ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
1. You probably have enough time left but I thought I had enough time left back at the end of November. It's up to you whether or not you wish to take the risk!

2. I would provide two new passport photos just in case (it's easy enough these days to download a template or find instructions online and print your own - I did this and they were accepted). You don't need to have them countersigned.

3. You're correct that you don't require your mother's birth certificate or her passport number. Just send the form, your passport, your marriage certificate and two photos.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2010-02-08 19:28:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
To answer above questions:

I needed to renew my passport, it expired this month. I also wanted to change my surname to my married name.

If you are renewing and/or changing your surname you do not need to send in your mother's birth certificate or your birth certificate.

I was born after January 1 1983. I also had quite outdated photos in my passport.

I sent in my passport, marriage certificate and two new photos. I did not get a countersignature, I did not get the photos signed and I did not submit my birth certificate or any of my parents' documentation (on the form they ask for your parents' passport numbers, and as I did not have them at the time I left those fields blank).

New passport arrived today, in my married name, and with the new updated photo. :)

As long as the passport you are renewing is still current and the photo still reasonably resembles you, you should be fine!

The only thing on their site I wouldn't trust is the timeline they give. I took a bit of a gamble submitting my passport for renewal at the end of November and booking a flight for Christmas. Unfortunately although they were happy to take money out of my account on the 10th December they actually only processed it yesterday. Oh well, lesson learned!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 06 January 2010 - 12:46 AM.

Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2010-01-06 00:43:00
United KingdomUK B!tches Unite!
Oh man, I qualify to post in this thread. Does this make me old-school now? :P
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2012-02-02 10:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussia girls are amazing!
QUOTE (mox @ Apr 2 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (eekee @ Apr 2 2008, 08:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
True, but I'd never date a Russian one either. laughing.gif

Minor detail! biggrin.gif

QUOTE (eekee @ Apr 2 2008, 08:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Now, those Pitcairn ladies, on the other hand...

They have the softest, most orange skin in the world. Once you've had the orange skin, there's just no going back.

This is why I lurk in this forum, folks. good.gif

QUOTE (eekee @ Apr 2 2008, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am not so lucky. I am stalked on the internet by my guy. "So I googled you today and I found..."

That is why I do not post any names. good.gif

I receive PMs and e-mails from Alex saying, 'so, I was in your inbox today and I'm just alerting you to the fact that you've received new e-mails/PMs but they'll show up as 'read' because I read them'.

Or he'll text me to say, 'hey so you're meeting up with your parents next week? Your dad's booked a hotel' and I'll reply, 'what?!'

*turns lurk mode back on*

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 03 April 2008 - 08:15 AM.

Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-04-03 08:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHas anybody seen
laughing.gif You're lucky - I had just swallowed my mouthful of water, Charles.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 11:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEx Issues

Sounds like Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea. Great book!Posted Image It's essentially a prequel of sorts to Wuthering Heights.


Didn't know there was a film adaptation -- I'll have to check it out. Thanks!Posted Image

Nope - Jane Eyre! It's the story from the perspective of the mad wife. :)

However, I don't see that it was adapted for TV twenty years ago... there's a recent adaptation, but not an old one.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2012-01-12 16:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSupporting Fiancee'
I feel any lopsided handling of finances ought to raise some concern, regardless of who/what/where people are from.

I'm the beneficiary (UKC) and before arriving in the US I was actually the one sending money to the petitioner. $500 for filing the visa, and another couple of hundred on a couple of other occasions for presents, etc. Alex had a job, but cost of living was high, and I knew he was struggling to budget for living alone (he had just moved out of his parents' house). Nothing to really worry about...

I sent about $1,200 - what I had managed to save - just before I flew to the US. A week after I arrive, we had this conversation:

Alex: We have $300 left in our bank account.
Me (brightly): Oh, never mind! My money should arrive soon enough.
Alex: ...it already did arrive...

Then, two days after we married, he was laid off. I began work as soon as I received my EAD and I've been supporting him ever since.

He is not a malicious or selfish person. Being incredibly bad with money (and at math) is just about his only flaw. It didn't prevent us from getting married and it hasn't caused me to want to leave him. But, it was a real stress at a time when stress really wasn't needed. It's hard enough to adjust to living in a new country without having to deal with financial issues.

The problem with having sent money was it set a standard. He had grown used to, when he was struggling, being bailed out by either his parents or me. He had grown used to me giving him presents. For the first two years we ignored discussing our finances for the sake of a little peace - which was a bad mistake! Only in the past few months has he really grown to understand what interest rates mean and why it's important to have savings. I only recently discovered exactly how much he has on his credit cards, and I really wish I'd known sooner, because we could have quite easily paid them off by now.

Having him rely on me for money, in addition to the stress, has created a dependency I don't think is entirely healthy. I'm really encouraging him to find a job, not because we are struggling financially, but because he needs to gain some independence. Also, I am tired of sounding like a meanie every time I have to say 'no' to him asking to buy something (he feels that he can't trust himself to check the bank balance and make his own decision :P - which I at least respect him for admitting!).

Now, if I could do things over again, I'd have not sent any money. I'd have put money into my paypal to be withdrawn once I was in the US. I would have actually sent presents rather than sending him the money to buy presents. I'd have sat down from the start, logged onto mint, and asked for full transparency regarding finances. :)

So, yes. It's not the nationality of the person, or the amount of money being sent - but any kind of situation where one person is sending money to the other can result in expectations being adjusted accordingly, and form a habit that might be hard to break once you're together. So, what if once she arrives in the US she sees the higher costs of everything, and starts asking for a greater sum on a regular basis? Or what if, for any reason, your income decreases and you can no longer afford the weekly payments? The last thing you want to be arguing about when dealing with the stress of immigration is money.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-06-23 15:48:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhy K-3s take longer than K-1s?
QUOTE (Urge To Race @ Jun 27 2008, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
yes.gif
QUOTE (Ilya R. @ Jun 27 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (HannahP @ Jun 27 2008, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sference @ Jun 26 2008, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (HannahP @ Jun 26 2008, 09:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Ilya R. @ Jun 26 2008, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (DanielParul @ Jun 26 2008, 06:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Complaining about which visa should be processed quicker is plain silly... Marriage does not have anything more to do with commitment and love than being engaged does. K1 visa holders only get single entry and 90 days once they enter the US. K3 is a multiple entry visa and valid for 2 yrs. Also being already married to a USC, its almost a certainty that the Alien spouse is an immigrant whereas a fiance(e) still has time to consider and hence an intending immigrant.
Maybe a reason for USCIS to take more time processing K3s...


I dont think its silly, if you have a family with kids, they cant afford to wait for a year, while lovers can.


What if you file a k3 but don't have kids? Or what if you file a k1 but have kids? How many k3s actually /have/ kids or have lived together for any period of time? (We lived together for two years before filing a k1; not exactly "lovers.")

I wonder if the people that work at USCIS read all this and laugh their ####### off?


I'm just trying to get certain people to think "outside the box" in regards to what a family/couple really is!


I think most people who are married know what it is like to be engaged..... everyone who is married has been through it.


I do not see how this addresses what HannahP is saying?

I could quite easily be married now. We could have easily applied for K1 or K3; we applied for K1 merely because it would give us a little more time to plan a wedding so that both our families could attend. If we had decided to go the K3 route we would have married already, but that would be the only difference as far as our relationship is concerned - just one piece of paper.

There is a couple who filed for the K1 who recently received their NoA2 at California (after 197 days). They already have three children together. Not married, but very much a family unit. That is an example of what HannahP was talking about. How does what you are saying apply to them?
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-06-29 10:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUK Filers - I Need Your Help!!!
Indeed! Oh, and the cost is higher but they'll get the certificates to you within 10 days rather than the previous 40 or so.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-03-19 14:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUK Filers - I Need Your Help!!!
They've introduced a new style of police certificate - this is where the confusion is arising from. I believe the old style certificates are still valid for the interview up until August - there was some discussion on it in the UK forum. The new certificates cost £35 and are only valid for six months.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-03-19 14:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHPV Vaccination Dispute! WTF!!!
I'm 24 and having a vaccine is not the issue; what is the issue is what the OP says; it's unnecessary (and a little insulting...), the medical risks aren't clear, and it's also expensive. I can understand requiring tetanus, MMR, etc., but not this. If there is any possible way to opt out I'll certainly be taking it.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-03-27 16:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionk1 VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! May your fiancée have a safe flight. smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-06 04:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTrapped In Paradise
That's a great article! As always I'm really hoping that your situation can be resolved quickly. It must be amazingly frustrating yet you are not giving up; you are both very strong people. good.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-09 04:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Affidavit question
3. The affidavit is executed by you on behalf of your foreign fiancée, so put your fiancée's name and details here. smile.gif

Name of spouse and children accompanying or following to join person: If your fiancée has no children you write 'none' in every line here. Your fiancée is not married so she does not have a spouse. Your fiancée herself has already been detailed earlier on in the question. See the example form.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-15 03:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNervous Wreck !!!
Congratulations! good.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-21 08:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNervous Wreck !!!
Wishing you all the best! good.gif

I am sure you will be fine; my experience with the London embassy was quite stress-free and relaxed. There are some very friendly staff members there. Hopefully your experience will be just as good!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-20 10:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOK, 2 Final K1 Packet 3 Questions
QUOTE (Scarlett @ Aug 20 2008, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why did your photos cost so much? what's wrong with the passport photo booth type ones for c. GBP4? That was all I was planning to use.

The ones you'll get from a regular passport booth are UK-sized, and you'll need US-sized passport photos (iirc 2 inches x 2 inches) for the interview.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-20 11:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOK, 2 Final K1 Packet 3 Questions
The London embassy does ask for form DS-230 Part I. Damien, I would imagine that a simple printed page in word would be quite sufficient! That is what I did for another form and it was accepted.

I have only used the VWP in the past so I had no A-number to write down. It does say 'if known' so I imagine it's not too essential.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-20 10:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThey're not mentioned in the guide?!?!
'Packet 3' is the letter, a checklist of items to bring, and usually medical information, that the embassy sends you once your petition has been approved and forwarded to your country's embassy. You'll be told which forms to fill in then; some embassies, for example, require the DS-230 and others don't, so you won't necessarily need to fill in all of those forms.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-21 03:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon courier never arrived -please help
QUOTE (unforgettablefire @ Aug 29 2008, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tammy&Joe @ Aug 29 2008, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone , August 23rd was the interview , it was approved , was told the visa would get delivered in a 3-5 day timeframe , today is the 5th day , and yes I counted the stupid bank holiday which was monday . We have called the courier phone all day and it repeatedly gives a voice recording then hangs up on you. We are leaving in a week to get married . I am heartbroken , and I have no idea what to do , any comments would be deeply appreciated . Please tell me what to do .


I come from London myself and all I can say is NEVER TRUST THE ROYAL MAIL. I'm sure they already have a backlog of mail due to the bank holiday weekend. Do not worry I'm sure your visa will turn up shortly, give it a couple more days and if it doesn't show up call the U.S consulate for information.

All the best!

They do not deliver through Royal Mail - a courier hand delivers it.

Tammy - did you give Secure Mail Services your mobile phone number? They text you the day before they are due to deliver. I'm sure they'll have to you within the week, they may have been delayed by a day or so.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-29 12:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGHANA: VISA IN HAND!
Congratulations!

I hope your fiancé has a safe flight and entry into the US. smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-06-27 07:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa Refused due to Labor Certification
Okay, sorry, I now see where the security and related grounds part comes in.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-20 11:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa Refused due to Labor Certification
That is strange, googling Section 212(a)(5)(A)(i) Labor Certification comes up with a very different explanation:

QUOTE
INA Section 212(a)(5)
(5)--Labor Certification and Qualifications for Certain Immigrants
(A)--Labor Certification
(i)--In General
Any alien who seeks to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or
unskilled labor is inadmissible, unless the Secretary of Labor has determined and
certified to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General that--
(I)--
there are not sufficient workers who are able, willing, qualified (or equally qualified in
the case of an alien described in clause (ii)) and available at the time of application for a
visa and admission to the United States and at the place where the alien is to perform
such skilled or unskilled labor, and
(II)--
the employment of such alien will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions
of workers in the United States similarly employed.


I do not see how that pertains to a fiancé visa...

pushbrk's answer deals with Section 212(a)(3)(A)(i)
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-08-20 11:19:00
CanadaI Made It To the USA!
Aww, that was so sweet of your fiance. :) Welcome to the US!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-09-28 13:02:00
CanadaPregnancy & Benefits in the US vs. Canada?

I always assumed it would be the 10,000 after insurance. After reading this, I checked and it is much cheaper than expected. Thanks for your help!! B-)

It could well be depending on your insurance!

Apparently my boss's bill - she is covered 90% after a $8,000 (I believe) deductible - for a cesarean birth and 5-day hospital stay was around $20,000.

I have a deductible of $4,000 after which I am covered 100%. So I'm expecting my total expenses (not given birth yet) to be $4,000.

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 02 December 2011 - 02:31 AM.

Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-12-02 02:31:00
CanadaPregnancy & Benefits in the US vs. Canada?
Additionally, I read the information Vanessa & Tony linked and it's still accurate as far as California is concerned. :)
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-30 18:37:00
CanadaPregnancy & Benefits in the US vs. Canada?
Awesome, since you're in California I can give you more specific advice!

It's called "parental leave" here because its not just the woman that just gave birth that can use it (people who adopt are eligible, dads as well). FMLA protects your job for up to 12 weeks but whether any of that is paid is company dependant.

I assume most would make you use your annual leave, or sick leave but outside of that, nada.


Correct, the father is also eligible to take Family Medical Leave.

And, a company may require you to use any accrued PTO, too. However, this is only to a maximum of 2 weeks, at least in California.

In California, so long as dukeandduchess has been paying SDI (State Disability Insurance, usually comes out of the paycheck and is easy to spot on a W-2), they'll be eligible for 6 paid weeks of Family Medical Leave (both mother and father). So at least six weeks is not company dependent. :)

Not sure about FMLA (never used it) But I was told that you had to have worked so many hours at ur present job to qualify for it?? I thought it was like 1 year (if u worked full time) But not sure about that.


At least in California, there is no minimum amount of hours you have to work in order to qualify for FML.

Does an employee have to work a minimum number of hours or days before becoming eligible for Paid Family Leave insurance benefits?
No, eligibility for Paid Family Leave insurance benefits is based on the earnings shown in an employee’s base period and not a specific number of days or months worked. Wages earned approximately 5 to 18 months before the beginning of a Paid Family Leave insurance claim are included in the base period.


From: http://www.edd.ca.go...Eligibility.htm

For pregnancy, yes, a doctor has to sign off on disability, but I have to imagine nearly all doctors will do so.

Information on disability insurance:

http://www.edd.ca.go...y_insurance.htm

Basically, if you're on pregnancy-related disability leave, once your six weeks are up, they automatically send the form for Family Medical Leave.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-30 18:26:00
CanadaPregnancy & Benefits in the US vs. Canada?
Which state are you in? It's often state dependent.

In California, for example, I can take up to 4 weeks disability leave before the birth and 6 weeks of disability leave after the birth. I receive disability pay at roughly 60% of the income I earn in the quarter prior to taking the leave. Once disability runs out (you may be entitled to longer than 6 weeks if you have a complicated birth or Cesarean; the standard for a normal delivery is 6 weeks) I can then claim Family Medical Leave for a further 6 weeks, again at 60% of my normal income.

I do not have to pay tax on the disability pay I receive, but I do have to pay state taxes on the Family Medical Leave pay I receive.

So in total I can take ~4 months off work, and I can be compensated for the entirety of that four months. It's better than I was expecting, to be honest!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-29 14:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionmoving 1 month after filing a I-751
Wait to file until you have moved to Iowa. Also, update your address when you move with USCIS online.

If you file from Iowa you will send your packet to California.

Yes, he can travel on his expired greencard so long as he has his letter of extension with him.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-09-06 09:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVacation before Interview?
If it's only 7-10 days, it's over the holidays, and there is someone there to check your mail, I'd personally risk it.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-09-23 14:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionQuestion about filing

Thanks Ema Skye! You are scientifically amazing!

:lol: Always good to see someone who appreciates my avatar!

And, because it's a government website? :blush:
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-09-20 13:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionQuestion about filing
Here you go!

https://egov.uscis.g...ction=coa.Terms

I did this and it worked for me. :)
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-09-19 16:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRequest for more evidence

PS- I havent gone out of the country since April when my first Greencard expired (we squeezed in one last trip and went to Mexico on holiday with our petition already filed, and the customs official said "your card is about to expire" (really, I had nooooo idea as IF lol) SO I've been nervous about taking an international trip since then with my expired card and that letter they give you about your case being processed...do you think that it will take another 8 months before I hear back from USCIS once I send them more information, or will it be a quicker process? I'd love to go see family for christmas...

Hopefully you shall hear back soon, but if you don't, don't be too nervous about flying with your expired greencard and your letter (NOA1). :) I did that this summer and had no problems at all. A couple of the officers did not know what the letter was, but a few words with their supervisors cleared everything up.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-10-03 13:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFinally Sending it
We did not include photos of any kind.

Your spouse will have a photo taken at his biometrics appointment for the purposes of the greencard.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-10-21 14:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFinally Sending it

How about Sworn Affidavit from Friends (at least 2) it is required for ROC.

It is not required! :no: I sent in no affidavits.

The important things are the rental lease, joint insurance, tax returns and joint bank statements.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-10-21 10:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCase Status not Found on USCIS Website?
I received the 'case status not found' message on my case (using my biometrics letter number) until the day I was approved, so even if your biometrics letter number does not work, there's still no cause for concern. :)
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-10-27 09:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow important are the pictures for proof
I didn't send any photos and was approved, no problem. I suppose it really depends on your other evidence and probably your circumstances, too. For ROC it seems that evidence of living together and co-mingling finances is much more important.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-04 12:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAffidavit problem

LOL, yes they are! :yes:

Thanks for replies :) What do you guys think of my cover letter list? I got the affidavits because I am worried about not having enough evidence. There is nothing else I can send, I don't have a driver license yet and utilities are in my husband's name.

Copy of immigrant spouse green card (front and back)

Copy of immigrant spouse state ID (front and back)

Copy of immigrant spouse new passport showing married name

Copies of vet bills in joint name

Copies of Costco cards

Copies of airline tickets for day trip taken together

Copies of bank statements showing joint checking account

Copies of bank statements showing joint savings account

Copies of jointly filed U.S. state and federal tax returns for 2009 and 2010 (not transcripts from IRS though)

Copies of medical bills showing joint health insurance

Copy of house deed showing joint ownership of house

Couple of Photos, one of us together, and one of us at big family get-together.


The evidence you listed in bold is all I sent for mine. It looks a solid list to me.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-07 13:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionChange of Address Requirement
Yes. Unless you are a US citizen, as a permanent resident one of the requirements of your residency is to inform USCIS at all times of your latest address.

In addition to changing your address for a pending application the law requires that all non-U.S. citizens, except for holders of A or G visas, report a change of address within 10 days of moving by completing a USCIS Form AR-11, Change of Address.


EDIT: Or what Robert&Karen said! Beaten!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 17 November 2011 - 12:44 PM.

Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2011-11-17 12:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCase cannot be found?
Agreed with others - I got the 'case not found' message until the day my ROC was approved. :)
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2012-01-09 11:33:00