Fatpossum

Hi all,

I have now been in the states for over 2 months, supporting myself with money I saved from my old job in UK and through a part-time job at a speciality food grocery (for the princely sum of $6.70 an hour).

I received a passport stamp at JFK which expires on November 9th and am getting a little worried as I do not think my EAD will be through by then and I am not too sure how to support myself and Nikki.

Being in a small college town (Oxford MS) there is not a massive amount of employment opportunity, bar the University. It was always my intention to try and get a "proper" job with the temp EAD and hope that the EAD would process in time for me to continue in the job. If not hopefully I would have built a good relationship with my employer to maybe work out some arrangement of re-employment or voluntary work until the EAD came through. Unfortunately, despite applying to jobs at the uni which I am more than qualified for, I have not heard a sniff back, not even an interview (I have recently heard that they greatly favor employment from within).

Today I have seen 2 jobs appear on the University website that would be perfect but I am worried that if I apply, I will not have my EAD in time. Although I have already had my Biometrics, the EAD NOA was, for some unknown reason, returned to the USCIS as undeliverable. I have contacted the USCIS to verify my address etc, but have still not heard anything back.

I do not want to pull the wool over a potential employers eyes but at the same time I do not want to pass up these opportunities as money is getting very tight. Do you think I should just take the gamble and hope the EAD comes through or maybe explain the situation and ask to work voluntarily until I receive the EAD?

Hi all,

I am about to file for my AOS and will also be filing for my AP and EAD in the same package. Each form asks me to send 2 photos, does this mean I should send 6 photos or as they are filed together, shoulde I only send 2?

Thanks

Hi all,

I went to ask what I needed to apply for a Drivers License the other day and was told that, as well as my SSN, Birth Certificate, Passport, I-94 and proof of MS residence, I would also need to bring my INS papers. I have no idea what my INS papers are but the woman said I had to bring them.

Can anyone shed any light?

Cheers,

James

I have just been looking at the DS-3025 copy, that I was given by the Physician over here, and at the I-693. Firstly, I only seem to have been given page 1 of 2 for the DS-3025 (just the vaccination docs) was this the same for everyone else or did they get both pages? I just want to make sure I have everything I need.

I do not think I need any further vaccinations or TB tests as I had the TB X-Ray for my medical over here and my physician has marked on my DS-3025 that I am not age appropriate for Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal, Human papillomavirus and Zos.

Anyone with any advice on my I-864 query as I will be contacting my Uncle later.

Thanks for all the help guys, I will try and call Dr. Arnold's office tomorrow.

Can anyone shed any light on the I-1864 questions??

Hi guys,

I am due to fly out to the States on Monday (so much stuff to do before then!!) and Nikki and I want to get married and get the AOS under way ASAP as we want to apply for AP to come back here for Christmas. I have called a few Civil Surgeons in the North Mississippi & Memphis area and none seem to have any idea about transferring the information from my DS-3025 to the I-693, all want to book me in for another medical and seeing as I already forked out for my medical over here only 3 months ago, I am obviously reluctant to pay again. I know a lot of people used Dr. Arnold on here, is he a good route to go down? I've noticed on the I-693 instructions that a Civil Surgeon should be present to transcribe the information, as Dr. Arnold is in Texas, has anyone had any problems with this (ie. the USCIS asking why the form was completed in a different state). How long does it take Dr. Arnold to complete the form and send it back? As I said we are trying to get the forms sent off in the next couple of weeks so time is of the essence.

Regarding the Affidavit, I am going to ask my Uncle to sponsor me as he sposored me for the K-1 and Nikki has only just finished college and will not qualify to sponsor me. Could I use the same letters, from my Uncles employer and bank, that I used for the K-1 Affidavit for the I-864? They are both dated in the last week of April, is this too far in the past?

Thanks for the continued help and support,

James

Cheers Martin,

I'll do similar when I get out there!

James

Hi Guys,

I know, from looking at other posts, that health insurance is a topic that has been discussed time and time again so sorry to add to the pile but I am getting a little confused!

I am flying out to Mississippi in a couple of weeks and was originally planning on getting some temporary health insurance for a month or so until I got on to my fiancee's plan. However, Nikki's new job does not offer a family plan (its only a small independent book shop). So now it looks like I will have to get my own private plan until I get a job that offers insurance (I am planning on eventually getting a job with the local university as I know a few people there and hear that colleges, in general, offer good healthcare benefits, however, I'm a bit scared of applying for a "proper" full time on my 90 day work visa in case it expires before I get my EAD).

The only trouble is I basically have no idea what I am looking for, what coverage I need, what is a good price (they all look bloody expensive)....I don't even know what a deductable is! Could anyone give me an idiot proof guide to the healthcare system and suggest any decent companies in Mississippi?

I know Lansbury, in another post suggested this as a short term method:

"If you just want it for a short time it might be worth considering just getting insurance that covers emergency and hospital treatment and pay for any visits to the doctors office yourself. That would be cheaper if you are fit and well.

My niece used to sell medical insurance and I remember her saying that sort of policy was about 50% cheaper than buying full cover."

This seems like it could be a decent idea as I rarely get ill but, sods law, I'll break my leg, slip on some soap or catch pneumonia the minute I get out there.

I've got to say, I'm getting a little bit peeved about this whole healthcare situation, I have worked my ####### off this last year to save money to pay for the visa/adjustment process, save for our "proper wedding" next year, to pay 3 months of rent for a house I'm not even in yet whilst still paying for my one over here and to pay for plane tickets to come back at Christmas for a celebration for all my friends and family who wont be able to make it over next year. I have a bit left over and was looking at getting back into working for enjoyment for a few months (back to working in a kitchen, not the greatest pay, but my real passion) and just generally chilling out. Most the quotes I have been looking at are more than I will be paying in rent each month so it looks like going back to a job I hate to pay the bills.

But it'll all be worth it when I have my (very soon to be) Missus by my side.....

Anybody????

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the continued help, not sure what I would have done without this site.

I am flying out to the states on the 11th of August to start my new life with Nikki, I'm excited but am running around like a blue ####### fly trying to make sure I have everything I need before I go.

I have lived in America before (2004-2005 in college and for a few months in 2007) and never opened a bank account there as I have a UK Nationwide Flex Account that does not charge me for international transactions. I will obviously be opening a bank account in the states, however, I will be keeping my Nationwide account open as I will be owed wages up until December and will, hopefully, be getting a tax rebate next year.

At first I was thinking of transferring my saved money from my Nationwide account to my American account in one lump sum. However, I have recently been sending money to Niki via Paypal and am getting a little annoyed about the charges so I have pretty much decided to leave my money in the UK account and use it as and when I need it. Has anyone else done similar? Was it a good idea?

I am also planning on opening a savings account for our "proper" wedding fund, I have an ISA account with Nationwide (hardly anything in it at the moment though), and was considering transferring a lump of money into the ISA (I can transfer money back and forth from the accounts on the internet) and using the ISA as my savings account. When I need the money for anything, I can just transfer it back into my flex account and use that. Does this sound like a good idea or should I open a savings account in the US?

Cheers Guys!

Thanks everyone, I've read the embassy reviews and its put my mind at rest a little.....Bring on Friday!!!

Hi All,

I have my interview on Friday morning at 8:00 am, I'm excited that I could possibly be approved by lunchtime but understandably nervous that something could go wrong.

I have a couple of last minute questions though. Firstly, I was planning on taking my birth certificate along to the interview but after re-reading the check list, I see it says that the embassy requires a certified copy of the Birth Certificate and then goes on to say it will accept a photostatic copy as long as the original is present for the interview. I do not have a certified copy and it may be a little difficult for me to get away from work to get one in the next couple of days. Will I be okay with a regular photocopy as long as I take the original along? If its going to cause problems I'll see if I can get my sister to get a certified copy done for me.

Secondly, do I need a copy of my fiancee's Birth Certificate? She has fed-ex'd her affidavit over to me and has included photocopies of the original documents that she submitted, I am not sure if she included her birth certificate though and cant get a hold of her at the moment. If she hasn't sent it and I need it, I will get her to fed-ex it later today (her mum works there so she gets a nifty discount)

Thirdly, and this is not so important, I notice on the embassy appointment letter that it says you cannot take mobile phones or ipods to the embassy. Are they really stringent on this and wont allow you entry or do they have a valuables box on entry? The only reason I ask is that I am planning on heading off afterwards to spend the night with friends and I dont really fancy heading home again first. I remember last time I was at the embassy (2004) that I was able to take my phone in but had to pass through a metal detector on the way in. As I said, this is not really important at all, I'm just curious really.

Thanks (and wish me luck )

James

Hi All,

I was wondering if anybody could help me. I have my interview next Friday (June 6th....Get in! Only 4 months after sending the I-129F) and I have just realised that my passport is due to expire in October 2009. I know that is still over a year away, however, I was wondering how difficult it is to apply for a new passport overseas? It is obviously too late to apply for a new one now, but will need to get a new one whilst in the U.S. now.

Secondly, I will be arriving in JFK (in August if all goes to plan) and spending a few days with a mate before heading down to Nikki's. I understand this is the only place you can get a temporary work permit, does this authorize me to work immediately after receipt or do I need any documentation? I used to chef in restaurants and I have a buddy who says his restaurant will be happy to give me some casual work until I have my status adjusted and find permanent work.

Third, (and yes, I know I only said "a couple of questions") when I eventually come to adjust my status, I would like to apply to leave the country as I would love for Nikki and I to come back to the beauty that is Essex for Christmas. Is this relatively painless?

Thanks for this, I am not sure if I have posted in the right forum so feel free to move me around

Well I had my medical and everything seemed successful (I hope!!!)

I managed to get my GP to fax over the vaccination records in the end. It turns out I need another MMR because when I had my first one (1985) there was no such thing as an MMR and I just had a measles jab.

Fair play to Knightsbridge Doctors though, they did not try and get me to have the jab there at their ridiculously expensive rate. I was sat down by a lovely lady called Caroline who drafted a letter to my GP requesting I have the MMR and for the confirmation to be sent back to her. I have booked the jab for May 9th and when the letter is faxed over to Caroline, she will send the whole package to the embassy.

Still, it was the quickest £180 I'd ever spent (medical was over in 20 mins!)

Hi guys,

I'm scheduled to have my medical tomorrow at 3:30, however, my doctors surgery has not yet provided me a record of my vaccinations. I spoke to them on Friday and they said they should be able to get them to me today if I gave them a letter stating exactly what I needed. I took a letter up on Friday and could not call today as I was in meetings all day, however, I went up after work and there was only one receptionist up there and she didn't have a clue what i was talking about. I'm not going to be able to get up to the surgery in the morning as I leave for work at 7 AM.

Should I cancel my medical and get it re-scheduled for next week? I am in no great rush to take it as I have not yet received my affidavit and have not mailed back my checklist yet. If I do take the medical tomorrow and don't have my vaccination records what kinds of problems will it cause?

Cheers people

Hi guys,

I received our packet 3 on Friday (WOO!!) and have begun the process of gathering all the information needed for my interview. I just have a couple of questions, first of all, do I need my American fiancee to send me over her birth certificate or is it only mine that I need to take with me for the interview?

Secondly, we are going to get a co-sponsor (My Uncle who has lived in Memphis for nearly 20 years) as my fiancee is a student going into med school and she has no money. I read on the I-134 FAQ's that both my fiancee and my Uncle will have to fill out an I-134. In this case, should my fiancee state that she has no annual income, savings, real estate etc. and should I write a cover letter explaining why my Uncle is having to sponsor me?

Thirdly, has anyone submitted their checklists when they have not yet received all the information they need? On the letter they sent me it said that once you have posted the checklist back, you will receive a letter approximately one month before your interview confirming the date. I am not going to send the checklist back anytime soon as I have only just sent off for a police check and have not received my affidavit yet, I'm just curious if anybody sent their checklist back while still waiting for police checks etc.

Thanks for your help with this, I've booked my medical for Tuesday....170 Quid!!! I remember when I applied for J-1 visa's in the past my local nurse carried out the medical and it looks like I had a similar procedure as the one scheduled for Tuesday. Is the3re any real reason why you have to use the embassy approved Medical Practice or is it just to wean a few more pounds out of us?

I just received a brief call from my very excited fiancee to say she has received the NOA2 from the Vermont Service Center. I didn't get to speak to her for long so I'm not sure of the exact date it was sent but we received our first NOA on Feb 5th.

I'm over the moon......bring on the next batch of paperwork

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry if the post was a little confusing; I am a UK resident, my fiancee is a US citizen and my Uncle is a US resident. So from what I gather, it will be fine to use him as a co-sponsor (thats if he agrees!!!!)

Just out of interest, does anyone know why some applications get processed quicker than others? I imagined the applications would be processed in accordance to when they were received, unless any further evidence is needed which would obviously slow things up. Is there any rhyme or reason to why one application can take 30 days to be precessed to the NOA2 stage and another can take 4 months? I presume that the answer is no and it is just "one of those things" but I thought it might be worth asking.

Cheers,

James

Hi all,

Thanks for everyones help so far on this journey, I need a little more advice though if anyone can help.

First off, my fiancee, Nikki, submitted our I-129F at the end of Jan, we received our NOA1 on Feb 5th and it was touched on 24th Feb. Since then we have heard nothing and to be honest, I have been so busy at work and she's been swamped studying for her MCAT, so apart from the odd check to see if our status has changed, I have not been putting a massive deal of though into our visa.

I've been doing a little research into what I need to do next though and whilst looking through the K1 Visa timelines for people in the same situation (Vermont Service Center, Fiance is a UK resident) I have noticed that the vast majority seem to have received their NOA2's within 25-50 days. It has been over 2 months since we submitted and have heard nothing, would there be a reason for this? I see a lot of people who submitted after us have already received their NOA2's, some already have interview dates set, and I am concerned as to why ours might be held up. Here is a link to the timeline:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...om&dfile=No

Secondly, as my fiancee is a struggling student, she will not be able to be my affidavit. I understand that you can get a co-sponsor if your fiancee does not earn above the poverty line. Originally, we planned for my fiancee's mother to be the co-sponsor, however, my fiancee has recently had a falling out with her mother, as she found out that her mother had been stealing the inheritance left to her by her father. We no longer want to use her as a co-sponsor, however, my Uncle lives quite close to my fiancee, would it be possible to use him as a co-sponsor or would that cause problems as he is my family member?

Once again, thanks for all the help guys, I've got no idea what people did before the age of the internet!

Cheers,

James

And just to clarify...she did not send in the original passports, boarding passes and birth certificates, correct?

Thats correct, is this a problem?

She sent in xeroxed photocopies of each of these but will send me certified copies for my interview.

Thanks for all the replies, I'll be getting on to filling out my profile and timeline over this weekend, I've been a little busy over the last couple of weeks.

I am based in the UK so will be going to the British embassy. For some reason I had got the impression that we needed exact copies of everything to take to the interview including certified copies of my fiancees birth certificate.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest, now I can start thinking about the next steps

Hi all,

My fiancee sent our I-129f package off last week and it was received by Vermont on Monday. I obviously was not there to check over the last steps but I compiled as much info as I could and sent it over to her so she could put the package together and send it on.

However, before sending it off she only made copies of the actual I-129F and the G-325A (the copies were made before she signed them). She did not make copies of the pictures, passport photocopies, emails, boarding passes etc.

I only just found this out and am a little worried as, although she knows what she included in the package, if she tries to recreate it now, there are obviously going to be minor differences between the original package and the recreation (where she signed her name in the box, description of photos and photocopies etc) as she has no original to work from.

Will they pick up on these minor differences in my eventual interview? There is not much we can do about it now as it is already submitted, I was just wondering if anybody had encountered a similar situation and what the outcome was.

Thanks

Thanks for all your replies, its good to have some light shed on the situation! I think we may go for the civil ceremony approach as the last thing I want is for our big day to come around and me not to be there! I know it shouldn't but it just feels like a bit of a cop out though...I feel like this whole process has takes some of the "magic" out of the engagement/wedding. Still I suppose its the being together which counts ultimately!

I need work out the best approach plan but will try and start on the forms this week, the quicker they're submitted the sooner I (hopefully) will get over.

Hi all,

I am a UK resident and want to marry my USC fiance. I met her in college in the states and we have been together for 3 years. I have been back and forth as I have tried to find out a way to stay and whilst spending Christmas with her, I proposed and we want to get married ASAP (being apart is killing us!)

I originally thought I might try and come in on a Visa Waiver, marry and apply for a change of status. This seemed like it would work out nicely as my current job contract expires in March, after which I have a 2 month trip planned to the south of Europe (half pleasure/half research into a new business). I was then looking at coming over in May with an idea to Marry in June.

However, I have realised after trawling numerous boards that this can be a very risky manouver (could be denied change of status, will have to wait for a while until I can work/leave the country) especially as we want a proper wedding with a bunch of my friends and family coming over. So it looks like a K-1 visa is the way forward.

However, this poses a couple of problems for me as I understand it takes around 8 months for this to be processed. My questions are:

1. Will I have to stay in the UK the the whole time this is being processed? I have had this trip planned for a long time and even have a buddy/business partner from the US coming over to join me so he might be a little non-plussed if I cancel. Not to mention, the knowledge gained will set me up for the future.

2. Is 8 months the average amount of time it takes for the K-1 to be processed?

3. Is it okay to have a "proper" wedding when I come to the states? I see alot of people have had civil weddings and then had a "proper" ceremony later. Is this due to the legality of the situation or just because its easier to have a quick ceremony on arrival and then plan a larger one later?

4. How much, roughly, does the process cost? As I will not receive my visa for the presumed 8 months, if I do go away to Europe, I will return in may and will have a period of 3 months before I can come out in which it may be difficult to find some temporary work. Ideally I would like to come straight out in May and look to work straight away but I understand this is impossible. I just need to budget as I obviously want to take a good amount of money out with me.

5. My fiance is in Med School and does not have a full time job, will this hinder my chances of obtaining a K-1 as she technically cannot support me?

Thanks for your help, sorry about the length, I am just trying to get my head around all of this!!!