ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomBrown Envelope
QUOTE
Brown envelope is delivered along with your passport and visa by the courier.. you do not get it at the interview.


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

Edited by Ian and Lisa, 26 October 2009 - 11:50 AM.

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-26 11:49:00
United KingdomBrown Envelope
QUOTE (hindocha @ Oct 26 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You are supposed to receive it at the Interview. Maybe you will receive it with your passport? Congrats to both of you. I'm sick of waiting.....c'mon bloody interview


LOL... yes, I need to know which one it is! Anyone else?
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-26 11:22:00
United KingdomBrown Envelope
At what point do we get the brown "do not open" envelope from London? I thought it was given at interview for some reason, but we do not have one.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-26 10:32:00
United KingdomPetitioner at interview
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Oct 26 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wanted to be there, even managed to weasel my boss into letting me do a compressed work week so I wouldn't have to take vacation, but then the airline ticket was so expensive, and I wasn't even going to have 3 full days over there, and I didn't go. It was going to be almost as much travel time as time with him.

The reports on the interviews are so overwhelmingly "It was anticlimactic" that I don't feel too badly.


I felt like I wanted to be there because Ian was so nervous, but he handled it really well and we saved $800 in flight tickets. smile.gif

The staff in London are all very nice, and it's not as daunting as it appears.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-26 19:19:00
United KingdomInterview approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE (mightymints @ Oct 22 2009, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey all! I had my interview yesterday and wanted to tell you all how it went.

First of all, we travelled down to London the day before and stayed at the Marble arch in. Its about a 10 minute walk from the embassy, and isnt hard to find. We got a shower, toilet and bed for £50. Very cheap, but you get what you pay for, or not get if you know what I mean. It wasnt the nicest place ive ever stayed in, but hey, im not fussy and it got the job done. Although I only slept for 2 hours, and then woke up really nervous so spent the night looking out the window!
We also went to snappy snaps at bond street the night before, their photos came out way better than normal snappy snaps photos, and its next door to the bond street station, an easy find.

Anyways, next morning we got up, and headed off to find Gould's pharmacy, which is literally just over from the US Embassy. It was £3 per bag, and also they made you put everything electrical into a sealable bag which was another £3. But £6 was good for secure holding of our stuff while we went in.

Anyways, the appointment was at 9.am and we got to the embassy at about 8.30am. We sat outside and double checked we had everything, and then went to the security post at 8.40am. Haley was with me, and they checked her passport and called through to make sure its OK, then you go into a security building which is like airport security basically. Then we went into the embassy at the side entrance, and got given our number by the lady at the reception. Then you are asked to go upstairs to the left and wait in the waiting area.

Waiting is an understatement. So we were in there by about 8.50am, and didn't see our number called out until over an hour and 45minutes later. We were really nervous at this point, but anyways we went up to the window 14 which is down the hall to the right, and saw a lady there. She seemed really nice, and just made sure we hadn't forgotten anything, luckily we hadn't! She then asked us to pay at the window next to us, which we did and paid $131 (as apparently its cheaper if you pay in dollars). Then back to her at the window, you give her the receipt, and then she hands you your x-rays to keep and a pink form to fill in. The pink form is just your postal details for SMS delivery, so its ready if you get approved. You then go back and take a seat in the waiting area.


At this point I would like you to know that there is a snack bar in the embassy. But it closes at 10am, and doesn't seem to reopen. We had eaten at just before 7am. We then continued to wait until 1.40PM when we were finally called for our interview. Nothing to eat or drink in this time. Thats almost 5 hours since we got to the embassy of basically just waiting. All the N numbers being called will drive you mad!

Anyways, we had a pretty big folder with all the proof in it etc prepared for everything, including a big file of payslips etc to prove our affidavit of support. So yeah, we were finally called at 1.40PM after losing our minds sat there! The nerves soon kicked in though and we went to window 15 to be greeted by a seemingly nice American lady.
Interview went as follows:

  • get to the window
  • she handed back my birth certificate and some other things
  • she asked if we had both been married before, been in any legal trouble in this or any other country
  • then she typed for a while
  • then I had to raise my right hand and swear an oath that i was telling the truth, and then sign a couple of forms to say that also
  • then she asked how we met, and we explained that briefly
  • then she asked how much time we had spent together, which has been 8 visits
  • then she asked how i proposed, and where
  • the she asked about how i had been funding this all. I have actually been unemployed for a couple of years now, and luckily my savings for my cancelled gap year covered that. (this proves that work has no say in this really)
  • she then asked about Haleys work, and her Dads
  • then she asked when we plan on getting married.
  • She then recapped the 90 days thing etc
  • She then said she was happy to tell us we were APPROVED!!! woo

It took LESS THAN 5 MINUTES!!!!
The funny thing was, she asked for NO PROOF. NONE WHAT SO EVER!!!!!! I'm not even forgetting anything here as it was the first thing we said when we walked away. All the posting on here asking what to take as proof, and she didn't ask for anything!
The other thing about it was that we both agreed on: The way she was speaking to us after I swore the oath was as if she knew she was approving us. She was full of joy etc and seemed like she was just asking us just for her enjoyment! It was so nice to hear though.

All you do then is head back to the waiting, area, go to the back of the room where you pay for postage with their service, and leave to get food!

Job done, and one very happy couple!


Lastly, I would like to thanks MARM for all the help, as you really put my mind at rest on some matters!


Congrats on your approval! smile.gif

Ian had the same sort of experience... no looking at any of the proof of relationship at the interview. Good to have it, though. smile.gif
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-23 09:31:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
QUOTE (MARM @ Nov 10 2009, 03:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Trompe le Monde @ Nov 9 2009, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I will not offer a complete congrats until your fiance has that visa in his mitts and can see it and believe it, but congrats!



He has it today, I saw it too! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Thanks for the best wishes everyone! Will join everyone back on VJ soon, for now its time for a break from all of this immigration hoopla!


YAY! Good for you! Can't wait to hear about POE, etc. Congrats!!!!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-11 11:36:00
United KingdomSign or not to sign DS forms - Packet 3
We sent both parts of the DS230 to the embassy and had no problems at all. If you don't send part 2, you just get a note telling you to bring it with you.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-16 15:38:00
United KingdomWhen can I book my medical?
QUOTE (Gemmie @ Nov 18 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You probably had the rude b1tch that a lot of us have encountered.

I called while waiting for my packet 3 because I was under the impression that there was going to be a long wait for medicals. A woman answered the phone in an abrupt way, and when I said I wanted to book a medical, she asked when I wanted it. I asked if I could book it for in a few weeks, and she told me "we don't do it that far ahead" and promptly ended the conversation.

I know you feel you should be booking it now to be organised but I've never known for there to be a big wait for appointments, so maybe just wait until you have P3. smile.gif


I agree with Gemmie. Before you send the P3 paperwork back, call and schedule it. Maybe you'll get a nicer person that day anyway. Good luck!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-18 16:11:00
United KingdomMy US passport as orginal evidence?
QUOTE (emmieme @ Nov 19 2009, 05:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi eveyone!

We are organizing the original documents for my fiance's interview in London. It says in visa journey that my fiance need to bring all the original documents of "evidence of relationship" from our approved I-129 F petition. In our I-129 F petition we made copies of travel stamps in my passport.

Does this mean I have to mail my fiance my passport 'as original evidence' so he can show the officer that the stamps are real?

Thanks for you help!!!


No... Your passport and your original birth cert should remain with you. He needs to bring originals and copies of everything on the checklist (police cert, etc).

Photocopies of any relationship evidence are fine. Mine brought along a photocopy of the original filing, plus some filler evidence between then and the interview.. phone records, email, etc. I had also sent him original bording passes for any trips we had taken to see each other.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-19 06:42:00
United KingdomAppropriate amount of pictures
QUOTE (beatlesrebel @ Nov 20 2009, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone,

Hope you're having a great Friday evening. I'm putting my documents together to send to my fiance for his interview. I made quite a few copies of pictures of the two of us together. What is the appropriate number of pictures to send? I don't want to send so many that I annoy the embassy, but yet I want to send enough for them to know that we've spent lots of time together. How many have other people sent to their fiances to take to the interview? Thanks in advance for your advice!

~Anna


A good thing to do would be to take a couple of pictures to fill in the gap between when you filed your petition and now. Phone records, a few emails, print outs of photos, a few envelopes he's received from you (dates are stamped on them) ... handy to have just in case.

Always plan for the worst case scenario. Chances are that you will not be asked for evidence, but it would stink if you were and you didn't have anything, IMO.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-22 16:27:00
United KingdomChange in address after NOA2
QUOTE (Jonny&Caitlin @ Nov 23 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just a quick question - I put my parents address down on my 325 form, but i since have moved. My fiance just booked his medical... who would I contact at this point about my address change? Is it crucial for me to do this? I'm confused as to what to do and whom to speak to! Any thoughts would be great!! Thanks!!!



Call DOS (202-647-4000). They can either input the address change or tell you which form to submit, if one is needed.

Edited by Ian and Lisa, 23 November 2009 - 10:06 PM.

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-23 22:05:00
United KingdomPhotocopied/scanned documents vs original
QUOTE (Jay&Jo @ Nov 17 2009, 04:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What are people's experiences of using photocopied or scanned (then printed) documents in London

My fiance is nervous about his original W2 getting lost in the post if he sends it to me... has anyone ever tried using a photocopy instead of the original and encountered problems??

Similarly anything with a signiture on would need to be an original too i imagine?

I think this is my last minute nerves before the interview. I dont want there to be anything that would delay us from getting the visa!

I sent original transcripts. The lady at the embassy counter photocopied the originals, kept the photocopies and returned the originals to my fiance.

I don't think they mind having photocopies.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-17 22:08:00
United KingdomQuick question for form DS-230
QUOTE (Andrew + Bethany @ Nov 24 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there, just need a quick question answered before I'm done with these forms! I've attended two universities, but dropped out of both without getting a degree whistling.gif Currently training as a plumber.

Should I list those universities? And if yes, when it asks for the degree or diploma, what should I put? Also, I haven't finished my course for plumbing yet, so should I put that down too, and same question for that!

Any advice would be so very gratefully received good.gif

Andrew


Just put "none" as the degree, since you didn't receive one. For the plumbing course, you could put "in progress".

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-24 19:17:00
United KingdomHealth insurance when visiting the UK...
QUOTE (Paul @ Nov 25 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm a UK citizen- now a dual UK/US citizen, and have been out of the UK for 4 years. I am planning on visiting for Christmas and wondering if I now need travel insurance or if I would get NHS treatment in an emergency... does anyone know what the rules are or where to find out? Similarly, is my newborn son covered? He has a UK passport but was born in the US...?

thanks!


Try this link: http://www.avert.org/freenhs.htm, where there is lots of good info about what free medical treatment is available.

"In the UK, emergency medical treatment is always free, regardless of your nationality."

You can check with your insurance company about coverage, but I know many policies don't cover overseas. Sounds like you wouldn't need it anyway.

Have a nice trip!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-26 09:54:00
United KingdomThe Holidays - what are you doing?
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Nov 23 2009, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I saw a similar thread in Canada and I thought, "Hey, I'll ask my UK friends"

Thanksgiving is a bit of a special day for Nik and I because the first time we met was on T-day when he flew in on his first visit!

As we have been newly showered with nice plates and spent some of our wedding money on a new dining room table and I have moved out of my itsy bitsy apartment kitchen and into a house with an oven which can hold a turkey and two caseroles, I said that we should do thanksgiving at our house this year!

Oh, and Nik keeps going on and on (and on and on) in what I think is half-tease half-pleading about roast potatoes ever since I told him T-day includes mashed potatoes - so I said if we were going to demand changes to the menu then we should cook it.

So, we went shopping yesterday for all that we needed, learned how to find a good turkey (dad says go for the cheapest per pound then the pounds you want - hah, guess it wasn't so hard after all), and visited two stores to find fresh thyme and THREE stores to find sage sausage for the stuffing...I'm rather excited/nervous - should be interesting - hope I don't mess it all up!

My sister's coming in tonight, and I only have two days of work! yay!


So, what are you all doing? How do the British halves like T-day, and for those of you still apart, are you planning any special trips during any of the holidays?


Ian's really looking forward to his first Thanksgiving. We're cooking for my parents who've just arrived in town for our wedding.

Good luck with your dinner! I'm sure it will be wonderful!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-24 23:03:00
United KingdomWasnt given x-ray back
QUOTE (Gemmie @ Nov 28 2009, 05:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, you never need it.

It's not put in the sealed envelope either.


Ian has his x-ray with him. It was not a part of the sealed envelope, as Gemmie said.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-28 21:36:00
United KingdomReceiving the visa
QUOTE (gmjdmj @ Dec 2 2009, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry...I just found the answer to my own question but thought it would help others in case you were wondering... You can authorize someone to receive your visa on your behalf from the courier. You will need to leave your id with that person along with a letter authorizing them to sign for it.


Good info... I wondered how that worked smile.gif
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-02 13:00:00
United KingdomQuestion regarding checklist form
QUOTE (beatlesrebel @ Nov 11 2009, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Nov 11 2009, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You can leave the travel date blank. The medical date is a new requirement and I wouldn't leave that off. They will not now do the interview if you haven't had the medical, a recent new rule, but if they will schedule the interview if you leave it blank, those waters haven't been tested yet to my knowledge.


Thanks for the info. Never really thought about that, makes sense. He'll try calling them tomorrow. smile.gif



You might try picking a wedding date about 30 - 45 days down the road. They don't ask for proof and you may get a quicker interview date.

Just a suggestion.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-11 16:29:00
United KingdomVisa finally!
QUOTE (FrostyMist @ Dec 3 2009, 01:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Gosh, that sure took a while. The embassy almost seem to be on a go-slow at the moment. Still, glad to hear visa is now (almost!) in hand!


They had to submit additional paperwork to have the visa finalised. I think it was 6-7 working days after they sent in the paperwork that the visa was received... Right, Allie?
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-03 10:20:00
United KingdomInterview Oct 15 - still no visa (Am I alone ?)
QUOTE (K & K @ Dec 4 2009, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just wanted to see who else is still waiting for a visa from London. helpsmilie.gif


I would start with DOS, if I were you. It will be cheaper than calling the embassy. 202-663-1225

Good luck!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-04 16:31:00
United KingdomSorry to ask this
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Nov 19 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Its TWO. The third photograph is for the medical. And Knightsbridge actually is happy with the smaller UK size if you have that. They have to cut down the larger US sized to fit on the form is what the receptionist told us.



I agree that back in October (before recent rule changes) when I went, it was 2 US-sized photos to the interview and one "we don't care if it's US or UK format" photos to the medical. Is it still?

The website currently says: "Three color photographs which meet Department of State specifications".

Anyone been to an interview lately?

IMHO, it would be better to be safe than sorry. If you don't need one, then toss it or use it with your AOS paperwork.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-19 17:38:00
United KingdomSorry to ask this
QUOTE (Jay&Jo @ Nov 19 2009, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can anyone clear this up?? i've looked at previous threads on this, and people seem to say that 2 american sized passport photos are needed.

is this true? the information on the embassy website says i need 3.

i went to a very surreal place on oxford street, up about 5 flights of stairs, to this little room where i got 2 photos for £6. it took literally less than 2 minutes to have the photos taken, developed and pay for them! i was very impressed smile.gif but anyway, should i have got 3??


It does say 3 color photographs now. I think you should have 3.

Our interview was in October, and we only needed 2, but things have been changing a lot in London lately.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-19 10:35:00
United KingdomHow did you meet
QUOTE (Archeon @ Dec 1 2009, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (English Muffin @ Dec 1 2009, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When I told the ConOff that I met my husband online he asked for the name of the website. That doesn't mean to say that it will happen to you, but I thought I'd better let you know that it does happen sometimes.


was feeling better till i read this lol. I cant see how it matters where we met though as long as what I say is consistant and the truth?


My husband was asked how we met, and he told the CO we are both computer geeks and so we met online. The CO commented that his sister met her husband online and they'd been married for 10 years.

You have Facebook accounts, right? smile.gif (a rhetorical question)

Edited by Snowbunnies, 02 December 2009 - 08:08 PM.

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-02 20:08:00
United KingdomVisa Photos
QUOTE (edp333 @ Oct 5 2009, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What you are needing is called passport photos. Have you tried a free online photo sizer? http://www.epassportphoto.com/

And The US Embassy lists one photographer in Manchester: http://www.usembassy...tographers.html


I used the epassportphoto site for our 129F and everything went through fine.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-05 15:51:00
United KingdomTotal cost of K1 Visa
QUOTE (Gemmie @ Dec 14 2009, 04:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ours came to a total of $1001 for the K1 process. That includes application fees, medical exam, passport photos and police check.

Add on the AOS and it comes to $2181 (not including flights, marriage license and wedding stuff).

We spent over $7000 on flights in our time together.

Wow, it really WAS expensive! Luckily, my VJ came to an end today, for the next 2 years. smile.gif


Congrats, Gemmie! It's good to be done for 2 years, I bet. smile.gif

Ours came to about $1000 for the whole K-1 thing (129F, medical, visa app, courier, all required... the rest is dependent on your circumstances)

Ian threw most of his stuff out before he moved, so he only had flight baggage to be concerned with. Flight home: About $700.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-14 19:29:00
United Kingdomfour month extension
QUOTE (kashi1019 @ Oct 29 2009, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We want an extension because our wedding is July 30,2010 and we want my fiance to come over for one last visit in April to help with last minute wedding stuff/we are looking for a house to buy. If we turn everything in now and get the interview and get approved, he cannot enter the us in april to visit and then leave. He is a teacher and needs to finish out the school year (for financial reasons) which ends mid July, so he cannot come over for good until then.

Looking back now, we shouldn't have started the K-1 process so early but we were really unsure of how long it would take.


Someone in our K-1 group (April CSC Filers) is working with a consulate in China. They filed P3, ran into an issue preventing her from leaving the country at the moment, and emailed the consulate asking for a delay with assigning an interview. http://www.visajourn...p;#entry3400319

London may be different. Hopefully, someone who might have done this in London will be along shortly to confirm what they told you is true. smile.gif
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-29 22:37:00
United Kingdomfour month extension
QUOTE (kashi1019 @ Oct 29 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So my UK fiance and I received our I-129F approval in August. The NOA2 says it is valid from August 24-December 23rd. I have heard on this board and in various other places that you can get a 4 month extension on this. My fiance called the US Embassy in London on Monday and the person he spoke with told him that that 4 month validity period is irrelevent and we actually have 12 months to complete the rest of the forms, checklist, interview, and medical for the k1. I was not confident with this response because I feel like the NOA2 has a validity stated for a reason. I do not want to just not do anything and have our case considered abandoned, so I had him call back on Tuesday. He spoke with a different person who first told him that you have to do it within the time frame stated on the NOA2 then she put him on hold, went and talked with someone, and came back and told him the same thing about the 12 months. I dont know what to think?

Does anyone know anything about this? How to get the 4 month extension? If you have to fill something out, call someone specifically, or can indeed wait 12 months?

I'm stressing out. Please help!


I'm not sure why you want an extension, either, but I hope you're aware that even if you received your visa tomorrow, you'd have a 6-month window to enter the US, then 90 days afterward to get married.

If the issue is a delay of some sort with paperwork, or something else, and you feel you need help determining what to do next, then just let us know.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-29 20:30:00
United KingdomChristmas food?
QUOTE (MonkeyJuice @ Dec 16 2009, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok I was planning on a lovely Christmas dinner & I was aware that I might have difficulty in finding certain Christmas foods like mince pies, christmas cake, christmas pudding & trifle.

I've looked at recipies & for mince pies I need suet & for mince pies & I need the sponges to make a trifle!!! urgh, I give up. No store sells this kinda stuff & my local supermarket has removed the British section where I was planning on buying a jar of mincemeat... Gutted!!

Looks like if I want to get this stufff I'll have to get it online at daft prices!

They don't have christmas crackers here either. How can you have Christmas dinner without pulling a cracker & wearing silly hats & telling ####### jokes?!


You should be able to get suet from a butcher (maybe a grocery store butcher, but definitely from a store dedicated to selling meat). My mom has been making suet pudding in the US for ages.

Sponges are called Ladyfingers here. You should be able to find them in the cookie/snack aisle of any grocery, or at the Whole Foods Market.

We have mincemeat all over (not in the British section, but in the pie filling section). What grocery stores do you have where you are?

Edited by Snowbunnies, 18 December 2009 - 04:52 PM.

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-18 16:50:00
United KingdomID at interview

We have the interview tomorrow and we are going over the documents and have discovered my Fiancee does not have any other photo ID other than her passport. We're hoping that is sufficient to complete the interview process. I've read that additional ID may be required in some places but I can't find anything specific to London.


My fiance (now husband) had an interview at the end of October 2009 and he says they didn't ask him for an additional photo id.

Good luck at the interview!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-04 17:02:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (Allie and Nigel @ Nov 18 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Ian and Lisa @ Nov 18 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (*julez* @ Nov 18 2009, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I really don't believe that those who've received their visas already are gloating. Sure, they're happy and want to share their good news & get their congrats, etc. Just like you will expect (and get) once the visa has been delivered. This community does support eachother in good times and in bad. Some people (and I don't mean you Allie & Nigel) just don't seem to understand what bad is. Bad is waiting over 2 years for a K1, like our member estadia. Being taken care of within normal wait times is not bad.


Well said smile.gif


Lisa and Ian, I dont think you can understand. Your process was seamless, ours was full of bumps and probably still is. Sure you had ap for 34 days, I was 30....so to sit there and nod ones head is only proving my point that there are some people who clearly cant understand and should stop trying cause its only making it worse. I really dont know our Sara does it....truly. Now THAT gal and i'm sure there are a bunch like her need a hat's off to....cause I'm having patience and anxiety issues over here...keeping busy helps but there's only so much cleaning one can do and so much chocolate to consume at one point!


I only object to the gloating bit, when I've been there attempting to support you whenever I can. It's a thankless job really.

Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-18 20:52:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (*julez* @ Nov 18 2009, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I really don't believe that those who've received their visas already are gloating. Sure, they're happy and want to share their good news & get their congrats, etc. Just like you will expect (and get) once the visa has been delivered. This community does support eachother in good times and in bad. Some people (and I don't mean you Allie & Nigel) just don't seem to understand what bad is. Bad is waiting over 2 years for a K1, like our member estadia. Being taken care of within normal wait times is not bad.


Well said smile.gif
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-18 16:08:00
United KingdomReceived case?

I spoke with a rep at NVC today and she advised that the case had been sent to London on 12/29 and she provided me with my case number. I've tried to figure out the DHL tracking but it's stating that there isnt anything with that date. How can I find out if our has in fact been received by the London Embassy or if it has been entered on their system? I am trying to stay on top of this but I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Any info would be appreciated! Thank you!


Have your case number handy, and call the Dept of State at (202)663-1225. Press 1 then 0 to get a live person. Tell them you are calling to get a status update on your visa filing. They will ask you a few questions and then tell you what the status of your case is.

Because your case was just recently been sent from the NVC, they will probably say the embassy has not received the case yet, even if they have it physically there, but the embassy hasn't officially logged it in. There is normally a couple day lag time after receipt of the packet for the embassy staff to log your paperwork in.

You can call back a week or two after that to see if Packet 3 has been sent. When they say P3 has been sent, even if it's not been received by you, you can go to the London Embassy website, download the forms, then ship them all into the embassy.

Don't wait for the letter. Ours never arrived. :)

Here's the website page you need to look @: http://www.usembassy...a/iv/iv_15.html

Good luck! Almost done!
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-05 16:43:00
United KingdomIs anyone going to their interview alone?

My husband went alone and it was no biggie. He also had one of those cards that plays music :) Very embarrassing hehe. At the actual interview they just asked him to tell them about me and a quick few required bio questions. I would have literally been nothing other than company for him.


LOL... Good to know we were not alone in bringing the crazy card. :)

I know quite a few people who've gone to the interview alone and have been fine. You can do it!

I think going to an official government place is sometimes a little unsettling, but they are super nice there, according to my fiance.

:star:
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-04 08:42:00
United KingdomIs anyone going to their interview alone?

Are you people all mad?


No, but evidently you are. :thumbs:
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-03 16:14:00
United KingdomIs anyone going to their interview alone?
My fiance went alone. He said the people were very helpful and friendly. He was only in the embassy for 2 hours (8:30am was his appt time) and it went really quickly.

Have all your paperwork organized and make sure you know your route to the embassy.

The only slight snag he ran into was that one of his pieces of relationship evidence involved one of those greeting cards that you open and it plays a recording or music. When they scan it, it sets off the metal detector. :) He had to convince them that it was ok to toss it out. :)

I'm sure you'll be perfectly fine. Many people describe this as a non-event, really.

Have a good interview and good luck to you! You're almost done! :star:
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-03 09:07:00
United KingdomI130
QUOTE (hindocha @ Dec 30 2009, 06:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Avoid I130!!

TAKES THE PISS!


What's this all about?
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-30 10:15:00
United KingdomHealthcare problem.. continuous coverage..!?!?
Get the pre-existing clause from the benefit book they should have given you (they are required to give you something to explain how benefits are paid under the policy) and let me take a look. I worked for an insurance company writing insurance language for 12 years. :)

Normally, a pre-existing clause will say an illness is not covered for a particular period of time if you have seen a doctor for that condition or had prescription drugs for that condition within the last x number of months.

Whether you had coverage before or not shouldn't enter into it, unless they have some odd verbiage for pre-ex.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-15 12:02:00
United KingdomK1 Visa Medical Exam In London HELP!!!

Gavin Received his medical exam letter and needs to fly to london from Northern Ireland (Derry) for his medical exam with Knightbridge Doctors which has 2 locations now for either location we need info on which Airport is closest to these doctors and how to get to these two locations without having to pay a ton of money for taxis HOW DOES GAVIN GET AROUND? WHICH SUBWAYS DOES HE TAKE TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT??? Where can he go for help???? CAN anyone who has made this trip before help because he and I are lost he doesnt know his way around nor do I ...? Please let me know asap... so we can schedule this and he can finally come home to me please!

Natalie and Gavin :wacko: :wacko:


Head for thetrainline.com for the best routes. Also, http://www.tfl.gov.uk/. Did he call for his appointment? Make sure you know which facility you're going to, and take maps with you, if needed.
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-18 20:51:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy Checklist?

Had a little search through the forums, but i couldn't find anything specific enough :(

I'm trying to prep the forms and application for the embassy stuff. As far as i can tell, i should apply to (someone) for the medical date, then complete the requested forms and send them with the ready sheet to the embassy?

There is a space on their to include the forms you need, but i can't supply them all (obvious ones like marriage cert, i'm not married) But which ones are *actually* required? Can i also assume that my original birth cert is fine? i don't have to order a new one that's certified?


I guess a lot of this has already been asked, but i struggled to find something that referred to just the embassy part of the K1, any help, tips/links would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


This is a good read, also, for anyone going to an interview in London: http://www.visajourn...t...&cty=London
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-04 21:09:00
United KingdomAPPROVED!!!!!

OMG!!! I GOT APPROVED :dance:

CONGRATULATIONS! It's a good feeling, isn't it. :)
:star:
Lisa and IanFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-04 13:32:00