immigration!!

finally!! after 2 years of talking, last july he came here, i went there in november, he came here in february. now the damn atlantic ocean will no longer be in the way...

we start the immigration to the US!!!

just so excited the day has finally come, and everything has finally fallen into place...
please, anyone who has any experience with the K1, tell me your story...

thank you ladies!! i'm just so excited...finally!

we had talked to an attorney in july, he had told us he'd have the visa for us in 8 to 12 weeks because of snail mail that will have to be done to the netherlands. i just hope the time frame is the same now, as i imagine cases get backlogged. we decided just to let an attorney handle it, the cost is minimal to make sure all our t's are crossed, and the i's dotted.
have looked at a lot of websites, and i don't care what anyone says, i find the amount of forms overwhelming!

i would just love to hear anyone's input that has done the process, in the midst of, or thinking about it...

Well, as you know, Remi and I will be thinking about this in our future IF all goes well. So, I have already begun researching this. I have decided that because it is complicated, I am going to consider hiring an attorney who specializes in this area.

I think I shared this link before, but just in case I haven't, there's an immigration forum on this site. Some of the members there are pretty helpful as they have either gone through it, or are going through it. Often they have lead me to other websites with information.

lovingyou.com (http://members.lovingyou.com/vbulletin/upload/index.php?s=)

IF all goes well??? you know it is girlfriend!

:D

I always like to have a "disclaimer" :p

WR...cracking up laughing with you! ;)



susie Q...thank you! i've heard about the i's and t's! lawyer stressed it to, why we decided for $750. he's got the job!
you do concern me about the pictures though...we do have some, but always seem to forget the camera! i go there in may, gonna remember the darn thing!
and yes, we have some emails, and all the phone bills, and plane tickets!

i'm real glad to hear you had no problem with the age. it was the only thing lawyer said may raise an eyebrow. big brother may be watching my *cough* best interest, as if i'm not old enough to do that for myself. thank you so much for your post! so glad to hear it went smoothly for you! gives me hope!

and tuesday i'll get all the information i need...have an appointment with an immigration lawyer!
so, looking at 4 months to go! ;)

That is great news!

Originally posted by MrsHedgeHog
And Whiterose, I've been thinking of you every single day! :D

Thank you Kelley :)

ok, back from the first visit with the lawyer, all the paper work is done, now just have to get the pictures taken(whoops, forgot that step) and have YM have his done, they are different then passport pictures. send the papers off to YM to sign and return... then lawyer sends them to VT for approval, then they go to amsterdam.
timeline is not bad at all, lawyer says YM will be here by summer!
lawyer is very positive about the case, and sees no hang ups with it! ;)
*big sigh of relief*
now if the IRS just gets the copies of 2001 and 2002 to me as promised ;)

*BIG!!! SIGH*

so, i SHOULD have had all the paper work returned for the next lawyer appointment on the 13th..
postal system "lost" it
ok, so lawyer sends me more forms before my appointment...i express them. takes 5 days, regular mail takes that long!
so i get all new improved typed in up to date forms at my appointment...i get a lightbulb moment, lets use a courier!!!
seized on the return to the US.. sitting at customs in JFK for god knows how long...


whats the deal here????
astrology people.... is mercury retrograde? if not what is and in what darn sign?????

have one set of signed forms... and one set of pictures that DID get through...was just a concern about the pictures being exact measurements, so was waiting for the seized envelope. go to the lawyer tomorrow to see if we can fly with what we have...please ageless, a collective finger crossing for luck? thanks ;)

oh it will go well!! *stomping cute princess foot*... thanks ;)

actually, i was told from my attorney, when immigrating to the US, at the time of entry on the visa, when immigrant has the last interview/check in, at that point, ASK real nice!!! for a stamp in the visa to allow work immediately...it can be done, but has to be ASKED for, and you avoid the 90 day period to file for a work permit

blondie...how old is the daughter? she should be listed on fiance's application...if under oh god, is it 18 or 21, but anyways if under those ages, can immigrate on fathers application for 1 year

can i "borrow" that size 9???
*eyeing a customs officer in JFK* you game?????

he'll never stand a chance against 2 princess' ;)

Well, after shopping around for attorneys I can afford to file the fiance visa for Remi and me, I have about decided I may do it myself. I have a friend who did all her own filing and had no problems whatsoever..... btw, she is American, her husband is from Turkey, is 17 years younger, they met once in person, but basically their relationship grew "online" before they married, and they got married in Turkey. So, if she can do it, I can do it too. I just don't want to spend what these lawyers are asking for. :(

just make sure all your i's are dotted...t's are crossed...considering the BS i have been facing now just getting the signed papers into the country..i'll be darned if i'm gonna try taking on immigration! ;)
will be ironic! you do it on your own without a hitch... i face every hiccup imaginable!

It would be so nice if we could just be where we wanted to be without all these immigration things... does anyone know when all this started? :( When is it that people started having to present papers to enter this or that land?

its gonna be the death of me yet! i am not known for patience... ;)

but went to the lawyer today, with the papers that did get to me... we are good to go!! papers off to VT for processing!
JFK customs still has the second package, i guess they are REALLY looking at those 4 papers... pose a threat i guess ;)
and guess what arrived in the mail today when i got home...the original lost in the mail envelope...

but at least now i can breath again... now just wait on VT to get the package, and hope the person assigned to the case is having a good day ;)

Remi and I spent the morning reviewing the list of items we have to have in order for the petition and for the application for the visa. So, I think we've got a pretty good handle on it so far. Now, the problem will be that with everything he has going on with his brother in the hospital right now, I hope he'll find time to get started on what he needs on his end. This waiting is torture. Kind of like moving in slooooooow motion.

*L* even with a lawyer, it seems slow motion! papers should be in VT now, although i have not received the confirmation number.
waiting for the lawyers office to resend me my financial papers that had a typo so i can get those notarize and bring them to wilko when i leave on the 6th.
i hate all these details! need this stuff done and a tracking number before i leave! ok, ok...virgos are not known for patience!! canned that a long time ago, want what i want yesterday... *darn life lessons* ;)

anyways, katrina...since i'm a few steps ahead of you...if you have any questions maybe i know an answer from what i have already done. how the lawyer wrote the letter of petition was interesting, and also have 3 years of tax returns to send to remi. i assume you are going the fiance way?

Hi Chris! Yes, we are going to apply for the fiance visa. And, heck, I'd ask you questions if I knew what to ask!! LOL

That visajourney.com website has loads of good tips about the process, so that's what I'm using as my guide. It even has a sample petition letter. But, certainly, any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated! :D

i never really looked into info on sites... had just gotten the paper work from government and decided nah! i don't want to try this on my own.
what surprised me, just my "basic" petition goes to VT... my letter of employment, tax returns, financial affidavit all go to wilko for him to bring to his interview.

the letter of petition was broken down into steps, how we met. how it evolved, and my personal history, goals for a relationship

VT received application april 28th. got my tracking number, VT says 30 to 45 days for approval, lawyer says i'll see approval before i return home from the netherlands!!!! then sent to amsterdam, and their site says 8 to 10 weeks for processing. *fingers crossed its a shorter time*

almost there!!!! or should i say he's almost home! ;)

*fingers crossed for you!* :)

Chris, I know you're glad you got that tracking number. Now you can breathe easier on your trip. I'll keep my fingers crossed that time will fly by before he's home with you.

maria...thanks! i'll take as many crossed fingers as i can get on my side!! ;)

katrina, i just hope my VT time gives you hope! netherlands i hear is quick, romania may be slower... but girlfriend this can be done in a few months. create the reality!

Hey, know what? I can wait as long as it takes... because he is worth it. ;) And, fortunately for me, he feels the same way!

airlines need to increase the weight limit if you are only taking one suitcase. 50 pounds just isn't enough! *nodding* going to lighen the load a bit more ;)

I know what you mean, Chris! I ended up taking 3 suitcases and a smaller carryon bag with me and it just wasn't enough for the two weeks I was there! My problem then was having to take clothes that would work for both winter and warmer weather since the weather was so unpredictable at the end of March.

I checked two of the suitcases. But, carried the other suitcase and carryon with me. Altogether, I bet they both weighed 50 lbs. I thought I was going to get a hernia lugging them from one gate to another! :p

*L* yes...if you just take one, they should up it to 75, 50 each if you take 2. i took some stuff out, *sigh* figure i can wear wilko's sweaters if i get cold. but i NEED my STUFF!!!
gonna be overweight when i return though i'm sure...bringing back some of his things... and the suitcase expands... and already at 50. ;)

god...i can't wait to leave tomorrow!!!!

Received the application packet a few days ago for the fiance visa. Am preparing to send Remi his forms to complete and have just about got all my documentation collected. As soon as Remi gets his forms back to me, off we go to the post office. :D

great katrina!!!! then the "next wait" begins....

um, how many times a day is to often to check immigration site to see if status has been changed to approved???????
then the "next"wait...
so close now...so close

dreams do come true...

Katrina! I was wondering too, is the packet like really thick and detailed? And just out of curiosity, in your opinion, would it make any difference if a person coming into this country was rich or not?

Linda

I don't think the person's financial status has any bearing. I have only begun to complete the forms, but I don't recall seeing anything asking for any information about his financial status, job, etc.

About the packet. Heck no, it's not thick. I was expecting this nice, big packet that would be full of information. Inside were three forms, 2 of which are duplicates -- 1 for me to complete and 1 for Remi to complete. I complete the third one. There are a few instructions on that third one, but that's it! I got most of the information I needed to know about what to include from a website and from one consultation with an attorney, who I chose NOT to hire because he wanted way too much money.

But, the forms look very simple. Actually, much easier than doing taxes. :)

the immigration process is interesting in what they "require"or more accurately don't require

the US service center gets
name
address
they don't even ask social security number ;)
a basic bio on both parties
where have you lived the past 5 years
where do you work the past 5 years.
a letter of intent of marriage, how you met is included

after an ok from the states, all is forwarded to the consulate, who reviews and interviews, checks police records, checks my financial status(go figure, i woulda thought that was done stateside) that i am above poverty guidelines. financial statement is a letter of employment, and 3 years tax returns

as i said to my lawyer...harder to get a credit card... ;)

I have only begun to complete the forms, and hope to get them done by this weekend, but they don't ask for the fiance's financial status, do they? I think they are only interested in the petitioner's financial status to make sure that we can support our fiance's while they are here right, Chris?

yes, the financial statement is on the petitioner...not on the fiance. income has to be above 125% of poverty guidelines for however many will be in the family.

well yesterday...VT site FINALLY changed the date on their site for processing. working now on the date mine was received. finally!! so close!! please, can i be on the top of the pile?????

I mailed the G-325A form to Remi today. I sent it express mail. I hope that it gets there quickly. I even wrote his letter of intent for him so that all he has to do is sign it. :D

Everyone keep your fingers crossed that they don't make him travel all the way to Oradea again to pick it up like they did when I mailed him a package. That's probably about an 8-10 hour train trip from where he lives, or more. :rolleyes:

I enclosed the most wonderful card in the envelope, too. It talks about how I wish I were the raindrops falling from the sky that would fall upon his face, his lips that I long to kiss. Mushy stuff like that. :D It completely describes how I feel about being away from him. I hope he likes it.

great katrina!!! the next step done!

the apart and waiting is horrible. i check status a couple of times a day, and still nothing! this seems to be the worst wait, so close, but still waiting... after a wonderful trip there, and knowing he will be immigrating, these days seem to be the worst, and really they shouldn't be. just feeling sorry for myself...

Awww, ((((( HUGS ))))) Chris! Just keep your attention focused on the outcome. I know that it was helpful to me when the attorney I consulted told me that he's never seen a fiance visa turned down.

So, stay focused on that and then on your next step... those wedding plans. :D

thats good to hear...my attorney said he saw no problems, that wilko would be here the end of summer...but i just get so sick of waiting!! ;) now one would think after a lifetime of waiting this would be a piece of cake.. but i have zero patience!

wedding plans... hmm, a justice, 2 witness...done! ;)
pretty close to the truth, but wilko's parents do want to come, but it will just be a simple ceremony here at the house, a few people...

Christina, everything is going fine, stop worrying, girl!

Your love is coming, you'll have a wonderful time with him, imagine around Christmas, New Year, or whatever celebrations you have in your family, from now on you'll have Wilko with you!

Do you usually cook for him? Is he a good cook? :)

worry?? ME???? bah! princess' DEMAND what they want , to have happened yesterday! i'm just sick of the waiting... think you have a good idea of what i mean. after having spent May there, hard to shift back to here, and wait. i have never been know for my patience... ;)
my only saving grace... it does end! VT will give approval any day, then just amsterdam has to give their ok...
so everyday is one day closer to the finalization..

we both can do the cooking... but i tend to be the type that kitchen time is 30 minutes or less... or throw it into a pot, walk away. simple mind, simple receipes ;)

Hehe, I know what you mean. They say patience is a virtue, I think it's an ideal... ;)

Jason and I both cook, I am more into elaborated dishes, he's into Mexican food. He says he has a Mexican soul, but actually he has a Mexican stomach! And an Irish liver, he never gets drunk!

Since we are talking about daily life, does Wilko do the work around the house, too? I am just too noisy, huh?

patience is over rated ;)
probably this is the worst wait... totally out of our control, waiting for some government employee to finally hit our application...and hope he/she is having a good day ;) almost wish we had done "the stay in the country" route, and let the lawyer handle it... but it really wasn't smart or workable for us to go that way.

anyways! neither wilko or i mind the cooking... or the cleaning(i'm blessed!!!) his standard of neurosis is almost as bad as mine, and we each have some that are different from the others, so it works well actually! i'll have floors washed a heck of a lot more frequently then my 2x a year, and the bed changed more then my "hmm, i think its been 2 weeks, best get around to doing it" ;) after 2 daughters, 2 husbands that couldn't have cared less what the place looked like, let alone help..this is a wonderful change to sharing of what needs to be done. it is an excellent partnership... doing the chores, to enjoying the same relaxing activities. such a difference from what i'm used to. they say 3 times is the charm... i'm believing it!

maria...when are you and jason looking at finally being able to be together? before you left NH, you had posted about wishing you could put in an application to the hospital there...and my thought was...why not????

Oh I know all about doing the chores together and how it feels nice! Jason was working all the time I was there, but the days he was at home he wouldn't wait for me to do things for him, he cooked, he put some order in the house, he's been really well raised by his mom!

As for finally living together, we are hoping this may become reality after his graduation from college, next year in June. I really need to go back to Brazil, get in touch again with patients, do my yearly update and probably assume the teaching job I was offered. If Jason doesn't adapt well, or if we are attracted to living in a cold country, chances are that I go work in the US. But I definitely want to try life n Brazil before that, and so does Jason. It will be a very rich experience for him, too, and he'll surely be able to understand my culture much better.

I think he'll especially like how people are warm and love music. Music is everywhere in Brazil, in the shops, in the streets, in the beaches. He'll surely incorporate lots of new sounds and rhythms to his music, too.

Have you learned a lot about the Netherlands, Christina? Has it been helpful for you to understand Wilko?

yes, wilko also worked while i was there...and it was nice to do things together, or to do for each other. new experience for me!

the second trip there was longer in time and i was able to observe the people more, the family customs, the lifestyle. it was an eye opener! it was so different then what i am used to! the one thing that really annoyed me was the disrespect for personal space... if i got "walked through" one more time so help me!! the other thing that was an eye opener was how much government is involved in one's life in regard to getting an apartment, overtime at work. these things were all foreign to me! ;) un american!! and groceries prices, prices in general made me gasp!!!
i found family to be much closer then what i am used to...then again i come from dsyfunctional...

in retrospect... could i live there , yes i could... i adapt. but it made me realize as an american how much i do have and take for granted. it made me realize i do have it pretty good here.

maria, what were your impressions of the states(exculding bacon and hamburgers ;)) as vesus other places you have lived?

I think it should be obligatory to live for a while in the partner's country in order to build a life together! It helps so much to understand their behaviour!

I have thought a lot about the time I spent in the US. I found people to be incredibly informal, so much that sometimes I thought Jason knew the person behind the counter or the waiter serving our table! They just talk to you as if they knew you!

I loved to see how people worked in their gardens all at the same time! In one single week, one neighbour mowed his lawn three times! He was retired and he spent the day working in his hobbies: boat, motorcycle and his truck. People seem to enjoy life well.

I remember one scene at the movies that was typical of a country where everyone is aware of their rights, maybe a bit too much. There was a woman asking the waiter (it was one of those movie theaters where you can eat!) to tell a young couple that they could not block the way between the corridors, because in case of fire we wouldn't be able to run! There were at least four other ways to escape, but she wanted that one free! She was not wrong and so they had to obey...

I met lots of strange people, too. Too many people screaming at their partners or children without any concern or embarrassment.

A lot of crazy, aggressive drivers. But lots of police control and that was good.

I loved to see children because they are so trusting, so willing to talk to you. I now understand why parents have to be careful in the US regarding strangers; something in your culture makes it easy for children to trust anyone in the street. They are too friendly! I've got the impression that children in Japan, in Europe and even in Brazil are much more aware of things like "do not talk to strangers".

People telling me they liked my shoes or that Jason and I looked cute together: I had never met those people and was not buying anything from them! Just plain spontaneous kindness. Americans are not ashamed to tell you they like this or that. I loved it. I imagine they would also tell me bluntly what they didn't appreciate, but I didn't see this. Everybody was polite with me.

It's true many people live in their small worlds and don't know much about the world outside. But they were curious, they asked me questions, they searched their brains to tell me something that could relate to me or to my country, and that was cute.

Some people were extremely jealous and that hit me. Some people that knew Jay ignored me every time we met, and when calling on the cell phone, would not even say hi to me, just "can I talk to Jason?". It's not difficult to know it's me on the phone... I have a slight accent LOL Another friend whined about him not having time to spend with the rest of them... Well, Jason didn't appreciate it and let them know. I never understood friends who are not happy for you when you find someone to love! My friends would just say, forget us Maria, go for it, and spend time with your man! That's what you did around here, right? ;)

I loved the prices. It's by far cheaper than Europe!

In summary, it's a unique culture and I would have no problems living there.

I would just like to add that except for the informality, the rest of what I mentionned here is not an exclusive behaviour of Americans.

We see that elsewhere in the world, maybe less openly, but I can't claim that it's something American.

The wonderful bacon, however, is only found in the US.

And may I add, while Jason sleeps, your country has handsome guys and I am sorry to have taken one for me, you may add it to the Brazilian huge foreign debt. ;)

interesting response maria...

when wilko was here, he also commented on the friendliness of americans ( i had to chuckle, this is new england, we are not known for our friendliness) and he also commented that americans seem generally happy. from my experience, i found his culture much more reserved, self contained, wary.
as for our children, are they to trusting? i don't know...i certainly taught my daughters to be cautious... but i believe most people are good people, and i certainly hope we don't create a society of distrust of people.

in the netherlands, i found people to be curious and polite when they found out i was american, but i still found the society to be somewhat rude in personal space, i saw really no "general" courtesy, i never heard an excuse me... which i find so common in my society. there was a sense of hurriedness, you are in my way, that i am not accustomed to. unfortunately, i found myself responding in kind due to "getting sick of it and always defering". had to remember...random acts of kindness...

as you stated about jason... an american will strike up a conversation with you as if they know you...i missed that. i missed just the simple smile at the grocery store, glad to see you! whoever you are ;) don't get me wrong, i did see some of it in the netherlands, but not to the degree i am accustom to...it really surprised me how much eye contact is avoided there.
it was a great experience and as you said, necessary to understand one's partner better

as for brazils outrageous foreign debt, we'll let ya keep jason...he's a freebie for ya...americans are generous ;)

Wow, for free? I take it, I take it, but now you have to understand I have 26 cousins, and they will all be wanting one too!

Yes, I found children to be very trusting. In Luxembourg it's the case in small villages (they do have medium villages LOL but mostly it's all about small villages). Maybe it was just in the place where I was, it was not a big city.

I find Dutch people to be very cold, too. It may be because I compare them with warmer societies, like French that I know better. French are quite formal, but they are Latin, and that means they are more open than their northern neighbours. I have very good German friends, I think they have a special sense of humour that I really like. I also like Belgians, although my experience with some of them was not good, I appreciate their culture, the funny relaxed way they can see life.

Generalizations are dangerous, but there's obviously things that are part of a culture and that give it its uniqueness. I would certainly say Americans are friendly and are informal, and that's something I really liked.

What do Dutch people eat?

ARGH!!! i give away an american asset free and NOW you tell me about your 26 cousins?????

i think that may be the crux of it... i come from a small town also and lifestyle is so different. but even in comparison of going into NYC as compared to amsterdam, the "attitude" is different. when wilko stated he saw americans as generally happy, i took a look around me...we are! to bad we don't realize all we do have! ;)

hmmm, what do dutch eat... given the prices, let me tell you, not fresh fruits or vegetables! ;) meat prices are high too compared to what i am used to, buy 1 get 2 free.
but i did have my first rabbit stew that wilko made. excellent! cooked in wine with plums and carrots. may be our new christmas dinner!
and french fries! macdonalds has a long way to go! ;)
i found a lot of the foods fried there, more so then what i am used to.
diet is also very high in bread and cheeses. gotta say, their bread is outta this world!

Lucky girls, some of my cousins are men... ;)

*L*
maybe we could earn ourselves some plane fare money and start an auction?

NO kidding, I could do that!! :D

http://www.smilieland.com/graphics2/geld3.gif

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status:

On June 3, 2004, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case. The notice explains in detail what additional material is needed. If you have questions about the notice, what is required, or if 14 days have passed and you have not received the notice, please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

i don't believe this...we have a lawyer! what more info could they want???
:(

Oh no!! I hate to hear this. Keep me posted on what they want because I haven't mailed off our stuff yet. I'm waiting for the G-325a to get to Remi.

What kind of papers are they asking for now?

Can he still come even without completing this stuff? Can he wait for it in the US?

I'm so sorry things have to be this complicated, Christina. :(

maria, the web site doesn't say what more they need, just that they sent a letter. i'll call the attorney monday to see if he got the letter and what they want. considering they only wanted bios, birth, divorce papers...i can't imagine what this is about. somehow i feel "red flagged".

once immigration is started, the person who is to immigrate, can not come into the country.
it seems with the problems earlier with mail/courriers and now this... feel like we are being tested on patience. i am failing...

Keep your chin up, Chris! You can make it. Remember that time I told you about all the stuff my attorney was recommending be included in the documentation, but your attorney didn't even ask for it? I can't remember exactly what it was, but I'm sure that's all it is.

Please don't give up! :)

i won't give up...just worn down with delays.

i know the attorney has pictures, copies of tickets, passports, all the proof that we have met, and our intent to marry.

after monday, i'm sure it will be resolved, but just feeling like getting delayed left and right.... and each day counts and pushes off the final goal...that will be reached!

ok, so it was something "easy"., but caused us to loose more time.
immigration wanted his divorce papers. which they have. an international marriage certificate, which down on the bottom list particulars...DIV. then a date...look at the code people!!!! divorced! *sigh*

So did they need someone to show them?

These people, they only do this day after day, but still don't do it well. :rolleyes:

*nodding head* yes they did maria...lawyer is overnighting back another copy and how to "read" the paper. kinda sad isn't it??? pisses me right off!! cause umm, they do this for a living! and i loose 2 weeks time... *sigh*
katrina had a good idea for herself...stick on notes to "help" them find what they should know how to find

Look at this way, Chris. Maybe this means that they are reviewing the documents in such a hurry that they aren't sitting there picking them over with a fine tooth comb, which is what worries me most!

Hey, wanted to run a thought by you. I am considering going the Direct Consular Filing route. Do you know much about that option? I've heard it can be alot quicker, but it would mean a trip back to Bucharest for me. But, hey, I would love to do that anyway! :p

i would rather just have them do their job right! they should have KNOWN how to read that paper!!

anyways, i don't know anything about direct consular filing... please don't tell me i messed up!
but wouldn't the states also have to review? through the nebraska headquaters? tell me more about it!

As I understand it, Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is an option available only in certain countries, but you have to be married first. In other words, I think it replaces the K-3 (spousal visa) application process. But, I don't know alot about it yet.

I have a friend who married a man from Turkey. She married him there in Turkey and they applied at the consulate there. It took a long time to get him here, however, she just told me today that the reason it took so long was only because she didn't know in advance that she needed specific documentation. They basically went to the consulate with only their marriage certificate.

I did read somewhere on visajourney.com I believe that the benefit of the K-1 over the DCF is that since you have 90 days with the K-1 before you must marry, which gives you more time to be sure before the wedding.

Here's a link that I haven't completely read that may have some info:

Direct Consular Filing (http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/DCFandnoDCFcountries.html)

EDIT: I just noticed that website said that Romania does not allow DCF for non-resident visitor US citizens. I think that means that I won't be able to do that after all. I need to research this some more. Maybe I'll calll the US embassy in Romania.

are we having fun yet??? ;)

i had looked into getting married in the netherlands... but it takes up to 6 weeks to get the license... so that was out. ;) well VT should send papers on there way next week... i just hope amsterdam isn't "backlogged" and we can make up some time there, but their site says approximately 10 weeks. getting there, but sloooow, so it seems to me!

I talked to Remi tonight. Sometimes I feel like there are so many obstacles in our way. :(

Three weeks ago I mailed to him some things he needs to sign. I sent it Global Express, which should have taken 3-5 business days to get there.

Friday, he got a notice that he must travel to Bucharest, several hours away, to pick up the envelope. And the notice said he has 3 days to pick it up. I suppose if he doesn't pick it up by tomorrow, it will be shipped back to me, or thrown away! The notice does not even tell him where to go there. A woman working at his local post office told him, "It will be easy to find. It's a big building." LOL!!!!

Apparently, she has not been to Bucharest, where there are SCORES of huge buildings. It's a city of 2 million people!!!

He is going to call our friend, Miki, the taxi driver who drove us to Transylvania while we were there, to see if he knows where to go.

If he is able to get there in time to pick it up and then mail it back to me within a week, then hopefully, sometime in the next FEW WEEKS, it will FINALLY come back to me so that I can ship it off to Nebraska. I just hope and pray that Remi has everything completed correctly.

I really could use some prayers right now. He and I feel so discouraged already. Tonight he tried to cheer me up. Usually, it's me cheering him up. We need to be together. I may plan on making another trip back there before the end of the year after all.

Last night in St. Louis, I was so discouraged as I sat at the table full of other couples. It just reinforced to me how far apart he and I are. I miss him very much and just feel so helpless right now with all this stupid rigamarole we have to go through.

hugs girlfriend...
we make it through

Receipt Number: EAC0415353763

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status:

On June 14, 2004, we received your response to our request for evidence or information. It is taking between 30 and 45 days for us to process this kind of case. However because preliminary processing was complete, the remaining processing time will be less than the maximum stated in this message. You will receive a written decision on this case.


umm, today would be a good day to finish your decision... this is a no brainer guys

It's getting close!!!

This message is clearly not a standard one, it's a good sign, the good news are on the way, I can tell!

http://www.smilieland.com/graphics2/sonne6.gif

Wonderful news, Chris. Now, how long is it typically taking at the Amsterdam end once the petition is approved?

i know the approval is a done deal... just need it to say so! and still, i'm just so angry that they could not/were not familiar with an international paper. lawyer explained the whole paper to them in his letter, and made reference to Vienna convention on such and such a date... so they should have known!

katrina...amsterdam says cases vary in time, on average 10 weeks. at this point, i would like to get my days back, so i hope they are faster. *offering up a prayer request* ;)

blondie... 2 days! that is wonderful! do keep us posted, and of course we want pictures! have been so caught up in my world, but have been wondering how it has been going for you...

Remi got back from Bucharest last night. He got the packet I sent him! It took him 5 hours in Bucharest just to find the building where the papers had been sent. Poor guy. :(

First he couldn't find the phone number of the taxi driver we got to know while there in March. So, he asked other taxi drivers and no one knew where it was. Then, he took the subway trying to get about town to find it on his own and got lost! Finally, he took a taxi to the train station where he found a policeman who, fortunately, knew where Remi needed to go! Thank God for that man. Anyway, he spent 5 hours travelling around Bucharest trying to find the place. He finally got there, and picked up the packet.

Now, about DCF (direct consular filing option)... apparently, you not only need to know if the consulate will allow DCF, but you also have to know if they allow U.S. citizens who are not residents of that country to apply for this type of filing. Well, Romania doesn't allow it. So, what that means is that I cannot go the DCF route (which is the quickest route) because I am a U.S. citizen who is not living in Romania at the time. :rolleyes:

So, so much for that option.

katrina...so glad remi got the papers!!! what a mess trying to find the building, but done! one step finished..

BTW, how is alin doing?

Remi says that Alin is improving. He had a craniotomy about 2 weeks ago and is supposed to be moved out of ICU anytime now. Seems a bit longer than what we would normally expect within the U.S., but then what's new. I'm not clear if he has been able to actually talk to him, but the doctors are telling Remi that he is getting better. Hopefully next time we talk I'll learn more details. I'm particularly interested in knowing if they expect any residual neurologic damage.

Thanks for asking about him! :)

so glad alin is doing better... perhaps both of us can get back on track now and get this immigration done! have dinner and drinks to do! ;)

katrina, stress to remi the pictures have to be the certain way. wilko had some problems with photograhers going huh??? it was not all that common a shot done there and the measurments have to be exact

I had Remi print a page from visajourney.com that describes the exact photo specifications required. I have emphasized to him several times that it's not the same size as a passport photo and that it's called an ADIT photo. He seems to have it all down pat after me nagging him to pieces about it. :D So, I think we'll be ok. All I can do is hope anyway.

*LOL* i've had a few russians and find that so funny...kinda what i did! nagged to death...had sent a link...what do you mean you lost it!???? ARGH!!!!!

Dang it!!! That Remi left the page he printed with the photo specifications at home when he went to get his pictures made! :mad: The first set was made with a blue background. WRONG. Must be white or off-white. So, he has to go have a 2nd set made, which of course, delays getting everything back to me.

We did go through the form while we were online together and it seems that he has completely filled it out. I was teasing him, though, about the section where he's supposed to fill in information about former spouses. He's never been married before, but I said, "Did you remember to put down your ex-wife's name?" LOL He got so confused, thinking I was talking about ME for some reason. By the time he understood the joke, it wasn't funny anymore. :p

Anyway, he is going to check the prices to ship back to me by DHL, but I bet it'll be expensive and he'll end up having to use good old fashioned snail mail. Soooooooooo, maybe by next Christmas, I'll finally receive those papers.:rolleyes:

oh god yes... first it was the requirements of the pictures, then it was regular mail that sent by boat instead of airmail, so when i never got them switched to courriers and a seizure of the envelope, then the delay of immigration going on 3 weeks now...

if is an extremely frustrating process.. and there are days it completely does me in, and i can't even begin to find my boot straps! ;)

Thanks for sharing that link, Raven. I had heard about it last year when I was researching information about the green card lottery (also known as the diversity visa lottery program). It's important that people be aware of this scam which is another ruthless attempt at bilking innocent people of their money.

APPROVED!!!
got the notice in the mail today...

http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/b/cool5.gif


http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/b/dance16.gif

I'm very happy for you two. How many weeks altogether was it Chris?

Now, if only I can get the forms back from Remi. He tried to find a DHL location so he could courier them back to me. The address given to us by DHL is invalid and whenever he calls their phone number, no one answers.

Soooo, looks like he'll have to use good old snail mail. Who knows when they'll EVER get back to me. So, our clock hasn't even officially started ticking and at this point, it has already been 5 weeks since I mailed him his forms. :mad:

Hurray, Christina! That is great news. You must be so excited.

timeline...
VT rec'd petition on 4/28
VT requested more info 6/3, rec'd resend of info(which they had!!) 6/14
VT approved 6/24

so it took 8 weeks, when in actually it should have taken 5. VT has the quickest processing times. Katrina, have you thought of moving? this process is soooo slow and stressful. now it gets shipped to NH, where all fiance visa requests are sent out from..that processing just to get courriered to embasseies/consulates can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. but i have learned "waiting"albiet patient, but hey! ;) the big hurdle is over... got the approval.
in actuality katrina, if romania can get it out of there postoffices, it should arrive pretty quickly. are there any other courriers??? probably not given DHL is the biggest in europe *sigh* can you call from the states to get a location for him?

patricia...thank you! i am! if i remember correctly, you have some experience with the whole darn thing!

Well, that's what I did, Chris. I made the call to find the location for him. We also went to their website as well. There were two different addresses. He tried both. :confused:

I don't know of any other courier service. By now, he's probably already mailed them anyway. But, I doubt I'll see them before at least 3 weeks. I'd be shocked and amazed if they come any sooner.

Wow. 8 week processing time is terrific. I can only hope I'll be so lucky. Can you tell I'm down at this moment? I hit one of those darned rough spots last night and cried all through my conversation with Remi. :(

I had no idea that there is now another waiting period just to get the documents shipped to Amsterdam. Why aren't they shipped directly from Vt? I learn something new every day about this that I don't wanna know! LOL

Wow, Christina, I just read this now, approved!!!

WooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooo

Congratulations to you two!

*nodding* yeah, i'm learning as we go too.... hopefully, from what i have read, things pick up speed now. it is just getting the #$@! papers outta the states! hang in there katrina...it will happen. and i know about those down times, i went into recluse/survival mode

thanks maria!

Congrats!!!! That is great news!!! Now your honey just needs to get the US and another wedding to celebrate on ageless!!!!

thanks Guinavere...
yes, another ageless wedding coming up! have yet to decide how we are gonna do it, at home, or rent a room and cater. depends most on the time of year we finally "get it pulled off".
it also makes me think...marriage number 3 (god! if you had asked me the probabilities of that years ago...how life changes!) anyways, 3 times is the charm!

and today, the letter from NH visa center, dated july 1st... the approved petition will be forwarded to the consult in amsterdam within the week for the visa interview! so it should have just about arrived :)
orginially on the approval notice, VT had said 2 to 4 weeks for NH, but NH is moving them out.
so from receipt 4/28 to 7/1 to get it outta the country. 3 weeks lost in VT due to the blonde working there. now to see what amsterdams case load is...

thank you dragonfly... i had followed your orginial post, and i hope things are working out for you and your husband. you have been in my thoughts...

Received the forms back from Remi yesterday. :D Photo's look like they meet the specifications, although they seem large around the border, but hey, maybe they can trim them down if necessary. :p I'm hoping to have the packet mailed off by next week.

Can you believe that it took 3 weeks for express mail from the US to Romania to reach him, but only 5 days for him to express mail it back to me??!!

I need everyone to say a prayer for me. It's a very stressful time for us both. I'm stressing because I miss him so much and want to see him, but I know that I need to save the money for when the visa is approved. He's stressing because he is going to have to make a decision about whether to move out of his apartment. The lease ends after October. That's coming up quickly. Last year, he had to pay for a year in advance!! So, hopefully, this year he can find a place that will let him rent by the month until he comes here. Keep your fingers crossed that he finds a place soon.

You and Remi are in my thoughts and prayers too! I am sending my k1 off next week too. It is a stressful process. I am lucky in that Devon is here with me now although will be going back home soon. I am NOT looking foward to missing him again :(

-<-<-<@

YOU AND REMI ARE IN OUR PRAYERS...
GREAT THINGS ARE NEVER VERY EASY..
GREAT LOVE IS NO EXCEPTION I THINK
ever wonder if it's why INS was created??

our LOVE TO YOU @->->--

Linda +Serdar

katrina, wonderful news!!! get those papers out!
a place for remi to stay will fall into place...


dragonfly... so glad you are working it out! good to hear. communication with 4000 miles between, is less then ideal. and i certainly do understand your resentment when the first year was suppose to have been so different. :(

marcy...glad to hear you are filing! how long was devon with you? the 90 days on passport? seems longer...
what center will you be using to file?
all the best with the process


ladies... as we all know...good things are worth waiting for. *tapping foot impatiently*

Originally posted by marcy
You and Remi are in my thoughts and prayers too! I am sending my k1 off next week too. It is a stressful process. I am lucky in that Devon is here with me now although will be going back home soon. I am NOT looking foward to missing him again :(

Woohoo!! Which center do you send to? Mine is Nebraska. We can have a race. ;)

Unfortunately, they are working on a Feb. 10th date right now. :mad:

I'm in Nebraska too and that sucks :(.

Yes he's been here now the third time and it has been more than 90 days. Devon is Canadian and is allowed to stay in the country for 6 months. No visa is required for Canadians.

last part of the process!!!!

wilko received his first packet from the embassy today!! now just filling out the DS230 DS156, DS156K.... return.... then packet 2!

That's wonderful, Chris. One step closer to you. :)

Now, since we haven't gotten that far, please explain what is in each packet. And why two separate ones? I haven't read up on that part of the process much yet.

the first packet contains a DS230(1), DS 156, DS156k. forms to apply for the visa. those get returned as soon as you have them filled out. you also get a checklist... to gather birth certificate, marriage/divorce papers, police report, immunization records, 3 photos per their size requirements, military records. after all that is done you send the checklist back.
then you get your date for doctors appointment, interview. dates won't be given till paper work is done, checklist returned

More photos??!! Sheesh.

thanks Chris. ;)

Its not always that order or those requirements is my understanding. It is based upon the Consulate in your SO's country and even within the country the Consulates can be different. For example, Devon is going through Vancouver and he can make his own dr's appt before the interview date is given, in fact its required that this is complete first. Also in Vancouver, the picture requirements are different. My advice to everyone is to make sure what your SO's Consulate will want/require!

marcy, it is a "little" different with each country/consulate. as our lawyer told me, they all think they got a better way, even though it is suppose to be standard procedure in all countries ;)
for example the 156 can be signed before submitting, the 156K can not. all web sites i have looked at, say do not sign the 156. netherlands says sign... called to confirm
plus too, different countries have different forms for affidavit of support
plus i have read, between age 16 to 45, suppose to receive and fill out 157. didn't get that one ;)
*shrug* good thing i was grey before we started this ;)

yes, wilko will get his medical, any shots from GP, then go to their doctor as required

Did either of you provide a copy of your ssn card with the application?

I have read conflicting advice on this. I have my application complete except this piece. I discovered that I cannot find mine and getting it would take an additional week or two :(.

Interested in your thoughts here. Thanks.

Marcy, I just read the instructions for that form and I don't see where we have to provide a copy of the SSN. We do, however, have to submit the front and back copies of the birth certificate. I plan to just send in my original since I have a couple of extra copies.

no...don't think we submitted that, just had to list my number.

it really is annoying all the conflicting that is read... then different requirements of interviewing embassy.

Yes I agree ladies... I do not see anywhere that this required, however, many people have sent theirs in and so... you know... I'm wondering if I should...

Hope to send out my package on Monday. We got our pics done yesterday and now I'm worried that those might not be perfect enough. I have read of people getting rfe'd for redos on pics. UGHHH! I hate this process and I've not even got my package to FedEx yet :(!

I am doing the notebook thing with tabs organizing the information. I am sending 2 complete sets of the application. I am keeping the originals in a similar notebook for me as well as 1 complete copy of the notebook for me, in case they lose the two I sent them.:rolleyes:

I am worried that I do not have enough "proof" of relationship. How many pictures of the two of you together did you enclose? Did you enclose chat logs? Did you enclose proof of travel?

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it. It is nice to be able to come here in addition to the other forum. We have an emotional/spritual connection here that doesn't really exist in my Canam forum.

I'm worried about my pictures, too. Mine are pale. I'm considering having them taken somewhere else. I'd rather do that than send them in only to be notified they aren't good enough.

I am only sending in 2 or 3 photos. That's how many the attorney recommended. He said they don't care to see too many.

Yes, I'm sending in copies of chat logs and emails. I don't have any regular letters, but if I did, I'd send them in, too.

I'm also sending in proof of my travel there, including copies of my passport pages where it was stamped in Bucharest, copies of my airline itinerary, ticket stub and boarding passes. Wouldn't you know, the ONE boarding pass I've misplaced is the one where I landed in Bucharest?? But I've at least got the one from where I left there to go to Paris.

I'm also enclosing a copy of the receipt from my accommodations from my trip, and copies of ticket stubs from movies we saw there.

I hadn't thought of sending in two copies of the application packet. Nor, of sending in only copies of the application forms. I thought we had to send in the originals. Don't we? And, why two copies of the packet, Marcy?

isn't it a wonderful stress free process? ;)
your pictures are fine ladies, as long as its white background and 3/4, and required size

lawyer sent in a few pictures from 3 of our visits. copy of my ticket from the upcoming 4th trip, admission stamps from passports. and CERTIFIED copies of all the required paper work.

what he also included was a sworn affidavit from me stating, US citizen, believe in the obligation of oath, over the age of 21...blah, blah... it then goes into a numbered order of how and where SO and i met. it lists my marriages in general and their length of duration, and stating children from the first. that i commit to long term relationships, and why my second marriage failed due to different interests, and we parted friendly with an uncontested divorce.
it also explains that SO and i had a friendship during this time and after my divorce we decided to meet.
then it lists the visits we have shared, what we did, and how we decided to pursue a relationship.
it talks of the support from SO son for SO and i to marry, and how we decided not to wait till son turned 18.
it then respectfully requests acting favorably in regard to my petition so SO and i may marry
sworn under the penalties and pains of perjury and notorized

i think the letter is important...it lists the chronology, gives an "idea" of "who i am", and is a sworn statement

for what its worth! ;)

Well the 2 complete copies are recommended on my Canam forum so thats why I have done that. The binder with tabs is recommended on the Nebraska website. I too am including a letter discussing our history etc...

It is clearly stated that originals are not necessary to send in... including original photos.... color copies are okay. If you send in copies then you need a statement attesting that they are exact duplicates of originals and that originals are available upon request. This information is available on the Nebraska site and has been confirmed repeatedly on my Canam site.

I think I might be unclear as to the application forms... those are all originals, but I actually filled them all out for 3 copies and we signed each one. Its the supporting documents that are all copies, except the one binder that is originals of everything.

Apparently there have been cases of documents being lost by them and I just wanted to have everything possible.

We are going to be a bit weak on proof of travel. I hope we'll be okay. We have Devon's passport with its stamp. We have one used ticket/itinerary from one of his visits. THe other travels have been by car and I don't get anything but a nod for going to Canada :rolleyes:

Sheesh... I'm worried... however glad to hear that Christine is confident on the pics...

Hey Marcy, can you give me a link to the Nebraska site? I didn't know they even had their own site.

thanks!

They have a site off of the main site. I have it at work, but not at home. I'll try to look it up here too. If not, I'll post it for you on Monday.

esp. Christina, Katrina and Marcy..... I am sure that all of this this seems like is has been almost insurmountable but all 3 of you are closer to completion every day.
Christina, I have a question about immunizations and the doctor... are immunization records needed for both? and why do you have to see a doctor? for what purpose?
And Katrina, Feb 10th??? Gosh.... that is a long time....but then again, not reallywhen you can think of the lifetime you will be together!
OH and Dragonfly, since you married your ym over there, will it easier for him to immigrate here once he graduates?
And I know I have alluded to this before....BUT if the person who wants to come to the US has money, does he/she stand a better chance at expediting things do you think?
My best to all of you who are going through this terrible but wonderful process. I just cannot believe how hard it has gotten to get into the US like it has lately. And is it because of 9/11??? I have no clue!

it has been a pure hell! the waiting is so darn stressful, the backlog of cases before they even look at yours, someone else making a decision about your life. kinda makes me angry actually. ya think about x amount of illegal aliens in this country, and what we gonna do? give em social security and health benefits...and then ya got us who do it legally, and we wait, and we wait...and we say please... ARGH!
anyways.... yes, each day closer ;)

as for the doctor...it is a general checkup, to make sure you are current on vaccinations(mumps, rubella...that whole routine). if you do not have records, you get the shots from their doctor. bloodwork is done to check for HIV, and a chest xray for TB. thats all i know. katrina, marcy? you got more on it?

drangonfly...i'd be curious too...from what i've read, and just looking at VT center...to immigrate a spouse lists as taking longer. go figure...i have no clue why

as for money of the person wanting to immigrate...i don't think that has any bearing. it is never asked for. it is the sponsers responsibility to be 125% above poverty guidelines.
now i just know fiance visa...so money may play into coming in on "your own". then again i don't know if that is possible, or you do need to find a sponser. either an individual or a "group" i.e. church or something

i'm not sure that i agree with it being harder... a credit card application asks me for more info. but then again, i don't know what security checks VT runs... but i imagine they run my social security number, police report, can call up the last time i went to the doctor ;). we are big brother to an extent...
all the checks are also done on receiving countries end too.
i would love to know if anyone has more insight to what the US check actually is...

suicide...thank you for the support, and encouragement! gonna be a huge post here when SO gets his interview done, and i actually can pick a wedding date. looking at october for now...

Linda, the immunizations and medical exam are only for the person who is immigrating TO the U.S. You as the petitioner would not have to have those.

Actually it is not true that K1 visa holders cannot leave the country for 2 to 3 years. They must file for advanced parole documents in order to leave, but they can do that to cover large periods of time. In otherwords, you can file for an open advanced parole which would allow you to travel outside the country as needed for 6 months at a time. It does cost money to file for this each time you need it, but its likely worthwhile.

yes, what i had thought too marcy. lawyer had said something about it... plus if there is an emergency it can be expediated. so there is an "out"

I think you might be right on that situation, but that is different from a K1 visa. When you enter this country on a vistors visa and then marry and then apply for a change of status... you do have a very different path. However, if you file for a k1 visa for the purpose of marriage and bring your partner into the country that way... you can file for advanced parole. In fact, even a k3 (marry abroad and bring spouse here) process is different than a k1. If you are interested in reading up on them you can either see the

Nebraska Service Center (http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/nebraska/aboutus.htm#anchorINFO)

or

VisaJourney (http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm)

or

CanAm Couples (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canamcouples/)

sites for more information on them.

makes me glad we hired an attorney...

LOL!!! prolly true

yeah...like one stop shopping... one phone call, hey you take care of it!

Originally posted by Dragonfly

I believe that Whispers husband who is from France could not leave the country until his paperwork was all done.
My husband wasn't allowed to leave the country because he had a visa-waiver overstay. We had a situation that prevented us from marrying until just after the overstay period started :( (My ex refused to give me a divorce, always believing that some day I'd go back with him even though we'd been separated for quite a while). If Jeremy would not have had a visa overstay, he would have been able to apply for advance parole. Even now that he's got his approval for permanent residence, he's afraid to leave the country until he has the actual green card in his hands - he doesn't want to take any chances.

Our attorney was horrible. She made mistakes that ended up delaying Jeremy's approval for quite a long time.

dragonfly...not really in our budget either... but decided we wanted someone we "could call" and not try to get through the paper work and make a mistake that could cause a delay.
dragonfly..i'm curious..how did you and your husband meet? have you been to the embassy in amsterdam? your take on the dutch people? your experiences there?

whisper... glad it is over for you!!!
what mistakes do you feel the attorney made?

Originally posted by christina923

whisper... glad it is over for you!!!
what mistakes do you feel the attorney made? Some of our papers weren't filled out accurately. She had us go to San Francisco for the interview, when we'd moved to Phoenix a year earlier - we were told that our trip to San Francisco was for nothing and that we'd have to return to Phoenix and have the interview there. Then, the attorney had one of our most important papers sent via overnight mail the night before our Phoenix interview.....it was sent out too late for us to receive it in time for the interview the following morning, so we went to the interview and had to reschedule for a later date. Now the attorney has the nerve to be sending us a bill for an additional $35 federal express expense that we'd already paid her.

I've had some lousy experiences with attorneys in Sonoma county, California. If anyone lives there and needs an attorney (for immigration or for divorce), pm me and I'll tell who not to go to;)

yikes whisper!! a few umm...mistakes! that cost you time, money, and anquish! i imagine you are very grateful it is over!



dragonfly...interesting take on the netherlands.. my SO other had visited here first last july and was impressed with the american people, now mind you i live in new england and we aren't known for our friendliness, and i was forewarned about the difference in "attitude". i did not notice it so much my first trip in november as i was only there for 10 days, but it was certainly obvious to me in may when i stayed for 3 weeks.

how many times have you been over? i also look forward to going back, and i don't think i would ever tire of amsterdam, a very "entertaining" city! and so much to see in the country.

i'm glad to hear you found the immigration personal there friendly and not concerned about the age gap. it is now the last thing we are waiting on, date for interview.

*L* yes.... the difference in climate! i was disappointed we did not have a new england winter in feb. when wilko was here for another visit...to see what winters really are! ;)
what i found fascinating when i was there in may, was the difference in time the sun sets..now being a summer person, i loved it!

are you attempting to learn dutch at all? i hope to, but languages and i were never "friends". i find that i can read it a bit, but i doubt i'll ever be able to speak it...it will be a long learning process to speak, or understand it *sigh*

i really hope you get to go back. i plan on going again in september to fly back in with wilko for p.o.e. i hope to spend a week there before our return. it is a fun country, so different from what i'm used to.
i can only imagine your seperation anxiety. a year is way to long. right now it has been 2 months for us, and even with an end in sight, it gets hard. i don't know what your finances are, but some things just have to be done. i got a super deal on my flight in may for 480, right now for september looking at around 650. i have yet to figure out the airlines game...

wilko and i also met on line. 3.5 years ago. it was a friendship that was also more. it was karmic, we had always know each other. i was married, i divorced...we only then decided to meet. that was last july. it was instant... so few of those moments in life. we had thought to wait till september of 2005, when his son turned 18 before immigrating, but things do have a way of changing/working out. to say nothing of the affirmations that i have seen so often work in my life...;)

now yes...that language! going to be a long hard process...if ever!! i have never gotten the hang of languages! 6 years of spanish, 4 years in a boarding school with french nuns...i'm still clueless...so i hold no hope with dutch

and you are absolutely right!!! i had forgotten about that! no one smiles!!! i found just the simple courtesies so common here, allowing someone to enter before you, defer to someone, are non existant there! it is a "self contained" society...a very busy attitude. i'm so used to a simple hello, a smile. it was so easy to fall into the pattern there, it was a conscious effort on my part to not "be put off" on my second visit. was going to be what i was used to and see if ya could break some ice there ...only minimal success ;) unfortunately i think there is a preconceived idea about americans..wilko had the idea americans were "out for something" that we were fake, the idea quickly changed when he visited here. he saw, was surprised, that we are genuinely happy, courteous people. it is not so prevailant in the netherlands.

ah yes! the museum quarter! the embassy!
amsterdam is a trip!! to say nothing of the coffee shops(ignoring ex cop status) the red light district...
so much to see and do! the castles! we spent a lot of time doing those! i love them! and seeing the bunkers from WWII...anne franks house, an extrememly moving moment for me. most think i'm odd, but i would love to go and see a concentration camp. the netherlands had a transfer camp, perhaps one of these trips we do go and see it.

its a whole different world.
i'm very grateful for this whole part of my life...and its just beginning

Oh that dutch language! :p I heard it practically non-stop on my flight to Amsterdam last March on my way to Bucharest. There were at least 30 young students on the flight. They were a very chatty group, indeed. When I first heard their language, I thought to myself, "Cool! I'll get to hear the language of my ancestors on my father's side" as they were originally from there. It was beautiful, but, after 7 1/2 hours, I got my fill (no offense to anyone out there who is dutch who may be reading this -- it's just that my first experience hearing it was a bit.... well... different. Alot more clicks and clacks than I was expecting to hear.

Dragonfly and Christina, I am wondering if it's possible that the dutch and the romanians were in fact friendly, but rather that they were unfriendly with us as Americans? I saw romanians interact with each other in a very friendly manner, but I noticed when I was there that they seemed to be hesitant to be friendly with me. My guess was that it was because I am American and maybe they have that preconceived notion about me just like what Wilko experienced about Americans, Chris.

Just a thought.

*returning back to the living room to put the finishing touches on my petition packet. No, I still haven't mailed it. My goal is to do that tomorrow morning. :p *

mail that packet girlfriend!!

no... the "aloofness" was across the board.

Dutch are known around this part of the world as people with little sense of humour, but most of all for being tight extremely tight with money! :p

We also often wonder who stays during Summer to make that country continue to go on, for our roads are full of Dutch cars (always carrying a little attachment filled with food - because you don't expect them to buy anything outside the Netherlands!) all going South. As Luxembourg is on the way, it's a real hell!

I hope your guys don't get angry at me, the only thing I knew about the Netherlands in Brazil was that they had tulips and a pretty good soccer team. That's all, we don't gossip about people's lives in Brazil!! Except maybe about the Argentinians, but that's normal, they deserve! :D

I agree that Europeans smile less here, Luxembourgish are pretty distant, too, but to tell you the truth, the US smiling and greeting is a little bit too much sometimes; I often thought that the cashiers and the clercks at the store were long time friends of Jason's! I couldn't make the difference! And that's exactly what I feel in Brazil sometimes, people easily talk to you everywhere, and this started to hit me after all these years living abroad.

People are not more polite, though. Actually they are pretty much the same everywhere (except in some Asian countries where bumping and pushing and using elbows to get from x point to y point seems pretty much normal, argghhh), so I guess if you are going to get the same kind of treatment, better get it with a smile, right?

I felt very good in the US, but I also love Europe. There's good and bad everywhere, and what they have here is certainly a better quality of life. People work less and live much better. Sometimes I wonder how long this can last, because the gap with other countries is too huge. A simple bus in Luxembourg is luxurious. Doctors come to consult you at home driven by chauffeurs. The price is almost the same as if you went to the hospital, and anyway, we all have complementary health insurances that cover whatever the national insurance doesn't. We are covered at 100%.

I'm rambling, I know! :) My mind seems to be already in Paris... let's see what Jason will think of Europe!

Originally posted by Maria

I felt very good in the US, but I also love Europe. There's good and bad everywhere, and what they have here is certainly a better quality of life. People work less and live much better. Sometimes I wonder how long this can last, because the gap with other countries is too huge. A simple bus in Luxembourg is luxurious. Doctors come to consult you at home driven by chauffeurs. The price is almost the same as if you went to the hospital, and anyway, we all have complementary health insurances that cover whatever the national insurance doesn't. We are covered at 100%.
There are many things about Europe that I miss a whole lot! You mentioned some of them, Maria. I agree with you about the quality of life there.

I don't miss going shopping in Germany, though. I thought that some of the sales people were going to bite me, lol. I'll never forget the first time that I picked up a piece of fruit to smell it before I decided to buy it (to see if it was ripe). I didn't touch the fruit with my nose, but the way that that German saleswoman yelled at me....I was certain she was going to chop my hand off.

LOL@Mel

You know, the scariest experience I have ever had with sales was in Japan! People even lost their own shoes while fighting the sales war, because it was a WAR!

I remember women would grab whatever they could, without looking at size, colour, shape, they would grab a whole bunch of things, turn around and at a reasonable distance from the "mob" they would finally separate what they wanted, but they had to have friends!! Otherwise women would literally rob them from what they had succeeded to get.

The crazyness was such that people would buy things they never wore, never really liked... even I did that!

What I missed from Europe when I was in the US is the public transportation. I was buried in NH with no buses, not even taxis (to be seen), I depended totally on Jason to take me to the supermarket, to the shops, etc. It's also a bit my fault, I could have taken the car (he has a motorcycle that he would use and leave me the car) but Maria doesn't drive...

What I miss from the US is the radios! You have the best radio stations, I swear! The food is great, although where I was there were not so many types of vegetables and fruits.

I miss the space and the colours of our continent. I only know parts of North and South America (never saw Central America), but the colours, the plants, the space, the birds, the flowers, the sky, in both extremes of this continent Nature gave us a real show of beauty.

next step...

september 1st interview date in amsterdam!

all of this is taking way too long! every dutch must be heading south for holiday! pulling that caravan! ;)

Dragonfly, I loved the Netherlands! I was there twice for short periods, but loved the way people were fluent in English (I was in Amsterdam and in another city I can't remember the name now), and happy to live.

I already wrote about this, but I was crossing the street one day and this woman riding a bike passed by me, singing an opera! She was so beautiful, long red curly hair, very fair skin, she looked like an angel!

And the museums, oh, those museums they have! I love Dutch paintings (what period was that when they used those strong blues and reds, I love it!) and I loved the rides on the boats... definitely it's a beautiful country.

And to add, I never saw taller men in my life. What do they eat there? :p

Originally posted by Maria

And to add, I never saw taller men in my life. What do they eat there? :p It's that incredible gouda and edam cheese they have there! lol. I have never in my life tasted gouda or edam cheese that has the same taste as it did in the Netherlands. The stuff that you buy here in the states doesn't taste anything like it - even the imported edam and gouda. I don't get it:confused:

Petition mailed today and should be in the Nebraska Center by Monday at 3 pm. Yahoo!!!!

I decided to use Express Mail through the good old US postal service. Hope I don't regret that. :rolleyes:

I just know that I've forgotten something. Here's my list of items I enclosed:

Cover letter
Money order to pay the fee
Mine and Remi's ADIT photos
Mine and Remi's letters of intent
I-129F form
Mine and Remi's G-325A forms
Front and back copy of my birth certificate
Copy of my passport pages
Copies of my previous divorce papers :rolleyes:
FC-029 (although nothing in the application packet said this is still required, I decided to send one anyway)
Copies of some of our instant messages from before we became romantically involved, some after, and some real recent ones.
Copies of a couple of emails.
Photos of us together in Romania
Copies of my airline ticket stubs, boarding passes, and luggage tags
Copy of the webpage that shows the apartment we rented (made sure to include photos of us in that apartment)
Copy of the apartment rental receipt
Copy of a receipt where we exchanged money together (contains both his signature and mine)
Copy of some movie ticket stubs and a receipt from when we played pool in Romania

I didn't use a binder, but instead used an acco (?spelling) fastener to hold it together at the top and then used index tabs at the bottom of the pages to make it easier for the processor to thumb through.

Everyone please say a prayer for me that this goes by smoothly and quickly.

Whew!

Originally posted by whiterose


Everyone please say a prayer for me that this goes by smoothly and quickly.

I will, Katrina. It sounds like you had everything together. Good job. Isn't it stressful trying to get all of that together? It sure was for me!

One K-1 application in all its glory *cough*... out da door and on to Nebraska via FEDEX.

:cool:

Stay tuned for updates... which should be a mere 6 to 8 months away :rolleyes:

Originally posted by whiterose
Petition mailed today and should be in the Nebraska Center by Monday at 3 pm. Yahoo!!!!

I decided to use Express Mail through the good old US postal service. Hope I don't regret that. :rolleyes:

I just know that I've forgotten something. Here's my list of items I enclosed:

Cover letter
Money order to pay the fee
Mine and Remi's ADIT photos
Mine and Remi's letters of intent
I-129F form
Mine and Remi's G-325A forms
Front and back copy of my birth certificate
Copy of my passport pages
Copies of my previous divorce papers :rolleyes:
FC-029 (although nothing in the application packet said this is still required, I decided to send one anyway)
Copies of some of our instant messages from before we became romantically involved, some after, and some real recent ones.
Copies of a couple of emails.
Photos of us together in Romania
Copies of my airline ticket stubs, boarding passes, and luggage tags
Copy of the webpage that shows the apartment we rented (made sure to include photos of us in that apartment)
Copy of the apartment rental receipt
Copy of a receipt where we exchanged money together (contains both his signature and mine)
Copy of some movie ticket stubs and a receipt from when we played pool in Romania

I didn't use a binder, but instead used an acco (?spelling) fastener to hold it together at the top and then used index tabs at the bottom of the pages to make it easier for the processor to thumb through.

Everyone please say a prayer for me that this goes by smoothly and quickly.

Whew!

This list sounds just like mine. The only thing different was that I wrote a supplemental to question 19 about how we met and so I included that. I did use a loose leaf binder, but also used index tabs at the bottom of the pages. I think I had a lot less evidence though.

I included about 9 pictures of us together, his passport that shows entry to the US, e-mails, chat logs, and phone bills. I wish I had more evidence, but just could not locate it :(

Ugh I hope this goes smoothly. My package will be there by 10:00 am on Tuesday.

So we can stress together.

I also sent a supplement to question 19, too.

I wouldn't worry, Marcy, sounds to me like you've got plenty of evidence.

Glad ours is getting there together. Mine is supposed to be there by 3 pm today, so basically, they're hitting the door at the same time. :)

what is nebraska running now for times? heard they have speeded up...
this is gonna be the worst wait of your life... if ya thought it was hard before...wait ;) but it does end...

home stretch here...
aug 25 physical, xray
sept 1 interview

then just close down everything in the netherlands in sept..fly out the end of the month... time to come home!!

wedding... i guess around oct 23 ;) if i ever find a dress ....

As of July 21st, they were working on March 31st receipt dates for the I-129F's. So, they are still taking at least 4 months just to begin the processing. :rolleyes:

Still though thats not as bad as it was...

My package arrived at Nebraska Service Center at around 8:30 this morning. It was signed for and I'm feeling so relieved to have FINALLY gotten off the ground with this thing. Now if I can just get NOA1 like soon :rolleyes:

good! for both of you! it is a relief to finally get it started! then at least for me...the waiting, the delays, the wondering... all compound to a pure hell. wishing you better luck with it... at times i was just numb, the process is so damn slow and as far as i can see, a lot of stupidity mixed in with it. ;)

god, hope no INS is reading my opinion of them ;)

Oooh Marcy, I got so busy today that I forgot to verify mine, so thanks for reminding me to do it. Here's what the USPS website said about mine (names removed to protect the innocent :p )

"Your item was delivered at 10:55 am on August 02, 2004 in LINCOLN, NE 68508 to INS EXPRESS. The item was signed for by X XXXXXXXXXXXX."

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!


http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/cwm/cwm3d/3dbiggrin3.gif

Marcy, here are current Nebraska processing times that I noticed today on visajourney.

Per USCIS as of 7/21/04, they were working on 3/31/04 dates.

BUT

Per AILA, as of 8/1/04, they were working on 4/19/04 dates!! Much better!!! :p

and the journey begins!

NOA1 arrived today. :D

Scared to get my hopes up, but I found another couple whose K1 request is going through Nebraska (beneficiary also from Romania) and they received their NOA1 on April 15, 2004 and received their NOA2 on July 28, 2004. Maybe we'll get ours in the same amount of time at least (keeping fingers crossed).

Thank you. I appreciate that, Dragonfly. :)

fingers crossed for you too!!! it will happen! always keep that in mind... thoughts create

I got mine today! :)

Woo hoo!!! Party time, Marcy! "Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music." Might as well celebrate something now... it will be a long time before we have another reason to celebrate. I'm just praying they don't send me an RFE. Remi didn't have all the address information on his past jobs, so I'm a bit worried about that part.

Yes lets just celebrate what we can, while we can! Here's praying that neither of us get the dreaded RFE. :rolleyes: I hate to even think of that.

I'm celebrating with you:D

I just thought o f something funny. We both sent our apps in to Nebraska Service Center. In the supplement to the "How did you meet question", I mentioned this website as a place where Devon and I came/come to receive support for our agegap. Did you mention this site at all? I was just thinking what a hoot it is that maybe our apps could be read/investigated by the same person(s) and that they might read about this site in them likely very close together in time. Funny huh?

:) No, I didn't mention agelesslove since Remi's not a member here, but maybe you and I will have the same processor and if he/she does come here, then maybe they'll see my posts, too! So, here's a note to them, whoever they may be:

Dear Mr./Ms/Mrs. CIS Processor. Please understand that we DEFINITELY love our guys and we want to be married to them. Thanks for your careful consideration of our requests. And please hurry because I cannot bear to be apart from my wonderful Remi (beneficiary.....real name is Romulus on the petition :D) ANY LONGER THAN NECESSARY. :p

Sincerely,
Whiterose
(Katrina = petitioner)

LMAO and serious *high-five* to Whiterose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm...well wilko's will be over before CIS staff shows up here and reads my not to flattering remark about the blonde in VT ;)

nice to have the first step started isn't it? what we drinking? i'm always game!:D

Hey Marcy, per AILA, Nebraska is now working on May 13th receipt date!!!! Getting closer.

why its free for all! i have a drink everyday! just jump in! ;)

*holding breath*

1.5 hours till his interview...

Originally posted by christina923
*holding breath*

1.5 hours till his interview...


Anxiously waiting to hear if there's news. I wonder if he'll find out today? I've heard in Bucharest, sometimes they tell them right there on the spot.

Good luck... let us know asap!

BTW... in Vancouver... they issue the visa on the spot.

Okay definately trying not to panick here, but....

Have just read about a 2nd k-1 denial out of Nebraska within days of each other!!!!!!!!!

1st Denial:
Read on Visajourney about a denial due to moral turpitude (the poster's explanation of the causes for this were sketchy) during the consular interview. This was posted late last week.

2nd Denial:
Read on Canam Couples about a denial due to insufficient proof of real life meeting. This was posted today and it was denied several months after receiving NOA1. She got her senator's office involved, but they could not assist her.

Her proof of meeting:
copy of his passport
certified letter from airlines that he flew stating his trip and dates
credit card receipt from her showing that she paid for his airline tickets
certified letters from 2 adults that met him while he was here and saw them together
phone bills that showed that they have spoken on the phone every single day for a year except on the 6 days he was here!

The only thing she did not have was pictures. And why?!?! She wouldn't take any with him because she's overweight and was vain. HOLY COW!

Regardless these denials are frightening because to me they indicate that these applications are scrutinized and they are looking to deny at every opportunity. The application does not say that photographic proof is required. He clearly did come visit her and they clearly met irl.

Now she has to go to Ottawa and take pics together (she said LOTS AND LOTS lol!) and then file and appeal or REFILE altogether.

Truly scary stuff....

The first case scares me the most. I wonder what "moral turpitude" means?

The second case doesn't surprise me at all. Photos are an essential part of the proof required. I even have a video that we made in the event Nebraska wants that.

I sure do wish they'd update their processing dates. They update them every two weeks and they seem a little late this week. :(

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes i'm shouting!!!!


APPROVED!!!!

WOW CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited for you.

Dang it WR... a video is a great idea! I think I"m going to do that too.

I suppose photos really are a must, but I'm a bit freaked over 2 denials so close in time!

The moral turpitude denial was about some kind of welfare monies that he accepted while in college. It is sketchy, but the thread is Faith's and its in visajourney under the nebraska svc center. You should be able to find it there if you are interested.

Dragonfly... I know you are right that there are always horror stories, but I was really under the impression that k-1's were nearly always approved... 2 denials within 7 days doesn't feel like nearly always to me... although it likely doesn't actually mean anything.

/edit According to visajourney... there are June 2/3 k-1's currently being approved out of nebraska. You can see that in the Nebraska svc center part of the forum too.

Originally posted by christina923
APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes i'm shouting!!!!


APPROVED!!!!

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!! I'M SPEECHLESS. OMG. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*dancing a jig for you*

Originally posted by Dragonfly
See Attachment B for a list of other crimes which constitute
crimes of moral turpitude [/B]


NOT that I'm anticipating Remi to have any problems, but I am curious as to what info is found in Attachment B. Can you direct me to which website you obtained the info? thanks!! ;)

And Marcy, I know what you mean about the denials being worrisome. I would think that of all the thousands of cases processed each year, it would be extremely rare. I can understand why that one visajourney member's was denied. If it's a concern about fraud, that's understandable unfortunately. :(

Originally posted by marcy
/edit According to visajourney... there are June 2/3 k-1's currently being approved out of nebraska. You can see that in the Nebraska svc center part of the forum too.

Hey Marcy, I'm lost. Where are you finding that info? I don't see where their processing dates have been updated. Are you looking at the big timeline tracking grid?

Never mind Marcy. I looked at the K1/K3 Timelines section for Nebraska. And YOU ARE RIGHT!!! Looks like Nebraska is working faster. Seems to me about a 12 week total wait. So, if they keep working at that rate, maybe we'll hear by early November. The best Christmas present ever would be if Remi would be home with me by then.

*got to get busy cleaning out drawers and making room in closet for him*

Originally posted by Dragonfly
whiterose Here is the Gone with the Wind version. ~winks~

http://www.foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0940021aN.pdf

Thank you ma'am! ;)

I know it WR!!!! Its so dang exciting to see those timelines moving huh?

Yes, it most definitely is, even though there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. I saw one that has already been completely approved and was received in June, yet some earlier ones have no updates. But, maybe those particular applicants haven't updated their timelines. It was very encouraging to see one couple's approved thru the embassy in Romania. :D

thank you ladies... *big *** smile*

it really feels good! finally!! and your days are coming!!!

so now i have the plane tickets... leave the 9th, WE return home the 25th. get married october 16th...

*big sigh*
finally...

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/5/5_1_122.gif' alt='Rave Girl' border=0></a>


OMG!!! I am so happy and excited for you!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!

thank you susan...

and the smile just gets bigger!:D

Christina....OMG!!!! ((hugs hugs hugs)) I squealed out loud when I read that, and did the happy tears! APPROVED!!!


Im really everso happy for you....and excited. I want wedding pictures, young lady!

thanks!

and if i like the pictures! ;)

well, an "interesting" tidbit...

how many knew the visa is good for 6 months from when the process is filed in the united states????? so my filing date was april 24. visa is good to octoberr 24th. now, WHAT blonde thought of that??? considering delays that happen, embassies that wait 2 months to give an interview. what happens with the longer processing time in regional centers here???

who is the blonde that thought up these rules???? i would have thought it was 6 months from embassy approval!!!!

yup...wilko got his visa today... it is good only till october 24. 6 months from when i filed.

i could not believe it!!!! i'll check the paper work when i'm there, but that is what he said october 24th. THAT can put people in a real bind!!!!

christina...that is crazy!!! What would that mean regarding the 2 year waiting period to get permanent residence without conditions? does the 2 years start with you wedding date, or with the date of application for the permanent residency?

Thanks Dragonfly!

Similar to what it is here in Australia. Except here, the 2 year waiting period for me began after our wedding. I applied for a spousal visa which grants me temporary residency with conditions after we were already married. So the 2 year time frame began with my application date.

Originally posted by Dragonfly
And you know how much we all love your success s