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DDON

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Posts posted by DDON

    SHIPMENT OF ITEMS USING SENDMYBAG.COM

    in United Kingdom

    Posted

    Hi All,

     

    just to let you all know this, please be careful with this company. Use the express option and they’ll ship your stuff via DHL. The cheaper option (Standard) is via UPS or FEDEX and i do not recommend that. Relocated to the US in Oct 2024, shipped all my stuff using the ‘Express’ and all my stuff arrived safely by DHL. My wife shipped some stuff using the ‘Standard’ and 2 suitcases are missing for over 1 month and now declared untraceable! My wife has been crying!

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    4 hours ago, appleblossom said:

    @Jumboeggs@DDON@NiJOS7@Lan22

     

    Please fill in your timelines! Let's pay it forward and help other EB applicants following us. Thanks.

    Hi @appleblossom kindly explain to us how to do this timeline thingy, I’ve got no idea, haven’t checked anybody’s timeline, I’ve been reading only the posts by everybody, lol. I wrote my timeline in one of my posts and thought that’s it, lol. You in energy, wow, I’m a chemical and petroleum engineer, so heading to Texas. I’ll dm you. I’ve visited Boston before and really like it there, but it’s so expensive there, that’s why I’m heading to Texas lol.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Jumboeggs said:

    Thanks to @pebb1ee @NiJOS7@appleblossom @DDON for the discussion on the job market.

     

    I have tried to apply in my field(research in public health). However, it seems that at present, I am a visa requiring candidate(as I just got my i140 approved for EB1a), and the process is more limited (plus any visa sponsorship fees would probably come from their grant money, which they don't want). I do have a verbal offer(via WhatsApp, he just mentioned, "Come work for me," to which I replied, "Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my green card to be processed"). Does that even count when asked during the consular processing? The PI of that team is not willing to put the offer on paper(I understand that).

    @Jumboeggs you do not need to have a job offer before your interview for IV for your approved i140, please don’t worry too much about it. If asked during your interview, you could just tell the CO you’ll start applying for jobs and also network once you receive your visa and arrive in the US. At my interview appointment, the gentleman that checked my original docs before my actual interview, asked me if I am employed and I replied him “not at the moment”, and he said “no problems”. The CO who interviewed me didn’t even ask me if I have a job offer, so pls don’t stress yourself too much.

     

    Try to relax and focus on your consular processing stage now that your i140 has been approved for EB-1A. I believe you’ll be ok, it’s natural to be anxious about all these things, but in the end you’ll be ok.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Jumboeggs said:

     


    What did they ask you about during the interview?(ie non document-wise)

    I was asked the following 5 questions by a really nice lady:

    - Tell me about your educational qualifications for this visa category, and your area of expertise.

    - Do you plan to continue work in your area of expertise in the US?

    - Is this your first marriage?

    - Are these 2 boys your only kids?

    - Apart from the U.K. and ‘xx’ where else have you lived?

     

    I have compiled below questions based on other people’s experiences:

     

    - What are your plans after you land in the US?

    - Do you have a job offer in the US?

    - What do you do for a job?

    - Will you continue on the same field once you move to the US?

    - Why do you have the skills for this visa?

    - Where did you get your Ph.D.? What year did you get your Ph.D? What was your Ph.D thesis?

    - Where do you plan to stay in the US?

    - Do you plan to work in the academia or industry in the US?

    - How will you support yourself when you enter the US?

    - What is your extraordinary ability ?

    - How long have you been in your profession?

    - Tell me about yourself

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    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    13 hours ago, NiJOS7 said:

    Hello everyone just curious question, how you guys are moving, I mean with or without job? Is there any suggestions if you moved or movingwith job in hand.  I am trying since 1 month by adding US number and address but no response.  Even I am adding that I am permanent residence and does not require sponsorship.  No success. Please give your thoughts.  

    I am moving without a job in hand, but I have only recently completed an expatriate assignment and therefore moving with plenty savings that’ll last for 1-2 years! As @appleblossom keep recommending, it’s very important to move with plenty savings, I’m recommending moving with at least a year’s salary ‘due to expensive accommodation, private medical, car, etc. Cost of living is quite scary right now.

     

    Adding US number and address and adding your permanent resident status does not really make a difference since they can tell you’re outside the US from your computer’s IP address, and even applications via LinkedIn the recruiters and hiring managers can tell you’re applying from outside the US.

     

    Best thing is to contact your network in the US in addition to submitting your applications. My previous employer has the HQ in the US so we are discussing open positions in the US office. 
     

    It’s not easy securing a job offer whilst you’re still outside the US, most recruiters and hiring managers want you to be in the US with your perm resid status before they can offer you anything. May be they are also trying to avoid responsibility for your relocation, not sure, it almost looks as if they don’t believe you are a perm resident, lol.

     

    Finally, keep all hope alive, network, network, keep applying, and may be after the elections, things will get better. Also, location in the US matters a lot. Where do you plan to live in the US? If you’re into tech, software, AI etc (San Francisco), if you’re into oil and gas, energy then Texas, Colorado, Delaware, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma. If you’re into Pharma then go to states that are pharma hub like Boston, New Jersey etc. if you’re into Agriculture etc, go to Bakersfield in California. Location matters a lot. Be flexible, don’t try to force yourself to live in a particular location. Go to where you’ll have loads of opportunities and where your area of expertise is highly sought after. Best wishes!

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    42 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

     

    Congrats! And no problem at all, it was only last year that I was in the same boat and I remember it well. We got our passports back within 4 days (interview Monday afternoon, passports arrived Thursday morning) so hopefully it's as quick for you.

     

    Best of luck for the move.

    Thanks @appleblossom, re delivery did you receive any messages/delivery status notifications from the courier company DX deliveries? Is there a way to track the delivery online? Cheers.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    Hello everyone, for those (EB1A) waiting for news after 1st Oct, relax, I think you’ll be fine. Attended my appointment on 30th Sept, docs checked ok, interview went well, but I was given a form with refusal (Administrative Procesing) ticked, due to visa availability issues. They held unto my passport, and family’s. The CO, a very nice lady, kindly explained that my visa should be issued after 1st October, and that I should expect my passport (and family’s) within 1-2 weeks. I thanked her, went home with the form, checked online status which showed refused, next day status changed to administrative processing, and today status shows issued. We are waiting for our passports, hopefully should be with us before this Friday since we paid the embass’s courier for premium delivery.

     

    Thanks everyone for all your updates which have been very helpful, and kept us all hopeful and alive throughout the waiting period.

     

    @appleblossom many thanks for your very quick replies to every question, you’re amazing. Happy days ahead. Best wishes.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    13 hours ago, appleblossom said:

     

    Yes, you do need to do this. You need to follow the usual DoS website - see step no. 2 on the step by step instructions on this page, then click on London to see the consulate specific requirements. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview.html

     

    Good luck. 

    Thank you @appleblossom. 

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

     

    Quick question for those who have received their IV and have immigrated to the US already, please, once invitation letter is received and medical examination appointment is booked, anything else to do after medicals and before interview?

     

    I saw online somewhere that you must confirm your appointment date online and while you are confirming your appointment online, you will be asked to register with the Embassy's contracted courier service for the return of your documents if your application is successful. Is this true? This is not stated on my IL. Or is this arrangement for return of passport/doc made during the interview?

     

    Thanks.

    EB2-NIW Waiting for Interview Letter in London 2023

    in United Kingdom

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

     

    Quick question for those who have received their IV and have immigrated to the US already, please, once invitation letter is received and medical examination appointment is booked, anything else to do after medicals and before interview?

     

    I saw online somewhere that you must confirm your appointment date online and while you are confirming your appointment online, you will be asked to register with the Embassy's contracted courier service for the return of your documents if your application is successful. Is this true? This is not stated on my IL. Or is this arrangement for return of passport/doc made during the interview?

     

    Thanks.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

     

    Yes, I did, and I'm on an expat assignment so get housing, car, school fees etc paid for. Even so it's crazy expensive, so just bring plenty of cash to set yourselves up and live ok. 

     

    Good luck. 

    @appleblossomperfect, thanks so much. I’ll prep to go with plenty cash. I was on expat assignment in the US over 15 years ago and was on vacay in Miami last year and could tell a lot has changed, so so expensive. 

     

    for all going for Medicals and interviews in London in Aug and Sep and beyond, pls keep updating us with your experience, very helpful.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    2 hours ago, appleblossom said:


    They are expensive but a drop in the ocean when it comes to the cost of immigrating - as somebody that moved a year ago (almost to the day, it was our ‘Americaversary’ yesterday), my top tip would be to bring much more money than you think you’ll need. Cost of living here is insane, most things are 3 times as expensive as the UK, then add in healthcare premiums if you have to pay them yourself ($2k ish a month for a family) and it’s a pricey place to be. Admittedly I’m in Boston so a very expensive area (recent study says salary of $320k a year needed for a family of four to ‘live comfortably’ here, which I’d say is actually a bit low! https://smartasset.com/data-studies/salary-needed-live-comfortably-2024), but still bring plenty of savings wherever you’re going, even if you have a job to go to. 

     


    Ok, was just checking you didn’t come under another country for your PD. Hopefully it will turn up today then. 
     

    Good luck all. 

    Thanks @appleblossom, wow, I keep hearing about insane cost of living, your top tip appreciated, Boston and California and New York very expensive. Did you have a job waiting for you before you got there. Congrats on your ‘Americaversary’ yesterday.

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    1 minute ago, Lan22 said:

    I just spoke to them and they said you need a Covid jab in the past 12 months. Regarding polio I had an updated one (went to a clinic where they knew about the requirements and they said I needed one.) obviously everyone’s vaccine history is different but I think polio is worth checking. 

    Many thanks @Lan22 for your quick reply, highly appreciated. I’ll be calling to book my appointment. Re the appointment I hope waiting times not up to a month, lol

    Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    Hi everyone, Just received my IL today - for September 30th, 2024, London-based, DQ was June 17th, 2024. EB1A.

     

    Quick question on Medicals; I’ve had Covid jab 1st in Mar 2021, 2nd covid jab in May 2021, and 3rd Covid jab (booster) in Dec 2021. I’ve been to the US in 2023 on vaca. Do I still need another Covid jab? I plan to ask when booking my Medicals. I also had polio jab many years ago, do I need another one? Please help.

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