Going for Fiancee visa

Hello everyone,


Been a bit since I have posted...I am finally ready to post whats going on. I know some of you might want to say I told you so, but trust me I have learned the hard way..now I need advice and support.

First thank you to Garry, you have been immensely helpful, and I will probably be bugging you again before this is all over

As you all have probably guessed yes the 2-year visa was denied. My bf and I decided to try to get me over w/o entry clearance. Arriving in LGW they pretty much immediately decided they needed to interview me. After several hours it seemed things were going well, the IOs (there were 2 of them) told my bf they were just waiting to confirm the visa denial and saw no reason it was denied, and that things were fine, etc..they also implied things were fine to me, that again they were waiting to get the visa refusal details. Then they came back and said they couldnt tell me what would happen because there was to be a shift change.

I can only assume from the amount of time I was there after the shift change that the new IO threw out everything and started all over with me, asked me maybe 3 questions, got rather rude about the visa refusal and then came back awhile later to tell me I was going to be denied but they were still deciding how long to let me stay if at all.

They let me stay one week, and I found out the second IO didnt talk to my bf at all, she said she would call him if/when she needed anything from him..the first set were really nice, they told him to call back periodically to see what progress was made. An hour after I was released she called my bf to tell me I had been released and asked if I had called him. (by that point I was on the final leg of my journey, and had managed to find someone nice enough to tell me how to reverse charges on a phone call).

And so we got one week together. We talked with Garry and got all our options, rather late in the week I am afraid, we spent the rest of the time looking for solicitors..which was a total waste of time Garry had the info immediately for me, my brain just froze and I didnt even think to get ahold of him until quite late.


We could have tried for FLR, but not only was it SO expensive and there was really no guarantee it would be granted, I was also very sick the day we were to go, which was a day before I was supposed to leave

So on the 30th we got engaged. Yes I am completely thrilled and so excited, but now nervous about the visa. And I have family problems. And issues with my ex. So while I would love to have about a million !!s with this post, I am just exhausted mentally and physically. We both knew we'd be engaged sometime, we just would have liked a bit more time. However we also know its the right thing to do.

So lets start the barrage of questions with just one...I am not sure how to time the appt in chicago...I have to get a final hearing for my divorce. I should be able to schedule that in about a week and a half. But upon looking at the consulates website, they arent booking appts past the 16th? Is that because they dont go more than 2 weeks in advance or are they not available the rest of the month? the 16th would be cutting it rather close (we would like to have the visa applied for around the 20th or so, and for me to be back on my way on or about the 1st of march).

Ok I guess that is 2 questions, lets call it a two-part question

Take care all,

Katrina

The consulate only releases dates for appts about 2-3 weeks ahead of time. 

Sorry your visa was denied and you were refused entry again.  Good luck getting your fiance visa. 

thank you, was a bit worried about that, I was thinking it was most likely that they only booked 2 weeks in advance but wasnt sure. We have had problems with mail before, I just want to give ourselves enough time to get the documents, get the visa and still have time enough to get a reasonably priced flight.

We could have tried for FLR, but not only was it SO expensive and there was really no guarantee it would be granted

I still think it was worth a shot, 

Congrats on your engagement!

Just out of curiosity...why did you apply for the 2 year visa?  Garry and I had both advised you that it was likely to be refused; did someone advise you otherwise?

I am sure Garry has told you this, but the refusal will have little or no bearing on your fiancee visa application.  Good luck with that.

Victoria

It was someone else who was determined I would not be denied, unfortunately I listened.

Although it shouldnt have any bearing on the fiancee visa will they question me about it? And will they ask about the denied entry?

There are places on the form where they ask you about previously refused visas and previously denied entry, and they will almost certainly ask you about it.

I hope the person who advised you doesn't claim to be an immigration specialist!


Victoria

Sometimes we keep searching for the answer we want to hear, whether it's right or not.  Sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted but you shouldn't have problems getting your fiancee visa based on previous denials.  I was denied my FLR (changing status while in-country) and ended up having to go to the US to get it.  I was asked about my denial, had to provide the letter from the Home Office about why I was denied and explain the situation. 

I will be going back to the same consulate that refused the visa so I can only hope that part will be a bit quicker, however regarding the denial do I need to get ahold of the home office and get something from them about the denied entry so I dont find out at the appt that I needed something and have to wait longer so they can get it?

No the person that told me to go for the visa certainly is not an immigration specialist

Yes, I must own up to searching and searching for the answer I wanted, and at times I may not like the answer I am given anyway. But we both knew it would eventually come down to this, and we feel its the right thing to do. I am trying very hard to keep calm, just have a million questions that seem to keep popping up.

At least now when they think I want to settle they will be right

Katrina

I think the lesson to be learned is to listen to the immigration specialists, not the people who say "it'll be fine" because their second cousin's next-door neighbour's aunt once did it and it was ok....

anyway....let's actually see if we can get you this fiancee visa now!

 

You are applying for a different visa, so don't expect it to be any quicker.  You won't be able to get any information about your refusal from the Home Office, so don't bother trying, just include all the information you have.  If the only reason for the refusal was that they didn't believe you'd leave, then you'll probably be okay.  If you have an IS96 (I vaguely remember in my cold induced state that is the number of the TA form) then attach that.

Victoria

I will be going back to the same consulate that refused the visa

Buggery!  I forgot about that.  Chicago only has 1 ECO to my knowledge and that means having to drag one in from NYC or Toronto.  So it means you will need to pad out your schedule to account for some delay...

Ok, I am a bit confused, they have to drag someone else in, they cant handle my application themselves?

What kind of wait are we talking about?

They did say it was only because they didnt feel I would leave...but now I am worried...is this extra time going to be a week or two or a lot longer? I wasnt expecting it any sooner than the other but I was hoping because I was going in person a decision could be made that day..wishful thinking I guess


I have to get my fiance to get all the papers/letters I will need to me too, we havent had the greatest luck with air mail...does anyone know of a faster way than 2 weeks when it was supposed to take 7 business days?



Somehow managed to post before I was ready. Anyway I guess worst case scenario I dont get to go precisely when planned...which is a bit frustrating but theres a light at the end of the tunnel right?

I will find my IS96 and attach that as Victoria suggested, lets hope that will be what they need. Do they ever fax each other things or would they insist it must be mailed if they wanted originals from the HO?

(ok now that I read back a bit further on my post, I meant getting the info from the visa refusal would surely be faster because it was their own office! At least..I would hope so )

Katrina

What kind of wait are we talking about?

There's about 3 - 4 days extra for the ECO plus what they need to get your IS96 from here - it's not a massive delay, but needs to be padded into your schedule.  It's because the ECO who refused you is now disqualified.

So going in person doesnt get anything done any quicker in this situation, but lets me explain things more clearly...

I am shooting for applying the 20th, and was hoping to leave the 28th, looks like we will have to be a bit more flexible with that...*sigh* 4 more days to try on dresses here if need be right? (I want to buy online and save a lot of money )


Ahhh why do I have to live by a consulate with just one ECO? Figures

I wont get much time online over the next few weeks, just on weekends So I will have to arm myself with all the info I can cram into my brain over the next 2 weekends...kinda scary

And lets hope DF can get those papers on their way to me very shortly!!

BTW, heres a list of the supporting documents I'll have with me when I go, am I missing anything?

Sponsor letter
Bank statements and payslips for three months prior (jan, dec and nov)
Birth certificate for me, and fiance
Letter from df's employer stating how long hes been there what he makes annually his position is permanent etc
Certified deed and letter from df's parents because we will be staying with them
Letter from the court stating my divorce will be final in 6 months
Hopefully a provisional booking through the registry office (dont know if we can do this if I am not divorced yet?)
My denied entry papers from the HO
Pics of us

I also have things like my tickets from atlanta (when we met) and bristol, and I also have the latest from london to where I ended up (they took my e-ticket that I used for the way there) .

Should I get dfs passport as well? It would have the entry to the US to back up my tickets to atlanta.

I know hes a bit worried about sending it overseas, I cant say I blame him...

Am I missing anything?

I'm sorry for so many questions all at once.. as I mentioned before I am not able to get much time online now in a time when being online would be rather helpful.

I dont want to get there and realize I missed something really obvious

Katrina