NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

2-6 MONTH MORE

[kiwiana 2]

I'M CANT BELIEVE THIS... INTERVEIW DIDNT GO WELL...AND IF THIS MAKES NO SENCE IS'S BECASUE I'M CRYING AS I WRITE IT...THEY SAID I DIDNT HAVE MY DIVROCE PAPERS FROM THE COURT BUT I SENT THEM WHAT THEY SENT ME...HE HAD SOME PRIOR CONVICTIONS THAT WERE 15 YRS AGO.. NOTHING MAJOR, JUST MINOR BUT WANT IT RAN THROUGH HOMELAND SECURITY.. AND EACH OF US TO WRITE A LETTER OF HARDSHIP..GOING TO COST US 891 MORE DOLLARS AND MAYBE TAKE 2-6 TO PROCESS...MY HEART IS BROKEN...

I'm soo sorry! I know it is very heartbreaking but you have to keep positive and know that you will be with each other in 2-6 months. Have to remain strong on this Did they say what the 891 dollars is for? will you have to contact the court about your divorce papers?

My heart feels for you soo much!! It is such a long process and then to have a setback. but you have to tell yourself that it IS just a setback and don't give up!!! Lots of hugs!!!

[kiwiana 2]

Hey guys, thought I would introduce myself as I have been lurking for quite a while benefiting from all the helpful advice posted in this thread and now have a bit more complicated situation!

I'm an NZer and have been living with my USC partner here in Auckland for the past 2 and a half years. As my partner's visa runs out mid 09, we decided it would be a good time to move over to the states to be nearer his family for a while.

We went in about 3 weeks ago to the consulate and filed the DS-230 and so forth to start the so-called 'pre-processing' for the CR-1 visa. We got married a week later and then posted in the DS2001. We now have an interview appointment on the 23rd of March.

All going well and good so far, except in the past few days we have suddenly changed our plans and now want to stay in New Zealand for the time being. However....we still want to go to the US for a few weeks visit with family, and are then going on from there on a 2 month holiday in Europe. We also want to apply for his New Zealand residency while over in the states because like with doing DCF, it seems to be quicker than applying from within New Zealand.

Because of all this we're both going to have to pretty much pack up our lives in New Zealand for the moment including quitting our jobs etc., so I am quite worried that I would be denied entry to the US if I tried to enter on the visa waiver programme. I wouldn't really have anything to show links to my home country at all. Is it a totally ridiculous plan to go through with getting the CR-1 visa anyway so that I definitely wouldn't get denied entry? It would probably be cheaper than having to buy a ticket back home if I was denied entry.

I know I would have to abandon my residency, but are there any horrible ramifications of abandoning residency after 3 or 4 months that I'm forgetting..? Or any other great options?

Would be great to get some other perspectives on this!

welcome!! I'm sorry i can't help you (k1) but hopefully someone here that has been through CR-1/DCF can.

[cdneh 3,112]

I'M CANT BELIEVE THIS... INTERVEIW DIDNT GO WELL...AND IF THIS MAKES NO SENCE IS'S BECASUE I'M CRYING AS I WRITE IT...THEY SAID I DIDNT HAVE MY DIVROCE PAPERS FROM THE COURT BUT I SENT THEM WHAT THEY SENT ME...HE HAD SOME PRIOR CONVICTIONS THAT WERE 15 YRS AGO.. NOTHING MAJOR, JUST MINOR BUT WANT IT RAN THROUGH HOMELAND SECURITY.. AND EACH OF US TO WRITE A LETTER OF HARDSHIP..GOING TO COST US 891 MORE DOLLARS AND MAYBE TAKE 2-6 TO PROCESS...MY HEART IS BROKEN...

I'm soo sorry! I know it is very heartbreaking but you have to keep positive and know that you will be with each other in 2-6 months. Have to remain strong on this Did they say what the 891 dollars is for? will you have to contact the court about your divorce papers?

My heart feels for you soo much!! It is such a long process and then to have a setback. but you have to tell yourself that it IS just a setback and don't give up!!! Lots of hugs!!!

Ivannna I am so sorry to read your news But it's a setback sweetie...and that's all

What is the further expense for? What have they told you to do next?

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

I'M CANT BELIEVE THIS... INTERVEIW DIDNT GO WELL...AND IF THIS MAKES NO SENCE IS'S BECASUE I'M CRYING AS I WRITE IT...THEY SAID I DIDNT HAVE MY DIVROCE PAPERS FROM THE COURT BUT I SENT THEM WHAT THEY SENT ME...HE HAD SOME PRIOR CONVICTIONS THAT WERE 15 YRS AGO.. NOTHING MAJOR, JUST MINOR BUT WANT IT RAN THROUGH HOMELAND SECURITY.. AND EACH OF US TO WRITE A LETTER OF HARDSHIP..GOING TO COST US 891 MORE DOLLARS AND MAYBE TAKE 2-6 TO PROCESS...MY HEART IS BROKEN...

wow i'm so very sorry to hear your bad news

[rubyred 0]

wow, that's terrible news! i can't understand why they would schedule an interview if they didn't have all the appropriate info from you in the package?! don't panic - just do what you need to do, step by step. if you want it bad enough, you'll get through.

i have a question for those who are going through AOS: we're getting married at the end of the month (just the legal side, will have the ceremony april next year when family can make it over), and then will send off the AOS package. what is the travel restriction while in AOS? we want to go back to nz for our honeymoon, probably in may 2010, and since J has a limited window in which he can take extended time off work, i'm hoping i'll be free to travel by then.

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

THIS IS THE CHECKLIST

1) I601 FILES IN PERSON AT CONSULET GENERAL WILL BE FORWARDED TO HOMELAND SECURITY , CITIZENSHIP AND IMMAGRATON SERVICES REGIONALOFFICE IN BANGKOK.. FOR ADJUICATION CAN NOT BE JUDICATED BY THIS OFFICE.

2) US 545 FEE OR NZ 981 IN CASH OR BANK CHECK

3) STATEMENT OF HARDSHIP FROM US CITIZEN SPOUCE ( FIANCE OR IMEDIATE RELATIVE)

4) ANY ADDITIONAL STATEMENT YOU MAY WISH TO PROVIDE CONCERNING THE CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING YOUR ELIGIBILITY

5) CHARACTER REFFERENCES IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE THEM

!)NEW BIRTH CERT FOR HIM

2) DIVORCE PAPERS

3) EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT- BANNK ACCT INFO WHICH HE HAD-

4)WRITING A STAEMENT FOR RENEWAL OF FIANCE VISA TO EXTEND THE PETION

THATS ABOUT IT...

THIS IS THE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM- YOUR I601 WAIVER APPLICATION WILL BE SUMMITED VIA THIS OFFICE TO THE USCIS REGIONAL OFFICE IN BANGKOK THIAILAND FOR DECISION. THIS PROCESS MAY TAKE MANY MONTHS AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF APPROVAL.

THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT..HUH?

[Kelvan 0]

Sorry to hear that ivannnaloveskiwi... good luck with getting all that stuff done. You will TOTALLY deserve your visa when you get approved, try not to freak out too much and do what you gotta do

I had a mini freak out this morning! Realised that my interview is Thursday, March 19. I'm going on holiday the following Monday to Australia March 23 - 26. That means if they keep my passport for 2 - 3 working days, I won't be able to go to Australia without it. So I called the consulate to reschedule my interview, but was told that I could take my passport home with me and return it once I get back

[KimandRuss 0]

Ivanna, i'm so sorry but please stand strong... this is when you need to be! Firstly, what is the primary reason for the denial? Did you not send the divorce decree??? In MA we have a 120 wait after a divorce is finalized and before you can receive your decree of absolute. Is it something like this? Or, were the past convictions not mentioned on the initial forms so you're dealing with misrepresentation or IMBRA issues??? Is this checklist exactly what the slip of paper he got says??? Is there a specific reason for inadmissabiity???

Here is the link for the waiver.

Give them everything they are asking for as soon as possible. Try not to let them send your case back to uscis... it will just get lost in a black hole if that happens! If you can afford to hire an attorney familiar with AUK then do so. Take a deep breath... you'll get through this! I-601's are actually very common and there is tons of information about them online. I'm just curious why you couldn't just supply them with the right divorce paperwork ...perhaps the convictions??? Please keep us posted. I'll be happy to help any way that I can.

Justine, just do not leave the Country until you have AP (advanced parole) or your temp green card! They wont let you back in.

[rubyred 0]

does the AP often arrive before the temp green card?

[kiwiana 2]

yes, he's leaving tomorrow =D im so excited. Sry havent posted a bit but ive had the flu and a birthday

Lisaandtim: All the very best on your wedding day on the 27th (tomorrow in usa)

kimandruss: Great to see you back!!

cdneh: only like 4 days to go!!! woo hooo

michelle: did you get a confirmed booking for 9th march?

I thought i would try and pack my two suitcases last night. woah! Looks like i am going to have to thin my stuff out even more. The NEW suitcase i bought was groaning under the weight of what i had packed into it so far

[cdneh 3,112]

yes, he's leaving tomorrow =D im so excited. Sry havent posted a bit but ive had the flu and a birthday

Lisaandtim: All the very best on your wedding day on the 27th (tomorrow in usa)

kimandruss: Great to see you back!!

cdneh: only like 4 days to go!!! woo hooo

michelle: did you get a confirmed booking for 9th march?

I thought i would try and pack my two suitcases last night. woah! Looks like i am going to have to thin my stuff out even more. The NEW suitcase i bought was groaning under the weight of what i had packed into it so far

I had a test run too...heh..with the same result. I keep checking the E-ticket...how much am I allowed??? The flatmate brought out the bath room scales, "weigh that" she says

I am sending 7 boxes today by Post. I've got 3 biggish ones, and 4 small ones. A lot of that is sewing gear, and bits and bobs. Before I saved lives and kicked butt for a living, I used to be a costumer. I'm going back to that.

I fly out on Tuesday...OMG..that IS 4 days!!!

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

yes, he's leaving tomorrow =D im so excited. Sry havent posted a bit but ive had the flu and a birthday

Lisaandtim: All the very best on your wedding day on the 27th (tomorrow in usa)

kimandruss: Great to see you back!!

cdneh: only like 4 days to go!!! woo hooo

michelle: did you get a confirmed booking for 9th march?

I thought i would try and pack my two suitcases last night. woah! Looks like i am going to have to thin my stuff out even more. The NEW suitcase i bought was groaning under the weight of what i had packed into it so far

unfortunately not, silly of me to hope i could go on the 9th, it was dependent on the ex wanting an earlier closure on the house sale and he didn't so now i've resigned myself to having to wait til the 14th march, even that is prob being optimistic but i'm gonna do my best to fly out of here on the 14th.

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

Ivanna, i'm so sorry but please stand strong... this is when you need to be! Firstly, what is the primary reason for the denial? Did you not send the divorce decree??? In MA we have a 120 wait after a divorce is finalized and before you can receive your decree of absolute. Is it something like this? Or, were the past convictions not mentioned on the initial forms so you're dealing with misrepresentation or IMBRA issues??? Is this checklist exactly what the slip of paper he got says??? Is there a specific reason for inadmissabiity???

Here is the link for the waiver.

Give them everything they are asking for as soon as possible. Try not to let them send your case back to uscis... it will just get lost in a black hole if that happens! If you can afford to hire an attorney familiar with AUK then do so. Take a deep breath... you'll get through this! I-601's are actually very common and there is tons of information about them online. I'm just curious why you couldn't just supply them with the right divorce paperwork ...perhaps the convictions??? Please keep us posted. I'll be happy to help any way that I can.

Justine, just do not leave the Country until you have AP (advanced parole) or your temp green card! They wont let you back in.

i sent the divorce papers the court sent me..guess they weren't certified..as for his convictions they were over 15 yrs ago and he hasnt been in trouble since..ithink its all because of that personally..having to do the I601 , and it being sent to babgkok ..is whats getting us.. as for writing a hrdship letter, i have no idea what that is or how to ask for an extentin of our fiance visa..i email them and they asked me to call "her" pesonally so we'll see...i'm tying to strong but i feel like my body is here and the rest of me is lost... gone... i seriously thinking of going to nz till this is over.. i cant take it we've been apart to long...ty kim any help would be great

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

Ivanna, i'm so sorry but please stand strong... this is when you need to be! Firstly, what is the primary reason for the denial? Did you not send the divorce decree??? In MA we have a 120 wait after a divorce is finalized and before you can receive your decree of absolute. Is it something like this? Or, were the past convictions not mentioned on the initial forms so you're dealing with misrepresentation or IMBRA issues??? Is this checklist exactly what the slip of paper he got says??? Is there a specific reason for inadmissabiity???

Here is the link for the waiver.

Give them everything they are asking for as soon as possible. Try not to let them send your case back to uscis... it will just get lost in a black hole if that happens! If you can afford to hire an attorney familiar with AUK then do so. Take a deep breath... you'll get through this! I-601's are actually very common and there is tons of information about them online. I'm just curious why you couldn't just supply them with the right divorce paperwork ...perhaps the convictions??? Please keep us posted. I'll be happy to help any way that I can.

Justine, just do not leave the Country until you have AP (advanced parole) or your temp green card! They wont let you back in.

this is the checklist they gave him...YES past concivtions were mentioned, he had to get something from the court..to give them , they had all the information.. no information was with held..she said..that it needed to be investigated by that place in bangkok...we were honest about everyhting.. the divorce papers i thought were certified.. guess they weren't..had no idea about hardship and they want us both to write one..