Zoeeeeeee

Guys, I’m super emotional right now - can you both stop being so polite and lovely, or I’m going to end up crying! 
 
#joking
#alsonotjoking

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47491964
 
Coincidental

Not true that I've encountered; reasonable amounts for personal consumption have always been acceptable.  The CBP agents might ask what you bought.  Anything with narcotics is, of course, forbidden.
 
My preferred place in Mexico is a haven for "winter Texans," and every other storefront is a pharmacy.

I'm going to MI, I'll be taking ALL the jumpers I can grab and probably wearing half of them at the same time
 
Thank you so much and the same to you! I'm sure it'll be amazing. 
 
This site is just the best, it's not even just the support I receive but I probably drive people nuts over here speaking about the process so much and what not, where as here it's kinda' all people want so it's a great release too 
 
I'll be sure to get some then 

I'm hoping my ugly mug doesn't flag too many things up and social media...there's only so many "Countdown to holiday" and funny cat videos one person can watch before giving up  

Thank you so much!!!
 
So I'm a couple of days in now and so so happy! Flight was ok, POE a little tedious as security was slow, but the officer was nice and not too stressful!
 
Pasadena is just beautiful, I love it here. We've been grocery shopping this morning and I've signed up at the gym already so we've been there the last couple of days, we went for lunch with Bobby's family on Sunday and then this weekend we will catch up with friends, catch a movie and just enjoy actually spending our weekend together! The weather is beautiful today, I've been out for a wander this afternoon and now sat in a coffee shop about to look at getting my forms filled out for social security application.
 
Ah I'm so excited for you! So much to sort but all so so exciting! Hopefully the beautiful weather is here to stay now, ready for your trip 🙂 

I have just received notification email that my visa is now with the courier and should arrive within 1-2 business days!    

I don't have that excuse, I eat like an absolute horse continuously haha! My suit is getting pretty snug but I'll fix that...hopefully! 
 
We said that, it's another tonne of paperwork but I don't care, we'll be filling it out sat down together, not 3750 miles apart when one of us has just finished work or the other has stayed up late. We'll be doing it normally, fed and watered together and that's the important bit! 

I just want to sleep knowing its all done...I know we start the next stage again soon and its more paperwork,forms and waiting again but once I'm there I don't care about that. I just want to stop stressing about it all...wouldn't mind too much but I'm not lucky enough to lose weight from stress I eat instead so this is doing nothing for my prospective wedding dress 😂

I'm assuming this means donezo?!   I can't believe it. 11th Interview, no update at all and then yesterday was Administrative Process and then that! 

Bloody amazing 😲

Ta-daaaaaaaaaaaah 

Just thought I'd check as I'm bored and can't justify starting another work pack today. 
 
Non-Immigrant Visa Application - Issued?! So I believe that's it about to print and be on its merry way? I'm hoping Mr. @Wuozopo pops by soon and doesn't burst my bubble but pats me on the head and says "You're done Luke." 

I'm sure it'll all go smoothly! Keep me posted. 
 
I'll be sure to update when I get it, to be honest if you're in Mainland UK you'll probably hear me yelling when I pick it up. 

Wooo congrats! Hopefully I’ll be posting the same thing next week when I have mine. Interested to see how long it takes for you to have the visa in hand. Keep us updated on the status   

I took screen shots of our call log (we use whatsapp) and just pasted them into word, message counter, few photos of more recent trips since filing, wedding & engagement ring receipts. They wanted nothing.
I didn't bother with additional texts and whatnot as generally speaking as we both cuss like crazy! 
 
It's an unreal feeling, it genuinely is. Just sheer elation. 30+ thousand miles, 10+ months of paperwork, so many worries, stressors and uncertainty on the process and that's it. All for 7 minutes at a window  
This site has made it so much better as there's always someone who knows what's needed and sometimes it's just nice to read other's experiences. 

So I thought as I’d done one for my medical, I may as well do one for the Embassy also as there doesn’t appear to be that many (obviously there’s the reviews section but).
 
March 11th 2019 Appointment time of 9:30am
 
Where
I had stayed at the Premier Inn at Wembley Park which was an absolute bargain, 5 minutes off of the motorway and only £6 for parking up until 12pm on the day of checking out.
 
2 minute walk to the tube station to jump on the Jubilee line for around 15-20 minutes and get off at Green Park and change to the Victoria Line to get off at Vauxhall. From Vauxhall you’re looking at around a 10minute walk to the embassy, (weather depending) I highly recommend taking the walk along the riverside for some views in a morning.
 
Waitrose is a couple of minutes walk around the corner from the Embassy for a coffee and whatnot.
 
As usually I’m rambling, review now:
 
Embassy
Arrived at the embassy around 9:05 – 9:10am and there’s a queue outside and just wait it out with Passport & DS-160 confirmation printout in hand.
 
Upon entering it is airport style security belt, watch, pockets empty…blah blah, we’re all familiar with that here I’m sure.
 
Walk through into a large open foyer and there were 2 queues but we were just advised to jump in any of them until you’re at the desk and a lady will let you know which level you should go, first floor turn left and follow it round until you’re in a waiting room with like bank booths with privacy dividers there.
 
First Window
You’ll have had a number allocated on your paperwork and when this is called up on a screen, go to the booth showing your number and they’ll ask questions regarding documents, I took with me and handed over:
DS-160 & Passport, Birth Certificate, Change of name deed, Police Certificate, Affidavit of support and supporting evidence (W2, Bank statements, letter of employment). I had copies of all of these however the lady wanted my originals to take digital copies of.
 
After these were checked I was informed it’s all in order and my medical was there and they handed me my x-rays on a disk to keep and carry on my person through the POE and finger prints to be taken.
 
Asked to take a seat and wait for my allocated number to pop up for the interview, maybe 10 minutes wait and interview time.
 
Interview
This was insanely laid back, raise right hand and take an oath, finger prints.
 
On to the questions:
When did Courtney & I meet? What was the next trip after meeting for the first time? (We'd mentioned the subsequent trip on our initial petition so), What does she do for work? How long has she done it for? Where does she live?  Has she always lived there? Where are her family?  
None of this was like an interrogation it was more of a conversation along the lines of “Oh okay and has she always lived in the state?”  At times with some of the questions he'd ask them and then give you pointers, "Where does she live?...like which state?"  "After meeting what was the next trip, did Courtney come to you next?"
 
That was it. “I can see no reason why we can’t issue your visa it will be with you within 1-2 weeks you’re approved.”  A little shocked I asked if that was it, are we done, I’m approved?!
He congratulated me handed me back my Change of Name Deed and some photographs we submitted within the initial petition and that was it.
I was at the window about 7 minutes (8 minutes between texts so), I was back on the street walking back to the tube by 9:50 am practically cartwheeling all of the way. Called Courtney and let her know also, managed to tell her and get back to the car like a big boy and then 20 mins up the M1 here came the tears of joy as it finally hit me, it's done!
 
I’d read people’s reviews saying this was pretty laid back and they weren’t lying, this was the most painless part of the process up to now.
 
Side note:
13th March, 10:30am case status updated to “Nonimmigrant Visa Application Administrative Processing”
 
As always with these, sorry for the wall of text but any questions throw them at me and if I can help I will. 

I've read a lot of the UK embassy reviews and some of them just seem to be asked less than the woman at the cafeteria at work asked me! And I'm the same, I love speaking about it so I have no quarms in it. Not to mention I'm one of those people (maybe to my fault) but if I know I'm legit and nothing is untoward, I'm really laid back and just stating it as it is. So speaking about us two isn't an issue or answering their questions. 
 
With regards to having things organised I'm the exact same, by profession though as I'm a maintenance planner so plans within 90 days for weekly assessments and up to 5 yearly plans are the norm...so having everything so up in the air is kinda' painful to my brain  
 
It's definitely good to just get things together while you can on slow-time, I did it between November - February (jabs and what not), it makes everything else so much smoother. The medical when you have all your paperwork is honestly a breeze! 
 
Instead of the knitting, just into the AOS forum and start reading up that, I've read through each of those guides and timelines to guestimate as roughly/best we can with the information provided. The forms and what not. It can't hurt to start checking phone contract expirations and what not Get all your ducks in a row 
 

Whooo people are you ready are you REALLY REALLY ready November has an approval so you know what that means. So time to wake up and watch all the December filer lurkers come alive now. I'm so excited for you all. The anticipation is killing me. Make sure when you are approved you shout it out here and let the others know (like I had to say that) anyway let's ROCK!!!!!!!!

I had to take pause from VJ for awhile  which I recommend if you feel yourself start to fall into a black  hole of despair.  It really helped me during my wait. The worst thing in my opinion you can do is visit other months after your month to see what's going on there especially if your case is taking awhile, that is like a iron weight and that drags you further into despair. After I stopped doing that it got much better. Again it worked for me. Thank you Zoe!!!! Good to be back and help other folks who find themselves in similar situations.

Thank you so much, that is so helpful! If I have any questions, I'll definitely drop you a message, if you don't mind. 
 
I've researched it a bit myself, and it really does seem like a fantastic service. It's definitely a big bonus for me to be able to visit my pup during the day! 
 
The 7 day journey seems a little daunting but it's also the only option for me and my 10 year old pup! And I love the picture of your dog, such a good sport 😂. 

Those who have applied for AOS here (but who don't yet have a green card) have the formal status of "applicant for Adjustment" or "Adjustment applicant."  I learned this from asking an immigration lawyer when Mrs. T-B. was at this stage.

Once you enter the US on your visa and set up home. You are a resident of the state you moved to. It doesn't matter if you don't have a GC you are a resident.
 
That is also why you can no longer drive on a foreign driver licence because you are no longer a visitor you will need a US DL based on the state you live in. (I know you didn't mention driving. Just using it as an example.)

I’m not familiar with the UK in terms of prescriptions but in Ontario, there is a cost associated with them.  
 
In that respect, I had my doctor, at my last appointment, refill my asthma inhaler prescription, and then I placed the order at
the pharmacy, and pre-paid for the whole 5 units, which were $15 each.  I am fortunate enough to have my parents only a few hours away, so anytime my mom was coming to visit, I’d have her pick up one of my prepaid inhalers and bring it across for me.  
 
Also, not sure how it works with insulin, but if you can get a prescription with refills and call it in however frequently you can, and then when you visit, you can bring it back?  Don’t know if that’s possible? 
 
I agree though, even with insurance here, things are unbelievably expensive.
 
My husband had a health concern a few weeks ago, and required an ultrasound.  It was $85 out of pocket.  Things like that, and even $25 copays at the doctor office still bewilder me, because for 30 years I had Ontario health insurance and basic and  necessary medical care (doctor visit/surgery etc) were at no cost.  My Canadian doctor actually offered to continue seeing me, for free, if I wanted to, but it is like a 2.5 hour drive, which costs more in time and money than to just suck up the $25.
 
I hope you can find a way to stockpile some and lessen the stress during the AOS period.  I know I chat with a girl who is from Sweden and she stockpiled meds before leaving for the US for the same reason.  Sorry I can’t be more helpful specific to your needs.

You would not be resident for NHS purposes.