ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomWorld Cup??

Well who are they going to replace him with that is as much of a threat to score? It would be like going into the World Series and your best pitcher hurts his arm or Super Bowl and best your best running back or receiver can't play. You can still win, but it is something you have to figure to be a big negitive.


Oh sure, I can't think of any single individual who is as much of a threat in front of goal, it's true. But a team that is based entirely around one player will always struggle. Luckily, I do believe that England have more depth than that.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-06 12:52:00
United KingdomWorld Cup??

I was in England watching the match that Rooney got injured in :o .................Lets hope we can manage without him, it will be an uphill struggle BUT a team is more than one player..............and i saw a programme about the 1966 team, & at that time thier best player(or 1 of the best players) was also out injured but we know what happened :whistle:
so here's wishing the boys all the best for june :thumbs:


I generally agree. Rooney is talented, but to suggest he would make the difference between success and failure is, I think, a little insulting to the many other talented English players.

As a Scot, who will I be supporting? The USA, of course. Who else? :D
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-06 12:25:00
United KingdomBritish wedding favor ideas
If English - cricket bats and lawn mowers :lol:
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-08 14:24:00
United KingdomThis is where we start again

Hi all

I need some info on going back to scotland for a vacation... like how does it work at immigration in uk for my USC husband???? is it easy or do they give you a hard time.... can I go with him or do I have to go the normal UK passport holders route???

any help or information would be useful...

Kezzie


My wife tends to get a hard time at UK immigration, but plenty of others seem to sail through no problems. Make sure you have evidence of your status in the USA (so they know he's not trying to settle there) and I'd imagine you could go through the "Non-EU" line with him, but if they need any info from you, they would certainly call for you.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 21:24:00
United Kingdomsending in packet 3

Ok..i have all my forms filled out for the embassy, even though i havent received packet 3 yet, but i also have the the DS2001 form which i am sending with it. I just need to douloble check which forms i send in now and which i take with me to the interview. I also have 2 different addresses for the embassy, i would be very grateful for any info...and hopefully i will stop driving you all crazy with my endless questions lol


Really just to bump this. As I recall, you send all the forms (not the I134, of course) but you need to pay attention to instructions regarding which ones to sign and which ones not to sign.

Wouldn't send anything until you have P3 with your London case number, though. Still, being prepared means you can get it off promptly when it arrives.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-30 15:26:00
United KingdomQuestion about sending in the pack 3
A time limit as such? Not exactly, but you would certainly want the interview date to be before your NOA2 expires.

However, consulates have the discretion to extend NOA2 validity. London would probably do that for you - you can email them at londonconsular@state.gov - be sure to give all relevant reference numbers. When we feared our NOA2 might expire before the interview, we mailed them. They asked for a letter from my (then) fiancee confirming that she still intended to marry me.

In the end, I got an interview about three days before NOA2 expiry, but I was working on the "better safe than sorry" principle :)

Edit - I have never heard of anyone missing out on a visa because of NOA2 expiry. That's not to say you shouldn't take the appropriate steps, but if you're careful I can't see a problem.

Edited by antone, 04 August 2006 - 02:37 AM.

antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-08-04 02:35:00
United KingdomWhere in the UK are you from?
Glasgow - via SE London and Rochester, Kent.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-08-04 02:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview

Patrick mailed his packet 3 off on April 11, but we have not heard back from London about when his interview will be. Is this common? I emailed them just now to find out what was going on. However, I wanted to ask here what length of time others going through London had to wait before getting their interview.


Although my interview was a while ago (Jan 2005) I reckon it was around 8 weeks from mailing packet 3 to interview. My packet 4 arrived about 36 hours before I had to catch the bus to London - I was only aware of the interview date because of email correspondance with the consulate.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 20:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlease, help! Urgent.
Send copies. Technically they can request that the originals of any copy submitted be available at interview, so perhaps ensure that the foreign fiance(e) has them at that time.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-16 01:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionyour opinion is needed

The only problem is that no matter how many times I call the USCIS, no one knows anything! :crying:


In that respect, nothing ever changes :wacko:
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-16 05:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFiance's interview on Tuesday
I'm the foreign fiance (well, spouse now) and I went to the interview in London on my own. No problems. If he's well-prepared there should be no trouble. Good luck to you both.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-21 22:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview
Didn't have to do this myself, so I can't say for sure. I'd imagine you could ask for the interview to be rescheduled, but whether it would be for a week or for two months is the real question.

I'd suggest doing everything you can to get there. If it really is going to be impossible, you could email or telephone your consulate and see what they say.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-26 06:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwho can be a joint sponsor?

Thanks Baby B. And thank you Aselano. The advise was great. From reading it sounded like a non-relative could be a joint sponsor. I'm glad i started checking this stuff out, because I'm terrible at paperwork. At least now i know to keep airline stubs, hotel receipt etc. They probably would have ended up in the trash.

Question: Anyone out there use or know/heard of someone that used a joint sponsor for a fiance VISA?
What was the result?

Seems like such an application is more likely to get rejected.

Kino


Plenty of us have used cosponsors for a K1 application, including us. The cosponsor's documents were checked at my interview in London and the interviewing officer raised no concerns. My visa was approved just fine.

I suppose I should add that this is strictly my own experience, but I'm sure you'll find others who'll say the same thing.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-08-03 14:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 4 - What is It?

Antone - dang, I haven't seen you on here in ages.....how the heck are you and your beautiful wife?


Yeah, I've been AWOL for a while. We're doing well. How are things with you?
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-06 14:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 4 - What is It?
The most critical thing in packet 4 will be notification of the interview date. There's a few other things too, but the interview details are the main thing.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-06 12:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAdultish Kids

Yes since I don't have a spare copy it will likely take me at least a month to get is as he was born in another province. Perhaps I will get one just in case and that way if I don't need it I have it if he ever loses his ID.


It's probably a good idea to have a copy available, yes.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 13:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAdultish Kids
You would want to verify this to be certain, but I would remember if I had been asked - it would have been a serious PITA to get hold of my kids' birth certs.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 10:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAdultish Kids
I have two kids who didn't come to the US with me. I did have to mention them on my G325A, but I wasn't asked for their birth certificates at any point.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAbout fee!

thanks very much for the reply. so now what we should do? just waiting, or send the application again?


I wouldn't send another application. He should keep checking his bank account to see if the payment has been made. If not, CSC will either return the petition or issue an RFE for the payment, not sure which. Filing another petition would likely confuse things.

He could possibly call CSC, but I'm not sure how helpful that would be.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 22:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAbout fee!
If, for some reason, the cheque doesn't clear then CSC will not deal with your case - they will return it. Of course, the petition can be filed again, so it isn't a disaster, just a delay. But if there's any way to avoid the situation, I would try to sort it.

Not sure about penalty fees.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-07 21:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration
Yes - you clear immigration at your first port of entry in the US. After that, your connecting flight will be like a regular domestic flight, with no immigration or customs to worry about.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-08 14:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE ?

lol Im still lost on what you printed in ink instead of pencil that would get you an RFE for it. What was it on? ...cant be the forms as they are supposed to be in ink.


I suppose that printing names on passport pics using ink might distort the pics so that they won't scan properly. Dunno, really.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-08 02:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding US Customs procedure
Heh, well good luck. You will probably find the K1 process less stressful than you imagine. Of course, the waiting is awful, but things are usually pretty straightforward.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-09 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding US Customs procedure
A rental agreement might well be a useful thing to bring, especially if he is unemployed. If you have a ticket to visit him in the Netherlands, he could possibly bring a copy of that, too.

When he arrives he will probably be asked the purpose of his trip. He should be clear that, although he is visiting his fiancée, you will not be getting married on this visit.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-09 10:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBut What About Now

Thanks to everyone who responded. I've been feeling the great bond you all have and I'm anxious to be a more active part of this community once I've got that ring on my finger. ;)


No need to wait until you have a ring on your finger to join in. The more you know, and the earlier you know it, the better.

If it's any help, doing the I129f/K1 process from the UK is generally pretty painless, relatively speaking.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-11 12:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew and it may be a silly question
Can't add much to what's already been said - just this point: If you choose to use a lawyer, be sure that they are affiliated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association. See their site at:

http://www.aila.org
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-13 11:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBinding Info
Oh boy. Who can remember the old "ACCO Fasteners" discussions? :D

They say not to staple, since they may well wish to rearrange the documents when they receive them. We used paperclips. All was well.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-14 21:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork History

Cheers guys...feeling better now. I always suspected I was over reacting but it's nice to be told for sure


I doubt they'll ask you about the specifics of your job when you go to interview. Certainly the guy who interviewed me didn't - he just asked what I planned to do in the USA. I said I was an IT guy, so that's where I'd be looking, and that was that.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 12:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescase check
The service centers are processing cases? I thought they were running around like headless chickens :lol:

Seriously - the information you want can be found using the "Processing Times" link above - just below the search box.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 14:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBeing separated as little as possible...

I think she meant that it will take two months for the paperwork to reach the embassy. I'm not listening to her since she told me a lot of things that were wrong.

The wait time according to the site linked to here says the Texas service center is processing apps recieved on Feb 3rd '06. So is that just over three months before they even see my paperwork?


Perhaps, but we're told that in a simple case, actually adjudicating the petition takes hardly any time at all - the delay is caused by the sheer scale of the backlog and lack of resources to deal with it. This is just rumour, I have no official source for it, so take it with whatever amount of salt you please :)

Timelines are notoriously hard to predict, depending on the nature of the case, staff available to deal, volume of other cases being handled, and the whim of the Overlords of Zog. OK, I made the last one up. Plus, it doesn't help that often the processing times listed on the USCIS sites seem to bear no relation to the rate at which people actually receive their NOA2 (approved petition).
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 19:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBeing separated as little as possible...

-Can we go to America on June 20th, have him enter under the VWP, and then file the fiancé petition when we get there, then he returns to the UK in order to get his visa...


Yes, this is possible.

-Can we file the petition now; go to America on June 20th regardless of whether it’s processed, and have him return to get his visa...

-Or is it a really bad idea to have him enter the country at all once I file the petition?


It's legal, but you would both need to be aware that there's a greater than normal chance that the Immigration officer at the airport will think he is trying to immigrate illegally. He should carry evidence of his intention to return to the UK - perhaps documentation of a mortgage or rental agreement, letter from an employer (if any) stating that he is expected back at work, that sort of thing.

If he can enter the country (in either case) would it be a bad idea to have him say he wants to stay the full three months allowed (he will have a return ticket)?


Maybe, but lying about it would be worse. If asked when he plans to return home he should tell the truth. If he's not asked he doesn't need to volunteer the information.

-If he is allowed to enter the country for the three months on the VWP and we file the K-1 petition as soon as we get there, does anything happen to his visitor's visa once they recieve the application? Does it look bad that he's still in the country and (hopefully) has a while left before he has to leave?


I can't see that this would be an issue. His I94W (the card they staple into his passport) will be stamped with the date by which he needs to leave. Provided he leaves on time it would be fine. I suggest that he plans to return to the UK at least a few days before that date, just in case flight delays, illness or accident push him over the 90 day limit.


Employment: they are not really interested in his employment per se, but certainly don't leave gaps. Just explain "Unemployed", "Student" or whatever is appropriate. He will not be asked for tax documents or proof of his income at any point - although you will be. I think they ask about employment to see if he has done any "red flag" jobs - like working with nuclear bomds, serving in the Syrian armed forces or the like.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSomeone help me please

ok so can I do that affidavit of support now? and get it ready? and then once its done do you think i could take a tourist visa and spend the remainder of this wait with her?


You can start preparing the form, but I would wait to sign it and have it notorised (this is required) until closer to the interview. Which affadavit you need depends entirely on what the Brazilian consulate wants - you can't choose which one to use.

As to visiting Brazil, that would probably be fine. Of course, that is a matter for the Brazilian authorities. From a US POV I can't see why there would be an objection.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 19:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi made a mistake...what now?!

hey thanks so much for replying...just to clarify...when you say a) perhaps no one will care and y ou will get away with it are you talking about the photos not being dated? i guess i am now just thinking that perhaps cos i had other things in there that they would be sufficient.

also, while i am waiting would anyone reccomment starting work on some of the other forms needed for future steps and if so, what would that be. for example, should i start doing the affadavit of support now, etc. i am just trying to make this go as afsat as possible cos we dont want to stay in england very long, although i do realize i am lucky that we are able to be together while we wati for this fun process to go through!

sorry i am stupid, just read your post again...didnt notice the colon the first time! just a bit panicky at the moment i am sure you understand!!!!


Yes, this is stressful, no doubt. I was referring to the G325A form. With regard to the photos, it may or may not matter. I presume you mean pictures sent to prove that you and fiance have met. If there's plenty of other evidence then they may well overlook the fact that the pics aren't dated.

The next round of forms will be sent from the consulate to your fiance - it's really his job to complete them, though of course you can help. The one exception is the affadavit of support - you need to complete that and have it notarised. I'm pretty sure this form isn't needed until interview day, but don't take my word as gospel on that.

Oh, and your fiance could apply for his police certificate now - it's good for one year from the date of issue.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 12:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi made a mistake...what now?!
I'll just tackle your first question: No, you won't be asked to pay again or start from scratch. If they are bothered about the G325A form, they will issue you an RFE (request for evidence) asking you to send the full 4 copies. I wouldn't try and do anything before you receive this because:

a ) Perhaps no-one will care, and you'll get away with it - don't hang your hopes on this, though
b ) Anything you send to them is pretty likely to get lost without the actual RFE notice itself, which helps the staff ensure that your submission goes in the right file.

An RFE for something so easily fixed is not a disaster, though it may delay your case for a few weeks.

Edited to remove gratuitous "autosmiley"

Edited by antone, 15 May 2006 - 11:57 AM.

antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere will she get her interview?
Agree with TracyTN. There's no harm in adding it in if it makes you feel better, but it won't likely make any difference to the speed at which the application is processed.

Assuming your case is simple, I'd say your chances of being together by June 2007 are pretty decent.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-15 19:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTitle of Envelope
On the envelope we wrote "I129f Original Submission". Don't really think it made any difference - it certainly won't get sent back if you don't write anything on it. Our approval (Sep 2004, VSC) took just under 4 weeks, which was about normal for VSC at the time.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-18 11:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 question

On my NOA2 notice, in the box where it says "Notice Type", it reads: Valid from 5/08/2006 to 9/07/2006.
Does that mean my fiance needs to have his interview before Sept. 9th or that he needs to enter the U.S. before Sept. 9th?

By looking at other people's timelines, we expect the interview will take place(in London) sometime in July. But since the interview hasn't been scheduled yet, we can't be sure. I have also read that once the visa is issued (after the interview), it is valid for 6 months. So I am a bit confused and a little worried about the dates on the NOA2.

Our case was approved by CSC May 8, 2006. I got the letter from NVC yesterday, 5/24.


An NOA2 is valid for four months, so what the date means is that the interview should be scheduled before that day. Consultates have the discretion to extend this validity, though, so even if the interview were to be after this date, it likely wouldn't be a problem.

Once the visa is issued, it is indeed valid for 6 months - meaning that your fiance has 6 months to enter the USA. After he has done so, you and he have 90 days to get married.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-25 13:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat the H*** is an 'IV-15'?????
As already mentioned, the IV-15 form is the document checklist. It's also the formal request for an interview. When the foreign fiance(e) signs it and returns it to the consulate, they are in effect confirming that they have all the requested papers and are ready for interview.

The consulate (at least in London) will not schedule an interview without it.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-25 12:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Denials

Now i am worried after reading that....
I see the part that says a red flag for engagment short time after divorce and i am scared i fall in that catagory.
Actually i proposed while i was still married but i was waiting for my previous divorce to be finalised.I did wait until my divorce was final before i met my now fiancee in person but i was well in love before we met in person.
i hope this wont cause a problem for us.
If it makes any differance my exwife was the person that filed for divorce from me so maybe that will make the differance.....
Anyone here have any advice ?


I wouldn't call it "advice", but my (now) wife filed the I129f about one month after my divorce was finalised. I had, however, been separated from my ex for nearly two years. It was just a long, tedious divorce.

Anyhow, the issue was never mentioned at any point in the process, and my visa was approved without any trouble.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-26 07:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNaive question perhaps

Well why complicate? In order for her to return to the US after you leave you're gonna have to go thought the K3 process. Do you plan on not live in the States? Because after you get married and leave the States and you decide to go back together to the States she's gonna have to start a long K3 process, they won't let her enter with a tourist visa anymore, am i wrong?


Well, firstly it's not me who's proposing this.

But my comments were entirely relevant to OP, who wishes to return, with his wife, to Ukraine after marriage.

Consider this:

They do a long K1 process. She enters the USA, they marry, and she leaves soon after. In that case the K1 will have been a waste of time - she'll still need to apply for a CR1 (and, optionally, K3). So I don't think that raising these points is a needless complication.

Of course, if they intend to travel to the US, marry and settle there (with no intervening time in Ukraine) then K1 is the only legal option.
antoneNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-26 10:06:00