Here we go, what are we letting ourselves in for?!

[sharo 0]

Real quick question. Now that our papers have been mailed what's the first thing that we should expect to see? E-mail from them or seeing the money come out of the account. I know most likely we won't see anything at all for at least a month. Just wondering.

I never received any email, first thing I saw was the money coming off the credit card. People have said the money being taken is the same date as their NOA1.

Thanks Moretti!

Yvie - hope things went well for you yesterday!!

[sharpies 0]

Real quick question. Now that our papers have been mailed what's the first thing that we should expect to see? E-mail from them or seeing the money come out of the account. I know most likely we won't see anything at all for at least a month. Just wondering.

I never received any email, first thing I saw was the money coming off the credit card. People have said the money being taken is the same date as their NOA1.

The money was taken first and then about 3 weeks later an email was sent. It had the same date stated as when the money was taken.

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Sometimes I hate being right about things. I told Brett what would happen and he didn't believe me - next time I'll bet him a week's housework!

We've been approved pending additional documentation. Despite Brett making +$70k per year with a US company, we need a co-sponsor because he hasn't paid taxes in the US (because he earns his money in the UK, he doesn't need to pay US income tax as long as he files as usual). Fortunately his parents are in a position to do this and offered weeks ago, so we just need to rustle up an I-864, an I-864A and a checklist for them to complete and we'll soon be sorted.

Something in the back of my mind said we should have had them do it already and hidden it at the back of my folder in case they asked for it, next time I'll listen to myself! So yeah, we were technically approved on day 71, but the Visa will take a little longer to get here. In any case, we're still on track for our intended move date, so I can't say as I'm that concerned about it

EDIT TO ADD - My appointment was 9am, but I got there at 7.45 and was allowed in early. I only queued outside for 10 minutes before passing through security too. Bonus! Inside I waited until around 8.50 until I was called to the first window, that took about 9-10 minutes, then I went to sit down again but was only waiting for another 15 minutes or so before I was called back up again. They were lightening fast this morning! I was on my way home again by 9.30, in the car by 10.10 and home by noon. I now get to spend the rest of my day doing sweet fa, lol.

Edited July 23, 2009 by Yvie_and_Brett

[morretti 0]

Sometimes I hate being right about things. I told Brett what would happen and he didn't believe me - next time I'll bet him a week's housework!

We've been approved pending additional documentation. Despite Brett making +$70k per year with a US company, we need a co-sponsor because he hasn't paid taxes in the US (because he earns his money in the UK, he doesn't need to pay US income tax as long as he files as usual). Fortunately his parents are in a position to do this and offered weeks ago, so we just need to rustle up an I-864, an I-864A and a checklist for them to complete and we'll soon be sorted.

Something in the back of my mind said we should have had them do it already and hidden it at the back of my folder in case they asked for it, next time I'll listen to myself! So yeah, we were technically approved on day 71, but the Visa will take a little longer to get here. In any case, we're still on track for our intended move date, so I can't say as I'm that concerned about it

EDIT TO ADD - My appointment was 9am, but I got there at 7.45 and was allowed in early. I only queued outside for 10 minutes before passing through security too. Bonus! Inside I waited until around 8.50 until I was called to the first window, that took about 9-10 minutes, then I went to sit down again but was only waiting for another 15 minutes or so before I was called back up again. They were lightening fast this morning! I was on my way home again by 9.30, in the car by 10.10 and home by noon. I now get to spend the rest of my day doing sweet fa, lol.

Congrats! It's the approval that counts. You're almost there.

[sharpies 0]

Sometimes I hate being right about things. I told Brett what would happen and he didn't believe me - next time I'll bet him a week's housework!

We've been approved pending additional documentation. Despite Brett making +$70k per year with a US company, we need a co-sponsor because he hasn't paid taxes in the US (because he earns his money in the UK, he doesn't need to pay US income tax as long as he files as usual). Fortunately his parents are in a position to do this and offered weeks ago, so we just need to rustle up an I-864, an I-864A and a checklist for them to complete and we'll soon be sorted.

Something in the back of my mind said we should have had them do it already and hidden it at the back of my folder in case they asked for it, next time I'll listen to myself! So yeah, we were technically approved on day 71, but the Visa will take a little longer to get here. In any case, we're still on track for our intended move date, so I can't say as I'm that concerned about it

EDIT TO ADD - My appointment was 9am, but I got there at 7.45 and was allowed in early. I only queued outside for 10 minutes before passing through security too. Bonus! Inside I waited until around 8.50 until I was called to the first window, that took about 9-10 minutes, then I went to sit down again but was only waiting for another 15 minutes or so before I was called back up again. They were lightening fast this morning! I was on my way home again by 9.30, in the car by 10.10 and home by noon. I now get to spend the rest of my day doing sweet fa, lol.

Congratulations! I just don't understand why what you did wasn't enough. I am so confused by the I-864! I hope you are able to get the co-sponsor forms sorted asap.

[gatsbygirl8 0]

Congratulations! At least the hard part is overwith.

[sharo 0]

Congrat Yvie. That must be so frustrating but at least you know you're approved. Just to cross the T's and dot the I's now - so to speak.

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Thanks guys!

We both know we're over the hard part and this is just a case of finishing up the paperwork We're just hoping that it goes through quickly once we've sent the I forms in with my passport, because otherwise it could put our househunting trip into question. His folks were fine about being cosponsors, they'd already offered which made it much easier for Brett to ask them. They're going to sort those out and Fedex them back asap, so with any luck we'll get them submitted next week. I'll keep you posted

[JerrysGirlAnne 2]

Hey everyone. Sorry that I haven't posted in a long while. But we have been away from the internet. Here is our update.

After the interview, we contacted the company that my husband needed to get the paper from, it was easier to get this paper than to get the police certificate for Bosnia. The company sent the paper two days later, but the dates were wrong. I asked for a new one with the correct dates, and they sent it again the next day. Still wrong dates. Third time was a charm and we contacted the SMS and they called the next day to set up the collection appointment. So, two days to get it picked up and they did not deliver it to the embassy the next day, it got there two days later. The visa was approved on Tuesday and we got the visa delivered yesterday. We are off tomorrow morning for two weeks camping in Wales and then we are off to Texas on the 7th of August.

Congrats Evie I really hope that things go very quickly for you now. Wait, what am I talking about. Haven't you just set a world record for getting a visa????

Talk soon

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Hey everyone. Sorry that I haven't posted in a long while. But we have been away from the internet. Here is our update.

After the interview, we contacted the company that my husband needed to get the paper from, it was easier to get this paper than to get the police certificate for Bosnia. The company sent the paper two days later, but the dates were wrong. I asked for a new one with the correct dates, and they sent it again the next day. Still wrong dates. Third time was a charm and we contacted the SMS and they called the next day to set up the collection appointment. So, two days to get it picked up and they did not deliver it to the embassy the next day, it got there two days later. The visa was approved on Tuesday and we got the visa delivered yesterday. We are off tomorrow morning for two weeks camping in Wales and then we are off to Texas on the 7th of August.

Congrats Evie I really hope that things go very quickly for you now. Wait, what am I talking about. Haven't you just set a world record for getting a visa????

Talk soon

I'm over the moon for you, seriously! I'm so pleased that it's all sorted now

How long did it take from SMS collection to Visa approval/delivery? We're going to have to do the same thing when his parents' forms get here, so I'm curious.

If we'd been approved approved yesterday, I think we'd have been pretty damned close. 77 days from the day I posted it! Even after all this rigmarole we could still be coming in under 3 months, so we'll see how it goes.

[glue 0]

congrats, yvie. that's great news - you are almost done!

just a few quick questions to those of you who have had their interviews already/gotten their visas.

- my husband is the beneficiary - do i need to accompany him to the interview? if not, am i even allowed to?

- i have all the items on the ds 2001 checklist including- husband's passport, medical receipt from knightsbridge doctors, birth certificate, 2 police certs, 2x affidavit of support - mine and my father as joint sponsor, marriage certificate, and 2x photographs of my husband. I also have all the official translations for his Polish documents. I don't know why I was under the impression that I needed to bring in 5 copies of each document, as I read on the website that I only need 1 copy of each. I'm going to make more to be on the safe side as I also want to keep originals. Is there anything else he should take with him? I've already provided USCIS with an RFE early on about our relationship with supporting letters from family and a statement from myself, proof of joint assets, etc. I just want to be absolutely certain because I really want to get this done on the first visit without further hassle.

last but not least - we are hoping that once he gets the visa he can visit me a few times in the US before moving in feb. he has a few things to wrap up with work as they are paying for him to get a professional qualification etc etc. is this going to be a problem? will he be able to re-enter the US without a greencard if he doesn't get it soon enough? i'm assuming his first visit will be in sept for just a few days, which wouldn't be enough time for the greencard to get mailed to our address. does anyone know what the deal with re-entry is?

thanks so much for all your help. this forum has been soooo helpful! and the visa process so confusing

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

The paperwork from Brett's parent arrived yesterday, so today I'm calling SMS (the Embassy courier) to come collect it all and bring me back a visa

- my husband is the beneficiary - do i need to accompany him to the interview? if not, am i even allowed to?

When you fill in the DS2001 (Notification of Applicant Readiness), it has a checkbox for "Together with my spouse." so you tick that and write the name on the line provided. When you get your interview date, your husband's name will need to be on the letter or they won't let him in the Embassy with you, so make sure to double check that when it arrives

I don't know why I was under the impression that I needed to bring in 5 copies of each document, as I read on the website that I only need 1 copy of each. I'm going to make more to be on the safe side as I also want to keep originals. Is there anything else he should take with him? I've already provided USCIS with an RFE early on about our relationship with supporting letters from family and a statement from myself, proof of joint assets, etc. I just want to be absolutely certain because I really want to get this done on the first visit without further hassle.

The Embassy request that you take originals and two copies. They look at the originals and take them from you on the first trip to the window, but you get them back when they call you to the secnd window. They say to take two copies of everything in case they lose one, but you definitely don't need 5 copies in London. We didn't need our 'spare' set of copies, so I'm keeping those for our own records when it comes to AOS and so we know what they had from us throughout this process.

last but not least - we are hoping that once he gets the visa he can visit me a few times in the US before moving in feb. he has a few things to wrap up with work as they are paying for him to get a professional qualification etc etc. is this going to be a problem? will he be able to re-enter the US without a greencard if he doesn't get it soon enough? i'm assuming his first visit will be in sept for just a few days, which wouldn't be enough time for the greencard to get mailed to our address. does anyone know what the deal with re-entry is?

I have no idea on this one, it might be worth posting a new topic so non-DCF posters can see it and respond. I need to know this too, actually. About a 4-6 weeks before we move, Brett and I will be in the US for a week looking for a house and I need to know how it will work :s

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

The paperwork from Brett's parent arrived yesterday, so today I'm calling SMS (the Embassy courier) to come collect it all and bring me back a visa

The couriers are coming to collect my documents from me at work tomorrow between 8am-12pm and the guy on the phone seemed to think I'd have my passport back by Thursday/Friday next week. How cool would that be?!

[Kamahoi424 0]

Congrats to Yvie and JGA! Well done to you both. I'm sure you're both having a well deserved mental rest now that you've gotten this far

I just received an Approval of Notice of Relative Immigrant Visa Petition in the mail. Is this NOA2?? And if it is, why is there no file no? Or perhaps it's NOT and we're waiting on the NOA2 to come addressed to my husband with the case number attached?

Very confused! Any assistance would be grateful! Luckily husband is on the phone with relatives or I would be on the extortion line looking for answers.

Cheers,

Jen

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Congrats to Yvie and JGA! Well done to you both. I'm sure you're both having a well deserved mental rest now that you've gotten this far

I just received an Approval of Notice of Relative Immigrant Visa Petition in the mail. Is this NOA2?? And if it is, why is there no file no? Or perhaps it's NOT and we're waiting on the NOA2 to come addressed to my husband with the case number attached?

Thank you. I can't wait until this is all over, but that Big Move countdown on my signature is starting to look VERY scary!!

As for your question regarding what you've received, does it look like this?

Ours came via email, we never did get our NOA1 through the post. Anyway, if it IS this then you've received your NOA1 and the date on there is the date your petition was filed. You can now use that date and check the processing dates on the right of this website to see when you can expect your NOA2 - it's updated every two weeks or so.

If this is the case, you'll probably be waiting over a month for your NOA2 because as of July 16th they're only processing petitions from June 10th You should use this time to prepare for the next stage and order your police certificates, etc so the only delays are on their side and not yours. The only reason our timeline has been so quick is because we've been ready to go as soon as each notice has been received. .. well, that and a lot of luck, obviously!!