biggish data

age difference

QUOTE (Danu @ Apr 4 2009, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (AnnexoxShay @ Apr 3 2009, 08:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gary no disrespect intended because more often then not I find I agree with you on a lot of your posting .... but Ive followed this little conversation between the three members and I find it a little disturbing .... I see what your saying but what you said originally to what you ended up saying was a complete 360 ...

There is nothing wrong with a woman taking a traditional role .... Its a role I am choosing for many reasons ... age, biological clock ticking away, being seperated from my guy for so long and having a desire to spoil him and look after him etc etc etc .... but there is a big difference in wanting to do this and being expected to do this .... In turn he will and has done the same for me ...

I dont know if where we come from makes a difference ... countries like Oz, NZ, Britian etc arent that different but with some of the other countries the woman are sometimes treated like servants .... making certain comments gives the impression that the petitioner is only bringing these woman into the US to fullfill those duties ... I dont think you guys realise how nasty and degrading some of these comments come across sometimes and it is offensive to the females .... I realise we cant change how people think or even how they post but taking consideration on how things are worded would be nice ...

Tallcoolone ... I dont even know how to respond to you .... One of my sisters married a Phillipino

things were once sweet for them to (for about 5minutes)... then he showed his true self amazingly around the same time as his family started to migrate over ... funnily enough same sort of thing happened to several other people Ive known who married phillipinos ...

I distinctly remember this one day when I had gone over to go shopping with her and she HAD to heat up his lunch for him because the poor petal couldnt walk 5 feet and stick the plate in the microwave ... She even took the heated dish to him and placed it in front of him ... got him his drink and napkin and he just sat there staring at her for several minutes while she proceeded to get ready to leave ... we noticed him waiting and asked him what was wrong and his reply was 'Something is missing' so we looked at each other and realised she had forgotten the fork .... at this stage I had to say something and he wasnt very happy but yep you guessed it she went and got him the fork ...

I feel this way too. I am from a European/Canadian background. I went through schook, can hold my own in the work force yet I would love when we are stable to be able to stay at home and take care of the house and kids. The funny thing that I find with some people (which makes me understand a bit where Gary is coming from, though I don't completely agree with what he writes) is that if I tell some of my girlfriends up here they are like "is that what YOU want to do?" I am all pro-choice, it matters not to me if you decide to work or stay home, but I do hate the people who make you feel bad for choosing one over the other. I love that my fiance is willing to let me stay at home as well for my health if we are stable enough to afford it and that he wants to make sure that if I am working that I am not over stressed or over worked. That is a true caring partnership. I wouldn't want him to struggle when I can be helping him.

Thats exactly how I feel to ... part of me feels bad because my fiance will have to take on the role of provider but his reply was 'Im not bringing you here to go and work, but if you want to it is your choice' .... and taking that into consideration if he is going to be the bread winner then my job will be our home ... its a case of give and take, how could you possibly expect the person out there working 10 hour days to come home to cook, clean and fold laundry I couldnt in good concious ... and the fact is we are both in our late 30s and we both want children ... its hard to work and run a more traditional home .... granted my mother did it but she also wasnt planning on living in a small town of 1000 were the options are more limited and therefore you dont have the luxury of negotiating your work hours ...

... I am also all for womans rights ... but to me it means a right to choose .... I have also found that a lot of my female friends look on at my choice to have a more traditional home as a sell out like I personally am doing something to stunt the growth of womens rights .... believing in womans rights doesnt mean we all have to get out there and burn our bras and be in a constant battle over whats right or fair etc ... we should have a right to choose how to live our lives ....

I want to raise my children and bake them cookies and be home when my husband gets home from work with a nice home cooked meal ... if thats how I choose to live my life who am I hurting??????? but to be told thats what I have to do, no way Jack!

But having these view doesnt mean I dont think for a moment that the roles can be reversed and the woman work and the men stay home ... Ive known some stay home dads and they do a fantastic jobs .... Honestly, Ive known some men that take care of the family and the home better then the wives!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-04-03 21:33:00

age difference

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Mar 1 2009, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ellie-and-David @ Feb 26 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Feb 26 2009, 10:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ellie-and-David @ Feb 26 2009, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Feb 26 2009, 08:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ellie-and-David @ Feb 26 2009, 05:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Feb 24 2009, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ellie-and-David @ Feb 24 2009, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Feb 24 2009, 07:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Feb 24 2009, 06:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is NO women's liberation. Or very little, though some small amounts seem to be creeping in, very small amounts. For example, women can BY LAW be paid less than men for the same jobs.

I have no problem with this, and wish it was the same in USA.

Are you kidding me?

Wow....horrified this kind of ignorant, self important attitude by backward men like you is still in existence.

No it's the Self Liberated, Everything is About Me attitude that screws up a good woman.......

If it was all about me, I'd be making him move here.

You make sweeping generalisations that are damaging. Women are capable of being devoted wives without accepting standards that make them slaves to their husbands. I love my fiance. And i get pi**ed at any one who tells me that because I am capable of earning as much as him and more, I am not being a "good" wife. In fact the liberation of women has also to some extent liberated men. And now, because I am educated and capable of contributing to the house hold, both sexes have more choices. Dont you WANT the choice not to have to fulfill this role of always having to be the strong one? Relied upon one? The one that everything rests upon? I want to be a team with my future husband, be able to work while he goes back to school, know that I have his back all the way and if something goes wrong with his job (which it has right now) I am there to take the slack while we work everything out.

I dont want to spend HIS money. I want to earn my own. It's so frustrating to see men want to keep us as housewives in one breath, but moan that we spend all the money and dont adequately contribute in another. You see that all the time on these boards.

I am glad he wanted to marry someone who is capable of challenging him on every level. The only thing I am no challenge to him in is cooking (do you WANT to get poisoned???) and chess.

Hey, here's hoping all the liberated women around your wife dont rub off on her. I hope you are keeping her hidden away from the world as it is today.

I will only say this, about that. I lived in England also. I married a Ukrainian. What do you think?

I think that was a chickenspit sort of agreement with Tallcoolone's Neanderthal views? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Dave.

?? ?????? ????? ???????????????? ???, ????????? ???? ???? ????????? ???.

No, dude. Equal means equal. She doesn't have to 'allow' me a thing, nor I her....you should strive for more of that in your relationships.

Dave (obviously, hahahahaaa)

Obviously.

It is normal for there to be misunderstanding by disenfranchised liberated women. First I will note they support "freedom of choice" unless someone doesn't choose like them and then we should try to be more like them instead of respecting the "choice" they propose to support. Nothing new there.

Second, there is the opinion that not needing a spouses permission is somehow good or that I even indicated such a thing. I never indicated I didn't need her permission. I presumed you also did. Sorry, my mistake. I was wrong. I forgot. Permission is not necessary from a spouse who has surrendered all her power as a woman by being "equal". I mean really, dude, who cares what they think? Who needs their permission? Right? I mean they are the same, one of the guys right? I mean who does she think she is? Right?

In fact a traditional wife, such as mine, is extremely powerful and you can bet I ask her permission or consent, especially on anything having to do with her responsibilities. It is because she cares and I respect her work and what she takes control of. She cares and respects what I do. We are most definitely "equal" in our areas of responsibility. I think "tallcoolone" would agree. Traditional wives are not for beginners, best to practice with liberated women first.

Giving oneself to another, and that is what this is, nothing more, nothing less. It is making a conscientious decision to offer another all you have to give, body and soul, it does not lessen your power, freedom or abilities. Being a wife and mother hardly takes away from her masters degree and she still speaks four languages, she gave none of that up. She has a husband who would walk on fire for her and jumps to please her as she does to please him. Heck, I even sleep toward the window in case a bear comes, I will be eaten while she escapes. How devoted can I get!?

Enjoying being a feminine woman, I mean really enjoying it, hardly diminishes her womanhood. Personally I think so-called liberated women are insecure and more so every day. They realize they surrendered the very things that made them powerful. Too smart by half...hoist on their own petard. Oops.

Now me, I am sure not going to tell you that you need to be more like me, it is a learning process and will take some time, sounds like you have a good teacher. And I am not going to suggest that your relationship needs to be more like ours. Far be it from me. I feel no need to try and impose my beliefs on others, I am a liberal like that really. I support everyone's right to make a choice for themselves. I would just never choose someone for my wife that had surrendered her womanhood and had nothing to give me. Oh, I am sure that sounds selfish, not so. I mean it should be mutally beneficial, right? I have something to offer her and she has something to offer me. Or else why not stay single? If I wanted to do everything without asking permission, I could have stayed single. There was no one around that cared, wy get married and still have no one that cares? I gained much by being married and gave something up, is is what happens when lives truly join. In my opinion. Those two separate lives end and a one begins. Sounds stupid I suppose, bt I truly believe it is the meaning of marriage and I am not even a religious guy, it isn't about religion, it is about devotion to each other. And I have my wife's permission to say so.

PS: My wife would just have read what I wrote and responded in Russian, or English or Ukrainian or Italian. She doesn't need the online translation wizard. See, she kept all that wonderful knowledge. Do you think neandrethals spoke 3 or 4 languages?

Gary no disrespect intended because more often then not I find I agree with you on a lot of your posting .... but Ive followed this little conversation between the three members and I find it a little disturbing .... I see what your saying but what you said originally to what you ended up saying was a complete 360 ...

There is nothing wrong with a woman taking a traditional role .... Its a role I am choosing for many reasons ... age, biological clock ticking away, being seperated from my guy for so long and having a desire to spoil him and look after him etc etc etc .... but there is a big difference in wanting to do this and being expected to do this .... In turn he will and has done the same for me ...

I dont know if where we come from makes a difference ... countries like Oz, NZ, Britian etc arent that different but with some of the other countries the woman are sometimes treated like servants .... making certain comments gives the impression that the petitioner is only bringing these woman into the US to fullfill those duties ... I dont think you guys realise how nasty and degrading some of these comments come across sometimes and it is offensive to the females .... I realise we cant change how people think or even how they post but taking consideration on how things are worded would be nice ...

Tallcoolone ... I dont even know how to respond to you .... One of my sisters married a Phillipino

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-04-03 19:15:00

age difference

QUOTE (Old Dominion @ Mar 2 2009, 12:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (lost in Egypt 4 u @ Feb 28 2009, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (esther @ Feb 23 2009, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Has anybody had any problems with a K1 Visa because of a big age difference between the couple? Being the woman way older than the man.

Yes and if u were smart u would stop it now ..........he wants the green card !

If there is a big difference -- ten years or more -- yes, based on the experiences of friends of mine, he wants the green card. Then he will disappear from your life.

Really???? I have some close friends his 27 and shes 42 and he would cut of a limb for her .... You only have to look at them and you can tell they are mad about each other ....

Im personally not big on the big age difference thing but if people are happy with that arrangement and they are within ages that it cant be misinterpreted as one taking advantage of the other who are we to judge or suggest they are in the relationship for a greencard ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-04-03 18:48:00

QUOTE (Minya's wife @ Mar 13 2009, 01:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (AnnexoxShay @ Mar 12 2009, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Minya's wife @ Mar 13 2009, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But...but that would mean actually being pro-active and doing something other that bitchin n moaning to get special treatment.

yeah but you know what, all the bitchin and moaning gets you as as far as it got the rest of us ... full circle back to the start and waiting, waiting, waiting

and waiting some more

Gives new meaning to the old adage "Good things come to those who wait" doesn't it?

Right On

QUOTE (lizziebits28 @ Mar 13 2009, 01:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think we were twins separated at birth. And thank you very much for wishing us well. If you get the urge to compare checklists or go over mondane details because it helps the wait, feel free to PM me!!

Beth

Same goes my friend ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-03-12 23:20:00

QUOTE (lizziebits28 @ Mar 13 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (AnnexoxShay @ Mar 12 2009, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (lizziebits28 @ Mar 13 2009, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, very good point, I agree. Something else to feel productive and moving towards the goal. Besides letter writing, preparing everything I could for the next 2 stages of our journey has helped me in the very loooooong (less than a) month since I filed. It's just impossible for me to sit and wait and do nothing. Next week I will start cleanng out the closets so there is room for his clothes! And I'm going to Jordan in 28 days to see him

so hopefully that will calm me down as well. Otherwise, this is going to be the most productive 6+ or - months of my life!!!

Thats exactly what Ive been doing .... Ive slowly started sorting out my apartment and finding new homes for belongings ... Im down to basics now and have already packed my suitcase with the winter stuff I also have a box of maybes and every couple days I sort thru it to see if I really cant live with a certain item... When the time comes and I return from my interview it will only take me a few hours to finish packing and a few hours off cleaning and Ill be all done.... Mind you Im going nutz waiting for my interview date at the moment but thems the breaks...

You must have been raised with that same Puritan work ethic as me!!

Don't know whether it's a curse or a blessing, but sitting and doing nothing is never an option!

Or maybe I just need to be on meds.

Anyway, best of luck with your interview and preparing for your new life!!!!!

I think its a curse! The process would be so much simpler if I/we were oblivious to what was going on around us, dont you think? Ohhh

they offered me the meds but after careful consideration I figured a cup of coffee would prob settle me down just the same without all the crazy side effects! JK I think

Thank you and all the best to you, I hope everything comes thru speedily for you and your fiance ... {{HUGZ}}

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-03-12 22:37:00

QUOTE (Minya's wife @ Mar 13 2009, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But...but that would mean actually being pro-active and doing something other that bitchin n moaning to get special treatment.

yeah but you know what, all the bitchin and moaning gets you as as far as it got the rest of us ... full circle back to the start and waiting, waiting, waiting

and waiting some more

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-03-12 22:18:00

QUOTE (lizziebits28 @ Mar 13 2009, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

so hopefully that will calm me down as well. Otherwise, this is going to be the most productive 6+ or - months of my life!!!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-03-12 22:15:00

Yup, like the others said... youll have to wait patiently ... it usually takes about 90 days sometimes longer .... in the mean time if you want something to do download the forms from http://www.visajourn...;page=downloads and the Example forms from http://www.visajourn...p;page=examples and read up on your countries US embassy at http://www.visajourn...ex.php?letter=L or you can find a list of all embassies here http://www.visajourn....php?letter=ALL .... when you finish all that reading start filling forms out and start gathering all the evidence you need, that way you have everything you need as you need it and that itself will make the process move on faster ...

All the best with everything ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-03-12 21:57:00

QUOTE (chelle+james @ Feb 13 2009, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not saying all filos are like this twisted person, im a filo, but i came to Oz when i was 1 so i consider myself a full aussie... but when I went back to the philippines for a holiday, with my aussie bf at the time, nearly every girl I spoke to would ask where I got the "white guy" from and if i could get them one too.... it was so disrespectful, frustrating and extreamly embarassing....

My fiance now, his mother told him to stay away from filipino girls coz theyre bad... lol
when he told his mum that he wanted to marry me, he had to explain that i grew up in Australia so im not just marrying him to get to the US... lol

its pretty sad how filipino girls are portrayed....

Its very sad actually ... My fiance lives in a small town with a population of 1100 ... there is one filipino lady married to a US citizen who she met online ... They have a little girl together and she works 2 jobs (12hour days) to keep there family going because her husband has medical problems and cant work... They been married 6-7 years, and in that time she has worked and worked to also sponsor her sister and mother to enter the US .... They're definately not always portrayed fairly ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-13 04:36:00

QUOTE (JulietteDumont @ Feb 13 2009, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mkg265 @ Feb 12 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is wrong with two men? I have a husband and a man I live with in America. While my husband rots in Albania, my special friend and I go for long walks in the park, take baths together, and cuddle at night. He loves when I brush his long black hair and feed him jerky. Did I mention that my devoted friend is only 11 years old?

But unlike the OP, my other man is a dog. An actual dog. Lab-Corgie mix.

I got scared for a minute !!!

OMG! You and me both!!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-12 17:47:00

QUOTE (RBAL_TN @ Feb 13 2009, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Immigration issues are complex and time consuming enough without cases like yours clogging the works. Personally, I don't feel a simple denial is enough.

Agreed! .... isnt there clause on the bottom of some of the forms about fraudulant app's ... I think there is a fine or something ..

Regardless, when you get a certain stage of the process they ask if you someone has ever put in an app in the past on your behalf and you need to answer the question ... If she says no and they find that will be enough to get denied ... if she says yes and they check theyll find out she has a current app...

Furthermore in the future when she tries again, whether its thru a K1 or other immigration it will pop up again ... they will ask if she has ever denied and she will need to provide details ...

But then again when she exhausts all the US avenues she prob move on to Australia and start over again ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-12 16:56:00

OMG ... I think I woke up into a nightmare .... Is this chick for real? Now I know why I had countless sleepless nights and days and days of pounding headaches and hairpulling going thru this process!

Sweetheart, a few months of waiting is nothin' try doing it for 4 years ... try spending 2 days straight crying because you know one of you is leaving and finally having to watch them go thru customs and knowing your not going to see them again for 1-2years! Then we'll talk ...

I hope both your bf bust your butt ... Your not only risking getting yourself caught out which I hope you do, seriously... but you risk having them caught out and potentially causing them problems in the future if they do meet a nice honest girl who they would like to marry and bring into their country ...

And since Im not a nasty person ... may I suggest you start looking into the immigration process and go into the country on your own accord rather then scam your way in on some poor mans broken heart ...

... man its to early for this, I need a coffee ...

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-12 15:52:00

Goodluck with the interview Cloudskipper ...

Your Pack 3 will have all the links to the different things you need .... all the forms are found at the top of this page under Downloads and also look at Example Forms (next to Downloads) they will be a great help when filling out your forms ...

Also becareful which police check you get ... you need to do the one with fingerprints its $153.70 in QLD the $40 one is a general police check an employer can request ...

EDIT:

Have a read of this too http://www.visajourn...e...&cty=Sydney it will help heaps ...

Edited by AnnexoxShay, 24 February 2009 - 09:37 AM.

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-24 09:35:00

QUOTE (mingus_drake @ Feb 11 2009, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

found the melbourne medical costs online. $325 plus vaccination costs, which can be at my regular doctor, but again, it doesn't say what i need to be vaccinated against!

Heres a few links for you to read thru .... check out the .pdf links as they have a lot of valuable information ... the last link gives a list of Vaccination and the age requirements .... But ring the clinic and speak to them and theyll give you a better idea ... I thought I would have to get some because I didnt have anything saying I had them and the lady I spoke to told me Id more then likely only need a booster ....

http://travel.state..../info_3745.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/panel.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/n...pdf/ti_vacc.pdf

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-11 04:36:00

Far as I know only the Sydney Embassy does Visa App and Interviews... the other embassys do other things eg. Brisbane does US passports only I suspect Melbourne is the same ... Its a pain but and costly to travel to another state, I wish I could do mine in brissy but at this stage Ill fly to the moon if I have to!

The medical is is divided into different sections ... $266 goes the doc that does the examination the other and the other $200 is for the TB chest exrays and bloodwork ...

When I was having puppies over the medical and how many injections I needed. Shay called and they told him that medicare doesnt cover/reimburse on any of the medical .. Im going to check again when I make my appointment, I wish I had remembered when I called about the vaccinations but I forgot .... You can however find out what vaccines your fiance will need and he can have them done at his GP to save a few $$$ .... but check because you dont need all of them, what you need is determined by your age .... but they are definately extra on top of the $466.

Also, how much you pay is determined by the Centre you go to .... The $466 is for the clinic in Brisbane soo ring your clinic and get a better picture of what to expect...

Wooohoo 3 forms down and just one more to go ... Soo sick of paperwork!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-10 23:42:00

QUOTE (Matt-and-Annie @ Feb 11 2009, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Omgosh your awesome!!! providing all this good information!!

Glad this thread is producing help for us!!!

I have ANOTHER question... can my fiance have his examination now?? before getting the NOA2???

Your very welcome... its a confusing process and half the time Im spending double checking that I understood everything ..... Like I said in my last post Id wait till your guy gets his pack 3 before doing the medical ... when he receives the pack it will have a letter with all the forms he needs to download and the go ahead to get the medical and police check ...

The police check doesnt take long, mine took a little longer then usual because the station didnt have the required cards for the prints but once they had everything it was a breeze ....

Medical they say you need to make an appointment a week in advance and that the results take up to 2 weeks but I rang the Brissy Mecial centre and they said the results only take a couple days ... and they recommend I pick them up ...

BTW the police check is $153.70 and the Docs are around $500 depending which doc you go too ... but if you ring the clinic theyll give you a better Idea ... ohh and injections are extra ...

Edited by AnnexoxShay, 10 February 2009 - 09:36 PM.

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-10 21:34:00

QUOTE (Matt-and-Annie @ Feb 11 2009, 12:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How I would wish for three months waiting for our NOA2! LOL.. we are hitting four months soon, in late feb.. where are you from (city i mean)? and where are you going to do the medical?? Do you recommend we have everything planned? My fiance and I want to start getting everything done NOW.. the police check and affidavit of support, i might do that when my parents file taxes ( I am 19 and don't work, just college... so my pops are going to be helping me out there... I don't know if that presents a problem.. I pray to G-D it doesn't!)

By the way are you an October filer??? your timeline confused me :S But i think you are?? ARE YOU?? LOL sorry if you are that would be SOOO EXCITING!... actually I think you are but you filed at Cali and they are faster than where I FILED... so no difference in that one for us.. LOL still good to know!!

Aww.. Im sorry its taking you a little longer, its not unusual however... we were lucky because California seems to be tearing along ...

Im from Brisbane, my fiance is the US citizen from Oregon ... thats why my timeline is a little confusing because he's the the one that filed not me ... his a chef and works long hours and hasnt the time to post in forums ... and since this part of the process is primarily my part, I joined to get a few answers myself

My suggestion is to read up on as much as you can and start gathering as much of the documents as you need ... I wouldnt be getting the medical or police check at this stage ... Id wait till you get your pack 3 before doing those ... but have a look at all the forms ... you can find them at the top of this page under downloads and example forms .... Ill give you a heads up though when you get to form DS-156 you will need to do that using the online form and print it out.... The Sydney US Embassy no longer accepts hand written forms and it needs to generate a bar code ... The form can be found at this addy http://evisaforms.st...gov/default.asp

Exciting is an understatement ... Im floating between overwhelmingly happy and ill from nerves!!!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-10 21:26:00

QUOTE (mingus_drake @ Feb 11 2009, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

oh man really? i thought i could do it in melbourne... that's not good... is this on their website anywhere? i don't have to go to sydney for my medical though?

Yup

you can do your medical in melbourne ... here is a list of doctors that do it in Oz.. http://travel.state....L-0002-0905.pdf

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-10 21:13:00

QUOTE (Matt-and-Annie @ Feb 11 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was actually wondering, from those aussie's already have their NOA2 how long (i.e. how many days) did it take from your NOA2 to the interview and the issuance of the visa??

Anybody can let me know that please!?

It took 3 months for Shay to get the NOA2 ... then 2 weeks later I received the Pk 3 in the mail ... At the moment Im filling in the forms that need to be filled out and gathering all the documents .... Ive had the police check and need to organise the medical ... Im still waiting for Shays Affidavit of Support but we should have everything to file the pk 3 requirements before the end of the month ... Once pack 3 is recieved they usually make an appointment for the interview at Sydney Embassy within a month and visa is usually issued withing a week but from everything Ive read youll know at the end of the interview if your app's been approved ...

Good luck!!!!

AnnexoxShay

Female

Australia

2009-02-10 21:03:00

Confusion

Ah, thanks for that GandK. I had a good look at the instructions, that filled in the gaps for me!

Also if you are confused with the affidavit of support, police clearance certificate etc. Those documents are required at the consular interview stage, you do not need it now.
If your petition is approved by the USCIS, the embassy will send you another instruction with the list of required documents.

However, most of people here would like to prepare ahead of the interview and make the process goes as fast as possible.
I suggest you read all the relevant guides here and stick around the forum for a while. It all was overwhelming to me in the beginning too but once you have an overview of the process, it is very simple really.

riss

Female

Australia

2011-12-20 06:40:00

Confusion

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. Teapot girl: I guess the USCIS website just seemed a bit misleading, to someone who had no idea about immigration processes. They say things like 'For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, visas are always available, which means that your family member does not need to wait in line for a visa.' My fiance and I both interpreted that to mean that there would be no or minimal waiting *time*. :huh:

I feel pretty stupid about that now, as you might imagine!

We also read that if the USC's spouse was in the country, that the appropriate process was to fill in form I-130. Again that was quite correct but, well, there was a whole lot more to the story due to me having planned to re-enter the country on the VWP. I suppose that was my own ignorance though.

If anyone's interested in my story of 'how to make a nice balls-up of trying to marry a USC', I've included my last post from a prior thread here on VJ. Once again I'd love any insights or comments. Insults accepted too, albeit grudgingly. :whistle:

Oh boy...

Thanks so much for the responses. After I received your first lot of advice and did a bit more research, I phoned my fiance to tell him that I'd realised things weren't going to be so straightforward after all. Like me initially, he'd only seen the USCIS website information which says things like 'visas are always available for spouses of US citizens', and 'there is no waiting time for immediate relatives of US citizens', and he insisted that I was wrong, that I shouldn't believe everything I read in a forum, and that when I got back to the US we'd be able to get married and apply for a green card without spending any time apart. I told him I really wished he was right but I just didn't think so. In the end he said he'd contact a lawyer as soon as he could.

The lawyer affirmed to him that after we married I would still need to go home and apply for a CR-1, which he said would take around 3 months. Then he told my fiance that when I re-entered the US (which was to have been yesterday), I should be prepared for the 50% chance that I would be denied entry, based on the fact that I was engaged/in a serious relationship and I guess therefore I would be suspected of planning to marry and apply for AOS without going back to Australia first. At first I thought I would just take my chances, if I got knocked back I'd just go back home. The lawyer had said to make sure I told the 100% truth and wore my engagement ring on my finger etc. and did not allow there to be any suspicion that I was trying to conceal anything, and I figured that was best since I'm really not much into making up stories. But then I researched 'denial of entry' online and came across a bunch of stories of people who had honestly disclosed their situations, admitted that they were engaged, etc. but explained that they intended to return to their home countries to apply for green cards, and who were nonetheless treated roughly, interrogated for hours, sometimes handcuffed and put into jail cells... I also read that being denied entry once could lead to you being 'flagged' and having trouble every time you travelled in future... I wasn't sure who paid for the trip back because as far as I knew I wouldn't be able to change my flight booking on the spot to return home, and booking a new flight at short notice would be prohibitive ($3500). We couldn't get in touch with the lawyer at such short notice for further advice, and after much heartache I decided to cancel the trip, the day before I had meant to fly.

Now L and I don't know how long it'll be till we see each other next. He'll have to consult the lawyer again and get the K-1 forms started. I've gathered that it's also not a simple matter to go over to visit him during the processing/waiting period for the K-1, due to the same concerns that I could enter the country and then apply directly for AOS and not leave. We just didn't have a clue! L and I both had looked up the USCIS website long ago and we read that if the spouse was in the US, then we should simply apply for the I-130 and there was no waiting list. We thought it sounded pretty straightforward! I guess that was pretty silly/naive.

Everyone we have met since beginning our relationship has said it's such a lovely story, the way we met and fell in love and I ended up going halfway round the world for something that seemed like a 'long shot'. One lady even wanted to write our story, lol! All I can think is that this is going to make for an interesting and eventful chapter.

Thanks so much for your help & advice, Ryan and m+p. I'll study what you've said carefully and get on to the next step of the process.

I'm a bit confused about whether I did the right thing, missing that flight - but chances are that you saved me going through what could have been a pretty harrowing experience.

riss

riss

Female

Australia

2011-12-20 05:37:00

Confusion

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I got engaged about a month ago while I was visiting him in the US for three months. I've now left the US and we're working on beginning our K-1 journey. He looked up the information at the official USCIS website, which basically said to fill in the I-129f. Somewhere else he found out about the g-1145 so he filled one of those out too. Based on the USCIS information, it seemed like that was it and we were ready to send it off. Now I've had a look at the guide here on VJ and there are a million more things we need to do to put together this 'packet'. What's going on? Why is the USCIS site so patchy and incomplete, and where does all the additional info come from that VJ provides?

The last time I found info on VJ that seemed to contradict the USCIS info, I had trouble convincing my fiance that it was legitimate. He couldn't understand why I'd trust something I read on a forum above what seemed like straightforward simple info on the official government site. The USCIS info all makes it seem so straightforward, until you go looking elsewhere and realizing that there's so much more involved. It's led to a fair bit of frustration and confusion for us. Has anyone else experienced this? Any insights or comments would be much appreciated.

Riss

riss

Female

Australia

2011-12-20 03:52:00

Fiance's interview is today!!!

Wow! Best of luck. It's probably all done by the time I'm writing this reply. I'm going to send you my congratulations in advance.

Riss

riss

Female

Australia

2011-12-22 05:08:00

overseas when forms/checklist arrive?

Cool, thanks Darnell.

riss

Female

Australia

2012-01-09 02:40:00

overseas when forms/checklist arrive?

Ok, you guys are just amazing!

Thank you so much, Operator, Dave, Vanessa, Darnell. I love how you guys answer all my questions before I've even figured out what to ask, lol! :thumbs:

Can I just ask one more thing - where can I find the forms and checklist that I would need to complete from Australia? I was looking for them in the K-1 guide but that seems to focus on the petitioner's forms/packet and not my side of things...?

Thanks again everybody, I've been really overwhelmed at the thought of trying to wade through all this, but you make it feel doable.

(F)

Riss

riss

Female

Australia

2012-01-06 03:05:00

overseas when forms/checklist arrive?

Hi All, just wondering if anyone can help me with a question:

My fiance and I are starting a K-1 application, and I'm hoping to travel in February to the US to spend a few months with him before heading back home to wait out the rest of the application process. I'm just wondering, what happens if the forms and checklist arrive for me in Australia while I'm still overseas? Will it be any problem if I'm not there yet and it takes me a while to get back to Australia and take care of the rest of the application?

Thanks in advance!

Riss

Edited by riss, 04 January 2012 - 10:03 AM.

riss

Female

Australia

2012-01-04 09:58:00

Letter of Intent to Marry

Hello everybody, just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on this 'Letter of Intent to Marry'?

I downloaded the example letter, and it says to insert the 'USCIS service center address'. How do I know which service center will be processing my application? According to the I-129f instructions, everybody sends the form to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility. Do I just put down the USCIS Dallas Lockbox address?

I'm also wondering whether it's normal to just copy the letter exactly, with our names and details added in, or if I ought to be re-writing it and simply using that as a guide. It seems like the wording is pretty specific and I don't really want to change the wording and end up missing some important aspect of the statement. :huh:

Thanks in advance,

(F)

Riss

riss

Female

Australia

2012-01-09 02:37:00

Letter of Intent to Marry

Wonderful. Thanks heaps, everybody.

riss

Female

Australia

2012-01-12 02:38:00

Advice for a newbie.

here is a link to the aussie forum, some things are specific to what consulate you go through, hope it helps

Good luck on your journey

Chocolot

Female

Australia

2009-05-05 13:13:00

Hi Mates, you may want to check out the Aussie thread <http://www.visajourn...p?showtopic=27>

Its been a while and things have changed since I went through but the more recent ones will soon chime in,

hope it helps, welcome to the journey

Chocolot

Female

Australia

2009-02-11 16:19:00

proof of meeting

Breathe... It will be fine, you are proving that you have met at this stage. The tickets, boarding pass and your passport stamp with a photo, do that.

Later you will need to prove the relationship and any forms of contact can help there. We used snail mail, IM, emails, screen prints and phone records. From now on you will be thinking "oh that will help for our application" and find yourself increasingly hoarding your pile of useful bits and pieces.

good luck on your journey

Chocolot

Female

Australia

2009-09-19 17:07:00

Need to leave the US after entry on K1 due to death in the family.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, this scenario is an immigrants nightmare. I hope you find an answer and my thoughts and condolences to you

Chocolot

Female

Australia

2009-10-16 08:00:00

I Need Help....Unique situation??

congrats on your forthcoming marriage and K1, the paperwork will still be useful to you for the offshore visa application at DIAC if you decide to marry in Australia. A heads up though, FBI fingerprints are taking 13 weeks to process so the sooner you apply the better.

http://www.immi.gov....ner-outside.htm

may help.

Hope it helps

Chocolot

Female

Australia

2010-03-28 09:39:00

Engaged and starting the petition!

My fiance and I just recently got engaged (my second last day I was in the USA visiting him) and we are starting our petition. I have done A LOT of reading on the K1 Visa and think we are ready to get the ball rolling.

First I just want to ask if the guide for the petition on this website is correct?
the only OFFICAL forms needed are the;
I-129F
G-325A for each of us
G-1145

I know there are plently of other things needed such as proof and photos which I would have no problem putting together but I've read somewhere that people file the I-134 with the petition, Is there any other offical files I need to know about for the petition! I was under the impression that the I-134 was to be filed after the NOA2 or something like that.

Thanks,

Patrick & Chloe

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-01-28 16:10:00

USCIS service center address

OH, thankyou! I just wanted to make sure

thanks everyone for their imput.

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-01-30 22:18:00

USCIS service center address

Hey guys,

I'm filling out the templates VJ has so kindly left at my reach but I'm not sure what the USCIS service center address is. Can anyone help?

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-01-30 19:10:00

Birth Certificate for US fiance

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Where can my fiance get his photocopied Birth Certificate certified?

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-01-30 01:15:00

Birth Certificate for US fiance

Hey,

My fiance and I are trying to complete our I-129F petition and we are not sure if his birth certificate needs to be an original or if I can be a photo copy?

Thanks,

Patrick & Chloe

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-01-29 00:56:00

Recent Super fast NOA2s (in 30 days or less)

This is a new piece of information for me! I thought it takes a few months for them to go through your petition, now I know its just sitting in a damn box waiting to be opened.

Patrick&Chloe

Female

Australia

2011-03-04 05:01:00