ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomFrustration with the Grosvenor Square People
When i sent of my packet 3 docs, they lost the entire thing, and after 5 weeks of hearing nothing i contacted the embassy and they sorted it out through emails. I expressed my wish to be in the US by the 30th of may and they did acknowledge this and gave me an interview in time to be able to travel.

You will be given your interview very soon, it seems they are assigning them in blocks.

But when you do get the interview the time will start to fly, it probably doesnt seems like it now but it really does. I feel your frustration, having been through it myself just a few weeks ago.

On Sunday i will be leaving the UK and my interview was only last week.

Seriously, things change very fast at this stage, you go from total "what is taking so long" to "Oh my god, i have so much to do and nowhere near enough time to do it"...

It will all come together.

And in a little of defense for the Embassy people, they do process a hell of alot of people so mistakes will unfortunatly happen, also they have been nothing but courtieous and helpful to me so i have no complaints.

Good luck and im sure all will work out for you.

Edited by nickm, 26 May 2010 - 04:19 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-26 04:18:00
United KingdomUmmm, maybe another stupid question!
Touched can mean many things.. it is basically when something is done with your case file, it can mean it is soon to be approved.. maybe just moved from one place to another. My case was "touched" once and then approved the next day.

To find out you need to sign up on the USCIS internet site and a touch is when the date of last activity changes.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-21 14:59:00
United KingdomBirth certificate
I went along to the registrars office where i was born. Its cost like 7 quid and i had it the next day..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-17 11:23:00
United KingdomMy WEdding cake.

it's lovely. What did you watch / read for inspiration?


The main theme was flowers, and i am a horticulturist so i know flowers pretty well.

Thanks all.. It took ALOT of work.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-18 20:51:00
United KingdomMy WEdding cake.
Yep all myself.. Let me tell you i can understand why they charge soo much for wedding cakes.. however that cost me $80.. :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-17 11:21:00
United KingdomMy WEdding cake.
Hi uk folks,

I just thought i would have a boast seen as how i am feeling very proud of myself..

Look at what can be achived by a total novice, all you need is immigration induced unemployment. :-)

My wedding cake

Edited by nickm, 17 July 2010 - 11:17 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-07-17 11:15:00
United KingdomTourist visa change?
Just read this on the BBC news page.. I thought it may be useful information, even if it isnt really immigration related.

Edited by nickm, 06 August 2010 - 07:36 PM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-06 19:36:00
United KingdomDumb stuff Border Control does
Dumb stuff border control does..

When i came through philadelphia on my K1, after being sent into secondary clearing and waiting for an hour i got everything sorted and headed out to find my fiancee, as i was leaving to go through customs a officer checks my passport and asked "when are you getting married?" i told the guy and he said "thats cutting it a bit fine".
I thought to myself, but its only 26 days away how can that be cutting it fine?

I looked at him in confusion and said, "Why?"

He said "You only have 30 days to get married!" (with a very serious look on his face).

I said " no, i have 90 days to get married"

He looked utterly confused that i had dared to challenge his knowledge, even though he was COMPLETELY WRONG..

He said in a very stern voice "You have 30 days to get married!"

I said again " no, i have 90 days to get married", at this point i was utterly confused by the situation, i was tired annoyed and just wanted a smoke.. dont you just love it how people get when they are wrong.. I opened my passport to my K1 visa where it clearly states 90 days and showed him.. then walked away without further discussion. I was expecting to be dragged back into secondary clearing but nothing happened.. How can he blatently give out false infomation.? :whistle:

All i can say is its a good job they all know the ins and outs of the immigration process :unsure:

Edited by nickm, 08 August 2010 - 09:57 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-08 09:56:00
United KingdomA red letter
I am from halifax, and whilst i cant say much about your issue, i know alot of the people who work in the halifax bank and they are mostly a bunch of monkeys. Jobsworth chickens, a little like the USCIS call centre. All they can do is read from a computer..

There is nothing they can do, so whilst it may be good to pay it back, i dont think you should panic too much...

whats the worst that can happen? a CCJ? unless you plan on going back to the UK they mean nothing..

The agency's are also a bunch of monkeys.. I tried to explain to this one that i was unemployed and had just moved to America so i wasn't currently in a position to pay and he blatently called me a liar and wouldnt listen to a word i said, so i told him they could come and get the money from me and i wasnt going to pay.. :whistle:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-18 12:12:00
United KingdomWHICH LONDON AIRPORT
Which ever is cheapest, both heathrow and gatwick have good public transport links to london city centre..

Edited by nickm, 19 August 2010 - 07:46 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-19 07:45:00
United KingdomJ1 waiver?
I had a J1 from 2006-2007 and i wasnt subject to the 2 year home rule.. it should say in his visa.. or maybe the DS-2019 wether he is required to fulfill the 2 year requirement..

As far as i am aware though its pretty rare for any brit to get the 2 year ruling.

Edit: I just looked at my DS-2019 and it does say ont there if you subject to the 2 year home rule.. It doesnt say on the visa.

Edited by nickm, 22 August 2010 - 09:34 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-22 09:29:00
United KingdomName changing

Gasp! How did you know my 7th grade math teacher called me that! Intarwebz stalker! ;-P


Not just the internet... :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: Just kidding, dont go getting a restraing order or anything.. :rofl:

Im from yorkshire, i call everyone chuck, I learnt it from vera duckworth. :dance:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-31 11:35:00
United KingdomName changing
Thanks chuck.. :thumbs:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-31 05:31:00
United KingdomName changing
Hi folks,

I am after some advice on name changing from anyone who has been through this.

My wife needs to change her name now that we are married, but we are holding off a little becasue we are not sure if she can change her SS card, drivers liscence, bank account etc... but leave her passport as her maiden name until it expires and then change it. its pretty costly to do. She is the USC by the way.

Would leaving her passport as her maiden name cause any problems at POE if we go away?

Also is there an "official" name change process in the states? Like filing a form with an agency?

Cheers

Nick

Edited by nickm, 29 August 2010 - 04:37 PM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-29 16:36:00
United KingdomCan we jump the gun on receiving packet 3 and move things along more quickly?
Everything that has been said already is a perfect guide, i just wanted to stress, get ALL the vaccinations before you go for the medical.. even if it costs a bit of money for the MMR, when it comes time to go through the AOS you are much better off having the DS-3025 completed. It could save you money in Civil surgeon fees and RFE time.

Good luck and hope all goes smooth on your journey.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-07 08:44:00
United Kingdomwatching british tv from usa

Has anybody tried to watch bbc iplayer or 4OD with this site?
http://www.watch-bbc...CFYNl7AodJm2c0A

Just wondered it anyone had any insight on it?


My antivirus didn't like that Expat TV thingy one bit.. So if you do download this i would be careful.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-13 20:26:00
United KingdomBetween NOA2 and Interview - 2010
For the medical the UK sized photos are good, but not for the Embassy, last time i needed some US sized ones i got them from the chemist near to the Embassy, which is mentioned above. 11.99, i think, they cost.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-05 09:37:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

:rofl: and that Go Compare ad is probably the main reason why people in the UK are applying for K1 visas. I'd marry anyone, anywhere just to never hear it again.


You've missed the most annoying advert EVER from this list.. That we buy any car advert... jeeze that annoys me beyond belief.. i would rather pop my ear drums than hear that again..

That advert alone is a good reason to relinquish British citizenship.. :D

I hope you all get along well with your visa's, i am setting off this morning to the airport and will be back with my finacee in a few hours :-) :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Good luck everyone and i will see you in the AOS forum in a couple of months.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-29 23:28:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
I GOT MY VISA.. WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.. Time to book my flight. :-)
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-24 06:46:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Star please :P Approved today hooray!! :D :D :D :D



YAY More approvals, isnt it such a relief when it over !! Congratulations
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-20 08:08:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Any advice about the interview would be so very helpful - Ian is getting a little nervous...

Alright...I'M getting a little nervous...his last round of vaccinations is tomorrow, and he's coming down with a chest cold tonight...so no vaccinations for him tomorrow, and he needs to have his medical in the next 3 weeks...

Anyway, specifically, how crazy do we need to get with the proof of relationship stuff? Pictures, letters from friends, emails, Skype conversations...? We should be good to go on everything else...


I was soooo nervous about the interview, and thats just not like me, but after it is over and done with it was kind of an anti-climax. I had a very nice experience at both stages of the interview and its was very simple and straight forward.

I will write a little review so you and others can see how it went.

I got to the embassy at 8.20am. Got inside by about 8.45am. Was given a ticket number and waited for what seemed like hours lots of N- numbers were called and eventually my number came up. I went to the window and the lady was very pleasant.

She looked through my file and noticed she didnt have all my forms, so i explained that they had gotten lost and she asked if i had the originals and also apologised about losing the ones i had sent in. I handed over the documents and she said she needed to copy them, i siad i had copies if neeeded and she was very pleased about that and also commented on how organised i was and the it was nice to see.

The number one rule in my book is be prepared. I had everything in a folder, with everything labled up with post-it notes and in order. Totally geekish but it really payed off. I saw one lady there and she just had a big pile of documets and was rifleing throught them at the window, the CO didnt look too impressed :-)

I was asked for the I-134 and 2009 tax returns, i had to explain these a little as my fiancee was working in the UK for most of 2009. She said that was ll fine. And they didnt keep the originals just copies.

She asked for my birth certificate and police certificate asked a few other questions.

We had a bit a small talk and i mentioned i hadnt seen my finacee since january and she said ooo that must be hard, and said well your at the last hurdle now.

She gave me my x-rays told me to pay the fee, which was 91 pounds, and bring back the reciept, after that she gave me a courier form, which concerned me a little as it was pink and everyone else that was there had blue, so i guess the pink one is for I-visas.

I sat down again and filled in the pink form, expecting a bit of a wait but almost as soon as i had finished the form i was called up again.

The CO was a very nice man i had to swear the oath and he checked my finger prints, he asked when i met my finacee, i told him it was while i was an intern at longwood gardens and he was very inpressed with that, he knew of longwood. He then asked me about it and asked if i was going to apply for a job. That was when i had the feeling i was approved.

He said he was going to approve the visa, explained about the brown envelope told me i should go pay for the courier and wish me luck.

That was it. After all that it seemed like i had worried soo much over nothing.

It actually turned out to be a very pleasent expereince and the feeling of relief afterwards was so overwhelming i had to go and get a beer. :-)
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-19 04:01:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

YAY!!!! Many congratulations :D Seems like you were in and out pretty quick too!!


I certainly was.. got there at 8.30 and over and done with by 11.. .. easy peasy lemon squeezy.. :-)

I am sat on the floor in kingcross station waiting for my train now.. you gotta love mobile broadband..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-18 06:51:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Sundrop you can add one of those lovely stars to my name.. Approved.. WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-18 05:20:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

How long did it take you folks to hear back from the Embassy after returning the P3 forms? It's a month tomorrow since mine were sent and have heard nothing. And DOS doesn't know anything either. :( Not another call to the 'extortion line' i hope.


I waited 5 weeks and when i didnt hear i called the embassy to find out what was going on, they didnt have my docs so i had to email them..

Maybe wait a little while longer and if still nothing i would certainly call them..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-12 15:51:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Hello ....i dont know where to start i was checking all of the forums but i couldnot get a proper answer so my question is this i got ma appointment on 8 of june 2010 in USCL at i am a bit cofused about I-134 form my fiance she is working part time and her income is 22k and she have a daughter which is totaly dependent on her plus she have savings for about 6k in her account and assests for 10k .....is that enough or not ???? if its not enough den i have 6000 pounds in ma saving account in uk ............can i use ma bank statement as well or not??should this all wil be enough or not i am so so so cofused can any body help me with this matter .....public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif

Thanks


I think you need to look round for the 2010 poverty guildines, they will tell you the requirements for the I-134. I belive for a single person the guide is over 18K a year, im sorry i really dont know what the amount is with a child invloved. The information is around on the forums. :thumbs:

The beneficiary can self sponser but i am not sure of the amount required to do so.. its alot as far as i am aware.

Edited by nickm, 10 May 2010 - 09:48 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-10 09:47:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Hello everyone! Had interview yesterday and was approved :-)
We are moving out in 2 weeks :-)

The interview itself was painless and actually pleasant. The American Consular officer was VERY nice and asked me when we met, when we got engaged and when we are moving to the US. That's it.
I have waited a long time before coming up to the first window, but there was a lot of young kids going for some camp jobs in America. The window number 1 was calling for people with I numbers. That's where my documents originals and copies where taken away. The lady there didn't have any manners and didn't know the words: "thank you" "please" "hello". That was the only one unpleasant thing about the whole experience.
I had one problem with fingerprints and probably did it the wrong way which was my fault...but before she tried to take my fingerprints for the second time she said: " do this in a right way otherwise we will be sitting here forever". LOL Normally I would blow up, but seeing my little girl and my fiance outside the Embassy made me smile, so I didn't get mad at this misreable & very sad person :-)

Good luck to everyone at their interviews
.21457!
:-)


Congratulations!!!!! I would of been suprised if there wasnt at least one grumpy woman in the embassy.. They are in london after all... :rofl:
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-07 11:58:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Woohoo!!!!!!

Move me up the list....after a call to the Embassy to say I had travel dates, they have emailed me my interview date :)

D-Day is June 10th at 9.30am....


It seems they misplaced a few that were mailed around the time we sent in the paper work.. Glad you got it sorted.

Good luck.

Edited by nickm, 06 May 2010 - 08:59 AM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 08:58:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
If my interview appointment is at 9 am.. is 2.00pm a reasonable time to be able to get back to the train station..

How long is average for the interview?
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-02 13:55:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Im not sure how far it is, but my plan is to jump on the tube at kingcross station and get off at oxford circus and walk from there.. its probably a 15 min journey on the tube and about the same walking to the embassy from oxford circus.. i dont know the exact time.. google says walking time is 40mins..

You could change at oxford circus and get the tube to bond street which is about the closest tube station but its hardly worth bothering in my opinion..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-29 15:16:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Anyone got any reasonably close good places to stay for the embassy?


I am just looking at the same and think i am going to go with a travel lodge near kingcross station..

http://www.travelodg...p?hotel_id=258.

For 50 quid for the night its way cheaper than any other i have found.. the ones close to the embassy over about 150 a night..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-29 14:21:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

I'm so pleased for you! What a week you've had. I was feeling bad that you'd not received your interview date and yet sent your documents in before me. Good luck and I hope you get to the states in time.


Thanks, yeh its been quite a week.. but all has worked out so i cant complain.. good luck to you too and everyone with upcoming interviews and such..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-29 14:08:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Holy cow, the embassy sure is being generous all of the sudden!! That's really wonderful!! Super duper happy for you!!


Yeh they are, i nearly fell over when i got the email this morning.. :-) This week has been the biggest emotional rollercoaster ever.. from ultimate dissapointment and sadness on monday to slight relief on tuesday to ultimate joy and happiness on thursday.. What a week..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-29 08:13:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
I finally got my interview date... 18th of MAY!!!!!!! The Embassy accepted my documents by emial and have confirmed my interview by mail and in the email..

I cant say how happy i am right now.. if all goes will i will be back in the states for my baby's birthday.. WOOOPIEEE..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-29 05:46:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Well the three to four days is certainly a rough guide.. I have already received a response and it seems they dont have the forms i sent.. i now have to search high and low for the post office recipt.

On the bright side i have been told i can scan and email the forms to the embassy hopefully that way i can make up for some of the lost time.

Strangly i feel better knowing they dont have the forms, at least i know and im not just sat here wondering and waiting..

Fingers crossed.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-27 11:34:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

Normally they reply in a few days (3-4 is the usual).


I got an email back acknowledging the receipt of the emial, and it said they are averaging 3-4 days to respond..

Do they only log the application at the same time they assign the interview date? and would it show as logged if there is a problem and they send an RFE?
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-27 06:50:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Well my journey seems to have hit a bump in the road, and lost a wheel. I called the Visa helpline and as yet my documents have not been logged into the system, so i still dont know if they have been recevied :(

I was told to email the embassy and was given the code to do so, so i have sent them an email but who knows when i will get a reply. Just when i thought it was all going smoothly.

I think i am going to go bang my head against a wall for a while now, :lol: It certainly looks like i wont be able to make it back to the states for my finacees birthday, which sucks.

congrats to the other interviewees, be that with a touch of jealousy.
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-27 04:56:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Well there is no news from me yet, but i think maybe it is becasue i didnt put a date a intended travel.. missed a trick there.. hindsight is a wonderful thing.

My finacee is going to call DOS to check for an update today and if nothing has changed i am going to call the extorsion line later..


Depending on the date of interview i am going to attempt to change it so i can be back there for her birthday.. hey its worth a try.

congrats to all who got some news and i hope my good news will come along shortly. God knows i need it..
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-26 05:59:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

My sentiments as well, even though we sent our packet 3 stuff back relatively recently.

Seeing a June interview made my heart sink :(


The sinking heart feeling is the worst, i was hoping to be back with my other half for her birthday on the 30th of may, but that is looking like its not going to happen now :-(
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-24 04:14:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
im even more worried that they didnt get my forms after all these people who have recieved packet 4 from dates after mine was posted..

I guess i am going to have to call them to see what going on.

Congrats all those who have got ther interview though..

I want mine now :(
nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-23 14:31:00
United Kingdom2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread
Congrats on getting your interview dates, i posted my packet three the same day as you so i hope that is a good sign for me.. fingers crossed.

Good luck with your interview.

Edited by nickm, 23 April 2010 - 01:30 PM.

nickmMaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-23 13:29:00