Melancholic Mage

No transcripts were needed. I don't feel like I got anywhere until I wrote 'GREEN CARD HOLDER - NO SPONSORSHIP NEEDED' on my CV/Resume and also wrote 'GED Graduate - Grade Transcripts Available Upon Request' under my Education sub-heading. I have an employment offer and I'm running through background checks and a drug test. If all goes well, I'll be starting work soon. Nothing glam, but it's a foot in the door. (I only just found out about the term 'brain waste' throughout this whole process. Look it up.) Thank you to those users who were kind and patient with me and my personal circumstances. (You know who you are.)

I know this is late so apologies on my part. Appleblossom covered pretty much anything I was going to say along with SL2024. The X-Ray results are only relayed back to you if there's any concern with them. In this case, 'no news is good news' truly applies. I agree though with the earlier comment that if you wanted to see the results, a phone call to Visa Medicals will help you get that request rolling. No confirmation email is sent but you can chase up Visa Medicals for a confirmation so long as you give them a few days. They're very busy so I wouldn't contact them each day as it not only frustrates them but also slows down the process for other applicants.

Just to add my experience, I entered with my CR-1 in October. For what it's worth, I had an ESTA on the system that was still valid and Dublin was my POE. Being with my US spouse, we asked an officer which line was acceptable to join and they pointed us towards the one for returning US citizens, as @garebear397mentioned with their own partner. At the front we notified the border official of my shiny new visa within my passport. We were then led towards a backroom where a lovely gent ran through some questions, officially stamped my visa, told me when to expect my Green Card, and off we went. Don't worry too much @ChelseaW. There's always someone to ask. Word of advice though, make sure you leave plenty of time between connecting flights. I ended up having to run to catch my plane despite giving myself near 3 hours in-between because of the volume. Though it may have reduced at this juncture in time.

@Tesco I was looking at US Mobile as (to me personally) it seemed like the best out of the bunch I researched. The difference in pricing here compared to the UK is stunning. Wait until you look at bank account fees. In the end, my husband had a spare number on his US plan and we just used that after getting a SIM card from the associated store. I switch to my UK SIM when needed and use very small PAYG transactions to keep it active - I find their international bundles are cheaper. Be warned though, some UK numbers just don't connect even with a UK sim card and one of their international plans. SmilingStone getting a new phone was honestly the most simplest way to go and I'll eventually do the same myself. Keeping old ties is exhausting.

This may help you. Please note this isn't a sponsored source of VJ or its community, just a little digging I did to give you a guideline of what to do. Write a letter to USCIS, include any numbers pertaining to your case, and honestly, pay for expedited delivery. Stop her in her tracks as soon as possible. https://www.lawfirm1.com/immigration-visas-green-cards/how-to-withdraw-sponsorship-for-immigrant-consequences-of-withdrawing-i-130-i-485/ I found this sample letter as well to help: https://www.soundimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sample-request-to-withdraw-Form-I-864-Affidavit-of-Support.pdf

Wow. Maybe I should have brought over my own manual from the UK, saved myself the three minutes lol. Back to the topic at hand, the acting examiner told me when we got chatting that the DMV were hiring. Lo and behold, I checked it out and so they are. I plan to apply once I get my license in the mail as it asks for information on it. There's one big problem though: their website requests I upload education documents. I have physical certificates of my high school grades and college degrees which I can photograph and convert into PDF files, no issue I suppose. (See first post for full details.) But whether or not they understand them is another thing. I don't want to upload them only for my application to be immediately thrown away and my chances scuppered before I even get started. In other's experience, should I just go for it with what I have or should I pay to get my grades transcribed to US equivalencies? (Side note, but there is an extra option to upload additional job history and also additional info. I could attach a cover letter explaining I can get my grades transcribed if needed? I have no real contact information for my institutes of study since they've all since long been bulldozed/closed down, but maybe just getting them translated is enough. And apologies as I realise I'm asking what's pretty much already been answered here by a few of you, but I'm more hesitant now that I'm faced with an upload request on an application form and can't explain in person. That considering, it would be helpful to know how others might proceed here. Thank you.)

I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through, @csh2020. There's not much I can say that other user's haven't already, but I wanted to highlight what I found to be the warning signs in your own post. Frankly, it raises more red flags to me than the whole Chinese Dynasty ever did. I'm surprised no one mentioned it, but the biggest one for me was when you mentioned divorce and brought up court, and she immediately reacted by assuming you meant immigration court. Speaking for myself, but no one in their right mind would assume that right off the bat when speaking about a divorce. I would be asking why, what I could be doing better, how we could make things work. If I was faced with what you leveraged at her with my husband, I'd be absolutely devastated. Destroyed. The last thing I would be thinking about, were I in that situation, would be my ability to stay in the country. If anything, divorce typically makes people want to be the farthest apart from each other. Be careful with this woman. The devil is at work with her. Unfortunately, good souls such as yourself are targeted by these kinds of Green Card cons. Have faith you can overcome this, but absolutely seek an attorney. This woman clearly has no interest in anything but her residency status and doesn't deserve you.

@appleblossom I passed today. And I think I broke a new world record by passing in three minutes. Not even joking. No hand signals, no parallel parking, no questions about uphill or downhill even. I left the test centre, stopped at a few Stop signs leaving the parking lot, merged onto the main road with 40/50mph traffic flow as instructed, and the examiner said my merge was 'beautiful' and immediately asked if it was my first time getting a license and if I'd driven before. Guess it was obvious because by the time I hit the next set of traffic lights, he said I passed. I almost lost my grip on the wheel. Unreal lol.

I'm happy to hear this but also angry since the vaccination was forced on me to enter on CR-1.

@smilingstone Have you tried US Mobile? https://www.usmobile.com/

Thank you, it took quite some time to write up! Please let us know how your appointment goes.

Hello, Lee. Since I've arrived here in October I've gotten my SSN, Green Card, State ID, joint bank account, and passed my written driving theory. This all sounds very easy but I assure you, it hasn't been. It's been grueling. Once I pass the practical driving test, I'll finally be set to apply for jobs and have the means to get there. I'm currently getting real experience on the road as everything is essentially mirrored here and I can only practice on weekends when my other half is free from work. I'm unable to walk or do much of anything without a car. No point doing voluntary work if I can't even get to it. And no networks that I know of. I'm working on converting my UK CV into a US resume these days and gaining the experience needed to pass the physical driving test. I had a full UK driver's license which makes things easier - I know how to drive. But it's very easy to slip up on some of the unfamiliar signs and road systems. Once I get some job offers and interviews, I may post an update or two. But frankly, my opinion of this forum has pretty much declined to really bother documenting how I'm doing anymore.

Thank you @SL2024. It's nice to know my efforts aren't entirely wasted. We are saving for our own home and don't have ownership over bills where we are, hence our personal circumstances being more complicated than others and older folks on here quick to judge. I'm sure we're not the only ones reliant on kind family as a stopgap. In the end, in the mess of everything, it turns out we didn't pay our fee for my green card when we thought we did. USCIS sent us a payment notice, and it was the proof of address we absolutely needed to get everything rolling. We have a joint bank account now, I now have a State ID, and I've passed through my US driving theory yesterday all off the back of it. Mistakes into miracles. I would suggest anyone in a similar position getting set up this way not to pay the green card fee until a notice is sent. It doesn't even delay the green card, which I also now have. Regarding HMRC I reported not having my P45 and explained why. They will ask at the end of the form if you go through it online regardless of the warnings. It took some time and an error on their part making me resubmit the form again, but I got a message on my online account a few days ago saying the tax has been calculated and they owe me half a grand. They should be sending a cheque in the post. (Here or within the UK remains to be seen.) It all got sorted out in the end. But they didn't make it easy. What happened with my employer refusing to give me my paperwork, who's to say. I can't say I care anymore.

@Zikaengee It's definitely two years as stated above. I thought you might like to look at this official USCIS calculator to remove any doubt: just pop in the date on your Green Card and it will tell you the earliest date you can file within the 90 day window. Good luck! https://www.uscis.gov/forms/when-to-file-your-petition-to-remove-conditions

Following up my last post, I received my Green Card today and it's the two years conditional as expected. So more evidence pointing to USCIS error if you have an expiry date outside your filing restrictions. Any update OP?

@laylalex I finally put on some make-up! Did it for Thanksgiving. It looked okay I think... had some nice smoky eyeshadow in the corners of my eyes that bled to silver, with a few hiccups here and there. (Some mineral powder that went, well, everywhere. I'm learning.) But... I ended up looking like a panda at the end. Not sure if it was too much mascara dusting from my lashes, or the eyeliner smudging? But I ended up having black sleep in the corners of my eyes and it just... blotched. Very attractive. And no, I didn't rub at my eyes at all. Only grace was I had glasses on to hide the worst of it, but pretty much hid the rest of the night once I noticed. Also had sister-in-law try some weird nail dip varnish on me and it's all terribly chipped after a few days. Because I'm a heavy-handed working woman who doesn't go give a flying duck about my nails at the best of times: I have a job to do, I do it. And now I can't get this blasted stuff off. Don't think I'm cut out for this stuff. Suggestions going forward?

@banang Here is what I was given to me directly from Visa Medicals and is also what they follow in terms of CDC requirements: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/media/pdfs/Vaccine-Requirements-According-to-Applicant-Age-panel-physicians-p.pdf If your Covid jab was over 6 months ago, yes, you will need another one. You can pay Boots for one who will give you a vaccination slip with the date, time, and dose with batch ID listed. They will accept this. If you have not finished your two dose 'course' of jabs for Covid immunity, you will have to do this to fulfil requirements. If you have had zero Covid jabs, you will have to get two or the jab that is a designed single shot to be classed as protected. Otherwise, it's boosters from here on out. Children's ages are listed here. I don't have much knowledge on children and their requirements as I have yet to have any, but they will follow this sheet. Hope this helps.

I'm still waiting on my green card and entered around 5 months before my 2 year anniversary. If I get a USCIS slip up 10 year green card, I'll update here. I personally think this is an error however. Your lawyer shouldn't be so flippant about your worries. It's hard to say what USCIS will do - they may just let the error slide or they may pin it on you if left unreported. I would try and contact them for clarification. What happened to others users may not fall in the same way for you.

I compiled my entire experience of the visa medical in London here, along with vaccination requirements. The influenza jab is seasonal, so since it's around flu season you may need this as opposed to my own experience. I had to pay for Covid vaccinations at Boots, and paid for my Hepatitis vaccinations on the day to be administered. I hope this thread helps:

Hi Benang, I don't believe so. They want to see a full GP summary/patient care record so they can assess which vaccines you've had and which ones you haven't. They worked their way down that list with my own medical. The few I was missing were administered to me then and there for a fee. They do not give Covid boosters/vaccinations and will send you away to another clinic or a Boots store close by to get one. The only blood test I know of is one taken by the doctor there and it's mainly to check for any serious conditions - not antibodies. If you have no vaccination records at all, I doubt you will get past the receptionist as it's a listed requirement.

My heart goes out to all other ladies diagnosed with PCOS. I've never been slim and was diagnosed six years ago to have PCOS. Since meeting my now husband I'm doing a lot better in terms of my diet. My condition has improved drastically but the hirsutism is sadly irreversible (and very annoying not to mention harmful to self-esteem). I just cut out carbs where I can. I didn't try any kind of fad diet or doctor's advice. (UK doctors are useless to be frank.) I don't eat rice (cauliflower rice is my substitute now), chips/fries, or crisps/potato chips. I drastically slew my chocolate intake which was the biggest kicker for me. On occasion I'll have some mash, or a few choc-coated blueberries, and I can't help but have some bread here and there. (Texas Toast is a favourite discovery of mine!) But the difference I feel is noteworthy since I altered my diet. And (sorry T-Bone) but my time of the month isn't nearly as heavy as it used to be, which is common with PCOS. Also look into myo-inositol supplements. They have some online/on Amazon specifically for PCOS sufferers.

I had a similar experience and visited the US for months at a time to see my spouse. I was questioned by CBP officers why I had stayed so long in the past. The biggest one, the max three months ESTA allowance for Thanksgiving and Christmas, was mainly on account of myself and my husband receiving a no-fault eviction notice and losing our flat in the UK after 4.5 years there. We did nothing wrong: landlady wanted to sell so we got kicked out. Simple as that. Lovely UK government does nothing to protect honest tenants. With no room at my parents for both of us and too little time to find somewhere new given minimum notice, and with us awaiting a visa interview appointment to boot with no possible way of knowing when it would be, we had to split ways. Stressful isn't the word. Of course, this was too long-winded to explain. I got the second degree until I told the CBP that I had an interview scheduled with the embassy for a visa - at this point it had processed through. They didn't let up until I showed them the confirmation letter/email. Nearly made me miss my connecting flight. Be as honest as possible: bring payslips, car payment statements, anything that shows ties to your home country. Just incase. Expect scrutiny, and for them to ask the purpose of your stay and why you're visiting so frequently. Honesty is the best policy.

I paid £5 to my old UK provider for an 'add-on' of 50 international minutes. Calling my bank twice and running through security checks with the fraud team ate through 30 of them. I had to make two transfers due to daily transfer limits. All together, with a flat £3 fee each time, it cost me £6 to move over all my funds. Add the extra £5 in minutes with my phone plan, it cost me £11 in total.

Transferred my money through Atlantic. It got to my husband's bank account in the three working days advised, with a base £3 fee that was automatically taken off the transfer since no payment required, and also locked in the exchange rate. (Since GBP has crashed from 1.29 down to 1.26, I was lucky I initiated conversion when I did following US election results and UK budget announcement.) Had to go through extra verification for a higher transfer limit, and also pay for international minutes as my own bank withheld my payments thinking possible fraud which was a slight headache, but otherwise smooth. All money accounted for, exactly as specified, and on the day quoted. Way cheaper than Wise. Hundreds of pounds cheaper. Cannot recommend enough.

I had someone personally argue that illegals are actually needed to take the jobs that U.S. Citizens won't. That the economy would collapse if deportation should happen. As if this justifies all the possible drug mules, unvetted criminals, child traffickers, and cartel members pouring into the United States. There is no reasoning with these people. An open border is bad news for anyone lucky enough to be born here, or who have the privilege of being here legally. It's all scaremongering for those who lack skills in critical and objective thinking. Scream in the echo chamber loud enough and by golly it must be true.