End of our visa journey

Well we received Devon's 10 year Green card in the mail and we never even had to do an interview. I guess I submitted more than sufficient evidence that we are indeed married. We're both so relieved to have this whole thing over. Of course, Dev could go on to get citizenship, but he doesn't want it. We will have to renew the GC every 10 years, but he's all good now... no more conditions and no more drama with INS. We're very happy!

Good luck to all of you still on the road... and don't hesitate to pm if you need any advice/help. :)

Congratulations to you and Dev Miss Hottie!

Congratulations to you both!

Thumbs up!

:yay: Congrats! How long did it take all total?

Marcy....congrats to you and Devon!
It's been a long road!!!

GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good for you guys!!! Congrats to you both. Now he can get a job, lol.

Brilliant news Marcy!

I haven't been checking Visajourney, but I got my 2 year greencard without having to have an interview. I think what they're doing with all that extra money is fastracking simple cases so they don't have to interview as many people. Not that you need extra money to do that of course. :rolleyes:

You must be thrilled! :thumbsup_still::jiggy:

:w00t:

Yay! Congrats and all that jazz! :D

:runnningaround::yay::runnningaround:

WOOHOOO

One less headache huh?

Congrats Dev!

Congrats on your awesome news!!!

You two must be doing the happy dance!

love,
sora

Awesome news. I am so happy for you!! :yay:

OOOH marcy great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are getting soooo close COUNT DOWN 3 1/2 weeks! you been my angel in all this help to btw! thanks for putting up with my questions lol

good news!!!

when did you file?
we're still waiting...got the year extension paper, but no appointment for bios yet.
does dev realize the benefits of citizenship??? he will NEVER be able to leave the country for 6 months or more or he looses everything. one reason why wilko will go for it!

:yay: Congrats! How long did it take all total?

Ummm a lonnnnnnnnnnng time! My complete timeline is below per my VJ profile.

* 129F filed in Nebraska in Aug 2004
* NOA1 August 3, 2004
* APPROVED NOA2 November 30, 2004 OMG :D :D :D (119 days)
* NSC forwards package to Vancouver Consulate on Dec 16, 2004
* Packet received by Vancouver Consulate on Dec 27, 2004
* Package 3 received by Smiwi on Dec 30, 2004
* Checklist returned to Vancouver Consulate on Jan 3, 2005 with requested interview date of Jan 25, 2005
* Package 4 received by Smiwi on January 11, 2005
* Interview scheduled for January 25, 2005 @ 10 am
* Visa Granted!!!! January 25, 2005
* Cross into the United States @ Niagra Falls January 26, 2005
* 2/18 MARRIED :D

* AOS finally filed April 25, 2005
* NOA1 June 1
* Biometrics July 7
* AOS interview for October 25, 2005 8:30 am!!!!!!!!!!!!! woot!
* Green card effective 10/25/2005

*I-751 filed July 27, 2007
Evidence
2 letters of attestation, our driver's licenses, bank statement, 2006 & 2005 joint tax returns, 403B and life ins beneficiary statements, car insurance, mortgage documents, credit cards (oye), health ins, airline tickets from a trip together, a variety of pictures
*I-751 Received by NSC July 30, 2007
*10 yr Green card issued without interview effective 11/28/2007

I think what they're doing with all that extra money is fastracking simple cases so they don't have to interview as many people. Not that you need extra money to do that of course. :rolleyes:

You might be right, but I think you are pretty lucky to have ducked the 2 year interview!! :)

does dev realize the benefits of citizenship??? he will NEVER be able to leave the country for 6 months or more or he looses everything. one reason why wilko will go for it!

Yes he does and not the least of which is that he wouldn't have to deal with INS anymore and we'd save a ton of money by not having to file for renewals etc!

He just really feels like he cannot take an oath to this country or foreswear his renouncement of his Canadian citizenship. He realizes that he can go immediately back to reclaim his Canadian citizenship and have dual, but he feels strongly that this is not semantics and just can't swear things that he doesn't feel in his heart.

So... we'll be filing again in 10 years time LOL!

Thanks for the congrats from everyone!

This immigration process is long, difficult, expensive and extremely stressful. However, I really feel strongly that it is extremely important that you do this process, each step, legally and carefully. This process is designed to help protect the citizen who is sponsoring, the immigrant, and the country. It is burdensome and could be better, no doubt about that one, but if you don't do this, then you are not protecting your loved one at all. Doing this, despite the difficulties, ensures that Devon can be a productive member of society and protects any and all rights/privileges he's entitled to... I cannot conceive of truly loving someone and failing to do all you can to ensure their safety in this basic and fundamental way.

Having a green card, legal permanent resident status, is only a privilege and can be removed at any time the alien commits a crime of moral turpitude, as well as for other reasons.

I tell people apply for U.S. citizenship once they qualify and then if the country of origin allows dual citizenship then apply thereafter and get both...

I know people that have lived in the USA for a loooooooooooooong time as a LPR, and then for a reason or another they loose the green card status and they are sent back to their country, many times they no longer have any roots in their native countries.

Once a person becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen, the only way it can be removed, it is by an act of congress, and that seldom happens. I know of a few case, and it involved Nazi war criminals.

So my suggestion is to go for the citizenship and say YES, I renounce. It is always in the alien's best interest if he/she intends to be here on permanent basis, or take advantages of the benefits granted by this nation. As a naturalized citizen you can leave US for indefinite amounts of times but with a green card not so.

I believe being a naturalized citizen (like me) does not take away from your loyalties to your place of origin. It is all in your heart. Mine is full of fond memories...

I totally agree with you Alta... but you know what... Dev's only 22 so he's allowed to be a little idealistic and naive right now. Hopefully he'll change his mind. ;)

i never realized(thought about) a legal resident loosing status because of _______. it is not a given.... thanks for the info alta. makes it even more important to gain citizenship.

Well we received Devon's 10 year Green card in the mail and we never even had to do an interview. I guess I submitted more than sufficient evidence that we are indeed married. We're both so relieved to have this whole thing over. Of course, Dev could go on to get citizenship, but he doesn't want it. We will have to renew the GC every 10 years, but he's all good now... no more conditions and no more drama with INS. We're very happy!

Good luck to all of you still on the road... and don't hesitate to pm if you need any advice/help. :)

What WONDERFUL news Marcy! I can't tell you how excited I am for you and Dev!!!

Congratulations!

Yes he does and not the least of which is that he wouldn't have to deal with INS anymore and we'd save a ton of money by not having to file for renewals etc!

He just really feels like he cannot take an oath to this country or foreswear his renouncement of his Canadian citizenship. He realizes that he can go immediately back to reclaim his Canadian citizenship and have dual, but he feels strongly that this is not semantics and just can't swear things that he doesn't feel in his heart.

So... we'll be filing again in 10 years time LOL!

Pretty much sums up why I'm not really for getting citizenship!

Donna has a friend who has been a perm resident for 20+ years.

Thanks for the congrats from everyone!

This immigration process is long, difficult, expensive and extremely stressful. However, I really feel strongly that it is extremely important that you do this process, each step, legally and carefully. This process is designed to help protect the citizen who is sponsoring, the immigrant, and the country. It is burdensome and could be better, no doubt about that one, but if you don't do this, then you are not protecting your loved one at all. Doing this, despite the difficulties, ensures that Devon can be a productive member of society and protects any and all rights/privileges he's entitled to... I cannot conceive of truly loving someone and failing to do all you can to ensure their safety in this basic and fundamental way.

I agree. In this post 9-11 world, it's REALLY important to get the immigration piece right!

Congratulations, Marcy and Dev! That's great! I'm VERY happy for you (with a twinge of jealousy perhaps... but only a twinge!) We got the news this week that despite putting on our forms that we wanted to get married Christmas Eve and Stephen had plans to travel here on Dec. 18th, that they scheduled his interview for January 8. Sooooo.... it's a lonely Christmas this year. But at least there is light at the end of the tunnel!!! :yes:N Nice to know it can be done (and to hear that some things are being streamlined a bit!) And ohhh yes, we certainly will be taking you up on your offer to give advice (just ask Rob!)

Hugs,
Sienna

Thanks for the congrats from everyone!

This immigration process is long, difficult, expensive and extremely stressful. However, I really feel strongly that it is extremely important that you do this process, each step, legally and carefully. This process is designed to help protect the citizen who is sponsoring, the immigrant, and the country. It is burdensome and could be better, no doubt about that one, but if you don't do this, then you are not protecting your loved one at all. Doing this, despite the difficulties, ensures that Devon can be a productive member of society and protects any and all rights/privileges he's entitled to... I cannot conceive of truly loving someone and failing to do all you can to ensure their safety in this basic and fundamental way.

Congratulations, Marcy and Dev! That's great! I'm VERY happy for you (with a twinge of jealousy perhaps... but only a twinge!) We got the news this week that despite putting on our forms that we wanted to get married Christmas Eve and Stephen had plans to travel here on Dec. 18th, that they scheduled his interview for January 8. Sooooo.... it's a lonely Christmas this year. But at least there is light at the end of the tunnel!!! :yes:N Nice to know it can be done (and to hear that some things are being streamlined a bit!) And ohhh yes, we certainly will be taking you up on your offer to give advice (just ask Rob!)

Hugs,
Sienna

Glad to hear you got your interview date, even if it's not as early as you hoped. Does he have to go to London for it, or is there an embassy in Ireland?

Hope Marcy doesn't mind the thread hijack. :o

Congratulations to you both!!!!

Glad to hear you got your interview date, even if it's not as early as you hoped. Does he have to go to London for it, or is there an embassy in Ireland?

Hope Marcy doesn't mind the thread hijack. :o

He has to go to London. He had to go to his medical in London a few weeks ago... it all gets VERY expensive. :mad: I'll be soooo glad when it's all over. But then, I know you know what I mean. :)

As to hijacking Marcy's thread... I'm gladyou gave me another reason to post so I could say....

OH MY GOD!!!!!! Marcy, you look GREAT!
I honestly didn't recognize you. I've been away from AL for a while. Not to say you weren't beautiful before, because you were. But MAN. WOWZA! Just.... GORGEOUS.

Hehe thanks girl! It is good to see you here. I've often thought of you and wondered how things were coming along for you.

I didn't even see this!! Congrats you two!!! :D

Thanks Molly... a long hard expensive road lol

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take? About three years?

Well I filed the first app in August 2004 so... yep about 3 and 1/2 years!

that is such great news, Marcy!:)

Congratulations! :D

Dang, that's a long time...I'm glad it's finally over for ya'll!!!

Dang, that's a long time...I'm glad it's finally over for ya'll!!!

Well, included in that is a 2 year (roughly) wait whilst you're a permanent resident with 'conditions'. Marcy and Devon just got those conditions removed.

About 1 year and 8 months before we can. ;)

Still, it's a long process. :rolleyes: :p

sienna...wonderful news!!!!!! another one joins our ranks! ;)

Well, included in that is a 2 year (roughly) wait whilst you're a permanent resident with 'conditions'. Marcy and Devon just got those conditions removed.

About 1 year and 8 months before we can. ;)

Still, it's a long process. :rolleyes: :p

Yes exactly right...

hmmm I know this is such a confusing process to understand (and go through lol)

Step 1 = Filing for the k-1 and that can take about 10 months (in my case) or as little as 3 or 4 and as much as a year. It really depends on 2 major factors... your location as the US Citizen because that determines which service center you use and they process applications at different speeds... and your fiance's location as they also process at different speeds and have varying degrees of fraud history which slows down the process altogether

Step 2 = Filing the AOS after marriage and that changes your now spouse's status from visa holder to resident with conditions. Your spouse entered this country as a guest so to speak of yours so he/she is eligible to receive residency as your guest. The gov't requires you to sponsor him/her and be responsible for them as part of that process... because status is conditional on a good faith marriage... you must be married for 2 years to have those conditions removed.

Step 3 = Removing those conditions so that your spouse can have an unconditional residency (green card) which is now good for 10 years.

Step 4 = Applying for citizenship... and it is optional... Dev feels like he doesn't want it at this time so we'll see.

There are expensive fees, long lists of documentation, biometrics (finger printing/pictures), and background checks required at most of those steps and several optional little steps in between. We did none of those lil optional steps to save money.

Congratulations...the very best with that.

My Cuban friend's mother got her green card when she came at 14 or so and has never had the desire to become a citizen. Most cubans don't, especially the older generation who are hoping Castro drops dead everyday and they can go back and forth as Puerto Ricans do with just a passport and no visas. She's 81 now, doesn't travel anywhere so she's doesn't worry about being out of the country. The only country she wants to see is her own before she dies.

Paris

Yes Paris but Cubans are in a certain special category under USA immigration guidelines. If they commit a crime of moral turpitude, their green card is not taken away and they get deported back to Cuba. So unless you are a Cuban LPR, I still recommend to apply for US naturalization (citizenship) just in case. Primarily in case there are changes in the law.

Like I have said before, LRP is not a right but a privilege and as such, it can be taken away.

That is GREAT news Marcy. But to me, it seems like the time sure did fly by since the initial interview when you were nervous about the outcome. But then I was not living it!~:bgrin2:

However, I may be as well...but then we may not even live in America so it might be "nightmare city" for both Nikola and me! :mad: Sometimes I think I am just tooooo old for this! :p

Regards,
Linda

YOU LOOK... WOW! I almost didn't recognize you either!

Congratulations on the immigration news! I thought I'd never be in "this boat" myself (vowed not to be), but here I am.

We talked about the *possibility* of marriage, but H came over for other reasons, added me to the itinerary of places he was visiting, and once he was here, we just made the religious and emotional decision to get married right away. Now we are going through the "adjustment of status" process. He's had his biometrics, his medical exam, and all the applications have been filed. The information we were given by the immigration lawyer is that within 80 days of the receipt of application, he's supposed to get a work authorization (and if not, then I don't know what happens). Some part of this process also includes travel authorization. So what happens between now and the time he gets a travel authorization? He can't travel outside of the US even if he has a visa that is good until 2010 or something? I'm confused about that part.

We hope to be going for a vacation to Egypt in summer of 2009. We'd be able to do that, right?

ala...
i missed a lot of your story???
please direct me or update me?

married? who, what, where, when?

no, you/he can NOT leave the country until you get your temporary card... passport or not.

Christina - I don't want to hijack this thread - I posted a bit on the relationship updates (I don't know exactly where that thread is located now though - sorry!)

ala...
i missed a lot of your story???
please direct me or update me?

married? who, what, where, when?

no, you/he can NOT leave the country until you get your temporary card... passport or not.

Gratz to you and what Christina said! Do not leave the country whatever you do!!!!