silversnake125

1 hour ago, gus_mili said:

Has anyone posted their check to Starling Bank through mail? I've recently received my check and wondering if anyone else has done it - it is now the easiest solution for us.

This was what I did when I got mine. They only allow app deposits of a certain amount so I mailed it to them and it went in just fine. I’d double check because this was 2 years ago now, but I doubt you’d have a problem.

On 12/5/2020 at 7:36 AM, Wuozopo said:

I received P85 monies (££££.££) and later an inheritance cheque (££,£££.££) which would have been expensive to have my US bank process. (Lots of service fees by bank plus a less favorable exchange rate. Also bank service fees were a percentage of the amount, so the large cheque was quite a bite ). I mailed both cheques to Mum who paid them in to my UK bank. When I wanted to move money to the US, I used Transferwise. I still have the UK account 12 years later. 

Yeah I don’t fancy those bank fees either. My family are really busy at the moment though so I don’t want to trouble them. Buuuut I just found out that Starling Bank have a service where you can write your name and account number on the back of your cheque and post it to them, and they’ll deposit it for you. Once it’s deposited I’ll move it over to my US account via Transferwise

So that’s a good option for people who may not have family left in the UK after they leave. I also like that Starling doesn’t charge for using your card abroad. Was real handy when I first got here and couldn’t open a bank yet. 

4 minutes ago, Dags said:

I assumed they sent the letter and checque on your US address? I’m thinking about doing it as a bank transfer, as I still will have UK account opened

Yeah they sent a letter with cheque attached to my US address

I don’t think they offer bank transfer as an option otherwise I’d have chosen that, cos I have a UK bank open and have a feeling the bank here will want to take a decent percentage of it.

Has anyone done this with Lloyds Bank?

I'm looking to keep mine open, especially as I'll be moving before I technically finish work (through using up my annual leave) and will be getting paid into that account. The only thing is I want to change my address to the US because my family will likely be moving soon so I'd rather the letters come to me.

I've looked online and found nothing. I don't want to go into branch and ask in case it causes problems and they try to close my account.

I had mine 6 days before my interview. The medical team told me I could email the day before my interview to check if everything was submitted.

When I emailed the morning before they said it was in the final stages and not done, but that they’d try to push it through for me. Then they emailed again a few hours later to say it had been successfully submitted online.

I’d recommend emailing them to see if they can help get it done in time. I was emailing with a lady named Hannah V and she was really helpful.

Edit: Contact them through the email address on one of the sheets they give you. Message me and I can send you it 😊

5 minutes ago, 8bithearts said:

Well it updated the case last Thursday so I was thinking/hoping it would be today. When I woke up I saw it had changed to AP and about an hour later it's changed to issued!! 

 

Huge thanks to everyone on here a bunch of very knowledgeable and helpful people, you have helped lots 🙂

That's such great news, so happy for you!

8 minutes ago, 8bithearts said:

Good luck I hope you get it soon, sounds like it's nearly done

 

Unfortunately mine has been showing 'refused' for just under 2 weeks my interview was the week before yours 

Hopefully because your W2 was received on the same day as my interview, they'll be in the same pile as yours

Edit: I thought your last updated date had changed but misread your post.

I hope it's on the move soon!

So I just checked again and it's changed to AP. Hoping to see "Issued" soon!

15 minutes ago, 8bithearts said:

So as an update my w-2 arrived last Thursday and the date on CEAC changed but still shows refused.  No updates since then and it's 2 weeks since the interview tomorrow.

I assume there is no way you can contact them and find out what's going on?  I would have expected some movement now 

My date just changed too (my interview was the 6th) but no status change, still says "Ready".

I'm hoping this will mean both of our cases change to Issued within the next few days 

On 8/5/2020 at 6:48 PM, 8bithearts said:

I called DX today as the document is still showing as 'Collected'.  Apparently it can take up to 4 working days to be delivered!  So I gave it to them on Friday morning and it still hasn't been delivered.  I could have walked it from Bristol and back in that time.  I will be calling tomorrow if it doesn't show as delivered.

Did the document end up getting delivered by the end of the week?

1 minute ago, Bear_and_Bunny said:

I agree.  It shouldnt matter at all and probably wont matter but I was just thinking, you never know lol.  Up until yesterday I had bright pink hair (now a more natural brown), I have 18mm gauges, facial piercings, sleeve tattoos etc lol trying to treat it like a job interview in a way and have 1 chance to make a first impression.  

 

Congrats on your interview!! 

Thank you! I know what you mean with the whole job interview thing, I hadn't thought about it like that but it makes complete sense!

The way I see it is if they think you're legit they're not gonna refuse your visa or put you into AP over what you're wearing/ how you look. Similarly, if they're suspicious they're not gonna approve you because you dressed smartly. With all the nerves you get before your interview the last thing you want to worry about is feeling physically uncomfortable, so just wear whatever you feel most best in, whether that's casual or business casual. You'll be fine, you got this! 💙

10 minutes ago, shallot343 said:

 

This whole process is so so stressful but we are really lucky to be at the Embassy in London. I've read such horror stories about the interviews in some of the "high fraud" countries but seen nothing but pleasant experiences in London. As long as you have all your documents with you I know it will go well!  Good luck!!

I second this. I was so worried I'd forget something and go into AP, or that the COs would be intimidating and maybe try to trip me up with their questions. It was the complete opposite and everyone in the London embassy was super kind. I have nothing negative to say about anyone that I communicated with there from the reception, to the security, to both the COs I spoke with. I felt so silly after I left for worrying as much as I did. @Bear_and_Bunny you'll be fine, I promise! 😊

31 minutes ago, Bear_and_Bunny said:

Out of curiosity to those who have had their interviews and those waiting... what did you wear or going to wear?  Obviously not going to rock up in sweatpants or shorts, but is full suit and tie OTT. 

I was thinking "smart" jeans, Button up shirt and suit jacket? 

Remove piercings, plug gauges with flesh coloured ones, have hair back to "normal" colour.

 

Something I hadnt really thought about too much as mind is full of getting the right paperwork and double triple checking that.  

I didn't realise this was a thing until this morning when I saw it mentioned on another website. It didn't occur to me that there is an unwritten "dress code" because whatever you wear won't have an impact on the outcome 😂🙈

So because it was boiling when I had my interview yesterday I went in a spaghetti strap, flowy v-neck dress that was just above the knee, and white chunky trainers. I also have a tone of tattoos which you could see and of the security guards actually complimented me on them lol. Everyone was extremely nice to me, I didn't get funny looks and I don't think I'd have been treated any differently if I'd dressed differently 🙂

To each their own at the end of the day, but it's not that big of a deal (in my opinion) and wasn't something that even crossed my mind. With the weather we've been having the last few days I'd focus more on wearing something you'll be comfortable in so you're not sweating bullets

6 minutes ago, Juliet57 said:

Congrats! How did the surprise go??

Thank you! He was so happy, he had no idea! He couldn’t sleep after I told him 😂

4 minutes ago, Kimi31 said:

Did they ask for ds5540 or 2019 returns? 

No just asked for birth, marriage and police certificates, and ofc my passport 

I’d still take copies of everything submitted to NVC though in case it doesn’t show up on their system 

6 minutes ago, Maria2610 said:

Were your medical results submitted electronically through eMedical? I’m patiently waiting for my results to arrive at the embassy, my doctor submitted them on eMedical and I’m just waiting now for the embassy to receive them..

They were submitted electronically through eMedical 😊

How long ago did they submit your results?

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

That would be the IRS transcript where they have processed it, sent a refund (maybe), and summarized it in a “transcript”. The income is verified when the IRS processes it.

If you don’t have a transcript, you can take copies of the actual return that was filled out. Those need a W2 to verify the income because anybody could get forms and fill out a bogus tax return. The W2 keeps you honest.

 

Yes that’s what I was trying to say but couldn’t word properly haha, thank you!

We had to file by mail as married filing separately so the IRS transcript isn’t back. I’m going to take a copy of the return that he filled out and the W2. We’re well above the income requirements but I’m a worrier lol

3 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

What does “his return isn’t back yet” mean?  Do you mean his 2019 transcript isn’t available online from the IRS yet?

For the I-864 do one OR the other—

1. Transcript from the IRS. (Order to be mailed or print off from web)

2. Photocopy of all the forms and schedules in the return PLUS the W2 or 1099 wage statement from the employer.

 

Those things should already be in the file and not need a repeat. One person interviewed last week and said they asked for the W2 to go with the tax pages because NVC had not included it. 

I’m not sure how all of the tax stuff works over there but it’s not available online and he said to me he’s been told it’s not “come back yet”, whatever that means.

We did the I-864EZ with his 2018 tax return info but his wage has changed since then.

I don’t expect them to ask for tax info on 2019 but I’d rather be safe than sorry so I’m taking his 1040 and W2 as a precaution.

24 minutes ago, loveisvein said:

Our case has been sitting at NVC since DQ on June 2nd. We are considering an expedite (for mental well-being) but are unsure if there's really any point in doing so at this time? I have plans to visit my wife in October and would really like for her to be able to come back with me,  however without an interview booked by next month this won't be possible. 

 

Additionally, for those of you that have had an interview, what documents did you take with you? On one listing is says to take all original copies but obviously she is not going to have my passport since I am in the states and she is in England.

Hey! As others have said, you need copies of what you submit to NVC and originals of the interviewee’s documents.

I’ve got my interview this Thursday and the only additional thing I plan on bringing is my husbands W-2 and tax transcript for 2019 (his return isn’t back yet) and that’s just to be extra careful, I doubt they’ll ask for it at all. I will let you know though as we’re both London embassy!

6 minutes ago, Daria Parkinson said:

You guys, for the interview do you need a lot of evidence of true relationship or just several pictures will be enough, since with the I-130 petition we sent most of the evidence???

In theory you should only have to bring what your embassy mentions on their website checklist, but a lot of people recommend bringing copies of everything you've ever submitted to USCIS and NVC because sometimes things go missing. For example, I saw someone post very recently in a thread that their embassy claimed they didn't have a particular form that they knew they'd already submitted to NVC, and they got a 221g because of it.

14 minutes ago, Rydia said:

Hi, I thought I’d report on my DQ experience in case it sheds any light. My husband had his interview today in London and was approved.

 

We were DQ’ed in late May, and booked his medical in London for early July, as I heard from a woman on the Facebook embassy page who told me she’d done the same — before receiving an interview date. Risky, but we were optimistic, having sent off our I-130 paperwork last July 2019.

 

He had the medical without problem and after emailing the visa medical people to confirm the paperwork was sent to the embassy, we received a reply saying that they recommend people to book their interview online “if the system lets them.” 

 

Around this time we sent an expedite request to NVC, citing bereavement (my Mom passed away unexpectedly in November and our baby was born 6 weeks before; all of our family live in the US except one relative here). On 11 July I received an email stating our case was being considered, and on 16 July, the expedite request was kindly granted. 

 

Once the CEAC website said that our case had moved from NVC to London, I tried for a week to book an interview, but the booking website kept saying his case number wasn’t ready. Then on 23 July I was able to book, for today. For the record, I never received an email/letter that told me to book, or that gave me a date. I simply booked it myself off the advice given by the visa medical people, and this was confirmed both automatically and by the embassy via email.

 

His interview was less than 20 minutes. He said the embassy was empty, he was the only one waiting to be interviewed, there was absolutely no queue, and said the people he spoke to were efficient and helpful.

 

I’m both grateful for how smoothly this went (after how long we waited for the I-130 approval, about 9 months I think), and frustrated for all those waiting for interview dates to be given who have been waiting throughout lockdown. It's puzzling that the embassy isn't bustling in order to catch up on their backlog. I can't understand why interview dates aren't being sent out left and right, but I hope this picks up soon.

 

I would just as soon NOT have been as "lucky," if it meant not having the reason for our eagerness to be in the US  but with a baby who has seen hardly any family and myself struggling with the situation, it's welcome news that they're understanding in these types of scenarios.

 

Congrats on the interview and expedite! I’m so sorry for the circumstances that led to the need for an expedite, and I hope you’re doing ok 💙

I wonder if you’d be able to tell me how long it took from the date of the medical for the results to be sent to embassy? Also, was his case online? As in was the medical was submitted to embassy online? The medical team will usually email to tell you it’s online and not to bring any passport photos because they take their own on the day.

Thanks so much