biggish data

I'm back again.

Thankfully, our file has come out of AP at NVC and should be winging its way to London shortly.

I have my fiance's 3 years of tax receipts and some recent pay stubs - I can't get an employer's letter as he owns his own company and would be writing the letter himself! As he has plenty of income to support me, do I really need recent current (checking) account bank statements? It's just that, in a gesture of commitment last year, he closed his checking account and we opened one together. It means that any statement has both our names on it - I just wonder whether that will look strange? Co-mingling of finances usually happens after marriage, not before! He has a statement of his investments which is in his sole name. Would that be better (or needed)?

Thanks.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-05-03 13:24:00

Uuurgh, sorry to ask a really stupid question, I just read almost the whole thread and made a whole bunch of notes and ultimately ended up giving myself brain melt-down

Is it possible to schedule the medical just by obtaining the case number from the NVC? Or do you have to wait until the beneficiary receives word from the embassy?

I want to get my medical scheduled as quickly as possible but I'm not entirely sure at what stage it is sensible to do so. Obviously you can't send off any of the forms until you're sure the embassy has your info all logged in.. Crikey, it's so confusing! Sorry to be thick!

Yes, you can schedule the medical with just the case number from the NVC. Nich-Nick will know more about this but my only concern would be if your medical results arrive at the US Embassy in London before your case from NVC. The doctors who do the medical usually need a week's notice and then it takes 5 days to get the results to the embassy.

The K1 flowchart suggests it might take 1 to 4 weeks for your case to get to the Embassy and then a further week for the Embassy to process it.

What would happen if the medical results turned up at the Embassy with a case number that they did not know about yet?

Sorry - I don't think I've helped at all there. I've just asked more questions.

Let's wait until someone who knows what they're talking about comes along :whistle:

Edited by Anna Grant, 26 March 2013 - 05:26 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-03-26 17:25:00

Thanks Nich-Nick.

I ordered a copy of my marriage certificate for completeness anyway.

It wasn't as straightforward as I had hoped. And I will type it up here in case it helps anyone needing to get a copy certificate (births, deaths anbd marriages are held here) and their GRO reference is not available online. It makes a difference timewsie - GRO reference - 5 days - no GRO reference 15 days.

I was due to go into London anyway, so dropped by the British Library to find the reference on micro-fiche. First of all, you have to get a British Libary Reader Pass on the 1st floor before you can have access to the records. You need two forms of ID - something official with your address on (I had my driving licence, although it had my old address on it) and something like a bank card. You then complete the form on a PC (had I known, I could have registered online,

You then have to wait for someone to pull your details from the systme and check your ID - you are given a number. Once you have all that, you have to go back to the cloakroom on the lower ground floor and leave your coat and any large bags. Next, you go to Social Sciences on the 2nd floor and the micro fiche is right at the back. There are only two readers, so you may have a wait. The micro fiche is stored in quarters by year - I was married in July, so had to look at September's quearter as that covered July, August and September. Each sheet of micro fiche covers a group of surnames - say one sheet will hold Jarvis, Jackson and others around those.

I didn't know how long this would take but allowed an hour and it took around 50 minutes. However, 50 minutes to save 10 days processing time could be worth it for some people. The cost of requesting a copy of the certitifcate is the same either way.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-03-11 03:35:00

Still trying to compile paperwork (still no NOA2).

One thing I noticed was that we both have the provide marriage certificates for dissolved marriages - you would have thought proof that the marriages were dissolved would be sufficient - you can't dissolve a marriage without first having one! And I'm kicking myself for not noticing this before - the item on the US Embassy website starts 'Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate' and I thought 'We're not married', so I read no further.

I know that I don't have my marriage certificate - it's fairly easy to request one. I don't know if my fiancé will have his two marriage certificates - I can ask him when we Skype tomorrow. But I just need to be certain - we absolutely need the marriage certificates for London?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-03-08 03:26:00

If you have a tax return transcript, that should do it. (Not a tax account transcript). You only need w2s if you are using a photocopy of the tax return. A transcript from IRS is stand alone and is instead of tax return/W2s. Pay slips are good. You don't have to have an employer letter. Just prove the income in the easiest way.

Thanks, as always, Nich-Nick. Just checked the documents that the IRS sent and they are indeed 'tax return transcripts'.

Do you think it is best not to have the employer letter as it's a bit confusing in our situation? The USCIS website suggests that it is required - http://www.uscis.gov.../i-134instr.pdf Or is it London that are not concerned about that?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-02-27 17:19:00

I'm compiling all my paperwork in the hope that we get our NOA2 shortly.

One thing that is bugging us slightly is this piece of evidence for the Affidavit of Support:

Statement from your employer saying what your job is and your income on business stationery.

My fiance has his own small company and employees about 20 people. Therefore, he would be the person writing the letter - there is no one else who would do it in sa small company. He also doesn't have business stationery - a lot of small companies don't as most stuff is done by e-mail. He can't say he's self-employed because he's not - he draws a wage from the company. We have plenty of evidence of his salary - we have 3 years of transcripts and his W2s.

Any suggestions? Do we do the seemingly daft thing of him writing a letter about himself saying what he's paid and that he's of good character! What about the business stationery issue?

Oh - and should I have his last few payslips? Or tax returns? Or are the transcripts and W2s sufficient?

Edited by Anna Grant, 27 February 2013 - 03:34 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-02-27 15:33:00

A question about the police certificate - it says they need two items of official correspondence (i.e.. bank statements etc) to process the police certificate - does anyone know if these need to be two different things? For example, can I just send them two bank statements with different dates on them, or do I need to send a bank statement and something else? I know it can't be hand-written or anything like that, but are there items they will and will not accept?

Cheers

Yes, they do need to be two separate things. They must not be 'junk mail' or envelopes but must be 'official correspondence from a company'. This is what they told me when I phoned the help line - I had a problem as I had just moved and had nothing at the new address where I was lodging. The person on the helpline said they were used to that as people were often moving into temporary accommodation in preparation for leaving the UK.

My landlady provided an electric bill and a letter from the insurance company who insured her cat! As most people bank online now and don't always have paper statements, it is sometimes a little difficult.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-02-17 15:03:00

A couple of people have asked how I got on with entering the US on Saturday - I've posted more here:

http://www.visajourn...ost__p__5851011

But I did get in.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-12-03 09:48:00

Anna, you seem to be in a similar position to me as I'm also visiting my fiance for the holidays on an ESTA. We got our NOA2 yesterday so I'm now trying to figure out rough timings of when I can expect to hear from the London embassy. How long will you be in the US for?

6 weeks - seemed to be a good idea as I was with CSC and expected to have been able to have the medical before I left. The best laid plans...

I have been using the K1 Process Flowchart to try to work out when things might happen:

http://www.visajourn.../content/k1flow

How long are you going for and from when?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-22 17:48:00

Just thought I would let you all know that I got an email back from the London embassy today saying they have brought our interview from 7th January (which would make me miss our wedding) to December 4th (2 weeks tomorrow)!!!! SO happy and excited! This time next month I will be in Alabama!!!!

That is great news - I'm glad they were able to bring your interview forward.

I have another question of my esteemed, knowledgeable fellow posters here.

We're still waiting for our NOA2. And I fly to the US in December for Christmas on an ESTA. If we receive notification from the US Embassy at my address in the UK whilst I'm away, are there any documents we need to send them or is it purely completion of forms and having the supporting documents are only required for the interview? From what I've read on the process on here, it would suggest it is completion of forms and indicating that we've gathered all the documentation we need. We had intended completing the forms and posting them from the US.

It's just that I don't really want to bring any documents like birth certificates into the US when I travel in December. If my luggage is searched, they may consider that having that kind of document on me might suggest intention to stay and try to AOS whilst in the US.

Edited by Anna Grant, 21 November 2012 - 04:27 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-21 16:17:00

My forms had been delivered to the embassy before I attended my medicals but my medicals got logged the very next week, and the forms just last week (over 3 weeks after they received them!)... And an interview date for 2nd January! (at least you get to spend Christmas & New Year with your fiance, some of us will miserably have to make do with Skype )

In all,even if you get your NOA2 before you leave or while in the US & fill and send off the forms, I don't think you'll have much gap between them logging your stuff & your medicals once you come back (you can book that once you get your case number). Hope this helps! Good luck!

I'm really, really sorry that you will be Skypeing for Christmas only. Being apart at family times just sucks. I know that I'm very fortunate (if the US let me in!) to be spending the holidays with my fiance.

I just wish I could get my NOA2 and case number and schedule my medical before I leave. However, that now looks very unlikely.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-18 04:41:00

Not really much you can do until you receive the petition approval. With November and December being riddled with holidays, I suspect you may have encountered delays even if you were still in the UK during that time period. Assuming your petition approval notice arrives by the end of November, you'd be waiting a few weeks for it to get to and through the NVC. If that does occur while you're in the US and you get the LND#, you can call Knightsbridge and get the exam scheduled for after you return.

I take it that the Embassy will not schedule the Visa interview until they have received the details os the medical interview (there appears to be some confusion on that, from what I have read - e.g. I have read that you need to allow at least five days for the results to get to the Embassy - why would you 'need to allow' if you can't get an interview until they have the results?). If I have the case number, can I schedule the medical? Or is there other information or paperwork that I need to wait to receive and take to the medical, other than the Police certificate and completed medical questionnaire? Slightly silly question, probably, but is there anyway I can have a medical in the US with one of their approved doctors or can it only be done with Knightsbridge doctors?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-17 15:19:00

I think I've mucked up but I need some advice.

As CSC was speeding up, I had expected to have received our NOA2 by now - but we haven't and the estimated dates for CSC approval keep moving backwards and forwards.

So. My issue is that I have booked a flight to the US on 1 Dec and don't return until 12 Jan. I had hoped that I would have been able to have the medical before I flew off but I can't do that without the Case Number. And then sent a note to the US Embassy with the paperwork to ask them if I could have an interview after 13 Jan. But the US Embassy won't allocate an interview until they have the medical results. Argh! My fiance and I have all the paperwork needed for when we do have the NOA2 - he has his tax transcripts, I have everything else including the Police Certificate and up to date vaccinations. Is there anything I can do or have I just put a 6 week delay in our whole process?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-17 13:30:00

You know people are saying 'Police Certificate and copy'? Do they mean just a photocopy of it? Or a further official Police Certificate? I thought that the Police Certificate was handed over at the medical? Does the doctor keep it and send it to the consulate or do they give it back to you after the medical?

I know I am far from having the interview yet but I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row in advance (I do feel like I'm quacking up though - and making awful puns - sorry).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-05 15:37:00

Un-Booking a Medical?

Hello.

So I sent off for my police certificate yesterday using the regular service. And I've just booked my medical for the 27th Jan. Do you think I've left myself enough time for the certificate to be returned? I know there won't be anything on it as I haven't been in trouble with the police ever. I'm just worried now that I should have booked the medical for a week later.

Should I change it? Or pray that my police check takes less than 10 days to process (plus postage) and see how things go? I read that you have to give 3 days notice to change it without a penalty fee of £90?

Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

It's three clear working days' notice - so you couldn't cancel today for an appointment on Tuesday. The cancellation fee is 95 pounds.

I would wait for two weeks. If nothing has happened regarding your police certificate (I think I remember that you either get an e-mail to say it's being processed or you can call up), then reschedule your appointment. Remember that there is usually two weeks wait for an appointment at Knightsbridge doctors.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-03 09:18:00

Parts of UK culture you WONT/DONT miss?

?NO diet coke free refills in any chain restaurant........

Oh! I have got so used to this now in the US. My husband couldn't believe it when he came to London and found there were no free refills. Our local cinema also does free refills of popcorn (max 2 refills). We get to the cinema early for the film. Finish our first popcorn before the movie starts. Get another refill. Then get a final refill after the film finishes to take home.

I love the whole drive thru thing in the US. If I'm out, I can 'drive thru':

A coffee from Starbucks (McD's, Dunkin' Donuts, tec)

My bank to pay in a check or use the ATM

My pharmacy to pick up a prescription

A didn't learn to drive until we decided I was going to move to the US, so I was 49 when I passed my test. So the whole 'jump n my car to go anyway' is still quite a novelty. The only time I've taken public transport since I got here is to go 'downtown' in Chicago. You really don't want to drive there!

I also love Target but hate Walmart. The customer service in Walmart is appalling. I only ever go there if I use their 'site to store' because the item is cheaper on Walmart's website.

I love the whole coupon collecting thing over here. I did this in the UK too but it was kinda looked down on. In the US, it's a competitive sport! My husband says 'Let's go out to dinner this weekend. Where would you like to go?' I say 'Let me check where I have coupons for'. I can usually find a coupon for an all you can eat buffet type restaurant for $18.99 for 2 including beverages.

Another thing I don't miss is the drinking culture in the UK. Both my husband and I are tee-total. In the US, this doesn't stand out at all. You can go out for dinner and very few people will be drinking alcohol. At a party, most people will be more controlled in their alcohol consumption. In the UK, it was more commented that we don't drink.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-11 07:38:00

Interview Date....the waiting game

We should do this even if all of our information is in to the embassy (DS-260, medical exam etc...)?

When I do send out the letter, does it get sent to him or the embassy?

Thanks so much for everyone's help! We are starting to go into panic mode....

Please don't panic - there is no need. This is a simple situation that the US Embassy in London have sen many times - especially recently, as there have been delays in getting interview date sin London.

Yes - you do need to do this even if all your forms are with the Embassy. He takes the letter with him to the interview, as Nich-Nick stated above.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-11-14 13:21:00

Interview Date....the waiting game

As Nich-Nick says, you just need a letter from your fiance/fiancee with a wet signature saying that they intend to marry you with 90 days of you entering the US on your K1 visa. This letter has to be notarized - their bank should do that for free. Get this done now and mailed to the UK ASAP - normal mail should get it to you in a week.

It's just that it will be past 4 months from your NOA2 date. They just have to be certain that the petitioner is still on side with everything.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-11-14 13:15:00

Interview Date....the waiting game

Good afternoon, I hope somebody can shed some light on my current problem with my K1 interview. I recently attended my medical last Monday and everything was in order and correct. So reading through FAQ?s they should be in receipt of my exam. The next stage is obviously my interview in London. I haven?t yet received any response regarding this date or that they have received the results. Usually i would panic but there is a slight problem......My priority date is due to run out in 10 days from today. Please could i have some advice from someone..?!?

Regards, Jamie

You won't get any response saying that they have received your medical results. You can phone Knightsbridge to check that they have been sent - they are only 1/2 a mile away from the Embassy.

You will have to wait to hear from the Embassy about your interview. It is likely that you will not hear for 6 weeks and your interview may be 2 to 3 weeks later. It is best to check your status on the CEAC website - https://ceac.state.g...er/Status.aspx?. If you see your update date change, call DOS to see what caused the update (DOS number in US is (202) 485-7600 press 1, then 0, they are open 8:30am to 5:30pm EST). Call DOS every week anyway because there have been a few reports recently of people nit receiving their packet 4 letters and missing their interview!

It is hopeless trying to speak to a person at the London embassy. You can e-mail them through the 'contact us' on their website. It is a hit or miss as to whether you will receive a reply/

Good luck!

Edited by Anna Grant, 14 November 2013 - 12:04 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-11-14 11:57:00

Courier Problems

This is what I found out.----

I looked up on my phone list, and have 3 numbers for DX.
Courier 0870 950 1760. tel:01604 496 798
Courier collection tel:0871 562 6666

So I just now rang up the collection one. Got the same lady I spoke to last August when the courier system changed...she sounds Indian.

Go to the nearest depot with your documents. Take the barcodes(?) you get from the embassy website. I think it must be the confirmation that you have already paid at www.usvisa-info.com. They will deliver to the embassy at no extra charge. When your visa is issued, it will go back to the depot or to your home if you paid the equivalent of 30 American dollars. If you don't know your depot, call her at 0871 562 6666 and tell her your post code.

She asked if I was calling from London. "No, I am in Texas" That surprised her. She wasn't even aware that people pay in advance of the interview now. I explained a bit of how it works and that if a visa can't be issued, papers are to be couriered back but she tells people they don't pick up at homes since August 1. Maybe she will be able to help a little more in the future after our conversation.

You're amazing Nich-Nick! The fact that you took it upon yourself to call up the UK and find out all this is terrific. You are truly a VJ treasure.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-11 07:41:00

London Medical Examination

About high blood pressure - note my post from last summer:

I am technically overweight but she just said 'You know your BMI is ....'. I said 'Yes, I know'. My BP was above the allowed measure for my age and gender - I think it had raised to 158/105 by the end of the medical. I did feel like saying 'You have prodded and poked me about - no wonder it's gone up instead of down.' However, I know I get 'white coat hypertension' i.e. it raises when I'm in a doctor's surgery. I asked her for another chance. I know if I'm given 30 minutes of quietness, I can get it to go down. It got down to the acceptable level and I was through.

I suggest that if yours is raised in the medical, to ask for some quiet time to see if it goes down.

However, since moving to the US my 'white coat' hypertension has developed into real hypertension. I am under an awful lot of stress at the moment - my husband has some serious health issues, I have had employment issues and my mother passed away and I couldn't go back to the UK. I registered with a doctor and am having some blood tests and an ECG to see what is going on with my blood pressure. I have put on weight since arriving in the US, so the doctor has told me to lose weight and reduce my salt intake.

Whether this will be covered with health insurance will depend on your health insurance policy and it is wrong of that doctor at Knightsbridge to scare one of you by saying how much it costs to treat in the US. There are many generic drugs which can help and do not cost the earth. Most health insurance has a deductible (in the the UK, that would be called an excess). You have to spend that amount of money a year before you can start using your health insurance. Luckily, my policy pays out 'per visit' to the doctor - 'per test' for blood tests. So, by shopping around, I have found that it is covering me fine for the moment.

So. If you do manage to get through the Embassy medical with 'whit coat', please still keep a watch on your blood pressure when you get the US.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-17 10:27:00

London Medical Examination

I am technically overweight but she just said 'You know your BMI is ....'. I said 'Yes, I know'. My BP was above the allowed measure for my age and gender - I think it had raised to 158/105 by the end of the medical. I did feel like saying 'You have proded and poked me about - no wonder it's gone up instead of down.' However, I know I get 'white coat hypertension' i.e. it raises when I'm in a doctor's surgery. I asked her for another chance. I know if I'm given 30 minutes of quietness, I can get it to go down. It got down to the acceptable level and I was through.

I suggest that if yours is raised in the medcial, to ask for some quiet time to see if it goes down.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-07-31 18:56:00

What do I need for my K1 visa interview?

As well as 'a letter of proof of employment from my fiance's employer', you will need evidence to show how much they earn. London are fairly relaxed on how you prove that income but copies of tax transcripts and/or photocopies of a few recent pay slips are usually sufficient.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-19 12:38:00

Post-medical at Knightsbridge... now what?

Talking of helpful vs unhelpful people at DOS, see this recent post:

http://www.visajourn...s-on-k-1-visas/

I hope, for everyone's sake, that this is not true.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-28 10:28:00

Post-medical at Knightsbridge... now what?

I would echo calling again. Some people are helpful on that line; some people are not so helpful.

You are able to call them you know? It doesn't have to be the USC who calls, although it is often easier because of the time difference. I did ALL the calling for us - when I was in the UK, I would use Skype to place the calls. At least DOS doesn't put you on hold for as long as NVC!

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-23 12:37:00

Post-medical at Knightsbridge... now what?

Okay, finally an update: We called the DOS (202-485-7600) on Friday, we wanted to wait a business week after Knightsbridge had couriered the medical to the Embassy before calling to allow them time to process it and schedule the interview. Still said "No Status" on the CEAC website. DOS told me that the Embassy DID in fact have the medical, but had not yet scheduled the interview. No, they couldn't give me any further info on when the interview would be scheduled, but I could call them. Waited the weekend and MLK day, then called the London Embassy today (703-439-2367) to find out when they would be scheduling my interview, when the status would be updated, etc. Come to find out, they told me we could schedule the interview, right then, over the phone... they even had openings this afternoon! If I had known we could just call to schedule our interview we would have done it earlier!

We ended up scheduling the interview for this coming Monday, gave us time to schedule a flight from Edinburgh down to London... very excited!

If this is not common knowledge, do you think we should create a new post to let people know they can schedule their interviews?

Thanks all,

Rob and Adrian

As this seems so out of kilter with other people's experience, are you absolutely certain that you have been scheduled a K1 visa appointment and not a visitor's visa? Did they e-mail you confirmation?

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-21 13:20:00

Fainting During Medical

Oh wow, thank you all for the replies!

I'm a little confused whether to say something or not but maybe I'll just go with the flow and see how I feel? I'm definitely going to have a long walk beforehand and a big meal. I hate the tube so will definitely avoid it, its so hot down there!

I never knew there was a thing called white coat syndrome! Crazy but I guess it makes sense.

Honestly, thank you all for such quick replies, there is a lot of useful info and I'm grateful for it

I get 'white coat hypertension'. That is, any time a doctor takes my blood pressure, it's elevated. When I take it, it's fine. I've taken my own blood pressure monitor into the doctors to show that it works correctly. My blood pressure was elevated at my medical and she was going to tell me to go back to my doctor for more tests. I asked her to allow me 30 minutes to calm down and I knew that my blood pressure would reduce. She reluctantly allowed me that time and it did reduce to an acceptable level.

I agree with the layers and the no tube (if you can). You probably won't be able to bring someone into the actual medical (and it would raise questions as why you wanted someone with you). they will be able to stay with you in the waiting are a - there were a few people who had brought someone with them when I was there. So they will be able to keep chatting to you to keep you calm.

Good luck and let us know how it went.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-10 10:16:00

UK Passport Question

I renewed my passport during the time it took for my K1 visa to be processed, so had a different passport number when it came to the London embassy stage. It was never brought up. Also, you need to have at least 6 months validity left on your UK passport when you go for the interview. Theoretically, that should be six months validity beyond the date you are intending to travel to the US. It can be renewed any time after 9 months is left on the passport and that will be added to your new passport (although, you will obviously know that now, working for the Passport Office!)

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-30 11:17:00

Rant - London is painfully slow

Love your stats, Nich-Nick!

I agree. It certainly puts it into perspective.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-02-05 14:51:00

Rant - London is painfully slow

This from someone who got their NOA2 in 6 weeks!

It takes as long as it takes. As the figures that Nick-Nich states, London are rather busy. Your timeline shows that you have added to that wait in London by not responding to stuff that quickly. I'm not sure why you are complaining about London when it took you almost 3 weeks to send in your packet 3.

That's kind of my rant over. After going through this all last year and taking 9 months to get out NOA2, I get a little pee'd off by seeing other people post 'I got my NOA1 2 months ago. Why haven't I got my NOA2 when I see other people getting it who applied after me'.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-02-05 12:15:00

Any cheap ways around contacting the London Embassy

Someone reported that DOS, as of Jan 27, will no longer give Information on K1 visas. Change of policy.

Yes - reported in this thread:

http://www.visajourn...s-on-k-1-visas/

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-01-28 12:21:00

What airline do you guys fly with?

I've always flown United (6 times). Once you get into their Silver category, you get nice perks like free upgrades to Economy Plus. I went with them first because they were the cheapest to Chicago O'Hare. I checked for each flight and they were the cheapest each time. I've used the air miles for hotels mainly. I was never going to get enough for a flight and to upgrade to business class would have cost air miles + $500 (I was sorely tempted on my last flight). I only had one problem with them when a flight was delayed by 3 hours.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-02-09 06:37:00

What parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

As a veggie, I miss the choice I used to have in restaurants. Now I usually have one choice, if I'm lucky. And it's usually a veggie burger. Labeling on supermarket food is not good. I miss having the 'v' symbol on veggie food and I now have to read the labels thoroughly. The put chicken stock in the obscurest foods and I can't eat Dean's Onion Dip because they put gelatin in it! So sour cream and Lipton's Onion Soup mix for my dip.

I miss Reggae Reggae sauce. I did buy 2 bottles off Amazon for a daft amount of money but it tasted so good.

And I still miss Warburton's crumpets. Nothing here is the same - they're like flat, airy pancakes. I've tried making then and, frankly, they weren't worth the effort.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2014-03-05 16:35:00

What parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

After putting up our Christmas tree, I realize I miss Cadbury's Dairy Milk tree decorations. Candy canes are not the same! And tinsel is called garland and lameta (sp) is called icicles.

I have found food shopping a bit cheaper here. Clothes shopping is a lot cheaper since I discovered Goodwill. I love that store. I got a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans for $4.99 (the exact same ones on his site were $65!).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-11 17:11:00

What parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

For Christmas, I miss the ubiquity of mince pies. I miss Christmas pudding and old-fashioned Christmas cake. Oh, sure, you can find them here, or mail order them, but it's just not the same.

Plus, the wife and family, not having grown up with them, don't like them. It kind of takes away a part of Christmas for me. On the other hand, when I manage to find the festive foods, I don't have to concern myself with sharing.

I made my own Christmas Cake last year. It was a surprise to my husband as it is not the kind of festive cake he was used to. I also couldn't find black treacle, so had to use molasses. It still worked. Once he got over the surprise of the cake, he loved it and wants another one this year (yes, I know I should have made it already but he's teetotal so I can't soak it in brandy anyway).

Speaking about the NHS. When I was in the UK last March, I fell down the stairs of a London double-decker bus (no, I am teetotal also). I can not hesitation in going to A&E and found I had broken my hand. Back in September and now in the US, I was helping my step-son clear his garage, picked up a box to move, caught my foot in a ladder and fell over onto the front of his large exercise bike. Despite being in severe pain, I didn't go to A&E. We did some internet research and found that even if I had cracked my ribs, there was nothing they could do for me anyway (as long as my lung wasn't punctured). It took 5 weeks to heal. My husband had to have a MRI scan of his abdomen. He has insurance but we recently got the bill. Without insurance, it would have cost $4500!

I kind of miss hearing the British accent. I have not come across anyone else who is British here. However, that does mean that everyone loves my accent - my accent is RP as my mum took elocution lessons when she was expecting me. It breaks the ice a lot as soon as I open my mouth! My husband is a big Bristich TV fan so he loves watching it with me. I recently introduced him to Jeeves and Wooster - I was just trying to show him that Hugh Laurie did other things before House. He loved Jeeves and Wooster and we watched all 4 series form the library. Ah! I love American libraries! They open 7 days a week and late into the evening. They have an enormous range of books, DVDs and eBooks. They are amazing.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-08 06:56:00

What parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

Having been here for over 5 months, I would say I really, really miss the NHS! That I have to think twice before doing anything of a medical nature takes some getting used to.

I miss not being able to watch TV without being interrupted by adverts every 10 minutes. We never watch anything live now - we record everything and then skip over the adverts. There was a new stand-up show with Bill Cosby recently and I timed it - 8 minutes of show and then 4 minutes of adverts.

I miss decent public transport. I miss high street stores.

But the US has something that the UK doesn't have. My husband.

I miss proper English crumpets - especially Warburtons. I miss Reggae Reggae Sauce (I bought some off Amazon!). As a veggie, I miss easy food labeling (I have to read all the ingredients on the package to work out if I can eat it). I miss going to restaurant and having a good choice of what I can eat (I'm lucky if I can have a veggie burger).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-07 08:10:00

I need help,please can someone help? :(

Thanks Anna,I didn't actually know that but thats great news if it's true! I can contact them tomorrow then,i only haven't yet because i thought they were open until 3pm and i finish work at 6pm every weekday. Also it's 10.30pm here so they will be closed but will try tomorrow and i hope so much to get through. Thank you again.

Yes - if you check here - http://travel.state....w/how_1463.html - they are open until 5pm EST (5 hours behind London time - sorry, they weren't open for another 40 minuets when I posted - I'm on CT!).

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-21 16:40:00

I need help,please can someone help? :(

Thank you,I have been checking the CEAC status everyday but it still remains "Ready",last update was on the 12th August. I am yet to call the DoS,I work mon-fri 8am-6pm and i know the hours are 9-3 to call the DoS. I also know they aren't open on weekends so it makes it tricky to have the time to call them.

DOS are open 8:30am until 5pm EST - equivalent to 1:30pm until 10pm London time. Can't you phone today - they will be open for another 40 minutes? I phoned from the UK whilst I was going through the same stage as you are.

Edited by Anna Grant, 21 August 2013 - 04:24 PM.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-21 16:23:00

additional proof

This is unusual for London. Can you tell us what questions you were asked in your interview? How did you answer them? Are you aware of what triggered the request for a second interview? What does your fiancee make of all this?

At least you do not have an outright denial of your visa. You do have a 2nd chance to get this right.

Anna Grant

Female

United Kingdom

2013-09-06 12:33:00