biggish data

Travel insurance

pretty sure you don't need anything to travel.
travel's insurance is just for people to be safe in case they do get into an accident they don't land in a hospital bed and a $50,000 bill.

That's what I thought too,but see some countries require you to take it even just to pass their country...

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-06 08:43:00

Travel insurance

When you decide to go to certain countries,they require you to be insured,I think they call it-traveler's insurance...Anyway-I 've never needed it to go to USA while I was still on GC ,neither I know anyone that needed insurance(unless they were on non immigrant visas) So my hubby had to get traveler's insurance in order to get transit visa to get to the airport in a country he is flying from to NY,so he asked me if maybe they will ask him for same thing for USA.Other words,he wanted to know if someone may require to show traveler's insurance going to USA and I told him NOT,but since I am not 100% sure,I want to make sure that with his visa(cr1) he doesn't need such thing-just his ticket,visa and packet for POE...Anyone knows about it?

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 05 September 2010 - 08:08 PM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-05 20:07:00

Worry about my interview,

I think you shouldnt worry.. I was worrying like you before the interview.. and they didnt even ask for any evidence.. just Affidavit of support and forms :S.. anyway I think you have good evidence...

well some countries has more to worry then others...Again Thailand is one of them too...I didn't catch if she(author of the topic) saw her husband to be or not ever? If not,it may be tougher.They were kinda suspicious when my hubby told them I was there 3 times before marriage and each time it has been about 8 months we didn't see each other only talk thru messengers...they said it was not enough(not thinking that not everyone is rich and not everyone can afford to travel every 2 mos...)but what made up for all that suspicion is that after we got married I was there 6 mos.They looked pictures only,no need for other evidence.So,the less you see your spouse,the shorter time you got married,the bigger suspicion...and the more evidence needed.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-06 11:16:00

September 2010 reunions!

Who of you is planning or expecting to reunite with your spouse this September?
Are you excited? Did you make plans how your reunion will look like,and the moment you see him/her at the airport???
Where in US are you reuniting?(what airport?) How many days from now?(For those who already have tickets) I bet your heart is beating faster when you think of that day...Congrats to all of you!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-07 20:56:00

Looks like he has more excuse then a 50 year old virgin why not to petition your sister
1. He don't have to wait 5 years to petition. He can petition immediately after marriage and its faster if does it at the US embassy in Philippines.
2. It don't matter if he has PO box for address.
3. They only need last three years of tax forms not all the way back to 2004.
4. Tell him not to stall any more and to go file at the embassy. (it should only take around 3 months if all goes right)
5. Maybe he is hiding something???????

I knew a case where man was married!To annother woman in his country...

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-07 20:50:00

I didn't say he had to be working - I just asked if he was.

Lack of working now would mean he might need a co-sponsor, which could explain the "wait" he may not have any willing to sign up

- also - my followup question was to see where he is, which would call into question if he was waiting to do a DCF (which could necessitate a "wait"), or establish US domicile.

EVEN IF THAT'S THE CASE,he'd tell her in 5 yrs so she wouldn't be so confused and would know why he cannot do it

That's what real husbands and wives are doing,right?

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-07 20:48:00

if ever the american husband of my sister file a bankruptcy and was laid off back in 2004, can this affect the petition too in filing CR-1 in any way? my sister is very confused please we need help....thanks a lot for everyone who replied me here...

NO-BUT IF NO ENOUGH(WHAT'S REQUESTED) MONEY-HE NEEDS JOINT SPONSOR(S) AND HE'S FINE.And last-no matter what he did and when he did if he wants her there he'd file right away,regardless of outcome.Just so they can be together!!!!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-07 20:46:00

[quote name='Bobby+Umit' timestamp='1283876894' post='4174809']
Petition for what? To come to the US (visa) and get a green card?

He could do a CR-1 visa right now - no need to wait, for example.

PO Box would not affect the process.

Not working in 2004 will not hurt him now. I take it he is working now? Does he live in the US or the PI?
[/quote]

He doesn't need to wrk as long as he can have joint sponsor who makes enough money to cover his wife on affadavit.I do not work since 05 and my joint sponsor signed affadavit and no problem.

[quote name='SamOnline' timestamp='1283879316' post='4174863']
Hey

The 5 years waiting thing is just a game he is playing for whatever reason he is thinking, So don't believe that , He can apply anytime he wants and since they are married since a few years , her petition wont take so long and he can apply for IR-1 (10 years green card) because they are married for more than 2 years now.The petition he needs to file out is I-130 .

If he told her some excuses , get her to write these excuses down and call the USCIS her self and ask or the department of state , then she will know all the truth.

yes,I applied right away after our wedding and we were done with process in 6 mos

This is the fastest process when you apply for spouse,so don't know what he is telling her and why...

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-07 12:38:00

NVC Timeline

Ok, so my case was approved (NOA2) on August 26th and overnighted to NVC. Which means NVC receieved it on 27th. I been calling the AVR from last two weeks and it does not have any case #. I called again today and spoke to a rep. According to him they got the files from USCIS but it could take 6-8 weeks to enter into the system. ####### is up with that?? Anyone else experiencing that sort of delay.

6-8 weeks to enter into the system and then another 1+ month of going back and forth. Wasn't USCIS 5 months waiting torture enough that they had to add another layer. Anyways, I'm just venting...

Atleast, I'll get to see my wifey in 2 days

Untill june it was 4-6 weeks but they increased it to up to 8 weeks.If the complete case takes up to 6 mos,you are considered lucky.Mine took almost 6 but instead of interview in july,we had it in aug(that's when delays started)so the whole process after done with NVC was 2 months of just waiting for interview.I know it's pain but think of all of those who are over a yr and still waiting...So as I said-if it ends by 6th month-consider yourself lucky!

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 08 September 2010 - 07:35 PM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 19:34:00

Visa After Interview (CR-1)

I had an interview last week and still I haven't received my passport back.....any idea how long the process will take....

THEY didn't tell you when to come to pick it up??? Call them up.That's weird...Or go to your embassy page and see how long does it take to get visa..some emabssies give it out same day same next three some few weeks after..But you should be told there.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 13:06:00

Just to clarify about NVC....

Does NVC need English translations of documents?

No.As long as your interview will be in your country where they speak your language.I asked them just recently and they told me they are glad I asked because they changed that part-they required translations before(as it still says on the website) but they DO NOT NEED IT ANY LONGER. So we sent all the documents for my husband in his native language,he had his interview in his country and no translation was needed ever.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-10 20:17:00

Still waiting???

We filed our papers last March 26,2010 and we got the receipt notice last April 05,2010. My husband checked our case status last August 08, 2010 ( our 2nd wedding anniversary) and it said that our case is under initial review. Until we don't hear anything if our case is approved or what. Should we call the USCIS for this? How long are we going to wait. I want to be with my husband before Thanksgiving day or before my birthday on December and of course on Christmas. They sholud realize we miss each others arms. I wish those who are holding our papers should work on it fast. I am begging! What's next after approval?

Now I am going to sound rude but they do not give a damn what you want

W e all wanted this-I wanted my love to be with me on xmass,on ney yr,on my b-day,ON OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY..There are people here whose babies are toddlers already and still waiting...so,knowing that,and thet you are not the only one with your wishful thinking-should be a little easier.I started my case in Dec of 2009 and it was complete in june of 2010..plus 2 months waiting for interview...So you be prepared for at least 6 months.In fact if only that much,consider yourself lucky

loool..If all fails.just wait

You are unbelievable Loto.

Sam

Whatever you do-you'll end up waiting

So he's right

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-10 20:27:00

Keep coming back because I cannot understand how you can keep writing to me when I DO NOT CARE! :bonk:

That's always that "psycho side" in people who don't have nothing better to do but keep posting something that has been FINISHED.FINITTO.DONE.OVER. etc etc.Instead of that,think about your wedding-you should be on 7th heaven now instead of re-writing same stuff THAT SANK IN AFTER NICE PERSON SIMPLY ANSWERED MY QUESTION

But I admit I do have fun though-so keep it up :thumbs:

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-11 20:02:00

And let us give you a bit of advice. When you make it blantantly clear that you are not interested in doing the research yourself and come here begging for answers, the LEAST you can do is be polite to the people who give them to you. You came here and made a post with very little clarity to your situation, asked a question, and then very much came across RUDE to the people who answered you because you didn't like what they told you.

I have never said this to anyone on this forum as of yet, but you've earned it. GO READ THE GUIDES.

C'mon now hun,do you really think I care????

))))))))))))) Didn't you see I loved the right answers..I even thanked for it politely

Obviously for some people I made enough clear to understand what I needed

Besides-I have time- over a yr, to find out,but why not bother to ask now and just save info for later if it came to mind?! It makes life much easier

))
Enjoy your day! Smile

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 09 September 2010 - 02:55 PM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-09 14:54:00

HisLoveMyLove, for where to file - read the instructions for I-751 - www.uscis.gov under forms.

Hvala!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-09 11:51:00

There is no one to contact, sorry.

You can, instead, simply mail off the ROC packet.

What do you 'expect' to happen during 'that contact' ?

If you really want to contact 'someone' in OCT 2011, hey !

come on down to Houston, bring 20 kg of food that you cooked (or I'll turn you loose in my kitchen for 1 day)
and you can contact ME, face to face, exchange YOUR cooked food for MY filling out yer forms.

Must be 20 KG, though, or more, or it's not worth the contact.

With answer received,I am gonna head out too...But-I DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING AT ALL FROM NOBODY.JUST INFO WHERE TO FILE,so I know when times comes...ALL I REALLY WANTED I HAVE AND CANNOT BE HAPPIER WITH THIS LAST PIECE OF PUZZLE FITTING RIGHT INTO THE PLACE

Hope you know the feeling...or you will one day.Because it's bad to be grumpy all the time.Little advice - if it ain't your day-you need to deal with it,asking yourself why that something happened and how to fix it or make it a little better,instead of take it on others whose lives seem to be nice and fulfilled at the moment,and who only ask simple question just because i thought of it at the moment...Thank you anyway for your time.Appreciate an effort!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 16:37:00

I only go by what they tell me
if only I was one of 'them' !!!

w/o wish to expand my knowledge
really? w/o ? no wish to expand yer knowledge?

OK ! I'm out !

I do few things while typing,so regular people make mistakes in letters,numbers,signs..etc.
As far as -people who told me-means-people from US embassy-well didn't tell me,but my husband-my mistake

And as far as your wishes-you should be-things get much easier that way.Yes I do get panicky but in OVERALL-I am happy

Yap,don't need no more answers,got one I was looking for

THANX ANYWAY

Enjoy!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 16:22:00

We're going to try one more time to save you some money and aggravation, here. If he is just about to enter the US, let's say he gets his green card in October. Thus, he will apply for removing conditions in July 2012. If you DO insist on sending in the ROC in 2011, all that will happen is that they will take your money and reject your application, and you will apply again (and pay the money AGAIN) in July 2012. You will not get a refund just because you submitted it too early the first time.

ETA: Darnell is correct, there is no one to contact. As with all stages of the process, you simply file the required forms and wait. The forms can be found at uscis.gov. Look for the I-751.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 16:17:00

Valerie - ya, I like this part, much --> Note that, despite the fact that you may see word "anniversary" used in a confusing way regarding the filing date for removal of conditions, your wedding date is completely irrelevant to determining the window of time during which you may file for removal of conditions.

Well I am sorry that I haven't received masters in VISAS AND ALL ABOUT VISAS as some people here.I've never been interested in this,untill I've met a man of my dreams in my country,and even after that-my only interest as US CITIZEN was for my love to get his visa so he can come here and we can live together untill we decide to go back...that happened in relatively short and positive timely matter so I only go by what they tell me,for things I need now or will need,w/o wish to expand my knowledge

So please,take that in consideration,thanx!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 15:50:00

Oh. Sorry. Sounds like you are aware of some new math. I guess I'll have to learn it, then.

Regardless of 'maths' - you'll be filing a 'removal of conditions' case. We've a guide for that, here at VJ - have a look ? http://www.visajourn...ontent/751guide - FWIW, there is 'no one' to 'contact' - instead, you simply 'send out' the ROC casefile to USCIS.

Oh ok,that's what I was interested about-I'll take a look

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 15:09:00

Nope, sorry, Darnell is correct. It is based on the issuance date of the green card, not the date of marriage.

ok however,WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHOM TO CONTACT WHEN TIMES COMES

And again,it will be in oct 2011

))

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 15:06:00

NO! My hubby just got his cr1 visa 2 weeks ago...and because we're married less then 2 yrs,this will be temp GC untill next year 2011(NOW IS 2010)when we both have to send a form somewhere that we are still married and so will get permanent GC
I ti is based on how long you are married

If less then 2 yrs before he enters USA then you get temp,if more then 2 yrs then you get perm.My question is-who do we contact when 90 days before our second anniversary is on(2011) and what forms do we send out...Someone must know here

Or do I call usics?

Oh yes,and since his POE WILL BE IN ONE WEEK,and GC will arrive within OCT then 2ANNIVERSARY WILL BE AROUND THIS TIME

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 08 September 2010 - 02:17 PM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 14:16:00

So,next august(2011) will be our 2 yrs anniversary.So we have to apply again for 10 yrs GC at that point,right?(Since my hubby now have CR1 because we'll be less than 2 yrs married when he comes to US) And how do we go about it? I know we have to do it 90 days before annivesary-does it mean 90 days BEFORE or DURING last 90 days??? Also-where do we start? Thank you!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 13:13:00

URGENT! I AM LOSING IT!!! USCIS-Review Case

If I am with him, I will be there for moral support for one. Second, I have heard from people in the MENA portal that have been interviewed at the Cairo Embassy that sometimes they do take both wife and husband inside, interview the wife or USC a little, ask them to then wait outside for their spouse, so that they can interview the beneficiary. Second - the simple questions, he did understand. Like my birthday - he understood it perfectly but answered it in the Egyptian format. How do we talk? In simple English and some Arabic. I know some Arabic because I have a best friend of 22+ years, who is Syrian and her husband is from Egypt. I have been around the Arab/Muslim culture for that long. I have also worked in the Educational Field in teaching students English (ESL/ELD). I also am U.S. born but raised in Mexico & returned back to the States at the age of 10. I have the first hand knowledge of how hard and difficult it is to learn a 2nd language & because of all this, I have the patience and understanding needed when communicating with people whose English is not their first language. So, with all this experience, I communicate with my husband just fine. Now, the CO that interviewed him and others like her may not understand how this is possible...frankly I think they use that to their advantage so that they can trip the person up on their questioning and have a reason to deny the visa.

Thank you for your understanding.

Lizz&Mohamed

And plus maybe your husband was nervous and when you're nervous no matter how sure you feel about something you say wrong things...like my hubby knew exactly i was there from feb to april at one time but he said just april,which they may take as-oooh he doesn't know,but he says he was so nervous that he thought of it later...how he could of been tricked.I was nervous for him here wiating on his phone call,then I understand how he felt.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-11 19:51:00

URGENT! I AM LOSING IT!!! USCIS-Review Case

Mustafa - One of the first things my husband asked the interviewing CO, was that he preferred the interview to be given in Arabic, if possible. When the CO heard this, she got mad with him and told him "NO. The interview will be done only in English because if you can communicate in English with your wife, then you will communicate in English to me." She was very short with him! She made no attempt, to even slow her speech a little even when he asked her to. Had that been me, I would not wait for an interviewee to even ask me to slow my speech down. I have enough common sense to know that any person who's first language is not English & has expressed his concern to me over his limited English skills to begin with...I try to assist in the best way possible. But that is just me, I understand not everyone will be willing to go out of their way to help someone who is trying to immigrate to the US.

And so you will know, my husband has enrolled himself at the University and is taking an extensive Conversational English course, to prepare for a possible 2nd interview - "Insha Allah". Also, in the one year that my husband & I took to get to know one another, we discussed our lives often, our backgrounds, our cultures. I don't know what you think we talked about or discussed but believe me, I did everything to learn all that I could about him and his life, family, culture, religion, beliefs...but no one is perfect. Even I that have a great memory, sometimes forget some details as I am sure the CO's themselves do as well. All I am saying, is that CO's need to remember that we are all human, no perfect and so that if a person who is being interviewed may answer a question about their spouse, it does not mean the marriage is a fraud. My biggest mistake, was believing that I did not need to be present with my husband at his interview. Boy was I wrong! But I assure you, I will not leave him alone again! I will be right there to support him in the interviewing process.

I believe ALL people, from ALL nations, should always be treated with dignity and respect...unless they themselves do not respect me.

Thank you.

Lizz&Mohamed

Two things-first-even if you are with him,they will interview him by himself-not with you.Most of the time is like that...In our case,I couldn't even go in there inside if the building when my hubby was interviewed.Second-I don't get this part-he couldn't understand simple questions about you,how do you guys talk then??? You say you've learned all about his life,culture,beliefs...for this type of talk,you need to know english,much more then just simple get -to-know you talk...

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-10 20:36:00

URGENT! I AM LOSING IT!!! USCIS-Review Case

Hello Jane,

Thank you for responding, now I know that there are quite a few of us out there in the same boat.

I have been checking our case via USCIS website & see that they are touching it monthly, last touch was August 31, 2010. It is my hope that by the 180 days (Sept. 13th), I will have some sort of decision and/or NOIR/NOID. When I received NOA from USCIS that they were in receipt of our case as of April 13th, I immediately began putting a new supporting evidence package that was mailed off the first week in June. It included flight info from my last trip to Egypt (April 2010) with my children, pictures of my husband with my children, neice & all of his family, months worth of emails, chat logs, & cell phone bills detailing the multiple, daily calls. When I called USCIS & informed them of me doing this, the representative told me that I shouldn't have done that because there is no guarantee that my package would even get attached to the paperwork/case. I told her, I did not want to risk them making a final decision without considering our new information. I unfortunately cannot add my husband to my insurance because they need him to be here/present & have no joint accounts because I imagine he would have to be present to be added as well.

I will start to print out more emails, chat logs, call logs from skype & yahoo messenger, my cell & our paperwork on packages that we send to each other ocassionally, so that I can be ready for their request. I have however, even read some postings here where some people's cases were re-affirmed without even being request a single document...Go figure. It's crazy how that works out right? Some are put through the ringer & others are so lucky....

Please keep me updated on your case & if there are any other things you can think of that will help me, please do not hesitate to share.

Lizz&Mohamed

It all depends on a country your spouse wants to immigrate from.There are some so called high risk countries where more or less people do get married for GC more then other so those who really wants to get married because they are in love,are sometimes treated as majority who don't,whose number one thing is to come to US...But I know how it is..waiting to find out what is going to happen after 6,8,10 or more months of waiting is nervewrecking and I can imagine if someone is told he/she is denied because of lack of info on his spouse..But even when everyghing seems to go wrong,at the end-love wins and eventually you'll be reunited.In your case I'd send all the proofs I can to show them we're differenet then those other 'bad' guys...And tell your hubby every single detail about you(which I am against of doing in normal circumstances,because we all have to have some things just for ourselves..) so he can't fail once he goes again for an interview.It's sometimes stupid that someone is denied because of nnot knowing who was your boss..but,that's how it works for us who decide to fall in love with someone from different nationality wanting him to move with us here in US

Hope it all works out!

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 06 September 2010 - 08:57 AM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-06 08:55:00

Spousal visa questions pls help!!

so he would have to stay in the UK for 6 months to be able to even start the process off a i130? We really want to do it asap ..any tips!

Not only stay-BUT LIVE THERE.WITH PROOF HE IS LIVING THERE(adress,account,bills on his nam and UK adress, whatever)
I TRIED THAT JUST FEW MONTHS BACK WHEN STARTING VISA PROCESS...i was there for over that time,but they told me I have to have proofs I was actually living there(not visiting)-they told me this in US embassy.So I had to leave and file from USA.Usually takes around 5-6 mos.Unless there are problems...

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-13 20:16:00

DS 230 civil documents

Hi,
Once I submit the original doucments to NVC along with the DS230.
Original marriage certificate.
Original police certificate.
Original birth certificate of my spouse (beneficiary).

Are they,NVC, going to return the original documents to me (sponsor) here in the US or are they going to mail the documents to the US counsulate in India where my spouse will be going for the interview. I am bit concerned in mailing the original documents.

Thanks

ORIGINALS AND COPIES!!!!AND for what to send,you should get it in letter marked off

(or email)

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-13 20:24:00

Affidavit of Support confusion

Hi, I have received the Affidavit of support bill and DS-3032 for my wifes I-130 case. I have paid the bill and sent the DS-3032. I have also printed the 'Document cover sheet' Should I wait for NVC to send me the AOS form, or I should just print one from the internet, fill it and send to them.
Thank you all. VisaJourney is being a great help.

AOS is not send to anyone-so print it out and and send it.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-13 20:22:00

Affidavit of Support confusion

Hi, I have received the Affidavit of support bill and DS-3032 for my wifes I-130 case. I have paid the bill and sent the DS-3032. I have also printed the 'Document cover sheet' Should I wait for NVC to send me the AOS form, or I should just print one from the internet, fill it and send to them.
Thank you all. VisaJourney is being a great help.

AOS is not send to anyone-so print it out and and send it.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-13 20:20:00

UK Husband - Do we have a chance?

Sorry I've been posting here so much, but I just need some reassurance/advice!

Okay, so I'm 22 years old. A recent college graduate, looking for work.
My soon-to-be-husband is 19 years old and lives in the United Kingdom. Clean record. Sweet, great guy and my best friend.

He's visiting me on the visa waiver program. He leaves next week. We've decided to get married (the benefits for this are better than the fiance visa). He's obviously still leaving the country next week to be within the law.

I'm just nervous. I'm trying to find a permanent job, and once I land one that pays above the income level I plan on applying for the CR-1. Because I made less than the income requirement for the past three years due to being a student, I was told here to find a co-sponsor. I'm considering my parents.

So on top of the waiting game of finding a job in the economy, I'm worried that he won't be allowed to come here on the spouse visa because I'll have a cosponsor. They'll say I wouldn't be able to support him or something. If I find work that pays under the requirement while I search for something my degree applies to, would having a cosponsor hurt me? Could they find that I wouldn't make enough to support him, even though he plans on working once he's able to here. I'm scared and just want to be with my best friend!

Thank you Your advice is appreciated!

Do you want to be with your boyfriend,and soon to be with your husband OR YOUR BEST FRIEND???

That's no-no for embassy

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-08 13:25:00

How much is CR1/IR1 visa? (Philippines)

nah, I think it is $88now, not $77 anymore. But I could be wrong.

this was 3 mos ago-this is how much I paid in june

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-15 13:50:00

How much is CR1/IR1 visa? (Philippines)

Im just wondering how much are we going to spend applying the CR1/IR1 visa... I mean, I know we have to pay the processing fee when we send the I-130..after that,is there anything we still have to pay?

355$ + 70$ + 400$ + medical(varies)
+ documents,photos etc

Edited by HisLoveMyLove, 15 September 2010 - 09:25 AM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-15 09:24:00

REUNION :)

THANX ALL AND INDIGO- :thumbs:

But as you guessed-I've seen it too late

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-21 11:05:00

REUNION :)

Just want to say THANX for all of you who answered my questions in the past.Unfortunately I didn't know about this forum while going through the process;found this site out while waiting for interview,when everything was over

Today is my and my hubby's final reunion here in USA! We haven't seen each other in 5 mos so I can't wait to see his face at the airport and kiss him.And most of all-start our life together like everyone else,without cameras,messengers etc
We are done with everything so I won't be part of it no longer.. so let me just say-THANX AND GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! AND REMEMBER-TRUE LOVE WINS EVERYTHING :thumbs:

Off to the airport!!!! (L)

Edited by Lovebirds2009, 20 September 2010 - 10:50 AM.

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-09-20 10:48:00

Green card late!

IT CAME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-10-18 20:23:00

Green card late!

Do you know where or from whom to find out about green card that wasn't received yet and it suppose to be a week ago?!
Thx

Lovebirds2009

Female

2010-10-18 15:15:00

CR1 Interview Passed At Dhaka Embassy!!!

Hi everyone,

Firstly, thank you all for your advice and support throughout this process. The pain would be many times worse without these forums and the people who contributes to them. My wife was approved for the CR1 after her interview on May 18, 2009, and we picked up the passport with visa on May 19. We arrived at POE JFK on June 3, 2009, and now we are living in a dream.

A special thanks to several Bangladeshi friends who gave very helpful advice to my questions and concerns- Sonia, Shimool, Sanam, and everyone else who helped out. Many apologies I could not post this sooner, but with all the running around and goodbyes we had to complete before our flight, had very little time to sit in front of a computer while there. Anyway, here is our interview experience:

Interview time was at 8 am at US Embassy Dhaka, we arrived at 7 am, and there were about 60 people ahead of us. My friend drove us and offered to stay with his car so my wife can sit until they start letting people in. But the security was very tight and he could not park his car anywhere near the building. Unless you are on the line to get in, you can't even stand across the street from the building. The guards actually use megaphones to at yell at any loiterers. This was really retarded as many had family waiting for them, but they had to be 2 blocks away at least. Anyway, I told my friend he should just leave and my wife and I took our place in line. I was somewhat concerned regarding my wife's health. She had jaundice for 5 days, and her eyes were a little yellowish. Although she passed her medical back in April, I was very afraid that the CO may suspect Hep B and ask her to retake the medical if she sees my wife's yellowness. Another 1-2 months delay was the last thing we needed. I was also stressed from the fact my doctor brother-in-law believed my wife had one of the Hep viruses. He said it was probably the A or E, the lesser viruses that are not banned by the US and are common in Bangladesh. Although a very small chance of this, I was dwelling on the fact that my wife received a shot during the medical and if the staff there somehow infected her with the dreaded B virus with the needle. It is Bangladesh after all and anything can happen. My brother-in-law also felt a very small chance of this, but submitted her blood to test all 3 viruses. We would get the results later that night after the interview, setting up more drama.

Anyway, all the bad thinking did not help the wait in line. I was also the only douchebag in line with a suit on a 90 degrees morning. We bought about 600 pictures and copies of everything we ever submitted in 2 heavy bags that we had to carry around. Thankfully through this all, my wife seemed to be in good spirits and her health seemed to be holding up. Around 8 am, they finally started letting people in. The sky also became dark and rain would have been disastrous. We had no umbrella, and more importantly than us getting wet, our giant sealed medical envelope was exposed. We got to the front of the line around 9am. The security was expectedly tight. The guards at the gate took our medical envelope and opened it. Then they hand searched us and searched our bags. You’re not allowed any electronic items or sharp-like objects. Some people did not bring their cells, but forgot that the sim card was in their wallet and were told to drop the sims. After the gate, we were allowed into the front parking lot and walked to the building entrance. We had to take to the entrance using the sidewalk of the parking lot, we were forbidden to take any steps on the parking lot itself, sigh! After we went through the entrance, we faced a 2nd round of security with metal detectors and more hand searching. Finally, we went into the next room, the first air conditioned room to our relief, and faced a 3rd round of security with x-ray machines. The girl at the x-ray was pretty rude pointing at my wife with an attitude to drop her bag and keep walking. My wife would have dropped her if we were anywhere else, but you gotta pick your fight. After this last security check, we walked up to a booth in the same room where a lady asked us if our interview was today. We said yes, and she collected our interview letter and medical. She then asked us to go through the back door through a long hallway to the waiting room.

When we got to the waiting room, it was about 9:30 am and it started pouring outside. We knew many were still waiting outside, so we were fortunate to be inside before the rain came. The waiting room was filled with all the people that were in front of us. The security lady in the room said we had to find a place to sit or go outside and sit on the benches in the hallway. The hallway had no AC, so we squeezed on to one of the benches in the room. My wife finally could sit and rest in AC after standing for about 1 and half hours and seemed to be in good spirits, so I became a little relaxed. The room had 12 doors to the side with numbers on them, and within each doors was a window. The speakerphone started calling people to the door numbers. I was hoping we would get an early call due to my wife’s health. I knew from other’s experience that they would call us twice, first for fingerprinting and then for the actual interview. One girl got her 1st call at 9:45 am, and the 2nd at 10:15 am, and was walking out with tears of joy and a passport token at 10:30 am. I wished that could have been us. But we had no such luck, basically had to sit there anxiously more than 2 hours watching a dreadful instructional video of a man fingerprinting a woman repeating itself. If they were not allowed to have anything entertaining, they could have at least put on another instructional video just for the change. We got the point of how fingerprinting worked after the first 50 times!!!

Finally, at 11:40am, they called us to room 3. The room was nothing like I imagined. I thought we would be sitting in front of a window, but there was standing room only. Our side of the room was kind of dark, while the other side was well lit. A Bangladeshi lady was sitting in the room. She seem to have all the documents that we ever submitted for immigration, beginning with the I-130. She asked for the passport and 2 passport sized pictures, then she returned the original birth certificate to us. She asked if we brought copies of the police certificates so that she can return the original of that. I told her we did bring copies, but we also submitted copies with the originals. She checked and saw the copies were there, so she returned the original PC’s. She then asked that if we applied for the K3 I told her we did file the petition but never submitted the final application in favor of the CR1. She then took my wife’s fingerprints. After that, she told me I missed a question on the I-130 about when and how I came to the US. I couldn’t believe I missed anything as I checked that document over and over, even after sending it in. I really wasn’t sure how I came to the US as I was very young then, just remember it was around 1987, knew I should have asked my parents before the interview. I told her in 1987 with immigrant visa. She nodded and wrote it somewhere. Later I discovered it was actually 1988 and we came via tourist visas and were approved for asylum. But it did not come back to hurt us, and I discovered later that the lady made a mistake as well. The question was meant for permanent residents, not USC, so I di not miss anything on the I-130 after all. Lastly, she asked if we had the Additional Processing Questionnaire form, and if not, we had to go back to the waiting room and fill it out. I had 2 copies ready, so I told her we did have it and submitted a copy. She was a little surprised we had this filled out already. I guess many forgets to fill this out as it is not mentioned anywhere by the DOS, only the Dhaka embassy websites mentions it. She then told us to go to the waiting room and wait for the next call. Did not ask for any financial docs or anything else as they already had those docs from NVC.

As we sat back down in the waiting room around noon, I became very nervous that they asked for the AP questionnaire from us. Previous successful applicants on VJ from Dhaka mentioned that they did not collect this, so I began to worry that they collected it from us because they were going to put my wife on AP. The thought of this made me sick to my stomach, I only came for 2 weeks and really did not want to leave Bangladesh again without her. But then my wife told me her friend who went through the interview in the previous week also had to submit the AP form. Her friend actually did not know to bring in the AP form to the interview and had to fill it out in the waiting room at the embassy. But her friend was not put on AP and received the visa the next day. Hearing this made me a little relived and relaxed. It was a little past noon and I was hoping we would get the 2nd interview soon. I had told my wife that there were 3 interviews overall and the last one was the most important. I did this so show would not be so nervous during the actual final interview which we were waiting for. But she later confessed she suspected there would be only 2 interviews by watching others at the embassy and from her friends. As the clock hit 12:15, the speakerphone announced that interviews will re-start at 2 pm after lunch. This got me a little annoyed, they needed almost 2 hours for lunch??? People were allowed to go outside to get food, there was no longer a line, just have to go through security again when coming back in. We saw no real food source within the embassy, a security guard told us a small caterer would come soon to sell tea and ice cream. As it was still raining outside and we had heavy bags and knew of no restaurants that waere close enough, we decided to stay in the AC’ed waiting room watching that dreadful instructional video still repeating. We had brought some oranges with us and ate those while we waited. It was a good thing we stayed nearby, because at 1:30 pm, half hour before they were supposed to start, they called my wife’s name to room 8, the first name called after lunch.

We grabbed our things and ran to the door. The room was similar to the previous room 3, only it was even darker on our side. There was a Caucasian woman CO with her hair sticking up and all over the place sitting on the other side of the window. My wife went in the room first and the lady said hello to her. When I walked in, she immediately asked me who I was. I answered “The husband and petitioner”. She said ok and turned her attention to the papers on her desk. Then she started typing in her computer and did not stop until the interview was over. She never asked my wife if she preferred Bengali or English, just assumed Bengali, which was accurate, and told my wife in Bengali that she would ask her some questions. She also never made my wife take an oath to tell the truth, which I thought was standard. She asked: 1) How did you meet your husband? Was it love or arranged? Where did the marriage take place? What does your husband do for a living? (my wife answered finance, but she pronounced it differently, the CO asked twice before she understood). Then the CO asked my wife no more questions and turned to me and asked me to describe my role at work. I responded in English about my finance job and we had a nice short conversation about the state of the economy. She then asked to see some pictures. Out of the 600 pics we brought in 10 albums, she quickly scanned through 6-7 pictures in 2 albums, one for our marriage and one for our dates. She then filled out a passport token and gave it to us, saying to come back tomorrow and we can pick up the passport with visa if the computers were working. At this point, my wife and I looked at each other with big smiles and knew we had done it. We both thanked her simultaneously. I was very happy for a second, but then my cautious side kicked in again and I asked the CO if we can get out original marriage certificate back. She said we will get it back tomorrow with passport. Now here is the funny part- I suddenly remembered my wife did not sign anything and asked the CO if my wife needed to sign the second part of the DS-230. The CO started saying she already did, then caught herself as she looked at the form. Then she said, “sorry, thanks for reminding me”, and asked my wife to sign. I started laughing inside, I couldn’t believe she forgot and I had to remind her. I wonder what kind of mess we would have been in if I didn’t catch it. The immigration officer at POE would have just probably made my wife sign it at the POE. Anyway, after my wife signed, we thanked the CO one more time, grabbed all our stuff, with me dropping a few albums in my joy and having to pick them up, and walked out straight through the waiting room and to the hall way the happiest couple on the planet. Everyone in the waiting room knew we had the visa the way we were skipping out. We organized all our stuff in the hallway and I confessed to my wife that there was no 3rd interview, she said she knew, and we hugged. It was 1:45 pm, interview took about 15 minutes, not too bad. I was a little surprised about how disorganized the CO was, seemed like she was very busy to spend much time interrogating, and wanted to move on to the next case so she can go home. But I guess that is better than a CO who asks too many questions, I heard the CO in the next room 7 was kind of tough. The CO never asked anything on the AP questionnaire, did not ask anything about how I immigrated to the US, nothing about my wife’s jaundice as the CO could hardly see her clearly in the dark room, nothing about my financials other than what I do at work. We had all Skype, Yahoo, email records, and these were never used. Our wedding was a special case where only 7 people were present in the original ceremony since my wife’s family did not agree initially, then had 3 big parties with 600-700 people after her family agreed. We had the whole story ready, but the CO did not even ask how many people at wedding, how and when the wedding happened, only asked where. Overall very few questions and got the result we wanted, only the wait and that terrible instructional video was painful. We found out later that night my wife had the Hep A, so not so serious and overall a perfect day!

We arrived next day at 2 pm, no lines, just the security checks. We and 3 other applicants were called to room 1 at the same time at 2:30. There was a Bangladeshi lady behind the window who told us to huddle around and listen to the instructions. She explained how the visa and the sealed envelope with coversheet worked, then she handed each applicants their passport, sealed envelope with coversheet , and any other original documents that they had. For us, we received our marriage certificate, and all financial documents included in the Affidavit of Support application, including the tax returns. We collected our docs, made sure everything on the visa and the sealed envelope coversheet looked accurate 3-4 times, then we walked out of the embassy hand in hand. Although hard to imagine due to the security, I heard there were sometimes mugging around the embassy targeting passports, visas, and US dollars. So I had my friend wait 2 blocks away in a car, and we met up with him and drove away on a beautiful sunny day, finally with a visa that took us 5 years of long-distance relationship, including 14 months of long-distance marriage, to get.

As you can all tell, I made this review very descriptive to answer any questions about interview at Dhaka Embassy. Please feel free to ask me questions if I missed something. Thank you all again and good luck to all who are still waiting for their moment.

- HSB

HSB

Male

Bangladesh

2009-06-06 09:37:00

please help me in filling ds 230

If Punjabi letters are different from English letters (A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) then write it how you would write it in Punjabi, on line 3...

Edited by Chenielle, 20 February 2011 - 11:53 AM.

Chenielle

Female

Jamaica

2011-02-20 11:52:00