ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United Kingdombest shipping company to use - UK to US
QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Mar 25 2008, 06:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was also told that if I shipped early, in my name, and then wasn't yet present in the US to receive the goods, the shipment would be counted as an 'import' - ie for business purposes - and not a private domestic thing... again, not making great claims about the veracity of that; just putting it out there for consideration wink.gif


Yes you do have to be in the USA when the shipment arrives, it cannot arrive before you if you want to ship as personal property duty free.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-25 14:15:00
United Kingdombest shipping company to use - UK to US
QUOTE (zoobuffalo @ Mar 18 2008, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
yep, good point. am still waiting on the quote. one thing i discussed with the guy that came out was about not having a social security number yet - you can't ship without one apparently. so i said well, it can all be done in my husband's name and he thought they might think all my women's clothes would be a bit odd to be shipped in a man's name! was suprised that this might be an issue! surely you can ship whatever you want as long as it's not illegal!! anyway, also they need my visa details to ship and i was thinking that this would delay us shipping until we got the visa, but then again if we do it in my husband's name, surely it can just go off straight away... anyway it all sounds a bit overly complicated! anyone else come up against any of these issues?


Everything was shipped in my name can't say there was a problem. Don't even remember Pickfords mention a SSN, however the shipping agent this end did ask me for it just before the ship docked. Not a problem as I had it by then.

Assuming you ship just as you leave and not weeks before you would normally be here some time before the shipment arrives and as the SSN comes about 3 weeks after you arrive, there shouldn't be a problem. The requirement has something to do with proving you are coming to reside in the USA and hence your stuff gets in free of duty. Our container left the Friday afternoon and we flew out to the States on the Sunday.

No reason at all why things cannot be shipped in your husbands name as a returning resident is allowed to import the family property duty free.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-18 17:48:00
United Kingdombest shipping company to use - UK to US
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Mar 18 2008, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nice to know they come out to give quotes though


If you find a company that just wants to price over the phone be very careful. They are relying on you giving them accurate details of the volume of the goods to be shipped. If that is wrong then you could well find yourself being charged more. All reputable removal companies will come out and give a free quote.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-18 12:38:00
United Kingdombest shipping company to use - UK to US
QUOTE (zoobuffalo @ Mar 12 2008, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
very cool - thanks for the info. and ouch, yeah will have to think about the computer. we already shipped one computer across, an old imac and it's just running with a plug converter, has been no problem, but my main computer is a bit more important, so will have to look into it properly. how do i find out these voltage things?
ahhh the cost may be more than they are worth, but in sentimental value, these things are priceless wink.gif (not the computer, the chairs!!)


Look at the back of the computer where the power cable plugs in. The power supply should have the voltage on it.

If it is just 240v, the power supply is held in normally by 4 or 5 screws. It is just a case of opening the computer, disconnecting the internal power leads, not difficult, take a digital photo and print it out before you do so as a guide to connecting the new ones. Remove screws, screw new power unit in and connect leads. Sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

The power unit steps the power down to that needed by the computer. So a new US power supply will replace an old UK power supply as a straight swap.

Edited by Lansbury, 12 March 2008 - 02:21 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-12 14:19:00
United Kingdombest shipping company to use - UK to US
It would surprise me if the cost of shipping the chairs and computer was more than they are worth. Excess Baggage are certainly good for boxes of books.

For the computer look to make sure the voltage is OK for use in the US, and the monitor as well. Most computers come with a 100-240v power supply and if not a new power supply in the US in around $40 and about 15 minutes to swap over. If the monitor does have 100-240v it probably isn't worth the hassle of shipping and trying to get a power converter for it.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-03-12 12:21:00
United KingdomNATWEST BANK
QUOTE (unforgettablefire @ Apr 5 2008, 12:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Apr 5 2008, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I bank with Natwest and all it takes it a telephone call to set up a transfer to my US Wells Fargo account.

I only use NatWest if I want to transfer a small amount as the rates banks give isn't the best. Normally I just call and have them transfer it to MoneyCorp in London who handle the currency exchange and send it on. Not only a better rate but a lot cheaper than Natwest, especially if you want a regular monthly payment such as a pension sent over.



Really? I have talked to different people in Natwest bank ad no help.... They told me I either need to send them a letter authorizing the transfer or there is no go. It is extremely frustrating

Thanks so much for the link, I will have a look at it and probably give them a ring next week.


Have a good weekend!


When I arrange a transfer either foreign currency or UK pounds to MoneyCorp I call the bank and arrange it. Sometime later I will receive a call back from the department of the bank which actually handles to transfer, on the telephone number listed on my account, to confirm it was me who placed the order and to confirm the details. The transfer is then made. To MoneyCorp it goes same day, if to Wells Fargo it goes the next day.

As has been said for a transfer to the USA ask for the International Department doing that saves the hassles of a call back, which will be 9 - 2pm UK time.

Edited by Lansbury, 06 April 2008 - 11:20 AM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-04-06 11:16:00
United KingdomNATWEST BANK
I bank with Natwest and all it takes it a telephone call to set up a transfer to my US Wells Fargo account.

I only use NatWest if I want to transfer a small amount as the rates banks give isn't the best. Normally I just call and have them transfer it to MoneyCorp in London who handle the currency exchange and send it on. Not only a better rate but a lot cheaper than Natwest, especially if you want a regular monthly payment such as a pension sent over.

Edited by Lansbury, 05 April 2008 - 02:14 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-04-05 14:11:00
United KingdomHas anyone thought about going the other way???
QUOTE (michmac @ Sep 24 2007, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
retirement benefits are excellent


That's an interest comment.

Part of the reason we can to the US was because my wife's retirement package was better than mine and we wanted to exchange rate to work in our favor.

I had a very good government pension but my wife's US pension was 25% more than mine for 50% less years worked in the scheme.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-24 15:03:00
United KingdomHas anyone thought about going the other way???
QUOTE (TracyTN @ Sep 20 2007, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
California is one of the states where the median value of a home is HIGH - I'm not surprised you are having trouble finding a house there. I'm not sure the UK will be any better (may in fact be worse).

Have you thought of moving to another state - possibly one where the property/land values aren't so sky high?


That really does seem a more practical solution. House prices in the UK are still going up. We sold our 2 bed end terrace 18 months ago for £200000 and thought we had got a good price. An identical house to house just down the road from where we lived went last month for £235000, that is a stupid increase.

As a general rule I think US house prices are a lot less then the UK, with some exceptions of course.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-20 15:48:00
United KingdomHas anyone thought about going the other way???
Getting a visa for a US spouse to live in the UK takes about 7 days, including time in the post. That is how quick my wife got hers some years ago but it doesn't seem to have changed.

Why go to the US, well how about a much better standard of living, better opportunities, a better life than you can have in the UK.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-19 17:24:00
United Kingdomanyone had their visa expire and get extension
It is very hard for one of us to answer that as it really depends how strict the Embassy want to interpret "beyond your control".

As Niagaenole says you don't need to be in the UK just to sell the house, you can leave it with the estate agent and let them do all the work, you just sign the paperwork when the time comes. If not selling means that causes you further problems before you can travel I would hope the Embassy would view that sympathetically, just not being able to sell while you would hope that would be OK as well I wouldn't be 100% sure of that.

Hopefully all will be OK before you need to find out.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-24 18:23:00
United KingdomMedical before interview date was set
QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 25 2007, 06:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The medical questionnaire is given to you at the doctors, at least mine was last year.


No they don't always send the questionnaire, or didn't used to, because they didn't send me one. I was given it all on the day, a couple of forms to fill in and the aids disclaimer. The receptionist asked me if I had the form from the Embassy and when I said the Embassy only sent the instructions for arranging the interview she said that quite often happens.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-25 20:34:00
United KingdomMedical before interview date was set
QUOTE (vgeg @ Sep 22 2007, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks.I have my case number assigned a few months ago.My case was completed in NVC not in London.The question is :can I do medical before the embsassy received my case from NVC?
Thanks


I would suggest not.

The case number they want is the Embassy case number which starts LND* they need that so that they can quote than number when they send the Embassy the results of the medical.

* I am assuming the Embassy visa section assign a case number for people who filed the I-130 via NVC the same as they do people who file the I-130 via the Embassy (DCF).

Hopefully someone, Alan where are you, who filed via NVC and has had their medical can confirm if they were given a LND case number.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-22 16:40:00
United KingdomMedical before interview date was set
QUOTE (vgeg @ Sep 22 2007, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the answer.
Do you know if I can find that medical questionarer to download.Or maybe anyone has a good scan ? Would be very much appreciated.


The medical questionnaire is given to you at the doctors, at least mine was last year.

I didn't have the date of the interview just my case number. In fact the instructions to arrange the medical come with packet 3 which is some weeks before you know when the interview date will be. You could try calling the US phone number and asking them if London have assigned a case number if it has been assigned they should be able to tell you what it is.

Can't see the doctor would really care about when the interview is it doesn't effect what they do, so when you get the case number call them and ask.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-22 14:07:00
United KingdomMcCann Parents Named as Suspects..
QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 13 2007, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (devilette @ Sep 13 2007, 08:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For the millionth time, no has said they are guilty. Stop twisting the words.



I tell you this though - I was a 'REAL' detective for 6 years from 1969 and a prerequisite for that job is a very open mind because real life is much weirder than any fiction you or I could write.




Now elsewhere you said you were a police officer for 6 years. So what 2 years probation and then a TDC and then a substantive detective.

As to an open mind in those days CID was one of the most corrupt things it was ever my misfortune to come across. wacko.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-13 14:39:00
United KingdomMcCann Parents Named as Suspects..
The DNA was tested in the UK because it was a team of British detectives and forensic officers who found it.

I have to say I cannot understand at the very least why the Portuguese haven't taken a firmer line on the children being left alone.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-08 12:17:00
United KingdomQuestion about emailing the US Embassy in Londaon
Perhaps as well as the code including the actual subject might have helped, at least they then know what it is about and how urgent it might be without actually opening to read the whole thing.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-28 10:32:00
United KingdomCheap Flights anyone?
Unless you can avoid booking at the last minute you are very unlikely to get a cheap airfare unless you are lucky.

thetrainline.com often shows a selection of train fares and routes and may be useful.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-26 11:20:00
United KingdomHopefully I'll be able to report all done tomorrow!!
Good luck hope all goes well
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-02 19:34:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy wait times
The Embassy says 12 weeks but that seems to be the maximum. It practical terms it seems to be 6 - 9 weeks with of course some exceptions.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-03 13:28:00
United KingdomHas someone tampered with my MBE?
The guys at the POE must see these envelopes all the time from all different Embassies, I bet unless it is open when they get it they wouldn't really know if it had been opend or not. If everything else is anything to go by the Embassies do not all do things the same way you can bet the sealing of the envelopes is different as well.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-03 13:34:00
United KingdomHas someone tampered with my MBE?
That's ok mine was just the same. It also protects the ink seal from being rubbed off in your bag etc.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-02 13:07:00
United KingdomBoth I-130s Approved!
QUOTE (Stand_By_Me_Babe @ Sep 30 2007, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Lansbury- That's kind of what I figured!

I hope you don't mind me asking you if the SSN and green card were sent to you automatically after your arrival in the states? I've read a post or two saying it's best to wait a couple weeks before appling for the SSN so you can be in the system.

I'm still a bit confused about what we will have to do once through POE. We were married more than 2 years ago so I realised that gives my husband an unconditional 10 year visa but have no idea if we collect it or if it's sent to us, if so, how long after arriving? wacko.gif

Sorry for going "off on one" but no matter how much I read, I always end up with MORE questions! If anyone can shed any light for a hopeless idiot, it'd be much appreciated.


The green card was sent but not the SSN. I did tick the box on the form for it to be sent but the immigration officer at my POE told me to apply for the SSN and seemed a bit non plussed when I mentioned the box on the form 230. Anyway he was right I waited a couple of weeks and didn't receive it and sure enough when I went to the office I had to apply for it. It came very quickly after that.

Once through the POE you don't have to do anything unless the SSN doesn't turn up. You will or should get a Welcome to America letter the green card will be in the post a few of days later, that is about 4 weeks after you arrive. As Mags says wait a couple of weeks for the SSN number and if you haven't got it go into the local office. You can't go before a couple of weeks because you will not be in their system before that and have to wait until you are.

Edited by Lansbury, 04 October 2007 - 11:57 AM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-04 11:52:00
United KingdomBoth I-130s Approved!
QUOTE (Stand_By_Me_Babe @ Sep 29 2007, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was really hoping to see a few others on the same part of the jouney as us but I guess this is an ebb, not a flow, of new embarkers. Oh well, I wonder if that'll have any impact on how quick London get to us? wink.gif no0pb.gif I won't hold out hope!

Thanks again.


Congrats I think you have completed the worst part of the visa journey, I thought the next part went quicker and it isn't just waiting for months for something to happen.

The people posting here are probably only a small minority of the people applying for visa so I guess you're right not to hope for something quicker than normal.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-09-30 11:19:00
United KingdomImmigration Medical today
QUOTE (andy2006 @ Oct 4 2007, 12:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Glad your medical went well, and that your both back home. We'll at least you got to see the the new zealand doctor we were talking about.

One more step to go now then, and if it was anthing like mine yesterday it was a breeze, just be prepared for waitng outside for about 30 mins just standing waiting to get into the embassy, when I got in there it took just over a hour.

Congrats, not long now!!!

Andreas


Congratulations on getting your visa
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-04 12:00:00
United KingdomImmigration Medical today
This was the Easybus was it not, I take it it has a connection with Easyjet both by the name and standard of service offered. ie it gets you from a to b and nothing more.

Still sounds as if all went well and that part is over and done with.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-03 17:04:00
United KingdomQuestion for those who have gone through London
Think about it. If you have been vaccinated against TB, your x-ray shows you don't have TB why then would they want you to take a cure for TB.


If that were the case everyone you didn't have TB would be treated that way and nobody has mentioned it.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-06 10:02:00
United KingdomWait time between Packet 3 sent and Packet 4 received from London Embassy
Glad you have the news you were waiting for, the State Department number has been mentioned many times on here and it is the one to use as international calls to the US are much cheaper than UK premium rate calls. They don't seem to mind at all calls coming in from the UK, I found them really helpful last year.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-09 13:09:00
United KingdomWait time between Packet 3 sent and Packet 4 received from London Embassy
Have a look at this thread

http://www.visajourn...p;#entry1237217
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-05 16:53:00
United KingdomWait time between Packet 3 sent and Packet 4 received from London Embassy
From the people who have started other threads here on the same subject it seems at the moment this is about the time it is taking.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-05 16:43:00
United Kingdominsurance in the US
QUOTE (MargotDarko @ Oct 10 2007, 02:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Leney @ Oct 9 2007, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wish I had a dollar for every time I've been asked if my husband speaks English. My new answer is "No, he speaks Scottish, it's like English but with more expletives."


Hehehe!

(On a serious note - that's ridiculous that anyone asks that!)


I don't know, there is a Scots guy living next door to our son and his family about a block away from us. He is from Glasgow and I'm sure he doesn't speak a word of English at least none that I can understand. yes.gif
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-10 12:58:00
United Kingdominsurance in the US
Well that's a new one not heard anyone being asked for that before, glad it is easy to sort out
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-09 13:21:00
United KingdomWedding Photos
Excellent photos very well posed
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-10 12:55:00
United Kingdompolice cert in hampshire
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Oct 15 2007, 01:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there

We're still at the early stage, having only just filled I-130 in London. I'm wondering about the police certificate that I'll need- whether to apply for it now, just so that it's to hand for the next stage? I'm assuming that it would be the Hampshire police as this is where I've lived for the last 5 years- how far does it need to go back before that? Do I go to my local police station, and what is the certificate that I need? Is there a fee for it?

Thanks in advance. This forum is a real find- thank god for being able to chat with other people going through the same thing!
Jessica


You want the form for a data protection enquiry for information held about you on the Police National Computer (PNC) it will show if you have been convicted of an offence or show no record held.

If you live in Hampshire you apply to them and it may well be they have the form online. It has been £10 for years so hopefully it hasn't gone up since I did mine last year.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-15 11:00:00
United KingdomNearest Pub to London Embassy?
When he comes out of the Embassy just ask one the police officers guarding it, if they don't know the nearest decent pub things have changed a lot since I was in the Met
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-02 19:36:00
United KingdomInterview Documents
QUOTE (Clarky and Tarah @ Oct 17 2007, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Oct 16 2007, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The documents that are on the check list, you take the originals and one copy with you on the day of the interview. They keep the copy and give you back the original. If you don't take a copy they keep the original.

The check list is to signify to the Embassy that you have all the required documents in your possession to bring to the interview.


Are you talking about the police certificate/birth certificate and such? My fiance was also told to send in all his forms.


That is what I was talking about I took everything that was listed on the check list with me, that is what the instructions were.

I'm very surprised they seem to have changed that as they in fact only take a short time to examine the documents and then return them. If they ask for the originals to be sent there is a danger they get lost in transit, or that the Embassy themselves might misplace them as they would be there for about a month. What is the applicant going to do if the Embassy lose all the originals. Perhaps they have had to many people return the check list saying they have all the documents and on the day of the interview it transpires they haven't and that at the very least least inconveniences the Embassy and takes an interview slot away from someone who could have had they application completed on the day.

If indeed the instructions are now to return all documents with the check list then that has to be done.

Edited by Lansbury, 18 October 2007 - 11:57 AM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-18 11:56:00
United KingdomInterview Documents
QUOTE (freecake @ Oct 16 2007, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
yea i think im gonna end up scanning/emailing a few straggling papers, btw.

also it said in the instructions to send on all the forms not just the checklist and DS-230..or so my fiance told me..


The documents that are on the check list, you take the originals and one copy with you on the day of the interview. They keep the copy and give you back the original. If you don't take a copy they keep the original.

The check list is to signify to the Embassy that you have all the required documents in your possession to bring to the interview.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-16 18:07:00
United KingdomInterview Documents
If you mean send it from the US to your fiance in the UK you can use UPS. I have used them several times for sending important documents and they have provided excellent service and are normally cheaper than FedEx. But such courier services are not cheap.

If you mean send the documents from a UK address to the Embassy then most of the documents you take with you on the day of the interview. The only forms which are filled out and sent to the Embassy are the DS-230 and check list. Send those by the UK post office signed for delivery service.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-16 11:16:00
United Kingdomgreen card today
Blow the diet for one day celebrate - congratulations
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-19 17:48:00
United KingdomMarried!!!
Congratulations hope you have a long and happy life together
LansburyMaleEngland2007-10-22 11:33:00