The 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Thanks EVERYONE for the best wishes! (F)

So we have not received the passport yet, but are praying for it to magically arrive tomorrow or even on Wednesday.

Also...fiance has BAD LUCK with his GP...my fiance tried 3 times to get appointments with this incompetent individual...and every time something happened: 1) GP personally canceled appointment for personal reasons (Ok...stuff happens, no problem...but) 2) No MMR vaccine available so ordered from pharmacy 3) Pharmacy said today...after they had ONE WEEK to order the MMR vaccine that "sorry we are out of stock". So the point of me telling my fiance to get an appointment with the GP prior to the medical was so that he could ELIMINATE further time consumption and even $$$ spending by getting them done cheaper and more conveniently with his GP...but this was just getting ridiculous, so we both decided that we will worry about vaccines and all of that after my fiance at least gets his K-1 visa in hand.

^^^

Sorry for rambling there about the GP...but I found the whole thing to be ridiculous and frustrating...hope no one else had similar issues with their GP.

We pray that my fiance's medical goes well on Friday!

I hope and pray it does too, Marm...you've been so lovely and helpful to everyone on the forum. I'm sure that everything will turn out okay :: hugs :: and you'll receive the passport.

Magpie.

[DairyFarmer 1]

Thanks EVERYONE for the best wishes! (F)

So we have not received the passport yet, but are praying for it to magically arrive tomorrow or even on Wednesday.

Also...fiance has BAD LUCK with his GP...my fiance tried 3 times to get appointments with this incompetent individual...and every time something happened: 1) GP personally canceled appointment for personal reasons (Ok...stuff happens, no problem...but) 2) No MMR vaccine available so ordered from pharmacy 3) Pharmacy said today...after they had ONE WEEK to order the MMR vaccine that "sorry we are out of stock". So the point of me telling my fiance to get an appointment with the GP prior to the medical was so that he could ELIMINATE further time consumption and even $$$ spending by getting them done cheaper and more conveniently with his GP...but this was just getting ridiculous, so we both decided that we will worry about vaccines and all of that after my fiance at least gets his K-1 visa in hand.

^^^

Sorry for rambling there about the GP...but I found the whole thing to be ridiculous and frustrating...hope no one else had similar issues with their GP.

We pray that my fiance's medical goes well on Friday!

Don't stress too much. MMR is not required for K1. It is required for AOS, so even if he gets his vaccination after the medical he will be ok.

[mr and mrs 187]

Updates/New entries/changes highlighted in blue - will go to normal color in the next update.

January 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Jason&Sarah, Hannah+Vito, Mrssmith, ShannonNick, adrianandlinsay, Marmite Lovers!

February 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Rob&Dawn, Zoe and Hal, Terri and Seb, Talyss, TeeKol,

March 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Stinky Monkey, skparker, Laurence+Lauren, pothergavel, paumanda, texpat cymru, obbynox, jhonscotland, Caminic, Furious Biscuit, ahlpo

April 2009 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

DairyFarmer

April 2009 Interviews

skeez&titanic................K1.........................................6th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

SwanTiger....................K1.........................................6th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

miss g..........................K1..........................................6th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

LondonLad...................DCF.......................................7th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

niniel71........................K1........................................17th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

mr and mrs...................K1........................................20th April 2009 APPROVED!!!!

Kirsten UK.....................K1.......................................23th April 2009

Stinkerpotsam..............K1........................................24th April 2009

Marty J..........................K1........................................24th April 2009

prima and jay................K1.......................................24th April 2009

Helen&Dougie...........CR-1/IR-1................................24th April 2009

Alixhilary.......................K1........................................27th April 2009

Colinjess.......................K1........................................27th April 2009

MARM............................K1........................................28th April 2009

paul...........................CR-1/IR-1................................28th April 2009

May 2009 Interviews

Graziumphry.................K1........................................1st May 2009

Monkey Juice................K1........................................5th May 2009

Gemmie........................K1........................................5th May 2009

H&V..............................K1.......................................15th May 2009

Still waiting for approval

stevi1123.........................................16th October 2008 - Approved pending additional documentation

Marie620..........................................12th January 2009 - Denied

DairyFarmer.......................................5th March 2009 - APPROVED!!!!!!!! no more AP!!

Dave and Jess..................................10th March 2009 ?

The Dip Sticks...................................25th March 2009 ?

jojo_gee...........................................27th March 2009 - Approved pending additional documentation they are working on it! should be soon!

KnightAndMagpie..............................30th March 2009 - Placed in AP, hopefully not for long

[DairyFarmer 1]

I the smiley with the heart. Boosting its power

[MARM 7]

Well...we have some pleasant and surprisingly wonderful news today...

My fiance's passport will be in his hands in time for the interview next week! :dancing:

He got a call from the UKBA today saying that his student visa extension has been approved and that he should get his passport at home within 1/2 days.

Thanks so much everyone for supporting us so far... :star:

Now moving on to the medical and then the interview....stronger than ever before!

Edited April 21, 2009 by MARM

[Talyss 0]

Woohooooo!! :joy:

thats great news! glad they got things sorted out for you

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Well...we have some pleasant and surprisingly wonderful news today...

My fiance's passport will be in his hands in time for the interview next week! :dancing:

He got a call from the UKBA today saying that his student visa extension has been approved and that he should get his passport at home within 1/2 days.

Thanks so much everyone for supporting us so far... :star:

Now moving on to the medical and then the interview....stronger than ever before!

That's WONDERFUL! Toldja it was gonna be okay . :: Hugs! ::

Magpie.

[Marty J 0]

Anyone know if the US Embassy will take Northern Irish banknotes?

I'm going to get them changed into English money anyway (I don't fancy having an argument with the consular staff as to what "legal tender" means), but it might be useful info to know.

Oh, and that's great news MARM!

Edited April 21, 2009 by Marty J

[mr and mrs 187]

jamie tells me that he got a text today from the couriers saying it will be delivered tomorrow. : D

let's hope everything is correct. <crosses fingers>

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Anyone know if the US Embassy will take Northern Irish banknotes?

I'm going to get them changed into English money anyway (I don't fancy having an argument with the consular staff as to what "legal tender" means), but it might be useful info to know.

Oh, and that's great news MARM!

I know this is totally OT, but yesterday I found out that NI and Scottish banknotes are not legal tender, even within the issuing country. They are instead legal currency. The distinctions are fairly minimal in practice, but essentially it means that such notes act like a cheque or a debit card. BoE notes are legal tender throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as are all coins. (NB: I have been working on a case against the Royal Bank of Scotland, and I got hopelessly sidetracked yesterday!)

Contract law in England and Wales allows one party to refuse to enter a contract, and in this case the question would be whether the consideration (i.e. your NI banknotes) would be acceptable. However, English law also states that in settling a debt, the creditor must accept any reasonable settlement of a debt -- and your NI banknotes would fall into that category. So in practice, they should accept your banknotes, but you might get a "what the eff is this?"

Edited to add: I had put "legal tender throughout the UK", but I don't know what the status of BoE notes is in the IoM or the Channel Islands.

Edited April 21, 2009 by elmcitymaven

[Marty J 0]

Anyone know if the US Embassy will take Northern Irish banknotes?

I'm going to get them changed into English money anyway (I don't fancy having an argument with the consular staff as to what "legal tender" means), but it might be useful info to know.

Oh, and that's great news MARM!

I know this is totally OT, but yesterday I found out that NI and Scottish banknotes are not legal tender, even within the issuing country. They are instead legal currency. The distinctions are fairly minimal in practice, but essentially it means that such notes act like a cheque or a debit card. BoE notes are legal tender throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as are all coins. (NB: I have been working on a case against the Royal Bank of Scotland, and I got hopelessly sidetracked yesterday!)

Contract law in England and Wales allows one party to refuse to enter a contract, and in this case the question would be whether the consideration (i.e. your NI banknotes) would be acceptable. However, English law also states that in settling a debt, the creditor must accept any reasonable settlement of a debt -- and your NI banknotes would fall into that category. So in practice, they should accept your banknotes, but you might get a "what the eff is this?"

Thanks for that!

I knew they weren't legal tender, but most people seem to think that means they aren't valid currency. I'm just going to get them changed to English banknotes anyway, just to be on the safe side.

Edited to add: I had put "legal tender throughout the UK", but I don't know what the status of BoE notes is in the IoM or the Channel Islands.

The Isle of Man and the Channel islands aren't part of the UK (or even the EU for that matter), they're Crown Dependancies.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

The Isle of Man and the Channel islands aren't part of the UK (or even the EU for that matter), they're Crown Dependancies.

Durrr, of course they are (Crown Dependencies). My brain has been fried with all this talk of legal tender vs. currency.

Edited April 22, 2009 by elmcitymaven

[NickyMcMillan 0]

I used Scottish bank notes to pay for my visa. Was not intentional, I just took money out from my local bank the day before I traveled down to London. It didn't occur to me until I got into the embassy and was sitting waiting bored, that I only had Scottish notes (I lived in England, but about 2 miles from the Scottish border). I would have used my card if they were not accepted, but the woman took the money without any issue.

I've had a few issues attempting to use them in the south in the past. You will find small independent business wont take them. But the big companies don't usually have a problem. I used the rest of my Scottish notes on embassy day, at the Starbucks where I broke the news to my now wife, that my visa was approved.

Anyways, on with the show..

[mrs_sdp 0]

I used Scottish bank notes to pay for my visa. Was not intentional, I just took money out from my local bank the day before I traveled down to London. It didn't occur to me until I got into the embassy and was sitting waiting bored, that I only had Scottish notes (I lived in England, but about 2 miles from the Scottish border). I would have used my card if they were not accepted, but the woman took the money without any issue.

I've had a few issues attempting to use them in the south in the past. You will find small independent business wont take them. But the big companies don't usually have a problem. I used the rest of my Scottish notes on embassy day, at the Starbucks where I broke the news to my now wife, that my visa was approved.

Anyways, on with the show..

Hmmm ... I think I'll just pay with my visa debit card - makes things a whole lot easier for me! I'll try and have English notes for the courier though - is it correct that you can only pay them in cash?

Congrats Marm .... glad the passport will be through in time ... and congrats to you too Mr and Mrs - wishing a safe arrival for your visa!!

I wonder if the nice man at the DOS will have some good news for me today? Ha Ha ... I live in hope ...

The sun is shining here ... have a nice day everyone!

Moira x

[mr and mrs 187]

courier fee can be paid with pounds sterling or a credit card. accepted cards are listed on the UK embassy info page, near the bottom of the page.