vnsriv
01-24 11:41 AM
I had the misfortune of travelling thru London in December on my way to Mumbai. After I purchased my tickets, I learnt that I need a transit visa (TV) for UK. (Who is going to tell them (UK) that they are no longer the center of attraction esp. if you have lived and worked in US). Anyway, as per the rules, you need a transit visa if you don’t have a valid US visa. (Note: If you have AP, and don’t have a valid visa, you still need a TV).
I went to their site and did all the research to get a TV. Good god Heavens! Has anyone filled out their painful form for a TV? Besides asking the usual details, they get extremely nosy. They want to know each and everything about you. Where you work, what money do you make, name of your wife, kids and their citizenship status, name of your father and mother and where they were born, their birth date, how much money you have and where the money is (stocks, bonds, CDS) etc. etc. While filling up the form I realized that, even my future father in law did not pose so many probing questions to me. (Please note: I don’t mind answering these silly questions for a regular visa, but for the damn TV, it is certainly overkill).
Anyway to cut the long story short. The regular cost of TV is/was $92. However, when I filled up the application form they were asking for $184. (The satisfaction of getting a good deal on the tickets was quickly evaporating). I assumed I must have made a mistake in thinking the cost to be $92 and reluctantly paid $184. Next it was time to fill the application for my wife and answer the idiotic questions again. You should have seen the “I will kill you right now” look on my wife’s face after I woke her up in the middle of night and asked details about her parents. After I filled up the form, to my surprise, now they were asking $274 for visa fees. It was already 2:00 am and I have no choice but to painfully enter my credit card details, hoping that they would realize the mistake in their recon process and would reimburse the difference. (Of course, I was only dreaming).
It is now almost the end of January and I have still now received any money from them. I have tried sending several email to the emb(ass)y, but none of their emails work. I get bounced email for all the emails that I have used. I have tried calling them and left messages and no one has called back. I have send emails to my credit card company and the people who processed the payment and none of them have been able to help me. There is a way to talk to someone in the emb(ass)y, but you need to dial a 900 number, which BTW costs $2.49 per minute. Throwing good money after bad is not an option.
I just wanted to share this experience with you and remind you of the pain ahead, if you are travelling thru UK and don’t have a valid US visa. Personally, even if they had charged me the regular $92, I will still use other options to travel next time. The amount of time wasted in filling the crappy application form, going to NY, (starting Dec doing your finger prints) is simply too much to handle. Visiting your motherland/fatherland is a very special occasion and all these intermediate steps certainly water down the “good feeling” that you experience during the days leading to your trip.
I haven’t given up my quest for a refund, but now, not only I want my money back I would like to bring back home the Koh-i-noor too.
It's very sad that you and your family had to go throught this. I was in the same boat two years back. They even fingerprint you during the transit and they have special baggage scan at India when you return. But you know what things have changed. No body cares now for them when they come to visit India. This December when I was at domestic airport(small city), the porter came to me rather than going to a firang lady. Reason : desis give more tips now, like give 100/200Rs and the goras pay 1 USD :) and they know the maths.
Other incident, before boarding , a firang missed her baggage tag and when security lady asked for it, this firang was fuming and said it's their mistake. Now this lady cop, in her simple English said, Madam, please get out of this line, go to security check again, and get the tags, otherwise you won't be able to board the plane.
No one treats them as VIP any more back in India.
I went to their site and did all the research to get a TV. Good god Heavens! Has anyone filled out their painful form for a TV? Besides asking the usual details, they get extremely nosy. They want to know each and everything about you. Where you work, what money do you make, name of your wife, kids and their citizenship status, name of your father and mother and where they were born, their birth date, how much money you have and where the money is (stocks, bonds, CDS) etc. etc. While filling up the form I realized that, even my future father in law did not pose so many probing questions to me. (Please note: I don’t mind answering these silly questions for a regular visa, but for the damn TV, it is certainly overkill).
Anyway to cut the long story short. The regular cost of TV is/was $92. However, when I filled up the application form they were asking for $184. (The satisfaction of getting a good deal on the tickets was quickly evaporating). I assumed I must have made a mistake in thinking the cost to be $92 and reluctantly paid $184. Next it was time to fill the application for my wife and answer the idiotic questions again. You should have seen the “I will kill you right now” look on my wife’s face after I woke her up in the middle of night and asked details about her parents. After I filled up the form, to my surprise, now they were asking $274 for visa fees. It was already 2:00 am and I have no choice but to painfully enter my credit card details, hoping that they would realize the mistake in their recon process and would reimburse the difference. (Of course, I was only dreaming).
It is now almost the end of January and I have still now received any money from them. I have tried sending several email to the emb(ass)y, but none of their emails work. I get bounced email for all the emails that I have used. I have tried calling them and left messages and no one has called back. I have send emails to my credit card company and the people who processed the payment and none of them have been able to help me. There is a way to talk to someone in the emb(ass)y, but you need to dial a 900 number, which BTW costs $2.49 per minute. Throwing good money after bad is not an option.
I just wanted to share this experience with you and remind you of the pain ahead, if you are travelling thru UK and don’t have a valid US visa. Personally, even if they had charged me the regular $92, I will still use other options to travel next time. The amount of time wasted in filling the crappy application form, going to NY, (starting Dec doing your finger prints) is simply too much to handle. Visiting your motherland/fatherland is a very special occasion and all these intermediate steps certainly water down the “good feeling” that you experience during the days leading to your trip.
I haven’t given up my quest for a refund, but now, not only I want my money back I would like to bring back home the Koh-i-noor too.
It's very sad that you and your family had to go throught this. I was in the same boat two years back. They even fingerprint you during the transit and they have special baggage scan at India when you return. But you know what things have changed. No body cares now for them when they come to visit India. This December when I was at domestic airport(small city), the porter came to me rather than going to a firang lady. Reason : desis give more tips now, like give 100/200Rs and the goras pay 1 USD :) and they know the maths.
Other incident, before boarding , a firang missed her baggage tag and when security lady asked for it, this firang was fuming and said it's their mistake. Now this lady cop, in her simple English said, Madam, please get out of this line, go to security check again, and get the tags, otherwise you won't be able to board the plane.
No one treats them as VIP any more back in India.
wallpaper Nylon Tv + Elijah Wood
jungalee43
11-14 08:42 PM
He has many posts on this forum. Click on his user ID and send him PM. Additionally this thread should help you.
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22398
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22398
pappu
06-20 04:07 PM
some tips from Susan Henner:
Although the principal employment-based categories are current for
July,
future retrogression is indeed possible later this fiscal year,
particularly
if demand for immigrant visas increases substantially. Visa numbers
can
retrogress in the middle of a month and become unavailable without any
prior
notice. If there is a mid-month retrogression, USCIS could elect to
stop
accepting adjustment applications. While this is unlikely to occur in
July
2007, it becomes more and more possible as the fiscal year progresses.
It seems that cases not completed before any future retrogression will
be
held in abeyance until priority dates again become current. Having an
adjustment on file, even if the case is in abeyance, allows for
eligibility
of work authorization and advance parole, and may be particularly
critical
in circumstances where there are children who may reach the age of 21
during
the process.
An applicant for adjustment of status MUST be in the United States in
order
to be eligible to file. Overseas spouses of adjustment applicants
should
be encouraged to enter or reenter the United States as soon as possible
in
order to be included in the principal's adjustment application.
H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrants may maintain H or L status while their
adjustment
of status applications remain pending.
Whenever possible an adjustment application should be filed
concurrently
with an I-140. This is permitted as long as the visa priority date is
current. Even if priority dates retrogress after filing, the I-485
will be
placed in abeyance and remain pending, although it cannot be approved
until
the priority date is current again. Yet extensions of work
authorization
and advance parole may be obtained during this period.
It may be advisable to file I-140s by premium processing if available
for
the employment-based immigrant category. This may hasten the issuance
of an
approval and may also increase the possibility that an adjustment
application could be approved and an immigrant visa number captured
prior to
the end of the current fiscal year or before any future visa
retrogression.
Although the principal employment-based categories are current for
July,
future retrogression is indeed possible later this fiscal year,
particularly
if demand for immigrant visas increases substantially. Visa numbers
can
retrogress in the middle of a month and become unavailable without any
prior
notice. If there is a mid-month retrogression, USCIS could elect to
stop
accepting adjustment applications. While this is unlikely to occur in
July
2007, it becomes more and more possible as the fiscal year progresses.
It seems that cases not completed before any future retrogression will
be
held in abeyance until priority dates again become current. Having an
adjustment on file, even if the case is in abeyance, allows for
eligibility
of work authorization and advance parole, and may be particularly
critical
in circumstances where there are children who may reach the age of 21
during
the process.
An applicant for adjustment of status MUST be in the United States in
order
to be eligible to file. Overseas spouses of adjustment applicants
should
be encouraged to enter or reenter the United States as soon as possible
in
order to be included in the principal's adjustment application.
H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrants may maintain H or L status while their
adjustment
of status applications remain pending.
Whenever possible an adjustment application should be filed
concurrently
with an I-140. This is permitted as long as the visa priority date is
current. Even if priority dates retrogress after filing, the I-485
will be
placed in abeyance and remain pending, although it cannot be approved
until
the priority date is current again. Yet extensions of work
authorization
and advance parole may be obtained during this period.
It may be advisable to file I-140s by premium processing if available
for
the employment-based immigrant category. This may hasten the issuance
of an
approval and may also increase the possibility that an adjustment
application could be approved and an immigrant visa number captured
prior to
the end of the current fiscal year or before any future visa
retrogression.
2011 for reprise wood elijah
drona
07-10 10:27 PM
Well done Dilip Tekkedil! Your quote in the Washington Post article was too good!
Dilip Tekkedil, 32, a software engineer from North Andover, Mass., is one of the frustrated applicants who came up with the flower idea. "It was more peaceful," he said. "We don't trouble anyone else. A rally or something, you have to call law enforcement. It's too much trouble for other people." They do not hold hard feelings against Gonzalez. "I'd like to thank him for the job that he does. I know it's a thankless job," Tekkedil said. "I just hope that he could understand our plight as well."
Dilip Tekkedil, 32, a software engineer from North Andover, Mass., is one of the frustrated applicants who came up with the flower idea. "It was more peaceful," he said. "We don't trouble anyone else. A rally or something, you have to call law enforcement. It's too much trouble for other people." They do not hold hard feelings against Gonzalez. "I'd like to thank him for the job that he does. I know it's a thankless job," Tekkedil said. "I just hope that he could understand our plight as well."
more...
sapota
01-24 03:24 PM
of England with your rebuke. It is a privilege to set foot into the Royal terminals of the London airport. The Imperial crown demands an apology and shall impose a tax of 50 pounds for this puerile behaviour.
anotherone
02-01 06:53 PM
These people might be able to help, provided
a) You have EAD
b) The employer refused you a job based on the fact that you have EAD.
Needless to say if they reject your for the position based on anything else, all bets are off. So I guess one needs to be able to prove that they were refusing you because of your EAD. I am not a lawyer, so please take all this with a grain of salt.
Immigration-Related Unfair
Employment Practices (OSC)
1-800-255-7688
a) You have EAD
b) The employer refused you a job based on the fact that you have EAD.
Needless to say if they reject your for the position based on anything else, all bets are off. So I guess one needs to be able to prove that they were refusing you because of your EAD. I am not a lawyer, so please take all this with a grain of salt.
Immigration-Related Unfair
Employment Practices (OSC)
1-800-255-7688
more...
ezee
08-16 12:30 PM
I got the CPO email today for both my wife and I.
Here is my info:
PD - Oct, 2005
NSC
Sent email to followup address on 8/6 (no response yet), sent again to scopsscata address on 8/13
Asked my congressman to inquire on 8/12
Opened SR on 8/13
Got CPO email on 8/16 (Happy Independence Day!!! Well I am sure they wanted to present this gift on 8/15, but what could they do, it was a Sunday!)
Hope and pray that the rest of the people waiting get their approvals soon!
Here is my info:
PD - Oct, 2005
NSC
Sent email to followup address on 8/6 (no response yet), sent again to scopsscata address on 8/13
Asked my congressman to inquire on 8/12
Opened SR on 8/13
Got CPO email on 8/16 (Happy Independence Day!!! Well I am sure they wanted to present this gift on 8/15, but what could they do, it was a Sunday!)
Hope and pray that the rest of the people waiting get their approvals soon!
2010 Elijah Wood
FrankZulu
08-17 07:45 PM
Got CPO email at 12:15 PM for both Me & Spouse.:)
I485: NSC
PD: Feb/6/06
RD: Jul/5/07
ND: Sep/12/07
Pre-adjudicated: Mar/20/09
Approval Date: Aug 16th
Approval Email: Aug 17th.
I485: NSC
PD: Feb/6/06
RD: Jul/5/07
ND: Sep/12/07
Pre-adjudicated: Mar/20/09
Approval Date: Aug 16th
Approval Email: Aug 17th.
more...
ireddy
05-25 02:14 PM
My EAD expires today, I applied for the renewal on April 6th. This is my 4th EAD and I totally missed to apply in time this time.
1)Is there any way to speed up the process to get the EAD soon?
2) I cannot work from next week is there any way I can get through this ?
Thanks
Rajesh
1)Is there any way to speed up the process to get the EAD soon?
2) I cannot work from next week is there any way I can get through this ?
Thanks
Rajesh
hair Elijah Wood
sweet23guyin
01-14 04:53 PM
I wrote a hand written letter after many years, at least for this reason Mr.President should look at it :)
more...
GCNeophyte
08-12 11:28 AM
Congratulations... and Great tracking :):):)
Priority Date : December 30, 2001
State Labor : November 12th, 2002
Federal Labor : October, 2006
I140 Applied : November 2006
I140 Approved : February 2007
I485 Applied : July 24th, 2007
I485 Receipt Date : September 13th, 2007
Biometrics : October, 2007
Biometrics for kids (second one) : August 2009
3 EADs : October 2007, August 2008 and August 2010
3 Advanced Paroles : October 2007, May 2009 (never arrived. lost in mail), December 2009.
One extra Advanced Parole for family in between.
Employer Changed : April 2008
AC21 filed : April 2008
Second Employer Filed I 140 on July, 2009
Second I 140 was approved on September 19th, 2009
Opened SR : August 2nd, 2010
Status : Approved on August 5th
CPO Mail : August 6th
Recieved Approval Notice (797 Notice of Action - Welcome to United States of America) on August 11th, 2010
Center : Texas Service Center
Permanent Resident Card : Still awaited
Priority Date : December 30, 2001
State Labor : November 12th, 2002
Federal Labor : October, 2006
I140 Applied : November 2006
I140 Approved : February 2007
I485 Applied : July 24th, 2007
I485 Receipt Date : September 13th, 2007
Biometrics : October, 2007
Biometrics for kids (second one) : August 2009
3 EADs : October 2007, August 2008 and August 2010
3 Advanced Paroles : October 2007, May 2009 (never arrived. lost in mail), December 2009.
One extra Advanced Parole for family in between.
Employer Changed : April 2008
AC21 filed : April 2008
Second Employer Filed I 140 on July, 2009
Second I 140 was approved on September 19th, 2009
Opened SR : August 2nd, 2010
Status : Approved on August 5th
CPO Mail : August 6th
Recieved Approval Notice (797 Notice of Action - Welcome to United States of America) on August 11th, 2010
Center : Texas Service Center
Permanent Resident Card : Still awaited
hot Elijah Wood
Hunter
05-11 12:10 AM
Check John Hanity show and they will teach you the fundamentals. If employers don't earn any profits they won't do a business.
.
Do you mean Sean Hannity from faux news? If that is the case, I rest my case because you are a bigger JERK than I thought. Anyone listening to Sean Hannity for anything other than entertainment must be a complete idiot. :D :D
BTW, since you are a follower of Hannity, you may want to undergo waterboarding instead of Hannity, as he seems to have chickened out.
.
Do you mean Sean Hannity from faux news? If that is the case, I rest my case because you are a bigger JERK than I thought. Anyone listening to Sean Hannity for anything other than entertainment must be a complete idiot. :D :D
BTW, since you are a follower of Hannity, you may want to undergo waterboarding instead of Hannity, as he seems to have chickened out.
more...
house Actor Elijah Wood arrives for
ramus
06-29 04:43 PM
Sure go ahead and make a call... If AILA doesn't know then do you think they will tell us? USCIS always screw our friday but this is really big one.
tattoo Elijah Wood
BharatPremi
09-24 05:43 PM
How can the current position (EB3) relevant when the new employer is filing your GC for a future job (Eb2) ?
Does the employee need to get promoted in the current job to apply for a future EB2 job ?
Good Question. AC21 usage introduces a "Chicken Or Egg" situation. Our limitations 1) Till we interfile we have to show us fulfilling EB3 job calssification related obligations ( that also is a "future" postion in reality). Now if EB2 application is from "same employer" then that employer can logically produce the letter matching EB2 level experience after "real and natural skill progression" only to prove that you are fit for more advanced skill level job in other words after wait for 2-3 years.
Does the employee need to get promoted in the current job to apply for a future EB2 job ?
Good Question. AC21 usage introduces a "Chicken Or Egg" situation. Our limitations 1) Till we interfile we have to show us fulfilling EB3 job calssification related obligations ( that also is a "future" postion in reality). Now if EB2 application is from "same employer" then that employer can logically produce the letter matching EB2 level experience after "real and natural skill progression" only to prove that you are fit for more advanced skill level job in other words after wait for 2-3 years.
more...
pictures Elijah Wood. Getty Images
bomber
06-29 05:40 PM
What if the USCIS suddenly realized that they can make more money in August due to the fee change? So someone in dept had a brainwave thinking - why not move back the dates in July and move forward again for the August bulletin??
:confused:
I'd be happy if they charge 3 times as much but let us file!
:confused:
I'd be happy if they charge 3 times as much but let us file!
dresses Katie Holmes, Elijah Wood and
sledge_hammer
11-25 01:38 PM
gO learn the concept of supply and demand before asking a question as to why banks are lowering their appraisals!
Yes, I do agree that we should have some sense of personal responsibility and that is why the middle way is to rent out the house (probably at a bit lower price than your monthly mortgage) and pay the difference from your pocket - if you have to absolutely move out from the house. But, can somebody answer my question above..........why is the same house (not even a brick changed) being appraised at around 100k lower than it was done 2 years back, by the same bank??
Yes, I do agree that we should have some sense of personal responsibility and that is why the middle way is to rent out the house (probably at a bit lower price than your monthly mortgage) and pay the difference from your pocket - if you have to absolutely move out from the house. But, can somebody answer my question above..........why is the same house (not even a brick changed) being appraised at around 100k lower than it was done 2 years back, by the same bank??
more...
makeup Elijah Wood
abuddyz
01-29 10:41 PM
My H1b1 extension petition was approved in October first week.
hmm.. so this is very recent approval (just 3 months back). i know there are cases which are approved long back and they are also stuck in PIMS but we don't know their service center.. in your case we know that WAC with october 2007 approval is getting stuck..
is there any one with WAC receipt number and approval after October 2007?? if there is anyone please post your details...
hmm.. so this is very recent approval (just 3 months back). i know there are cases which are approved long back and they are also stuck in PIMS but we don't know their service center.. in your case we know that WAC with october 2007 approval is getting stuck..
is there any one with WAC receipt number and approval after October 2007?? if there is anyone please post your details...
girlfriend Elijah Wood: Happy birthday,
nocomment
09-23 09:29 PM
Any guesses on number of approvals so far this month? has about 450 which i think is only a fraction of actual number
hairstyles Patio#39;s, amp; Walkways. elijah
reno_john
06-21 09:35 AM
Folks,
My wife was stuck in namecheck during the H-4 stamping 3 years back. She gave full FP and got cleared in 6 weeks. Question i have is that i will be filing I-485 in July so is there a chance that she will be stuck in I-485 Name check as well? Anyone with experience? Also, if she get's stuck and I am cleared does the application get's stuck completely?
I was curious about the FBI name check and I read the FAQ on Name check on FBI website, what it says that once your name check is in progress for a particular agency as in our case USCIS, it will reject any duplicate name check for that person. Also it says something about a await period of 120 or 180 days when a second name check cane be done based on the first is cleared and the wait time has elapsed. Check the FBI site and read the FAQ on this.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nationalnamecheck.htm
My wife was stuck in namecheck during the H-4 stamping 3 years back. She gave full FP and got cleared in 6 weeks. Question i have is that i will be filing I-485 in July so is there a chance that she will be stuck in I-485 Name check as well? Anyone with experience? Also, if she get's stuck and I am cleared does the application get's stuck completely?
I was curious about the FBI name check and I read the FAQ on Name check on FBI website, what it says that once your name check is in progress for a particular agency as in our case USCIS, it will reject any duplicate name check for that person. Also it says something about a await period of 120 or 180 days when a second name check cane be done based on the first is cleared and the wait time has elapsed. Check the FBI site and read the FAQ on this.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nationalnamecheck.htm
Prashant
09-10 11:38 AM
Some one gave me a red for calling.
Called
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) 202- 225-2906 - Supports the bill
Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.) 202-225-4695 - took the message
Rick Boucher (D-Va.) 202-225-3861 - took the message
Chris Cannon (R-Utah)202- 225-7751 - took the message
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) 202-225-2216 - took the message
Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)202- 225-3265 - took the message
and calling others as well. Please stand up for this cause
Called
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) 202- 225-2906 - Supports the bill
Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.) 202-225-4695 - took the message
Rick Boucher (D-Va.) 202-225-3861 - took the message
Chris Cannon (R-Utah)202- 225-7751 - took the message
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) 202-225-2216 - took the message
Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)202- 225-3265 - took the message
and calling others as well. Please stand up for this cause
eb_retrogession
01-25 08:51 AM
1.
'United States Entry/Exit Tracking: Is the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator
Technology (U.S. VISIT) On Track for Success?'
Senate Appropriations Committee
Homeland Security Subcommittee
January 25, 2006, 10 a.m.
138 Dirksen Senate Office Building
http://appropriations.senate.gov
Witnesses:
Jim Williams
Director of U.S. VISIT, Homeland Security Department
Randolph Hite
Director of IT Architecture and Systems issues at the Government Accountability Office
Contact: 202-224-7363
********
********
2.
Breakfast Briefing: Today�s Employment-Based Immigration and the Role Temporary Worker Programs Play.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300 (Third Floor)
Washington, DC 20036
http://contact.migrationpolicy.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=2141&JServSessionIdr006=gc9w527hd2.app2a
Speakers: Susan Martin
Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration
Deborah W. Meyers
MPI Senior Policy Analyst
Moderator: Doris Meissner, MPI Senior Fellow
Contact: Lisa Dixon at events@migrationpolicy.org or (202) 266-1929.
'United States Entry/Exit Tracking: Is the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator
Technology (U.S. VISIT) On Track for Success?'
Senate Appropriations Committee
Homeland Security Subcommittee
January 25, 2006, 10 a.m.
138 Dirksen Senate Office Building
http://appropriations.senate.gov
Witnesses:
Jim Williams
Director of U.S. VISIT, Homeland Security Department
Randolph Hite
Director of IT Architecture and Systems issues at the Government Accountability Office
Contact: 202-224-7363
********
********
2.
Breakfast Briefing: Today�s Employment-Based Immigration and the Role Temporary Worker Programs Play.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300 (Third Floor)
Washington, DC 20036
http://contact.migrationpolicy.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=2141&JServSessionIdr006=gc9w527hd2.app2a
Speakers: Susan Martin
Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration
Deborah W. Meyers
MPI Senior Policy Analyst
Moderator: Doris Meissner, MPI Senior Fellow
Contact: Lisa Dixon at events@migrationpolicy.org or (202) 266-1929.
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