ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomIn case anyone is waiting for mail

Hmmm......on a side note, since they ask for photocopies, do you think I could have the sol fax it to me and enclose that???


If it is a document for your interview you need the original and a photocopy. They check the copy against the original keep the copy and give you back the original. If you don't take copies they keep the originals.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-29 11:56:00
United KingdomFinal thoughts for old and new VJer's
Congrats on joining the list of successful visa applicants. Enjoy your new life in the USA it is certainly interesting living here.,
LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-27 15:40:00
United KingdomTravelling under current high alert status at airports

I am cuurently wondering if - in view of the current high security alerts at airports etc that we will now find the unopened brown envelope we all have to carry will be subject to scrutiny and possible that airport officials will be wanting to open it?... would be interested to know what people are experiencing at the airport - i am due to fly in approx 2 weeks - and am aware that the brown envelope has to remain sealed until opened at POE but can equally see why departure security may be interested in it...any opinions or shared experiences?

LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-30 18:12:00
United KingdomH_A landed home
I hope you are reading this and the flight experience wasn't too bad. Welcome home
LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-24 18:42:00
United KingdomGood luck to RGNSCOT, robburnsefc and msu17!
Good luck to all hope you don't encounter to much hassle on your travels and all goes well.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-02 13:55:00
United KingdomAPPROVED!!!
Congratulations we all worry more than we need too and then are surprised when the problems do not turn out to be as big as we thought.

Ask away with all the moving problems I'm sure as usual there will be various lots of advice to help you decide what is best.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-02 14:27:00
United KingdomChecking in
Just to add my belated welcome home. Bet you're glad you swapped the rain of Yorkshire for the rain of Texas. Good luck with the new car take it it will not be an SUV :whistle:
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-03 11:21:00
United KingdomFYI
Congratulations glad all went well
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-04 11:14:00
United KingdomMy US Embassy K1 Experience

My K1 US Embassy Interview Experience.

The boundary is patrolled by armed police and a private security firm do the rest.
Not the US troops I expected.


They are inside, just try running through the main front entrance, you will meet up close of very personal the United States Marines. :innocent:
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-04 19:46:00
United KingdomTransferring funds to the U.S

Actually what FeatherB mentioned was interesting. I think we will take a few minutes to look at that.


Look at several of those commercial brokers. Some charge a fee others a lower exchange rate. Depending on the amount you are transferring it can be much better to pay a fee and get a better rate of exchange, or a mixture of both.

I booked an transfer today with MoneyCorp at $1.99.

Edited by Lansbury, 06 July 2007 - 06:58 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-06 18:56:00
United KingdomTransferring funds to the U.S

anyone transfer through paypal??


Except for small amounts why would you accept their poor rate of exchange.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-06 16:14:00
United KingdomTransferring funds to the U.S
Do not use a bank use a commercial currency broker such as the one FeatherB recommended or the one I use www.money.corp. Much better exchange rate than a bank, cheaper or no fees and it is done electronically and they take care of any declarations that need to be made.

If you carry cash or cheque you will (depending on the amount) have to declare to customs when you leave the UK and to customs when you enter the US.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-05 16:46:00
United KingdomTim's Big Day At The Embassy
Many congratulations.

It was interesting to see that his experience was slightly different in a couple of places to mine last October. It is surprising how quickly things change and well worth people writing these experiences for the Embassy review section so new applicants have current and accurate information.

Also he was told to carry his x-ray in his hand baggage while the written instructions I got from the Embassy last year was it could be packed in the bags I was checking in, so I wonder if something has changed at the POE.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-07 13:56:00
United KingdomJust booked my medical

I had started to wonder if I heard the receptionist wrong, but I've just called up again and asked "What kind of passport photo do I need?" and was told "Any, American or English, it doesn't matter".

There is a photography studio next to me that does 4 US sized pictures for £8 or something like that, so I will get a batch of 4 done, and that will cover the medical and the ones needed for the interview (2 isn't it?)


Hmmm...you'd think it was 2 for the interview, wouldn't you? They only asked my husband for one on the day (3 weeks ago), again contrary to the instructions. I seem to recall others only being asked for one recently as well. However, just to be on the safe side I would get 2 for the day, so you might as well go for the 4-pack for £8, which sounds like a bargain to me.


I was only asked for one last October. When I got to the POE the immigration officer opened the MBE and asked me where the second photograph was. When I said I had only been asked for one, and of course I didn't have one of the unused ones physically with me, he said it might delay my green card and I might receive a letter asking me to provide a further photograph. In fact it didn't cause any problem and my green card arrived in about 3 weeks without me hearing anymore about the "missing" photograph.

Having said all that take the number the instructions tell you too to the interview and if they only take one might be worthwhile putting a spare in your wallet in case it is asked for at the POE.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 13:02:00
United KingdomHELP ... AGAIN
I must apologise for my misleading answer to the OP.

Indeed the Scottish and English/Welsh legal systems are different but all the convictions from both are on the PNC.

When I saw the question I believed that to be the case but then couldn't recall ever seeing Scottish convictions on the PNC when I had done checks on it, so I decided to check and see. Unfortuantely I decided to e-mail an ex colleague and friend when he had had a rather too many drams and thought it would be quite funny to give me wrong information.

Again sorry if I have given anyone undue cause for concern.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-28 17:17:00
United KingdomHELP ... AGAIN

:help: :help: HI GUYS, as you may remember.. when i recieved my police report from strathclyde it had a motoring offence on it, well i got my report from scotland yard last week and it is clean :whistle: :whistle: :unsure: :unsure: so.... big question do igive both report or just the one from scotland yard as thats the one the embassy states

not trying to get out of this REALLY i have the information about my accident and the fine details but should i give them the two reports?????

ta aggy


You have to provide a police report for all countries you have lived in for more than 12 months.

Scotland and England/Wales have separate criminal law and separate criminal records. The police certificate your got from Scotland Yard only covers England and Wales, the one from Scotland only covers Scotland, so if you have lived in both countries strictly speaking you need both.

I thought the above was the case but to make sure I e-mailed a former colleague who is still serving and got him to check if Scottish convictions were on the PNC and they are not.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-06-28 15:17:00
United KingdomI-864 stage

Hi all. Received the police report today, 4 days before we would have needed to call on it.

When everyone on this site refers to sending off "packet three", is that the "applicant's statement" which includes the checklist? (The form which you send off once all the necessary papers are acquired.) It has three boxes to choose from pertaining to the interview, whether the application will attend the interview alone, together with spouse, etc. Does that mean that I can accompany my husband to his interview? Or is that just referring to the immigrants? It would be great if I could go to the interview with my husband, so I was just curious if this is possible!

Natalie


My wife the USC came with me. In fact I ticked the box to say just myself was attending and nothing was said. I don't think they even really look at that box.

Go along just remember to take your US passport as ID to get into the Embassy. That is not something they will tell you as I recall but as we had been to the US Citizens section to have our house purchase documents notarized the instructions then were anyone requiring entry to the Embassy had to have their passport. Certainly when my wife came to my visa interview as soon as she showed her US passport they let her straight in.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-12 15:00:00
United KingdomI-864 stage

Thanks for the info! I was getting worried that the police report was lost in the post, since they advised us it would only take 28 days. At least now I know it takes longer, and there's no need to worry! I suppose the reason I stress out so much is because a). I'm a woman and B). I just want to go home to America! I'm more homesick than I had expected, which isn't helping this process. I look forward to the day I can look on this as a distant memory, and chuckle at myself for being silly.


If it gets to the 40 days and you don't have it telephone the Public Access Office on 020 7161 3500. If you get the answer machine leave a message they will call back.

Edited by Lansbury, 10 July 2007 - 05:22 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 17:21:00
United KingdomI-864 stage
The police reports take up to 40 days and seem unless you are lucky to take almost the full time.

I must admit I didn't find the process that stressful, it is a case of following instructions and filling out forms. It was the length of the wait between sending in forms and knowing if they were OK, especially the first part after sending the I-130 that got me. It really is a case of taking one step at a time and playing the "game" by the rules. Fortunately we were able to use our assets in the UK and didn't need a joint sponsor so we were spared the delay getting that arranged would have caused.

Just hang in there when it is over you will realise the mechanics of the process is relatively easy it is the unknown which is stressful.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-09 13:25:00
United KingdomUSC changing name while in the UK
Well following this discussion I decided to see which way my wife should have sign ours.

What I did find out is the document we thought was our wedding certificate is not that at all, it is just a decorative ceremonial form and it not an official document at all.

So far it has been used to change the name on my wife's US passport and Oregon driving licence. More importantly it was accepted with out question in support of our I-130 by the Embassy in London, and when I went for my visa interview.

Which just goes to show how well these forms are checked and just how little the people checking them understand what is authentic and what isn't. Makes you wonder if anybody has produced their own "evidence" on a home computer.

Oh and by the way she signed it in her new name.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-17 15:04:00
United Kingdom2 interviews...probably 2 offers.
Take the weekend to think about it and don't rush the decision.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-18 15:48:00
United KingdomRegarding Police Certificates

This is the form to use (from the embassy's website):

http://www.met.polic...ction/forms.htm


That is the Met Police form and has all their waffle on it, other forces have their own and are not required to accept one issued by another force.

Of course they all eventually end up in the same place but that has nothing to do with the wheels of bureaucracy, even the one for the Met have to be sent to Empress Building and they send it on to NSY.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-19 22:28:00
United KingdomLondon passport processing time?
It varies while most seem to come back in 2 or 3 days, some people have reported waiting much longer for their passport.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-14 11:33:00
United KingdomTravel Insurance

(why aren't there pound signs on US keyboards!!!!!)


Hold down the alt key and on the number keypad on the right of the keyboard type 156 £££
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 15:12:00
United KingdomSome uncomfortable truths

Having said that...I don't think it's a good idea for him to renounce his citizenship. Usually it's a reversible decision but it's not easy to do and he could always change his mind in 5, 10, 15 years. I think he should keep his UK passport. It isn't as if he will have many if any obligations in the UK. He can just tuck his UK passport in a drawer and let it gather dust, but I'm a firm believer in keeping one's options open. I'm quite happy to let my permanent resident visa lapse, but I'm not British. I never turned my back on my native country and I never would.



I completely agree with you that he shouldn't renounce it, but he is stubborn as the day is long. I have a crafty plan though... He listens to my Dad when supplications from everyone else have failed, including his mum. My Dad just has this way about him -- he is just so reasonable and calm that he can sway Bruce towards doing uncomfortable and difficult things. I tend towards the ranting and raving (now where did I get that from? *cough* Mom *cough* :whistle: ), which doesn't work on the boy at all. Quiet reason, that's another kettle of fish!



It isn't a problem if he does renounce it. If he ever wanted it back all he has to do is get a form from the British Embassy fill it out send the fee and he gets it back. Friends in Zimbabwe had to renounce their British citizenship to renew their Zim passports, and two weeks latter claimed it back again. All the Brits in Zim were doing the same thing.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 12:09:00
United KingdomSome uncomfortable truths

I should of said my husband DOES miss the bacon! lol


Ohhh the bacon!!

Go for it Lansbury! I'm midway through joining the American masses in the medical field. Something I always wanted to do in the UK, but the idea of being a paramedic around London just filled me with fear. As well as learning the medical side, I also have to learn my way around the Township! I think that may be the bigger hurdle of the two. Not looking forward to trying to drive backwards through cones in an ambulance for my driving certification, but it'll be fun I'm sure.


Best of luck to you. One of the best courses I did in my police career was an advance driving course at Hendon. Six weeks of real fun, and one or two moments of terror. We had to reverse at speed through a slalom course, it came with practice. :blink:
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 11:53:00
United KingdomSome uncomfortable truths
My wife (USC) lived with me in the UK, we settled there as I still had 10 years police service between me and a full service pension. We came over last November and apart from having to correct Wells Fargo's stupid banking practices I have settled in very well. I really enjoy it here, took some stick on 4th July and will get me citizenship as soon as I can. The standard of living we have on our pensions, we are both in our 50s, is as good as we had in the UK with two well paying jobs. Miss UK no, I miss my sons but they think free holidays in America are great.

We are off on a road trip next week and when we get back I might well assimilate myself even further in American culture by applying to be a school bus driver, our school district is desperate and will take anyone. Hope they have busses with Sat Nav on.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-19 23:02:00
United KingdomAny UK folks NOT applying for US citizenship?

If the USA becomes so totalitarian that they start deporting people for not being US citizens or minor infractions, I wouldn't want to stay here anyway. If it was just for "being foriegn" I doubt being naturalised would help, it didn't help Japanese Americans in the WW2 after all did it?


When I was at Heathrow part of my job was to interview Brits who had been deported back to the UK.

Met a guy 45 years old who had been deported from the US. He had served 6 months in jail for some business fraud, couldn't have been too serious for that short a sentence. Anyway when he got released he was promptly deported. The thing that got me was his parents had immigrated to the US when he was 6 months old and he had lived here all his live as good as. He knew no-one in the UK but back he was sent.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 19:49:00
United KingdomAny UK folks NOT applying for US citizenship?

My only reason for filing for Citizenship is the job opportunities this would open for me. Basically I want to work for people who only employ US citizens right now. I have a few years to make this decision yet, but this is basically the only reason I would take US Citizenship, for the job.


Yes that is a very good reason. I lost a good job offer because I needed a security clearance and was told "non citizens cannot get a security clearance". When I said I already had US security clearance to a higher level than was required for the job and that could be verified they stuck to they would only employ US citizens, nothing in the job requirements about that mind you.

It was the only job I found in my field of expertise which wasn't Federal.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 15:09:00
United KingdomAny UK folks NOT applying for US citizenship?
The over riding reason to us why I will take US citizenship and my wife took British is it removes the limitations on how long you can be outside the relevant country and lose your right to return, without having to apply all over again. Once you are a citizen you can come and go with no restrictions.

I will also be equally proud to say I'm English and America or American and English
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-20 13:46:00
United KingdomGood Luck, Selly!
Well done, the fun bit is now about to start, your new life over the Pond.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-19 10:21:00
United KingdomGood Luck, Selly!
Good luck :D
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-18 18:39:00
United KingdomVISA approved
Congratulations - nice when that part of the process is over and done with
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-26 18:20:00
United Kingdomprescription drugs
A tip we were given was to ask your UK GP for a prescription to cover as many months as possible and to get those drugs from the chemist before you leave. At least it gives you a cushion when you get here to get cover arranged, and if you cannot get cover for pre-existing conditions helps with the cost of those first six months.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 17:11:00
United Kingdomprescription drugs

If he needs medications, you better make sure he has some kind of insurance over here. I was dreading paying for my diabetes meds, but it only works out to about $5 a month for them with insurance. Which is actually cheaper than a UK NHS prescription.


I thought diabetics got free prescriptions, or did it depend what postcode you had? :rolleyes:

(sorry OP)


My wife got free prescriptions because of diabetes in the UK. Cost us about $110 a month here. Also no insurance company would accept her here and she had to go into the Oregon Medical Pool, and we pay about $470 a month for her medical cover though that scheme.


Could you not get her added to your insurance??? also people from the UK can use their NHS medical card as proof of prior insurance and the insurance companies will cover pre-exisiting conditions....

Kez


I pay for my own insurance.

No none of the insurance companies that cover Oregon would accept the NHS card as proof of prior insurance and none said they would accept pre existing conditions. Having said that having arranged my wife's cover through the OMIP their rules state diabetes must be covered straight away and she in fact had cover for that from day one.

Also the pharmacy we use is good and they quickly sorted out for her to use generic drugs where these were available instead of name brands. Under her cover the most she pays for each generic drug is $10. One of the name brands the doctor prescribed was something like $140 a month alone and Lipitor, Blue Cross would not even pay for so that was replaced with a just as good generic brand.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 17:05:00
United Kingdomprescription drugs

I'm petitioning for my British fiance and was wondering once he gets here is he still allowed to have prescription medication sent to him from England? I'm not sure if he's still allowed to use the NHS for that or not.


I'm looking for health insurance for my fiance, too. I'm a student so he can't get covered on my insurance. I think we have him a job lined up with good health insurance, but we need something to bridge the gap until he gets his EAD. I didn't even think about him bringing prescriptions here with him. It might work for awhile since your fiance will still be a UKC, but like Kez said, he wouldn't be living there. You should probably have him talk to someone in charge, but I doubt he'd be able to.


My wife got free prescriptions because of diabetes in the UK. Cost us about $110 a month here. Also no insurance company would accept her here and she had to go into the Oregon Medical Pool, and we pay about $470 a month for her medical cover though that scheme.


That's awful that they wouldn't cover her. What is the Oregon Medical Pool? My fiance has asthma and I'm worried he won't be able to get coverage.


The Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (OMIP) is the high-risk health insurance pool for the state. OMIP was established by the Oregon Legislature to cover adults and children who are unable to obtain medical insurance because of health conditions.

The joke of it is they arranged her cover with Blue Cross/Blue Shield who originally turned her down. I also have my cover from them but in the normal way.

Most medical insurance companies will not accept pre-existing conditions for the 1st six months of cover. If the scheme is through an employer than it maybe different depending on the agreement the employer has with the insurer.

As neither of us are working we pay our own premium.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 16:55:00
United Kingdomprescription drugs

If he needs medications, you better make sure he has some kind of insurance over here. I was dreading paying for my diabetes meds, but it only works out to about $5 a month for them with insurance. Which is actually cheaper than a UK NHS prescription.


I thought diabetics got free prescriptions, or did it depend what postcode you had? :rolleyes:

(sorry OP)


My wife got free prescriptions because of diabetes in the UK. Cost us about $110 a month here. Also no insurance company would accept her here and she had to go into the Oregon Medical Pool, and we pay about $470 a month for her medical cover though that scheme.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-10 14:24:00
United KingdomHelp from diabetics please?
Check the laws of the State where you are going to live. In Oregon while the medical companies have the pre existing condition rules Oregon requires them to cover diabetics from day one.

My wife is type 2 diabetic so had to go into the Oregon medical pool with cover from Blue Cross/Blue Shield but even though their rules is no pre existing conditions for 6 months her diabetes was covered from day 1.

We also showed them our NHS medical card but the insurance companies in Oregon require previous US cover, so again check what is the practice in your State
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-28 19:14:00
United KingdomGood Luck Dan & Tiffany and psho tomorrow
Congratulations to both - two more home runs to VJ.

The comment about the four grand to the lawyer says just how much this board is worth in cash alone, then add to that the friendship and moral support and it becomes priceless. Is there an advert for Mastercard in there :D
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-31 12:09:00
United KingdomGood Luck Dan & Tiffany and psho tomorrow
Good luck trust all goes well
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-30 13:18:00