biggish data

QUOTE (walkies_a @ Nov 13 2007, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well it was addressed to the immigrant visa unit,

Yes but the postie can't get into the visa unit to get it signed for. So in goes into the Embassy PO Box and when that is collected they signed for all the recorded stuff etc. With all the mail they must get each day not surprising a bit goes the scenic route now and again.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-13 16:16:00

QUOTE (walkies_a @ Nov 13 2007, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I rang the embassy extort line and they said to try and ring back. I told them they had already said that before and they gave me an e-mail address and reference. So I have e-mailed them to see what is happening. Guess there is nothing else I can do. Just wait and hope they schedule this interview.

I seem to recall last year some time a similar thing when the person had sent they forms by signed for delivery. They were in fact delivered to the main Embassy mail room and not to the Consular section. That person waited some weeks for the packet to get to the Consular section. This reminded me of it especially as you say there is a receipt for the delivery.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-13 15:31:00

QUOTE (walkies_a @ Nov 10 2007, 04:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, I sent my checklist and DS-2001 to the embassy and it was recieved on Oct 16th. I put that we needed to move in January. I still have had no interview date from the embassy and when I ring (both State Dept in DC, or the extort line) they say their system does not show the checklist as recieved, but say their system isn't regularly updated. Therefore, nearly a month has gone by with no contact from the embassy. Does this sound like too long a time? If so, what can I do? I forgot to copy the above forms, so do not have another copy I could send. Does anybody have a copy they could post?

I'm getting rather nervous as my wife's UK visa runs out end of Jan and I dont want to pay for a new visa, or for her to have to go to US ahead of me

Thanks Again,

Andrew

It might be that as you said January they are not rushing to schedule an interview as any time up to mid December would be ok.

However the fact they do not show the check list as being received a month after it was sent rings alarm bells. Was it posted during the postal strike?

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-11 11:40:00

Certainly been a good week so far best of luck to those still to go this week

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-08 13:39:00

QUOTE (RosemarieL @ Nov 7 2007, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rosemarie & Mark (RosemarieL) on ...2007-11-07 APPROVED

Congratulations

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-07 11:54:00

QUOTE (freecake @ Nov 6 2007, 07:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

approved, Approved, APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-06 11:07:00

Yes good luck to all, hope y'all get approved with no problems.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-11-05 14:28:00

Congratulations Silas -

Counter 1 is all part of the test for assimulating you into American life. Every stranger you met will find a way of telling you all about their family and producing photographs. It really does happen. The quickest I've seen is 2 minutes on the Alamo shuttle bus from Portland Airport to the car rental lot. You passed by obviously appearing interested and not challenging their opinions.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-10-25 14:12:00

QUOTE (Silas @ Oct 18 2007, 06:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Still no sign of packet 4. Called the helpline again, they didn't know if I required the letter or not in order to get into the embassy. Have emailed the embassy asking for some kind of confirmation for me to take with me on Wednesday. Hopefully will hear back soon but will let people know the response when I get it in case anyone is in a similar situation.

Yes in theory you need the letter, this is examined while you queue outside.

However you can't be the only one in this position at the moment and you would think the Embassy would be aware it might happen and have a plan in place just in case.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-10-18 12:02:00

You've got to wonder how many people who don't know about VJ and therefore may also not know to call and ask will miss their interview dates because the paperwork is stuck in the postal strike.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-10-15 15:47:00

QUOTE (willchels @ Oct 11 2007, 11:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let y'all know! We just got back from London and William's IR1 visa was approved! YAY! It also arrived already, the day after the interview, so we have it in hand! I can't believe it's all done!

Many congratulations

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-10-12 10:37:00

QUOTE (freecake @ Oct 4 2007, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, well he's already had his medical.. I'm not sure how that works if we dont have packet four but they did let him schedule and he went. .
anyways errr. i guess we'll hold off a bit, i noticed that 129F people seem to have to wait longer for dates by looking at people's signatures on here so i'm not overly concerned yet.
however if something is wrong i want to fix it asap as id really like to get him over here for the holidays

At the risk of setting off a well worn argument, if you didn't put a date on form for when you wanted to be in the US you will wait longer for your interview date than people who gave them a target date to leave.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-10-04 11:41:00

QUOTE (willchels @ Sep 29 2007, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's true but they were gracious to move the interview to the 10th due to some other circumstances. Cheers!

That's good shows they listen to people when they make special requests for a good reason

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-30 11:20:00

QUOTE (JandC @ Sep 28 2007, 05:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congratulations to all the recent approvals! I am finally leaving for Louisiana tomorrow....my POE is Houston. Wish me luck! Catch you all on the flip side. Take care!

Safe journey, easy arrival and a great new life.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-28 14:46:00

QUOTE (TracyTN @ Sep 20 2007, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am late to the party, but I just wanted to duck in and congratulate Alan on getting his interview date!

Notice how quiet he has gone since he got it

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-20 15:20:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 18 2007, 03:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

haha ! guess who has an interview date ! my NVC date was before everyone else's but they gave me the last interview date !

MY INTERVIEW DATE IS OCTOBER 19 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you reckon if I go Sunday 4th November then I am due a 10 year card or has it to be after midnight -ie the 5th - come on you techies and train spotters and experts !

alan

Alan,

Hi many congratulations mate very glad they have relieved your agony. Good luck on the day.

I believe they will issue you a CR-1 visa, and that you need to arrive the day after your wedding anniversary. Be sure to tactfully point out at POE that you have passed the 2 year date as they might not notice otherwise, it being a CR-1 visa they often don't look passed that.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-18 10:41:00

QUOTE (missing milwaukee @ Sep 8 2007, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all! My husband Wayne got the okay at the embassy yesterday!

Many congratulations.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-08 20:39:00

QUOTE (CardiffIan @ Sep 7 2007, 07:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

looks like i'm next up after missingmilwaukee and getting a little nervous already!

I've got a bunch of financial evidence but i'm still worried they're going to ask for more. I have a copy of my fiances last few payslips, her 2006 tax return, letter from employer, letter from bank and affadavit - plus statements from my bank to show my own funds - HSBC were hopeless when i asked them for the 'letter from a senior bank officer' that the P3 docs mention, they were completely baffled by it and it seemed like i was the first person to have ever thought about emigrating, so i hope the statements are ok.

I also still need to get passport pics - I went to the Snappy Snaps in cardiff last week and its turned into a cafe bar! so i'll have to do a quick trip to oxford street to get my pics.

But its my last day at work today, the rugby world cup is starting and the american football season is starting (go bears!) so its all good, roll on tuesday and i hope we hear good news from missingmilwaukee soon!

When we got our visa I noticed a photo booth in the waiting area at the Embassy. Someone who has been recently might be able to confirm it is still there.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-07 12:24:00

QUOTE (freecake @ Sep 5 2007, 08:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well...its already done so i have no choice. heh.

It will not be problem, just nothing will happen until they get the check list.

How long ago did he apply for the police certificate. If it is quite near to the time it should arrive he might want to take a chance and send the checklist back as he will have the certificate before his interview date.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-05 12:06:00

QUOTE (marstorr @ Sep 4 2007, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

blspicer, congrats to you two!! And I hope you have an amazing wedding. Adam also received his approval this morning, and we've just received a phone call from the courier service that his visa is in their possession and will be delivered tomorrow. An excellent day all around. Besides being worn out from the early morning, hours of waiting and long drive home, we're ecstatic!

Congrats, that is first rate service with the delivery couldn't ask for better.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-04 14:14:00

QUOTE (blspicer @ Sep 4 2007, 03:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

APPROVED!!! Pete just got out of the interview and everything went fine. I'll post his full report when he gets home. Wow, now I just have to catch my breath, lol

great news congratulations

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-04 11:39:00

Congrats on the wedding may you have a long and happy life together.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-03 19:40:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 3 2007, 09:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

now who is the dumber - me for not realising they have a holiday over there or them for leaving an auto message that says I will will be answered in 15 minutes....

No reason why you would know. I agree anyone who takes the day off and says the phone will be answered in 15 mins wins those stakes hands down. Makes you sort of worried that these people are running the country that claims to be the leader of the free world.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-03 12:28:00

You realise today (Monday) is a public holiday in the USA. No federal offices will be open

Edited by Lansbury, 03 September 2007 - 10:56 AM.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-03 10:56:00

Yes as Alan says quite painless and very straightforward. Good luck on the 4th

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-09-02 12:27:00

Alan if NVC only sent the case to London on the 17th Aug it isn't that long yet. Appreciate your time constraints but you might pee them off by keep e-mailing.

One day during a business call with the lady in charge of the section that deals with the I-130s in London I ask jokingly her when she was going to do ours. The next day they cleared all the I-130s up until the day before the file date of ours and then did nothing more for 5 weeks.

Edited by Lansbury, 30 August 2007 - 12:07 PM.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-08-30 12:07:00

QUOTE (TracyTN @ Aug 21 2007, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep! Is there something about that which we didn't capture in this ongoing thread?

No just ignore me I was looking at the TV, VJ and listening to my wife telling me about something completely irrelevant and ended up replying to something else on this thread. Apologises.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-08-21 21:12:00

elmcitymaven is now home in the US

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-08-21 18:02:00

Medical/Interview question

If the Embassy do not have the medical results they will not issue the visa. They will say it is approved pending the medical, keep his passport and send it back once they receive the results.

The results reach the Embassy on the 2nd or 3rd business day after the medical examination.

The courier delivers the day after the Embassy give them your passport, normally. There is no choice other than selecting a time slot for which there is an extra charge. The courier will take contact details and call or text the night before to confirm delivery the next day.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-19 18:28:00

Shipping Companies?

If you only have a few boxes to ship I have heard people speak well of Excess Baggage.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-14 12:06:00

Shipping Companies?

We used Allied Pickfords had a 20ft container which we almost filled.

The guys that came in and packed all our stuff up, were excellent. As we lived on a busy road they were going to take all the stuff to the local depot to pack the container there. The packing took a day and a half and on the second morning a space opened up big enough for the container lorry so they got it sent to the house, and used various objects to "reserve" the parking space. Once the container was packed they called me out to have a look, showed me it was very secure, and to watch the container closed up and sealed. The driver double checked with me where the container was going and set off straight to Southampton docks, that was a Friday. The following Monday, we were by then in the States, I had an e-mail from Pickfords with all the ship details and its arrival date in the US.

We found a web site we could track the ship online, quite fun watching it come across the Atlantic and run down the eastern seaboard and through the Panama Canal. It docked in LA one day late.

About 2 weeks before it docked the shipping agent here called to double check all the arrangements and to get one document as the copy he had wasn't very clear. He also gave us details of the company that would be handling the shipment once it reached Portland. In fact it was Allied Pickfords themselves. About 7 days after the ship docked the agent called again to say that customs had selected our container for x-ray examination and there would be a charge for this, we had been forwarned in the UK of this possibility, and that Pickfords would bill us for this but had paid it and the container would leave LA the next day, and reach Portland on the Friday and the agent in Portland would call Monday of Tuesday of the following week to arrange delivery. In fact the agent called late Friday afternoon to say they had the container and would Monday be ok. Monday morning three guys a truck with the handling equipment and the container on another truck arrived and was unloaded and the stuff unpacked. They offered to unpacked the nearly 120 boxes or to leave them for us to unpack and to come back and collect all the empty packing when we had done so. We opted to unpack ourselves and indeed when called they came to collect as promised.

Pickfords, in Hayes London, told us between 7 to 10 weeks from when the container left us to when we say it again and it was 7 weeks and 3 days. It would have been less than that but the ship arrived on Dec 26th so we lost a bit of time with the holidays. The other test is what they managed to break, one item got chipped and that was a cheap salt shaker.

We were very satisfied. Pickfords were in the mid range of quotes we received. Did exactly what they said they would, on time. All their staff were very pleasant, friendly and the packers were very conscientious about wrapping stuff up.

When we shipped about 2% of containers got examined by customs so none of the shipping companies included that in they charges. Now it is 100% or very close to it so if it isn't included you will have to pay that charge here.

We would use Pickfords again without hesitation.

Edited by Lansbury, 13 December 2007 - 05:42 PM.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-13 17:37:00

LONDON, BABY!

Congrats and a personal number too

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-20 11:15:00

Transfering dental (and medical?) records

We didn't bother with the dental ones, I assumed a US dentist would see for themselves what dental work we had done in the past.

Our GP printed off our medical records and those came over with us and were given to our doctor in the US when we "signed" up over here. There will no doubt be a charge by your GP for copying your records and ours wanted a week to do it, so ask in good time.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-20 15:45:00

QUOTE (mustang-sally @ Dec 22 2007, 09:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have looked and looked but cant find anyone to insure me for a short while when I move to the States because I have had cancer.
My OH's medical insurance will cover me after we get married, though not for cancer for 18 months. Thats ok as I don't intend on getting it again

.
But the problem I'm having is finding someone to insure me for the interim period, as soon as cancer is mentioned, they don't want to know, they won't even insure me without the cancer bit.
Maybe I will just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best that nothing happens in those few weeks.

Have a look and see if the State you will be living in has its own Medical Pool similar to the one Oregon runs. This is basically a State run medical insurance program for people unable to get insurance cover through the normal channels. Blue Cross/Blue Shield run the Oregon Medical Pool for the State.

My wife is insured that way with BC/BS even after they turned her down for normal insurance.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-22 14:12:00

QUOTE (James-uk1 @ Dec 17 2007, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Blimey...

Calm down everyone.... I was only saying I had bought some annual travel insurance that has the potential to cover me while I'm in the States. If it doesn't, well it doesn't. No big deal.

I'm actually going skiing in France for New Year so that's actually why I got it, it was only another £20 to have it annual than just for the trip.

I have no intention of making fraudulent claims.... and I would ask that some people refrain from insinuating that I would. You don't know me.

I was only chipping into the discussion..... talk about going off at the deep end.

...Oh well, at least it caused a "lively" debate.

Apologies to you DDKM for corrupting your perfectly valid post.

If you don't like the comments don't say things in a public forum like

"I'm sure the small print says I have to be a permanent UK resident etc. but someone sitting in a call centre in Clacton I'm sure will never know."

You also seem not to have noticed the

I placed after my comment.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-17 20:58:00

QUOTE (James-uk1 @ Dec 17 2007, 06:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have just purchased an annual insurance policy here in England with www.insureandgo.co.uk which covers me for upto 90 days in the USA at any one visit.

I know its not ideal but at least it is cover of some sort and it's active as soon as you arrive.

Yes, I'm sure the small print says I have to be a permanent UK resident etc. but someone sitting in a call centre in Clacton I'm sure will never know.

..... just my 2c anyway.

Cheers.

So you would be prepared to make a fraudulent claim which could result in the hospital not being paid.

Probably get deported for a felony conviction if either the insurance company or the hospital got nasty.

Edited by Lansbury, 17 December 2007 - 05:32 PM.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-17 17:32:00

Health insurance is relatively easy to buy in the US, it is more a case of can you afford the cost. Do a google search for the State you are going to and see which companies provide cover there.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-16 16:25:00

Packet 3 question- what civil documents?

OK it was a bit vague my end because I did my visa last year and had no idea what question 9 was.

All you need is your marriage certificate for London. Other evidence only becomes an issue if there is a likelihood that it is a marriage of convenience for immigration purposes. If you had only just got married the photos letters etc go to show validity but as you have been married 16 years the certificate will be all you need.

When I got my visa unknowingly to us the document we thought was our legal marriage certificate wasn't it was just a ceremonial one for display and no good for visa or other legal purposes. Also the person signing it to say they had performed the ceremony was my brother-in-law who is a Minister. The London Embassy accepted that as the only proof of our marriage no questions asked, we had been married 10 years then.

Edited by Lansbury, 26 December 2007 - 02:41 PM.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-26 14:38:00

Packet 3 question- what civil documents?

What is the question you are asking. For us to explain what the Embassy means by original documents or what documents to produce to satisfy a particular part of the checklist.

Lansbury

Male

England

2007-12-26 13:14:00