ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
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
United KingdomAunt Bessies Frozen Yorkshire Puds
QUOTE (mustang-sally @ Jan 10 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Have you tried making them yourself, they are easy to make.


Yep my American wife had never seen a Yorkshire pudding before she came to live in England, she make her own over here now.

Now roast potatoes are a different thing, there seems to be something that prevents her from getting roast potatoes perfect. whistling.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-01-10 17:24:00
United KingdomHelp!! Turned down for filing in London...Has this happened to you?
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Feb 7 2008, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
he has a US bank account, that he's had for either 1 or 2 years (it has only recently been actively used though)
he opened a 2nd bank account last week
he has a US drivers licence
he is registered to vote (at his parents address)


He is domiciled in the US as far as the visa is concerned. This is more than what is need to be satisfactory.

His US domicile is his parents address as it is where he is registered to vote and I take it on his driving licence as well.

For domicile think this. It is his address in the US which he intends to return to. His address in the UK is a temporary address which he lives at until he exercises his intention to return to his permanent address (his domicile) in the US.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 17:17:00
United KingdomHelp!! Turned down for filing in London...Has this happened to you?
By the way in order for the non citizen spouse to enter using the visa the USC does have to be in the US. So for example the non citizen should not travel to the US before the USC spouse for some reason. Together is OK or the USC before the non citizen.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 17:07:00
United KingdomHelp!! Turned down for filing in London...Has this happened to you?
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Feb 7 2008, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Feb 7 2008, 04:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Having read the other thread one thing jumps out at me.

The visa applicant told the Embassy staff the USC wasn't domiciled in the USA. That IMHO was a pretty stupid statement to make and one which the Embassy staff have to take note off. Especially as domicile is required.

They take a pretty lenient view of what being domiciled is. My wife hadn't lived in the US for 10 years but had an Oregon driving licence with our sons address on it. They didn't even ask to see it. But if they are told the USC isn't domiciled what are they supposed to do.


Lansbury, I don't understand this....
In my case, On the I-160, I think that dh said he was domicile in the UK. How could he be applying through the London Embassy, if he wasn't domicile in the UK?? If he was domicile in the US he would have to apply out there, right?!


You can be living in two places for the purposes of DCF via London. The USC must have permanent leave to remain (is it still called that) in the UK to file the I-130. When it gets to the UK spouse applying for the visa the USC spouse must be domiciled in the US to act as the sponsor.

The US Embassy in London seems to take quite a lenient view of domicile. As long as the USC can show ties to a US address they seem happy to accept this. They don't insist the USC is physically in the US just as long as they can show domicile.

Do what these people seem to have done by their own account, deny the USC was domiciled in the US and you have rather backed the US Consular Officer up against a wall.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 16:57:00
United KingdomHelp!! Turned down for filing in London...Has this happened to you?
Having read the other thread one thing jumps out at me.

The visa applicant told the Embassy staff the USC wasn't domiciled in the USA. That IMHO was a pretty stupid statement to make and one which the Embassy staff have to take note off. Especially as domicile is required.

They take a pretty lenient view of what being domiciled is. My wife hadn't lived in the US for 10 years but had an Oregon driving licence with our sons address on it. They didn't even ask to see it. But if they are told the USC isn't domiciled what are they supposed to do.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 16:24:00
United KingdomHelp!! Turned down for filing in London...Has this happened to you?
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Feb 7 2008, 11:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay, I just read the thread on the other forum. I'm not a member there, so I'm not going to barge in. It does sound really, really weird about them questioning citizenship when the USC could adduce a lot of evidence.


Could you point me whatever forum it is. I've been advising someone on here about the issue of domicile for DCF and the fact that the London Embassy don't look to hard at it. If that is now not the case I need to amend my advice to this person.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 15:30:00
United KingdomAffidavit /Proof of relationship needed?
We had been married 10 years. The evidence we provided was a marriage certificate.

We had a mortgage on our house, we had joint bank accounts. But these were only included as we used assets for the I-864.

If you have been married for 16 years it is hardly for the convenience of getting a visa. It isn't worth that much suffering rolleyes.gif

I think you need to concentrate on the advice available on VJ and not be misled by what you read elsewhere
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 22:29:00
United KingdomI got a job today!!!!
Excellent news
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-07 17:19:00
United KingdomGot a British Pension
What is the mystery I have been receiving my pension without problems since Jan07

Oh and the IRS have very strict rules about transferring UK pensions into the USA
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-09 00:22:00
United KingdomUS to London
I've used UPS several times, found them cheaper than Fed Ex. Service I got was exactly what I paid for, and delivered when they said it would be.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-08 12:23:00
United KingdomFirst Tax Return
QUOTE (Converse34 @ Feb 14 2008, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh please. If it is a normal person who isn't the CEO of a fortune 500 company, but just a normal person, are they seriously going to be audited? The IRS doesn't care about small fish, they are too busy investigating large amount of money. Don't be so dramatic.


If you are happy to break the law do so, but why assume others would follow your lower standards.

The chance of the normal worker getting audited in 2007 was 1%. My step-son, just an ordinary working guy, got audited a few years back and he had followed your method, they won't audit the small guy. He sure as hell wished when they finished he had declared the income from his side jobs which he thought they would never find. Back tax plus penalties can be a killer, he is still paying back the money I loaned him to get out of the mess.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-14 17:55:00
United KingdomFirst Tax Return
QUOTE (Converse34 @ Feb 14 2008, 04:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To me, unless you are earning tons of money a year, you are really just opening the door for potential issues by even declaring your UK income. I see NO possible way it can be traced, and you already paid tax in the UK, why mention it?


How about it is a Federal offence not to.

How about if you get pulled for an audit and something in that traces back, for example a money transfer from the UK and they start asking questions about it. If you have ever been audited you would know it is like the Spanish Inquisition and you have to prove what you tell them.

How about if you have paid tax on it in the UK you legally don't have to pay tax on it in the US anyway, so why lie on your tax return.

How about suggesting in these forums people commit criminal offences isn't really a good idea, what you do is your choice.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-14 12:17:00
United KingdomFirst Tax Return
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Feb 13 2008, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you have paid UK tax on your UK income that can be offset against US tax. If you claim the UK tax back you then might be liable to US tax on those earnings.


Ignore that bit I was thinking you had earned the money in the UK while you lived in the US.

For your UK earnings while you lived in the UK you can claim the foreign earned income exemption, which is for 2007 $82400 a year. So in the year you came to the US it would be $84200 divided by 365 multiplied by the number of days you lived in the UK. That is how our account worked ours out when we moved over in 2006.

Edited by Lansbury, 13 February 2008 - 11:54 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-13 23:53:00
United KingdomFirst Tax Return
I would suggest finding an accountant who does know about foreign earnings and tax. A good accountant even if they are not familiar should be able to look it up.

If you have paid UK tax on your UK income that can be offset against US tax. If you claim the UK tax back you then might be liable to US tax on those earnings. Until our accountant did our tax return this year I thought I understood it all. How he worked it out and how he manged to exempt my UK earnings I just don't have a clue.

You may well need to declare your UK bank account separately from your tax return depending on just have much the balance is.

Edited by Lansbury, 13 February 2008 - 11:29 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-13 23:24:00
United KingdomPassport name change with visas
The British Embassy cannot transfer visas issued by another country into your new passport.

There are 2 choices. The Embassy will return your old passport with the new one. The visas in your old passport remain valid, until their original expiry date, provided you present your new passport and the old one together if you need to travel on one of the visas. Or the you can have the visas put into your new passport if the country that issued them will do that, if they do they charge.

Most people just carry their old passport when the visa is needed it is quite common practice and the cheapest option.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-16 16:41:00
United KingdomTaking my credit rating with me
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Feb 16 2008, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wonder though, if you have an account with American Express or similar whether that helps you get started more quickly.


American Express seem willing to open a US account on the basis of your UK one. I certainly had no problems just a phone call and others have posted similar experiences on here.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-17 02:39:00
United KingdomQuestion about vaccination records
All I took was an unsigned print out, they were happy with that. Can't see you will have a problem at all.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-20 12:07:00
United KingdomPolice Certificate Application
I take it that is the ACPO form. People applying for non-immigrant visas will use the same form and would know their departure date in a lot of cases. You can't expect people of ACPO rank to have common sense and know one size doesn't fit all, or to bother to find out these things before undertaking to supply the certificates.

I would suggest for the date put not known.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-21 16:16:00
United KingdomLondon Medical Jan 28th
QUOTE (zazacarioca @ Feb 23 2008, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks so much for the information. My fiance is actually in Portland, hope you're enjoying Oregon. Best wishes.


Great place, the sun is shining this morning and we have had a week of quite good weather. That means it hasn't rained kicking.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-23 15:13:00
United KingdomLondon Medical Jan 28th
I would assume if they said £170 that is what it is, from memory so don't trust me it went up recently £10 from £160 to £170.

The chicken pox vaccine is not available in the UK so if you do at some point in the process need it, you get in it the US. I did IR-1 so didn't need any extra processing Stateside so have never had that vaccine. They just asked me if I had ever had chicken pox at the Embassy doctors and left it at that.

The results normally take 2 - 3 working days to get from the doctor to the Embassy, from what they told me it is more often 2 days than 3. Depends how quick the blood results come back from the lab.

The doctors only call you about the results if they find something which need following up. If you pass they don't call.

Edited by Lansbury, 23 February 2008 - 01:37 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-23 13:35:00
United KingdomLondon Medical Jan 28th
QUOTE (zazacarioca @ Feb 22 2008, 08:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SSAH @ Feb 11 2008, 06:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I went with my fiancé to Bentinck Street for the medical and we parked on a meter just around the corner on Queen Anne Street .
...
Right at the end he did a blood test. He also talked about my medical history and wanted some more info from my GP about when I had depression 10 years ago. That was it, nothing to worry about.


Hi there,

I was quite concerned about SSAH's last comment, that his GP would be contacted about his medical history. Does anyone know if this is standard procedure, is your medical history not private? I don't see how being treated for depression is relevant to a K-1 visa application. Worried! Anyone's experience with this would be really appreciated.


They do not contact your GP. If for some reason they want information from your GP, very rare, it is for you to contact your GP and ask them to supply that information.

With depression they are concerned that the person might require expensive medical treatment in the US which they cannot afford and/or that they might be a danger to themselves or others. Those people on VJ who have suffered depression in the past, once they have obtained the extra medical information the Embassy doctors have asked for have had no problems getting a visa.

Edited by Lansbury, 22 February 2008 - 12:26 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-22 12:26:00
United KingdomLondon Medical Jan 28th
The interview is even easier than the medical biggrin.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-11 13:54:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Feb 24 2008, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
About his accent (Essex/Devon)...I love it and wouldn't change a thing about it; I even threatened him that if he lost it, I would send him back to retrieve it!!! I would rather learn to say the things he says that are different, than for him to change...


It isn't some much how he speaks within the family, it is when dealing with non family members in every day situations.

I still speak within the family very much as I did in England, my 3 year old grandson speaks American and English and changes his words when he speaks to me. However when shopping or in a restaurant for example I now tend to switch to American pronunciation as much as I can because otherwise it just becomes an uphill struggle. Heck they struggle enough with the accent you have to try and make it as easy as possible for them. yes.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-24 14:28:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
Went to lunch yesterday while at the shopping mall and ordered a bowl of chili, after the third attempt my wife had to translate for the server. What is so difficult about understanding "I'll have a bowl of chili please."
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-06 11:19:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
QUOTE (Sister Fracas @ Dec 4 2007, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As for bangers... check out this thread....

http://www.visajourn...l=british foods


Thanks I had seen some of those. Problem is with the shipping cost. One of those places will only ship meat next day air, which is understandable, but $16 dollars of sauages cost $75 shipping on UPS.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-04 20:00:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Dec 3 2007, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
great post, Lansbury smile.gif

of course, it deepens my trepidation ten-fold, so thank you for that tongue.gif wink.gif


No need for trepidation just bring a sense of humor or should that be humour
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-04 19:51:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
QUOTE (devilette @ Dec 3 2007, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Lansbury, it's interesting to hear how other Brits see the USA. yes.gif


Well the small part I live in anyway. One thing you come to appreciate is that there is no such thing as a universal American. The US is so vast that there are many different Americans depending on where they live.

One thing I have learnt from this forum you cannot assume just because something is done one way where you live it is done that way in the whole USA.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-03 11:49:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
QUOTE (julezabelle @ Dec 3 2007, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wondered the exact same thing? Why is there a perplexed blink?

Thanks Lansbury for sharing with us! I do hope you will one day be successful in your quest for proper sausages!


I assume that the perplexed blink is the forum equivalent of the American blank face when they don't understand English whistling.gif

As to the sausages we are close and have found a butcher who makes his own English sausages which are almost the real thing but not quite. Still they are very good.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-03 10:30:00
United KingdomSurvived first year.
A couple of weeks ago I completed my first year in the USA, so I thought I might pen a few notes of my experiences which might help others acclimatise.

When speaking to Americans who don't know you watch their faces. A short distance into the conversation a blank and vacant look comes over their faces. This indicates that prior to any thoughts you might have they really don't speak English. You're going to have to learn the American pronunciation of quite a lot of words or indeed completely different words for things.

We have been surprised by the amount of stuff we have got for our home which we have had to return because it was faulty. From a coffee percolator which was made so the water missed the pot right through to quite expensive items and computer equipment. The latest was tire chains from Les Schwab. Firstly given the wrong ones, the bill was correct but the sales person gave me the wrong ones which would have badly damaged my vehicle if used. When I went to fit the right ones these didn't fit so I took them back. They fitted them in about a minute until I pointed out they were not fitted as per the instructions. They pointed out the instructions were wrong and I should fit them as they did. They never could answer why the instructions were printed wrong, if indeed they were.

The urban legends about Americans having little knowledge of the world outside of America are partly true. We had some good laughs being asked if London was east of Chicago and if the UK on my driving licence stood for Ukraine. But getting gas at our local Fred Meyers always entails a good discussion with one of the attendants who has an almost unlimited knowledge of British politics.

No-one looks down on you here because of the sort of job you do. Working to support yourself is what counts.

The TV isn't as bad as it's reputation although the local newscasters on the CBS affiliate in Portland are unintentionally one of the best comedy shows. The weather forecaster the other day thought the Strait of Gibraltar was off Dover. But heck there are loads of places in Oregon I could find if I had to.

I have found Americans to be kind, helpful and very caring. They step up to help people in trouble as there is no government safety net here and you survive on your own efforts.

It's been an interesting year and I'm glad we moved over here. Our standard of living on our pensions is better than it would be in the UK. Our money enables us to do more and there is more to do. The down side is the unknown and the worry of not having a welfare state as a back up if we need it.

There is just one problem that I and I know many others have spent ages trying to solve and failed. Where in the USA can you buy decent sausages.

Come here with an open mind it isn't Britain but it is a different great place.

Finally to anyone in Eugene or Duck supporters everywhere. GO BEAVS innocent.gif

Edited by Lansbury, 02 December 2007 - 03:42 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-12-02 15:40:00
United KingdomScheduling London embassy interview
I seem to recall someone posting on here that they had booked their wedding and they had left themselves very short of time. I believe they said they wrote the Embassy explaining the situation and the Embassy gave them a quick interview.

Certainly nothing to lose by including a letter when you send the checklist back asking.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-25 17:07:00
United KingdomScheduling London embassy interview
Some have been lucky and put a date in and the Embassy have been able to do so. We got our interview a week before the date we put.

However there is no guarantee that the date will be met, or that they will get then visa back to you in time.

If you haven't even got packet 3 yet I think you are pushing it to get it in time for when you want. You might be lucky
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-25 14:50:00
United KingdomInterview London Embassy
Euston Victoria Line to Oxford Circus and then Central Line to Bond Street or Marble Arch. Marble Arch is about a 10 minute easy walk to the Embassy and probably the route is easier to follow than from Bond Street.

Not sure what taxi prices are these days but I'd guess at £5 one way.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-25 16:43:00
United Kingdomwhat to take to UK interview
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Feb 25 2008, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, I'm just quoting what she told us on VJ here but I have no direct experience of the interview myself so I am inclined to trust your word on not knowing for sure what was looked at and what wasn't.

Anyway, I wasn't suggesting that WS-JW relies on his/her own funds alone. Just saying it's a good thing to have some proof of self-funding as a back-up or supplement to the sponsorship stuff.


I fully appreciated what you were saying and that you were quoting someone else, however I did think it prudent to make the point I did. The person who you hand the documents too, isn't the person who reviews them or makes the decision.

You point of having a proof you can self fund is a good backup, all I was trying to do was make sure people didn't accept what a person thought had been checked and what hadn't as reliable information however well intentioned.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-25 15:36:00
United Kingdomwhat to take to UK interview
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Feb 25 2008, 07:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There is a VJer called weedebz who presented bank statements at the interview along with the sponsor and co-sponsor info and the embassy saw her bank balance (c. £9k) and didn't even bother to check the I-134 package she took with her. So, it is a good thing to have a back-up plan of your own if you can.
I know everyone using a co-sponsor (including me) has concerns but it seems that London is pretty flexible on this.


I think there is more to this than that. £9k in assets is about a third of what would be needed for a 2 person family, if the couple were married, to cover the required income for 3 years using assets. No one else has reported on VJ that the London Embassy has done anything but require the financial requirements to be met.

When you hand the paperwork over you are asked to sit down again while the Consular officer looks at it, there is no way to be sure what has been looked at and what hasn't. They spent about 5 minutes looking at our paperwork so I surmise it wasn't examined to closely or in great detail, but I have no way of knowing for sure just what they looked at and what they didnt.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-25 14:46:00
United Kingdomwhat to take to UK interview
should have added best of luck
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-23 15:25:00
United Kingdomwhat to take to UK interview
Take exactly what it asks for on the checklist. I though the vaccine record if done after the medical went back to the doctors but as you still have them take them with you.

Take the other evidence you have just in case, but experience of people on VJ says you will not need it. Better to have it then not.

Have all the documents they ask for on the checklist in the order they are on the checklist, that is how they usually ask for them.

2 colour US size passport photos

There is a place in Oxford Street which does them, someone will post the name I can't remember it, and there is a booth in the visa waiting area inside the Embassy.

Kings Cross to the Embassy by taxi that time of day if busy 20 minutes tops. More like 5 - 10 minutes.

Your bank statements might help, always best to take them. The support relies mainly on your sponsors but if you can show liquid assets that can only be in your favour.

Edited by Lansbury, 23 February 2008 - 03:25 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-23 15:22:00
United KingdomWe are MARRIED!!!!
Many congratulations, may you have a long and prosperous life together.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-23 17:41:00
United KingdomMedical was a complete disaster
Sorry to hear you have had problem. Follow the advice the doctor gave you, others here for different reasons have been given similar advice.

Once the Embassy doctors receive written confirmation of what they are asking they will give you the all clear. When you pass the medical that is all the Embassy are concerned with and it will not effect the visa being issued.

Others had been required to obtain psychiatric reports and while it was additional aggravation they reported it all worked out when that had been done.

Don't worry, easier said then done I know, with a positive letter you will be in the same position as anyone else when they go to the interview.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-02-14 12:07:00
United KingdomWhat next?..
QUOTE (mrssmith @ Mar 2 2008, 03:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The vaccine is actually available in the UK as when i started my nurses training they were screening people for the immunity to chicken pox which i didn't have as never had chicken pox! Then those who weren't immune were given the vaccine, however i manage to catch chicken pox from my little girl before i was given the vaccine!! Sorry to butt into the thread. So unsure why they don't offer it to others? Perhaps its the costs? Probably cost the NHS more if i contracted the pox then passed it onto patients? Which i didn't by the way.


OK I'll rephrase what I said. As far as the list of required vaccinations given on the US Embassy web site is concerned it states the chickenpox vaccine is not available in the UK. That still seems to be their perspective so it isn't required.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-02 14:15:00