ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomLondon not replying to emails?!
It is vacation time. Quite a few of the staff go back Stateside for a vacation during July or August and things do tend to slow down a bit.

No excuse for not answering at all though.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-07-17 10:59:00
United KingdomShipping Paperwork from London
For customs purposes the terms have different meanings to immigration ones.

Ages since we did ours but I'm sure we put residents, even though we were both in the UK returning to live in the UK.

Go to the customs web site instructions are on there about filling in the forms. You need to make sure you do it correctly as residents or returning residents get their stuff in duty free. Like all things a few odd exceptions if the stuff is brand new or less than a year old so always best to read up before committing pen to paper

LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-02 18:47:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
Not seen this in this thread but you need to take the original of each your own documents and a photocopy. They will take both the original and the photocopy when you hand over the documents when you go to the window first time.

When you go up the second time they will hand back the originals and keep the photocopy. If you don't give then a photocopy they will keep the original.

Edited by Lansbury, 08 September 2009 - 04:05 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-08 16:03:00
United KingdomK1 - best way to contact U.S embassy after exiting NVC
QUOTE (imaisha @ Sep 16 2009, 02:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I assumed that everyone knew that you get your case number by calling NVC and giving the operator your USCIS receipt number...


Not everyone goes through NVC some, quite a few do DCF in London.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-16 16:46:00
United KingdomK1 - best way to contact U.S embassy after exiting NVC
QUOTE (imaisha @ Sep 16 2009, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You don't need to wait for the physical packet anymore. It really is just a link to their website.


While you can easily get at the forms and start collating the documents required you do need packet 3 as it has the London case number on the letter does it not.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-16 15:57:00
United KingdomK1 - best way to contact U.S embassy after exiting NVC
They often do not answer e-mails unless the weekly code is in the subject line.

The phone number is the premium rate one for the call center in Scotland.

Do a search on this forum for the DOS contact number in Washington.

Do what the rest of do or did - wait. It will get processed in order and you should hear towards end of this month.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-14 11:45:00
United KingdomHow long from Medical to Interview
I'm making an assumption that the K-1 has the checklist so you can tell the Embassy basically you have the documents you need to take to the interview. If it doesn't have that checklist just from the time you sent in packet 3.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-07 14:43:00
United KingdomHow long from Medical to Interview
Looking at your time line my guess your interview will be from 3rd week October to 1st week in November.

Assuming you sent the checklist back with packet 3
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-07 14:36:00
United KingdomHow long from Medical to Interview
The interview date is about 4 - 6 weeks from when you sent back the checklist to tell the Embassy you were ready to be interviewed.

The medical does not effect that timing.

Looking at your time line my guess your interview will be from 3 week October to 1st week in November.


QUOTE (Cynthia&Simon @ Oct 7 2009, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hmm, we already had our medical last week, just wondering what the wait time usually is, thank you.

QUOTE (Lansbury @ Oct 7 2009, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Cynthia&Simon @ Oct 7 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone have any idea what the wait time usually is from the Medical to the Interview in the embassy. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!



There is no connection.

Most have their medical before the interview, but some who have to travel a long way book their medical for the when they will be in London for their interview. Sometimes the day after the interview, the same day or the day before.

If you have packet 3 go ahead and arrange the medical when it is convenient for you.


Edited by Lansbury, 07 October 2009 - 02:33 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-07 14:30:00
United KingdomHow long from Medical to Interview
QUOTE (Cynthia&Simon @ Oct 7 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone have any idea what the wait time usually is from the Medical to the Interview in the embassy. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!



There is no connection.

Most have their medical before the interview, but some who have to travel a long way book their medical for the when they will be in London for their interview. Sometimes the day after the interview, the same day or the day before.

If you have packet 3 go ahead and arrange the medical when it is convenient for you. Only takes 2-3 days for the info to get from the doctor to the Embassy.

Edited by Lansbury, 07 October 2009 - 01:54 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-07 13:52:00
United KingdomSomebody HELP please...RFE Question
QUOTE (Lioncub4 @ Sep 25 2009, 03:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
which is like the actual divorce and it states the divorce is final etc etc and he is off to the courthouse to get that. This is so frustrating because USCIS doesn't understand what foreign divorces look like.


Which is what they want, the document which says "final".

It isn't a case of them not understanding foreign documents, and in fact why should they, it is a case that we have to supply documentation that satisfies the requirements of the United States. This point isn't made as criticism but somewhere down the line this thread will come up in a search when people have similar problems and hopefully will guide them to what they need to do.

Sorry it has held your process up and given you problems but at least it is easily sorted by a trip to the court and hopefully everything will go quickly from here on in.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-25 10:34:00
United KingdomSomebody HELP please...RFE Question
QUOTE (Lioncub4 @ Sep 24 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well we got an RFE today and it says that the divorce decree that we sent in with the application was not proof that he is legally divorced. That we needed to send in a complete copy that shows it is final and signed by a judge or magistrate.


Have you by chance sent in the Decree Nisi and not the Decree Absolute. I think on this Scottish law is the same as English law and it is only the granting of the Decree Absolute which makes the divorce final and effective.

My English Decree Absolute isn't signed by a Judge or Magistrate in fact it isn't signed by anyone just has the Registrar's name type on it. It has been accepted for both my visa and citizenship application.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-09-24 18:00:00
United KingdomPlace to stay near medical/embassy
Depends how much they want to spend. If he doesn't mind a short tube journey to the Embassy google hotels in either Earls Court or Paddington. Tend to have the more reasonable rates in those areas.

Paddington is easy tube to Marble Arch and 5 - 10 minute stroll to the Embassy.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-20 15:05:00
United KingdomWaiting for Visa
QUOTE (hindocha @ Oct 24 2009, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The process is clearly showing flaws.


All immigration process in all countries are design to make it hard to get in and keep people out. As such the US one works quite well. devil.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-24 12:49:00
United KingdomUS Embassy London phone number?
You can call the Help Line in Scotland or the DoS in Washington either will be able to see if it has been received in London.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-23 11:43:00
United KingdomBrown Envelope
QUOTE (Ian and Lisa @ Oct 26 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
Brown envelope is delivered along with your passport and visa by the courier.. you do not get it at the interview.


Thanks, everyone! This is what I was looking for. star_smile.gif


Do NOT be tempted to even see if the seal might not be tight.

The first thing the CBP officer did when I handed my envelope over was carefully check all around it to make sure it hadn't been touched. tongue_ss.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 13:07:00
United KingdomBrown Envelope
QUOTE (hindocha @ Oct 26 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You are supposed to receive it at the Interview.


It isn't it comes with the courier when they bring the passport back.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 11:28:00
United KingdomFaxing to the Embassy
Never heard of anyone faxing anything back to the Embassy. Not seen a fax number posted anywhere either. You could scan it an attach it to an e-mail and hope they see it and do something with it. Not heard of anyone doing that either so assume it is going to be hit or miss if you try.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-26 11:32:00
United KingdomChange to medical requirements
QUOTE (hindocha @ Nov 5 2009, 09:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was merely backing you up



did you notice the little yellow thing at the end of my post? whistling.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-05 12:35:00
United KingdomChange to medical requirements
QUOTE (hindocha @ Nov 5 2009, 02:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's true:

http://www.usembassy.../medexam_K.html


Yes it would be true the original link I posted was to the Embassy web sites innocent.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-05 11:49:00
United KingdomChange to medical requirements
Not seen this posted elsewhere but it seems the US Embassy in London has now decided the medical MUST be done before the interview.

http://www.usembassy...ervices/?p=1076
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-04 16:52:00
United Kingdomgertting nervous about interview!
London interviews are a doddle and a great anti climax, about 99.9% breeze them. Of course you could be in the odd 0.1% huh.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2009-10-19 17:31:00
United KingdomA little confused about the interview letter re:medical
QUOTE (inhopeofglory @ Nov 19 2009, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, no worries. Praise God, I was able to get a medical for next Monday. biggrin.gif


said they could fit you in quickly. innocent.gif

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-19 15:29:00
United KingdomA little confused about the interview letter re:medical
QUOTE (inhopeofglory @ Nov 18 2009, 01:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what if people don't have access to the Internet, or don't think to look at the website? If I hadn't come on here, I'd never have thought about it... [/panic]


then they arrive unprepared for their interview and get sent home. What makes you think the Embassy is that concerned. They are getting fed up with people arriving missing documents and no medical which creates extra work for them and delays others from getting an interview. Seems like they are cracking down to stop it.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-18 16:56:00
United KingdomA little confused about the interview letter re:medical
As said its changed you must have the medical before the interview. The policy changed this month.

Ring the doctors asap they usually are able to fit urgent cases in quickly

Edited by Lansbury, 18 November 2009 - 04:53 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-18 16:52:00
United KingdomEyesight in the Medical
While a number of things or not specified as being part of the medical the doctor needs to satisfy themselves that if they detect a problem it is something that is not likely to cause the person financial hardship and hence become a charge on the public purse when they get to the US. If it isn't something unusual with his sight I doubt once he gets the letter it will be a problem.

Edited by Lansbury, 22 November 2009 - 07:36 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-22 19:36:00
United Kingdombest way to contact the embassy
Phone the DoS in Washington its cheaper 001 - 202 663 1225
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-24 21:11:00
United KingdomACPO Police certificate, do they show 'spent' convictions?
If you have convictions which are "spent" under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act the ACPO certificate will show "no live trace". It will not show those convictions but you will have to provide the Embassy with details of those spent convictions.

Edited by Lansbury, 23 November 2009 - 05:15 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-23 17:13:00
United KingdomLong Form Birth Certificate for London Interview?
Might be worth getting a couple of copies. You will need it over here for dealings with USCIS and if something happens and one copy gets lost a backup copy will be very useful.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-30 13:24:00
United KingdomQuestion regarding checklist form
You can leave the travel date blank. The medical date is a new requirement and I wouldn't leave that off. They will not now do the interview if you haven't had the medical, a recent new rule, but if they will schedule the interview if you leave it blank, those waters haven't been tested yet to my knowledge.

Edited by Lansbury, 11 November 2009 - 02:26 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-11 14:24:00
United KingdomInterview Oct 15 - still no visa (Am I alone ?)
As you sent documents back on October 19 its time to get on the phone and find out what's going on. You should have had the visa back by now or been asked for more information about the co-sponsor.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-04 15:28:00
United KingdomOld forgotten bank account, and Student Loans Direct.
Keep the account open. You never know when it might come in useful and it is just about impossible to open a UK account if you live overseas. Keeping it open will not cause you any problems at all save it you have more than $10k in accounts outside the US you must declare them to the IRS every June.

I kept a NatWest account and it has not been a problem at all.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-29 19:41:00
United Kingdom8AM Interview in London - What time to arrive?
If it is dry about 7.30 if it is raining, snowing or freezing cold I'd get there about 7.45. You will be standing out in the open waiting to get in so if the weather is bad how much do you want to suffer.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-12 13:46:00
United KingdomKeeping UK bank accounts open and transferring money
If you have more than $10000 in foreign bank accounts you have to declare those accounts to the IRS by June each year. Does not mean anything other than they must be declared.

Any income from those accounts, interest, you declare on your normal tax return. Transfer you own UK funds to the US when the exchange rates is acceptable to you. They are your funds no tax will have to be paid just because you transfer them over.

I have kept my UK bank account open and other than remembering to send the form every June it has not been a problem.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-21 18:59:00
United KingdomBabies and Citizenship, and all that good stuff...
If she is born in the US she will be a US citizen and will have to enter and leave the US with a US passport.

Not sure in the circumstances if she will have UK citizenship but I think so. She would be entitled to a UK passport in that case, but US law requiring citizens to use US passports means she must have a US one. The UK doesn't require its citizens to have British passports so you have the choice to get one or not depending on the circumstances of your travel plans.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-26 17:07:00
United KingdomAffidavit of Support and Tax Returns
QUOTE (npson @ Dec 30 2009, 02:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We have been trying to get through to the IRS services department in London to find out how my wife files tax returns as part of the I-864 file tax but we can't get through!


The Embassy closed for UK and US national holidays. So if you called Monday it was shut.

You are allowed a foreign income allowance each year which if tax in the source country is exempt from US tax. The amount changes each year so you will need to look it up for each year you need to file. Just because you leave outside the US doesn't mean you do not file, my wife did for the 10 years she lived in the UK.

Now you need to speak to the IRS at the Embassy because they very well may not insist on all the missing years returns being submitted. Depending on the circumstances they have allowed people to only file the last 3 years returns.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-30 10:46:00
United KingdomAffidavit of Support and Tax Returns
1) You use dollars, I used the exchange rate on the day I completed the form

2) Your wife best get filling out her tax forms. There is an IRS office at the Embassy in London if she needs help. US citizens are required to declare their worldwide income to the IRS. Unless she earned a very high salary she will not owe US income tax but must file.

Start here http://www.usembassy...k/irs/index.htm

3) Family can be co-sponsors

Edited by Lansbury, 28 December 2009 - 01:47 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-12-28 13:46:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (SunDrop @ Nov 23 2009, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Nov 20 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
perhaps if a person goes to the interview before they have all the documents thereby causing the CO extra work to check everything when it is subsequently submitted the question should be asked why does that person expect special treatment and the CO to stop work on cases where the people did have all their ducks in a row at the right time.

Just a thought innocent.gif


This is a little unfair considering the circumstances here.


No it isn't it is looking at it from the point of view of a lot of others and perhaps how the COs feel about.

Unlike I would guess just about anyone in this group I had the person who supervises the I-130 applications deliberately sit on my file for weeks because I had upset her over a work matter and she was trying to show me how important Americans were and how I should jump workwise when the Embassy told me to do something. So I appreciate how people feel when trying to get information and progress from the Embassy.

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-23 13:34:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (Allie and Nigel @ Nov 20 2009, 04:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So in other words, get your ducks in a row before you go to your interview and you wouldn't have this problem???


I wasn't referring to anyone in particular but making a general observation and looking at the matter from a different perspective. Seems you have a problem discussing things without seeing it as criticism.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-21 02:29:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (K & K @ Nov 19 2009, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Allie and Nigel @ Nov 18 2009, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok I'm starting this thread cause I know there's a bunch of us who need to vent about the waiting process, whatever stage they're in, cause I think sometimes its hard to communicate to others who are not in your situation, or they're past whatever stage your in and really cant relate...so here we go........
1. My rant is waiting for my visa from London, when we were approved pending our subject access, now its sent and I hope like crazy we dont have to wait like we're waiting for a dang NOA2!!!!!! I think we should be priority or the same as the folks who got approved the day of the interview and have their visas in a week or so like the rest of those lucky interviewee's.
Thats my rant of the day.


I understand yes.gif If they can review documents in 30 mins on the day of the interview and approve it. Why does it takes 2 months to review the same documents they would have seen on the day of the interview?? blink.gif


perhaps if a person goes to the interview before they have all the documents thereby causing the CO extra work to check everything when it is subsequently submitted the question should be asked why does that person expect special treatment and the CO to stop work on cases where the people did have all their ducks in a row at the right time.

Just a thought innocent.gif

LansburyMaleEngland2009-11-20 14:18:00