ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
where is the gd passport? i am pleased to hear about the interview date for the 12th of may. glad that got settled!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-27 13:31:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
there is ALWAYS a bright side. : )
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-25 20:13:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
okay. im starting to think you are a robot, marm! how do you handle all of this so well?

the star_smile.gif is for you.

okay. so we wait for monday.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-25 19:07:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
yeah yeah yeah. im sure youre faking it. but i really do not think that many people could hold up with the courage that you and your fiance have in this kinda shitty situation.

my highest regards, and my best wishes to you both.

<waiting for really good news>

love,
me.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-24 23:52:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
i hope it comes tomorrow. and that he can just go to the interview on tuesday. jesus. this is getting ridiculous. again, i am amazed by your ability to keep it together under these circumstances.

today would have been just about perfect IF he had gotten the passport.

it'd better come tomorrow. you hear me, mailman guy/girl? TOMORROW.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-24 18:05:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
is there a possibility that it will come tomorrow, marm?
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-24 14:24:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
great!! hope it arrives soon!!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-23 09:25:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
yay!!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-21 13:28:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
can i just say that i will be SO FREAKING HAPPY when you guys get this settled! you are holding up well in circumstances that are beyond trying!

i hear some hope in that last post so i am keeping my fingers crossed that the MP route/expediting gets his passport back to him SOON!

i like your new timelines!

as always, good luck and hang in there!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-10 21:44:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
can you contact them again (Home Office and the us embassy) and see if you get a different answer? maybe since the date is nearing they will.... i dont know.. suddenly realize the bind you are in and help you out? : D lets hope for that. or for the damn passport to appear!!

marm, youre doing a great job of rolling with the punches. hang in there. your patience will be rewarded.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-08 09:33:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
i wish i could help you. im still hoping the passport will be returned in time for the interview. <fingers crossed>

are you at all comforted by the fact that you do have the option of another reschedule? ive noticed that you have seemed really reluctant to reschedule for a second time. is there a rule about the number of times you can reschedule your interview at the embassy? i can understand that you want to get this sorted out because you are going to be traveling to pakistan, i think, right? well, and because you dont want to worry about it anymore!

ill just wish you LUCK. and we will see what happens.


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-07 22:55:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Apr 29 2009, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Awwww...that sounds so nice. My welcoming plans went awry due to hurricane Ike and Nick breaking his collarbone and ribs. I had to make a super short notice flight to the UK to help him pack his shipment, finish his flight packing and tote all the luggage at the airports. We returned exhausted, smelly, no food or drink except some left over FEMA handouts (gov't food packs), leaking roof, moldy bedroom wall, blown down trees and fence, and sheets not freshly done, as we had no electricity in our town after returning from evacuation....Well it wasn't what I had envisioned in my dreams, but things you don't expect will happen as most of us have experienced. And when you look at the big picture....he got here and we managed to get married in 5 days!

I'm still jealous that you're going to be all lovely and perfumey with a new boudoir.


see, i think your story sounds great. in fact it's a 'tale'. but, ack?! collarbone and ribs. OW.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-29 17:31:00
United KingdomCountdown
he's through immigration and customs. : D

he seemed super excited (he is not the excitable type) he yammered on and on about immigration and all of the different people and their visas. 'it was all really interesting!' aww. bless. he said he'd post a POE review of philadelphia.

said the flight was fine. he studied the vermont driver's manual instead of watching the tv. <3. 'did you know that in vermont you can ride two abreast on bikes?!' in fact, i did not know that, but i was glad to hear it. because, in a few short hours, i will have someone to ride two abreast with.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-29 17:25:00
United KingdomCountdown
jamie's in flight, possibly dealing with his ears popping at this point since they should be descending into philadelphia at the moment. if/when he clears immigration, he'll catch another flight to burlington and ill see him at the aeroport at 10ish.

still have a few tasks to do.

i got a new duvet (heaven) so ill put that on.
i have new sheets. put those on.
last minute cleaning/hiding of misc clutter.
shower and shave legs.
apply perfumes, oinmtments, and adornments.
out for a last bachelorette drink with my cousin.
and then.... well, you know the rest.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-29 14:47:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Apr 27 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good luck with the wedding Mr and Mrs, lets hope there are no probs with flying due to the Swine Flu

ditto : (

i didnt know he was coming to collect you! thats really nice.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-27 06:06:00
United KingdomCountdown
ooh. hadnt thought of that. i am a BIG fan of the margarita (not any frozen, wimpy stuff). although mexican food and drink are an embarrassment here in the queen city (did you know that was burlington's nick-name?). BUT, i am now remembering that on my last trip to the uk, i purchased a miniature cocktail shaker at the poundstore! i love it! so i could whip up a (small but high-test) batch of maragritas to celebrate. i think celebrating with alcohol is an essential part of any good time. : p

i have just the one fiance. he has many looks according to the length of his hair. sometimes he looks beatle-esque, sometimes he looks as though he might be heading off to boot camp soon. he always looks nice though, i think because he is a genuinely nice person. he doesnt even get zits/spots. i do, probably i get one everytime i think a nasty thought.

aside: i tried on the dress ive decided to wear on the day. i bought it this winter at a cancer research charity shop in macclesfield. it cost £8 and its gauzy and grey and knee-length. i am wishing that my boobs were about one size smaller, but i may just have to have a lot of cleavage that day. trying it on is about as near to 'wedding planning' as i have gotten. : )

</chatterbox>

im avoiding doing my chores.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-26 19:33:00
United KingdomCountdown
we've had a quick turnaround since the jamie's interview approval. i pushed for him to come asap because i really wanted him here for my birthday (which is on the 10th. shaz, is that your travel date? i think it might be.) and i also think may 5th sounds like a nice day to get married.

so, today my countdown is at 3 days.

i posted this countdown at work (since i am always rabbiting on about jamie and they have to put up with me):



(and here's the one from a couple of years ago, because he's so nice looking and i spent a long time coloring in the flag):


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-26 17:29:00
United KingdomCountdown
you know what would have been a perfect pairing for that sam adams? a nice hot bowl of all-american cheeseburger soup.






WHAT?

came across a recipe for it in a magazine at the gym today. i think im going to tell my boyfriend that its a traditional welcome meal in the northeast. : D

photographic evidence:




mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 22:37:00
United KingdomCountdown
super! at the very least, your delays were AFTER the big stuff had already gone smoothly.

question, why do airports LOVE to sell sam adams? i dont know very many people who drink this beer on a regular basis in normal life? i think its a boston-ish/new england (mini-mega) brewery, but i live in new england and we dont really drink it.

cheese fries + transatlantic flight + possible hangover complications = good decision.


: D thanks for the upate!


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 09:36:00
United KingdomCountdown
wake up wake up wake up

we want the low down.



and also, welcome and congrats and all that really good stuff!

Edited by mr and mrs, 01 April 2009 - 08:09 AM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 08:08:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Damian P @ Mar 24 2009, 07:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Use your imagination, luv. wink.gif


<squints eyes>

WHOA. that IS messy.

<3!

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 04:57:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Damian P @ Mar 23 2009, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pothergavel @ Mar 23 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Blimey, coming around quickly biggrin.gif


Tell me about it!!! Seems like just a heartbeat ago I was leaving the embassy after approval. Last week at work, then one very messy weekend in Brum, then away we go! kicking.gif


im curious as to what a 'messy weekend' entails?
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-24 01:08:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ May 5 2009, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations, Lisabette and Jamie! biggrin.gif Now you're officially mr and mrs, eh?


ha. cute. you would've thought i might have seen that one coming. NOPE. : D

star_smile.gif for you.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-05 16:10:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ May 5 2009, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Lisabette,

Do you think you can remind me where you posted your post-interview checklist? The one with the things the actually asked for compared with what you had prepared in the end?

I was looking for it to hand off to Nik and to bookmark if I want to give it to another newbie as I thought it was especially well organized (with the originals, copies, not necessary, but security blanket marks). I'm having trouble finding it in our 120 page interview thread....

Thanks.



okay, so jamie says he was asked for:

police cert
birth cert
I-134 for USC
tax return

i dont think i posted a formal post-interview checklist, if you read through the interview reviews, you can get a good idea of the basics (as mentioned above). jamie did bring a lot of extra stuff (though i have to say, we did not go crazy, we brought very littlle relationship evidence.). the advice on vj is pretty spectacular, if you can read through the freak-out posts and discern what you NEED to do (meaning the baseline). my checklist (the original) is what jamie brought and he was fine. my financial information was borderline, and we were still approved.

there is not a lot to worry about at this point if you have a straight forward case (in the eyes of the embassy). no trace police certificate, applicant's birth certificate, relatively good finacials.

being organized and knowing your paperwork will really help. jamie brought an accordian file and labeled everything so that he could access it easily even when flustered.

you guys will be fine. just double check for little errors and think positive.

and also, we got married today. : D city hall. was a fine little ceremony without a hint of god in it. thanks for the help getting us here. the support here is invaluable.


husband and wife
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-05 14:13:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (MonkeyJuice @ Mar 26 2009, 12:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OH YEAH!!! Brilliant. Oh I'm so thick sometimes! you're totally correct! He can scan them & fax them to me! I'm thinking we need the originals.
Thanks so much!


yay!! i helped!

and i am a HUGE proponent of scanning docs. they cant get lost in the mail and they arrive instantly! so i will keep suggesting it because it has made this whole process much more manageable for us.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 19:25:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (MonkeyJuice @ Mar 25 2009, 11:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mike tells me that, by law, the accountants have to send the tax returns to him so he can sign them & send them off before April 15th.
He'll have his copy but we are worried that it'll be cutting it fine as it takes 5 working days for me to receive them by mail.
I'm sure it will be fine. I'm a worrier I think.
We'll prolly get an early May interview due to the Easter holiday.


am i right in thinking that you can submit tax information (as supporting evidence for the I-134) in non-original form (read: photocopies)? if this is the case, which i do think it is, then you dont need to have anything but copies for the interview and those can be scanned and emailed the day that Mike receives them. i know not everybody has super-easy access to a scanner, but if it ends up being a time crunch, you at least would have that option.


and i dont know about filing jointly for taxes and how that works. maybe one of the few bright spots in my parents divorce is that i dont have to deal with that particular co-sponsor issue for this visa application. but i am certain other people can be of help!

edit: typo

Edited by mr and mrs, 25 March 2009 - 07:08 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 19:07:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (laura819 @ Mar 25 2009, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just am trying to make this the easiest for HIM, since I am assuming if I call the IRS for transcripts, my dad would need to call for his?


i requested my (possible) co-sponsor (my mother)'s (awesome punctuation, eh?) AND mine on the phone. you just need the SS# and the mailing address for each person. it was really pretty easy. so you can do it for your dad if you have that info.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 18:15:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
what i did is this:

i ordered the tax transcripts (by phone) (took a week or so?)
i scanned them, uploaded them, and sent them via email over the big blue ocean to jamie


since we have the time, i will also send him the originals (which are not fancy at all, just a print out). they say they will accept photocopies of the tax information and notarization is no longer needed.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 10:21:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (Laura+Tom @ Mar 25 2009, 09:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (mr and mrs @ Mar 25 2009, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the omniscient and benevolent nich-nick posted the following link in another thread. i found it helpful so i thought id add it to this discussion.

http://www.usembassy...iv/docs169.html


That information is also given in the link provided in Packet 3.


oh good!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 04:46:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
the omniscient and benevolent nich-nick posted the following link in another thread. i found it helpful so i thought id add it to this discussion.

http://www.usembassy...iv/docs169.html
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 04:38:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
another <mwah> for you.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 22:23:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Mar 23 2009, 02:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay, babycakes? You can do this, just slow down and stop pre-disastering everything! star_smile.gif

thank you. thank you. thank you. im leaking little, happy tears.

you are the STAR.





[i can do this, i can do this, i can do this.]

<gets back on track>



(thankyou.)
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 22:01:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
okay. im losing it a little.


do all savings need to be shown on the I-134 form and/or in bank statements? my mom has a stupid number of bank accounts, but essentially has 2 main ones. can she just state the savings in the two main accounts? or is it an all or nothing situation?





and while im freaking out, what do we think are the chances of me qualifying as a single sponsor are?

my income is just under (by like $100) the 125% poverty line for two people, $18K.
i have about $6,000 in checking and savings.
i have personal property worth... oh lets say $2000. (no house, no car)
i have a Roth IRA worth $1500.

i work in a seasonal position 10 months a year, and have been in that position for 3 years.

i have a jar of loose change that has about $44 in it too!



im sorry to make this such a specific question. (i try to ask broad questions so others can benefit from the answers, usually.) but im nearing the edge of getting upset and id just rather not. : )

again. comments are encouraged. and i can probably contract out ms. magpie to make cookies for anyone who helps out. : p

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 18:25:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Mar 22 2009, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If your mother has enough to sponsor using her salary, she only need put the salary down on the I-134 itself. She will not need to put down any value of any assets, nor will you need to have any supporting evidence for the assets since they are not being relied upon. Only evidence of the salary and tax transcripts (which sometimes aren't even asked for when dealing with the I-134 anyway, but this is definitely an area where you should cover your #######!).

I know this is nerve-wracking, but you need to take a deep breath... and relax (as much as possible star_smile.gif ). Even if everything is not letter-perfect on the day, should anything be wrong with the I-134 that is a mere technicality, that technicality can be fixed and the visa will not be denied (unless for non-I-134-related reasons!). It is SO easy to let yourself spin out of control into obsessing over "what if? what if?" for far-fetched situations, especially when you're going through London and looking at other, high-fraud consulates.

So, for the day, the I-134 has your mother's salary figures, no mention of other assets/income. You only need evidence to support what is on the I-134. Hope this helps!


this was EXTREMELY helpful (and it impressed my mom!).

so from what i understand, on the I-134 form, she will put her income (pretty much as reflected as 'TOTAL INCOME' on her tax returns).

she is not required to state other savings, assets and property on the I-134 form unless those savings, assets and property will help to push her over the threshold to qualify as a sponsor, correct?


hmm. having trouble asking my question still.

am i understanding this correctly? that she would state her annual income as $x, and because that number is well over the threshold to qualify as a sponsor, she can leave the lines that ask for savings, personal property, and stocks and bonds blank. seems like we should state savings at least.

(for the record, she doesnt own a house, but has a car and other sorts of normal things. she has some stocks and bonds (money markets, IRAs, cerifticates, uh... she listing things. im lost here.) the value of the stocks and bonds in well in excess of what would be necessary.)


im sorry im so dense. should have done the business course instead of french. dammit.

also, (she is now planting doubts in my head. what a mean mom!) since she is nearing the age of retirement, will this be taken into account? shes not planning on retiring in the next few years, but maybe to a CO the idea might crop up?

im going to post this and see if i get any bites!

thx, elmcitymaven, you are keeping me from getting too wound up about this. <mwah>
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 18:00:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Mar 22 2009, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If her salary is adequate to meet the I-134 support level for 3 people, she does not need to show any assets or bank accounts. I say this because our joint sponsor for the I-864 (which has more stringent criteria) only used her salary and we were just fine.


elmcity, do you mean on the I-134 form or as supporting evidence?





i dont want to screw up the I-134. so im trying to decide how i need fill in the form. i think i have the supporting evidence sorted (even if we dont need it because her salary is more than enough, we have tax transcripts, bank letters and a letter of employment for both her and i).

but what about what we put on the I-134 form itself?
does she need to state EVERYTHING? or can she just state salary?
and for me, i dont have much in the way of property. no car, no house. can i put N/A for those categories.

if she has an adequate salary, does she need to state the 'reasonable value' of other personal property? (im wondering how much effort we need to put into coming up with a $ amount for that. )

basically, i can understand what information is needed on the I-134 but what im getting caught up on is knowing if we need to show back-up for the numbers that we ultimately put on the I-134 form. and if the numbers we put on it can be estimates? her salary can be an exact figure, but the assets, stocks, etc. may be more 'reasonable estimates'.


im being super-inarticulate, i know. ill post this and see if i get any suggestions.

thanks, elmcitymaven. : )

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 13:16:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
re: affidavit of support

i guess i do have a question. how concerned are they about seeing EVERYTHING? she has several bank accounts for various things. (i dont really understand financial stuff that well.) does she need to show ALL of her assets or just enough to satisfy the embassy? her salary is considerably above the poverty line for 3 people, she has $100K+ in savings accounts and has various stocks and investments.

can anyone comment on this? please and thanks.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 10:04:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
laura,

they are extras that i imagined up! i work at a garden center (<3) and for the past three years, i have only been employed for 10 months each year (march to december), so i wanted to write a letter explaining that situation. its been great because i each year, i have gone to england to be with jamie for an extended visit.

the second letter would just be a letter from my mother says how lovely we are, how we have spent lots of time together (they like to play boggle on summer evenings), and how should we need any financial assistance, she is 100% able to help until we no longer need it.

i make border-line (very) 125% of the poverty level (so much for a master's degree in french! : p), so i do need a co-sponsor. my mother is solid and has enough funds and income to qualify as a co-sponsor for jamie.

i guess i do have a question. how concerned are they about seeing EVERYTHING? she has several bank accounts for various things. (i dont really understand financial stuff that well.) does she need to show ALL of her assets or just enough to satisfy the embassy? her salary is considerably above the poverty line for 3 people, she has $100K+ in savings accounts and has various stocks and investments.

i feel comfortable with what she has provided document-wise and it seems to me we will be fine with the I-134, a letter from her employer and the appropriate tax information. so im happy. but, as you now know, i like to worry. : D

i talk/type a lot! hee.

yours,
lisabette.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-21 09:16:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
<fine print>

so now i am feeling bad that i included too much stuff on my checklist. i want to clarify and say that my list is, like people have said (nicely!), a bit OTT. i dont want to confuse anyone or cause any unneeded anxiety. this is just my take on what combination of documentation gives us the best chances for an approval. and for me, it is important to understand all of the different permutations of this process. im not sure why (maybe due to a need to feel some control in this situation), but i feel compelled to learn as much as i can. (though i havent gotten to the point of reading the foreign affairs manual for visas. yet.)

jamie will be taking too much info with him, but it wont do any harm, as long as it is organized well so that he can access the things he needs quickly.

while i know you arent REQUIRED to take every item mentioned on the list, we are going to be OTT and bring it all. i gotta be me! i overpack, i overplan, and yes, on occasion i have been know to overreact!

</fine print>

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-20 19:31:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
QUOTE (KnightAndMagpie @ Mar 20 2009, 09:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
laughing.gif Looks like we started a trend, Lisabette!



Magpie.


yay!

i love organization. AND OFFICE SUPPLIES. the best thing about all of the red tape with this visa was having an excuse to buy some new supplies. color coded-folders, binder clips, colored post-its (i even found CLEAR post-its! awesome. : )), special sharpie pens (i am a devotee of this fine point) etc.

and, yes, my list is pretty exhaustive because, for me, it is not much extra work to get all of the items mentioned as possibilities for submission at the interview. i think jamie with have a core packet with the main items we will submit, and then a folder with back-up items, in case all hell breaks loose.

i think if there were things i couldnt get, i would not be worried about it, but since i can get basically everything, im making all of them available to the embassy should they want them. im sending jamie the originals, and everything is scanned and uploaded and therefore immediately available to him as copies.

i am sure that, like most people have said, we will only need the core items (appointment letter, passport, birth certificate, police record, 2 photos, affidavit of support + evidence, and payment), but there is no way that we would show up without all of the incidental items just in case. it will lower our stress level which is invaluable.

and i dont take offence at all to the critiques. i know everyone does this differently. im pleased for the discussion. i actually have a couple of questions, but ill see what i can research and them post them.

i appreciate all of the feed back. : )

okay, thats enough for the minute.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-20 17:26:00
United Kingdomlondon interview checklist
pother, good to know. : ) i think that some of the best information is gleaned from those who have been through the embassy process.

i think i will make a second draft once more people add their comments.

thx. : )
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-20 07:14:00