Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	Interview montreal passed	CONGRATS!!!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-27 16:45:00
Canada	You visit the SSN office and then...	QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 8 2009, 06:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (hapycloud @ Jun 7 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Check day is when people on Social Security Disability or SSI get the money (the check) People on Social Security Retirement are on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month for their money (checks) Oh. They have to go into the office to pick them up or are they just going in because there are problems? No they don't need to go into the office, but people who do not do direct deposit into a bank account (so they get a paper check through the mail) come to the office on the "check day" if they didn;t receive their check. It's funny to because we can not reissue the paper check on the same day it was to be in the mail but still people come in anyways apparently the word that we do not reissue checks on the same day has not gotten out.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-08 10:05:00
Canada	You visit the SSN office and then...	QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 7 2009, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (hapycloud @ Jun 7 2009, 10:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> DO NOT GO ON A MONDAY, DO NOT GO ON CHECK DAY (majority the 1st and 3rd of the month) DO NOT GO ON A DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY!!! What is "check day"? Check day is when people on Social Security Disability or SSI get the money (the check) People on Social Security Retirement are on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month for their money (checks)	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-07 21:16:00
Canada	You visit the SSN office and then...	QUOTE (July09Bride @ Jun 7 2009, 05:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So, I know the "best" amount of time to wait before going to the SSN office, is 2 weeks from the date of entry. I was thinking... if he enters on a Monday, perhaps the following Thursday (11 days instead of the 14 days) might be okay. But, I do know what we're up against if he is NOT in the system by that time, too. So, if we go in at day 11 (if you count his entry day as day 1), when do you think we could possibly expect his SSN card to come in the mail? Can we ask on the spot for his number? With a couple of clicks of a mouse, can they see what his number will be? Could we call a couple of days after visiting the office to see if he has had a number assigned... even though the card hasn't been processed? So many questions for such a simple task... I know. We're just trying to guess at the timing for his SSN for him to be added to my insurance (that goes in to effect the DAY we get married -- yea!) and are hoping to have him on my insurance before the honeymoon. BTW... here's my guessing game plan (and I have counted weekend days in there)... Visit SSN office - day 11 Wedding - day 26 Visit my District Office for Insurance - 29 Leave for honeymoon - day 32 Think we'll have a SSN number in time??? I didn't want to tell people this but I feel guilty keeping the secret, I happen to work for Social Security in a local field office and I can tell you no way will you get the number the same day. The system updates on a daily basis so changes/numbers issued "today" aren't changed until the following day. So unfortunately ladies changing your name the system will not show your married name until the following day. So if you are getting a new drivers license make sure you check with your state before going to Social Security for a name change then to DMV on the same day. My state of Delaware is one of the states were the DMV and Social Security systems link up for name matches, so if it's not updated in our system you wont get your new drivers license with your new married name. Secondly on a K-1 Visa you should get your number within the 14 BUSINESS days that the receipt indicates. Some people get it earlier than that, it reall depends on our cross checks with the Dept of Homeland Security. If you have not received your number within 30 days call or visit your local office imediately, they can reprocess your application during that time, if not you have to do it all over again because we have to ship the applications to a holding facility. I do not work at the front desk of the office btw, I am an employee who deals with Social Security claims and the occasional Social Security card so can't help with wait times, my only advice on that issue is DO NOT GO ON A MONDAY, DO NOT GO ON CHECK DAY (majority the 1st and 3rd of the month) DO NOT GO ON A DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY!!! Hope this helps. QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Jun 7 2009, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think you should be able to get the card within your schedule. I doubt they can give you a number when you ask as they have to verify the immigration information is in the SAVE system and the person to whom you give your application doesn't do that - someone else does. I was told on my first visit one week after arrival that I was not eligible. I went back the following week with all of the documentation to show that K-1s are indeed eligible and they accepted my application. My SSN arrived in the mail 10 days later. I was one of the lucky ones - it didn't have any restrictions stamped on it. Social Security reps can verify information in SAVE the majority of the time Edited by hapycloud, 07 June 2009 - 09:03 PM.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-07 21:04:00
Canada	Packet 3????	QUOTE (Jo&Si @ Jun 8 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello everyone, I'm Johanne (French Canadian, sorry for my english not perfect) We got our NOA2 on May 21 but the date on it, is May 7th... We were waiting for the packet 3 (we are a little confused with all the process) my fiance called Embassy this morning and they said since we filled I129F we don't have a Packet 3???? They said the packet 3 is for I130F??? They will be mailing ME the info with my interview date and stuff. So now I am lost!!! I am in Caribbean now finishing my work contract...not easy to take care of everything so far of my home in QC! Please Help!!!!!!!!! Thanks Jo After you receive your NOA2 your case gets forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) and the NVC is the department that actuall forwards your petition to the Montreal COnsulate. You can try calling the NVC to see if your petition has been mailed to the consulate yet. The telephone number is 202-663-1225. Once your case gets to the Montreal Consulate you will be mailed a packet 3 to your mailing address (I assume it's goign to go to yourt mailing address in Quebec if that is what you originally used). There are two forms you will need to complete the DS-230 which is a paper form and the DS-160 which is an online form. Once you do that you mail the paper DS-230 and the "check list" that comes with the packet 3 back to the Montreal Consulate. Then the Consulate will mail you information regarding your interview.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-08 10:13:00
Canada	Today is the day...	Welcome to the US!! Glad you made it safely.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-07 06:30:00
Canada	Hello from CO!	Congratulations, glad you made it through the border with no problems	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-15 11:38:00
Canada	NOA2!	QUOTE (Peachey @ Jun 16 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well we've been checking online everyday to see if they've touched our file and everyday it says they haven't. Today my fiance got a letter in the mail from the Department of Homeland Security stating that our petition was approved and being forward to the consulate. YIPEE! Question: It says it expires on October 9. That means that I have to attend my interview and receive my K-1 Visa before that time right? I can hardly contain my excitement. VJ forums are the first to know about this since you guys helped us so much with the application. Thanks! .. off to update my timeline. WOO HOO CONGRATS!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-16 17:30:00
Canada	List Any Cool/Unknown Facts About Your State/Province	QUOTE (JillA @ Jun 17 2009, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (uscandual @ Jun 17 2009, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Peachey @ Jun 17 2009, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (JillA @ Jun 17 2009, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> PA is known as the Keystone State, and where the declaration of independence was signed! But I think most people know that We also have the liberty bell here too. PA is not actually a state, but a commonwealth. There are 3 other commonwealth states: Virginia, Massachusetts and Kentucky. Interesting point. I've never understood that - what's the distinction? What makes it a 'commonwealth'? I know it goes back to colonial times. Also, isn't Rhode Island a commonwealth? I thought it has some fancy formal name like "Commonwealth of Rhode island and Providence Plantations". Quite a pretentious mouthful of a name for such a tiny little state. I never knew that! I am wondering what the distinction is as well. I've always wondered what the "district of Colombia" is. I know it's not a state, so what is it really? How do you explain the district of Colombia? So the people that live there don't live in one of the United States of America? QUOTE (Danu @ Jun 17 2009, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Other Ontario facts In the Iroquois language "Kanadario" means "sparkling water " or "beautiful lake". More people live in Ontario than in any other province and 90% of that population is in the southern part. Water covers about one-sixth of the province. Dr Banting, one of the 2 gentleman who discovered Insulin, was born in Alliston, ON - the same town my little sister was born in! I went to high school with Dr. Bantings grandson, Colin Banting. When he told me his grandfather invented Insulin, I thought that was so cool! Here is the Wiki on the District of Columbia, It explains it better than I would have LOL!! Article One of the United States Constitution provides for a federal district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital. The centers of all three branches of the federal government of the United States are located in the District, as are many of the nation's monuments and museums. Washington, D.C., hosts 174 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The headquarters of other institutions such as trade unions, lobbying groups, and professional associations are also located in the District. The United States Congress has supreme authority over Washington, D.C.; residents of the city therefore have less self-governance than residents of the states. The District has a non-voting at-large Congressional delegate, but no senators. D.C. residents could not vote in presidential elections until the ratification of the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1961.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-17 13:54:00
Canada	List Any Cool/Unknown Facts About Your State/Province	My state of Delaware: HOME OF TAX FREE SHOPPING!! this is the number one thing people can think of...(if they even know where it is). The first state in the United States! 4 major cities all within 2 1/2 hours driving time (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C and New York City) The 2nd smallest state, you can drive from the top of Delaware to the very bottom in only 2 hours.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-17 13:51:00
Canada	POE at The Peace Bridge	QUOTE (OBX @ Jun 17 2009, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I entered the US yesterday via the Peace Bridge. I arrived at 6:45 a.m. and was completed at 8:15 a.m. A little time consuming but hassel-free. It took the officer at the drive-through booth about 5 minutes to enter info from my passport and then direct me to secondary. He kept my passport and forwarded it through. I waited 15 minutes to be called up to an agent. She asked for my envelope and then directed me sit down and wait while she "made sure everything was in order." This took about 40 minutes. I was then called back up, had two fingerprints taken and signed beneath them. I then had to wait for another 15 minutes for her to finish up. She then explained how the removal of conditions process worked, gave me information about the application and a sheet with the calculated date when I can apply. The only question she asked me throughout the entire process was whether or not I had ever crossed at this border point previously, under what name and approximately when. I then asked about importing my car. I was able to do this in the same building. The officer that processed the visa just handed me over another agent. I filled in a form listing the name and address of the dealer I purchased the car from and my name and US address. I provided him with the compliance letter from Honda US and my original purchase invoice. He did not ask me for the recall letter from Honda Canada. Good thing because I had not received it yet! Thats it! All of the agents from beginning to end were friendly and non-intimidating! I had the entire back of my van packed with boxes and storage containers plus my dog howling in the crate! They did not look in the van, ask what I was bringing in or about the dog. I have a few trips to make back to Canada to complete the move so we'll see if they question my belongings then. I am now in cool, but sunny New Jersey. Life is good on the other side Congratulations and welcome to the USA	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-17 16:36:00
Canada	I made it here!!!	CONGRATS and WELCOME!!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-08-18 13:50:00
Canada	POE Review	CONGRATS!!! Glad to hear everything went smoothly Edited by hapycloud, 22 September 2009 - 02:11 PM.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-09-22 14:11:00
Canada	Wedding Details	So I am starting to get a bit nervous for my ceremonial wedding next month. Time to bust out the phone book and get started calling all the vendors to make sure everything is on track..... Should be sooooo much fun.....	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-10-06 13:37:00
Canada	Wedding Details	My husband and I have to go thr pre-cana (marriage counseling) because we are having a Catholic Wedding Ceremony in November....Needless to say we are the only married couple in our pre-marriage class LOL IT was required by the church...so we go every week for a month...It's no big deal though, actually I have found it to be very interesting. Topics include: Conflict resolution Friendship within a marriage Money Children Spirituality. I have found all the presenters in my class very good. Next week is our last week and a financial advisor is coming to talk to us about money, savings and retirement. I am really looking forward to the free advice Plus I want to hear what they say about Social Security...IT always cracks me up to hear what outsiders say about that topic since thats where I work LOL Edited by hapycloud, 17 September 2009 - 05:33 PM.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-09-17 17:31:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (Peachey @ Aug 28 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are doing musicians for the ceremony and then a DJ for the reception. I haven't read this thread in a while, but it only took me about 30 mins to find my dress. We bought it right off the rack (my dearest mom paid for it). Here's a pic: I'm not a size 2 like the model, but I think I look great in it. Alfred Angelo designed my dress too. Here's also our Save the Date cards. I designed them myself. They are printed on magnet paper. The only difference between this one and the printed ones are that "Save the Date!" is a little lower and I have our website at the bottom. Our website is www.mikenlisa.net . It's not done yet, looks pretty bad right now, but Mike's gonna work on it this weekend I hope. I love your dress and the save the date cards are just too cute Thanks for sharing	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-08-28 13:19:00
Canada	Wedding Details	Huggles I love your pictures!! Your wedding was gorgeous!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-08-16 06:58:00
Canada	Wedding Details	July your pictuers are gorgeous!! Huggles grats on the wedding CAn't wait to see your pics when you get back	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-08-09 10:59:00
Canada	Wedding Details	MY DJ is about $900 for the reception. I figured that was the normal price, I was expecting it to be about $1500.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-07-09 20:25:00
Canada	Wedding Details	I am wearing flats, I am only about 2 inches shorter than my fiance and I do not want to be taller than him in pictures! So I got these cute little flats (well they have like a 1/4 inch heal). No one is going to see my feet so I am fine with the shoes I bought. They are cute white with some sparkles on the top	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-07-09 09:35:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (JillA @ Jun 15 2009, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well I decided to go against the grain and I'm not having a wedding party. Besides my sister as MOH and Glen's brother as best man. I was going back and forth about it. I would have asked 4 people to be bridesmaids. One, my sister in law who is 19 and a spoiled brat who acts 12. My MIL actually asked me (more like pleaded) NOT to ask her daughter to be a bridesmaid, as she will "ruin my day" (her words). Then I had 3 friends to ask. One of them, was not really that supportive of my move here and ever since I moved, NEVER has once called me. I always make the effort, call/e-mail her, etc. I'm fed up of making the effort, why would I ask her to be a bridesmaid? She's not being a friend to me. The other 2 friends, last time I was in Canada were complaning about how much they hate being a bridesmaid as it cost too much $$, too much hassle, etc. One recently turned down the request of another friend to be a bridesmaid as she said she couldn't afford it. Well obviously I don't want to ask them now. It sucks because I did want to have a bridal party more for my husband. I think he's disappointed because he has some close friends he wanted to ask, but what can I do. I just hate DRAMA. I think the smaller bridal party the better. I decided from the beginning only family in the wedding party. My fiance has two twin brothers so they are his best men, I have a brother and a sister so I have a maid and man of honor thats it. All my friends are going to be guests at the wedding, this way no drama I think you are doing the right thing, It's your special day, you don't want people being a part of your wedding that aren't being very supportive of your choices!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-15 13:14:00
Canada	Wedding Details	Congratulations!!!!! Enjoy your time in Vegas	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-06-11 09:29:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (July09Bride @ May 27 2009, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We got our first response cards back today!!! Yea!!! WOO HOO!!!! CONGRATS!!! It's right around the corner!!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-27 18:46:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (July09Bride @ May 26 2009, 05:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This came up in another thread, and thought I'd share this here... since many of us are or will be going through name changes. You can go to the website MsNowMrs.com and if you sign up for their service, you can download the forms (as many as you need) and send them in. They have forms for changing SSN cards, bank accounts, etc. Don't pay the $20 just for DMV and SSA. All these require is for you to go in person with you photo ID (Drivers License, passport) and show your marriage license (with a raised seal). At SSA you can mail in the information along with the application for Social Security card but I do not reccomend this. In some states Social Security and DMV are connected in there name verification process ( I know my state of Delaware is one) so I suggest going to SSA first for the name change then unfortunately you have to wait 24 hours for the system to update to the DMV.	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-27 16:40:00
Canada	Wedding Details	I like the Satin one's as well	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-20 19:20:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (July09Bride @ May 14 2009, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We got our wedding invitations completely done! We put stamps on them tonight. I'll have to take a pic of the complete invite and share it here. Off to the post office tomorrow!!! WOO HOO!!! What a relief!!!	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-15 06:12:00
Canada	Wedding Details	QUOTE (ashenflowers @ May 13 2009, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (hapycloud @ May 13 2009, 05:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well lets see my wedding details are pretty well iorned out. It's been giving me something to do while all this process has been going on. I have the church, priest and reception site booked. I have purchased and hanging in my closet is my wedding dress, veil, headpiece, corset bra...tee hee...and my maid of honors dress. I have picked out the invitations (but have not ordered yet because I am waiting on the reception food selection which I am picking out this weekend) I have all the flowers for bridal party and reception picked out. This weekend my fiance and his mother are coming into town (I told him to bring all his visa papers so he doesn't have a problem getting in to the states, I have been the one mostly visiting him cause i am afraid he wont be able to get "in the door") Anyways hopefully since his mother will be with him and what not and she can say she is here to help plan the wedding he will be alright. So this weekends plan is cake tasting at 2 bakeries, food tasting at the reception place, tux fitting and what not, going to pick out the wedding rings and wedding registry. After this all I need to do is set the invitations to order with the correct food on the reception cards. Get the limo and DJ and I am done. I have to say planning this wedding while awaiting for this immigration process has been the best thing LOL. I'm glad I am NOT planning a wedding the same time as this. I have enough going on. lol Though it sounds like you're the USC? I don't know if that makes it easier, cause it seems once the petition is sent off most of the rest of the work is done by the beneficiary. So yes, I guess you needed something to do... haha Congrats on getting a lot of the big planning out of the way though! Sounds like you're making good progress Yes I am the USC, though I have been his secretary filing out all the forms for Montreal so all he needed to do was sign the papers But I am just used to doing 100 things at once, plus honeslty the wedding planning keeps me from becoming a crazy person keeps me occupied. LOL	hapycloud	Female	Canada	2009-05-13 16:54:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Answer from the congressman	Hi Lisa They are still saying that? They have been saying the same thing for the past year. The truth is that the workload is so much that they are always in a deficit with getting things done. They are mis-managed and probably under budgeted...however, raising their fees was supposed to help with that so they could hire more people. The NVC is the same way...a bunch of drones working the phones with no real answers, reading off what is on the computer screen. Its like your petition is out there on a tiny little life raft in the middle of the ocean trying to survive and who knows where it will end up. Its not very comforting that it takes so long but time will keep rolling on and eventually it will all be done. Easier said than done given that being away from your spouse for the entire first year of marriage and sometimes longer is absolutely not easy and unacceptable. The time after its all done is when we need to continue to take a stand to right the process. We all get our answers...me included and get our spouse over here then we are happy. Yet, as unhappy as we are with the immigration process, we go on with our life and do the more important things that we need to do that are a priority in our lives and the immigration problem and issues never get fixed....the agency stays and continues on as screwed up as it always was. Politically, immigration debates and issues are always focused on people crossing the border to come here illegally from attached land or Cuba. We never hear anything about how much time it takes to process a spouse visa...and how the K3 visa process, created to bring spouses and families together quicker while waiting for their regular immigrant petition to be completed is a complete failure. No one (high enough to make a difference) seems to address this problem. How can we change that? Thats the question. Deb QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Sep 25 2008, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So, I got my answer from my congressman after inquiring into our K3 petition at VSC. "Bla Bla your 130 will be pulled and processed when your 129f is processed. Currently the processing time for 129f's is Feb 1st 2008" "VSC also told me that prioritization of processing of applications is frequently predicated on the personell resources available, however hundreds of new employees have been hired and once they are trained they are commited to the reducing the backlog" I may call the contact I was given and ask that she ask some specifics. Maybe like, at what stage is our application? Backround checks or what? Hmmm, maybe I will I just thought I'd share this with you guys Lisa	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-09-26 08:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	processing time descrepency	Lisa I see from your posts every day when I come on here...that you are going through the same shock of discovery that I went through during my "journey" through this whole process. Don't even bother going by the processing times that USCIS posts on the their site...those dates are always inaccurate. They give certain dates and you will come here to VJ and see from reading other's case updates and approvals that the dates there are just to shut everyone up to help appease everyone into waiting longer. And to give you a place to check 10 times a day to see if the date changes to see what kind of hope you have of your case being completed soon. Check this out: At one point during my waiting for USCIS approval....they moved the date on that page for I-130 processing back 2 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard me right - 2 MONTHS. I was checking that page constantly trying to gauge where we stood in the process and then that update....where they took us back 2 months. You can't rely on those dates...thats the bottom line. Calm down...take some deep breaths....and try to be patient. Time is going by fast and before you know it your case will be at the NVC. USCIS part is the hardest part...just get though that and you will be fine. Deb QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Sep 29 2008, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Has anyone noticed this posted on the USCIS processing times site? Service Center Processing Dates for Vermont Service Center as of: July 31, 2008 So they are posting times as of September, but really they are as of July? I just noticed this. Lisa	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-09-30 12:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I need help please!	I have heard good and bad about all of the service centers....they all seem to go through sprints of handling cases more timely then go down in production...the timelines here on the service centers might help you to determine how fast your petition may be processed by them. I think its good you got your receipt notice...now just hope the approval notice comes quick!! I think the approval times out of VSC have gotten a lot quicker since I filed last year. Either way it is going to be a long process...unfortunately. Best Wishes Deb QUOTE (AbodMona @ Oct 7 2008, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello everyone, I just received the NOA from the INS office that they have received my paperwork back and my case was sent to the Vermont Center, before my case was at the California center but now it changed to the Vermont Service Center and this is a copy of the information on the USCIS web sight. Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN Current Status: Case received and pending. On October 2, 2008, we received this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when yours will be done. This case is at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register. My question is, is this good news that the application is Vermont Service Center and how do you think this would take? This is the link to all my story for FYI.http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153980	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-08 11:20:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	further inquiry answer from congressman	Thanks for sending that link Garu...I have already seen it earlier this year.......and it is entertaining but not really helpful...and we shouldn't have to rely on some former employee to tell us what goes on there. We do have a right to know...its not like its top secret that they go through the FBI and other checks...it would just be nice to know who covers what types of checks, etc Using the excuse that its top secret to keep us in the dark about it all is just giving them carte blanche to take however long they want and not have to give any logical answers...which is exactly what they want. Accountability - they need to be accountable and serviant to the USC that are petitioning....we are THEIR customers. Deb	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-17 11:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	further inquiry answer from congressman	Edited by esmatsgirl, 17 October 2008 - 11:29 AM.	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-17 11:26:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	further inquiry answer from congressman	Hi Lisa, It really would be nice to know exactly what they do with the petition after it is received at USCIS and all of the steps that go into getting it approved. I was wondering what kind of stuff they verify..what kind of checks they do for petitioner and beneficiary....because I am sure all of these things go into how long it takes to get the petition approved. I am sure that some of the checks must be done with the other countries...and depending on their agencies and how fast they respond, etc....can all be factors in the wait time. We do have a right to know...I wonder who would be the right person to ask. It would be interesting thing to uncover for anyone who has to go through this process in the future. Deb QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Oct 15 2008, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, I recently asked my congressman to do a more detailed inquiry other than the generic.. "not outside processing times" So, bottomline is this: "The first time your case had "activity" was to assign your husband an "A#". The second activity was a "data change" <--think this was tying the I-130 to the I-129f after congressman inquired into the K3. "Both of these are routine activities and as of today, your case has not been reveiwed or sent to an adjudicator"Bla bla processing date." So guys... the touches some of us get early on and then nothing= assigning an A#. Good Luck to everyone. We were glad to have some insight. But, wish it wasnt still sitting(probably still in backround checks) Lisa	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-16 08:21:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	December'07 Filers	QUOTE (Chet @ Apr 15 2008, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just quick to see if any December filers got any progress or updates? I called the RFE line today and didn't get any help. But I did manage to get an answer that they are working on August. However, when I ask how did some people filed on a later date managed to get approved already, all I get a silence. No help or no reason at all. Although, I am beginning to think that they have preferential treatments for certain countries. This waiting ####### is annoying and the lack of customer service of USCIS staff is pissing me off!! I think alot of countries take longer to respond...i.e., my husband is from Jordan and I am thinking our case will take longer based on the fact that its Jordan and everything is handled slow and easy in Jordan....if they are checking on things for him...the replies are probably very late coming! The frustrating thing is thinking about your file being delayed because a request for information is sitting on someone's desk in you or your spouse's country...	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-04-16 09:32:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Sending a Group Letter to Four/Five Congressman Who Oversea USCIS	Wow...this is something that has needed to be done for a long time now. Thank you for volunteering to lead us and write the letter. The most frustrating piece for me was being misled to think that the K3 would get my husband here faster....and in the end the I-130 was approved before the K3...now that is just ridiculous....the K3 is supposed to be a fast track...to reuniting families and the system is completely failing. Actually I think if they just stop the K3 process then the system would be relieved from so many petitions it may actually improve I-130 processing time!!!! Telling people they can file the K3 to get their spouse here faster makes them all file it....who wouldn't? And now they not only have the I-130 but also the K3....double the work. And in the end the I-130's are done first....how can that make one bit of sense? Why isn't anyone doing anything to fix it?????? It IS a very logical question. Then we move onto the NVC...who did a noble job with processing our petition really fast but then when it came time to getting scheduled for our interview it took over 3 months!! That drove me insane. To finally be through the NVC...after my long frustrating wait at USCIS in Vermont....case complete...and can't do anything....still in the water...nothing....for over 3 months just sitting there waiting for an interview date......and this is not just with Amman....its with many other consulates as well. Its strange, its mysterious and I am sick of being held outside of a giant steel door of the immigration process. There is no doubt it needs improvement and major improvement. Everyone in the US focuses on the immigration problem we have with people crossing over to the US from Mexico and bringing a boat from Cuba, etc...but I NEVER hear anyone in any political realm discussing how awful the actual immigration process is...how long it takes, how inconsistent it is, how unfair it is, mis-managed and absolutely inexcusable!!!!! You got my vote, my signature...I'll even take a trip to Washington if I have to....I can see all of us protesting by the Reflection pool holding signs about these issues, maybe we can get it on the news...haha...ROADTRIP!!!! Deb QUOTE (MMartinez @ Oct 15 2008, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I will start working on the draft letter and upload by Friday. If you, or other VJers have additions, just respond, and I'll get them. The point, I think, is to have a letter that several of us send to the members of Congress who sit on the "oversight" committee for USCIS. There is such a committee, and they should know that we followed the guidelines for submitting our petitions very strictly, respecting the work of the USCIS and putting faith in our government's systems. We believed that we would be treated fairly, and that our spouses and children could come here to the United States legally. Most important, we had faith that the process would be humane in terms of the time frame. So far, many of us have seen others get approvals/responses in general, faster than what they assert is their normal, just order--"first in-first out" and therein lies our deepest fears and roots of frustration. Sorry to be long-winded, but I get this way when I think of how long our separations have been. All the best--Amor1 QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Oct 15 2008, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I just got an answer from my congressman. Who is on this commitee? Lets do it! I was thinking of incorporating a spreadsheet a couple of us are maintaining to show the inconsistencies. It clearly shows CSC is speeding right along while the VSC is laaaaaging. Check the link: http://www.visajourn...p;#entry2203802 Lisa	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-17 08:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Approved in Ankara, visa in hand!!	Doris Congratulations and best wishes!!! Deb	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-01 11:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Visa approved!	Congratulations!!! I bet you are so happy!! I am from Wilmington also....send me a note when/if you arrive back here and we can meet for dinner sometime with our spouses! Deb QUOTE (NicoNShawn @ Sep 30 2008, 03:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I always wanted to use these corny dancing guys. But anyway, our visa was approved yesterday! Thank you to all who have helped on these forums. Visajourney.com has really been an invaluable resource to us along our way.	esmatsgirl	Female	Jordan	2008-10-01 15:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Interview at USEM	Just go the call, I am so excited and can't believe it, my honey's interview was at 7:30 am, and just got the call she was approved and is finished. Less than 2 hours.... It's begaining to look at lot like Christmas	Dirk	Male	Philippines	2012-12-06 20:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Panic Mode has set in!	Best of luck! We'll be praying for you! Andrea	rommelandrea	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-03-22 09:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Aaaahh!! interview date!!!	Congratulations!! Great news!!!! Andrea	rommelandrea	Not Telling	Philippines	2006-05-25 15:14:00