ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview-approval/not approved
Although the success rate through London is pretty high, nothing is garunteed and you shouldn't assume anything until your Fiance is in your arms on US soil.

Recently problems seem to have arisen from issues regarding peoples police checks and or previous problems or overstays on VWP visits.

If your Fiance has NEVER been in trouble with the police and has NEVER overstayed on any pervious VWP visits then as long as he has all the documents requested during his interview, he should be just fine.

In reality most interviews through London (mine included) were a piece of cake and nothing to worry about whatsoever.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-02-21 11:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestion for UK embassy interviews
We included copies of Debs previous marriage certificate and her divorce decree in our initial K-1 and I took additional certified copies with me to the interview. It's been a long time since I read the instructions for the I-129F but we interpreted the instructions in such a way that we submitted previous marriage / divorce decrees with the initial package. We had to request new copies of Debs marriage certificate from the local courthouse as she no longer had a copy.

At the interview stage, while you may not get asked to provide a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree, there is ALWAYS the chance that you could be. I'd hate to get asked for it and not have a copy available, especially when a bit of extra leg work now could save you from all kinds of bother at the embassy. I can't remember off hand if I was asked to provide any of those documents or not. What I do know is that If I had been, I had copies ready just in case.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-03-29 13:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview this week, help
Without knowing exactly what you filed for its hard to say.

I would guess that as long as your new job generates the same or a higher amount of income as your previous job then you should be good to go. As long as you meet the poverty requirements as set out in the I-134 then you'll be fine.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-04-18 07:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPackage 3, should i of attached this?
In London you take the photos to the interview and the consular officer attaches the pictures onto the DS-156.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-04-18 10:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionA Quick Question regarding Embassy please
As far as I'm aware there is no automated system in place to generate email updates of the status of cases at the US Embassy in London.

What you could do is start emailing the embassy using londonconsular@state.gov to request information on the processing of your packets. You could use these emails to further emphasise the fact that you are willing to accept an interview date at their earliest convenience and that you have ALL of the documents ready should an interview date become available.

If you keep emailing them there is a pretty good chance that at some point one of their replies will come back containing your interview date... thats how it worked for me anyway !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-04-18 06:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-1 Questions
Take a look at this thread. It has a list of recent London applicants showing the wait times between packet 3 and interview dates etc..

As for needing all the documents before you request an interview, that all depends on how sure you are that your Fiance will have all the docs in time for his interview. if the wait from packet 3 to interview is 8 weeks then I'm pretty sure that ANYTHING that your finace may be waiting on could be obtained by the time an interview is scheduled.

Remember... when he returns packet 3 (the big envelope of forms he just received) he only has to return completed versions of the enclosed forms. All the supporting documents listed on the Checklist with those forms are not required until the day of his interview.

I know that when I sent back my packet 3 I was still waiting on a few documents to be sent over to me from the US. However... I was confident enough that they would all be with me in time.

The thread I linked you to at the top will be a great place to start getting an idea of current timelines !!

Best of luck

Mark :)

Edited to add : When I did send back packet 3 I included a cover letter which basically said that I had all the required documents for my interview and that I was available for an interview at their earliest convenience. I don't know if it had an effect or not but if you are on a tight timeframe it certainly can't hurt to make that clear !!

Edited by luv2teach77, 24 April 2006 - 03:52 PM.

luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-04-24 15:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview
Take a look here at the London Interviews Thread. It shows the timelines of most London applicants.

I think normally its about 6 weeks to process packet 3 and issue an interview date. Then I beleive around 6-8 weeks after that until the actual interview.

Best of luck

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-05-07 20:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBond as part of the I-134
London does not accept that I-864 in place of the I-134.

You will however complete the I-864 to accompany your AOS application once you are married.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-27 12:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBond as part of the I-134
Not sure about any additional 'Bond' fee associated with the I-134.

It's my understanding that the signatures on the I-134 mean that the document is legally binding. The I-134 is providing documentation that shows that your Fiancee (and any co-sponsors submitting I-134's as well) earn enough money to ensure that you do not become a public charge once you arrive in the US.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-27 12:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffadavit of support for London Embassy
In London they'll want the I-134.

If you future father in law is co-sponsering you then yes, he will need to complete a seperate I-134 and provide all the supporting documentation in addition to the one your Fiancee will fill out. I could be wrong but I don't think that his savings need to be disclosed if he earns enough to cover the required amounts.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-28 07:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow cruel is this then
Sorry to hear that you'll some more wiating.

However, don't get too excited about the brown envelope. It's just full of all the forms you have submitted so far so It's nothing you haven;t seen before !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-10-19 15:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion1-864 Affidavit of support & co sponsor
Unless things have changed since I filed for my K-1, your Fiance will still fill out the I-134, not the I-864. In addition, his parents will also need to complete an I-134 and provide all supporting documents as per the instructions.

The I-864 is filed when adjusting status from that of a K-1 holder to a permanent resident. This stage doesn't happen until the K-1 has been issued and you are married.

Thanks

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-25 15:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship USA/UK
Your interviewer got things wrong...

As Tracy said, Unless you walk into a British Embassy or Consulate, hand over your passport and renounce your British Citizenship, you are always considered a British Citizen.

If dual citizenship was not allowed then I would be renewing my greencard every 10 years and keeping my British passport. I don't want to be a US citizen so badly that I'd willingly turn my back on the country I was born in !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-24 15:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionANOTHER QUESTION
As I understand it, if you are married to a US citizen and have been granted permanent resident staus, you should be eligible for citizenship 3 years after being granted PR status.

This is confirmed on page 18 of the document posted by YuAndDan which states that you are eligible for citzenship after 3 years as a premanent resident...

If you are at least 18 years old and are currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen; and have been married to and living with that same U.S. citizen for the past 3 years; and Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past 3 years.

Obviously, if you don't meet one or more of the above requirements then you'd have to wait longer.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-24 08:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
I plan on applying for citizenship at some point once I am eligible. The way I understand it from a UK citizens perspective is that I could use the US passport for entering the US and the UK passport for entering the UK. I'd basically use the US or UK citizen lines (which tend to be shorter and less hassle) which should speed up the process of entering either country.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-05-06 15:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-865 Sponsor Change Of Address Form
Thanks for the quick response :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-08-05 18:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-865 Sponsor Change Of Address Form
Hello everyone,

Long time member but haven't posted anything for ages. Debs and I moved into a new house in mid April and although I changed my address (as the immigrant) shortly after the move using the online address change process, we totally forgot that we also needed to inform the USCIS of Debs change of address. I have the I-865 form ready to mail tomorrow but got to wondering if the fact that we are well outside the 30 day period after we moved, might cause us any problems ? I have never made any claims for federal or state benefits. I will be applying to have the conditions removed from my green card this coming October and want to have all of our ducks in a row before that paperwork gets filed.

Thanks in advance

Mark & Debs :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-08-05 10:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 application
I don't think a copy of your marriage certificate is required. I filed at the end of November and didn't include a copy of our marriage certificate. The only copy of any visa related "paperwork" that is required is a copy of your Permanent Resident Card. Any supporting evidence being sent with the I-751 is to establish that you have continued with the bona fide relationship that was established at the end of the AOS processing. I don't believe that they are interested in any evidence originating prior to the granting of your PR status.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-13 20:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionReschedule biometrics appt
The I-797 notice sent out with the Biometrics appointment on it has a number to call if you need to reschedule the appointment. As long as someone is around to receive the notice when it is mailed, it shouldn't be a problem rescheduling.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-18 11:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotice of approval
Sounds to me that you are done. When did you apply and through what service center ?

Congratulations.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-18 11:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNSC to CSC
You can see hundreds of timelines for folks who were transferred from NSC > CSC here.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-22 21:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTwo different numbers from CSC, but can not view the status on line???
Sometimes it takes a while for the number to get into the system. I know I couldn't check my case status until after I'd had my biometrics done.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-23 15:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCurrent Status and other questions!!!
Ok... if you have an EAD here is how the effects the rest of your questions.

1) You are currently applying to adjust your status from that of a K-1 visa holder to that of a Conditional Permanent Resident (2 year green card holder)

2) The expiry date is on your EAD (correct me if I'm wrong ??). Normally your AOS will be completed before your EAD expires. On completion of the AOS you'll be given a conditional green card which does away with the need for an EAD.

3) Until you are granted your green card you will need to show your AP document along with a valid Canadian passport in order to re-enter the country. The EAD card only shows that you are allowed to work, it has nothing to do with travel outside of the US.

4) Until you receive your interview date, all that you need to do is start preparing the supporting evidence to prove that your marriage has been entered into in good faith and that you have been living as a couple since you got married. There is an AOS guide pinned in the AOS forum which includes a list of the kinds of documents usually gathered together for an AOS interview.

5) I am not sure that there is anything that the USCIS can provide for a landlord to get you put on the lease. It's up to the landlord who he wants on his lease and if he's asking for a US citizen then thats his prerogative. Once you complete the AOS process, you will be considered a permanent resident. This might look better to a landlord than a K-1 Visa holder looking to become a PR.

You could be waiting a few months for an AOS interview but hopefully you'll be in posession of a 2 year conditional green card soon.

Best of luck.

Mark smile.gif

P.S... Updating your timeline would help people get a better idea of where you are in the process.

Edited by luv2teach77, 23 January 2008 - 08:50 PM.

luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-23 20:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussioncan you get touched if you send in more addtional info?
I wouldn't send any additional evidence unless you are asked to by the service center. The chances of the new stuff meeting up with the old stuff is pretty slim and might actually confuse things if there end up being multiple files under your name.

Unless you get sent an RFE I wouldn't worry about it. Also, touches don't really mean very much. Throughout the whole visa process (K-1. AOS and so far in I-751) we've never received a touch.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-25 09:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhen exactly to file
As long as the packet is received by the service center before the expiration of your 2 year conditional card, you are good to go. 90 days before the expiration of your green card is the EARLIEST you can send it in.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-29 21:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionApproved!
Congratulations !!

I read a post of yours that other day where you said you'd been waiting for months. Really glad to hear that you're done with this step. I also plan to naturalize but after reading that it costs nearly $600 I might wait a while.

Congratulations again.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-28 11:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionno Job!
You are not required to furnish any financial support information to remove conditions. There isn't an I-134 / I-485 type document for this step of the process. They do suggest that joint tax returns and bank statements are a good way to show that you have combined assets etc. but if you have enough other proof to show you are living as a bona fide married couple then these aren't 100% necessary.

Out of interest, how do you support yourselves if you are both in school full time and not working ?

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-02-01 08:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWill you become a U.S. Citizen?
I will probably apply for citizenship but it might not be for a few years after I am eligible. I hate to say it but just like many of the other posters, one of my main reasons for wanting to apply for citizenship is to be done with the USCIS. I don't relish the $600+ fee but to just be done with all the paperwork will be great. In addition, the ability to vote and extend my job opportunities is also very attractive but if there was a way to gain those benfits without requiring citizenship, that would also be an attractive option. I'm in no real hurry because I won't be able to vote in the upcoming election so don't really need the naturalization process completed until I need to be able to vote in 2012.

I am very proud of my British roots and wouldn't even consider citizenship if it meant giving up my British citizenship. The fact that I can hold both UK and US passports makes the decision easier for me than for some others and I'm thankful for that. I always tell people that my move to the US was because of the my deep rooted love for an American, not a deep rooted love OF America and that is why becoming a US citizen is not something I have dreamed of for many years.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-02-29 16:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFiling the paperwork before the 90 day requirement-- is this okay?
Unless I am misunderstanding your post, why can't you file before you go on vacation ? If your green card expires Jan 29th, 2009, you can send in your packet any time after Nov 1st, 2008 (I think that is exactly 90 days before Jan 29th 2009 ??). That way it's all done and you don't have to worry about it after your vacation.

However... you'd still have 27 days to get it in the mail after getting back from vacation anyway. As long as the packet is post marked before the date of your green card expiration you should be good to go. Lots of people (for various reasons) wait until just before expiration of their greencard before filing. I personally had around 30 days of my 90 days left when I sent my packet in.

Edited to add:... You can reschedule your biometrics once you get the appointment. If someone can check your mail while you're away they can find out when the biometrics has been scheduled for. Sending in the packet after you get back should avoid any potential scheduling clashes.

Hope that has helped.

Mark smile.gif

Edited by luv2teach77, 09 March 2008 - 09:48 AM.

luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-09 09:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI'm so excited!!
Congratulations !!

You're all done until Naturalization now !!

I'm hoping I hear something about mine soon.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-20 15:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion10-Year Card Approved!!!
Congratulations Richard. It's quite a relief to know you're done for the foreseeable future isn't it !!

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 12:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI'm Done !!...
QUOTE
Great news Mark, congratulations! Are you going to go for citizenship this year?


I won't be eligible for citizenship until January of next year (LPR status granted Jan 2006) but to be honest my aim is to have that all completed by the next election. It's so bloody expensive that I'll have to get saving to afford the filing fee anyway !!

QUOTE
Poor old Jen has fallen into the black hole again - they must like her in Nebraska and want to keep her there! LOL


Poor old Jen indeed... I figured they were all done but Nebraska certainly has a strong hold on her file. Hopefully they will be set free soon !!

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 12:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI'm Done !!...
QUOTE
I am still stuck in Nebraska's Black Hole....what's new?? Their processing times have gone backwards from February 2007 to July 2006, so at this rate I'll have to wait another freaking year!!! You gotta love NSC whistling.gif

Congrats again and best wishes to you guys

Jen


Jen,

What the hell !!... this crazy system will never make any sense to me. How did you not get sent to California like so many other I-751's filed in Nebraska ?

I'm sorry to hear that you're still waiting but hopefully you will be done soon.

Thanks to everyone else for their congratulations. I'm just very relieved that this step went smoothly and pretty quickly.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 08:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI'm Done !!...
I received the email overnight that my I-751 was approved and my unconditional 10yr green card is being produced !!... YAY !! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

SOOOOO Glad to hear that we're done with the USCIS until we get the money together for naturalization.

Best of luck and speedy processing for all of you still waiting for your removal of conditions to be completed.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 05:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWife left need help
If she holds a valid 2 year green card, until she has stayed out of the US for longer than 6 months she will have no problems re-entering the US. She may have some issues re-entering if she stays in India for longer than 6 months as I beleive she needs special permission to maintain her conditional residency when outside the country for longer than 6 months.

Until that 6 month point I don't beleive that there is anything that you or the USCIS can do to stop her from coming back and to be honest, if she left for India after 1 small argument, do you really want to throw away your marriage so quickly ?

I'd give it some time for her to calm down and then see if things are really as bad as you think.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-28 08:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCRIS emailed today
Congratulations !!

California seems to be on a roll the last couple of days.

Mark wink.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-28 12:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat do I do?
The NOA letter you received should say that your conditional residence has been extended for another 12 months. I think you can arrange an infopass appointment at your local USCIS office to have a stamp put in your passport which will allow you to travel on your extended green card. I'm sure som other will come along with more concrete info.

How long ago did you have your biometrics and where is your application being processed ?

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-04-04 13:59:00
United KingdomIn the U.S. at last!!!! :)
Welcome to America from one newly established Illinoisan to another !! I have no idea where Hopedale is but I bet its absolutely NOWHERE near Trenton !!

The crappy little piece of paper otherwise known as your social security card (not even a plastic card like the UK National Insurance card) is a key you'll need to open a LOT of doors in the US. So much stuff is linked to your social security number and without it, stuff like adding you to any kind of contract will be almost impossible.

Fingers crossed that this process runs smoothly for you. The great thing about this step of the process is that at last you get to wait and get frustrated face to face as opposed to over the phone. Always a better setup !!

All the best during this stage of your visa journey.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-02-20 14:26:00
United KingdomPOE & Immigration Stuff
I came through Chicago O'hare and apart from waiting about 10 minutes in line, I was only actually being questioned by the POE officer for about 5 minutes. I think I had about an hour or so before my connecting flight to St. Louis left and I had plenty of time to make my way to the gate.

Obviously each airport is different and you have to bear in mind how far apart your arrival and departure gates actually are.

I think a couple of hours is normally long enough for most people !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-06-08 14:59:00
United KingdomLondon
Just got into work and reading all the accounts on the BBC news website has brought it all home again.

I had already moved to the states when the attack happened last year but it was one of the few times that England felt a long way away. I have a lot of friends and family who work in central London and if my dad hadn't retired a week before the attack, he'd have been on the tube around aldgate when it all kicked off.

I don't think that there will be any silent tributes in my office today but I'll be sure to pay my own silen tribute to all those who lost their lives. My life might be in St. Louis now but I'll always be an Englishman at heart !!

Mark (F)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-07-07 09:06:00