Moving back to the States with UK spouse

The visa fee is payable in US Dollars on the day of the interview.

Sarah what is the visa fee?  Again my nifty friend Andy at the embassy told me it was $335 but on that uscis.gov site it says different $225 or something or another.  I couldn't find a figure stating $335.

P.S. IF you do call the embassy make sure you get Andy he's a star, Shelley well I won't say what she is....  I've called at least several times and have spoken to both of them and find Andy to be a lot more friendlier and a lot more helpful.  Just a littl tidbit..

Oh I'm really confused about how long you have to activate the visa.  I was told from the date of issue it is (90) ninety days.  That you need to leave the UK within that timeframe to have that burly U.S. immigration officer at the airport stamp it and activate it.  Again, courtesy of Andy!!    Then thereafter, you (meaning whomever immigrated to the U.S.) cannot leave the U.S. for an entire year (unless of course it's for business purposes) and if that's the case you need to get a notarized letter from the company stating so, how long it will be and when you will return.  This information was given to me by my best friend who went through the immigration process with her English husband.  

Holy sh*t, I just got our PACKET THREE!!!!  Just this minute...  OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS...  and we got OUR CASE NUMBER  

Dear Glen:

The enclosed information is about how to apply for immigration to the United States!!

Sarah what is the visa fee?  Again my nifty friend Andy at the embassy told me it was $335 but on that uscis.gov site it says different $225 or something or another.  I couldn't find a figure stating $335.

Just received this embassy response via email about cost a couple of minutes ago:

The set of forms that your husband is required to complete in connection with his application (DS-230-1 and DS-2001 document checklist) were mailed out on January 09, 2004 with further instructions.

Your file number is XXXXXXXXXXXXX.

The application fee is $335.00 or sterling equivalent and the fee for the medical examination is £125.00

Thank you for your email correspondence.

Consular Information Unit
U.S. Embassy London
CONS/CIU/GMS

This informal method of responding enables us to respond to you within a shorter time. No record is being made of this correspondence. If you need to email us again, please return this email.

Holy sh*t, I just got our PACKET THREE!!!!  Just this minute...  OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS...  and we got OUR CASE NUMBER  

WOOOHOOOOOO!!!   I want a case number too  

Good vibes your way for a ((((((CASE NUMBER))))))  Melissa and hubby will get their case number soon!!    When did you send in your I-130?

Here's my timeline so you can compare.  It may help to judge when you will get it.  Also make sure to send them an email.  I did that yesterday and got the response back w/in a day.  Pretty prompt if you asked me.  LondonConsular@state.gov

- December 18, 2003:
Sent I-130 form along with G325a's via priority mail
- December 19:
COnfirmed embassy received our packet
- Decemer 23:
Amex payment for I-130 was posted as well our petition at the embassy.  
- December 30:
Approval of our petition
-January 2, 2004:
Received first NOA letter
-January 14:
Received our infamous "packet 3"

((((Good vibes your way for the packet 3))))   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]  I'm sure you'll get it soon.

Good vibes your way for a ((((((CASE NUMBER))))))  Melissa and hubby will get their case number soon!!  .

He he he!!! Thanks! I just sent everything off this past Monday! But I am like Violet in Willy Wonka - I want it and I want it NOW!!!
I will send them an e-mail on Friday. I will also check my credit card to see if it was charged.
Soon, very soon - I am sure of that!

Congrats on getting your Packet 3!!

The info that you got from the email service is correct but the info you got from Andy is NOT. He doesnt know what he's talking about either Im afraid.

Congrats on getting your Packet 3!!

The info that you got from the email service is correct but the info you got from Andy is NOT. He doesnt know what he's talking about either Im afraid.

Oooppps, oh well.  I sent an email to the embassy and will hopefully get a response tomorrow.  Would be ashame if my nifty friend Andy doesn't know what he's talking about.    Imagine how many other people he has misled as well.  I would hope the information that I received via email from the embassy is correct or else all this is for nothing  

QUOTE "Oh I'm really confused about how long you have to activate the visa.  I was told from the date of issue it is (90) ninety days.  That you need to leave the UK within that timeframe to have that burly U.S. immigration officer at the airport stamp it and activate it.  Again, courtesy of Andy!! "


I was under the impression that the visa was valid for 6 months after issue?

QUOTE "Oh I'm really confused about how long you have to activate the visa.  I was told from the date of issue it is (90) ninety days.  That you need to leave the UK within that timeframe to have that burly U.S. immigration officer at the airport stamp it and activate it.  Again, courtesy of Andy!! "

I was under the impression that the visa was valid for 6 months after issue?

Don't know John that's what I'm trying to find out.  I was told it is 90 days by the London Embassy this morning.  One of the gals here who has already gone through the procedure with her spouse tells me differently.  I will know tomorrow and will post the reponse that I receive from the embassy.  Perhaps there are different timeframes for different visa  :-/

Kevin listed all of his flights since 1999. We had to use another piece of paper.

You want to laugh Melissa!  I thought about you this evening when Glen and I were going through his passports(s) - Yes, passports..  I had to go through 3 passports this evening.  We decided just to go back until August of 1997.

From August of 1997 through Dec. 2003 - He has been to the United States a total of 43 times    I even indicated where for each trip.  Gotta love our archived files from our palm pilots!  Which came in handy when I couldn't read where the stamp came from.  He keeps a very detailed diary and it dates back to 1998 on his palm!!  I just hope to god we don't have to explain every freakin' trip... We'd be there forever.

Ive posted this elsewhere in the repat forum today: I  got mart's visa out and had a look at it. I was issued on Oct 21 2003 and expires midnight April 20 2004. So its good for 6 months. (Thats a spousal visa btw, not a K-1. K-1s are fiance(e) visas and are good for 90 days I think.)

Don't know John that's what I'm trying to find out.  I was told it is 90 days by the London Embassy this morning.  One of the gals here who has already gone through the procedure with her spouse tells me differently.  I will know tomorrow and will post the reponse that I receive from the embassy.  Perhaps there are different timeframes for different visa  :-/

Well here's the response from the embassy John.  And as for my nifty friend Andy - shame, shame on you!!!!  

Once an immigrant visa is issued you must travel to the U.S. to make your first entry within 6 months of the date of issuance.

Thank you for your email correspondence.

Consular Information Unit
U.S. Embassy London
CONS/CIU/GMS

This informal method of responding enables us to respond to you within a shorter time. No record is being made of this correspondence. If you need to email us again, please return this email.

THANKS LEAH!!!  ***for everything***  You are an angel to me especially in the early and some of darkest days of living here.  You always knew when I needed to chat and always took the time out to send me a PM to see how I was doing..  You were the first friend (virtual or not virtual, doesn't matter.. a friend is a friend) I actually made here in London when I think about it (and it took the UKY Bar-B-Q to actually meet)    Know that your friendship will always mean a lot and stay in my heart when I look back at my journey here in the UK and say yeah, I remember when I lived in London and I remember Leah   Cheers...

From August of 1997 through Dec. 2003 - He has been to the United States a total of 43 times

[smiley=speechless.gif] Man - does that man get around or what!!! Gosh, you mention your palm, I haven't used mine since March. I found it last night while I was packing. I have to start again!!!

Under normal circumstances, this would sound wierd. BUT. . . THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD!!! I received an e-mail back from the Embassy stating that they could not confirm that they received my I-130, etc., but to check my credit card to see if it was charged - and that would be proof that they had received it! SO - It’s in the works baby!
YAHOOOOOOOOOO