K1 September 2014 Filers (TSC)

[Jabl2rom 54]

5.25 months and counting. What is so frustrating is that the August TSC thread isn't exactly lighting up with approvals either.

[av8or1 246]

Ok per Kristin's request, I have cobbled up an intro letter and made a copy of the packet that I sent to the a White House. I'll FedEx it to ombudsman tonight after work. For what good it'll do.

And don't start pfrederiksen, this is a preemptive shooosh. We realize that the probable outcome is not favorable; likely nothing at all. We understand your argument against taking such action because of the aforementioned probable outcome. But we don't care. We're gonna try anyway. LOL

[pfrederiksen 22]

And don't start pfrederiksen, this is a preemptive shooosh.

I'm not your child. That's uncalled for.

\We understand your argument against taking such action because of the aforementioned probable outcome.

Where have I told you not to do it? Please let me know.

But we don't care. We're gonna try anyway.

I would warn against speaking for everyone else.

[Jabl2rom 54]

There is a guy celebrating his interview approval and he filed a full 2 months after I did. #### THIS.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Jabl2rom

[TabeaK 517]

Maybe we should bombard the ombudsman with this letter...hah!

Sorry, I am getting a little silly today. Really hoping to hear about approvals tomorrow...

[wbeem 568]

Really wbeem? 3-5 days for a visa IN HAND with an expedite?! Holy hell

Yes, but perhaps the cost is a deterrent. Makes the K1 and AOS look like small change. And the income requirements you need to earn to sponsor a foreign spouse in the UK is possibly a great deterrent for many.

wbeem, on 16 Feb 2015 - 4:58 PM, said:

Seriously all it is is a background check and some keying data in to a system how long could this possibly take, even with thousands upon thousands of them to do.

Apparently 15 minutes. I could think of much nicer things to do in 15 minutes than sit around and wait.

There is a guy celebrating his interview approval and he filed a full 2 months after I did. #### THIS.

Yes. Seen another couple who filed December 29th awaiting an interview letter. Another interview being celebrated and the NOA1 was over 3.5 months after we filed. We hit 200 days on Thursday and we have nothing from TSC yet.

[av8or1 246]

Yes, but perhaps the cost is a deterrent. Makes the K1 and AOS look like small change. And the income requirements you need to earn to sponsor a foreign spouse in the UK is possibly a great deterrent for many.

Really? What are all of those costs, respectively, IIMA?

[TabeaK 517]

GBP900ish or USD1400ish for the application and GBP600ish or $920ish for premium processing.

There was a time when I was still settled in the UK and looked into this...fees may have gone up. On the upside: You'd be done with the entire process in less than 2 months. But, you need to prove substantial assets as the visa sponsor - much higher than in the US.

Just for fun I looked up the process for over here, in Germany - total cost less than Euro 150 (USD 170ish) - processed in person (i.e. you immigrate and THEN file the paperwork) and receive it in 4-6 weeks...

Oh well, we chose moving to the US for a reason...

Edited February 17, 2015 by TabeaK

[av8or1 246]

Heck I'd gladly have paid those UK fees, no problem. And the German fees and process? Wow! Great system.

[TabeaK 517]

Admittedly, that system is only in place for select countries. The US just happens to be one of them. Have no idea what you do when your partner is from, say, Ethiopia...

Still, its pretty cool to think that my other half could literally move here tomorrow, no pre-paperwork at all! Unfortunately of course, he doesn't speak a word of German - hence, not an option...

[yuna628 9,676]

Yes, but perhaps the cost is a deterrent. Makes the K1 and AOS look like small change. And the income requirements you need to earn to sponsor a foreign spouse in the UK is possibly a great deterrent for many.

Apparently 15 minutes. I could think of much nicer things to do in 15 minutes than sit around and wait.

Yes. Seen another couple who filed December 29th awaiting an interview letter. Another interview being celebrated and the NOA1 was over 3.5 months after we filed. We hit 200 days on Thursday and we have nothing from TSC yet.

Indeed the UK sponsor and income requirement alone is usually the strongest deterrent, otherwise we would of paid any fee they asked for.

By the way, I'd like to thank those who are trying to push this issue to the President's desk, and those who are doing what they can with their own representatives. We're all in the same boat really. I know it's unlikely to see a change, but at least it's something.

[Wooderz 314]

Sometimes I have major second thoughts about why I don't move to London instead. The income for sponsoring starts at like 18,000gbp, but I think they do allow assets, right?

[Jabl2rom 54]

Sometimes I have major second thoughts about why I don't move to London instead. The income for sponsoring starts at like 18,000gbp, but I think they do allow assets, right?

for me the job propects and cost of living would be major factors. I know people that live paycheck to paycheck on a $65,000/year salary in New York. I would imagine London would be similar.

[Wooderz 314]

for me the job propects and cost of living would be major factors. I know people that live paycheck to paycheck on a $65,000/year salary in New York. I would imagine London would be similar.

Exactly. We've spent a lot of time weighing both options and our quality of life will be better here. But there are days where I think certain things would be better or easier there.

[yuna628 9,676]

Sometimes I have major second thoughts about why I don't move to London instead. The income for sponsoring starts at like 18,000gbp, but I think they do allow assets, right?

£18,600 from a guaranteed job over 6 months, or savings of £62,500 from only the UK citizen. The citizen can combine savings and income but there are heavy and complicated restrictions on this eg; £16,000 for the UK citizen and then additional savings at 2.5x the rate of income shortfall. The savings must be held in cash for a certain period, and there is a long list of documents to be forked over regarding financial proof. If UK citizen is self-employed the headache becomes worse. These laws do not factor in specific cost of living factors and lower salaries provided to certain workers depending on what part of the country they live. No one is allowed to offer any additional assistance.

To be sure, we both would of been incredibly happy to remain in the UK. I love the country and the ease of life. But this is simply not possible for us. We'd still be waiting another good ten years, or law change, whichever came first. US will be his home now for the long haul.

Edited February 17, 2015 by yuna628