Question about visa approval in London, UK

[ahlpo 0]

My wife's interview went well this morning and the visa was approved. If you're interested, I've posted the story in the UK regional section.

We were given a large manila envelope and were told contained her chest X-ray; is that all we were supposed to get?

I've also read that we could not open this and it had to be turned in to Immigration upon arrival in the US; can anyone confirm please?

Does this mean we should carry it with us and not put it in one of the suitcases?

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 30, 2009 by ahlpo

[gf97 1]

YES, carry it with you!! they will ask for the envelope at the IMMIGRATION DESK!! DO NOTTTTTTTTTTT put in your suitcase and do not open it!!!!!!!

This is what everyone will tell you. and do not open it.

[ahlpo 0]

I was just looking around in the VJ forums and think that the X-ray envelope is one of two envelopes they give you to bring along.

Is there a second envelope I'm supposed to receive?

Edited March 30, 2009 by ahlpo

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I was just looking around in the VJ forums and think that the X-ray envelope is one of two envelopes they give you to bring along.

Is there a second envelope I'm supposed to receive?

Hi ahlpo -- congrats on the approval! The only thing your wife would have walked away with yesterday was the ginormous X-Ray envelope -- this is NOT the Mysterious Brown Envelope ("MBE") of lore, and although you are told to bring it with you as hand luggage no one will ask to see it at POE. I can think of maybe two reports I've read on VJ over the past 2+ years where someone was asked to show it.

There is indeed a second envelope, and this is the all-important do-not-touch MBE. It will come inside the outer plastic courier envelope when your passport with visa is returned. Open the plastic envelope ONLY -- your wife's passport will be inside and obviously she will need it. Take a moment to check that the info on the visa is correct; a recent UK K1 person had an error on hers and had to return it to London for correction. Put the MBE somewhere very safe and make sure it goes with your wife in a carry-on. If the MBE is opened, it will have to be returned to London for resealing before you can travel.

Just another quick note -- when you are on the plane to your POE, your wife will not need an I-94 (white form) or I-94W (green form) for landing; she will be an immigrant, and that does not require filling out either of these forms. The flight attendants may push one on her, but she doesn't need it. You will still need to fill out a customs (white/blue) form for both of you, however.

Good luck!

[LondonLad 0]

Hey I was wondering if the officer asked you (the USC) any questions? Do you think your presence at the interview was helpful in anyway?

Also do you think the I-130 interview was helpful during this interview? Or had any impact? What kind of questions was your wife asked?

[ahlpo 0]

Thanks for the details elmcitymaven!

With regards to the visa interview, I think it was extremely wise for me, the US citizen, to be present with my wife. Not only as a show of support and emotional backup, but also in the event there was an issue, for whatever reason, because 2 heads are always better than 1 in these situations.

The most challenging document to be submitted, in my opinion, is the I-864 Affidavit of Support with associated evidence. Since I prepared it, nobody was better suited to handle any evidence-related questions than myself.

My presence also helped ease any awkwardness during questioning. Having another person there can certainly help alleviate tension, especially if they're quite amicable and easy to speak with. It's always advisable to only answer the questions you're asled and never volunteer information but knowing how to make good conversation is a useful skill to have. Also remember that first impressions can be very compelling so dress smart!

The questions were short and simple and this will of course depend on the Immigration Officer to a large extent. He basically asked how we met, who proposed and when/how, what our plans were, etc... Not sure if the I-130 appointment played any part in the actual visa interview but some questions were the same and it wouldn't surprise me if some notes were cross-checked for consistency, hence the importance of being prepared and to concentrate hard.

Edited March 31, 2009 by ahlpo

[ahlpo 0]

The passport/visa was received today along with the mysterious brown envelope.

The only thing is on the visa in the passport they've added an extra 01 at the very end of the case number. So now it's LND2009xxxxxx01 whereas in the past it was always just LND2009xxxxxx.

Seems weird but maybe it's normal; any ideas?

[ahlpo 0]

^ I've been told this is normal, so no need to worry.

[LondonLad 0]

congrats

Thanks for writhing in detail.

When is POE?

[ahlpo 0]

My wife just tendered her notice at work the other day so she's got another 4 weeks and then we're off.

This time, I'm holding onto her passport; let's hope nothing gets misplaced again!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

My husband hid his Mysterious Brown Envelope under the bed for the 2 months we had between interview and leaving Britain -- he was afraid he might accidentally open it in his sleep so he checked its integrity from time to time.

[LondonLad 0]

My husband hid his Mysterious Brown Envelope under the bed for the 2 months we had between interview and leaving Britain -- he was afraid he might accidentally open it in his sleep so he checked its integrity from time to time.

haha - thats funny.