UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[-PiLoT- 11]

Hi Pilot

Congratulations on getting the visa in hand. that didn't take too long

Regarding flights, I forgot to ask if you've looked at flying via Dublin with Aer Lingus. I've never got good prices with them, possibly because of my routes and dates (they only fly certain routes on certain days) but sometimes multiple airlines and code shares offer better deals too. Another thing I forgot is that in December I saved a lot on our (still very pricey) flights booked on prime dates over Christmas and New year and did it through eBookers with a discount code and through Topcashback, which paid out £35 quite promptly. I'm in flight search mode now too so I'm happy to run your dates and airports through while I'm doing mine. It might keep me off the CEAC for a few hours, which is a good thing!

No idea about the embassy sticker - someone who's got their visa would be able to tell you.

Basically i hate travelling, it leads me to panic, but basically my rules are ABZ to OMA or MSP or SUX or DSM, anytime after the 10th june but i have noticed any dates too near the end of june are very expensive

You have your passport with a visa in it. You are DONE with embassy in London. You don't need their sticker. It's the same concept of removing old baggage claim tags from you luggage once you reach your destination.

thanks niche wasnt sure

Pilot- when they dropped off your visa, did you have to sign for it? Kas is having his delivered to his work. I gather you never received any communication with the courier, either?

he gives you it all in a white plastic bagt type thing. then you show id then sign for it

[chrismorrison 96]

Thank you. Any luck on your flight searches?

[Sunya and Tim 55]

Hi Pilot

Congratulations on getting the visa in hand. that didn't take too long

Regarding flights, I forgot to ask if you've looked at flying via Dublin with Aer Lingus. I've never got good prices with them, possibly because of my routes and dates (they only fly certain routes on certain days) but sometimes multiple airlines and code shares offer better deals too. Another thing I forgot is that in December I saved a lot on our (still very pricey) flights booked on prime dates over Christmas and New year and did it through eBookers with a discount code and through Topcashback, which paid out £35 quite promptly. I'm in flight search mode now too so I'm happy to run your dates and airports through while I'm doing mine. It might keep me off the CEAC for a few hours, which is a good thing!

No idea about the embassy sticker - someone who's got their visa would be able to tell you.

The nice thing to remember about Dublin is that you clear US Immigration in Ireland. Tim flies thru there most of the time. He flies with a B2 visa and they know he is coming to see his fiancée, so the interview him every time. One reason is because his son lives in Ireland and he stops for a visit and he says it is a nicer flight not worrying about clearing immigration and making connecting flights. Lastly you can toast yourself with a pint of Guiness.

[wbeem 568]

Yes, the pre clearance has always kept me going back to check.

Pilot, we found in the summer that the prices suddenly rise the week that the Scottish schools start to break for the summer, so the first half of the month is usually cheaper. Also, just making sure: are you looking at single tickets or round trip? One way tickets are usually more expensive than a round trip. Also, you can affect the price by messing with the return sector dates, since you are not going to use them.

[chrismorrison 96]

^Correct. Just keep in mind to make sure that you contact the airlines to cancel your return ticket-otherwise the government might think you have abandoned AOS.

Or book the return flight ages in advance to when you might have AP/EAD.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Or book the return flight ages in advance to when you might have AP/EAD.

Then you are in the UK with no flight home. So do you keep guessing when you might want to travel again with this bassackwards method? I vote to just cancel the return.

(Or maybe use it to flee if you can't adjust and want to leave America forever.) Kidding

[wbeem 568]

I didn't think immigration officials cared if you had a return sector booked. I was under the impression that it was simply a courtesy to the airline to notify them that you won't make the return trip (so they can sell your seat again and get paid twice for it ) Is that not the case? There is little likelihood we will be booking one way tickets. They are coming out at several hundred pounds more expensive than round trip tickets.

[TeamJS 8]

So Si, got had his Visa delivered today and today we booked his flight and he will be In Arizona TOMORROW!!! I thought this day would never come. THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL THE GREAT INFO AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT ARE STILL WAITING!!! We should be doing our AOS pretty quick as we plan to get married on April 24.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I didn't think immigration officials cared if you had a return sector booked. I was under the impression that it was simply a courtesy to the airline to notify them that you won't make the return trip (so they can sell your seat again and get paid twice for it ) Is that not the case? There is little likelihood we will be booking one way tickets. They are coming out at several hundred pounds more expensive than round trip tickets.

You don't even discuss what kind of ticket you came on at POE. Doesn't matter to CBP. It is a courtesy to the airlines, but sometimes weird things happen----

An issue gets told a lot...kind of VJ lore, but I actually remember the thread from probably 5+ years ago. The couple went to AOS interview and the officer said the immigrant had left the country on such and such date, so had effectively abandoned his AOS application. Much speculation in the forum but what had happened was that date was the date of his return flight. He hadn't cancelled and was a no show for the flight. The seat was sold to another passenger. The airline manifest by fluke had not been changed to the new ticket holder's name. The AOS guy was listed as on that flight. It was a mess to straighten out so his AOS would not be denied. It was interesting to learn that flight manifests are turned over to USCIS.

[Allison_Simon2014 12]

So Si, got had his Visa delivered today and today we booked his flight and he will be In Arizona TOMORROW!!! I thought this day would never come. THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL THE GREAT INFO AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT ARE STILL WAITING!!! We should be doing our AOS pretty quick as we plan to get married on April 24.

Congratulations!!!!! That is such amazing news! Enjoy!

[FewerHatsPlz 3]

Had my interview yesterday morning and got approved!

Quick question - when should my case status on the CEAC website change from 'Ready'? The last update date is now showing as yesterday, but as yet no change in actual status!

[-Shana- 152]

Had my interview yesterday morning and got approved!

Quick question - when should my case status on the CEAC website change from 'Ready'? The last update date is now showing as yesterday, but as yet no change in actual status!

Congrats! Mine took 5 days Some people experience it a lot faster.

[chrismorrison 96]

Had my interview yesterday morning and got approved!

Quick question - when should my case status on the CEAC website change from 'Ready'? The last update date is now showing as yesterday, but as yet no change in actual status!

We went into AP/Issued 2 business days after our interview. So Thursday (interview day-no change), Friday (experienced the change you mention), Monday (AP/Issued). If I'm going off TeamJS and Pilot, we could have our visa by tomorrow (one week from the interview)!!

Edited April 15, 2015 by chrismorrison

[chrismorrison 96]

Also, TeamJS-Congrats! Have a fantastic happily ever after! I hope your fiance arrives safe and sound!

[Sunya and Tim 55]

So Si, got had his Visa delivered today and today we booked his flight and he will be In Arizona TOMORROW!!! I thought this day would never come. THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL THE GREAT INFO AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT ARE STILL WAITING!!! We should be doing our AOS pretty quick as we plan to get married on April 24.

Congrats and safe travels!!!