yuna628

You have 6 months from the time of the medical to enter the US. Once you enter, you have 90 days to marry.

You have 6 months from the time of the medical to enter the US. Once you enter, you have 90 days to marry.

Over the years there's been many persons on this forum that have inquired about returning to the UK with their American spouses and children. There has always been visa requirements involved with that, which included financial requirements that for some, were too great. Based on yesterday's announcement by the UK government, they intend to increase that burden further.
 
The old rules required that the UK citizen and only the UK citizen had a UK job and guarantied salary held for six months or more of £18,600 (roughly $23,000), or a large sum of savings of £62,500. This amount increased with each non-UK citizen child.
 
As of yesterday and becoming effective in spring 2024, these guarantied salary amount will be increased to £38,700 (roughly $48,800). No doubt that means the amount for savings and for any additional child will also increase. If the math works out that would increase to £112,000 in savings. No joint sponsors or joint income may be used.
 
There is also price rises in the visa fees itself, as well as significant increase to the amount you would have to pay each year under the health immigration surcharge.
 
This was a part of additional changes and measures which will negatively affect legal immigration to the UK. This post is just for informative purposes. I've had numerous discussions with UK-based lawyers and legal immigration support organizers. I'm sure that everyone will have a variety of thoughts on it. There may be legal challenges to come and things could theoretically change in a new election. My advice is always: make sure you have your UK citizen spouse's status settled here first, before thinking of uprooting yourselves and be aware that the UK's requirements are a lot harsher than the US.
 
For more information:  https://news.sky.com/story/tougher-visa-rules-for-foreign-workers-including-ban-on-bringing-families-and-raising-minimum-salary-requirement-13022936
 
https://freemovement.org.uk/government-attack-on-families-as-minimum-income-requirement-to-rise-to-38700/
 
https://kittyfallsimmigrationlaw.com/2023/12/05/partner-visa-minimum-income-requirement-is-going-up/

Yes. Everything.
Every single thing you can think of, obtain, remember, that shows anything connecting the two of you in any manner, both in address and in life.
Every. Single. Thing.
Get some more affidavits too, from people who know you both as husband and wife, down to the random person in that shop you can think of that knows you both. Print off random emails between you asking what groceries you want that night, or seemingly run of the mill things you have texted (with the date showing). Show that you have ecxhanged 5643 emails over the last 3 years.
 
If you, as many are, are weak on this specific stupid arbitrary checklist of evidence that they somehow deem in their heads is necessary - and bear in mind this load of rubbish is completely subjective and down to the individual officers whims and what/how they personally perceive a 'valid' relationship - then it's time to get creative, right down to the junk mail that comes in the mailbox addressed to you both. You cannot provide what doesn't exist, so all you can do is provide what does.
 
That is why my last filing was over 4000 pieces of paper (printed front and back).
Everything. Just chuck it all in there. 

Hey we discovered where some of the gold bars came from.
 
 
Hint: they were stolen from the same guy that is involved in the indictment against Menendez.
 
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/gold-bars-featured-in-bob-menendez-bribe-case-linked-to-2013-robbery-records-show/4919801/
 
 

This is nothing new, they will not address the actual issue as it is politically impossible so the 65,000 get swept into the overall issue.
 
Labour will not either.
 
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/05/families-face-being-split-up-by-uk-plan-to-cut-legal-migration-lawyers-say
 
Data suggests this could make it impossible for between 60 and 70% of workers to bring their family into the UK.
Madeleine Sumption, the director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said: “This is definitely completely different to what any other high income country does.”
Under the new rules, someone will be able to bring a family member into the country if they earn £38,700 year. If the partner is already in the UK, both people’s incomes will be taken into account.
If someone does not qualify under those rules, they will still be allowed to bring in family members if they have sufficient savings. Under current rules that figure is £62,500, but the government is consulting over whether to increase it.

Hey we discovered where some of the gold bars came from.
 
 
Hint: they were stolen from the same guy that is involved in the indictment against Menendez.
 
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/gold-bars-featured-in-bob-menendez-bribe-case-linked-to-2013-robbery-records-show/4919801/
 
 

Over the years there's been many persons on this forum that have inquired about returning to the UK with their American spouses and children. There has always been visa requirements involved with that, which included financial requirements that for some, were too great. Based on yesterday's announcement by the UK government, they intend to increase that burden further.
 
The old rules required that the UK citizen and only the UK citizen had a UK job and guarantied salary held for six months or more of £18,600 (roughly $23,000), or a large sum of savings of £62,500. This amount increased with each non-UK citizen child.
 
As of yesterday and becoming effective in spring 2024, these guarantied salary amount will be increased to £38,700 (roughly $48,800). No doubt that means the amount for savings and for any additional child will also increase. If the math works out that would increase to £112,000 in savings. No joint sponsors or joint income may be used.
 
There is also price rises in the visa fees itself, as well as significant increase to the amount you would have to pay each year under the health immigration surcharge.
 
This was a part of additional changes and measures which will negatively affect legal immigration to the UK. This post is just for informative purposes. I've had numerous discussions with UK-based lawyers and legal immigration support organizers. I'm sure that everyone will have a variety of thoughts on it. There may be legal challenges to come and things could theoretically change in a new election. My advice is always: make sure you have your UK citizen spouse's status settled here first, before thinking of uprooting yourselves and be aware that the UK's requirements are a lot harsher than the US.
 
For more information:  https://news.sky.com/story/tougher-visa-rules-for-foreign-workers-including-ban-on-bringing-families-and-raising-minimum-salary-requirement-13022936
 
https://freemovement.org.uk/government-attack-on-families-as-minimum-income-requirement-to-rise-to-38700/
 
https://kittyfallsimmigrationlaw.com/2023/12/05/partner-visa-minimum-income-requirement-is-going-up/

Over the years there's been many persons on this forum that have inquired about returning to the UK with their American spouses and children. There has always been visa requirements involved with that, which included financial requirements that for some, were too great. Based on yesterday's announcement by the UK government, they intend to increase that burden further.
 
The old rules required that the UK citizen and only the UK citizen had a UK job and guarantied salary held for six months or more of £18,600 (roughly $23,000), or a large sum of savings of £62,500. This amount increased with each non-UK citizen child.
 
As of yesterday and becoming effective in spring 2024, these guarantied salary amount will be increased to £38,700 (roughly $48,800). No doubt that means the amount for savings and for any additional child will also increase. If the math works out that would increase to £112,000 in savings. No joint sponsors or joint income may be used.
 
There is also price rises in the visa fees itself, as well as significant increase to the amount you would have to pay each year under the health immigration surcharge.
 
This was a part of additional changes and measures which will negatively affect legal immigration to the UK. This post is just for informative purposes. I've had numerous discussions with UK-based lawyers and legal immigration support organizers. I'm sure that everyone will have a variety of thoughts on it. There may be legal challenges to come and things could theoretically change in a new election. My advice is always: make sure you have your UK citizen spouse's status settled here first, before thinking of uprooting yourselves and be aware that the UK's requirements are a lot harsher than the US.
 
For more information:  https://news.sky.com/story/tougher-visa-rules-for-foreign-workers-including-ban-on-bringing-families-and-raising-minimum-salary-requirement-13022936
 
https://freemovement.org.uk/government-attack-on-families-as-minimum-income-requirement-to-rise-to-38700/
 
https://kittyfallsimmigrationlaw.com/2023/12/05/partner-visa-minimum-income-requirement-is-going-up/

My husband says that he used to work with a former Marine who said that kids needs structure and that whenever his kids 'sassed him' goofed off, or didn't do their homework there had to be consequences - so phone get gone, video games go, no matter how long it takes for the kid to prove themselves again. I think that's probably a good rule of thumb, but I'm sure every parent's situation is different. I was homeschooled and was considered a good student though I taught myself most of it. There was a period of time where I did start to really struggle with reading, memorization, and math. My mom would get frustrated and think I was just being lazy. It wasn't. I needed glasses and vision therapy. I got the glasses at least, and kept putting in the hard work - the reading and memory issue resolved. Math though was a real struggle and I realize that it's probably Dyscalculia related to the eye issue, and maybe if I had the help I'd needed back then, things may have been easier.
 
It's always a challenge to know what's going on with kids, especially as they get older. Make sure that any of his issues doesn't stem from a learning disorder. In other cases there might not be a learning disorder, but maybe the kid learns better a different way than how he's been told (we all aren't cookie cutters). Other times I think it may be needing additional hands-on (I'm not sure how much you do already) on your part, or the other parent, or a tutor to see where he's having trouble in his homework or courses. Maybe he doesn't get it and feels stupid and that nothing is worth trying if he's not having fun. Maybe he does get it and is lazy. Or maybe it's a struggle somewhere. Or it's a combo of all three.

My husband says that he used to work with a former Marine who said that kids needs structure and that whenever his kids 'sassed him' goofed off, or didn't do their homework there had to be consequences - so phone get gone, video games go, no matter how long it takes for the kid to prove themselves again. I think that's probably a good rule of thumb, but I'm sure every parent's situation is different. I was homeschooled and was considered a good student though I taught myself most of it. There was a period of time where I did start to really struggle with reading, memorization, and math. My mom would get frustrated and think I was just being lazy. It wasn't. I needed glasses and vision therapy. I got the glasses at least, and kept putting in the hard work - the reading and memory issue resolved. Math though was a real struggle and I realize that it's probably Dyscalculia related to the eye issue, and maybe if I had the help I'd needed back then, things may have been easier.
 
It's always a challenge to know what's going on with kids, especially as they get older. Make sure that any of his issues doesn't stem from a learning disorder. In other cases there might not be a learning disorder, but maybe the kid learns better a different way than how he's been told (we all aren't cookie cutters). Other times I think it may be needing additional hands-on (I'm not sure how much you do already) on your part, or the other parent, or a tutor to see where he's having trouble in his homework or courses. Maybe he doesn't get it and feels stupid and that nothing is worth trying if he's not having fun. Maybe he does get it and is lazy. Or maybe it's a struggle somewhere. Or it's a combo of all three.

My husband says that he used to work with a former Marine who said that kids needs structure and that whenever his kids 'sassed him' goofed off, or didn't do their homework there had to be consequences - so phone get gone, video games go, no matter how long it takes for the kid to prove themselves again. I think that's probably a good rule of thumb, but I'm sure every parent's situation is different. I was homeschooled and was considered a good student though I taught myself most of it. There was a period of time where I did start to really struggle with reading, memorization, and math. My mom would get frustrated and think I was just being lazy. It wasn't. I needed glasses and vision therapy. I got the glasses at least, and kept putting in the hard work - the reading and memory issue resolved. Math though was a real struggle and I realize that it's probably Dyscalculia related to the eye issue, and maybe if I had the help I'd needed back then, things may have been easier.
 
It's always a challenge to know what's going on with kids, especially as they get older. Make sure that any of his issues doesn't stem from a learning disorder. In other cases there might not be a learning disorder, but maybe the kid learns better a different way than how he's been told (we all aren't cookie cutters). Other times I think it may be needing additional hands-on (I'm not sure how much you do already) on your part, or the other parent, or a tutor to see where he's having trouble in his homework or courses. Maybe he doesn't get it and feels stupid and that nothing is worth trying if he's not having fun. Maybe he does get it and is lazy. Or maybe it's a struggle somewhere. Or it's a combo of all three.

My husband says that he used to work with a former Marine who said that kids needs structure and that whenever his kids 'sassed him' goofed off, or didn't do their homework there had to be consequences - so phone get gone, video games go, no matter how long it takes for the kid to prove themselves again. I think that's probably a good rule of thumb, but I'm sure every parent's situation is different. I was homeschooled and was considered a good student though I taught myself most of it. There was a period of time where I did start to really struggle with reading, memorization, and math. My mom would get frustrated and think I was just being lazy. It wasn't. I needed glasses and vision therapy. I got the glasses at least, and kept putting in the hard work - the reading and memory issue resolved. Math though was a real struggle and I realize that it's probably Dyscalculia related to the eye issue, and maybe if I had the help I'd needed back then, things may have been easier.
 
It's always a challenge to know what's going on with kids, especially as they get older. Make sure that any of his issues doesn't stem from a learning disorder. In other cases there might not be a learning disorder, but maybe the kid learns better a different way than how he's been told (we all aren't cookie cutters). Other times I think it may be needing additional hands-on (I'm not sure how much you do already) on your part, or the other parent, or a tutor to see where he's having trouble in his homework or courses. Maybe he doesn't get it and feels stupid and that nothing is worth trying if he's not having fun. Maybe he does get it and is lazy. Or maybe it's a struggle somewhere. Or it's a combo of all three.

Let dog out last night. It was very cold but he was bundled up. Nevertheless the old guy was in a rush to get back inside and wasn't paying attention. I hear screaming and yelping, and I'm like what on earth? Oh my gosh, so much blood everywhere. He'd somehow managed to get his toe wedged into the deck and proceeded to rip his nail straight off. There's nothing left.
 
Many panicked moments of trying to get the kwik-stop to slow the bleeding and wrapping it in a bandage. By this point the dog has just shut down and isn't making any more noise - like he's in shock or something. I'm really not sure what to do, so we head over to the emergency vet. After an hour a tech looks at the foot and seems in awe then tells us it will be many many hours to be seen properly. We wait three, and ask any closer? Nope. By this time the dog is exhausted and we're exhausted so we decide to rewrap the foot as best we can until I can ring our vet in the morning. And by the time we get back home it's 2am.
 
Our vet says we did a great job and that's about all we can do for it. Sent us on our way with antibiotics and pain pills. Poor little guy still seems mortified.

Peanut butter worked well until one day he realized and then became suspicious of any further attempts. Thankfully he's addicted to cheese. 🤪

Our 16 year old Maltese gets her twice daily pills in peanut better, and LOVES it.

Let dog out last night. It was very cold but he was bundled up. Nevertheless the old guy was in a rush to get back inside and wasn't paying attention. I hear screaming and yelping, and I'm like what on earth? Oh my gosh, so much blood everywhere. He'd somehow managed to get his toe wedged into the deck and proceeded to rip his nail straight off. There's nothing left.
 
Many panicked moments of trying to get the kwik-stop to slow the bleeding and wrapping it in a bandage. By this point the dog has just shut down and isn't making any more noise - like he's in shock or something. I'm really not sure what to do, so we head over to the emergency vet. After an hour a tech looks at the foot and seems in awe then tells us it will be many many hours to be seen properly. We wait three, and ask any closer? Nope. By this time the dog is exhausted and we're exhausted so we decide to rewrap the foot as best we can until I can ring our vet in the morning. And by the time we get back home it's 2am.
 
Our vet says we did a great job and that's about all we can do for it. Sent us on our way with antibiotics and pain pills. Poor little guy still seems mortified.

If some on-sale clothing bought on Thursday/Friday gets me a pile of free stuff on Sunday once I drop the Kohls cash and additional coupons I've been saving - the girl maths works for me every year. Trick is making a list and sticking with it. Kohls is counting on someone to come in and spend extra well over the amount of free cash they have. Plus you can do store pickup and travel over the state line to avoid shipping and tax. 

Purchase eyed: a computer, but did not buy. Simply still too expensive this year even at the membership club.
Large ticket items were a fitness watch which was on sale. A lego set I had purchased back in August on sale is still being sold at regular price so I'm glad I got that early.
Sneakers were on sale so a few good deals there.
Amazon had good deals on blu ray and books this year and most purchases came from there.
A buy of sale items from Kohls on Friday got me enough cash to have nearly free bill on Sunday.
Ultimately spending more this year but getting less. Inflation clearly or retailers being greedy.

Thanksgiving was successful though extremely tiring. After making most of all the food with me, my husband put up the pre-lit tree. There were many bulbs to replace. By the time I got done doing all the dishes, I was tired but thought it important to get some exercise in so we went for a walk around the neighborhood. The smell of pot permeated (ugh) everywhere outside... I guess there were some 'interesting' Thanksgivings going on. On Friday, I had multiple errands to run - the brand new pot store in town was so overflowing with cars it caused a traffic jam - so was stuck in traffic some time just to get some groceries. In fact I'd say there were more people there than at the Walmart for Black Friday. Put decorations on the tree, and while my husband worked on the outside, I finished up the last minute gardening tasks before the cold front came in. On Sunday we went on our morning coffee and walk by the water, and stopped over at the department store to see how bad it was after Friday. Surprisingly hardly any one there, and was still well stocked. Everything is also self-checkout now, which I liked. But my real purpose was to get my husband into a fitting room to try on some pants because the man hasn't had anything new in about six years and they are falling off him/worn out. But some of the male species don't seem to like the fuss of trying things on and get very flustered. Out of 7 pairs he tried on, we only came home with 1. A small victory! At least it was a deep discount. I spent an hour trying to argue with mom about making sure she wears safe slippers on her feet. How it works is you buy mom slippers, she will say they are amazing, and then a few days later say they are terrible and go back to wearing slippers that are falling apart and dangerous to walk on.
 
Almost all my xmas shopping is done online now, and about 60% is wrapped already. Deals were poor though.

Thanksgiving was successful though extremely tiring. After making most of all the food with me, my husband put up the pre-lit tree. There were many bulbs to replace. By the time I got done doing all the dishes, I was tired but thought it important to get some exercise in so we went for a walk around the neighborhood. The smell of pot permeated (ugh) everywhere outside... I guess there were some 'interesting' Thanksgivings going on. On Friday, I had multiple errands to run - the brand new pot store in town was so overflowing with cars it caused a traffic jam - so was stuck in traffic some time just to get some groceries. In fact I'd say there were more people there than at the Walmart for Black Friday. Put decorations on the tree, and while my husband worked on the outside, I finished up the last minute gardening tasks before the cold front came in. On Sunday we went on our morning coffee and walk by the water, and stopped over at the department store to see how bad it was after Friday. Surprisingly hardly any one there, and was still well stocked. Everything is also self-checkout now, which I liked. But my real purpose was to get my husband into a fitting room to try on some pants because the man hasn't had anything new in about six years and they are falling off him/worn out. But some of the male species don't seem to like the fuss of trying things on and get very flustered. Out of 7 pairs he tried on, we only came home with 1. A small victory! At least it was a deep discount. I spent an hour trying to argue with mom about making sure she wears safe slippers on her feet. How it works is you buy mom slippers, she will say they are amazing, and then a few days later say they are terrible and go back to wearing slippers that are falling apart and dangerous to walk on.
 
Almost all my xmas shopping is done online now, and about 60% is wrapped already. Deals were poor though.

I kind of feel like we keep giving more and more money to the USCIS and there are never any better results. Continued slowdowns are predictable with the way things have been going, and it's been like that for ages. Things were slow as heck during Obama, slow with Trump, and still slow now. Sure I still have no idea how our N400 got processed so quickly while people are still waiting at our field office - but I don't think Biden had anything to do with that.
 
Immigrants and their families are nothing but a dollar sign and used for political fodder. No one actually cares to fix anything.

I have ordered from British Corner before... there's also British Food Depot.. those prices though lol. Thank goodness Jolly Posh exists too. The local grocery store does have a small British section so there are usually plenty of overpriced Cadbury, mushy peas, and Jacobs. Ribena is a favorite of mine but it all has artificial sweetener in it now unless you go over to the Asian grocer (the OG one I found imported from Malaysia). Some things we will never be able to get like Stotties and Greggs gingerbread men. 
 

To be fair though, it was the bi-partisan Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 that created the entire "Conditional" LPR status.  So we can thank the Democrats and Republicans in DC for it.  Now I cannot comment on how long it took USCIS to process I751s prior to c. 2016, but I witnessed first hand the start of the current slow down that started in late 2016 right when my wife filed it.  Back then you only got a 12 month extension letter, so about a year later, there were a lot of topics about how to get ADIT stamps.
 
I completely agree, the entire CGC is a joke, anyone wanting to commit fraud to be a US LPR will certainly be willing to work through a 2-3 year marriage.  And yes, it has become a cash cow for USCIS.

Actually, at least with the I751, there is a little logic being used by USCIS.  That form has an extremely low rejection rate, is essentially a waste of time, but is also a cash cow for USCIS.  Therefore, in true bureaucratic fashion, this form was deprioritized which is evident by the ever increasing length of the extension letter (keep in mind USCIS, regardless of who is President, does not care about the actual immigrant, they are simply a massive bureaucratic machine).  LPRs getting a 2 yr GC, are now essentially a 6 yr GC holder as long as they fill out the I751, and pay the fee.  Maybe the extension letter will be changed to 96 months at some point in the future.