biggish data

I'M DONE AT LAST!!! London Interview!

a big congrats to you!

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-18 13:16:00

Recipes

a wee dessert as we heading towards burns night.

CRANNACHAN

340g (12oz) Fresh Raspberries or Soft Fruit (in season)
10 fl oz Double Cream
50g (2oz) Medium Oatmeal
3 tbsp Honey (preferrably heather honey)
3 tbsp Scotch Whisky

Toast the oatmeal under a grill or in a dry pan, turning occasionally, until golden brown.
Allow to cool.
Whip the cream until stiff.
Fold in the oatmeal, honey, and whisky.
Layer the cream mixture with the raspberries in four tall glasses, reserving a few raspberries for garnish.
Cover with cling film and refrigerate.
Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving
Decorate with a few raspberries.
Serves 4

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-14 13:55:00

My flight is booked

this is great news. congrats. I'm actually hoping to travel same day or same week at least. Just need to get through this interview unscathed.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-23 09:58:00

Questions to those who already did their DS-156

QUOTE (thejoz @ Jan 23 2008, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Several sections are making us scratch our heads, so if you have filled yours out and/or have passed an interview, please reply with information to assist us in the process.

"Name and telephone numbers of person in us who you will be staying with for tourism or business?"
-Should this be blank? She's coming on a K1 to get married, not for tourism or business

"How long do you intend to stay"?
-Indefinetly? Permanently? Other?

"Do you intend to work in the US? if yes, give the name and complete address of employer"
-She does intend to work here, but she does not have any employment lined up yet. What does she put here?

Please advise ASAP so she can finally finish and mail it off so we can get our damn interview. Thank you!

1. can't remember what i put sorry

2. Permanently (k1 visa with intent to remain)

3. a) Yes.

once work authorised will seek employment, employer unknown at present

hope this helps a bit.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-23 12:34:00

Just got Packet 3...

there is no Dr office for visa med in scotland, we all need to go to London. When I had mine a few weeks ago there was no problems, the people there were very helpful and you can schedule appointments quite fast.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-28 13:08:00

was just an additional checklist form in my packet 3. no idea what it was there for when the other 4 pages are the checklist.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-28 12:07:00

QUOTE (ddkm @ Dec 27 2007, 06:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I remember mine said something like that too, cant remember exactly though. I havent even heard of the ds2001 form...what is that!? Im pretty sure they do need the first 4 pages of the instructions - this just has the checklist on it basically.

it's just I had another wee form that said (hold on I'll dig out photocopy, yes I copied everything TWICE!)

"notification of applicant readiness" which you filled out name and "mailing address for appointment letter", email, phone number and travel date. There was also a wee seperate checklist sheet.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2007-12-27 14:38:00

another wee stupid question.....I sent back the ds2001 and checklist which were seperate sheets. But it also said to send 1st 4 pages of the instructions. Did I need to send both?

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2007-12-27 12:11:00

all done and all mailed for next day delivery! Now just hope for an early-mid feb interview!!!!

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2007-12-27 11:21:00

Just about to head to the post office for next day delivery of my packet 3. Do I need to put birth certificate and stuff in there as per ds156k? I thought I just took them to interview.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2007-12-27 09:21:00

Question about UK police report

I have a friend who works in the glasgow office, he processes these requests, it's one of the very few timescales in this process that is fairly accurate and honest!!!!

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2007-09-26 10:26:00

Together, At Last!!!!!

huge congrats to you! must feel so good to be through the first round. This interview hurdle ahead of me seems to be getting bigger and bigger the closer I get.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-28 13:22:00

Burns Night

QUOTE (RGNSCOT @ Jan 22 2008, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (weedebz @ Jan 22 2008, 09:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well it's my b'day on Sunday so we having a burns supper at my parents for around 15 various friends and family members on Saturday. It's sort of been a tradition in the family that we celebrate Burn's night and my b'day together. Unfortuantly even though it's my b'day I don't get the day off. I make the crannachan. My aunt makes #######-a-leekie, my dad takes care of the haggis, neeps and tatties. There will be lots of cairn mhor wine and lots of various single malts ranging from a cheapish bowmore to my more expensive 25 year old port ellen. Oh and my dad also makes me a huge birthday cake. It's been this way since I was about 12 only thing that has changed is the fact that it usually goes on all night and much more alcohol consumed.

Debz can i come????? i so love haggis neeps and tatties.... turnip is called something else over here... i forget its name

I want o open a chippy here mmmm haggis supper and a pickled onion

no problem...you are all welcome...I have a cheiftain haggis and a normal one so enough to feed a small army. Been practicing my bodhran playing and I'm still sh*te but been sh*te everyother year and I pull it off....JUST!!! I just blame lack of talant on the whisky!! Usually after the meal my mate plays his chanter (full pipes too loud in a wee hoose), I play my bodhran, my other mate plays the fiddle and we clear the furniture out of the livingroom for a very wee but fun ceilidh!

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-23 10:04:00

Burns Night

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-22 09:54:00

passport photo's

I used UK for initial filing and for medical but have US ones for interview.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-29 14:43:00

passport photo's

I had US size ones taken when I was down for medical. Some people have been lucky and got through interview with UK one, others have been sent to get US one taken so I'm going prepared. I have enough stress without any preventable additions.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-01-29 11:54:00

Question about Country on I-129F

for chicken pox...go to your own GP and ask for blood test showing presence of varicella (chicken pox bug) antibodies. If they are in your blood you don't need vaccination. You get the antibodies from having either chickpox or shingles. You GP should do the free.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-02-01 15:41:00

now doing that job....there better be a starbucks, costa or neros on site....caffine would be the only thing keeping me on the same planet.

(do they have neros in the US....gonna miss neros best coffee ever, wee shop near my work starts making my order in the morning before I reach counter! medium black blend of the day and on a tues and thurs a almond criossant with it to go)

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-02-01 15:30:00

nick very often compliments my cooking....my french toast is one of the things he sat eating quietly...I used to think it was OK until I tasted his mammy's. Hers is amazing

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-02-01 14:41:00

QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Feb 1 2008, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (SteveLaura @ Feb 1 2008, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A friend of mine is from Olney. This is how they celebrate. Obviously it was great ammunition for us to take the piss.

So.....just how did you take the piss?

Run naked with your skillets?

just have to be careful if it's hot......OUCH!

I've just had a knock at my door and a bottle of swedish vodka handed to me with my name carved into a wee metal plate imbedded in the bottle. One of my friends said a box of 12 bottles with names of 12 of my friends landed at his door this morning. They are presents from my friends from sweden for "up helly a" which was tuesday in the shetlands. Celebrating the viking heritage of scotland.

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-02-01 14:31:00

merlot alot lighter than zinfandel...drinking it a wee bitty too fast! Got some lindt chocolate too...mmmmmm.

can't stop thinking about interview on tuesday.....SCARED!!!!

weedebz

Female

Scotland

2008-02-01 14:16:00

Immigration Medical today

QUOTE (Lansbury @ Oct 3 2007, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This was the Easybus was it not, I take it it has a connection with Easyjet both by the name and standard of service offered. ie it gets you from a to b and nothing more.

Still sounds as if all went well and that part is over and done with.

It was the easyBus! hehe When it pulled up there was a queue of us and we were all wondering how we were all going to get into that thing! But at least it was cheap!

QUOTE (MariaDane @ Oct 4 2007, 12:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Kinda sounds like the hotel i stayed in when i went for my interview, it was tiny as well....i swear you could shower, have a pee, and wash your hands at the same time...lol if you closed the door you felt trapped.....it was smaller than the old coal sheds we used to have out the back.

That Dr sounds like a miserable #######, i'm sure you had to bite your tongue to refrain from givin him a good ole scottish piece of your mind.

I bet ye were stuck in traffic for ages, hmm i wonder if celtic kicked azz today then hehe *celtic daft* lol

At least your medical is over, your interview is just around the corner.

Good Luck

It does sound like the same hotel! Did your room have a refrigerator with the continental brekkie inside? hehe

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-04 02:16:00

Immigration Medical today

Hi there guys and gals,
back from immigration medical and arrived back in God's country (Scotland) at about 6 this evening and got caught up in the football traffic heading towards Celtic park. (sorta welcome back to Glasgow)

Those of you who know me will know that I have been down in London since early Tuesday (arrived at the airport at 6.20am) and has been an interesting trip. We got down to Stanstead and met with the most incompetent person in the world. It is not as if he had an important job, all he did was direct people to the buses. I asked him whether it was OK to get on a later bus as the plane was late. He directed me to a booth that was un-staffed. When I got back to the bus guess who was directing folks onto our bus, yes you have guessed it. the same guy. The bus (for want of a better word) was a converted van which boasted 16 seats but only had 12 available to the public. We got into London at Baker Street, got lunch and then took a cab to our hotel.

The hotel was certainly interesting. We had the smallest room in London. (The toilet was that small I had to leave it to wash my hands, the toilet was also the shower room and was about the same size of a normal shower room.) One bright side was that we had an evening meal thrown in at a local pub. We decided to get out and about and see some sights. We took a tube to Westminster. Saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, London eye, Westminster Chapel, St James's Park, Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria fountain. We came back to the hotel, rested and went for our evening meal. We went to a Scottish pub called the Rob Roy in the hope they were showing the Rangers game but they were too interested showing the Arsenal and Man United games. Took an early night and relaxed as was a long day.

We woke up and got ready for the medical. We took a taxi to the medical centre. The Medical centre is an impressive building, It's the biggest building on the street. (I will post some pics when I get the chance) We arrived 40 minutes prior to our appointment time. We were seen in good time, all the necessary stuff was done, paperwork checked, blood test taken, chest x-ray taken. I met the most sarcastic and unhappy doctor that I have ever met. This Doctor was only concerned with giving me a verbal kicking for my weight. (was mentioned 3 times in the space of 30 - 40 mins) I met the South African Doctor for the chest x-ray. All done in approx 30 - 40 minutes and we wern't the only ones being seen. We concluded this by the time of our actual appointment. (Our appointment time was 09.30am - we left the medical centre at 09.28) We meandered up to the Baker Street area as that's where our bus was, had breakfast (cracking full English) and had a good time together. We got on our converted van back to Stanstead airport, (have some picks of this) Chelsea got some Kristy Kremes doughnuts and we came home.

God Bless
William Scott

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-03 15:46:00

Approved!!!!!

That's comforting to know Andy! Our's is coming up this Wednesday and we are nervous, but we have all the forms and I can't foresee there being any problems.

I'll have to tie a string to william's left hand to make sure he can remember which is which! hehe too funny

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-05 09:51:00

Approved!!!!!

Congrats to you and the Mrs Andy! Well done!

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-03 14:06:00

Question for those who have gone through London

QUOTE (thejoz @ Oct 6 2007, 07:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have been discussing my case with a guy on another board I visit (not an Immigration one) and he talked about how because people in the UK are vaccinated against Tuberculosis, that during the medical exams, even if a chest x-ray or whatever comes up negative, the US can 'force' you to take 3 months worth of a drug called Isonaizid, which according to his nurse of a wife, has a good chance of screwing up one's liver.

So, I need to know, did this happen to you or not? Were you vaccinated against TB, and then when you tried to get in the US, were you told you had to take such drugs?

He said he didn't actually take the drugs, because he clearly doesn't have TB. Apparently, and not all too surprising, the US is dumb and stuff.

Please advise as to what you went through regarding this matter. Thanks.

If the US is dumb....I wonder why you bother going?

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-06 02:34:00

Unexpected letter from London Embassy

I completely understand her disappointment, poor thing. I think it was probably more of a standard procedure thing when they see that someone is a resident of a different country but been here in the UK for a while. They probably just assumed she would need a reminder about that. I would say the interview letter is right around the corner. One way to find out is to call the London embassy on the "extortion line" and ask. Sometimes an interview date has been scheduled but the letter just hasn't been sent yet. It's expensive but worth it for peace of mind. Here's the link.

http://london.usemba...assistance.html

Good luck to you and your sweetheart!

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-05 03:50:00

Postal Strike

I don't think they would send the interview date by email unless you had called and spoken to someone. If you call the embassy line they will tell you the date of the interview if it's already been scheduled. It's the quickest and easiest way to find out and give yourself some peace about it.

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-05 09:49:00

London Medical Review - 3rd October 2007

QUOTE (edchels @ Oct 7 2007, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey helwardman.

I will be going to London medical in the coming few weeks. I haven't had any vaccinations, and was wondering if they thought it was a big deal, do we absolutly have to have them, or if they think we are healthy enough, will they let us off?

Cheers, Ed

Ed

best to get them done with GP as Knightsbridge will charge you about £30 a pop (most GP's will do them either free or a nominal fee)

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 08:22:00

London Medical Review - 3rd October 2007

QUOTE (helwardman @ Oct 4 2007, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got up at 4am. Got on the train at 5:15am. Arrived bang on time at Euston at 9:13am. Decided to walk out of Euston Station to try and flag down a taxi. The first one I approached, I was greeted with an unfriendly "I'm too busy mate". Finally found out where the taxi rank is then joined the back of a VERY long queue. Spotted the girl that plays Mandy in Hollyoaks just in front of me in the queue. Watied in line for 30 minutes then jumped in the back of the cab.

Conversation with the Cheery Cockernee Cabbie went as follows:

CCC: "Where to, squire?"
Me: "Bentinck Street please"
CCC: "Where the bleedin' hell's that then? Strike a light etc etc"
Me: "I've got a postcode if that helps. It's W1......."
CCC:"Aaaah you mean Bentinck Street! No problem me old china"

CCC:"So where have you travelled from today, lor luvva duck etc etc?"
Me: "Cumbria"
CCC:"Oh is that anywhere near Durham?"
Me: "No Durham's on the other side of the country"
CCC: "I've always wanted to go to Durham, apples and pears, leave it out, dog and bone etc etc etc............"

Dropped me off at Bentinck Street about 5 minutes later for the princely sum of £6.00. I was about 40 minutes early so I sat on the steps opposite, ate a ham bun and a blueberry muffin and mentally patted myself on the back for having the good sense to not live anywhere near London.

Went in to Bentinck Mansion about 10 minutes before my alloted appointment time. Inside there's a reception with 2 windows and then a waiting room. I was told to take a seat. The woman behind the desk asked to see my passport, passport photo (I handed over a UK size one with no probs), letter from the embassy and questionaire. She gave me another questionaire to fill in that was very similar to the first one and a HIV form to read and sign. I handed those back in and was told to wait.

Only had to wait a couple of minutes and I was called out and into a side room with a nurse. She asked about my vaccination history (which I had nothing of) and she informed me of the different alternatives available to me. To her credit she didnt try the hard sell on getting them done there and then. I chose to have them done, mainly because I'd psyched myself to it.
I told her I'm scared of needles and she said "no problemo, I'll come in and do them right after the doc takes the blood, that way they are all done quickly". Which I thought was very nice of her.

Went to the room next door to see the female doc. (Doctor Cronje) I didnt get a chance to ask her if she was related to Hansie, the cricketer.

She asked a couple of questions like "have you ever been in hospital?" and "have you ever had mental problems?" then she told me to take my shoes and socks off. I was weighed and had my height measured. Then she took me behind the curtain and asked me to take all my clothes off but to leave my pants on and to lay on the bed.

She felt my pulse and said "You're very nervous arent you?" to which I replied a very truthful "Yes!". She took my blood pressure and said it was through the roof. She prodded my stomach a bit and listened to my chest through the stethoscope then pulled the front of my pants down and asked me to cough. Then pulled the front of my pants right down and had a quick shufty at the old crown jewels. I'm sure I heard a murmur of satisfaction from her. But it might have been a car driving past outside.

Then she took the blood from my arm and the nurse came in and gave me the Tetanus shot in one upper arm and the MMR in the other upper arm. All the needle-related stuff is very quick so if you are worried about it it's not a massive deal.

I put all my clothes back on and went back to the waiting room. Waited about 2 minutes and was called in for the x-ray. That took about 45 secs then I was back in the waiting room. About 5 minutes later the woman behind the desk called me up and handed over the immunisation record and some other bits of paper. Went round to the window and paid by credit card, said thank you and that was that.

All told, I was in the place for just an hour.

Flagged down a taxi on Marylebone High Street. Straight back to Euston and waited an hour or so for the train. Back home in time for tea.

You must have been getting out of the cab when me and my wife left Bentick mansions, We concluded at 9.28 (even although our appointment was 9.30)

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-04 17:52:00

London Medical SP (and a tip for those returning without a passport that needs to fly back)

the topic should read London interview SP not Medical

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 09:07:00

London Medical SP (and a tip for those returning without a passport that needs to fly back)

(This is William typing BTW)

Well as some of you may know, I had my London appointment on the 10.10.2007 (see I can do it in American dates also!!!!!)

I arrived just about 9am, lady took pity on me and put me in the 9am queue that moved me in the building really quick, was threatening to rain but didn't. Chelsea had to wait outside, they were happy to let her in but we forgot her passport. I was heavy laden with far more proof than I needed but I was certainly prepared.

I got in within 10 minutes of standing outside. Security was tight but friendly, wandered round the construction site that is the US embassy. got in and was greeted warmly by the receptionist who checked my details and gave me ticket 5010. I near died when I heard that they were serving 1012 and thought I had to wait behind 4000 people. (that was not the case) I had no sooner sat down and opened my metro (love that free paper) than I was called to window 1.

I met a young English chap who was a civil servant having a bad day who seemed annoyed that my medical stuff was not in my file, was really stroppy and was looking for issues. Was extremely nice to the guy and after about 5 minutes he advised me that "some American would call me for my actual interview" with a sarcastic tone that suggested he had some contempt for his employer. He took several essential documents (and copies I had made)

Again I wasn't waiting long (certainly no more than 5 minutes) and was called by possibly the most helpful person I have ever met. She took me through everything quickly and ironed out all the creases that the NVC had created. (slight issue with the sponsors - NVC had filed one of the co-sponsors with a pink post it note saying "extra info - do not use") Lady advised me that medical stuff was there, no issues, handed me an A3 xray, advised me that I was approved, gave instructions what this ment, asked if any questions, a brief interchange of queries all answered and gave me stuff for doing courier delivery of passport. Paid the £35 for the 48 hour deal and it beat us home.

We decided to have an extra day in London and flew up on Thursday. As I did not have passport I called Air Berlin (£63 return two adults, Glasgow - Stanstead) who advised that either a Proof of Age card or a Drivers licence would be good. So applied for proof of age card (Citizencard) and got through with no issues.

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 08:38:00

How often do you visit your fiance in the UK?

QUOTE (teachmehistory @ Oct 1 2007, 03:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey fellow UK posters,

So I am on cloud 9 that I am getting a chance to go back to london to see my man for a few days. I was not expecting to go until thanksgiving and now get to go next week!! I was reading a post on another thread about someone who was denied entry (to the US mind you, not the UK) for visiting too often and too long (granted he was here off and on for a total of 12 months out of 15 and I only go for a few weeks at a time). I know that entering the UK is not nearly as strict as the US and so far I have not had so much as a second glance from UK customs even though I state that I am there to visit my fiance, but I do go over there every month. has anyone ever had any problems visiting the UK after several visits? I have been there every month from april to august for anywhere from one to three weeks. should I bring any documentation this time? how often do you all visit your fiances during the horrible visa waiting process? thanks for your replies!

Shortly before we got married Chelsea got quite a stiff talking to for the amount of times she had entered the country and was advised that she had to have a VISA the next time (we applied for the UK marraige VISA and that was that sorted)

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 08:42:00

insurance in the US

QUOTE

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've been asked if my husband speaks English.

I was asked that going into a funeral in California, (I was wearing my Kilt, waistcoat, black tie and a white shirt)

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-13 06:02:00

Police cetrificate

QUOTE (KJC @ Oct 15 2007, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know if I'll get a reply in time before I go to the police station 9 hours from now. I will probably get this question answered at the police station, but I'm not sure if they know a lot about immigration stuff...

At the end of this form I come to this:

PLEASE INDICATE IF INFORMATION IS REQUESTED FROM THE POLICE NATIONAL COMPUTER (FOR CONVICTIONS IN ENGLAND/WALES) *YES/NO

AND/OR THE SCOTTISH CRIMINAL RECORDS OFFICE *YES/NO

If you have been involved in a specific incident for which you now require information please supply us with as much information as possible to enable us to find it. (this should include, where possible, time, date, place and type of incident)

Do I say yes to both? Or is this only if you HAVE a criminal history? Or do I need to say YES so that I can prove to immigration I have no criminal offences?

I said yes to both as I wasn't sure and mine came back with a nil report on both

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-15 04:48:00

Police cetrificate

QUOTE (KJC @ Oct 1 2007, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where is the best place online to order a police certificate relevant to a I-129F case in the UK?

Also, will having a police cert before the NOA2 get you a quicker interview date?

As Mags says and will be asked in interview. A police cert from Scotland Yard is only good for England and Wales applicants. (And Scots who have spent more than 6 months outside Scotland) I asked a few questions at the interview re this.

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 08:19:00

Police cetrificate

QUOTE (Nilz07 @ Sep 30 2007, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

I am currently going through a CR-1 process and the process has gone to the appointment based processing very recently. I am just submitting my DS-230 and it looks like I have to send birth certificate, police certificate etc to the NVC now. Does anyone know how long it takes to get the police certificate?

Nilz

You sure you're supposed to send birth certificate and police record to NVC? I'm sure you are advised only to collect that paperwork and have it ready for the interview in London. You don't send it to the NVC but you do send in the DS-230. Maybe read the instructions one more time and make sure.

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-09-30 16:15:00

London Medical - Bentinck Mansion - 10/10/07

heres pics of what the place looks like also

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=90487

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-15 10:38:00

London Medical - Bentinck Mansion - 10/10/07

Thats sooo cool your medical went well, at least you didnt get the moany guy!

willchels

Not Telling

Scotland

2007-10-12 08:15:00