cmoore25

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I know I harp on this alot, but there is so much information on the London website if you would just click every link and read things from London over what some other embassy in another country did.

What if my immigrant visa is refused?

If your visa is refused under the provisions of Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for lack of documentation, you will have twelve months from the date of refusal in which to present the missing documents and enter the United States on the immigrant visa.

Yes, thank you, I did see this. However, I was unsure as to whether or not that pertained to us b/c the interviewer assured Allan that it wasn't a refusal - so if he said it's not a refusal, then would the refusal explanation be what I look for? If the Embassy said the same thing as their website - then it would be helpful - and I wouldn't have asked for clarification here. I'm sure it said this on the "blue slip" but I didn't think to ask Allan what the the heading was until it was out for delivery b/c I didn't see the other post which caused me to question the time limit.

OMG! Used to live in Chelmsford!! I visit frequently!! I will check this store out! Thank you so much for posting this!

Well I'm not in that category, but if I was... we'd move to Europe, maybe Asia (where we met) I'd say! I mean, it's only America we're talkin' about! It's only ONE country in the WHOLE WORLD! No big deal if I couldn't get in. In my opinion!

South of France is nice!

I totally agree!! If there was absolutely, positively, no way for my fiance to enter the country legally - then I would move to Scotland.

One of the toughest things to deal with in moving to Scotland was no summer. Now, I can deal with a crappy winter as long as I have the promise of a nice toasty summer. Wind and rain, rain and wind. More wind. More rain. The damp.

However, last summer there was a bit of a heat wave and then there was the problem of no air conditioning.... it is a no-win situation for me. GH is a hardy native and fine-tuned to deal with such things so he doesn't notice.

That heat wave came about 2 days after I left!! I spent 14 days of August in soggy, rainy Scotland!! Lol The only time it bothered me was when we went to see the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh! I think we stayed for an hour then left - the rain was pouring sideways and it was freezing!! Lol I agree - I can take the winter (heck, I live in Maine!) as long as there is a summer to follow!

O.M.G....thank you - that is GREAT news!!! Well, that they keep it for a year and that it was a 3 day turn around!!!!! I would be absolutely thrilled!!!!!!!!!!

Is there a time limit on how long you have to get evidence back to the embassy after an interview? I saw somebody from a different embassy say they had 30 days, but Allan was never told this - and it wasn't on his blue slip. The courier is supposed to deliver his paperwork to the embassy tomorrow - working day 27.

I'm hoping that's fine...should we call the embassy to let them know it's on it's way? Or will it meet up with his records immediately tomorrow? I remember when our petition was forwarded to them - it took weeks for it to be logged, I'd hate to miss the 30 day period while everything was in the same place - just not logged...

I have no idea how long that stuff will take.

More importantly he can apply for his citizenship to the RedSox Nation here http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/fan_forum/redsox_nation.jsp

Seriously though...Congratulations! Almost done.

Lol lol lol - perhaps the most important citizenship of all!!!

Mrs GH - Thanks, that's great news!!! We are just hoping to get it before the embassy shuts down for the holidays - I'm assuming they won't be open the 23rd or 26th, but I could be wrong. If he has it by the end of next week he will fly in on the 31st (if there are available flights) and we will be able to at least celebrate the New Year together...I'm THRILLED we are on the last step!

So, Allan finally got his fingerprint certificate back from Australia - he has set up the pick up for tomorrow...Just a few questions, how long does it usually take the courier to get it back to the Embassy? And once it's at the embassy, how long on average does it take to process and get his passport/visa back? On the website it said 2-4 weeks - but I wasn't sure if that was accurate, or if people had experienced a shorter/longer length of time?

One step closer!! I cannot wait!

Have you looked into Vonage as well? I don't really know about the skype phone - but if the services is as dodgy as the free online service - I'd say, "no thanks!" I've heard wonderful things about Vonage though - so I'd suggest that!

The imports (other than the HP sauce) are more for treats for me! Lol

BTW - I was really freaked out about the military thing too - as I couldn't really find anybody else who didn't have discharge papers to bring with them or anything military related for that matter...but the embassy got his reference number and apparently that was okay

The reference number *should* be enough - however, Allan's liaison sent it right to the embassy, not to him. I wonder if your guy sent it there too - should have! I'm sure you're set!! Good luck!

Irn Bru = Scottish energy drink

I will check out Trader Joe's - our Hannaford is seriously lacking in the British imports department...maybe I'll make a recommendation since others are carrying it!!

Checking out your link now - thanks

Hey guys, how are ya!?

Hope everyone is fine....getting somewhere in the "long" process. NOA2's, interview approvals ....something!

Anywhooo I'm a really assertive person and its been 6 months since I filled and just couldn't sit around and wait "patiently" so recently I've just been accessing different medians of getting what we all wanter wanted at one point, a gosh darn NOA2!!

I had a service request done about 2 weeks back, that was no help. then wrote a letter to the online site to my local representative, no reply (at least not fast as I'd like, but i know that would be the fastest way so i went my little butt over to the local office to filled out authorization forms to have that office's liaison be able to access my case etc. (to my surprise it was an old college classmate that was the community liaison. YAY.) she said she'll contact place directly that would be able to help me on monday.....

has anyone every done this? has it helped your process?

Best,

Ro

I contacted my congresswoman for help twice - and amazingly, once she was involved, the embassy moved us right along within 2 days or so. Good luck!

Congrats on the approval!!!

Why can you not get it?

Allan could not get his b/c due to his security clearance - he contacted his military liaison and that person sent the proper paperwork to the embassy for Allan. The liaison knew exactly what was needed and who to send it too - all he needed was Allan's LND number - it was there are ready to go for the interview. Perhaps this is a route you could take?

Also, tell him to consider signing up to be a substitute teacher in his district. It's a good way to get his foot in the door as well as get experience.

Lack of experience is the #1 thing he has going against him right now. There are many experienced teachers that are out of jobs due to the economy. However, if he's as great as you say, then if he can get some experience behind him - then he can make it work.

Also - he might want to consider teaching in inner cities. It's high burn out, low pay and often not what one would pick - however - it offers experience AND is amazingly rewarding. Charter schools are another option. Tell him to think outside of the box....

IF he's willing to relocate, and that means even to a town where there is a gas station, a McDonalds and possibly a grocery store (i.e. middle of nowhere) then he can get experience - and have a choice of jobs later on. I have relocated twice for teaching jobs - I am finally at a school I love and would've been a "first choice" right out of school - however, without the experience from the other schools - I would have NEVER been offered the job right!!

Good luck!

My fiance had problems with this phone line too - so often I would call (from the states) and pay the $16 flat rate to speak to somebody at the London Embassy - they typically would give me an email code - which was answered very quickly. So, I'd suggest having your fiance call so that he/she can at least email them in reply to that letter letting them know the paperwork is there.

Also, Allan got through once and it was when he called right at opening and was on hold for 15+ minutes. It ended up being cheaper for me to call in the long run....

The London Embassy is unlikely to look at photos, emails, etc, so don't waste toooo much paper on that when you finally make it to the interview :-)

We sent a few photos and an email or two with our original petition. Then, my fiance brought a few more recent photos, a couple of emails and a few phone statements showing texts, just to be safe, however, the London Embassy never even looked at them! I'd suggest a few to be safe, but that's all.

Hahah. I remember being about 8 years old and we were assigned to do a little presentation for class on our heritage. I remember asking and being told from various older family members that my family's roots were "primarily English" and actually thinking to myself "Oh man, well that's BORING".

Lol That's funny...as a kid I always thought my dad being from England was so cool! Lol I loved visiting at the holidays just b/c I could just listen to my Nanny talk with her "fancy" English accent!! Lol Even at a very young age I dreamed about marrying an Englishman one day and moving to England...lol lol lol

Agreed - couldn't think of a better way to start 2012!!

I'd be happy if he had is visa back before Christmas - but - I'm also not holding my breath! Trying to remind myself, "It'll happen when it's supposed to" so that I don't go crazy waiting! Lol

Thanks for all of the support guys!! :)

Ohh okay, I will make sure I read the descriptions for "eat by" dates

Has anybody ordered their favorite UK treats off of amazon? I'm wondering how fresh these items are...

I found twirls, HP sauce and digestives all on amazon (haven't looked for other stuff yet) and all of these items are cheaper on amazon then they are from my local British imports store (and no shipping as I'm a prime member) - so I'm tempted to start stocking up using amazon...but was wondering if others had thoughts or experiences with this first!!

Thank you!