biggish data

What has your adjustment to life in the USA been like?

Hi I'm from the UK and I expect to feel homesick and lost in the US even though I have been there to visit my husband over 20 times during the past 5 years. Everyone who goes through a huge process like this will feel some anxiety and difficulty no matter where they are from.

There is a theory about big life transitions which says that after the 'honeymoon' phase (the first couple of months) reality sets in and there is sometimes a real low point around 6-8 months in from the big change. That applies to any big change from a new job, a new partner, a new baby etc - I imagine it definitely applies to a new country and a new marriage. The important thing is to be aware that this low point might hit you and not to be scared that it means the end of everything. Some advice suggests not making any major decisions around that time and to plan a treat or something nice for that 6-8 month period. A holiday perhaps?

There's a really interesting graph on this webpage (about half way down) which shows the types of emotions people in transition typically go through.

http://www.eoslifewo...k/transmgt1.htm

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I don't think people just from one country or culture will experience difficulties with this kind of huge life change. We're all going to go through it in various degrees.

Edited by lsma, 26 July 2008 - 05:37 AM.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-07-26 05:33:00

Master Card Wedding - Priceless

Great story - unfortunately probably not true.

See here for history of this very funny urban legend.

http://urbanlegends....tercard_wed.htm

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-04-07 10:39:00

Coach suitcase and bag but fake...

Also note that when you are going through emigration, you do not yet have your baggage.

Its only after you are approved and are officially in the US that you claim your baggage.

Don't worry, no one will care.

-P

Actually that is not always true. When I came through Washington, DC POE I had to collect my luggage before going to the secondary immigration post where the visa forms were processed.

Then I had to go through the customs post.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-11 13:28:00

Pictures of ex-wife

This is one of those cases which could be cultural but also just as likely an individual woman thing and only you and your wife can work out what is acceptable in your own home.

Just be aware that emotional issues like this aren't always logical. My husband has boxes of old photos of his ex-wife and their kids and it doesn't bother me at all. We live in the house they used to live in, garden in the beds she used to garden in, there is even a painting of flowers around our stove she did - all of that I am completely fine with but one day I discovered the kitchen chairs used to be hers and it enraged me - made me want to break each one into little pieces. Completely illogical!

Best to have a conversation about what you both find okay and take it from there.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2012-12-14 03:15:00

Special treatment for celebrities for the interview at USEM?

In London there is no special treatment. You can see actors, TV stars, pop stars, journalists etc all sitting in the waiting area and queuing up just like everyone else.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2014-08-23 13:16:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

OMG WE GOT IT WE GOT IT

Congratulations! I am so pleased for you x

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-09-01 08:35:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Talk about things now, not later. Dont point fingers!

Remember: Delayed homesickness can strike, months after arrival, regardless of preparation for it or not. This can be in the form of "I thought that I had life, culture, and adjustment all figured out, but I really don't."

This is very true. My homesickness didn't kick in until I had been here nearly 2 years. And then it was a really strange experience because no one else really understood - I think for the first two years I was just excited to be back together and enjoying exploring. It was only when I was really settled that I had time to reflect and realise how much I still missed from home.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2012-01-26 17:54:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Friend nees help,,,I dont know the answers for his question

I would advise him not to buy her ticket until she had the tourist visa in hand.

He should be prepared to have an alternative plan if she is unable to get her visa.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-18 17:52:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

k1 Application Rejection

When you re-submitted the second time did you use the same form from the first application? Or did you start from scratch and download a new form from the USCIS website and fill it out again?

Returned once could possibly be a mistake but returned a second time? It looks like there is something wrong with the form.

Did the immigration service download the forms? Do you have the actual form there with you right now? Can you compare it against the current I-129F on the USCIS site - check the small print at the top and bottom of the form. What is your form's expiry date for example? See if you can spot any other differences.

http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-129f.pdf

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-02-18 05:07:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

K-1 Fiance Visa Denial After Interview

It's five years since I did the medical but I don't think I was asked directly "Have you taken drugs"

I think I was asked first:

"Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" - which I thought was odd for a medical but I've since seen that some people have admitted to drink driving convictions and then been tested for alcohol abuse.

Then I was asked: "Have you ever abused alcohol or had a problem with drugs"

I answered no, and there were no further questions.

So I wonder if it depends on which doctor you get for how the questions are asked. If the OP's fiance was really pushed over this issue was there something that made the Doctor keep pushing? Or perhaps this particular doctor is just very thorough like that.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-05 12:52:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

K-1 Fiance Visa Denial After Interview

Could you move to the UK for year? And then you could get married and apply for the CR1. Then at least you'd be together, and he'd have the green card on entry and not have to worry about AOSing

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-03 17:52:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Decison denial (merged)

I have just come back from a holiday with him was there for 45 days we have talked today on the phone the letter of denial still has not arrived in the mail, we have decided that if the error is we did not meet the criteria for filing we will re file

Start gathering all your evidence of meeting on that trip, and start getting all the forms ready now. Then you'll be ready to send it straight away.

If this is the reason, it's such a shame it wasn't clearer on the RFE, then you would not have had to wait this long.

Best of luck with the new application

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-04 07:51:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Decison denial (merged)

According to your timeline you sent the petition in on June 5th 2012.

And the last time you saw your finance was in June 2010? What dates?

What proof did you send? A passport stamp? Did you include the whole passport or just the one page?

Did you include any other dated evidence - boarding passes, ticket stubs, etc?

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-02 19:59:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Decison denial (merged)

So you met in person in June 2010 - what date was on your passport stamp?

What date in June did you send in the petition?

Did you have or send in any evidence of any trips between the June 2010 trip and the June 2012 petition?

Sometimes if you are even just a day out they will not let it count.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-02 19:44:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

We screwed up and got denied the visa

Okay I make 21k a year and my father makes 40k. Ik I make over the poverty line but just to be sure. A household of 4.

Who are you counting in the household of four?

Is it you, your financee and two other dependents of yours?

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-14 18:36:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

We screwed up and got denied the visa

"We talked about what we were going to say but I guess she got nervous and forgot most of it. They asked when did your fiancee propose? She answered the day I got off the plane. So I am very disappointed that we have to it all again."

No woman usually forgets when her fiance actually proposed to her - so when did you propose and why did you want your fiance to 'remember' another story about it?

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-12-05 13:45:00

Middle East and North Africa

Thank U VJ

Congratulations

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2012-11-13 19:08:00

Middle East and North Africa

This makes me sick...can anyone make sense of this?

I'm more curious about what Spain's endgame is here, the request for Galvan's release came from their king. I can wrap my head around morocco wanting to be their good little puppy a lot easier than I can the Spanish monarch making this request. For what possible reason?

Well, he is either very well connected or is important to the Spanish government in some way.

From The Telegraph:

Reports in both the Moroccan and Spanish media however claim that he was released "at the request of the Spanish secret service", fuelling speculation that he was a spy.

"It was an agreement between the DGED [Moroccan secret service] and its Spanish equivalent," a source told Spain's El Pais newspaper. "The Spanish insisted that he be put on the list and they achieved this."

http://www.telegraph...occo-a-spy.html

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2013-08-04 08:50:00

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Feb 23 2009, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (lsma @ Feb 22 2009, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shrewdgal - I see on the other forum you passed the interview!!!!!!

Congratulations - come and tell us all about it!

yes yes!!
we passed!!!
It was sooo easy.
I attended and they took one look at my passport, asked me 4 questions and NONE to hubby and said "thank you maam for coming to the interview, that makes it easier on us and easier for you, congratulations"

so now, we are just waiting for the VISA to come

At least that part of the process went smoothly for you! So now you are going to fly back together? So excited for you.

And that ladies and gentlemen completes the Augest approval gang, I think ????

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-02-23 18:58:00

Shrewdgal - I see on the other forum you passed the interview!!!!!!

Congratulations - come and tell us all about it!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-02-22 21:26:00

Congratulations on your interview dates Shrewdgal and Mrs Rowe!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-01-07 10:58:00

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Jan 2 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ARALB @ Dec 31 2008, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Dec 31 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (MsZ @ Dec 31 2008, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So who else are we waiting for?

Me, me, me!
Still waiting for an interview date. Feeling positive about a Feb. date, but a little afraid to get too hopeful..

TOTALLY Hear ya kiddo! I'm in the same boat!--waiting waiting waiting!!! Good luck and God Speed!

Thanks!! Same to you too!!

Hey Shrewdgal - we are right here until you get through this process too. x

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2009-01-01 23:11:00

Am at the airport - flew down from Manchester to Heathrow this morning. Getting nervous and excited now it's almost real!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-15 10:15:00

I'm leaving for the airport tonight - staying overnight and getting my first flight tomorrow morning. My US flight is tomorrow evening.

Am feeling oddly homesick for the UK now it's come to the leaving time!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-14 05:59:00

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Dec 10 2008, 03:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thank you!!!!
thats what I am saying, haha
I was afraid I would be the last one remaining and here I am

Well, what other choice do I have but to wait? haha

We'll all be right here to say congratulations as soon as that interview date is scheduled. Best wishes.

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-10 11:12:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Dec 10 2008, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Reda called and he told me... "baby the man asked so many questions" then he said "do you know what he said?" i said i have no idea right now (head on my hands not able to sleep) he said "your visa is approved"

Then kept his passport and said they will send him a letter in 1-2 weeks and not to open it

not sure about that I think that would be his passport... Alhamdolilah we have no AP!!!!

Yay! Congratulations!!!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-10 10:21:00

QUOTE (WaitingforRakesh @ Dec 9 2008, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Dec 9 2008, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it is funny cause i wish i got skinnier not even a clue how i haven't either???? strange

i can never eat and gain weight from stress.

I am so glad you two are together whooo hooooo

shrewedgal.... Stress is a bad thing on a person and Visa stress seems far worse for sure! Grrrrrrrr

Good luck with the interview. Try to get some sleep before 1 AM, I know it is going to be a long MORNING until you hear something. I am going to my husband's interview myself, (Mainly, because I am an impatient woman and have to know exactly what is going on!) That is if I ever find out that interview date. I am waiting to put in my vacation and travel plans so as soon as I get that sacred letter from the NVC, I can get that to him and be gone! He is impatently waiting for me.

P.S. Before I go I might need some of that weight. It automatically comes off of me during stress and between my husband badgering about when am I going to get there and the NVC not having an interview date, there is no hope. My husband would like to see more weight on me and he is going to know that I have not been eating well.

WaitingforRakesh - I'm so jealous I wish the visa stress had made me lose weight!

Rajaa_Reda - it's 12.15am here in the UK - but I guess it's 1am your time you're waiting for? Best wishes

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-09 19:16:00

QUOTE (LuLu @ Dec 9 2008, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congrats to Ilya and Isma on the visa!! I wanted to ask you about the stepchildren question they asked you about. That kinda threw me off. Will they stay behind and not immigrate?

RR you will be fine...relax woman!!

Shrewdgal, best of luck tomorrow! Hope you get a Jan interview date!!

My step-daughters are already in the US - my husband is the USC - he shares custody with their mother. One of the reasons we are starting our marriage in the US in the first place.

The CO asked me if the children mentioned in the petition were both mine and my husband's. That would have been biologically impossible as we have been together for 5 years but my youngest SD is 12!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-09 19:11:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Dec 8 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

tomorrow night 1 am

Best of luck - we'll be thinking of you

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 19:08:00

QUOTE (desilu @ Dec 8 2008, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congrats Isma, CHD and Ilya R!!

My interview is in 3 days

Good luck!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 15:42:00

I fly on the 15th - can't wait.

Can you believe after all those anxious months stuck at VSC without a word that it is almost over!!

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 09:47:00

QUOTE (Ilya R. @ Dec 8 2008, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Update:
Ekaterina arrived there at 7:30am, interview at 8!
But they didnt let them in until 8:30 and it was raining!!!! #######
Anyway Her interviewer was very nice woman. Asked few alot of questions,
didnt really ask to see any evidence, but my girl brought our photo album
that she decorated herself with pink bows and markers... very girly.... and they both
had a girl moment together and Kate was showing her all our trips and stuff like that
She said visa should be ready in around 3 days. Finally the long wait is over!!

Congratulations Ilya to you both! Have you decided on a date to fly over yet?

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 09:33:00

Visa arrived this morning! I have it and the (Do Not Open) envelope in my hand. Flight over is a week today.

Good luck everyone with interviews to come.

Lynne x

In case it helps - here were the questions I was asked at the interview....

- Tell me what your husband's job title means (he has an unusual one)
- How long have you worked at (name of my company)
- Will you be able to continue your job over there (I said no and he said that was a shame)
- What is the longest time you have been in the US
- The two children on your petition are they yours? (No, stepchildren)
- How did you meet?
- Have you ever been in trouble with the police
- Have you ever been in trouble with American immigration
- Which countries have you lived in for more than 6 months since the age of 16

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-08 08:29:00

Had my interview this morning and......

Visa approved!

Just need to get my passport back now before my flight on the 15th!

Will write a review when I get back home but in general it was pretty easy and stress free when it finally arrived.

L x

Trellick

Female

United Kingdom

2008-12-05 07:04:00