Ally & Rach

Hey folks

We are having a bit of a nightmare here.. We went to a local GP to get the varicella and forms done. We contacted the GP in advance and were told all was good and he could help. On meeting the doctor it was apparant he didnt have much experience of this. He said he couldnt do it as he isnt homeland security approved. He also said id need another full medical. He directed us to another mdical practise who again didnt think they could deal with it.. What do we do? Do I need another medical? As far as I can see I go to a GP, get the jag, get it signed for and then I can send off all the forms. We even called USCIS and you can imagine the sense we got from them followed by "is there anything else we can help you with"!!

Please help.. we are lost right now..

Ally.

Sorry folks, another of many q's ref the above.. Due to the Varicella jag not being available I see we have to fill in another form - I-693. From there do we have to get the jag at a Docs here in Tampa? What happens from there?

Thanks.

great.. thanks folks ill get on it straight away.. I take it no matter what happens I won't be able to work for at least 90 days?

Hi folks, Im now in tampa and did the paper marriage thing (refuse to accept it as real marriage) and now need to sort out the above. Ive looked at the guide on here and am still a bit confused.. Do I apply for AOS and EAD separately. Ive heard some people saying EAD isnt worth applying for as you AOS will come through around the same time. Very confusing.. please help as I don't know where to stsart..

Thanks.

Thanks again folks.. Id be lost without everyone (well almost everyone) on this site..

Ill have a look at all the options you have mentioned.. It looks like Rach's account is Bank of america so itll be going there if transferred. Anybody had any experience transferring with the post office.. just looked online and it looks a decent service too.. just asks for debit card, recipient swift no. and bank acc number and you are good to go.. I need to make a decision soon as time is a tickin.. Cannot BELIEVE im away next week.. We applied in June last year.. doesnt seem real..

thanks again folks.. One thing im struggling to get my head round at the moment is Rach went to her bank the other day and asked about exchange rates.. she was told it was sitting at 1.3. In UK at the moment its 1.6. Would that not infer that if i was to transfer the money or take a bankers draft to this US bank Id get less than I would if I exchanged cash here.. sorry, im easily confused..

Thanks folks.. just out of interest Ironman140, are you an Ironman triathlete?

When you book a flight and the mail arrives directing you to the ESTA site to fill in the online form I gather this is completely irrelevant to us and I shouldnt fill it out? Also, the green form (visa waiver on plane) Anything on there I need to fill out or again to I just ignore it.. Im going across on a K1.

Whats the best way to go about this.. Im not taking a massive sum with me to start with.. prob about £5k.. Some of it is in cash, some in bank. Ive heard taking the lot in cash and paying it in to a bank in the states directly is the best bet financially. What I don't want is to go to my bank or some other place like western union who will give me a really bad exchange rate and skim a big chunk for themselves..

Any info would be great as Im off to Tampa next week!!

Hi folks,

Ive booked my flight to Tampa but now have another couple of daft questions.

1. Do I have to inform anyone of my impending arrival?

2. Do you join the same queue in the states that you would on a tourist visa?

Many Thanks again.

Ally.

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking...I guess it's only fair. Just hope there is no problem come interview time.

AW thats a shame.. didnt you read Nich Niks guidelines? I think this shows for future people if you do bump up the wedding date thing a bit it definately works. I told em mine was May 4 or something. Ah well on the plus side you have more time to prepare and save money.. The latter being something I could have done with more time to do!! all the best.. time will fly in..

Thank you very much! The people on here really are fantastic! I had my medical on Thurs 7th April having already returned packet 3, so I am currently just waiting to hear when my interview is. My fiancee is going to ring the DoS again tomorrow (she rang on Tuesday but they said it was "pending"). Fingers crossed I have a date and that it goes as smooth as yours.

Another wee tip ref the last bit.. some may disagree but Id call dos EVERY day.. There have been a few people who have been given their interview date from DOS with a couple of days notice.. I wouldnt for example say "ok we'll call back next week" seriously, give yourself every chance to be prepared.. and it will go as smooth as mine.. im sure of it..

BTW what are peoples views concerning attire for the interview.. I was the only one there wearing everyday clothes.. everyone else waiting on an Immigration visa was suited and booted.. I felt totally underdressed!!

That's great news congrats!! Hope mine goes as smoothly.

Just a few questions about the documents to make completely sure if that's okay? A simple yes or no will do on some.

1. You took your passport and one photocopy of the photo page?

2. You took one ACPO police certificate and one photocopy?

3. You took your original birth certificate and one photocopy?

4. Did you just take 3 US size passport photos, 6 US size photos or 3 photos and 3 photocopies?

5. You took your I-134 form from your fiancee and her parents, and one photocopy of each?

6. Did you photocopy all of the supporting documents for the i-134's too? I.e. the bank slips, employment letters, tax returns etc.? therefore having 2 of everything.

7. You took a letter of intent from her and one photocopy?

8. You took the payment receipt and interview letter and one photocopy of each?

9. Anything else?

I know these are silly questions, but I just want to be 100% sure and confident so answers will be greatly appreciated.

Good luck on the rest of your journey

1. You took your passport and one photocopy of the photo page?- Yes but they didnt take the photocopy.

2. You took one ACPO police certificate and one photocopy? - Yes and they took the photocopy.

3. You took your original birth certificate and one photocopy? -Yes and they took the copy.

4. Did you just take 3 US size passport photos, 6 US size photos or 3 photos and 3 photocopies?- 3 US size passport photos.

5. You took your I-134 form from your fiancee and her parents, and one photocopy of each?- Yes but they neither took her parents nor did they take photocopies of hers.. (im assuming thats because her support was sufficient)

6. Did you photocopy all of the supporting documents for the i-134's too? I.e. the bank slips, employment letters, tax returns etc.? therefore having 2 of everything.- I did but again they just took the originals.

7. You took a letter of intent from her and one photocopy? -yes but they just took the original.

8. You took the payment receipt and interview letter and one photocopy of each? -Nope, just the originals.

Firstly, none of your questions are stupid.. Ive asked every one of them before.. All Id say is don't go in underprepared but also don't go in overprepared as youll be weighed down with stuff you don't need and it might get confusing as to what's what. Personally if I was to do it again (hopefully I won't;0) Id do the original and photocopy folder just in case..

Again, I can't stress to you enough how chilled out the whole thing is and can't wait to hear you had a similar experience..

Anymore questions, no matter if you think they are daft just get em on here.. more than happy to help as is everyone else..

Al.

I saw the title to this and just had to comment for the first time in ages.. Why post something like that? If you have nothing nice to say why bother? This site is here for support and to allow people to vent their frustrations on the process any way they see fit.. The site covers different personalities and cultures so of course some will cry and some will just get really angry.

Like Ive said before, and this is personal to me, If I hadnt been "crying like I baby" after 6 or even 2 months Id have seriously had to question my relationship.. The fact people get so p***ed after what you deem a very short time is testament to the strength of their relationship not a weakness in themselves..

In saying that I do genuinely hope you and everyone else get approved soon.. It was torture for Rach and I.. We sent off the I29f end of June/early July and I was only approved at the interview yesterday.. and YES I "cried like a baby" so sue me..

Come on seriously.. was that it? Anybody who is nervous about the "interview" don't be.. If you have your documents you are there..

Got there bout 8.15 for a 9.30 kick off.. Called about 5 mins after the booths opened.. The girl who went through my documents could not have been more friendly, chilled out and patient.. SHe said everything was fine and didnt take my fiancees parents I34 for some reason..

bout 30mins later I was called for the interview.. I was greeted by the nicest older American guy you could wish to meet.. he said all my documents were ok, did the swearing in thing then asked how me n rach met and what she did for a living.. visa done!!

Back out the door before 10am..

This has occupied my thoughts for months and really was just so relaxed.. only tip Ill again reiterate is make sure your documents are prepared. One thing this whole process has definately done is made me organised. I had 2 seperate folders today, originals and copies with each section clipped and in order so I had everything to hand, they seemed to like that.. first time Ive ever felt like a geek and it felt good!!

Thanks again folk.. you've all been such a fantastic help..

Thanks for taking the time to reply folks..

Hi Folks,

My interview is tomorrow 0930.. I have everything I think I need so could you have a wee look and advise if there is anything Ive missed or anythin additional I should take?

I have 2 folders, originals and copies of all of the following..

Passport

Police records

Birth certificate

3 US size passport photos

I34 plus financial support evidence from fiancee

I34 plus financial support evidence from her parents (co sponsors)

Her letter of intent

interview letter

payment receipt

I think thats about it.. heading down on the sleeper train tonight..So very nervous but if i get through tomorrow I can't even imagine the feeling!!

Cheers in advance..

Thanks everyone.. Ive just emailed them so will see what happens..

Wow! literally just sent that last message, chap at the door, postman standing there with packet 4.. jeez if I knew it was that easy Id have just used the power of suggestion while waiting for NA02!!

Thanks everyone.. Ive just emailed them so will see what happens..

I called the embassy on wednesday and the operator couldnt/didnt give much detail. Maybe he was new I don't know but when I asked him if my packet 3 docs had been logged and my interview had been booked he didnt seem to have a scooby.

So Rach (USC) called DOS on Thursday and they said Im booked in for an interview April 12 and my packet 4 stuff was sent out 3 days ago. This totally contradicts the UK embassy guy.. what do I do? Is it normal for the letter to be delayed? Also is it normal that DOS appear more updated than London..?

Any help would be great on this..

cheers.

I really hope someone can help me with this question..

I saw my doc today ref medical preparation and the long and short of it is I reckon after the london medical ill get sent for a Psych evaluation.. what Id like to know is will all my records be requested or will it just be a sit down n chat to determine all is ok? This is killing me here so any help would be appreciated..

Thanks so much for this.. I'll get cracking now..

Yes procedurs vary by consulate, some want only checklist and DS-156. London wants all forms mailed to them per DS-2001.

Read: http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

ok rather than me ask daft questions this is my plan of action as of right now.. please feel free to correct..

Ive filled in packet 3 and have printed off and signed 156 and 157 duplicates which I intend to keep as I cant see any instructions on these.

I plan to send all 5 forms with covernote and DS-2001 in the one go..

I have yet to receive my police reports and as a result cannot book or inform them of my medical date but plan to go to doctorss tommorow to check my vaccinations are up to date..

Will this work? going on others recent experiences it seems to have been successful..

Any ideas?

Hi Folks,

You have all been so helpful and im extremely grateful tho Im still in a panic about this process. Im currently filling in my packet 3. Im pretty sure I have all the forms. The following are my current queries..

1. on form DS-156k it seems to request documents to be attached (birth cert, police report and evidence of financial report) yet my understanding was no supporting evidence is to be sent at this time.

2.The DS156, after being filled in online can be signed and sent? Am I reading it correctly that 2 copies of this document and DS156k are to be sent?

I think this is it so far but more are bound to crop up.. this is crazy.. im so worried that ive filled things in wrong etc.. can't wait till this is all over..

Cheers.

We aren't expecting to get through any faster than the 147 days posted. We are 110 or so in, now. We have all our paperwork properly completed and prepared and has been done, since October, for accuracy, by the lawyer.

Well again good luck to you.. I hope however you haven't been left out of pocket by said lawyer as there is nothing that they can do throughout this process that you can't do yourself. Initially I was quoted for a lawyer and was all set.. Then I joined visajourney and soon realised Id have been p****d had I handed over the cash.. Anyway, each to there own and hope you get good news soon..