ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 8 2009, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wasabi @ May 8 2009, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm also culturally Jewish and my soon to be wife is Buddhist. I was married to a Thai woman before and had the full Buddhist ceremony as you describe. It was indeed a very memorable experience, and even though I speak Thai very well I had no idea what was going on too. This time around we decided to skip the ceremonies though I did hook her up with some gold which she feels is a completely satisfactory substitute to the full ceremony. Now I have to consider how to take care of the marriage business in the USA, perhaps Vegas is in order?


Cool! Are you processing your visa through BKK as well? I don't know how Laos processes. I know that Cambodia now goes through Pnomh Penh (they used to go through BKK). Does the US have an embassy in Laos with an IV unit? I know I could look it up, but I'm lazy tongue.gif

Anyway, if you are processing through BKK, you may want to monitor the Sawasdee 3 thread. We are having some active discussion there regarding processing times through the embassy, including these long delays for Packet3/Packet4/Interview handling.


Yes even though she is Lao we are trying to do it all through BKK since we both live here. I have heard the Thai embassy is easier to deal with than the Laos one.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-09 06:27:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (uscandual @ May 6 2009, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Badgerella @ May 6 2009, 03:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We plan to have a civil wedding (at least that's what a wedding that does not include a religious ceremony is...), with a reception, for my fiance's family and friends and whoever who can come from Croatia, that being my family and friends. Considering the distance and expenses, . We'll do our best to organize it (my fiance and his family will do pretty much all the work) while I am still in Croatia - according to our current plans, I'll be arriving 10-ish days prior to the wedding (or more, if other circumstances allow it). Later, when I can travel, we'll be back to Croatia and we'll have a reception for everyone from here. There might be a catholic church ceremony, but we're not yet sure about that.


Cool smile.gif

Who else wants to share wedding plans?
In our case we already had a large Buddhist ceremony in Thailand last September. That was quite an experience! I had virtually no idea of all that was going on about me, but it was quite a commotion with 9 saffron robed Buddhist monks and lots of 'wai'-ing (a ceremonial bow that I still can't get the hang of). We did not register at the Amphur (roughly equivalent to the county clerk), so it's not considered a legal wedding and we are not married. VERY IMPORTANT for K-1 filers!!!

When Thanti finally gets here to the US (which should be, oh, any century now .... girlwerewolf2xn.gif ) we have 3 options. The first and easiest is to have a quick civil ceremony at the county offices. The second is to try to find a Reform Jewish Rabbi who would be willing to perform a Jewish wedding ceremony for us, even though Thanti is not Jewish. And the third option is to take a mad-lark trip to Vegas and get married there laughing.gif .

The advantage to the first is that I already had a big fancy wedding years ago in my first marriage, and don't really feel the need for such a thing again. And we did have the big Buddhist event for her family in Thailand. So probably best to have a quick low-key modest ceremony just so we can get on with the AOS filing.

The advantage to the second is that I guess I still feel some latent attachment to my upbringing. I consider myself to be 'lapsed Jewish', culturally attached but not practicing. Maybe some inner voice is trying to tell me that our new Buddhist-Jewish household should start off with both Buddhist & Jewish ceremonies.

The advantage to the third is that it would be just a fun-crazy thing to do!! Take a few days off work, book a nice hotel on the Strip, see some shows, and get married by an Elvis impersonator.

We might even do a combination of these - maybe the second and third.


Ok, who want's to go next... don't be shy smile.gif


I'm also culturally Jewish and my soon to be wife is Buddhist. I was married to a Thai woman before and had the full Buddhist ceremony as you describe. It was indeed a very memorable experience, and even though I speak Thai very well I had no idea what was going on too. This time around we decided to skip the ceremonies though I did hook her up with some gold which she feels is a completely satisfactory substitute to the full ceremony. Now I have to consider how to take care of the marriage business in the USA, perhaps Vegas is in order?
wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-08 00:10:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
My friends, I was released from NVC on 05/05/2009. Thanks for all the information and support.


Edited by wasabi, 06 May 2009 - 07:45 AM.

wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-06 07:43:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (slujon @ May 5 2009, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
out of AP may 4th YEA!!!!!!!


Congrats. Looks like you were in 2 days before me, hopefully that means I'll be out this week.

Edited by wasabi, 05 May 2009 - 11:16 AM.

wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-05 11:14:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (Badgerella @ May 4 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (LUISH @ May 4 2009, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
and there were questions like when and how was the last time they had made love, this is just an example

Also, no matter how hard I try, I can't wrap my head around this. For the life of me, I can't imagine any CO asking this type of a question, under any circumstances. My whatever common sense says that this particular question was added to the whole story either by your sister, or you, for.. a shocking purpose.

I'll be very, very surprised if I'm wrong.



I disagree. This is not uncommon at all if the interview doubts the validity of a relationship. They can and will ask all kinds of intimate details to assure you are telling the truth. Typically the husband and wife are put in separate rooms and asked the same questions. Then the answers are compared. This was in the movie 'Green Card' and is a real phenomenon.

However if your relationship is legit no matter how personal the questions may be you should be able to answer them.

** found this http://***removed***/greencard/***removed***/marriage-based-greencard-fraud-interview.html

Edited by wasabi, 04 May 2009 - 11:42 AM.

wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-04 11:40:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
LUISH,

What you say is very worrisome but also what I expected. For me personally I married a Thai lady 5 years ago. We were only together a year and have been divorced for 4 years. I am curious if this is why I got stuck in AP. I did not expect to get married again but I decided to come to Thailand to study Thai language since I learned a lot while I was with my wife and saw no reason not to keep studying it. Well I met a girl from Laos while here who I have petitioned to marry after living with her for one year.

I am able to work remotely for my US based job so I have been waiting out the process with her here. I realize this is a position many people would like to be in but I am worried how it will look to the interviewer and if they will trust my job is stable and how many questions they will ask about my ex wife who went back to Thailand after we divorced. I don't have anything to hide but at the same time I hope I don't have to start answering too many questions about my life because in any situation the more you have to answer for yourself the more someone can trip you up. I'll be very glad when this whole thing is over. I did call this morning and sure enough I'm still in AP.


wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-04 10:02:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (mikef @ May 1 2009, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you guys counting the weekends? I am


For the 36 number yes I am but to be fair to NVC we actually shouldn't count weekends and holidays. Without counting these I believe I am only at 26 Business days. But it still FEELS like 36 days because it is!
wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-01 14:35:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (mikef @ May 1 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
37 days and counting



QUOTE (slujon @ May 1 2009, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
38 days and counting

36 days and counting though it would have looked cooler if I was at 39

wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-01 10:43:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (uscandual @ Apr 28 2009, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wasabi @ Apr 28 2009, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another week goes by. Still in AP! ranting33va.gif


Go wasabi go! Time to hit NVC with that strong spicy green stuff! Make 'em feel PAIN devil.gif
I think you should get out soon... you've been in just over a month now, by current experience you could be out any day..... good luck!



Thanks everyone. I hope so too! By the way I am living in Thailand and it was pouring two days ago. My soi was flooded and I had to take a motorcycle taxi. I was thinking about your wife's accident and praying the guy didn't tip over. Fortunately I made it.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-29 04:34:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
Another week goes by. Still in AP! ranting33va.gif
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-28 12:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (mikef @ Apr 24 2009, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
called NVC today, still on AP. 30 days and counting, ridiculus


I share your frustration but all we can do is grin and bear it. If I start trying to understand the 'reasons' for this delay I just get mad.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-24 09:35:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
I've been calling every Monday. I just did my weekly call a few minutes ago. "Well sir it does appear you are undergoing some additional processing. We can't give you a time frame when that will be complete. Is there anything else I can help you with."

Oh well the wait goes on...
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-20 07:38:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
If you want to see how many business working days you have been stuck in AP you can use the =NETWORKDAYS function in Excel. I have Excel 2007, I'm not sure if it is available in earlier versions but it counts days excluding weekends, you can also make it exclude holidays. For example the poster above me Badgerella was in AP for 35 business days if you discount Christmas, Christmas eve and New Years Day. This doesn't make the wait go any faster but might help the anxiety that something is wrong since it's at NVC for slightly less time than we think.

Edited by wasabi, 19 April 2009 - 12:27 AM.

wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-19 00:23:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (toddandhien @ Apr 11 2009, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wasabi @ Apr 11 2009, 02:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wasabi @ Apr 10 2009, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have received an NVC case number in the mail but when I call the hotline it says case not received. The case number was assigned almost two weeks ago. When I call and ask about the case it is in their system just not in the automated phone system. has anyone else had this happen to them?

QUOTE
You should talk directly to operator, after press #1 for English, normal press #5 immediately or #2 in system


I have called and the operator can see the case. I just can't check it with the phone system which would be more ideal. Can anyone check their cases using the automated phone system?


K-1 cases cannot be checked through the automated system. You must speak to an operator each time.


Thanks, I'll stop wasting my time with the automated system.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-11 09:28:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
QUOTE (wasabi @ Apr 10 2009, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have received an NVC case number in the mail but when I call the hotline it says case not received. The case number was assigned almost two weeks ago. When I call and ask about the case it is in their system just not in the automated phone system. has anyone else had this happen to them?

QUOTE
You should talk directly to operator, after press #1 for English, normal press #5 immediately or #2 in system


I have called and the operator can see the case. I just can't check it with the phone system which would be more ideal. Can anyone check their cases using the automated phone system?
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-11 01:13:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
I have received an NVC case number in the mail but when I call the hotline it says case not received. The case number was assigned almost two weeks ago. When I call and ask about the case it is in their system just not in the automated phone system. has anyone else had this happen to them?
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-10 22:28:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
This AP ####### is absolute BS! I am not from a closed off communist country. I live in a democracy and have a right to know what is going on with my petition. I would not mind so much if they would tell me more than oh you are undergoing additional processing. Why the meaningless ambiguous term? They should tell us exactly what they are doing and why. This isn't Guantanamo. Oh well I know I'm powerless over the whole thing so I'll just sit back and take it.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-09 11:03:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
Damn this sucks. I just joined the AP club. I'm so glad this site exists or I'd have no clue what to expect. It seems it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-08 10:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)I129F K1 file from USCIS to NVC not received...
It's been 2 weeks since my NOA2. Not at NVC yet. Hopefully soon.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-03-30 15:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Help
How recent does the letter from one's employer need to be?
wasabiMaleThailand2009-04-30 07:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical Exam Cost in Bangkok?
Fiance just had hers today at Bumrungrad 5500 for exams and vaccinations. She is 31 so no HPV needed.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-15 08:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134
QUOTE (BrianandMerne @ May 21 2009, 01:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
if you would just add your son as a co - sponsor, you would be fine


I am not sure if this is true. Isn't it that a co sponsor themselves must meet the requirements? If the son himself meets the requirements he could be the cosigner but I don't know if you can do some type of cumulative affidavit to meet the req.
wasabiMaleThailand2009-05-21 00:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNaturalization from overseas
QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Feb 2 2008, 12:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
1 You should apply before leaving per the Naturalization guide book.

http://www.uscis.gov...ticle/M-476.pdf


Are you sure about that? Page 34 says of the guide book says...
"What if I live overseas? If you are overseas and filing Form N-400, you should send your application to the Service Center that serves the USCIS office where you want to be interviewed. For example, if you want to be interviewed at the Honolulu office, you should send your application to the California Service Center."
According to this you could apply before or after you leave.

BTW, thank you everyone for your posts on this topic! This is by far the best information I've been able to find online. USCIS customer service doesn't even know what I'm talking about when I ask them how to apply under 319b.
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-02-19 17:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionExpedited Naturalization Help!!
I was reading the requirements for this and it says "you must show evidence that you will depart to join your U.S. citizen spouse within 45 days of your naturalization." That means you have 45 days between naturalization and departure to apply and receive a passport correct? Is this enforced? The timing of this could be really tricky!
My time of departure for work is flexible so I'd like to time this so we don't have to make a trip back for the final interview and ceremony.
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-05-30 03:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPRAYER request for me please!!!!!!!
QUOTE (Aussielad @ Sep 8 2008, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
please...need your prayers...now over 15 days and still no cashed cheque, very worried!, prayers would be appreciated thanks!


I'm going on day 14. I strongly suspect it had something to do with labor day weekend. People taking the Friday before off in addition to the Monday holiday. Then they have a build up of applications to get out. Hopefully we'll both hear by the end of this week. Grab your beverage of choice and try to relax and get your mind on other things. good.gif
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-09-10 21:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionContacting your congress-person
I did it twice. Both times, our problem was solved within days. My local U.S. Reps office gave me a standard "constituent request form" that just asked me for details of our case. Then they sent an inquiry to an office in USCIS called the "Congressional Liaison Office." My U.S. Reps office showed me the e-mail they received. It was long with detailed explanations with what was going on with the case; stuff you'll never get over the phone. I've read others say that all this can do is get you information USCIS won't give you over the phone. That may be true but let's be honest, this is politics. If you hear from the office of one of the most powerful men/women in America who helps make decisions as to whether or not your office receives federal funding, what are you going to do? good.gif

Edited by feyser, 19 September 2008 - 07:07 AM.

mnbinthMaleThailand2008-09-19 07:03:00
US Citizenship General Discussionoath letter received
QUOTE (david71 @ Nov 19 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Guys,

All those who has interviewed and waiting for oath letter here are some good news.
My wife had interviewed in Oct 9th in New york. After the interview they hand out a paper to her stating that she had passed the civic test and a decision will be in the mail within 60-90 days. She was very upset like others. finally she received her oath letter yesterday for Dec 9th.

david

2 Months between interview and oath? Oh man I hope my office doesn't take that long. blink.gif Congratulations, the end is near!
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-11-19 10:44:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCASE STATUS ON LINE NOT WORKING?
Is this the page you want? It works for me today.
https://egov.uscis.g...earchDisplay.do

Edited by feyser, 20 November 2008 - 09:02 PM.

mnbinthMaleThailand2008-11-20 21:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhy the discrepancy between real life dates and "Processing Timeframes" on USCIS site?
QUOTE (manty @ Dec 2 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm new to this N-400 process, and I had a kinda dumb question. Looking at the threads entitled July 2008 filers, August 2008 filers etc., I'm seeing that plenty (if not all) applicants who sent in N-400s a few months ago are already getting interview dates.

But the USCIS field office processing timeframes listed on the USCIS site say that N-400 processing timeframes are dates like March, 2008, November 2007, etc.

Can anyone explain the discrepancy between the timeframes reported by USCIS and the real life timeframes?

Thanks!

I'm no expert, but I'm guessing they do it to cover their own butt so people don't complain when it takes longer than what the processing time says.
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-12-02 18:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Interview Experience (12/3)
Thanks for the encouragement and congratulations!
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-12-04 21:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionU.S. Passport in less than 10 days!
good.gif Congrats!
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-11-20 21:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2nd Fingerprint appointment
QUOTE (ssonia @ Dec 6 2008, 04:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I filled for N-400 on January 2007 and since then waiting. So its been almost two yrs for name check to be done. Last week i got letter for second fingerprint appointment. Now wondering do i have to go through same waiting period again? or should i expect my IL very soon or whats going on wacko.gif

According to my lawyer, they are only good for 6 months. My wife had only 8 months between fingerprints and still had to do it twice.
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-12-15 15:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship questions
QUOTE (Kajikit @ Dec 15 2008, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Now I've got my greencard approved it's time to think about citizenship. I think I could apply for it tomorrow based on the 90 day rule (it's our fourth wedding anniversary next week, and my third anniversary of getting my conditional greencard in mid-January)? I'm not going to though - we don't have the money! It's going to take awhile to save up for it, and once I finally have my 10-year greencard the pressure is off for a bit. So, how much does it cost? And roughly how long is it taking from beginning to end? As long as lifting conditions on my greencard did (12 months)?

It looks like it's taking 3 to 4 months from NOA to Oath ceremony for most people. It depends on your local office.
mnbinthMaleThailand2008-12-15 15:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow did you study the 100 questions?
My sister has a final test in her high school government class coming up and guess what the test is. She has to get 90 out of 100 on the naturalization test to pass the class. 6 out of 10 doesn't seem so bad anymore. laughing.gif

Edited by feyser, 02 December 2008 - 11:57 PM.

mnbinthMaleThailand2008-12-02 23:55:00
US Citizenship General Discussionhow long are biometrics good for?
My former attorney said biometrics are good for 6 months. My wife had to do it again after 10 months.
mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionImmigration lawyer
QUOTE (hr33 @ Jan 4 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My N-400 is under process. My green card is marriage based. I was interviewed (and passed the test) on August 10,2007. Since then I am waiting for the oath ceremony. I have contacted USCIS many times and even my congressman's office (on my request) contacted them, they told that the delay is not because of my name check , but they are not telling how long it will take to call me for the oath ceremony.
I want to know if an immigration lawyer can help me in this situation? I mean can a lawyer make this process go faster? if so how much it will cost? --- Thanks.

Lawyers are worthless. I resent the fact I ever hired one...
Do what everyone else says and keep trying your Congressmen. I am one of many others who has had great success going through Congressmen.

Edited by mnbinth, 10 January 2009 - 10:47 PM.

mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:46:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInfopass
QUOTE (Roka22 @ Jan 4 2009, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone,
Just waiting for oath letter, made and infopass appointment for next week, just wondering what to expect. The appointment is for my husband. Will they let me go in with him? Thanks for any info.

We were both allowed in "the room" where about 30 people were waiting when we made an infopass appointment. It was awful. There was no privacy and the booth where we talked with the USCIS agent was in the same room. EVERYONE could hear everything we talked about it. They were unhelpful and it was a waste of time, but that was just our one time experience.
Have you tried contacting your U.S. Senator or Rep's office? They were extremely helpful to us!
mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussionapproved n-400 is this for real?
Congratulations! good.gif
mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAre spouses allowed in the interview?
I'm driving my wife to her naturalization interview next week. Am I allowed to sit in on the interview? How long was your interview?
mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPictures at Oath Ceremony
I don't think you're allowed to bring a camera into the building. Does anyone take a picture at the oath ceremony? It would seem they would be allowed at such a meaningful event.
mnbinthMaleThailand2009-01-10 22:37:00