Emily and Gareth

I remember having to send money home when I was working in Australia. I did it in the bank and it cost me something ridiculous like $120 Australian dollars...

Both way definitely beat the banks and western unions prices so thanks guys.

Xe seems great. Almost too good to be true!

RFE...... I knew it

Sorry to hear that. Keep your head up!

Im hoping to get a job in an Irish bar and to use my accent as a weapon.... Theres not too many real Irishmen working in Irish bars in Indiana so I could onto a winner!

I have heard that barmen need special training over there. Is that correct?

Just need to know how to pour whats ordered... if they only sell pints its easy....

Oh...I had heard a few years back about bartending school... I did a quick google search and there is some stuff on schools and some licences that you can get online but I might just wait till I get there and ask someone in the bar.

Sometime between now and 3pm NVC received my case. He asked me to repeat my case number and I was like blah still not there yet and then he asked for my confirmatory information. WooHoo!

Cool... I might call again and check mine. I wonder if the automated line says yours has been received. Do they mind you just calling to check? I mean, what did you say and what did he say?

They didnt mind me calling at all. Every time I called I got someone different anyway. I just always made sure I had a couple of questions for them just in case it sounded like I was being a nuisance!

I just asked for my case number and he gave it to me. I also asked if they had any idea when I would be receiving the packet 3 but obv he wasn't to know.

I am a waitress and I make $2.13 an hour. This means that I do NOT get a paycheck b/c they take our taxes out of that. We really depend on tips...and usually hope for 18-20%

Im confused... how come you dont get a paycheck?

Whos they? And do they take the whole $2.13 off you??

It doesent make sense to me that someone could get paid that low. Is there a minimum wage in the service industry...

They is the IRS and FICA and health ins. etc... they take out taxes based on the amount of sales on the servers acount... I remember one week I would have owed money because my hourly wage was not enough to offset the calculated tips taxed... the saving grace was the tips from credit cards...

the minimum wage for servers and bartenders is just over 2 bucks..

Thanks. This is useful to know as I was a bartender for years in Ireland and I am thinking of getting back into it (while this recession is in full swing anyway!)

Do bartenders earn a decent wage in the average bar? Could anyone give me a ballpark sort of figure?

It depends on the bar... I was lucky and averaged $200+ /night... but that was 10+ years ago... when money is tight like today people are not likely to tip heavy unless its a high end club... JMO

Im hoping to get a job in an Irish bar and to use my accent as a weapon.... Theres not too many real Irishmen working in Irish bars in Indiana so I could onto a winner!

I have heard that barmen need special training over there. Is that correct?

I am a waitress and I make $2.13 an hour. This means that I do NOT get a paycheck b/c they take our taxes out of that. We really depend on tips...and usually hope for 18-20%

Im confused... how come you dont get a paycheck?

Whos they? And do they take the whole $2.13 off you??

It doesent make sense to me that someone could get paid that low. Is there a minimum wage in the service industry...

They is the IRS and FICA and health ins. etc... they take out taxes based on the amount of sales on the servers acount... I remember one week I would have owed money because my hourly wage was not enough to offset the calculated tips taxed... the saving grace was the tips from credit cards...

the minimum wage for servers and bartenders is just over 2 bucks..

Thanks. This is useful to know as I was a bartender for years in Ireland and I am thinking of getting back into it (while this recession is in full swing anyway!)

Do bartenders earn a decent wage in the average bar? Could anyone give me a ballpark sort of figure?

I was just wondering if anybody knows the cheapest way to send money back to the Uk to cover any bills that I cant pay off before I leave???

I anticipate having to send money home every couple of months for the first year until I get settled in the states.

I have heard of Western Union but I have also heard that they can be quite expensive??

I know I can electronically wire money from a Uk account to another Uk account. Is it possible to wire money from a US bank to a UK bank for free or cheaply?

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.

I am a waitress and I make $2.13 an hour. This means that I do NOT get a paycheck b/c they take our taxes out of that. We really depend on tips...and usually hope for 18-20%

Im confused... how come you dont get a paycheck?

Whos they? And do they take the whole $2.13 off you??

It doesent make sense to me that someone could get paid that low. Is there a minimum wage in the service industry...

I have a real pet hate when it comes to Washroom/bathroom attendants....I somehow managed to wash my own hands and get my own paper towel for many years however for some reason they are in every bathroom of every bar in Dublin now. I have seen them in a few bars in America too.

Do you tip them every time you go to the toilet and what if you are on a pubcrawl? Its getting expensive just to go to the toilet....

I think there is one at the Fox Theatre here in Atlanta. Every time we go there I try REALLY hard not to go to the restroom if I know I don't have any change. That is the only one I've seen here though. But maybe that is because I prefer to go to dumps where the drinks are cheaper and I can drink more instead.

lol Im exactly the same way...

I have a real pet hate when it comes to Washroom/bathroom attendants....I somehow managed to wash my own hands and get my own paper towel for many years however for some reason they are in every bathroom of every bar in Dublin now. I have seen them in a few bars in America too.

Do you tip them every time you go to the toilet and what if you are on a pubcrawl? Its getting expensive just to go to the toilet....

I think you should tip a delivery person (like pizza), after all the delivery charge isn't going into their pocket it goes to the restaurant.

True, however the Pizza joint pays the Pizza delivery guy...How many pizzas can you deliver in an hour? At a guess 10 which would mean $50....Im sure Dominos or wherever can give the driver a decent enough hourly wage from that?

I like the idea of tipping in restaurants and bars in the states as the difference in service to here in Ireland is unbelievable in some places....Honestly....I am sometimes embarrassed to take my fiance out in Belfast because of the bad service. Service staff here dont expect to get tips so it doesent matter whether they provide a good service or not.

Im not a big fan of tipping anyone else though!

I was a bartender in Belfast for years and it was usually a real shock to get a tip!

Hi,

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a medical around the same time as the interview? The only reason I ask is that I will have to fly from Belfast to London for both and would love to keep it to one trip (I got laid off recently and money is tight....Boo hoo!)

I do have someone I can stay with in London for a couple of days if necessary.

I thought you had to have your medical results available to the embassy at the time of the interview however I saw on Marms post that you can have your interview approved while the medical results are pending.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Sorry, just didnt get round to updating my timeline. NVC received ours on the morning of the 28th.

Yay, yay, yay!

I thought after it left the NVC my obsessive tracking days would be over but I found this in a different forum and thought I'd repost for anyone who didn't know that the fun won't be over yet! Just for fun I did the whole DHL thing and something left yesturday for Vancouver, I'm letting myself believe that by some twist of fate it was mine and its just not in the NVC computer properly.

1) 2 days after NOA2, starting calling NVC: 603-334-0700 press 1 then 5.

2) Once NVC has your case, they assign a new case #. Ask them what date they sent your file to the embassy & also for the NVC case #.

3) Once you know the date NVC sent off the file, track it at DHL's website: http://track.dhl-usa.com/TrackByRef.asp?nav=TrackByRef For the reference code, enter EXP 10 JUL 2009A (adjust using dates just before the date NVC told you), with a shipping range of that day to a few days later (July 13 - July 14 worked for the example above). Look for shipments to your beneficiary's embassy.

4) To find out if the embassy processed the packet, call the Dept of State before 5pm: 202-663-1225 press 1 then 0

-- Once you know the embassy has processed the file, get the signed DS-230 to them --

5) You can also call the DoS to find out your interview date once you believe the embassy has scheduled it.

Called NVC this morning. My case was sent to London yesterday

Better get my Police clearance forms done pronto!

Was just wondering if you guys had got your police clearance cert yet and if so how long it took?

Thanks

Mine was available two days after I went into the police station and requested it.

When filing in London I think we have to send away for it. I think it says somewhere that it can take up to 10 business days

Well i am thinking about a month leave....ya we know how are we gonna pay our bills, etc, etc....maybe a couple weeks so I can go to England in Sept MAYBE. I donno, I told Nigel to see how August rolls out....THEN we talk about it....I donno, i know its easier for him to come out here but I love England so much and he has more things to do than out here...however ya, animals and 15yr olds ....then paying your bills...soooo, i donno...I may have to sweet talk the ex into babysitting over here at the house.....damn that NOA2 better come soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok rant done, i'm ok now. Lol. Got some gorgeous flowers today, cant put it on here cause it says the file is too big so whatever, y'all have seen flowers before so....LOL. Ttyl.......

I have the same issues... two dogs and a child who gets really annoyed when I go to England.

Saving money for wedding/AOS/etc... a good thing, I think (at least for me)

Hang in there!

Was just wondering if you guys had got your police clearance cert yet and if so how long it took?

Thanks

It will get there! ((HUGS)) 1.89 a minute!! I thought that you couldn't call the Consulate!!

Well technically I called the consulate and a voice prompt gave me a 1-900 number for interview questions and bookings. That's who I called by they said they don't do immigrant visa's there so I'd have to call the Calgary airport border station and they would know the answer. They however were only recorded responses unless I knew the extension of the person I wished to contact. But now I know better than trying to get anything useful from the consulate.

Still not received at the NVC, have you had any luck Emily and Gareth?

Hi,

Sorry, just didnt get round to updating my timeline. NVC received ours on the morning of the 28th. When I called them they said that they couldnt get into my file because someone else was working on it! However, after asking a couple of questions about another matter, they said that they could now get into my file. Apparently, I put Dublin, Ireland as the consulate instead of London (I live in Belfast in Ireland!) and someone was changing it to the proper embassy as I was on the call.

I havent called them back yet to see if they have sent it off to London yet. I will do that in the morning and I let you guys know.

Anyone seen what the Packet 3 looks like when it comes from the London Embassy? I have a copy of it from the Bangkok embassy that I got from somewhere but it would be cool to see what I should be getting.

Here's all the information you may ever want to know. http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

Did you get your case number from NVC?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Forgot to get my case number. Will do when I call them tomorrow

It will get there! ((HUGS)) 1.89 a minute!! I thought that you couldn't call the Consulate!!

Well technically I called the consulate and a voice prompt gave me a 1-900 number for interview questions and bookings. That's who I called by they said they don't do immigrant visa's there so I'd have to call the Calgary airport border station and they would know the answer. They however were only recorded responses unless I knew the extension of the person I wished to contact. But now I know better than trying to get anything useful from the consulate.

Still not received at the NVC, have you had any luck Emily and Gareth?

Hi,

Sorry, just didnt get round to updating my timeline. NVC received ours on the morning of the 28th. When I called them they said that they couldnt get into my file because someone else was working on it! However, after asking a couple of questions about another matter, they said that they could now get into my file. Apparently, I put Dublin, Ireland as the consulate instead of London (I live in Belfast in Ireland!) and someone was changing it to the proper embassy as I was on the call.

I havent called them back yet to see if they have sent it off to London yet. I will do that in the morning and I let you guys know.

Anyone seen what the Packet 3 looks like when it comes from the London Embassy? I have a copy of it from the Bangkok embassy that I got from somewhere but it would be cool to see what I should be getting.

It will be a specified doctor, only civil surgons can do it, you will be able to find out who exactly will do it from your consulate review or on the european board. As for cost, it varies not only by country but also by the doctor. The one I am going to the medical costs $275, but theres another near here that is $215..however on the west coast here the medical is $350, so it does vary greatly. Same with the costs for the police record, anywhere from $15-70 depending on the place and if its rushed or not. We can get them through our police department, just have to go in and ask for a Canada wide police check, not sure about the procedure for Ireland, again, its best to talk to people from your own country or visit the Embassy Info link up top.

Thanks very much for your help. Is there any way to move a thread into a different area of the site such as a Europe or Ireland section?

Which embassy are you going through? If you are going through Dublin, then this might help: http://dublin.usembassy.gov/medical_exam.html

Belfast: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/nireland/nivisa.html

Cheers!

Thanks Ian and Lisa

With the help of Rebbecajo I now know I will going to London for the medical and interview.

I have one question.

Does anyone know when notified of my interview date, how long do I have before the interview. Do they tell you it will be in a week or a month. Just looking for an approx time so I know how much it is going to cost me in flights etc. Its really cheap if you can book a month in advance but if its last minute it can get very pricey

Thanks

Its strange, I keep on getting a busy tone. Anyone else had this problem trying to call the NVC?

I just called again no busy tone. Is it possible that your phone has long distance disabled?

With the amount of money I spend on my phone bill I wish Long distance was disabled! Only kidding!

I got through to them in the end. They dont have any sign of our case yet. Guess I will call again tomorrow and the next day....and.... etc

Thanks

Hi Jauque,

What number did you call to find out whether they had received it yet? My fiance called earlier but she could not get through.

Thanks in advance

1-603-334-0700

The prompt's are 1 then 2, then wait until it starts ringing and a live person answers.

I once spent a whole day trying to get through on the fax line, which i got off the nvc wiki, if it just rings and rings and rings you've called the wrong number.

Good luck, let me know if you they tell you they have it.

Its strange, I keep on getting a busy tone. Anyone else had this problem trying to call the NVC?

NVC doesn't have my file yet, I'm not giving up hope for today yet however. I'm going to call back right before they close tonight that way it will save me tomorrow mornings call. According to VJ their processing files with an approved date of July 19th so I'm hoping that mine will get done sometime today.

Gratz to Perry and Elena!!!!

Hi Jauque,

What number did you call to find out whether they had received it yet? My fiance called earlier but she could not get through.

Thanks in advance

I just dropped Emily to the airport this afternoon after a month and a half together... I was in America for two weeks and she was here in Ireland for 40 days.... It was really hard to let her go but a million times easier than it would have been if we didnt get the NOA2 last week.

I am always a blubbering wreck at the airport!

Anyone else who has received their NOA2 not received an email yet? On USCIS it also says that the case is still pending yet we have the hardcopy saying otherwise?

... comparing Jauque's, minnew's and your own timeline was rude. Everyone is on the same boat in here and its not up to you to tell people what they can and cant complain about regarding their own personal k-1 case.

I have read through all the posts and I dont think anyone was picking on you either....

Show me where I said anything about "what they can and cant complain about regarding their own personal k-1 case."

I think it is quite clear what I posted Emily. It was not rude, it was an observance. If you did not read the various direct insults from their crew, now from you too, then I don't know what to tell you.

Captain Ewok weighed in on this and asked for it to stop.

Will it stop?

Im not arguing with you usagroom and I definitley didnt directly insult you as you said in your post.... Im just telling you how your comments are perceived. I genuinely dont think you mean to offend people but you do...... and I was letting you know what I thought and have thought for a while.

As for showing you where you said anything about them not complaining....You said "And you two are complaining about the wait????" after you compared the three timelines. You also said this was an observance and technically you are right but there was also a suggestive undertone that they shouldnt be complaining because your timeline will not match or better theirs....

Its true, captain Ewok asked the thread to stop arguing. However, Im just giving my honest opinion. If anyone disagrees then thats ok and I respect that

Its Gareth by the way....not Emily

I read this thread every single day to keep me positive and also to pick up tips that might cut a day or two off this lengthy K-1 process... and it usually does just that

However....Usa groom I have found numerous instances where it is very difficult to work out what you are actually saying or why you would say something like that... You can really come off quite rude even if wasnt your intention.

Whatever way you look at it....comparing Jauque's, minnew's and your own timeline was rude. Everyone is on the same boat in here and its not up to you to tell people what they can and cant complain about regarding their own personal k-1 case.

I have read through all the posts and I dont think anyone was picking on you either.... Just because someone doesent agree with something you are saying it does not mean you have to get so defensive.

Sorry if you think I am sticking my nose in but it is demoralizing reading these negative, unproductive comments every few days.

Good luck to everyone still waiting for the NOA2