ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
VietnamAdvice Needed for B2
Hi Confused;

I know every country/consulate is different, but I'll share my experience because our circumstances seem similar.

Like you, I was in the process of divorce when I met my (now) husband. We spent much of last year traveling back and forth between the States and the Netherlands so we could be together, but dealt with the 90 day limits (Netherlands with Visa Waiver Program). Basically, as we had considered from the beginning, we knew Arnold needed some sort of visitor visa to be able to stay longer than 90 days because we couldn't bear to be apart, but we couldn't keep doing the constant travel thing.

It seemed like a shot in the dark to apply for a B2 because he had very little proof to show as ties. Lived with his dad, no residence in his name, no lease, etc. He had quit his job at the end of the summer to be able to come to the States for 90 days in the fall, so no permanent job. Really, the only proof of ties he took to the interview with him were his cell phone bills (no contract), his car title and insurance, and bank statements (here's what saved him - in October, he won a large jackpot at a local casino here, and after paying US taxes on it, put it in a bank account here in Michigan, so although he had no proof of income, he could show proof that he would be able to support himself). My impression of the interview process is that a LOT of it has to do with your means to financially support yourself abroad.

Anyhow, long story short, by some miracle he received his B2 and flew back to the States with me this past February. He's allowed to stay the full 6 months term. We recently got married in Las Vegas, and are currently weighing the odds between returning to the Netherlands and filing a CR-1, or, depending on what this summer brings, AOS'ing from here.

So, to answer your questions with our experience:

1. The first question the Embassy in Amsterdam asked Arnold was of his purpose for visiting America (WHO he was visiting, specifically). At that time, our relationship was very serious, and he said straight out, he would be staying with his girlfriend. Even though my divorce from my previous husband had not yet been finalized (which as I read it, is the same thing happening with you?). Coincidentally, in the big picture, I think me not having a finalized divorce actually HELPED the situation, because it meant - at least at the time of Arnold entering the US - I was legally off the market. This point came up in the interview, actually. Just be honest and straightforward answering the interview questions, but you don't have to give more information than is asked for. I suppose this kinda answers question 2 as well.

3. We did some research in advance, but found most everything he needed online through the Amsterdam consulate website. That's also where he did the application, then called for the interview appointment a few days later. The Embassy seemed like a scary place, and an expensive taxi ride, so I'm glad they feature most of the info you need online.

4. Can't speak for all Embassies, but the one in Amsterdam was surrounded by a LOT of security and a giant metal "cage" at the entrance. I would not have been allowed inside even if I had wanted to, so I waited outside the gate while Arnold went in (full metal detector, pat down, no cell phones, no electronics, etc. It is an intimidating experience.). In his case, the Embassy has a list of who they're expecting for the day's scheduled interviews, and if you're not on the list, you're not getting in.

5. Obviously her passport, birth certificate, driver's license, and any form of ID she has to prove who she is. Take proof of ties to Vietnam - a lease, insurance, contracts, bank statements, car titles - anything that shows how she's established there, and gives them evidence of the life she has in Vietnam that she will be returning to. Definitely proof of income and finances. Like I said, the financial aspect was probably the most important part in Arnold's case.

I hope this helps, even just a little, although we're talking about different countries here. I wish you guys lots of luck with the process and all the best with your relationship. :star:
MarandaFemaleNetherlands2011-05-24 21:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPassport Photos for I-751

Thank you, Ryna! That's basically what I was understanding as well, just wanted to double-check and make sure!


MarandaFemaleNetherlands2013-09-14 11:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPassport Photos for I-751

Hello! A quick, simple question. (I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered previously. In reading this morning, and going through the filing guides here as well as USCIS website, I have not seen this mentioned, but wanted to ask anyway.)

 

Are new passport photos required to be sent with filing the I-751 ROC? I know we had to send them the first time around, 2 years ago, and was imagining the new 10-year GC would contain updated information and photos. But, I can't find any mention of needing to submit new passport photos with the I-751.

 

Am I correct to assume that new passport photos are NOT to be included?

 

Thanks in advance!


MarandaFemaleNetherlands2013-09-14 11:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 October 2013 Filers

Thank you to all who are keeping this topic updated!

 

Just wanted to check back in again as we received the new GC in the mail today (wow, seeing 2024 printed on there seems like such a long time away, haha). I really can't believe they mailed it so quickly after approval (we received notice of that just 2 days ago). It came via Priority.

 

I, too, was expecting an RFE because we mailed copies of our tax returns instead of official IRS transcripts... apparently not a problem. Or thinking they'd want more "proofs" or such because while we do have all joint accounts, we have no kids, no joint health or life insurance, and only 1 car, registered and insured to me only. Some folks here on VJ seemed to think all those things were major calls for RFE's... or maybe we just got lucky.

 

And truly, I wasn't expecting to even hear a peep about any of it for another couple months at least. Very thankful that they're moving right along. For those still waiting, I'm sure it will come very soon now!

 

...by this time next year, we'll be in the Citizenship process! Cheers!


MarandaFemaleNetherlands2014-01-23 16:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 October 2013 Filers

Just received our Notice of ROC Approval! No RFE's (I was expecting one), woohoo!

 

Our decision date was 1/16. (Filed 10/14.)


MarandaFemaleNetherlands2014-01-21 14:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 October 2013 Filers

Added us to the California list... sure hope I did that correctly! If not, please feel free to edit / delete if necessary.

 

Looks like we're in the exact same boat with HEIDIDL on dates. Not looking forward to the 2.5 hour drive to biometrics next week, but so happy to be getting this show on the road! :)

 

Best wishes to all for a speedy ROC!


MarandaFemaleNetherlands2013-10-31 08:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 October 2013 Filers

California Service Center (12 applicants)
 
VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
GHEPARDO LENTO........09/28/13......10/03/13......10/25/13......--/--/--
CHRISTANJ.............10/01/13......10/02/13......10/28/13......--/--/--
NEO1..................10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--
INSOMNIACDOZE.........10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--
HEIDIDL...............10/09/13......10/11/13......11/07/13......--/--/--






MARANDA...............10/09/13......10/11/13......11/07/13......--/--/--
SXM...................10/11/13......10/15/13......11/06/13......--/--/--
ALINAH................10/18/13......10/23/13......11/14/13......--/--/--
IDDUCHRISTY...........10/21/13......10/23/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
NEKO..................10/22/13......10/23/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
SHREEPALI.............10/22/13......10/23/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
MAGGIEB...............10/23/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--





 
 
Vermont Service Center (7 applicants)
 
VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
CHARLESR..............10/02/13......10/07/13......11/04/13......--/--/--
CALY..................10/03/13......10/07/13......11/12/13......--/--/--
LEO_LEO...............10/11/13......10/16/13......11/13/13......--/--/--
YAGISAMA..............10/16/13......10/21/13......11/18/13......--/--/--
LOVE_LIGHT............10/17/13......10/22/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
CAROLINE + ANGELO.....10/19/13......10/22/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
NUSANTI...............10/22/13......10/24/13......--/--/13......--/--/--
 

 
IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Also please check that you have not deleted the name of the Service Center.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your petition
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you.[/size]






























Edited by Maranda, 31 October 2013 - 08:31 AM.

MarandaFemaleNetherlands2013-10-31 08:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEarly Valentines Wishes to VJ couples
Happy Valentine's Day, Jen & Geert! I saw your interview date is today (what a coincidence, eh?!), so as a fellow girlfriend of an amazing Dutch guy, I just wanted to wish you some good vibes and hope all went smoothly for you! :thumbs:
MarandaFemaleNetherlands2011-02-14 11:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEntering the US on K-1
True, definitely cheaper to buy a round-trip. :star:

However, if you do, make sure to contact the airline shortly prior to the date of the return flight to cancel her seat. I've heard this is necessary so that they remove all traces of her name from the records for who will be on that plane, so that there's no way possible for it to appear that she inadvertently left the country.

Edited by Maranda, 24 May 2011 - 01:37 PM.

MarandaFemaleNetherlands2011-05-24 13:36:00