) for each of the last 15 years running (and that magazine is published in Toronto).

Also, you need to waste time clearing Canadian customs (before heading to the US Destinations PFI) in both of these airports!


Reinforced in the thread below (from the "travel before getting GC", for a Yank-Limey K-1 couple wanting to go to Montreal); I suggested the option of flying THROUGH Montreal for "best you can get of both worlds" scenario.

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=33274
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-28 16:09:00
United KingdomPOE

Bit rude there.

I've travelled many times to Canada & I didn't know that.

It's not wrong to assume you are not ENTERING the US...it IS another country after all.


And, in fact, US and Canada are not transit-friendly (even though JFK and Logan have been used often for transit to Canada and correspondingly Pearson and Dorval are used for transit to US). Either way, you have to clear customs and immigration of the country which you ARE NOT staying in--which can be a serious migraine--which was why I stated earlier that it would probably not be a good idea.
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-27 13:08:00
United KingdomPOE

What about flying in at Toronto??? Would that be suffice???The toronto airport is only an hour and half from where I live and it is the cheapest way for us to fly.


Toronto...the one in Canada? You can't enter the US if you don't *actually* enter the US :)

You could fly into Toronto and cross the border into the US by road, this is an acceptable way to enter.

Good luck! :)

It's obvious you've never even travelled to Canada anytime.

I was raised in Calgary.

Toronto has a PFI--so, contrary to your post, one CAN go through Toronto to enter the US (land, clear Canuck customs/immigration, then proceed to PFI and clear US customs/immigration).
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-27 12:38:00
United KingdomPOE

What about flying in at Toronto??? Would that be suffice???The toronto airport is only an hour and half from where I live and it is the cheapest way for us to fly.

I would suggest Montreal with its three-star from Globe And Mail magazine, over Pearson's (Toronto) ZERO (undeniably worst airport in Canada) for each of the last 15 years running (and that magazine is published in Toronto).

Also, you need to waste time clearing Canadian customs (before heading to the US Destinations PFI) in both of these airports!

Edited by CherryXS, 27 October 2006 - 09:27 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-10-27 09:25:00
United KingdomB-2 before K-1 + inadmissibility issues

Hi all. First time post. Over 4 years ago I was convicted for Theft / Handling Stolen Goods. Stupid petty thing, huge mitigating circumstances, community punishment order, not drugs or anything serious. No arrests/convictions before or after

Been to USA several times before this event. Earlier this year was treated to surprise trip to Vegas, only found out about it 2 days before I went - didn't even think about inadmissibility until I came to fill the green form in on the plane - asked American passenger beside me what moral turpitude meant, he said drug, sex or violent crimes. I entered the US and enjoyed a wonderful 4 night holiday.

It is now apparent this advice was wrong. I didn't research before I left.

On top of all that, I met someone in Vegas - we plan to marry and will start the K-1 process in the new year, but I want to visit her family in the mean-time, and want to do it properly via a B-2 tourist visa.

What advice can anyone give me with regard to process and procedure - whether the B-2 is a good idea. I was planning on using an attorney for the K-1 process, but would hope to get a B-2 on my own maybe.

I am a UK citizen, living in England. My fiancee I have known on and off for around 20 years.

I can get good character references, from old probabtion officers, councellors, heads of business etc. I am a good guy, honest!

How about meeting in Calgary? Nonstop flight connexions to Heathrow (for you) and Vegas (for your GF)--and NO VWP/B-2 issue.
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-30 06:32:00
United KingdomCheap fare London/St.Louis
How about through another European airport (Schipol or Frankfurt--not-at-all recommending CDG)?
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-30 08:06:00
United KingdomWedding Dresses On Planes

This is a good point. I am planning to take it on a plastic hanger. I will ring Heathrow to double check. Thanks for that thought.


That should work fine, so long as the aircraft has that small clothes-closet.
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-05 13:41:00
United KingdomWedding Dresses On Planes
You've heard of a "suit carrier"? That's probably the best thing for the purpose--as it allows it to be carried pressed and not overfolded.

You can hang the dress (in carrier) in the aircraft's little closet.

Edited by CherryXS, 04 October 2006 - 04:58 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-10-04 04:56:00
United KingdomPOE and 90 day work visa

Is JFK the ony airport that issues the stamp?

:yes:

Basically, you need to weigh convenience (of straight-through flights to destinations other than JFK) vs "do you want to get the 90-day EAD?". It's worst for Canadian K-1 beneficiaries, who will most likely enter US through a PFI; going to JFK as a POE adds considerable expense (formerly, one could do this by taking a one-way domestic trip to Halifax where now one needs to leave Canada and land in JFK from a third country).

Edited by CherryXS, 02 November 2006 - 08:01 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-11-02 07:57:00
United KingdomVisiting the US on Visa Waiver during K3 Process
Again, how about the "outside the box" option of both visiting Canada?
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-01 22:07:00
United KingdomShipping Advice

we did not need the Visa for the shipping


John & Annie,

Who did you ship through?

Thanks everyone for your input!!

Kristina

Perhaps they shipped the stuff as "property of <USC>". For K-3 (and CR-1/DCF), this would certainly seem a feasible alternative.
Saddle BroncMale02006-10-31 13:13:00
United KingdomShipping Advice

...Also, I read in another post that you have to wait untill you have your k3 visa to ship your stuff. Is this true??

Thanks, again!!

Well, whatever type (K-1, K-3, etc) of visa you're getting, it would be a bad idea to ship BEFORE you have it in hand.

Edited by CherryXS, 30 October 2006 - 02:58 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-10-30 14:57:00
United KingdomNext level

Crazy. I have a long long way to go!!! I'll just have to start posting congrats to every one you to the next stage of there visa journey. That should rack up a few posts.


:huh: Umm, does it matter what your post count is?

Quality, not quantity counts, surely?

:no: though Wookie and Ewok do sometimes make issues about excessive bandwidth (without content) usage.
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-15 14:34:00
United KingdomNext level

Crazy. I have a long long way to go!!! I'll just have to start posting congrats to every one you to the next stage of there visa journey. That should rack up a few posts.

Another suggestion--jump to "Off Topic" and post answers (wrong ones WILL boost your post count anyway) on game threads ("continuation of Movie Pong", "who's next", "Second Movie Thread"--although the last is admittedly quite difficult and also rather deep in now).
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-15 13:17:00
United KingdomNext level
There's senior (250 I think) and Platinum (750), then Diamond (2000), then star (5000).
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-15 12:32:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?
Yeah, I remember trying to book a Atlanta-Calgary flight to cover Thanksgiving weekend (day before US Thanksgiving to monday after); it was at least US$300 more than if I went the Friday before (and "bridged" the rest of the week as it would likely not be productive anyway).
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-10 12:12:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?

Thanks for the feedback Tim and Bethanie and Cherry.

A flight from Dublin costs about £150 -£200 more than from London, as well as the extra time it will take.

I'll just fly straight through, however I am intrigued about going through JFK and getting an EAD that you mentioned.

Is JFK the only airport that give it then? Does that mean that when I get married 14 days later I can then work using the EAD stamped in my passport?

Yes to both of your questions.

Edited by CherryXS, 09 November 2006 - 12:53 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-11-09 12:53:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?

I have seen returns from London to San Diego for between £380 - £450. However the cheapest single I could find was £550 going right up to £1200.

It doesn't appear to make any difference if you book the return part 30 days apart, 3 months apart or 6 months apart.

So I have no idea how people have found singles to be cheaper that returns?

I'm still confused as to why I would want to fly from London to Dublin and then on from there. That is going to drastically increase the costs and I still don't understand what are the benefits of going from Dublin?

The one benefit of going through Dublin is that you happen to be closer to home--and can thus face US Immigration (but not customs) while you're fresh rather than jetlagged. If a straight-through flight to San Diego (as opposed to one through Dublin or JFK) is cheapest, go for the straight-through.
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-09 07:49:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?
IMO, the best bet would be a 30-days (or less) booking to US and a later similar US-UK (book the second one only AFTER you have the AP).
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-08 13:54:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?
Usually from what I've seen 6-month returns generally have HIGHER price than one-ways (I haven't checked for UK->US flights recently). So that might put a crimp.

The 30-day cheapest (nonchangeable, nonrefundable) usually ARE cheaper (than one-way).
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-08 13:33:00
United KingdomFlight to USA. Return or Single?

Just looking at flight prices at the moment and every flight I've looked at has been approx £400 - £450 for a return and about £600 for a single. So it appears I may as well book a return. :unsure:

Just wondered what you guys who are already there did. Also if I am to book a return and get married in January, any estimates of when I will have the correct paper work to allow me to fly back to the UK and not have a problem getting back into the USA on my return?

Generally, too long for you to be able to re-use the return-to-UK portion and then re-enter US.

USCIS doesn't mind cheap return tickets used as one-ways (btw, many including myself have also used this approach for one-way domestic flights in US). I used a 30-day (Calgary-Atlanta return) ticket when I got my first TN-1--and didn't receive any grief at Calgary's PFI.

Basically, go for it: book the return and just "lose" the ticket afterwards.

Now, we'll go for the more substantial issue. Do you want to fly straight-through, via-JFK (90-day EAD) or Dublin (PFI, so you're fresher when facing USCIS and activating the visa--though you still have to clear customs in US)?
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-08 11:15:00
United KingdomMailed a petition?

Cheers all! Thanks for the note, Gary. I've watched your progress all this time and you're right - it is interesting to watch another long timer get going. :)

Its helping some to be here in the UK with Chas until Dec 2nd. At least we can say we spent some waiting on the petition together. :) Maybe we'll get another visit in before I come over for the interview. :thumbs:

Or, you can always try the "mutual" visit to Canada (get in Niagra Falls before he can't see both sides at once?)

Edited by CherryXS, 20 November 2006 - 08:15 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02006-11-20 08:14:00
United KingdomMailed a petition?

Thanks all! SO excited. :) Our petition was delivered this morning to TSC. :D :D

Kayz, I'll add you to my list of ones to follow!


The race begins... Mine was delivered yesterday to NSC..... We will see who gets to CSC first!!!

Methinks you mean NVC?
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-18 10:49:00
United KingdomMailed a petition?
Godspeed on your vacation and process Tracy!
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-14 13:44:00
United KingdomLondon Airports?

Driving from Central London to both airports, as I have flown out of each, I have found Heathrow to be much closer, but that's my opinion. Keep in mind, that's in a car.

Of course I'm also biased cos I was once detained for 9 hours at Gatwick, so take it fwiw :lol:

How would one be delayed THAT LONG at Gatwick; was it due to mech trouble with aircraft?
Saddle BroncMale02006-11-21 18:14:00
United KingdomWho Killed Diana?

I don't know -- I by no means like Al-Fayed but I kind of like the fact he's kind of a thorn in the side of the British Establishment (the Hamiltons are bigger chopf*cks than he is and I really could give a sh*t about most of the royal family, certainly not their "problems"). At the end of the day, he lost his son and the sniffy attitudes of the press must have really grated at the time.


Not sure how Hamiltons are bigger chop_'s than Fayed (especially as they've been sidelined since 1999). However, I'm no royalist due to the Queen giving Canadians two "gifts which keep on taking" (approvals for Senate expansion, given to Pierre-eh in 1970's/1980's and to Myron Baloney in 1990; she also gave another such "gift" during Cretin's term, but by then I'd already started working in US).
Saddle BroncMale02007-01-11 14:40:00