Metope

hrm, ok maybe i'm just being impatient but I don't understand why its so difficult to get the x-rays and medical done and scheduled in a timely fashion. My fiance has finally gotten a response from the medical dr. with what they need to have him send them and whatnot but they are very slow to respond to follow up questions. Those that have gone through the medical portion recently in Oslo, can you tell me if you can do the x-rays the same day as the medical or no? Also, apparently they only do the medical for the K1 visa on Tues. & Wed. after regular office hours so I would like to get some input from you guys and gals to see what the best course of action would be. He doesn't want to schedule the interview until he can schedule the medical and he doesn't want to schedule the medical until he can confirm when he can do the x-rays. I get why but its frustrating me.

You need some lead time between the x-rays and blood tests and the actual doctor's visit. The blood needs to be sent to Oslo for analysis, and then the results need to be sent to the visa physician. I basically sent them an email saying "I just did my x-rays and blood tests, can you give me an appt at the earliest possibility?" on a Monday and got an appt for it the following Wednesday.

As for taking the X-Ray, I used Unilabs in the city where I live and they could do it on a drop-in basis at any time.

Actually, it's possible to do it all in one day, that's how I did it. You just need to let the doctor know you're not bringing all the papers in on the day of your medical appointment, it's okay if they receive it afterwards. They won't send any information to the Embassy until they have all of it.

Book your medical first since the other appointments are drop in or have shorter waiting periods, and then schedule everything around your medical. I called Unilabs for my x-ray the day before my medical appointment at KAL-klinikken, went there early in the morning on the day of my medical appointment, and then I went straight to Ullevaal Hospital for my blood test (they only do drop in as far as I'm aware). I got lucky and got it done immediately, but you should be prepared for waiting there for a while. You won't get the result from the blood test that day, but the hospital will send the information directly to KAL-klinikken when it's ready. Afterwards you're all set for your medical later that day, don't forget to get both Unilabs and Ullevaal to sign your "request for x-ray and serological test" sheet!

I lived in Oslo and only missed a couple hours off work that day (I was done with x-ray and blood test before 10 AM and had to leave early for my medical at 3 PM), if you don't have a job in Oslo and have the entire day off it's even easier than it was for me. Good luck.

You're likely still in the queue for interview scheduling, so no notice has been sent out yet. It will probably take a few more weeks/months until you are up for an interview.

On 31st August, Seattle was processing I-485s filed on or before 20th December 2014. Even assuming a linear progression (which it probably isn't) you are probably 4-5 months away from your interview.

Thanks for the fast reply! I initially assumed it would be a few months from I filed until I actually got an interview date, but the case tracker update threw me off since I thought an update meant they were ready to send out the notice. I've also talked to someone else on the forum who got their notice three weeks after her case status got updated, but she lives in California so it's probably different there. Why would they say my case is ready to be scheduled for an interview when it's still months off then? Argh I guess I'm just being impatient. Thanks again, at least I won't have to worry!

Hi, I arrived in the US on a K1 visa in late July, got married in August and filed my AOS early September. In October I got a notification on the USCIS case tracker app that my case had been updated:

"As of October 19, 2015, we are ready to schedule your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, Receipt Number MSC-, for an interview. We will schedule your interview and send you a notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice."

It's been four weeks now and I still haven't received the notice. I moved houses in October, but I notified USCIS about the change immediately and they sent me a notice in the mail to my new address informing me that they've updated my address in their system, so that shouldn't be a problem, right? Is it normal to have to wait this long to receive the notice? I'm terrified the notice got lost in the mail and that I won't get it and miss my interview date, or that the notice will arrive late and I won't have enough time to gather whatever information it is they need before the interview. If anyone who has been through this could let me know how long it took for their notice to arrive I'd really appreciate it. Or should I just contact USCIS and ask them what's happening?

Another thing, the date on my case tracker has been changed, it now says "As of November 2..." instead of October 19th. Why on earth has the date changed?

So excited, going to my interview on Tuesday, leaving on Monday to Stay at the Best Western at Karlaplan.I should be able to walk from there to the embassy, anyone know?

I stayed there! It's really easy to walk, I printed out a map in case I got lost, didn't even need it once. Maria is right, 20 minutes sounds accurate. Good luck!!

If you're standing under the shed (that looks kind of like a buss stop) you're actually in the wrong line. That line is for non-immigrant visas like J and F visas. K1's stand in the immigration line that does not have coverage

Oh weird! That's what I did initially along with one other person, but they told everyone over the speakers to go stand in the shed, so there was only one line. Why would there be two different lines when everyone has to go through the same security checkpoint anyway? I just assumed they always had only one line, maybe I was there on a day with very little traffic. There was at least one other person with a K-visa, we were both in line in the shed and it worked out fine

As for Scandinavian food, we actually have a Scandi food store in Seattle with almost everything I miss from home! It's more expensive, of course, but if I get a craving it's nice to know it's there. Otherwise I plan on relying heavily of family and friends bringing things over from time to time! Only think that's impossible to get here is proper bread, it's all either so soft it falls apart or way too hard. Should probably start baking my own.

All K-visa interviews (and possibly other interviews? don't quote me on that) are scheduled for 8:30am, so everyone shows up around then and are interviewed on a first come, first serve basis. If you want to be out of there quickly it's better to show up early, I was the second person in line and I was done before 9am (I showed up at 8am). Keep in mind that the first line you get to is outside, so if you want to show up super early, wear warm clothes! The line itself is in a sort of shed-like structure with a roof, so you don't have to worry about getting yourself and your papers wet if it rains

No problem, and good luck!

I still have my receipts!

This one's for the panel physician, 3000 kr for the medical exam and the 100 kr (forbruksmateriell) is for the tetanus shot:

And here's the X-ray receipt:

So that's how much it costs! If you do the blood work at Ullevål, add an extra 100 or 200 kr, or walk through the wrong door like me and get it for free

You can't do those at the panel physician, the x-ray needs to be done at unilabs or that other place I don't remember the name of (sorry ). The bloodwork I'm not sure about, the whole process is like a blur to me now since there were so many things to remember! I think you can do the bloodwork wherever, at your GP, a private doc or hospital. I did mine at Ullevål which I definitely recommend. The tetanus shot, if you need it, can be done at the panel physicial for a small fee on top of the 3000 kr.

If you do the tetanus shot at the panel physician in Oslo at the same time as your medical, it's only 100 kr. 450 kr for a tetanus shot sounds insane! I also got my bloodwork for free at Ullevål due to accidentally walking in the wrong entrance (B instead of A in the building you're supposed to go to), ended up at the place for people needing vaccinations before going abroad instead of the blood work place. If I had walked in the right entrance it still would have only been around 100kr.

Ullevål only has drop in as far as I know, so you could end up having to wait for a while if you decide going there. Going early in the morning seemed to be a good call no one were there and I walked straight in, but by the time I was done the waiting room had filled up completely.

Metope get a info pass at your nearest uscis field office

Thanks! That seems more like something you should do if you have problems with or questions about an application, but I think I found out what to do if there's a mistake on an I-94. Seems like the best thing to do is to contact the nearest Deferred Inspection site, I just sent them an email and I'll call Monday to make an appointment. I found this info:

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/deferred-inspection/overview-deferred-inspection

Which says: "The Deferred Inspection Site staff is also available to review and issue the necessary documents to remedy errors recorded on arrival documents issued at the time of entry to the United States relating to improper non-immigrant classification, inaccurate biographical information or incorrect period of admission, if appropriate."

I just can't believe the immigration officer made so many mistakes! I can't apply for AOS or an SSN with an I-94 that says C1 instead of K1. Should have gotten the hint when I saw the stamp saying July 39th, what a moron.

Okay I'm a little worried now, I think the people at immigration screwed something up... First of all, entry in to the US was easy! But looking at the stamp and my recent I-94, it all looks wrong. My entry stamp says I arrived on the 39th of July which is an obvious mistake, probably a slip on the stamp since I arrived on the 29th. I have my boarding pass still, so I'm not too worried about that. The worrying thing is my I-94, which states that my Class of Admission is C1, and it says admit until date 08/26/2015. I'm a K1, not a C1! Will this screw up the AOS or SSN Process? And also, the deadline is 10/26/2015, October, not August! I'm freaking out here, how can there be so many mistakes? Anyone else experienced something similar? Can anyone who entered recently on a K1 tell me what their I-94 says?

Okay I found the same insurance on another website, still have no idea why parts of that link above was removed (there seems to be an auto-remove setting on that word, I've seen other forums have that function for swearwords... I'm guessing that website isn't popular around here..? It was insu-buy in one word if anyone were curious), but here's a link to the insurance at least: http://www.imglobal.com/en/img-insurance/travel-medical-insurance/patriot-travel-medical-insurance.aspx

I'm still obsessing about health insurance, and I found this:

http://www.***removed***.com/fiance-visa-medical-insurance/

I just don't understand how to go about purchasing insurance, no idea what's good or not. One thing I noticed with this one is that it's easier to buy for us who aren't in the states yet since everyone can have it. When I went on the website for the Washington Health Plan Finder, even though immigrants and non-immigrants can have those insurances in theory too, they all ask for your SSN number in the application, which we don't have of course.

I'm toying with the idea of getting the insurance on that link for a couple months, and then finding a proper plan since I'll have my SSN by then. Does this seem like a good idea?

...okay no idea why the link was removed, are some providers on some sort of blacklist or something?

... I've never even heard of those ID's and I've never called the NVC. Is the Beneficiary ID the number above your name on the NOA2? If so I've never used it for anything, and I only just noticed it now. Still got my Visa, I think you'll be fine

Hmm it works for me, but maybe it's a personal link? I'll check it out and try to fix it!

Edit: It's just the I-94, if the link above doesn't work you can go here:

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94-instructions

And click on the top right link that says "Get I-94 number now".

For your US travel history (at least with your current passport) you can follow this link, type in your details and get your previous entry dates

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html

How soon are you getting married? Once you're married, you should be able to get on your husband's insurance. I just kind of...didn't have insurance for a month or so. Yeah, it was risky, but it worked out! ACA is more of a law than a specific health insurance, so it applies to everyone who is eligible for health insurance. You won't be eligible for Medicaid though, since that's considered a form of welfare.

We actually don't have a date yet, but I think only a couple days after I arrive just to get the paperwork going, August 1st is likely since I arrive July 29th. I can't be on his insurance though, since he has a cheap deal through his job and apparently it'll be even more expensive to get me on it since I'm not an employee, than for me to just buy my own. I just emailed our immigration lawyer friend asking her if there's a provider she usually recommends her clients. All the provider's I've found so far say that you should have your SSN on hand before shopping for insurance though, but I don't have one yet! Do you really need an SSN to have insurance? That seems ridiculous, the same providers also say that the only requirement is that you have to reside legally in the state. Ugh this is so confusing! I should just close all tabs until I hear back from the lawyer!

Thanks, I'll look into that! I thought Obama's affordable care was only for citizens, but I'll look around and see if I understand any of it. I'm just unsure of the rules and laws about everything, how immigrant status affects insurance or of it does, or if you need an SSN first (in which case there will still be at least a few days without insurance etc). There's just so much to think about that I have no clue how works! Eric has a friend who is an immigration lawyer though, so I think I'll just ask her if she knows anything.

About taxes - the US and Norway have a tax agreement, so you will only have to pay taxes to the country where you actually reside. You will have to submit your selvangivelse to Norway every year though, and submit proof that you've paid taxes in the US. That's what they told me at least.

ETA: Every year for as long as you are "skattepliktig" to Norway - I think it's 3 years after emigrating.

Thanks, I really hope you're right! I found a website that said pretty much what you said, except the other way around where the three years you're "skattepliktig" you pay to Norway and not to the U.S., but it wasn't an official website so it might be wrong. I sent a message to Skatteetaten on their FB page asking what the deal is, but yeah, I hope you're right.

About healthcare and insurance though, what are you guys doing about health insurance? I was planning on using my travel insurance as a transition health care insurance and then look for a provider after I get there, but it turns out my travel insurance is only valid with a return ticket, so I'll actually be uninsured when I arrive if I can't find anything. Terrifying! I have no idea how to even start looking for one, does anyone have any tips or experience with any providers?

I thought about just telling them, but it turns out even my passport says OE (not where my name is, it says Ø there, but on the bottom line of the identification page it says OE so that's probably why they've done it). I've consistently written O on every form regarding the visa application, but even my visa say OE now. My I-94 information form is filed under OE too, which means my SSN will say OE since that's what they base it on. I think my only option is to officially change my name to just O to get rid of that pesky E.

I hope it won't create any problems for me that I've spelled my name differently than they do, but I can't imagine it will. After all there are thousands of visa applicants who don't even use the same alphabet or writing system as us, I can't even imagine the trouble they have with their names!

I don't have any retirement money, the only financial stuff I'll bring with me is my massive student debt... I've been a poor student since forever until this year when I got a crappy low paying job, which is why I had to stay so long here in order to save up money. I still have to pay my debt even when I'm not earning anything in the U.S. so money will be very tight for a while. Even when I get a job I apparently have to pay taxes to Norway for a couple years? Moving abroad right now is the worst possible thing I can do to myself financially, but I don't even care. It's definitely worth it.

Yeah I figure just getting an SSN is a good idea since you'll never know when you need it, and if you wait too late you won't be able to get one until your status is changed, so better safe than sorry. I don't know about getting a joint account, I want a separate one, but until I can get a job there's no point in having one anyway. I have student loans in Norway and a Norwegian account with money saved up, so for the time being that's enough. I have a great deal with my bank where I can use my Visa and MasterCard abroad without any extra fees, and I actually kept it like that for the four years I lived in the UK without any problems, so I'll just do the same in Seattle until I get a job. Should be fine! But yeah, I'm definitely getting an SSN as soon as possible just to get it out of the way.

About changing your name, if I want to change my name from the stupid made up OE-name to my regular O-name, could I just put that on the marriage license you think? Or can you only legally change your name on a marriage license to your husband's name? I don't want his name, and I don't want the name the U.S. seems to have given to me, i want my own name haha

Oh yeah, I figure just getting an SSN is a good idea regardless of what you're planning, don't you need it to open a bank account too? And yeah waiting two weeks seems to be the norm since they need to get the updated i-94. I'm keeping my name, so I won't have any problems there at least! Although, one annoying thing is that they keep spelling my name in a way i don't like. My name starts with an Ø, and the official international translation of an Ø is OE, but I don't want the extra E! It looks weird, so I hope it won't be spelled like that wherever I go in the states. If so I'll have to change it to just O, but I have no idea how to go about doing that. Oh well, it's not that important so I'll leave it for when everything else is done with.

Haha Maria, that's my problem with driving, I am in no way assertive or tough! I'm just so scared of doing something wrong, but I guess I just need practice. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, and Eric (my fiance) is a really good driver so I'm sure he can teach me a thing or two as well!

Yeah I'm sure it's completely fine to do it like we are with a small wedding first and a big one later, I'm sure it's pretty standard in our situation! You can't really plan a proper wedding in the time you're applying for the visa, and when you get the visa you just want to get married as soon as possible to get the next stage of the paperwork going! Oh god I'm so nervous about getting an SSN and that stuff, I also need to get a DL for the same reasons you do. Seattle public transport isn't the best, but it's not the worst either, so we'll see how it goes, but I assume I'll need one eventually. I'm leaving July 29th, my last day at work is July 21st and then I have a week to say goodbye to everyone! It's so sad and exciting at the same time!

And yes, a Facebook account is a great idea!