UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[trudi 1,317]

I paid £188 for the visa fee and a further £18 for the home delivery, could be the current exchange rate.

That's what I paid too, not much for a new life I reckon

[AndyR82 8]

That's what I paid too, not much for a new life I reckon

I didn't mind paying it at all was happy to be at the stage to do so

[trudi 1,317]

I didn't mind paying it at all was happy to be at the stage to do so

Yup I normally grumble at paying bills but couldn't get my card details in fast enough for this one, the most excited I've ever been paying a bill

[Emmylou151 44]

Hello all! Thanks again to for all the congrats messages. All I can say ref the interview is not to worry. I got there at 8am, and my app was for 9:30am. I don't know why people get there 3 hours early because I was told to come back in 20 mins or wait by a bush until the line for 9am apps opened. They tell you where to go so you don't need to worry. the line for NIV's is a lot longer, I ended up being 2nd in line for IV's and then first in. Not that it matters, because once you get in, you get a ticket number, and you just wait for it to be called out.

Then you give paper work over - the guy I had was super nice.

Then more waiting.

Then interview. Which really isn't intimidating at all. And then DONE! I will admit, I was a little worried, because she asked what my fiancé does for work, and I explained nothing at the moment because he is retired military, I had a co-sponsor form in case, but it wasn't required.

My next question is, how do I know when I can pick it up from the DX?

My second question is, my medical expires in June 2016. My wedding is in May. Does this mean I will need another medical done in the states ?!

[AMZJ 61]

That's what I paid too, not much for a new life I reckon

I've no issue paying the fee just good to know how much it costs I've got enough saved up for everything as I've been saving ages to move to be with my fiancé. I can't wait to be at the stage where I can do the same. Just someone had told me it was £140 so It's good to know the price went up so I don't have any unexpected costs

Hello all! Thanks again to for all the congrats messages. All I can say ref the interview is not to worry. I got there at 8am, and my app was for 9:30am. I don't know why people get there 3 hours early because I was told to come back in 20 mins or wait by a bush until the line for 9am apps opened. They tell you where to go so you don't need to worry. the line for NIV's is a lot longer, I ended up being 2nd in line for IV's and then first in. Not that it matters, because once you get in, you get a ticket number, and you just wait for it to be called out.

Then you give paper work over - the guy I had was super nice.

Then more waiting.

Then interview. Which really isn't intimidating at all. And then DONE! I will admit, I was a little worried, because she asked what my fiancé does for work, and I explained nothing at the moment because he is retired military, I had a co-sponsor form in case, but it wasn't required.

My next question is, how do I know when I can pick it up from the DX?

My second question is, my medical expires in June 2016. My wedding is in May. Does this mean I will need another medical done in the states ?!

As far as I'm aware you have to enter the US before your medical is up so if it expires in June and you are entering in May you should be fine but I'm sure someone with more knowledge will let you know if I'm wrong.

[Emmylou151 44]

I've no issue paying the fee just good to know how much it costs I've got enough saved up for everything as I've been saving ages to move to be with my fiancé. I can't wait to be at the stage where I can do the same. Just someone had told me it was £140 so It's good to know the price went up so I don't have any unexpected costs

As far as I'm aware you have to enter the US before your medical is up so if it expires in June and you are entering in May you should be fine but I'm sure someone with more knowledge will let you know if I'm wrong.

I'm entering in February..! Oh dearrrrrrrr!

[trudi 1,317]

Hello all! Thanks again to for all the congrats messages. All I can say ref the interview is not to worry. I got there at 8am, and my app was for 9:30am. I don't know why people get there 3 hours early because I was told to come back in 20 mins or wait by a bush until the line for 9am apps opened. They tell you where to go so you don't need to worry. the line for NIV's is a lot longer, I ended up being 2nd in line for IV's and then first in. Not that it matters, because once you get in, you get a ticket number, and you just wait for it to be called out.

Then you give paper work over - the guy I had was super nice.

Then more waiting.

Then interview. Which really isn't intimidating at all. And then DONE! I will admit, I was a little worried, because she asked what my fiancé does for work, and I explained nothing at the moment because he is retired military, I had a co-sponsor form in case, but it wasn't required.

My next question is, how do I know when I can pick it up from the DX?

My second question is, my medical expires in June 2016. My wedding is in May. Does this mean I will need another medical done in the states ?!

I believe you will get an e-mail from DX to let you know when they have the BBE

I thought I had read somewhere that the medical was valid for 12 months but either way as long as it is still valid when you apply for AOS you are fine

I've no issue paying the fee just good to know how much it costs I've got enough saved up for everything as I've been saving ages to move to be with my fiancé. I can't wait to be at the stage where I can do the same. Just someone had told me it was £140 so It's good to know the price went up so I don't have any unexpected costs

As far as I'm aware you have to enter the US before your medical is up so if it expires in June and you are entering in May you should be fine but I'm sure someone with more knowledge will let you know if I'm wrong.

Amazingly I am incredibly blasé about the costs for this process, I really don't care what it costs - we have a fund to cover all the upcoming fees AOS, ROC, Citizenship etc and will happily pay whatever we have to - but put the price of my loaf of bread up and i'm off hunting for a cheaper one

I am cleaning my house ready to move out Friday, its amazing how much dirt and dust there is hiding in places I don't usually look

[Emmylou151 44]

I believe you will get an e-mail from DX to let you know when they have the BBE

I thought I had read somewhere that the medical was valid for 12 months but either way as long as it is still valid when you apply for AOS you are fine

Amazingly I am incredibly blasé about the costs for this process, I really don't care what it costs - we have a fund to cover all the upcoming fees AOS, ROC, Citizenship etc and will happily pay whatever we have to - but put the price of my loaf of bread up and i'm off hunting for a cheaper one

I am cleaning my house ready to move out Friday, its amazing how much dirt and dust there is hiding in places I don't usually look

That's what I was lead to believe as well, but then I had a panic moment! So provided I APPLY for AOS prior to June, I should be good.

Yeh the costs haven't bothered me really, I guess they are on the expensive side, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from government.. wait till AOS - we are looking at $1070 initially!

oh wow it's happening so fast! your interview is in a week :O

[AndyR82 8]

That's what I was lead to believe as well, but then I had a panic moment! So provided I APPLY for AOS prior to June, I should be good.

Yeh the costs haven't bothered me really, I guess they are on the expensive side, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from government.. wait till AOS - we are looking at $1070 initially!

oh wow it's happening so fast! your interview is in a week :o

Oh we all have those!!! Mine is currently the Poverty Guidelines, even though she is earning nearly $25,000, hoping the partial dependency of her daughter doesn't come into it, the things that set your mind off Come to think of it the W2 says $25608.

It is all going very fast for everyone Hoping the next 17 days fly past so I can get the last hurdle out of the way, already got a leaving date from work in mind and a date to fly out.

Edited January 26, 2016 by AndyR82

[trudi 1,317]

That's what I was lead to believe as well, but then I had a panic moment! So provided I APPLY for AOS prior to June, I should be good.

Yeh the costs haven't bothered me really, I guess they are on the expensive side, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from government.. wait till AOS - we are looking at $1070 initially!

oh wow it's happening so fast! your interview is in a week :o

Stop stressing, the hard wait is over, nothing from here on in will be as hard as you will be with your man

Having read this site from back to front I am amazed at how incredibly lucky we have all been in getting here so fast!

We're busy planning for our wedding and future together which is amazing as when we initially looked into the K1 we thought that we might get a visa by this summer if we were lucky

I'm not nervous and haven't been checking my paperwork but i'm sure that will change before Tuesday

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The visa fee is $265 in $$$ because it is the American embassy. The courier is $30. Any price fluctuation in £££ is because of changing exchange rates.

Your visa will be issued to expire 6 months from the medical exam. So if there was two months between your medical and interview, you would get a visa lasting four months. You have to enter US before it expires.

For AOS, if you submit your applications within 12 months of your visa medical exam then you do not have to have another medical exam in the US by a civil surgeon. But if your shots were not completed and signed off at Knightsbridge, a civil surgeon would have to sign off on those.

You will get an email and tracking number when the courier has your visa and envelope of files. The BBE is actually a white envelope.

[Emmylou151 44]

The visa fee is $265 in $$$ because it is the American embassy. The courier is $30. Any price fluctuation in £££ is because of changing exchange rates.

Your visa will be issued to expire 6 months from the medical exam. So if there was two months between your medical and interview, you would get a visa lasting four months. You have to enter US before it expires.

For AOS, if you submit your applications within 12 months of your visa medical exam then you do not have to have another medical exam in the US by a civil surgeon. But if your shots were not completed and signed off at Knightsbridge, a civil surgeon would have to sign off on those.

You will get an email and tracking number when the courier has your visa and envelope of files. The BBE is actually a white envelope.

Ahh brilliant! Thanks for this...! Good to know ref the BBW!!

[JFH 12,190]

I am amazed at how incredibly lucky we have all been in getting here so fast!

We're busy planning for our wedding and future together which is amazing as when we initially looked into the K1 we thought that we might get a visa by this summer if we were lucky

Very fast compared to the CR-1 route! We're all just slightly jealous of how fast you get to be with your loved ones

The CR-1 feels like walking through treacle at times.

[Emmylou151 44]

Very fast compared to the CR-1 route! We're all just slightly jealous of how fast you get to be with your loved ones

The CR-1 feels like walking through treacle at times.

Pro's and con's for both I suppose. I suppose the plus to CR1 is once it's done, it's done, no more paperwork and fees once you're in the states. We get reunited with our beloveds, but then have to rush a wedding, and complete further paperwork for adjustment of status. we can't work... we can't get medical cover until we are married.. either way though - we will and are ALL GETTING THERE!

[JFH 12,190]

Yes, of course pros and cons of both. Nothing is perfect in this game. CR-1 is better for us as we cannot afford for me not to be working for an extended period of time. My husband makes minimum wage but I earn a lot more. There's no way we could do a K-1 so we didn't even entertain the thought for very long.

But a rushed wedding is fun! I arrived on the Tuesday, we decided to get married that weekend (hadn't planned it). Went to get the licence on Wednesday and got married on Saturday. Went back home the following Tuesday. We got a dress and 2 rings and found 2 witnesses all in a couple of hours. It suited us but it's not for every one, I suppose.

Yes, the main thing is we are all getting there.