UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Pheebs1201 269]

Yay Allison and Shana! Exciting times for everyone!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think the general consensus here is that it's easier to get a SSN before your married because of the nuisance changing your name from your documents makes the process slower, no?

Not slower, just more chance of a SSA employee not knowing what to do with a K1, which is relatively rare amongst their customers. They have to find your name in the database as you entered at POE. So trying to do a married and name change at the same time confuses some. Several people have been told incorrectly "you got married, so are no longer a K1. You are now K3 which is not eligible for a SSN." That is bull. Your visa type can't change. So in case your local SSA has inexperienced workers, the easiest is to apply in the name on your I-94 (maiden) and don't even bring up marriage or names.

Once you have a greencard, you can go in to get your record with them changed to permanent resident and the name issue fixed. You will receive a new SSN card in your greencard name without the "Valid for work only with DHS authorization" wording on the card. Some people do that when they get their EAD, but you don't have to make that additional trip to change at that point. You can still work with that wording on the card, because your EAD card is the work authorization needed for the SSN to be accepted for work. For most cases, you never have to show the actual Social Security card. Memorize the number and give it verbally when asked. I don't even know where my card is. I have managed for decades without a physical card. My husband did have to show his card when getting a driver license, but not at the bank, getting a marriage license, buying cars, getting a job, etc.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[bonzaigirl 13]

Hi, I posted this in a different thread, but I will post my question here again, since this is the UK thread.. I've had my medical last April 9, and it will be 2 weeks on Thursday since. I haven't received my interview date yet, and I am fretting over it.

Is this normal that they haven't sent my interview date letter yet? I was told that it will take 6 weeks after the medical, but I have checked most timelines ( those that have posted theirs.. and I'm sorry if I am that nosy) and most have had their interviews like 1 month after the medical. But according to the timeline that was posted here, and as to what was posted in the London US Embassy website, they will send the interview letter 4 weeks prior to the interview date??

I was told that the interview normally takes 6 weeks after the medical, and then the visa is issued a week after? Is this generally true? I am sorry if I am being too impatient It's just that I feel as if it's so near.. and yet soo faaaaar

Oh and this is now an off topic question, for those who had already left for the US, do you know of any trusted shipping company who can haul our things, from London to the US? On a reasonable price.. Thank you in advance for all those who can reply

[MSCastillo 27]

so I'm having a pickle looking at the ds160 do we need to know travel dates from previous years?

and if so is there was a way you could find out this information?

I'm only looking at example forms so i can't see whats on the real ones

thank you for any help again!

Edited April 22, 2015 by MSCastillo

[Allison_Simon2014 12]

Went into Issued yesterday and just eagerly waiting on an email or any update. Poor Simon said he jumps and runs to the window every time he hears a car pull up to his house. Final days now!

[-Shana- 152]

Hey everyone!

So I had no issues with getting an SSN today, huzzah! I went into the local office, signed in using a touch screen computer, got a number and was called up to a window immediately. I said I wanted a new Social Security number and she saw my ticket and probably could tell I was a non-us citizen since I had to enter that information when I logged in. She asked for my passport and for the I-94 and I handed her my completed form. I had the print out that stated that a K-1 is eligible for a SSN, but she had a massive folder next to her and she quickly looked in to double check but didn't say anything. She then asked me when did I move and had I received any federal benefits (no). That was it! She gave me a letter that was stamped and signed confirming I had been approved and said the card will take 2 weeks to get to me, but if I needed the number sooner I could go in the next day to get it (but not over the phone). I was so shocked and happy at how easy it was having read loads of people getting a grilling that K-1's can't have an SSN.

Tomorrow I'm probably going to go in to get the number, then open a bank account, then sign up for a phone. It's all moving along nicely!

I think the general consensus here is that it's easier to get a SSN before your married because of the nuisance changing your name from your documents makes the process slower, no?

I'm glad you made it to the States safe and sound! 16 more days for us! xxx

Thanks!! Oooh, so close!! Did he have his stag do already?

Yay Allison and Shana! Exciting times for everyone!

Thanks, Pheebs!

so I'm having a pickle looking at the ds160 do we need to know travel dates from previous years?

and if so is there was a way you could find out this information?

I'm only looking at example forms so i can't see whats on the real ones

thank you for any help again!

I just looked in my passport for border control stamps and also searched my email account for old itineraries. You might have luck here https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.htmlif you select previous entries.

Went into Issued yesterday and just eagerly waiting on an email or any update. Poor Simon said he jumps and runs to the window every time he hears a car pull up to his house. Final days now!

Haha, I know how he feels! I was expecting an official looking truck but it was just a guy in a Micra

[-Shana- 152]

Hi, I posted this in a different thread, but I will post my question here again, since this is the UK thread.. I've had my medical last April 9, and it will be 2 weeks on Thursday since. I haven't received my interview date yet, and I am fretting over it.

Is this normal that they haven't sent my interview date letter yet? I was told that it will take 6 weeks after the medical, but I have checked most timelines ( those that have posted theirs.. and I'm sorry if I am that nosy) and most have had their interviews like 1 month after the medical. But according to the timeline that was posted here, and as to what was posted in the London US Embassy website, they will send the interview letter 4 weeks prior to the interview date??

I was told that the interview normally takes 6 weeks after the medical, and then the visa is issued a week after? Is this generally true? I am sorry if I am being too impatient It's just that I feel as if it's so near.. and yet soo faaaaar

Oh and this is now an off topic question, for those who had already left for the US, do you know of any trusted shipping company who can haul our things, from London to the US? On a reasonable price.. Thank you in advance for all those who can reply

My letter arrived 2 weeks after my medical and my interview date was a month later from when I received the letter. You can contact the London embassy to see if they've assigned you a interview date, there's a contact form somewhere on the website (I tried to find it, but had no luck, but it's definitely somewhere!). It's always a bit awkward sitting and waiting for an interview date, but it's the best you can do!

[bonzaigirl 13]

Hi, thank you guys, I have received my interview date letter, it is for May 18, on a 13:00 time slot. As somebody had pointed out in a different thread, this is also the first time I have read wherein somebody was appointed an afternoon time slot. Here's to hoping for the best.

[Allison_Simon2014 12]

Simon has his visa as of this morning!!! He is booked to fly out of London tomorrow and land in San Francisco at 2pm!!! He is a little anxious about POE since SF has been a pain in the past, but we are hoping for everything to be smooth!

Ahh!!!!!

[Pheebs1201 269]

Simon has his visa as of this morning!!! He is booked to fly out of London tomorrow and land in San Francisco at 2pm!!! He is a little anxious about POE since SF has been a pain in the past, but we are hoping for everything to be smooth!

Ahh!!!!!

Not sure if this is correct but I recall reading somewhere that San Fran has a "new immigrants" line and is pretty organised for K1s... hoping I am right on this one! So pleased for you!

[xbritto 25]

Simon has his visa as of this morning!!! He is booked to fly out of London tomorrow and land in San Francisco at 2pm!!! He is a little anxious about POE since SF has been a pain in the past, but we are hoping for everything to be smooth!

Ahh!!!!!

Congrats!!!!!!

[vicks5721 18]

i have questions, my husband wants me to look into getting my EAD and we got married April 15th. I was reading just now online that appying for EAD without AOS the EAD would only last until the visa expires so for me that is June 21st. I just want to confirm if thats true? as we are married now I am not his fiance anymore. Is it wiser to apply for EAD with the AOS then? the reason my husband was thinking I look into EAD is because at the moment we need to save up money for my AOS so he thought if I worked soon I could earn money too. But anyway.. my other question is it okay to make online profiles for work? like say I would like to work as a nanny in the future so I have thought about making a profile on care.com for example. I know I am not allowed to apply for or accept jobs without my EAD though.

Edited April 26, 2015 by vicks5721

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

i have questions, my husband wants me to look into getting my EAD and we got married April 15th. I was reading just now online that appying for EAD without AOS the EAD would only last until the visa expires so for me that is June 21st. I just want to confirm if thats true? as we are married now I am not his fiance anymore. Is it wiser to apply for EAD with the AOS then? the reason my husband was thinking I look into EAD is because at the moment we need to save up money for my AOS so he thought if I worked soon I could earn money too. But anyway.. my other question is it okay to make online profiles for work? like say I would like to work as a nanny in the future so I have thought about making a profile on care.com for example. I know I am not allowed to apply for or accept jobs without my EAD though.

You are eligible to work with EAD until your 90 day entry is up. (You mentioned your visa expiration, but the visa has nothing to do with it.) It is your I-94 which gives you 90 days of legal presence in the US. If you paid the fee and applied for EAD as a stand alone application, it would be only valid until your 90 day legal presence was up. Since EAD would take 60-90 days to approve, that is past the date when it would expire. So you would spend $380 and not be able to work.

When you file it with AOS, it is free, takes 60-90 days, and will be valid for one year from issue date.

Edit-

Forgot to answer the rest of your question. You can look for jobs, and post resumes or interview as long as you don't claim to be authorized to work. The longer you wait to file for AOS, the longer it will be before you can work, get a driver's license, and feel like you belong.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[vicks5721 18]

thank you nick nich for your help.. sorry I meant my I94 lasts until June 21st... my visa expires Sept 2nd. Yeah so It is the legal presence of 90 days of my understanding that USCIS would take into account if I was to apply for EAD without AOS. I already told my husband and so I am sure we will apply for it at same time at AOS then.. yeah it would be silly to file for EAD paying 380$ and then it comes after my I94 expires wasting all that money.

[vicks5721 18]

we would of started my AOS already.. well we technically have filled in the forms as we hired rapidvisa again, the visa company that helped us with my k1 visa. So we filled in the forms for AOS just we need to save up money to pay for the fees. what supporting evidence is good to include? we got home insurance in bothbour names recently as we are going to move into our own home together next weekend and we have our new place in both our names, also our marriage certificate of course , what else is good to include for AOS? we have our wedding photos.