shallot343

On 10/14/2020 at 6:06 PM, brainless69 said:

I changed from my monthly contract to a PAYG contract on three. its easier. Just top up once every three months with minimum £5 and fake call or send a text to show number is still being used. No problems thus far

My partner is planning to do the same! He has had his number for 15 years and doesn't want to let it go. Can you top up with a US bank account, or does it need to be UK? (we are leaving the UK account open anyway but there is all the extra faff of making sure money is in there too)

Thank you very much for clarifying! I think I was just surprised that he would receive a Class B mark for "standard" depression, but he still has the visa so I am sure it won't be a problem at POE. 

18 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

Did your partner ever have TB or failed a TB test?

 

nope, nothing like that. We are in the UK also, for context. I think it must be the mental health issue-- he has a history of depression and required a special note from the doctor that he was not a harm to himself or others (which was received and accepted by visa medicals) 

Hi all, 

I hope this is the right forum but mods- please feel free to move this if not?

I could not find a recent thread about this so apologies if already answered-- 

My partner received his spouse visa today with the following annotation: Class B Req. ATTN of USPHS at POE

Based on some research, it looks like this is usually included if there is a health issue and it is recommended the immigrant receive an extra screening at POE or at a local public health office. His medical was clear except for a long-term minor mental health issue which he had a doctor's note for.

Wondering if this annotation is due to COVID ? Has anyone else who recently received their visa had this annotation? 

On 10/6/2020 at 2:46 PM, shallot343 said:

Just wanted to update this in case anyone else has this very strange issue---

 

We reuploaded the w-2 in CEAC yesterday, October 5th, and emailed the embassy with a scan and mentioned that the w-2 had been accepted by NVC in June when we became DQ. Got an email this morning October 6th,  (9:00 am UK time) saying they have the W-2 now and the case is with an officer. Our CEAC status changed from "Refused" to "Administrative Processing" at some point today!

 

will let everyone know when we finally get to "issued" 

Another update--- status changed to "Issued" this morning October 8th! 4 days after interview!!

On 10/5/2020 at 7:52 AM, shallot343 said:

We also emailed the email address on top of the 221g explaining that it was already in CEAC, that we had reuploaded it anyway, and attached the scan to the email. Hopefully they remedy this quickly since we were not asked for a paper copy couriered to the embassy. 

Just wanted to update this in case anyone else has this very strange issue---

We reuploaded the w-2 in CEAC yesterday, October 5th, and emailed the embassy with a scan and mentioned that the w-2 had been accepted by NVC in June when we became DQ. Got an email this morning October 6th,  (9:00 am UK time) saying they have the W-2 now and the case is with an officer. Our CEAC status changed from "Refused" to "Administrative Processing" at some point today!

will let everyone know when we finally get to "issued" 

Thanks @Wuozopo-- I searched the threads after I posted and saw this had happened before! My partner had the W-2 with him but they didn't want the paper copy...just wanted a scan of the document which is already accepted in CEAC. How strange and frustrating that this keeps happening! 

We also emailed the email address on top of the 221g explaining that it was already in CEAC, that we had reuploaded it anyway, and attached the scan to the email. Hopefully they remedy this quickly since we were not asked for a paper copy couriered to the embassy. 

Partner had his interview about an hour ago-- was in and out in like 45 minutes and they kept his passport. They only asked where we met and what I do for work.

The only thing is we received 221g for my W-2 to be uploaded into CEAC (actually the W-2 literally says "Scan  W-2" but she told my partner to upload it). My W-2 is already in CEAC and was accepted back in June. I have uploaded it again  and hit submit to be safe. 

anyone have any insight into how long this might delay us? really had our heart set on him getting here this month. 

On 9/27/2020 at 3:57 PM, Wuozopo said:

It is commonly called FBAR if you want to look it up. It isn’t due until next April and only if you move during 2020. If you move in 2021 then due April 2022. I wouldn’t get too bothered with it now while your head is wooly with so much to learn. It’s a report I have done many times, the first one being a year late with no issues

Just want to add re: the FBAR. I had no idea about it and owed an FBAR  filing from 2013. I filed the old FBAR this year, so 7 years late, and no one batted an eyelash and I haven't faced any penalties. The IRS tends to make things sound very scary and very serious but in my experience most mistakes made in good faith are pretty easily remedied. 

48 minutes ago, Bug&Bug said:

Now I need to understand the USA tax and how it works with my UK income, bank accounts and isa's..... Nightmare!

Are you going to be continuing working remotely while you are in the US? My partner was offered the opportunity to keep at his role part time remotely which would be great as it will take some of the stress off of him finding a job immediately, but we are VERY confused about the tax situation. Think he would essentially need to be a self-employed contractor for this to work? 

15 minutes ago, BGjiffy2021 said:

(also hi - nice to see a fellow brooklynite!) 

Just wanted to say hi--I am in Brooklyn too!

Also you may be able to reschedule your medical for a few days time; there were a ton of appointments when my partner thought he would have to reschedule his due to the missing MH letter!

On 9/18/2020 at 8:00 PM, Appy said:

If you already have an interview booked I’d caution against getting the letter after the medical as this requires counting on getting the letter in time for the interview. 
 

I had the same issue, was given the same template and my GP was completely, utterly useless about it. I had to about a week to sort it all out and in the end paid a psychologist £325 just to have a 15 minute appointment with me and write a letter to say that I show no sign of self harm.

Thats a good call actually- -thank you for the insight.  I guess I was thinking it might just be easier for the GP to use the template from the medical exam.  I cannot believe what a pain that was for you; I am sorry you had to deal with all that. We are willing to for find a psychologist if it comes to that (but I hope it doesn't!). Nothing is ever simple with immigration is it? (understatement of the century!) 

5 hours ago, shallot343 said:

 My partner has his medical in about an hour.

Thought I would add an update as well!

My partner (T) was told visa medicals is one-in one-out so even though he turned up early he had to wait to be called in, which was about 10 minutes after his scheduled appointment time. In total he was there for about an hour and fifteen minutes; he handed over his documents to be scanned in and then mostly sat in the waiting room except to be seen for each individual part of the medical (urine test, blood draw, patient summary, X-Ray). He also needed two vaccines (MMR and Tetanus). They take debit card even though it says "cash or credit only" on the website. Everything is all clear except he still needs his Mental Health GP letter, but they told him once he has that to send it in and then they will send his medical to the embassy! 

Regarding the GP letter for anyone who is concerned about it (because I was!); my partner asked his GP for the letter back in July (for ongoing depression which he is medicated for) and they said 6 weeks or so to receive it. It was an unbelievable faff--they refused to write the magic "not a danger to self or others" words and the secretary forgot to send the request to the doctor so it wasn't done before the medical as promised. T called visa medicals to reschedule due to the missing letter and they told him he could come in for the rest of the appointment and just send the letter later. They actually gave him a form or template to send to his GP with the information they needed regarding his mental health, which is actually easier than asking the GP to write one sight unseen. T dropped the form with his GP after the medical and is going to call up for a consultation on Monday so they can fill it out.

I would suggest for anyone with the time to spare (interview isn't until the 5th !), it might be easier just getting the GP letter after the medical. I know some GPs may have written a letter like this for visa purposed before but T's clearly hadn't! 

39 minutes ago, DrIdu said:

Quick update: 

 

Mr.Idu had his medical visit yesterday. Had to travel into London (it seems the trains are back on track, in a way). He said London seemed like an early Sunday morning. Not much going on. Quiet. 

 

They sent him a list of information via email (I am not privy to this email). Which he had all of it already, because we made our little stacks of documents for the medical and interview ages ago. And I constantly ask him to double check things (I'm a Virgo, okay!).

 

Mr. Idu's feedback on the experience:

1. Drink a 'pint' of water directly beforehand, as one thing that holds people up in the medical is not feeling ready to pee in a cup. He was very ready. 😆
2. The office is very efficient, process-focused, and direct in their dealings. Courteous and friendly, as well. 
3. So, have all of the required documents ready for them, as they won't wait on you to get it all sorted. 
   1. In his words: "Have whatever they need to process your medical paperwork for the visa interview appointment...just get the fuckah done."
4. They list options during the medical, such as whether to get your shots/jabs there or with your GP.
   1. Mr.Idu said: get it done there and pay for it so you don't make the process more complex by relying on your GP's timescale to schedule another appointment and the risk of them not having what you need to get for the visa application;
   2. Dr.Idu (me) says: Also the visa medical office knows exactly what you need for the US visa application, so better to use their services and get it done;
   3. Mr.Idu also said: they doctor said it wasn't clear what his vaccinations were base on his summary, but that it also didn't matter because his age meant that he was due for a top up and that some of the vaccinations weren't required when he was younger.

That's what we have to share. I feel a little bit better knowing that we are literally just waiting for the interview date. And, from checking the CEAC status, also knowing that all of our stuff is with the embassy and in the 'Ready' status. 

 

Hopefully that's helpful info! 

Thank you so much for writing this up! My partner has his medical in about an hour...just sent him the whole post (and reminded him to drink some water!)

So glad you are so close to being done with this all!

29 minutes ago, IsItLekker said:

We were approved! Hubby is so glad its over, but he says he won't believe it until he sees it. 😂

Congratulations! I know you two had long journey!! 

2 minutes ago, corntop said:

I assume (only opinion) that they will throw your second expedite request away soon as it is received, considering you already have an expedited appointment arranged. I wouldn't imagine they would cancel it just to give you an even later one when you've already been allocated a slot, or maybe you could get extra lucky and get an even earlier one. I guess it doesn't hurt to email and ask, but I would imagine your date is set now.

 

 

That makes sense! We didn't actually have a granted expedite...we just received a normal interview appointment (our original expedite never received a response, and the day after we sent our second one we received a regular appointment!) 

I will call NVC tomorrow to ask them what they thing...and maybe shoot the embassy a quick message through their online form

Wondering if anyone has any input on this--just received an email that our second expedite request was forwarded to the Embassy, but obviously we already have our interview date. Should I contact NVC or the Embassy to basically tell them "nevermind", or can I just ignore it? Worried our interview might be inadvertently cancelled due to the new expedite. 

9 hours ago, CS_Bradshaw said:

congratulations!! we got the same date for the interview. hope it goes well

Thank you! You too! The interview is the part we are the least worried about so really relieved this is the final hurtle!! 

7 minutes ago, GingeUK said:

Received mine at 07:05 BST

Ours came at 7:05 BST as well. I think its a batch email. 

I have no idea how they do it honestly; it looks like it is mostly in order of DQ but I think we may have gotten ours because we sent in two expedite requests so they just threw us into this batch instead of responding to the expedite (or it is just completely random and stupid which also wouldn't be surprising)

Also got an interview email this morning!

DQ: June 16

Interview: October 5th

Visa: CR-1

Attempted to Expedite but ignored (or they just gave us a date in this batch instead of approving out expedite)

I honestly cannot believe this at all---we have been working on this process for 18 months (I know a lot of couples have been dealing with it even longer!) and even though I knew we would get there I couldn't really envision it actually happening. 

It looks like they have more slots this month than last---I know all the rest of the June and July DQs will be next month for sure! 

11 minutes ago, loveisvein said:

discovered last night that my flight via aer lingus at the beginning of october has been cancelled. aer lingus says i am entitled to a full refund; however, since i didn’t book direct i have to sort it with who i did book it with and i haven’t been able to receive a response. 

 

this news, on top of still not hearing anything about an interview, whether by expedite or otherwise, is really taking an emotional toll. i haven’t seen my wife in over 6 months. we don’t know whether or not to book through another airline or to just continue to wait it out. we keep hoping that things will happen soon but at this point it seems hopeless. 

I am so sorry that happened! My last planned trip to visit my partner was meant to be in April and I remember how devastated I was when that flight was cancelled due to the travel ban (I actually immediately booked another one via Canada which was also cancelled so now I have two partial plane vouchers....)

Personally we are waiting it out though it has been almost 9 months; mostly because we are trying to be cautiously optimistic and believe our interview will be any day now, so he needs to stay in the UK (maybe if we manifest it, it will happen...) I know platitudes are useless really but I just keep reminding myself that we've come this far...they can't actually keep us apart forever. Sometime in the next few months we are all going to get that interview email! 

I may not be the best person to advise(I have been whining about my expedite struggles for weeks now!) by nvcexpedite@state.gov is the correct email address for an expedite. They will forward your request to the embassy-- include your LND number in the subject line and body of email

2 minutes ago, R1CH1991 said:

I’m sure I wasn’t the only person refreshing the email inbox today. Hopefully there is some movement tomorrow or shortly. I’d love to be in the next batch but expect October / November realistically since we’ve not heard anything about or expedite request and others have. 
 

There’s nothing we can do except wait patiently I suppose and keep living life! 
 

When did you submit your expedite? Our got lost or something....we are way outside of "normal" expedite times 

4 minutes ago, Bobnrob said:

Hopefully there is some action tomorrow.... Or I guess another month🙄

I am starting to feel a little nuts with all of this! We just sent in another expedite request due to new circumstances (partner just lost his job due to covid and his org restructuring which is...less than ideal)! I am hoping now that there aren't any bank holidays on the horizon the embassy staff can focus on us again. I hope everyone is hanging in there okay!