UK AOS 2009 Thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A quick question for my people here :

Should we be worried that our check has not been cashed yet? We sent the package (AOS&EAD) on Jan 04, 2010, it arrived at the Chicago Lockbox on Jan 05, 2010 at 6:44 AM according to USPS Priority online tracking. As of today, Jan 08, 2010, our check has not been cashed. How much longer do we wait until we start worrying?

Thanks in advance!

Ours:

USCIS received 13th

NOA dated 17th

Check cleared 20th

NOA received in mail also 20th

I think you're still okay, but with your history of things going wrong, I don't blame you for being overly nervous. Let's hope it all goes better this round.

And on another topic, in honor of my birthday, I finally posted a picture of us in my profile.

You can see your Mama Nich if you like...oldest newlywed on Visa Journey, I suspect.

[Nik+Heather 121]

The RFE refers to following section 7 on page 4 of the i-485 instructions, which essentially says to attach form i-693 to the i-485, yet, read section 8 on page 4:

"If you are a K-1 fiance.. who had a medical examination within the past year as required for the nonimmigrant fiance visa, you only need to submit a vaccination supplement, not the entire medical report. You may include the vaccination supplement with your Form I-485."

Ian's going to call USCIS tomorrow. This doesn't make sense at all, unless the rules have changed OR, for some reason, they don't realise Ian entered on a fiance visa OR they can't find his medical.

I think we've made a "break" in the Dec filers thread - we are guessing that it is a TB skin test issue. The CDC changed some guidance on the TB skin test. Accordingly USCIS changed the I693 to reflect those changes as of the Oct 14 2009 form edition... The catch is that the skin test is required for the I693 (full) but is NOT required for the panel physician procedure overseas. Technically xray is used to confirm active TB, but can't detect latent TB infection, but the skin test can, so what we've gotten is not necessarily air tight.

A quick question for my people here :

Should we be worried that our check has not been cashed yet? We sent the package (AOS&EAD) on Jan 04, 2010, it arrived at the Chicago Lockbox on Jan 05, 2010 at 6:44 AM according to USPS Priority online tracking. As of today, Jan 08, 2010, our check has not been cashed. How much longer do we wait until we start worrying?

Thanks in advance!

It took them over a week to get into the system. Arrived on the 18th (but I think it was put in the PO box after they checked the mail for the day), NOA date on the 23rd, and the check didn't show up on my online banking until the 28th! Of course there were some holidays in there, but still pretty slow.

And on another topic, in honor of my birthday, I finally posted a picture of us in my profile.

You can see your Mama Nich if you like...oldest newlywed on Visa Journey, I suspect.

You guys look sweet.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Happy birthday, Mama Nich lots and lots of love to you!

I'd write more and respond to more things, but today was mad and there were only two of us...

I know I'm tired when I can't remember how I made dinner, or what I put into it.

Magpie.

[Bob and Patricia 0]

Happy birthday, Mama Nich lots and lots of love to you!

Magpie.

Nich's birthday??

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday chief researcher of the K1 and AOS and EAD, and life in generallllllllll.

Happy Birthday to you,

Much love from Bob and Pat

[MARM 7]

Ours:

USCIS received 13th

NOA dated 17th

Check cleared 20th

NOA received in mail also 20th

I think you're still okay, but with your history of things going wrong, I don't blame you for being overly nervous. Let's hope it all goes better this round.

And on another topic, in honor of my birthday, I finally posted a picture of us in my profile.

You can see your Mama Nich if you like...oldest newlywed on Visa Journey, I suspect.

Nich, you both are ADORABLE

We wish you a VERY HAPPY birthday with many many more to come! :dance:

Thanks for the info too, we are nervous this time around because of our previous experience, but something tells me that it will be smoother this time (hopefully).

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Happy Birthday oh wise one!

MARM: hope you get an easy ride this time around. Best of luck!

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Happy Birthday oh wise one!

MARM: hope you get an easy ride this time around. Best of luck!

I think our issue with the RFE was that I was thinking the short-form vaccination record the physician in London provided at the medical was the 3025. After going through some of Ian's paperwork looking for something else this weekend, we found the official 3025. It is a landscape-sized form with a bunch of tick marks and dates.

I am still trying to get a CS to fill out the darned i-693 for me. Because of our weather, the person who deals with immigration stuff at the office I've been talking to has been out of the office for a week. Back at her today. Hopefully, it works out without too much more prodding.

As I explained to another office over the weekend, we already paid $400 for a physical exam for immigration. We are not doing another... not even for the $250 they were charging (idiots).

[Gemmie 142]

Nich, you guys look adorable. It brought a smile to my face. I hope you had a lovely birthday.

Snowbunnies, I think you're right, the long piece of paper with all of the ticks on it should be the form they want. Hopefully a CS can hurry up and sign that 693 for you, so you can get it all sent off.

I had some good news this morning. I went for coffee with a woman from London a few weeks ago to talk about how I was settling in, and whatnot. She called me today and told me that she's looked at my resume and is going to invite me to a luncheon with the company executives, so that I can show it to them and talk about potential employment. It's with Meditech and my position would most likely be teaching healthcare providers how to use new software... which isn't what I wanted to do with my career, but it has amazing benefits (family health insurance, paid travel to the UK, tuition financial aid, flexible work hours once you've been there for a year or more). She said the pay starts at around 28K - I don't know much about salary in the US, but it's more than my husband makes at the moment, and I'm happy with what they're offering.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well, and I land myself a job there. THANK YOU TO MAGPIE who gave me so much help on my resume. The new one is the one I sent to her, and it obviously impressed her.

I'm studying this darn driving manual again, and taking the test on Friday. I can't wait to start having actual driving lessons and driving my hubby mad.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Gemmie

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Nich, you guys look adorable. It brought a smile to my face. I hope you had a lovely birthday.

Snowbunnies, I think you're right, the long piece of paper with all of the ticks on it should be the form they want. Hopefully a CS can hurry up and sign that 693 for you, so you can get it all sent off.

I had some good news this morning. I went for coffee with a woman from London a few weeks ago to talk about how I was settling in, and whatnot. She called me today and told me that she's looked at my resume and is going to invite me to a luncheon with the company executives, so that I can show it to them and talk about potential employment. It's with Meditech and my position would most likely be teaching healthcare providers how to use new software... which isn't what I wanted to do with my career, but it has amazing benefits (family health insurance, paid travel to the UK, tuition financial aid, flexible work hours once you've been there for a year or more). She said the pay starts at around 28K - I don't know much about salary in the US, but it's more than my husband makes at the moment, and I'm happy with what they're offering.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well, and I land myself a job there. THANK YOU TO MAGPIE who gave me so much help on my resume. The new one is the one I sent to her, and it obviously impressed her.

I'm studying this darn driving manual again, and taking the test on Friday. I can't wait to start having actual driving lessons and driving my hubby mad.

Oh, boo, I just wanted to help out however I could. I know it's a pain in the bum, especially when you're not quite sure what they're expecting.

The job sounds amazing! I wasn't entirely sure about my job at the credit union, but it turns out that I love it -- and I'm sure that the same will happen with the Meditech job you're being offered. Wow her in the interview biggest thing is to demonstrate confidence, smile, and show that you're willing to learn and that you'll be quick to learn. You really do want the benefits...I've got two wisdom teeth (two now, yes) being a pest and it turns out that it'll cost $800 to get them out WITHOUT insurance, and that's while I'm awake for the removal! I'll have to wait another two months until I can get it, but at least it won't cost an arm and a leg.

Don't be nervous about the executives -- apparently they're a lot more laid back here than they are in the UK, so in your position, I'd observe who's what kind of personality. My father used to shmooze a lot with those types, and though I had to keep my mouth shut a great deal, I learned a lot just by watching them. I swear, there's some kind of laugh code between executives. It helps me in work as I can figure out quickly which people I can laugh with (and which kids I can offer balloons to), and the ones who don't feel like chatting. I'll get to know them better in a few months when I'm actually doing loans (fingers crossed)!

And hey, you won't be on the medical front lines (and this is what happens when I'm in a family with firefighters/EMT's in/out of training), but you'll be doing something huge and beneficial. Eeeeeeeeeeeee!

Magpie.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nich, you guys look adorable. It brought a smile to my face. I hope you had a lovely birthday.

Thanks Gemmie and MARM for saying we're adorable and Heather who said we look sweet. We try to be both. LOL. I am feeling so much better in the last few days. We have so much fabulous shopping a short drive from our new house. I went to the mall Saturday and into the Macy's for the first time. As I was going up the escalator it dawned on me I had driven myself, I had walked fast, I didn't hurt, I was in a big store, I felt liberated and I almost shouted out to everybody below, "Hey, I'm me again!" I wasn't supposed to drive for so long due to pain, surgery, heavy narcotics, etc. It was fine, but the surge of independence that hit me on Saturday was a rush. I played Bohemian Rhapsody at mega volume all the way home and sang all the parts. So I know you will suddenly "find" your old self Gemmie once you get out on your own in a car. It'll happen before too long.

I think the job sounds like something I would like to do. I would love to be a "trainer" on software applications. But teaching is just kinda my nature. I hope it works out. Magpie has some great advice. She's so awesome. She had to do so much to be with her Ray if you remember her whole story. Wow! But nothing held her back....she just pushed on through the obstacles...parents, moving out, police assistance, cat custody/boarding, no birth certificate, and AP with the Embassy. That's why I love her.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

I've gone bright fire-engine red! There is so much we couldn't have done without the fantastic support and love from everyone. I must add that Knight and I adore you too, and Ian, for being the lovely people that you are (as well as being an adorable couple, for sure). My VJ family looks after us so well .

I've also got some other great news and hopefully, it'll work out. I've been running around a lot lately and figuring out some financing, and hopefully in the VERY near future we'll have:

1) Our own apartment! $675 a month, and we looked at it today. I'm filling out the paperwork now.

2) My own car! I talked to my lovely people at my credit union and as Knight/Ray has excellent credit, they can give us an awesome rate.

3) Another miaoooow. I want a friend for Bean because he's not a kitty who likes being by himself.

So, I'm very, very excited. A lot's going to be happening, but our finances are such that we can handle it now. The apartment's great and has a lot more room than we have now (). It's also very snazzy looking and the people managing it are wonderful.

Eeeeeeeeee! I'm going to tackle that paperwork, now.

Magpie.

[MARM 7]

So glad you are feeling better Nich! Just wanted to let you know we got our NOA1s for both the EAD and the AOS today Although the check is not cashed yet (probably tomorrow it will be)... can I edit the AOS tracker myself?

[Gemmie 142]

Glad you're feeling so much better, Nich. I could feel how happy and exhilerhated you were on your shopping trip. Don't you just love those feelings of accomplishment? Where you know that everything is going to be fine. I've felt that just by going into the city by myself and ordering a drink.

Thanks for the support, girls. It does sound like an excellent opportunity, and Bill and his parents are jealous as apparently it's very difficult to get a job there unless you know someone. Thank God for that coffee chat! I'm hoping to get the position that will require me to travel to London every month (visit hospitals to train the staff) so I can see my family and friends while I'm there if I have a few days to spare.

Great news, Magpie! You and Knight deserve to have your own space and your own car too?? Wow! Sounds like you're really getting a grip on life over here, it's so nice to see that. We're hopefully following in your footsteps, hunting for apartments (that are OK with our low credit history) and getting a kitty. I can't live without a pet.

Congrats on the NOA, Marm. I know that this journey will be a lot better than the last.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

We've been approved for the apartment! I've also learned SO much working at the credit union...by this time next year, I'm planning for us to have our own house. Just watch me budget!

Marm, it's wonderful that you got your NOA1! As Gemmie said, this journey is going to be a lot smoother and so much more relaxed than your K-1. I don't think you'll have any issues at all. Huggums!

Sounds like things are moving along for everyone, yay!

Magpie.

[MARM 7]

Congrats Magpie and thanks for the congrats Gemmie