ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGHANA: VISA IN HAND!
Congratulations!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-08-08 09:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOur Interview in Caracas, Venezuela
congratulations biggrin.gif !!!!!!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-09-09 18:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPreparing my Documents(maybe i missed something)
timeline.gif
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-09-11 05:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionApproved in Ankara, visa in hand!!
congratulations biggrin.gif !!!!!!!!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-10-01 13:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa approved!
Congratulations biggrin.gif !!!!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-09-30 07:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa approved at Rio de Janeiro Consulate
Congratulations biggrin.gif !!!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-08-15 16:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvisa approved! things that i experienced during my interview.
congratulations kicking.gif !!!
Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-10-29 08:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEvidence of relationship
I had this much with me with me… maybe this will give you an idea…

Good luck biggrin.gif !!

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Alexandra_vFemaleSweden2008-11-04 11:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIntervie Date received
i wouldnt worry about employment letter if it is unavailable.

Just get everything together that you can. You still have more than 10 days. cant see why you wouldnt be able to get everything in order by then. I just scanned everything for my wife and pasted it all into a word doc. just have him DHL any necessary originals.

Very worst case is that they need something else, give a 221g for pending docs and mail the passport as soon as they are received.

Nothing really to worry about here. At least try not to!!
funkyabMaleNorway2008-03-29 12:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions about benef.'s parents
If you dont know where someone is, you dont know where they are!!

Really.... i know these people can be a pain but sometimes in situations like this, i think it is ok to say "F**K if i know"

Think u have nothing to worry about.
Good Luck!!
funkyabMaleNorway2008-03-30 00:58:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Nov 27 2008, 09:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If your husband is agreed to live overseas (Sweden or elsewhere) My advice is to give it a chance and go for it. Life is about a journey and the destination doesn't have to be the US.

The decision should be based on things other than the current financial crisis or benefits in your home country (those are valid of course) but rather on where you want to live, together, where you'll be happy. Millions of people find Europe (even Sweden wink.gif ) a perfectly wonderful place to live, grow and raise a family. (Plus you can always come to the US later on.)

When the opportunity is right for us, we'll gladly move back to Germany - because it's where we love to be.. good.gif


You are absolutely right! smile.gif It isn't about the money, it does count though... I would go anywhere in the world, if I knew we would make it there! I don't need a big house, cars and other things... All I ever wanted is my husband, a family some day and food on the table. I am a very simple girl, my husband is the same way.... I just don't want to make a bad choice, cuz that is about our kids future. I don't want them to grow up in a shady neighborhood with no money, no nothing! My husband never had a bike when he was a little boy, that was his dream. When he got older he made a promise to himself, that one day when he will be a father, that's what he will do... give a bike to his kid. I want to make that happen cuz I know that would make my husband really happy! I'm not sure that will be possible if we decide to live in the US...(this is if things would go downhill for, I mean get really bad! lol) I know for sure this will happen if we decide on living in Sweden....

So.... We have 2 options. A, Stay in "safe" Sweden, pay those crazy taxes...(we will always have food on the table tho) B, Take a chance and go with the US... We might end up in a nice house on the wealthy side of the city.... OR end up in the trailer park next to the city dump! tongue.gif (of course there are things in between those two options too! It's like the lottery, you never know about America... lol)

Whatever we'll decide on, we will win some and we will lose some.... But, hey... that's life! You can have it all...(I wish tho) Thank you so much for your comment! I feel a lot better and less confused about things now....(thanks to everyone who took their time to write a reply!)
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-27 20:19:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (lsma @ Nov 27 2008, 09:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As you have a job and an apartment in Sweden it would seem like a good idea for you both to be there for a few years, start a family - take advantage of the more family friendly system.

I'm not sure what the rules are for Sweden and dual nationality but if there's the option of your husband staying long enough for that then you could DCF for the US visa (much quicker than the K3) and you could follow the US system through to citizenship and then in the future you could both live anywhere in the US or EU without any more visa hassles.

I would have loved to do a similar thing - I had a really good job with fantastic maternity cover in the UK - basically you could take a year off and still come back to your same job/pay with the option of part-time flexible work when you returned.

Unfortunately my husband isn't able to move to the UK for several years and that means I have had to give up my job and am about to move to the US. We are going to want to start a family as soon as possible and I am DREADING doing it within the US system.

Your husband sounds like he is used to travel and living within other countries/cultures - he may relish the challenge of living in Sweden for a few years. He will certainly then be more understanding of your move to the US when that happens.


Hi there! smile.gif

Thank you so much for you comment! The things that you are saying makes much sense. I do think that staying in Sweden is the best thing to do, at least for the next 4-5 years or so... Until the kid/kids are a bit older.(less costs etc) I understand that the difference between the UK and the USA is huge!(when it comes to maternity leave etc)But.... I am sure that your life in the US will be so much better, cuz you will be with your husband! That's what really matters in the end. Too bad your hubby can't move to the UK... But that's life! Ha ha... I guess we can't have it all!(I wish though)

All the best to you and your husband! Good luck in your new country.... smile.gif (Ps. You can take hubby with you back home to the UK in a few years, in case the US doesn't work out for you) tongue.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-27 19:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Reba @ Nov 27 2008, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Isn't Sweden a part of the EU? If it is, then isn't the whole of Europe open to you to immigrate to? If you don't want your husband to have to learn a new language (I'm guessing Swedish isn't that easy, but it can't be more difficult than learning English tongue.gif ) why not pick some other EU country and go there, where there's a large population of English speakers. But I've never met a Swede who didn't speak English, I'll also guess it won't be so difficult for your husband to get around for a while before he picks up a few phrases and eventually finds himself nearly fluent.

If you're both thinking of having children in the next handful of years, I'd seriously think about staying in Sweden or another EU country. Medical costs alone in the US can have you bankrupt just giving birth, and gods forbid if anything happens to the baby or you during birth (The US has the highest mortality rate in all the Western world for pregnant women, can you believe that! Also the highest rate of premies in the Western world, because of lack of prenatal care). Plus of course only 6 weeks maternity leave (UNpaid), and if the baby gets sick, as someone else metioned, you have to use up your precious little vacation time to care for it, or take an FMLA leave (UNpaid).

Medical insurance is another major cost. For just me and my husband I pay over $400 per month premiums, and then still have to pay out of pocket any time we visit the doctor. Depending what the visit is for, that can run anywhere from $10 to $100 if labs are needed.

There are small pockets of the US that have not been terribly hard hit by this recession, but if it goes on much longer, there won't be one single person here not affected by it. We have no way of knowing, short of getting a time machine, what the new year will bring.


Yes, Sweden IS a part of the EU. I did look into this option... I was thinking that we could move to Spain, my husband speak Spanish and I will get fluent in 1 or 2 years I guess... There are thousands of Swedish citizens living(or just vacationing there) in Spain too, so I could probable get a job at a hotel where Scandinavians usually stays at.... My hubby wasn't too happy with that idea though! Ha ha... So I guess that's a no go!

I know that it is very expensive to have a child in the US(and many other countries) and it gets even worse if something should happen during the pregnancy or after the child is born. If you are not sure you will have a easy pregnancy/labor, nothing out of the ordinary, such as preeclampsia or a birth defect(no one can possible know that!)you are good to go! But if anything happens to you or the baby, you are alone to figure how to pay for the hospital care(surgeries, medication etc) That really scares me... Not that I am worrying about it, but IF.... This and knowing that I might not be able to pay for my and my family's health insurance makes me wanna stay in Sweden, but there are so many good things about living in America too... It's not always about the money! Money is not everything, but it sure makes a difference! It wont buy you love or happiness but it does put food on the table... So this is a really hard choice for us! If I had a million dollars on the bank, enough to pay for everything that my family will need... I would definitely choose the US over Sweden!

Well.... We still have a few months to decide on how to do with this! Your comment definitely helps a lot! Thank you so much for your point of view in this. smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-27 19:35:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (frali @ Nov 26 2008, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Having lived in Sweden myself... I would recommend for you to stay in Sweden a bit longer till you make a decision. If it wasn't for the weather I would have myself moved to Sweden. However, as my Swedish cousin says, "You will always be a rich POOR man in Sweden" (Of course he is referring to the high taxes one has to pay).

You are still young... you have a few years to play around with. If I was you I would enroll in a college in Sweden smile.gif

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.


The climate in Sweden is the following: Jan-April, Cold, windy, lots of rain or/and snow. May-July, Chilly/too hot, raining all the time OR too damn dry(in other words you are prohibited to light a fire, which means no BBQ on the beach) Aug-Sep, Super HOT! But some times quite nice... Too bad most people are back to work...(ppl always seem to forget summer does NOT start in June)Oct-Dec, Freezing! Windy, Rain or/and snow(not unusually both on the same week, on and off...) The weather and the high taxes, that is the 2 "issues" I have about Sweden and living there! If Sweden was a country in the Mediterranean, I am sure everyone would immigrate to Sweden! tongue.gif

I am thinking about going back to school(the university)actually! So I might just do that and work for 1-2 years.... Start a family and move to the US when the kids are in middle school or something.... Ha ha....

Thank you for your comment!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-27 19:08:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (LikeALadybug @ Nov 24 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm not gonna tell you not to come to the USA I do really like this country, otherwise I would not have stayed myself, but if you are planning on adding kids to the mix in the near future, I just want to warn you how not-kid friendly the USA is.
You get, about 6 weeks off from work after having a baby, unpaid of course unless you are one in a million who is employed by a company that pays you. You will have to provide health insurance for this child which is very expensive, daycare can be pretty high too, depending on where in the USA you live. When you child is sick, you better hope the company you work for is very understanding, or they will take out any of you vacation days so you can stay home -hopefully you will not get sick yourself too, that even more UNPAID days off from work.

In Denmark where I am from we have very similar benefits Sweden and was horrified to learn how they do thing over here. Luckily, I had my daughter while I was college over here; I could take a semester off and stay home until my child was 6 mo. old - it should be a crime to expect a new mother to leave her child at 6 weeks!

We were planing on going back to Denmark because of the situation over here but at the last minute I was offered a well paid job and we have now filed for AOS instead. I hope things will get better soon and if you decide to come over here, I'm sure you will make it although your standard of living may be lowered for a while - it depends on where you are going and what kind of profession you plan on going into (finance/real estate is not doing very good (-: )
You might newer really notice anything except maybe slightly higher food prices. If you have already applied I would say you might as well go ahead with it and move over here and if things get worse you can always leave. That's what we plan on doing, and I think that is one of the benefits of marrying someone from a foreign country. And who is to say things won't get worse in Europe too - just look at Iceland!

good luck to whatever you decide, it's hard to predict what will come of all this really.


Yep. We do have a lot of benefits in Scandinavia, some times too many in my opinion...(people just want more and more) wink.gif I didn't even think about that before I met my husband... You really have to earn things in the US. You wont get things unless you do something for it. I think that's the way it should be, but not about everything. One thing that I think is better in the US is that you don't pay cuz I want to have kids, that's how it works in Sweden. That is not fair to taxpayers without kids. Well no country is perfect...(If you find the perfect country, pls let me know!) tongue.gif

Well we haven't filed for the K-3 yet, we were going to do that in the beginning of next year. But we are not sure we want that anymore... We do want to live in the US, but starting a family just seem too hard over there. My husband is the one who said that we should move to Sweden, cuz he really knows how hard things can be over there.(He comes from a big family)I have mixed feelings about this right now. Don't know what to do next! But I guess we will give Sweden a try... I'm not so sure my husband will like it though, there is a huge difference in living here and just visiting. I know many Americans that just couldn't stand it here!(life IS very different here compared to the life in the US) And I guess that I would feel the same way about life in the US(if we can't afford a "good life")

I guess the best thing is to stay in Sweden, for now. Cuz I really don't think that we will have the money to start a family, not in the next 5-7 years...(we don't want to wait that long) I'm just afraid my husband will be miserable in Sweden...

Thank you so much for you comment! It's always good to hear someone's opinion! smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-26 18:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (reeses16 @ Nov 24 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can I come to Sweden with you? wink.gif Personally, I would decide on quality of life. I'm near your age and things are difficult starting out. My hubby's been here in the US with me almost 2 years and things have improved tremendously for us. We're looking forward to starting a family in the next year or so, I would jump at the chance stay home with our child without a significant loss of income. Daycare where we live is hard to find and costs more than our rent!


'course you can! yes.gif We really want to start a family too, in the next 2 or 3 years so that is the one of the reasons we're having 2nd thoughts about me moving to the US.... I am happy that things have improved for you guys! The only way is up now... ha ha.... I understand that most people in the US are saving money to be able to afford having a kid in the future, that is not something Swedes have to think about. Life over here is so easy, compared to the life in the US. I just wish that we could bring all those good things to America, cuz that's where we really want to live! Well you cant' have it all...

Daycare is not free in Sweden, but it is not expensive at all...(that's the law, everyone has the rights to daycare for their child. Even if the parents are unemployed!) Both parents have the right to stay at home with their newborn for 3 weeks(again, that's the law) and after the 3 weeks is up, one of the parents will get to stay at home for 390/480 days(mom or dad, it doesn't matter. You will still get 80% of your salary.)Fathers MUST stay at home with the baby for at least 60 days, that's the law.... but you can choose who's going to stay at home with the baby after those 60 days are up. I know many fathers in Sweden that chose to stay at home for 10 months or longer, so that their wife/gf could make a career! Those are the things that I would love to "take with me" to the US... laughing.gif Did i mention that you still will get paid(80%)if you need to stay home from work with your sick child?!(if the kid is 15 yo or younger)Why can't this be the same for the US? ha ha....

I really hope that things will get better soon. People getting their jobs back etc. Cuz I really don't want my husband to move to a new country, again... learn a new language and all that! I believe that a life in the US would have more quality after all... But I can't go, if I can't get a job! sad.gif

All the best to you and your husband! / Janette
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-24 15:58:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Nov 24 2008, 12:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Things are always more difficult financially when you are young. It sounds like you put the relationship first, and you are right - it isn't all about money, etc. Proceed slowly, carefully, and above all together. You are both young enough to ignore the financial mess - it will pass in time. Good Luck!


You are so right! smile.gif This is not about money, but we can't rush into things and get miserable later cuz we chose the wrong path... On the other hand, there's always a way back! My husband and I will decide on what to do when he comes back from Iraq next year. And I know we will be alright, no matter what. Thank you so much for you comment!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 23:55:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (reeses16 @ Nov 23 2008, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
From your first post it sounds like you are in the US and thinking of moving back to Sweden.

Weigh your options carefully. I'm sure you know money isn't everything...focus on the quality of life stuff. The economic problems in the US (and Sweden I'm guessing) will get better in time- and your pay checks will too.

Might be a good idea to put in 3 or so years living in the US now...so that you can get citizenship then you can come and go as couple in & out of the US at will. Otherwise, realize that if you stay in Sweden you will have to go through immigration if you plan to live in the US eventually. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong...its just another path.


I'm back in Sweden for now, my husband will be in Iraq until April 2009. And the Visa waiver only allows me to stay for 90 days at a time... And I do have a job and a apartment in Sweden, so we're in Sweden most of the time. And that is one of the reasons we are thinking about living in Sweden for a few years, or longer.... Who knows in times like these!

The best thing would probable be if I go to the US next year, go all the way with the GC process and so on... Nobody knows how things will be in the future, if the immigration "policy" will change in the next 4 years or not... Who knows if it will get even harder for people to immigrate to the US.... BUT the thing is that there are so many good things about living in Sweden. One example is that when you have a baby, you will get to stay at home with the child for up to 390 days. During that period of time you will keep getting 80% of whatever you make per month!(taxes not incl.) You also have the choice to stay at home for 480 days, but after the 390 days is up you will get about 25 USD per day. Pretty good, huh? ;-)

Well this is really not about getting all the benefits in Sweden or having millions on the bank, we would be happy if we could afford a apartment and live a happy life together. I would go anywhere in the world with my husband... But I don't know if we are willing to give up everything that we have in Sweden for a future in a trailer park, because that's were we might end up...(None of us attended collage, no money saved etc) I would love to go back to school! And I am willing to work with just about anything... But again, who knows in times like these? Will I be able to find a job? My husband is very concerned about all this. He is hearing about all those people losing their jobs and he is worried he wont even get that job!(that they said he would get as soon as he gets back from Iraq) I'm not there to see this with my own eyes, so I really don't know how "bad" things are in the US right now. I really don't want my husband to move to a new country(again)and start all over again with a new language etc. Are the headlines in the newspaper for real? Is is really that bad?(You can imagine how I feel when I'm reading all this about the country I was planning on moving to) Gaaaahh.... I really don't know what to do! :-S

Thank you so much for you comment!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 22:07:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Reba @ Nov 23 2008, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What's your status here then if you have not yet started the AOS process?


What's my status? Well... we were going to file for the K3 Visa... But we're not sure if we are going to do that! We are thinking about living in Sweden instead.
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 13:54:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Thai family @ Nov 23 2008, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mrs. Diaz @ Nov 23 2008, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband and I are having serious thoughts about leaving the US(NYC) for Sweden, my country of birth... We believe that we will have a better life over there(financially)but we really don't know what to do.... We know for sure that we will have more money, a better apartment and such if we do choose to live in Sweden. But we will miss so many things, that both of us love about the US... The people, how "things work", the weather(!) My husband was born in Latin America, came to the US when he was 9... this country is what he calls home. How about me? Well... I have lived in Europe my whole life(we have made many, many trips over seas for the past 3 years!) and I don't have a problem with that... :-p But I wouldn't mind staying in the US. I love it here, but giving up everything that I have here for a future we know nothing about, that's probable not a great move. We don't even know if my husband will still have that job offer he got, before he left for the deployment in Iraq... (He will be home by the end of April) Btw we haven't started the GC process for me yet. So what I am asking for is some advice! What should we do? Choose money over a "happier life"(that we would get in the US) Money is not everything after all.... But it sure makes a difference! Thoughts? I am very thankful for any advice or thoughts about this! :-)

//Janette Diaz



You might not want to rush anything following a deployment. Allow some time after he returns to let the dust settle before making any big life changing decisions. Please thank him for his service.

Thai Mom


This is his 2nd round... So I know things will take time, he will need some time before we make any decisions.... Thank you so much for you comment! smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 00:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
QUOTE (Haole @ Nov 23 2008, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mrs. Diaz @ Nov 22 2008, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband and I are having serious thoughts about leaving the US(NYC) for Sweden, my country of birth... We believe that we will have a better life over there(financially)but we really don't know what to do.... We know for sure that we will have more money, a better apartment and such if we do choose to live in Sweden. But we will miss so many things, that both of us love about the US... The people, how "things work", the weather(!) My husband was born in Latin America, came to the US when he was 9... this country is what he calls home. How about me? Well... I have lived in Europe my whole life(we have made many, many trips over seas for the past 3 years!) and I don't have a problem with that... :-p But I wouldn't mind staying in the US. I love it here, but giving up everything that I have here for a future we know nothing about, that's probable not a great move. We don't even know if my husband will still have that job offer he got, before he left for the deployment in Iraq... (He will be home by the end of April) Btw we haven't started the GC process for me yet. So what I am asking for is some advice! What should we do? Choose money over a "happier life"(that we would get in the US) Money is not everything after all.... But it sure makes a difference! Thoughts? I am very thankful for any advice or thoughts about this! :-)

//Janette Diaz

Sounds like you are pretty young. I suggest you get your US citizenship and then decide. That will give you more options.


I am 27 years old... ;-) Well I don't know if I want to give up my car, job, new apt etc. If I knew that I was going to get a job in the US, I would be on that plane right now.... But it's not that easy, not in times like these...(people losing their jobs because of the financial crisis) Thank you for you comment! //Janette
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 00:24:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLeave the US or not?
My husband and I are having serious thoughts about leaving the US(NYC) for Sweden, my country of birth... We believe that we will have a better life over there(financially)but we really don't know what to do.... We know for sure that we will have more money, a better apartment and such if we do choose to live in Sweden. But we will miss so many things, that both of us love about the US... The people, how "things work", the weather(!) My husband was born in Latin America, came to the US when he was 9... this country is what he calls home. How about me? Well... I have lived in Europe my whole life(we have made many, many trips over seas for the past 3 years!) and I don't have a problem with that... :-p But I wouldn't mind staying in the US. I love it here, but giving up everything that I have here for a future we know nothing about, that's probable not a great move. We don't even know if my husband will still have that job offer he got, before he left for the deployment in Iraq... (He will be home by the end of April) Btw we haven't started the GC process for me yet. So what I am asking for is some advice! What should we do? Choose money over a "happier life"(that we would get in the US) Money is not everything after all.... But it sure makes a difference! Thoughts? I am very thankful for any advice or thoughts about this! :-)

//Janette Diaz
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2008-11-23 00:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCASE COMPLETE!!
QUOTE (GnL @ Jan 30 2009, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My case was completed on 1/29/09!! I'm so anxious for the interview date to come already!! Does anyone know for when I can have a possible interview?

Thanks


Congratulations!!! I'm really happy for you.... :-)

Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-01-30 21:21:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (Jon & Jess @ Mar 1 2009, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I remember reading somewhere that your entries with the Visa Waiver Program has to be at least 5 or 6 months (can't remember which) after your previous departure date.
Like I said I'm not sure where I read this. Try searching for it on the Stockholm American Embassy website.
http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/
I think it was on there that I read it.

(Maybe not much help but I remember reading it somwhere) wacko.gif


I think that when the 90 days are up, you have to stay out of Sweden(or any schengen country)for 180 days or something.... Not sure..... But anyways, I can still go to the US until the day I will be denied entry. wink.gif And My husband(USC)can "ask for" a visa that will be good for 1 year....(It's like a spouse visa sort of...) But to be on the safe side, I better file for a K3 as soon as my husbands deployment is over.....

Thank's!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-01 17:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 1 2009, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Mar 1 2009, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mrs. Diaz @ Mar 1 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 1 2009, 12:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you planning on moving here permanently? If so, when?

If your plans are long range, you might want to consider a K3 visa for your passport. It's multiple entry and you can come and go as you please. It's valid for two years after it's placed in your passport.

It might take you about 9 months to a year to get it though..................

As you are married to a USC, you run a pretty high risk of being turned around as a VWP traveler. All entrants to the US are presumed to have immigrant intent - sort of like being guilty till proven innocent. Your marriage to a USC ramps up your immigrant intent exponentially higher than other persons.


My plan is to move permanently to the US. I wont be able to do so before August 2011(as it is right now. Might change though.) So my plan was to keep coming and going for about 12-18 months, then file for a K3 visa.... But I guess there is a chance my plans will fail.... (If I get denied entry) My husband is in the military, so that has been a great help for me every time I have traveled to the US. I just had to tell the officers that I was going to visit my husband, that is a Marine and that he would be going to Iraq in a near future... And that's where he is now! I did get a few "weird questions" the last time I went to visit my husband. (He was stationed at a base in California at the time) I really can't lie, so every time they have asked me what I am doing in the country I have told them that I'm going to visit my husband and friends...(I didn't say anything about this the few times they didn't ask)

So I could file for a K3 visa now? Even though I wont be able to move to the US until 2011....?(The reason I can't move is that I owe money. A loan from my Swedish bank...)


You can but I think I'd hold off a year or so an then take the IR1 visa route. At the Port of Entry, I think I'd explain you don't plan to move to the US until your husband is discharged from the military or something to that effect. If you can avoid the questions with truthful generic answers like, vacation, tourist or visiting family and friends, then don't spend too much time in the US during the year, you'll have a better chance of successful entry. You're not violating any immigration laws.


She's been going in and out of the country regularly. She is likely to have more questions put to her than the average traveler. It doesn't matter how cleverly one is 'generic' in their answers. If CBP decides the alien might have intent, then the alien will be turned around

A K3 visa would allow her to travel freely without question. As many times as she likes. The visa could even be extended if she does not immigrate into the country within two years of its issuance. They've already been married two years, so when she does enter and files to adjust her status, she will be issued a 10 year greencard thus avoiding the hassle of lifting conditions.

There's essentially no reason for her to choose K3 over IR1 other than she would save a few hundred bucks by not having to adjust her status once she comes to the US. In her situation, the ability to travel freely - worry free - might outweigh that.


Actually I haven't been going in and out that much in the past 7 months because my husband is in Iraq. What I wanted to know is if there is anyway I can use the VWP the way i described in my original post. I would like to be able to do so, but now I understand that this wont go as smooth as I was hoping for.... So I guess a K3 visa will be the only way for me to travel to the US this way.... IR1? This is so confusing....

Thank's ! smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-01 17:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Mar 1 2009, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mrs. Diaz @ Mar 1 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 1 2009, 12:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you planning on moving here permanently? If so, when?

If your plans are long range, you might want to consider a K3 visa for your passport. It's multiple entry and you can come and go as you please. It's valid for two years after it's placed in your passport.

It might take you about 9 months to a year to get it though..................

As you are married to a USC, you run a pretty high risk of being turned around as a VWP traveler. All entrants to the US are presumed to have immigrant intent - sort of like being guilty till proven innocent. Your marriage to a USC ramps up your immigrant intent exponentially higher than other persons.


My plan is to move permanently to the US. I wont be able to do so before August 2011(as it is right now. Might change though.) So my plan was to keep coming and going for about 12-18 months, then file for a K3 visa.... But I guess there is a chance my plans will fail.... (If I get denied entry) My husband is in the military, so that has been a great help for me every time I have traveled to the US. I just had to tell the officers that I was going to visit my husband, that is a Marine and that he would be going to Iraq in a near future... And that's where he is now! I did get a few "weird questions" the last time I went to visit my husband. (He was stationed at a base in California at the time) I really can't lie, so every time they have asked me what I am doing in the country I have told them that I'm going to visit my husband and friends...(I didn't say anything about this the few times they didn't ask)

So I could file for a K3 visa now? Even though I wont be able to move to the US until 2011....?(The reason I can't move is that I owe money. A loan from my Swedish bank...)


You can but I think I'd hold off a year or so an then take the IR1 visa route. At the Port of Entry, I think I'd explain you don't plan to move to the US until your husband is discharged from the military or something to that effect. If you can avoid the questions with truthful generic answers like, vacation, tourist or visiting family and friends, then don't spend too much time in the US during the year, you'll have a better chance of successful entry. You're not violating any immigration laws.


I'm not going anywhere until my husband's contract is up.(Next year some time)He will be back from Iraq in 8 weeks and hopefully he will go back to work... We have been talking about filing for a K3 visa in the fall of this year. I didn't even know there was another visa for me.... From what I've read and heard, K3 is the only way(so I thought)

This is very confusing at the moment.... At least I realized that I can't use the VWP for 12-18 months. At some point they will send me back... I just know it.
I guess we will have to start the K3 process or possible another one.... Very confusing.... Btw I haven't been to the US that many times in the past 2 years. I think it is about 6 times.... My husband is the one who is going to Sweden to see me, which is even worse. Because he can stay for 90 days and after that time is up, he have to stay out of Sweden for 90 days......

Thank's for the comment!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-01 17:23:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (notime4haterz @ Mar 1 2009, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Feb 28 2009, 11:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you planning on moving here permanently? If so, when?

If your plans are long range, you might want to consider a K3 visa for your passport. It's multiple entry and you can come and go as you please. It's valid for two years after it's placed in your passport.

It might take you about 9 months to a year to get it though..................

As you are married to a USC, you run a pretty high risk of being turned around as a VWP traveler. All entrants to the US are presumed to have immigrant intent - sort of like being guilty till proven innocent. Your marriage to a USC ramps up your immigrant intent exponentially higher than other persons.


This is very true. My husband came here many times without any problems. As soon as we got married, they denied him entry. If you do come, don't lie...but don't volunteer information that you're married or engaged either. They might turn you away.


I noticed a big chance since we got married(2007)I didn't have any problems at all before we got married... Not even the time we were on our way to the wedding.... My husband was next to me and we told the officers that we were getting married in the Bahamas in 2 days.... The guy at the desk just said "Congrats! I got married recently myself..." But the first time I went to see my husband after we were married was different. I was a bit worried actually.... sad.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-01 13:09:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 1 2009, 12:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you planning on moving here permanently? If so, when?

If your plans are long range, you might want to consider a K3 visa for your passport. It's multiple entry and you can come and go as you please. It's valid for two years after it's placed in your passport.

It might take you about 9 months to a year to get it though..................

As you are married to a USC, you run a pretty high risk of being turned around as a VWP traveler. All entrants to the US are presumed to have immigrant intent - sort of like being guilty till proven innocent. Your marriage to a USC ramps up your immigrant intent exponentially higher than other persons.


My plan is to move permanently to the US. I wont be able to do so before August 2011(as it is right now. Might change though.) So my plan was to keep coming and going for about 12-18 months, then file for a K3 visa.... But I guess there is a chance my plans will fail.... (If I get denied entry) My husband is in the military, so that has been a great help for me every time I have traveled to the US. I just had to tell the officers that I was going to visit my husband, that is a Marine and that he would be going to Iraq in a near future... And that's where he is now! I did get a few "weird questions" the last time I went to visit my husband. (He was stationed at a base in California at the time) I really can't lie, so every time they have asked me what I am doing in the country I have told them that I'm going to visit my husband and friends...(I didn't say anything about this the few times they didn't ask)

So I could file for a K3 visa now? Even though I wont be able to move to the US until 2011....?(The reason I can't move is that I owe money. A loan from my Swedish bank...)
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-01 13:00:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 1 2009, 12:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mrs. Diaz @ Feb 28 2009, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (notime4haterz @ Feb 28 2009, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Some people visit without any problems...some people have been denied entry when customs finds out you're married/engaged. So it depends on you luck. Most people I think, have no problem.


OK. That's what I thought too.... So I guess I will just have to go for it and hope for the best! wink.gif I did get some weird q's back when we we're dating.... Like they thought I was going to stay in New York and never return home.... But I think that the risk(of being denied)is very small, now that my country is not a "high fraud" country. But who knows......

Thank you for your comment!


There aren't any 'rules' but CBP officers like to see that you are spending more time in your home country than in the US.

In determining what your chances for success on another entry might be, consider how much time you spent back home in the last 12 months. And how long the duration of your US visits were. Folks who don't push the envelope on their 90 day limit each time they visit and stay home a few months between each visit usually have good luck.

Make sure you are traveling with a return ticket and that you carry evidence of returning home (such as a lease).


I will always have my return ticket with me, it's way cheaper that way..... smile.gif So that wont be a problem. And I will never stay for more than 30 days at a time. Possible 8 weeks in the summer, but never more than that... I guess I will have to bring evidence, such as a lease or other documents that will prove strong ties to my home country. I might get denied one day.... I hope not!

Thank's so much for your comment! smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-02-28 23:44:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
QUOTE (notime4haterz @ Feb 28 2009, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Some people visit without any problems...some people have been denied entry when customs finds out you're married/engaged. So it depends on you luck. Most people I think, have no problem.


OK. That's what I thought too.... So I guess I will just have to go for it and hope for the best! wink.gif I did get some weird q's back when we we're dating.... Like they thought I was going to stay in New York and never return home.... But I think that the risk(of being denied)is very small, now that my country is not a "high fraud" country. But who knows......

Thank you for your comment!

Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-02-28 22:41:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs there a "limit"?
I was trying to find out how many times per year I can travel to the US on a I-94 Visa Waiver....

I didn't find anything saying "you can enter xxx times"... All I found was that it's valid for 90 days, which I already knew.... I just want to know if there will be a problem if I travel to the US 6 times per year and stay for 30 days each time.

I am married to a USC, so I guess they will think that I'm trying to immigrate illegally...? The reason I'm asking this is cuz I can't move to the US right now.(I would probable get my visa within 8 months or so, if I would file.....)So... will I be denied and sent back home when I try to enter, or is it OK to come and go as many times as you like? I don't want to do anything wrong, cuz we're going to file for the K3 visa, as soon as I will be able to leave Sweden...

I've read stories about people that have been sent back home to where they came from, all because the officers at the US airport thought that they were trying to immigrate.... I def. don't want that to happen to me! tongue.gif

Anyone out there who knows the answer to this? smile.gif
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-02-28 21:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat should I wear to my Visa interview ????
QUOTE (bryb @ Mar 17 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Still waiting on a interview date what should I wear to my Visa interview I am so undecided on what to wear.


You shouldn't think too much about it! smile.gif Just wear something nice that you feel comfortable in.(you don't want to wear a itchy shirt or something that you don't like!) I wouldn't wear jeans and a tee though. But I'm sure a lot of people wear that to their interview... (I know that some people wear a suit and tie.)

Good luck!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-03-17 16:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit Of support
QUOTE (FredErika @ Aug 2 2009, 06:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bayojona3231 @ Aug 2 2009, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (FredErika @ Aug 2 2009, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everyone!
Me and my fiancee has a question.

In the affidavit of support you have to state that you are capable of supporting the benificiary (kind of)
But how much do you have to earn? And is it based on yearly income or yearly income AFTER debts in short, what you bring in.
My fiancee is confused and so am i.

Every answer is cherished.

Thank you all!

Fred n Erika


It is based on the number of people in your household. You must earn enough to support your household or you would need a co-sponsor. Look at the guidelines. Good luck on your journey.

Yeah thank you, but we were wondering if its the yearly income number or the yearly income AFTER rent and debts etc thats gonna count. Cuz shes just one in her household, two with me.


Well, what you have to make is the amount listed on the poverty guidelines. (Per year.) :-)

Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-08-02 17:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionconsulate ask to speak with petioner before my fiance was interviewed
QUOTE (bridget and alen @ Dec 4 2009, 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i flew to be with my fiance at his upcoming interview.it is dec.14.the consulate requested i come speak with him prior to the interview.i was grilled by 7 men for 2 hrs about our relationship.although we have basically lived together for the last seven months.if your relationship is called into question be prepared with evidence as much evidence as possible.i am a us citizen and i scared me silly.i felt like i was on trial.now we must both go to his interveiw and go thru this all again.but i have so much proof that i dont think we will have a problem.600 pictures,airplane tickets,reciept for every sightseeing trip or hotel stay,letters from friends and family.be prepared people ,they even asked if my fiance offer me money to marry him.good luck to u all.i pray each night for all here and i ask you all say a prayer for us on dec.14. star_smile.gif


I'm so sorry for you! I would had been scared to death if that was me!! I have no doubts that it had to do with the fact that your guy is an Iraqi, (living in Sweden.) I don't know what to say.... It's just so... wow...

Hopefully this wont happen to me, cuz I know I will start to cry.... or pee my pants....! I'm a blonde, green eyed Swede though.. I guess nothing like this will happen to me!

Good luck Bridget and Alen!!!
Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-12-05 18:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHelp! Changed interview date in Rio
Awww... I'm so sorry!!! This is just the worst scenario ever... well, at least a really bad one! I wish that I could say that you will be alright. But I really can't, cuz there is probable not much anyone can do about this. They changed the interview date for some unknown reason and I don't think they will "change it back". But you have to try to talk to them, make them change the interview date back to the original one. It might work if you call them up again!? Don't give up! good.gif

Good luck!



QUOTE (dvit @ Dec 18 2009, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never posted before but have been gratefully following advice on here since before we even filed for the fiance visa. And everything has gone very smoothly...until today. The consulate in Rio called my fiance in Brazil and told him they were sorry, but that they would not longer be able to have his scheduled interview on January 6th and needed to move it to January 7th. They refused to tell him why. We have had this interview date scheduled since the first week of November, and have both made plans to travel to Rio so we can be at the interview together. My flight to come back to the US leaves the evening of the 6th, his flight back home to Salvador leaves the morning of the 7th. We both spent considerable money on our travel plans (if you can imagine how expensive it is to fly from New York in the dead of winter to Rio for Reveillon...well, yeah, it cost a lot) and have non-refundable tickets. We did everything right - we had confirmation in writing, reconfirmed via email, had every reasonable assurance that the interview would occur on the 6th and now they call us the week before Christmas with this news.

Is there anything I can do as the USC? The woman at the consulate who spoke to my fiance (she was a native Portuguese speaker so there was no chance that anything was misconstrued) said we shouldn't worry, I don't need to be at the consulate with him, etc....but that's not the point! I really WANT to be there with him. And certainly he needs to be there! We planned our entire holiday season around this interview...for nothing, it seems.

We are not made of money - this process has cost us a lot, as has planning for a wedding and for the fact that he won't be able to work for a while. It's like they don't understand that people have lives and jobs outside of this process - except they certainly care about the money those jobs provide when it comes to making decisions about our future.

Sorry, this turned into a bit of rant, but I'm just so frustrated!!! Any suggestions would be really helpful, particularly as they apply to the Rio consulate.


Mrs. DiazFemaleSweden2009-12-18 18:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket 3 and 4 - What's in it??
Ok.. thank you guys.

I'll look into it.. I know there is an embassy here in Sweden.. been there before..
I just wanted to take a look at all the papers before I get them so I can prepar better and when I get them it will be faster.

But thenk you for now!
misspkmFemaleSweden2008-01-14 05:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket 3 and 4 - What's in it??
Hello to you all.

I am a new member as of today and I have a few questions on what is coming next...

My fiance is in Philadelphia and I am in Sweden... and at least I am going crazy being away from him!!!
I know you all know exactly how I feel... no one at home understand how it feels. (you know what I am talking about?!)

Ok.. so we got engaged on Nov 24th and sent in our I-129F before christmas and have received the NOA1.

I am going to Philly on a VWP on Feb 1st until beginning of april. And I just wanted to prepair as much as I could in advance for packet 3 and 4.

Is there anywhere I could find information on this??

I have to say that this site helped us alot with the application!!!

Have a great weekend!! good.gif
misspkmFemaleSweden2008-01-11 09:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-864 How to meet the poverty requirements
Ok!!

Thank you!!
I wonder why I though it would be the I-864?!?!
A well the I-134 seemed a little easier to fill out and a good thing I found out now.. smile.gif

Thank's again.

I am sure we will be fine with what we got, or what he has wink.gif
misspkmFemaleSweden2008-02-13 16:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-864 How to meet the poverty requirements
Hello There..

I am trying to make my fiance as prepaired as possible for the upcoming paperwork that he has to fill in for me. This one is about the income based on the W-2s.

My finace (by the way- how many e:s is there really - is it different for the woman/man, I have seen fiancé, fiance, and fiancee what is is and for whom?!? (thanks))..

Back to the question... My future husband wink.gif did bearly work at all during 2007 because of different reasons, one main thing he didn't need to. And from just getting out of the Marine Corps he felt like he needed a break - and who can blame him really!? So from him not working that much 2007 he does not meet the povery guidelines for that year, based on the W-2s.

This year however he will be more than double the required amount if we are allowed to count his salary for the rest of the year.

My questions are now:

-Do they look at 2007 first since there are no W-2s for 2008 yet?
-How many pay stubs should he attach to show that he will make the requirements of 2008?
-Does he need to add a bank statement about his savings to cover up for 2007? (His savings will make up for more than a year requirements)

Any other ideas guys??

Take care and thank you for being here!!
misspkmFemaleSweden2008-02-13 12:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-1 Interview and Medical
QUOTE (jzoom6 @ Apr 28 2008, 02:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As many have pointed out from various experiences, its better to be prepared and NOT need it, rather than the other possibility. Think of the scrapbook as a keepsake from your efforts of immigration and moving. Don't just toss it aside as if it were a waste. Sorry to hear that the medical expenses were high, but I guess its just another hurdle to jump in order to be with your loved one. We all are making sacrifices, glad to hear yours were worth the trouble.



Yeah I know.. And off course I am glad I did the scrapbook -now I can show everyone at least a little bit of our times together! It is a really good memory!

It is just the stress you go through in order to get everything right.. and then they don't really care that much (it seems) in the end anyway. Money is just money.. it is just that we have a lot of it going out and not as much coming in at the moment... but time will change! And at least we will be together soon!! Thank you for your words.
misspkmFemaleSweden2008-04-30 19:59:00