2010 United Kingdom Interview Thread

[FrostyMist 1]

Second woman was abrupt with me at first. Asked quite a few questions...

Did i plan to work in America. Was i classed as disabled here,

When i last worked here, Did i realise america isnt like England when it comes to shirkers

At this point she made me semi kick off. I simply told her she has no idea of what my medical conditions are and the fight i have been through to get to be able to have the privelage to literally be able to stand at her window. I told her i have defied all odds on my original prognosis and that im no bloody shirker.

I'm so sorry to hear they gave you a hard time because of your medical condition.

I'm surprised to hear that it was an issue-I am both disabled and have a medical condition, and my fiance (now husband) and I were both really worried that they were going to give us an extra hard time. We scrutinized everything-particularly all the financial stuff-to be sure that we could prove that even with me being unable to work, we had the financial support behind us to mean it wasn't going to be a problem.

When I got to the interview, the gentleman that interviewed me was wonderful. They're not really set up over there to deal with people with disabilities (I am in a wheelchair, so we had to call in a security guard to escort us all the way round the back) but I managed to get through everything without too much stress.

The interviewer seemed a little concerned about the fact that my fiance (now husband) didn't earn all that much money on his own, and asked me something like "you sure you want to marry a poor guy?" but he smiled and approved us without a fuss when I showed him the co-sponsor forms.

I'm very sad to hear that they gave you a hard time.

[MelissaJulian 30]

I was told I should ask my questions about things after the NOA2 here instead of starting new threads. So hi!

Is anyone updating this thread anymore? I saw that there used to be a list of people who had upcoming interviews, and when people passed (or not) the list would get updated. Is this not happening anymore?

[twowls 217]

I was told I should ask my questions about things after the NOA2 here instead of starting new threads. So hi!

Is anyone updating this thread anymore? I saw that there used to be a list of people who had upcoming interviews, and when people passed (or not) the list would get updated. Is this not happening anymore?

Hi Melissa. Sundrop was handling the updates, and I'm sure they're on the way. Did you get your RFE sorted? I haven't been keeping track.

[MelissaJulian 30]

Hi Melissa. Sundrop was handling the updates, and I'm sure they're on the way. Did you get your RFE sorted? I haven't been keeping track.

Yes! We finally did when Julian was over here the other week. We got our NOA2 last week, and we are now at the NVC. We're just waiting for the case to be sent to London now. Really excited!

[twowls 217]

Yes! We finally did when Julian was over here the other week. We got our NOA2 last week, and we are now at the NVC. We're just waiting for the case to be sent to London now. Really excited!

Yeah!!! It looks like it will all go smoothly and soon you will be having five million Julian babies! Just kidding. OR AM I.

[MelissaJulian 30]

Um, thank you? We're not planning to start a family for a while, and I really only want to have two children.

[Twinkles 10]

I'm so sorry to hear they gave you a hard time because of your medical condition.

I'm surprised to hear that it was an issue-I am both disabled and have a medical condition, and my fiance (now husband) and I were both really worried that they were going to give us an extra hard time. We scrutinized everything-particularly all the financial stuff-to be sure that we could prove that even with me being unable to work, we had the financial support behind us to mean it wasn't going to be a problem.

When I got to the interview, the gentleman that interviewed me was wonderful. They're not really set up over there to deal with people with disabilities (I am in a wheelchair, so we had to call in a security guard to escort us all the way round the back) but I managed to get through everything without too much stress.

The interviewer seemed a little concerned about the fact that my fiance (now husband) didn't earn all that much money on his own, and asked me something like "you sure you want to marry a poor guy?" but he smiled and approved us without a fuss when I showed him the co-sponsor forms.

I'm very sad to hear that they gave you a hard time.

I was surprised too. I guess it was hard for her to understand, since my medical results were not infront of her.

Mind you over the last 10 years, since i got sick i have met people with attitude towards me.

I think its due to the dodgy disabled culture we seem to have up here in the north.

Where lets face it, there are indeed benefit scroungers...liars and cheats.

Its difficult when your disabled by a condition and its not blatantly obvious to people. I have problems that do limit my day to day life. Even meeting the medical doctor she clearly didnt understand, as she has never heard of one of the syndromes i have. Another is very rare, so chances are she has only read about it in books.

One of them..for the actual test. Its not even avaliable in this Country and my DNA was flown to America where they tested and diagnosed me, then sent the results back over to England to the genetics service here and they broke the news to me.

There is also a closed minded view. People get the known facts about my conditions and just look and treat me like a clapped out car ready for the scrap heap.

Of course thats when i speak up and say hold on, im not totally buggered. Seriously, people hear the word chemo and they imagine you going bald and sitting over the toilet all day.

They also assume your going to die!

Not always the case..mine is a dose just to keep my immune system slightly stoned so it stops attacking my good stuff that i need to survive..heart..lungs etc.

Even i didnt know how much climate impacted my body until i went to Dc to visit my Fiance. The difference of what my body is able to do in that climate was amazing.

Of course as soon as i got back to my damp/cold town in England i spoke to one of my specialists. To me it was like i had discovered a medical breakthrough and just had to share!

I explained to him how i had managed to do allsorts in the states and that i am putting it down to the 3 S plan.

He asked what was the 3 S plan?..Sun..Salsa (homemade by James <3) and erm Sex!

My specialist went home that evening and shared the recipe with his wife xD

So when the Embassy woman asked if i planned to work in the Sates i said "AYE!"

At that point she looked confused, maybe i didnt explain more fully the difference of climate etc, but she made it very hard to fully explain how i am different symptom wise here as to over there. Her questions were being fired fast and furious style.

With hindsight i should have asked her to pause, so i could fully explain. How i believe now, that it will be possible for me to explore actually working again. Im not naive to think i wont have health problems or aches and pains in the states.

Will obviously still need to keep to my medication and be monitored. But i think i will certainly be able to contribute more there physically in that climate etc than i can here.

Would atleast like the opportunity to try. My Fiance fully backs me up. I love him to pieces because he never has told me i cant do something or shouldnt do something.

He just steps back and allows me to try.

I realise the medical side is complicated. Just unlucky i guess that when the specialist sat me down, that it was not one thing he was diagnosing but quite a few things wrong.

They were all inside me and kicking off/mixing all my symptoms up into one big pot.

Im sure you can imagine the sheer task and nightmare at hand to try help me as a doctor.

Over the last 10 years this guy has systematically approached each one..separated the symptoms and done all he can do to repair and stabilise. Its been quite a task.

From leaving school and working to getting real sick to the point i couldnt even stand.

To how i am today is nothing short of a blessing. Then to meet dear James..well its like life has given me a second chance and boy am i going to grab it by the legs <3..well just as soon as the Embassy gimme my passport back!

Edited August 3, 2010 by Twinkles

[FrostyMist 1]

Reading your post, Twinkles, I guess I can see why you might have confused them a little. With my own application, we kept it very simple "I can't work now, I won't be working in the US." My own condition brings with it its good days and its bad days, and my prognosis for the future is very unclear (I've spoken to people with my condition who are older, and many of them have a much declined quality of life than I do now). But since coming to the US, I definitely have a 100% improved quality of life than I did in England. My husband's love and understanding and support has allowed me to brave all sorts of experiences that I would not otherwise have gone through.

If they hadn't already gotten your medical report, then it was probably on the interviewers mind that you might "become a public burden", especially if you had told them that you are claiming benefits in England. I guess I was lucky not to run into too many problems because I stated from the onset of my application that I can't work, and when we submitted our K1 application, we were careful to word the answer to certain questions to include the fact that my husband was prepared to support me financially for the rest of my life.

We even submitted evidence that we had found a suitable insurance plan, that was willing to cover me despite me having a pre-existing medical condition. I don't think they were bothered about looking at this information during the interview, but I stated to the interviewer that I had it. Medical insurance in the US is not a simple thing to sort out, and is extremely difficult for those with pre-existing medical conditions. My own costs me $575 a month, and offers an extremely limited coverage. I hope you'll be able to find something for yourself when you get to the US.

[Twinkles 10]

Reading your post, Twinkles, I guess I can see why you might have confused them a little. With my own application, we kept it very simple "I can't work now, I won't be working in the US." My own condition brings with it its good days and its bad days, and my prognosis for the future is very unclear (I've spoken to people with my condition who are older, and many of them have a much declined quality of life than I do now). But since coming to the US, I definitely have a 100% improved quality of life than I did in England. My husband's love and understanding and support has allowed me to brave all sorts of experiences that I would not otherwise have gone through.

If they hadn't already gotten your medical report, then it was probably on the interviewers mind that you might "become a public burden", especially if you had told them that you are claiming benefits in England. I guess I was lucky not to run into too many problems because I stated from the onset of my application that I can't work, and when we submitted our K1 application, we were careful to word the answer to certain questions to include the fact that my husband was prepared to support me financially for the rest of my life.

We even submitted evidence that we had found a suitable insurance plan, that was willing to cover me despite me having a pre-existing medical condition. I don't think they were bothered about looking at this information during the interview, but I stated to the interviewer that I had it. Medical insurance in the US is not a simple thing to sort out, and is extremely difficult for those with pre-existing medical conditions. My own costs me $575 a month, and offers an extremely limited coverage. I hope you'll be able to find something for yourself when you get to the US.

Aye i know i confused it. I deserve a smacked bottom *bends over*

My fiance has already stated he will support me financially etc just like you both did.

I guess it would have all been plain sailing if i had not have said i wanted to try to work in America.

The only thing we have not sorted is medical insurance. Aye the Embassy did talk to me about public charge which i can fully understand their concern of not wanting to let people in who may end up like that.

I offered more info that my Fiance had gave me to ease her concerns (savings etc) but she didnt even want to look at any of it for now, until they get those medical results. Then she said they may want more info.

She mentioned they may just be happy to see that i am covered on my Fiances employers insurance. Is that the type of insurance you got? or did you take out a private plan?

Think its great you have the same support that James gives me <3 Its great aint it?!

[MikeH60 0]

Got my appointment for the 23rd of August and already getting nervous. My fiance lost her job in the States back in the Spring and that delayed the process (the NOA2 expired in June but the embassy gave us until the end of August to sort something out) - she managed to get another job a couple of weeks back and I'll have her first two payslips for the interview, just got to hope that the fact she's only worked there for a couple of weeks doesn't throw a spanner in the works.

Fingers crossed I don't get someone who's having a bad Monday at the interview.

[FrostyMist 1]

She mentioned they may just be happy to see that i am covered on my Fiances employers insurance. Is that the type of insurance you got? or did you take out a private plan?

Think its great you have the same support that James gives me <3 Its great aint it?!

My husband is self employed, so I had to take out my own private insurance.

I'm not sure what they're called, but its one of those places that is only for people who live in a certain state. The insurance coverage I get is very poor, and it's a little frightening because if I ever did have complications due to my condition, I doubt the coverage would cover much of the medical costs. As our financial situation is improved, we are going to look into getting me a better insurance policy. I pay $575 a month insurance currently, plus 2-$300 on medication, so things are not cheap! In addition, it was over $500 to see a specialist (which I need to do every six months since my condition is rare). I guess things will get less expensive when I hit my deductable, but there are a lot of things in my plan that my insurance does not cover.

As for your interview, it sounds like the concern was due to worries about you becoming a public burden. I think once they get the medical report, that should clear things up with them. They already had my medical report when I had my interview, so I guess that was one reason why they didn't ask too many questions about that issue.

Edited August 3, 2010 by FrostyMist

[Twinkles 10]

My husband is self employed, so I had to take out my own private insurance.

I'm not sure what they're called, but its one of those places that is only for people who live in a certain state. The insurance coverage I get is very poor, and it's a little frightening because if I ever did have complications due to my condition, I doubt the coverage would cover much of the medical costs. As our financial situation is improved, we are going to look into getting me a better insurance policy. I pay $575 a month insurance currently, plus 2-$300 on medication, so things are not cheap! In addition, it was over $500 to see a specialist (which I need to do every six months since my condition is rare). I guess things will get less expensive when I hit my deductable, but there are a lot of things in my plan that my insurance does not cover.

As for your interview, it sounds like the concern was due to worries about you becoming a public burden. I think once they get the medical report, that should clear things up with them. They already had my medical report when I had my interview, so I guess that was one reason why they didn't ask too many questions about that issue.

Ah right, i understand. $500 for one specialist appointment? Here you would get the Queens Surgeon for that and maybe her Butler too xD

Agreed it would have been much easier if my medical results had have been there.

It would have helped clear alot of confusion. The Hotel we stayed in was so bad, we just about managed one night, nevermind a good few. We were ready to check out at 5am

Shame because it was in a great location for Bentinck Mansions..Marylebone and the Embassy.

Pretty much 15 mins walk from each location. Oh well its done now, We survived the Norman Bates Hotel experience! and nope, we didnt shower

[FrostyMist 1]

Agreed it would have been much easier if my medical results had have been there.

It would have helped clear alot of confusion. The Hotel we stayed in was so bad, we just about managed one night, nevermind a good few. We were ready to check out at 5am

I think it was about $250 for the consultation, and then the other $250 was for all the blood work. Expensive. Maybe when I go for my next consultation (in September) the insurance will pay a lot more towards the costs, since I should have met my deductable by then.

Well, just beware that medical costs are high! It depends on what sort of care/medical treatment you require, and what's involved when/if you see a specialist (and how often you need to see one).

I hope everything goes well with your K1 though, and the medical issue won't be a setback.

[Asila 10]

January 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Jewel-8, Claire and Troy, lirwin2000, laura00412, beatlesrebel, Kimmy and PJ, NotworkSte, xSweeTiex, FrostyMist

viol8torUK, TeamMoran, D_G, Andrew + Bethany, RUSSandRACHEL, david'sgirl/Scotinmass, Nikki-UK

earlgreygirl, jonoger1984, jenanddan2010, amykathleen2005

February 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Hindocha, munkeynuts, yorkshirerose22, .Jay'n'Terri, ajbe1986, brit la, Think~Pink, h1a1, karenista

March 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

kjrrem, MattHeartCass, jkminney, pwac, Justine+David, moss, ruth_a, david b

April 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

ohlpomr, Rito, Hellojulie, musikgal06, Hokie97, Ricky+Vanessa, JMR

May 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

Kristen & David, Gela, sveta & jeff, sara & Alex, ztaylor, Archeon, Amy and Michael, nickm, doghandler

Adrian+Mike, jennareid, staceyafreeman

June 2010 Graduates of the US Embassy, London

May Interviews (* days between (K1) returning P3/ (CR1) returning DS-3032 and Interview)

K-1.........ThomasBell............18 May 2010 (123 days)

CR-1........A Miller..............25 May 2010 (85 days)

June Interviews (* days between (K1) returning P3/ (CR1) returning DS-3032 and Interview)

K-1.........Leenie.................1 June 2010 (50 days)

K-1.........Y&E....................2 June 2010 (70 days)

K-1.........SunDrop..............2 June 2010 (33 days)

K-1.........Twowls................2 June 2010 (47 days)

K-1.........W+R...................7 June 2010 (48 days)

K-1.........MJM....................8 June 2010 (82 days)

K-1.........Miss Jess.............10 June 2010 (80 days)

K-1.........DukeofYork...........11 June 2010 (62 days)

CR-1........Christi and Ian.....15 June 2010 (75 days)

K-1.........F2C-MaDMaXX.......16 June 2010 (69 days)

K-1.........MrStrain14............17 June 2010 (56 days)

K-1.........Memmab..............17 June 2010 (58 days)

K-1.........arwilson................17 June 2010 (34 days) AP due to missing form

K-1.........TransATL..............17 June 2010 (52 days)

July Interviews (* days between (K1) returning P3/ (CR1) returning DS-3032 and Interview)

K-1.........A and J...............15 July 2010 (86 days) *extended at applicant's request. Was 51 days.

= APPROVED

Waiting for interview date:

K-1..W + M P3 sent 20 April

Between NOA2 and P3

visacat - NOA2: 21 May

Dawn654

Until Sundrop gets back, who needs to be updated on this list?

[Asila 10]

Ok, nevermind! At any rate, I wanted to confirm--we're waiting on our packet 4 and I really hate bothering the DoS too early, so it definitely can take a few weeks before we have a date, yeah?