Az21

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

I recently saw a post worded almost identically regarding the same subject.  There was never a reason to delay issuing the visa.  This was, no doubt, an inexperienced officer. 

Interesting. When they noticed that my estimated US arrival date was April/May and that I didn't intend to leave for the US right away, that's when they said we can wait until our anniversary (in Feb) because I'd still have time before I leave. Luckily, I'm a patient guy and have a few months before I leave, but yes, sounds like inexperience.

Thank you again.

Oh! That is strange to even delay the approval, then. The officer must not have been aware.

Thank you all for putting my mind at ease!

Hello,

I received my visa today, but instead of the IR1 that I expected to be printed, the visa has been printed as a CR1.

We initially filed and expected for a CR1, but the officer at my interview gave me the choice to delay the approval for a few weeks - until our two-year marriage anniversary, to therefore be granted an IR1 instead.

I was grateful for the option and accepted.

Except after receiving it today, it has been printed as a CR1 and the extra wait was for nothing, it seems.

I have looked around for what to do if there is an error printed on a visa, and about the only page I can find to use (since the FAQs don't have my answer) is this: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/iv-contact_form/

I'll likely submit my query there, as I have to question it, but does anyone have any other info as to where else to contact or what to do if this has happened before for anybody else?

Thank you!

4 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

 

The SLC thing was an annoyance for us to handle stateside (needing to send off proof of non-employment, late letters, phone calls, and threats), but once done we only needed to start paying once my husband had started his first job in the US. You're then reassessed every year. Honestly? It's a giant pain. If you have the funds to pay it off might be worth it to never deal with it again. We're still paying and will continue to do so for years. We kept a UK account for that purpose. Also make sure to complete a P85 and you might get money back from the HMRC. We also got rid of the ISA before leaving the UK.

Great info, thank you!

Really do appreciate any and all financial advice (noting I should still seek expert advice). I realise I started the thread in relation to bonds, but I'm starting to see there's more than that I need to figure out! I want to make sure I get as much done as possible before making that step on the plane!

55 minutes ago, Tesco said:

If you do decide to ‘Cash in’ your PB’s you could

look at a Direct Saver with NS&I. You’re safe with deposits over £85,000 (unlike regular banks). If you have an existing ISA, then you can make no further deposits once you’ve left the U.K. (not a product I’d recommend under the circumstances).

 

I’d be far more concerned with any stocks you retain when Stateside. There maybe PFIC and OEIC reporting. Also US SEC implications. You’d really need guidance from a U.K./U.S. tax expert on that. 
 

Good luck -)

Appreciate the help.

I have an NS&I Direct ISA but not a Direct Saver. You would recommend I open a Direct Saver and move my bond (and ISA) money to that instead? The ISA does look like it is intended for UK residents only upon further reading, and the Direct Saver may be the way to go.

The stocks I will try to look into as well.

I think the other financial thing I need to sort is a student loan I am paying off. In two minds as to continue paying it off while I'm in the US or just pay it off before I go.

Thank you for the replies, everyone.

I think it might be the wiser decision to take the money out of bonds and put into an account I can still access from the US. Unfortunate, but I'd rather not risk things, even if I have gone all digital for the letter communication with NS&I.

The form filing is something I clearly need to look into as that's sailing right over my head at the moment. Definitely something I need to learn about.

On a related note, then, I assume I would need to disclose any stocks I have invested in from the UK?

Hello all,

Looking for some advice regarding holding NSandI Premium Bonds in the UK after I have moved to the US.

After searching online, I am still unsure about a definitive answer to this.

I am reading in some places that the US frowns upon have Premium Bond savings, as it can be seen as a form of gambling due to the prizes you can win each month, despite it technically not being gambling since you can't lose the money invested.

Does anyone have any experience and advice as to what to do? I have a big saving invested in bonds, so I would ideally like to keep them in there, withdrawing only if I need to dip into these savings in the future.

Is it safe to keep them in, and if so, do I need to disclose this in some way before/after moving to the US?

Any and all advice will be very helpful. Thank you!

4 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

I should add they’ll refuse it if you try hand things all together anyway plus you can’t know in advance exactly what they’ll ask to see. 

Brilliant. Thank you for the info! I'll stick to the initial plan

What is best practice when carrying/storing the documents required at interview?

I currently have all required docs, evidence of relationship, photocopies, etc in their own individual plastic wallets, nice and organised. But is it more advised to just carry everything as one big pile, ready to hand over if required? I don't know if I'm just going to be a nuisance getting each thing out of its wallet, or if a stacked pile is preferred.

I know I'm probably overthinking things now, as it approaches my interview date, but this is now what's giving me a headache 😆

15 minutes ago, rubym2020 said:

I just gave the whole print out with all 4 copies, they didn't seem to mind I also got it from a booth. 

Oh interesting! I could try that too then! Thank you

Forgive what might be a silly question.

I got some US style passport photos done at a photo booth. They are printed in a batch of four. The embassy only requires two, but I am cautious about cutting them into individual photos in case I clip a millimetre or two off an edge. How lenient are they with this? The photos are very tight together and I do worry about separating them even with scissors. Do I need to hand them over as two individuals, or can I get away with them being joined together?

Thank you!

5 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Leave everything that isn’t needed for the interview with the accommodation desk where you stay the night before. They are usually happy to hold things  a few hours 

I didn't consider that at all. That's really good to know. Thank you.

What did you guys do for a bag/backpack at your interview?

I'm staying the night before in London for an 8am interview, but there's no way I can't take a backpack with me to hold my documents and other items for staying the night.

I read bags aren't permitted inside the building, with no place to store them either.

1 hour ago, Rainbow Aligator said:

 

I had my medical on Tuesday in London. It was quite relaxed, I have had generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD for a number of years and am currently on medication for it still. It is mentioned in my medical summary (which came from my US doctor as I don't normally live in the UK) and the meds were listed in my current medications, but was not a point of interest really for the doctor and they only asked the standard questions about suicidal thoughts and harm to others etc. I think it's pretty normal to have some kind of mental health struggles and they are especially open about it in the US.  Doctors can tell if someone comes across as having more severe mental health issues than stated in the medical summary. 

This helps put my mind at ease. Thank you very much for the insight.

It looks like it won't be possible to get a GP letter written in time for my medical to address the bout of anxiety I experienced last year. Granted, it was work-related stress which has long since resolved, and I was on a low form of medication (sertraline) for around 6 months, with medical notes in the care summary discussing it, and I have also been able to pick up the consultation notes written on the day I discussed the anxiety with my GP -- but I am still a tad worried not having a GP letter will be a downfall at the medical.

Anyone able to ease my concern on this issue? Do I have enough paperwork for what I consider to be a minor case of anxiety that I should be okay? It didn't cross my mind originally that I should tick the box on the medical questionnaire if I have ever had a mental illness - but after reviewing my care summary, it looks like I need to do just that, so it's got my mind running a little.

Hi all,

This may sound like a silly question, but want to be sure.

I was able to get my care summary and immunisation records. They printed a separate list of my immunisation records, even though the records are also on the care summary.

I noticed they didn't add my hep-B vaccines to the immunisation list, so when I pressed them, they went back, added them on, and gave me a new immunisation printout.

I didn't realise that the care summary had that immunisation section until later though, so now I have one printout of my most up-to-date immunisation records which includes my hep-B vaccines, but the care summary that is missing the hep-B.

As long as the separate immunisation printout has my hep-B listed, and I can also take the official proof of dates from Boots travel agency where I had them done, would that be okay? Or would it be safer to press for a new care summary printout so that the hep-B is listed on there too?

Thank you for the help.

Thought it'd be best to ask in this relatable thread -

Got my medical booked, and noticed that the requirements in the email suggest to get a report from the GP if there are any significant/previous/ongoing medical conditions, e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.

I was signed off work for a couple of months early in 2023 with work-related stress/anxiety, and was put on Sertraline medication for 6 months. Been off them for a few months now, but just wondered if this was something worth getting a GP report for, or if it isn't considered significant?

In the meantime, been still waiting on receiving my patient care summary from my GP surgery, but they had no idea what it was when I first asked. Hoping to get that next week.

Thanks for any help!