Date Has Been Set

I'm going to be leaving the States on November 21st. I've booked the one way flight for England that day, and it will be from that point on where I'll begin my life as an expatriate. But most importantly, I'll be with my husband. There will be no ridiculous distance between us anymore. We will finally close this distance. My husband is coming to the States this Saturday on November 5th. He will take me back with him on the 21st. I've already started packing. He will help me pack as well, for he'll be bringing near-empty suitcases. I still can't believe this is happening. I was certain I would be doomed to a lifetime of unhappiness, and that this visa would be rejected. I was so worried about that. I was worried that upon getting my documents back, that it would be rejected. And that I would be doomed more unhappy months away from him. I was even considering on giving up on him if it was rejected, but I know my loyal nature wouldn't stand for that.

Right now, though, I'm getting antsy. I have trouble enjoying anything else but packing. I'm ready to go home. I'm hoping that once he gets here, my interests would return. Because as of this point, if I'm not packing, I'm laying on my bed incredibly bored. I'm getting impatient. I've waited 6 years for this. I am not sure I can wait anymore. I'm ready to go! My mom is sad to see me go, though, and I hate to see her this way. She didn't want me to leave so soon, so I'm having to leave just a couple days before my vignette expires. I don't want to leave that late, but I will, to make mom happy.

I never thought I'd finally find happiness. It's just waiting for it that I'm not sure I can do. Each day is going to drag. At least until my husband gets here. I can guarantee that when he gets here, the rest of November will fly by and the 21st will be here in the blink of an eye.

So now you may be asking what is going to come of this blog now that I'm closing the distance? Well, the next posts will be about my expatriate experience. Because this isn't over. There's the Definite and Indefinite Leave to Remain visas. I don't have to worry about the Definite Leave to Remain until July 2019. But when I get there, I will not be a citizen yet. I will only be an expat. A spouse of a citizen, basically. When I get there, I'll need to pick up my biometric residence permit. I will also provide advice, at least to the best of my ability. I cannot provide legitimate advice otherwise I will get in serious legal trouble. I might just end up making a tab on this webpage full of general advice. But I cannot go in depth without lawyers gettin' on my butt. I don't want to get in legal trouble after successfully getting approved to go over there. But for the most part, I may be posting expat blogs. The "Distance Between Us" tab will also be updated to accommodate us when I get there :D

It's All Over Now

I got my visa today!!!!! Now I can be with my husband permanently. Now this couple has been united. As soon as I got it, I cried. Then I laughed. Then I did a bit of both. The fees, the stress, the worries, the tears...it was all worth it in the end. I have read some expat forums and they usually provide a timeline. And happily, I'll finally be able to provide mine. Been looking forward to this:

June 7, 2016: The first supporting documents I added: conversation logs and photos
July 20, 2016: Received new passport with married name
September 23, 2016: Received all supporting documents
October 6, 2016: Filled out application and paid applicable fees (used Priority Service)
October 11, 2016: Attended biometrics appointment
October 14, 2016: Sent out the application and supporting documents
October 17, 2016: Application arrived in Sheffield
October 24, 2016: Got the email declaring a decision has been made
October 27, 2016: UK Spouse Visa received

I'm just as happy as I was on my wedding day. But I feel like if the stress hadn't prevented me from eating and getting a good night's sleep, I would be feeling more energetic.

The Application Has Been Reviewed

I just got an email this morning saying a decision has been made. I don't know what it is until I get it.....I'm so scared. I've got pessimistic thoughts running through my head. What am I going to do if it's refused?! I'll be a crying mess probably.
All I can do is hope...not sure I have much of that right now! Dammit why do I have to be a pessimist?! Everyone else is confident in this...I'm confident in our evidence but....

Oh God help me!

The Application Arrived in Sheffield!

I just got an email saying they've received my application and that it's going to be assessed by an Entry Clearance Officer. One thing I noticed, is that in the email they stated the documents should be in this order:

1. Application form and relevant Appendix form
2. English language evidence
3. Relationship evidence
4. Maintenance evidence 
5. Accommodation evidence

Whoops....I did maintenance, accommodation, relationship. I hope that doesn't cause any problems with processing....

And they're just telling me NOW how they want the documents arranged? Ugh.

And the Agonizing Waiting Game Begins...

Wow...it has only been a day since I mailed the package and I am already suffering! I do not know how long this will take, or how long I will have to endure this...I opted for priority so HOPEFULLY it shouldn't take a month. I can't stop thinking about what the results might be...it is giving me some bad anxiety. My husband and family members are all so confident that it will be accepted. But me being the pessimist I am, I can't feel the same. I am confident in our documents, but at the same time I also have doubts. I've got this mixture of pessimism and optimism...it isn't fun. I wish I could get my mind off of it but I cannot find the motivation to do the things I enjoy because all of this is making me paranoid. I don't know...maybe I am overreacting. Then again, the fate of my future depends on a bunch of British elites. If it gets refused, I will be forced to remain apart from my husband a lot longer. And quite frankly, I am not sure how much more I can endure that. I want to be with him permanently! I am so tired of the stress, worries, and anxiety. I just want to be happy...and that fact depends on the decision of the government, which is frustrating. This whole thing is frustrating!! I've tried talking to others, but they are so insistent that this will go through perfectly and that I will be accepted.


...I really wish I had the capacity to have those kinds of thoughts :(

And I am not religious so I don't believe praying is going to help...


Sorry, I just need to get this out there. I think I'm in the hardest part of the visa application process right now.

It Is Out Of My Hands Now

Well I dropped the package off at the UPS store...I tried yesterday but the lady wanted an invoice. Being as I have little to no experience with sending packages, I wasn't sure what that was. I went in awhile ago and this time I included the VFS Global receipt. The lady seemed uncertain that that would work...now as a result, I am worried about it all...I have like $3,000 worth of stuff in that package...I cannot afford to be worried about the package. I will track it like a hawk....but I'm just worried now after how unsure she was about what I gave her. My phone number is on the shipping label, though...

I just worry there will be an issue with the shipment and that as a result, the process will be delayed....or may not even work...


All I know is, I'm fucking tired of being stressed out and worried. TIRED OF IT!!


But if this goes through and gets accepted, it will be worth it in the end.

But if not........




Please fate...be on my side for once...

My Biometrics Experience

So I had my biometrics appointment yesterday. It went by really quickly. The first thing I did when I went inside the building was get screened by security officers. It was similar to the ones at an airport. Then they told me to go into the ASC office. I went in and the lady asked for my biometric appointment confirmation paper. She reviewed my details for a second then immediately went to the manager. When she did, I was starting to worry that something was wrong. But she actually needed help because I don't think she's ever dealt with UK visas before. The two of them analyzed my information a bit more. Then the employee took me to the back of the room where she stamped my confirmation paper. Then she scanned all of my fingerprints just as they were. After that, she proceeded to roll each of them. She took my picture and then I was done.

It went so fast, and I had taken in my whole stack of documents by the recommendation of my parents. Turns out the only things I needed were my biometrics appointment confirmation paper and my passport. LoveMyBrit said I needed to bring a printout of my application, which I did, but they never asked for it.

But I got the appointment confirmation paper stamped and now all I need to do is mail everything.

Then I must play the waiting game....

Next Step: Completed

Paid the fees, booked my biometrics appointment, and found appropriate shipping material. Things are rolling along!! My biometrics appointment is on October 11th at 14:00. I will have everything shipped before October 16th. Hopefully I will receive an answer by Halloween.