Dbkrantz

That seems like more than enough, but, do you have any pictures of you two with family? that would help.

If you are doing DCF, most consulates requires 6 months residency for both of you, which means that your wife has to live in Seoul for 6 months before she can start applying for you.

The good news though, is that generally, DCF can be completed in about 4 months.

I wore black pants, with white and blue shirt + white and blue ballerina shoes and a cardigan.

My husband wore dark jeans + nice shoes + blue shirt.

Dress smart / casual and it's fine. No need for a suit

Sorry about the surgery, that must be very hard.

Did you try contacting the embassy explaining the problem? If so, do it as soon as possible using this form : http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Tell them that you are desperate to go to the US to be with your fiancé who will have surgery. Provide them with the date of Surgery if it's been scheduled. Keep it simple and short.

Good luck, hope things will work out!

Definitely agree with these! I'm not a Six Flags person, more of a Disneyland person, but other than that, this list is pretty dead on!

1. It gets FREEZING at night, especially if you live by the ocean (Venice Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Clemente,Seal Beach ect..)

2. Depending on where you're living, be careful of certain areas at night. These areas include (Downtown LA, South Side), Santa Ana, Compton, Anaheim, and even Venice Beach. These areas not only include a high gang population, but also have a lot of (bad) neighborhoods. LA and Compton are most known for shootings, which is why you steer clear of doing anything alone near there, ESPECIALLY at night. I'm saying this because I don't expect foreigners to just immediately understand where the bad parts are. I remember my British husband giving me a schooling on where not to go in London. Be careful!

3. Enjoy the new holidays you can experience! Remember, we have Thanksgiving and 4th of July, and Halloween (I know you Brits do halloween, but it's VERY different)

4. I also agree with the above statement: Eating out/Takeaway is less expensive sometimes. This is sadly all too true. You can buy groceries OF COURSE, but buying set meals to cook for dinners ends up being WAY MORE expensive than just getting a dinner salad/Burger. Hence why we Americans have such a hard time staying fit! haha!

5. I know most of you JUMP for JOY at the thought of sunny weather all year round, but PLEASE remember your sun screen. This is a different heat all together. I'm saying this because my husband got heat stroke on his last visit because he didn't put enough sunscreen on. He ended up not feeling well for almost 3 days!

6. This one is just for fun, but still it's a warning lol - "Cinema" or the "Theatre" whichever you prefer it to be called

You get FREE refills on your drink. They don't have to be paid for, however you need to get the large of everything to get free refills. Now you're thinking, ok, well large isn't that big here in the UK. It IS IN AMERICA. A large coke is big enough to SWIM in. This goes for pretty much any fast food restaurant as well. Our portions are HUGE, so please order a small first and see what you think. In the event that you're still hungry, order again, otherwise I think you'll have a heart attack just seeing the sizes.

7. American money names will seem funny at first. For new timers, I'll break it down

25 cents = Quarter

10 Cents = Dime

5 Cents = Nickel

1 cent = Penny (That stays the same)

Also, you get some cheeky people that can see your foreign so confuse you by using the presidents names on the bill, instead of the number. Instead of saying "That's $100 sir/madam" they'll say "Ok, one Mr. Ben Franklin" - This happened to my husband about 80 times. If you're British, you'll also get the annoying teenage girls/boys who flock to you asking where in "London" you come from. As if London is a country by itself.

8. Theme Parks that are a MUST do, not only because they're fun but because they are almost historical:

Disneyland (This is the FIRST and ORIGINAL Disneyland) - located in the good part of Anaheim. Across from Disneyland is California Adventure. I recommend getting a Park Hopper Ticket and go from one park to the other.

Universal Studios Hollywood - This is again, the ORIGINAL. Orlando is fun and all, but it's not where movies are made on a daily basis, and not where MOST of television is produced. Also, going to the Hollywood location, gives you chance to see celebrities on the tram ride through the lot!

Sea World - Overpriced, but something you would want to do if you haven't done it!

San Diego Zoo - One of the biggest zoos in the world, and it's areas are themed to the animal. So for example, you have to walk through a JUNGLE (a real jungle) to get to the tigers/lions, ect... super fun!

9. If you have a CERTAIN brand of drink/tea that you are partial to, try and take a few boxes in your luggage. We have liptons and herbal teas all day long, but you might have a hard time finding the ones you want. We don't have Ribena, or Juicee's.

10. This list is kinda geared towards brits who come in, but I'm hoping it's beneficial for everyone However, one last thing for my brit friends.

1. Crisps = Chips (Chips are NOT fries, and if you ask for chips, you'll get crisps!)

2. Chips = French Fries ( French Fries/Fries is the only word you use to get what you know, as chips)

3. Biscuits = Rolls (If you ask for a biscuit, you'll get a white fluffy roll, not a cookie type biscuit... think KFC)

If anyone wants to add, feel free

Hope I helped a bit!

That reminds me of the conversation we had where we did make fun of Brits (a little!)

Can't wait to go !!!!

Hi,

I have seen Status updates on the CEAC Visa Checker on the 2nd and 4th October ( I presumed this was the logging of our DS2001 forms )

When I called the DOS to check the status they informed me that as the application was filed in London I would have to contact someone in the London office to confirm

a) If all documents have been received

b) If the interview had been scheduled

Can anyone confirm how they spoke to the DOS ? Or if the status updates on the CEAC tracker are actually meaningful in any way ?

Thanks a lot

Anand

US Wife / UK Husband

Timeline

Filed i130 via DCF in London- 15/07/2013

Recieved NOA - 25/07/2013

LND number received after much chasing

DS260 - Completed online - 13/09/2013

Medical Completed - 23/09/2013

Medical Updated - 27/09/2013

DS2001 / Cover letter sent -30/09/2013

Status Update - 02/10/2013

Status Update - 04/10/2013

Awaiting Interview

Hi !

DoS can check your status and should have access to your file even if it was filed in London, so the fact that they would say that is very bizarre.

You should call back and ask to check your status again with someone else. Some people at DoS are not very helpful unfortunately!

You should ask them to confirm that the forms have been logged into the system. If they have not, they will say that the forms have not been received (don't mean it hasn't arrived in London).

The CEAC status updates are hard to guess unfortunately. I would not advise on trying to find out what they mean, because I was disappointed a few times thinking that the forms have been logged when it wasn't the case.

My advice would be too call back DoS and try to speak to someone who can tell you how your case is advancing!

Let me know how things work out!

We are K1 Visa applicants-all of our info has been logged since September 27 and we don't have an interview letter yet. When my UK fiance emailed, he got a reply that said it would be 4 weeks before receiving anything, but hopefully it'll be sooner and that's just typical reply jargon.

It is the typical reply, it seems. Normally, it should take about 2 weeks. I hope your interview letter comes soon!

Hi,

London has been having delays lately in processing the information.

Have your forms been logged? When you call DoS do they tell you that they have received everything, or do they say that some information has not been put into the system yet?

Normally, forms are logged within 4 weeks of reception, but that has not been the case lately due to the delay.

If all of your forms have been logged, you should be in line to get an interview assigned, which can take about 2 weeks or so. If your forms haven't been logged, you have to wait until they process them.

Due to the time you've waiting already, I would send in an enquiry through this contact form : http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

You should get a response within a few working days.

Good luck!

Deborah

If you are interested in saving, I would suggest you have a look at a budgeting software called YNAB. I have just started using it and I love it.

Basically, it's a budgeting software and you can decide to allocate a couple dollars every month that you will transfer into a savings account. Although they don't necessarily allow much reward, you will have time to build up savings over the 5 years if you put a little away each month.

One tip I read somewhere: if you want to know if you will be able to afford the mortgage of your house, plan how much the mortgage payments will be and take out what you pay for rent and set the rest aside in savings. Example: if mortgage is 1,000 dollars a month and rent is 500 dollars a month, put the 500 dollars a month aside. Do this for 6 months and if your quality of life has not changed, you will be good!

Hi,

I was a student, so I didn't have any income and I wrote a letter explaining why I hadn't filed tax returns in the past 3 years and attached it to the affidavit of support. For this, they were very appreciative of that explanation and thanked me for the letter at the interview.

Since you are a freelancer, you have two options. Either your income was too low to justify tax returns, in this case, you should consult the rules below, which you can find online on this website: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf (page 3 and 4). If exempt to filling taxes then you should write a letter explaining why that was the case.

I can only go from the info they told me I guess ,they confirmed my forms were received 9th September and I can expect to receive a interview date approx five weeks from that date,I don't know if they included the time in which the letter gets printed and sent out in the mail when they said 5 weeks(that could explain as to why I was told a week more than you was) but they did say approx so I'm definitely not expecting it to be dead on the date the five weeks Is up

The 5 week wait is, as mentioned above, from receipt of the forms to the logging and processing of the forms and for an interview date to be assigned.

So if your forms have been logged, it should not take too long, normally, to get an interview assigned.

HI all. I filled in the DS260 on Sep 13 and my CEAC update now reads "Ready for interview". I did mail a hard copy DS 2001 to the Embassy also and my medical results should be with them on Sep 16th. Curious to see how quickly the interview date gets to me...

Hi!

If your forms and medical gets processed straight away, you should have an interview assigned within about 10 days. However, London has had some delay recently so this might be a little longer!

One question, could you please fill in your timeline or signature? It's very helpful for other members to see how other's applications are being processed!

Thanks a lot!

I don't have my physical drivers license anymore :/ it got lost and I haven't had it replaced yet. My voter's registration is at a different address than the one I'm claiming as domicile, but it's in the same state. Should I include it anyway or no?

My voter's registration was also at a difference address and I was intending to use it but they didn't ask me for it.

Take it just in case, even if it's not at your address but explain why it's at a different address if they ask...?

3months!! Wow! God is good, congrats to the both of you!! What wonderful news!

Thank you for your sweet message. Yes DCF (Direct Consular Filling) can be very fast and we were lucky that it was just 3 months!

Thank you all for your messages!

Hi,

According to the page at the US embassy in Paris, it says that "there are no phone information lines for visas at the US embassy" (http://france.usembassy.gov/visas.html)

If calling is not an option, you should send a written enquiry: ParisConIV@state.gov

They normally answer within about a week and they should be able to help. It does say, however, that they might not answer if your application is not outside normal processing times.

Best of luck, or bonne chance!

I have a question, I just don't want to make a mistake on my forms...

on my form (I have 2, one from the joint sponsor, and one is mine...) on the first page, i put my name, and then I am the petitioner.....

then below, i type in my husbands name.... then it says mailing address...

my question is, will I use our address here in the Philippines, or the address where we intend to stay in the US?

I personally used my UK address because, it is where I am currently living and not where I intend to live. I would use the address in the Philippines and prepare intent to move back and establish domicile if it is needed at the interview.

Congratulations !

Whatcha cooking, to celebrate ?

Grilled steak and salad. Exciting hein? We'll be able to celebrate once my husband's exams are over in a week ! Then it'll be time to pop a bottle of champagne!

Congrats! You two deserved it <3

<3 thanks!

Woo Hoo - FANTASTIC. Best of luck.

Thank you so much! I hope you get done very soon !

So basically, Question 3 "if you are currently married, enter 1" should be left blank even though I am married. It is understood already (in the form) that I am sponsoring the principal immigrant, spouse? Is that it?

Yes.

As you can see "if currently married, enter 1" is in the list of people NOT sponsored in this affidavit. Since you are sponsoring your spouse, you should enter 0 because your spouse IS being sponsored as opposed to NOT being sponsored.

So yes, enter 0, instead of leaving blank because leaving it blank, they might think you forgot to fill it in.

Thanks for all your messages guys! This has been an exciting day !

I did this affidavit for me and my husband: for part 5 question 3:

You put one for "persons you are sponsoring in this affidavit".

Then next to that there is "persons NOT sponsored in this affidavit" which would be 1 for yourself since you are the petitioner. Since you are sponsoring your wife, you should enter 0 in the "if you are currently married, enter 1" since the spouse was already counted above.

Which means that the household size is 2.

Question 8 needs to add to 2 since its your household size.

Hi everyone,

One message to say my husband's visa was approved and issued today!

Thank you for all the people here who have been able to help. A bit over 3 months ago, I had no idea where to start and now his visa has been printed and we are waiting for his passport! Very grateful to have found this site!

Huge special thanks to Lost_At_Sea for being so helpful and nice! A major thanks to Nich-Nick for your major help and for calming my nerves, and TomandCatie for our great conversations! Couldn't have done it without you three!

I will continue to help as much as I can and pay it forward from now on! I am no expert but I made it and would be happy to help anyone who has questions!

Thank you again,

Deborah & Kevin

Yes there are a few around here =) !

As mentioned, your experience will be no different than any other couple around here. According to my friends who are filling for same-sex, they filed the petition right around the time I did and are having their interview next week, so it is quite similar really !

It was about time and I am so happy you finally have equal rights. Some people have been waiting for years! Good luck with your I-130 !

Hi,

You can already call DoS to see if you might have an interview date assigned. In rare cases, the interview date is given on the day of the forms being logged. This doesn't usually happen but it might.

If not, you usually have to wait about 10 days - 2 weeks to get an interview assigned.

Let us know!

Many thanks for that advice

When you say DOS do you just mean the number listed on the website ie 020 3608 6998 ?

I usually call this number : 202 485 7600 (it's a US number).

Thank you so much for the response. We are trying to prepare as many of the components as possible in the hopes that once we are approved (i-130) we can send in all other docs. Our dream is to have a merry Christmas together this year in USA..but... who knows!!

Anyhow... I am actually working in Italy for the same company I work for in the USA. I'm fortunate enough to work 'virtually' in that my work is done online irrelevant of location. There will be no lessening of my income. I will actually return to a second job that I had once I return. I have a letter from my previous employer guaranteeing my previous position once I return. So all in all I will have 2 levels of income not one, once I return.

I don't have any real assets.. Some savings, but not much. Hence my worry that making just a little over the poverty line and my husband has been unemployed here (so not assets or real funds from him) might cause a red flag. This is why I am considering asking my father to be a co-sponsor.

Thank you!!

Some savings helps. Every little helps to prove that you are above the poverty line. If you would like, send me a message with your current income + assets and we can examine together whether or not you would need a co-sponsor.

Yes, Christmas in the US is possible, I am sure you will be approved in no time.