ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Oct 22 2009, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ally and moh @ Oct 22 2009, 09:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It has been hard for Mo to take time off work because he has only been with Orange about 6 months. We had to use the few days he could get in the beginning to try to do all the paperwork to get married. Those crazy trips from embassy to foreign ministry to one court then another! I thought it would never end! And due to my lupus condition, I have to watch how much time I spend in the sun... another obstacle to seeing all the sites when the temp is still 85-90. Hoping it will not be so hot when I return in Feb or March and we can do more. Some things we just can't control. But we do plan a quick trip to Aqaba before I return next month. Time is passing so fast here!

oh, the firey hoops you have to jump through to get married there, sheesh! lol At least you guys are in Amman already.
I went in Jan and it was nice, still sunny but not hot. I would imagine Feb would be about the same.
Is it the heat or the actual sun that effects you?

The heat and the sun are both bad for me. Actually doctor's orders are to avoid the sun. But in the last 13 1/2 years of living with this I have learned my limits. The biggest thing I hated was when he said "no tanning beds again... ever!" But I have done what I had to in order to stay healthy... a lot of meds, blood work almost every month, trips to the doc... and I know it would be hard to live here and get the health care I sometimes need.
I finally stood up to them all last year and went back to work outside of my home. It was the first time in 13 years I had worked besides the photo business I had at home with my ex. But it made me feel sooo much better about myself! And now I even have 2 jobs! LOL!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-22 08:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
It has been hard for Mo to take time off work because he has only been with Orange about 6 months. We had to use the few days he could get in the beginning to try to do all the paperwork to get married. Those crazy trips from embassy to foreign ministry to one court then another! I thought it would never end! And due to my lupus condition, I have to watch how much time I spend in the sun... another obstacle to seeing all the sites when the temp is still 85-90. Hoping it will not be so hot when I return in Feb or March and we can do more. Some things we just can't control. But we do plan a quick trip to Aqaba before I return next month. Time is passing so fast here!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-22 08:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
Let them separate us at the interview and ask away! We have nothing to hide. Our relationship is real... so I wouldn't worry about our answers. We have been open and honest with each other.
And honestly there are more important things I would rather be doing with my husband than out sight seeing. I am here to be with him, not act like a tourist.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 17:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (me_4_musa @ Oct 21 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ally and moh @ Oct 21 2009, 11:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My friend just went to her fiance's interview. She was with him the entire time and even told me that she did most of the talking! It must be different here in Jordan.
Still haven't taken pics with the family, but it's coming. But you know... my friend was never asked for ANY pics. Guess it depends on who does the interview. And I know someone else who had no pics with the family, and only 3 or 4 of the 2 of them, and they got thru here (Jordan) too with no problems. The whole thing can be so stressful!
I know we will be looked at sooo closely. So we have taken pics every day of everything... laundry, cooking, dishes, you name it! And I scrapbook, so I will fix them something extra special! LOL!


Good idea. good.gif
Have you gone out to visit Petra, Aqaba, Mosques, etc...?

It's been hard to do much "tourist" stuff with Mo working 6 days a week, but we got lucky Saturday. It was his birthday and they had the marathon in downtown Amman. We had a great time and it was a good chance to get pics with things going on around us that only happen once! This hasn't exactly been a vacation, but we are enjoying it and taking pics any time we go out!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 16:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
My friend just went to her fiance's interview. She was with him the entire time and even told me that she did most of the talking! It must be different here in Jordan.
Still haven't taken pics with the family, but it's coming. But you know... my friend was never asked for ANY pics. Guess it depends on who does the interview. And I know someone else who had no pics with the family, and only 3 or 4 of the 2 of them, and they got thru here (Jordan) too with no problems. The whole thing can be so stressful!
I know we will be looked at sooo closely. So we have taken pics every day of everything... laundry, cooking, dishes, you name it! And I scrapbook, so I will fix them something extra special! LOL!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 15:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
Crazy as it sounds... part of me would like to get the same CO. I WILL be at the next interview and I would love to show her that we ARE a real couple just trying to get thru this difficult journey!
And I have read of others who went thru without problems after a bad K1 experience, but I am still praying for the best but expecting the worst. I guess its all I can do for now.
But the more I read, the more I think we better do the CR1. But I'm still confused!
Guess I will send the I129F when I get the NOA1 from the 130 and take it all from there.
The longer the process takes, the more I can visit, and hopefully that will help too! Already planning to come back in February or March!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 15:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Oct 21 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ally,
I've already bombarded you with advise tongue.gif
As far as the CR1 vs K3.. *I* noticed (after having Y ask around there and looking on VJ last year) that K visas get less AP post interview out of Amman.

Thanks Lisa. We really have no idea which to do! I think we will file the I129F and just wait to see what happens... see which moves faster. I know a lot of people talk about the CR1 is cheaper... but that is not a big issue right now for us. Being together the fastest is what we care about most right now. Thanks again... AP would NOT be a good thing!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 13:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
Want to say hello to everyone! I am enjoying my time in Jordan... but fretting over all this visa stuff!
I know our I130 arrived in Chicago on Oct 14 (tracked it DHL). So I expect the call from my mom any time that the NOA1 is there.
We just can't decide what to do now... file the I129F for the K3 or just do the CR1. From all I am reading, it seems the CR1 is only taking about 45 days more to process. And the reason we considered the K3 was to be together faster.
I need good, sound advice from those of you who have already been thru all this. I don't know if our bad K1 interview will affect one of these more than the other, so any experience with this would be helpful too.
If you don't know our story, at the Sept interview for K1, the woman told Mo we were a sham and sent us back to uscis for further review... so I withdrew that petition as instructed by uscis... came to Jordan for 6 weeks, married Mo, and refiled for the I130.
But I don't want to relive all that bad past, I need to concentrate on what will happen next. So please help me decide the best route here!
Thanks to all of you!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-21 10:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (Amoon @ Oct 13 2009, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ally and moh @ Oct 13 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi! I would like to get in on this as I begin the waiting once again!
I am in Jordan right now. We just married Oct 6 and sent the I130 back to the US yesterday.
After the bad K1 interview in Sept, I could use a good support system as the waiting starts again!
SO... any rules or anything for joining in?

Hi ally and moh...welcome. You guys married the same month my husband and I did in Jordan! Where are you in Jordan? Ask me anything as my husband just arrived from Jordan about 3 months ago. I know the name of a really good immigration attorney in Amman that could help you out if you need it (he speaks pretty good English too). Our process for CR1 went rather quickly (according to lots of other timelines). We are here for support when you need it!.

We are in Amman. That attorney may not be a bad idea after the K1 was called a sham and sent back to the states. I did as uscis told me to do when I called and sent them a letter to withdraw the K1 before I came here to get married. I just hope they did their job and I don't have any problems with the new petition. I sent copies of the letter with the I130, so I pray they do what they need to do now!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-13 08:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
Hi! I would like to get in on this as I begin the waiting once again!
I am in Jordan right now. We just married Oct 6 and sent the I130 back to the US yesterday.
After the bad K1 interview in Sept, I could use a good support system as the waiting starts again!
SO... any rules or anything for joining in?
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-10-13 08:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe "who'se got a Jordanian SO" thread

Nice to meet ya! AP sucks! I hope it moves swiftly for u guys! I can't wait to go back to Jordan and see all of hubster's family again. I miss them terribly. I travel vicariouly through my friends who get to visit! I just love looking through their photos. *sigh*

If you are on facebook, look us up.... Alice Al-Hosainy.
I have alot of pics there!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-10-19 05:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe "who'se got a Jordanian SO" thread
Hi! Since we were put in AP Hell on Aug 24, I haven't been on VJ much.
Mohsin grew up in Mafraq and now lives in Amman and works in an Orange Telecom call center.
I am in West Virginia.
We married Oct 6, 2009.
I made my 4th trip for the interview in Aug-Sept.
I have no real trip plans right now as we are praying AP isn't too long. But I will be with him this Valentine's Day 2011 if I have to make another trip there to do it!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-10-17 19:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Spouses Poll

- Which country is your MENA Spouse from? Or, if you are the MENA spouse, which country are you from?

- Is the MENA spouse male or female?

- If you are the USC spouse, are you originally MENA? Or, if you are the MENA spouse, is your USC spouse originally MENA?

SHARE!! :)

Aya

N.B: I couldn't start the thread in a Poll format since the first question has more than '12' possible choices, and you can only have 12 choices for each question.

Jordan

Male

No
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-06-24 07:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

wow so many in AP from jordan... im so confused... I hope we dont have to go through it... were not far in age, I am arab too... I lived in jordan for a few years in highschool where we met.... almost 5 years ago...now im about to finish college and I really want him here :(....i seriously hope we dont have to go through AP

Good Luck!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2011-09-29 20:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP
The embassy wants his passport!
:dance: :dance: :dance:
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-29 05:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

They wanted to check the validity of our relationship. So they did an interview with me, and also interviewed my fiance's father. I have called DOS and they have told me on two different occasions that it looks like the interviews went well, and that maybe now we are just waiting on background checks... or just for them to give an answer.
If your not sure why your in AP, look at all the questions they asked him in the interview. What kind of questions were they, were they really digging for some information about your relationship ? Was is a fairly simple interview ? Some embassy's simply wont tell you why your in AP. Hopefully it will move fast for you. There are some who have been in AP for...forever. I try not to think about that, cause it makes me sick.... and just feel lucky that so far this is not the case for us, and pray it wont go that way. Good luck.

Danni

I was at the interview with him and it was hell.
The first CO was nice and it was simple, normal questions we read here all the time, He told us it looked like we would be in AP and wait for more questions. Then a man from DOS took me to a room and he and a homeland security investigator questioned me. The old routine about we fit a pattern of arab men marrying older women for a visa... blah blah blah. I stood my ground with them and let them know we were real. Of course they then took him back too.
Another man (I don't know if he was another CO or what and the embassy was about to close by this time) then told us mandatory ap and that it was going to Washington, DC and asked for the names of his brothers and sisters.

I have asked DOS if I should be preparing anything or doing anything and they will tell me that it doesn't look like I need to do anything. They haven't called either of us or any family or anything and we were given that link listed here to check on the AP.
Also, I took about 35 pounds of relationship proof with me and they didn't want to see any of it. The last man we talked to said our papers were perfect.
I am guessing from all this that it's background checks, but who knows! They won't come right out and say and the embassy is even more evasive.

Edited by ally and moh, 28 November 2010 - 05:21 PM.

ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-28 17:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

Hi Everyone :) Hamza and I have been in AP/AR for 102 days (that's counting the 31st days in Aug, and Oct)I hope everyone has a speedy AP! Good luck to everyone. The best way I have found to pass the time, is to try to forget about it, and keep close with your SO!

Danni

Can I ask if you know why you got the AP?
I am more and more convinced ours is a background check.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-27 22:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

Frank1961,

Go to this link, http://212.38.142.2/niv_stat.asp and enter your wife's Jordanian passport number. If her passport number shows up here, then she is in Washington DC background checks and you just need to wait for them to be completed.

If it doesn't show up here, then she is most likely in AP at the embassy level and they are checking out and verifying your relationship. If it doesn't show up, call DOS and ask them for the status of your wife's visa. If they tell you it is in Administrative Processing, ask them if it is name check or if it is at the embassy level.

I hope this helps you figure out what is going on.

Good Luck to you and I hope your AP ends soon.

Thank you. This helped me too. They gave us this link at the interview.
I have asked both DOS (on several occasions) and the embassy if it is background checks and neither will give me an answer. But finally when I asked one person at DOS if I should be preparing any papers, she said no.
If it's background checks (and it SOUNDS like it is), I hope they are almost done!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-26 19:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

what is an AP?

AP is administrative processing. They can do it at any stage, but most of the time it happens at the interview.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-26 19:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP

my wife she on ap since 03/24/2010 good luck and dont fell bad thats jordan

Did they tell you why she got AP? Do you know if it's a background check or what?
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-25 19:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENAs in AP
Thought maybe I would start this. I didn't see it anywhere.
Maybe those of us who are in AP can gather here and cheer each other on and try to find ways to pass the time.
This is day 93 for us!
Join in!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-11-25 11:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresinterview result=administrative processing
I am so sorry to hear about this. We are so worried about getting AP... I mean we EXPECT it considering where he is from, but I REALLY don't want to fly back home alone again!

Your VJ "family" is here to help you through this.
And I know how hard it is, but try to be patient.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-08-21 15:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespictures of the happy couple
QUOTE (estadia @ Sep 8 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ally and moh @ Sep 8 2009, 06:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Sep 8 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The ONE piece of "proof of a relationship" I was asked for was pictures of me with his family. I think what they're looking for isn't approval from his family so much as it not being a secret.

Tough situation.



Its kind of strange. As long as he is coming here... its ok. They just dont want me there. So they know about us.




have u ever been to see his parents have they given u a chance so they can get to know u?

sara


Dad is deceased. Problem not so much with mom, but with uncles. But with the culture, the extended family is in on everything. We CANT just tell mom. Its crazy if you ask me.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-09-08 09:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespictures of the happy couple
QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Sep 8 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The ONE piece of "proof of a relationship" I was asked for was pictures of me with his family. I think what they're looking for isn't approval from his family so much as it not being a secret.

Tough situation.



Its kind of strange. As long as he is coming here... its ok. They just dont want me there. So they know about us.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-09-08 08:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespictures of the happy couple
I hope this is a good place for this question. And I am a bit early in the planning to ask, well maybe not. We were just sent back for further processing at the interview stage on our fiance visa. So we are going to abandon it and get married in Jordan in about 3 weeks.
But there are issues.... his family doesn't really approve.
There will be no wedding, no pics with them, etc. We will marry at the court house and his friend will take pics for us. I don't know that I will see any of his family while I am there.
Could the embassy refuse a visa based on his family's non acceaptance of us? Have ther been any cases of this? Is this a valid reason for denial?
This is sacrey for us.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2009-09-08 08:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864

Actually, either is fine in this situation. You only need to use the I-864a to combine income. Using the I-864 is generally preferable for the second sponsor as they then have slightly less (theoretical) liability.

Thanks again!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-02-28 10:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864

Same household? I864A.

Thanks!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-02-28 09:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864
I am expecting my NOA2 any day... my NOA1 date is Oct 21.
I have my I-864 ready, but will be close to the line, especially when the guidelines go up.

If there is someone living in my household (family) who is willing to be a joint/co sponsor, but is not a dependent on my taxes, does this person file the I864 as a joint sponsor only or as a household member file the I864A?

This person filed taxes married, but has sufficient income on her own and the husband is not with us. There is mail to prove she lives there, proof of relation, etc.

Thanks for any advice!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-02-28 09:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOMG! My case is with the CSC
Count me in with those waiting since Oct 21. I did have a touch on Feb 10. But that only makes me more nervous! Did they lose it after they touched it??? :unsure:
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-02-28 08:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresapproved
Congratulations!
We got out email notice tonight, too!
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-03-12 22:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOctober K3 and I-130 Filers who are still in waiting for NOA2s?

Guys, I am one of them still waiting for approval and MY NOA1 is 10/21/09. Please post your info appointment experience. I also have an appointment for 22march right after 5 months. Should I call their toll free number? Are they anyhelp?

I just got off the phone with uscis.
All they will tell us is that we are within the normal processing time of 5 months. And call back after we hit the 5-month mark.
I asked about keeping my infopass appt next week (because it won't be quite 5 months), and he said I should... it wouldn't hurt and they should be able to tell me if anything is wrong.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-03-09 11:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOctober K3 and I-130 Filers who are still in waiting for NOA2s?

Well as a couple of others here, I got touched twice last week - march 3rd AND march 4th. I can only imagine that they are looking at our cases. Given the inconsistency of the USCIS in notifying people, they can either email or text or both or neither and just send the noa2 in the mail without any prior email/text notification. I'm hoping that my noa2 is in the mail and will be here in 2-3 days. my noa1 date for my I-130 was october 13th, so as of march 13th, it'll officially be 5 months. I have my infopass scheduled for march 15th...hoping it will be here before then! very very very very frustrating...

I scheduled an infopass appt for March 16 because I have that day off. My case will be a few days short of the 5 month mark... NOA1 dated Oct 21.

Do you think they will tell me anything or will I have to wait til after the 21st? (Just asking because it is a long drive to the nearest office and I don't want to make 2 trips!)
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-03-08 19:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOctober K3 and I-130 Filers who are still in waiting for NOA2s?
So happy I found this thread today! Filed for the CR1 in the wonderful month of October... or at least I thought it was when we got married on the 6th.
Then I got stuck with the dreaded NOA1 date of Oct 21. What is it with that date?
I think there are at least 3 of us with this date having problems!
I had a touch on Feb 10 and we got our hopes up.... but then NOTHING happened!
And we sent pictures and proof and arabic and english marriage certificates and etc etc etc.

We filed first for a K1, but had a bad interview and everything was returned to uscis, but I know all of that has been cancelled out now, as I have the email and snail mail to prove it. And, you would think I would have an RFE if they needed something from that. My Congressman's office sent a letter of inquiry in January, but when I left the US on Feb 17, he had no response. Guess I will follow up there when I get back.

I don't know what to think. Just know seeing all those who filed after us getting approved is really depressing!

I stayed with my husband 45 days when we married and I am in Jordan now on a 3-week stay. I was hoping my next visit would be in May or June for the interview. But now I am thinking it will just be for my birthday in May, as I am losing hope for an interview before the end of summer now.

Thanks for giving me a place to vent!
Maybe we should pick a time and all call csc and complain together!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-02-28 05:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice cert for NVC
Thanks everyone!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-03-13 08:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice cert for NVC
When I send the DS230 packet to NVC, do I send the original or a copy of the police certificate?

I still have a little time, but I need to have my husband mail the right things to me.
Thanks!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-03-13 01:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC recieved documents on April 28

Thanks of the info!

Join us on the NVC May thread. Good advice there!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-05-10 12:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAvoiding possible future RFE

Thank you so much! It's WAY better than mine! :)

If you have anything in writing from USCIS, it might be good to include a copy of that also.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-05-12 22:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Checklist / RFE
I don't know what other countries do, but in Jordan, the certified copies have a stamp (looks like a postage stamp) and seal on them.
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-05-13 12:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case Complete Finally!!
Check out the May NVC thread (sorry, I'm not sure how to attach it).
You can see the dates we are all getting and chat with those of us still waiting, too!
I got CC on the 11th!
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-05-13 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmy mail sent to supervisor???
I am not an expert on this, but my case was sent for supervisor review. It took 2 weeks.
Also, when we had and RFE, I called 3 times that day to finally sort out what document I needed to send. Don't hesitate to call and ask about your case!
If you want more info, join us on the May NVC thread (sorry, I don't know how to attach it).
ally and mohFemaleJordan2010-05-14 02:59:00