SmallShinyAnt

Hi All,
This is probably a little off topic but just after your tips and advice.

Where we(me and wifey) are at in the process;
The documents for our L1B(I think thats what it is call, its the specialists skills one) are due to be submitted by the attorney the company has employed to help us next week. They are paying to have it fast tracked through so in theory and all being well we are due to get a decision in the first week of July.

There are loads of questions, most of which i can find answer to by searching but the big one is... How to handle the waiting!

We have prepared as much as i think we can, without effecting our life over here. I dont want to tell everyone that we are going and we don't want to get to worked up incase the visa gets denied. What did you all do to keep your sanity while waiting for possibly one of the biggest life changing decisions?

BunnyGirl

I read up on the process and the forms and what happens next so many times that I think I can now recite it in my head!

I've done a tonne of research on where we're moving to, schools, where to eat, where to run, doctors etc.

I've also eaten a LOT of chocolate...

We haven't told many people yet that we're moving, my family knows and my close friends but I haven't told anyone at work yet.

Also, sorry, but I had to laugh - we've just waited 6 months for our approval (fiance petition) and you're fretting about waiting a few weeks?!

SmallShinyAnt

oops, sorry. We are also studying the area, trying to read up on all we need to know. The company are being very supportive and handy with information about the local area.

We are also doing our part with the great chocolate eating challenge!

BunnyGirl

No, you're fine - it's all relative. I knew our process would take months - going through immigration makes days feel like years!

Jolly good, keep up the good work

lizzyq

6 months? DH was offered his job back in Feb 2013 - we have had nearly 18 months of limbo! Now with the O-1 /O-3 visas in all our passports we are on the final stretch for DH & the boys, I'm probably staying back a few extra weeks for tying up loose ends and some other family stuff.

Lots of time on BE following other people's visa journeys, learning to spot the "I love America" threads and reading lots about future processes for ourselves.

The staff at our local Barnardo's keep asking how it is all going too as I drop off yet another box of stuff. And once we are actually packed up our Morrison's will wonder why the banana boxes (we have LOTS of books) aren't vanishing any more!

WhyteBoar

We've been going through this since February (I know that's not long compared to some) when my husband was first approached about a job. It feels like a rollarcoaster... waiting for the relocation offer (that was the worst bit), telling family, accepting the offer, dealing with the relocation team.

I told my work before his visa the granted and we arranged for the movers to collect our belongings too (coming Monday!); It was probably a bit risky, but thankfully it seems to have been okay.

We didn't find the waiting too bad as it felt like we were always trying to organise something. I guess we worked on the assumption that he would be granted the visa, so we started making plans in the interim period. The visa process was quick: about 15 days from the interview date confirmation to passport being returned.

SmallShinyAnt

This sounds like the system and you have been in tune, good work! Yeah i guess our journey started in January with the opportunity opening up. The bits left to do involve giving notice on Rented house/Wifeys' job/Cats have got to go back to where we adopted them(This is going to be devastating but both have heart conditions). How long did it take from the time you submitted your documents to the interview if you don't mind me asking?

SmallShinyAnt

I love this bit..

WhyteBoar

Company lawyers did their bit and hubby completed an online form. When this was submitted he was asked to select an interview date, which I think about about 7-8 days in advance.

I think the worst bits are still to come: giving notice on the house (doing this today), sorting out the utilities/bills, redirecting mail, disposing of things... urgh I am not looking forward to it! I am staying here for an extra month to do these things and hubby is going to be over there securing a house and setting it up. Feels like a lot to do!

SmallShinyAnt

It sure is not going to be boring for a while is it? We are planning on getting out of here at the same time as it just seems so much to do both ends.

WhyteBoar

Ideally we would have chosen to go together; I would have liked to be able to take some of the pressure away from hubby at that end as he'll be working, but his company were putting a lot of pressure on him to be in situ by a given date, which has had quite a few knock on effects.

I just hope he can find a house quickly so I can book my flight. In limbo at the moment.

Weeze

We were pretty certain ours was going to be approved so started work on the other stuff. Things like starting writing our belongings list for the shippers insurance. All those fiddly little jobs.

Owen778

Good luck everyone.

Just a reminder that some of the UK utilities require a month's notice.

SmallShinyAnt

Thanks Owen. Reminds me to write a list of all the things to cancel.

mad123dog

You have no Idea EB-3 in retrogression been waiting 8 years for date to become current which it did last february (2013) just in perfect time for oldest childs O level exams and waiting to see if he qualified for the Army so had to put every thing on hold until Feb 2014 embassy interview and medical next then next stop Texas October hopefully that will bring us to 8 years 10 months since first application I have developed immence patience in that time.