ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General Discussionoath VIRGINIA

hi guys i am a new user and wondering if anyone else waiting on the oath i had my interview November 1 and been on the oath que since the 8 of November i am about to call them tomorrow cuz thats passed 45 days they said anyone has the same prob in VA plz let me know what is ur ceremony date if you have one thank you guys



I passed my interview on October 5 in Norfolk VA, still haven't heard anything. When I called after 45 days, I was told on two occasions that that information online is incorrect, and we have to wait 90 days to have an oath scheduled. So frustrating to know that even after all we've been through to get to this stage, USCIS are still messing us around.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-01-09 11:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers

Congratulations!  Hope your husband is OK smile.png

 

Long journey for you, for sure, glad it's over!

Thanks Grashoppr, yes he's ok now, thanks.

 

Yes, it was a long journey, but I shouldn't really complain as there were people there who had waited 8-10 years.  Not exactly sure of their circumstances, but I think they came on either assylum or refugee status.


dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-29 09:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers

Hi everyone,

 

I am finally a US citizen!  We had a long delay as my husband had been in the hospital and as a result we postponed our ceremony until April 25 so he could be with me.  The ceremony was held in Roanoke, VA and was very enjoyable.  It feels good to be at the end of the process, and although my journey was not as long as some, it still felt long!!! smile.png

I wanted to come back onto this thread to take this opportunity to thank Visa Journey for all of the information, help, advice that it has provided.  A big thank you to all of the posters, as without them we would not share the vast amount of knowledge needed to get through the process.  We have managed to do every part of this process just from the information we received from this site, and in doing so have saved thousands of dollars!!  We are both truly grateful to everyone on Visa Journey.

 

Sending best wishes to everyone still enduring any part of the legal immigration process - stick with it, it's all worth it in the end!!!!

 

 

 

 


dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-29 08:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.....Congrats to all who have passed interviews and/or have finished their journey. To others waiting, may things move quickly for you.

As for us, we did pass our interview on 10/31 ( changed from 30th due to Hurricane Sandy) and got a notice from USCIS saying we were placed in the que on November 2nd for the oath ceremony, however, we haven't heard anything else since. I know a couple other people in the area that are also waiting for the oath ceremony, so not sure what the hold up is on that down here in South Eastern, VA.

The notification said we should hear something within 45 days.......so about two more weeks to go before we inquire......maybe we will here something before then.



Hi there,

I passed my interview in Norfolk VA on October 5. I've heard nothing since and when I called after 45 days was told that the USCIS website was not correct, and in fact I had to wait 90 days before they will accept an inquiry!

This whole process has been frustrating from start to finish with the inequities in the system. It does seem unfair that you can get a totally different service from different offices (those that have oath ceremonies on the same day), while others just wait and wait and wait. Oh well, nothing new I suppose and I am just grateful to be at the end of this dreadful process, just venting!! Thanks for listening :) :)

Congratulations to those that are now citizens and good luck to those still awaiting interviews - one thing's for sure, we'll all be citizens in 2013!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-12-04 11:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Thank you PathaN and you too!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-10-05 16:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Hi everyone,

Had my interview today and passed. Had a great IO who was friendly and put me at ease. All went by in a blur and I can't even remember what questions she asked! I just remember she stopped after 5 correct answers. Oath date to come in the mail, but I think it might be November 16.

Interview was in Norfolk VA, so a 10 hour round trip, but it was worth it!

Best wishes to all those still waiting, and congrats to those who have also passed.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-10-05 15:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Good evening everyone,

Interview letter received on September 1st, with interview scheduled for October 5th.

Would someone be kind enough to update the list for me. Thanks!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-09 17:33:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Good morning everyone!

Received my NOA July 28, Biometrics letter received yesterday - appointment scheduled for August 10.

Would someone update my information - thank you!!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-01 09:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Hi everyone,

Check was cashed today and acceptance text received!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-25 08:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 July 2012 Filers
Hi Guys,

I've mailed my packet this morning to Lewisville. Field Office is the Washington Field Office at Fairfax VA.
Could you add me to the list please?

Thanks and good luck to everyone!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-16 09:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJoint Names on Utility Bills
Thanks everyone for some good suggestions here. I'll certainly be following up and getting at least one bill put into my name only, plus including this issue in my covering letter too.

Thanks again.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-02 07:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJoint Names on Utility Bills

Just as a tid bit of info here in Australia whoever opens the account be it electricity water phone whatever stays in that name. In my previous marriage I got all these things put on when we moved into our house and do you think for the life of me they would put in both names. NOPE and when we divorced and I left he had to ring all these places himself to put them in his name. Crazy I know but it must be the same here. We have not gone that route yet as we rent but the lease is in both names now (joint) when we buy a home it should be a different matter, one would hope.



It's so infuriating. The reason they all gave is that they find it too difficult to collect on accounts if one party moves for whatever reason. Therefore they apply this rule to any couple or partnership whether married or not.

To some extent I can see their point - especially if it relates to a situation with students sharing a house for example. But that doesn't help me with USCIS and their requirements!! :angry:

However, I intend to include this point in our covering letter to USCIS and I'm sure they must have come accross this problem before.

Edited by dvrjwh, 21 October 2010 - 01:15 PM.

dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-21 13:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJoint Names on Utility Bills
Although we won't be filing for ROC until next year, we have been trying to add my name onto my husband's utility bills. All are in his name as he had these accounts years before we met.

All of the following utilities have refused to change the name of the account to include my name, Verizon (phone and Internet), DirecTV, Appalachian Power, and the Town of Christiansburg VA (water bill).

We have other documentation - I'm on his healthcare policy and my vehicle is on his motor policy etc., but I'm just interested to know whether others have had the same problem where utilities won't add a spouse to the account name?
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-21 12:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Green card arrived yesterday!!

On to citizenship, papers ready to go next week, then this journey will really be done!

Good luck to everyone still waiting!
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-19 09:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Good morning everyone!

Got my letter of approval yesterday - AT LAST !!!! :dance: Approval letter dated June 6.
Would someone smarter than me update the list....thanks!

My citizen packet is all ready and waiting for June 21 when I can apply. One more hurdle and $680 to go!! Then it will be all over.

Best wishes to everyone still waiting.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-12 08:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Hi guys,

Just letting off some steam here! I spent all of yesterday getting my biometrics done. It was nearly a 7 hour round trip driving from Southwest Virginia to Charleston, West Virginia for a 5 minute appointment, not to mention taking a day of hard earned annual leave from work and just over a whole tank of gas!

You'd think there would be more places where you could get this process done, rather than their designated offices which for some are simply miles away. Maybe a police station or somewhere like that - Roanoke is the nearest big city, I'm sure one of their police departments have the necessary equipment. That would have been a 1 hour round trip instead.

For those of us on a budget, the fee for the I-751 and biometrics is bad enough considering the poor service we receive (especially from VSC), but these additional costs in time and gas just really annoyed me yesterday :angry:

Thanks for listening guys, just wanted to vent - I feel better now :D

Best wishes to all.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-22 06:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Thank you to Yurika and Jim for all the updating!! Much appreciated :dance:

Looks like it'll be a long wait now before the approved column gets completed. Looks like February 2012 at the earliest.
However, it'll happen eventually!

Best wishes to all.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-12 08:33:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Hi everyone,

Got our Biometrics letter today, it's scheduled for September 21st.

Best wishes to all.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-10 19:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Received my NOA1, dated 8/22/2011. Could you add this to the list please.

Thanks, best wishes to all.
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-27 11:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 August 2011 Filers
Hi everyone,

Our package was sent yesterday to VSC (unfortunately!). Lets hope for a smooth process!

Best wishes to all
dvrjwhFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-18 10:19:00
USCIS Service CentersCSC Now Issuing Delayed Form I-797 Approval Notices?

I'm wondering the exact same thing. Our NOA1 is the same date as yours and our case status online hasn't been updated since April 14. I'm guessing that it's entirely possible that I may receive a NOA2 in the mail before they decide to update my case status online?

Or maybe I've just gone crazy. :help:




Our first receipt was dated April 24th and we are with the Vermont Processing Center. We also have had no update at all since then. It is just in limbo.
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-16 21:22:00
USCIS Service Centerstimelines Vermont
QUOTE (random man @ Sep 25 2007, 02:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The USCIS has decided to lump together more applications at the VSC and thus is increasing their workload (and the amount of time to process things tongue.gif). You are right though... the VSC was always the speediest Service Center for I-129f's!


VSC *use to be the speediest* are the operative words. Now they have become slower than cold molasses! in addition some customer service reps up there are not so knowledgeable or user friendly...wonder if they have taken on a bag full of new employees.
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-01 07:31:00
United KingdomHere's a totally stupid question
My guess is that it would come from a branch line off of the main line out of the boiler. But what do I know *lol*. I am still lost in confusion here *ha, ha, ha*.

Cheers!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-28 07:02:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC Portsmouth, NH
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif received letter from Embassy TODAY....I have to say from NVC to London was pretty quick.....
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-29 05:26:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC Portsmouth, NH
So that was pretty quick. In a letter dated 20 September 2007 from NVC:

Dear Petitioner:

The State Department's National Visa Center has recently received an approved I-129F petition filed on behalf of your fiance'. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where your visa interview will take place.

.....Name of fiance'
.....INS Receipt number (used for USCIS)
.....Case Number ........

Embassy.....

Your fiance' will soon receive a packet with instructions from the consular section on how to apply for the K1 Visa at that post and what documents will be required.

Sincerely,

Bureau of Consular Affairs


Well, I am assuming we are now past the NAME CHECK stage and have passed biggrin.gif.

I posted the entire letter for those who are waiting can see what to expect.

I must say that went quicker then anything.

Faster then the last trip to McD's drive thru for a HAPPY Meal *lol*.

Now onto to the true test ............

CHEERS!
.....

Edited by Kass, 24 September 2007 - 07:47 PM.

KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-24 19:44:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC Portsmouth, NH
Thanks for the replys. I have heard about three weeks. I am still surprised with all of the False Hits with the software being used at NH that they are still using this process. It would be one less process *winks*. We just sit and wait........and be glad our last name is not Brown or Smith!

at the end of all of this....

ALL OF US SHOULD BE THE MOST PATIENT PEOPLE ON GOD's GREEN EARTH *lol*.

Then we should all become Visa Attorneys *wicked grin*

CHEERS!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-24 06:46:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC Portsmouth, NH
Does anyone know what the going time frame is at NVC Portsmouth? They claim that the going rate at this moment is up to four weeks. But we all know that these time frames that are posted, i.e., the Service Centers are not exactly accurate?

I am suprised that they are using NVC for name checks as last year alone they had 7 million false hits as the software being used is not very accurate. I do not understand the point of this. It is like a polygraph test, being that they are not accurate, they are not submisible in court. Not too mention after 9/11 the USCIS conducts a security check anyway and then another one at the Embassy.

On that note any info on the time frame for the London Embassy relative to appointments? Again we all know that the ones posted on official sites are not very accurate.

CHEERS!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-20 15:54:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC
QUOTE (FlyRK @ Sep 26 2007, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hopefully it will speed up like the rate of approvals from CSC lately. Kass' went fairly fast.



Yes, I have to say I was very surprised given what we went through with USCIS up at the Vermont Service Center.........*still shakes head in disbelief*.

Someone PINCH me please *winks*
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-27 16:34:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC
NVC will send you a letter. See my post on NVC Portsmouth I added my letter into the post. The letter came pretty quick from NOA2 to NVC stating when they are going to send it off to London.

They will give you a new CASE number.

In all honesty it went quicker then I thought.

I think that VSC was the longest so far.

CHEERS!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-25 17:21:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Waiting 4-plus weeks for case to get to NVC
Good Luck and yes it should have been there by now. If it helps, once it does get sorted......NVC is muct faster than the Service Centers. We were there less then a week.....and they had it at London in the same time frame. Then to top that off a quick medical appointment....there is LIGHT....


CHEERS!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-23 22:00:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust filed - Advice on entering the US on vacation please?
Forum search as the above post is correct there are dozens of posts relative to this.

In our case (K1), my fiance' visited even after our NOA1. He took proof that he would be going back in the event that he was given a difficult time. However, this was not the case. He flew from London to Philly then another flight to me. He was only asked for his passport, what was the reason for his visit and how long would be staying. That was all and along he came.

I phoned customs at Philly before his visit. Told them we were in the process of a K1 would it be a problem if he came to visit and he said NO MA'M. *lol* I am from the north we do not call anyone Ma'm unless they are well into their 60's. Needless to say we had no problems.

Good Luck.

Edited by Kass, 23 October 2007 - 09:19 PM.

KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-23 21:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApril Cases waiting for Packet 4 and Interviews
As an April filer we FINALLY have an interview date of *drum roll*.......
December 5th. Now this is the GET ALL BE ALL test.

However, I have heard that LONDON is not that difficult on people. GOD WILLING!

Happy Holidays
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-29 12:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApril's cases forwarded to Embassies
We have our Interview date in London on December 5th. Fingers crossed. I have heard that London is not that hard on people. GOD WILLING!

Happy Holidays.

Edited by Kass, 29 November 2007 - 11:54 AM.

KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-11-29 11:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion2006 Tax Return

I was in school from January 2006 to December 2006. I called the IRS and went through a series of questions and I was told I did not have to file. Any suggestions as to what I should do when I need to show tax returns at the interview for my fiance' in Ghana.


I was promoted at work during that last 6 months of 2006 and I am now receiving a higher rate of pay. My employer has written a notarized letter stating that my income has changed. My attorney stated that a letter from my employer would suffice. Also have a back up co-sponser just in case. I myself meet the financial guidlelines, however it is always a good idea to have back up.

Good luck
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-23 21:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDetailed London Interview experiance from interview on 08-Aug-07
Our interview in London is tomorrow. I sent along my taxes from last year. However I made less money in 2006 so it is not accurate. However, I sent them along anyway along with a letter from my employer that I am making more money. Also in our case, my fiance is retired Royal Air Force as of this past April so he gets a pretty good pension monthly and this pension is not temporary. His pension is over the poverty level of one yearly so this really helps. I also sent along bank statements and payd stubs for the past three months.

The letter was not hard. I hope that I put what I needed in it. But it was simple, how and when we met and that we are planning to marry. Cannot give too much detail relative to marriage plans as the k1 process is so up in the air time wise that you cannot make dates and deposits without the chance of losing the deposits or the date changing.
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-12-04 07:53:00
PhilippinesWhich Form ? I134 or I864
The I134....

on a side note for FYI only you only need to meet the minimum poverty guidelines for your situation with the I134. For the 1864 you need to meet the higher requirement.
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-10-23 21:38:00
PhilippinesWE GOT APPROVED AT MANILA US EMBASSY!!!
CONGRATS!!!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-12-05 08:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNew processing times

I was just in the USCIS website checking as usual and i ran by the new processing times...For about a month it said it was processin i129f's with a receipt date of Dec 14th...now it says that it is processing Jan 13th petitions...does this mean i have 4 to 5 months to go being a May filer????????????? This is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is killing me...what do we do...it is so out of our hands...feel so helpless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :crying:


If this helps I spoke to our attorney about this stating that it had said that the processing times that were posted on June 18th were for December 14th relative to K1's at the Vermont Service Center. He stated that he feels this is incorrect. We filed on 24 April and have been worrying for 88 days, well today would you not know...case updated 17 July. Our case has been in limbo with not even a touch in Vermont until today. The wait from stage 1 getting to stage 2 is tough.
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-17 19:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsThis is what's going on.
[/quote]

I could understand the asylee point completely, but like i said, the system needs revamping....why not separate it into visa type divisions!! Let be a steady pace for everybody !! Especially now that they raised the prices, and mind you , not by a little...there should be no excuse for the stop, because thats what it has become, not just a slow down but a stop
[/quote]


We could say this about every Government Office regardless of Country. There is the right way, the wrong way and the GOVERNMENT WAY! For some reason Government Offices work backwards, move as fast as cold mollasses and have workers with personalities that are completely and utterly non existent. We could get more empathy, sympathy and understanding out of R2 D2 and C3PO.... robots with no heart.

Would it be IDEAL for the process to be done in a logical sense, yes AMEN to that, but the odds are simply...just that .......odds.

Let's take for example NVC. This is where name checks are done. Well it is a proven fact that NVC processed over 7 million FALSE hits last year. This means 7 million applicants were falsely hit. This puts the applicant in the administration process from weeks to years. Now why use this process if the software being used is not accurate?

It is a Government Office the Right Way, the Wrong Way and the Government Way!

As for the high fee's, yes they are not acceptable. But how many can "hear, hear" to the fact that when you owe the Goverment BAM it's gone right out of your account, but when they owe you it is tied up in red tape for great lenghts of time. There is not rhyme and there is no reason.

If anything, we can blame ourselves for this as we are responsible to some extent as we put the politicians in place that vote on these things. Politicians that do not make the failings USCIS a priority, if it is not foot rubbing in a public bathroom it does not get noticed. However, the illegal immigrants get notice. They get notice because they took a stand (wrong or not).

We all complain on here, including me, yet when is the last time you asked your congressman for change? Change can happen. It may not help you at that moment, but it may help those that have to go through this process in the future.

But, right now at the end of the day WE are all in this process together. WE ALL WANT TO BE WITH OUR LOVED ONES. We have ALL been separated. I have been sept. from mine for over three years. But, if this is all we have then this is all we have. If this is the process that we have to go through to be together, then we have to do what we have to do.

We just chug along, become informed (VJ is a great source of ref)., and we go through the process...wrong or right. At the end of the day we will be together with those that we love and that is the material point!
KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-26 13:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsThis is what's going on.
QUOTE (BYRON-LEIDY @ Sep 26 2007, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It is very easy for those who were processed or united with their SO in under 2 months to defend USCIS....i don't think it is understod how hard and stressfull it is to wait so long and on top of it, to be kept in the dark without a single clue as to when you might be getting an NOA2....Something is seriously wrong with this!!



Byron I am not exactly sure that this is fair to state as this is not really about defending USCIS it is about understanding that there is a reason someone is an ASYLEE. For the most part they are generally here for their safety.

As for being processed quickly....well if you read our timeline this is not the case for us. If you read the RFE thread you will see my posts in there. We had a hard time of it due to USCIS (VSC) errors not our own. It took over 4 months to get our NOA2 from VSC and never did we get a correct answer when we called the center itself. It was not easy, however I can honestly say with hand on heart that I cannot compare the k1 process with those that are ASYLEES...not the same at all. Like I said the wait is difficult, not knowing anything is even worse, however at least we are safe and our loved ones are safe.

If you feel the need to be upset over time frames, then think about how hard it is when those that applied after you are receiving their NOA2's and you have not even had a touch....been there done that!

It is the way the process is. Does it need to be fixed..sure I believe so. But when it comes to ASYLEES, I will not complain.

On a personal note I have been a victim of a violent crime, and I can promise that there was nothing more important to me then the need to feel safe. Hence why I am a Victims Rights Advocate today.

I for one would not want to be an ASYLEE. I feel for those people for the most part.

Edited by Kass, 26 September 2007 - 12:53 PM.

KassFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-09-26 12:50:00