Arrived in the US

[shikarnov 7]

Greetings All,

The other day, Ira and I arrived in the US, by way of JFK Airport. There seemed to be no issues whatsoever with her entering. She stood with me in the line for US Citizens and Residents. The only question asked was when we're planning to get married. We turned over the sealed embassy packet, got fingerprints taken, and then were shuffled to another room where we waited for 15 minutes before getting Ira's passport returned. A remarkably simple process.

Our two cats also had a relatively uneventful entry. Having gotten all the necessary health certificates in Russia, the Customs agents simply entered the info on the forms, and let us pass. Took about 10 minutes total.

From a technical perspective, the entire experience was a breeze.

Emotionally, the experience was a roller coaster. For all our zeal, and the culmination at completing a very long arduous process, the effects of our decision on others were felt most keenly... Playing darts with her brother, counting the minutes remaining... Watching from the taxi window as Ira's mom sobbed uncontrollably and silently blessed us with her hands while we drove away... The tightening of Ira's hand holding mine as the plane sped down the runway, and the awed look in her wet sad eyes as she looked down at Moscow for the first time... It's a day I'll never forget -- not only because of it's personal historical significance, but also because it's the day in which I learned that happy moments are sometimes awfully bitter.

So what did I miss around here?

Z

Edited May 8, 2008 by shikarnov

[slim 1,533]

Well, you didn't miss too much around here. It's been quite quiet as almost all of our "big contributors" the last couple of months are all going through the interview process or just had their little sweeties arrive. Seems there's some "laundry" to do.

Hats off to them! Doing the "laundry" is always nice here. I just have more time for VJ than laundry... the "joy" of married life.

[kud 0]

Greetings All,

The other day, Ira and I arrived in the US, by way of JFK Airport. There seemed to be no issues whatsoever with her entering. She stood with me in the line for US Citizens and Residents. The only question asked was when we're planning to get married. We turned over the sealed embassy packet, got fingerprints taken, and then were shuffled to another room where we waited for 15 minutes before getting Ira's passport returned. A remarkably simple process.

Our two cats also had a relatively uneventful entry. Having gotten all the necessary health certificates in Russia, the Customs agents simply entered the info on the forms, and let us pass. Took about 10 minutes total.

From a technical perspective, the entire experience was a breeze.

Emotionally, the experience was a roller coaster. For all our zeal, and the culmination at completing a very long arduous process, the effects of our decision on others were felt most keenly... Playing darts with her brother, counting the minutes remaining... Watching from the taxi window as Ira's mom sobbed uncontrollably and silently blessed us with her hands while we drove away... The tightening of Ira's hand holding mine as the plane sped down the runway, and the awed look in her wet sad eyes as she looked down at Moscow for the first time... It's a day I'll never forget -- not only because of it's personal historical significance, but also because it's the day in which I learned that happy moments are sometimes awfully bitter.

So what did I miss around here?

Z

Congratulations, hope you guys will be real happy going forward

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

[Corey-Mariya 14]

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Mariya is coming after you correct? If this is the case, she needs to have the Embassy package in her hands at the POE not you. All you need is your passport.

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

[Corey-Mariya 14]

Mariya is coming after you correct? If this is the case, she needs to have the Embassy package in her hands at the POE not you. All you need is your passport.

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

I (Mariya) sent that message! What does POE mean?

Ill travel to the USA by myself, Corey is waiting for me in Harrisburg

Edited May 8, 2008 by Corey-Mariya

[eekee 182]

Point of entry... Yours is JFK.

Mariya is coming after you correct? If this is the case, she needs to have the Embassy package in her hands at the POE not you. All you need is your passport.

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

I (Mariya) sent that message! What does POE mean?

Ill travel to the USA by myself, Corey is waiting for me in Harrisburg

[Corey-Mariya 14]

Point of entry... Yours is JFK.

Mariya is coming after you correct? If this is the case, she needs to have the Embassy package in her hands at the POE not you. All you need is your passport.

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

I (Mariya) sent that message! What does POE mean?

Ill travel to the USA by myself, Corey is waiting for me in Harrisburg

OK! Cool!

Thank u

Edited May 8, 2008 by Corey-Mariya

[CARY 0]

Avoid Atlanta!!!!!!!

[lunabean 0]

One thing that you didn't mention regarding JFK and your experience arriving........did your fiance get her temporary work permit?

Thanks for sharing your experience. My fiance arrives in a week and I know he is really going through a lot right now. I agree that it is such a bittersweet experience. We have waited and worked so hard to get to this next phase of our realtionship and yet he has to say goodbye to all of his family and closest friends......I wish you the best of luck!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Oooh, okay! Yes, Mariya, hand them your Embassy packet and passport with visa at the POE (as Eekee said Point Of Entry)!

Mariya is coming after you correct? If this is the case, she needs to have the Embassy package in her hands at the POE not you. All you need is your passport.

Don't forget the snow has finally melted! and weather is getting nice. Personally, I'll take outdoor activity over sitting inside on the computer any day! Just not a lot to talk about either.

Hey!

I have a question...so, the only papiers I need to show in the airport are embassy package and my passport?

thanx

I (Mariya) sent that message! What does POE mean?

Ill travel to the USA by myself, Corey is waiting for me in Harrisburg

[R&I 0]

Avoid Atlanta!!!!!!!

Cary, why avoiding Atlanta? Could you please explain???

[Bobalouie 0]

Avoid Atlanta!!!!!!!

Cary, why avoiding Atlanta? Could you please explain???

You dont need to avoid Atlanta. My fiancee and I went thru there as our POE 2 weeks ago. It is painless, but it takes a long time because they are a little slow. What should have been about 20 minutes worth of work took them 1 hour 10 minutes, and we were lucky. We were third in line, and they had the other two before us cleaned out within 15 minutes. By the time we left, there were about 11 people waiting behind us. Just make sure you leave about 5 hours between your connecting flights

[Satellite 1]

Avoid Atlanta!!!!!!!

Nobody should be avoiding any POE. Just because someone had a less then friendly point of entry officer or experienced an unusual delay at any given POE, doesn't mean you should avoid it. Your odds of getting a repeat experience are slim considering that there so many different officers and different air traffic situations.

The only known difference in Point of Entries is JFK, you can get a TEMP EAD, everything else is the same about the rest.