UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[UKTOBK 11]

Heyyy January filer *puts hand up* right here!!!

It's so reassuring to see so many of you either visa in hand or days away from it!!!

Here's hoping those of us waiting for NOA2 have a smooth journey onward!!!

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

We found a cute little hotel, The Griffen House Hotel, for £45. A little more than than the Belgrave House, but it's within walking distance from the Embassy. They have everything we needed like 24-hour check in desk as he will be getting into London pretty late the night before his interview, baggage hold for while he interviews, free wifi in all rooms so we can keep in touch (his data plan is limited and last time we were in London his connection was not great), private bath/shower and even free breakfast so he doesn't have to worry about finding some food before his early appointment!

[JFH 12,191]

We found a cute little hotel, The Griffen House Hotel, for £45. A little more than than the Belgrave House, but it's within walking distance from the Embassy. They have everything we needed like 24-hour check in desk as he will be getting into London pretty late the night before his interview, baggage hold for while he interviews, free wifi in all rooms so we can keep in touch (his data plan is limited and last time we were in London his connection was not great), private bath/shower and even free breakfast so he doesn't have to worry about finding some food before his early appointment!

Just bookmarked their website. Looks ideal! Thanks for the tip. I love the Union Jack cushions there.

[gavw72 23]

Counting down the days to my interview on the 19th February, just lots of checking and rechecking to make sure I've got everything I need. Got my train booked for the night before, and am staying at the Belgrave House Hotel, not bad for £32!

Did you book the "tiny room"?

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Just bookmarked their website. Looks ideal! Thanks for the tip. I love the Union Jack cushions there.

Nice! If you are still haven't made any booking decisions, I will make sure to get a review from him!

I really liked that too! The decor and style of it all around was nice to me.

[AndyR82 8]

That's pretty good PK

You'll float into work tomorrow Emmylou

It'll be here and over before you know it Andy

Bet you can't wait Crazyworld

Hi Laura :wave: we're all here to help each other through this maze

Sorry not quoting posts but my iPad is being moody!

Thanks, a week tomorrow and i'll know either way, ready to find out, nervous and excited all rolled into one

[AMZJ 61]

Waiting to hear back about my police check. The lady who endorsed my application hasn't heard anything yet. My fiance said he received another letter about updating them if he moved or had any changes to contact details.

[Nauchelle Iain 0]

My medical to interview was 5 weeks a day and the letter advising of it was 2 weeks and 2 days, just to give some sort of rough idea.

Thank you! Good info to know!!

[Emmylou151 44]

Thank you! Good info to know!!

I think generally it's between 4/5 weeks. But obviously there is no for sure way of knowing! There is a thread where everyone has been putting how long it takes, (I don't know where it is), but from that I worked out an average and it was 4 weeks at the time.

If you haven't heard anything in 6 weeks - call them! You should have AT LEAST had your letter within 6 weeks.

and congrats !

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Just a quick question since I know some of you are looking into AOS at this point as well.

From what I understand, it's recommended to apply for a SS card as soon as you enter the country.

My fiance plans on changing his name when we get married (he want's to drop his father's last name since he has both his mother and father's last names).

Should we still go ahead and get the card and when worry about changing his name on it later?

Let me know if you guys don't know and I will post a general question in the forum, I was just wondering if any of you have come across anything related to this in your research.

Plus, it's been a little quiet around here ;p

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Just a quick question since I know some of you are looking into AOS at this point as well.

From what I understand, it's recommended to apply for a SS card as soon as you enter the country.

My fiance plans on changing his name when we get married (he want's to drop his father's last name since he has both his mother and father's last names).

Should we still go ahead and get the card and when worry about changing his name on it later?

Let me know if you guys don't know and I will post a general question in the forum, I was just wondering if any of you have come across anything related to this in your research.

Plus, it's been a little quiet around here ;p

Yes, apply for a SSN soon after arrival. He can only get a card in the name exactly as it appears on his I-94 arrival record, which comes from a scan of his passport. Apply in that exact name and before marriage for the best chance of getting a Social Secutity card in about a week. Complicate it or confuse the workers and it could delay you months.

His name change options, as I understand them, are:

Take your surname after marriage

Go to court and apply for a legal change of his current surname

Wait until naturalization when he can pick any first or last name he wants to have as a naturalized USC. It's a free, no court, legal, name change.

A social security name can be changed free with proper documentation, as long as USCIS has that name on record as his legal immigration name. At first all USCIS has on record is his K1 entry name. Later they will have his EAD name or greencard name and Social Security can make the change easily.

A greencard/USCIS name change, after it was issued in another name, will cost around $400 to issue a new replacement greencard. Apply for AOS/EAD/AP in the name you want to use, which most often applies to immigrant wives who want to have their husband's surname. The marriage certificate allows that change. Get a court name change before applying for AOS if you want something other than the spouse's name. Send the documentation with AOS to show why you applied in a name different than your passport or new spouse's name.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Yes, apply for a SSN soon after arrival. He can only get a card in the name exactly as it appears on his I-94 arrival record, which comes from a scan of his passport. Apply in that exact name and before marriage for the best chance of getting a Social Secutity card in about a week. Complicate it or confuse the workers and it could delay you months.

His name change options, as I understand them, are:

Take your surname after marriage

Go to court and apply for a legal change of his current surname

Wait until naturalization when he can pick any first or last name he wants to have as a naturalized USC. It's a free, no court, legal, name change.

A social security name can be changed free with proper documentation, as long as USCIS has that name on record as his legal immigration name. At first all USCIS has on record is his K1 entry name. Later they will have his EAD name or greencard name and Social Security can make the change easily.

A greencard/USCIS name change, after it was issued in another name, will cost around $400 to issue a new replacement greencard. Apply for AOS/EAD/AP in the name you want to use, which most often applies to immigrant wives who want to have their husband's surname. The marriage certificate allows that change. Get a court name change before applying for AOS if you want something other than the spouse's name. Send the documentation with AOS to show why you applied in a name different than your passport or new spouse's name.

Well whoops, I figured he could just drop the extra last name when we got married without having to take mine, but if that isn't the case then it's not really worth the bother anyways haha.

Thank you for all the information though, I will definitely keep it in mind in case something else comes up!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well whoops, I figured he could just drop the extra last name when we got married without having to take mine, but if that isn't the case then it's not really worth the bother anyways haha.

Thank you for all the information though, I will definitely keep it in mind in case something else comes up!

He can always apply for AOS with the dropped name and see if they accept it. If they don't, I think they would just issue the card in the name as it appears on his documentation...passport. I guess it depends if there is a hyphen or if it is the first or last of two names he is dropping. When the NOA comes, however it is address will give you a clue as to how it is going to be. It wouldn't be a reason to deny AOS. My VJ friend who tried a name change got a letter saying, "sorry we can't use that name unless you get a court name change". Your situation could be different.

[AMZJ 61]

I called up the people who do police checks today. I forgot to change my name on my NI when I got divorced so wanted to check with them that it was ok that my NI was in a different name. It was so it was fine. I put though for the name change today. I may as well since it can be done online and it's going back to a name I have used previously (my maiden name).

[AndyR82 8]

This time next week i'll be in the Embassy