biggish data

I got my case number from (202-663-1225) different place then the Invoice Identification Number...that Ph # is 603-334-0700. After pressing 1 for English there is no hold music or any prompts, you just wait, listen to dead silence and someone will answer She said I can't pay anything yet because it had no been processed HOWEVER Saif kept checking the online pay website (with Case # and Invoice ID #) and bam! the AOS fee populated, paid it and it is in process (they said 2 or 3 days to show "PAID" instead of "IN PROCESS" Now just waiting for NVC bill to populate...in which I am sure Saif will check every 15 minutes untill it comes in

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-11 18:36:00

Eh.. I'm the beneficiary. When my poor lonely wife is sitting in our new joint condo in Hawaii waiting for me, any weekend without a case number is a ruined weekend lol.

Your poor wife haha.... all alone on the beach in the beautiflu sunshine. WOW are you gonna LOVE it there, you will never see snow again!
PS I called and got my case number this morning!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-11 12:32:00

ha ha ha
just wanted to share how much the Visa process is effecting my life

woke this morning at 5 am and was EXCITED to be able to call NVC at a "good" time
got up
got the cell phone then i realized it was

5 am Saturday morning

hahaha hope you were up early today! I GOT my case number for NVC! Gotta call another number for the invoice identification number. Almost there

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-11 12:30:00

NVC is currently taking around a month from NOA2 to assign case numbers. If you look at the spreadsheet linked in my signature below, you'll see that others with a NOA2 date around yours just got their case numbers assigned this week. So you should be getting yours assigned very soon. Just keep calling NVC every single day to ask if a case number has been assigned for your case.

Thanks!!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-08 13:51:00

I also found NVC slows down now, and so many petitioners have no Case number almost one month after NOA2 is received. I am just wondering whether from May to August is US student visa application summit period, and also summer break, maybe so many tourist visas applications... all of which drag NVC processing down?

I do know with the new immigration laws the centers are flooded with applications. I have been patient but think I need to get more aggresive. I am really tired of waiting

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-08 12:26:00

Today is 4 weeks and 5 days, I called them and they only said "we have it and you will hear from us by mail for billing" should I have been more persistant and asked for case number??

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-08 10:33:00

AOS Paid, DS-3032 mailed today, Still pending NVC

got it

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-15 23:32:00

AOS Paid, DS-3032 mailed today, Still pending NVC

You can send the DS-3032 by email, from your spouse's email account, no snail mail required. Search "NVC June 2012 Filers". The 1st post has all the information you need. Cheers.

OHH:( well we share MSN email account under my name for business Visa stuff, yes he could have made new one but we are in forward motion now, did not want anything to hold us up. DS 3032 will be there before the NVC package arrives as I still do not have AOS Package by mail and looking at timelines, NVC is a week past this

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-15 21:01:00

AOS Paid, DS-3032 mailed today, Still pending NVC

AOS showing "paid" now but have not recieved by mail yet. Emailed Saif the DS-3032, he completed with me as "agent", Saif fussed because it takes so long for mail to go from Tunisia to USA, I told him this is the instruction and what they need. Not by PDF, not by fax.

NOW we wait for the NVC fee to appear, will they wait for the DS-3032 to come in before thet ask for the NVC fee?

AOS came Monday, I am getting anxious and excited, the NVC packet is ready to go...waiting on the kitchen table

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-15 19:24:00

K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

I am so worried never seen this coming..

Calm down and stop calling so much.Your getting the same answer over and over again. And making yourself crazy when you have little control. Consulates can be a bit pricky at times. Most people in AP can wait a few weeks or a few months, but rarely longer. I would wait another week or so and then call and if the answer is the same, contact your local congressman to assist you. Just document everything, politely, in a letter and then try to visit in person. They all have offices that deal with immigration issues. Sometimes one letter from them ( and I went though this personally) is usually sufficient to cure the problem.

Please keep us informed and I hope as is good soon. A Christmas wish for you

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-09 22:53:00

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

Tunisian Embassy OPEN

Saif talked with someone today that said interview dates the same as scheduled so far

UPDATE: Repairs will be complete and the American Tunis embassy will be working fully staffed and business as usual in 2 weeks. Saif spoke with an American Embassy official today (oddly he spoke no French or Arabic)but assured all will be back to normal soon! Good news!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-19 19:29:00

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

Tunisian Embassy OPEN

Saif talked with someone today that said interview dates the same as scheduled so far

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-18 19:57:00

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

Tunisian Embassy

The Tunisian Embassy will be normal on Monday, the yard is cleaned. New bullet proof window's replaced and the gates re-inforced. The amazing people that stayed there both Tunisian and American, though this whole thing....God bless you!!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-26 22:15:00

Someone told my husband I need to go with him to interview

Sorry Saif. Listen to your wife not a "friend". There are lots of rumours and myths about this that my husband heard as well. Also, you really have no idea WHY this person may have been denied. He could have problems or trouble you don't know about it. The US Embassy in Tunisia is great. Very supportive of American requests for our Tunisian spouses. Just be prepared. I know several people who have been approved while their spouses were still in the US including my own. Its not necessary unless the Embassy requests it.
Good luck!!

Very well said Jen, thank you

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-01-08 20:59:00

Someone told my husband I need to go with him to interview

Now I know better but one of Siaf "friends" said he has been denied 4 times and told my husband he need me to go with him to the American embassy in Tunisia for interview

I told Saif to read all of your stories but this one "friend" has him thinking I must go there again. PLEASE add comments for Saif to see that this is not needed

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-01-07 15:12:00

Problems at Tunisian airports

I think this is getting over complicated. If he has a visa for entry to the US, the itinerary above will not be a problem as long as he does not plan to leave the airport transit zone. He will not need anything additional. Good luck!

As long as he will not remain in the France/Italy airport for more than 2 hours waiting for connecting flight...IF the layover is more than 2 hours the Tunisian person MUST get permission/Transit Visa to be in that country
USA visa has nothing to do with France/Italy rules

Edited by Lynn/Saif, 10 February 2012 - 09:23 PM.

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-10 21:21:00

Problems at Tunisian airports

If he's flying Tunis-Italy-France-USA then he will need a Schengen visa not a transit visa. Apply for the Schengen visa at the consulate for the country of his first stop. A transit visa is for national of certain countries who will be transiting through the international zone of an airport. The flights between Italy and France are considered domestic flights with acces to the Schengen space therefore it is not a transit situation.

It will be stop in either France or Italy (Tunis>Milan>Atlanta>Phoenix we are hoping for)His mom got the information on the transit visa. The ticket place said it does not take long to aquire the transit visa but I did not get specifics. I am curious if not long is days or weeks

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-09 18:37:00

Problems at Tunisian airports

Has anyone ever experienced problems with any Tunisian airports? I'm so frustrated right now. My fiance was booked on a flight on Tunisair from Monastir to Paris (Orly airport) and then was scheduled to take shuttle from Orly airport to Charles De Gaulle to catch flight here to the US. He was denied boarding because he only holds a US visa and does not hold a French visa. They told him that he would not be allowed to leave the airport and that he would have to find flight directly into Charles De Gaulle.

We then changed his flight so it would go directly into Paris using AirFrance...going from Tunis to Paris, Charles de Gaulle. He went all the way to Tunis airport and was AGAIN denied boarding. They told him that he could not wait the 4.5 hours in the airport to catch his connecting flight to the US (which by the way was booked on a different airline). We even called Customs and the Police at Charles de Gaulle airport to confirm he had proper documentation to wait it out in the airport. The ticket agents would listen to anything Paris officials had to say.

So now...as it stands...fiance is still in Tunisia trying to figure a way to get to the US and we are out a lot of money (since we purchased non-refundable tickets).
Can anyone advise if they have any problems like this and how you went about resolving them.

Also...for all you memeber with Tunisian fiance's...can you advise which airlines you took to get to the US.
Thanks so much in advance.

I am so glad you posted this...it is one of those little details that get overlooked. My husbands mom will go to ticket agency tomorrow to ask about transit visa for both France and Italy and Saif will call the embassy. I will post all info they give to me. That sucks that when you buy these tickets, the place that sold them to you didn't mention or inform you about the transit visa

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-08 19:40:00

Transit Visa

Saif's mother got this information from airline ticket place today

when i get the visa from usa embassy i pay the ticket and if the time more then 2 hours from the plane of tunisia and the other one i have to get that transit visa from france embassy or italy embassy visa
and if it b4 2 hours i dont need it

I would rather Saif had the Transit Visa and not need it than to not have a Transit Visa and be asked for it. As I see with JBHS there is lost money and time. It is hard enough to get thru this process without additional complications.
For some reason, Italy & France are especially strict against Tunisians, which is odd for France because of the strong ties between the 2 countries. I have Iraqi and Iranian friends that had an easier time obtaining transportation here.
Let me point out there is no consistancy with Tunisia, requirements seem to change from person to person. The interview at the Embassy is a good example, one person only needed 2 photo's while another needed 3. Some asked 5 questions, another asked 20. Some asked for IM/Skype transcripts while others not asked for them. Bottom line, I would rather be prepare with more than "require or suggested" than to say "I am sure they won't ask us for that" and have more delay

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-12 08:14:00

Transit Visa

Saif's mother got this information from airline ticket place today

when i get the visa from usa embassy i pay the ticket and if the time more then 2 hours from the plane of tunisia and the other one i have to get that transit visa from france embassy or italy embassy visa
and if it b4 2 hours i dont need it

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-09 13:36:00

I 130 still waiting

i got approved 167 days after NOA1, it should be soon!!!

BLESS YOU!!!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-04-25 19:58:00

I 130 still waiting

I've been in initial review for 250 days now,I'm not sure what's the hold up at CSC but I pray that they're going to start processing faster

I know with the new immigration laws the CSC has been swamped.... but I was hoping the "average wait 5 months" would be me. Do you know if you can call them and get a real person?

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-04-25 19:32:00

I 130 still waiting

I don't suppose there is a way to nudge the California Service Center along? 154 days as "under review" Just hoping there is something I can do to to encourage them along

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-04-25 19:20:00

Money Transfer from Algeria...

Hello Everyone,
My husband is trying to send me money from Tunisia.. He's found it very difficult and impossible when he's been talking to the bank and trying to tranfer thru moneygram. His uncle is living in Algeria and thinking of having him wire the money to me.. What are the chances of the transaction??

All your replies are appreciated...

Tunisian dinar is a closed currency, it is not transferable to any other currency outside of Tunisia. No other country will exchange their money for Tunisian dinar. We have found no way around this other than illegal black market purchase of Euros NOT recomended!!

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-04-24 21:06:00

Curly Haired Products

OK in all serious now, going to a salon, spending a huge amount of money, prob last the longest (and safest). During our rainy season (6 weeks a yr) I have to get up 30 minutes early to get anywhere near comb thru hair with straightener. Time consuming and annoying BUT when its dry....here I am curling my hair. Curls are sassy and cute

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-07 18:25:00

Curly Haired Products

Buzz cut works well

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-06-07 18:16:00

Embassy disruptions

I'm curious what may be some of the ramifications of visa processing given the current unrest around the U.S. embassies, especially in the North Africa region (specifically Tunis, if anyone knows). Obviously nothing is happening there as far as processing goes, but I'm wondering about what happens when normalcy returns based on past experiences after the revolution(s). Just trying to prepare for what to expect, such as how long it takes for them to get back up and running when things settle down. Does it make it harder to obtain a visa (interview wise, is it more stringent)?

Please be nice, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. I realize that my post is a bit selfish given the violence and severity of the protests, but it doesn't change the fact that I miss my fiance and want him here as soon as possible (now, even more so).

Tunisian embassy closed as of Saturday, no word when it will resume http://www.dailymail...isia-Sudan.html

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-16 09:35:00

Tunisia Embassy Closed

I guess my trip in November is not going to happen.. I was soooooo excited to see my husband..

Oh I am sooo sorry, maybe delay by 1 month and things will be better

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-18 20:12:00

Tunisia Embassy Closed

We have been waiting for the interview date, looks like its going to be more waiting.... http://www.dailymail...isia-Sudan.html

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-09-16 09:42:00

Flying to US from Tunisia

I'm hoping to find out what you're experience is flying from Tunisia to US. Have you had to get airport transit visa, transit visa or Schengen visa? If you have, how do you go about getting it and how long has it normally taken you?
Thanks in advance

Once again there are inconsistancies in price and time. My Saif said 7 dollars (like 12 Tn dinar) and 1 to 3 days. Others said 10 days and 30 to 40 TN dinar.

There is no definate answer as I think it depends on who is working and what they feel like charging and how fast they feel like validating the Transit Visa

Edited by Lynn/Saif, 12 February 2012 - 06:43 PM.

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2012-02-12 18:36:00

I think I forgot my G 325

You could just write a letter include your receipt number, etc. and send them (your beneficiary has sign/complete one too). That way you don't find out what could happen.

YES good idea, I did his but NOT sure about mine. Better to make sure and send duplicate than to wait and see...

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-10 00:14:00

I think I forgot my G 325

After all the duplicates of duplicates....I do not remember adding G325. What will happen if I forgot to include a form?????

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-09 23:43:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

Please feel free to add anything I may be overlooking. I am sending this as email to my sister in law who will eventually be a member. I will encourage her to come check out your responses

Cover letter itemizing each set of documents

I-130 Form
check for 420.00

Both of our :
Birth certificates
Passport copies
Passport type photos

Marraige papers translated and certified by embassy
I sent English, Arabic and French tranlation (but only required english one)
(make sure your marraige is registered)

Added Saif to:
Apt lease
Car insurance
Medical insurance
Recipient of mail from USPS at our apartment
Life insurance beneficiary (only partial as my daughter is also)
Tax returns
Cable bill
Electric bill
Ph bill
Bank account
(not all you can do.. but do as many as possible)

Misc:
Photos of us together
Trip to Tunisia plane itinerary

Saif school papers

Things I am preparing for Saif:
Letters from my family & friends knowing of and approving of marraige

Transcripts of IM's... only taking a few lines from 8 or 10 days a month for the last 20 months
just to show consistant relationship ( we have about 20 pges now, by time of interview it will be 40)
if I printed all it would be 1300 pages ...and that is just from work IMing

Also sending him stuff on the school he will attend here (Gateway College 2 miles from apt) to take English Classes, GED and eventually entering ITT tech college plans. Even the start of a finacial aid assisted program to help a little with the cost

Saifs family will write simple letters saying they know and approve of marraige and we love each other and talk all the time

Phone bills showing conversation or cards or letters

This stuff for his interview which is prob 5 months away

We are in first part of this long entailed journey

For me: Right now they are doing an extensive background check to make sure I have no police problem, no drugs, I am self sufficient and do not use state aid of any kind and I am finacially able to care for him and have a solid home/job until he is settled and can work

For him.....to make sure no police prob, no bad intentions for USA and to make sure marriage is real NOT just for immigration purpose

I had Saif clean up his FB, no mention of weed or drugs or guns or anything a simple policeman would not like. I asked him to make sure none of his FB friends have any bad statements about Americans or America....if they do, he will delete them

I told him ANYTHING he does online can be pulled up by Google and a government agency can dig even deeper

PS I DID have both our G 325 included

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-13 14:19:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

Saifs family will write simple letters saying they know and approve of marraige and we love each other and talk all the time

this letter must be notarized and translated to English and better if the letter resume your story
also all translations must be certified by Certified Translations like this one but without the logo and the bottom http://international.../translator.pdf

Mom and dad the only to need translation, everyone else reads and writes english and I was hoping a notary would be good enough for their letters...whould do you think?

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-13 07:54:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

Please feel free to add anything I may be overlooking. I am sending this as email to my sister in law who will eventually be a member. I will encourage her to come check out your responses

Cover letter itemizing each set of documents

I-130 Form
check for 420.00

Both of our :
Birth certificates
Passport copies
Passport type photos

Marraige papers translated and certified by embassy
I sent English, Arabic and French tranlation (but only required english one)
(make sure your marraige is registered)

Added Saif to:
Apt lease
Car insurance
Medical insurance
Recipient of mail from USPS at our apartment
Life insurance beneficiary (only partial as my daughter is also)
Tax returns
Cable bill
Electric bill
Ph bill
Bank account
(not all you can do.. but do as many as possible)

Misc:
Photos of us together
Trip to Tunisia plane itinerary

Saif school papers

Things I am preparing for Saif:
Letters from my family & friends knowing of and approving of marraige

Transcripts of IM's... only taking a few lines from 8 or 10 days a month for the last 20 months
just to show consistant relationship ( we have about 20 pges now, by time of interview it will be 40)
if I printed all it would be 1300 pages ...and that is just from work IMing

Also sending him stuff on the school he will attend here (Gateway College 2 miles from apt) to take English Classes, GED and eventually entering ITT tech college plans. Even the start of a finacial aid assisted program to help a little with the cost

Saifs family will write simple letters saying they know and approve of marraige and we love each other and talk all the time

Phone bills showing conversation or cards or letters

This stuff for his interview which is prob 5 months away

We are in first part of this long entailed journey

For me: Right now they are doing an extensive background check to make sure I have no police problem, no drugs, I am self sufficient and do not use state aid of any kind and I am finacially able to care for him and have a solid home/job until he is settled and can work

For him.....to make sure no police prob, no bad intentions for USA and to make sure marriage is real NOT just for immigration purpose

I had Saif clean up his FB, no mention of weed or drugs or guns or anything a simple policeman would not like. I asked him to make sure none of his FB friends have any bad statements about Americans or America....if they do, he will delete them

I told him ANYTHING he does online can be pulled up by Google and a government agency can dig even deeper

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-10 04:35:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

we were maaried at a small village and took to Kairouan court to register, then to translation to English, then to US Tunisian embassy to be certified

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-09 21:43:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

wat do you mean by making sure our marriage is registered?

Once we were married, it took 3 days for it to be registered at the court. Saif can explain better, I will ask for him to respond tomorrow

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-09 21:40:00

Things I included in I 130 packet and things I am preparing for

Please feel free to add anything I may be overlooking. I am sending this as email to my sister in law who will eventually be a member. I will encourage her to come check out your responses

Cover letter itemizing each set of documents

I-130 Form
check for 420.00

Both of our :
Birth certificates
Passport copies
Passport type photos

Marraige papers translated and certified by embassy
I sent English, Arabic and French tranlation (but only required english one)
(make sure your marraige is registered)

Added Saif to:
Apt lease
Car insurance
Medical insurance
Recipient of mail from USPS at our apartment
Life insurance beneficiary (only partial as my daughter is also)
Tax returns
Cable bill
Electric bill
Ph bill
Bank account
(not all you can do.. but do as many as possible)

Misc:
Photos of us together
Trip to Tunisia plane itinerary

Saif school papers

Things I am preparing for Saif:
Letters from my family & friends knowing of and approving of marraige

Transcripts of IM's... only taking a few lines from 8 or 10 days a month for the last 20 months
just to show consistant relationship ( we have about 20 pges now, by time of interview it will be 40)
if I printed all it would be 1300 pages ...and that is just from work IMing

Also sending him stuff on the school he will attend here (Gateway College 2 miles from apt) to take English Classes, GED and eventually entering ITT tech college plans. Even the start of a finacial aid assisted program to help a little with the cost

Saifs family will write simple letters saying they know and approve of marraige and we love each other and talk all the time

Phone bills showing conversation or cards or letters

This stuff for his interview which is prob 5 months away

We are in first part of this long entailed journey

For me: Right now they are doing an extensive background check to make sure I have no police problem, no drugs, I am self sufficient and do not use state aid of any kind and I am finacially able to care for him and have a solid home/job until he is settled and can work

For him.....to make sure no police prob, no bad intentions for USA and to make sure marriage is real NOT just for immigration purpose

I had Saif clean up his FB, no mention of weed or drugs or guns or anything a simple policeman would not like. I asked him to make sure none of his FB friends have any bad statements about Americans or America....if they do, he will delete them

I told him ANYTHING he does online can be pulled up by Google and a government agency can dig even deeper

Lynn/Saif

Female

Tunisia

2011-12-09 20:36:00