ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Article in NY Times

"“It all started with women’s lib,” said Sam Smith, a former salesman of insurance and mutual funds, who founded I Love Latins in Houston six years ago. “Guys are sick and tired of the North American me, me, me attitude.’ ”"

You know, just once, I wish they'd profile a couple that met while studying abroad or on Yahoo, because quite frankly, no one cares if some white, middle-aged bitter divorcée gets his woman whom the translator assures loves him here on time. He's not a sympathetic character, and frankly, the article reads like anyone upset about IMBRA is some loser whiner who wants a foreign bride because if she leaves him, she won't be able to get his money.



I totally agree with you. That article completely rubbed me the wrong way. We had to wait 5 months for our NOA2 because of the IMBRA backlog! and for what? I have nothing to do with marriage brokers or internet dating, in fact I'm a woman applying for a man. I don't think people who actually met their significant other in real life should be categorized with men who troll for women on the internet. I wish they would have profiled someone whose visa was innocently held up because of it.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-10-17 13:21:00
United KingdomFor the USC
HP sauce! I forgot that one! :) I'm so addicted to it now, i put it on everything!
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-09-10 17:50:00
United KingdomFor the USC
hollyoaks, big brother, f word, milk chocolate digestives, sunday roast (OMG yorkshire puddings!), and marks & spencers

i LOVE london :)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-09-09 19:23:00
United KingdomForm I-864
the "enclosures" list is just a list of all the blank forms that the embassy sent you in the packet. you are not suposed to send the i-864 back.

(that's my understanding at least...)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-10-04 18:22:00
United KingdomWhere in the UK are you from?

I am originally from Boston in Lincolnshire.

However moved to London when I was 20 yrs old and now live in Wimbledon, London.

Can't wait to get to California and get some sun though! :dance:



Hey missy_antha! We're just a few stops up on the district line from you! :) What part of California are you going to?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-09-09 19:28:00
United KingdomWhere in the UK are you from?
martin is from notting hill originally but we both live in fulham (london) now
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-09-07 15:42:00
United KingdomWhere the hell do I send my P85?
Sorry if this is a really retarded question. I printed off a P85 leaving the United Kingdom form, filled it in and now am looking for the address to send it to. I have search on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk to no avail. Can someone provide me with the correct address to send a P85?

Many thanks in advance,

All the best

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-07 15:32:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Any one from Turkey?

Any turk wants to share information about the process in nvc and after?



merhaba, raskeli olsun.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-09-02 13:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon Embassy Interview?
i sent my packet 3 in on oct 4th and im still waiting for packet 4
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-10-31 11:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionemployment option for evidence of support
Martin had his interview this morning and he was approved! He didn't have any problems with the employment letter. He said the interviewer just read it once and moved on to something else. He didn't even ask any questions about it.

So all that stress and worrying for nothing! :) I'm so happy!

Amie
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-01 10:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionemployment option for evidence of support
Damn, just when I thought I had everything under control!

I looked that section up and I have no idea if his company needs to fill out that Application for Alien Employment Certification. Unfortunately, his interview is on Friday morning, and even if he did need it, he wouldn't be able to get the signed form sent to us in time. So I guess we have no choice to but to cross our fingers and hope the notarized employment letter we have is enough.

I will let you know what happens so future VJ-ers who encounter this situation will know if they need that form or not.

Thanks again for your help and research!

Amie
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-11-29 17:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionemployment option for evidence of support
Thanks Yodrak. I will definitely look further into what you said.

Amie
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-11-28 20:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionemployment option for evidence of support
Has anyone successfully used the employment option for the evidence of support issue instead of the affidavit of support (I-134)?

http://www.usembassy...faffidavit.html

Martin already has a job with an american company in which he makes much more than the poverty level and they have sent us a notarized letter stating his offer of employment when he gets to the US, salary, job description, etc. I (USC) quit my job 6 months ago to move to London to be with Martin so I cannot sponsor him.

i would appreciate anyone's advice on using this method.

Thanks :)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-11-27 22:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalifornia Service center address
Thanks a bunch folks!
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalifornia Service center address
Hello Folks,

Where can I find the address of the California Service Center Address?

Cheers

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 13:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinal decided and application is being filed!:-)
Hi Folks,

I dont know if some of you recall my previous post regarding my dilema as to which visa my girlfriend I were going to choose. Im the lad from London who has the irregular "travel habbits" according to USCIS:-)

Well after much deliberation with the GF we have decided that the K-1 is the right visa for us. We have nearly finished our packet, and this weekend, i think i will be in a position to send it off.

My plan is to stay the remainder of my VWP (2 months and 1 1/2 weeks) then wait in London for the remainder. I have come to terms with the fact that if I try to enter while my K-1 is in processing, I will be likely denied entry.

My question is this! Has anyone been in the states (Non US citizen), filed for a K-1, returned home after VWP. then tried to re-enter say 2 weeks later?

It is so 50/50 with the immigration officials. My previous trip before I got interrogated for the 5th time, I walked through customs as if I was taking a stroll on a sunday morning! The guy let me through with no questions at all despite having my record right in front of him.

I firmly believe that you can tell what is going to happen based on what the official looks like. I know some of you will think i am being stupid, but I have predicted my interrogations, all five of them over the past two years without a failure.

If the guy looks like an a*Hole then chances are he is going to be, I wish i could have manouvered myself in the queue so I could target the official i would want to approach.

This last trip when I got interrogated, I was standing in the queue (line for those americans) and thought to myself, I am going to have to go to the left, because the center and right booths were occupied with people taking a long long time to clear. I said to myself, he looks like an A*Hole and I am going to get stopped. Low and hold I did.

Life is so random!

Cheers

Martin Tuncaydin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-24 12:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresResource for all those and their loved ones!
It should be working now:-) I can see others browsing right now!

www.triposcope.com

Good luck

Cheers

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 22:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresResource for all those and their loved ones!
The difference between Kayak.com and Triposcope.com is this!

Kayak actually searches the fare as per the airline or online booking web site. What you see when you search on Kayak.com is real fares. Triposcope.com does the opposite.

I believe that the best deals to be found are those deals that are posted on the special offers pages of airline web sites and travel directories. These will for example, provide an offer for travel between a certain weekend at a future date. Kayak.com doesnt recognize this and only produces results for a certain date range and from the airline booking systems themselves.

Triposcope.com was designed to scan thousands of airline web sites and deals sites for just the deals and special offers. This is where the most savings are to be found! Triposcope.com scans all the airline web sites and travel deals portals numerous times a day to bring the freshest content.

I love Kayak.com and have been using it myself, however it fails to alert me that British Airways are offering $498 round trip between March 13th to the 17th inc all taxes. Or that there is a hotel for next weekend that is $79 for The Palms in Vegas!

They are very different web sites, and hopefully will help us both in our search for the best airfare:-)

I hope triposcope.com serves you in the slightest way, if it does I am happy I built it!:-)

Thanks

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 12:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresResource for all those and their loved ones!
Hi Guys,

I am sorry for the errors!:-) I pushed my crawler to the max last night before I went to bed, and obviously it couldnt take it. Didnt even think about the possibility that it could crash:-) Its up now and will be up 4EVERRRRR!:-)

WWW.TRIPOSCOPE.COM

Thanks

Martin

LOL, you all seem to be amazed:-)

Yep, i almost went every two weeks for a period of time! I have as to date from my last statement from United, 273,478 air miles! and that is just with United:-)

Good thing is I can start using the miles for free flights now!

Hope triposcope.com is a help to you all!

WWW.triposcope.com

Cheers

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 12:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresResource for all those and their loved ones!
Just to let you all know, you can search for deals by clicking on the map:-)

Another thing too! I can see some of you are searching for airport codes, I havent built this service into the application yet! You can search by using city names instead!:-)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-26 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresResource for all those and their loved ones!
Hello All,

Dont know if you all recall but I am the bloke that is applying for K-1, my gf is american. I thought I would share a new project I am nearly finishing with you.

One of the most difficult things for me being in a long distance relationship is airfare! I have probably been on 100 odd trans atlantic flights over the past two years, and as every one knows it is a costly business.

God know's what the limit is to go and see your loved ones. With this in mind, I decided to develop a new web site, currently in BETA phase that may assist some of you in finding decently priced flight tickets and accomodation.

I named it www.triposcope.com. I created a crawler that basically scans every single airline on the web, and all the major travel sites, e.g. travelzoo and all gateway pages. I believe that this will provide a valuable resource for all those looking for tickets to go and see their loved ones. The crawler scans the web twice a day so all the deals are fresh unlike some other web sites. There are currently over 20,000 fresh travel deals from this weeks scan.

If this isnt a help to you, please excuse my post. If it does serve as a valuable resource for you, I am glad! It has helped me!

Take a peak and see if it does you any favors. I havent launched this service to anywhere but this forum so far, as like I said i know how expensive it is to go and see your loved ones when they are thousands of miles away.

WWW.TRIPOSCOPE.COM

Drop me a comment if you find it useful.

Cheers

Martin

PS: My K-1 has been sent, I have stepped on the road to NOA!:-) Thanks to everyone that helped me.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-26 20:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens if I get deported?
I am on a VWP which expires in June. I havent overstayed or anything, i am just curious what will happen to my k-1 if i try to come back to the states while it is still processing.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 23:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens if I get deported?
Just out of curiosity, what would happen if I got deported from the states while my K-1 is in processing? How would this affect my K-1?

Cheers

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 23:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTime between NOA 2 and approval?
Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of you could share youR experienceS regarding how long it took from NOA2 to approval of the K1. Any couples from London and California would be great, because thats the situation I am in.

Thanks

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-28 20:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheque finally cleared! Im confused
lol:-)

We have online banking which show you an image of the cheque once it has been cashed. I logged into online banking and it was there:-)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-31 13:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheque finally cleared! Im confused
Thanks a bunch guys!
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-31 13:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheque finally cleared! Im confused
Hello Guys,

Our check finally cleared. Is the check supposed to clear before i recieved NOA1? Is that right. I thought i remembered reading somewhere that NOA1 is recieved and then the check is cleared.

Can someone clarify.

Cheers

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-31 12:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Thanks for the input,

That is exactly what Im going to do. I will file the K-1 asap and help my gf do that while im here, i willl leave just before my VWP is up and wait the remainder in the UK, where she can either come visit or stay for a while.

Cheers

Martin

PS: I will let you all know how it goes, you guys have been the best, i feel more informed than ever now:-)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 17:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
I think there is a misunderstanding. I am not keen on getting married and staying on my VWP, If anything I think i am heading for the K-1 route. It seems more sensible considering i have been stopped by immigration at LAX 5 times and interrogated. If my circumstances were different, and say i had only stayed in the states for a few weeks in the year, i would definately take the AOS option.

Thanks for all your advice guys,

Ur Brill, all of you!:-)
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 12:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Does anyone have any good links on reasons for deportation on a VWP? What would be the reasons that someone would get deported on a VWP? What i understand from the description of the VWP, is that you actually waive your rights to appeal deportation. Is this correct?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 00:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Thanks for the info,

So I can remain in the states whilst he visa is being filed. I was told that I would need to return to the Uk though, when will this be? Presumably when my VWP expires? So I can get to the filing of the visa and then i would have to leave as i am still under a VWP? Is that correct?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 00:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the wonderful advice. I appreciate greatly. I have read the comments over and over again. There are so many advantages and disadvantages to each route, and quite honestly I am greatly confused.

I have been in the States for a while now on the VWP, i never overstay my welcome and have always left well before my 90 days hits. My last trip I was interogated for an hour and searched, this was not the first time. The interviewing officer said that my travel patterns suggest that of someone who is living here. Quite rightly so, it does look like im living here. Fortunately i am in a good enough financial situation to be able to travel back and forth. However, it is starting to get bad, i am building up a bad set of records unintentionally. All i want is to see my girlfriend, and I have done for the past 9 months.

The time has come now, where i believe that if i leave the states and try to get back in, I will not be allowed. The immigration officer said that I should cool it off as my travel habbits are irregular.

My girlfriend and I have decided that now is the right time to pursue marriage, and i want to make sure that we are choosing the right root, with minimal emotional heartache.

My feelings are these. I believe that if I leave the states now, I will not be readmitted. I dont know if the immigrations were having a laugh, but I have been told not to mess with them, messing with them is something I wont do. I believe that the K-1 or K-3 visa are the best options for me, but which one is another story. Like I said i am in the states at the moment. I have 85 days till my VWP expires. My feelings towards DCF are that it seems a bit risky. I feel as if my chances of success with it are not to good because of the history i have with the customs at LAX. It seems like a 50 50 run, and i dont think it is a chance i want to take.

My feelings towards the K-1 or K-3 visa are these. We file for the K-1, I wait till my VWP nearly expires, by this time, a lot of the processing time will be gone. (2 months?), if I have to return to the UK for a few months it will be painful but is something that has to be done, but at least if i get declined the visa, i have less chance of loosing my priviliges when visiting the states in the future, as opposed to being banned as a result of a failed AOS petition.

Can I be in the states while my girlfriend petitions for me?

Thanks in advance?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 23:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
How can I find out whether I have been barred from adjusting my status? How will the attorney know whether i am barred or not? I am willing to do this. So basically it means that I can't travel for 6 months, after this period is over, what will happen, did you go through this yourself?

Thanks for the advice.

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 19:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Thanks for the advice, you are all very helpful. I appreciate all of your input.

I guess the main advantage is this! We have no quarms about where we live, UK or USA, we are happy in both countries.

I have heard that it takes no time at all to enter the UK for a US person. Would anyone recommend, maybe my girlfriend filing for a visa in the UK instead if its quicker, then we could get married in the UK and apply for my US visa from the UK? Is that possible, since it is a "1 day process"?

Is this a viable solution so that we can stay together?

Your feedback is much appreciated!

PS: I am currently in the united states, we are contemplating what the hell we are going to do.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
That is exactly my problem:-( Financially I can manage to fly over to the states, support myself and fly back home without any problems for the rest of my life. Im a programmer, and I dont want a full time job, i had one while i was apart from my girlfriend for a year and it caused problems.

I already spent a year apart from her, and it was the hardest thing i had to do in my life. I have been coming to the US so frequently over the past few years and have spent loads of time with her, we have rekindled what we lost while we were apart, and now there is the possibility of being apart for another 6-9 months?

This is dreadful, i guess it acts as a natural filter as to whether you can sustain a relationship through the waiting period.

Any advice or suggestions from people in similar circumstances is GREATLY appreciated.
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 19:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
How long would you say I should stay? A month, two months?

I read something somewhere about a method whereby you can slightly expedite the process? I think it is called direct consular filling, can anyone tell me about this? I am not to sure, but i think it mean manually submitting the documents to your nearest branch. Is this an urban legend?

Thanks

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 18:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
I completely agree with all of your suggestions about the K-1. My last wish is to be banned, i wouldn't be able to cope. I have been stopped and searched at least 4 times in the past year. So my circumstances are not ideal, even if I have never overstayed my welcome.

Is the K-3 visa faster than a K-1? If I am to wait for the K-1, when I recieve it, is there any more seperation I can expect? Or will that be it? I want the quickest option with the least hassle.

I think that changing my status, being on a VWP will be more trouble, because I agree my circumstances look suspicious.

My next question is this! I am currently in the United States with my Girlfriend, we are both willing to get married and have been talking about it for a while

What would be the wisest move to make right now, I got admitted to the US last week, and i have the 90 days available. What should I do?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 18:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.
Thats the thing, i havent overstayed my welcome, i have always returned well before the 90 days is up. Is the 4-6 month wait pretty much a 100% guarantee or is it possible to get it before then? Has anyone had their K-1 issued in record time?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 18:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe you can adjust from the VWP to a permanent resident via AOS. The problem is, did you intend to get married prior to entering the US... (you will need to prove this if the adjudicating officer asks). Many people come to the US as a visitor and they spontaneously get married. But it all depends on intent, because if you wanted to get married on the VWP prior to entering the US that can be seen as visa fraud. I think I've seen other UK citizens do it the AOS way. You might want to try searching the forums.

edit. JayJay appears to have done it this way. Try contacting her.



We have been looking to get married 3 months after we met, which is now 2 years ago. We have all of the confirmations for our flight tickets, we have even taken holidays together. The evidence is plentiful. My question is, I am looking for the most peaceful way of getting through this - do you think ajusting my status on a VWP is a bit risky? I was hassled so bad my last trip i dont want to jeopordize my chances. Another question I have is this..... Since i have never overstayed my welcome and have always returned back before the 90 days, can they ban me from the US, even though I have complied with the rules?
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 18:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn a twiddle! Need help and advice.

Read the Guides section....there is the K-1 for fiancés and the K-3 for those married and wanting to come to the US. Read Read Read!!!! Talk with your girlfriend (have her read the guides too) and decide which path is right for you. This is a long process, so there's not really a quick fix here. I do know the K-1 is quicker than the K-3. My fiancé and I went the K-1 path and we're almost done with what I call Phase I :)

Hope this helps...and best wishes with whatever path you both decide on. :)



Thanks for your reply Karen, I am going to have a read with my girlfriend, and let you know what we decide on. One more question though, if we choose any of the options, we will most probably have to be apart from each other? Or is it possible that we take a route that will enable us to stay together?

Thanks

Martin
Martin + AmieNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-20 17:44:00