May 08 k1 filers ~ CSC

[cca 13]

I know what you mean hannah+vito, im having a hard few days aswell. Im throwing myslef into work so i dont think about it. hes comin over 1st august with his parents (who i also miss a lot) so its not toooo long i guess.

we had the same dilema about wedding date. We orginally had it for oct 25th but then started to research and found out that it could take months (we didnt realsie before) so we decided to change to jan 10th. I know it sounds silly and risky but im very certain (touch wood) that we will have visa by then as we sent our petition in on April.

As to the whole family thing....i started off thinkin of my family and friends. We went through idea after idea on what would work best, wedding in usa or Uk, where, when? 'but my rents can only come over then' 'she can only come over at this time'.....i finally realised that this could go on forever. To be honest we all at VJ have a lot more to contend and deal with then your average wedding and to try and plan around everyone else is another stress load that you dont need. i know it sounds horrible but we came to the conclusion (or rather i did, andrew told me all along) that in the end we have to do whats best for us. we just want to get married. If ppl are there than great, if not im sure theyd understand the hardship youve endured and be understanding and just happy for you that you can finally do it. We planned oct cuz my rents could come over for 2 weeks but now its jan they can only do 4 days. We risked not having them there (and i wouldve been soooo upset) but at the end of the day we tried to please everyone and what can you do?? They wanted to be there so have decided its worth it, but if not theydve understood,

this whole visa thing puts things into persepctive and its to get married and be with the 1 you love. Its bad but under the circumstances just focus on yoursleves and try not to please evryone! Thats my thoughts to you

[Hannah+Vito 0]

We've tentatively chosen a date, but everyone knows its subject to change. We based it on everything going seamlessly. Plus what we're planning here in the states is pretty casual and basic, so if it needs to be changed there's not a lot of cause for concern. We're doing a more formal wedding in England in 2010, so the one over here is mainly just to make everything legal.

We figure 5 months for approval from CSC - that's around End of October. A month to get to Embassy - November. Two month til interview - January. So she'll be flying out January or February at the latest. We picked March 28th as it coincides with our proposal (the whole one year and a day thing). So hopefully that pans out, if not well we can always change it to what will work.

ah Man I wish we could get married on the 26th of jan that would be a year exactlly from proposal but its during term time.

at the end of the day if i at least want my imediate familly there and lets face it even if i didnt it would cause major hurt. I have to at least plan a little around them. thats why I was concidering actually setting a date as I know that people have said the uk embassy try to be very conciderate of peoples plans if they already have some and I dont want to get to the point where we get the visa but have to wait longer than validertiy just cos we missed the holiday dates. hmmmm not sure

I mean there is a half term in feb maybe thats a good idea

but vito was so set on being together by dec. and while thats prob really tight if it turned up to be possible and we had to pospone because we set ur date to far that would suck. forgive the gobbledy ###### guy. its been a long and sucky week and my bran is about to give up on me.

[stardusted 0]

I think that I too expected things to move at a certain pace and really believed I would be back in St. Louis by the end of the year. I don't think that's going to happen so we're having to think about *maybe* another visit from him, but we really want to save for our life together. As for a wedding, we know we'll have a proper wedding with friends and family down the road. As soon as I arrive in St. Louis we'll probably do a courthouse run, just him and me and a judge. (I like how the St. Louis County site says the ceremony with take three to five minutes. Ha.)

[Jason&Sarah 0]

Well I will say this. I haven't been on this site for that long, but in the time I have been, and all the research i've seen, it appears to me that the CSC is finally moving along...I would say the estimated dates they give out may be more accurate than in the past. So have a little hope!

And Hannah, if you could do that - you'd be getting married on my birthday!!!!! I would so love for Sarah to be here before then, so we could spend it together...

My advice on wedding planning is research it all now, and have a game plan, but leave wiggle room for when you're more sure of the date. For example once you have your NOA2, you'll have a better idea as to when you'll get your interview etc (not exact, but a better ball park), and once you get your interview date you should be able to start making more solid plans...That's how we're looking at it.

Another piece of advice, is you could always go to the courthouse and get legally married, and then that gives you plenty of time to plan your real ceremony and things for family and friends...no rushing, etc.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Well I will say this. I haven't been on this site for that long, but in the time I have been, and all the research i've seen, it appears to me that the CSC is finally moving along...I would say the estimated dates they give out may be more accurate than in the past. So have a little hope!

And Hannah, if you could do that - you'd be getting married on my birthday!!!!! I would so love for Sarah to be here before then, so we could spend it together...

My advice on wedding planning is research it all now, and have a game plan, but leave wiggle room for when you're more sure of the date. For example once you have your NOA2, you'll have a better idea as to when you'll get your interview etc (not exact, but a better ball park), and once you get your interview date you should be able to start making more solid plans...That's how we're looking at it.

Another piece of advice, is you could always go to the courthouse and get legally married, and then that gives you plenty of time to plan your real ceremony and things for family and friends...no rushing, etc.

haha I so wish we could but its uk term time blast. well I've looked at the official times and that puts it around six month wait for noa2 at the very least however, on here although there are those unlucky souls that are novemebr filers still waiting and finally getting approved, ( theres also older) most seem to be january filers and a few feb already too. so that make me think that the official time frame is excessive just to cover their backs if something takes longer than others. and that really for the majority its prob around 4 to 5 month mark but more closer to 4 to 4.5. and if thats true may filers will start seeing progress in september. I hope if not late august. but then theres what an attourny said to us about the center and their financial year. he said it was if i remember right sept to aug or it might be oct till sept. but basically that means ands the end they have no money and take staff to other areas and so it will slow abit but begining of the year theyhave loads and bring loads of staff in. that was his answer to how long can we expect to wait.

[SR VS 0]

My god, look at all the other California filers.

I went through a rather difficult process, and I hope everything turns out ok. The lawyer I had, who is a part of an activist immigration service, is used to doing things the way I wanted it to happen -- B2 Visa, marriage, AOS. It is highly surprising how I got a funny look when I told him I am doing a K1. I feel kind of sheepish in a sense, but I also know whoever looks over my fiancee's records knows she owns a business and would have to sell it to move over here. It simply isn't worth the risk, and she's worth the wait, so, with a bittersweet feeling, I had to file a K1.

I just hope everything plays out okay. I was in school off and on during the last few years, so obviously didn't make too much on my tax returns, and have many job changes, but the same address since 1994. However, been doing full time and putting off school just to get her here.

The worst part of it all was, talking to some people at customs in four airports, I found out there is a high likelihood she would be denied if she came to visit again in October because of a pending K1 visa (even though she still has her B2). So I'll end up visiting Greece in December for Christmas and New Years. The consulate in Athens seems pretty fast, but I'm also in California, which obviously has the slowest system since there's so many people filing. At least there's no quota.

Wishing for a speedy process for all of us May filers.

Do they have a history of lagging around the holiday season?

[Hannah+Vito 0]

My god, look at all the other California filers.

I went through a rather difficult process, and I hope everything turns out ok. The lawyer I had, who is a part of an activist immigration service, is used to doing things the way I wanted it to happen -- B2 Visa, marriage, AOS. It is highly surprising how I got a funny look when I told him I am doing a K1. I feel kind of sheepish in a sense, but I also know whoever looks over my fiancee's records knows she owns a business and would have to sell it to move over here. It simply isn't worth the risk, and she's worth the wait, so, with a bittersweet feeling, I had to file a K1.

I just hope everything plays out okay. I was in school off and on during the last few years, so obviously didn't make too much on my tax returns, and have many job changes, but the same address since 1994. However, been doing full time and putting off school just to get her here.

The worst part of it all was, talking to some people at customs in four airports, I found out there is a high likelihood she would be denied if she came to visit again in October because of a pending K1 visa (even though she still has her B2). So I'll end up visiting Greece in December for Christmas and New Years. The consulate in Athens seems pretty fast, but I'm also in California, which obviously has the slowest system since there's so many people filing. At least there's no quota.

Wishing for a speedy process for all of us May filers.

Do they have a history of lagging around the holiday season?

Wellcome CYE, hope you have a speedy journey.

as for the holiday question, they did slow down to a minimum on memorial holiday and there were those who predicted this and said it happened last year. I guess other than national holidays it will depend on their finances and how many staff they have.

p.s. I got a funny look too from an attorney when I was last visisting when we said we were gunna do the k1 cos i needed to fly home again.

Edited June 8, 2008 by Hannah+Vito

[Hannah+Vito 0]

morning fellow may fillers! B)

A new week, a new day, and more waiting.

I hope this message finds you all in good health!

Vito and I are planning his next trip to see me in sept for my birthday and I cant wait :dance:

we are planning on visiting the London Eye, as nither of us have done it before! Must say the London hotels are a bit pricey though!

What is everyone else upto?

Edited June 9, 2008 by Hannah+Vito

[stardusted 0]

Still waiting for our NOA1, seven days after CSC received our petition. Work is keeping me busy, which is good, but Chris is sick at home today. It's hardest to be apart when one person isn't feeling their best. We've been chatting a little more about him visiting if the process continues to move slowly; it gives me something to look forward to. I hope everyone has an anxiety-free week.

[KimandRuss 0]

Hannah + Vito, if you visit priceline.com and name your own price for say a 4 star hotel in London, you will not be disappointed. I've used it all over the world and saved a bundle on air and hotels. The package we bought to London included airfare from the States and put us in a 4 star hotel right by Kensington Palace. I rarely pay more than 125 a night for 4 star hotels in major cities all over the world. We didn't do the eye but we've got lots of pictures of it! My legs go numb in high places.

[Jason&Sarah 0]

a similar site, is www.hotwire.com. The catch with them is they won't tell you the hotel until after you booked, but essentially you plug in where you want to stay, the type of hotel and it returns the results. It will have the star rating for the hotel and the say something like "3 star hotel - holiday inn, Comfort Suites or similar etc"...I've had good experiences with it.

Priceline is good as well, I've used them for hotels before (never for airfare, but then again - i prefer to book through the actual airline!)

and Airfare jumped to almost $900 to fly from Columbus to London for Christmas There's a $750 flight out of Cleveland, it's just a matter of getting to Cleveland.

[cca 13]

Andrew came over to the UK 3 weeks ago and we went to london for 3 nights. stayed right on oxford street by marbel arch and did the whole madam tussaurd, london dungeon and went to see billy elliot at west end aswell as sightseeing. Was so good- very recomended!

Andrews comin august 1st and i cant wait but does still seem so far away.

Hope eveyones ok.......

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Vitos coming the last week of september we think the 25th as my birthday is the 28th, and it will cost him around $1000 return airfare by the looks. he's been desperate to go on the london eye for ages so we were gunna stay one nite before going back to kent. but we were hoping not to have to pay over £100 for the hotel seen as we would prob wanna go out and eat a nice meal and blah blah then travel bk to kent on the train. it all adds up when you are on a cash diet lol. thanks guys i'll check those sites.

oh and stardusted I know what you mean about wanting to be closer when your other half is sick. Vito wasnt feeling that hot last nite either. I wanted to give him a big hug to feel better.

[Jason&Sarah 0]

Hooray London Dungeon! It was so much fun, though we had done the Tower of London prior and by the end our feet were killing us

The London Dungeon was a lot of fun though...

[Jason&Sarah 0]

Vitos coming the last week of september we think the 25th as my birthday is the 28th, and it will cost him around $1000 return airfare by the looks. he's been desperate to go on the london eye for ages so we were gunna stay one nite before going back to kent. but we were hoping not to have to pay over £100 for the hotel seen as we would prob wanna go out and eat a nice meal and blah blah then travel bk to kent on the train. it all adds up when you are on a cash diet lol. thanks guys i'll check those sites.

oh and stardusted I know what you mean about wanting to be closer when your other half is sick. Vito wasnt feeling that hot last nite either. I wanted to give him a big hug to feel better.

Hannah - if you two like italian food go to Da Paolo.

It's address is

3 Charlotte Place

London W1T 1SD

website is www.dapaolo.co.uk

It's about 60-70 quid for two...at least that's what it was for Sarah and I...it is out of this world...

Another good place is Sarastro Restaurant

It's over by Drury Theatre, around Covent Garden. Again about 60-70 quid for two. They're nice, intimate and very romantic!

126 Drury Lane

Theatreland, London WC2B 5QG

website is www.sarastro-restaurant.com

Just some helpful tips I know that's a bit pricey for dinner - but really you won't regret it...That was a 3 course for both of us at both places...I can talk to Sarah and see if she knows any good places by where you'll be staying for the night - she was in the pub and food busness for almost 10 years...