---

Originally posted by antjen
well i had my medical & interview today - woohoo!!!!! - we got the visa (well not physicaly as that should b monday) - the whole process was a lot simpler and quicker than i expected (i shall do a write up tonight) - america here i come :)

:PARTY:

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
ok - heres a summary of my succesful day today - hope its of some use to everyone else - if anything just to put minds at rest, as i know the unknown was making me nervous...

may b a long post.....


Medical

arived about 7:05 - though the place doesnt open till 8am (im a stickler for being on time !) by which time there was a q of about 10-15 people, once you go in you are lead to a nice waiting room inside (looks more like a self help group therapy room with nice comfy chairs and period decor), a woman came out and handed round plastic envelopes to each applicant stating to put documents inside (photos,medical questionaire and passport) and then to return it to the reception.

it really doesnt matter where you are in the q outside as i couldnt make out any kinda order that they called you in, anyway - they called me in to the next waiting room downstairs (applicants only no spouses etc) to wait for your blood test (ouch!) then back to the smalll downstairs waiting room and you are called into small changing rooms and asked to take your top off and wait to b called.

then its into the xray room for the chest xray, then back to the cubicle, dr phalen shortly calls you into his office, briefly scans over your questionaire asks basic questions like any history of blah blah blah in the family etc etc takes your blood pressure.

back to the changing room, the radiologist then brings you your xray rolled up, informs you that u must carry this in your hand luggage when you go to usa, then you are free to go straight over to embassy - he tells you not to que up just produse your appointlemt leter and go straight in.......

before i left the docs i had to have an MMR jab to satisfy the vaccintations requirements, then off to the embassy, we got out of doctors about 10am?

a short 10 mins walk to the embassy, remembering not to que up ( good thing as the q must have consisted of about 100 people?) - just show them your passport and letter and its striahgt thru a tempoary looking security mobile/booth - the actual immigration vis department is right round the back of the building so u have to walk around the building, through another recpetion, show the letter.

Before you go up the stairs into the waiting room, to the left of the reception is the visa courier desk so its best to sort this out then, £10 cash for next working day, u can pay extra for am delivery or b4 10:30 or even b4 7:30am.

up in the reception go past all the booths to booth/counter 1 to let them know you are here, they give you your credit card payment form and u return it - then wait..... i have heard many horror stories about people waiting hours and hours but i didnt think it was too bad.

they shortly call you back to request the documents off you - it is best to have all the docs prepared and in the order on the checklist (in packet 4) as this speeds it up, then back to the chairs, then i was called back for fingerprinting, told my paperwork was all in order, asked a couple of basic questions like what work are you planning to do and how long have u been together and when do u plan to go - no gestarpo style interviewing at all lol. i was then told to return to my seat and the medical results would be in at aprox 11:30.

aprox 11:45 a list of us applicants were all called forward, very informaly in a group we were told that our medical results were fine and that my visa/passport would be sent out to me.

After so much build up over the past few months it seemed too easy on the day?, we were out by midday to enjoy the lovely sunny day - i just wanted to scream out in excitment as i just couldnt belive its complete, and if i wanted to i could go on tuesday!!!

well thats a brief ok not too brief) account of my day - if anyone has any questions feel free to ask :)

still got a big grin on my face !!!!

---

---

Originally posted by broma25
Congratulations!!!!

I hope when its my turn, it goes just as smoothly!!

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
ok - heres a summary of my succesful day today
.....
well thats a brief ok not too brief) account of my day - if anyone has any questions feel free to ask :)

still got a big grin on my face !!!!

---

---

Originally posted by mstracy
Sounds easy enough but I'll still be nervous on Monday. I wonder what sort of blood pressure readings he gets? I bet mine will be high, lol
Great write-up, thanks.

Mark

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
i wouldnt worry about the bp readings too much, mine were higher than normal but he just put that down to the stress/pressure of the day.

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
Woohoo!

recieved the visa by courier this morning - paid extra to receive it b4 10:30 but was suprised when it came at 8am! - v early i thought
(Ant)


Woweee.....I bet you are over the moon now!!!!
Super-dooper !!!! :D

Wonder how Mark got on today....I meant to say Good Luck to him but didn't get on in time.

Ann

---

---

Originally posted by mstracy
I could have done with a bit of luck it seems.. lol

I got an RFE! :( Luckily it's not too serious.

Here we go.....

The day started badly as although I got up on time, just about everything I did seemed to have a problem associated with it and consequently, I was late for the train I was trying to catch. As I live in North London, I thought I could catch the 6:24 to London and have plenty of time to cross London by tube... wrong! By the time I got to the station, the next train was almost 3/4 of an hour after the one I wanted. So, I ran home and jumped on my motorcycle instead. The journey in to the city was OK, if rather hot and I arrived at the embassy at 7:59 having foud an empty space in the motorcycle parking bay at the other end of Grosvenor Square. I joined the line for immigration ( there were 3 lines, 1 for non-immigrant visas, 1 for US citizen services and the one for immigrant visas). We were processed within about 5 minutes through the security cabin an allowed inside. Just as I got in there, I realised I had forgotten to bring my £10 in cash for the courier (I told you I was having a bad day). I was told that there was a cash machine around the corner and that I should let the man in front of the security cabin where I was going... so off I went. % mins later, I returned with cash and was let through security a second time but this time no wait. I walked around the building to the far side to find the way to the immigrant visa section which I note, is not marked. I was directed to the courier counter to purchase my envelope and then on to the immigrant visa section. I was amazed at how many seats there are in there and how few people. I walked to booth 1 to let them know I was there and was seen after a few minutes. The guy checked my interview letter, my passport and the photo's I had brought. As today is the official switch over from ADIT to passport style photo's they would accept either. I had brought all the photos I had lying around most of which were ADIT but I had 3 passport style left over from where I renewed my passport last week. He said they were fine and told me to wait. I'm not entirely sure what the order of calling was, but everyone who was in there before me and a few that came after were seen before I was. I thought for a little while that they had forgotten me or something but eventually I was called and went to the counter where I saw an oriental lady. Firstly she wanted the payment and got me to fill in a credit card payment form which she sent to the payments department downstairs. I know it's downstairs as she told me twice that the man downstairs doesn't like it if you get the card number wrong as he has to walk all the way upstairs to correct it (and that happened twice last week!). She didn't ask for my paperwork in order, in fact she kept asking for stuff I'd already given her. She didn't like the affadavit of support from my wife and didn't seem to understand the one from my father-in-law but eventually she seemed to get the paper under control and scribbled some notes on the form she was filling in. She told me that I needed to supply lots of things and then sent me to sit down to wait for my interview. I went to sit down and tried to sort the disarray of paperwork I had left in my folder, but as soon as I was seated, she called me up again to give me the receipt from my payment. I was called for the interview some time later. I don't really know how long each wait was as I tried not to look at my watch. The guy that interviewed me was much more together and pleasant. He explained that I would need to get my father-in-law to fax his passport and 2003 tax return to me and I would then need to send them in with my passport for the visa (as long as I passed the medical). So, it was off to see the good Doctor... As I was last of the group out of the visa section, I was last in to the doctors (well I shouldn't have been, but someone didn't show for their interview or medical it seems). Everyone there was nice and friendly but it was hot and humid inside. The process was quite simple although the instructions sounded complex. First submit your doccuments to the receptionist, then wait.... Then make your payment, take your paperwork downstairs, put it in the holder on the wall and wait.... there was a fan downstairs and I was glad of it! I was on my own in the downstairs waiting area as I was the last one for the day. After a short while, I was taken to have the blood taken for the test, then returned to the waiting room to wait..... then I was taken to the changing area to remove my shirt and I waitied there and after a while was taken to have my forms checked through, my blood pressure checked and my chest listened to and to be poked and prodded a bit around my stomach and sides. I didn't have to wait long for the x-ray after which I put my shirt back on and went back to the downstairs waiting room. The x-ray did take a little while to develop, but once that was checked, I was presented with it and told to return at 1:30. I went to get some lunch and made it back at about 1:10 along with a coupe of others. Although we were early, the results were in and we were all told everything OK and we could go.

So that's about it for now. I called my mother-in-law a little while ago and she's organising the paperwork which I should have soon. Sorry it's so long but if there was something I learned, it was that I should have got a hotel room so I could have been there on time without the added stress.. lol

Mark

---

---

Originally posted by broma25
I have a question, from reading your experience it seems that your father in law was your joint sponsor. If this is so, could you clarify that he sent you the original notarized I-864, but were his supporting documents original or photocopied and were they notarized or not.

I ask because my sister in law over in the US is my joint sponsor and I am not sure whether I need to tell her that any supporting evidence needs to be original or can be photocopies, and also whether she needs to get those notorized or not. I dont think its a good idea that she sends her original birth certificate, tax returns etc.

If you could clarify these points I would be grateful.

Thanks

---

---

Originally posted by mstracy
I could have done with a bit of luck it seems.. lol

I got an RFE! :( Luckily it's not too serious.

Here we go.....



Mark

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
i also used my sister in law as a co sponser, i took with me an original notorised I-864 and copies or tax returns and copies of birth cert - which all were acceptable, its best to make multiple copies of everything too.

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
i also used my sister in law as a co sponser, i took with me an original notorised I-864 and copies or tax returns and copies of birth cert - which all were acceptable, its best to make multiple copies of everything too.

Ant

---

---

Hi Mark

Awwwwwww shucks!!! :( So sorry to hear of your bad day.
At least that RFE is easily remedied though, and you'll have the visa soon, with the interview etc behind you.

You've been so helpful to everyone else on here....it's such a shame that things went wrong for YOU !!!

Hope it's all plain sailing from now on for you, Mark !

Ann

---

---

Originally posted by broma25
I have a question, from reading your experience it seems that your father in law was your joint sponsor. If this is so, could you clarify that he sent you the original notarized I-864, but were his supporting documents original or photocopied and were they notarized or not.

I ask because my sister in law over in the US is my joint sponsor and I am not sure whether I need to tell her that any supporting evidence needs to be original or can be photocopies, and also whether she needs to get those notorized or not. I dont think its a good idea that she sends her original birth certificate, tax returns etc.

If you could clarify these points I would be grateful.

Thanks

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
Mark,

sorry to hear things didnt run very smoothly for you, what does RFE stand for? - so once you have your aditional paperwork do you have to go back down for another interview? - well hopefuly its just a slight delay by the sound of things? - keep us informed!!

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by broma25
Did she get the supporting evidence notarized or just the I-864?

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
i didnt get any supporting evidence notorised - the tax returns and W2's were copies and i had a july payslip (original)

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by mstracy
So far as I am aware, supporting doccuments can all be copies as long as they are notarized (it is important that copies should be notarized) although as another option, disposable originals can be obtained (tax transcripts, copy birth certificates etc).

Mark

---

---

Originally posted by broma25
Now i am confused, Antjen said they dont need to be notarized. I guess I will have to wait and see if they accept them un-notarized at my interview.

---

---

Originally posted by antjen
sorry to confuse you - the original I 864 from my co sponser was notorised plus i produced copies, if thats any clearer? - if in doubt try emailing the embassy for clarifacation - and peace of mind!

Ant

---

---

Originally posted by mstracy
Request Further Evidence. I have posted (special delivery) a faxed copy of the 2003 tax returns (he was rather enthusiastic about supporting me and sent me the affadavit of support way back in February when he hadn't submitted the 2003 tax return)and photo page of my father-in-laws passport as requested. I was told at the embassy that as soon as they receive the missing doccuments, they would process the visa and send it out to me, so no further interview. :) I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. At least I know I'm healthy :D

Mark

---

---

Originally posted by half-pint
!

For everyone else who is reading, nothing through the post as of yet. I am now in Newcastle living with my mum until I get my visa...oh joy! Hopefully I should hear something by the end of the week otherwise I'll be emailing them on Friday.

Why is it 10 degrees cooler in Newcastle than Essex?...sigh.

Ellie

---

---

Originally posted by half-pint
Mark - shame it didn't go as smoothly as you would have liked. You got through the big bits though and just have to send in some extra information...so I will say CONGRATULATIONS anyway!

For everyone else who is reading, nothing through the post as of yet. I am now in Newcastle living with my mum until I get my visa...oh joy! Hopefully I should hear something by the end of the week otherwise I'll be emailing them on Friday.

Why is it 10 degrees cooler in Newcastle than Essex?...sigh.

Ellie

---

---

Originally posted by half-pint
I got my interview date via email today!

It is the 31st August - the same as Ann and Fred.

Phew...at last, I begged them for an interview before the end of August and they got me one! Now I can sit back and relax.

Hope the rest of you hear soon!

Ellie

---

---

Originally posted by half-pint
I got my interview date via email today!

It is the 31st August - the same as Ann and Fred.

Phew...at last, I begged them for an interview before the end of August and they got me one! Now I can sit back and relax.

Hope the rest of you hear soon!

Ellie

---