KLB

She would need to send a letter to the office where her I-485 is currently processing and formally withdraw it.

Provided she departs the US then she should be fine to apply for and use ESTA and the VWP again in the future.

Thank you Hypnos I truly hope it's going to be that simple. She leaves on Wednesday this week. Do you think we need to give USCIS a certain amount of time to process the withdrawal notice before she applies for an Esta?

Btw she her I-94 was on the new electronic system. I assume her departure will be automatically be recorded also?

So both myself and my daughter arrived in the US on May 28th I married my Fiancé and everything was fine or so we thought. My Daughter who came with me on a K2 has decided that she is returning to the UK (She is 18). Naturally I'm devastated but in need of advice ...

We filed for our AOS on at the beginning of August her I-94 expired on 25th August.

Does anyone know what kind of paperwork she needs to obtain upon leaving the US a) so they know she has left and b) so that when she applies for a Esta Visa to visit in the future she is not denied.

I am assuming she will be able to apply for an Esta in the future as technically she has never been denied a visa or entry and does meets all the other requirements for an Esta. I am also assuming the fact that she is leaving after her I-94 has expired and that fact we did file for AOS means she has not overstayed. Is there anyone that would have any advise with regards to this?

That's all. No additional comment.

Either you get it or you don't.

Fab wasn't it!!!

Yep well twas the very same company that quoted me £3k for a lurcher to SFO with VA

All I can say really is ... wow ... again!

To which the inevitable question - who did you use , how big the dog and what route ?

And yes wow indeed. I reckon that's not far off a club class ticket to SFO :-)

Heathrow to Houston then on to New Orleans (flew with United) She's border terrier - The Company we used is Petair

A lot more expensive indeed. Just had a quote of over £3K for a big dog. I reckon that will be nearly three times my economy ticket.....

Wow that seems an excessive amount ... I paid about £1200

I had always planned on travelling with my dog on the same flight if at all possible but it occurs to me that there might be a practical problem in doing so. Was wondering how others got on ?

I'll be travelling UK Heathrow to San Francisco direct - fingers crossed sometime in October. I will probably be using a pet shipping company who , so they say , can arrange for my dog to go on the same flight as me. Living north bay it would be useful not to make an extra trip down to SFO as it's a bit of a hike and the 101 home can be pain .

Thing is the hound will be in a crate and not a small one (she's a lurcher , a greyhound cross) so am I right in thinking I will receive the crate too following shipping. Where do you normally collect the dog from and do you get any help manhandling it ? I'm presuming that the crate (with dog in it) is supplied to you. At what point in your transit through the immigration/customs process and what do they actually give you. Here's your dog in a crate you can't pick up sir and yes the crate needs to go on a trolley and you wheel it through customs.

So any guidance on the logistics is much appreciated. If we have a huge crate to deal with we may not be able to get it in the car with my luggage and the passengers who I guess will want to greet me at the airport .

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a daft idea travelling together ?

I have just travelled over to the US with my dog and on the same flights. However I did use an International Pet Shipping Company and very pleased I did ... it helped me to take the stress and pressure out of getting her here.

They handled absolutely everything from start to finish, were extremely helpful and reassuring especially when I got in a tiz with the "what if's" and all that!

Our dog cleared customs at first point of entry and as we had an onward internal flight she was required to have a minimum of 3 hours ground time before the onward flight. We flew with United they handled all the customs clearance etc. we were able to collect her from Cargo on arrival at our ultimate destination and take her straight home. Oh my goodness me was she pleased to see us!

Yes it is a lot more expensive but I had other things to take into consideration as well, for me it worked. If you want their details just PM me.

Hi there,

So I am finally here in the USA with hubby wooohooo! Over the course of this past year we have managed to save up a good amount of money (to hopefully put towards our first house) in my UK bank account. I just wanted to ask people for their experiences or opinions when it comes to transferring money across to the US - It's just a little scary to transfer all my savings via the internet but I don't want to do it in smaller amounts because I will lose more money because of transfer fees and exchange rates if that makes sense?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. My bank (Bank of Scotland/Halifax) do offer international transfers but I just thought I'd check if people have had positive/successful experiences before and how they did it/who they used?

Thanks,

Cat

Congrats on being here and with your Hubby of course! I'm newly arrived, just over two weeks.

I used Moneycorp to transfer a large sum over, like you I was nervous about the transfer. They offered a much better rate than the High Street Banks/Building Societies could. Everything went very smoothly and it was here within 36 hours from me instructing my bank to start the process. It does put an extra cog in the system having to transfer through an FX Co. but certainly did not slow it down at all. My bank charged £30.00 for the chaps payment to Moneycorp. It certainly is worth looking at an FX co if you can getter a better rate than your own bank - sterling against the Dollar has been rising over this last week. At the end of the day it's what you feel most comfortable doing but if you do look make sure they are regulated and approved by the FSA!

Regardless, I'm glad Ryan said something because me, who is not a K1, was very confused by your post.

I thought I was missing info for my POE.

Then you would have also seen in my post that I said I was a K1 and that it might be different. Experiences at POE were asked for, I gave mine ... it did not appear to be directed solely for CR-1 experiences

CR-1 visa holders do not complete an I-94 (electronic or otherwise) so this is not relevant.

It may not be relevant for a CR-1 but another K-1 may read this thread and it will be relevant. You will also see in my post I am a K-1

Hey everyone! My husband's interview is in London on the 14th and I am THINKING POSITIVE!!! We are already looking at plane flights but of course we won't get anything until he gets his stamped passport back.

We're trying to decide whether we want him to go through the port of entry in Dublin or in Houston. We are thinking Houston will be easier because they process so many folks.

Did you enter through Houston? How was it? What did they do?

Thanks!!

Hi Speedwell,

Both myself and my daughter came through Houston 2 weeks ago on a K1 & K2 so it may be a little different for you. What can I say about our experience, it wasn't great ... but ... it wasn't horrendous. It was very busy, make sure you have a long lay over if you have an internal flight. We of course had to go to secondary and we were caught up in there for over 3 hours. They had very few staff on ... well 2 to be exact! There seemed to be an attitude of distain by the Border Entry Officers towards some of the people waiting to be processed, however they were extremely polite to us, and when all is said and done they have a job to do.

There were a number of questions asked, one being ... "What is your reason for entering the US"! the rest just general, where will you be reside etc.

Nich-Nick is correct the I-94 is now done electronically and you will be able to print a copy after 24 hours.

Fab to hear positive stories ... I arrived last week on a K1 and I am so looking forward to embracing my new life with the man I love. We have set our Wedding date for June 21st and have already made an offer on a house! Onwards and upwards

It means that she needs at least an EAD card to get a SSN. The school won't turn her away and isnt school out already? Even illegal immigrants are educated, so there has to be a way around it. I also know people who refuse to give their kids SSN to the schools and so they got assigned some id number at our local school.

Read this. http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/78/~/legal-requirements-to-provide-your-social-security-number

Chances are she won't be able to get a learner's permit anyway. In Many states it takes EAD to show legal presence before a license can be obtained.

Thanks again Nich-Nick ... I guess she'll have to wait to learn to drive which is a shame, we wanted to help her get her independence as soon as possible and to be able to drive herself to school when she starts. School is out btw but she will have to register at the end of July.

On that subject will that apply to me as well, will I not be able to apply for a license until I have my EAD or can I do it once I have my SSN?

It's in the VJ guides. Scroll down to find K2 http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Thanks Nich-Nick ... had a look, would you know if this means she can not get a SSN point blank or can she get one that will not allow her to work that we can get changed later once we have her EAD. We really need a SSN number for her now so she can learn to drive. I'm not sure whether she also needs a SSN to register at School.

Does anyone have any advice on applying for a SSN for my Daughter ... she has a K2 Visa ... She is 18 and going to study in high school, but in order to obtain a drivers learning permit she needs a SSN. She will also want to get a either a part time job at some point in the future ... and/or go out to work full time at some point again in the future. A K2 is not listed on the Social Security Classification page for Visa's that allow you to work in the US. If we applied for a SSN that did not allow her to work initially would we be able to get this changed once we have gone through AOS and she has her conditional green card?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Hi All

So I entered the US recently with my K1 Visa, at the desk in the airport where I handed in the big envelope of information and my passport and I94, the lady took everything and processed it. However I did not get the paper I94 back, I asked about this and was told they now use an electronic I94. I thought nothing of it until I want to get my SSN yesterday. The lady at the SSN office had not heard of an electronic I94. After much trouble we found a website which shows a scan of you i94. However she processed my SSN without the I94 and used the admission number on the stamp in my passport.

Hope this helps.

I came in yesterday and had the same conversation with the guy at POE ... was slightly concerned! Thanks for the heads up

Better to print your I94 out prior to going to social security: www.cbp.gov/I94

Great link ... I hope they'll accept when I go to apply for my SSN

I had my interview on Tuesday and was really happy to be approved but its still not showing on the DX tracking website. Two other ladies who were there on the same day in the queue behind me for the same visa type have both had their tracking details show up and will have their passports delivered on Monday. I called the Scottish number for the consulate and they told me the visa had been approved and issued. My husband called the department of state and was told the visa was issued on Wednesday. The CEAC status website says 'issued' but still when i enter the tracking no and my postcode, the DX tracking says "Sorry, this combination of tracking number and postcode do not correspond with our records. Please check and try again". We called the DX courier and they told us that they had not received the passport from the consulate yet.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm getting really worried as this process has been full of issues and my husband and I are just about at the end of our wits now.

Any advice would be really appreciated

Andrea

Hi Andrea, We had the same message don't worry too much its either because the Embassy hasn't sent it to DX yet or DX hasn't processed it for delivery. We had to wait about 5 days before we were able to track our Visas. I know of at least two others that had the same message around the time we were waiting for ours.

Hi can anyone asssit me as to who completes the below noted forms, I am the Uk citizen and my fiancee is US, My son is also moving to the states with me and is on my application, I have a letter from his father in the Uk allowing us to relocate permanently to the US, this letter has been notorised?

• Form DS-230 Part I and Part II
• Form DS-156 (2 copies)
• Form DS-157 (2 copies)
• Form DS-156-K

thank you

Anne

Hi Anne,

You complete them and just a little word of warning although DS part II is not technically needed for a K1 there are a few of us including myself who have recently been asked for them at the interview so it might be a good idea to take just in case. Glad to hear you got your notarised letter sorted!

KLB

I'm slightly worried about having my blood pressure taken. I suffer from white coat hypertension - that is, when I'm in a situation where my blood pressure is being measured by a doctor/nurse, my blood pressure rises. If I measure it at home, it is fine. I have even taken my cuff into the doctors and we've measured it at the same time so I can show her that it's the situation, not my blood pressure that's the problem.

I know that my blood pressure is likely to elevate at the medical - last time I had it measured by the doctor it was 160/98. Is taking my blood pressure just part of the process or could they suggest that I go to my doctor and be prescribed medication for hyper-tension and 'fail' my medical? And I would have to re-do the medical after my blood pressure is artificially reduced? Would it be best if I just mentioned the 'white coat' thing at the beginning of the medical?

I had my Medical about a month ago, I have borderline BP and also white coat. I decided to go prepared I had a 24hr BP check done to prove that in a normal environment my BP is stable (although borderline) and I also had a letter from my GP to confirm that no treatment is recommended at this stage. The Doctor I saw at Knightsbridge was lovely my BP was taken twice the first time it was high and she advised she would take it again at the end of the exam as I was "bound to be nervous"!!! The second reading was absolutely bang on borderline. The 24 hr report certainly did help ... I know not everyone goes to that extreme but with the borderline BP I felt needed to do that. Speak to your GP and ask if he/she can do a letter confirming you suffer with white coat.

Depends if you're a man or a woman, I suppose. With men, it's fairly easy to see they've got external genitalia - I've heard with women, it's just a peep down your knickers

Could anyone who has actually been through this could enlighten us please?

LOL yep I can confirm it is "just a peep down your knickers" and a very quick one at that!

How weird. I think the interviewer was mixed up. Maybe print their k1 instructions to take??

Even the Big Cheese (Dept of State) says it's not a K1 form. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#6

You, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), (and eligible children applying for K-2 visas) will be required to bring the following forms and documents to the visa interview:

Two (2) Nonimmigrant Visa Applications, Form DS-156 (prepared in duplicate). NOTE: K-1/K-2 visa applicants should not fill in Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

One (1) Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application, Form DS-156K

One (1) Application For Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, Part I (You are not required to complete Part II.)

Yep Nich-Nick I know we shouldn't have needed them, I had a tip off from someone else that was asked that week for it so I thought I'd play it safe and take them, I'm glad I did! I do know of a couple of others that had interviews the same week and they weren't asked. I certainly wouldn't want to risk upsetting the CO by highlighting the fact that they are not needed, just figured it was better to go along with it and not make a fuss. Its no biggie to fill them out and take them.

Hi all I was wondering about the DS 230 part 2, it says it is not needed for the interview but im sure ive read people have been asked for it, can anybody enlighten me on this please. I called london embassy yesterday and was told my interview is May 20th so want to make sure I have everything in order as im away all week with my job.

Many thanks

Mark

I was asked for it at my interview not just for me but also my Daughter who is traveling with me, someone else was also asked for it the same week as me, fortunately we had them ... if I were you I'd take it just in case!!!

Can't help with the Netherlands bit, but as far as the UK Police Certificate is concerned no fingerprints needed and they say roughly it can take up to about 10 days to receive the certificate. However you can pay more for a faster turnaround.

Yerpy I was also approved yesterday, was shocked how long it took very little time good luck everyone x

Congratulations!!!

Hi there, we are February filers, so got a while to go yet, but was just wondering in the meantime if I should get on with organising my Police certificates. Can they take a long time to get? I dont want to leave it untill I get an interview date and then find myself held up waiting for the certificates. Also, do I need one from California? I lived there for about 5 years from 2006 - 2011 on an F1 Visa.

Thaks so much!

The UK Police certificates only take about 10 days to come through, you can if needed get them quicker than that for an extra fee! You have some time to go before you need to think about this unless you have a background that will require you to obtain court records etc (no offense meant). If you are clear I would suggest waiting until you have you NAO2 ... The certificates are only valid for 1 year.

Don't quote me on this and you do need to double check but I don't think you need them for the time you spent in the US ... I'm sure someone else will chime in to clarify what you need to do for time spent in the US