ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEmployment while removing conditions
You don't necessarily need to tell your employer, but definitely carry it with you if you travel! Especially if you travel to Arizona, lol.
armorri122FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-08 18:11:00
United KingdomFear of flying, take two
I hate flying too -- but it's odd -- I prefer take-offs and landings (especially landings, since it means I'm nearly there!).

I prefer flying in the big 747s than the smaller 737s (I guess big planes handle turbulence better).

I do hate hate HATE turbulence, because I hate the sensation of falling (hate rollercoasters too). I know intellectually that even a steep drop in a plane is probably just a few feet, but man oh man!

Pilots are getting better about telling you what to expect -- on my return flight from Maui, the pilot announced (before we even got on the plane) that it was going to get a bit choppy about two hours into the flight. And when I flew back from Seattle just this past Wednesday, the pilot told us that we were running into some turbulence for about 10 or 15 minutes. It wasn't fun (it wasn't that bad, either), but knowing there was a limit was very helpful.

I also know that when I fly from the Bay Area into SoCal, it's going to be a bit bumpy on the descent, since we're flying over the mountains.

When I fly, I give myself 15 -20 minutes to be really, really nervous. After that, I can relax. i also think of the episode in "Cheers" where Dr. Crane explains Clear Air Turbulence ("CAT") and when the plane gets a bit bumpy, everyone starts meowing madly!

Not that any of this is helpful to you, but I do feel for you. The day they invent the Star-Trek Transporter won't be a day too soon for me!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-10 19:52:00
United Kingdomapproved
Great news!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-18 12:39:00
United KingdomMedical done
I called the Visa info number today (the one in DC) at 5:45 AM PT (ugh!), and according to the fellow, the London Embassy is still processing Packet 3. Bah.

I'll give 'em another call Friday morning.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-13 12:17:00
United KingdomMedical done
Well, here's something I read last night:

http://www.goldstein...ondon-visa.html

Normally, preference visa applicants who have had their Packet 3 (DS-2001, formerly OF-169, and DS 230 Part I) received by the Consular Post and entered into the Immigrant Visa Automated Control System (IVACS) by the 15th day of a particular month are put on the London visa number request list for the second succeeding month. Thus, an applicant whose Packet 3 forms were received in London and the information entered into IVACS by June 15th would normally be scheduled for an interview during the month of August.

Within a calendar month of scheduled appointments, those IV applicants physically residing in the United Kingdom generally will be scheduled during the first half of the month, while those applicants in the United States (or elsewhere) generally are scheduled for the second half of the month in order to facilitate travel back to the United States. Individual adjustments of scheduled appointments within the same month can usually be granted for good cause.


So (according to this), since we submitted our Packet 3 after June 15, we'd get an appointment scheduled for... SEPTEMBER?? :crying:

I'm hoping this is a very conservative timeline. It's been going much quicker the past few months, eh?
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-11 20:07:00
United KingdomMedical done
He switched the medical to July 6th, so he'll have all his records sorted by then.

I JUST WANT PACKET 4 NOW!

:impatient:
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-11 13:13:00
United KingdomMedical done

Also - psho - you know there's no need for vaccination records AT the medical in London, right? From what I understand, you need your vaccination records for AOS, but not before (still a good idea to get them while in England, of course).


Really? Excellent news! I'll tell the lad tomorrow morning! He's been having difficulty getting through to Kensington to change the date anyway, so if he doesn't have to, that would be wonderful.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-10 19:37:00
United KingdomMedical done
On Monday, my guy is going to move his medical (currently scheduled for the 15th) so that he can register with his local GP and get his med records transferred. *Then* he can check his vaccinations.

He was moaning about 10 billion pounds being spent on the NHS computer system, and not getting the bang for his buck.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-09 16:44:00
United KingdomMedical done
I'm waiting for P4 too -- I was hoping it'd come this week, but that's not looking too likely.

It's really hard to be patient!

EDIT: I just went ot www.timeanddate.com and added 22 days to the date we sent in Packet 3, and it looks like June 15 is a more reasonable date.

Edited by psho, 07 June 2007 - 04:26 PM.

pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-07 16:24:00
United KingdomFlying transatlantic with Zoom
When that story came out about flying people standing up, I read somewhere that the FAA doesn't require you to be seated during landing -- just restrained somehow. And check this out:

http://www.virgin-at...tefaq/index.jsp

Does the seat have to be upright for takeoff and landing?
No. You can choose the seat position you want, from upright to reclined.


Only us common folk need to be seated, apparently.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-04-25 12:47:00
United KingdomApproved!!!!
The Battersea Dogs Home! When I'm in the UK and taking the train to or from Kent, I always try to see if I can spot some dogs! If memory serves, that's where Red the Dog lived (and learned how to free himself and his pals from captivity)!

That's a great report -- I wonder who on earth would wear steel-toed boots to the embassy!

Congratulations again!

Edited by psho, 20 June 2007 - 02:05 PM.

pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-20 14:05:00
United KingdomAPPROVED!!
:dance: :dance: :dance:
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-21 17:24:00
United KingdomGood luck to RGNSCOT, robburnsefc and msu17!
Best of luck!!!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-02 12:18:00
United KingdomAPPROVED!!!
Such great news!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-02 14:50:00
United KingdomChecking in
I'm glad you got home safely! I hope the cash thing gets sorted soon.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-02 20:32:00
United KingdomFYI
is it the Camel -- formerly known as Liquid Blue? I'm trying to google pubs on Duke Street and that's what I'm getting so far....
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-04 14:39:00
United KingdomMy US Embassy K1 Experience
Congratulations! and you're very naughty for trying to fool your girl!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-04 16:22:00
United KingdomKnightsbridge Doctors July 2007 review
I'll give my guy's medical experience in this thread:

It was today (not the 16th, like he told me) -- he said he didn't have to wait too long, but there were loads of people in there.

He really liked the German doc -- they got on well.

Blood pressure is a bit high, and Gav patted his tummy and said, "well...." and the doc smiled and said "Now, we doctors call that 'lifestyle choices'."

The doc also said "I thought that the Germans were the leaders in bureaucracy, until I came to the UK. And then I started to deal with the Americans! But the Australians are worse." (I guess he does paperwork for all three.)

Got checked to see if he's a boy (yes) and was given the "cough and drop" test. Lung x-ray, blood tests, and they didn't force him to get more vaccinations (he had his records with him).

Gav wondered how many people there were from VJ.

Then he faxed the checklist to the embassy (third time's the charm, eh?) and now we wait again.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-06 11:57:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.
Called the DoS again -- they still don't have any record of receiving the checklist we sent 6/20. Hmmmm.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-26 13:55:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.

September! Noooooooooooo!

The only good thing about a September date (for me, any way) is that the flight will be cheaper -- maybe.


Should be. We could visit NI in September 07 (if we wanted) for about $200 apiece cheaper than July or August.



Yeah -- I've noticed in recent years that the big price break which used to occur just after Labor Day is now happening in October -- grrr!

My fiance's uncle is in a play that I wanted to see, but if we have a late August/early September date, we'll miss it. :/
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-26 12:29:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.
September! Noooooooooooo!

The only good thing about a September date (for me, any way) is that the flight will be cheaper -- maybe.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-26 12:22:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.

The State Dept. said our packet 4 was sent today!



Hmm.. going by your date (14 days since you sent Packet 3), I'm going to use June 20 as our "real" Packet 3 date, which would mean we'd get news about July 4.

ROLL ON, INDEPENDENCE DAY!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-25 14:12:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.

Nah, don't worry about that psho. Just have new letters of intent handy at the interview. London routinely extends those without any further involvement from the couple.


Phew!

I did see a sample extension request letter in the guides somewhere, but if I don't have to use it, that'd be best.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-22 12:54:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.
I called the DoS line again this morning, not expecting anything (they just received the forgotten checklist on Thursday). I was hoping that I may have a birthday surprise for my guy in the form of an interview date (his birthday is tomorrow), but no soap.

Now that August interviews are being scheduled, it makes me wonder -- our NOA2 expires August 11. If the embassy achedules the interview for after that date, will it all be for naught? Is there some wiggle room? Do I need to think about filing an extension?
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-22 12:16:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.

Ditto the D'OH! But at least it should be rectified pretty swiftly.

And it does prove that they indeed wait for the checklist before scheduling the interview.



Heh! I'm lucky he mailed anything at all! I'm surprised he didn't crumple everything into a big ball and fling it over the wall!

HE OWES ME STEAK AND CHAMPAGNE (and a nice dog, once we have a house)
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-20 14:39:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.
OK -- full disclosure, for anyone else who finds themselves in my shoes....

Turns out that the DoS operator who I thought was the least helpful was actually the most helpful!

I told my fiance about the phone call I had:

"Yeah, weird that they're waiting on the checklist...."

"The what?"

"The checklist! When you sent the forms in, you... did... send... in... the... checkli....."

"Oh, #@!*%!!!"


So they ARE waiting on our checklist! AAAARGH!!!

Here's where I wish I were over there, checking things over three times. Oh well.

Checklist was sent with a note explaining. Man, I hope he remembered to put the case number on it....

:hairpull:

Edited by psho, 20 June 2007 - 02:12 PM.

pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-20 14:12:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.

Hmmm. Did you mail packet 3 and the checklist together? And did they say they did have packet 3 (sorry if you said so somewhere else)?


Yep.

I will keep calling every couple of days since I seem to get a different story with every DoS operator I speak with. It's entertaining, in a perverse fashion.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-19 15:33:00
United KingdomThis is the waiting for packet 4 thread.
I just called the DoS line today, and was told that the embassy hadn't received our checklist yet (!!! -- we sent it May 24!).

I asked if we needed to send it again, and the operator said "Oh? You have a copy?" :rolleyes: and then she said "I can't see how it would hurt." She also said it could be that they *do* in fact have it, but maybe just haven't updated the system yet. She also suggested calling back "in a couple of weeks."

So the DoS has operators who are telling folks to resend information -- I'm going to hold off for another week or so, and try to be zen about the whole thing.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-19 15:30:00
United KingdomA plea to recent interviewees!
Please -- although it seems redundant, don't forget to post your review of your embassy experiences in the "Embassy Reviews" section. That way, your reviews are easier to find.

Thanks and congratulations!!!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-06 18:15:00
United KingdomGood luck tomorrow, Teddy406!
wait wait wait a minute --

Pierce Brosnan? seriously? :huh:
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-06 11:46:00
United KingdomGood luck tomorrow, Teddy406!
Best of luck!!!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-05 12:59:00
United KingdomTim's Big Day At The Embassy
VITAL PIECE OF INFO MISSING!!!!
.

.


.

(Who was the famous sit-com face you saw?)
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-07 19:00:00
United KingdomJust booked my medical

Hi there, I too received my packet 3 last week, but they forgot to include the medical leaflet and info. After many mins on the phone to the embassy at £1.50 a minute i was given a second number which put me through to a human being who gave me an email address to contact, which i did. Then they sent an automated reply saying they have deleted my emal without reading it! Please if u could send me any info contained in the leaflet so i can book my medical id appreciate it!! Thanks David



That's the typical email -- did the live person give you a special code for the email?
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-10 20:56:00
United KingdomSome rather late good lucks to cindi, justbee&robbie and ValWesUKUS!
Congrats!!

We need reports from the others!! more good news, I hope!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-11 15:58:00
United KingdomThose with a visa, please step forward
Arrrgh! How frustrating! I hope it's settled with days, not weeks!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-10 18:24:00
United KingdomTickets purchased, the countdown begins...
Thanks, all!!

I just hope the weather improves by the time I get there (or even before)!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-16 16:18:00
United KingdomTickets purchased, the countdown begins...
I'm flying out on July 27 to be with the lad for the interview July 31! w00t!

We're also making a quick side trip to Amsterdam, just for two nights. (I've never been, so any suggestions are welcome.)

SO EXCITED!!!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-15 20:13:00
United KingdomGood luck tomorrow, TQM_Angie!
What a happy day!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-17 20:38:00
United Kingdom2 interviews...probably 2 offers.
That's great news! How will you decide which one to take?
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-18 14:10:00
United KingdomWohoo! + Doh = Monday
That's great news, TimsDaisy!

Sash -- did the visa show up?
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-20 13:14:00