Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (ErikaAndHamit @ Nov 20 2009, 04:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> internetkafe...I see you live in Phoenix...we have been driving every few weeks to try a new Turkish restaurant in Phoenix...we don't have any Turkish restaurants here in Tucson...just got back form Med Fresh Grill in Tempe and it was very good! Efes was 50/50 Arabic/Turkish...ok and not worth the money! You know of any other restaurants? Wow, how did I not see this message of yours? Sorry. We live in Wisconsin. Phoenix, AZ is the place where immigration papers were filed at. I want to visit AZ very much.Also Nevada.Because of CSI I started being interested in that region. You are lucky to have several Turkish restaurants in your state. We have one and a half in the entire WI The half calls itself Mediterranean restaurant (its name is Tulip). We went there a few times but its offerings are not authentic enough for my taste.The other restaurant is co-owned by a half Turk/half Syrian and an Egyptian. Their food is better prepared but the restaurant is very small and not all the menu items are Turkish.But they are all very delicious. I am getting hungry If you come to WI, let us know	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-20 17:06:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Yes ErikaandHamit, you are right. K3 is more difficult than K1. You can get a temporary employment authorization with K1 but you can not with K3 for example. So it seems the hospital in Istanbul charges more than Dr Ungan? http://www.doctorun....p?categoryid=13	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-20 11:12:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	I got both K1 and K3 (and CR1) and I have at least 2 vaccination paperwork- maybe 3- from the doctor visits. If required for K3, it should be the same for K1, do not you think so? Did they change the vaccination requirements now? At the embassy they used to take all the vaccination papers and put them in your file.And a copy stayed with the applicant. Either way you have to get a doctor's appointment and filled-out vaccination paper, in Turkey or in the US. If it is not required for K1 as you say, then it is up to the applicant to decide which is going to be cheaper. The way the healthcare is in the US I do not think it is going to be cheaper here.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-19 17:29:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Der Bücherwurm @ Nov 19 2009, 08:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Does anyone know how much each vaccination will cost and which one's they require? I have a printout for the medical that they sent me with the interview schedule and it says that blood tests are $60, x-ray is $45 and physician is $70. So that's $175 and then add to that the cost of the vaccines. It says each vaccine can cost anywhere from $5 to $200 depending on the vaccine. My husband was in the Navy so he had to have his last round of vaccines when he joined but he has since lost all his medical records so it looks like he will have to get a lot of shots that he has already had again. I'm worried about the cost if some of the vaccines are going to cost $200. No need to worry, it costs around 200-300 at most all inclusive. I visited the doctor in Kavaklidere, close to Tunalihilmi/Kugulu Park.I do not remember the name of the doctor. You can tell the receptionist and the doctor (both) that your husband received all the vaccinations available in the Navy.They will still vaccinate (a few) and it will cost less than 300 in total. That was my experience anyway.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-19 13:59:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (carol and jacob @ Nov 17 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Gil + Pel @ Nov 8 2009, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Keysersoze @ Nov 8 2009, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It shows that you jump in front of many people. Who?? me ??? I don't know how they prioritize it but one thing I know is that they consider the expiration date written on NOA2. Ankara embassy usually schedules appointments for 2-3 months after all documents are submitted.I submitted mine on September 24 and got an interview date for december 1. ... 2 months after ... and the expiration date of our NOA2 is december 25. I was wondering about the expiration date on the NOA2 because ours expired on 01/02/2010 and our interview date is 01/28/2010....that's 26 days after expiration! I am guessing that they must extend the expiration because all of these dates are in the embassy's control. Are you going to Ankara for the interview? We are strongly considering it. As much as we would like to save the money, I am thinking that it would be nice to be there together for this most important decision. Do you know if USC fiancees are permitted into the interview? Carol Yes, they revalidate the petition.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-18 12:12:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	They add the vaccination papers to the file. Not optional.At least that was the way back in 2005-2006.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-16 17:52:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	From the consulate as far as I remember.And the list on the embassy's website is not all inclusive.Some interviews can be arranged during the time-frame of the list but they may not appear there for some reason.If you call/email/write a letter to the embassy telling them that your spouse will be in town for this or that week only and s/he wants to attend the interview and ask them to please arrange a day and time during that specific week/14 days (however you want to put it) they might do that.But you must be convincing and insistent.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-12 17:30:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Nov 7 2009, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (internetkafe @ Nov 6 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I understand your concern about passport expiry dates.But no need to. I sent copy of my passport with less than 6 months of validity and I had it renewed just before the interview.If money is not a big problem, of course it is better to extend it now to be 100% sure and safe. I'm stressing over everything these days.. my "concern of the moment" is not actually having planned a wedding date yet. So many people I have talked to had been working on wedding plans before they even filed.. that seems a little crazy to me, but I like to plan things cautiously. I have never, ever wanted the big, white wedding and don't plan on doing one now. My dream wedding would be to go to Turkey, with my family,and have a Turkish wedding with his family there too. We'll do that one day, but as far as our K1 goes.. we plan to have a civil ceremony here and then have a "wedding" at a later time. Our general thought is to go to Vegas, as my father lives there, and have the other members of my immediate family join us out there. We both want to just do something small and simple. But we haven't even talked about it much, because we can't really plan anything until we know an interview date, have an approval, know when he's coming etc. The time of year he will be coming here will be difficult for me, work-wise, because we will be getting ready for the amusement park I work at to re-open for the spring. Planning is going to be tough, but I know we will be able to squeeze in a weekend to go out to Vegas I've already warned my boss that if he is here by the end of February, that I will need to take time off no later than April/May .. the worst time of year for me to be gone from work of course My concern is if they ask about our wedding plans at the interview. I don't think we should say we haven't made any yet, and we are waiting for approval and to know when he would actually be able to come. Someone suggested I book something in Vegas, even if we don't really use the reservation, so that we at least have something to show that we have a "plan". Good idea? Bad idea? Is it better to have something to show them? Or would we be alright just to say that we intend to go to Vegas, some time in April or May, but have not made any specific plans because we are waiting for the interview and approval? Am I just worrying too much ? Yes, you are worrying too much, but understandably. I do not think it is necessary to make a reservation.Just be honest, tell them what your plans are.Entertainment part of wedding is not what matters to the government anyway.As long as you both sign to get married before the authorities it is OK. At the interview you would have a better chance of seeing the time-frame of plans.You can give them approximate dates and that would be enough. I hope everything goes better than you expect and he gets the visa fast.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-07 14:52:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	I understand your concern about passport expiry dates.But no need to. I sent copy of my passport with less than 6 months of validity and I had it renewed just before the interview.If money is not a big problem, of course it is better to extend it now to be 100% sure and safe.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-06 11:53:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Thanks for sharing your home-buying experience Debra. I think the house we were told for 'short sale' is the kind where the bank-s have not approved of anything yet. Our last offer on another house (maybe 4th so far) was rejected today.The broker had told us that the sellers were really really motivated.All they did was to lower their asking price by $2K and demand that the property stay in market even after possible acceptance of the offer. Weird. We are getting s little frustrated. We also missed on that 8k already. Anyway LOL If we are meant to get a house we are going to...If not, we are not... Thanks again, and please say hi to Can. Have a warm winter	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-03 11:41:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	I do not think you have to have that 'packet' to send your stuff.I remember writing about it on this thread.Others advised likewise if I am not mistaken...	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-11-03 11:33:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Der Bücherwurm @ Oct 28 2009, 02:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Oct 28 2009, 06:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh.. just thought of another question. I am filling out all the forms for him, as I know many other people have done, but someone told me that I should NOT list myself on the DS forms as having assisted in completing them.. and just have him sign them. Well, I could understand this if we were filing for a visitor visa.. but why not this time? He is obviously intending to come here to stay with me, so why wouldn't I want to list myself on the forms as having assisted in preparing them? Yes, it was a red flag on our first visitor visa application, but I don't see the problem with it now. It would be obvious he didn't do it anyway, as I don't have Turkish characters on my keyboard and the "i" in his family name would be wrong.. as well as a few letters in the addresses. If that is going to cause an issue I will download a Turkish Key board and use the Turkish Charachters instead of the English ones. I'm living in Istanbul with my husband and we have our interview scheduled for Dec. 15th. I filled out all the forms except where his signature was required. I put my name and status as his wife where it asks who filled out the DS forms. We are living together so it isn't like I didn't verify everything with him. I don't know if we will be penalized for that or not. I would think they would have contacted us about it before scheduling the interview if it were a problem. I will post here after the interview to say how it went and what they asked in case it might help somebody else out. Good luck. Oh, I have a question too. For those that have already had the interview could you post some of the questions they asked so the rest of us can be prepared. I've heard the embassy staff can be rude and are cracking down on requirements so I'm a bit nervous. They are not rude, in general. They are just nitpicking in a way. Their job is to nit pick. It is natural. No need to worry about putting your name on the forms since you already live together and you already put your name there. The interviewing officers have some preferences in document forms, for Turks, a specific birth certificate form, not all of them are acceptable for example...The best way to behave in an interview is to be comfortable, mildly self-confident, in a good mood. Your job, his job, when where and how you met...mainly these questions...what else? Anybody? I hope he gets the visa fast and problem-free.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-10-28 16:31:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Debra N Candemir, thank you for sharing your homebuying story We just looked at a short-sale house last night. Is it difficult to close these? Do the banks/mortgages (if more than one) make it difficult and lengthy? Jenn and Fuat, I was the applicant and I did not extend my passport's validity. I did it a few days before the actual interview. I know, the cost is absurd. If you are to get a passport from scratch (5 year passport) it costs 465 dollars. You can download the forms and fill them out yourself before receiving the actual forms. The interview date can be a month or two months, it depends on the mood of the scheduling clerk If you have convincing reasons you can ask the consulate for an earlier date/time. If you tell the consulate that you wish to attend the interview and you will be in Ankara on this specific day (a day suitable for you) and you would like the interview to be on that day if possible, they might just accommodate your wish. Preparing for interview? Why? Just be spontaneous. Bring lots of documents/evidence and be comfortable.They won't ask his soon-to-be in-laws b/ds, I do not think...They will ask yours of course.They will ask what you do for a living, where you met, when you met, how you met etc etc. Answering questions of when can be in the form of in March 2007 for example. It does not have to be exact precise date and time, in my opinion as someone who were interviewed for 3 visas at the consulate (K1+K3+CR1). 'Oh.. just thought of another question. I am filling out all the forms for him, as I know many other people have done, but someone told me that I should NOT list myself on the DS forms as having assisted in completing them.. and just have him sign them. Well, I could understand this if we were filing for a visitor visa.. but why not this time? He is obviously intending to come here to stay with me, so why wouldn't I want to list myself on the forms as having assisted in preparing them? Yes, it was a red flag on our first visitor visa application, but I don't see the problem with it now.' I do not think it is a good idea to put your name on the forms as the preparer.If the forms are for the applicant, applicant should fill them out. You can help fill it out but I would not put my name there as somebody who assisted in preparation. I hope it is going to be a speedy and problem-free journey for you two.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-10-28 16:23:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Debra N CandemiR @ Oct 25 2009, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Assalamu Alaikum Internetkafe, How are you and the family? Have you received an interview date? Best wishes, Debbie W.A.S. Debra and Candemir We are doing fine, thank you for asking. Hopefully/inshallah we are in the process of getting a house, we made 2 offers on 2 different houses but we withdrew the first offer and were released from the second because our inspector found defects and the seller did not want to fix them.Now on to our third offer on the third house We will see how it goes... Any suggestions/experiences? My interview/exam is next week.I am thinking of insisting on the same day oath but I heard they schedule oaths several months after the interview... How are you and Candemir doing? Is winter showing its face there in Washington too? Here the last couple of days it was nicer than it had been before... QUOTE (Debra N CandemiR @ Oct 25 2009, 07:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thought I would share a photo of my daughters . Eldest is soon to be 19 and my baby is 15. Hard ages.!!!! lol, they look nothing like me. Nice radiant smiles	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-10-25 08:44:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Oct 21 2009, 05:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for the info! I want to have everything ready to go when he gets the letter. I have so much relationship "stuff" to show that I think it would cost a fortune to send it all I was thinking about sending a few samples of each kind ( email, phone bills, chat logs), from each month, from the time we filed to the time we send the packet.. and then taking the rest with us to the interview ( Along with everything they should already have from the packet I sent to USCIS). I think I am going to need a small suitcase to take it all Unfortunately, I won't have any new pictures to send with the packet.. since we were approved so quickly, but I should have more to take with us by the time we get the interview. I'm supposed to be going on a trip there soon, but may have to send another manager in my place because of another project that came up. I have a business trip to Turkey, at the end of February, so ideally one of two things would happen: 1. Our interview would be at the same time I am already in Ankara.. and he could follow me home shortly afterward. 2. Our interview would be before this, and he could come back with me. We are really torn on how we want to do this.. because for two years we have talked and dreamed about the day he could come to visit and how much we want that "moment" when he walks through those doors at the airport. If he flies back with me, he doesn't have to figure out all this stuff alone.. and the only time he's ever been in the airport is to pick me up or take me back .. never gone past the ticket counter. But if he flies back with me.. we aren't going to have that moment we've dreamed of because I will be walking through those doors with him instead of standing on the other side of them when he walks through. Kind of a silly thing not to want to give up, but we've struggled for some long to get him here.. that moment has become almost more important than getting married As far as my other trips, I think I would be safe in planning not to go on any of the trips after February. I can't imagine getting through all of this before that. Even if it takes longer than that, I don't want to take the risk of having him here by then.. and then having to say, "welcome home, here's your house key, I'm off to China.. see you next week" Both can happen. I came to the US on my own with K1, went back to Turkey to complete military service without being able to get AP so I had to get K3 and with K3 I and my wife and my son were together on the plane here.So you can arrange it to have both but without the visa difficulty part.I hope everything works out better than you want it to...	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-10-24 20:21:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (Deb_Res @ Sep 22 2009, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks everybody with your sweet comments about Mehmet! Good to hear from you all! Wish I had more time to read and post, but I'll try to keep up a little more! Have a great week! Mina so good to hear back from you! I will try to write back this week! Keep smiling Mashallah	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-10-24 20:15:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Very cute baby Mashallah	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-09-20 21:53:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (tanyakaraman @ Jul 6 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (internetkafe @ Jul 6 2009, 02:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Tanyakaraman, So your husband is from Izmit? I had been living in Izmit before coming to the US. Hi, yes, his parents live in ?zmit in De?irmendere (spelling?)...they are originally from Malatya but moved to ?zmit when he was little. What part of ?zmit are you from? Its a really nice place Central Izmit. Thanks, yes, it is a nice place My father used to work at a place very close to Degirmendere (Bahcecik). These areas were all affected by the earthquake in 1999. I miss Izmit's unique SiMiT Please say hi to your husband.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-07-06 17:57:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hi Tanyakaraman, So your husband is from Izmit? I had been living in Izmit before coming to the US.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-07-06 01:03:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	WOW! This thread is 'pinned' !? Turks and people who love Turks love to talk	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2009-03-21 18:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (camistanbul @ Dec 18 2008, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Happy Holidays to everyone!! We received my husband's green card in the mail today -- best Christmas present I could ask for!!! We're moving to San Francisco next month... I have a job lined up, but my husband is fretting a bit about finding one out there for himself. Hopefully something will come through, I feel positive about it. Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's and that 2009 brings your visas quickly and your loved ones closer to you. Congratulations! It has been over 4 months since I applied to remove conditions, no words from the USCIS yet. As I said somewhere else on the forum that Ithink they know who celebrate Christmas and who does not and act accordingly...in giving 'presents'... wendya, it is good to be open-minded. But this issue is very very important. It never goes away. Living in a foreign country and wanting to raise your children according to your cultural sphere is very very difficult if not impossible in inter-national/ inter-faith marriages. Even when people say they are not religious they still celebrate Christmas.Muslims do not. If I want my children to be Muslim how can I let my children to be subject to Christian/pagan rituals? When it comes to faith we can not say let us have both.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-12-20 15:12:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28292113/ This is a loss for Obama's father. I see that if the immigrating parent is not a follower of any religion it does not matter as much.Giving a part of you, leaving a part of you in a foreign land to turn into something you hate seeing. Obama's grandfather was arrested and beaten to death just because he resisted the British when they occupied Kenya. His second name Hussein comes from that grandfather... By the way awaterlily,it seems you have exceeded your photobucket limits....	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-12-18 09:30:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	No, Obama's mother was an atheist.She had no religion.How could that be a loss for her? I know that Obama published books.I have not read any of these books.Because they were his political means/investments to get where he is now. Is Obama himself saying that his father chose not to be involved in his life? I do not think that would be the truth just because Obama says so.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-12-17 04:09:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	I did not know Debra and John did not have kids together.I posed the question for everyone in this thread.I do not know who has kids and who does not.But thanks for replying. Do you know if Obama was born out of wedlock? It must be very difficult for the children in similar situations to be able to find their identity. Even after they decide which id they would like to carry as a grown up people will see them as they wish. Obama's choosing Christianity is a loss for his late-father in my opinion. I asked the question also to people who do not have kids but planning to have. Just to make them think about it.It is not easy. By the way, congratulations on your spouse's green card approval, awaterlily.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-12-15 09:45:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hi Debra&John, It is good to see that the number of people posting in this thread has increased. Justine is working. We have two kids now.One of them will be 4 soon ad the younger one will be two soon. I am in Turkey now by myself doing a Bayram visit. I know everybody's conditions/circumstances/situation is different but I have a question: How are you planning to tackle the issue of religion for the kids? Are you one of those who say we should let them decide? I had not given enough thought to this issue in the past however when my older son grew older he started talking about the Christmas tree.He sees it in his grandma's house and he grows up seeing and witnessing practices of Christian tradition. I want my children to be raised Muslim, not as a Christian or an atheist. I am the only Muslim around my children.They both attend pre-school. Also I am the only Turkish speaker around them. They learn English and they speak English only, except for a few words for food. I do not want my children to experience what Obama experienced while growing up. His father was Muslim, his mother was an atheist. He grew up in a Christian society as a Christian person. Apart from his second name he does not have any connection with the Muslim faith.He does not speak Kenyan.He does not believe and worship in Allah. And he runs away from anything and everything associated with Islam.He does not like Muslim women who wear headscarves support him in rallies.He prevents the only Muslim congressman from talking in mosques and inviting Muslim people to vote for him. That is a sad and bitter ending for a product of inter-national marriage. What do you think? How are you going to address this issue? Is it an issue at all for you? This is a question for all.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-12-15 01:27:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (awaterlily @ Oct 4 2008, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Permission is not required but since we were waiting for a US perm resident visa interview, imagine that particular passport travel stamp may of raised a red flag with the consulate had we not inquired beforehand. That is why I said "permission" Here's the link to the US Dept of State info about this country. and I quote one part of the country profile info: "A number of terrorist groups that oppose U.S. policies have offices in Syria. Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, other extremist groups are present in Syria. These groups have the potential to be either the targets of or perpetrators of acts of violence." Best to err on the side of caution. QUOTE (internetkafe @ Oct 4 2008, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I did not know you needed a permission to visit Syria.It is not like Cuba where the US government limits the freedom of travel of its own citizens.There is a US embassy in Syria. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Syria last year with a group of US politicians. I see what you mean.I understand. However I do not want to. Land of the free..what happened to it?	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-10-04 18:45:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	QUOTE (awaterlily @ Oct 3 2008, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> that may not be why, juliaferno. I lean with the name match or perhaps a delay, due to a name match, somewhere in the series background checks. Or, is he of Iranian background? I've heard Iranians have different/lengthier security checks. My DH lived in Cyprus for a very long time. He and his family have dual citizenship. He attended the university there as well as fulfilled his military obligations there. In term of traveling, he's been all over the world and lived/studied in South Africa for a time. He even went to Syria (a country on our watch list) for business while we waited for our visa interview date. But, with that said, we emailed the embassy before he went and asked "permission". The trip did come up at the interview when they flipped through his passport, but knowing that he consulted with the embassy beforehand, they were okay with it. whatever the hold up, I hope it will not take too much longer. It's hard enough waiting w/o AP! GL and please keep us all posted! QUOTE (JULIAFERNO @ Oct 3 2008, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You are right that it might be leaving the country. He lived and studied in Cyprus for 2 years and we traveled to Cyprus together this time last year when I was living with him in Turkey. I did not know you needed a permission to visit Syria.It is not like Cuba where the US government limits the freedom of travel of its own citizens.There is a US embassy in Syria. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Syria last year with a group of US politicians.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2008-10-04 10:47:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Thanks for the reply Debra&John, We are doing fine thank God. Also we are expecting a baby-girl in May I wish you a speedy, problem-free process for I 751. Summer is around the corner. I do not remember impatiently waiting for summer when I was in Turkey. But here I do. It has been very cold.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2007-04-04 08:05:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Merhaba! Hope everyone is well. It's been awhile sence I have been on VJ. So where did the new thread end up? can someone post a link here? Thank you, Peace to All, Debra Hello Debra&John, How are you doing? Just to put this on top of all other topics..	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2007-03-14 07:33:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hello Substance, Hello MPGGPM, I see that you have have school to attend to. If you can get a paper from your school stating that you should return and resume attending by this date (put your desired date) you will experience hardship (there is extreme hardship clause in some immigration related articles) it might help. In addition to this you can also tell the embassy that your spouse is going to be in Turkey and stay with you but she has either school or job or family (an ailing family member she has to be close to or a child etc etc....whichever is relevant/case with you) in the US therefore she cannot stay indefinately and she has to return in (put your desired duration of time) and you are intending to go to the US together.... Email the embassy using the e-mail form on their website and ask for a specific date stating your reasons in a clear and concise manner. But it seems your case is still at the NVC so you can e-mail them instead. I did that to get the closest interview date possible(this time without having any reason to do so apart from mainly not wanting a mid-summer interview for fear of costly airfare). Note that this was not a re-scheduling. This was an early scheduling. They gave me too close a date. :-P I had to re-schedule. Why? Try buying plane tickets for 3-5 days from now. You will see why. By the way I had already waited this wait for two times before CR1 because of bureacratic nonsense IMHO. To reiterate, if you want to get a close interview date e-mail the NVC stating your reasons; if you want to re-schedule your already established interview date e-mail the embassy stating your reasons. Each case is unique although with some resemblance. I wish you both (substance and MPGGPM) a short problem-free wait. P.S. Does MPG GPM stand for MilesPerGallon or a weapon? Just a reminder from the embassy's website: THE U.S. EMBASSY CONSULAR SECTION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN NOVEMBER 23, 2006 AND DECEMBER 1, 2006. THE CONSULAR SECTION WILL REOPEN ON DECEMBER 4, 2006. PLEASE AVOID SENDING ANY E-MAIL OR OTHER CORRESPONDENCE DURING THOSE DAYS. ANY E-MAIL OR OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED DURING THIS TIME FRAME WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE FIRST 5 WORKING DAYS AFTER DECEMBER 4, 2006. THANK YOU. Edited by internetkafe, 27 November 2006 - 06:27 PM.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-11-27 18:29:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hello MPGGPM, The Embassy does not give the applicant any notice. It is the NVC that does everything even setting up of the interview date. The Consulate does the interview part of the process only. You can e-mail the NVC and ask for a closer interview date stating your reasons convincingly and clearly as I did. However I ended up having to postpone my interview date because of job-related reasons and astronomically high prics for plane tickets in summer- especially if you are looking for flights a few day from that day. When your case is 'complete' at the NVC stage NVC sets up the appointment date usually to be in the following month if your case is 'complete' withing the first week of a month. So we can say it is at least one month before the interview when you get the news from NVC about your appoitment date. To postpone an interview just e-mail the consulate stating your preferred day for interview (you can be precise...it is up to you to state or not to state your reasons to them ) Is she going to receive any paperwork? Well... did she appoint an agent? If it is herself then she is going to receive but it is obvious that she appointed someone other than herself as her agent in her choice of agent and address form and that is you (?) since you say you are the one dealing with NVC. You will receive Affidavit of Support forms and fill them out as instructed and send them with the requested supporting documents as soon as possible. NVC will review them in 7-14 days at the latest and if everything is in order complete processing of your case. She can get the physical exam either in Ankara or Istanbul. I suggest she contact Dr Mehmet Ungan's clinic in Ankara if it is convenient for her. I do not know anything about medicals in Istanbul but I know that American Hospital only is authorized there. When? It is up to her but as far as I know the doctor's report is valid only for 6 months. Once your case is complete she can call one of the doctors (the list of doctors' names/addresses/contact info can be found on the Consulate's website and/or in the interview packet the agent receives. You would want the medicals done ahead of time also not just the consulate. But one thing is certain: the result of medical exam has to be presented at the time of interview to the interviewing officer. She should ask for and keep a copy of the list of vaccinations received during the medical exam. My advice: be careful filling out the forms..they are simple forms to fill out but equally sensitive since a mistake can cause delays in processing at the NVC stage. (RFEs etc.) Send them what they ask for. But do not waste time..act quick. There is no reason for your wife or you to be nervous although I know it is unavoidable because of the nature of this wait/process. Your wife will not receive Temporary Resident Card (valid for 2 year only and conditional) like some of us have/are going to; she will get Permanent Resident Card.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-10-22 21:29:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hi Michele, I do not know how long it may take for the package to be delivered there but if it is a city it takes 1 day only. I think UPS has subcontractors working for them and delivering packages to villages. If you prove to the consulate that you have an emergency situation (serious emergency cases) the consulate might give Omer his visa the same day. This happened in the past for sure but it is rare. You can e-mail them and ask about picking it up yourself explaining the reason clearly. There is nothing to worry about the interview as long as the applicant is sincere in answering the questions and have enough 'evidence' ( ! ) ready in case they ask for it. As to the question of K1 visa holder's rights... he can get his social security number before you get married. In most states he can get his drivers licence too (provided you have proof of residency in that state for over 30 days). As you know JFK port of entry is reported to be giving temporary work authorization to K1 visa holders on entry into the country through that POE.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-10-13 15:18:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	You are welcome. I think most people here have stories like yours requiring more patience. If they write their stories several volumes of books could be created. But I doubt this issue (family/immigration) will have any audience...unfortunately. As far as I see you have been married for over 2 years. If that is correct your wife will get a 10 year PR card with no conditions attached. That is good. My suggestion for the interview: being sincere and open pays off. It also lifts the nervousness and anxiety (if there is any) off of the shoulders of the interviewed. As for Mel Gibson.. he is a rare talent still. I wonder if what happened to him after that incident falss into the category of freedom of speech? You know when the Danish newspaper printed the caricatures of Prophet Muhammed some same people said it is freedom of speech - people who demonized Mel Gibson. I sense double-standards/hypocrasy here. Anyway... I wish a speedy journey for your wife. By the way, about that "rooting" for Mel Gibson, ......obviously I saw that movie a while ago, before certain...um...recent events happened. Had I known he was such a jerk at the time, I'd probably have been hoping it was him who got shot in the movie, instead of his friend I also spoke to my wife this morning, and I again appreciate your reply. It was encouraging. I guess until we/she actually get the green card in hand.......it's going to be a stressful few months until that time hopefully/actually happens. But at least it cheered her up a bit. (She read what you had written this morning) Thanks again	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-10-11 18:47:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Questions like how did you meet? What does your wife/husband do for a living? Who is this and this (if there is a co-sponsor). What do you intend to do in the US? (job) Maybe even fewer questions. It takes 5-10 minutes..the interview. They usually would want to see the pictures taken with your wife/spouse. Apart from that they did not even ask to see anything else as 'evidence'. It is also up to the consular officer's mood at the moment but most of them are nice people. I have had 3 interviews for 3 visas so far and all of them were likeable people (K1-K3-CR1) They take 2 index fingerprints. There is no need to worry if your marriage is genuine as almost all of them are. You can choose the language of the interview..either in Turkish or in English. All my interviews were in English. Sometimes consular officers speak Turkish and conduct the interview in Turkish. Also there are Turkish staff who work at the consulate and they translate during the interview. The issue of how long it takes for the applicant to receive his/her visa is up to many factors including the time past during USCIS&NVC phases. Once your interview date is set (by the NVC itself) you have 1-2 months before you appear at the conuslate for your interview. My wife's I130 petition for me was approved in August 2005... we were not able to send the fees right away. And I got a K3 visa to come to the US for the second time (After a K1 experience a few months before K3). My interview date was set for May 2006 but I had to reschedule it for August for work related reasons and also for a chance to get cheaper plane tickets. I stayed in Turkey for a month in case something goes wrong. But now I see that that was not necessary. Once I had the interview I received the visa in 4 days (via UPS). If you have more questions I can answer them. Also any interview tips would be much appreciated. THANKS I also second that request. If anyone could share just what it was like at their interview in Ankara, (What kind of questions they were asked, what was the person who interviewed them like, etc.......) Any kind of advice or description of what the interview process was like would be very helpful to those of us who haven't gone through it yet. I'd also like to know how long it takes to get the visa in the mail, once you are approved? (How many days, etc?.....(so I can kind of judge how much time before making any travel arrangements for my wife....) Thanks. (By the way....we are doing an I-130) Edited by internetkafe, 10 October 2006 - 06:45 PM.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-10-10 18:43:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	I hope everyone here waiting for the next step (because steps are endless..once you complete one another obstacle will be waiting for you till you get naturalized) gets it faster than s/he expected. Edited by internetkafe, 07 October 2006 - 10:44 PM.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-10-07 22:43:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hello MPGGPM, It might take for your case a month even to 'reach' NVC..or for the NVC to 'admit' they received it. And then choice of address and agent form is sent to your spouse...she makes her choice either making you her agent or herself or a lawyer and sends it back. In that form she also states the address sh wants correspondence to be sent from then on. Then the iv fee letter and then affidavit of support fee letter are sent to the agent. You send the fees in money order as fast as you can..and to the right place. When the forms arrive you should correctly fill it out...preapre the i864 form correctly..prepare it with the addition of W2s and everything. Not forget adding anything that might be asked for later. And then send it back as fast as you can. Different from most other nations Turkish applicants are asked to send all their paperwork (criminal record paper, nüfus kayit örnegi, papers like that) to the NVC. They process these documents instead of embassies doing it. Once you sent everything they asked for your case will be 'complete' (usually one week or 10 days after they received everything). If it is in the first 10 days or so of the month then they send it to the embassy on 15th to 20th of that month. If it is later then they send it the following month. Once NVC receives your case and if you send everything they ask for as fast as you can without making any mistakes then it takes +/- 2 months or so for your case to be complete. And the agent receives the appointment letter. It is usually 45 days after you receive the appointment letter sent by the NVC. I called NVC to find out what happened to my application. So you can call too..and/or send e-mails about the appointment date. Some of them are flexible thinking people so they might help you/your spouse by quickening the appointment date for you. These are all too general answers. I hope it helps. Why do not you try sending e-mails to the embassy instead of calling them? If it is a very important matter you can contact your congresspeople to have them contact the embassy on your behalf. BY THE WAY Congratulations on your petition's approval! I hope he waiting period for your spouse is going to be short and without problems/worries. Edited by internetkafe, 14 September 2006 - 12:01 AM.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-09-13 23:59:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Thank you for your reply 'Michele&Omer' . I found the answer to my question in one of your previous posts. You say your husband received his visa via UPS in 7 days. All I wanted to find out was the time it takes from the day the package is mailed via UPS to the day you receive it. Anyway thanks also for that old message of yours.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-09-01 17:19:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hello, I am in Turkey now to get my CR1 at long last. How long do you think it will take for the embassy to mail the visa on the passport once you take the interview? I would like to hear your personal experiences. Thank you. :-)	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-08-31 10:30:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	The Embassy wants the result of the medical exam on the day of interview. Mr Ungan's clinic does not accept credit cards. I wanted to pay using my CC but the receptionist lady did not accept payment through CC. However Sistem Labs which is in the same building with Mr Ungan's clinic accepts CCs for payment for lab tests. I am sure all hotels would accept credit cards. By the way if I see a good deal on hotels I will let you know.	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-08-20 10:19:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)	Just Turkish	Hello Michele&Omer, I had my medicals done by Ungan. He will most probably try to get your spouse have as many vaccinations as possible...to make money. He is a nice person to talk to. But you say your insurance covers this...How? Your spouse will not need to book a room at a hotel because he can get the results the same day (in the evening). If you do a google search I am sure you will find hotels near the embassy. Some days ago I came accross with prices like 70-80 dollars at a 5 star (luxury) hotel room. (for August). There are of course cheaper ones but not as close ..However in Ankara you can take the taxicab and it does not cost much. Congratulations on your approval!	internetkafe	Male	Turkey	2006-08-19 20:09:00