"Uk" Waiver club 601/212, List for uk waivers sign up!

[cmltdg 0]

don't forget that sometime in the past few weeks the timescale changed from 8-12 weeks to 12-15weeks. And that seems to be the case. maybe they had 3 people working on them and 1 left. plenty of pointless speculation to be had.

Plan B will probably involve valium or something similar. Our hardships are very real too. So much so that we agreed not to talk about a plan B as its difficult to get into a positive frame of mind about that while in limbo.

That's true. We're just expecting to wait the 12-15, hoping it will be 12 not 15! You guys are getting close... are you next in line to hear? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like ours were the only real hardships, just that we all on this forum who have to submit these 601's have very real hardships. We're going through all this ####### because it is the only option. We haven't really talked about a plan B either for the same reason. You should be hearing pretty soon, right? Hope it's good news. We could all use a little pick-me-up!

T

[joey 0]

Hi,

I'm PaulC's waiting fiance. I've never vocalized my opinions on the VJ forum but I frequently read the posts. It is an impossible situation that we all find ourselves in. I just wanted to suggest that we are not completely loss for knowledge with regards to when we will hear back about our waivers.

As Paul and I resently found out, there is an official list provided by the embassy that tracks the status of waivers submitted after Feb 1st, 2006. I don't know of the exact address but Paul posted a link to the official website under the "waivers" section of the VJ forum -- it has been mentioned in the past. Anyways, the list doesn't specify the date in which each waiver began being processed but from deduction, we know that the first date must be Feb 1st or 2nd. Thus, we can actually track the progress and duration of how long we should expect to wait based on those cases set before us. For example, eight weeks from Feb 1st is March 29th; ten weeks is April 12th; and twelve weeks will be the 26th of April. I know that every case will probably be different but at least we will be able to aproximate. Another thing to keep in mind is that the list is only updated on a weekly basis so the outcomes might be a little off.

Maybe all cases will take 12-15 weeks approved or denied due to the recent system changes -- which is unfortunate for us. Still, keep your eye out for how long other cases take. It is possible that we will see the 8-10 week processing time that other VJ members have experienced or perhaps it will take the 12-15 regardless.

I know that there will always be a margin for error. I personally feel very nervous because nothing is for certain -- a frightening thought when the rest of your life depends on it. Still, little things like this realization helps. While I have personally gain a lot from the forum, it is important to remember that VJ is limited because it only reaches a very small population of people deeling with immigration isssues. I wish you all the best and hope you don't mind the imput. Check it out for youself... see how the majority of cases are processed and from this, get a general idea of how long you should expect to wait (I know I am).

Other than that, take care. I hate the waiting as much as the next but it reassuring to know that we are not alone.

Bests,

C

[cmltdg 0]

hey, Joey, nice to see Paul's other half -- and welcome! I thought that was very helpful as well. What I did find interesting is that when I first checked out the list, they had us listed and a date next to our number, but now there's no such date. Hmmmm... does that mean they don't want us to be able to track by week? I find that verrrrry interesting! It would be nice to think that we would hear even in ten weeks! Anyway, I think we should hear around the same time, as ours went into the system the day before yours. Good luck!

Tiff

[sharky 2]

hey, Joey, nice to see Paul's other half -- and welcome! I thought that was very helpful as well. What I did find interesting is that when I first checked out the list, they had us listed and a date next to our number, but now there's no such date. Hmmmm... does that mean they don't want us to be able to track by week? I find that verrrrry interesting! It would be nice to think that we would hear even in ten weeks! Anyway, I think we should hear around the same time, as ours went into the system the day before yours. Good luck!

Tiff

I just wanted to add a little to what the others have said. I know the news about Mary & Tom and Jpkeswim and her fiancee has really hit the group of people here on the forum hard, but we really need to stop asking ourselves "What about plan B"??

I, like Tiff and I'm sure Wendibob, bailey and munchkins, am confident (not overly) that our waiver was a strong application, and it really doesn't help the next people in line waiting for news from London to hear this negative talk. We are already really worried out of our minds about the whole thing.

I agree with Nigel, yes the waivers could go either way... but lets face facts.......

the last two waivers that were denied in the group really had the odds stacked against them before they were even submitted. They were denied on what the US goverment consider legitimate grounds (although I strongly beleive they were not fair and just decisions).

and so i think I will only start to really worry if for instance Wendibob is denied, and god I hope she isn't!! I know she will be starting to get pretty nervous as the 10 week mark approaches..

I just wanted to say to everyone, please consider others waiting for their waivers to be approved before talking about "everyone's gonna fail going through London, they must have got really tough now". The fact remains that London still has a great pass rate, and is one of the best places to file in Europe.

Tiff, I was also suprised to see the dates taken off the pdf document....... what are they tring to acheive by doing that? hmmmmmmm although we will hopefully still be able to track the progress of applications before us by checking this document.

Ok everybody.... enough said

[wendibob 0]

I just wanted to add a little to what the others have said. I know the news about Mary & Tom and Jpkeswim and her fiancee has really hit the group of people here on the forum hard, but we really need to stop asking ourselves "What about plan B"??

I, like Tiff and I'm sure Wendibob, bailey and munchkins, am confident (not overly) that our waiver was a strong application, and it really doesn't help the next people in line waiting for news from London to hear this negative talk. We are already really worried out of our minds about the whole thing.

I agree with Nigel, yes the waivers could go either way... but lets face facts.......

the last two waivers that were denied in the group really had the odds stacked against them before they were even submitted. They were denied on what the US goverment consider legitimate grounds (although I strongly beleive they were not fair and just decisions).

and so i think I will only start to really worry if for instance Wendibob is denied, and god I hope she isn't!! I know she will be starting to get pretty nervous as the 10 week mark approaches..

I just wanted to say to everyone, please consider others waiting for their waivers to be approved before talking about "everyone's gonna fail going through London, they must have got really tough now". The fact remains that London still has a great pass rate, and is one of the best places to file in Europe.

Tiff, I was also suprised to see the dates taken off the pdf document....... what are they tring to acheive by doing that? hmmmmmmm although we will hopefully still be able to track the progress of applications before us by checking this document.

Ok everybody.... enough said

Agreed. But less of this "she" malarkey, y'hear? Or I'll have another CIMT to my name.

Rob

Edited March 20, 2006 by wendibob

[sharky 2]

hi,

I didn't read it like you were! Just agreeing with you.

It'll be 10 weeks on Friday since they acknowledged receipt of ours. It's our first aniversary in 4 weeks so maybe we can uncross our fingers then.

Rob

That's true. We're just expecting to wait the 12-15, hoping it will be 12 not 15! You guys are getting close... are you next in line to hear? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like ours were the only real hardships, just that we all on this forum who have to submit these 601's have very real hardships. We're going through all this ####### because it is the only option. We haven't really talked about a plan B either for the same reason. You should be hearing pretty soon, right? Hope it's good news. We could all use a little pick-me-up!

T

hey, Joey, nice to see Paul's other half -- and welcome! I thought that was very helpful as well. What I did find interesting is that when I first checked out the list, they had us listed and a date next to our number, but now there's no such date. Hmmmm... does that mean they don't want us to be able to track by week? I find that verrrrry interesting! It would be nice to think that we would hear even in ten weeks! Anyway, I think we should hear around the same time, as ours went into the system the day before yours. Good luck!

Tiff

I just wanted to add a little to what the others have said. I know the news about Mary & Tom and Jpkeswim and her fiancee has really hit the group of people here on the forum hard, but we really need to stop asking ourselves "What about plan B"??

I, like Tiff and I'm sure Wendibob, bailey and munchkins, am confident (not overly) that our waiver was a strong application, and it really doesn't help the next people in line waiting for news from London to hear this negative talk. We are already really worried out of our minds about the whole thing.

I agree with Nigel, yes the waivers could go either way... but lets face facts.......

the last two waivers that were denied in the group really had the odds stacked against them before they were even submitted. They were denied on what the US goverment consider legitimate grounds (although I strongly beleive they were not fair and just decisions).

and so i think I will only start to really worry if for instance Wendibob is denied, and god I hope she isn't!! I know she will be starting to get pretty nervous as the 10 week mark approaches..

I just wanted to say to everyone, please consider others waiting for their waivers to be approved before talking about "everyone's gonna fail going through London, they must have got really tough now". The fact remains that London still has a great pass rate, and is one of the best places to file in Europe.

Tiff, I was also suprised to see the dates taken off the pdf document....... what are they tring to acheive by doing that? hmmmmmmm although we will hopefully still be able to track the progress of applications before us by checking this document.

Ok everybody.... enough said

Agreed. But less of this "she" malarkey, y'hear? Or I'll have another CIMT to my name.

Rob

oopss sorry Rob! won't happen again

[munchkins 0]

good job you "guys" can still have a joke throughtout this process.

We have not joined the waiver club yet, but there is a possibility, PaulC knows our story. At the end of the day when we finally get our interview (ways to go yet- still waiting for the NOA2 after 6 months ) if we find we do have to file the waiver I know that I will gain a lot of support on here, that is obvious.

I keep checking daily in the hope that very soon I will see you all approved.

[Baileyj96 0]

Well we got our interview date for May 5th. That will be the big day to file our waiver. I do hope that everyone hears something positive soon. I'm going to try to keep a positive attitude and a stiff upper lip. I'm not giving up until we are shot down cold.

So what am I missing here? What is the new policy or procedure with the waiver? Are you talking about them being sent back to the us for approval? If so, does anyone have or seen anything in writing from the embassy? Just wondering.

Well I take off Wednesday for N. Ireland. I get to spend a short week with my fiance. First time for me, soooooo excited to be going.

Thanks,

Bailey

[nigel 7]

bailey....Congrats on your interveiw date now the home straight

Paul...well said and lets all be up- beat for others as they was for you.....lets all move Forward

Nigel

Edited March 20, 2006 by nigel

[MistyB 0]

To you guys who got denied..I am very very sorry! I cant believe it! I want to wish you the best of luck in finding a way you two can be together in peace. I am very surprised London is denying all of a sudden it seems.

Our waiver took 3 weeks to decide but I believe that is because it came from Sweden and was filed 3 months before it was sent to London. Even so to make someone wait 12 weeks or more is just ludicrous.

[jpkeswim 0]

Well I wasn't meaning to get everyone else down by saying I got denied. I just thought this board was to keep everyone informed on the progress of our cases. Sorry!

[TracyTN 237]

That's exactly what this site is for, jpkeswim. Nothing wrong at all with what you posted.

I was so sorry to hear of your denial.

[mary&tom 0]

Well I wasn't meaning to get everyone else down by saying I got denied. I just thought this board was to keep everyone informed on the progress of our cases. Sorry!

I don't think anyone has said you should not have shared what happened. In fact I think the more details we do share the more it might help others. I was unable to write much at first because I was too numb, and, to be honest, I was spending alot of time in tears. Once I was able to write, I tried to share as much as I was able. I hope you can and will do the same.

Others have already said they will support us in whatever we have to do to sort out our lives. I know that when I go back to the states to begin the overwhelming task ahead, I plan to draw on this forum for support. No one else would be able to understand.

What has me down now are some of the statements Nigel said earlier. I really did think when we were allowed to file the petition that meant we would just wait out the processing time and then receive our approval. The people at the embassy did give us some advice on things to include in our letters but they never gave us the impression that our approval was a long shot. I think we were doomed from the start and should never have been allowed to file.

We signed papers today for a rental house in Gravesend. We don't feel excited about it though. We are still grieving for the life we wanted to have in Michigan and now we at the same time have to prepare to leave what has become home here in Brixton. There is no way we can afford a big enough flat or house in Brixton though. So now Tom will have a long commute to work and I will be cut off from the areas here that have become familiar. I had even made a friend here... another American woman who came here to marry her British fiance. Once we move to Gravesend I won't be able to see her very easily.

There were hardships we didn't even consider that are just now coming to light.

mary

[new orleans bound 0]

Although I'm not officially a member of the UK waiver club because my petition was filed and reviewed in Canada, but I'm thinking I'm close enough. Seeing as Canada was considered a British Colony until 1982, so I'll have my 2 cents worth. I would like to say that Paul is correct is some ways, that each case is different and when we post about our experiences with the waiver process it's not to make people next in line worry about their waiver and whether the evidence that is contained in their waiver meets Consulate scrutiny. But it's really hard not to sit there and speculate on why this happened and why that happened. When you strip it down you realize you were denied and its heart breaking. So please allow those of us with denials the space to post our thoughts and concerns. It's not like it's done out of malice but out of a need to express our grief and get the much needed support from the people who understand and are going through a similar experience.

Those of you who are waiting good luck. Those of us who have been Denied, may we find peace in the next part of our journey.

Joanna

Edited March 20, 2006 by new orleans bound

[new orleans bound 0]

New Orleans Bound---you overstayed for 191 days and that's it? You didnt commit a crime? You didnt commit fraud? You just overstayed? What visa? Was it a tourist visa or what? I am just trying to understand why Montreal wont let you file a waiver...that makes no sense. An overstay of more than 180 days but less than a year is punishable by a three year ban, yes? That should be waiverable, correct? Anyway I wish you luck and hope you get to file soon!

Misty B, sorry I didn't reply earlier. I post and read as the urge hits me. But to answer your question. Yes I only over stayed my visa by 191 days. I was working a valid non expired work visa at one hospital. Decided to switch jobs half way through the year to a new hospital and when I went to the border to renew my work visa because the hospital was sponsoring me for a work-related green card. CIS found out that I was working on this visa from the other hospital and I was told to leave. As I type this it sounds so stupid. OK, I made a mistake of not being informed on the work laws in the States. But it wasn't like I was working on an expired work visa. It wasn't as I was working under the table. I just made a mistake and seem to be paying for it big time. I'm sure others can view this as I broke the law and have to pay the consequences but on the larger scheme of things my mistake was only a small one. (In my eyes of course). I don't have any criminal charges here in Canada. No DWI, no fraud, no theft. My record in the States is clean too. Although I secretly feel that my conversations with my husband are being monitored by George W and my great dislike of George W was been noted and that's why I'm not allowed back in. I think I've got another 2 years before he's out of office. (Joking about the wiring tapping).

Officially my three year Ban is up in the summer of 2007 but my husband and I feel that due to my ongoing problems with the consulate/immigration process I won’t be able to get back in without my green card! The really crappy thing is we have a mortgage in the States (which my husband is covering) and now I've gone and bought a home here in Canada. I had to buy something out of nessatity because I've been living like a nomad. I thought I'd be home last year but to my surprise I'm still here and now partially homeless. My roommate is selling her place so I had to buy something here. Who knows how long I'll be in Canada for. Might as well make an investment out of it. I strongly believe that the person at the consulate reviewing a particular case has NO clue as to the real hardships faced by every one going through this process. My own personal feeling here of course, but sometimes I feel as though the consulate adjudicator just skims the waiver and if it suits their fancy they read deeper into what you've presented to them. I don't know many people who can afford to maintain two house holds, but that's what's happening to those of us in the waiver process. You keep hanging on to any hope that it will be all done soon, but it never really is. I still have some negative/bad feelings towards my adjudicator. I found her to be unfriendly and very rude. But I’m sure the next person who goes under her microscope might fair much better than me. Anyway that's enough of my rant for now.