FrostyMist

That's a small over-look,nothing like the medical RFE,so I am sure your case will be complete as soon as you send it back.yayy for small errors!

It's been a pretty anxious few days waiting for the RFE to arrive in the mail though. Ever since I got the email from USCIS to say that an RFE was on its way, my husband and I have been really worried. Now I'm kicking myself for having overlooked the small error. I'm also wondering why they didn't spot my mistake sooner - I got an RFE back in July/August because I submitted an out of date AP application with my I485. Hm. Maybe it was just processed by different department or something.

But, at least it's a simple error that can easily be fixed. I had been worried that it might be the medical that they'd sent an RFE for. I'm glad it wasn't.

Anyways. I'm so sorry to those of you who are still waiting for your bio appointments. This is getting beyond the point of ridiculous, and I hope that they schedule you an appointment soon.

I received my RFE in the mail today. It turned out to be nothing too terrible - apparently I forgot to sign the G235a form (I don't know how!). I'm greatly relieved it was nothing more. Hopefully I can get that sent back to them tomorrow, and they'll resume processing my application.

I got an email from USCIS this morning to tell me that they sent us an RFE.

I'm a little worried about what it is that they will want from the RFE. I thought we had submitted everything we possibly could for the application, but I guess not. I hope it is something that can be resolved easily. I'm hoping the letter will come from them early next week. I wish the email had more details about what the letter will say, but at least we get some warning to expect a letter from them before it arrives.

I can't believe some people are still being made to wait for a biometrics appointment. I'm so sorry for you all. Hopefully it will get sorted out soon.

No news on my application so far, but I'm not expecting anything for a while yet. I think it'll be another 4 - 6 weeks before I hear anything.

Got my AP in the mail today. Yay!

We got our transfer notice in the mail today.

I'm surprised it came so fast!

Got an email from USCIS today to say that our AP has been approved. Yay!

I'll probably not need it (don't need to travel until next June) but it's always good to have in case I need to travel back to England in an emergency.

The fingerprinting lady asked if I had a copy of my marriage certificate (so as to verify my married name); I said no-that I wasn't told to bring it- and she sighed and was like "they should really tell people to bring that in on the appointment letter".

The weird thing is, when I went for my bio appointment, they didn't ask about seeing the license.

I was expecting them to, so I took it with me just in case. And when no one asked, I asked them instead --- just in case they forgot to ask to see it. The guy looked at me as if I was a bit crazy, and didn't seem to know why on earth he would need to see it.

Still, I think it makes sense to take it along.

I got an email update from USCIS today about our case.

I think it's good news, though I wanted to ask here whether anyone can confirm exactly what it means.

Receipt Number: [XXXX]

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On September 3, 2010, we transferred this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS to our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location for processing and sent you a notice explaining this action. Please follow any instructions provided on the notice. We will notify you by mail when a decision is made. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators

I know it must be good news because at least it shows that USCIS are doing something to our case. We had a RFE a couple of weeks back, so I've been half hoping to hear something from them soon about that. I guess this means that processing has begun once more now that they've received the information they wanted. But does this email mean that we're likely to skip the interview stage?

I noticed the yogurt tasted weird right away when we first moved here.

I noticed that too, although I wasn't very sure why it tasted so off. I thought it was just that I hadn't found the right brand yet. I didn't normally eat too much yogurt back in England, and I was always a bit fussy about which types I preferred, so I figured it was just me. I did find one or two brands that were decent, though for the most part I've just avoided yogurt and tried to go for something else instead.

I don't really have much faith in the online case status system, so I haven't checked up on it yet. Until today.

All seems to be up-to-date with my case online. My I-485 and application for travel document are both listed. Last action on the travel document was on the 3rd August, and the current status is that it is under "initial review". My I-485 status was last updated on the 20th August, and lists my RFE as being the last action taken.

I'm not expecting to rely on the system very much, but it's nice to know that the information is there. Sorry to all those of you who are still waiting for the system to update with more recent information on the status of your case.

We got an RFE today. Silly little thing actually - entirely our fault. My husband forgot to sign part of the I845a form. I was astonished - they actually highlighted the part of the form we need to sign, so it looks like a pretty straightforward case. My husband has already signed what needs to be done, and we are making a copy of the letter before sending everything off tomorrow.

I don't feel that going from a LDR has in any way changed my relationship with my husband in a bad way. If anything, it has brought us closer and made us even happier than we were before. I did worry that such a change might change our relationship somehow, but to be honest, we'd spent so much time together (months visiting each other) that we were used to each others' company so the adjustment from an LDR wasn't all that big of a thing for us.

On a personal level, the hardest thing for me when I moved here was the loss of independence. I hated having to re-learn how to do simple things like get a prescription or post a letter. I even began to dread grocery shopping because I felt utterly overwhelmed by trying to find brands of foods that I liked to eat. Also, not having any idea at all about how much things cost was difficult for me.

I've only been here since April, so I've still a ways to go yet, but I can definitely say that I do feel settled here. It was hard at the start, but once I began to regain some independence, I found it easier to adapt. My husband has been very patient and understanding throughout the whole experience - he's taken me on a drive round most of the town, showing me the places he went to as a kid, and also the various stores and places of interest (here is the bank, here is the grocery store, here is a place to buy gifts, etc etc) so now I feel like this place is more familiar.

It took me about 3 - 4 weeks before I felt "normal" again after arriving in the US. My stomach was very unsettled over that time, and I suffered frequently from pretty major headaches. I also had an overall sense of tiredness, which was very draining.

I suspect the reason for this affect in my health was due to two things: Not keeping hydrated enough whilst flying, and a sudden and drastic change in diet.

After I'd been here for a week, I began to get very concerned about my health. After one too many days with awful stomach ache, I decided enough was enough and restricted myself to an extremely bland diet for a couple of days. Once my stomach had settled, I started varying the foods I ate--taking care not to overwhelm my system with too much new stuff at once, and now I'm doing fine.

I think it was mostly due to me eating far too much unhealthy food-in those early days of me being in America, we ate out at fast food resturants far too much. My diet consisted of greasy burgers and fried chicken. Not good.

Overall, I've adapted fairly well now to US food. However, I would say that I do have to be a lot more cautious about what I eat here. I have noticed that there are many things that make me feel extremely ill. It does concern me that there seem to be a lot of preservatives in food, and some products (meat, fruit, etc) seem to have a blander taste than I'm used to.

No problems with the drinking water though.

Attended my biometrics appointment on Wednesday at Kansas City. It went without any problems.

Although we were almost an hour early (appointment was at 11, we got there around 10:10) they still waved us in and let us join the queue. The security process was simple, and the guard very friendly and polite. We were handed a ticket number and a form to complete whilst we waited for our number to be called. They were already calling number 16 when we arrived, and ours was number 18. We waited about 10 minutes at most and were called in.

The form was pretty simple - name, date of birth, address, alien number. There were also some questions about height, weight, eye color and hair color. Nothing too scary - after all the immigration forms we've filled in already, this was pretty tame.

We were called through and asked to take a seat whilst the officer took our form. They were fine about allowing my husband to come in with me. The guard entered the information we had entered on our form, and then asked us to verify he had entered all the information correctly, then he took my fingerprints and my photograph. He was very friendly and polite throughout.

One thing that was strange - I took my marriage license with me, because I am applying in my married name and my passport is still in my maiden name, but he didn't ask me for any proof of marriage. I was worried that he had overlooked asking me to show the license, so I asked him about it and he said there was no need. I was a bit surprised about that.

Anyways though, he stamped my appointment letter, handed me it and my passport back, asked us to complete a customer satisfaction survey and then said we were good to leave. We were only in the office a total of 30 minutes.

Now on to the next stage!

It is completely natural to feel a whole mixture of emotions during this time of your life. Although prior to my leaving England, most of my feelings were of anticipation and excitement, there were times when I felt very scared. At those times, although I had my then-fiance to confide in, I felt very isolated from family and friends because I didn't want to admit to them that I was scared. I knew I was causing my family a great deal of heart ache by leaving them behind and could not bring myself to express anything but excitement and anticipation about leaving England because I didn't want to worry them. To admit "I'm scared" felt like saying "I don't know if I'm doing the right thing", and I bottled those feelings up because I told myself that I was a fool for leaving my home country if I had such worries. I realize now that I was not being a fool for having those worries. I was being a sensible adult.

Thinking back to my fears then, I think the two biggest ones for me were my fear of loss of independence, and fear of the unknown. Prior to leaving England, I had only spent five weeks in the US (during a visit in 2008). Had I wanted to spend more time in the US prior to moving, it would have meant us dealing with long distance for years and years more. That wasn't an option for us. Costs were mounting, the distance was destroying us, and we were desperate to be together. I was fed up of living life in limbo.

When we first applied for our K1 in March of 2009, I knew that leaving England was the right thing for us both. We had gone as far as we could together in our long distance relationship--it was time to make things permanent. But just because I knew it was the right decision for us and our relationship, did not mean that it might not turn out to be the right thing for me as an individual.

Now that I am in the US and getting settled into my new life here, I can say that my moving here was not only the right thing for us and our relationship, it was also the right thing for me as an individual. But even though I am happy and love my new life here, some days are still hard. They say that it can take years before you are completely adjusted to life in a new country, and sadly, for some people, (although this is rare) that feeling never completely goes away.

Some of the things I found useful in order to adjust to living here was to find out what there was about the US and England that was similar. And even what it was about America that was better than England. During my first few weeks of being here, I watched a lot of TV shows that were my favorites back in England. I imported some of my favorite British food and brought with me my favorite blanket and pillow case. After I recovered from my hysterics at the airport, I called my mum and brothers whilst waiting to board my plane. This really helped tremendously, because I was assured I could still feel somewhat connected to them. When I got to the US, we made it a priority to find an affordable way to phone my family. I spoke to someone from my family at least once a day. I sent them emails and photographs whenever I could. We set a date so that I would know when I was going to visit England and see them again.

For me, I began to feel settled once I had "regained" the things that were important to me in England. I like to read a lot, so I felt a lot happier when we had a comfortable reading set up in any room I might want to read in. We even set up a an Amazon Prime account, so that we can get 2 day shipping for free (this was helpful for me because I buy things online a lot from Amazon, and having the Amazon Prime account meant that ordering products was about as easy and convenient as it had been in England). My then fiance drove me around the town, showing me a little of it at a time so I wouldn't be overwhelmed with too much all at once. It helped me to learn what sorts of places there were that I might want to visit. I feel more settled now that I am not dependent on him to choose where we eat-because I know what the choices are, and can make suggestions too.

It's a slow and gradual process. Sometimes, it seems like it's the silly little things-like figuring out what brands of food I like-that are helping me to adjust to my new life here.

Got my biometrics appointment today.

18th August at 11am.

It's sooner than I thought it would be, actually. But it sort of works out for the best-we have to take a three hour drive to Kansas City for the appointment, and luck would have it on that day we were planning on being at Kansas City anyways.

Agreed it would have been much easier if my medical results had have been there.

It would have helped clear alot of confusion. The Hotel we stayed in was so bad, we just about managed one night, nevermind a good few. We were ready to check out at 5am

I think it was about $250 for the consultation, and then the other $250 was for all the blood work. Expensive. Maybe when I go for my next consultation (in September) the insurance will pay a lot more towards the costs, since I should have met my deductable by then.

Well, just beware that medical costs are high! It depends on what sort of care/medical treatment you require, and what's involved when/if you see a specialist (and how often you need to see one).

I hope everything goes well with your K1 though, and the medical issue won't be a setback.

She mentioned they may just be happy to see that i am covered on my Fiances employers insurance. Is that the type of insurance you got? or did you take out a private plan?

Think its great you have the same support that James gives me <3 Its great aint it?!

My husband is self employed, so I had to take out my own private insurance.

I'm not sure what they're called, but its one of those places that is only for people who live in a certain state. The insurance coverage I get is very poor, and it's a little frightening because if I ever did have complications due to my condition, I doubt the coverage would cover much of the medical costs. As our financial situation is improved, we are going to look into getting me a better insurance policy. I pay $575 a month insurance currently, plus 2-$300 on medication, so things are not cheap! In addition, it was over $500 to see a specialist (which I need to do every six months since my condition is rare). I guess things will get less expensive when I hit my deductable, but there are a lot of things in my plan that my insurance does not cover.

As for your interview, it sounds like the concern was due to worries about you becoming a public burden. I think once they get the medical report, that should clear things up with them. They already had my medical report when I had my interview, so I guess that was one reason why they didn't ask too many questions about that issue.

Reading your post, Twinkles, I guess I can see why you might have confused them a little. With my own application, we kept it very simple "I can't work now, I won't be working in the US." My own condition brings with it its good days and its bad days, and my prognosis for the future is very unclear (I've spoken to people with my condition who are older, and many of them have a much declined quality of life than I do now). But since coming to the US, I definitely have a 100% improved quality of life than I did in England. My husband's love and understanding and support has allowed me to brave all sorts of experiences that I would not otherwise have gone through.

If they hadn't already gotten your medical report, then it was probably on the interviewers mind that you might "become a public burden", especially if you had told them that you are claiming benefits in England. I guess I was lucky not to run into too many problems because I stated from the onset of my application that I can't work, and when we submitted our K1 application, we were careful to word the answer to certain questions to include the fact that my husband was prepared to support me financially for the rest of my life.

We even submitted evidence that we had found a suitable insurance plan, that was willing to cover me despite me having a pre-existing medical condition. I don't think they were bothered about looking at this information during the interview, but I stated to the interviewer that I had it. Medical insurance in the US is not a simple thing to sort out, and is extremely difficult for those with pre-existing medical conditions. My own costs me $575 a month, and offers an extremely limited coverage. I hope you'll be able to find something for yourself when you get to the US.

I got my NOA1 for both the I485 and I131 today!

Didn't receive anything for EAD because I didn't apply. Being unable to work due to disability, I did not see the point in applying.

Second woman was abrupt with me at first. Asked quite a few questions...

Did i plan to work in America. Was i classed as disabled here,

When i last worked here, Did i realise america isnt like England when it comes to shirkers

At this point she made me semi kick off. I simply told her she has no idea of what my medical conditions are and the fight i have been through to get to be able to have the privelage to literally be able to stand at her window. I told her i have defied all odds on my original prognosis and that im no bloody shirker.

I'm so sorry to hear they gave you a hard time because of your medical condition.

I'm surprised to hear that it was an issue-I am both disabled and have a medical condition, and my fiance (now husband) and I were both really worried that they were going to give us an extra hard time. We scrutinized everything-particularly all the financial stuff-to be sure that we could prove that even with me being unable to work, we had the financial support behind us to mean it wasn't going to be a problem.

When I got to the interview, the gentleman that interviewed me was wonderful. They're not really set up over there to deal with people with disabilities (I am in a wheelchair, so we had to call in a security guard to escort us all the way round the back) but I managed to get through everything without too much stress.

The interviewer seemed a little concerned about the fact that my fiance (now husband) didn't earn all that much money on his own, and asked me something like "you sure you want to marry a poor guy?" but he smiled and approved us without a fuss when I showed him the co-sponsor forms.

I'm very sad to hear that they gave you a hard time.

I had said to him "Wow! You are one of the nicest immigration officers I have ever come across... what's up with the rough and gruff attitude you guys usually have?

Although I've read lots of horror stories which give the impression that that is what ALL immigration officers are like, I guess that the truth is that in my own experiences with immigration so far, I've actually found people to be friendly. When I went for my visa interview in London, I expected to deal with some harsh and mean official, but instead I got a kindly gentleman who seemed genuinely pleased to be able to say "you're approved!"

At the end, he gave me his number (no! he was not flirting!) in case I run into any problems and mentioned that he has friends who work at my local office.. I thought that was really cool

That is really quite cool.

I guess I tend to imagine these immigration officers as being stern old men that don't have a heart or care about their job and what it means to those who have to actually go through the whole immigration process. And whilst I am sure that there are some (like in any job) that may feel that way, it's nice to be reminded that there are those out there who are decent and helpful.

A likely interview by November though...

That sounds pretty good to me. I can celebrate Christmas without that hanging over my head, and then buy the plane tickets to visit my brother in England for his wedding when the new year comes. My husband and I were just talking recently about how much things still feel in limbo whilst we wait for this next stage of the immigration process to be done with.

Yay! Our check was cashed today. Husband and I are immensely relieved - now on to the next stage of the AoS process.