Just Turkish

[awaterlily 0]

great news - checked our USCIS online status and our 10 yr PR card was finally approved and card production ordered today!

[kennyandhandan 2]

great news - checked our USCIS online status and our 10 yr PR card was finally approved and card production ordered today!

Congratulations.

We finally submitted our AOS today. We've been so lazy about it and it was less work than the I-129F.

[tanyakaraman 0]

Congrats!!

great news - checked our USCIS online status and our 10 yr PR card was finally approved and card production ordered today!

[awaterlily 0]

Yay! Hope the process goes quick and smoothly for you!

We finally submitted our AOS today. We've been so lazy about it and it was less work than the I-129F.

[sardes 0]

Hello all,

Does anyone go with K-3 here? Please help! We got our K-3 approval on the Dec 2nd. now just want to expedite our K-3.. How can we get ready before I get the package 3 from the US Embassy in Ankara. Can I download and fill out the forms from here; http://turkey.usembassy.gov/visa_forms.html or should I wait for the package 3? If we do all paperwork now, once I get the package I can send everything to Ankara without delay.. I hope to get the interview at least in the beginning of the February..

Thanks in advance...

Yay! Hope the process goes quick and smoothly for you!

We finally submitted our AOS today. We've been so lazy about it and it was less work than the I-129F.

[JULIAFERNO 0]

Hello all,

Does anyone go with K-3 here? Please help! We got our K-3 approval on the Dec 2nd. now just want to expedite our K-3.. How can we get ready before I get the package 3 from the US Embassy in Ankara. Can I download and fill out the forms from here; http://turkey.usembassy.gov/visa_forms.html or should I wait for the package 3? If we do all paperwork now, once I get the package I can send everything to Ankara without delay.. I hope to get the interview at least in the beginning of the February..

Thanks in advance...

Yay! Hope the process goes quick and smoothly for you!

We finally submitted our AOS today. We've been so lazy about it and it was less work than the I-129F.

Yes, you can download the forms online and fill them out before you receive packet 3. Follow the instructions for the K3 visa. Here's the direct link: http://turkey.usembassy.gov/uploads/images...K3K4_081908.pdf

Your husband can complete his affidavit of support and related documents. If you need to obtain police certificates from other countries I suggest you do that now. Onur waited 6 weeks for his certificate from Cyprus. You can work on preparing all other documents listed in the instructions and have everything ready before you even hear from the embassy.

Good luck!

[sardes 0]

Thank you! Do you know how long it takes me to receive the package 3? Our K-3 was approved on the December 2nd.

I lived in America 3 years, between 2002-2005. but as far as I know I don't need to get police certificate from America. I just got it in Turkey.

Also how can we know what my husband will prepares except the affidavit of support form.. What are the other related documents?

Many many thanks...

Hello all,

Does anyone go with K-3 here? Please help! We got our K-3 approval on the Dec 2nd. now just want to expedite our K-3.. How can we get ready before I get the package 3 from the US Embassy in Ankara. Can I download and fill out the forms from here; http://turkey.usembassy.gov/visa_forms.html or should I wait for the package 3? If we do all paperwork now, once I get the package I can send everything to Ankara without delay.. I hope to get the interview at least in the beginning of the February..

Thanks in advance...

Yay! Hope the process goes quick and smoothly for you!

We finally submitted our AOS today. We've been so lazy about it and it was less work than the I-129F.

Yes, you can download the forms online and fill them out before you receive packet 3. Follow the instructions for the K3 visa. Here's the direct link: http://turkey.usembassy.gov/uploads/images...K3K4_081908.pdf

Your husband can complete his affidavit of support and related documents. If you need to obtain police certificates from other countries I suggest you do that now. Onur waited 6 weeks for his certificate from Cyprus. You can work on preparing all other documents listed in the instructions and have everything ready before you even hear from the embassy.

Good luck!

[miamiwife 0]

If you go to the Guides section there is information on all the forms and steps for the K-3 visa with links to the forms your husband can fill out. As far as Ankara goes--they are back this week from holiday so you can e-mail them and see if they received your case from NVC. If they have, you can send in the packet 3 items that are listed on their website. I think the actual packet took a couple of weeks for them to send to my husband, but we already had it all ready to go. Their website gives you the exact packet 3 instructions and forms that they will send to you. Just make sure to make copies of everything, get everything in Turkish translated into English, and get some extra photos since you will need this for the medical exam and possibly at the interview. It is all exciting and you run around getting all your paperwork in place and then have to wait for whenever they schedule your interview. Some people get the interview a week later, and some (like Julia and me) get their interviews scheduled 3 months after sending in all the paperwork. It is a fickle system. Good luck!

[internetkafe 0]

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.

[awaterlily 0]

I'm guessing this was meant for me since Debra and Candamir don't have kids together.

So, yes, the religious questions came up before and during the time of planning a baby. This is too important not to discuss. Sometimes, it can make or break a marriage.

Yes, we are one of those who will allow our daughter to choose her spiritual path. Neither of us actively practice our birth faith nor do our extended families. We're not atheist, but agnostic. We believe in a high power, Supreme being, Creator of all things but dont necessarily follow any one organized religion.

In terms of national/ethnic identity - well it's important enough for us where our daughter has dual citizenship. For now, she has minimal exposure to other Turks. That said, my husband often speaks to her in Turkish, his family comes here for extended visits (they live in Turkey). When she is older, we plan for her entire summers to be in Turkey.

She has a collection of Turkish learning books and movies which my husband helps her with. She even has a couple Turkish soccer team jerseys

In the end though, the way our children connect with their ethnic/religious identity largely depends on us - the parents. It's our responsibility to give them that exposure and teach the value of it. That said, if our children never experience Turkey first hand, they may never fully grasp what it is to be a Turk.

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.

Edited December 15, 2008 by awaterlily

[awaterlily 0]

as far as Obama, his father was in the U. S. as a student - only - and then went back to Africa. Obama grew up having virtually no relation with him. Had his father been an active force in his life, he may have grew to be an entirely different man.

His mother could neither teach him what it means to be black, African, nor Muslim.

[internetkafe 0]

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.

[awaterlily 0]

I believe Obama was born out of wedlock. Again, his father went back to Kenya and had virtually no involvement in Obama's life.

Obama's choosing Christianity is a loss for his late-father in my opinion.

in repsonse to this statement, would you say it's a loss for his mother had he choose Islam?

Remember, his father CHOSE to be absent from O's life.

BTW, Did you know Obama wrote two books?

TY for the congrats. We're releived to finally be done with this phase of immigration and eager to move on to the path of naturalization.

[sardes 0]

Thank you!

I called the US Embassy in Ankara yesterday. They said they haven't received our K-3 yet, but the woman at the embassy gave me a number that starts with ANK. Also she told me I don't have to wait for the package. She said we can fill out all the forms on the website and prepare the documents, and as soon as the consulate receive our K-3, I can send all the papers to Ankara without waiting the package. She said if we get ready and send everything once they receive K-3, they'll give me interview date asap. but if we get late, interview may be scheduled in March We really don't want this.. that is why we are going with K-3, not cr1.

Because we are going with K-3, my husband will not do anything in the US. I'll do all the paperwork here. Right???

The documents that my husband will send me are below.. please let me know if anything is missing or wrong...Thanks!!

completed and signed the original form I-134, Affidavit of Support (notarized)

2007 W-2

2007 tax returns

bank and other financial statements.. (because my husband's income is above powertyline we don't need these)

3 most recent pay stubs (is this necessary???)

pay rolls (is this necessary???)

Signed letter from my husband's employer.. listing his job title, start date, salary, the status (full time) of his posit

Thanks again!!!

If you go to the Guides section there is information on all the forms and steps for the K-3 visa with links to the forms your husband can fill out. As far as Ankara goes--they are back this week from holiday so you can e-mail them and see if they received your case from NVC. If they have, you can send in the packet 3 items that are listed on their website. I think the actual packet took a couple of weeks for them to send to my husband, but we already had it all ready to go. Their website gives you the exact packet 3 instructions and forms that they will send to you. Just make sure to make copies of everything, get everything in Turkish translated into English, and get some extra photos since you will need this for the medical exam and possibly at the interview. It is all exciting and you run around getting all your paperwork in place and then have to wait for whenever they schedule your interview. Some people get the interview a week later, and some (like Julia and me) get their interviews scheduled 3 months after sending in all the paperwork. It is a fickle system. Good luck!

[tanyakaraman 0]

My husband and I are raising my 3 children (from a previous marriage) together. He is Muslim but not strict. I was raised Christian but no longer choose to "label" myself as such (I am not an athiest...I just don't feel the need to put a denominational label on my belief in God). Obviously, my children were raised in America all their lives so Christmas has just always been a tradition for them, and one that they obviously look forward to and enjoy. We view the Christmas tree and gift giving as a non-religious custom, although obviously it is related to a religious holiday for Christians.

After all, the christmas tree originated as a pagan custom I believe, and my husband loves the fact that Santa Clause himself (though Christian) originated in Anatolia (at least according to one legend). My husband celebrates Christmas with us and just considers it a part of the New Year celebration. We also celebrate the Muslim holidays such as Ramadan and Eid.

As far as religion goes, I make every effort to educate my children about different religions, although admittedly, they do have more exposure to Christianity...simply because of where we live and my family, etc. I do feel that one's faith is a personal decision and it's one that I want my children to make based on their own education, experience and just what they feel is the best fit for them.

I'm sure, however, that when/if my husband and I have our own children together, there will be a much more balanced input from his side, and that will be fine with me....even welcomed We often discuss moving back to Turkey someday as well.

I believe that children should be exposed to and taught as much as possible about their (and their parents') heritage, history and religion. Those things are an important part of who they are.

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.