UK AOS 2009 Thread

[Bob and Patricia 0]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back!

I had some questions:

1) My fiance and I plan on entering at POE together, meaning we will be on the same flight into Chicago. For those that don't know, my fiance got his visa in hand in London on Nov. 12 and we took a trip to Pakistan Nov. 16 prior to his POE in the USA, so both of us will be entering Chicago for my fiance's POE in Chicago on Dec. 26.

We wanted to know, do we enter together or seperate?

And what forms do we need to fill out on the flight? Does my fiance fill out the white I-94 and each of us fills out a seperate customs forms, or do we fill out one customs form?

Is it unheard of to enter as fiance/fiancee together at POE? I am worried about it causing complications...my fiance's visa was issued in London but the reason that my fiance and I made a trip to Pakistan prior to his POE in the USA is because his mother and father are not well and because his immediate family will not be able to attend the wedding so we decided to visit them prior to the wedding here in the USA.

2.) About the I-693 medical forms, is it fine if my fiance submits his DS-3025 from Knightsbridge in London (medical completed in week of Feb 2009) and medical vaccination records from a normal doctor in Pakistan to Dr. Arnold? My fiance did not have his K-1 vaccinations completed at Knightsbridge in London so we were planning on getting his vaccinations done in Pakistan (because they are cheaper) and then we submit both records to Dr. Arnold. Is this possible?

Or does anyone have suggestions on how to get vaccinations done cheaper in Illinois?

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions/advice!

I feel like we are WAY behind because of our trip to Pakistan!

hello, first of all.

well you can both enter together, that certainly is not a problem, i think bob and pat did just that. the I-94 form you get on the flight, he fills it out and takes it to the non us citizen line. make sure however that you do not go in the same lines together, though you might want to wait with him, the us citizen line is far shorter and faster than the non US one, especially at chicago, and you chose a doozie of a day to re enter. Though you may be lucky.

Dr. Arnold is retiring as of last week, you cannot get him to transcribe any vaccinations, there is a list on this forum of civil surgeons that will subscribe, and there is one in Chicago I believe.

I hope that was helpful.

Pat flew in on her own and I paced the waiting area. I wanted to fly out and bring her back but couldn't justify the expense.

Depending on the day, (and I haven't seen any pattern) the Non-US line can be pretty long or short. But if you get through the line before your fiance, you can start dragging your luggage off the carousel.

Good luck!

Edited December 7, 2009 by Bob and Patricia

[MissusM09 1]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back!

I had some questions:

1) My fiance and I plan on entering at POE together, meaning we will be on the same flight into Chicago. For those that don't know, my fiance got his visa in hand in London on Nov. 12 and we took a trip to Pakistan Nov. 16 prior to his POE in the USA, so both of us will be entering Chicago for my fiance's POE in Chicago on Dec. 26.

We wanted to know, do we enter together or seperate?

And what forms do we need to fill out on the flight? Does my fiance fill out the white I-94 and each of us fills out a seperate customs forms, or do we fill out one customs form?

Is it unheard of to enter as fiance/fiancee together at POE? I am worried about it causing complications...my fiance's visa was issued in London but the reason that my fiance and I made a trip to Pakistan prior to his POE in the USA is because his mother and father are not well and because his immediate family will not be able to attend the wedding so we decided to visit them prior to the wedding here in the USA.

2.) About the I-693 medical forms, is it fine if my fiance submits his DS-3025 from Knightsbridge in London (medical completed in week of Feb 2009) and medical vaccination records from a normal doctor in Pakistan to Dr. Arnold? My fiance did not have his K-1 vaccinations completed at Knightsbridge in London so we were planning on getting his vaccinations done in Pakistan (because they are cheaper) and then we submit both records to Dr. Arnold. Is this possible?

Or does anyone have suggestions on how to get vaccinations done cheaper in Illinois?

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions/advice!

I feel like we are WAY behind because of our trip to Pakistan!

hello, first of all.

well you can both enter together, that certainly is not a problem, i think bob and pat did just that. the I-94 form you get on the flight, he fills it out and takes it to the non us citizen line. make sure however that you do not go in the same lines together, though you might want to wait with him, the us citizen line is far shorter and faster than the non US one, especially at chicago, and you chose a doozie of a day to re enter. Though you may be lucky.

Dr. Arnold is retiring as of last week, you cannot get him to transcribe any vaccinations, there is a list on this forum of civil surgeons that will subscribe, and there is one in Chicago I believe.

I hope that was helpful.

Pat flew in on her own and I paced the waiting area. I wanted to fly out and bring her back but couldn't justify the expense.

Depending on the day, (and I haven't seen any pattern) the Non-US line can be pretty long or short. But if you get through the line before your fiance, you can start dragging your luggage off the carousel.

Good luck!

my bad....

yeah what he said.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello all---

Lots of activity here today...jobs, approvals, yipee!

And Marm is back! We went through POE together in Houston on the least busiest day I've ever experienced in the immigration hall. I went through US line to do my thing, then went around to the visitor side and joined up with Nick. Some people report they've gone through (either) line together. Ask when you get to the hall if you can process together in the same line with your fiance and which line they would like you to get in. I didn't go in the secondary room where they open the brown envelope. I used that time to go fetch our luggage. He fills out white I-94 because the green I-94W is for travelers on Visa Waiver and he's on a Visa (not a waiver.) You are separate travelers, so you each fill out a customs declaration. We did not itemize anything or value anything. Houston told me to write "household goods" with no value and it was not a problem if I was actually carrying two suitcases of his things. The declaration is mainly for souvenirs you bring back, so if you got gifts in Pakistan and they look new and not like something he's owned at least a year, then you should list and value those. If you had any type of ceremony in Pakistan for yourselves, DO NOT put any photos anywhere in your luggage. People have had it misconstrued that the couple married before entering POE and are told the K1 is invalidated and they must get a K3. And yes, give the Knightsbridge DS3024, and any Pakistani immunizations to a Civil Surgeon in the US to be transcribed. Make sure the Pakistani forms have name/address of clinic or something official the US doc can read and will accept. Also public health clinics in the US should be able to give the immunizations at a reduced rate.

Gemmie. You had to wait longer than some of the others, but finally the end is in sight. (Well for 2 years at least.)

Missus--I think you need a whole new medical exam. Your medical expired at the end of October. Had you filed AOS months earlier and the reason you expired was because USCIS hadn't gotten around to your case for a couple of months, then expiration might have been waived. BUT you cut it so close that I feel certain they expect all the bloodwork, TB skin test, etc to be done anew. I don't remember the date you have to respond by, but be very careful to meet that date with room to spare. If they don't get a response from you, they will deny the case for lack of enough evidence on which to give an approval. The you have to file motions to reopen and it gets very sticky. BTW, you don't have to wait to file taxes to prove the current income. A letter from an employer of his current salary and some pay stubs will prove current income. It's not all about the tax return, but any kind of proof you can provide of current income. So if he makes $2000/month now, you put $24,000 down as his income. It doesn't matter if his 2008 tax return says $16,000. You give them some good proof that he's got more salary now than in 2008. Hope that makes sense.

And tomorrow I go to surgery (again!). I went last Thursday, all checked in, with nothing to drink for over 12 hours and they had to postpone because the surgeon's previous case was very complicated and wasn't going to be done for a long time. So I am back doing the liquid diet today and taking the stuff to send me to the loo 50 times between now and midnight. I can't even believe I have to go through this again.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Grats to people who got approvals! Weee, indeed, lots has been happening!

And tomorrow I go to surgery (again!). I went last Thursday, all checked in, with nothing to drink for over 12 hours and they had to postpone because the surgeon's previous case was very complicated and wasn't going to be done for a long time. So I am back doing the liquid diet today and taking the stuff to send me to the loo 50 times between now and midnight. I can't even believe I have to go through this again.

:: huggums :: Like the previous occasion, you will manage this, horrible as it is. Though I have to say, it isn't great that they postponed you the way they did, especially considering what you're having to deal with. Hopefully you'll get it done tomorrow.

Also, I have a question -- I think I had my HPV jab done back in August. I thought I had a gap of more than two months to get the second shot. I couldn't afford it before I started working, anyhow...should I get my second shot now? The only partner I have is (obviously) Knight, so I'm not worried about contracting anything. Should I bother at all?

Magpie.

Edited December 7, 2009 by KnightAndMagpie

[SunDrop 59]

Should I bother at all?

Nope. Becomes unnecessary from next Monday (Dec 14th) and the USCIS were holding onto AOS filed between the CDC announcement and next Monday, so that they can all be processed under the new requirements (or the absence thereof).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also, I have a question -- I think I had my HPV jab done back in August. I thought I had a gap of more than two months to get the second shot. I couldn't afford it before I started working, anyhow...should I get my second shot now? The only partner I have is (obviously) Knight, so I'm not worried about contracting anything. Should I bother at all?

Magpie.

Don't get it. Save the money. You've got the GC, so no requirements making you finish the series.

And thanks for the ::huggums::

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Thankums to you both -- it was a requirement at the time that I adjusted status, but it was more that I was concerned about weird side effects in not finishing the course of the vaccine.

Woo, work tomorrow...I'm actually looking forward to it.

Hugs!

Magpie.

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Congrats Bob & Pat! & Gemmie too.

Good luck on your POE Marm.

We were approved at our interview today so we're soooo chuffed & ready to realx & enjoy Christmas now.

The interview was easy peasy, lemon squeezy!! Just asked for ID, passports, joint bank accounts,car insurance docs & went through the standard terroist, drugs, prostitution questions & some about how we met & that was it! 10 mins...no photos, cards, email or anything.

Just to let anyone know who interviews in Detroit. Make sure you move any valuables in your car from view. The rather expensive SUV near us had the window smashed right in front of the security cameras! They may have left a GPS in the window.

[MissusM09 1]

Hello all---

Lots of activity here today...jobs, approvals, yipee!

And Marm is back! We went through POE together in Houston on the least busiest day I've ever experienced in the immigration hall. I went through US line to do my thing, then went around to the visitor side and joined up with Nick. Some people report they've gone through (either) line together. Ask when you get to the hall if you can process together in the same line with your fiance and which line they would like you to get in. I didn't go in the secondary room where they open the brown envelope. I used that time to go fetch our luggage. He fills out white I-94 because the green I-94W is for travelers on Visa Waiver and he's on a Visa (not a waiver.) You are separate travelers, so you each fill out a customs declaration. We did not itemize anything or value anything. Houston told me to write "household goods" with no value and it was not a problem if I was actually carrying two suitcases of his things. The declaration is mainly for souvenirs you bring back, so if you got gifts in Pakistan and they look new and not like something he's owned at least a year, then you should list and value those. If you had any type of ceremony in Pakistan for yourselves, DO NOT put any photos anywhere in your luggage. People have had it misconstrued that the couple married before entering POE and are told the K1 is invalidated and they must get a K3. And yes, give the Knightsbridge DS3024, and any Pakistani immunizations to a Civil Surgeon in the US to be transcribed. Make sure the Pakistani forms have name/address of clinic or something official the US doc can read and will accept. Also public health clinics in the US should be able to give the immunizations at a reduced rate.

Gemmie. You had to wait longer than some of the others, but finally the end is in sight. (Well for 2 years at least.)

Missus--I think you need a whole new medical exam. Your medical expired at the end of October. Had you filed AOS months earlier and the reason you expired was because USCIS hadn't gotten around to your case for a couple of months, then expiration might have been waived. BUT you cut it so close that I feel certain they expect all the bloodwork, TB skin test, etc to be done anew. I don't remember the date you have to respond by, but be very careful to meet that date with room to spare. If they don't get a response from you, they will deny the case for lack of enough evidence on which to give an approval. The you have to file motions to reopen and it gets very sticky. BTW, you don't have to wait to file taxes to prove the current income. A letter from an employer of his current salary and some pay stubs will prove current income. It's not all about the tax return, but any kind of proof you can provide of current income. So if he makes $2000/month now, you put $24,000 down as his income. It doesn't matter if his 2008 tax return says $16,000. You give them some good proof that he's got more salary now than in 2008. Hope that makes sense.

And tomorrow I go to surgery (again!). I went last Thursday, all checked in, with nothing to drink for over 12 hours and they had to postpone because the surgeon's previous case was very complicated and wasn't going to be done for a long time. So I am back doing the liquid diet today and taking the stuff to send me to the loo 50 times between now and midnight. I can't even believe I have to go through this again.

oooh i hope your surgery goes well, so you could start the new year feeling more like yourself. and you are right, i wont wait for the tax return thingy i'll just do the medical and do what i have to do to get it all past the initial stages.

Edited December 8, 2009 by MissusM09

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Congrats Bob & Pat! & Gemmie too.

Good luck on your POE Marm.

We were approved at our interview today so we're soooo chuffed & ready to realx & enjoy Christmas now.

The interview was easy peasy, lemon squeezy!! Just asked for ID, passports, joint bank accounts,car insurance docs & went through the standard terroist, drugs, prostitution questions & some about how we met & that was it! 10 mins...no photos, cards, email or anything.

Just to let anyone know who interviews in Detroit. Make sure you move any valuables in your car from view. The rather expensive SUV near us had the window smashed right in front of the security cameras! They may have left a GPS in the window.

Congraaaaaaaaats! See, it's a breeze when you compare it to the K-1 interview...whew! I'm glad that it went so well.

Boo, people are willing to steal anywhere...they're apparently willing to steal from firefighting crews up here who are pulling the summer forestry shift to keep fires from reaching the cities (and this happened this summer), so there's no telling what they're willing to do. I mean, those guys are more or less heroes up here...and yet people, knowing that the vehicles belonged to the crews (in the dirt parking lot right by one of the stations), they broke into the vehicles and stole iPods and such. Nothing was in view, so what happened was really sad -- it was like somebody was waiting for them to leave.

I don't like it when people steal.

Magpie.

/edit: Also, Missus, that sounds like a good plan. Since your medical will be good for a while, then once you get the tax stuff, you can send out the packet right away.

Edited December 8, 2009 by KnightAndMagpie

[Gemmie 142]

Good luck on the surgery, Nich. I can't believe they had to postpone it after all the preparation you had to do the day before. The surgeon must've had a BIG problem if he was that bogged under. Let us know how you get on.

Congrats MJ!

I was wondering the same thing, Magpie. I'm due for my second course now too, but don't really want it. I just thought my body might act weirdly to not finishing it. Has it now been cut out of the requirements then??

[Lisa and Ian 7]

We mailed in our AOS paperwork 2 days ago, and it's scheduled for delivery today. Here's hoping it all goes smoothly.

Good luck to the rest of you!

[Lisa and Ian 7]

And tomorrow I go to surgery (again!). I went last Thursday, all checked in, with nothing to drink for over 12 hours and they had to postpone because the surgeon's previous case was very complicated and wasn't going to be done for a long time. So I am back doing the liquid diet today and taking the stuff to send me to the loo 50 times between now and midnight. I can't even believe I have to go through this again.

Good luck with your surgery.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Good luck on the surgery, Nich. I can't believe they had to postpone it after all the preparation you had to do the day before. The surgeon must've had a BIG problem if he was that bogged under. Let us know how you get on.

Congrats MJ!

I was wondering the same thing, Magpie. I'm due for my second course now too, but don't really want it. I just thought my body might act weirdly to not finishing it. Has it now been cut out of the requirements then??

Yes'm, as of next Monday (14th December), Sundrop said. I'm not going to be taking the rest of the course and if our most illustrious Nich is suggesting not to bother, I'm not going to. I think there are more side effects taking it than not, and well, we've got more-than steady partners .

Snowbunnies, may you have a speedy and painless AOS .

Magpie.

[Gemmie 142]

I can't believe it's been cut out of the requirements, I was so annoyed at having to have it this summer. Oh well. What's done is done. My MIL knows a British girl around my age who is moving here next year and she flipped out when she found out she was being forced to have that vaccine, so at least she'll be saved there. She wants me to help her out with the AOS (which I would be glad to). I love how I've became a US visa expert in the eyes of my American family.

Good luck, Snowbunnies!