33 days, petition to visa in hand.

Just want you to have accurate records and all.

Just an update. I called the Border and Immigration Agency again, spoke to somebody coherent this time who informed me that a change of status to a visitor for my wife is possible. Also, the application forms for this don't have to be with them until the day that her visa expires so that should save us spending uneccessary money.

Also, just been photocopying all of the documents for my interview. Just to be on the safe side

Hi,

Currently living in Bellingham, WA. Originally from Luton in a previous life. Not sure about the type of visa you have but consider being processed at the Blaine border crossing, fly into Vancouver, BC. Much smoother than Seattle.

Let me know if I can be of any help, do you have any work lined up?, there isn’t much happening in sunny Bellingham.

Hey there!

No work lined up as yet. I'm hoping to get some kind of work in a bar over there. My wife and her friends tells me the drunks will tip highly due to my accent! Then after that i'm hoping to go to college and do a surgical technology course.

You're right about the Blaine border being better than Sea-Tac. I got flagged one time going though Seattle because of the number of visits i'd made to go and see my wife (to be at that point). I got through in the end after another immigration officer spoke to me. The guys in Blaine on the other hand we're laughing and joking with me, giving me tips on the I-130 form. In fact, one of the officers had extended family near to where I live in the UK, so that was nice.

I didn't realise that you could cross the border at Blaine as a new immigrant. Thats always good to know.

David

You can use any legal Port of Entry when you arrive with your Immigrant Visa. I would think they are more used to dealing with them in SeaTac, but whatever floats your boat.
If you fly in via Canada (you wouldn't) be aware that US-bound flights go through PreFlight Inspection inside of Canada and you clear Immigration on their side of the border.

Here is an article about the POE experience so you have an idea what to expect: Arriving In America: Navigating the POE/Port Of Entry

Right, thats good to know I know when travelling to the US from the Republic of Ireland that you clear US Immigration aswell. It's a good idea, saves people travelling for hours on end just to be sent back if things aren't in order.

Well, we have no idea right now where we'll be transitting through. Could be through Mexico if the flights are the cheapest! Direct flights to Seattle tend to be expensive. But knowing Blaine is a viable option is good to know.

Also, back on topic, we still haven't recieved the interview letter. It's looking likely that we'll have to get the extension for my wife afterall. Eh, goodbye £400!

To switch to a tourist status? Or did I misremember something?

The London-->SEA direct flight on BA is great. If you price it in the shoulder season, you might be amazed. I haven't checked London-->Vancouver since we are further south, but how would you get home & over the border--it's about an hour drive, isn't it?

Yeah. It costs £400 to change from a residents visa to a tourist one! I was hoping they'd say it's free but apparently not.

Since we're staying in Bellingham, Vancouver and Seattle are about the same distance. In fact, I think Vancouver is a bit closer. There is a direct flight from Manchester to Vancouver with Zoom, although they only operate it a few times a week so it's sold out for the next few months. Oh well.

Not trying to be a nudge here, but what if she left the country and returned as a tourist? Surely there must be an option that costs less than $800 bux!

Hehe, I know! We've been thinking of that a lot actually. A flight over to the Republic of Ireland would cost about £60 for both of us, and the other £340 could go towards some digs and a few pints of Guinness! But, running the risk of being faced with a stern immigration officer always puts us off.

I'd just like to say thanks for all the advice

David

Just an update,

I contacted the call centre today to see what was going on with my case. They gave me the e-mail address and reference number to contact the embassy direct.

Hoping for a quick reply!

David