UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[chrismorrison 96]

Have all those who've got interview dates paid for the visa yet? I did it as soon as I got the letter!! Coming up to £800 spent on this process so far, not for the poor that's for sure. I opted for home delivery since the nearest courier isn't local. Hope I don't have to wait too long! Looking into flights in a serious way too, fingers crossed should all go well, hoping to get a flight on April 20th. Will defo wait until that passport is in my hands again before I book. So exciting, things are moving forward!!

Ooh, exciting! Glad things are moving forward for you both

Thank you! I have to say, we both are amazed at how quick this is all happening... almost too quick. We tried to estimate a timeline before submitting our application, and based on timeline projections, we were thinking late April/May. But it's looking like he could almost possibly have an interview by the end of March. Wowza.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Aw, I am so excited for you guys! We booked our medical this morning for the 26th of February.

Thanks lovely!

Have all those who've got interview dates paid for the visa yet? I did it as soon as I got the letter!! Coming up to £800 spent on this process so far, not for the poor that's for sure. I opted for home delivery since the nearest courier isn't local. Hope I don't have to wait too long! Looking into flights in a serious way too, fingers crossed should all go well, hoping to get a flight on April 20th. Will defo wait until that passport is in my hands again before I book. So exciting, things are moving forward!!

Ooh, exciting! Glad things are moving forward for you both

Paid for mine too

[-Shana- 152]

Thank you! I have to say, we both are amazed at how quick this is all happening... almost too quick. We tried to estimate a timeline before submitting our application, and based on timeline projections, we were thinking late April/May. But it's looking like he could almost possibly have an interview by the end of March. Wowza.

Too quick as in you expect something to go wrong? Because I get that! I wish I was cool as a cucumber but now I'm thinking "what if they deny me at the interview?!" even though I know it won't be a problem since our relationship is genuine! Putting up with him for 13 years is genuine enough I'd say . I did the same thing when I was submitting my I-129f, I was expecting to get an NOA2 around about now in fact. So I feel so incredibly blessed to have this process moved so fast for us. Got my fingers crossed for you!

Paid for mine too

Whoop! So...when we filed for I-129f, what was that money for?! An "admin fee"?? I feel like at POE they're gonna make me cough up more cash

[chrismorrison 96]

Too quick as in you expect something to go wrong? Because I get that! I wish I was cool as a cucumber but now I'm thinking "what if they deny me at the interview?!" even though I know it won't be a problem since our relationship is genuine! Putting up with him for 13 years is genuine enough I'd say . I did the same thing when I was submitting my I-129f, I was expecting to get an NOA2 around about now in fact. So I feel so incredibly blessed to have this process moved so fast for us. Got my fingers crossed for you!

Whoop! So...when we filed for I-129f, what was that money for?! An "admin fee"?? I feel like at POE they're gonna make me cough up more cash

No, just quick in a sense like wow, it's happening lightening fast-I feel like we're on hyperdrive. It's all a very good thing, considering we haven't had any hiccups, I'm just amazed at the huge discrepancies between service centers.

And, yeah-this process is not cheap. Imaging having a lawyer bill tact on. No thank you! We paid $75 for a consultation and I was so unimpressed with how much money she wanted to charge, I was like, this can't be that difficult. Turns out, this site has made me a pro at immigrating.

[-Shana- 152]

No, just quick in a sense like wow, it's happening lightening fast-I feel like we're on hyperdrive. It's all a very good thing, considering we haven't had any hiccups, I'm just amazed at the huge discrepancies between service centers.

And, yeah-this process is not cheap. Imaging having a lawyer bill tact on. No thank you! We paid $75 for a consultation and I was so unimpressed with how much money she wanted to charge, I was like, this can't be that difficult. Turns out, this site has made me a pro at immigrating.

Looking at your timeline, I don't blame you!

I know, the amount of information I know about this process scares me a bit! I'm not entirely sure why people would hire a lawyer? I've found all the information online, especially here, so not sure why there's a need for a middle man. Unless there are people in exceptional circumstances who need to find representation I suppose?

What do you all think you'll wear to the interview? I was just going to wear jeans and a nice jumper, do they really judge you based on your clothes? I saw the London embassy video and the guy was in shirt and tie but that seems a bit fancy!

[chrismorrison 96]

Looking at your timeline, I don't blame you!

I know, the amount of information I know about this process scares me a bit! I'm not entirely sure why people would hire a lawyer? I've found all the information online, especially here, so not sure why there's a need for a middle man. Unless there are people in exceptional circumstances who need to find representation I suppose?

What do you all think you'll wear to the interview? I was just going to wear jeans and a nice jumper, do they really judge you based on your clothes? I saw the London embassy video and the guy was in shirt and tie but that seems a bit fancy!

Knowing Kas, he will more than likely show up in a suit and tie. He's a 'London City Boy' (see also: dreamboat), so that's probably the attire he will go for.

[-Shana- 152]

Knowing Kas, he will more than likely show up in a suit and tie. He's a 'London City Boy' (see also: dreamboat), so that's probably the attire he will go for.

Suit and tie is a pretty sexual look.

For me I've got that annoying problem of not having a good mid point. I don't actually own any nice work trousers (having gained too much weight in Japan to fit in the ones I bought before I left! ), I have one skirt that I wear for work but it's not great for cold weather + would have to wear heals since I've got no flats that go with it. I'll be walking a lot that day since I prefer walking to paying for the tube.

So jeans seems to be my only option...I don't think they'll turn me away for that! At least I'd hope not o_O

Edit: Did a search and found a thread of someone who was asking, the general consensus was casual clothes but at least wear a nice top since that's all that London Embassy staff sees! Also came across this video, I actually feel a lot better for watching it since I know what to expect to see on the day! For some reason I thought the interviews were done at a table.

Edited February 10, 2015 by shana.mike

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So...when we filed for I-129f, what was that money for?! An "admin fee"?? I feel like at POE they're gonna make me cough up more cash

That fee was to USCIS for petition processing. That only approved the petitioner as qualified to bring a fiancé over. It wasn't the visa application. Lots of fees to pay for sure.

Current prices:

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

£45 (ACPO) Police certificate just before petition approval

£245 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam. Pay at exam.

$265 (Embassy/Dept of State) Visa fee prior to interview. Online pay.

$30 Courier fee if home delivery, $0 to pick up at a depot. Online.

$0 POE

$0 SSN

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

$590 Removing conditions (USCIS)

$680 Naturalization (USCIS)

$135 US Passport

The End finally.

[-Shana- 152]

That fee was to USCIS for petition processing. That only approved the petitioner as qualified to bring a fiancé over. It wasn't the visa application. Lots of fees to pay for sure.

Current prices:

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

£45 (ACPO) Police certificate just before petition approval

£245 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam. Pay at exam.

$265 (Embassy/Dept of State) Visa fee prior to interview. Online pay.

$30 Courier fee if home delivery, $0 to pick up at a depot. Online.

$0 POE

$0 SSN

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

$590 Removing conditions (USCIS)

$680 Naturalization (USCIS)

$135 US Passport

The End finally.

Not to mention the travelling, the paying for additional requirements for certain documents (finger printing for foreign PC's), the flight to America...good thing we've got 3 years worth of savings that's for sure!

[Pheebs1201 269]

Too quick as in you expect something to go wrong? Because I get that! I wish I was cool as a cucumber but now I'm thinking "what if they deny me at the interview?!" even though I know it won't be a problem since our relationship is genuine! Putting up with him for 13 years is genuine enough I'd say . I did the same thing when I was submitting my I-129f, I was expecting to get an NOA2 around about now in fact. So I feel so incredibly blessed to have this process moved so fast for us. Got my fingers crossed for you!

Whoop! So...when we filed for I-129f, what was that money for?! An "admin fee"?? I feel like at POE they're gonna make me cough up more cash

I can't even remember what it feels like to have savings anymore

That fee was to USCIS for petition processing. That only approved the petitioner as qualified to bring a fiancé over. It wasn't the visa application. Lots of fees to pay for sure.

Current prices:

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

£45 (ACPO) Police certificate just before petition approval

£245 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam. Pay at exam.

$265 (Embassy/Dept of State) Visa fee prior to interview. Online pay.

$30 Courier fee if home delivery, $0 to pick up at a depot. Online.

$0 POE

$0 SSN

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

$590 Removing conditions (USCIS)

$680 Naturalization (USCIS)

$135 US Passport

The End finally.

I'm looking forward to that last line!

[-Shana- 152]

I can't even remember what it feels like to have savings anymore

I'm looking forward to that last line!

I was extremely lucky to have a job in Japan that paid well enough for me to live happily there and save a lot of money too. Without those 2 years of teaching and the savings I got from it I simply would not be able to afford this process! I've always been pretty good at saving money though, it's one of things I can say I'm proud of. I tend to spend it all on these extravagant trips to live abroad though! That's what life is for though, lots of adventure .

I booked my train tickets to London today for my interview! Luckily my friend who lives in Bromley said it was cool I stay the night at his so I've saved a nice amount of money on paying for a B&B/Hotel. All in all it cost me £59.10, putting my rail card to extremely good use.

For the return journey I booked the 13:30 train and I'm aiming to be at the embassy for 07:30, hoping that gives me plenty of time to get in and out and to the train station. The letter itself says expect to be there for 2-3 hours so I think I'm good even if it does run long.

I think with that I've just spent my last penny UK side on this process! In total, for me, it came to £854.26. Next will be the flight then all the charges for a marriage licence.

21 days until my interview

[Pheebs1201 269]

Does anyone know what days/times the courier delivers? Is it monday to friday? Weekends too? Monday to Saturday?

[-Shana- 152]

I chose to have mine delivered to Warrington, their business hours are M-F 08:00 - 18:00, Saturday 08:00 - 15:00. I'm assuming this is when they do their deliveries too? They don't have their own website it looks like.

But it looks like each depot has it's own opening hours!

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/niv/information/courier_dropboxes

Edited February 11, 2015 by shana.mike

[Kimberley95 10]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes for the visa to be delivered? I have my interview on the 23rd and want to fly on the 6th, don't know if this will be cutting it too close

[-Shana- 152]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes for the visa to be delivered? I have my interview on the 23rd and want to fly on the 6th, don't know if this will be cutting it too close

Someone recently said it took 5 business days (but 7 days total) for it to arrive at the courier, so if you're having it delivered it will take a bit longer than that. In general the embassy says 3-5 business days to arrive at the courier. Most people tend to pick it up so not sure how long it takes for home delivery exactly.

Figured I'd ask if there was a reason you were hoping to get the 6th? I would always wait until I had my passport back in my hand before booking a flight, but that's just me!

Edited February 11, 2015 by shana.mike