ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomDS-230
Remind me what is on page 3 & 4


QUOTE (Chorley80 @ Mar 9 2008, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just a quick question, in the instructions for packet 3 it states only complete pages 1 & 2, do I send all 4 pages back or just the first 2? I thought perhaps they may ask me to fill out 3 & 4 at the interview.
Thanks

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 20:03:00
United KingdomUK Qualifications query
BTEC Advanced translates into an Associates Degree. Most jobs will favor the experience over the qualifications. Associates Degree is not a million miles off a Batch (Batch is the next stage up) and with 12 yrs experience I don't think he has much to worry about.
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 20:11:00
United KingdomQueries about interview
I have to be honest and say I didn't even measure mine. I just took them in one of those booths in Boots. God knows what size they were but on my Visa it was cropped down.

If you can though, take others advise and redo them there. If not don't panic as I am 100% sure mine were not US size and as long as they aren't going to loose half your face they can be cut down.

Good Luck, although everything I am sure will be fine.






QUOTE (KJC @ Mar 19 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just got back from a photo place that takes passport pictures (British ones), they looked clueless when I asked for American passport pictures, but when I said it was basically just a 2 inch squared picture they tried. But after getting home I measured the size of the head... the specifications say that from the top of the hair to the chin must be no more than 35mm, but it is 40mm. Will this present a problem? I don't really have time to get new ones done today as I need to sleep before the long bus journey down to London.

I don't have photocopies of my passport or police certificates... I just remembered that I might have read somewhere that I need photocopies of these. I already have a copy of my birth certificate, so that is fine. Will this be a problem?

I have all my paperwork (probably far more than I need) in a big padded A4 envelope which has 4 envelopes within dividing up the paperwork, ie. evidence, copies, afft stuff, forms + appointment letter. This wouldn't be a security problem would it? Don't know if padded envelopes are off limits. I will leave my backpack at left luggage at the bus station.

I think other than this, I am ready wacko.gif

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-19 13:33:00
United Kingdomlondon interview - reporting back :)
Congratulations hun! smile.gif
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 19:36:00
United KingdomHelp regarding closing UK bank account and opening one in US
I opened a bank account with Fifth Third in Ohio without a SSN. I showed them my Visa and they were able to process it without the SSN but asked me to provide it when it arrived. I finally got mine the other day so just need to advise the bank. If you log into internet banking you just need to put in your card number rather than your SSN to log in (same goes for making calls to the bank).

As far as taking your money from the UK to the US. I transfered mine to my partners US account. To do this you need to physically go into your bank (you will need the bank you are transferring to account no, IBAN no. etc). Call your bank and ask them exactly what they need to bring in to make the transaction. Fill the form in, pay a fee (mine was about £20 regardless of how much you are moving - receiving fee was about the same my partners end but it varies from bank to bank) and your money can be moved. Think it took a couple of working days certainly no more than five.

I would advise keeping your UK bank account open (even with just a small amount in incase you decide to move back with your partner or if you want to visit the UK you already have an account). Most UK banks will accept an international address so I get info sent to me in the US.

Although HSBC have branches worldwide they are NOT linked in regards to if you have a UK account you still need to apply the same way for a US one.

Hope this helps.


QUOTE (Meg and Grae @ Mar 13 2008, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey guys,

Ive banked with the HSBC,here in the UK for about seven years now.I asked them if i could close my UK account and reopen one (with the HSBC) in the US for when I move there.They said it takes four weeks and that they could have one set up for me no problem.

My understanding is that you cant open a bank account in the US until you are in posession of a social security number,which takes a while to get.So if thats the case what am I to do with my account?.I dont want to go and leave my UK account open in the UK.What do you do,carry your entire savings over to the US in your pockets?.
Can anyone shed some light on this?.


Thanks

Grae

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 19:54:00
United KingdomUS/UK equivalents
http://www.britishfoodshop.com/

Get it shipped to your door.

Expensive but you will find it's about the same as the US British stores.
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 17:09:00
United KingdomUS/UK equivalents
If you have a Kroger in your State they sell PG Tips.
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-04 18:21:00
United KingdomUS/UK equivalents
Pringles do a 'Select' range chips now which are gourmet and they are like Walkers Sensations... Actually they are better!

Most places have a Worldmarket or English store for the things you can't live without, you just need to Google or ask around. I live in Dayton and we have one so the rest of you should be fine smile.gif

I'm sure I read someone posting here that Target was the equiv to Topshop.......I have no idea what Topshop they were shopping in but it's not even close!

H&M is over here though in some places.

I agree with the earlier post, Boots is a distant memory when you have Sephora!
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-04 13:09:00
United KingdomHow did everyone meet?
Mine's kinda rock and roll but nowhere near as glam as it sounds. I met Matt when his band at the time was touring the UK and Europe. We became friends and things developed over time.

Edited by LeahJane, 18 March 2008 - 08:21 PM.

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 20:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 sent directly to the Embassy in the UK
Hi all

My fiance does not meet the specified poverty line to act as my affidavit for the K1 visa so his father has agreed to be the co-sponsor. His father wants to send the I-134 directly to the Embassy though in the UK rather than to me to take along to the interview (they do say you can do that on the sheet).

Just wondering really if anyone else has done that? If so there were any problems?

He is enclosing a covering letter stating my case number etc and sending it registered post. Just concerned as the I-134 is the only thing holding me up sending the checklist in for my interview.

I will send the checklist in when he confirms it has been posted and signed for my end by the Embassy. I will also enclose a letter stating the I-134 was sent directly to them, but will they confirm they have it & advise it is with the rest of my file, before going ahead and giving me a date?

Just got this feeling I will turn up for the interview and they will say they never received anything or it's held in another office/department.

Any advise would be great. Thanks guys

Leah
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-13 16:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCO-SPONSOR QUESTIONS.

Hello, we need your help :) My Fiancé (US citizen) works as a Substitute teacher through Temp Agency, but summer is coming, so he will not work during summer (due summer holiday in schools), but it will give him more time to look for permanent job as a teacher what is good. As he works as a Substitute teacher we decided to have a co-sponsor for me during US Consulate process. Lady who is very close friend of my Fiancé family asked if she could be our co-sponsor, so it can be her wedding gift for us. She is a famous doctor and has a permanent job. So my question: will be this problem with US Consulate when I will go there for interview for K-1 visa- will they ask me why his parents don’t do that, but not relative does it? Just want to be well prepared :)

Thank you

They wont care who the co-sponsor is as long as they meet the requirements, after all this is a legally binding contract she will sign and is tied to it. I wouldn't mention it being a 'wedding gift' though if they were to ask. Using a co-sponsor only states they have to meet the requirments, they can be friends or family. If they were to ask (which they wont) why you are using a friend not a family member you can tell them that she is in a much better financial position to his family and her job is very secure. I am also using a co-sponsor.

Good luck
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-11 00:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon medical at Bentinck Mansions

Hello all. I'm sure there are now plenty of descriptions of what happens at your medical in London, but I just thought I'd give you the heads up on my experience from a couple of days ago.

I was able to book my medical for a specific day and time (Wednesday, 3:30pm), which is handy for those of us for whom its difficult to get time off work. I was given an appointment at the Bentinck Mansions practise. I booked the train from Birmingham well in advance so I got cheap tickets on Virgin. I allowed two hours each side of the appointment when booking. This turned out to be plenty (too much) time.

The practise is easy to find - a 5/10 minute walk from Bond Street tube station. The map given in the mailing that the London embassy sent out wasn't too clear, so I printed out my own version from Google Maps using the postcode given - this was more then sufficient to find the practise, and I'm a bit scatty when it comes to directions.

You'll know when you're in the right area, as Jags, BMWs, and Mercs abound(!)

I arrived in London with loads of time to spare, so I wandered around Oxford street for a bit. By the time I got to Bentinck Mansions I was seriously over-caffeinated.

Upon arriving I handed over my documentation (passport, immunisation record, etc.) to the receptionist and was directed to the waiting room. After a few minutes I was asked to fill in some paperwork: the first was basically a duplicate of the medical questionnaire supplied in the embassy mailing plus a few extra tick boxes, and a declaration to say that I understood the implications of having an HIV test (scary).

The couple of other people in the waiting room looked a little grumpy - all men, so we did the man thing of avoiding eye contact and pretending we were all looking forward to being poked and prodded on behalf of the US goverment. Yeah right.

After a couple of minutes I was called by a nurse to discuss my immunisations. My records consisted of a print out from my local surgery of my official records, and a school medical record card, as the latter detailed some jabs not listed in the official record (boarding school). I explained that I was allergic to one of the necessary jabs (hence I had not had it since I was about 5/6 years old). The nurse said that this would not be a problem, and noted it down. I needed a MMR booster, and I volunteered to have it done right there (£30) for the sake of having all the paperwork in order. All done in five minutes, and then it was back to the waiting room.

Next, I was called for my chest X-ray. The radiographer was very nice and the X-ray only took five minutes. Back to the waiting room.

The other men were there again, clutching their blood test arms, but we still did the man thing of avoiding eye contact.

Lastly, I was called for my physical inspection. The doctor was very nice, and put me at ease right away. She verified some of my answers from the questionnaire, then had me read from an eye chart. Easy. Then I had my physical - genitals looked at (just a very brief look, not the cough test guys!), throat inspected, and general skin condition assessed. I had my blood pressure taken (normal, amazing given the amount of coffee I'd had) and then the blood test (done very well, no bruise!). As I have a history of asthma I had to do a peak flow test (blow down the tube) - no sweat as I play tuba. I must have looked worried, as the doctor told me not to worry, that I had passed the physical. I said that any form with the USCIS insignia on made me look worried.

Then that was pretty much it. I got all of my paperwork back, including a reciept for the MMR jab and a copy of the official immunisation record for the visa. The whole appoinment only lasted about 40 minutes (I think I was the last one of the day) - it started bang on time, too. Note that they now charge VAT on top of the quoted price (I was informed of this over the phone when I booked the appointment). What? You were expecting something to be CHEAP in the visa process?!

All the staff at Bentinck Mansions were polite, friendly and professional, and put me at ease right away. Thankyou folks, you made a stressful medical a lot easier!

Hope this info helps! Don't worry, I was all worked up about it and it wasn't nearly as bad as all that.


Got mine in three weeks, thanks for the heads up :)
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-15 01:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionk1 Co sponsor Do I also have to show w2 forms?
I can't be 100% sure but based on my personal experience at K1 and AOS stage it was fine.

I had a co-sponsor as my husband did not have all the information required or meet the poverty line. The co-sponsor forms and information required were 100% in line with what they were asking (tax forms, pay slips, bank and employer letter etc) whilst my husbands were missing periods and all over the place. We basically put together what we could for my husband and sent a completed all in order co-sponsor pack and at the K1 interview I had no problems.

In addition when I applied for the AOS we did the same thing, put together what we could for him but ensured a completed and full co-sponsor pack, again no problems all approved.

As to can you dissolve the co-sponsor and become the sponsor when you meet the requirements I am afraid I have no idea, someone else will have to pick that up.




QUOTE (Dan K @ Mar 21 2008, 06:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,
I have a Co sponsor who meets all of the income requirements? I have not had to file taxes for the last 3 years. Does this matter as long as the Co sponsor meets all the requirements?

Can I be the sponsor say in 3 years if I met the requirements of sponsorship and then no longer have a co-sponsor?



Thanks,
Dan K

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-21 01:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestion about co-sponsor.....pls help!
Yup also used a co-sponsor and as long as all the forms and info meets the guidelines and are in order no problems smile.gif
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-21 01:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCurrent Status: Card production ordered.
Mine was exactly like that and I was confused as hell. In fact I got four of them over two days for my application for the Green Card.

Must be their new way of doing it for Green Card applications and lifting restrictions.

Basically all approved and on its way.




QUOTE (NatalieC @ Mar 19 2008, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the topic may sound like a silly question. i was curious last night and hadnt checked online for a few months, so i decided to, then our net went down so i went to bed

i logged on this morning and in my email i had an update from CRIS, butit left me confused

it noted

_______
Application Type: CRI89, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED
Current Status: Card production ordered.

On March 18, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you.
_______


only reason im confused is because with all other case status info ive gotten it has said something to the effect of "case status approved" then again with all my other applications, the site never updated properly,or at all.... i usually got things in the mail before i got any email if i got one. im just wondering if this is a very delayed temporary 1 year card to replace the "we've received your application" notice we got back in december

anyhow if any of you got a case status up date like this or simliar to this, please feel free to let me know if this was indeed an approval or a temp card. WO interview.

im sure the card will appear in the mail in the next couple of days and that can confirm if for me, but im still curious!
thanks!

Edited by LeahJane, 19 March 2008 - 01:58 PM.

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-19 13:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 on May 3rd, but no

Hi everyone,

I'm happy to report that my K-1 petition was approved on May 3rd!

However, it is now May 11th and I have yet to receive my NOA2 via regular mail. There was only a 3 day gap between my NOA1 notice online to receiving in via mail. I'm only concerned because I think I'm supposed to send a copy of my paper NOA2 to my fiance for her interview.

I'm wondering if others that got their approval around the same time are in a similar situation. If so, please let me know so I don't worry. Also, does anyone know if it is possible to get another paper NOA2 issued if there was a problem and the original was lost?

Thanks!

(Sorry for the unintelligible subject line...


Ours took nearly two weeks to arrive. I don't think you actually need a copy of it anyway for the interview as the file can't be opened by the embassy until USCIS has contacted them and told them it is approved. I would just call them Monday if you have not received anything to put you mind at rest.
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-12 06:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAPPROVED UK!!!!!
Yay got the K1 visa approval from the USA embassy in London no problem on Friday 3 August 2007.

Jetting out start of September.

Anyone who wants a blow by blow account of how the final process goes in the UK or if they are from the UK and have general questions message me.

Edited by LeahJane, 06 August 2007 - 11:55 AM.

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-08-06 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTwo Very Quick Questions
My case went through the London Embassy last yr so I don't know if it's any use but feel free to check out my timeline for a rough guide.
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-18 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsi can't believe it!
Congratulations! smile.gif
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-21 02:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMedical exam
Good luck with the results and interview smile.gif


QUOTE (Erika&Justin @ Apr 8 2008, 03:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Today i had my medical exam and it was easy she only orden 3 vaccinations good.gif it was because im after 27 years if your are behind these years you need more vaccination and you can spend more than S/700.00. Im happy because im 28 years old kicking.gif now i can hide my age blush.gif
Now i need to wait for my result this wednesday and for interview blink.gif
Pray! Pray!

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-07 21:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa in hand, flight booked
Great news, Congratulations! smile.gif


QUOTE (jzay @ Apr 8 2008, 01:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey you all

It's time for stage 2. Just thought I'd let you know I picked up my visa and supporting documents today and my flight is booked for the 18th kicking.gif cant wait.

God bless

LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-07 21:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Approval notice Expired

Hi

My interview is scheduled for 3 August 2007 in London but the I-129F Approval Notice (I-797) expires 27 July 2007. I have read posts where people have emailed the embassy for an extension but that service is not available in the UK.

I have also read the Embassy automatically extends the notice, anybody experienced the same in the UK and can offer advise on what to do?

Thanks
x


I would count on automatic extension by the Consular Officer. The exceptions are when they find reasons to recommend denial. Otherwise it's so routine they do it for nearly every petition they see.



Thank you to both of you for the response. Really appreciate it. :)

L
x
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-24 16:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Approval notice Expired
Hi

My interview is scheduled for 3 August 2007 in London but the I-129F Approval Notice (I-797) expires 27 July 2007. I have read posts where people have emailed the embassy for an extension but that service is not available in the UK.

I have also read the Embassy automatically extends the notice, anybody experienced the same in the UK and can offer advise on what to do?

Thanks
x
LeahJaneFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-24 08:11:00