ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United Kingdomworst case scenario - help!
I don't understand, maybe it's just the wedding ceremony they are having, and that's what she means by not sign any papers, I've seen this before, but I may be wrong?
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-08-14 02:55:00
United KingdomNovel ways to keep in touch with your other half! :)
We used to do something similar to the audio books, we would take turns picking books and reading each book to each other. We got through a few books and they seem to be that much more enjoyable. We also played games together, one of our favorites was Battlefield, He used to fly the planes and drop me off to sniper, I couldn't control the planes haha.

We always watched tv and movies together and were on webcam loads. We also watched football, and nfl games together. and listened to music through youtube together. We would cook dinner together on webcam and headset. We did everything on headset together except shower. We slept with headsets on and I was always his alarm clock.

My husband used to send me English candy and gummies, but I only like the cherry ones so he'd buy loads and collect all the cherry ones for me and send me a big thing of all the cherry candies.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-07-20 09:57:00
United KingdomEngland Trip
We're both also missing England and if it weren't for all the money we already spent to come to the US, we'd move in a heartbeat. Planning on moving after my husband becomes a US citizen. We're still young and are looking to raise a family there. We're headed back to England for Dec and we can't wait, it will be over a year and a half since my husband's been home and close to 2 years since I've been. Missing family and friends more than anything followed by the food and the slower life style. Feel like we're always moving here.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-09-14 19:56:00
United KingdomCustoms
Everyone has something different to say about this, and I don't think customs even know themselves. The first time I went to the UK, they held me for 2 hours and every few minutes they would say "you can't get married while your here" and I only called him my boyfriend. They finally let me through saying "you have to swear you won't get married". I haven't been treated great when going to the UK, My husband had no problems coming to the US, the last visit the guy said "maybe you should look into a visa, because you've been spending a lot of time here" at that point it was his last visit and we were planning on applying for the K-1 so it wasn't a big issue.

Just bring enough evidence that you have a reason to return home and you won't have any problems. Honesty is the best policy.

Last time I went over I took my return ticket, a copy of our K-1 packet, Our NOA1, An itinerary of the whole 2 weeks I was staying, a couple of my bank statement and a note from my employer. Really had no trouble with that paperwork, tho she didn't know what the K-1 was and really she didn't care.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-09-30 06:06:00
United KingdomChecklist question - Notorized Statement?
I believe the letter of intent only needs notarized if your interview takes place more than 4 months after your NOA2.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-02 15:53:00
United KingdomFiance Visa
After the wedding you have to file AOS for the Green Card. it's best to do it as soon as possible after the wedding, and it's also best to do it before the 90 days is over, but it's not a big issue other than not being able to work without the green card or EAD. AOS costs $1010 and you can apply for the EAD (work permit) and advanced parole (AP) along with it for free. Green Card is currently taking about 3-6 months to get approved and the EAD and AP are taking 1-3 months. The EAD allows him to work before his green card is approved and the AP allows one entry back into the US before the green card is approved.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-08 15:46:00
United Kingdomwe did it!
EAD when filed with AOS ($1010) is free well included in that $1010. When filed alone it's another $300+ dollars.

Congratulations!!

AOS is so much easier, not to mention better since you're together!

Edited by Damian&Kelly, 14 October 2009 - 04:14 PM.

Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-14 16:12:00
United KingdomPolice Certificate
Yes, everyone needs a police certificate from all the countries they lived for more than 6 months I believe. Not including the US.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-21 07:48:00
United KingdomAOS filing question
Just to ease your mind, tho I don't recommend it! My husband came May 2008 and we didn't apply for AOS until March 2009 and it got approved no problem, no RFE and my husbands medical was even expired. I'm still shocked.

The sooner the better and also the sooner you apply the sooner he will get approved and also the sooner he can become a US citizen. We wish we didn't wait because it was almost a waste of a whole year but we didn't have the money to apply.


Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-11-13 15:44:00
United KingdomThe Holidays - what are you doing?
This is my husband's 2nd Thanksgiving in the US. Last year my mom hosted T-day in her new house, was a bit of a fiasco for her but all went well. For the last 10 years before last year, my aunt took the family to Holiday Inn and rented a banquet room and we all had the T-day buffet and watched Football or should I say NFL. It's gone back to that tradition this year. My husband's a vegetarian, his parents raised him that way. His siblings all started eating meat after moving out but no one can break my husband. Everyone's hoping he tries turkey this year. But that's very doubtful.

It will be a busy week well 2 as we're leaving for England for a month on Dec 4th. First time back for my husband in over a year and a half.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-11-25 05:50:00
United KingdomInterview checklist and other questions
You will not need DS-230 part 2. As for your list, looks good only thing I would add is your USC fiance's birth certificate (can just be a copy). I'd also take evidence of your relationship tho not many people are asked for it. My husband wasn't asked for any relationship evidence, they were more concerned about the support (I-134). My husband took photos of us together, updated letters of intent, and some chat logs from the time in between NOA1 and the interview.

You can pay for the visa ($131) in dollars or pounds. But you have to pay for the courier in pounds. Normally that costs 14GBP but don't quote me on that.

Best of luck!!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-11-26 09:54:00
United KingdomWasnt given x-ray back
I doubt they'd mail it out but who knows. but with that being said, you don't need them back. My husband got his back carried them on hand luggage on the plane and no one looked at them at all. He brought them home and they've been sitting under my bed since.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-11-28 11:40:00
United KingdomTravelling back to England for the first time
We're in England at the minute, our first trip back since we settled down in the US in May 2008. My husband (UKC) went through the EU line and I went through the other line. My husband then came over and waited for me to get through. My passport is in my maiden name as well. I brought my marriage certificate and had no problem at all.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-12-22 07:45:00
United KingdomBritish husband has Greencard, but what do we need to do before visiting UK??
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought once you're denied entry once on the VWP you can't use the VWP again?
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-01-02 08:06:00
United KingdomIs the best option naturalization? Duel Citizen? Permanent Resident?
I doubt we'll move back to the US but we'd like the option. But I don't know if I understand correctly; Once you have the 10 year Green Card, you have to spend a certain amount of time in the US. How much time is that and what exactly happens if you don't? And if you don't and lose you're Green card are you able to still visit the US on the VWP? Because I thought that once you file for a visa, you're unable to use the VWP? Maybe I'm wrong?
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-01-06 11:26:00
United KingdomIs the best option naturalization? Duel Citizen? Permanent Resident?
You can be a US and a UK citizen at the same time and as long as you register you're kids in both countries, they will automaticly become US/UK citizens. I know nothing about the taxes part.

My husband and I are planning on both getting US/UK citizenship. He (UKC) moved here to the US on the K-1 and got his green card in 3 years time he can apply for citizenship, once he's a UK/US citizen, we're looking to move back to England so I can become a UK citizen. I believe once I'm a UK citizen I have more of an option with living and traveling in Europe but I'm not quite sure how it works.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-01-05 09:18:00
United KingdomMissing home
My husband was extremely miserable in the beginning and for over a year. It took a lot for me to get over the fact that I can't make him feel at home here in the US but partially he had to help himself. He had to get used to the fact of what he gave up and what he gained and be open minded about the changes and the differences of the culture. Once we started going out and doing things together and trying new things life got so much better. But I couldn't make him do it, he had to take it apon himself. If he's unable to try to make things better then there's nothing you can do. I went out and got him as much of the food I could find from England and he started trying things he couldn't get in England, and the weird thing was when we went back to England last month, I caught him saying he missed things from 'home'. It was great to hear he's finally settling in. But without a car he'd be miserable as well. Cause no matter how much you love each other, you both need time to yourselves.

I agree that It sounds like he hasn't tried to like it here. Yes, he's giving up a lot but he could try to make the best out of being in the US; knowing that you'll be moving to England in a few years.

I wish you both the best of luck!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-01-07 18:52:00
United KingdomParanoid...
in duplicate.. just 2 copies from you. I forget which ones you need 2 of tho. My husband made copies of everything anyways just in case he didn't send them in right, he had unsigned copies he took with him to the interview.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-15 06:02:00
United KingdomBrother comes to visit on Friday!
United is the easiest team to support when you live in the US. Because they show mainly United games because they believe if American's know soccer at all; they know United.

My husband still hasn't forgiven me, because his first year living in the states and the toon dropped down. He says it's my fault they got religated. Only good part was the tickets were relatively cheap when we went back in Dec and seen Cov vs Toon.

My brother-in-law is planning a visit as well. and my supply of English sweet and crisp has just run out so good time for a visit :) Luckily I perfected the recipe for Cheese and Onion Pasties so we can have them anytime; but I must admit they aren't near as good as Greggs!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-11 10:49:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I hate to break this to everyone, and I maybe wrong but I saw on the news, that all goverment in DC are closed on Friday as well. We didn't get as much as DC but not much less and most things are closed today but everything here should be dug out enough to be open friday. I think we're a bit more used to the snow here in PA compared to in DC. Tho Snow is in the forcast again in the next few days.

Haven't been around a lot lately, but I wanted to congratulation all the approvals and interviews!!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-11 10:43:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
The updated letter of intent only needs to be notarized if your interview takes place more than 4 months after the NOA2.

Sorry for the confusion.. The DS papers need sent back right away and the police certificate is valid 1 year.. I meant the I-134 and supporting documents. I'm sorry about that.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-17 22:38:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I believe you just need the updated letter of intent from the petitioner notarized. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong?! Keep in mind you'll want to wait to collect all the forms until closer to the time of the interview. Since he's coming in Feb gives you a good time to collect everything and prepare! I hope everything works out perfectly for the 2 of you and I wish you both the best of luck!!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-17 18:03:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I'm unsure of how long you have to send in the paperwork they ask for. I always thought the sooner the better. My husband waited like 3 days and sent everything back together.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-11 21:23:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
London is pretty easy when it comes to relationship proof, most people get asked a few questions but they don't even ask to see proof. When my husband had his interview, he had a huge folder of pictures, train tickets, booking passes, chat logs, and they didn't ask to see anything. They were more concerned that he'd be supported when he got here (I-134).

Wendy and John:
You mail just the forms they ask for (DS-230, 156, 156K etc) right away and then when you have everything on the checklist, you mail the checklist itself back. They will schedule an interview once they have the checklist. The checklist just states that you're ready for an interview. All the supporting documents (Birth certificate, police certificate, I-134, Passport etc...) get taken to the interview with you.

I think London stepped up some, and it's not taking near as long as it was. But I'm unsure. It's so unpredictable at times.


Just so you know Lesly, If you came to the US now and they turned you away, it wouldn't hurt your visa at all. But once the visa is in hand you can't come to the US without using it which means there's no turning back.


Best of luck to everyone and I hope London keeps speeding up!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-11 09:10:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
First off I wanted to clarify, when holding onto packet 3, You still have to send in all the paper work they ask for and just hold onto the checklist.

As for the extending the NOA2, I believe it's automatic, but I'm unsure. and Yes, it doesn't say any where you need a notarized up to date letter of intent, but almost every interview I've seen that took place more than 4 months after NOA2 were required to have a notarized up to date letter of intent. Please keep in mind, if your holding the checklist, make sure all your paperwork is collected and dated as close to sending the checklist as possible.


As for working when you get here, I believe JFK airport still gives out the temp EAD stamp which allows work right away, I maybe wrong. but other then that you have to wait til you apply for AOS, and EAD (work permit) which is after the wedding, at the minute it's only taking about 1 month to get the EAD approved, but who knows what it will be like next year. It's so unpredictable!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-10 22:00:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~

MARM, I think she's trying to say that she applied for the K-1 early so they would have it in time for their wedding which is Sept 10th, 2010. But at the minute things are at their fastest so she's afraid she's going to get the K-1 too soon and the visa will be expired before the time to fly over for their wedding which the date she can enter the US on the K-1 and still get married would be Mid June, so she needs her visa to be good by mid June. Which means only getting her visa approved after Mid Dec.

Not many have this issue, because things have been so slow, and just picked up speed so probably when she applied it was said to apply that early, but looking at it now you don't have to plan that far ahead.

Just keep the checklist (packet 3) until mid-end of November and you should be fine getting an interview after Dec 15th. If you're really concerned about it, Just send a cover letter with your checklist explaining you won't be able to attend the interview until after the 15th of Dec. I don't think it'd be frowned on, I've seen others do it with no problem.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-10-10 07:32:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I found that buying it on a weekday (preferably Tuesday-Thursday) and flying on a weekday is cheapest. also if you are a gambler and want to wait, buying it 2 weeks exactly from the day you want to fly is the cheapest... now buying it closer to the time could be even cheaper but I never took that chance.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2009-04-06 08:29:00
United Kingdomgetting a uk spouse visa
We're planning on doing the same thing, maybe not quite 3 years as we've already been in the US together almost 2. But we're looking to move back to England after my husband gets his US dual citizenship. We feel we put so much money into getting him here that we don't want to just give it all up and we'd love to be done with immigration (at least on the US side) before settling down and starting a family.

As for the financial side, they're sponsoring system looks quite complicated. There's no real set amount you have to make; you just have to show enough income to pay your bills, I believe. and there's no co-sponsoring. I believe your UKC spouse will have to go over and set up shop before you can move yourself. We're planning on saving up and going over together (me on VWP) and finding an apartment or house and him finding a job and me coming back to the US to get the visa. I think it's quite a bit faster processing but within 3 years time the UK immigration system is going to change. so it's not worth looking into it this early, I'd wait til 2011 when the big changes are going to happen.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-03-08 03:46:00
United KingdomOfficial stuff that needs to be done before moving on K-1
My husband kept his nationwide account so that his dad can transfer bday money and things like that. Nationwide is nice, no charges. Llyods cost my husband a fortune to use the first summer he was here.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-18 20:45:00
United KingdomWaiting...
I think buying a phone card and calling DOS from England would cost less then phoning the embassy!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-24 12:17:00
United KingdomWaiting...
You can call department of state (DOS) which is free to call from the US, compared to calling the Embassy which cost something like 1.20GBP a minute. When calling DOS, you have to talk to someone and give them your LND number and they will tell you the status of your visa which should be something along the lines of having packet 3 and what not. London are taking quite a long time to schedule appointments at the minute and it's not unusual to wait more than a month at the minute.

DOS: Dial 202-663-1225 Then press 1 and then 0 for an operator.

Edited by Damian&Kelly, 23 February 2010 - 11:29 AM.

Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-23 11:28:00
United KingdomDual Citizenship- Your Opinion
My husband and I had this discussion many times, and it all came down to how much money we put into getting him here and the fact that after he becomes a US citizen, we're looking to live in England. We really don't want to have to worry about coming back to keep the US green card. I don't remember the rules with it. We're both very young and decided we'd like to be done with immigration (at least in the US) before settling down and having kids.

As for the cons, like someone said, Uncle sam comes knocking once a year no matter where you're living. But now that taxes can be done online, it shouldn't be too bad of an issue and I believe you don't have to pay in unless you make a certain amount of money which is pretty high. Now I just learned about this con but this hasn't changed our minds at all.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-02-18 15:49:00
United KingdomOdd Anglo-US question :-)
My husband and I went to the smokey mountains in TN for our honeymoon. Best decision we've ever made. It was amazing. So Beautiful! We bought a hiking book while we were down there. Took some hikes and stayed in our own cabin which was secluded and the views from our cabin were absolutely breath taking! We can't wait to go back. and Not to mention our own cabin cost less then staying at a hotel and it had a kitchen, 2 hot tubs, and a pool table!
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-03-31 04:22:00
United KingdomOfficial HPV Vaccine/New Police Certicate Thread
i don't think its worth paying double.. it says it takes like 10 days but my fiance paid the 35 and it only took 4 or 5 days we were very surprised.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2008-04-18 06:17:00
United KingdomDoes your S.O. go on VJ?
My husband(UKC) had no interest in VJ. He has access to this account but has never used it. He knows VJ helped out along the way and is thankful. He let me take control of all the paperwork and trust me to be organized.

I tell him stories every now and then. But when it comes to others timelines, he really doesn't care. He knows he's here with a green card and we did it all ourselves and that's what matters to him. But I also don't think he understands how hard it is with all the processing, only because we were one of the very lucky ones and the K-1 for us only took a day over 3 months. To him 3 months was a long enough wait, but to me I know there aren't too many that come close to that and I know how lucky we were.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-05-12 07:47:00
United KingdomFees of all sorts...
Petition Fee: $455
Visa Fee: Now $350
Courier Fee for Visa Delivery: 15GBP
Uk Police Certificate: 35GBP
(Plus if you need any other Police Certificates)
Medical: 180GBP Plus any Vaccinations you need

Those are the musts.

Then there's little things like postage for paperwork that needs sent to each other, and to the embassy and of course, you have to budget the trip to the Embassy (transportation and hotel if needed) and the plane ticket to the US.

Then what comes with K-1: Marriage/Wedding and AOS which is $1010.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-06-03 05:05:00
United KingdomFunny misconecptions from your country or state!

an english friend we met while living in china plans to be on florida next month. he asked if we would drive down for the evening to visit. i had to explain that it's over 1000Km from where we live, but that if he flew up to DC we could get together.



This is a misunderstanding my many, especially the English because England is so small, you can drive to any part in one day easy. My brother-in-law came to visit and we were showing him around, before he arrived I asked him where he wanted to see. He said he'd like to go to Vegas and asked if we could drive, Vegas is just as far from us(PA) as England is, He just didn't understand how big the US is.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-06-03 04:21:00
United KingdomFunny misconecptions from your country or state!
Main question I was asked in the beginning was "Does he have bad teeth?" or "Does he smell?"

A lot of his friends thought I was Amish, being as that's all they knew about Pennsylvania. Worst part about it was, He met a Women from Florida in a Pub before we met in person and told her about coming and meeting me and even the American Women thought I was Amish. As you said Jill, We met online as well, and the Amish don't have power let alone the internet.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-05-07 16:28:00
United KingdomMedical: worried about secondhand marijuana smoke
I don't believe they do a drug test, I think the blood test was for STDs and HIV. They def didn't do a urine test.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-08-03 10:21:00
United KingdomMedical: worried about secondhand marijuana smoke
My husband was around it as well, on more occasions, and it had no affect on his medical.
Damian&KellyFemaleEngland2010-08-03 09:05:00