ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomLondon Medical question
They will not normally do the medical without the London Embassy case number. If you know the case number you don't in fact need the interview appointment letter at the medical.

How did you book your medical without the instructions in packet 3 telling where to call. I don't see that you have much choice but to call the doctor and explain it does seem the only way you will find out which office to go to. If they cancel the appointment at least you haven't wasted £200 as devilette pointed out.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-05 14:43:00
United KingdomDCF or IR-1/CR-1 Filing Question
With that letter Margot suggested you have more than enough to satisfy what it required and then some. You're good to go.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-11 12:51:00
United KingdomDCF or IR-1/CR-1 Filing Question
QUOTE (Gwen666 @ Jan 10 2008, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That's quite a relief. I remember it was like that with the I-134, but since the I-864 is a bit more in-depth I was getting worried.


It does seem at London most, not all obviously but the vast majority, come away saying what an anti climax the interview was and how straight forward it was. I think our experience is typical and from reports people have posted on here since we had ours it is still very much the same.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-10 17:18:00
United KingdomDCF or IR-1/CR-1 Filing Question
When we did ours they could hardly have looked at it at all. They most certainly didn't take enough time to have given more than glance at the supporting documents, more like just check the figures provided on the form complied with the requirements.

At the very most they spent 5 minutes, if that, looking at all the paperwork we submitted on the day of the interview and never asked us any questions at all.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-10 15:47:00
United KingdomSo glad I found this forum...
QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Jan 11 2008, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I hope there's not another rush for the beginning of the year...


No worries in remains pretty steady except just before a fee increase. Unfortunately for you there is still a backlog from the fee increase a few months back which hasn't been cleared yet.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-11 14:11:00
United KingdomSo glad I found this forum...
QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Jan 9 2008, 06:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I guess the hardest part is the realistic timeline...I want him here yesterday....


Don't know any immigration service in the world that does yesterday.

Getting a realist time frame might be a bit difficult. A few months ago the US raised all the fees to do with immigration and citizenship and got flooded with applications from people beating the fee deadline.

Best is to look at posts from others who have applied in the last few months and try and gauge it from them. They are unfortunately suffering more delay than most and I would guess your time frame will be about the same as theirs.

It does seem if the I-130 was filed in the US around 10 months is what it is taking. Hopefully others who have recently done this will give an more accurate forecast.

Not sure if you file an I-130 for a fiance visa but the time frame is about the same now if you are married already or coming to the US to get married.

Edited by Lansbury, 09 January 2008 - 11:09 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-09 23:06:00
United KingdomSo glad I found this forum...
QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Jan 7 2008, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Any suggestions would be more than welcome...


Have plenty of patience and if there is anything you need to know just ask
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-07 18:44:00
United KingdomCheapest Airline flights
QUOTE (Converse34 @ Jan 14 2008, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[

True consolidated fares are negotiated on a contract by contract basis, based on the revenue they give the airline. They are often, but not always, lower than the lowest advertised published fare.


Thanks I'm fully aware what consolidator tickets are and how things have and are changing in respect of the fares airlines offer.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-15 11:58:00
United KingdomCheapest Airline flights
QUOTE (Converse34 @ Jan 14 2008, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is not true - at least on airline sites. They barely have enough time to monitor flights that have been sold, let a lone ones people are researching.


Not airlines sites but Expedia and those of that ilk most certainly do. It is quite a well published trick of theirs.

QUOTE (Converse34 @ Jan 13 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hmmm.... Q fare is not consolidated - it is a pretty good fare though, still published.


When I did my ticketing course Q was consolidator fares.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-14 21:35:00
United KingdomCheapest Airline flights
QUOTE (Converse34 @ Jan 13 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You can do a search for travel agents that sell "consolidated" fares. These are bulk rates that they have with certain airlines - these fares are only available through travel agents and no usually available through online agents such as expedia or travelocity. It is worth trying to find consolidated fares first. If not, use expedia or travelocity or orbitz to locate the cheapest airline/routing and then go to the own airline's website to book it direct.


A few of the airlines, United is one, now sell the consoldator tickets - Q class tickets - on their own web site.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-14 15:44:00
United KingdomCheapest Airline flights
QUOTE (C and J @ Jan 14 2008, 12:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you don't know it already, don't search on the same flight too often because, once the airline knows people are interested, you'll see the price start to rise.


Just turn cookies off in your browser stops that from happening.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-14 15:40:00
United KingdomGetting out of Mortgage pre-payment pentalty
Normally the early repayment penalty is because you got a cash back, or a reduced interest rate for a fixed period or some other monetary incentive when you took out the mortgage. The mortgage agreement will say what the penalty is and how it is calculated. The bank or building society can waive the penalty but it is very rare they do.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-16 13:18:00
United KingdomThe Whole Story
Congratulations - see that they paid as much attention to your co-sponsor as was predicted biggrin.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-16 15:33:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy
QUOTE (mustang-sally @ Jan 17 2008, 02:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Jan 17 2008, 09:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for these!! I never realised the queue was so long!! Did you have to wait long? I am thinking I might try and postpone my interview til the summer laughing.gif


From joining the queue to stepping foot inside the Embassy was just 15 minutes, they did seem to process everyone quite quickly, thank goodness.


Was that the queue to go through security and if so do you still queue up outside until your appointment time to join the security queue?
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-17 13:33:00
United Kingdomdepartment for employment
Depends you don't have to tell them, I guess you really mean the part that administers benefits and pensions. Then again if you don't tell them you've moved how can they pay any pension you might be entitled to when the time comes.

The best time to tell them is when you leave and have an address in the US you can be contacted at.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-20 20:51:00
United KingdomPacket 3
You fill out all the forms and return them.

The check list lists the documents you need to have to take to your interview when it is scheduled. You return the check list when you have all those documents to tell the Embassy you are ready for the interview. If you have all those documents now you may return the check list with the forms. If you don't have all the documents send the forms back now and send the check list back when you have all the documents. DO NOT send any documents listed on the check list with the check list, you take them with you on the day of your interview.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-21 17:08:00
United KingdomPolice Check
QUOTE (Gwen666 @ Jan 21 2008, 06:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, I know. I've done this twice.

My husband has been cautioned once in the past. we have requested the police report twice - the correct one, as we have been approved twice - and the caution does not show.


That's very interesting because they are visible on the screen when a PNC check is done. I was an authorised PNC operator and supervisor for more years than I care to admit and can clearly remember seeing cautions when doing checks. These were old ones as well as current ones.

They must have a way of blocking them from the printout.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-21 17:29:00
United KingdomDCF Checklists
Surprisingly there is a list of forms on the US London Embassy web site with details of what's on those forms. biggrin.gif

http://london.usemba.../visaforms.html

You want the IV-15 checklist. It tells you everything you need
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-24 14:28:00
United Kingdomi94w
You don't fill out the visa waiver form if you are coming in on a visa.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-27 15:36:00
United KingdomJust got Packet 3...
In fact I'm not so sure it wasn't 2 offices in England and 1 in Scotland
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 16:21:00
United KingdomJust got Packet 3...
QUOTE (catrocks @ Jan 28 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ewww thats horrible! You'd think they'd have one in England, one in Scotland, one in Wales and one in NI to be a bit more convenient! Although, this doesn't surprise me.


They did have a company that had offices in 3 places in England do the medicals at one time.

For whatever reason it didn't last very long at all and went back to being with a different practice just in London.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 16:12:00
United KingdomJust got Packet 3...
Phone the doctors office it is normal for them to have appointments within a week or you can arrange a date which is more suitable to you.

You might even find it more convenient to come to London just once and so schedule the medical for the day before you visa interview. The downside to that is it will delay your visa a couple of days until the Embassy get the results from the doctors, but it saves the cost of two trips to London.

Edited by Lansbury, 28 January 2008 - 01:04 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 13:03:00
United Kingdomjust wondering if any one can put me at ease
QUOTE (FrankD @ Jan 28 2008, 03:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the problem is i dont have a job =/ i could get a reference from a previous job, would that do any good? or am i looking at getting kicked out of the country sad.gif


That question is very difficult to answer. It is subjective and based on what the immigration officer who deals with you on the day thinks.

They may well take no notice of you and you go through without any problems. On the other hand they might think you are trying to circumnavigate the visa requirements and refuse you entry. Or anywhere in between and give you a hard time but let you in.

Appreciate the answer isn't helpful and while I would guess the odds are on you having no real problems no one on here can really know or give a definitive answer.

I think I would go via Dublin
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 19:17:00
United Kingdomjust wondering if any one can put me at ease
QUOTE (FrankD @ Jan 28 2008, 01:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
im staying for 88 days in the summer, im really worried that theyll keep me out =[


It is the two visits being close together which may give rise to some questioning and problems.

Are you able to take with you proof of ties to the UK, mortgage, job anything which shows you need to go back to the UK rather than leaving the immigration officer to think you are intending to stay.


QUOTE (ginger1981 @ Jan 28 2008, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They have a US immigration control at the Dublin airport, staffed by Irish people.


Are you sure that is correct the bit about them being Irish. USCIS is a federal job and for a federal job I thought you had to be a US citizen.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 17:30:00
United Kingdomjust wondering if any one can put me at ease
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Jan 28 2008, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The time will fly by tongue.gif


just ignore that posting from myself I though I was in another thread
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 17:25:00
United Kingdomjust wondering if any one can put me at ease
The time will fly by tongue.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 16:26:00
United Kingdomjust wondering if any one can put me at ease
Diificult to say what the immigration officer might think on the second trip. How many days were you intedning to stay. May to August could be more than the normal 90 days.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-28 12:57:00
United KingdomWhat size envelope does Packet 3 come in?
It will fit through a normal size letter box.

British postmen/woman are experts are getting just about anything through a letter box ohmy.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-29 22:50:00
United KingdomThinking ahead for DCF in London
Yes DCF in London is quite easy, they take a very broad view of what is US domicile and as long as the paperwork shows you have the required funds they don't seem to check to hard that you have.

If you go here http://london.usemba.../visaforms.html you can look at the forms and it will give you a good idea of what information you will need to have to hand.

The process starts with the I-130 to get your spouse accepted as an immediate relative and hence entitled to an immediate visa. Then the visa application when the I-130 has been approved. For the application the main forms are the DS-230 and I-864. You might also look at the IV-15 checklist as this will give an idea of any other documents you will need during the process. There are other forms but I think these are the major ones.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-30 14:24:00
United KingdomQuestion about Country on I-129F
QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Feb 1 2008, 01:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is the vaccine still worth it if you've had chicken pox? I can't think of anyone my age who hasn't had it!


I was always under the impression that once you have had chicken pox you as good as covered. However since being here I've heard this is not so and that after a time the protection reduces and you do benefit from having the vaccine.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-01 15:37:00
United KingdomQuestion about Country on I-129F
QUOTE (sarahs @ Jan 31 2008, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Totally unrelated - my fiance wants to know this, so if you know the answer that would be awesome!
One of the required shots he has to get is for Chicken Pox and it says that is unavailable in the UK. Is this necessary for getting approved or since it's not available in the UK does it not matter? He's just trying to get an idea of how much money he's gonna need for it all.


One of the shots I needed wasn't available in the UK so in fact the London Embassy doesn't require it.

Mine was a visa via marriage and I got a 10 year green card straight off. I think in your circumstance he will not be required to have the shot in the UK, but I think he might when he adjusts his status in the USA.

Tell him to get the shots at his own doctors, cheaper than having the Embassy doctors do it.

Edited by Lansbury, 31 January 2008 - 06:14 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-31 18:13:00
United KingdomQuestion about Country on I-129F
QUOTE (sarahs @ Jan 31 2008, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Jan 31 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To be pedantic UK isn't a country it is a union of countries. The country of residence in this case is England.

Not of course that the yanks at the Embassy, NVC or elsewhere would know the difference ohmy.gif


lol that was what I thought, which is what caused me to ask wacko.gif


He is a British citizen (that's what UK passports say for nationality) who lives in England.

UK or England I would think are both acceptable answers to put on the form.

In view of what Krikit has said UK seems to be what they want.

Edited by Lansbury, 31 January 2008 - 05:39 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-31 17:36:00
United KingdomQuestion about Country on I-129F
To be pedantic UK isn't a country it is a union of countries. The country of residence in this case is England.

Not of course that the yanks at the Embassy, NVC or elsewhere would know the difference ohmy.gif

Edited by Lansbury, 31 January 2008 - 05:00 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-31 16:57:00
United KingdomIR-1/CR-1
NOA2 to interview between 8 - 12 weeks, depending on how quickly you return the checklist (see below)

The medical doesn't control when the interview is.

With packet 3 is the instructions for arranging the medical and the checklist of the documents you will need for the interview. When you have those documents you return the checklist to tell the Embassy you are ready for your interview. The interview is around 4 weeks after the Embassy receives the returned checklist.

You can arrange the medical anytime to suit yourself between receiving packet 3 and having the interview, with the proviso the doctors office needs 2 - 3 working days to get the result to the Embassy.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-02 13:56:00
United KingdomMore tax issues...
QUOTE (Gwen666 @ Feb 1 2008, 08:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It depends on where your tax home is, which doesn't necessarily coincide with your residence.


From the IRS web site

The foreign earned income exclusion, the foreign housing exclusion, and the foreign housing deduction are based on foreign earned income. For this purpose, foreign earned income is income you receive for services you perform in a foreign country during a period your tax home is in a foreign country and during which you meet either the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test.

Therefore if you live in the US you cannot claim this exclusion, as you are not resident where you earned that income.

In 2006 when we moved to the US we resided in the UK for 323 days and our accountant calculated our foreign earned income exemption as 323/365ths of the limit for that year.

You don't pay tax on money earned in the UK if UK tax has been paid on it under the reciprocal tax agreement between the UK and US. There a couple of ways it can be claimed against US tax or deducted from US tax owed, but which is the best in a particular circumstance I'm not sure.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-02 13:47:00
United KingdomMore tax issues...
QUOTE (Gwen666 @ Feb 1 2008, 06:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, he needs to send proof of his interest income HOWEVER since this is foreign earned income it is exempt as long as it's below the threshhold. So what you need is a statement from the financial institution in question stating the amount of interest earned during the tax year, then the form 2555 to declare that income exempt.

Any income earned in the UK is exempt as long as it was below the threshhold ($~88k). Convert it to USD, declare it on your 1040A in the relevant spot for interest income, and fill out the 2555 so it will be exempt.


Is that correct I was under the impression that foreign earned income exemption only applied if you lived outside the US. If you are a US resident you claim the income tax paid overseas against US tax.

We are just arranging an appointment with the accountant for ours for this year to make sure we claim the tax paid on my UK pension the best way, so as to try an avoid State income tax on it as well.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-01 18:16:00
United KingdomEmbassy interview- questions!
These are the instructions posted on the US London Embassy web site

Important Security Notice

Please do not bring mobile phones or any electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, or PDAs as they are not allowed within the Embassy.

Do not bring large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the interview as there are no storage facilities on Embassy grounds. Click on the following PDF file for a list of Left Luggage storage facilities.

Applicants are required to queue outside even in inclement weather. Please, therefore, do not arrive at the Embassy more than 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

Only applicants with appointments will be admitted into the Embassy. Exceptions will be made only if the applicant is under 18, if the applicant requires an interpreter or if the applicant is disabled and requires assistance. The parent or guardian, interpreter or carer’s name must be on the appointment list. Local authorities will not permit anyone to wait outside the Embassy, so please do not bring anyone else with you.

Applicants who do not follow these instructions will experience considerable delays at the security check point which could result in the interview being cancelled.

My comments:

At one time they did stop US spouses from going in but I believe they allow that again now. He will need to take his US passport with him. If they don't let him in the are several cafes nearby you can find before you go in and he can wait there.

You will need copies of his tax returns for last 3 years, they in fact for us only asked for the last one.

You can pay cash or credit card for the visa, the fee is in dollars. The courier you pay cash or credit card and the fee is in UK pounds.

Once through security and into the consular section, reckon between 45 minutes to 2 hours to you are finished and on your way out. Can't be more accurate than that but that seems a good cross section of what people have posted on here as the time it took. Most of the time is just waiting when we did ours it was around 45 minutes of which 35 minutes waiting and 5 minutes for each of the 2 visits to the counter, first to hand over documents and pay. the second to be officially told the visa had been granted, then off to pay the courier.

Take something to read, water if you like, tea, coffee, water, snacks etc are available inside (usual proviso if they haven't suddenly decided to stop doing refreshments).

This part is the easiest part of the whole process if you have all your paperwork is all OK. Arrange your paperwork in the order it is on the checklist, that is the order they ask for it in.

Edited by Lansbury, 04 February 2008 - 06:22 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-04 18:19:00
United Kingdomthe good, the bad and the interview
Congratulations, yet another breeze of an interview in London.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-06 12:19:00
United KingdomShippers- not sure where to post this?
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Feb 6 2008, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Am not sure if this is the right place to post this question- but I can't find where else to pst this and someone will tell me if it isn't!

Has anyone heard of, or used, either HAVAS packing & Shipping, based in Hartfield, or DRAKE MARITIME Ltd, in Brentfordd

We got a list of 'personal effects shippers' from the BIFA. Apparently they are not allowed to recommend anyone, but they sent us a list of about 20 names, all of who are registered with the BIFA.

The only name I recognised on the list was Seven Seas Worldwide- has anyone used them?

Thanks in advance for any replies!


Can you be a bit more precise in what you are shipping. Just a few boxes or enough to need a container or part of one.

If just a few boxes I have seen many good reports of Excess Baggage, if you need a container we used Pickfords and were extremely pleased with the service they gave us.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-06 14:56:00
United KingdomAunt Bessies Frozen Yorkshire Puds
QUOTE (broma25 @ Jan 10 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
personally I think it has something to do with the kind of potatoes you use!!


doubt it she couldn't do roast potatoes in England either innocent.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-11 12:48:00