London Embassy Graduates Thread

[rebeccajo 14]

My husband is arriving on Saturday and my little daughter and I are really excited. We are very fortunate in that he spent approx. 7 months in the US utilizing the VWP so he knows what to expect- he knows the area, our friends and family, etc from being here before. We have also lived together so we don't have the "newness" factor to add to all of our stress either. So that's what we are fortunate about- but we also still have to deal with him getting EAD, then his green card, plus our baby is on it's way....so we have enough stress to last us for a little while!

shakysgirl, I didn't realize you were expecting!!!!!

So glad this part of your journey is nearly over!

[weebeansy 0]

Hey Shakysgirl.

I saw in your profile that you have already been through the UK visa process....just out of curiosity what is that like/exactly what does it entail? Also, is it still possible to have dual citizenship? I always thought it was but someone recently told me that the US will now revoke your US citizenship if you try to file for a dual citizenship if you weren't born in the US originally. Just thought I'd ask someone with experience. And good luck with the one in the oven!!!!! -Weebeansy

[annelizabeth 1]

Weebeansy - you certainly can have dual citizenship. No problem at all.

[Estella76 0]

Shakysgirl congrats on the baby news!! This will be such a huge weekend for you and a well deserved reunion. Best of luck tomorrow!!

[shakysgirl 1]

Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I thought I might be pregnant, but waited until I went to the UK with my husband for his interview to take the test. We took it after he was approved, and were both very happy (if nervous). The little one is due in mid- September. I was so excited for hubbies arrival today I could barely sleep last night. I am leaving for JFK in a couple of hours.

As for the UK visa process- I got both a UK fiance visa and a UK spouse visa (also known as Limited Leave to Remain). You must apply for a UK visa in your country of origin. It takes either one day or four- five days, depending on how you choose to do it. You can apply on line, get all your paperwork in order, choose your interview day and then go in person and receive your visa that day. Or you can apply on line, get all your paperwork in order, mail it in, and receive your visa via courier four or five days later. Approval rate for US marriages is something like 98%. Proof of your relationship (or marriage), proof of your finances to support you in the UK until you find work (you are allowed co-sponsors and they can either be US or UK citizens), proof of both your own and your spouses citizenship, those are the basic requirements. It is SO easy and stress free in comparison to the US type. (which is why we originally headed in THAT direction) I got my UK fiance visa in about 4 days. I went to the UK, got married, and then changed my visa to a LLR in a few hours in Liverpool. I am pretty sure you are allowed dual citizenship. I'm really happy that our little baby (who we refer to as "Keanu" after The Royle Family) will have automatic dual citizenship. Most of the world will be available to him without torturous visa issues to deal with- lucky kid huh?

[FormerBrit 0]

Good luck for today shakysgirl

I received my appointment for AOS/EAD biometrics today It is set for March 16 in Charleston, WV.

Things are starting to happen!

Kiki

[weebeansy 0]

Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I thought I might be pregnant, but waited until I went to the UK with my husband for his interview to take the test. We took it after he was approved, and were both very happy (if nervous). The little one is due in mid- September. I was so excited for hubbies arrival today I could barely sleep last night. I am leaving for JFK in a couple of hours.

As for the UK visa process- I got both a UK fiance visa and a UK spouse visa (also known as Limited Leave to Remain). You must apply for a UK visa in your country of origin. It takes either one day or four- five days, depending on how you choose to do it. You can apply on line, get all your paperwork in order, choose your interview day and then go in person and receive your visa that day. Or you can apply on line, get all your paperwork in order, mail it in, and receive your visa via courier four or five days later. Approval rate for US marriages is something like 98%. Proof of your relationship (or marriage), proof of your finances to support you in the UK until you find work (you are allowed co-sponsors and they can either be US or UK citizens), proof of both your own and your spouses citizenship, those are the basic requirements. It is SO easy and stress free in comparison to the US type. (which is why we originally headed in THAT direction) I got my UK fiance visa in about 4 days. I went to the UK, got married, and then changed my visa to a LLR in a few hours in Liverpool. I am pretty sure you are allowed dual citizenship. I'm really happy that our little baby (who we refer to as "Keanu" after The Royle Family) will have automatic dual citizenship. Most of the world will be available to him without torturous visa issues to deal with- lucky kid huh?

Hey shakysgirl,

Thanks for the info....I can't believe how easy it is to get a UK visa!!! So basically what takes a minimum of 4 to 5 months here takes a maximum of 4 to 5 days for the UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!! Well that's good to know. On a side note....I can't even possibly imagine the anticipation and nervouness that you must have been facing on the day of the interview....and how much your life had changed at the end of that day. I mean, in literally one day an entire family was placed in your hands...that's so beautiful and sweet and scary and just amazing. Life really is a journey, isn't it? Thanks again, Weebeansy

[Yorkie 0]

I have a quick question, did you all submit a P85 to the Inland Revenue before moving to the US? I just finished work on Friday and have my P45....... to inlcude with the P85. Should I be filling any other forms out?

Cheers

Yorkie

[pax 0]

Seven weeks from today...Ewen comes home with me!

[Estella76 0]

Good luck for today shakysgirl

I received my appointment for AOS/EAD biometrics today It is set for March 16 in Charleston, WV.

Things are starting to happen!

Kiki

YAY KIKI!!!! That was fast!!

[FormerBrit 0]

Good luck for today shakysgirl

I received my appointment for AOS/EAD biometrics today It is set for March 16 in Charleston, WV.

Things are starting to happen!

Kiki

YAY KIKI!!!! That was fast!!

Thank you Estella Yes, it is in just another 16 days. We are hoping it all goes smoothly and that the AOS /green card happens quickly, like most people! I'm so looking forward to being able to look for work again and get out and meet more people! Oh yes, and get a driving license!

I hope that all is going well for you and Adam. I found the first few weeks stressful, what with no bank account, no independence, no sense of existing almost, etc...Once I got my SSN and we applied for the AOS, I started to feel much more settled.

Roll on the Spring!

Kiki

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

I've had a look around, but it seems like this was eaten up by the old board. So I'll have to ask it again.

I need to make some phonecalls to the UK and was wondering what calling plan/card you guys use to call back to the UK. Thank very much.

[FormerBrit 0]

I've had a look around, but it seems like this was eaten up by the old board. So I'll have to ask it again.

I need to make some phonecalls to the UK and was wondering what calling plan/card you guys use to call back to the UK. Thank very much.

We use Verizon. We have some sort of plan that includes free US long distance calls. Calls to the UK are sooo cheap. Like $2.50 for 30 minutes. I call my mom and dad 1-2 times a week!

Seven weeks from today...Ewen comes home with me!

Edited March 1, 2006 by KikiDoug

[scotty 0]

Hi this is a link to the site my wife has used for the last 3 years. I think its 3cents a min.

Regards David

http://www.wcdi.com/

[rebeccajo 14]

I've had a look around, but it seems like this was eaten up by the old board. So I'll have to ask it again.

I need to make some phonecalls to the UK and was wondering what calling plan/card you guys use to call back to the UK. Thank very much.

I used AT&T. If you have a long distance package with them, you can get a unlimited calling plan to the UK for $40 a month. A steal if you call a lot!!!

In fact, after I had the plan about a month, THEY called me. They thought with the volume of calls (3-4 hours a day with Wes) that perhaps I was using the line for business instead of personal use. I laughed and told them to check and they would be able to see I was only dialing one number and I was speaking to my boyfriend! Apparently they weren't making any money on me!!! LOL!!

Prior to that I used a rechargeable phone card that I got from zaptel.com. They have gobs of cards and with the one I was using, I could talk to him for $20 for about 7 or 8 hours. The voice quality was usually good. If you are interested in this PM me and I will look up to see what one we use. This is what we have gone back too since he doesn't call home that frequently.