homecroft

You would think that, but Civil Surgeons are USCIS used for Adjustment of Status. They use an "I" form (I-693 medical). Most USCIS forms are I- forms.

The petition leaves USCIS when you get NOA2. Then it's in the hands of the Dept of State, which is over embassies. Dept of State doctors are called Panel Physicians and they use DS- forms. So your talking two different government agencies with different medical forms. I think it would be a big mess trying to deviate from the Dept of State/London plan for getting your visa.

Get your shots sorted before you go. You'll avoid the Civil Surgeon hassle for AOS.

MMR- you'll need two because 4 weeks will have passed between the first one and the medical exam. Thus they will say you need a second one. If you get the first right before the medical, then you will get a waiver for the second because "insufficent time interval" is waiverable for your AOS. Knightsbridge will say you need another but they don't really know AOS. Plenty of people never get the second shot if their sheet from Knightsbridge is marked "insufficent time interval".

Tdap or Td or DTP- at least one in the last 10 years.

Varicella- tell Knightsbridge you had chickenpox and you get a waiver.

Influenza - It's not flu season until Oct 1, so you get a waiver on that.

Read this thread to know what else you'll need as soon as you return to the UK. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

Maybe you can work on some of it early...like ordering police certificate.

Thanks again. I had all my shots done in March this year because my GP couldn't find any record of my childhood shots so i ended up starting from scratch so your point about the MMR is interesting. Although i had measles as a child my GP still gave me the shot. Mainly to keep the Knightsbridge Dr's happy and to save me some money.Also noted the part about the chickenpox.

I will definitely do as you suggest re the medical & again thank you.

That's not the way it's done. If you need 90 days in the US, then postpone your visa until you are ready to go home and get it done properly. You will not be assigned an interview until you:

1. submit your four visa application forms to London
   
2. have a medical exam and those results are received by the embassy
   
3. submit the Readiness for Interview form to the embassy
   

Get your forms in before you petition expires and delay #2 and #3 until you're ready.

Otherwise delay your visit, save your plane fare, and come for real by Aug/Sept. You will need to pay a visa fee as well as $1070 to file for your greencard. But if you have plenty of money to do two round trips and also pay the fees, then have a great summer.

Thanks Nick. ,

I work for an airline so get great deals on flights. I just thought that if the GP was approved by the US immigration then it might not matter where you get It done as long as they are approved. It's never quite that simple though is it. It's also an expensive system they have.

Thanks as always for your informative advice.

Hi VJ members,

I'm planning on being in the US for 90 days over the summer at which point my visa interview will be imminent. Has anyone had a medical in the US by an approved US immigration Dr then had the results sent to London. I'm loathed to fly back before I have to for a medical which my fiancé says I can have in the US. I've looked at the list of approved practitioners in Georgia and there's at least 20..

Thanks

Thank you so much....what a mental process all this is....but well worth it ....as my fiancee is a true miracle!!!

Very true. In the grand scheme of things 5 months is nothing. My fiancé & I first met 23 yrs ago but due to the US military we got split up but true love always finds a way. We did & so grateful for the second chance.

Miracles happen.

Thank you. The distance and time variable is horrific! Happy marriage and success with your K1.

Hi Mikey,

I'm intending to do exactly the same. I'm planning to come in on my ESTA & return for my medical & interview. I will however have proof that I'm solvent ( bank statements) plus a letter from my employer giving me extended leave. My 5 months is up at the beginning of July. I'm sure you can fill in most of the forms online. I could be wrong but I'm sure the VJ experts can advise.

Good luck & keep me posted.

Claire

We listed grown UK children on the I-129F and subsequent forms and have made it to "approved for citizenship" without any RFEs. Good luck.

Since you have grown children, I'll assume there is also a UK divorce and pass on another tip if the divorce was England. Scotland is different. I've helped a number of people with RFEs on their UK divorce decree. Here's an example of one of them http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/319837-rfe-divorce-decree/ Maybe you can avoid one in the first place by following what I did in post #4.

Edit to add: And a tip if photocopying on US 8.5x11 paper--to avoid cutting off the footer that says "decree absolute (divorce)", flip it where the bottom of the A4 lines up with the top of the copier glass. Makes a perfect copy with nothing lost from the slightly longer A4.

Once you get the I-129F in the mail, start reading this thread London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread so you learn the London part that comes after your petition approval. Each consulate is different so don't get confused by procedures in other countries.

Wow your a font of knowledge thank you. I have never been married. This will be the first time & he's the same man that proposed to me 23 years ago. Long story.

It's great that us new members can rely on those that have been there to impart your experiences and valued advice.

It says list all children, so they will be listed and no explanation needed. It's biographical info, like asking your parent's names. You'll find children will be listed many times during the process, even on the citizenship application. There is one of the visa forms later (DS-230) where one can list the names of persons who will accompany you to the US.

Sorry, don't know what problems others have had that you mentioned. Was it about children?

Thank you for that response. I just don't want the process slowing down with any unnecessary RFE's. I've noticed from other posts on this forum that forms are rejected for the slightest error.

Fingers crossed then that Vermont are fulfilling their processing time frame of 5 months.

Hi VJ Members,

I've listed both of my children on my application form as requested. They are both over 21 and therefore not accompanying me to the US. Should i have included a side note to confirm that they wont be coming along or will the Vermont processors know this already from their dates of birth.

I'm hoping they will but after reading some of the other members experiences anything is possible.

Thanks

Do you mean Igor's list? That doesn't have receipt numbers though?

Igor's list

Hi,

No it wasnt that one. It was via the USCIS website in a dashboard formatt.

I suppose patience is a virtue & I'll just have to wait patiently to get my NOA2. We missed our oppourtunity 23 years ago &'now that we have found each other again 8-12 months to get a visa is nothing!!

Would it be this one, then? https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do

Sadly not. the one i hit on had the amount of petitions filed that month with the receipt number & how many 1-129F's were in front of them.

I've tried all sorts of searches but have failed.

Thanks for replying.

Is this what you are looking for?:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=1&visa=1&scenter=2&option=2&sortby=2

Or this?:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=1&visa=1&scenter=2&option=2&sortby=2

Hi - thanks for replying but that wasn't the link. It was a link to the USCIS date. not the one that denotes the 5 month processing time frame but one that has all the applications received per month & where they are in the process. I stumbled upon it by accident & just can't think how.

thanks for replying though.

Hi,

Can anyone tell me which link i need to follow to find out exactly where in the queue my 1-129f application is. I've noticed some posts have very finite data. I did find a link a few weeks ago but can't find it again. I'm dealing with the Vermont Processing Center & can see some applicants are getting their NOA2's through anywhere from 43 days to 112. I have also heard that this time of year that the centers are at their most efficient.

Thanks

Hi, I have read one entry on here from a British beneficiary only a couple of months ago that got caught doing this very same thing, spending long periods in the US and only returning to the UK for short periods of time. If I can find it I will add the link so you can read her experience. However, from what I read in that story, she was a little foolish in not bringing evidence of sufficient ties to the UK. She was specifically asked for proof of how she was funding her trip but was not able to provide any bank statements (she offered for them to check her online account but they refused and she was denied).

I think that you would be fine with your airline ID and just going over to the US for two long trips back to back. But just to be safe you could bring a few additional pieces of evidence showing your ties to the UK.

I have quite recently submitted by I-129F and so if I am asked about it I can't lie. But what I do is bring a few documents with me just in case I am asked any questions. For me this includes an employment letter showing when I am expected to return to work, a recent pay stub, my property deed showing I own my flat, a recent bank statement showing funds and a recent bill showing that I live in my flat. I know this may seem a little over the top but these documents take a few minutes to put in a plastic wallet and weight almost nothing and I know that I could prove I am returning to the UK if I am one of the unlucky ones who they question in a secondary interview.

Hi - very good advice thank you & i'll ensure i have all the paperwork as a back up. The previous thread would be appreciated too. I'm traveling out on the 26th May as well - Heathrow/Atlanta.

Homecroft, I really don't think you will have a problem! I too work for an airline (Virgin Atlantic, based in London) and am forever flying into LAS/LAX/SAN to see my man. I am forever swapping trips for days off to go out there more and more. They do always ask me how long I intend to stay and when they see I have a US crewman visa in my passport, they usually just ask how long I've worked for the airlines, how I met my bf etc etc.. Just bring proof that your going back home, a letter from BMI perhaps? I imagine if your K1 is pending they might asked further questions, but as long as they can see you have a job back home in the UK I am sure that would satisfy them. Good luck!

Claire

Thanks for that. I'll have a letter in hand. i think the Americans are amazed at how much leave we actually get in a year.

that's cool, i worked for BA until the end of 2010, and was taking very frequent trips to see my boyfriend for a few years on staff travel. it's a pretty good explanation - they know full well the awesome concessions available to airline staff, and the flexibility of work patterns. good luck!

i work for bmi but from tomorrow will be BA. Yes the staff travel deals are good except for the last time when i got the jump seat from FRA/ATL that wasn't funny.

I always carry my airline ID just in case i get asked any awkward questions when i arrive in the states. i plan to leave at the end of July hence my planned 90 day trip then I'm hoping i'll have my visa in hand by then.

Are you now permanently in the US?

It's a slight gamble but definitely not impossible.

I was in the US on the VWP for 50 days in 2007, went home for 8 weeks and then came back for 88 days. It's fully legal, the problem is proving to them you're a visitor. The CBP officer scanned my passport and immediately told me to follow him to another room (This is called secondary inspection).

Another officer took my passport and told me to wait. I saw him typing on his computer for about 5 to 10 minutes, called me up and asked what I was doing in the US, and what I did back home. I told him "visiting friends from college" and "I have a 3 month leave of absence from work" or something to that effect. I had brought an employer letter etc. just in case, but he never asked to see it. He just stamped my passport and wished me a pleasant stay.

After those 88 days I didn't return for 8 months and haven't really been asked any questions since.

Thanks for that. All responses are proving really useful. I just assumed I'd be able to go backwards & forwards as i please but it's never that simple is it?. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that i get the visa appointment through during the 90 days that i intend to be in the US. According to my time line it should come through during the summer.

It's difficult enough having a long distance relationship without the added restrictions on the amount of time you can spend together. I actually met my fiance 23 years ago while he was in the military in the UK. We got engaged all those years ago but he got re deployed when his mum got sick. I left a forwarding address after i moved house but my overseas mail never made it despite him continually writing. We managed to get back in touch last year & both realize it was the biggest mistake we ever made not marrying all those years ago. We are both in our mid forties now & don't want to waste anymore years apart.

Not to muddy the waters, but although i agree with penguin_ie about the general guidelines, in my own experience it is possible, but highly stressful and uncertain! In 2011 i took two 10 day trips to the US, then returned for 90 days mid july - mid october, came home for 4 weeks, and returned for a further 90 days mid november-mid february. I never lied about my reasons for visiting the US (to see my boyfriend) and was only ever asked to show proof of a return ticket. Having said that, my second extended stay coincided with thanksgiving, and the officer was rushing the holiday crowds through without too much questioning... I answered his brief questions honestly.

It's certainly risky, and I was fully prepared to be denied entry the second time i was trying for a long stay. Just wanted to share my real life experience.

Any shared experiences are much appreciated. So far i have done 3 X 1 week trips. Like you i always say I'm visiting my fiance & have a return ticket in hand & to date haven't had any trouble. I certainly wouldn't like to take the risk of denied entry.

Thanks again.

Hi,

I've made 3 trips to the US this year for a week at a time but I'm planning next time to stay for up to 80 days which i know is within the ESTA requirements. What I'd like to know is can i then return to the UK for a couple of weeks & go back to the US for a further 90 days?

Appreciate any advices.

Thanks for the reply. I will only be visiting my fiance for the 80 days & have no intention of working. I'm trying to tie it in so that i return to the UK for my Visa interview then go back to the US with my approved visa in hand. It may be that I'm out there for less than that.

I work for an airline & therefore get really good travel concessions hence the frequent trips. I'll just have to ensure that i don't breach the 180 day. Good advice thank you

Hi,

I've made 3 trips to the US this year for a week at a time but I'm planning next time to stay for up to 80 days which i know is within the ESTA requirements. What I'd like to know is can i then return to the UK for a couple of weeks & go back to the US for a further 90 days?

Appreciate any advices.

Im thinking of coming into the US on my 90 day tourist visa & having my visa appointment re routed to my fiance's address then returning to the UK within the 90 days for my appointment. Surely as long as I dont break the terms of the visitor visa I'll be able to do this?

My timeline has an approval date that coincides with my planned 90 day visit. Would the USCIS accept a change of address if it's a US mail address. ?

5 months is a USCIS goal to approve the petition. To see some real-time data of everybody on Visa Journey who keeps up a timeline, explore this page http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/.

Your own timeline has an estimated date range of petition approval based on the compiled data of all timelines. Your estimate will change if things slow down or speed up. It's a mathematical calculation to give you a ballpark date range based on averages of real people.

Looks like you're due for approval around the time your 90 day holiday in the US starts....exactly the time you need to be in the UK sorting your visa application and medical exam. But you can get your application forms in before your petition approval expires, then complete your other things in early October and hope for a November interview.

Thanks Nick, based on that info it'll be worth hanging around for. Looks like you have a good timeline. I have all my police stuff, photos, vaccinations etc done so that it won't cause any further delays.

I appreciate your constructive response.

They have a 5 months goal from petition received to petition approved. After that, they forward it to the National Visa Center (it usually takes a few weeks), and then to your Embassy. The Embassy stage depends for each country, but London is pretty quick (I would say 1-2 months, but UK members can tell you better).

You can look at the K-1 flowchart here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Thank you. That's a great help. Wishful thinking on my part. I'll still do the 90 day visit & come back to the UK for my appointment or see if I can have it in the US as long as I don't break my visitor visa conditions.

New to this forum so excuse what might appear to be a silly question.

Does the 5 month processing time frame that the Vermont Service Center quote include the initial filing of the petition to the visa appointment date or is it 5 months until they forward the paperwork to the visa center. We filed at the beginning of February 2012 & my plan is to go to the USA at the end of June on my 90 day visitors visa & return to the UK for my interview. I was wondering if it was likely that i'd get any indication of a visa appointment before i go.

Thank you.