PalmTrees

You have a really similar timeline to us by the looks of it. Right now my face is probably red like that one in your post! I would wait to call as its still quite early, but seeing approvals from people who filed just before us gets my hopes up I'm waiting on a call back from a Tier 2 officer as to why I haven't received my NOA1 hardcopies even after filing a service request a month ago, so hopefully I can wrangle some information out of him/her as to roughly when mine will be approved or what date they are approving. This is all just wishful thinking but I will let you know how I get on! I'm just so impatient for that work permit.

Exactly what I was going to say.
Enjoy your vacation and good luck with the rest of your AOS journey.

the generally-accepted answer is - PASSPORT NAME.
then when you show your AP card to get back into the USA, please show the passport, AP card, marriage certificate (showing all names) .

Read page 13 - 17
http://www.flhsmv.gov/handbooks/EnglishDriverHandbook.pdf

Congrats!If you don't mind, please fill your timeline in so it would help others through their journey. Sharing is caring. Thank you!

I've seen a lot of your previous topics (not just the recent ones from yesterday). Can I just point out that you come across quite rude when people try to help you. It may be because you are being blunt, but I think your panicking is causing you to snap at people. Please calm down and read any answers you get to your questions a couple of times to take it all in. There are some very knowledgable posters who have offered great advice and info on your previous queries (including this topic) and often you just dismiss it.
I'm also going to re-iterate what a lot of other people have said to you in the past. Please read any available information. A lot of your queries can be answered in either the guides at the top of the home page or the pinned threads in the UK forum. Now that your fiance has received an approval at the embassy, I urge you to carefully pour over all the information available on the AOS process as your visa journey is far from over.
AOS is a new set of forms and obviously people have questions about this process. However, I tried to limit my postings on the forum as I found if I read the guides, read the forums daily (even topics you don't think are related to you often have some additional info you can use) and used the search function I was pretty much confident I was doing what I needed to do. The search function is great because 9 times out of 10 your question has already been asked (and answered).
To answer your question. The passport and visa envelope are delivered in a grey bag. Open the grey bag (carefully) and the passport will be loose (for you to obviously use at the airport). The visa envelope is brown and has "DO NOT OPEN - ONLY BY US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS" etc stamped on it. Put that safely in hand luggage and your fiance is ready to go.
Oh and congratulations on your fiance being approved by the London Embassy. See, all that worrying for nothing!

I've seen a lot of your previous topics (not just the recent ones from yesterday). Can I just point out that you come across quite rude when people try to help you. It may be because you are being blunt, but I think your panicking is causing you to snap at people. Please calm down and read any answers you get to your questions a couple of times to take it all in. There are some very knowledgable posters who have offered great advice and info on your previous queries (including this topic) and often you just dismiss it.
I'm also going to re-iterate what a lot of other people have said to you in the past. Please read any available information. A lot of your queries can be answered in either the guides at the top of the home page or the pinned threads in the UK forum. Now that your fiance has received an approval at the embassy, I urge you to carefully pour over all the information available on the AOS process as your visa journey is far from over.
AOS is a new set of forms and obviously people have questions about this process. However, I tried to limit my postings on the forum as I found if I read the guides, read the forums daily (even topics you don't think are related to you often have some additional info you can use) and used the search function I was pretty much confident I was doing what I needed to do. The search function is great because 9 times out of 10 your question has already been asked (and answered).
To answer your question. The passport and visa envelope are delivered in a grey bag. Open the grey bag (carefully) and the passport will be loose (for you to obviously use at the airport). The visa envelope is brown and has "DO NOT OPEN - ONLY BY US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS" etc stamped on it. Put that safely in hand luggage and your fiance is ready to go.
Oh and congratulations on your fiance being approved by the London Embassy. See, all that worrying for nothing!

I've seen a lot of your previous topics (not just the recent ones from yesterday). Can I just point out that you come across quite rude when people try to help you. It may be because you are being blunt, but I think your panicking is causing you to snap at people. Please calm down and read any answers you get to your questions a couple of times to take it all in. There are some very knowledgable posters who have offered great advice and info on your previous queries (including this topic) and often you just dismiss it.
I'm also going to re-iterate what a lot of other people have said to you in the past. Please read any available information. A lot of your queries can be answered in either the guides at the top of the home page or the pinned threads in the UK forum. Now that your fiance has received an approval at the embassy, I urge you to carefully pour over all the information available on the AOS process as your visa journey is far from over.
AOS is a new set of forms and obviously people have questions about this process. However, I tried to limit my postings on the forum as I found if I read the guides, read the forums daily (even topics you don't think are related to you often have some additional info you can use) and used the search function I was pretty much confident I was doing what I needed to do. The search function is great because 9 times out of 10 your question has already been asked (and answered).
To answer your question. The passport and visa envelope are delivered in a grey bag. Open the grey bag (carefully) and the passport will be loose (for you to obviously use at the airport). The visa envelope is brown and has "DO NOT OPEN - ONLY BY US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS" etc stamped on it. Put that safely in hand luggage and your fiance is ready to go.
Oh and congratulations on your fiance being approved by the London Embassy. See, all that worrying for nothing!

I've seen a lot of your previous topics (not just the recent ones from yesterday). Can I just point out that you come across quite rude when people try to help you. It may be because you are being blunt, but I think your panicking is causing you to snap at people. Please calm down and read any answers you get to your questions a couple of times to take it all in. There are some very knowledgable posters who have offered great advice and info on your previous queries (including this topic) and often you just dismiss it.
I'm also going to re-iterate what a lot of other people have said to you in the past. Please read any available information. A lot of your queries can be answered in either the guides at the top of the home page or the pinned threads in the UK forum. Now that your fiance has received an approval at the embassy, I urge you to carefully pour over all the information available on the AOS process as your visa journey is far from over.
AOS is a new set of forms and obviously people have questions about this process. However, I tried to limit my postings on the forum as I found if I read the guides, read the forums daily (even topics you don't think are related to you often have some additional info you can use) and used the search function I was pretty much confident I was doing what I needed to do. The search function is great because 9 times out of 10 your question has already been asked (and answered).
To answer your question. The passport and visa envelope are delivered in a grey bag. Open the grey bag (carefully) and the passport will be loose (for you to obviously use at the airport). The visa envelope is brown and has "DO NOT OPEN - ONLY BY US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS" etc stamped on it. Put that safely in hand luggage and your fiance is ready to go.
Oh and congratulations on your fiance being approved by the London Embassy. See, all that worrying for nothing!

I've seen a lot of your previous topics (not just the recent ones from yesterday). Can I just point out that you come across quite rude when people try to help you. It may be because you are being blunt, but I think your panicking is causing you to snap at people. Please calm down and read any answers you get to your questions a couple of times to take it all in. There are some very knowledgable posters who have offered great advice and info on your previous queries (including this topic) and often you just dismiss it.
I'm also going to re-iterate what a lot of other people have said to you in the past. Please read any available information. A lot of your queries can be answered in either the guides at the top of the home page or the pinned threads in the UK forum. Now that your fiance has received an approval at the embassy, I urge you to carefully pour over all the information available on the AOS process as your visa journey is far from over.
AOS is a new set of forms and obviously people have questions about this process. However, I tried to limit my postings on the forum as I found if I read the guides, read the forums daily (even topics you don't think are related to you often have some additional info you can use) and used the search function I was pretty much confident I was doing what I needed to do. The search function is great because 9 times out of 10 your question has already been asked (and answered).
To answer your question. The passport and visa envelope are delivered in a grey bag. Open the grey bag (carefully) and the passport will be loose (for you to obviously use at the airport). The visa envelope is brown and has "DO NOT OPEN - ONLY BY US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS" etc stamped on it. Put that safely in hand luggage and your fiance is ready to go.
Oh and congratulations on your fiance being approved by the London Embassy. See, all that worrying for nothing!

I don't understand why anyone would offer help when all you get in return is "I just want the right answer, not your answer."

))) no worries))) you can ask me any question

Hello.
Just to confirm what the previous poster has said. Its just one letter with your case number and a website address. You will file your forms electronically.
If you know your case number already (by phoning DOS I believe, can't remember but I think it was them and not the NVC) then you can go ahead and book your medical. Make sure you have your police certificate to hand by the time the medical comes around.
Also if the beneficiary hasn't got a long form birth certificate (listing both parents' names) then order one of those as they can take a bit of time to receive and you will need it for the interview.
Hope this helps and good luck!

I can't believe it. She helps so many people, directly and indirectly, and I will be forever grateful for all her knowledge. And now she's gone. I read the thread that supposedly caused the ban and thought I'd missed something. Surely all this can't be over what was said there? There was nothing wrong.
There are a few regular posters on this site that help out so much from the kindness of their hearts, not because they are obliged to do so. I could never have got through the process so quickly and easily without their knowledge, and it will be a great shame for new posters to not be able to benefit from Nich-Nick's info. I really hope she comes back and this matter is settled.
That being said, I have lurked before signing up and posting and have noticed a change in postings. I think its sad that people come here for information, get what they need and leave as soon as the visa is in hand. As I'm flying out soon I have a lot of things to take care of, but as soon as I'm more settled I will be coming back frequently to help out where I can (although my immigration knowledge is like 1/100th of Nich-Nick's and other regulars). I want to help but also believe its important to help others in return for being helped before.
Basically, I wouldn't have got through this process as calmly and as prepared as I did if it weren't for wonderful posters like Nich-Nick. I hope she will return.

Hello everyone.
Had my medical on Monday and I didn't faint! Very happy
We got there around 20 minutes before my appointment time. I had the chest x-ray within five minutes of handing the receptionist a form back. Then waited a while. They were apparently running late although there were only two others in the waiting room with me. But that was just the female waiting room so maybe they had a lot in the male area. Who knows.
My doctor was quite formal. She didn't say anything to help me relax as I'm fairly certain it was obvious I was very nervous. She also didn't give me advance warning as to what she was about to do. I guess she has to test a lot of people every day and gets bored explaining everything?
I hated having my blood taken, but just scrunched my eyes shut so I wouldn't see it. And then I was out and feeling relieved.
Thank you to those of you who gave me advice. In the end I decided not to provide a letter from my doctor about fainting at appointments, and figured if I fainted at the exam I would tell her then. I made sure to have a big breakfast, and some chocolate, and have a leisurely walk to the address. I then distracted myself by talking to my Mum who was waiting with me. It wasn't a horrible experience, but I'm glad its over and done with.

I'm not going to repeat what other have said about this being fraud. If you read the forums and guides carefully, as well as the wealth of information on the internet, you would see that what you are considering doing is illegal.
"but neither of us love the idea of spending 6-8 months apart"
This is what really irritates me. No one loves the idea of being apart from their fiance/spouse but that's unfortunately what it takes in order to pursue the correct visa. Don't commit fraud on the basis that you can't stand to be separated due to to visa processing length, what makes your separation so much more difficult than others?
Please read the guides on K-1 visas and CR-1 visas. There are pros and cons to each and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised with current wait times for a fiance visa. But lying and misrepresentation in order to fool CBP is not the answer.

I see you got your NOA2 on the 15th. I received an email 2 weeks after my approval to say it was on its way to NVC. I think 2 weeks to be sent out is an average time frame (excluding the ones who are waiting much longer for unknown reasons), so maybe yours will be sent out at the end of this week.
I got frustrated with mine not being sent because I couldn't understand why someone would want to sit on it in an office. Put it straight in the mail!

Of the posters who have left something here, involving a pending AOS from a B2 or VWP status, every one of them has claimed they had no intention of remaining....a coincidence that just does not add up.
Our system is not 'ridiculous'...we have tourist visas for tourists and the VWP for certain countries....you told our border folks that you had so many reasons for returning, but now, we read only negative comments about the US process.
The border officer was apparently right in not admitting you...as we now see.
As for his (or her) thoughts that you were (or are) working in the US, well, a musician who has not put a hit on Billboard is not likely to have the resources to live in the US for 3 months...I have visited the UK several times, while gainfully employed, and I spent around $100 a day for food, transportation and entertainment, not counting lodging. Even a modest hotel in London was well over $100 a day. Even if you were paying less than that for rent, you would have needed more than $10,000 to spend 3 months in the US...which also means that you would have had to declare such a sum to our customs folks....it costs a lot of money to stay here, even in Maine.
The 'right way' and the way that would live up to the terms of the visa waiver privilege you enjoy is to (a) marry, then return to the UK and await the processing of your immigrant visa or (b) return to the UK, have your 'friend' file the K1 visa and then wait for that process to complete itself...either one takes about the same amount of time...6-8 months typically.
But if you decide to stay, marry and adjust, your situation will eventually come to the attention of USCIS/CPB, and the next VWP traveler from the UK will bear the brunt of your decision by being taken to secondary, interviewed (or 'grilled', as you like it), have their luggage searched, etc., and they may well not get the benefit of any doubts and be sent home....they (CPB) told you what to do...now you want to ignore them and our rules (while casting aspersions upon them), but prove them right nonetheless should you decide to remain here.

I have seen some vitriol towards K-1 applicants from CR-1 applicants but to be honest I think most of it was called for. If you have been waiting for months and months with no activity, then to have someone pop up saying "my petition was approved in only 17 days! hang in there, just be patient and I'm sure yours will be around the corner!" must be the most frustrating thing in the world. Like waving a red flag at a bull, of course you are going to get attacked. Its a form of gloating and shouldn't be posted. People should be aware that the process is different for everyone, and to be sensitive towards others feelings and wait times.
I have had to remind myself not to get angry when I saw people with similar filing dates getting approved before me, and mine only took 49 days to go through. It is ridiculous to complain about wait times, when it could have been much much worse. If we had filed earlier in the year it could have been stuck in Vermont for 6 months, so I'm grateful it has turned out the way it did. However, I have still complained (and mentally kicked myself for it), so can understand why people get angry. Your wait will always seem like nothing from people waiting longer than you.
I don't approve of the sometimes "high-and-mighty" approach spousal visa members take towards fiance visa members. At the end of the day, people choose to go different routes for different reasons. I chose fiance route because I didn't want to spend the first few months of our lives as husband and wife apart. I really don't care if people read this and think "oh they are just engaged, we are better". If people have that attitude, fine. Doesn't affect my relationship in the slightest, and maybe some would do well to think of it like that, instead of getting a bit catty.
The two processes seem vastly different, so I really don't see the point of visiting the CR-1 forum. I would have no information or advice to offer because I'm not familiar with that process. I'm not saying don't visit other forums, just saying that the two are different and should be treated as such, and that you can be more beneficial in your designated forum.
I do see vitriol directed towards people intending to AOS. I've seen a number of posts where the poster asks if there would be implications in following this route and how to go about it. Some people read between the lines and see intent where there is none, yet some posters do have intent to come in as a tourist and not leave and act like this is legal. It is not. Even when advised that what they would be doing is immigration fraud by the most senior poster out there, they simply shrug it off and go for it anyway. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I agree that AOS can be used as it is a legal option. But it is an option for a few, not everyone. For example, I had a friend following the CR-1 route, she went to visit and then found out that her living circumstances changed and it would be extremely difficult for her to go back and could potentially bankrupt her. Her lawyer withdrew the spousal application and filed for AOS, which went off without a hitch. I believe in this case AOS was appropriate as it made more sense for her to stay with her husband rather than having a nightmare back in the UK.
On the flip side, I have another "friend" who I believe really did commit immigration fraud. She sold her flat, car, belongings, quit her job, cancelled direct debits and closed down bank accounts. She told everyone she was going to visit her fiance for three months and be back afterwards. In the meantime she was messaging me saying the reason she had got rid of everything was because she wasn't coming back, and that I should just file for AOS like they would be doing. I pointed out that this was wrong, fraud, could lead to a ban, you name it, I tried to convince her what she was doing was wrong. She mocked the K-1 process (or even the suggestion of the CR-1) and said I should "do it her way because it is easiest". She did not listen, went ahead and filed and was just fine. She is now living in the states like she always dreamed of, with a husband no one knows anything about.
At the end of the day, people will most often just do what they want, whether they are advised against it or aware it is illegal. Once people have an idea in their heads they will stick to it. With the second friend, at first I was very angry and it made the time me and my fiance spent apart even more hurtful because she could wait out the process with her loved one, where I was thousands of miles away from mine. She, like many others, had abused the system. But then I learnt to let it go. She abused the system to get what she wanted, but I believe one day karma will catch up with her, like others, but reward the many thousands of us who go through the correct legal channels.
If you AOS for the right reason then that is completely fine as it is legal and congratulations that you skipped the wait. If you AOS for the wrong reasons then you should not come looking for sympathy on these boards, because people (and yourself) know you did wrong. Hopefully one day the AOS system will be cleared up so only people who had no intent can use it, but who knows if that is likely.
Sorry for the HUGE post. I guess what I wanted to say is that there are different options for everyone and we should all be respectful and mindful of these choices. Follow the rules and appreciate that many others have a longer, more difficult situation than yourself. As long as you are following the rules, everyone is different yet equal.
Have a good day everyone

I have seen some vitriol towards K-1 applicants from CR-1 applicants but to be honest I think most of it was called for. If you have been waiting for months and months with no activity, then to have someone pop up saying "my petition was approved in only 17 days! hang in there, just be patient and I'm sure yours will be around the corner!" must be the most frustrating thing in the world. Like waving a red flag at a bull, of course you are going to get attacked. Its a form of gloating and shouldn't be posted. People should be aware that the process is different for everyone, and to be sensitive towards others feelings and wait times.
I have had to remind myself not to get angry when I saw people with similar filing dates getting approved before me, and mine only took 49 days to go through. It is ridiculous to complain about wait times, when it could have been much much worse. If we had filed earlier in the year it could have been stuck in Vermont for 6 months, so I'm grateful it has turned out the way it did. However, I have still complained (and mentally kicked myself for it), so can understand why people get angry. Your wait will always seem like nothing from people waiting longer than you.
I don't approve of the sometimes "high-and-mighty" approach spousal visa members take towards fiance visa members. At the end of the day, people choose to go different routes for different reasons. I chose fiance route because I didn't want to spend the first few months of our lives as husband and wife apart. I really don't care if people read this and think "oh they are just engaged, we are better". If people have that attitude, fine. Doesn't affect my relationship in the slightest, and maybe some would do well to think of it like that, instead of getting a bit catty.
The two processes seem vastly different, so I really don't see the point of visiting the CR-1 forum. I would have no information or advice to offer because I'm not familiar with that process. I'm not saying don't visit other forums, just saying that the two are different and should be treated as such, and that you can be more beneficial in your designated forum.
I do see vitriol directed towards people intending to AOS. I've seen a number of posts where the poster asks if there would be implications in following this route and how to go about it. Some people read between the lines and see intent where there is none, yet some posters do have intent to come in as a tourist and not leave and act like this is legal. It is not. Even when advised that what they would be doing is immigration fraud by the most senior poster out there, they simply shrug it off and go for it anyway. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I agree that AOS can be used as it is a legal option. But it is an option for a few, not everyone. For example, I had a friend following the CR-1 route, she went to visit and then found out that her living circumstances changed and it would be extremely difficult for her to go back and could potentially bankrupt her. Her lawyer withdrew the spousal application and filed for AOS, which went off without a hitch. I believe in this case AOS was appropriate as it made more sense for her to stay with her husband rather than having a nightmare back in the UK.
On the flip side, I have another "friend" who I believe really did commit immigration fraud. She sold her flat, car, belongings, quit her job, cancelled direct debits and closed down bank accounts. She told everyone she was going to visit her fiance for three months and be back afterwards. In the meantime she was messaging me saying the reason she had got rid of everything was because she wasn't coming back, and that I should just file for AOS like they would be doing. I pointed out that this was wrong, fraud, could lead to a ban, you name it, I tried to convince her what she was doing was wrong. She mocked the K-1 process (or even the suggestion of the CR-1) and said I should "do it her way because it is easiest". She did not listen, went ahead and filed and was just fine. She is now living in the states like she always dreamed of, with a husband no one knows anything about.
At the end of the day, people will most often just do what they want, whether they are advised against it or aware it is illegal. Once people have an idea in their heads they will stick to it. With the second friend, at first I was very angry and it made the time me and my fiance spent apart even more hurtful because she could wait out the process with her loved one, where I was thousands of miles away from mine. She, like many others, had abused the system. But then I learnt to let it go. She abused the system to get what she wanted, but I believe one day karma will catch up with her, like others, but reward the many thousands of us who go through the correct legal channels.
If you AOS for the right reason then that is completely fine as it is legal and congratulations that you skipped the wait. If you AOS for the wrong reasons then you should not come looking for sympathy on these boards, because people (and yourself) know you did wrong. Hopefully one day the AOS system will be cleared up so only people who had no intent can use it, but who knows if that is likely.
Sorry for the HUGE post. I guess what I wanted to say is that there are different options for everyone and we should all be respectful and mindful of these choices. Follow the rules and appreciate that many others have a longer, more difficult situation than yourself. As long as you are following the rules, everyone is different yet equal.
Have a good day everyone

I have seen some vitriol towards K-1 applicants from CR-1 applicants but to be honest I think most of it was called for. If you have been waiting for months and months with no activity, then to have someone pop up saying "my petition was approved in only 17 days! hang in there, just be patient and I'm sure yours will be around the corner!" must be the most frustrating thing in the world. Like waving a red flag at a bull, of course you are going to get attacked. Its a form of gloating and shouldn't be posted. People should be aware that the process is different for everyone, and to be sensitive towards others feelings and wait times.
I have had to remind myself not to get angry when I saw people with similar filing dates getting approved before me, and mine only took 49 days to go through. It is ridiculous to complain about wait times, when it could have been much much worse. If we had filed earlier in the year it could have been stuck in Vermont for 6 months, so I'm grateful it has turned out the way it did. However, I have still complained (and mentally kicked myself for it), so can understand why people get angry. Your wait will always seem like nothing from people waiting longer than you.
I don't approve of the sometimes "high-and-mighty" approach spousal visa members take towards fiance visa members. At the end of the day, people choose to go different routes for different reasons. I chose fiance route because I didn't want to spend the first few months of our lives as husband and wife apart. I really don't care if people read this and think "oh they are just engaged, we are better". If people have that attitude, fine. Doesn't affect my relationship in the slightest, and maybe some would do well to think of it like that, instead of getting a bit catty.
The two processes seem vastly different, so I really don't see the point of visiting the CR-1 forum. I would have no information or advice to offer because I'm not familiar with that process. I'm not saying don't visit other forums, just saying that the two are different and should be treated as such, and that you can be more beneficial in your designated forum.
I do see vitriol directed towards people intending to AOS. I've seen a number of posts where the poster asks if there would be implications in following this route and how to go about it. Some people read between the lines and see intent where there is none, yet some posters do have intent to come in as a tourist and not leave and act like this is legal. It is not. Even when advised that what they would be doing is immigration fraud by the most senior poster out there, they simply shrug it off and go for it anyway. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I agree that AOS can be used as it is a legal option. But it is an option for a few, not everyone. For example, I had a friend following the CR-1 route, she went to visit and then found out that her living circumstances changed and it would be extremely difficult for her to go back and could potentially bankrupt her. Her lawyer withdrew the spousal application and filed for AOS, which went off without a hitch. I believe in this case AOS was appropriate as it made more sense for her to stay with her husband rather than having a nightmare back in the UK.
On the flip side, I have another "friend" who I believe really did commit immigration fraud. She sold her flat, car, belongings, quit her job, cancelled direct debits and closed down bank accounts. She told everyone she was going to visit her fiance for three months and be back afterwards. In the meantime she was messaging me saying the reason she had got rid of everything was because she wasn't coming back, and that I should just file for AOS like they would be doing. I pointed out that this was wrong, fraud, could lead to a ban, you name it, I tried to convince her what she was doing was wrong. She mocked the K-1 process (or even the suggestion of the CR-1) and said I should "do it her way because it is easiest". She did not listen, went ahead and filed and was just fine. She is now living in the states like she always dreamed of, with a husband no one knows anything about.
At the end of the day, people will most often just do what they want, whether they are advised against it or aware it is illegal. Once people have an idea in their heads they will stick to it. With the second friend, at first I was very angry and it made the time me and my fiance spent apart even more hurtful because she could wait out the process with her loved one, where I was thousands of miles away from mine. She, like many others, had abused the system. But then I learnt to let it go. She abused the system to get what she wanted, but I believe one day karma will catch up with her, like others, but reward the many thousands of us who go through the correct legal channels.
If you AOS for the right reason then that is completely fine as it is legal and congratulations that you skipped the wait. If you AOS for the wrong reasons then you should not come looking for sympathy on these boards, because people (and yourself) know you did wrong. Hopefully one day the AOS system will be cleared up so only people who had no intent can use it, but who knows if that is likely.
Sorry for the HUGE post. I guess what I wanted to say is that there are different options for everyone and we should all be respectful and mindful of these choices. Follow the rules and appreciate that many others have a longer, more difficult situation than yourself. As long as you are following the rules, everyone is different yet equal.
Have a good day everyone

I have seen some vitriol towards K-1 applicants from CR-1 applicants but to be honest I think most of it was called for. If you have been waiting for months and months with no activity, then to have someone pop up saying "my petition was approved in only 17 days! hang in there, just be patient and I'm sure yours will be around the corner!" must be the most frustrating thing in the world. Like waving a red flag at a bull, of course you are going to get attacked. Its a form of gloating and shouldn't be posted. People should be aware that the process is different for everyone, and to be sensitive towards others feelings and wait times.
I have had to remind myself not to get angry when I saw people with similar filing dates getting approved before me, and mine only took 49 days to go through. It is ridiculous to complain about wait times, when it could have been much much worse. If we had filed earlier in the year it could have been stuck in Vermont for 6 months, so I'm grateful it has turned out the way it did. However, I have still complained (and mentally kicked myself for it), so can understand why people get angry. Your wait will always seem like nothing from people waiting longer than you.
I don't approve of the sometimes "high-and-mighty" approach spousal visa members take towards fiance visa members. At the end of the day, people choose to go different routes for different reasons. I chose fiance route because I didn't want to spend the first few months of our lives as husband and wife apart. I really don't care if people read this and think "oh they are just engaged, we are better". If people have that attitude, fine. Doesn't affect my relationship in the slightest, and maybe some would do well to think of it like that, instead of getting a bit catty.
The two processes seem vastly different, so I really don't see the point of visiting the CR-1 forum. I would have no information or advice to offer because I'm not familiar with that process. I'm not saying don't visit other forums, just saying that the two are different and should be treated as such, and that you can be more beneficial in your designated forum.
I do see vitriol directed towards people intending to AOS. I've seen a number of posts where the poster asks if there would be implications in following this route and how to go about it. Some people read between the lines and see intent where there is none, yet some posters do have intent to come in as a tourist and not leave and act like this is legal. It is not. Even when advised that what they would be doing is immigration fraud by the most senior poster out there, they simply shrug it off and go for it anyway. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I agree that AOS can be used as it is a legal option. But it is an option for a few, not everyone. For example, I had a friend following the CR-1 route, she went to visit and then found out that her living circumstances changed and it would be extremely difficult for her to go back and could potentially bankrupt her. Her lawyer withdrew the spousal application and filed for AOS, which went off without a hitch. I believe in this case AOS was appropriate as it made more sense for her to stay with her husband rather than having a nightmare back in the UK.
On the flip side, I have another "friend" who I believe really did commit immigration fraud. She sold her flat, car, belongings, quit her job, cancelled direct debits and closed down bank accounts. She told everyone she was going to visit her fiance for three months and be back afterwards. In the meantime she was messaging me saying the reason she had got rid of everything was because she wasn't coming back, and that I should just file for AOS like they would be doing. I pointed out that this was wrong, fraud, could lead to a ban, you name it, I tried to convince her what she was doing was wrong. She mocked the K-1 process (or even the suggestion of the CR-1) and said I should "do it her way because it is easiest". She did not listen, went ahead and filed and was just fine. She is now living in the states like she always dreamed of, with a husband no one knows anything about.
At the end of the day, people will most often just do what they want, whether they are advised against it or aware it is illegal. Once people have an idea in their heads they will stick to it. With the second friend, at first I was very angry and it made the time me and my fiance spent apart even more hurtful because she could wait out the process with her loved one, where I was thousands of miles away from mine. She, like many others, had abused the system. But then I learnt to let it go. She abused the system to get what she wanted, but I believe one day karma will catch up with her, like others, but reward the many thousands of us who go through the correct legal channels.
If you AOS for the right reason then that is completely fine as it is legal and congratulations that you skipped the wait. If you AOS for the wrong reasons then you should not come looking for sympathy on these boards, because people (and yourself) know you did wrong. Hopefully one day the AOS system will be cleared up so only people who had no intent can use it, but who knows if that is likely.
Sorry for the HUGE post. I guess what I wanted to say is that there are different options for everyone and we should all be respectful and mindful of these choices. Follow the rules and appreciate that many others have a longer, more difficult situation than yourself. As long as you are following the rules, everyone is different yet equal.
Have a good day everyone

I have seen some vitriol towards K-1 applicants from CR-1 applicants but to be honest I think most of it was called for. If you have been waiting for months and months with no activity, then to have someone pop up saying "my petition was approved in only 17 days! hang in there, just be patient and I'm sure yours will be around the corner!" must be the most frustrating thing in the world. Like waving a red flag at a bull, of course you are going to get attacked. Its a form of gloating and shouldn't be posted. People should be aware that the process is different for everyone, and to be sensitive towards others feelings and wait times.
I have had to remind myself not to get angry when I saw people with similar filing dates getting approved before me, and mine only took 49 days to go through. It is ridiculous to complain about wait times, when it could have been much much worse. If we had filed earlier in the year it could have been stuck in Vermont for 6 months, so I'm grateful it has turned out the way it did. However, I have still complained (and mentally kicked myself for it), so can understand why people get angry. Your wait will always seem like nothing from people waiting longer than you.
I don't approve of the sometimes "high-and-mighty" approach spousal visa members take towards fiance visa members. At the end of the day, people choose to go different routes for different reasons. I chose fiance route because I didn't want to spend the first few months of our lives as husband and wife apart. I really don't care if people read this and think "oh they are just engaged, we are better". If people have that attitude, fine. Doesn't affect my relationship in the slightest, and maybe some would do well to think of it like that, instead of getting a bit catty.
The two processes seem vastly different, so I really don't see the point of visiting the CR-1 forum. I would have no information or advice to offer because I'm not familiar with that process. I'm not saying don't visit other forums, just saying that the two are different and should be treated as such, and that you can be more beneficial in your designated forum.
I do see vitriol directed towards people intending to AOS. I've seen a number of posts where the poster asks if there would be implications in following this route and how to go about it. Some people read between the lines and see intent where there is none, yet some posters do have intent to come in as a tourist and not leave and act like this is legal. It is not. Even when advised that what they would be doing is immigration fraud by the most senior poster out there, they simply shrug it off and go for it anyway. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I agree that AOS can be used as it is a legal option. But it is an option for a few, not everyone. For example, I had a friend following the CR-1 route, she went to visit and then found out that her living circumstances changed and it would be extremely difficult for her to go back and could potentially bankrupt her. Her lawyer withdrew the spousal application and filed for AOS, which went off without a hitch. I believe in this case AOS was appropriate as it made more sense for her to stay with her husband rather than having a nightmare back in the UK.
On the flip side, I have another "friend" who I believe really did commit immigration fraud. She sold her flat, car, belongings, quit her job, cancelled direct debits and closed down bank accounts. She told everyone she was going to visit her fiance for three months and be back afterwards. In the meantime she was messaging me saying the reason she had got rid of everything was because she wasn't coming back, and that I should just file for AOS like they would be doing. I pointed out that this was wrong, fraud, could lead to a ban, you name it, I tried to convince her what she was doing was wrong. She mocked the K-1 process (or even the suggestion of the CR-1) and said I should "do it her way because it is easiest". She did not listen, went ahead and filed and was just fine. She is now living in the states like she always dreamed of, with a husband no one knows anything about.
At the end of the day, people will most often just do what they want, whether they are advised against it or aware it is illegal. Once people have an idea in their heads they will stick to it. With the second friend, at first I was very angry and it made the time me and my fiance spent apart even more hurtful because she could wait out the process with her loved one, where I was thousands of miles away from mine. She, like many others, had abused the system. But then I learnt to let it go. She abused the system to get what she wanted, but I believe one day karma will catch up with her, like others, but reward the many thousands of us who go through the correct legal channels.
If you AOS for the right reason then that is completely fine as it is legal and congratulations that you skipped the wait. If you AOS for the wrong reasons then you should not come looking for sympathy on these boards, because people (and yourself) know you did wrong. Hopefully one day the AOS system will be cleared up so only people who had no intent can use it, but who knows if that is likely.
Sorry for the HUGE post. I guess what I wanted to say is that there are different options for everyone and we should all be respectful and mindful of these choices. Follow the rules and appreciate that many others have a longer, more difficult situation than yourself. As long as you are following the rules, everyone is different yet equal.
Have a good day everyone

You do not need immunizations to get a K1 visa. You need immunizations to get a greencard. But if you get every requirement met and documented at your visa medical on the immunization form DS-3025, that will suffice as proof for your AOS process. Otherwise you will have to pay a civil surgeon in the US to complete a new immunization form. That can be a huge hassle. I want you to read these two threads someone who did not get it done in advance and see their frustrations. It happens all the time when dealing with civil surgeons.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/462793-medical-again-in-usa-due-to-incomplete-vaccination-record/
Or this http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/461012-medical-exam-for-aos-after-k1/
Do it before the visa and save the additional expense and frustration.
Heres the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:
Td or Tdap - or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted for AOS also
MMR (if born in 1957 or later) Get a second shot 4 wks later if you have time before your medical. It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first, and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval".
Varicella Not routinely given in the UK ; a history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam.
Influenza - During flu season only, October 1 through March 31. This was a new recommendation dated November 2010 for all ages over 6 months. Older lists will say flu shots for over age 50. It changed.
For Australia, flu season will be different dates...winter, right? So The visa doctor there could mark the waiver "not flu season" (it's on the form) and you don't have to get a flu shot.