ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
How long did it take for you to get back your passport? My husband sent his off at least 6 weeks back and still nothing. We even put Aug 2 as a travel date (he couldn't travel in the long run anyway due to work). Did anyone receive and notice beforehand. I can't remember if there was a section requesting email. We also need to notify them that we Found the lost passport. A few days ago my husband had a huge cleanout of his office and found it in a bum bag (fannypack for us american born) which he doesn't ever remember using...very strange.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2011-07-29 14:42:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
@frostymist - the only reason why we had to was because we lost his passport & had to report it lost at the same time. Most people on here have reported that if you are renewing and everything is straigh forward then there is no need for a countersig. For marriage, sending in your birth cert & marriage cert showing the name change I *think* counts as straight forward (thats all I needed for my us passport). The photos we sent were just normal US grade ones which I think are ok (although we haven't heard anything yet). You can get them done anywhere from Walgreens to Kinkos, whereever they advertise passport photos. I like Kinkos the best as you Can request that they are a differnt size I believe (the one near us asked). The US is 2x2 and the Uk is only slightly smaller I believe...
Hopefully someone more knowledgable than I will correct anything wrong... Good luck!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2011-06-22 17:24:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
Well we sent off my husbands renewal last week I believe. We lost his old passport and it needed renewal. Luckily I at least had a copy of the main page and we had it countersigned (both the passport copy and the pictures and the C1)...errr by my dad who is a business owner (professional). We are hoping that the non blood related thing would work, even if it is by marriage. We didn't know anyone long enough that was a "professional". My husband isn't very social. Crossing our fingers. We are supposed to be going to Canada on August 2...and he is also supposedly supposed to bring his passport with him to his Citizenship interview on July 26...hopefully, if we get it in time, they won't do anything to it...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2011-06-22 17:14:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
One more question: Does Everyone have to do the Countersignatory at the end of the passport application or is it just for first time appliers? My husband is obviously just renewing. Thanks!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2010-08-27 11:38:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL

I sent my application in to Washington fedex on march 7th. They processed it on March 13th, charged my account $197 on March 14, delivered a brand new passport on the 15th.


Did you go in or send it in? Was it expedited or was that regular?
I need my husband's passport renewed soon as possible as he has to go back to see his dad who is sick.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2010-06-23 13:04:00
United KingdomPASSPORT RENEWAL
Ok I got the form (c-1 http://centralconten...890942/form-c1) and the fee ($223 http://ukinusa.fco.g.../passport-fees) and where to send:
The North America Passport Production Centre
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
BUT what about the Photos? Is the standard US size ok or does my husband need to get it done at a special place or have them cut it a special way???? blink.gif

Thanks!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2009-07-09 13:56:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Nothing from NVC
I ended up receiving a response to my inquiry via email and they said it had been recently forwarded to the Embassy! Woo hoo! I just hope we get all the papers and such before I leave for Christmas for two weeks! Luckily I will be only about 3 hrs drive away this time as opposed to 4000 miles! lol Thank god for mail forwarding!

Edited by BlueRain77, 08 November 2006 - 12:18 PM.

BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-08 12:17:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Nothing from NVC
So we were approved at USCIS on Oct 17th and got our NOA2 hardcopy on the 25th but NVC still has not received our case? I have been checking the automated telephone service the past few days and it states they do not have our case. How long does it take? Is the automated system correct or should I call and talk to a human being? I did email them but have yet to receive a response. It seems the people who were approved around the same time as us or just before have already been notified by the NVC and are even being sent on to their embassies.... I am worried that USCIS has F-d up again...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-06 23:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 Spousal Visa
Now what if he has a job waiting for him, or if we get co-sponsored by my parents.

Hmm...starting to think doing the K-1 Fiance visa route might work better for us. Just worried about the work situation. Even though I make decent money, he is in the position to earn higher and will be the primary bread winner in the house. As long as he is able to work legally in the US then I am pretty at ease.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-05-21 23:28:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 Spousal Visa
My boyfriend and I want to get married in the US and want to eventually reside in the US. Which is easier? Get married in the US as just a visitor then file the Spousal visa stuff (in the mean time going back to the UK until approved). Or do the Fiance Visa route. We want to make sure he can work as long as possible. I (the US citizen) am more flexible in not working.
Hope that makes sense...
1. get married in US (also set up job for future)
2. start US Immigration K-3 spousal paperwork
3. go back to UK and file rest (or whatever he needs to do) and work
4. Move back to US with Spousal Visa

Also: How long would that take to get the spousal visa?
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-05-21 22:45:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it time to start?
Well the K-3 takes a while, and correct me if I'm wrong, the visa is good for up to 6 months (you have up to 6 months to use it). I know the K-1 is like that...

Also, the American citizen has to submit the petition. Can he fill forms out and have all the proof collected for him and send the completed forms and photos back home to have someone put the packet together and send them to the serice center?

Just little bits...I am not too sure on all of this as I am doing a K-1...wondering if there are expiditions for US soldier's wives?...now wouldn't that be too nice....probably not then. lol

All in all, it probably will take until May of next year to get everything done and then approved and such...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-10-17 03:25:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it worth applying for an expedite?
God Bless Ual! Hopefully all will go well. Doctors nowadays can work miracles. My dad had a tumor the size of a golf ball in the back left corner of his brain....that was over 12 years ago. She may have problems with her speech but she has as good a chance as anyone on surviving. I hope all goes well and that whatever happens, that all is well with you and your family.

I think anything is worth trying for your sisters wishes, even if it doesn't get approved, you still tried your hardest and that is always worth something.

Best Wishes and God Bless.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-10-19 04:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa approved, but there more
Don't worry. Some people have to wait a week to get there Visa stamped passport back. No problems.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-09-19 10:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionapproved K1 petition
Congrats! I'm from the Seattle area as well! We just our RFE receipt, now waiting for our NOA2 as well.

:time:
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-10-17 14:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAff. of Support
Thank you. Yes, I did read that already. Just wanted to double check and I should have clarified that I wanted to see if anyone else had any suggestions based on their own accounts.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-09 15:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAff. of Support
Ok so my dad has agreed to co-sponsor us. Included in the packet we will prob need (not received it yet, but based on the guides) a letter of employment. Now my dad owns his own company but recieves a salary as well. Do we just state that he is the owner and earns $xxx amount but not have to include tax returns (which they suggest for Businesses on the I-134)? That wouldn't constitute as being self employed?

Also, to double check of what we need:
Employment Letter
Check Stubs
Letter from Bank
any additional income (like stocks & bonds)
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-09 14:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket stuff...
So I assume that I will be sending my Aff of Support and paperwork to my fiance and he sends it in with his Packet 3 correct....god I didn't realize that we would get the stuff this quick....Arrrgggghhhh I am SO behind!!!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-10 08:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy London
lol my fiance did explain it to me more completely...
He sent in step 1...so the whole packet has NOT been completed....
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-16 10:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy London
I know, I was behind. I didn't realize that we would get his packet 3 so fast. I was in the UK until Oct. 28 and shortly thereafter he got his packet. Now, they told him to only send his forms in but not I-134 with it. So he sent in his forms but I am led to believe he is just taking the I-134 and stuff with him to the interview. I am trying to get them all done and sent off asap just so he has them.
I read this site and all the guides but it always seems to change from embassy to embassy apparently... I am never good with all this stuff unless i have it in my hand and am reading it. With Packet 3 of course I wasn't able to do that....
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-15 17:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy London
Ahhh...good question... I will have to ask my fiance...I know he has his police certificate and then has a certificate from the court in which he was processed, but apparently now you have to get a certificate from the precinct or something rather...of where you were brought in...I am not sure as I know he has his main certificate and has the certificate from the court....
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-15 17:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy London
So anyone who went to the London Embassy, did you ACTUALLY get ALL your papers together before notifying the Embassy to get your interview?

My fiance sent off packet 3 and has pretty much everything together and is having his Medical Dec. 1 but is still waiting on a police certificate that said 40 days. (he just realized he needed a letter from the individual precinct where he was arrested apparently) Now if he has everything but that (which should arrive just before or after Christmas) would it be safe to call in for the interview date in London?

Thanks!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-15 17:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpay stubs & bank statements
If I have my letter from the bank, my 2005 tax return, and my letter of employment, do I really need copies of my pay stubs and bank statements? I did find bank statements for 3 months. but I will only have 1 check stub as I was gone for the past 3 months...and I don't know where the rest are...somewhere buried in a box... Do they need originals of the bank statements and paystub or can I give them a photocopy?
Thanks!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-16 10:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBank Letter
requested the letter...they didn't tell me they charged for it or anything. Although I had emailed customer service the day before going in and she said they will charge $10 for the letter and $20 per account (so $40 total) for research into the account/s. Hoping it gets in the mail soon. My dad is supposed to call up and get one as well. I have my tax return from last year and 3 months of bank statements and am going to include my most recent check stub (followed by any I can mail out before the interview. lol)

If I worked full time (8hrs as opposed to 6 a day) I would not need a co-sponsor. However to be better safe than sorry my dad is co-sponsor. I don't want everything to fall on him (even if not technically legally binding). Good thing my daycare hasn't taken there check. It actually looks like I have money on my statements! lol
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-16 14:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBank Letter
NOT my fiance's fault as he got the main police cert and the one from the courts but then found out he needed to renew his cert (up in Feb and doesn't want to risk it expiring) AND another one more specific to where the police were from that arrested him.....all this for something that happened 10 Years ago! Very frustrating...


ALso, If I have my letter from the bank, my 2005 tax return, and my letter of employment, do I really need copies of my check stubs and bank statements? I did find bank statements for 3 months. but I will only have 1 check stub as I was gone for the past 3 months...and I don't know where the rest are...somewhere buried in a box... Do they need originals of the bank statements and paystub or can I give them a photocopy?
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-16 10:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBank Letter
so I went INTO B of A and was told that they couldn't do it at the bank but had to call customer service as they have a whole section of people who do things like that. Of course I got the guy that had never done it before (he was really nice though). He didn't ask about the London Embassy address so I believe it won't be addressed to them (he did ask about addressing it to a third party but I was frazzled as is and didn't even have the address for the embassy so I said no).
It sounded like he was writing it over the phone and then said it was done and they would send it. I hope my dad has more luck with them. And I hope they send it asap.

As I have stated before I had JUST returned from England and didn't even realize how fast they were being this month and was not expecting to send all this stuff right away (although I was trying to get it together). Of course now it turns up it's not my I-134 holding up the process but extra police certs...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-16 10:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBank Letter
Ok guys, where did you get the Bank Letter? did you just go into the bank and ask the help desk or called up the bank hotline? How did they respond? Were they obliging? How long did it take? Anyone have this experience with Bank of America?

Also this is what i have so far for the packet:
* I-134
* Letter of Employment
* 2005 Tax Return (not self employed but thought it wouldn't hurt)
* going to get savings bond info and attach it to this as well
* Going to attach latest bank statement (after Friday payday)
* Also attach copy of latest pay stub
* More Pictures
* More evidence (including copies of the tickets for my latest trip)
* Bank Statement that includes Aug-Oct of purchases made in Swindon, London, etc

My dad as co-sponsor has:
* I-134
* Letter of Employment (they included it on my letter as he is the owner of the company I work for, is that ok?)
* 2005 personal tax return
* going to get letter from bank

Is there anything else my dad needs to include?

Since I included a certified copy of my Birth Certificate in my original K-1 Petition, do I need to supply another one for the interview?

Thanks for any info! Sorry my question/s is so dang long!
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-15 10:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Originals
Yes, I have read the guides, but my fiance mentioned somewhere he read you have to submit original evidence with the I-134 (not counting the birth certificate as that is seperate of course).

Anyone have an opinion on this?

Do we really have to submit original paystubs, bank statements, tax returns, stock portfolios, etc etc? :blink:

Not something I am too keen to send in the mail....or my dad for that matter... Would originals suffice for lots of stuff? And if not, if I make copies as well as send originals, the will only (if at all) keep the copies and only LOOK at the originals?
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-20 12:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEvidence.
Ok so have lots of emails discussing the visa that I could send of proof of relationship...

But can I just send photos of the last 3 months, a bank statement showing I spent money in england (including his town), my plane ticket stating the dates (returned Oct 28), receipts for my wedding dress, engagement rings (mine and his), wedding rings (mine and his), hell I could even send them a copy of the wedding invitation (minus the date)??

My stuff I am sending to him now probably needs a box more than a big envelope. Just trying to save on postage here. lol I suppose I could just forward his emails and he can print them off. Just not keen on sending personal emails. (even if I am sure we will be asked more probing questions at a later date in regards to proof for a green card).
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-20 12:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW DATES ET. AL.
No fair! :hehe: lol We are still trying to gather our stuff for the checklist so we CAN get our packet 4 and interview date. It seems endless as we had just realized we needed something else on the list that we didn't have... :wacko:
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-21 11:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW DATES ET. AL.
"packet" 3 comes first (before the interview date) You have to fill out packet 3 (part 1) and send it back as well as make sure you have everything on a checklist and notify (I think by mailing that in as well) the embassy that you have all the paperwork you need for the interview. When they have that THEN they will send you "packet 4" with the interview date.

BTW. Packet 3 also gives info about booking your medical, do it ASAP as I don't think they will schedule your interview until they get the results. (but don't fret, as most of the time the packet 3 takes a little less than a month to go through and they send out the packet 4, then the interview seems to be a month from that point)

This is info I have received from my fiance and the US Embassy in London however. I am sure it changes slightly per different embassy. Just thought I would clarify Ken Maria that Packet 3 is NOT the interview date packet.

also BTW, "packet 3" and "packet 4" is a VJ thing I believe cause the embassy doesn't actually call them that I believe. (am I wrong? I have no clue...just something we noticed)

PS. I got my NVC letter a week after my fiance received his "packet 3". lol But don't be surprised if it takes a little while longer to get. It really just depends on the embassy. I think there is a place you can call or email at an embassy to check to see if they have your case.

AND Make sure you have ALL the I-134 info (check the guides for what is needed or look at the form itself) and especially make sure you have your (beneficiary's) police certificate. If you have everything needed the faster you get to send in the stuff you need to send in, check off the checklist and therefore get your interview date. Trust me!! I know. I was SOOO behind as ours processed faster than I thought and we weren't prepared! Make sure you have everything together for the packet. :thumbs:
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2006-11-20 12:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow long shall we wait to contact Embassy
Ok probably being impatient and it will turn up next week or so, but is there any way to contact the US Embassy (in London) to ask about our interview date (or status of "packet 4")? Do they just send the "packet" via regular post or via some special post? I checked other timelines but a lot of people have seemed to have abandoned their timelines, or they have a totally different submission date (of packet 3).
Thanks!
Susan
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-05 16:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFrustrated Waiting for P4...
:-S that's what the Embassy lady said...that they were "fortunate"....I guess we just got stuck with all the people around us on VJ who got their dates right away, and we are just the unlucky ones that got screwed by the embassy... I just wish I knew when exactly we were made "elligible" so we know when we may get our date. Its hard to relax when everyone else around us is getting their dates in a month or less and we have already waited more than a month with absolutely squat...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-18 18:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFrustrated Waiting for P4...
My Fiance put ASAP. Apparently another couple put this too and they have their Interview date...
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-18 18:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFrustrated Waiting for P4...
I know between Pjc & me, we've probably had a couple of these posts, but it is really starting to get rediculously frustrating with the London embassy... I double checked other London Embassy people on VJ and it seems most of teh people that have sent their P3's back in Dec & beg of Jan have received their P4's, However, we haven't received ours even though we sent ours back in full by Dec. 4.

Pjc emailed and called them and all they say is our case is marked "elligible for interview" but we still have not received a date. January people are already starting to get their dates which is even more frustrating for us. We filled everything out correctly and sent it back correctly but still nothing.

k done ranting now...

Are their any other December or before people waiting as well or is it just us? (London only please)

thanks
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-18 18:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow do you like Them apples?
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=51398

Thought I would post a link here as I know there was a thread somewhere in here about waiting for packet 4..... :) :dance:
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-24 10:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa Courier Service
cool thanks. We are hoping that we can get away with him going home, then leaving for London again on Saturday night, picking me up at the crack of dawn on Sunday, then go back to the flat (wiltshire) and wait longer if we have to. Just kinda dampers our plans for Valentines as we won't know if we can go anywhere until the interview..He's going to try and call the helpline tomorrow and see if they can tell us about how long it would take.
BlueRain77FemaleEngland2007-01-24 12:39:00