biggish data

So, was that mean my GC should be coming soon? I wish and pray not takes longer.
Are you guys have experience for this situation I have it now? Im sorry! Im just excited to have it on my hand so I can find a job soon.

Thank you!

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-28 20:52:00

Hello guys. ,
I have some questions about my ELIS status? I checked my status today it says in process and I saw the processing arrow above it says OPTIMIZED do you have any idea whats mean for that?
Im sorry just curious!
Thanks

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-28 18:27:00

Ok thank you so much for that reply. Anyway, I just want to know how check my status in ELIS? Im sorry we dont know.
Thanks

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-27 15:23:00

Yes. My husband keep the email messages ELIS after he did the paid. I wish it should be fine and not getting delayed by that. Because, as we read the instructions from the US Embassy they said you did the payment before you fly to the united states. But, we didnt read that papers until we already got here in the US. Because my husband expect that my port of entry asking me the fees but never, and we try to wait email from USCIS but never received any to inform me that need to pay that fees. After a month I stayed here I ask my husband to do online payment and we did this 21th of july. I hope everything goes fine.!

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-27 15:13:00

Thank you so much for the good reply. Im just worried much because we do the paid after a month I've stayed here in US. Getting worried.
Thank you much for the responds I really appreciated! Godbless!

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-27 13:55:00

So, how do I get my green card? Anyway! My husband already paid the immigrant fees $165 21th of this month. So, do you have any idea if how long it takes to receive my green card? Im sorry, I just worried because they said you can have your green card 2 to 3 weeks after you arrived here in US.

Thanks!

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-27 12:16:00

Hi everyone!

I need some adviced and information about getting the green card. I hopei can get some answers here because im so worried too much!
I arrived here in the US last 20th of June and my husband told me that he never knows where he paid the $165 for my green card because we expect in my port of entry they well ask me for the green card payment but didnt. And I didnt noticed the US embassy gives me a piece of paper it says guidelines if how to apply getting a green card. But, they says also that before you fly to the United States you need to apply green card?

And im worried mine because we apply after I get here after I stay 1month because we dont know. My questions is this fine we did the payment in about a month I stay here before we did the payment to the USCIS? And how long it takes before I get mail? Im sorry im so nervous we made mistakes because we didnt get any emails to inform we need to paid for the green card.
Hope you understand my situation.

Thank you so much! Need reply please

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-27 06:16:00

Finally got my wife's Visa.. now what?

Was she a cr1 or Ir1 visa? She can stay whenever she wants. And she needs to fly to US before her visa expiration. Her port of entry stamp of her passport good for 2 years stay in the US after she gives her package visa. The 2 years green card received tru your address.

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-07-29 07:23:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

Your welcome. And again congrats for you both she would be here in US soon.!!!!

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-06 12:38:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

They need also the photocopy of her data sheet at the back of her package visa and of course photocopy of her visa passport. Thats all the CFO needs.

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-06 09:34:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

Thats good. Good luck and Godbless.! Anyway, did she get her CFO sticker done?

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-06 08:48:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

Well, if that name mistake she needs to bring that back at US Embassy. Because if she fly for that misspilled name im not sure if she can enter at port of entry.

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-05 20:59:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

That sucks. Well, only the solution for that was go back to the US Embassy so that they can fix it. Its better to go back early

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-05 20:49:00

Name on the visa stamp does not match the name on the passport

She needs to go back to the US Embassy and bring that package with her passport. She can go today still have a time.

Edited by TomChe, 05 August 2014 - 08:47 PM.

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-08-05 20:46:00

NBI Clearance & Police Certificate

To make it sure just get a new one updated by this month if she did her interview by next month. Because USEM asked anything they want, to make it sure just get a new one NBI and police certificate that was not expensive. And anyway, additional updated senomer if you are already married because im pretty sure US embassy ask that. Good Luck

TomChe

Male

Philippines

2014-09-17 09:35:00

It was 10:34pm eastern and there I was staring at the ceiling fan while laying in my bed. Laptop and cell phone nearby...anxiously waiting...waiting...helpless with so many thoughts racing through my mind>> "Will she get it?" "hope she answers the questions correctly," "Did we forget anything?"

Finally, the phone rings and it's Renu. My heart stops a beat.

Renu - "I got it!

Visa approved. I will write a thorough review of our process and how we got approved in less than 6 months on the Bangkok embassy review page. For now though, it's time to celebrate with an quick trip to the local Thai market to pickup a case of Singha! Thanks again for all the information VJ members you have been extremely helpful!

- Charlie

Edited by cwhetstine, 24 February 2014 - 10:53 PM.

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-24 22:52:00

Sorry for the delayed response guys.

We have been a bit preoccupied with Interview practice questions everyday and with the crazy weather we've been getting on the east coast I haven't been online much (all this snow makes me miss Thailand ha!). The wedding is planed for a Thai style ceremony here at an local Thai temple in the states. Families from both sides have been informed and they're making plans to attend. (hopefully)

Everything resides on this K1 visa approval so we can get on with our lives.

Attorney: Originally we planned on Siam legal when I was still living with her in Thailand. (we even visited their main office on Sukhumvit) They seemed legit and their staff seemed professional enough. (Some Filipino guy) However, the price they quoted was really too high (90000 Baht) and I was almost going to pull the trigger but did some research online and decided not to. I choose to use the services of" Rapid Visa" ($400) which I would say was very helpful in the beginning process but really most of it I could have done myself (if I discovered Visajourney.com sooner) and it seemed they were more inclined to be more knowledgeable about K1 visa's for the Philippines and not Thailand specifically,Lesson learned,

My teerak Renu has here interview in less than 2 weeks, Here's hoping all goes well. Thanks again all for the profound advice and encouragement folks.I will surely pay it forward.

- Charlie

Edited by cwhetstine, 14 February 2014 - 11:25 PM.

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-14 23:16:00

Thanks guys!

This is exactly the kind of info and support we needed. I wish I had discovered this web sight before I invested with an online Visa Service. This last 8 months without her and this entire K1 visa process is more stressful than any military deployment I ever had.

Business attire: Understood. I'm sure we could find something in her wardrobe. If I could dress her like a Mormon school teacher during the day of the interview I would. lol (no offense to you morons out there)

One last question if you guys don't mind.

All the forms I sent with I-129F and packet 3, Should she also bring copies when doing the interview? or is that overkill? She has originals of everything. (mine and her divorce degrees, Thai single papers, letter from my work etc.)

If approved I will surly list steps that we have taken to finally get here. Thanks again all for the encouraging words and advice.

- charlie

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-07 22:24:00

Wow thanks for all the responses guys,

I put her occupation as Waitress. Is that something I should have her prep on as well to properly explain it's not "one of those bars?" She's never worked in one of those places (no judgement on people who have) but Bully's is near Nana. (Next door to the J.W. Marriott) so one could make a judgement.

You guys make valid points. I can see where someone could assume the worst. It's something we both overlooked in this process because we just assumed they would have better judgement on distinguish between whats a family pub as opposed to..well you know what I mean...

Karee - Yes Bully's is very similar to Bourbon Street but the food is not nearly as good. (Don't tell her I said that!) You will see a lot of expat families in there.It's kind of surreal when you walk in being so close to the "Adult Playground" and all.

Ning -

You are so right on many levels. A couple of weeks ago I was confident we were ready, however, it's just right now our anxieties are heightened because the interview date is getting so close plus the uneasy political situation in Thailand is unnerving. I just want to do my part to help her be prepared and ready. But your right, sometimes we should let karma take it's course.

Edited by cwhetstine, 06 February 2014 - 10:52 PM.

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-06 22:47:00

Thanks Ning!

Your right,

I should let fate play out but this process and being without her is killing me. Plus with all that's going on currently with Thailand has me and her so worried. Just hope our past lives doesn't negate us from having one together in the future. (kids, marriages..)

She works a Bully's Pub Bangkok, a popular family restaurant (even though its near Nana) in Bangkok where all them Embassy folks like to go for lunch. So hopefully that might be a positive. We can only hope whoever does her interview is one of her regulars lol.

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-06 21:06:00

Thanks for fast response Slowlyman,

Hmm no marriage ceremonies while I was there well at least I hope not lol.

She traveled with her previous husband overseas (Thai/Danish guy) when they were married but no overstays. Mostly on vacation and business.

Marriage was terminated long before I filed petition. ( Filed in September 2013, previous marriage finalized Feb 2012)

Last part though, you bring up something I didn't think about. I separated from my wife in September 2011 (separate not divorce yet as it takes 6 months) but was assigned to Thailand in December 2011 and met Renu in January and started our relationship. So technically I was still married when I met and began an relationship with Renu (divorce didn't finalize until Feb 2012). Should I include the marriage separation paper work for the interview?? This is something I didn't think about before, but now I can see the importance. I need to prep Renu in case she gets asked this question. Thank you so much!

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-06 20:54:00

Hello All,

Long time lurker first time post. First, I'd like to say thank you to Thai visa journey members who shared their experiences. Your information on here is extremely invaluable and helped alleviate some of our concerns throughout this complicated process. Way more informative than the visa service I hired. (useless) I think we got all our bases covered, however, as we get closer our anxiety is cause for many a sleepless night. My fiancé Renu has her Interview in less than 3 weeks and I would appreciate if someone with experience to check if there's anything that might potentially cause a hiccup for our K-1.

Some Background:

I'm 33, she's 31 and we've been together going on 2+ years. I lived in Thailand with her for 1 year (Bangkok) and I'm also half Thai myself but grew up in the States. She works at an American style pub and speaks good English as she studied at AUA language center Bangkok.

Positives (I believe) going for us:

All Paperwork thoroughly checked and organized.

30+ Photos

Apartment lease in my name with utilities in hers

100+ chat logs for when I returned to the U.S.

6X the minimum income requirement from my current Salary and Veteran disability compensation (U.S. Navy 10+)

Red Flags: (maybe?)

Both married twice (have all required divorce paperwork in Thai and English, but still I don?t think it looks good?)

Her kid is Thai/Danish and lives with his father (he's Thai/Danish also) in Denmark so we cannot get his birth certificate and is that really required? The kid isn't coming nor was he even on the initial petition. We have a letter from the father saying he will take care of him as he has been for years. (Renu gets weekend visits when they come back to Thailand)

No ring. We (well maybe just me) decided not to get a ring until she came here not because I was cheapskate., In hindsight I think that was a mistake. (Just wanted to take her to Jared, ha!)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I surely will be paying it forward. Sorry for long post.

- Charlie

cwhetstine

Male

Thailand

2014-02-06 20:12:00

thank you very much for this kind of info.it helps alot.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2013-11-01 12:10:00

they said today in the interview that they need 1 week to see all the police records,because its to much.he also said that it looks bad.so lets see.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2013-10-31 11:02:00

thank you guys.I´ll let you know tomorrow about the interview.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2013-10-30 15:39:00

hi,thanks for your answer.ITs ESTA... i have tomorrow my interview and im sure it will be denied because i had a few years in prison for drugs.almost 10 yeard ago.i have a doughter 5 months old and they live in NY.if they really denied the visa i really dont know what to do and there is no chance for my family to live here in austria.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2013-10-30 14:35:00

PLS HELP. What happen if i get denied for my interview CR1? can i still visit the states with like a touristvisa??

im from austria vienna.thanks

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2013-10-30 14:03:00

I think you might be out of luck for visiting as well... Have you tried yet for a b2? How long in the past are we talking for these issues?

the last one was 2009. the first one 2002... ai had 3 times problems with drugs and i was arrround 4 years in prison.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2014-03-09 05:15:00

i had alot drugs in the past.....makes me going crazy.

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2014-03-08 18:33:00

First I would seek a good immigration lawyer that deals with immigration waivers. Looks like a waiver is what you need to pursue.

Also I would recommend you to to this website immigrate2us.net. This website like Visajourney but it specializes in difficult cases and waivers. Laurel Scott a very good attorney that specializes in waivers is on there and she also does a Wednesday Q and A on her website you could ask (I am suggesting all free avenues to pursue before the money starts to have to be paid).

Don't give up hope yet?

Now you say you were denied entry on assume on a VWP? So a I-130 petition has never been submitted for you?

Thank you I will look into that website, I applied for i130 and then did consulate processing I was in the US when I got approved but

then I came back to austria to take on processing and they deinied me now I cant enter on VWP, I lost all hope because I spoke to a few attorneys

and they said Its not waivable my issue is bad, what do you suggest?

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2014-03-08 17:15:00

My wife and child are in the US because she has 2 other children living there from a previous marriage and they are english speakers

and used the american education system so they wont be able to migrate in austria, she cant distant the children from the father in the US. Thats why my case is so difficult to understand, so there will never be a will or way for me?

Vollgas

Not Telling

Austria

2014-03-08 16:36:00