2010 United Kingdom AOS Thread

[John and Camie 39]

lol Okay, here goes! My husband is the one from the UK, but I haven't gotten a chance to change my name on anything yet since we've been married. Do I need to do that before we fill out the forms, or will it even matter?

I have yet to change my name (I plan to, though), but figured we should just get AOS sorted first. It didn't hurt our case one bit to have two different last names (his and mine).

Also, on his DS-3025 from the medical, the doc checked the box that says "Vaccination history is incomplete, but he may use a blanket waiver because most of the shots weren't medically appropriate." She did check off that most of the vaccines were not appropriate because of his age. Thing is, he never received a waiver or anything, does that matter? I just don't want to send that in and they think that he didn't get all his shots because he actually had MORE than he needed.

Oh my word, this was our biggest hurdle for AOS. If your husband's DS-3025 doesn't show "VH" (we were not so lucky), then shop around for a Civil Surgeon who will give him a blood titre test. We were very lucky to find a CS who wanted to test John's blood for Varicella antibodies before charging us for a shot (in addition to filling out the I-693). John's blood tested for the antibody, and the CS filled out and sealed our I-693 per usual.

As for the issue of I-693s altogether . . . there was a HUGE rash of filers (I think it was mostly Jan. filers) who received RFEs asking for them, even though they had already sent in a Civil Surgeon-completed I-693. My husband and I were lucky to not get one, but we're guessing that USCIS must've straightened everything out by the time we were adjudicated. Back in the day, you could just send in a complete DS-3025 and be fine. AOS also cost waaay less back then.

I defer to Nich-Nick, as I think she's a bright, shining light on VJ and she knows what she's talking about. But I just wanted to alert you about the I-693 situation, as it brought a lot of cases to a screeching halt on here. It was sad to witness and put the fear in many of us filing AOS. If you don't mind the risk of an RFE by excluding an I-693 altogether, then maybe your risk will pay off after all (and that would be very cool, saves you the trouble everyone else went through!).

[Justine+David 218]

thanks to the above

11 days, 10 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds until David is here!!!!

or, if you prefer...

987,104 seconds

16,451 minutes

274 hours

This last bit of waiting is so hard!! Especially since we got the visa approval back in March (although had the fiasco in trying to get the actual visa...5 weeks and a few expensive phone calls later), the time feels like it has dragged onnnn.

My mom and sister will be here in two weeks to visit and we will have 5 of us (mom, sister (aged 12), sister (aged 20-staying here for the summer doing a Congress internship), me, and David) crammed into my apartment for a week...I'm banking on the idea that I'll be so dizzying happy to have David that I won't be driven crazy with all those people there in this one small place when I've lived by myself for the past 3 years...

[John and Camie 39]

11 days, 10 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds until David is here!!!!

or, if you prefer...

987,104 seconds

16,451 minutes

274 hours

Hope the days fly by for you!!

[Nik+Heather 121]

thanks to the above

11 days, 10 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds until David is here!!!!

or, if you prefer...

987,104 seconds

16,451 minutes

274 hours

This last bit of waiting is so hard!! Especially since we got the visa approval back in March (although had the fiasco in trying to get the actual visa...5 weeks and a few expensive phone calls later), the time feels like it has dragged onnnn.

I know just how you feel, Justine! I also tended to break it down to sleeping vs. waking hours, and hours that I would have to spend alone at home without him (wouldn't see him while working, see?) It makes the count smaller, at least, when you only count 6 hours per day when you might actually be seeing him.

[Justine+David 218]

haha...I think that would drive me crazy thinking it was smaller than it actually was...I'm waiting for that moment when apparently everyone "forgets" how hard it was to be away from each other

7 days, 17 hours, 57 minutes, 0 seconds

or...

186 hours

11,157 minutes

669,420 seconds

I'm working my three 12 hour shifts (today, Wed, Thur) and then on Friday my sister and I are driving down to Georgia where we used to live (military brats), get some Zaxby's chicken, and take a Savannah ghost tour...so that should help keep me busy!

[Jewel-8 21]

haha...I think that would drive me crazy thinking it was smaller than it actually was...I'm waiting for that moment when apparently everyone "forgets" how hard it was to be away from each other

7 days, 17 hours, 57 minutes, 0 seconds

or...

186 hours

11,157 minutes

669,420 seconds

I'm working my three 12 hour shifts (today, Wed, Thur) and then on Friday my sister and I are driving down to Georgia where we used to live (military brats), get some Zaxby's chicken, and take a Savannah ghost tour...so that should help keep me busy!

I still remember how hard it was. Some days the adjusting and waiting to get a job have been pretty hard too. Mostly just for him though.

As for the Savannah ghost tour.. so jealous. I've always wanted to do that.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Well, it's just like anything else. Surely you remember how much you anticipated the visits back and forth, and once you are together, the pang of having a WHOLE 'NOTHER 2 WEEKS left before the flight just doesn't seem that bad.

Tell us how the ghost tour goes! I'm not a super natural believing type, but I don't like scary stuff (it keeps me up at night! *shivvers*) so I've never been. Hope it's good entertainment without being TOO corny.

The next thing you'll be thinking all the time is "He doesn't have to leave again!" We still have those moments ourselves, even 8 months on.

[John and Camie 39]

The next thing you'll be thinking all the time is "He doesn't have to leave again!"

Girl, the next thing she'll be thinking all the time is, "he doesn't have to leave again, does he?!!"

John's off to visit the fam in late June, and I can't go due to work. I'm missing him already and he hasn't even left yet!!

[Rito 28]

Hey, I finally found this thread! You ain't rid of me yet.

My British fiance husband and I filed for AOS (and EAD and AP) last week, on May 26. It all seems less dramatic and scary now that we're actually together, but nonetheless: godspeed USCIS!

[doghandler 2]

Ooooooh, just discovered this thread!

Am flying over on the 28 June and cannot wait to get started on the AOS paperwork (NOT!!!!!).

Rito - so good to see you now mission accomplished.

Looking forward to joining this thread, looks like all the super cool people are here....beatles fans (love it), fl and that John and Camie - I have always thought you two look like top models. And Jewel 8, you ain't bad looking either.

Am just blethering on here as a mode of distraction from the customs forms I am supposed to be reading for my removals!

[MissusM09 1]

thanks to the above

11 days, 10 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds until David is here!!!!

or, if you prefer...

987,104 seconds

16,451 minutes

274 hours

This last bit of waiting is so hard!! Especially since we got the visa approval back in March (although had the fiasco in trying to get the actual visa...5 weeks and a few expensive phone calls later), the time feels like it has dragged onnnn.

My mom and sister will be here in two weeks to visit and we will have 5 of us (mom, sister (aged 12), sister (aged 20-staying here for the summer doing a Congress internship), me, and David) crammed into my apartment for a week...I'm banking on the idea that I'll be so dizzying happy to have David that I won't be driven crazy with all those people there in this one small place when I've lived by myself for the past 3 years...

if you are lucky you wont forgot those days when you missed each other so much that it drove you crazy. I say lucky because there will come a time in the not too distant future when you will have a huge argument, and all that stops you from hanging it is what you went through. this is what builds the strength in your relationship....all the best getting through the next four days. all the best.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone, well I made my POE on Monday at long last! What a day! Ah! So now to get started on the last few wedding touches... I have been putting together favours (do I have to start saying favors now? Lol) this week and doing some gardening. Its so nice to settle into our new home!

Christine (Doghandler) I'll be thinking of you on the 28th (the day after our wedding ). Don't worry, it will all be fine, you'll see! Its so worth it, once you arrive

Edited June 6, 2010 by RUSSandRACHEL

[Justine+David 218]

TWO DAYS TWO DAYS!!!!!!

Well, the Savannah ghost tour was not all that it was cracked up to be, but we (sister and I) did love seeing the city, it is very beautiful. Of course...it was 90 degrees with 80% humidity so the part of me that appreciated it did not surface until we were in the car with the air conditioning...and along our 10 hour drive home

We also sampled such fine cuisine as Zaxby's Chicken and the Waffle House. Actually, we feel very fat right now. Even the she-crab soup we had in the historic district seems to have tasted too good to be healthy

All 3 of us (that means David!!) will be going to Philly and Boston this coming weekend, F, S, S, and M since I have those days off and sister got them off as well from her internship. Super excited to show them Salem, MA where the witch trials took place and there are all these hilarious kooky museums. All the old colonial stuff is brand-new to my sister since we are Seattleites (I moved here two years ago) and of course I'm sure David will laugh at the guides telling us how old everything is...

65 hours...or

3,918 minutes...or

235,080 seconds!!

[Y&E 12]

Beatlesrebel, let us know how it goes with not sending in the I-693. Will be interesting to see if you get an RFE or not.

[beatlesrebel 0]

Oh my word, this was our biggest hurdle for AOS. If your husband's DS-3025 doesn't show "VH" (we were not so lucky), then shop around for a Civil Surgeon who will give him a blood titre test. We were very lucky to find a CS who wanted to test John's blood for Varicella antibodies before charging us for a shot (in addition to filling out the I-693). John's blood tested for the antibody, and the CS filled out and sealed our I-693 per usual.

As for the issue of I-693s altogether . . . there was a HUGE rash of filers (I think it was mostly Jan. filers) who received RFEs asking for them, even though they had already sent in a Civil Surgeon-completed I-693. My husband and I were lucky to not get one, but we're guessing that USCIS must've straightened everything out by the time we were adjudicated. Back in the day, you could just send in a complete DS-3025 and be fine. AOS also cost waaay less back then.

I defer to Nich-Nick, as I think she's a bright, shining light on VJ and she knows what she's talking about. But I just wanted to alert you about the I-693 situation, as it brought a lot of cases to a screeching halt on here. It was sad to witness and put the fear in many of us filing AOS. If you don't mind the risk of an RFE by excluding an I-693 altogether, then maybe your risk will pay off after all (and that would be very cool, saves you the trouble everyone else went through!).

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Luckily Phill's DS-3025 DOES show "VH". We'll keep you updated on what happens and if we get an RFE. I'm just now catching up on posts here. Got letters from my employer and bank for the affidavit of support. Last weekend, one of my cats was attacked by...something. He's still at the vet and is doing much better, but it was pretty traumatic for a few days! Hope everyone is doing well.