Coming to America!

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I might have to try to make it over for this one.

 

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Have a missed one like? When did we have GTG#5?? Thanks for tellin me

Might be worth trying to sort some dates for this to make sure people can get the time off work.

 

Well it's been a bit of a hectic week, getting verrrry stressed about Thursday

Last Thursday I had my Medical exam by the embassy approved doctor (read license to print cash)
I headed up towards the west end for my 10am appointment, but arrived early to fill in a bunch of forms
I filled in a few standard forms (have you had this, have you had that, etc) and then signed the agreement for the HIV test (quite a bit of legal mumbo jumbo about how having your results be positive will change your life etc etc) and then was brought to speak to a nurse about my vaccinations

Here comes the first hurdle, I only needed two vaccines due to my age, however both have issues around them, the first was Td (or Tetanus) which my parents and brother are both severely allergic to, so has never been given to me since birth, the reason for the allergy is a high amount of anti tetanus in the blood, and the shot basically acts as an overdose, this seems to ring true based on the quick time to heal cuts and infections that I possess, as well as no major problems with rusty nails as a boy ;)

They need a bit more information than my word on that, so I need to go see my GP to get some letter written up (which may or may not be enough to sway the doctor to approve the medical)

The second issue was the MMR, a vaccine that did not exist when I was young and thus was never given to me, I have however had all three of the infections it gives you immunity to, and having those causes the body to build its immunity to them, the MMR is an active vaccine and an overdose can lead to a few nights in ICU, so they were reluctant to give me the vaccine on the day and needed my doctor to confirm I had had the infections as a child and now had immunity to them, again this requires a letter from the GP, blah blah

Anyway then I go get a chest xray, and then go to see the doctor, who discusses my health background, unsubtly says I need to lose a lot of weight really fast (no ****) and then proceeds to take my blood pressure, which highlights the fact I have high blood pressure (maybe she should apply for a US visa)
This again needs some action by my GP, so she gives me another letter for him to reply to, to make sure I take some action for the high blood pressure
After some more chatting she takes my blood for the blood tests, and I almost pass out, not sure if it was from the blood being taken or the fact I hate needles enough to get squeemish! but a bit of walking around the room to get the blood going seemed to sort me right out

Another chest xray (the first one didn't come out very good) and I was good to go.. go and pay my £180 quid for the hour long privilege of being poked and prodded! hoorah


So that was last Thursday, I immediately make an appointment to see my GP to get the letters and such sorted, if they don't send my medical off by Tuesday it wont be at the embassy in time for my interview, the Doc can not see me till monday, getting a bit close for comfort but no major deal
My GP is more than happy to provide the letters and stuff for me but is keen to get a definitive answer about my vaccines as well as address the high blood pressure issue asap, so he gets me on some pills for the BP and blood tests for the vaccine screens to see what I can / can't have, good old NHS could take a while for these results though!

The doc won't have the letters finished until tomorrow, so the medical results wont be at the embassy im time for Thursdays interview, which won't be a massive issue, they will deny me or approve me pending medical results, but I would hate to be approved pending only to be told my medical results caused some issue to revoke that decision!!

I think the stress alone is pumping to BP up to scary levels, better go take that pill.. lol
I guess Thursday will be a real good day or a real bad day, fingers crossed!

 

Just got a call from the Visa doctors, seems my GP already faxed them my stuff but did not include enough details about my MMR status, so they may need to do a blood screen (£150) and then determine if i need the vaccine (£40) or not (£0)

 

Good thing you don't have to be so healthy to just be born in this country.

Sorry about the hassles, Ryan. I don't make up the rules...I just live here. Hope it all sorts out and I especially hope you get the blood pressure under control.

 

Thanks James

The blood pressure issue isn't a deal breaker, just an observation the doc did not want to ignore

The vaccines sort of make sense, they are no more than are required by most kids to attend state school, and the blood tests for HIV/AIDS or other illnesses that can be a danger to other people are an issue, so they need to highlight those

Most of my issues have come to bear due to rather slack record keeping by the NHS, the clinic all my vaccines were issued at closed years ago, and my GP only has records of the vaccines he gave me (although at some point the records should of synced up, oh well)

I'm actually on a 5 day a week vegetarian diet now, meat during the week, meat only on friday night and saturday, also no potatoes, crisps, chocolate, etc, aiming to lose 40kg asap

Still on the Diet Coke, but got myself down to 2 - 4l a week not 2l+ a day
and trying to get acquainted to the flavour of tea (green and white mainly)

 

Spoke to the Visa doctors again today, the doctor was happy with everything my GP sent, however the MMR was going to be an issue, so I caved and shelled for the blood screen (£150) but the results take 48h so I will have to wait till Friday to know if i need the jab or not, if I do it's another £40 but I will go up and get it straight away on Friday

That should then mean they can send my medical off on Friday and the embassy should get it a few days later, lets hope tomorrow goes well or it may all be a waste of money lol

 

Ok so heres the big update
I had my interview at the embassy yesterday morning, arrived at 8:30 and waited to get let in (checked twice in the line then go through metal detectors then your still only just in the embassy grounds, round a corner and passed a few more armed guards to get into the actual visa area)

It was a busy day for the visa folks, looked like camp America and CCUSA were both having interviews for all of the people wanting to go and work there on the day, got my ticket number (9) and waited patiently, whilst waiting they saw no less than 100 non immigrant visa applications in the time it took to do 9 immigrant visa applications (I guess we warrant significant more scrutiny

I went to the first window when called and handed over all my documents, she then sent me to the cashier to pay and then I waited for the second part (the second part is by a consular officer not just a member of staff), eventually I got called again and went to see a charming chap who made us both swear to tell the truth blah blah before proceeding to ask us a few questions and have me sign a few forms in front of him, unfortunately my medical results had not arrived so a definitive decision could not be made, also we were short a W2 form as our co sponsor files a joint tax return, so not everything went to plan, however the guy was pretty nice about it, it was no big deal and he explained what we needed and to just call the courier number on the form to arrange pick up, we were not denied though! and considering they have pretty much all the info they need now it looks like I will be MOVING TO THE US in the not to distant future.

Being the technophile I am I arranged for the courier to come pick up the forms tomorrow whilst jaunting down Oxford Street, THEN got in touch with Amandas mum to scan and email the W2 form, which I then printed and had ready for the courier who arrived about 11 this morning (who needs FedEx?), so that's all sent off now

Finally at about 4pm today I got through to the Visa medical place, they got my blood work back and I don't need the MMR (seems I am immune to practically everything) and they will be forwarding my stuff to the embassy on Monday

The consular officer said we were pretty much good to go once they receive the rest of the info, and I should get everything back within 5 days of receipt (although its almost always much quicker), so hopefully by next Friday I will have my passport in hand, with a visa tucked away inside

The final hurdle once I get the visa is the point of entry (POE), until I get the visa stamped and enter the country it's still just that, a visa! once it's stamped it becomes my permanent residence card (green card) and entitles me to live and work indefinitely!

On another note, my blood pressure is back down to normal, that could be the beta blockers, or it could be the removal of visa stress, I have a funny feeling its a bit of both ;)

 

Yup we were discussing it over beers yesterday, London is proving to be so costly though, even a crappy thistle costs 120 a night and charges 4 quid for beer, I may suggest somewhere a bit more central / cheaper like Birmingham again hehe

 

There was a TV show back in the '70s I think, called "The Immortal" about a guy who had unique blood chemistry resulting in him really being immune to everything. Result, he would live a long, long time. Natch, the bad guys wanted to capture him to get his secret. Maybe you're destined to outlive us all.

BTW, glad to hear that most of your barriers have been cleared and you're about to become my neighbor (more or less). Cheers.

 

Congrats, man!

 

IT ARRIVED TODAY

I now have an immigrant visa to the USA, and I'm hoping to move over by late June
the courier delivered a big ominous black plastic bag type package of stuff, the kind you would expect to find porn mags or something in

inside was my passport, with my visa stamped on page 4
a big brown envelope (known as the MBE (mysterious brown envelope) in visa circles because your not allowed to open it/tamper with it) you just give that to the immigration staff at the point of entry
a big 'welcome to the united states' err, manual that gives me some important info on tax law, selective service, medicaid and other such federal things
some papers about acquiring a SS number and basic tax reminders etc

Getting an immigrant visa to the US is one of those processes I wouldn't dream on anyone, and unfortunately it's something that no body really understands except those who have been through it, I feel for the people going through the K-1 process (fiancé visa) who have not seen their significant others for often over 200+ days, which inst much if you marry into the military, but for those who didn't its a lot of heartache fortunately as Amanda lived here we went a much quicker route (7 months instead of 18 months), and went through it together instead of apart

Now to pack up what I can, ditch what I can't and get ready to start all over again.. wowzers!

Jim, get the BBQ warmed up!

 

Had hamburgers last night and went out for a steak dinner the night before. Welcome to the "neighborhood".

BTW, is it too soon to start looking for a job?

 

Its been nice knowing you Ryan!

Congrats!

 

Congrats mate, now whens the GTG!!

 

Err well if all goes to plan I have three weekends left in the country
sure your up for something that soon?

 

And another Limey joins the rebels....

What will you do next? Start using Linux full-time?