NicolaRobert

Brexit has nothing to do with general immigration. It was purely about European immigration.

And in actual fact the disparity between European immigration and the rest of the world is part of what a lot of people complained about. For example you can be from a European country with zero ties to the UK and just cross the border and find work. But be married to a UK citizen and have to jump through a million hoops to be able to join your loved one. Hardly a fair system.

But the UK is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. So I hate to see anyone have the idea that the UK isn't.

I think someone else gave a similar answer to what mine will be - but it's basically because my husband is American. We had the choice of the US or the UK and frankly we can live a better life in the US. And it was far, far easier to get me here than get him to the UK.

That's not to say that everything is perfect in the US, because obviously there are a lot of things that are way more expensive (healthcare) and difficult. But where we are in Michigan we can buy a house 10 times the size of what we would be able to afford in the UK. And because of that we can eventually fulfill our dream of having our own dog boarding kennels and training center. We currently live in a house the same size as my sister has in Cambridgeshire, but she has a nearly £300k mortgage, and we have ours completely paid off (and it only cost about £50k in the first place). So moving up to that bigger house in the country we're dreaming of will be so much easier.

I'm a writer so I can work anywhere in the world, so that's not an issue at least, but even if I did decide to look for part time work to supplement that income here there are plenty of jobs around.

Plus, on a totally silly, but honest note, I quite enjoy being 'exotic' as some of my hubby's friends call me. My accent endears me to pretty much everyone I meet (or seems to have done so far). As a Brit I have never been 'exotic' in my life, I'm finding it quite fun!

Did you request the SSN through the DS-260 or did you just call in? I requested one on the DS-260 but I'm hearing conflicting reports as to whether this was a good idea or not.

Congratulations on everything so far and hope you find a great job soon.

I requested mine through the DS-260. I did pop in to the SSA office but only to ask what I would need if I wanted to try and get it through them, and only because we were passing. They told me to wait ten days before they could even think about doing anything, and before I had the chance to go back and see them it had arrived in the mail.

I heard all the horror stories too, but in my case it worked exactly like it was supposed to.

So I thought i'd post another little update. I've been in the US now for just over two weeks and things have gone way quicker and smoother than I ever expected. I got my SSN just 10 days after arriving in the post. I am, as I type this, sat in the SoS office waiting to try and sort out my drivers license.

A week after arriving hubby and I got a second dog. An 8 week GSD who I am utterly obsessed with. And she keeps me well occupied until I can get a car and find a job. So far it has been amazing. I love my family-in-law and hubby has some great friends who have all been so welcoming.

Next thing is finding some work!

So I am here in the USA and just ridiculously happy about it! Today was our 1st Anniversary - so it was just perfect to be able to spend it together seeing as we really weren't sure if we were going to be able to.

The only bummer so far has been finding out that I'm going to have to take a road test in order to get a MI drivers license, and I have to be on a permit for 30 days before I can do that. And that I can't get it all sorted until I get my SSN anyway. So I'm kinda stuck right now. Thank god for Uber.

With that in mind - anyone got any idea of how long it takes to get the SSC sent out? Everywhere I look seems to give a different estimate. And on that note - can I start working without it?? I know my green card is my eligblity to work, but I feel like it's going to be more complicated than that... I've seen a couple of different answers in different places.

At the airport - flight is delayed which is annoying, but took immense joy when the pre-screening lady asked how long I was going to Detroit for and I got to reply 'forever'.

Hopefully it will all go smoothly at the other end.

Fully was not prepared for how emotional I am though at leaving for good this time. I've done a lot of travelling over the years, and always been happy to be jetting off to other countries, but this time is so much more permanent than those 6 months or year long jaunts. It really hit me as I was checking in that this is it. This is THE move. Goodbye UK, hello USA!

My flight arrives into Toronto at 12 noon as by time i clear customs get my luggage find fiance we will probably be on the road around 1.30, so we should be hitting the detroit bridge around 6pm -yikes. we can always stop somewhere for lunch. I shall let him know your comments so hes aware of the traffic though incase hes not thought of it.

cant wait daughter and I are very excited at starting new life in America.

The wedding isnt till Sept 23rd now as list seems to have grown and the guys are all wearing kilts now, so after that it will be AOs but will worry about that nearer the time.

I would say stop for lunch! You'll be coming down on I-75 which is the route hubby takes home from work and he once took over two hours for a 30 minute trip because he caught just the start of rush hour. Once you get past Detroit though it's pretty smooth sailing down to Ohio!

From what I could tell when I did mine, you don't have to be seriously detailed.

For example I had boxes with lists like :

Clothes (shirts)

Shoes (cleaned)

Books

Soft toys

Glassware

That's all you need. The cleaned bit for the shoes is because one of the things they are strict with (or so I'm told) is foreign soil etc. So worth noting that they are clean shoes not muddy trainers or something. so no, you don't need to list every single thing. If I tried to list every item in my shipping separately they would have had five pages just of book titles!

Just a little update: I got a phone number (what a pain that was!) and I just went to the social security office in Brooklyn and applied for my SSN. It was super fast and they didn't have to do any manual verification of my ID. Said the card should be with me within 2 weeks. I guess step after that will be opening an account - finally! Although proof of address is going to be a fun one. I'm not on any bills or the lease yet so.... Anyone have any tips for that?

Wedding is Friday. We're getting the license on Thursday morning (we're going to get there before they open Thursday and hopefully be seen fast, so we can definitely marry Friday!) and then hoping to file for AOS on Friday afternoon. Everything is printed off and ready to go, just need the marriage license to add to it, final signatures and I can relax at the thought of not having to fill out another uscis form for a while!

It all has been feeling very overwhelming and I know it's because I've just moved and things need to settle down, but feels like there is so much to do all at once!

Don't forget to actually enjoy your wedding!!!

I don't remember having to show proof of address to open our bank account, but then it was a joint account with hubby. I wasn't even living in the US at the time! That might be an option for you, getting added to one, or opening one together. I think then as long as one of you has proof of address you're good.

Yeah,

passports just arrived with 2 big brown envelopes, just as well as flight is booked for Friday Glasgow to Toronto then driving through border down at windsor/ detroit.

Quick as approved exactly one week ago today.

back to packing lol

It's such a relief when you finally have the visas in hand, isn't it!

Have fun with that border crossing. The traffic is always an absolute nightmare on the bridge and the tunnel between Detroit and Canada. What time are you going to be doing it? During the day it's always crammed with lorries. Avoid rush hour if you can because it backs up on I-75. Though you'll be heading south and that always seems quieter!

You can ship it before you leave, but not before you get your visa. From what I can tell anyway. It will need to go through customs and as an immigrant you get a certain allowance for household goods that have been used for more than a year duty/customs free.

When I did my shipping I had to include a copy of my visa and passport, along with a detailed inventory/shipping list, and complete a form for unaccompanied shipping. It's not too complicated, and I had a lot more than you. 8 boxes all told. They were collected on Friday, but will take 6-8 weeks to get there, so I'll be in the US before they arrive.

Shipping to him, it will still have to go through customs. Much easier to send through the right channels and fill in the forms. At least then you know there won't be any issues.

I'm currently out of the UK so will be flying home for my medical and interview next month, just a question regarding time between the two.

As it says leave 4-5 days between the two, I have provisionally booked a Monday Medical and following Monday for Interview.

Was wondering if a Monday Medical and Friday Interview would be pushing it? Probably is but just wanted to hear if anyone has any idea of how long it usually takes.

I would say that would be pushing it. From what I remember of my conversation with the receptionist it takes between 2 - 3 days to get the blood test results back, and then if there are no problems they courier it to the embassy the following day. So, technically, yes, I guess you could do it, but I think you'd be taking a risk. And for the sake of a few days it means you can't get approved right there at your interview. I'd say stick to what you have provisionally. I also flew back from a trip to do all mine, and I had it booked as a Friday and then the interview on Monday a week later. Gave myself that little bit of breathing room, so I wasn't worrying about it. At the end of the day though, it won't really matter if your medical isn't there for the interview. I think they still let you know, but it just sits as pending until they get your medical.

You say you are due to head back in about 7 months, I think you'd struggle to get a CR1 by then. From what I've seen the K1 is far quicker than the CR1.

If you've been living together and dating for a few years then I think you're good. If you'd just flown into the country, met and gotten married quickly then that might be more tricky but I think you're good. Have you thought about a K1 visa though? Then you could get married in the States. I'm not sure if it's possible when you're living overseas. Might be worth looking into.

When hubby and I submitted our 1-130 the proof I sent in was our marriage certificate and proof of our joint bank account. And we've actually never been asked for anything else.

As for the 1-864, you may need a joint sponsor. Because you need to be able to prove earnings in the US. We also were living overseas, but we were able to use assists to meet the threshold. You should still have tax returns though, even living overseas you might have been exempt but that's fine as long as you can show you filed.

Out of curiosity, is there a benefit of getting the visa delivered to your home rather than the depot? When my fiance had a work visa, the embassy told him that home delivery was faster, so he opted for that, but looking at the data, it seems that home delivery and depot take about the same time.

Convenience is the only thing I can think of. But my decision was made based on cost because I had a depot just 15 mins from my house. I would guess if it's a lot further to it, it's worth paying to get it straight to the house.

Hi all!

Just wondering, of those that have had their interviews, how long was your wait to get your passport back?

Thanks

Interview was on a Monday, picked it up on the Friday.

Picked up my passport and the visa packet today!

Interview was on Monday, so can't complain one bit about the London Embassy's efficiency.

Am so happy!

Just have to pay the last CR1 fee and then I will be all set. Shipping is due to be collected on the 15th, and I am looking at flights for about the 25th. So excited to finally get home to my hubby!

Congratulations! When are you planning to go?

Not until later in the month. Around about the 20th or soon after. Our one year wedding anniversary is on the 29th - so want to be in the USA by then. But I have some stuff to ship, and want to get that packed and on the way as soon as I can.

Just checked on CEAC and it was changed today to 'Issued' and said that my visa has been printed, so it just comes down to how long it takes for it to be sent out to the depot for me to collect.

Approved!!!

Honestly, I know that we all stress no matter what anyone says, but it's actually such a smooth process.

When I got there, there was no queue or anything for security, and so I actually ended up being a little early. But they checked me in anyway and gave me my ticket number. I got a little concerned when I first went to sit down because my number was like 900+ and the number being called was in the 400's and I thought I was going to be there for ages. But I soon realised that the numbers were different depending on what kind of Visa. There were very few other immigrant visas so I was only sat for about 10 minutes before I got called up to the first window. Handed over the originals of my documents and they took fingerprints and then told me to go sit down again.

It took a bit longer to get called up for the actual interview. About 40 minutes. The whole time I was getting more and more nervous. But when I finally got up there the guy asked me about four questions. Where did Hubby and I meet, how long we'd been together, what Hubby did for a job, and where he was living now. He then told me that it was cold in Michigan in the winter (like I didn't know that all ready) and that I was approved.

The whole thing took at most 5 minutes.

No request for any evidence of a real relationship. No probing questions. Just super simple.

Now, I know that my case is probably a little simpler than most. Hubby and I lived together for 2 years before we got married which I think helped a lot. So there was no need to prove visits or anything like that. Now I just need to wait for my passport.

In the meantime I've booked my shipping, and am starting to pack!!

Just so ridiculously happy.

Do you get any kind of receipt showing you paid the NVC for the visa fee? Not sure how the spouse process works and surely that is in your file, but was just thinking K1s have to show they paid.

Do you have a letter stating your interview date? It might get you squared away faster in line.

Have fun!

Oh yes. I have the print out of the confirmation of my visa application as that was done online, which includes fee payments. Plus I printed the letter/email from the NVC confirming my interview date.

I have my interview tomorrow! Eeek.

Rationally I know that I have nothing to worry about, but it's still just this huge thing.

I think I have everything...

Original Birth certificate, Police clearances, marriage certificate, plus photocopies.

Passport

Passport photos

An updated I-864

I don't think I need anything else. Got my train ticket down to London and plan to be at the embassy for around 11.30 - my interview time says 12.00. So that should be enough time.

Am I forgetting anything?

I was playing around on a website where you "rent" part of a shipping container. It's very slow of course but seemed ridiculously cheap. From Southampton to Seattle (very convenient as I am currently in Dorset and going to Seattle) it takes 46 days but it appeared to cost about £200 to send 20 boxes. I don't even know if I will take 20 boxes, I was just playing around with the quote page. They said there would be a fee of $150 on top for the broker. That still brings it in around £300.

Anyone used anything like this?

What was the website?

Had my medical yesterday, and despite the cost I have to say that I found it all pretty painless. Apart from the vaccinations, one of which still hurts, and the fact that the doctor had to try 4 times to get blood. But that's pretty common.

I did laugh at the slight craziness of them asking me if I minded having a male doctor as the woman was busy (I think 90% of all my doctors have been male - they're professional so I really don't see the issue) and then him having to go and get a nurse in to 'chaperone' the genital examination (which takes all of about a second).

BUT the whole thing was very smooth and easy. They have it down to a fine art. In the hour I was there (it was busy) they processed a lot of people.

Definitely don't worry about saying that you're getting married. I travelled to the US on my ESTA to get married. But I think it helped because both my Hubby and I were living abroad at that time. He had a job overseas so we clearly weren't staying. I think as long as you are honest you're fine. A little proof that you aren't planning on staying helps too.

In terms of how many visits. I've been quite a bit over the last couple of years, but I only got pulled into Secondary once. And it was because I'd been there for 3 months, then away for 2 and back for another 6 weeks. They thought it seemed a bit much. I just pointed out that I was a writer, and so I earn royalties all the time, so I can afford to take long vacations when I want to. They questioned me a bit, but honestly they legally had no reason not to allow me entry (I had proof of living in the UK, a return ticket etc). so despite blustering a bit the guy eventually let me in.

Medical done with. Took about an hour as it was quite busy. Definitely hurt the bank balance, but one less thing to worry about now. They reckon they'll have it over to the Embassy by Thursday. Which will be in plenty of time for my interview.

Can't believe all this madness might be over in just a few weeks!