Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Africa: Sub-Saharan	medical exam in south africa	The medical in total cost about R600-00 in cash, for the vaccinations, medical and stuff. Discovery health didn't cover cover all of it, that was the portion that i had to pay. +-	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2007-07-04 12:56:00
Africa: Sub-Saharan	medical exam in south africa	hi there, from a fellow south african now living in New York as of Jan '07. I came over here on a K1 visa and went for my medical in Joburg. Here is everything that I went through and have come know once here in the USA: The medical isn't too bad, although I don't fear needles or that kinda thing. Before I went to the doctors I was kinda worried about how invasive it was gonna be ( as I'm female ) But it didn't turn out to be too bad. RIght, at the medical they do the normal things that a doctor would do if you are a new patient. Asks you questions about your medical history ie. Cancer in the family, any illnesses you have had, hospitalizations etc... They take your blood pressure, check your eye sight, height and weight, check your joint movements and body reflexes ( knees, shoulders, that kinda thing ) Then they do take your blood, if I remember correctly, they took 2 vials of blood, one for HIV testing and the other for sphillis ( however you spell it ) He checks your vaccination card, if you have one. Any vaccinations that you are needing he will give you. You need to have had a recent Tetnus shot, if you haven't he will give you that too. Now the tetnus shot is not the greatest, I will admit that. I had to have mine done here in the US, at first it's not bad, but a few hours later and for the following couple of days you feel like you have a dead arm, it's sore to move it. My husband had to help me get dressed and undressed, coz I couldn't lift my arm up, not that I was complaining about that part They also send you to get a chest x-ray done to check for TB. And that is pretty much it, you will have to return a few days later to pick up your results, watch them put it all together and put it into your envelope with the x-ray, it also needs to be sealed with the dotcors stamp on it once closed. This envelope will be taken from you once arriving into the USA by the immigration guys at the airport. they will leave you with your x-rays to keep. If you can, ask him for copies of ALL your documents, I'm thinking that they won't wanna give you all those copies but try coz you will need them if the same thing happens to you as it did me. Which I will get too shortly. BUT if anything get the copy of your vaccination form, they are DEFINITELY allowed to give you that and you WILL need it once adjusting status here in the US. Now I will start to tell you my story of the issues I am having to deal with here now. First off, I'm not sure they will do this for you as it is not asked for for the K1 visa process but it can't hurt to ask, coz you will have to have it done once here, and rather pay RANDS than $$$$. Ask them to give you a TB Skin Test, coz that is one of the things that they are sending out RFE's for. Another issue that I am having, and this one is a huge and costly thing. Somewhere between the airport that I arrived at (JFK) and my case being transferred to California, they have LOST my medical forms. That is where your copies, if you can get them, will come in handy. I am now having to go for a full medical here again, due to their stupidity, at my own expense, therefor delaying my case. I tried getting the doctor in SA to fax me copies of all my forms, and they won't do it. They say they can only send it to the US Embassy in Joburg and they will in turn forward it on. But I don't have time to waste, as I just wanna get this all over and done with, or at least until I can file for permanent residency without conditions, so that my husband and I can really live in peace and not have to worry about all this stuff. Once you are here and are adjusting status you will need to get your vaccinations transferred onto the I-693A form, whatever area you will be in, phone around to get the best price, some places will wanna charge you for a full medical, but you won't need it if you have your vaccination copy from the SA medical. Ok, now that I have gona on and on. I will end my reply. Please fell free to ask me any more questions if you are needing help or anything. Good luck.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2007-07-04 12:50:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Question for everyone	Kinda confused here, new to this forum so please bare with me. Can my US fiance file the I-129, in the US, while I am there on holiday, then we both come here to SA to get married. Once married he flies back to the US and files for the I-130 form. Then whenever the first one gets accepted, I follow that route, probably the I-129 way, as it looks a little faster, and then I fly back to the US and we file more paperwork, but we are together and start our lives together? Does this make sense?	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-04-28 15:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing K3 while on holiday	I will be traveling to the USA to visit my fiance on the 20th and will be there for 3 months. We are then both flying back here to South Africa to get married. He will be here for 3 weeks and then head back home. What I would like to know is if he can file the initial pettion while I am there on holiday and we are not married? Or would we file for a fiance visa instead? But then would that still be allowed as we will be getting married in September. Sorry if this all sounds confusing, but I am pretty confused right now. Thank you in advance	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-01 12:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	I-134 form	about to fill out this form and I was reading number 11 and the example. But there was no cross in the "intend" "do not intend" boxes. Do I just leave that part blank and only put in N/A in the explanation area or what should I do? I have the same reasoning as the example did. thanx in advance. Hope I have made some sense in all this rattling on	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-08-30 19:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	needed from USC	my fiance is flying to SA tomorrow, and I was just wanting to know what documents should he bring with him for me to complete my process here. We have our NOA 2, and it is being sent to SA as we speak. Then another thing, can his affidavit of support be notarized here in SA? Thank you	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-09-01 20:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Photos	I was just wondering about the photos needed for filling out packet 3 of K1 visa. I got 3 photos taken per request of the medical examiner, of which he only used 1. He said the others are for the rest of my paperwork. Now I'm not too happy with them, can I get a new lot done for the rest of paperwok, or do I have to use the same ones as my medical form? Not too keen on this one being in my passport. Trivial I know, but a girls gotta have a little bit of an ego Thank you	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-09-30 05:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	DS 156	I have 2 questions while I am filling out my form. Question 14: National Identification number? What do I put there? As a SOuth African we have a Indemnity Book with our ID number in it, is that what I should put there? Question36: Anyone filed Immigration Visa on my behalf? Do I put my fiances name there or leave that one blank and say no? Thank you for your help	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-09-30 14:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	DS-156K	when it comes to the DS 156K form for K1 visa process, there is the area that they ask for you to attach your police certificate, birth certs and what not, they also ask for financial support forms, is that the Affidavit of Support from your USC or is that your own bank docs showing how much money you have and a letter from your employer for while you are here? Thank you for the help	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-10-03 15:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	interview appointment	About 2 weeks ago I faxed off my checklist to the embassy ( I phoned and asked if I could and they said yes) anyways, I was told on their website that it would take 1-3 weeks before I heard from them. Well, I anstsy so I phone today - after 2 weeks - just to find out any news, and they said they only recieved half my fax. They didn't even phone me to say to resend or anything. But moving right along, I spoke to a nice lady and she said that seeing as I was on the phone and I have all my papers, I could then make my interview appointment. So I did, I am going on the 24th October. Getting to my question, can I just go to this interview, having made my booking only over the phone? Do you think they will send something to me in the mail now? Is there anything that I might need from packet 4 or do you think it is all ok to just show up with all of my stuff I know I need. One more thing, I am only paying $100-00 for the interview, I don't need any more money at this stage at the interview? Thanking you in advance	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-10-16 13:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Application Returned	Thanks alot everyone, our post office was open today, so I mailed it out, although they will only get it on Tuesday, a relief getting it out. Hopefully all will be well and I get my NOA soon. Happy Memorial Day!	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-05-24 21:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Application Returned	Please help. My applicataion was returned to me this week after I filed for removal of conditions. I didn't write out the check correctly - I left off the 00/100 cents in the wording of how much the check was valid for. Anyways, moved on from being highly annoyed with myself. My question is, they have put some code in the Remarks section, on the front page of the I-751, now when I resubmit the application, should I attach a brand new form or just leave theirs attached? I aprreciate all help in this matter, I just wanna get this sent in as soon as possible. Thanks once again.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-05-24 08:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	incorrect check	Personnally, I would wait, just so as not to confuse issues. I know it sucks having to wait, but maybe you get some nice person or a beginner at the bank:) and they don't notice it? Thats just me personnally. I received my application on May 1st, and it was post marked May 20th, and I received it on the 23rd. So give it a little time. Good Luck	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-05-25 07:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Please help!! Strange latter says "Biometrics appointment cancelled"???	My appointment is scheduled for the 6th, but I haven't received a cancellation letter. Do you think they will turn me away when I get there, or should I just do a walk in tomorrow, the 3rd?	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-07-02 07:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Please help!! Strange latter says "Biometrics appointment cancelled"???	Will be going to check the mail in a bit after reading these post's. My app is scheduled for Monday the 6th. Haven't heard anything as of yesterday. I wonder if things get done any differently here in Albany	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-06-30 17:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	ROC approved!	May is finally moving full steam ahead. CONGRATS	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-09-22 21:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	It took 20 days from approval for my green card to arrive in the mail, so don't give up hope, it will come soon. Just think how excited you are going to be when you open the mail box and there it is. I think my neighbours wanted to kill me the day mine arrived:) Edited by little4ele, 19 October 2009 - 07:07 AM.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-10-19 07:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	APPROVED. YUUUUPPPPPEEEEE. Opening the mail box last night, and seeing only one letter there, and it addressed from Immigration, got me sooooo excited, I almost screamed. I can't believe it is almost mostly over, just wait fo the reeal card, and then take a break and then at some stage apply for citizenship. Ahh man, I'm really really legal now:) Good Luck to All, yours will come soon, it looks like they are actually moving ahead now.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-09-17 06:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	Come on VSC, let the good times begin!!!!!!!!	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-09-15 19:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	no news here. Kinda makes me depressed seeing CSC July filers getting approved. Don't get me wrong, very happy for all that are getting those great approval emails, but I just wish us VSC May filers were getting those too. One day.....	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-09-07 15:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	Found my case online today, finally can see what is going on, or what isn't going on:)	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-07-07 17:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	Went for my biometrics appoinment today, took all of 10 minutes. Quick and easy, the people were quite friendly. I still can't find my case online, but hopefully will tomorrow. My app was close to the end of work day, so I'm sure they didn't wanna waste time and log me inbefore they signed off for the day:)	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-07-06 19:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	A quick question, let me know what you guys think, please. My Bio app is scheduled for Monday the 6th, I haven't received a cancellation/rescheduled letter for my appointment, but do you think they will turn me away when I go on Monday as they have cancelled some for the 6th and if they are updating there systems from the 7th, do you think it includeds the 6th as well, and I should just do a walk in tomorrow? Hope this makes sense. Thanks for your help in advance.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-07-02 07:17:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	I always go take out the garbage and go to the mail box by myself, just to get a few minutes of exercise:) But tonight I asked my hubby if he'd like to join me for the walk. He said yes, he is my good luck charm. My biometrics letter app was waiting for me in the mail box. Please put me down for my appointment on 07/06/09. Danced all the way back to our apartment. It's the small things	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-06-19 21:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	getting ready to file	Please add me to the list. Originally applied on May 1st, but had issues with my check. So, Mailed on 24th May, NOA 29th May Thanks Edited by little4ele, 06 June 2009 - 07:10 AM.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-06-06 07:09:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	VSC I-1751 Status List	I got my approval letter last night in the mail, no update online yet, but hey I can't complain. Yuuppee!!!!! Now we just wait for the card to be in hand, and then it's a break from immigration for awhile:) Approval Date: 09/11/09	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-09-17 06:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	VSC I-1751 Status List	Finally received my biometrics appointment in the mail yesterday. Please add my appointment for 07/06/09. Thanks and good luck to all	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-06-20 07:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	VSC I-1751 Status List	Hi , please add me to the list for VSC. Package 05/28/09 NOA 05/29/09 Thanks	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2009-06-14 08:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	South African DCF	We are getting married here in South Africa, and don't know whether my fiance needs to be a resident here or if we can just go and apply at the US Embassy while he is out here for 3 weeks?	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-04-06 15:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	VISA CHANGE	Please help. Until this morning I was planning on getting married here in South Africa in September, my US fiance was going fly here, get married, and file our paperwork - IR1/CR1. But then I got a return phone call from the US embassy, and was told that we can't file the I-130 papers here as he is not a permanent Resident, or studying etc.. So now I am screwed, what do I do? What visa should I file for, how should we do things. Please help, I am such a mess right now, it's not even funny. Haven't seen him since the day he proposed, which was like 2 hours before I borded the plane to fly back to SA. I know that some of you have been apart alot longer, and I'm sorry. But I'm just really lost right now. Thank you for your help.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-04-28 14:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 or K3?	We can get married anywhere, that is why I was asking which process would be better because we could fit in with whichever option would be better, or quicker or what not	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-03 02:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 or K3?	At the moment I am engaged to my US fiance. We are trying to decide what to do, have read alot of the posts, the guides and what not. But I am just wondering what you guys thought or have heard about the processes, which is easier to file. I know that both have their pro's and cons, and everyones case is different but just looking for an idea. Thanx	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-02 15:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I 864	My fian ce lives with his family, and I was wondering when filling out the I864 form - if my embassy in South Africa - requires this form instead of the other Affidavit of Support, when they ask for the sponsors household size, as he lives with his parents, brother and sister, does he put all of them down? Then at the bottom of the form they say to mention persons included in line 1 who you've included on your previous I864 form. He hasn't had to support any of his family, so does this mean we leave that part empty and write "none" Not sure if I have made sense but I was just wondering about this. Thank you	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-06 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Postal Address	Where about does my US fiance put my Postal address when applying for the K1 visa? Here in South Africa everything gets delivered to a postal box, and I am worried that they might try and send to send my papers to my house address and if that happens, who knows where it might land up. Thanx for your help	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-06 11:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Police Clearance Certificate	At what stage is the police clearance certificate for the non US Citizen needed during the K1 visa process? Thank you	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-08 13:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	notarized	I know that the forms and what not ask only for copies of everything now, until the interview stage, but should I get the copies notarized by a public officer? Thanx	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-13 13:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I-134 confirmation	just a quick confirmation, am I sending out my I-134 form along with my I-129f when I start my filing process? Thank you	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-05-31 20:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	WAIT FOR NEW I-129f FORMS?	thanx alot guys, I was thinking along those lines anyways, just gave us the extra boost that we needed.	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-06-03 15:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	WAIT FOR NEW I-129f FORMS?	I am wanting to send my package in this coming week, and was just wondering if I should wait until the I-129f forms are changed, from the draft that was posted? Or does anyone know if they are still accepting the 'old' forms? We did not meet with a marriae broker. Thanking you in advance	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-06-03 08:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Letter of meeting in past 2 years	"Leanne ___ and I, Kyle ____, met on the 24th May 2004 in my hometown, Roscoe New York. She worked at the summer camp in my area. We started dating on June 12th 2004. Leanne went home to South Africa in November. Soon after she got home we made plans for her to come over for Christmas and New Years. She stayed with my family and I for 1 month. As Leanne had to go back to work, we continued our relationship via daily emails, weekly letters and very many phone calls. Making plans for us to be together again. We decided on May, as her parents would be touring the US at that time and it would be a good opportunity for my family and I to meet Leanne’s parents. Her parents stayed with us for Four days in the beginning of June and Leanne stayed with us until September. We went away for a weekend to Lake George, NY in and among the many parties, family reunions and get togethers we attended as a couple. Leanne went home in September, back to work and where we once again started making plans for her to come back again. She managed to make it back for my birthday on December 20th, directly after picking her up at the airport; we went away to Pennsylvania for the weekend, to celebrate my birthday and us being together once again. Not wanting us to be apart again, I bought Leanne’s engagement ring and on the morning of January 19th, the day she was leaving to go back to South Africa, I proposed. To my joy, Leanne accepted. That was one of the happiest days of our lives. Leanne is now back here again, having arrived on May 20th, and will head home in September, but this time not alone. I will be traveling with her for a three-week holiday. Going on a safari, meeting the rest of her family and many other things she has planned for us. This is just a summary of our time together, as we have many more wonderful stories to tell." What do you guys think? Too much, or not enough?	little4ele	Female	South Africa	2006-06-09 10:33:00