hi from new zealand

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

Welcome to VJ and good luck.

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi again Ruby.

How wonderful your parents get to meet Jordon! I'm interested in finding out how it all went and what your parents have to say. It can be hard for some people (especially older generations) to be accepting of online relationships. The truth is I knew and loved Russell well before I ever got to put my arms around him. I'm sure you'll let your parents know when it's right for you and that everything will turn out wonderfully. Who better to spend your life with than your best friend?

It sounds like you've got a wealth of proof that can only help you throughout the process. Now just to decide what is the best course for the two of you will be.

I look forward to keeping in touch. Perhaps we should move this to the regional board?

Arohanui ruby and, as kelzm said... Kia Kaha! We'll get through this!

Kelmz... just curious if you question your decision in applying for the CR1 at all? It seems with a K1 you might have been approved by now and maybe even in the country (or close to it) and AOS would take only a few short months? Have you been questioned at all regarding your intention when entering on the VWP and getting married? Please know i'm not judging ..just very curious as all of these options have, at one time or another, been on the table for us. In any case, I wish you much success with the remainder of your journey through this horrid process! I hope you are with your husband very soon!

[kelzm 0]

Hmmm ... good idea Kim, perhaps we should start a NZ thread for those that are experiencing things with US/NZ immigration.

I often go read the Australian sticky because they're just across the ditch and a lot of things are similar. It'd be nice to see how others are going through this process dealing with the NZ embassy and other things!

Kim - in answer to your questions. What I regret most about applying for the CR1 is that we took those few extra months once we'd made a decision to put things in action. It ended up with us being right in amongst all the filers who got in to beat the cost increases and it's made things a bit stressful, such as waiting to get the NOA1 and so on.

When I went to the US to get married I actually told them that I was there intending to marry, I didn't have to, and in retrospect it would have likely been easier to say I was there for a visit. I had taken with me a letter from my employer, mortgage payment details etc to prove that I was returning to NZ and after about an hour in the immigration section, a few questions and a bag search they let me go through.

I think for me the CR1 is the right choice. I have a 14 year old son who will be remaining in NZ at his boarding school for a year to two years and it was very important for me to be able to work straight away and know that I'd be able to keep providing for him. The uncertainty of the K1 and the K3 in terms of waiting for EAD was the reason I did not go that route. The down side to the path of chosen though is the amount of time spent waiting. 6 months after submitting our paperwork to USCIS I'm starting to get very frustrated!

[Jasman0717 9]

Welcome to VJ

[rubyred 0]

thank you again, everyone. it's so nice to be here, and i have to tell you - hearing your stories and getting your advice is already making me feel a huge sense of relief, esp. knowing there are at least a couple of other US/NZ couples going through the same thing.

i'll start a thread in the regional forum if no one else has yet, i think it would be GREAT idea

[KimandRuss 0]

kelzm, thanks for your reply. I can't believe they let you through after telling them you were there to get married. I thought entering with the intent was considered visa fraud. Perhaps because you were going back to NZ? Well, I hope you receive your NOA2 very soon and that the remainder of the process is a breeze for you! If you dont mind me asking...where in NZ are you from and where will you be moving to?

I love the idea of a NZ thread in the regional forums. We can't even begin the K1 process until April so we'll be around a while! Hope to see you all there!

[KimandRuss 0]

Kia ora

this may seem a little strange but its actually kim's other half writing this, i would say better half but that is a lie she is far better half than i could have ever hoped for, and not being with her now is not a burden i like or take lightly (to tell the truth it kills) so i know how you guys must feel with all this waiting, funny thing is if it was viable the other way and kim could come here it would be so easy, for that i am not too happy with the extra wait. but in the end it will be well worth the wait to be able to wrap my arms around her and know that i never have to leave again.

anyways i just wanted to chime in and say hi, i am sure by now you have received all the advice you can process at the moment ruby, i know when kim and i started looking into all this the idea of time apart felt like a big stone hanging over our heads, we are still waiting, but hoping for that magical 2 week process time on the noa2. lol. if there are any of those processing people out there, pleasssssssssssssssssssssssssssse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what ever the case may end up i know we are on the path to something magical.

ok i am gonna stop being soppy, i blame the late hour, its just about 11 here, i need to get my butt in bed

i hope you are all keeping sane,

take care

aroha nui

Russ