ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomGoing back to the UK to visit (visa for spouse?)
You apply to the British Consulate which covers the State you live in.

Full details of the Consulates and the visa prices are on the British Embassy web site

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-26 15:53:00
United Kingdommight be off topic
http://www.britainusa.com/visas/
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-26 15:56:00
United Kingdomweeee....im soooo happy
Congrats
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-19 12:15:00
United KingdomQuestion re: UK medical
As long as you know what your case number is that will be ok.

It starts LND, all the forms they need they can give you there.

They are stumped if they don't have the case number as they can't send the results to the Embassy as it all ties together with that number.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-27 17:01:00
United KingdomMaxJet goes bust
Quite a few have tried a US/Stansted service and not made it work. Continental have tried it twice and gave up. Wouldn't be surprised to see AA pull out after a suitable time in the hope no-one thinks they tried ti kill MaxJet off.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-27 18:21:00
United KingdomDual Citizenship
QUOTE (MargotDarko @ Nov 9 2007, 02:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
but the UK doesn't recognise your denouncing them unless you do it directly to a UK official. You can say whatever you want to a US official and not endanger your UK citizenship. smile.gif


When the Zimbabwe government decided not to allow Brits who had lived there for years to remain unless they took Zimbabwe citizenship and denounce their UK one the following happened on a large scale.

The Brits went to the High Commission in Harare filled out the form and denounced their citizenship. Took said form to the Zimbabwe authorities and claimed their Zimbabwe citizenship. They then went back to the British High Commission filled out another form and got their UK citizenship back. Literally all it took was to fill out the form.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-11-09 13:30:00
United KingdomDual Citizenship
You can have dual citizenship.

The biggest pro is that if you have both you can come and go in either the US or UK as you please at anytime without the having to worry about losing status in the US if you leave for any length of time.


As to cons I not sure that there are any worth worrying about.

Edited by Lansbury, 08 November 2007 - 07:58 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-11-08 19:57:00
United KingdomInterview in London, in January
see my reply to your duplicate post in forum "IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa General Discussion". 
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-30 20:22:00
United KingdomArrived
Welcome the first few weeks are a novelty then the learning curve takes hold
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-30 13:05:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
That does sound the safer option.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-03 15:48:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
QUOTE (walkies_a @ Dec 18 2007, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the number! I tried to get through and have been on hold for a total of over 2 hours today! I got through on one occassion and they cut me off. Will try again tomorrow morning first thing!

Thanks again,

Andrew


Can be a bit hit and miss, depends if it is busy and they are all on the desks and no-one left in the office. That number should be ok as long as the terminal is open say from about 5am to 10pm.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-18 15:18:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
QUOTE (walkies_a @ Dec 17 2007, 03:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyway, like you say it is dependent on the immigration officer. If our trip works out, we will be flying into Heathrow from Tokyo on a Virgin flight into terminal 3. If you are able to find a number I would much appreciate it.


Andrew


Heathrow they are still in my address book, T3 immigration is 020 8745 6900 ask to speak to the duty C.I.O.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-17 18:57:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
QUOTE (walkies_a @ Dec 17 2007, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the information about my situation.

As for my wife's situation, we will probably have to buy her US travel insurance. I forgot to mention in my question that my wife is still on a student visa and has not changed to a spouse visa. I asked the IND dept of the home office if she can leave the UK, let her student visa lapse and enter the UK as a tourist. There response is below:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry.

The Home Office can confirm that non-Visa Nationals can be granted up to 6 months at port as a visitor as long as you can meet the requirements of the immigration officers at port:

you intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay;

you have sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate yourself;

you are giving a true account of why you want to enter the UK.

you do not intend to engage in any work paid or unpaid.

The maximum amount of time allowed is 6 months in any one visit.

So I think as long as we arrive in the UK with an onward flight booked a week later we should be ok. I will have a copy of their e-mail to show as well!

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

Andrew


Their e-mail means diddly squat not even an entry visa in a passport is binding on an immigration officer at the port of entry.

The give a true account of why you want to enter the UK is the problem.

If I have understood correctly a true account is. We live in the UK but are leaving to live permanently in the USA in about a weeks time. We are returning to our UK address after a holiday to wind up our affairs and arrange the move.

You are now left relying on the immigration officer deciding your wife is a returning resident or she is a visitor. Good luck with that, it is going to come down to the immigration officer on the day, and don't expect them to use common sense or be impartial. They only have to think she is a returning resident without a visa, there is no need for them to be able to prove anything.

You could try saying she has already moved back to the USA and she is on a visit but an examination of the entry stamps in her passport from your trip would throw that in doubt.

What airport and terminal are you planning on returning to the UK via. I'll try and get the Chief Immigration Officers telephone number for that office and you can call them and ask how they would view the matter. May take me a few days to get it becasue I'll have to e-mail my old office in the UK and ask.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-17 17:17:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
I think you will be ok with UK travel insurance. You are leaving from the UK and returning to the UK and have a UK address as you residence so as that should be ok. Might well be worthwhile asking the insurance company when you buy the insurance.

Now you stumbling block is your wife's visa. I wasn't an immigration officer but I worked alongside immigration officers in the immigration halls at Heathrow for a good few years, so got to learn about how they operate. You wife isn't coming back into the UK as a tourist, she is coming back into live, all be it for a short while. You are going to be relying on the interpretation of the immigration officer on how they decide on the day to apply the rules. Sympathetically or not. Knowing immigration officers as well as I do I wouldn't want to bet on that one.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-17 13:42:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
My only other thought is you are going to be travelling quite a lot carrying the MBE (mystery brown envelope) the Embassy give you, and which you have to give to the immigration officer at the POE unopened. It contains all the paperwork concerning your case, all the original forms etc and if it gets lost or opened you would have to go back to the Embassy to get it re-sealed. If lost you would have to start the process all over again.

Certainly something to consider when making your plans.

Good luck on the 4th most interviews are very straightforward and apart from the waiting time quite quick.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-10 14:27:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
You can enter from where ever you wish. A month to a month and a half before you came back to the US after using your visa should not be any problem.

It would be a good idea if you could arrange an address in the US for you Green Card and Social Security Card to be sent to as they are normally sent out around 4 weeks after you enter on the visa.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-09 20:09:00
United KingdomHopefully last question! Round world travel on CR1/IR1
You can fly in and activate your visa. Quite a few people have flown over to use it when they still haven't got everything ready to leave the UK but the visa expiry date is almost up, and then returned to the UK. Once the visa in your passport and stamped it becomes a temporary I-551 (temporary green card) valid for 12 months.

If asked when you come back permanently, but it couldn't be too long after you used your visa certainly 6 months or more outside the US would be pushing it, just explain you returned to the UK to finalise the winding up of your UK affairs.

The point to remember is you are taking up permanent residence status. If you use your visa and then leave the US for a length of time generally held to be between 6 and 12 months when you come back the immigration officer might well conclude you have given up your permanent residence and refuse you entry. The time frame is a bit hit and miss as it is partly down to the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Edited by Lansbury, 09 December 2007 - 04:55 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-09 16:51:00
United KingdomI have an interview date!!!!!
Congratulations, about the normal time from packet 3 to interview even with the holiday period in there.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-04 15:22:00
United Kingdomanother one of my crazy plans
The uni my wife worked at charged overseas students full fees at least £10000 a year.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-31 12:06:00
United Kingdomcan I purchase a house in the US before moving there
Try these people as a starting point.

http://www.mortgages...a-mortgage.html
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-06 15:21:00
United KingdomMedical 4th January
Glad all went well and your concerns were unfounded
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-05 16:11:00
United Kingdomsms visa
QUOTE (waitingsucks @ Jan 8 2008, 09:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
took a risk of booking my poopie on the flight on 14th january, hoping my visa would be here before then, it was beginning to look a little bleak when it seemed the embassy had misplaced my file...

but...

today i got two texts from the couriers, they are delivering my visa etc tomorrow, tonight we book my flight for 14th...my poopie wont be flying alone! kicking.gif

thankyou to everyone who advised us so well on this part of our journey and good luck with your own journey, my waiting in the UK has come to an end!! good.gif


That's was a good outcome glad it worked out ok
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-08 14:51:00
United KingdomNot sure when my interview date is...
Good luck with both the exams and the interview
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-09 12:26:00
United KingdomNot sure when my interview date is...
Yep seems like it is still scheduled for the 17th. The call center has access to the same system the Embassy uses so can see just what the current situation is.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-08 15:48:00
United KingdomInterview tomorrow!!! Help needed URGENT! arrgh
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Jan 10 2008, 05:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Haha - that's the sort of thing I would do!! Would be interesting to find out what they base their exchange rates on - although that wounds better than I have heard recently!! Ohh I will investigate piccies nearer the time and then if it seems too expensive just turn up early and get piccies taken there biggrin.gif


A few weeks ago someone reported on VJ that the photo booth at the Embassy wasn't working, when I mention it was there. Obviously it has now been repaired but if you can get the photos done before you go might be the safer bet. If it broke once it can do so again, and there was only one booth.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-10 12:52:00
United KingdomQuestion about documents
The police report is valid for 12 months from date of issue. It takes up to 40 days to be received from when applied for. So you can judge from that the best time to apply.

You will also probably require the USC 2007 tax return as some point in the process, so would be worthwhile filing that sooner rather than later.

Edited by Lansbury, 10 January 2008 - 02:55 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-10 14:53:00
United KingdomLondon Medical question
QUOTE (julezabelle @ Jan 6 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[ so it doesn't appear to matter if the papers from the exact packet are returned or ones exactly like them from the internet are sent it.


It doesn't matter as long as they are exactly the same.

The point some of us are trying to make is that there are to my knowledge several versions of each form on the Internet. There is also one copy of each form on VJ. What nobody knows for sure is if these copies are the up to date versions the Embassy is using.

If you decide to use a form you found somewhere all well and good, if it fouls things up because it is different and doesn't now contain all the required information be prepared to deal with it.

In other words if you choose to short cut the system and it works great, if it doesn't and someone has to come on here asking for help be prepared for people to say what you did wrong. The reason for that is because people other than the person asking the question is reading it and probably some are thinking about doing the same. The replies at not just directed at the original poster but are meant to be helpful to anyone reading it now or later. If that reply stops someone else getting in the same predicament that is even better.

Some of us replying have made it all the way to the end of the visa process. Along the way we made mistakes and we try and stop others making them as well as the collective wisdom here has found out what can and cannot be done.

Like I've said many times before booking a medical before you get packet 3 saves you absolutely nothing. The interview will not be scheduled until you return packet 3 and there is plenty of time between them to have a medical without worry as you have all the forms and instructions from the Embassy. Bottom line is it is your visa application ignore what we say or not it is your choice. The worst that can happen is it takes longer to get a visa than it might have done. The best is you gain nothing
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-06 14:56:00
United KingdomLondon Medical question
QUOTE (Tinkerbelle @ Jan 5 2008, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i have my medical appointment next thursday and i have no idea whether i should go to Bentick branch or Knighsbridge one. I was told on the phone to come to the one on my packet 3.


I suddenly thought last night. If the telephone number you found on VJ is the appointment service for both doctors offices how did they known which office to book you into if you didn't have that information from packet 3.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-06 12:53:00
United KingdomLondon Medical question
QUOTE (Tinkerbelle @ Jan 5 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Exactly what i intended to do after reading some of the earlier comments.

I initially thought i would have to wait a month before getting an appointment for the medical, like the rest of the visa steps, that is why i called. When they gave me one within a week, i jumped on it thinking myself lucky. At this stage, i knew my P3 was on its way. Little did i know it would be lost.


It does seem that normally there are medical appointments within a week of calling, I don't recall anyone on here saying they had a long wait for one unless by their choice to suit themselves.

Which is why I advise people to wait for packet 3 and not short cut the system.

Even if the doctors office were unhelpful, which they will not be, there is still plenty of time to fit in another appointment before the interview. Easier said then done I know but don't get stressed out over it.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-05 16:21:00
United KingdomPensions and NI Contributions for 20 something
The NI Pension is quite complicated as you are moving to the USA. That is because like tax there is a reciprocal agreement. I am not too sure on the details as I am now retired myself and while not old enough to draw my UK State pension I have paid into it for long enough to qualify for the full amount I will just be drawing from the UK one.

Very basically and you will need to research this on the NI web site it should be possible for you to link the UK and US social security entitlements together and receive your "pension" in the US. I assume that as you are 25 you will work in the US and pay into that system.

Sorry I can't give more details but as it was something which didn't effect me I didn't research it very far.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-04 11:08:00
United KingdomDoes anyone give a toss about this year's UK Big Bro?
It is one of those shows that proves no mater how bad it is people will watch it, that goes for the US version too.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-03 16:48:00
United KingdomGood Luck UK-to-USA
Bit late but none the less very best of luck
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-06 14:00:00
United KingdomLetter from Employer
I used to say when asked the purpose of my visit, vacation to visit with friends. Remember to answer truthfully but don't answer questions that haven't been asked.

As to proof of ties to the UK if asked, your mortgage or house rental payments and payslips. In fact I never carried anything and was never asked.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-06 14:04:00
United KingdomFinally on his way...
Hope he has a safe journey and very else goes smoothly
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-05 12:51:00
United KingdomMY MEDICAL AT BASIL MANSIONS LONDON - EASY
Nice full report, it's all a bit of an anti climax when it is over. Like you I paid to have the jabs I needed done there, less chance of things going wrong because all the paperwork hasn't reached the Embassy and things get delayed.

Good luck with the interview that is just as straightforward and matter of fact as the medical.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-06 17:33:00
United KingdomRegarding London Medicals/Interviews...
If my memory serves me correctly I think the doctors said they need two working days after the medical to get the results to the Embassy. The Embassy will not issue the visa until they have the medical results.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-06 18:28:00
United KingdomHad Interview Today........
Congrats, wonder if the applicant only rule is to save delays at the security checks
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-07 14:06:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy Review K1 Visa

SMS called confirming delivery before 8am tomorrow! :dance: :dance:


Well you guys certainly like cutting things fine, do you enjoy the extra stress. :whistle:
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-02 13:59:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy Review K1 Visa

Glad your interview went so smoothly! I'm hoping ours is as easy. Counting down the days to next Tuesday... :whistle:


If you have followed all the advice available here it will be just fine.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-01 18:03:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy Review K1 Visa

WOOT! :dance: :dance: :dance: Awesome review, Dan -- hope you get back to your Tiffany stat!!!

BTW, only took us less than 48 hours for the return of the passport, so here's hoping they're back at the same levels of service as June! :thumbs:


That would be a load off the mind it seems the whole Visa Journey is there to test us. Tiff is going bonkers barmey over the time it is taking for Visas to be returned to us and has now decided we have no hope of getting it in time.

I should point out that I was told by 3 different people at the embassy we will have it in 5 days but SMS direct are saying nah 10-15 more like. I am putting faith in the Embassy (think I have gone doolallytat myself saying that) that they will enforce the 5 day rule on penalty of SMS losing the contract with them, it reflects on the embassy stats if the courier service can't get their act in gear.


It isn't the courier service that is the problem, you will get it the day after the Embassy hand to them.

Most of the Consular officers at the Embassy are American and quite a few go home this time of year. When I was working at Heathrow I knew a lot of the Embassy staff from the Legal Attache office and the very nice lady in charge of the section that processes the I-130. Last year they didn't process any of the I-130s for about 5 weeks through August they processed up to the day before ours was filed and then stopped there.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-01 11:44:00