ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEven females get it
rofl.gif I don't know why you're all being so cold. I personally think we should take up a collection for (what's her name, did she ever offer one)?

I don't get any interesting letters like this to give me a good laugh...I just get the Skype pop-ups about, "Hi, I'm a 19-year-old girl from ____, and I'm looking for new friends, so please look at my naked pics at this link...."
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-09-30 10:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHappy Turkey Day Everyone!
Let me also add our best wishes to everyone. I am so thankful and excited that our family is finally able to spend the holidays together. Congratulations to everyone else who is able to share this experience; and to everyone who is still waiting, HANG IN THERE--it will happen.
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-11-26 19:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNational life-cycle (and pie)
QUOTE (Melissa&Vadim @ Dec 24 2008, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (KGSodie @ Dec 23 2008, 02:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage."

The author of this quote is, I believe, anonymous, though quite astute (IMO).

Discuss amongst yourselves - I'm a little verklempt.

Pie, however, follows a different life-cycle. It goes from raw ingredients, to assembled possibility, to hot deliciousness, to excreted waste, to processed sewage, to fertilizer, and then back to raw ingredients.


QUOTE (KGSodie @ Dec 23 2008, 02:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage."


Pie, however, follows a different life-cycle. It goes from raw ingredients, to assembled possibility, to hot deliciousness, to excreted waste, to processed sewage, to fertilizer, and then back to raw ingredients.



Well, IMHO... I believe the quote was based on Democracies. Even in the case of Democracies, this isn't always the case. It's dangerous to try to classify anything into an always/never category. The quote seems a little depressing, if not cynical. It sounds more like a plot line, or characterization, for certain tragic heroes in literature (in fact, I think it is a great quote to use for high school English students to write a Critical Lens Essay, LOL).

If one chooses any state of being in the quote, it doesn't necessarily lead to the next state. Take the pie example; "assembled possibility" doesn't necessarily lead to "hot deliciousness," no0pb.gif just as "selfishness" doesn't necessarily lead to "complacency," and "courage," unfortunately, doesn't always lead to "liberty." I am left wondering why it is so difficult to find the author of this quote.

Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-12-24 11:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNational life-cycle (and pie)
QUOTE (KGSodie @ Dec 23 2008, 02:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage."

The author of this quote is, I believe, anonymous, though quite astute (IMO).

Discuss amongst yourselves - I'm a little verklempt.

Pie, however, follows a different life-cycle. It goes from raw ingredients, to assembled possibility, to hot deliciousness, to excreted waste, to processed sewage, to fertilizer, and then back to raw ingredients.


Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-12-24 11:13:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
Can you even imagine the party we could have if we all lived closer together! smile.gif
It's great to find women who I can find things in common with when it comes to being married to a Russian husband.
Keep in touch, everyone! Thanks for sharing all the great advice. Natalie, don't disappear now; keep us informed.
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-10 14:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
QUOTE (PJB @ Jan 4 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Girls!
My Russian husband of 4 years just arrived in the US on Dec 10. His culture shock is still tinged with awe and amazement at the ease and comfort of American living but he is definately feeling the loss of his home country.
I too lived in Russia for 5 years but had to return home unexpectedly and so now we are making a new life in the USA. In trying to make my hubby feel at ease here I have found it very helpful to remember my own culture shock when I was stuck in our tiny Russian apt with no idea of where to go or what to do. I too was overly critical of everything that didn't measure up to my home country's standards and acted out in many of the ways that your partners are now acting in America. Usually it was a reaction to the feelings of stress, loneliness, fear and helplessness that overwhelmed me.
I remember the things that gave me comfort when I was a stranger in Russia and try to give my husband comfort by doing something for him that brings a little of our Russian life into our American home. Cooking our favorite Russian foods, watching Russian movies together, making him feel like a man by continuing the traditional Russian male/female cultural rolls that were part of our behavior in Russia, and observing the same Russian home culture and home traditions that were part of our daily life for the last 5 years.


Thank you for writing this! It's comforting to know that maybe this behavior is somewhat "normal" under the heading of culture shock...
I bought a cookbook on sale a few weeks ago and already made a couple of recipes smile.gif
We have free Internet tv on my laptop, and sometimes I find some terrible old Russian movie on there when we are relaxing in the evenings.
I can stand pretty much anything as long as it's not as bad as all the voiced-over American 1980s sitcoms I had to watch in Moscow!
I think your story is really interesting--I just read it on your profile. Any more advice you can share? What helped you get over or deal
with the culture shock?
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-05 18:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
By the way, I found an interesting article about "culture shock". It is for people who are considering moving to Russia, but I think it can be reversed for Russians moving to the U.S. Comments? For those of you who have experienced culture shock, would you say this article is it pretty much true?

http://www.jobs.lang...lture_shock.php
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-04 09:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
Hi Anka,
I agree, I think we are a rarity! I think Natalie has really started something here...Vadim is my husband, I believe Sergey is the name of Natalie's husband. I am in New York state (upstate). I would love to share experiences with you too, and try to answer any questions I could for you, even if you don't want to post it here. PM me. As for the driving thing, wow....that's fun, right?? I've been trying to teach Vadim how to drive too, although we've taken a break from it now that the weather is bad. That is really a high-stress situation. We had some days where our driving practice was very short, because it was just the best thing to do to say, OK, this isn't working today, let's try again tomorrow... smile.gif

I liked your idea about networking. Here is something funny, my RU tutor's roommate is from Belarus, and his name is Dima wink.gif They are both adult learners who take business courses at the college. I have tried bringing up the idea to Vadim, that maybe he could take some courses there as well. I am just hoping this trip back to Moscow brings some new perspectives for him, and when he returns, he will have a fresh outlook on things.
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-04 08:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
Hi Natalie,
Sounds like you have been trying to deal with a lot for a long time now smile.gif I'm glad you are trusting people on this forum to be honest and try to help you. I don't know what your husband's past was like, or how it affected him. From what you have said, it sounds like he has had a lot of bad experiences that make him react to stressful situations. I think the hardest part for you must be the difference between what you feel naturally as a mother, and the way your husband's worries are expressed. I do have a son from a previous marriage. His is ten now. It has been the most challenging part of the relationship between my husband and I, as well. I knew my husband for three years prior to his moving here, and we had five trips in Russia and Europe together, to make sure we would all fit together as a family. We didn't have any major problems, living in a hotel room altogether for weeks at a time, being together 24/7. When my husband moved here, chaos ensued. He had never been around children, and I came to learn that he had no clue how American children really behaved naturally, or what kind of relationships adults have with children here. We had talked about having another child after we got married, but after a month of trying to live as a new family, he quickly changed his mind. That was hard for me, as I had really began to think and plan for another child. Now, we have a lot of issues trying to find our roles and comfort zones. I wonder if your husband was around children much, or if he had a large extended family. My husband was an only child, with no children even in the extended family. Today, I brought him to the bus station to begin his trip back to Moscow to visit his parents; I think it was the best plan to help us all relieve a little stress. Seven months of a totally new life for him is a lot to handle!

I think it's great that your husband did take a job and sticks with it! My husband isn't ready to even try, and he seems to be at a point where he's trying to figure everything out with his future. Before he left Moscow, he had a wonderful job in IT with an international company. He was able to do a lot of business travel. Now, he regrets not having that job, and says he would not be able to find anything remotely like what he had. That's true. He wants to find a job online. However, I have to be the realist, and keep trying to explain that he will need to find something. He spends his day on the Internet (withdrawal?) and is not interested in making friends here. I'm not sure if that is like your husband's "paranoia" or "superiority" behaviors? I have brought my Russian tutor home for dinner a few times (he is from another part of Russia), but I have become friends with him, and my husband doesn't seem interested in doing the same. Actually, he started to become depressed and jealous. There aren't a lot of Russians in this area, so I'll have to either wait for my husband to come out of his shell, or find another tactic.

We don't plan to stay in this area either. However, I bought a house last spring, and for now, we're stuck here. I hope that, if we move to a larger area, my husband will find things to interest him outside of the house. I want him to be happy. I know that this small town is nothing compared to Moscow, and I have even investigated possibilities to find work there. I am open to new places and experiences. My family lives across the country, and I don't have much contact with them either. I wanted to tell you, they are not interested at all in my husband, either. If my father calls (he is the only one), he never asks about Vadim. There is just no contact at all.

I'm not sure I can give you advice, but I'll pass on advice one of my friends gave me when I was feeling down about these problems. She told me, just think of all the reasons you fell in love with him, all the work the two of you have gone through to be together, and focus on the positive things you have created together. It was the best advice I could have been given. Oh, and I pray for patience, often!! smile.gif


Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-03 15:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
I agree completely, the "blunt" topic hits home. Of course, I insist on honesty, but there are other ways to communicate one's feelings than to have a 45-minute dissertation on any topic, including the history of any pertinent detail, while the listener is fuming the entire time. I can tell you we've had more than one blow-out, the biggest immediately after a parent-teacher conference... Also, I'm just about sick to death of having it pointed out to me how many times the phrase "You can make a difference" or "diversity" is used in our society.

It does seem to be a common theme. My Russian tutor, even after being in the US seven years, still prefers his idea of "honesty" to "political correctness" which of course doesn't seem to exist in Russia, as far as I've been informed. It's difficult to keep these cultural differences in mind when someone pushes all the right buttons with his/her bluntness, that's for sure.

As far as gender roles, I am very experienced after only six months of marriage, with those differences as well. I told my husband, I can't wait until I can learn Russian enough to have a LOOOONNNGG talk with your mother about why you don't know how to operate any of the strange white metal boxes in our house, among other things! whistling.gif

Anyway, I'm venting, but this topic does hit close to home smile.gif
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-01-02 18:09:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCalling all American women married to Russian men
QUOTE (Kharkov_Natalie @ Dec 30 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
While it is interesting reading this forum, it is mostly from an American male perspective. I was wondering if any of the women out there would be interested in sharing experiences and making friends with other women married to Russian men.

My husband and I have been married for over 1.5 years and we have a 3 month old little boy. We are now really hitting some of the cultural differences and having to work through some tough issues. It would be great to have someone who may be going through some of the same things to talk to. Even greater, someone who has successfully overcome some of these challenges.

Anyone out there interested in being friends and sharing experiences?


Talk to me, sister! laughing.gif I can feel your pain wink.gif although, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, it can be challenging (as in any relatively new marriage). If I can help, just let me know. I've found it's better to vent once in awhile than to continually beat one's head against the wall...

-Melissa
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-12-31 23:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswould you live in your fiancee's country?
This topic has come up with us at home recently, with the economy the way it is. We began seriously discussing moving to Moscow when my husband visited his former colleagues last month and they told him they want him back! The issue is, my ten year old son. We would have to send him to a regular Russian school, and although people tell us that we shouldn't worry because he would pick up the language quickly, more than one Russian friend tells me that it is not the best place to raise a child! Still, if things get any worse here, it may be our only option. On the other hand, we are at the wrong point in the immigration process to be able to return to the US together if things didn't work out in Moscow. So, we're still fighting economics here, at least for the time being. In the future though, I would love to live in Russia for a year or so, just for the experience!
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-02-05 17:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJobs teaching . . . or translating?
I don't know about Florida, but in New York state, you can look up the civil services websites, which list openings for per diem court translator services. Maybe she could check out the universities and/or colleges in your area, to talk to the heads of foreign language departments. If the schools don't have regular Russian professors, she might pick up some part time experience tutoring students? Either of those may open up opportunities for her to network and find more profitable or stable positions. Good luck!
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-02-16 12:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusEasing the transition to the U.S.
Definitely, keep your high-speed Internet subscription paid in full! It's important that your new spouse will have freedom to communicate and keep up on the news in his/her native language. My husband's absolute favorite thing to do is to just sit in the car and go on long drives to new places with me. Make sure you show her a lot of new places; explore! Do little things, like notice which foods she likes, and buy her treats when you go to the store. On other shopping topics, I would say my husband has at least tripled or quadrupled his wardrobe in the last eight months. He just can't get over the price of brand-name jeans here, or the low prices of other clothes like t-shirts, even. You're going to have a lot of fun seeing everything through someone else's eyes! smile.gif
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-02-25 12:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruswhere did every respectively 'pop the question'
Oh, but I like both New and Old Arbat Street!!
My husband bought our rings in Moscow (just like I wanted) and proposed to me in an apartment-hotel we were staying at in Barcelona, near the Sagrada Familia. He wanted to do it in a romantic restaurant, but my son, who was on the trip with us, made him to nervous to think creatively (or that's the official version). At any rate, we have a witness to tell that the answer was definitely yes.
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-04-07 18:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat were the first few things you learned to say in Russian, and why?
I will say pretty much the same as above (not the Belorussian, of course), and add: good, good morning, good night, and the biggest one, I miss you. Anything else I learned to say or understand in Russian at the beginning of our relationship, wouldn't be appropriate for a public forum, lol...

That's funny, about not being able to roll the "r". We are trying to teach my son some basic Russian, and he is having the same problem, although he seems to be a natural with the guttural consonants. Anyone have a trick to trying to teach someone to roll the r's? smile.gif
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-02-16 16:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSurname question
I decided to take my husband's name, without the feminine ending. Actually, it is pretty close to your future husband's last name, S***ov! I'm thinking people will have a lot easier time pronouncing your husband's surname, for obvious reasons, than my new surname!

We talked about this decision for awhile, too. My former surname was really simple, but I wanted to share everything with my husband, including his name. I also wanted to cut as many ties with the past (former surname included) as possible. That's a different story smile.gif Of course, my son wants to change his name too, but I want to give him some time to make sure he doesn't change his mind before it's too late. We decided since we will live in the US (for the time being), that it wouldn't make sense to add a feminine ending, and if we ever live in Russia, that ending would probably change according to custom. Let us know what you decide!
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-02-21 11:55:00
CanadaIf it wasn't for immigration
This is a thought-provoking topic!
As for us, we came from two different worlds in every way. Vadim had never been married. I had been with my son's father for over ten years. My first marriage was such a terrible relationship that when I met Vadim, I had already been separated for a long time (yeah, family court, orders of protection, you name it) and definitely NOT looking for a new relationship. All in all, with trying to earn enough money to support my son and I, and trying to make enough money to pay the divorce lawyer for over a year (before we could even apply for a K1), Vadim and I had a lot of time to get to know each other as much as two people can in a long distance relationship. I don't regret that part, because it gave me enough time to get over the past and get ready for a new future. We were able to have a total of four trips in two years together, which was priceless.

I have to admit though, when we learned about what we would have to do in order to be together, it was overwhelming. When he started to mention the idea of marriage, there were times when I had panic attacks. I remember once, actually just hanging up the phone because I just panicked...not the behavior one would expect from the person my coworkers have called "the calmest person they know". Obviously, I was not at all ready yet to even think of marriage. Because of that, I don't feel too badly about having to wait for our K1. Now, I have no doubts about making the right decision. So, in the end, would I have gotten married any sooner or later if not for the immigration process? I don't know. I don't know if I would have ever gotten married again. If I hadn't met Vadim, who showed infinite patience and understanding, I'm pretty sure the answer would be No, never, not at all!

blush.gif Melissa
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-09-23 19:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCSC RFE response?
QUOTE (notscenenough @ Mar 20 2009, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My RFE was received by CSC yesterday and I'm wondering how long does it usually take them to respond? I filed in December and am becoming quite inpatient.


I don't know about CSC, but we had an RFE about the second week of September, VSC received the information we submitted by September 24th, and we didn't hear anything until a couple of weeks ago, when it was finally posted on the website! wacko.gif I hope CSC works faster for you!
Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2009-03-22 18:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJULY 2008 filers VSC only please
I think we filed for AOS the same day as you, or very close to it. We got an RFE; I think that set us back a couple of weeks. We just recently got the AP and work permit, but still no news on the AOS approval. I guess most of us still waiting for one thing or another. Our K1 seemed to take forever, and now it seems like just more waiting, but it could be worse. Stay strong! yes.gif

Edited by Melissa&Vadim, 28 November 2008 - 06:54 PM.

Melissa&VadimNot TellingRussia2008-11-28 18:51:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Delay at the NVC???

I have been calling the NVC phone number to find out about my case for a while now. I received the NOA2 about 4 weeks ago and, according to the NOA2 and this site, our paperwork should've been forwarded to her consulate by now. Today when I talked to a live person at the NVC they explained that the case is under "administrative review" and due to "the events on September 11th" some cases are taking longer to review than usual. When I asked how long it would take, they told me that they were unable to provide any estimate. When I asked why the automated phone line still does not have our case she explained that it will probably never be in the automated system since "the case is not being reviewed in this office".

Has anyone had this problem before? According to everywhere I look the usual time for the NVC to process a case is about 2 weeks... did we somehow get selected for special treatment.

Looking for consolation,
Db


Db, My K1 visa for my fiancee has been delayed since Oct 3 of 2005. I get the same responses to my questions as well. From what I read on line about such delays, it may be that my fiancee's name triggered thier data base computer to red flag it, meaning, her name is the same, or similair to someone else with a criminal record so they must do additional security checks to be sure she is not this person with a criminal record. Good luck!
Mkhad
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-05-12 10:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)worry
The NVC received our paperwork about this time last year from the USCIS. If I remember correctly, it took 1 to 2 weeks for them to get it into the computer. Now I am still waiting for security checks to clear so they will forward it to the Embassy. Thats right, the NVC has had our case for 1 year with no progress. Now thats some "fun" waiting! Hope you all have better luck than we have!
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-02 11:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionConsulate Receives package??
How does one find out what day the cousulate receives the package when the NVC forwards it to them?

Thanks in advance.
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-08 11:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview Requirements

Ok, thanks everybody. My fiance's interview will be in Moscow also. Mark, when they sent her the package did that include the interview date or did she have to return a form before they would schedule it?


We got the interview date via email. So they scheduled it prior to sending the packet. They told us they sent the packet out on the 19th of October, Nina got it today, (13 Nov), and it was post-marked 31 October.
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-11-13 14:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview Requirements
When I contacted the Embassy in moscow asking if they had received our case, they sent me an email stating they had and aslo wrote this... "An information packet was sent to Ms. Nina on October 19 however, you can find the list of all the required documents on our website at www.usembassy.ru." So I am guessing the info on the site is updated and accurate. Hope this helps.

Mark
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-11-13 14:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC tracking system
Nina and I have been waiting 1 year for her security checks to clear the FBI. Now I have learned, with help from my Senators aid, the FBI never received the security check request from the NVC. I had to call the NVC and tell them this, otherwise they would never had known. NOW they are looking into our case. Great tracking system they have. If I had not done my homework, I would have been waiting forever! Glad to see our tax dollars hard at work. Hope the rest of you have better luck!

Mark
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-09-28 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinally!!!

Wow, that's great news! :dance:

I was sending out good vibes, they must have worked! ;)

:thumbs:


LOL! thanks Jenn. I owe you big time!!
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-06 15:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinally!!!

Congratulations!

But why did they hold it for a year? :(



Security checks they say, but I figure someone lost the security check request or something close to it.
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-06 15:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinally!!!


After the NVC holding our package for more than a year, they have finally forwarded it to the Embassy! Yeah baby! Yahoo!!!



what?!

Congrats anyhow!!


Yeah, thats right. We have been waiting on the NVC for more than a year. It took a Senators Aid, )and much complaining by me), to shake it loose. But finally it has been sent on to the embassy.
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-06 15:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinally!!!
After the NVC holding our package for more than a year, they have finally forwarded it to the Embassy! Yeah baby! Yahoo!!!
mkhad1Not TellingRussia2006-10-06 15:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-3/ Cr-1 and other questions
Hello everyone! I am hoping someone can help answer some questions for me. My fiance and I are planning on marrying in Colombia in Feb of this year and then are going to begin the process of filing for him to come here to the states. We are thinking of pursuing the k-3 visa but would it be just as easy to file for the Cr-1?

Also I am preparing paperwork for the wedding.....since we do not have any proof here that I am single since I have never been married or divorced I have been getting letters from people I know. How many letters should I get?

After we are married I am going to be in Colombia for another 6 weeks. Is it alright that I send the I130 packet from there as long as I have everything? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Happy New Year to all!

Ashley
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-01-01 19:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionG325A and I130 Questions
Just a simple question to make sure we have the little details before we send the forms in......on the bottom of the G325A there is a bold box. Am I the applicant? And if so do I put my SS# instead of the Alien registration number?

And on the I130.....it asks for the address of where my husband and I have last lived together but technically we have not lived together. I have just traveled to stay with him and his family for a few months at a time. Should I put that we have not formally lived together or should I put the address of where he lives in Colombia?

Thanks to whoever can answer ,my questions and if there is any other advice you can give us it would be greatly appreciated!

Ashley
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-02-27 14:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse Traveling to US during Process
QUOTE (Amastar @ Mar 21 2008, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I dont know how different Columbia is from Japan but my wife is planning a visit to America next month on the VWP(Visa Waiver Program).
I mailed her I-130 petition off in December.

We are taking a big risk because she doesn't really have any ties to Japan. She lives with her parents and isn't working because she is pregnant.
Still... we are praying that the officer will be nice that day and let her in.

Ticket prices right now are crazy expensive but still she wants to try.

If you want I will update next month and let you know if she was able to get in or not.



That would be great! Thanks!
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-03-24 21:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse Traveling to US during Process
QUOTE (dhudson @ Mar 20 2008, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That is a great question that I would love to know the answer to also.

Ashley, did you just file your I-130 for the CR-1 visa? I'm curious as to how long it's taking right now.

Thats the very thing thats keeping me from filing the I-130 right away. We married in mexico back in January of '06.

So the idea is to do our BIG wedding in Mexico in July (we never actually had the cermony, just the 'legal marriage') and then she and our son would come up to live with me at the very beginning of August. But we'd like to be able to visit back and fourth in the meantime. I'm thinking that I will wait it out and get her here using her I-94 (Which is good for 9 more years) in August and then file the I-130 right after she gets here.

That visa doesn't guarantee much, but at least we'd be able to be together while the I-130 is processing (I hope sad.gif )

Has anyone actually heard of someone being denied permission to enter at an Airport? blink.gif I think I would lose it.




Actually everything is just about ready and we are planning to send things within the next couple of days. So I am hoping that things will process as quickly as possible.

My husband and I just had a civil ceremony here in Colombia in mid- Feb and then we are going to have another ceremony at home with my family and friends. Right now we are just trying to figure out what we are going to do in the mean time. I was planning on staying here in Colombia for another couple of months but we just found out that it will cost over 1200 US dolars for me to change my ticket and then I have to pay a fee to stay longer here. So my dilema is go home, get a new job and not know when I am going to see him next until the process is over or pay the airline fee and stay longer. Thats why I asked the question.....

What is an I-94 visa? I am not to familar with all the different ones.

And I have never heard of someone being denied entry but you really never know now adays. I think I would have the same reaction you would. I mean we are trying to do things legally so what harms is a temporary visit as long as my husband would return to Colombia when he is supposed to.

Thanks for your post

Ashley
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-03-21 11:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse Traveling to US during Process
QUOTE (MsZ @ Mar 20 2008, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He can try to come but the final say is left to the discretion of the border guard. So they say that it is best to try to come via an airport that pre-clears so that if you are turned away, you didn't waste the time/money.

He would need to have strong ties to his home country -- letter from boss saying when he's expected back, pay stubs, mortgage bills, utility bills, etc.

There's just no guarantee, which is the real bummer. Uncertainty is expensive.



Thanks for the info!
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-03-21 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse Traveling to US during Process
So when I was doing my research initially I thought I came across information stating that my husband would not be able to travel to the US during the CR-1 process but I cannot remember where I found the information. Is there anyone who could let me know for sure whether my husband would be able to come and visit me in the states on a tourist visa or does he have to wait for the process to be completed to enter the US??

I am currently in Colombia with him but am trying to decide whether I should pay the extra airline fees to stay with him longer not knowing when we will see each other again or whether to go home and have him come visit if possible.

Thanks

Ashley
MoralesC2152008FemaleColombia2008-03-20 15:49:00