biggish data

QUOTE (CGOlivas @ Apr 28 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (buggylifer @ Apr 28 2009, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (GueraKristina @ Apr 28 2009, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rymusic04 @ Apr 27 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello, I still am kinda new to the Visa Jorney website. I have found this to be very helpful, My fiances case was fowarded to the Consolate in Ciudad juarez on april 7th, It was delyaed at the NVC for 49 days for additional Processing!! GRR!! Am i suppose to call Juarez now or when? are they going to send a letter or a package or soemthing? I am not too sure. THanks!

NVC will send you a letter saying that an approved fiance visa on you your behalf is being sent to ciudad juarez to be further processed or something like that. That is when you know that it eventually will be there (and wait a bit before you call so you give it time to get there). They will send you guys a fiance packet, which has the directins of what to do next and what papers you will need for the ciudad juarez interview. DO NOT RELY JUST ON THE PAPERWORK THEY SEND YOU FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alot of the info is missing, so look at the guides or double check with somebody on visajourney before you go to make sure you have everything that you need.

AND alot of people mention a packet, we never got a packet...just a letter!

I second "buggylifer". We only received a letter also.

C

They use to send a packet but not anymore. I guess they realized the material they were sending was too old and people would just print new forms on the website.

If you got the letter then your good to go. Except that the Consulate is now closed and I've heard on the news that they will not be prossessing anymore visas until further notice.

Well nonimmigrant visas (atleast that's what they said) and I'm assuming that a k-1 visas counts as a nonimmigrant visa.

I guess we are going to have to wait a bit longer. They didn't say when they would start to process again, they only said,"until further notice".

I'M DYING HERE!!!

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-28 18:53:00

The Swine flu thing is really scarying me !!!

This morning my fiance read that there are 6 cases already found in Juarez about the swine flu.

He has also been hearing rumors that the consulate will be closing during the whole week

. I'd advice anyone who is getting ready to attend the K-1 interview to call before making the arrangements or just keep posted on news, It would be horrible to come from a far away place just for nothing. Of course all of this is just rumors, things we've heard but have not been confirmed. Hopefully things will clear up soon and we won't have to worry about anything.

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-27 20:23:00

QUOTE (limejello @ Apr 21 2009, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone! Marcos's visa was APPROVED!!! He said it was "a piece of cake"! He was back at the hotel at 9:45 AM (record time, I think!).

Wow!!!!

That is amazing! Congratulations

Very unbelievable that your fiance came out so early but I'm very happy for you. Hope that DHL doesn't take that long and that you can go home soon!

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-21 19:19:00

QUOTE (limejello @ Apr 19 2009, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Guys! We're in Juarez now, at the Holiday Inn Express Las Misiones. It's pretty nice! There's a Denny's very close by where we went to eat and now we're just settling in.

Just a word of warning to those who are flying into Juarez (I know not every situation is like ours, but just so you know). If you are planning on accompanying your significant other to Juarez make sure you have your American passport AND Mexican tourist visa on you!!! My mom accidentally left her passport in Cancun (along with her FMT tourist document) and I called the airline to make sure she could travel with just her license and they said NO PROBLEM. We went through mexico city airport and merida airport with no issues whatsoever. Coming into Juarez (on a national flight, WITHIN MEXICO, mind you) they had (surprise!) an immigration checkpoint where they asked to see our documents. My mom pulled out her license and they were very much against even letting her leave the airport, but we talked them into it. So please, make sure you have on hand your passport and your valid mexican visa even if you are only traveling within mexico. We're having her passport and tourist document overnighted so we don't have a problem leaving juarez (they warned us that she will not be permitted to board a plane without them).

BEST OF LUCK to you and your fiance limejello. We will be praying for you, so that everything goes well. You're one step closer.

GOOD LUCK!!!

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-19 21:42:00

QUOTE (Amy&Aldo @ Apr 17 2009, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (CGOlivas @ Apr 17 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (epifreak @ Apr 17 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know this might be just out of the blue.... but I was reading and thinking about an issue. Has anyone with a K-1 process started working in the US right after they got their visa? Do we have to apply for work authorization or how does this work. Also can I go get a SSN with the K-1 or how do I go through that process. I'm thinking that in order to get a marriage certificate here in el paso. I need a SSN for my fiance but how do we apply for one?

Sorry for bombaring all these questions. There are just so many things going through my head.

1. The K-1 person can not work until the work authorization is approved. But, (this is a BIG but) I think the person can work as an independent contractor. From what I have seen from other people, the work authorization gets approved within a couple of months (less than a year).

2. You can get a social security number with your K-1 visa, the only thing is that, it will have a little note, stating that the recipient can not work until work authorization is approved.

Just an FYI on this subject. If you happen to use JFK airport in NYC as your first point of entry into the US, they will issue you a temporary work authorization stamp in your passport that is good for 90 days. This is typically enough time to receive your permanent EAD. Unfortunately, this is the only POE into the US that does this and it's not very convenient for immigrants from Mexico to use that point of entry. Because Aldo was coming out of Cancun, he flew to Salt Lake City on JetBlue Airlines. They use JFK airport as a layover city, so he was able to get the temporary work stamp.

Something to think about...it may not be possible for everyone to do this, but it was a big plus for us. Good luck!

Thanks CGOlivas, I'll see if I can research that independent contractor stuff if not well we will just have to wait. My fiance was kind of hoping that he could work right away, he doesn't like just being around doing nothing. I know it probably takes like 3-6 months for the work authorization to be approved. He is just going to have to deal with.

To get the SSN do we need to take another form or just taking our passport and showing them the k-1 visa stamped on it would work?

Thanks Amy&Aldo. I had read something like that, problem is ...... lol my fiance is living in juarez and I'm living in el paso. We don't need to use an airplane, which totally sucks because he is going to have to wait to be able to work. But on the other hand its good because we can see each other more often now. I guess we will have to wait. Thanks for everything!

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-19 20:44:00

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-17 17:33:00

QUOTE (vivamex @ Apr 17 2009, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Visa Approved!! She entered at 8 a.m. and was out by 11 a.m. Waiting on DHL now. Too excited to type more. Time for a Michelada!!! I'll post a detailed report tomorrow!!!! Thanks for all of the well wishes and best of luck to all that go down this path after us!!!!

Congratulations vivamex!!!!

I'm glad your waiting time was much shorter than it usually is for others. I bet it's a horrible feeling to be waiting for almost 8 hours (for others that don't get out until 6 in the afternoon) without knowing what is going on with your loved one. Hopefully in the future waiting time may shorten.

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-04-17 15:44:00

QUOTE (cici_ortiz @ Mar 26 2009, 07:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Visa Approved!!! It was easy as Pie at the embassy! The people so nice!! Even the consuler!!! I got out at 11 am becauase there were only half the people there are usally.... Right now I am still wait for the DHL thing !! I will keep you updated and will have a better report when I get back home!!

Congrats!!!

We are anxious to hear your story.

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-03-27 15:12:00

QUOTE (TiRaMeELDeMBou @ Jan 24 2009, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ok everybody i am back in the good old USA, i went to juarez with my fiance on january 20th, we did not receive the appointment letter yet i know it was mailed out because i called the consulate. for anybody in the future who is in this situation this is what you are to do. go to the consulate at 7:30AM this is the time INFORMATION opens. stand in line and present the letter from NVC stating the USA case number and juarez case number. once he enters the number tell him you have not received your invitation letter but know you have been approved for an interview. he will print the letter out for you and you can proceed to the medical clinic for your exams.

on the 21th i went to get my letter printed out and the consulate was closed because they said they were behind on applications and needed an administrative day where no one was allowed in. so on the 22nd we went back and got the letter, then finished her medical exams within 30 minutes !!!. no vaccinations are needed for fiance K-1 Visa. they told her to come back in 1 hour for an interview with a psychologists and we were worried so we went back, then she waited 2 hours and asked how much longer, and they told her it was a mistake she didnt need a psychologist..... what a waste of time. anyways we paid the $148.00 US and went back at 2pm for her results all was good.

our appointment letter had an open interview from 8am to 10am so we arrived at 8am on the 23rd and my fiance diana got on line and entered the consulate around 8:30am. no makeup, liquids or electronic devices allowed inside. i waited outside until she came out at 2:30pm she came out with a tracking number from DHL the consualte said we had to pick up her papers from the DHL center when it was ready. so we kept calling and the consulate had not sent it that day. so the consulate was closed on the 24th saturday, closed on the 25th sunday, and then closed on the 26th for martin luther king day, and on tuesday the 27th DHL had received the packet and we went to pick it up at 5pm and when we opened the packet, it had my fiances papers and the WRONG passport inside. we were devastated and figured how could the consulate make such a BIG MISTAKE ??, the next morning the 28th we lined up at the consulate at 7:30 on the information line. we told the guy how we got the wrong passport in the packet and my fiance went inside. i waited till 11:30 and she came out with the documents from DHL and her own passport with the VISA imprinted !!!! the end of my adventure.

documents the were asked of and required

DS-156 2 COPIES UNSIGNED
DS-157 2 COPIES UNSIGNED
CDJ-402 HER SIGNATURE NOT MINE
PASSPORT
4 PASSPORT PICTURES
MEXICAN ID - CREDENCIAL
FIANCE LETTER OF INTENT 1 FOR EACH WITH NEW RECENT DATE
COPY OF 2007 TAXES
LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT
PROOF OF ONGOING RELATIONSHIP - included pictures and phone records and copies of flight intineraries
PAY STUBS - I BROUGHT LAST 2 MONTHS, THEY CHECKED ALL
when my fiance was asked if there's any more proof of relationship she showed her 1.04ct engagement ring

You didn't need the I-134 form? The letter of employement, how does that work? I've heard that in order to work in the US you need to apply for a sort of permission. Do they give you that permission when you show the letter of employment? Or you can go ahead and start working without permission as long as your employed by whoever offers you that job position. Sorry for my ignorance but I'm a little confused on how it all works. Any help would really be appreciated.

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-03-01 18:23:00

I-134

QUOTE (Anh map @ Mar 20 2009, 09:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (epifreak @ Mar 20 2009, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hope someone can help me since the forums seem to be empty all the time know.

I'm filling out an affidavit of support i-134 for my fiance. I need a co-sponsor one also and my dad will gladly help me, but I had a question on what he needs to put on his affidavit:

Question 3. This affidavit is executed in behalf on the following person:

??? Who does he put, me or my fiance, and if he puts my fiance what shall he put under relationship to sponsor???

Thanks

in behalf of your fiance

relationship> future father in law / father of petitioner

Thanks!!!

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-03-20 22:34:00

I-134

QUOTE (V-G-1 @ Mar 11 2009, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi folks, does anyone know what to put into #7 where it says "Name of Concern"-- would that the be the name of my company I work in?

I think so, at least it makes sense when you read it. That's what I put.

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-03-20 22:24:00

I-134

Hope someone can help me since the forums seem to be empty all the time know.

??? Who does he put, me or my fiance, and if he puts my fiance what shall he put under relationship to sponsor???

Thanks

epifreak

Female

Mexico

2009-03-20 22:21:00

Vietnam

Urgent Help Needed!

Welcome to VJ. It sounds like you missed out on reading the GUIDES section at the top of the page. You missed out on one of the best resources on VJ, they help you get a clear picture of the processes you will go through, and at what stage certain paperwork is required.

Please don't think I'm trying to be mean, but the immigration process for a foreign spouse can be long winded and you'll be filling in forms for at least the next 3 years, so it's better to start reading start-to-end guides and familiarising yourself with how it all works and then, if you have any questions or uncertainties with the forms or evidence, ask your questions. VJ is a friendly place, and you'll get help, if you just help yourself a little.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-19 18:24:00

USCIS Service Centers

processing times

Six months seems like forever in this process, but when you look back you will realise how quickly it goes, especially in the last couple of weeks. Don't set yourself up for regrets when you get here, it's so much harder than you realise. It's great to finally be with your soulmate, but the drawback is that in your excitement to get here, you overlook what you are giving up.

Wishing you an uneventful process that passes as quickly as it can.

thanks for those words and not trying to bash you but do you have regrets just asking based oon what you said

Yes, I have regrets. I lost my mother shortly before we married, and I lost my father 18 months afterwards. Life is a lot more fragile than we realise and once the people we love are gone, we can't make more memories with them. If I'd known time was so limited, I would certainly have made more of the time I had before I moved to the US, instead of being in a hurry to get here.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2012-01-19 15:53:00

USCIS Service Centers

processing times

I am deeply sorry if you guys think i am selfish and yes it is not a month as yet but all i am trying to say is that they should have persons working on the backlogs and different persons working on the recent one therefore they would not have to go over the processing time they should meet. I know i have a long wait and i am not only thinking about me but other persons who petition is backlog and have not recieve their NOA2 as yet. Cause if you think about it when its my time to be approve i would be back log too cause they are still trying to finish the ones they had before. I am just trying to be logically.They need different persons to do that thats all i am saying.

If USCIS were the only agency involved, it would be easier to keep track of, and they would probably be a lot better at updating the status and removing all this angst and hand-wringing.

Unfortunately, they are required to interract with many other departments in order to verify that you aren't someone that America doesn't wish to admit, and that you have been truthful on your application. So, basically, it isn't just the staffing level at USCIS ... it's about the staffing level of the FBI, CIA, Interpol, IRS and various others and any backlog they happen to have, or difficulties they encounter retrieving information. That's just within the US. When they have to wait on verification from foreign agencies .. well, do I really need to spell out how that works?

Quite frankly, for the amount of activity our application files see, I'm amazed that we get off with only paying around $5k total for the whole process. How much more would you be prepared to pay in order to speed your application up? 10, 000? 20? Most of us prefer to wait rather than double, or triple, the costs involved in this already expensive process.

Your time would be better spent enjoying the company of family and friends, and scenery of a country you're going to be leaving behind, rather than panicking about how unfair it is to make you wait. Trust me, there will be a lot of things you'll miss from home once you arrive, so don't squander the time you have by worrying about how long it will be before you can give it all up. Make sure everyone has some kind of video conferencing and knows how to use it, visit everyone, go through your personal items and decide if you want gift some as mementos to your loved ones. Make memories to bring with you. It's often the little things that mean the most when you're here without them.

Six months seems like forever in this process, but when you look back you will realise how quickly it goes, especially in the last couple of weeks. Don't set yourself up for regrets when you get here, it's so much harder than you realise. It's great to finally be with your soulmate, but the drawback is that in your excitement to get here, you overlook what you are giving up.

Wishing you an uneventful process that passes as quickly as it can.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2012-01-19 13:48:00

USCIS Service Centers

CSC file damage is true

Wouldn't it be great if USCIS allowed us to submit everything in digital form. Straight onto a DVD or uploaded. Once allocated a digital file reference, you could continue to upload relevant data for review and it can be reviewed a lot quicker than sheafs of paper bundled, stapled or tied together.

Isn't it great living in the 21st century .. when paperless offices are something that STILL isn't implemented?

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2013-04-03 19:55:00

Lost In Translation

I shocked my outlaws once by saying I was "going for a mooch around the mall". It wasn't until my husband almost wet himself laughing that I realised I'd said something wrong.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2014-05-29 15:23:00

QUOTE (Marty J @ Apr 21 2009, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I posted in the other thread you asked this in, but incase you miss it, they test for HIV and Syphilis.

I would assume they also test for drugs.

EDIT: While I remember, the HPV vaccine is age related. I'm not sure if it's 25 or lower, but they put it forward as a waiver.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 22 April 2009 - 06:03 AM.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-22 06:02:00

Correct on the I-693a, it's now defunct and the DS-3025 is transcribed by the Civil Surgeon, onto another I-693.

I was really lucky to discover the Straub Clinic in Honolulu. They will do the vaccination signoff onto the I-693 for $24.05 without needing the full medical again.

The specialist nurse I spoke to (Elisa) was extremely knowledgeable and went through the completed 693 with me. It turns out that your AoS application ONLY requires the following criteria to be met:-

Tuberculin Skin Test(TST)
Typhoid and Diptheria (Td, Tdap, DTP, DT, DTaP) - optional Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Chickenpox (Varicella)

Everything else is age appropriate (check the CDC website for age specific vaccinations) and goes under the blanket waiver request by the Civil Surgeon.

With multi-part vaccinations, provided you have had the first and the subsequent vaccinations are not due at the time of CS appointment, then they will sign it off and it should be acceptable to USCIS.

Major thing to remember is that the signed off I-693 from the Civil Surgeon must be sealed and signed OVER the seal. It should be addressed to USCIS and marked DO NOT OPEN.

Apologies, I would've updated my original post but was not offered an Edit option.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-19 16:55:00

QUOTE (Laura+Tom @ Dec 8 2008, 02:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for that, but the link to the I-693 Vaccination Supplement - Appendix A doesn't work.

It did when I posted it, but it seems to be Missing Page status this morning. Checking the CDC website to see what they've done with it and I'll update later.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 15:15:00

The K-1 medical itself is very simple:-

1. Provide passport, photo, completed questionnaire at Reception
2. Called to see the nurse, who goes through the vaccination and childhood disease history & gives injections/boosters that you agree to on the day (if any)
3. Chest X-ray
4. Medical - height and weight check; eyesight; heart and lungs; genitalia "peek" check to confirm gender; lymph glands and blood test
5. Reception hand over your passport and the signed, completed DS-3025, while you part with your life-savings or beloved plastic friend

-------------------

Helpful additional notes on this one:-

Although Knightsbridge Doctors give you the DS-3025 (Vaccination record), this is NOT the requirement for the AoS. According to the USCIS notes you are SUPPOSED to be issued with a sealed envelope after the medical but Knightsbridge Doctors don't do this. You will need the I-693 Vaccination Supplement - Appendix A - (available from the CDC website - http://www.cdc.gov/n...-a_693vacc.pdf) and to have it completed and signed by a Civil Surgeon in the US after your arrival (for a fee, of course). List of Civil Surgeons in the US can be found at https://egov.uscis.g...office_type=CIV.

Knightsbridge do NOT do the TB skin test, it is the chest Xray which confirms the absence/presence of TB. The Xray is sufficient for the K-1 visa. You will be given the chest Xray film at the US Embassy if you are approved for the K-1 visa. Keep it safe, as you may need it later for your AoS interview or any required medical.

For any questions you answered Yes to on the Questionnaire, ask your GP to write a letter in advance, clarifying your current status regarding that condition. In the case of depression or depressive stages it needs to include treatment history (drugs, counselling, duration, repeated episodes) and whether self-harm or harm to others was involved. If you don't, they will write to your GP for clarification. If this happens, ask your GP to provide you with a copy of their response so you have it for your AoS interview if required.

Take any vaccination records you have to the appointment. Most GP surgeries are now computerised and offer a summary of your diagnoses and treatments for a small fee (generally £10-15). If you contact the Practice Manager then they can advise in more detail. (This is also a great record for your medical provider in the US for continuity of treatment, rather than starting from scratch and hoping you remember every childhood illness).

For those who are seeking to get their I-693 Supp completed in the US prior to AoS filing: When you contact a Civil Surgeon's office, make sure you explain that it is the I-693 Vaccination Supplement that you want signed off, not the I-693 itself (this tends to trigger the "oh, we can't complete the I-693 without a full medical" response). All it involves is the doctor transferring the details from the DS-3025 to the I-693a and signing it. If you get any further vaccinations (the Varicella is not available in the UK, and HPV isn't always provided before you leave), get details of them in writing, stamped by the medical practice involved and put a copy of it in with your I-693 Supplement (it's often referred to as an I-693a).

Really hope this helps - it's a pain in the butt trying to sort it all out when you're assembling your AoS package.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 07:49:00

Visiting

Take copies of your AoS paperwork with you, to prove that you intend to live in the US. If your hubby is travelling with you and you both have return tickets, there shouldn't be an issue. Everyone's entitled to visit their family, after all.

Just show them previous passport stamps where you've left within the visitor visa period and you should be fine. Have a great holiday!

PS When my husband came to visit me while we were engaged, they held him up for 45 minutes, despite being military and HAVING to return to the US on a fixed timetable; so don't think it's something personal with British Customs.

Oh, and are you intending to file paperwork in the UK as well, in case you want to live there later? Hubby and I are undecided where we will live in future, so are thinking about looking into the UK paperwork just in case.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 19 December 2008 - 04:31 PM.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-19 16:29:00

important travel info, to put in my wedding invites.

It's also worth telling your guests that they must not remove the stapled green card from their passports at any time while they are in the US. Further, when they depart, they must ensure that the stapled segment is handed over to a Customs and Immigration official. This forms part of the visit record and if you fail to surrender it, you risk a possible denial of future visits.

Some major city airports now handle departures with the fingerprint/retinal scan machines (I know SF does), and not all desk attendants at the gates will accept them so it can involve tracking the right people down.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-03-18 06:05:00

To the Brits - do you think everything here in the US is too sweet?

Before you bite my head off, this is my first food rant since joining Vj.

Prior to meeting my husband I was a semi-frequent visitor to mainland US, and found many foods that I didn't like, rather than foods that I couldn't stand the sugar content or sweetness of. I'm not sure if it's because the people I was visiting were predominantly well-travelled Americans rather than the non-explorer variety, but it never seemed that their food was either over processed or overly sweet.

Here in Hawaii, so many foods are drowning in sugar. Bread, ugh, utterly inedible (is there a single Brit who finds it palatable in any way?). I think I miss granary loaves/rolls and French stick more than anything else from home. But, it's improving my cooking skills no end while I master the art making great bread, simply because I cannot live without toast and marmalade with my breakfast cuppa. I not only can't, I won't.

Tea. OMG tea sucks here. I carry a foil wrapped pack of teabags in my purse, just in case. The looks I get when I ask for hot water and a glass of milk are priceless. *evil grin* .. When I run out of supplies, I phone my Dad and beg him to mail me a new box of Yorkshire tea.

I also find that drinks are way too strongly flavoured and highly coloured. When we get drinks in restaurants (lemonade, fruit punch, iced tea), I ask them to pour half a glass and top the rest up with water otherwise it makes me gag. I miss my Tesco's squash drinks, badly.

Just have to share a comment my out-laws made during our rehearsal dinner:-

You can always tell who's cooked - if it was the Brit you get a little meat and lots of veg. If it was the American you get plenty of meat and little to no veg! Heh

Edited by Brit Abroad, 15 April 2009 - 09:40 PM.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-15 21:39:00

THAT miserable receptionist at Bentick Mansions

Blonde Reception Biotch and Miserable Blonde Doctor could be related, for their facial expressions are identical.

Yep, yep .. I know exactly which two people are meant by various posters. My medical was all the way back in August 08, and I remember them well. That's how badly scarred I am from that event.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 18 April 2009 - 03:59 AM.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-18 03:57:00

Customs

If you've applied for your K1, then take your NOA1 and any evidence that supports your intention to return to the US (property lease, letter from work saying you're going to be employed on your return on XXX date, etc).

Most of the time you'll be asked the purpose of your visit, duration and whether you have sufficient funds to support yourself while there. If you have a return ticket, they're not normally too heavy if you're from one of the Western countries. Best bet is generally to give them the truth, but be selective about the information you give. Answer questions, don't volunteer more.

Have a wonderful time in England with your fiance!

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-09-26 00:58:00

Brown Envelope

Congrats Ian and Lisa. Start planning your AoS packet now before the whirl and rush of the wedding. That way, when you get a copy of your marriage certificate, you're ready to file!

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-10-27 11:13:00

Time frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom

QUOTE (JeremyR @ Apr 17 2009, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't you have to show your passport to get through the embassy's security checkpoint? I can't remember clearly (that day is a blur in my memory) but I'm pretty sure I was asked for mine at the checkpoint...

The theory here would be that if they accepted an alternative notarised document, Marm's fiance would have it in writing - either a copy of email or letter or some form of hardcopy acceptance for the interview, so the security people would be able to confirm with the authoriser and allow them through the checkpoint.

I very much doubt they'll accommodate the request, but it's better than not trying at all (and who knows, we may end up with a VJ precedent being set if they do allow it because of the unusual circumstances!).

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-17 18:07:00

Time frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom

Although the US Embassy wants (and needs) to see the passport, I believe it's mainly to establish legal identity with a document issued from the home country so, would it be worth checking if they would accept a notarised photographic document of identity and covering letter from the Pakistani Ambassador at the Embassy for your fiance's K1 interview, explaining the situation, with a copy of his passport particulars (assuming your fiance kept a copy of his passport when he sent the original in)?

Many people have supplied their passport after interviews as a result of RFE's or late medical results, although I'd guess that they originally attended with their passports, so it might be worth a phone call or three.

This is a somewhat unusual circumstance, and something that's out of your control and I hate to see you penalised for it.

Good luck, I hate that you're stuck in this horrid loop, and all haste to your visa!

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-17 06:01:00

High School Diploma?

Also http://www.cie.org.u...tries/usa/faqs/ (University of Cambridge International Examinations)

QUOTE

What are IGCSE/O Levels equivalent to in terms of US qualifications?
O Level, GCSE and IGCSE subjects are roughly equivalent to a US honours high school curriculum. The courses are divided between five groups:
•Languages
•Sciences
•Mathematics
•Humanities and Social Sciences
•Creative, Technical and Vocational.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-11-23 22:53:00

High School Diploma?

Take a look at the recommendation of the British Council.

http://www.britishco...2-education.htm

QUOTE

Grades and Transcripts

The American concept of a school transcript is unfamiliar in the UK. Schools in the UK do not generally rank pupils within their year; currently, the principal standards are the GCSE, SCE and AS and A-Level examination results.

There is no official method of equating British and American primary and secondary educational qualifications. The educational systems are entirely different and attempts to compare them must be done on a strictly provisional basis. However, in general 5 GCSE's or the Scottish Certificate of Education-Standard Grade passes are considered to weigh closest to the American high school diploma.

For more information on English examinations, please visit the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, which is the largest of the three English examination bodies. For information on Northern Ireland’s examination policy, please visit the Council on Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, or for more about Scotland’s grading procedures, you can review the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s website.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-11-23 22:46:00

Drivers License

MOST US states work on the principle that you can drive legally here with a UK driving licence so long as you carry your passport with you at all times. The passport is the key to being allowed to use it, as it shows your date of entry. It's generally a YEAR from that DoE, even if you subsequently get your green card. Once you pass your state license test, they will invalidate your UK licence here by either punching a hole through it or red stamping the reverse that it's no longer valid in the US. I was also told that in some states they will confiscate it and return it to DVLA.

Regarding the insurance: My husband had me bring my UK insurance paperwork and we presented that to the insurer here, along with the paper section of my driving licence (showing no points) and the insurer didn't start me on the "no previous insurance" rate, we got a hefty discount because of my history in the UK. It's always worth trying and asking for credit based on former experience.

EDIT: There was no problem getting insured on the UK licence either, and we extended it for six months as I went home while hubby was training in another state.

Footnote: The problem with retaining your UK licence is that it is technically not legal in the UK any longer, either. Once you are no longer resident, you are not deemed to be entitled to a UK D/L.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 09 December 2009 - 01:30 AM.

Brit Abroad

Female

United Kingdom

2009-12-09 01:28:00