Stuwoolf

11 minutes ago, Charlie87 said:

Ah thanks!

sounds good. It’s the uncertainty of the dates that is a killer. Trying to plan and sort out shipping companies etc.

this forum is the best!

Yes. This forum is the best!

We had our shipper on standby. We sold our house (very quickly!😳) so things went to Storage. Shipper came sized it all up and told us to let him know when the visa is in place. 

With the uncertainty of dates and the constant threat of Lockdown, its not an easy thing to manage. On Nov 2nd and with a threatened Lockdown begining a few days later, we decided to move and get out by 4th. We were set. Car sold. Job finished. Packing done. Flights booked.

Good luck🙂

6 minutes ago, Charlie87 said:

I think Monday is a government holiday in the US so the embassy might be closed.

Praying for interview dates to be released either tomorrow or next Tuesday. Who knows.

out of interest, are the interviewers American or British?

Yes. Monday is Presidents Day and, as far as I know, its a holiday.

As for the interviewers, in my case at USEL the interviewers were Americans. Reflecting on the experience of the "interview", in my head I had imagined (at least in normal times) being in a room with an embassy official asking possibly difficult questions. Ha......

In actual fact, again, in my case, its basic questions which you will know the answer too. As for the layout of the "interview", if you imagine going to the Post Office to buy stamps, that about sums it up.

Good luck to you.🙂

7 minutes ago, os306 said:

We filed my I-130 petition via DCF London on 16th March 2020, interviewed at the US Embassy on 21st October 2020 and approved visa that day Received a large white "Do not open" envelope a week later.

 

I arrived at JFK last Friday with my envelope. Fortunately, there was barely anyone at Passport Control, and I was summoned to the desk within a couple of minutes. The Immigration Officer ripped open the top of the envelope and took out a stack of papers (I spotted my birth certificate at the top). I joking said that I had a mini-heart attack on the flight when I noticed a slight tear in the envelope and the Officer joked back "oh that's okay, if it had ripped any further we should have just arrested you". Was slightly taken aback by that comment but appreciated the sense of humor!

After a couple of minutes, I was handed back my passport and asked to confirm the address that I wanted my green card sent to. I wasn't asked to provide any fingerprints.

 

Wanted to thank everyone on this forum who helped out. Special shout out to @Wuozopo, @Stuwoolf and @Robyn-n-Kris

 

 

Hey, this is great news. So pleased you have arrived.😊

Hope you get settled in and normality appears very soon. How is the weather? Boca Raton is 78 and sunny.....oh how I luv the sunshine.

36 minutes ago, AlanD26 said:

Thats amazing news, congrats!

 

COVID has massively delayed our plans and we now wont be moving over to the US until we have got the vaccine here in the UK.

Your reluctance is understandable. Was on our minds too but in the end we decided to come over. Our lives had been on hold long enough. The vaccine situation at least here in the part of Florida we are in, seems to be improving. My MiL got hers the other day. Walked in, sign the papers, got the jab and off she went. Job done. Dont know about situation regarding any Follow - Up.

Good luck🙂

Today I received my Green Card. It went to my Mother in Laws address and she brought it round today

😊😊😊

All in all, from arrival on Nov 4th it has taken 10 weeks to receive.

A big Thank You to OS306 for reminding me, a day or 2 after I arrived, to make the payment😂

Good luck everyone🙂

7 hours ago, Appy said:

It took me two weeks for the SSN, 3 weeks for the GC. I arrived in September. 

Is there any way of checking to see progress of the issue of GC?

18 minutes ago, FA081 said:

.......on a separate note- for anyone already in the US with their SO, how long did it take for the SSN to come through? Husband is moving over shortly and just wondering how long it takes. 

I think it took a couple of weeks after arriving Nov 4th, 2020.......still await my Green Card which I have been advised can take up to 6 months.

5 hours ago, Orcrist said:

Hey all, we are in the final stages of preparing for a spousal visa interview in London via the DCF route. 

 

One of our major concerns is with regards to sponsor's I864 income/asset requirements. Now officially, using assets ONLY is still acceptable per USCIS guidelines if its 3x the poverty guidelines in the case of a spouse. However, it seems that many people are still rejected even when they exceed the asset only requirement and the consular officer still wants to see a job lined up or a co-sponsor. Basically, the ultimate decision is left up to the consular officer as to whether or not the petitioner satisfies the financial requirements. And practice seems to vary widely based on location of interview. For example, apparently you don't need to show proof of reestablishing US domicile at the London office whereas other locations are extremely strict about this. 

 

We are wondering if anybody has any experiences using assets alone to qualify for the spousal immigrant visa at the London office. 

 

We are not trying to "get by" but I, as the US citizen, am planning on moving back to the states with my British wife. And I plan on attending schooling first, so I won't have a job lined up. And no, unfortunately we don't have anybody that's willing to co-sponsor!   

 

Finally, I don't see anything with regards to the public charge rule implemented at the London Officer. Please can anyone confirm this? 

 

Thank you in advance for any answers! 

Hi.

In August at London (the last of the DCF) we used a company pension and cash assets. Dont recall the calc exactly but for Spouse visa I think the asset value has to be 3 x the shortfall of the Poverty guidelines. We didnt want to use a Sponsor however, on advice, we decided to take along a completed Sponsor form as back-up. It wasnt required.

On our form I did the Ex Rate calc stating a Rate and date and gave the GBP figures in USD.

Good luck.🙂

4 hours ago, payxibka said:

Budgetary

Well, thats that, then!

What was the reasoning behind the cancellation of the DCF process? Was it political? If so, there may be scope, depending on the politics of the day, for the system to be resurrected?

15 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

[Colonist makes mental note that King George III was apparently not fully vanquished... load the muskets... fire when the Lobsterbacks are in view... reload... repeat...]

I'm for the Continental army. Where do I sign on😊

Was in the local Publix grocery store and found Tunnocks (Yes, TUNNOCKS!) Caramel Wafers. Seem to be readily available down here. This shop had a wee British section😂

1 hour ago, laylalex said:

About once a month I find PROPER back bacon at the supermarket I like to go to. It probably helps that there are a lot of Brits in the area. It's made by Beeler's and comes from Iowa. https://www.beelerspurepork.com/product/british-back-bacon/ You can buy it online there for $7. It is to my Scottish husband's palate more than acceptable. There is a touch of sugar in there but it is not noticeable -- I didn't even realize it until I just looked now.

Thanks😊

17 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Welcome to the Colonies!  

😂 Thanks 👍

The last wee while I would have said a resounding No. But.......Never say Never!

Things in the Taste department are improving. Have learned to check the sugar content when buying bread. Sometimes its as much as 5g!

As for sausages, Jimmy Deans work with HP sauce🙂. Have also found Sharwoods and Patak curry sauces.

Tunnocks Caramel Wafers.😊 An ideal accompanyment with a cup of tea. All sorts of confectionary is available too. Thats the cravinhs attended to.

Its all comin together😊😊😊

2 hours ago, Cilllah said:

Nah! I'm Aussie and I have already cried because I miss food. The food in the Midwest is SO different (and boring) compared to what I had in Australia. I miss the healthy eating and so many things I could get there that I can't here. It is even worse as my three year old only ate sausages and cheerios in Australia and they don't exist here. I recently have been sent some care packages from friends and family of Australian snacks so that is nice! But yeah, I know I need to adjust to US food but.. it is hard! It was fun when I was visiting but now that I am permanently here it's less so. Plus I am pregnant and super nauseous with food aversions so it makes food even less appealing. Fun!

Sorry to hear of your situation.

My plan is to become as self sufficient as is required. Planning to buy a bread maker and a sausage machine. That way at least my bread and sausages will (eventually) be more to my taste.🙂

Necessity is the Mother of Invention😂

Good luck

23 hours ago, Morgan5698 said:

Wells Fargo should open an account for you without a proof of address. I had no issue with them. 

Thanks. Account now opened. Grateful for your guidance.🙂 Really appreciate your help.

21 hours ago, The4Sands said:

Did the letter with the SSN not count as a piece of mail with your name on it? We’re staying with my parents at the moment so I can’t see how my husband is going to have much mail with his name on it any time soon 😬

 

 Was planning on going to the bank this weekend to try and add him to my checking account. Will see what happens...

What a difference a day makes......

Went along to Wells Fargo at Lighthouse Point (between Boca Raton and Deerfield). No problem.

Presented my passport and the address portion of my (tear off) SSN Card and he was happy. Minimum amount to open the account is $25. Was given a Temp card and the proper card will take about a week maybe 2. If the bank doesnt meet expectations, I will change banks.

Now at least I have another type of ID🙂

Also got my US phone number fixed up too.

Good luck everyone🙂

16 minutes ago, The4Sands said:

Did the letter with the SSN not count as a piece of mail with your name on it? We’re staying with my parents at the moment so I can’t see how my husband is going to have much mail with his name on it any time soon 😬

 

 Was planning on going to the bank this weekend to try and add him to my checking account. Will see what happens...

No. The letter wasnt enough.....crazy but there you go. The fella at the bank give us a list of items which would meet the ID criteria.just noticed that the list is applicable to those WITHOUT a GC. Dont know if the visa in my passport covers that? The problem may arise that the passport cant be used twice? Think I will try Wells Fargo as Morgan5698 suggests.

Will let ya know🙂

Hindsight is a wonderful thing so maybe a Santander account or a Barclays account may have been easier as I think they both how a presence in the US.

Received my SSN today.😊

I guess all I need now is my GC and I have the full set.

Went to open a bank account today. Couldnt get it done as I need a bill or something with my address on it. Need to think about how to proceed with this.

Received my SSN today.😊

Hi, I arrived in Florida on Nov 04. Cleared Immigration at Miami. When my Spouse Visa was stamped and my Entry Clearance given, I asked if there was anything else to pay. The Officer said No. (I seemed to recall there was something else to be paid). It was a fellow VJ, DCF applicant who pointed out and confirmed there was a further fee (Immigration Fee, the Green Card fee) to be paid. I paid it on Nov 06.

Will the SSN now follow with no further input from me or do I need to fill out a form, print it and go along to the local SS office?

Grateful for any guidance.

Thanks🙂

30 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

It's got to be even more difficult than usual in these circumstances. I'm a couple of years ahead of you so I'm not up to speed on the current situation with getting the essentials sorted. I got a Verizon cell phone early on, it's too much hassle otherwise. Drivers licenses vary by state so it's best to check locally. You should get a SSN sent to you with the visa you entered on. If it hasn't arrived in the mail in the next few weeks then call your local office. The subforum for everything SSN is here: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/

 

 

Thanks for this. Just read thru it. Most er, interesting😂 Is it just us Brits who get so wound up about food from home? When I worked in Germany, so many didnt bother with the local Markhauf German supermarket.....they only shopped at the NAAFI😂...unless there was a bus organised to go to the US PX😂😂😂🙂😂😂😂. Hey ho, each to their

30 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

You're welcome. It's part of the adjustment to living here. I find it's not as easy and convenient to eat healthy here. Back in the UK I had a Tesco I could walk to in 10 minutes and there were healthy options if you'd had a busy day and wanted something quick and easy. I have to plan ahead much more here and shop around. In some ways it's been good to cook more, but on days I feel stressed I miss the options I used to have. I'm in rural Michigan so your options may be better than mine.

 

There was a thread about 18 months ago about this but I haven't been able to find it yet. If I do I'll post the link for you. 

 

Have you been able to get a driver's license? The sooner you can get mobile on your own the better you'll be able to adjust. 

 

Right now we are relying on grocery delivery and just treading water! We are on Day 10 of 14 days Isolation.

Even the simplest of things like trying to get a US phone number/sim card (which will work on my Samsung A7 handset) has been challenging and remains so. Been trying to get my SSN sorted out but we cant get out (not even sure the local office is open) and dont have a sim card which would allow us to call them. Could use our O2 but we fear that will be expensive. My UK driving licence is good for 12 months (I think?) if not, my wife has her licence. Just gotta sit tight until isolation is complete then get on with it.

Its all been a bit difficult but should get better soon🙂

Thanks for your help.