Rubycon

Just an alternative strategy - perhaps contact some independent schools and ask about their recruitment policies. I'm pretty sure that many don't require you to be a US certified teacher, although you might have to settle for a lower salary than your US counterparts. With experience of the British and Australian education systems, it shouldn't be too difficult to convince a school HR department that you can teach!

Good luck!

I have a couple of different thoughts on the used car issue..

For a start, yes there is no contest that older Toyotas, Hondas, and Nissans cannot be killed by conventional methods - low maintenance, relatively good fuel economy.. however, given current gas prices, lots of people are looking for these vehicles, so you'll have to look hard to find a reasonably priced one.

I remain to be convinced about the newer, Korean cars, but to be honest I've never driven one (apart from when I recently hired a Chevy Kalos in England - the gearbox felt like it was made of Lego, no - in fact I wouldn't have been so afraid of it coming off in my hand if it had been made of Lego). I hear Hyundais are pretty good.

However, please do not write off used American/Canadian made vehicles!

In my experience they are extremely reliable and cheap to maintain. My wife has had a succession of Oldsmobiles and currently has a Chrysler LHS - they never fail to start, even in the middle of punishing Illinois winters. They are also cheap for parts, and will keep on going and going if you maintain them well. Of course you are not going to get as good gas mileage as some smaller cars, but don't be decieved simply by fuel economy figures - gas mileage has a lot to do with other factors such as driving style, too. Why not consider something like an older Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable - excellent cars and very common used?

When the time comes for me to find myself some wheels I will be setting myself a starting budget of about $3000. You're not going to get a lot for under that amount (in contrast to England, where you can find plenty of excellent bargains for under £1000). I will be looking for Fords, Mercurys, Chryslers, Oldsmobiles (who knows, I even saw a gorgeous 94 Caddy a few days ago for $3800 with only 90,000 miles..).

Remember also that the internet is not the only method for searching for used cars - some of the best bargains (vehicles belonging to elderly owners, for example) will appear in local papers and other publications.

Make sure that you at least know what potential problems you're looking for in a used car if you go to view any, that way, the seller will hopefully not leave you saddled with a turkey!

Look for (among other things):

- Above average mileage for its age (figure on 12-15k per year as a rough average)

- Check around windows and suchlike for overspray - evidence that the vehicle has been resprayed

- Check all around for rust

- Check body panel alignement for evidence of crash damage

- Look under the vehicle for evidence of leaks

- Check the tire pressures and tread wear

- Press down on the vehicle to test the shocks

- Check that the condition of the interior matches that of the exterior

- Check under the hood - look at the belts, are they worn?

- Is the air filter very dirty (evidence of lack of maintainance)?

- Is the oil level normal (if not, the engine may leak or burn oil)

Hope this helps!!

This is indeed a timely thread as I was just ripped off by a doctor who didn't understand what was required, despite me repeatedly saying all I needed was the vaccination supplement. They also claimed that my vaccination history was not complete despite having the medical results from Bentinck Mansions in London right there in front of them - thereby directly contradicing another civil surgeon! To cut a long story short I complained several times and demanded a full refund - they gave us the runaround so we stopped the credit card payment and so it is now in the hands of the credit card company...

After a few phone calls we found a CS who knew right away what was required and when we visited her, she was able to issue the I-693A (signed, stamped, sealed) in 5 minutes - cost $51!

I think a "supplemental" list of doctors from USCIS's CS list who are aware of and comply with the procedures required for K1ers completing the I-693A would be an asset to VJ. Perhaps a sticky or something else? Mods?

Congratulations on the good news! As I said in another post, my POE at Chicago was very quick and easy. In fact it was the shortest time I've ever spent in immigration (including queing) at O'Hare. As a precaution I carried photocopies of all my documents as hand luggage - there was a brief moment when the immigration officer thought he couldn't find something in the "do not open" file..

..best of luck!

You live and learn, I guess - we're all green about this stuff at some point - just wanted to repeat the warning, though. Anyhow, I'm trying to not feel too bad about it, as everything else has been very easy for us so far.

BTW I did check forums here (and still am!) for advice on AOS. I chose the CS in question simply as it was the only one within walking distance of where I live.

Hello all - just wanted to share a couple of thoughts on my first three weeks in the US! These observations probably belong in a couple of different forums, but I thought I'd post here first among those who recognise me (for good or bad reasons!).

POE (Chicago O'Hare) was a piece of cake. It took about 10 minutes tops. The immigration officer opened my "do not open" file and leafed through the contents. He seemed most concerned with finding my medical results. He asked me one or two really easy questions (just stuff like how long had I known my SO, etc), then stamped the visa and said something like "you've got 90 days to get married - if you don't, leave the country". I took that to be USCIS humour...wow those guys sure are a bunch of jokers!

Amusingly enough, my Best Man had a worse POE experience than I did! He's a dual national, British and Iranian, and the immigration people took him away for further questioning! He's really cool about that sort of stuff though, as he understands that - for better or worse - he kinda fits the profile (young, single, educated male with Iranian background)!

The big day was really nice - family and close friends in a nice hotel in downtown Chicago, followed by romantic dinner for 2 at the Signature Room! - and now I have a lovely, cute wife! Things have settled down now all the guests have left, Disco is back to work, and I'm getting used to life in the 'burbs...slowly...

I applied for my social security number exactly two weeks after POE, and it arrived today - under a week from the application! Pretty good turnaround! Hooray!

I went to the USCIS office in Chicago about a week ago to ask for my K1 temporary work authorisation. I was planning to get some work as a substitue teacher - Disco works in a high school and their HR department were interested in me (Illinois is currently experiencing a lack of substitute teacher crisis). However, the person I spoke to in the USCIS office said that they will not stamp visas for work authorization any more, and the only way to get work authorization is through the AOS EAD application. Well, at least I tried. As Disco said to me, the only people they hurt are the legal immigrants...

...some advice, learned the hard way

So now I'm getting my stuff ready for AOS. Today I went to a local doctor to get my I-693A prepared. When I called, the lady in the office seemed a little confused about my not needing the full medical. As per VJ advice, I insisted that I only needed the vaccination supplement completed and signed from my records.

So, I get down to the doctor's and they look through my papers. They say I need to get immunity tests done at the local hospital, and then I need two further visits to them before they will issue the I-693A (at $270 and $70 respectively). Alarm bells start ringing. I said to them that I had already had my vaccination history reviewed and approved in London, and a visa issued on the back of that, so all that was required was my details copying onto a new form and signing by the doctor. They said they couldn't do it as the vaccination records I gave them highlighted some discrepancies. They then said that I owed them $180 for today - alarm bells continued ringing; I hadn't left the waiting room and they were under 5 minutes looking through my vaccination documents! I said "oookkkaayy.. let me go get my debit card.."

As it happened, their card machine was playing up and I didn't have my cheque book on me, so I said I'd call back later (a 4 mile walk in 89 degrees, folks!). I called Disco when I got back home, who was incredulous that I'd been charged that amount and not even seen the doctor. She called the practise and asked them to bill us - they refused and threatened to contact USCIS and have me "flagged" if we didn't pay - note that at no stage did we threaten not to pay!! (I'm pretty sure the "flagging" was BS, though)

So, basically, my warning is this - make sure you call several different doctor's practises and get them to detail their rates before going there! We found a much better price elsewhere and certainly will not be dealing with these bandits again - absolute daylight 'kin robbery if you ask me - lets face it, if I wanted to be relieved of my money I'd go walk around Chicago with "please mug me, I'm British" written on my forehead. I would name and shame the practise, but I'm pretty sure that is liablous - but you make up your own minds whether or not they were offering "value for money".

Wow, this is a long post - but I just wanted to share this with you all and stop someone else falling into this trap. I'll keep you all updated..

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I was wondering if age has any bearing on one's ability to get credit in the US, or is it simply a case of money talks? The UK credit rating system is draped in mystery, so I've never been able to work that one out here.. seems things are a little more transparent in the US.

i keep getting credit card offers in the mail that say that I need to send in a 16 to 20 dollar processing fee.. which I will get back if my card is approved

there is no way I am sending money before I even get the card...

You might almost say that the visa process works the same way.. except you don't get the money back if you are approved..

The specific question is

When Do You Intend To Arrive In The U.S.?

(Provide specific date if known)

Yes, I've seen that questio . There is also a reference to a proposed wedding date. Perhaps this is given on more recent paperwork..?

As you have now decided we have advised people to make up dates where has that been said. All we have said is put a date.

No, that isn't what I said. I said I didn't think it was something we should be condoning to the clear detrement of other VJers. To be clear - I'm not talking about giving the embassy an intended travel date. Of course this is fine as they do ask for this. I'm talking about making up a wedding date to try and push your case through when all the advice says "do not fix a wedding date". Look on pages 16/17 (and beyond) of this thread for evidence of people doing just that!

To be blunt if you didn't comprehend the question don't come blaming us because you think you were disadvantaged by not answering it.

I have several pieces of headed paper saying I'm intelligent. Please stop presuming I can't read.

I wasn't specifically replying to you (hence no quotes) and I appreciate that your situation isn't as simple as just making up a date. However this idea of making up a date to push through an interview is a recurring theme in this and other, previous threads.

Just an opinion I needed to air. After all, I don't think a website such as VJ should be - to an extent - condoning such activity.

ok but we are all here to figure our way through this and we are a community

What about James' short cuts which I used and which saved me two months ? I suppose I didn't push anyone back by doing that but I 'gamed' the system nevertheless.

I dislike queue jumpers myself but if x % are not that bothered about an early date because they are finishing a college course for instance, then why shouldn't someone who feels more urgent, press for an earlier date using whatever they have ..

Lying about an intended wedding date ? I am a bit argumentative and instinctively I would like to argue, but I suppose you are right - drat.

Yes you are.

But anything short of that I would push my case and put it in it's most advantageous way (yes to the disadvantage of someone else - obviously) ... It's not fair that stupid people get rejected at job interviews - or people with venereal disease through no fault of their own have an immigration rejection added to their problems, but thats the way it is.

I once stepped back and let a lot of mothers and elderly people board a plane in front of me and when I got on (yes I was actually on) they decided they had handed out too many boarding cards - I was told to get off as I was last on. Makes you think. Ethics eh ? difficult.

Ok you are absolutely right - and the truth is the truth - but there can be a bit of fuzz around the edges here, where pushing an otherwise weak case by exaggerating things doesn't amount to a bare faced lie...

We all know where the line is deep down inside...

Do we?

I can appreciate that people will try to push their case - after all, as you say, we're all trying to get through this and we've all got to do what we've got to do..

..and, I wasn't trying to point an individual finger. I don't want a VJ slagging match.

But the fact remains that there have been many instances of people on these boards having admitted to "inventing" wedding dates to try and push their case along. And I'm afraid that is just "not cricket" and is a false declaration. Come on? Have I experienced some kind of Total Recall thing or has that not happened?

If memory serves me correctly the question doesn't ask you if you have hard and fast travel plans, in fact the Embassy advises very strongly against making plans until you have the visa to hand, it asks when you plan to travel. To answer that question with an approximate date you hope to travel bearing in mind the advice the Embassy has given is quite sensible and is doing what they ask.

The only time I was asked when I intended to travel was on the interview day. I'm sure it asks somewhere on the Packet 3 receipt when your intended wedding date is (I remember being surprised by this). I told the truth and said it was not yet scheduled. Any more recent interviewees remember this?

By the way please point to one post in which anyone has said you should lie to the Embassy when answering that question.

Making up a date IS lying - and there are plenty of people who have done it and posted about it. Its called making a false declaration.

That's true. Guitar playing always confused me...I tend to favor my left hand for many things, so it seems logical that my left hand should be doing all the fingering. Then along came two lefties, Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix who liked strumming with the left hand.

I've always found it strange that most of the complicated bits of guitar playing (ie: forming the chords, etc.) is done by the left hand.. would've kinda made sense for it to be the other way around if you think about it from a right-handed point of view..

No offense to the I-129F vets here (well, not much anyway) but I think its bullsh*t that people make up dates to push their interviews through. All that happens is that honest people who wait in line and don't LIE on their paperwork get pushed further down the que. I mean, ####### people??

I have my visa in hand now so most of the stress is over, but I waited a good three or four weeks longer than many people with similar timelines to get my interview scheduled. Thats because I wrote the TRUTH on my correspondence to the embassy (thats what you sign to say you have given) - that I hadn't scheduled a wedding date (remember being told not to schedule a date??). And you know what? I could've done with those extra few weeks so that I wouldn't have had to sit on my now unemployed ### for an extra month.

I hope the embassy turns round and asks one of you people for some evidence to back up your date claim - it might pursuade some people to be a little more honest.

I think if you read things a bit more carefully, that nobody is suggesting lying so your precious cherry tree is safe pilgrim.

I said I would mention that my wife will be unemployed and wanting to make sure that her resume didnt have a gap - that is 100% TRUE So I am afraid your resentment is down to your lack of basic comprehension when you read English.

Putting an emphasis on something which is true in order to get a better date is not lying !

We have been married 2 years already so whats all this junk about wedding dates ?

Get a brain cell before you fire off at people. See I can tick you off without all the low class ### that you use

I wasn't specifically replying to you (hence no quotes) and I appreciate that your situation isn't as simple as just making up a date. However this idea of making up a date to push through an interview is a recurring theme in this and other, previous threads.

Just an opinion I needed to air. After all, I don't think a website such as VJ should be - to an extent - condoning such activity.

No offense to the I-129F vets here (well, not much anyway) but I think its bullsh*t that people make up dates to push their interviews through. All that happens is that honest people who wait in line and don't LIE on their paperwork get pushed further down the que. I mean, ####### people??

I have my visa in hand now so most of the stress is over, but I waited a good three or four weeks longer than many people with similar timelines to get my interview scheduled. Thats because I wrote the TRUTH on my correspondence to the embassy (thats what you sign to say you have given) - that I hadn't scheduled a wedding date (remember being told not to schedule a date??). And you know what? I could've done with those extra few weeks so that I wouldn't have had to sit on my now unemployed ### for an extra month.

I hope the embassy turns round and asks one of you people for some evidence to back up your date claim - it might pursuade some people to be a little more honest.

I don't think you have to declare off-shore income, as the US presumes that you're paying taxes on it to the country it is in. So, if your money stays in your ISA in the UK, it is not liable for US tax (if it was a normal savings account, it would be liable for UK tax).

Not sure what the situation is if you bring the money over here, but I would guess that it is still not taxed (unless it is a very large amount). Of course, you are still liable for tax on any interest it earns while in a savings account in the US.

Keep in mind that you can't deposit anything into your ISA once you become a UK overseas resident - so if you move the money over to the US, you will be losing a good rate of tax free interest. And with the exhange rate as it is now, it beats many of the savings rates available in the US.

Of course, the only way to be sure is to contact the IRS - I am not a lawyer and blah blah blah but I did look into it as I have a Cash ISA and I'm moving to the US next week!!

I've been buying haggis from a Brit shop in Mass the past few years and she hasn't been stopped importing it

If I'm not mistaken most so-called "off the shelf" Haggis doesn't actually contain a lot of the yukky dubious bits which are banned in the US. For example, the bit that its all wrapped in is synthetic, rather than a real sheep's stomach.

Intersting that you're not allowed to eat sheep's lungs, yet Texans can still eat rattlers..!

Being an Irish citizen

Lots of things seem possible when you're Irish! One of my colleagues here at work has a British Citizen son who lives in Malaysia and is married with kids to a Malaysian woman. His children were refused British passports by the British consulate in Malaysia as they were not born in the UK. So, as he has an Irish mother, he went to the Irish consulate, claimed Irish ancestry for the children, and got them Irish passports. Thus although the children aren't UK citizens, their Irish passports are European - so they can enter without visas and work freely in the UK should they desire.

Sorry, a little off topic.

Any Americans out there who have claimed Irish citizenship through ancestry?

Sounds like a fairly painless experience.. congratulations!

I haven't posted a review of my interview (August 10th) as there's nothing particularly different that happened to me that hasn't happened to anyone else.

However, one thing people with similar timelines to me and Disco might like to take note of is that at my interview I was asked for a recent statement from my fiancee stating that she still intended to marry me. The reason given was that our I-129F petition was approved over 4 months ago (back in March) and that meant it had technically expired.

I explained that I didn't know that I needed one (although yes folks, the VJ K1 guide does recommend that you have one!) so she asked for my Affidavit of Support. I think as this was signed and notarized by my fiancee back in May/June (and thus within 4 months of the interview) this sufficed as proof of continued intent to marry. However, those of you who's affidavit is going to come from someone other than your spouse-to-be, might like to take note of this..

Just want to make sure we continue to get lots of approvals!

There is a Krispy Kreme in Selfridges in the Bullring in Birmingham. I love Krispy Kremes!! They make me go all scooby-snacksy (and not in the way the Bloodhound Gang means). They're light and tasty, nothing like the donuts supermarkets and other places sell.

I fact, just writing about them makes me think I might make a special trip to Birmingham on Saturday....

Yeah, good luck people - lets keep this trend running!

I just looked at the picture of you in the car.....I did see you at the embassy!!

Wierd!! Yeah, I was there early, at about 8:45am. Looking sleepy, probably!

Congrats Rubycon!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was APPROVED too! :joy: :joy: :joy:

Hooray!!

It seems to have been a successful last few days for lots of London people. I hope the trend continues!

I'm so proud of you and I love you.

Aww.. thankyou! I can't seem to find a sicky smiley though!

Just updating my approval! WOOT!

..oh, go on then - I'll treat myself! Thats all until next week, folks!

Recent London 'graduates'

May: JamalNTam, Oath/Leney, Tigersden, Marina+Dave, Mark&Steph, tonyeck, AlienUKGirl; June: jac, kins, TracyTN, bevray, REP&KMM, elmcitymaven, wodge2003, craigandkym, FutureAmerican, Linababe, ashp, Duffbeer; July: RGNSCOT, robburnsefc, msu17, Teddy-406, TimsDaisy, linzzee, cindi, ValWesUKUS, TQMAngie, selly, Jennymc11, halcut, Jake & Ali, psho, Dan&Tiffany....

Approvals Pending

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

Justchillin...............K1.......05/01....05/11........05/05......06/15....08:00...PENDING ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

justbee&robbie.....CR1.......05/12......06/27.....05/30...........7/11..........PENDING 2006 TAX RETURN

August 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa......P3Sent....MedDate.....P4Rec'd........IntDate/Time........Status

dropinboy.............K1........06/11.....06/12............................08/01...08:30...APPROVED

UK-to-USA............CR1......05/29......................06/12...........08/06.......

essjay..................DCF......06/29......06/25........07/31 ..........08/07...09:00...APPROVED

Neal&Cari.............K1........06/23......07/03...........................08/07...09:30...APPROVED

JenandBarney.......K1.........7/07.......07/27...........................08/08...10:00

Converse34..........K1.........06/26.....07/20...........................08/08...10:30...APPROVED

Miss My Husband...K3.........07/25......................07/31..........08/09..............APPROVED

TracyUK..............IR1.....................07/27...........................08/09...............APPROVED

Rubycon/Disco......K1.........06/01......................05/09..........08/10...09:30...APPROVED

JandC..................K1.........06/29......07/26...........................08/10...09:30..APPROVED

adi77...................K1.........07/01......06/22.........07/31..........08/15...09:00

Dawny&Tommy....K1..........06/07.....08/15.........07/11..........08/16...10:00

Mothy..................CR1........06/11.....07/02.........06/27..........08/21...08:00....

uzume.................K1..........05/29......06/14........06/23...........08/31........

September 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa........P3Sent....MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time..............Status

blspicer...............K1..........06/12......07/16.........06/26.......09/04.....09:30....

missingmilwaukee...DCF..................07/18.........................09/07

CardiffIan............K1.........07/04.......07/30........................09/11

Waiting for Interview

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....

paulinespens....K1...........................08/10

Thanks guys!! Your support means a lot to the both of us!!

Really tired as I didn't get ANY sleep last night and I left Stourbridge for London at 4:45am!! So I'll post a full review later this weekend - nothing out of the ordinary, really, though.

Hope things went well for JandC, too.

Thanks every body. Good Luck JandC! Rubycon, you be fine. You have everything!

...will I? Check out TracyUK's posting about birth certificates...