rob999

We have been looking for our 1 year old here in California. Family in the UK are collecting but not investing yet in the UK We can get an ISA set up when we go to live in the UK for six months during some work leave we have in a few years. They did have a limit on only being able to open an ISA if you lived in the country but that might have changed/different for children. ISA rates though have been pretty bad for a while though
 
Agree with @aaron2020 check the 529 for your state has it listed that they payout for all fafsa eligible institutions, some uk (and other international) institutions are Fafsa eligible. This would give your little one the ability to put it toward a us or a uk college, but check the fine print as not all states have 529 that allow all fafsa eligible institutions. 

Funny, suddenly can log in again. When I logged in my case had been updated that my card had been ordered! Maybe they watch these forums and spy on us?!?!?

I sent you a message.

This is the chart that everyone goes by:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/adult.html#print

Got the number the next day. A week for the card. Did you try to go back to the office to get the number from them? I haven't used or shown the SSN card to anyone yet (seems to be very rarely needed), only gave them the SS number.

Let them know you are in the process of adjusting status and send them evidence of that - you're no longer a foreign client of theirs. Give them your US address. That's all they need.

Hi All,

There's been various information scattered over these forums in complaining to the government/agencies about the TSC backlog.

Now before we begin (as unfortunately there are some people who like to flame on forums), if you are happy with patiently waiting for the TSC to reach your application or a CSC applicant who won't support people in the TSC backlog please don't write any counter-productive messages here, they are not welcome or necessary. We should remember that this new chapter in our lives that should be a happy and exciting one that involves huge life changes and we are in it together!

Note: if you are of Filipino birth then this is not relevant to you as your case will be expedited.

This post is for people whom are in the 7-8 month and growing backlog of TSC compared to the CSC processing I-129f forms in 3 or so weeks. The effect of such a long wait for TSC has put us under financial burden (we have to pay for more flights to see our family of which, especially entering summer, is very expensive, rolling rental agreements etc), emotional stress (never knowing when you'll be together), job insecurity (knowing we'll leave but not being able to tell anyone), family stress (when things go wrong and your partner is not there, especially when there are children) and a number of other stresses.

As individuals there is very little we can do or where we would have any impact. As a community we can shout a bit louder, chance of success is still low but in my view when your family happiness is at stake and of course the "you don't know unless you try" we might as well try something/anything.

The "magic" time benchmark seems to be 5 months (6 months stated on USCIS complaint site),this being the objective service centers time in processing the I-129f. There are some statistics here showing the clear backlog of TSC for "normal" as in non-expedited I-129fs:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/536429-texas-service-center-processing-time-2015/page-6#entry7487871

The objective of all the complaints has been to raise awareness around the poor management of handling backlogs in service centers and service centers not being able to share workloads. This then causing unfairness for the visa application community into a state lottery where the service center that handles your case depends on what state the petitioner lives in. If you are unlucky and get a TSC state then you are in for a long long wait. The best we could hope for by the community raising awareness of the TSC problem is the hope it'll initiate the sharing of workloads between service centers, we can at least try to push for this mandate.

Kudos should go to Stef and Kristin whom have been putting a lot of work in the below linked posts. I wanted to collate all of this in one location for new people entering the K1 process under TSC.

What service center are you? It will say on the NOA1 the address of the Service Center, also you can put your zip in here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=SC
NOTE: The Texas lockbox where you send your I-129f does not mean you are at TSC! Check above link.

Check your case status and sign up for "touch" (when your I-129f is handled by an agent) alerts: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

You are supposed to first contact National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) but you'll just get a load of blah. Then apparently if 15 days have past without appropriate response you can contact the USCIS Service Center (again, likely blah blah reply) California Service Center: csc-ncsc-followup@dhs.gov Vermont Service Center: vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov Nebraska Service Center: ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov Texas Service Center: tsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov. Then again after 21 days you can contact USCIS Headquarters Office of Service Center Operations, email: SCOPSSCATA@dhs.gov.
http://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/uscis-update-case-status-inquiries-service-centers

Fill in an online form if you are past six months (probably no harm in submitting past 5 months): https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/displayONPTForm.do?entryPoint=init&sroPageType=onpt

Contact CIS Ombudsman whom are "dedicated to improving the quality of citizenship and immigration services": http://www.dhs.gov/topic/cis-ombudsman
email at: cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov
Note: a quote from them - "You must first attempt to resolve any concerns with USCIS before coming to this office."

Contact your senator, example of letters by Kristin and Stef here (and plenty others on the forums): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/525507-november-2014-filers-texas-service-center/page-10#entry7442979
Who's your senator/representative? https://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup

Complain to Department of Homeland Security: http://www.oig.dhs.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177%3Ahotlineformnstructions-&catid=1&Itemid=133
See examples by Stef:http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/516802-k-1-october-20014-filers/page-44#entry7486304

Sign the change.org petition by Kristin: https://www.change.org/p/uscis-distribute-the-current-caseload-between-tsc-csc-vsc-and-nsc
Kristin is also following up with a news article on New York Times -http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/536174-ny-times-article-about-processing-times-need-info-by-monday/
Contribute your story on tumblr: http://helptsc.tumblr.com/by stef - email your story to helptscnow@gmail.com - either use different names or specify change them

I wish everyone and their partners good luck in your applications and thanks to the VJ community for being able to share the stress with this frustrating wait in TSC backlog. I'm sure when we look back at it, it will be a blip in history, just a painful blip of what is meant to be an exciting change for us all.

http://www.uscis.gov/i-485
http://www.uscis.gov/i-765
http://www.uscis.gov/i-864
http://www.uscis.gov/i-131
The overall pack is going to be huge!
We still haven't had our NOA 2 yet, already filled in the relevant missing forms section on USCIS two weeks ago and nothing. Slightly irritating!

Approved!!!
I wrote a review on the experience: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=17434
Painless and nothing to worry about, just have things ready to hand over.
Decided to request this as pick up from courier back in London, to cut out some risk as they don't read to be very good and I live out in the sticks, the interviewer said two weeks but likely quicker

Approved!!!
I wrote a review on the experience: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=17434
Painless and nothing to worry about, just have things ready to hand over.
Decided to request this as pick up from courier back in London, to cut out some risk as they don't read to be very good and I live out in the sticks, the interviewer said two weeks but likely quicker

I recently discussed this with a Financial Adviser (FA) as I had the same question. I'm not an expert at all so I could be wrong in places but I'll share my thinking process as that may be more useful since everyone's financial circumstances are different.
You would be paying class 3 contributions of £14.10 per week, as of this year, which can be done through direct debit. Pension age for us is probably going to be around 67 so if we worked out your total, assuming you paid UK state until retirement of 67, you would need to pay at least £24,195. Though it will be a lot more as NI increases each year and rules change. As you have contributed more than ten years you will get the minimum state pension (if they don't change the rules in the next 30-40yrs). I'm similar to you, working since 16 and now 31.
If your record has gaps then it's possible to fill gaps in the last six years, if desired (useful if you come back to the UK). This link gives information on how much to expect from the New State Pension scheme which is highly likely to change again before we get to retirement.
So I would turn your question around and be asking - Am I better contributing this ~24k to a US personal pension (separate SIPP or on top of your voluntary company contribution) that I am in control of or giving it to the UK government scheme where I have no control (and subject to exchange rates too)?
As Nich-Nick points out you also have US/UK rules and tax consideration when you do pull your pension from the UK. It of course depends on whether you see yourself back in the UK in the next ten years (but then you could do a 6yr catch up if you are back in a short time).
The conclusion that I'm coming to is I'm not sure there is a right answer at this time, you'll find that out when you retire! But my thinking is I've met the 10yr min, I don't have intentions of coming back for the foreseeable future, I prefer influencing my investments to work their hardest for every pound/dollar I put in, and I like having a tiny bit of control of where my money goes.
As an aside to NI I would also recommend a FA before you leave the UK (they need 4-6 weeks too if you ask them to change/manage things for you), especially if you have UK personal pensions and (ex) company schemes. It's much easier to start a relationship with an FA sitting in front of him/her so you can feel good about them managing things if that's how things end up.
What they should do first is a free initial consultation and work out where you finances stand and your appreciation of risk. They would then compare each of your pension accounts to what is on the market and calculate your options in whether your pensions stay as is (ex-company schemes can be very cheap), consolidate, or move. It's roughly £250 per pension account to be "analysed". After which you can decide what to do based on the choices the FA gives you, e.g. stay as you are but with knowledge your pension is doing OK (get analysed in another couple of yrs) or get the FA to consolidate and manage it - ~3% commission, worth it if they make you pension increase an exponential proportion more.
I haven't decided yet on what to do but I got an FA so I at least feel more comfortable that I've done everything I can for the money/investments I leave in the UK.

1. New surname
2. A son-in-law is married to your daughter. Wife's child is step-son. List him.
3. That question wants to know memberships like Nazi Party, Young Republicans, Rotary International, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides....
4. No date required. Say 2 weeks for length. Visiting family. Doesn't matter what you put, it gets approved for multiple entry.
5. Yes repeat. Three separate applications processing in different places. They are just ridng together in the same envelope to the lockbox.

Live in Aberdeen, Scotland with fog, cloud and just grayness (even the people are gray - I turned gray) for four years. Definitely defines the lower boundary of expectations in where to live.

Sorry I pressed send to quickly! had to edit my post. Defiantly would suggest applying for K1 asap, it takes so long anyway.

Live in Aberdeen, Scotland with fog, cloud and just grayness (even the people are gray - I turned gray) for four years. Definitely defines the lower boundary of expectations in where to live.

You've had so much great advice already. You have got a lot of emotions rolling up and they make us focus on our dreams instead of reality.
Take a break, take a step back and think - if this was the "perfect" man for me what would he be doing now?
Don't go stopping and compromising in your life to realize it was one big mistake to then have to repair your life whilst he sits in a sofa all day and acts like a 12 year old.
Someone who says "marriage is for kids" I don't agree with and could say harsh words here. We are all different but at the end of the day our principles is what keeps our love for each other strong and makes the one whom you are with your soulmate. If you don't agree on the principles of love between yourselves then do you really think this will be your last relationship challenge with him? I'm not sure this is a sign of you building a happy life.
If my fiancee was from a different country I would learn her language even if she was the one coming to an English speaking country, firstly out of respect and secondly it's part of her - where she's grown up. I would want my fiancee to keep that part of her as it makes her her and if it helps by me learning the language then I don't care how hard it would be to learn!
Clearly you have beautiful dream in your mind but you need to check the dream with reality, if you really really really want to give him a chance then don't go to him, make him come to you! Ask him to show his seriousness! And don't pay! Even being unemployed, money is no object, if me I would find the money from where ever to show my seriousness if I was in the same position (I wouldn't actually get in this position). If he doesn't then wake up from your dream and find a man whom really will respect and support your dream.
Sorry that you have this dilemma, wish you all the best and stay strong and focused!

Congrats!!

The general rule of thumb is always tell the truth and keep your answers short and simple to the question that was asked. E.g. If they ask why are you visiting the UK then it's "to visit my fiance and have a holiday together". When do you plan to get married "We have no date yet". Are you planning to remain in the UK? "No I have a flight booked on XX September to return to my job back home"
People whom "blah" tend to be the ones that get stuck with many questions! Keep it simple, truthful and stay cool

The general rule of thumb is always tell the truth and keep your answers short and simple to the question that was asked. E.g. If they ask why are you visiting the UK then it's "to visit my fiance and have a holiday together". When do you plan to get married "We have no date yet". Are you planning to remain in the UK? "No I have a flight booked on XX September to return to my job back home"
People whom "blah" tend to be the ones that get stuck with many questions! Keep it simple, truthful and stay cool

I recently discussed this with a Financial Adviser (FA) as I had the same question. I'm not an expert at all so I could be wrong in places but I'll share my thinking process as that may be more useful since everyone's financial circumstances are different.
You would be paying class 3 contributions of £14.10 per week, as of this year, which can be done through direct debit. Pension age for us is probably going to be around 67 so if we worked out your total, assuming you paid UK state until retirement of 67, you would need to pay at least £24,195. Though it will be a lot more as NI increases each year and rules change. As you have contributed more than ten years you will get the minimum state pension (if they don't change the rules in the next 30-40yrs). I'm similar to you, working since 16 and now 31.
If your record has gaps then it's possible to fill gaps in the last six years, if desired (useful if you come back to the UK). This link gives information on how much to expect from the New State Pension scheme which is highly likely to change again before we get to retirement.
So I would turn your question around and be asking - Am I better contributing this ~24k to a US personal pension (separate SIPP or on top of your voluntary company contribution) that I am in control of or giving it to the UK government scheme where I have no control (and subject to exchange rates too)?
As Nich-Nick points out you also have US/UK rules and tax consideration when you do pull your pension from the UK. It of course depends on whether you see yourself back in the UK in the next ten years (but then you could do a 6yr catch up if you are back in a short time).
The conclusion that I'm coming to is I'm not sure there is a right answer at this time, you'll find that out when you retire! But my thinking is I've met the 10yr min, I don't have intentions of coming back for the foreseeable future, I prefer influencing my investments to work their hardest for every pound/dollar I put in, and I like having a tiny bit of control of where my money goes.
As an aside to NI I would also recommend a FA before you leave the UK (they need 4-6 weeks too if you ask them to change/manage things for you), especially if you have UK personal pensions and (ex) company schemes. It's much easier to start a relationship with an FA sitting in front of him/her so you can feel good about them managing things if that's how things end up.
What they should do first is a free initial consultation and work out where you finances stand and your appreciation of risk. They would then compare each of your pension accounts to what is on the market and calculate your options in whether your pensions stay as is (ex-company schemes can be very cheap), consolidate, or move. It's roughly £250 per pension account to be "analysed". After which you can decide what to do based on the choices the FA gives you, e.g. stay as you are but with knowledge your pension is doing OK (get analysed in another couple of yrs) or get the FA to consolidate and manage it - ~3% commission, worth it if they make you pension increase an exponential proportion more.
I haven't decided yet on what to do but I got an FA so I at least feel more comfortable that I've done everything I can for the money/investments I leave in the UK.

I was thinking of submitting a second readiness!
I have already left via redundancy so a little different, what I would say is that over the last few weeks I have been closing down accounts that I don't need, sorting out the UK Pension, getting rid of a lot of stuff (ebay & boot fair), moving out my flat (back to the parents!), seeing family, preparing for next visa stage (AOS), preparing to sell car here and what car I want in the US, researching various things in the US (e.g. SSN, State ID, job market), updating CV and linked in, preparing wedding, researching medical insurance, researching wills in the US etc.
If I had to do all of this and work I think I would have pulled my hair out! If I didn't get redundancy then I had a 3 months resignation period so I was actually going to resign on the day NVC sent my case on to try and get a few weeks out of work to do as much as possible before I left the US (living at parents). Many of the financial stuff should be done in the UK rather than outside it as it's so much easier.
Also we are only in July which means that HMRC should also give a tax refund on what was earned from the May pay packets so expect money back there too which would help support a few weeks off work!

since when do people believe anything that the Daily Mail writes?!

I said this in jest. Newspapers take information from scientific papers and then manipulate such to make it more "interesting" for the population, most of the population would not read a scientific paper.
Unfortunately due to this newspapers create a biased, and sometimes more entertaining, perspective on the "real" science. The Mail article completely misses out that "mini" ice ages have occurred many times in Earths history of which are started by many different factors of which the solar cycle is one of them. And I'm talking about thousands of millions of years and not just the very short time that Humans have strolled this planet. Often several factors are needed to determine the size of the ice age, duration as well as the start of such.
Also reading on the internet, as you suggest, reads that in fact there is no strongly proven scientific connection between the "mini ice age" of London and the Maunder Minimum. A strong coincidence but with research relates to many theories of the relationship between solar activity and our climate, certainly a connection but the implications of the connection on our climate are still widely debated, mainly down to the complex relationships in our climate. Often there are many factors implicating a change to our climate of which many people who read such articles forget as well as that the climate is under constant change since the beginnings of our planet's creation.

I said this in jest. Newspapers take information from scientific papers and then manipulate such to make it more "interesting" for the population, most of the population would not read a scientific paper.
Unfortunately due to this newspapers create a biased, and sometimes more entertaining, perspective on the "real" science. The Mail article completely misses out that "mini" ice ages have occurred many times in Earths history of which are started by many different factors of which the solar cycle is one of them. And I'm talking about thousands of millions of years and not just the very short time that Humans have strolled this planet. Often several factors are needed to determine the size of the ice age, duration as well as the start of such.
Also reading on the internet, as you suggest, reads that in fact there is no strongly proven scientific connection between the "mini ice age" of London and the Maunder Minimum. A strong coincidence but with research relates to many theories of the relationship between solar activity and our climate, certainly a connection but the implications of the connection on our climate are still widely debated, mainly down to the complex relationships in our climate. Often there are many factors implicating a change to our climate of which many people who read such articles forget as well as that the climate is under constant change since the beginnings of our planet's creation.

since when do people believe anything that the Daily Mail writes?!