UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I haven't seen the exact wording of the RFE, but it is not that Dan hasn't earned for three years. That isn't required. Type out the exact words.

.

Nevermind. I already saw it and commented on it three weeks ago, but you never confirmed what you sent.

You said, "Perhaps that's where we went wrong, I'll double check with Dan what exactly it was that he included and go through the form again. If I still have queries I shall report back. Thanks all!"

The problem is not what he earns but that you did something wrong in your documentation so they aren't looking at his income until you send the basic requirements. I don't think infopass can help unless your file is in their office to pull out and look at what you sent. They and the phone people will only give you generic answers.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[Pheebs1201 269]

Nevermind. I already saw it and commented on it three weeks ago, but you never confirmed what you sent.

You said, "Perhaps that's where we went wrong, I'll double check with Dan what exactly it was that he included and go through the form again. If I still have queries I shall report back. Thanks all!"

Sorry for not reporting back- we had sent the correct documents.

[ChasUno 101]

I'm going to work on the AOS packet this weekend so that we can be well prepared once we have the marriage certificate-I'll definitely peruse the example forms before we submit the polished/finished product.

Chris, where did you get the AOS packet? Is it given to you after the interview?

[chrismorrison 96]

Chris, where did you get the AOS packet? Is it given to you after the interview?

I'm on my phone right now, but there's a guide to AOS on VJ. Also, I don't have a direct link handy, but nich-nick has a nice checklist for the AOS packet on Google docs.

AOS is another USCIS song and dance. Nothing is provided by the embassy regarding this process.

Edited April 28, 2015 by chrismorrison

[vicks5721 18]

Got my shots done today (MMR and TDap). I had to send in a written request to my Doctor to retrieve my paper vaccination records as the computerised records didn't go far back enough. I then got a letter showing my vaccination history from birth, and once I had this I had to book an appointment with the Travel Nurse who then gave me the vaccinations needed. All that is left for me is to get the MMR booster at the beginning of June, then request a formal statement showing all my vaccinations, which I will be able to take with me when I get to the interview stage.

Anyone getting the vaccines from their Doctor in the UK, if you work in any form of healthcare make sure you mention this as healthcare workers (front line especially) get priority and you may get them for free. Also mention that you intend to continue working in healthcare once you get to the USA as this should help too.

I wish in hindsight, if I had known, that I had gone to get my two vaccinations I need in the UK. But oh well I wasn't sure which I would need at the time for US immigration I had seen the travel nurse but she wasn't sure either. We agreed I would go to the medical exam to find out. I went to my medical exam and I was told need only two which was a relief, but we couldn't afford it at the time. I learnt that once you have already had your medical exam you can't then get vaccinations before leaving for USA as they filled in the sheet already. I am glad though with some looking around and making phone calls to civil surgeons we should be able to find a decent one who will charge us fair price for the vaccines and paperwork completed.

[ChasUno 101]

I'm on my phone right now, but there's a guide to AOS on VJ. Also, I don't have a direct link handy, but nich-nick has a nice checklist for the AOS packet on Google docs.

AOS is another USCIS song and dance. Nothing is provided by the embassy regarding this process.

Thanks Chris. I was hoping that the AOS would be a breeze after going through the I-129F. I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile starting to prep for the AOS well in advance? I know me and my other half both feel better when we get everything sorted well ahead of time rather than having a last minute panic.

[ChasUno 101]

I wish in hindsight, if I had known, that I had gone to get my two vaccinations I need in the UK. But oh well I wasn't sure which I would need at the time for US immigration I had seen the travel nurse but she wasn't sure either. We agreed I would go to the medical exam to find out. I went to my medical exam and I was told need only two which was a relief, but we couldn't afford it at the time. I learnt that once you have already had your medical exam you can't then get vaccinations before leaving for USA as they filled in the sheet already. I am glad though with some looking around and making phone calls to civil surgeons we should be able to find a decent one who will charge us fair price for the vaccines and paperwork completed.

Nich-Nick's warnings about getting the shots done was very helpful in spurring me to get mine sorted, and it's also mentioned in the I-129F guides. Hearing some of the horror stories of people being charged the earth by US civil surgeons for their AOS medical/ shots, it seems so much better to get them done now and avoid all that. Even if I were charged £45 per shot (x 3), it would still work out WAY cheaper than getting them done in the US.

And yes, once you have had your medical it's too late to get subsequent shots recorded even if you have them done in the UK after the medical and prior to going to the USA.

I hope you get yours sorted and at a reasonable price. Good luck!

[-Shana- 152]

AOS is a lot of form filling, getting copies of a lot of different things to identify yourself (plus loads more passport pictures of yourself!) and there are a couple of questions that it's best to look at the example forms on VJ for clarification. It's a bit ridiculous since surely going through the K-1 process should have already done most of this stuff, but alas. Things I've struggled with are not knowing what code to use on the EAD form (it's ©(9) not (a)(6), which is what it looks like it SHOULD be in the instruction PDF and I know I'm not the only one to think this), the Travel Permit form was a little confusing to me since I didn't know which section to fill out (it's Advance Parole) and I'm sure the affidavit of support will be a blast when I get around to it....

Glad to be over here but feels like I can't fully settle in until I've got all this sorted!

[vicks5721 18]

Honestly, I wish we could afford to have someone go over our paperwork for AOS with us because we are finding it a lot more complex than the initial K1 petition. I understand why you don't feel confident- the AOS process so far has been a lot more stressful and confusing for us.

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

thank you we are moving nto our new home next monday!! We have filled in the forms for AOS we did it on rapidvisa's website and then they review it and we just print it off.. what I like about that is it looks more neat and official printed text/answers than handwriting and easier to read. Next we will be told by the visa company what we need to include for evidence and collect all those things, then once we finally have the money we can pay for AOS.

In the meantime I am excited about moving to our new home! The other orders of business is to apply for my state ID and find a good civil surgeon.

Thank you good luck to you guys as well! I hope it all gets sorted out soon!!

Edited April 28, 2015 by vicks5721

[ChasUno 101]

Shana, I hate form filling! And I have to say that I have found much of the I-129F forms somewhat unclear too. Maybe it's just me, though as many years ago I used to work as a computer programmer/ operator, I still think along the lines that all instructions must be clear, concise, minimal and intuitive. Back when I was programming, computers were much slower and had precious little memory, so all coding had to be as minimal and as efficient as possible. And that's actually how a good form to be filled in should appear to the average person - clear and concise instructions and the flow of the questions (and which questions do/ do not need to be answered) should be obvious.

Ironically, that's where me and my partner differ considerably when dealing with day to day issues. He tends to jump from one subject to another at random, and goes off on tangents, whereas I tend to approach challenges in a flow chart manner (ask question, yes/ no answer required, do not proceed to the next section until question answered!) He says I'm too logical, I say he's too random (but we love each other dearly regardless!)

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks Chris. I was hoping that the AOS would be a breeze after going through the I-129F. I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile starting to prep for the AOS well in advance? I know me and my other half both feel better when we get everything sorted well ahead of time rather than having a last minute panic.

I think you should be 1000% sorted for the NVC and London part before jumping ahead to AOS.

Shots-done

Police report ? Ever had a caution or arrest, then get Subject Access Report as well.

I-134 prepared by USC? Mailed to UK?

Passport style photos? Do you know how many, for what, and UK or US Size

Got the required birth certificate and anything else that applies on the embassy doc list?

Started the DS-160 and saved it?

Then whilst waiting for an interview letter, the interview, and the passport return, get all your AOS forms filled out.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[vicks5721 18]

Shana, I hate form filling! And I have to say that I have found much of the I-129F forms somewhat unclear too. Maybe it's just me, though as many years ago I used to work as a computer programmer/ operator, I still think along the lines that all instructions must be clear, concise, minimal and intuitive. Back when I was programming, computers were much slower and had precious little memory, so all coding had to be as minimal and as efficient as possible. And that's actually how a good form to be filled in should appear to the average person - clear and concise instructions and the flow of the questions (and which questions do/ do not need to be answered) should be obvious.

Ironically, that's where me and my partner differ considerably when dealing with day to day issues. He tends to jump from one subject to another at random, and goes off on tangents, whereas I tend to approach challenges in a flow chart manner (ask question, yes/ no answer required, do not proceed to the next section until question answered!) He says I'm too logical, I say he's too random (but we love each other dearly regardless!)

yeah forms are boring and pain of life.. I agree completely they should be easy and concise so there is minimial mistakes and misunderstandings. I like the application form for a UK passport for example, they have notes written on the side next to the spaces to fill in which is helpful and you are also given a book that helps you fill in the form, why can't USCIS do that too!! That's exactly one of the reasons we decided to hire help with our K1 and now AOS.

[-Shana- 152]

Shana, I hate form filling! And I have to say that I have found much of the I-129F forms somewhat unclear too. Maybe it's just me, though as many years ago I used to work as a computer programmer/ operator, I still think along the lines that all instructions must be clear, concise, minimal and intuitive. Back when I was programming, computers were much slower and had precious little memory, so all coding had to be as minimal and as efficient as possible. And that's actually how a good form to be filled in should appear to the average person - clear and concise instructions and the flow of the questions (and which questions do/ do not need to be answered) should be obvious.

Ironically, that's where me and my partner differ considerably when dealing with day to day issues. He tends to jump from one subject to another at random, and goes off on tangents, whereas I tend to approach challenges in a flow chart manner (ask question, yes/ no answer required, do not proceed to the next section until question answered!) He says I'm too logical, I say he's too random (but we love each other dearly regardless!)

I wouldn't mind the form filing if, as you say, it was more concise. I think in this day and age this process should be moved online, but obviously there are probably huge security risks with that but still! It would be nice for a little red box to appear if something doesn't look right.

Opposites attract! I'm more emotional, I think with my heart (as well as my head of course) and he is more logical. Though he's very excitable too and can go off on tangents/interrupts me a lot because he can't wait to get whatever is in his head out of his mouth! Drives me crazy sometimes! But we are suited for one another, I think we've learned a lot from each other by being so different.

[chrismorrison 96]

Thanks Chris. I was hoping that the AOS would be a breeze after going through the I-129F. I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile starting to prep for the AOS well in advance? I know me and my other half both feel better when we get everything sorted well ahead of time rather than having a last minute panic.

Im the same way, and I know Kas wants to work as soon as possible which is why I want to get all the stuff completed so all I have to do is have him sign on the dotted line and fill in the blanks for Poe/marriage date stuff.

I took a quick peak through the examples. I don't think it'll be that challenging, but we shall see when I actually sit down and get things started.

x

[ChasUno 101]

I think you should be 1000% sorted for the NVC and London part before jumping ahead to AOS.

Thanks Nich-Nick, good advice.

Shots-done - Yes, just need the MMR booster is one months time

Police report ? Ever had a caution or arrest, then get Subject Access Report as well. - Have applied for my Police Report online, awaiting for it to arrive.

I-134 prepared by USC? Mailed to UK? - My partner has pretty much completed it. We are going to go through it in the next week or so.

Passport style photos? Do you know how many, for what, and UK or US Size - I have 5 x UK size (4 x for the medical) and 3 x USA size (1 x for the Interview)

Got the required birth certificate and anything else that applies on the embassy doc list? - I have my original birth certificate from 1969

Started the DS-160 and saved it? - Not yet. Can I do this before I've been approved (NOA2) and before I've been given an interview date?

Then whilst waiting for an interview letter, the interview, and the passport return, get all your AOS forms filled out.

From what I can see, we just need to get the I-134 completed and sent to me, and to start the DS-160 (assuming my Police Report is all clear)?