ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)This Ridiculousness

Hi Everyone! I am a US Citizen and I met the coolest guy on a Sci Fi game while blowing up space ships. He was this awesome Portuguese guy living in Ireland. I bought a one-way ticket there to meet him (first plane ride ever lol) and married him three months later in Portugal. We lived in Ireland for the past year and a half. Now I am going to move to California to be closer to my family and I am bringing my husband back with me. I am just starting this whole process and will be posting everything that I find out and tips and tricks while filing abroad that I learn while doing this craziness. Hopefully, someone will find it valuable. I hope to make this as pain free as possible and will be asking questions around the forums and to other government officials that I will link or post here just to have everything all in one spot. Wish me luck! :P


If you are crazy, welcome to the asylum. :dance:
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2013-02-09 19:00:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Photocopies in lieu of originals to NVC
Did you mean to post this in the Russia section?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2013-02-06 23:26:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanRenewing South African Passport
QUOTE (Jomo @ Sep 18 2008, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The pictures are proving to be a problem for us.....apparently JA passport pictures are not the same as US passport pictures. We've had to go to Sears or The Picture People to get them. Annoying!


We just did it with simple picture editing software. The embassy posted dimensions and requirements on the website and we just edited the pics to those specifications. We did it with our I-130 pics too. No problems yet from at least two countries. biggrin.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-09-30 15:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIncome Tax During K3 Process
Hmm, really? When I called the IRS about this directly on Friday, they said just to write NRA in the SSN box and write a statement saying my husband is not a citizen or a PR and has never had any income from the US. Nothing about a W-9 or anything. And I just mailed them out today. Blahhh.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2006-10-09 12:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A Quick Question
In where you lived for the past five years, I wouldn't have to put any study abroad that lasted for only three weeks, would I?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-01-19 05:31:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnyone applying for I-130, PLEASE READ
Thank you for this thread. I would have totally missed it otherwise.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-01-19 05:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a Employment Question
I was a student from 1999-2004. I also worked about 5 different jobs and internships off and on in the meantime. Would it be understood that in the gaps I was studying if I put 1999-2004 in the first box for employment history, or would I have to put that in every single time?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-03-11 13:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support
If I were you, I would wait until January and are back to work to worry about filling out the I-864. Then you can get a letter from your employer stating that you are employed, earning x amount. You can explain your tax situation in a short letter. It is really best if you have a co-sponsor in this situation though.

No, when you sign the I-864, you are agreeing to support the immigrant until he becomes naturalized, leaves, dies, or works 40 quarters. The point of the I-864 is to provide evidence as you the sponsor being able to support the immigrant for this length of time. You can include the money as his assets though on the I-864, however, you are still the sponor.

Edited by Wacken, 04 December 2006 - 12:47 PM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2006-12-04 12:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSupport forms

Without going into too much detail, I have more than enough to live off of. My fiancé will be flying into JFK and will get a job thereafter.

So, could you just tell me how to write the statement that I did not have to file tax forms?


Just explain you are a student whose income did not make the minimum filing requirements. That is all there is to it.

I have no idea though how you have more than enough to live off of but don't have to file taxes. All sounds weird.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-05-12 10:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionco-sponsor filed joint return
Just have your mom fill out I-864A. It isn't that big of a deal.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-05-30 16:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-230 - Father's current residence
On the G-325, I just wrote 'unknown' for my father. I am pretty sure you could do that same for the DS-230. I doubt it is an uncommon situation.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-03-06 05:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGiving Birth Overseas
Doesn`t the US citizen have to be present though at the presentation of the child to the CO? I know both of us had to be there to sign the documents when we went for our daughter.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-04-30 06:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview gone HORRIBLY wrong!
QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Jan 23 2008, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That is pretty strange behavior from the embassy staff, especially since it is Sweden. I hope things can be worked out for you.


Really weird indeed. I hope also you can figure things out.

If it were me though, I would be packing my bags for Sweden. Sweden is awesome. My husband and I would live there in a second if someone offered one of us a job there. tongue.gif I know that is no advice, but whistling.gif .
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-01-24 08:33:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual citizenship american german
I would call the embassy and ask if you meet the age requirement to file period. There are restrictions if you are over 18.

I would note 5:

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

The laws are the same for adopted children. Good luck.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-07-01 11:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-600K
I found this on the topic:

6. Parents Naturalized February 27, 2001 to Present

You derive U.S. citizenship if and when all of the following three things become true: (1) one of your parents was born in the United States or has become a naturalized citizen, (2) you are under the age of 18, and (3) you have a green card (lawful permanent residence) and are living in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent. This law applies to both natural and adopted children. This law also applies to you if your parent naturalized before February 27, 2001 but you were under age 18 and satisfied the green card and residency requirement at the time.


http://immigration.f...ou-know(2).html
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2007-05-04 18:23:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBy becoming American Citizen do we loose our own citizenship
It would be best to contact the Bulgarian embassy in your area and ask them what the consequences are of taking up another citizenship are, if any.

Edited by Wacken, 06 May 2008 - 12:41 PM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-05-06 12:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (tmman @ May 9 2008, 08:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ok guys, as far as i understand, when u become a us citizen, you can visit any country in the world with your us passport and enter to usa with your us passport, but when you enter your original country, you can use both either , us passport or your original passport...am i right? by the way my country recognizes dual citizenship ....


You can't visit Cuba on a US passport. You will still need visas to other countries as they require. When you enter the country you have citizenship in, you generally have to present that country's passport and visa versa.

Edited by Wacken, 09 May 2008 - 09:57 AM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-05-09 09:56:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (fwaguy @ May 6 2008, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Wacken @ May 6 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (fwaguy @ May 6 2008, 04:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For the US, a USC MUST enter on a US passport.... This or similiar situation may be the law of your land... since you tell us not what your other nationality is there is little additional information that can be provided you.


If you enter Canada, you have to do that on your US passport if you are dual citizen. I learned that the hard way with my daughter. Don't ask me why, just I got bitched at about that at the border among other things. innocent.gif


I assume you mean the US passport versus your German one... because if you are a dual US/Canadian they will want you to enter on the Canadian passport I presume.

Germany BTW, does not recognize dual citizenship in all cases.... maybe that is why you were *bitched* at.


No. My daughter is a dual citizen. The POE officer there though insisted on her US passport after she saw mine. I have no idea why. Germans don`t need visas to enter Canada either. This was the same officer that also insisted that my husband`s I-551 stamp was not a valid re-entry stamp among other wrong things that she was just so suuuuurrree were right. Welcome to Canada!
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-05-07 06:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (fwaguy @ May 6 2008, 04:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For the US, a USC MUST enter on a US passport.... This or similiar situation may be the law of your land... since you tell us not what your other nationality is there is little additional information that can be provided you.


If you enter Canada, you have to do that on your US passport if you are dual citizen. I learned that the hard way with my daughter. Don't ask me why, just I got bitched at about that at the border among other things. innocent.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-05-06 15:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTwenty of the most difficult civic questions (with answers)
QUOTE
17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
In search of gold
To meet the Indians
For religious freedom *
To escape the Revolutionary War


That last answer reminded me of a quote from Family Guy: "I play Peter Griffin, a heroic warrior who defied the English to free England from the English."
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-05-30 12:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionLose German Citizenship

"But I'm a housewife" you'll say. Doesn't matter. Nobody ask you what you are doing, or if you are even working. Nobody requires a resume from you. I have a degree in political science and and one in philosophy, am self-employed with an overhead that makes my head hurt, yet listed jobs that pay $10 an hour. Doesn't matter.
"But I live in Nebraska and there are no such jobs." Doesn't matter. Nobody prohibits you to move to another state. Who knows, maybe you always hated living in Florida and really want to see what it's like in Wyoming. None of their business. You can even embrace this by mentioning en passe that this job would provide the added advantage of moving to an area you always wanted to live at.


So let me get this straight. Basically, you could just simply see a job ad on craigslist requiring US citizenship for whatever reason and be like "AH HA!! HERE IS PROOF OF MY BERUFLICHE BENACHTEILIGUNG." Then you just make up some BS song and dance story surrounding that to get the second half of the application approved?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2012-02-26 05:48:00
CanadaIce Road Truckers!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE (Leafgal @ Jun 2 2008, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I heart.gif Deadliest Catch! Seriously, if I was 50 yrs older, I'd move to Dutch Harbor and date the Captain of the Cornelia Marie. tongue.gif



LOL! rofl.gif You could always date his son though. innocent.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-03 05:52:00
CanadaIce Road Truckers!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE (KarenCee @ Jun 2 2008, 07:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I watched an episode (must of been a rerun I guess) but I have a feeling I'd be hooked too if I watched it more often. Another favourite of ours is Deadliest Catch and Lobster Men.

*grins b/c she's a geek too* biggrin.gif


I love Deadliest Catch. I like Ice Road Truckers too. Only annoying thing about IRT is that they tend to repeat themselves a lot. Like I have seen the same computer animated truck fall in the lake like 032850328 times by the time I have gotten through the whole season. Otherwise, it is pretty cool. biggrin.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-02 15:38:00
CanadaMaternity leave Canada vs. USA
QUOTE (jundp @ Jun 21 2008, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Similar to Germany. Mandatory one month prior to due date. I'm not sure about the financial terms after birth, but P's mom is a midwife there and my best friend just had to go back to work because her son turned 2, or she'd have to forfeit her job (they've held it for her). She received income from her job for quite a long time, perhaps a year? Then she received money from the state of Bavaria until she went back to work.


In Germany, being a SAHM is literally a job. A few weeks after my daughter was born, I got a letter and an ID number/card from the equivalent of the SSA there. I asked my husband what that was all about. He said that in Germany, after you have a child, the government acts as your employer and starts contributing to your social security for you.

Germany is a little odd though, depending on how you want to look at it. If you are unemployed when you are pregnant, you are basically written off for getting a job until your child is around two. They seriously don't expect anyone to hire you and even if they did, young child care is something of a very precious commodity there. Places in daycare are extremely difficult to come by. From what I understand, they remove you from the pool of unemployed for statistical purposes until they deem you employable. You would still get unemployment though. You could work, but who would watch your child?

Edited by Wacken, 04 July 2008 - 12:25 PM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-04 12:22:00
Canadawhere did you first meet? online vs in person
QUOTE (thetreble @ Jul 7 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Wacken @ Jul 7 2008, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I met my husband on ICQ.


ICQ was the first big messaging program that all my friends got into when we were in highschool. You HAD to have it. All I can remember is the annoying UH OH noise it used to make when someone messaged you.


My sister wanted me to use it because that was what she used to talk to her waste of space ex-boyfriend way back at the end of 2000. She was in high school although I already graduated. Maybe that also had something to do with it. tongue.gif

I think the reason why my husband and I met on it was that I changed my language settings to include German for a first year German class I was taking. I figured it couldn't hurt to speak to some native speakers. Let me tell you, I got so many Germans trying to talk to me, it was ridiculous. laughing.gif One of them ended up being my husband. He was drunk and bored after a party, not ready to go to bed yet, so he got on his friend's computer and started looking for random chat buddies. I came up. Then 2.5 years later, alcohol was at it again as the first real thing we did together after he picked me up and took me home was go out to a town festival and get shitfaced, and that was what pushed the issue. Alcohol, crazy old bats, ICQ, folk culture festivals near the Belarussian border in Lithuania. Yep, that's how we met.

Before ICQ, I used AIM a lot. Now I don't use messengers too much except to talk to family. I mostly reserve my blah and internet time wasting on forums. tongue_ss.gif

QUOTE
yeah I really don't understand why he is embarrassed....

I think he doesn't want to be thought of as geeky.. that he picked up his wife through a computer...


Tell him to come to VJ and be a geek like around 70% of the rest of us. kicking.gif laughing.gif

Edited by Wacken, 08 July 2008 - 09:43 AM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-08 09:42:00
Canadawhere did you first meet? online vs in person
QUOTE (*Marilyn* @ Jul 2 2008, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
my hubby is kind of embarrassed that we met on the internet and hates it when I tell people that we did blink.gif


People are still embarassed about that? tongue_ss.gif

I met my husband on ICQ. We maybe had 10-15 conversations in 2.5 years. Then I went to Germany because I wanted to get to Lithuania, but I couldn't afford it unless I could get my uni to pay for it. The only way that happened was that I had to take a summer course in Germany that was only a few km from where my husband lived. We only met in person because that summer program set me up to live with this insane elderly woman and I needed to be resuced fast because the program wasn't going to move me on Saturday night. I liked when the program's coordinator said I didn't understand German culture when I didn't want to stay in the room of this woman's dead son or wash my hands before going from any room to the next or ask for the room with the phone in it to be unlocked... rofl.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-07 15:43:00
CanadaHow to Tell You're in Canada
QUOTE
Milk comes in plastic bags as well as in cartons and jugs.


I pointed that out to my husband at the supermarket and he said that in Germany they did that too when he was a kid. I can't remember the exact reason why the idea was pushed, but the point is, it failed there. I thought it was interesting anyway though to see a bag of milk. The everyday exotic. tongue.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-08 11:49:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (KarenCee @ Jul 4 2008, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What is wrong with wanting to eventually move back home? I just don't understand the mindset of those who resent this. huh.gif


Neither do I. Neither my husband or I are committed to the complete severing of ties from our respective countries. Quite frankly, why should we be?

Also, how do you know if you will love or hate a place until you actually live there? That is where such a proposed list of immigration preference fails.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-04 20:14:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (bowflex @ Jul 3 2008, 12:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Interesting article for sure smile.gif

I have often thought that those people who are going for visas and that plan to file for citizenship should be placed in front of those who aren't. That's a very debatablepoint point and I'm not trying to stir up more drama, but I think that moving for love is a great thing, as that's what my wife did for me. I think that being given the chance to move to a countryand live there should also carry with it a responsibility to commit to it and make it better.

With so many people trying to get into the US for a better life, I don't really agree that someone who is moving to the US for a few years to be with their significant other before moving back after retirement or when it's a better idea is a good thing. There should be an expedited list, in my opinion, for those who plan on living the rest of their days in the USA, and then another for those who are kind of "renting" time over here.

Please don't take offense, I've just been thinking about this a lot after reading countless posts about folks who are already planning on moving back after they arrived smile.gif


Well, quick question. If your wife decided tomorrow that she hated the US and it was you or Canada, would you give up everything here and go with her to Canada for the rest of your life, never coming back?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-04 11:30:00
CanadaPlease pray for Baby Declan
Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly during the surgery.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-07-08 06:11:00
CanadaPictures of your Wedding
QUOTE (Carlawarla @ Jun 9 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We got married April 7, 2007...the coldest April 7th in 50 years. It was -5. Do we look cold?


blink.gif blink.gif

Wow, it looks gorgeous out if I didn't know it was -5! smile.gif I bet it was a great day anyway.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-09 20:33:00
CanadaPictures of your Wedding
QUOTE (jundp @ Jun 7 2008, 01:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wacken, the shirt your husband is wearing is almost identical to the one P will wear for our medieval wedding! I love it smile.gif
We're doing a sort of long wedding too. We're having a Polterabend 2 days before (because the day before is my son's birthday) then the wedding, which will be small, 45 guests, and then the day after we are going to the local Renaissance Fair with our families and friends.

I love everyone's pictures and I promise to post some after August 1st


I like the shirt too. I think we got it from some wool products street vendor in Oldenburg about two weeks before the wedding.

I look forward to seeing the pics, though I think we all understand if you are a little late in posting them. devil.gif

QUOTE
Wow. What a beautiful setting, Necrotica.


I agree! Thanks for sharing!
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-07 07:41:00
CanadaPictures of your Wedding
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 6 2008, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That looks like a lot of fun, Wacken! But... uhhhh.... the THIRD day of your wedding? I didn't even want a first! laughing.gif


laughing.gif

In Germany, the only legal weddings are ones performed at the Standesamt. The Standesamt is a governmental body and being such, you generally had to have your wedding on a business day during business hours. Out of blue, we decided to do it on a Thursday. Naturally, not everyone could show up on a Thursday in the middle of the morning, so we created an event on Saturday that everyone could attend. On Friday, it was kind of a large family reunion for my husband's family (unfortunately, none of mine could afford the trip). On Saturday, we had the reception you see above which was open to all friends and family. It lasted from 6pm-5am. We were kind of nervous about if people would actually show up in costume, but everyone did and showed up ready to party. I don't think I could have asked for a better wedding, all and all. biggrin.gif
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-06 20:21:00
CanadaPictures of your Wedding
QUOTE (thetreble @ Jun 6 2008, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You know what's really sad? I haven't even looked at all my wedding photos yet! I have moved twice since the wedding and they are all packed away!!! Here are a few I have on the internet.


Don't feel bad. My husband and I got married in August 2004. We finally actually put all our wedding pictures in a presentable album in January 2008. Before they were just a stack of photos in a ziploc bag. whistling.gif What was amusing was that we saw absolutely no couples that were together in the pictures that are still together now except for us. For fun, here is one of the pictures I have from the third day of our wedding. The map my husband is holding was blown out of a cannon.



The resulting treasure:



All of you guy's wedding pictures are really nice!
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-06-06 15:16:00
CanadaIf it wasn't for immigration
We discussed it awhile back and came to the conclusion that we probably would have legally married eventually.

I don't think I would have been like my sister and BIL about it though. They have been together since 2002, engaged since 2005, and have only recently seriously set a date for the wedding in mid-2009. wacko.gif My husband and I would have probably married after 2-3 years period.

Edited by Wacken, 30 September 2008 - 09:56 AM.

Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-09-30 09:53:00
CanadaCanadianisms
QUOTE (Tankgurl38 @ Sep 30 2008, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Weird how we can have the same restaurant chain and have the food taste totally different. I find their McDonalds tastes a little bit different too.


Nah, not really. It is probably a supplier issue. Wendy's supplier in Canada is probably different than the US supplier. Also things tend to be tweaked to the country's taste preferences.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-09-30 13:48:00
CanadaTinned Vegetables Cheaper?
QUOTE (Reba @ Nov 29 2008, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only thing that bugs me about buying veggies at Aldi is that for some reason they shrink wrap and use those horrible styrofoam plate things. Why do they need to shrink wrap broccoli or squash? wacko.gif Bugs me...but its more than a $1 cheaper for broccoli there than elsewhere in town. We also have a BiLo that is good for a few sale items at least every other week.


Check where they came from. It is usually the sign of a Dutch or Spanish greenhouse. I thought it was a little odd when I lived in Germany to see veggies wrapped too. When I saw peppers here wrapped like that at Meijer, I looked at the country of origin and sure enough, the Netherlands.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-11-30 12:35:00
CanadaDriver's License
Indiana requires that you do everything all over again as a foreigner. You will have to go through the Learner's Permit process, wait 3028302 years for them to verify all of your USCIS information with Annapolis, and then take road, written, and vision tests. It took my husband from November to June to get a friggin driver's license.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-12-05 07:05:00
CanadaSo THAT'S why coke tastes different in the USA
Kroger doesn't have those?
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-12-04 16:50:00
CanadaSo THAT'S why coke tastes different in the USA
QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Oct 31 2008, 10:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
FYI - Germany is primarily a Coca Cola only country (no Pepsi please).. kicking.gif


Whatever. I went to Kaufland all time for Pepsi Max.

I thought the Coke there and Coke Light was nasty. I mean, I drank it, but I have absolutely no idea how they ruined both of them.

If you are looking for another HFCS free item and live around the Great Lakes, Meijer has some really good store brand jam called Three Fruits. It is manufactured in Canada.
Dr. ObviousFemalePitcairn Islands2008-12-04 16:29:00