UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Oh, and Pheebs - did it really only take three weeks from filing your I-129 to receipt of NOA2???????

[Pheebs1201 269]

Oh, and Pheebs - did it really only take three weeks from filing your I-129 to receipt of NOA2???????

Yes, four days after NOA1. If it's any consolation, most people on VJ now hate me because of it, and I've had to deal with several unpleasant comments so it came with a price

Edited February 1, 2015 by Pheebs1201

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Yes, four days after NOA1. If it's any consolation, most people on VJ now hate me because of it, and I've had to deal with several unpleasant comments so it came with a price

That's GOT to be some kind of record!!!! And you know what? those that were hostile towards you because of it - the petty jealousy that goes on around here (and it's the same at EVERY stage, from K-1 right through to N-400) is beyond tiresome. On the June filers thread in the citizenship section we had a girl bleating about how long it was taking for her interview letter to come through. One of the other gals then posted offering her support, which was greeted with a surly "yeah, that's fine for you - you got your letter a day after you were scheduled online...etc..." - it's pathetic. Good for you.

Did you ever find out why you got so lucky, btw? I've seriously never heard of it being done at such breakneck speed!!!!

[-Shana- 152]

My fiance already opened up one at Chase. Unfortunately, they're criminal with how much money they want in the account without charging a monthly fee. So avoid Chase unless you have $1500 lying around. x

Thanks for the tip!

Yes a joint account should get equal privileges like each having a debit/ATM card. Why are you not considering joining in the account where your fiancé already banks? Get added to his account.

I'm not sure if you are fully aware yet, but each of the fifty states have their own rights to manage many things. Banking is one of those things, as well as education, marriage/divorce, insurance, sales tax, state income tax, driver licenses. So banking laws and practices can vary depending on where you live. Of course some federal laws are enacted that all states must abide by.

One of the problems K1s complain of is getting added to a joint bank account before having a SSN and a greencard. So do get your SSN the week you arrive. Your window closes on Day 76 until you get EAD or a greencard. Some banks make it difficult for a foreign national to get a bank account.

When you arrive as a K1, you are kind of a nothing because all you have on paper is a 90 day entry. So you aren't exactly treated like an immigrant with permission to live here. If a bank gives you flack, just go to another. Not all will be so strict. And go in person rather than trying to open an account online. That seems to work better. Experiences vary. I had no problem adding my husband at my credit union. But there are many posts from people who have problems.

The way we're going to manage our money is have 1 joint account where we put our savings into/contribute to then we each have an individual bank account for our own spending money. It's something to consider though in case other banks don't want us opening a new joint account, but perhaps would allow me to be added to his personal account (which I wasn't aware of - thought it was something you did at the beginning or not at all). It'd be easier for him to open a new account after all! I was planning on getting my SSN immediately applied for, then when I had it open a bank account, then when I have a statement with my name/address on get a Colorado ID, then get the marriage licence + marry ourselves since that's something you can do in Colorado apparently! I'm not going to wait around, gotta go go go! I like getting things sorted, none of this waiting around business

Dan recently moved from Bank of America to OnPoint credit union and they said they were happy to add me to his account once I had a second form of US ID (I already have an SSN but they wanted to see something like an Oregon Drivers License or State ID) but the whole process seems pretty simple.

This is exactly why Dan left Bank of America, the monthly charges were silly. Shouldn't be charged for having your own money! We are much happier with the credit union he moved to

Hoping I'll be able to get some form of ID quickly in order to fulfil the banks requirements!

It could be different in Oregon, but the State ID wants me to have a proof of address - which you can get through a bank account >_<. I hope I have no issues opening an account or I'll have to have my passport for ID and I'd rather not carry that around with me to bars

I love it when people try and pull that ###### - I see it as a challenge! A few years back, I was travelling on a pretty full coach from London up North. There was a guy in the front seat (where there was extra leg room) and he'd done what you do, put all his stuff on the seat next to him to dissuade anyone from sitting there, and he complimented this with a dirty look, presumably to add some kind of intimidatory factor to the equation. And I just LOVED that!! "Excuse me please" says I, looking him straight in the eye all the while - cue hard man face turning to sulk face!!!

Seriously though, public transport, be it by land, air, or sea, is exactly that - public. And I always try not to be "that guy" rather try and help my fellow travelers be as comfortable as possible.

I have to fully agree with you here. I know that travelling isn't fun, but no sense in being miserable about it

[Pheebs1201 269]

That's GOT to be some kind of record!!!! And you know what? #### those that were hostile towards you because of it - the petty jealousy that goes on around here (and it's the same at EVERY stage, from K-1 right through to N-400) is beyond tiresome. On the June filers thread in the citizenship section we had a girl bleating about how long it was taking for her interview letter to come through. One of the other gals then posted offering her support, which was greeted with a surly "yeah, that's fine for you - you got your letter a day after you were scheduled online...etc..." - it's pathetic. Good for you.

Did you ever find out why you got so lucky, btw? I've seriously never heard of it being done at such breakneck speed!!!!

Thank you for the kind and motivational pep talk! I've tried not to let it get to me and despite this have made a few (what I consider to be) good friends through VJ and continue to feel blessed that I found this site, it's been a real godsend.

Around the time my case was at CSC there were quite a few speedy approvals, I think the closest in terms of time scale to mine was about a week, but most were under a month. It was suggested to me by a few people that our file got yanked out to train someone new hence the quick approval.

I wonder if it's something to do with the fact that I've had three previous J1 visas and have been interviewed by them twice already at the London Embassy (middle J1 was a postal visa hence no interview for that one) and I've always behaved whilst out there, left when I was supposed to etc. There can't be much information the US government is lacking on me as a result.

Also, we met at camp and included our contracts etc which really is indisputable proof that we have met in person. Since then I've been back on both the VWP and a J1 and still came home to do things the legal way. Perhaps this also implies we are genuine?

Nobody has actually ever told us why we got through so fast though, and I am yet to have my interview, so we will see! It is a shame that people can be so bitter on here, I always try to be supportive of others, but perhaps if I was in the seven month hell hole TSC waiting line I'd be grumpy too! It must be awful.

[Pheebs1201 269]

It could be different in Oregon, but the State ID wants me to have a proof of address - which you can get through a bank account >_<. I hope I have no issues opening an account or I'll have to have my passport for ID and I'd rather not carry that around with me to bars

Not sure about state ID but on my last J1 visa I had a temporary learners permit so I could drive with Dan in the car (we did a long roadtrip together and I never took my UK test as couldn't afford lessons/a car so didn't have a full british license) and he was allowed to vouch for my address for me by providing proof of his own. Not sure if this was an Oregon thing or if it can be done anywhere. Might be worth looking in to.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Pheebs1201

[-Shana- 152]

Yes, four days after NOA1. If it's any consolation, most people on VJ now hate me because of it, and I've had to deal with several unpleasant comments so it came with a price

That's GOT to be some kind of record!!!! And you know what? #### those that were hostile towards you because of it - the petty jealousy that goes on around here (and it's the same at EVERY stage, from K-1 right through to N-400) is beyond tiresome. On the June filers thread in the citizenship section we had a girl bleating about how long it was taking for her interview letter to come through. One of the other gals then posted offering her support, which was greeted with a surly "yeah, that's fine for you - you got your letter a day after you were scheduled online...etc..." - it's pathetic. Good for you.

Did you ever find out why you got so lucky, btw? I've seriously never heard of it being done at such breakneck speed!!!!

Pheebs, I had no idea you had received some hostility towards your awesome approval time! I thought my 26 days was epic, so when I saw your 4 days I thought "damn, she's beaten me!" I accidentally wandered into the wrong monthly appliers thread (thought it was just a September filers but I ended up in the TSC one) and got some hostility too. I was genuinely saying that I was sorry it was so backwards and good luck but then got someone saying I wasn't being helpful and to essentially get out of the thread

Will look into if he can vouch for my address! That would be useful. Though his parents just moved to a new place so not sure if he has mail with his name on...waaait, the NOA's were sent there in his name - man, I'm losing my marbles.

Edited February 1, 2015 by shana.mike

[Pheebs1201 269]

Pheebs, I had no idea you had received some hostility towards your awesome approval time! I thought my 26 days was epic, so when I saw your 4 days I thought "damn, she's beaten me!" I accidentally wandered into the wrong monthly appliers thread (thought it was just a September filers but I ended up in the TSC one) and got some hostility too. I was genuinely saying that I was sorry it was so backwards and good luck but then got someone saying I wasn't being helpful and to essentially get out of the thread

Gosh sounds like some of those threads practically have body guards/bouncers at the gates haha

[-Shana- 152]

Gosh sounds like some of those threads practically have body guards/bouncers at the gates haha

Tell me about it! If I had realised it was the TSC thread I wouldn't have popped in to say anything since it really didn't apply to me, but still it's not nice to get someone being moody towards you being there when trying to show support. Some people who applied at the same time as me are already in America married, I'm happy for them! I was fully expecting to wait 5 months for the approval, so I got lucky and I am very aware of that. Not trying to say "haha, look at me, I got approved before you" but you gotta play with the hand you're dealt unfortunately. It's frustrating that TSC is so behind, something really does need to be done when it seems like simply transferring a bunch of files over to California would help considerably. Makes me want to go work there now I know how much pain it causes, I'd be a machine! I do wonder though, is it because the people aren't as efficient at TSC or is there really a lot more people who apply for K-1 visas in the states that they manage?

[Pheebs1201 269]

Tell me about it! If I had realised it was the TSC thread I wouldn't have popped in to say anything since it really didn't apply to me, but still it's not nice to get someone being moody towards you being there when trying to show support. Some people who applied at the same time as me are already in America married, I'm happy for them! I was fully expecting to wait 5 months for the approval, so I got lucky and I am very aware of that. Not trying to say "haha, look at me, I got approved before you" but you gotta play with the hand you're dealt unfortunately. It's frustrating that TSC is so behind, something really does need to be done when it seems like simply transferring a bunch of files over to California would help considerably. Makes me want to go work there now I know how much pain it causes, I'd be a machine! I do wonder though, is it because the people aren't as efficient at TSC or is there really a lot more people who apply for K-1 visas in the states that they manage?

Yes I wonder too...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Comment on getting your driver license--

Every state is different because it's a state function. But the federal government has pressed the states to require proof of legal status in the US to help curb the illegal alien problem. So as a K1, you are a super minority with a visa that is over the day you use it and an I-94 that allows you 90 days in the US. At the time my husband arrived, our state required at least 6 months remaining on an I-94 to get a license. Impossible when you start with 90 days total. Whatever document your state allows, the driver license will expire when your legal status expires. So if you get a license on your I-94, it will only be valid until your I-94 days are up. If it takes you a month to accomplish getting the license in hand, you have two months to drive.

When you get EAD, that will show you have one year allowed in the US. You would get a license expiring the same day as the EAD card. The majority of K1s have to marry, file for AOS/EAD/AP, wait 60-90 days on the EAD before they can get a license. Some states require a greencard before issuing a license. Each of you will have a different experience depending on your state.

As far as a document to prove having an address in your state, most have a form the spouse can sign to attest that you reside at the same address that he shows proof of.

[Gary & Aubrey 23]

I remembering seeing your 4 days Pheebs and thinking what a lucky gal (in a good way) that you get to step closer to your wedding, and sooner then you thought! We had to wait 3 months, and had an RFE (that took one week to resolve, it was nothing!)

We are waiting on Packet 4, or being able to call NVC. After moving our wedding date a few times, it'll be nice to have an actual date for the interview to judge from. We have an easy wedding (my mom is an officiant registered with the state), so any old day works for us! We already missed my 'dream' date (12/13/14), so we will see what the next one is.

[Pheebs1201 269]

I remembering seeing your 4 days Pheebs and thinking what a lucky gal (in a good way) that you get to step closer to your wedding, and sooner then you thought! We had to wait 3 months, and had an RFE (that took one week to resolve, it was nothing!)

We are waiting on Packet 4, or being able to call NVC. After moving our wedding date a few times, it'll be nice to have an actual date for the interview to judge from. We have an easy wedding (my mom is an officiant registered with the state), so any old day works for us! We already missed my 'dream' date (12/13/14), so we will see what the next one is.

Sorry to hear you missed the dream date that is a shame.

We are just doing the courthouse thing and then saving up for a 'wedding' in 2016. We just can't afford one right now and I know I wouldn't cope well with the stress/anxiety of not knowing if I'd have my visa in time! I'm too much of a worry wart

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

We already missed my 'dream' date (12/13/14), so we will see what the next one is.

I missed 08/08/08. Maybe you could count by fives...5/10/15

[Gary & Aubrey 23]

I feel like visa filers are the most easy going about weddings. Most of the time, they just want to be together and married. The big 'do' isn't a huge deal.

We are doing something similar. Finding whatever day works (we have to get G back, and then wait five days for the marriage license to be valid), and then bam. Married. On July 11th, we are planning a big BBQ party for a reception, so more family and friends can meet him and to have a day about 'us'.