epsonderby

Like I said, nothing says it won't be approved, it'll just be a little harder than it would be for someone who hadn't overstayed.

I'm not too concerned. I spoke to the Embassy today and they mentioned that it is a simple process. Apply for the B-2 and go from there. I asked about the 3 days I overstayed and they said that it only really becomes an issue when the overstay is over 180 days, but that would be raised when speaking with the Officer on the day. Ultimately, they make the decision and I'll follow any guidance given to me at the time.

I also know that having all the visas in the world means nothing until you've gone through POE. They would be well within their rights to refuse entry, although having the stamped I-407 should prove that there isn't any immigration intent and if they are SUPER concerned, they can annotate the passport with 'CANNOT IMMIGRATE ON THIS VISA' or something similar, from what the email from the Embassy said today.The embassy have been pretty good and responded very quickly, saves spending $$$ ringing the phone line!

This abuse thing of the VWP comes up on here a lot. I didn't abuse it. I had a change of circumstances that were judged by the lawful powers that be in the US to be within the spirit of the AOS process, regardless of what others may think.

Nothing more to be said other than I will report back on my progress and how I find POE when I get around to travelling...

Sadly you are now ineligible to use the VWP for life.

Nothing to be sad about, It's not a big issue to apply for a B-2, and it has the added benefit of being able to stay up to 180 days if I want to do some touring in the future

My NOA1 date is 4 days after I should have left on the VWP. B-2 Visa it is then

As long as you did not overstay and get a go from ESTA should be OK.

I can't remember if I sent the paperwork before the 90 days expired, or after? Is there a way to find out online, via the USCIS? or over the phone?

I'm just in the process of surrendering my Green Card to the American embassy here in London. Sadly my marriage didn't work out. Hey ho!

I completed my AOS from VWP when in the US, back in December 2012. Is there a way to know if I'm ineligible to use the VWP again? or whether I need to apply for a B-2 visa to visit the US again in the future?

I gotta say, I got a supreme kick from watching the announcement live on BBC America cable channel. Totally Awesome !

Me too! They dragged it out a bit though...

Hrm, that first response wasn't quite what you were looking for I assume.

As per finding out what you like to do, what kind of hobbies do you have? Are you good with computers? Do you like working with people? Outside? Inside? Plants? Animals? Are you organized? Detail oriented? Can you visualize things that are abstract or do they need to be linear? Do you like arranging things or have a flair for decorating? To be honest I want to go back to school as well but certain things that interest me, just won't pay for themselves in the long run. For instance, for the last 8 years approximately I've looked into being a vet tech or animal health tech. In Canada it is a well paying job at about $20 - $30/hr and starts at $15ish. Which works out when you spend $25000 on 2 years of schooling. I can deal with that. But down here, the wage starts closer to $12/hr and tops out at $15. I can't justify it when it costs the same in tuition. So now I'm stuck looking around a bit more. As it is, where I live requires a year of residence to get in-state tuition so I have a year to figure out what I want to take if I decide to go back to school. I get your dilemma!

I can imagine it can be hard when people have a hard time understanding your accent. There are lots of posts in this section relating directly to that and the poor attitude that people can sometimes have with foreigners.

Ha, I didn't really know what kind of replies to expect!

I write a lot, enjoy computers, and enjoy helping people. I'm very organized, I like details and I love abstract concepts. I tend to enjoy being challenged and get a buzz out of pushing myself to the limit. I have spent a lot of my working career in management and training roles - Europe was very good at judging me on my performance and results. The US wants academic achievements which I don't have, sadly.

You mentioned about being a vet, I actually looked into that. I could never afford the tuition though.

Will have lived in-state for a year come November. I have been looking at distance-learning at UK-based schools (3 years vs 4 years).

I just find the accent thing rude, as a large majority seem to love it! All it takes is one to bring you down...

What a great idea. Post a rant on an immigration web site that exists to help people with visas. Then ask those very people to determine what you can not about the path your life should take. Nothing I can think of spell success more that that concept.

Why not begin at your local college talking to the counselors employed to help people just like you? Take advantage of the Pell grant system for example.

The wrong choice is to do nothing. Your emotional condition will always be totally up to you.

My career question was intended to be rhetorical, but I appreciate your reply.

I did try going to a few 'counselors', however they just tried to suggest general studies until I worked it out for myself. I even tried a career coach to help me find a direction and that wasn't too helpful either.

The main part of my post was to actually share my journey so far...

I like the idea of Capaldi playing The Doctor.

He looks right for the part and I can already imagine him in the role. I said to my wife that I was hoping it might have been a 'big star'.

There seems to be a lot of disappointment amongst Whovians, but I think Moffat will keep doing what he's been doing and I think Capaldi is going to take the character in a new direction - a little more traditional, but maybe darker than we've seen recently. Maybe with John Hurt's Doctor and a potential focus on the Time Wars, we will see the same darkness hinted at from Eccleston's Doctor?

I found it hard to getting started with credit initially, but now have a Discover IT, 2 x Cap One, and store cards with Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, American Eagle, and Old Navy. All with pretty good limits.

I started with a Cap One secured, as I posted here back in Jan. it took just over 6 months to build up what I have now. Not too shabby for someone with a credit history of less than a year.

Patience is definitely the key in all credit-related issues.

So I arrived in May 2012 on vacation and decided to stay! Got my GC in November 2012 and started my first job in December 2012.

Life has been pretty good so far. Being married is awesome. My daughter just started school last Thursday as well.

Most, if not all, people in my town are fantastic. Nothing seems like it is too much trouble and I feel much safer living here than I have ever felt elsewhere in the world. Still adjusting to everything being so spaced out and always having to drive everywhere.

The climate has done wonders for me also. I love the weather here in Georgia - might be the only one! I get a kick out of the heat, especially after living in Russia before coming here!

The only aspect of my life that isn't going well is work. I'm finding it super-hard to adjust to the way the American workplace handles itself - humor seems to not exist and people seem very stand-offish. I am also finding it hard to be understood by customers I interact with and a day doesn't go by where somebody doesn't ask to speak to an 'American' or rant at me about how 'American' jobs are all going to 'foreigners'.

I have been thinking about going to school, I just don't know what I want to do. I was never one of those kids that knew their path from high school. I got good grades at high school, but never went to college. How does someone that has never found their 'niche' choose a degree that will make them happy? I am scared of making the wrong choice as I'm nearly 34 and want to be happy, employable, and motivated!

Rant over! I'm looking forward to ROC next year...

Thanks for the suggestions. I will likely hire a professional and go for the adoption route. I'm pretty sure we'd have a strong case.

Hey y'all,

I just wondered how easy it would be to go about changing my stepdaughter's surname to mine so it matches her momma's?

She has always had my wife's maiden name and never took her birth father's name. Do we need to involve him? He hasn't seen her in years and is behind on his child support payments by a long way.

Is this something we can do in a DIY way with forms at the courthouse? or do we need a lawyer? I have read so many conflicting sources that say about placing ads in newspapers for so many days, whereas others say it can be done with a form.

We're in Georgia, if that makes any difference?

Big thanks in advance...

Mine took about 2 weeks to come back.

I'm the foreign spouse and I'm just working up to taking the written test. I haven't ever had a license before - have always lived and worked in large cities with good public transport, or just been in places I could walk. Right now I live out in the country and I'm so reliant on my wife to drive me around.

I have been practicing driving a little, but only around our circle. I'm just looking forward to studying now that I have the time.

Just be grateful that there is even someone working to provide a rough picture for you. This is a volunteer site and sometimes it annoys me that people expect the earth from the resources here. Not going to happen.

I think the fact that you don't have indefinite leave to remain will mean that you'll have to file in the US. The fact that you're now on a visitor visa means you are just that, a visitor - regardless of whether you've been in the country 6 months or longer.

Hopefully the embassy can clarify where you stand with regards to DCF from their point of view?

New York, New York

Thank you all for your comments.

I don't think I am getting ahead of myself with ensuring I still have a secure income when I move, we all know this process is expenisve and knowing I have a monthly salary is calming.

My future hubby has called USCIS with this question, and we have been told that as long as we file our taxes at the end of the year, I am ok to work remotely, for a British based company.

Again, thank you all for your comments, especially those who have commented out of experience!

You're more than welcome. Glad you decided to go ahead as planned. I had 0 problems. Good luck

It's really not about opinion or interpretation. There isn't a clause that forbids or prohibits it. Regardless of how unjust or wrong it is morally, until the law is fixed or amended - this discussion is a mute point.

Should the law be clearer? more than likely, yes. Is it? No. End of.

I am a big fan of the 16-18 college system in the UK. It allows for kids that know academic study isn't for them to follow a route that will give them a career and financial independence. There are also college courses for those interested in academic pursuits, but mostly for the vocational route. Get them started early and get them aware of the income they could possibly have.

How does it work here? Can kids choose vocational options at High School? or do they have to wait until it is over and then apply to a vocational college?

I work in a skilled trade. Kids in this country are not interested in training. They want the degree and the easy desk job. They don't want to get their hands dirty. This causes a skills shortage which forces the wages up. Their short sightedness is my gain. I make more money than most people with a degree.

That's what I don't get about the kids. They could make such good money if only they didn't mind getting their hands dirty. I know a lot of plumbers and electricians back in the UK that pull down 6 figures and they have so much free time to spend with their families.

I fear that there are a lot of kids out there that love getting their hands dirty but they never get a chance to make a career out of it because they never have all of the options explained to them.

As with any developing/progressing society, I would expect to see a lot of attrition when it comes to jobs that are no longer required. Not a lot that can be done about this in the short-term, especially when a lot of the jobs listed in the report don't necessarily have a natural contemporary transition.

The interesting this to note in the US right now is that there is a dire shortage in most areas of plumbers, electricians and carpenters - what I consider to be apprenticed trades. I would love to see kids not being forced into college, but to be truly given a choice between following an academic education or something a little more vocational - rather than college = good, everything else = bad. To me, they both have the merits and I don't necessarily see one as better than the other.

It comes down to funding and having someone to drive the initiative though. In this current economy, where do we look for that?

A K1 visa holder is required to have a valid EAD permit to be able to work physically in the US.

Its common knowledge. Its clearly written in the guides (http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare)

And posted on the USCIS site- http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

"Permission to Work

After admission, your fiancé(e) may immediately apply for permission to work by filing a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence. Any work authorization based on a nonimmigrant fiancé (e) visa would be valid for only 90 days after entry. However, your fiancé (e) would also be eligible to apply for an extended work authorization at the same time as he or she files for permanent residence. In this case, your fiancé(e) would file Form I-765 together with Form I-485 as soon as you marry."

A k1 visa holder can immediately apply for an EAD permit immediately upon arrival, however since it typically takes 3 months for approval, and the card you would be issued as a K1 visa holder would only be valid for the duration of your K1 visa (3 months) its a wash and a waste of money. So hardly anyone applies for the EAD as a K1.

Once you are married you are still a K1 visa holder on a period of authorized stay, as your visa expired, while your AOS is pending. You are eligible to apply for the extended work auth at the same time you apply for AOS if you want to work while you wait for your GC.

Again physically working in the US with out an EAD card when youre required to have one is a violation of the law. Those in the US on a K1 visa awaiting GCs are required to have EADs.

Wrong. You misinterpreting the word 'physically'. I also don't think you understand the rules. You can quote countless USCIS guidelines if you want, it won't make you right. Check other posts on this matter in this sub-forum and the forum-at-large. You're welcome...

I'll repeat again, just for the sake of it, the OP won't be 'physically' working in the US - she won't be working for a US firm, nor will she be paid in the US. With me so far? So she's good to go. I have done it and it caused me no problem whatsoever.

Tell me how, if I was working for a British firm, would I be doing something that breaks the law in the US? Do I need EAD to work in the UK? No, I'm British. Is my money being paid into the US? No, it's going into my UK account having paid UK PAYE tax. I feel you're getting hung up on the 'physically' aspect, as I mentioned earlier.

Yet another example of irresponsible reporting of information to the public domain. The list should never have been compiled nor turned into an interactive map by The Journal News.

I only hope that this is a one-off. Doubtful though.