RUSSandRACHEL

I am a beauty therapist and one of 7 therapists in my workplace. I work for a large hotel in the UK and work in the spa department. 5 of my collegues (including myself) have suffered from severe tendonitus due to an excessive amount of massage treatments we have been given. I have been a therapist in several workplaces during the past 6 years and have never been asked to carry out this amount before. We also warned our supervisor before the injuries occurred that the workload was dangerous and excessive. One girl has been told she may never be able to do treatments again and has been off work for 12 months with depression because of this... hostility at work etc...

Our HR department has now asked us to change jobs within the hotel (ie they've suggested waitressing, switchboard, front desk etc) as 'we are not able to carry out the full amount of massage requested daily from clients'. Please note, we are 'beauty therapists' not massage therapists and therefore, our job description covers a large range of treatments so this is not because we cannot do any of our job role anymore.

I would just like to know, can your employer force you to change job role (and also department, take a lower salary, shorter/longer hours etc) due to injury which has been inflicted because of your workload? They are also insisting that we all pay for private physiotherapy (at our cost) despite each of us having doctors notes. Is this right?

Does anyone have a clue about UK employment law when it comes to this? We've all worked very hard for our qualifications and accepted our jobs under the terms given to us at the time (pay, hours etc). Now they're suggesting we accept minimum wages? This doesnt sound correct to me but wondered if anyone else knew better...?

Thank you!

Well, I dont know how much Continental actually charge as we've gone through the pet shipping company, PBS Freight, for Honeys booking. Part of the price also includes her kennel (which is also the biggest size available) but it was £1137.

I'm moving to the US on May 31st with my labrador Honey so yes it can be done. But to be honest, start with your research now, it has taken us nearly a year to get everything finalised. Google 'pet shipping companies in your area' and see what you come up with. I did that and then put out loads of enquiries and got quotations back. Be warned though, it is very expensive. Its costing about $3,000 (plus vets bills) to transport our Honey. But it will be worth every penny to us (shes our baby!).

Then, we found an excellent vet who specialised in pet passports and we've gone ahead and applied for that (which included microchipping, rabies vaccination & blood titre test). I do believe though that you only need minimal documents to enter the USA - health certificate, microchip & rabies vaccine (we've actually gone the whole hog in case we are ever to return to the UK, who are much stricter about animal transportation). Hope that helps...

Good luck

Hi everyone,

I finally booked my flight to leave the UK on May 31st from Birmingham to Newark. Russ is also flying out to the UK a week prior to help me pack and make the journey back to NJ with me and my labrador, Honey. So all three of us are finally booked and paid for! Yay!

I just wanted to hear of some POE experiences of people that had collected their pets from Newark, once they'd arrived. I know we'll be taken to secondary passport control with my K1 visa first and I have read the POE reviews for Newark and that the waiting time varies greatly. We plan on entering through the citizen line together to hopefully save time, but I am still really worried about Honey being cooped up in a crate with no food for 11 hours or so.

So, how did you get on and how did you find the staff at the pet centre?!

Many thanks guys

Thanks everyone... hmmm makes sense about the BA strikes. I never thought of that. Well, we bought our tickets yesterday!!! Yay! We both slept really well last night for the first time in ages. Its such a relief! I bought a return (even though I'm obv. not returning) for £387 and Russ's ticket to come out and flight back with me was £566 - which is still extaustionate (sp?) in my opinion but it was the cheapest price. Every other surrounding date was £700+. Hes coming out a little earlier than planned which means more unpaid time off work for him as well, which is exactly what we don't need but oh well. At least we'll be together soon! Soooo excited! Counting down the days now...

Hi everyone,

I will be moving to New Jersey in the United States, to be with Russ and get married at the end of May! Im so excited!!!! I cant wait!

Anyway, the last hurdle for us is to get our flights. We need to fly with Continental from Birmingham to Newark. Our dog, Honey, and I are booked on the outgoing flight.

I bought mine last night for £387 (return even though I'm not returning - but its half the price to get a return rather than one way). And Russ wants to buy his flight to come over here a week prior to help me move and then us two and my labrador Honey, will all be flying back together.

So, I searched for his flight last night and they want nearly £700!!!! Almost double what I've paid!!!

We cant pay that and I don't know what we're going to do. Does anyone work for Continental (ie know when the prices of flights go up or down) or does anyone know of any discount codes to make this price somewhat more realistic?

Help!

Thank you!

Thanks for your advice everyone, but after much searching we have finally found a house! Yaaaaay! Its wonderful and we did it all without those pesky blood sucking realtors!

I just wanted to recommend the only place that I found to be legit and really helpful - www.sublet.com. Its basically like craigslist where landlords directly list their apartments or houses available to rent and they either pay a small fee to Sublet for allowing tenants access to their contact details, or they choose whether the tenant should pay the fee. So unsuprisingly, many landlords expect you to pay the fee. But we contacted a few people and every single one appeared to be genuine... none of this 'give us your credit report upfront' rubbish...

Anyway we paid about $40 and found our house!!! A lovely Polish couple own a few properties down in Soth Amboy in NJ and had a 2 bedroom split family house for us. They are very fond of dogs (perfect for our labrador, Honey) and it was only $1350 per month! Russ signed the lease two days ago and he'll be moving in on April 1st and then coming over to the UK to help me make the big move on May 31st.

So thanks for all your advice everyone, and if anyone else is struggling to find somewhere have a look on Sublets website

I had my K1 interview on January 25th and recieved my visa shorty afterwards. My leaving date for the UK will be May 31st and Russ will be coming over 1 week prior to help me move, so we'll be travelling over together with our labrador, Honey.

On all paperwork that I completed before 25th January I had given Russ' current (at the time) address as the place where I will be staying, but since then we have found a new house to rent together that will be more room for us and our dog. So, I was just wondering, should we inform the DOS that we have a new address now? Will my SS card be sent automatically to hisold address when I arrive? Or should we just list our new address on all paperwork for AOS?

I haven't moved from the UK yet but will be on May 31st! Russ has just found us a lovely two bedroom house to rent on the bay in South Amboy - quite reasonably priced too. He has lived in NJ all his life and I love it there too! He will be moving in to the new house on April 1st and is a little upset about moving from Montclair (extremely affluent area ) to the shore but we're very, very happy to be starting our new life soon. I cant wait!

I love NJ cos of the shore which is so relaxing and the proximity to NYC. Its like two different worlds. I think when the time comes, I'll be trying to get a job in NYC as the train station direct is only down the street from our new house.

What area are you moving to?

Me and Russ had our K1 interview date on January 25th and were successful!! Yaaay! I then recieved my passport, visa and the mysterious brown envolope shorty after. We have set our leaving date as May 31st (the wedding will be on June 27th) and we have also:

• worked out my notice date with my employer
  
• finalised all travel plans/pet passport information for our dog Honey
  
• found a new house to rent in NJ and signed the lease, (well Russ has) all ready for him to move in on April 1st
  
• looked at flights for me and Russ (he's coming over to the UK to help me move)
  

So we have most definitely had our hands full. The past few weeks I have not even been on VJ cos we've been so busy. But now, I've been starting to look over the next step... filing for AOS.

I have looked through the guides and guess we'll take it step by step like the K1 petition. But I just wanted to hear from anyone else who's in the same boat. I'm a little confused and daunted at the following:

• Applying for a SS number
  
• Applying for a marriage licence (do I need a SS number to do this)
  
• Finding a civil surgeon to complete medical paperwork (I still am outstanding with my tetanus & MMR vaccinations - should I get them done here or in the US?)
  
• Then, what happens? - we get married and then how do I go about changing my name on my SS card?
  

After that, I guess we send off our appliaction for AOS, Employment Authorisation & Advance Parole? (that step seems simple enough)

Im just a bit overwhelmed that what we have been waiting for has finally arrived. I know there is a UK forum for general questions, which I have been on a lot in the past, but its more for people with their interview coming up. Im neither at the stage of AOS, so inbetween I suppose.

Is anyone else feeling the same??? Sooooo excited but a teensy bit scared! Its coming so fast!

Rachel

Thanks everyone for your replies!!!! We are still on the hunt and getting more and more stressed as the days go on.

Russ went with a realtor and had a viewing at a nice 2 bedroom single family home this week. It had a large 2 car detached garage in the garden (which is enclosed). So, Russ went on a second viewing this week when the realtor dropped the bombshell that the garage is not included and the landlord intends to have full access back and forth to the garage and to his huuuuge snow-plough truck that sits in the garden!!! We were really upset by this 'cos we thought we'd found a gem and all along they told us this was included, even though it wasn't. So, Russ, aparently, got the pushy sales talk, 'credit report... lets go into my office... ya ya ya...' And he told the realtor 'no' we're not happy about this and aren't gonna go any further unless you can negotiate a deal about the garage/truck in the way'. She completely turned on him and snapped 'forget it!' and dissapeared into her office with her sandwich!!!! Can you believe it! What a b**ch!

So we are officially done with realtors. They are blood sucking, used car salesmen with no spine, no matter what country you're from!!! And they expect a months rent in commission? For what???!

So Russ has drawn up a flier and is going to post it everywhere he can in the area, looking for a private landlord, offering a 2-3 bedroom home in North Jersey. We have also been on Craigs list and always get the same scam replies... all the same, word for word - 'I have expensive furnishings.... Click here for yout free credit report' No mention of an actual real person, a possible viewing or an offering of a telehone number...

So the search continues... Dos anyone else have any good ideas??? We have a month to find somewhere and time is ticking fast!

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS!!!!! Look forward to hearing more as the weeks go by.

In the meantime we have been fighting with realtors. Grrr. What is it with those people?

Anyway.... sighhh...

I wonder if someone can advise... My interview was Monday 25th and today I went on 'The DX' website to try and track my passport. It just says this message - 'Sorry, this combination of tracking number and postcode do not correspond with our records. Please check and try again.' Did anyone else experience this? Is there a problem or will it just get assigned when they have my package? I'm a little bit worried. I've emailed them to enquire but no response yet.

Great idea! Thats what I did!

Please don't worry NikkiUK. I know its a very easy thing to say but I was sick with nerves from the moment I woke up yesterday morning and in the queue to go in, I thought 'I'm going to have to leave the queue in a minute'. I felt so sick. I really had to control my nerves and think 'this is what I really want I just have to get on with it' Once I got in the building, I felt much more relaxed. I guess its the anticipation part that got me the most.

But just make sure you're 100% prepared. I was so suprised when talking to people, that they didn't even know the name of the visa they were applying for, or what forms they had filled in. One girl behind me in the queue got turned away because she still had her I-pod in her bag and couldn't understand why she couldn't take it in! If you're organised, you'll be fine. I don't know how people took books to read though, I couldn't concentrate on the magazine I bought with me, I was too busy listening out for my number! Which eventually, was never called out, it just appeared on the screen.

But the interview, as a few other people have said was fine, enjoyable even. The consular officer that interviewed me, seemed genuinely interested in my answers. He even made small talk. He was really friendly and pleasant. Honestly, I felt less interrogated than when I usually go through Newark Passport Control!!!

Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Good luck *hugs*

WE'RE APROOOOOOOVED!!! I cannot believe it! I'm so so happy and so emotional. I can't believe its finally come! Thank you to everyone for their lovely messages of support and for all the advice on VJ. I don't know how we could have done it without you all! Yaaaaaaaay!!!!!

Couple more questions while I have the chance...

• Where do you actually go when you arrive at the Embassy (I was thinking of arriving at 7.45am)?
  
• Is there a main entrance?
  
• Does everyone who's had their interview think that 45 mins for queuing is enough?
  

Thanks everyone!!! Yay! I cant wait for this all to be over! I'm feeling ok at the minute actually, I'm more excited than nervous, but I just wanted a few people to cast their eyes over my list. Looks like I'm good to go!

My interview is Monday (eeeeek!) I'm so excited!!! Not looking forward to all the waiting around though, I just want to get it over and done with. My interview is for 8.30am so I'm planning to arrive outside at 7.45. Does anyone have any suggestions about whether this is advisable?

Also, I have my paperwork all ready but just wanted to run it by everyone to see if I've left anything out...

I have:

Appointment Letter

My Birth Certificate (long version) & a copy

My passport (and copies of each page)

My police certificate (& copy)

x2 US sized passport photographs

Our Affadavit of Support (& copy just in case)

Russ' 2008 Tax Return & Tax Transcript (& copies)

Russ' payslips (& copies of each one)

Russ' employer letter (& copy)

Additional Evidence June - present - I know this is never really asked for, but just in case...

Updated letters of Intent (& Copies)

x2 recent photographs (taken after I-129F)

Recent proof of posting packages to each other

Recent Flight Itineraries & Boarding Passes

Fees:

$131 - Visa Processing Fee (has this now increased to $350?)

£14.20 - Courier Fee

Have I missed anything??

Hi everyone,

We also did what many people advised against - the thing your not supposed to do... We started planning our wedding after getting engaged in April 2009. By July last year, my dress was bought and I took it home with me to the UK in September. During my summer trip out there, we also booked the ceremony site (a beautiful gazebo overlooking the jersey shore one way and a lake the other), the banquet house for the reception, the photographer, the florist, the DJ and the officiant. We're only having 4 people attend from the UK (no famly unfortunately) and we're only having about 40 people in total there. We sent off our I-129F in July and my interview is on Monday. We gave ourselves a good 11 months and its worked out well for us. We did hear alot of advice about having a quickie ceremony and celebration later but that wasn't for us.. we want the dream wedding we've always wanted and didnt want to do it any other way. Can't wait for it to come around!!!

Is it ok to pay by debit card for both the courier and visa fee? Or do you have to provide cash?

It is so great to hear this part of it. I hope we hear from more people as they cross over.

Also, good luck to the remaining January interviewees. Looks like UK Visa Journey is on a roll and will not be stopped.

Thanks guys!!! Off to London tomorrow afternoon! Yaaaaaaaay! Can't wait!!!

Thanks for the replies guys. We have checked Craigslist but will definitely step up the search on there now. And we dont have to wait two months to move, if we find somewhere great and within budget Russ could move in after giving a months notice with his current landlord. Then I'll join him in April.

Does anyone have any advice about credit checks/references before marrying and recieving your green card? Does it make things more difficult getting my name on the tenancy aggreement?

Ohhh Im so glad I found this!!!! American bread is awful. We have spent $8 on a loaf and $1 and they both just taste as sweet and awful as each other. Russ just doesnt understand what I mean. I'm so happy to have found everyone thinking the same.... Think I'm going to invest in a bread maker soon. Or better yet, add one to our wedding list! The only halfdecent bread I ever had was a sandwich from Friendly's... think it was sour dough? That was nice... but its like $12 from Whole Foods! Lol. Ohh and I think I will miss english sausages and back bacon too (ahhhh)

Hi everyone,

I think this forum is the best place to post this general query... I have my K1 interview in London on Monday (which I cant wait for - we have been waiting far too long to be together as it is). Anyway, our plan is to make the big move at the end of April and get married at the end of June. The wedding is all planned. Its just the 'small' matter of finding somewhere for us both to live.

Russ (the US citizen) currently lives in an apartment which wouldn't be suitable for both of us to live in, plus our labrador, Honey who'll be joining us too. Its very small and the landlord doesnt accept pets. There's also no back yard etc... So, we are now on the hunt for a smallish (I think they call them single family homes) in north New Jersey.

What I didnt expect was find the rent soooooo high. For a two bedroom property everywhere seems to be at least $2,000. I obviously won't be able to work as soon as I make my POE, so Russ will have to support us all on his own for at least three months. We're thinking we will be able to get by with $1,500 rent per month but theres not many places available for that amount (and that will allow pets). Another thing I have found completely crazy is that realtors expect a finders fee! Russ says this is quite normal but to me, being English, is completely alien!. One realtor emailed us straight away to ask if we can pay the full 1 months rent equivalent as the finders fee?! I couldnt believe it!!!! Sure enough, we expect to pay a couple of hundred dollars for credit checks/references (although I dont know what they're gonna come up with for me) and about a months rent equivalent for the deposit, plus the first month in advance but an extra $1,500 for them just looking?! That seems crazy to me!!!

How did you all find it and can anyone make any suggestions....? Is rent and fees generally negotiable in the US? We've also advertised on Craigslist and are looking for a private landlord desperately, but nothings come up. Help! We need a new home to move into by April!

Great review Frosty! Absolutely wonderful to read. I have to say when I read 'welcome to the US' I felt a little choked up. I cant wait to hear those words.

At the moment Russ is house hunting for us and its so exciting. I cant wait to have a little home to call our own!

Reading your reviews though, I am getting a little concerned about the financials... Russ' 2008 tax return shows earning of about $5,000 but since 2008, hes secured a job and earns well above the poverty line. I have an employers letter and all of his payslips. Do you think it will be ok? He cant file for 2009 yet!