Ringo

Heya,

I am pretty new to the site, so excuse any hiccups I make along the way.

I am moving to Atlanta in the next few weeks and would like some recommendations for department stores in the area. I am currently residing in the UK and must admit I love John Lewis' store, anyone know if they have anything similar?

Thanks in advance xx

The closest I have found = Macy's department stores.

Called the embassy number and a NASTY operator said go to Visa form but wouldn't explain. Tried different emails I found on Visa Journey. They all bounced.

LondonInfoUnit@state.gov

Should I put "None" for additional names used? Or Should I put "N/A" for additional names used and name of prior spouse. I am afraid that if I put None, someone might think that None is a name.

I used N/A.

Hi I am traveling down to see my girlfriend in St Paul, MN from Canada and I received the engagement ring from my mother. I am wondering how I would go about transporting the ring down so I can propose? My mother does not have the receipt for the ring anymore so I am unsure of the true value of the ring. Any help would be great thanks.

I am not sure I fully understand the question. Why would you need a receipt? I am guessing for tax / duty / transporting expensive goods? Are you driving / flying?

Best of luck with the proposal

Our K1 has been approved, we are at the point of preparing to schedule the interview.

Ex-husband doesn't give a ####, just doing this for spite. He has known the plans and now says "I will not sign that f'ing paper" for child to come.....

Any recommendations ??? Anyone else had this issue???

I assume that the father has parental responsibility?

Hello,

I have recently been approved for my IR-1 / CR-1 visa (WAHOO!). I wanted to share my experience of the medical at Knightsbridge in specific relation to having a history of depression / self-harm. There is nothing unique about my medical but I believe it may be useful to those with a similar history. I was quite anxious about attending the medical but now I feel this anxiety was unfounded. The Visa Journey community did provide me with some useful information about what to expect, this was helpful. I feel it is only fair to add to this information. I am going to keep this experience brief. Please ask any questions if I have not answered something that you'd like to know. I am also happy to answer personal message.

Mental Health Treatment Summary:

• 12 months of anti-depressants. Treatment stopped approximately 1 year ago.
• 3 months of anti-depressants. Approximately 6 years ago following a self-harm attempt.

Self-Harm Summary:

• Overdose (pills) approximately 6 years ago.

Supporting Letters:

After reading other accounts from Visa Journey I felt taking letter of support would be a good idea. I took the following:

• Letter from my GP explaining that I had suffered some depression but I have recovered now, and am doing well (£25).
• Letter from my old counsellor detailing the treatment (£0).
• Letter from a senior colleague acting as a reference (£0).

The individuals who wrote these letters all stated that they do not believe I am "a risk to myself of others". This is apparently what the Drs. want to see. I am not sure if that is true but it appeared to work for me.

Medical:

The medical was like most people have described. You can find these by searching the forums. In summary, upon arrival at 4 Bentinck Mansions I filled out another medical questionnaire (more detailed than the first) and checked the boxes that I had previously had thoughts of self-harm and acted on these thoughts. I had my x-ray done by a friendly nurse. We talked about the weather (very British) and how she performs many x-rays over the course of each day. I was then returned to the waiting room. I was not asked about any vaccinations. I provided reception with my vaccination card and I assume that the doctor was satisfied. After about 20 minutes I was collected by the doctor and taken to a different room. She sat down opposite me and began flicking through my file. I would describe her as "business like" and "thorough" and uninterested in small talk! This was fine by me, I dislike it too.

After a couple of moments, she asked my about my depression- seeking to clarify how long I had taken any medication and what the self-harm attempt was. I explained this briefly whilst she scripted notes. At this point I asked whether she would like to see any letters I had brought explaining my medical history (detailed above). The doctor briefly scanned them and then took photocopies. After a moment, the doctor said she doesn't think the history of depression / self-harm will be a problem. The medical concluded with a physical examination and I was told I could go. As I was putting my shirt back on, the doctor said that if there are any problems I will be contacted over the next 4 days. Otherwise my medical will be completed and sent to the embassy. There was little more to it than that. I didn't get a call and they did not mention anything to me at the embassy.

Overall, I wouldn't describe the whole experience as enjoyable, in the slightest, but it was not as bad as I thought it might be. I was expecting an interrogation into my previous depression, etc. This did not happen, thankfully. I would suggest that it is not worth getting anxious about any previous mental health problems. They are very common. I think the letters are a good idea, probably essential from the GP.

Good luck to anyone going through the medical.