August I-130 approvals, lets do NVC together.

[Ilya R. 0]

Updated!

I'm thinking of removing the people who haven't provided anything other than the NOA2 date. I hate seeing all those blank spots there.

Ilya, that response is neither good nor bad, but normal. It Means that they have everything but your information is either under review or waiting its turn for review. Next step is case complete! Or RFE. But hopefully case complete!!

Its going to be weird having my Kate here, I already have call her routine, at such time and pretty much all by myself.

[MsZ 6]

Ilya, the next part is going to be an adjustment for sure. I think it is really important to try to anticipate her emotional reactions to things like being away from home, everything being unfamiliar, having no support system, you having things set for you but her having no friends, routine, etc. How you handle this part is going to be the basis for your marriage.

And remember, even if you do absolutely everything in your power to introduce her to people, show her around, provide her with the things she needs, she's still going to get homesick now and then. All you can do is be a shoulder.

I'm lucky in that Mike and I see each other regularly. And, lately he's been here more than not. So we're getting used to cohabitation. But it is still a change. When he moves here full time it will be more of a change for him and I'm sure there will be times when he'll wonder if he did the right thing. At least he can go back to Canada in 6.5 hours. Your girl has a much wider gap between here and there.

Do everything you can to let her know that she is your #1 priority. If the two of you put your relationship ahead of everything (including children should you have them someday), you stand a much better chance of being happy long-term. The thing that the two of you create together is #1. The two of you as individuals comes second.

[desilu 0]

Well said MsZ!

Im looking forward to life in the US but I know it'll be a big adjustment and I cant help but be apprehensive about it, especially finding a new career. I might send your words to my husband as a reminder that, whilst his life will change too, its so much more for those of us making the journey over

Edited September 24, 2008 by desilu

[Ilya R. 0]

Thanks MsZ!!!!!!!!!

I do need any advice I could get, hopefully it'll work out.

[nimche 8]

Ilya, the next part is going to be an adjustment for sure. I think it is really important to try to anticipate her emotional reactions to things like being away from home, everything being unfamiliar, having no support system, you having things set for you but her having no friends, routine, etc. How you handle this part is going to be the basis for your marriage.

And remember, even if you do absolutely everything in your power to introduce her to people, show her around, provide her with the things she needs, she's still going to get homesick now and then. All you can do is be a shoulder.

I'm lucky in that Mike and I see each other regularly. And, lately he's been here more than not. So we're getting used to cohabitation. But it is still a change. When he moves here full time it will be more of a change for him and I'm sure there will be times when he'll wonder if he did the right thing. At least he can go back to Canada in 6.5 hours. Your girl has a much wider gap between here and there.

Do everything you can to let her know that she is your #1 priority. If the two of you put your relationship ahead of everything (including children should you have them someday), you stand a much better chance of being happy long-term. The thing that the two of you create together is #1. The two of you as individuals comes second.

WOW!!!!

I am taking notes here. Great reminder. That is why I believe you guys made this forum so great. God bless you all...

I have to admit that 4 years of seperation for both of us made this way easier as if when we were moved together 4 years ago. I am happy.

Another new that my expedite request thru senator is under review in NVC.

Edited September 24, 2008 by nimche

[nimche 8]

Updated!

I'm thinking of removing the people who haven't provided anything other than the NOA2 date. I hate seeing all those blank spots there.

Ilya, that response is neither good nor bad, but normal. It Means that they have everything but your information is either under review or waiting its turn for review. Next step is case complete! Or RFE. But hopefully case complete!!

CHD, thank you again.

I loved the idea of deleting people and specially "?" mark for every one you don't know. People please help CHD to fill out the empty spots for your timeline.

Thank you for your cooperations.

Cheers and we are almost there.

[nimche 8]

If you guys need some interview question samples:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=exampleq

Edited September 24, 2008 by nimche

[Martina and Jim 0]

Hi everybody,

before I got married to my U.S. hubby, I wanted to know whether I can handle being away from home. So I left the Czech Republic in January 2008 and went to the U.S. for 5 months. Luckily I had my visitor visa so I could be with my fiance during this time.

Everything was O.K. at the beginning. I loved the U.S. and learnt new things every day. After 1 month I started to miss my job cause I was not used to being a housewife. I worked as a language teacher back in the Czech Republic. My hubby introduced me to his friends and we got on well from day one.

After 3 months I got really homesick. I missed my family and friends and didn´t know what to do with my life. I cried a lot and called my family on Skype almost every day.

But the things have changed from day to day. I found my first friend in the U.S., she is also an immigrant.

Now I am back in the Czech Republic and we are still in touch. So to summarize it, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Martina

[Ling Ling 22]

My approvals came in September, but have a problem. I am wondering if anyone approved in august had a similar problem.

My I 130 and I 129 F were approved on the same day, sept 3rd. The I 129 F process has gone forward, but the NVC has not received the I 130 application. Also people approved after me have received their case numbers. The NVC reps say that they will not look into it until 90 days, and that is how they answer every question. There is obviously a problem somewhere with the I 130 application, but they refuse to acknowledge it. I have also mailed them a copy of the approval notice for the I 130, but have not heard back from them yet.

Should I go ahead with the I 129 F application process?

Any advise would be very helpful.

I didn't have I-129F filed. But I have been waiting for Ling LIng to respond to your question since he did it as well.

But I have heard that when you have two files, they hold one in USCIS and forward only one file to NVC. Also I have heard you can USCIS to forward I-130 approval as well.

You should go ahead with I-129F and if you get done with I-130 fast you might be able to have I-129F interview scheduled but have your I-130 interview instead. Some people have done this and it will be really great cost wise and even ease of process here because you spouse will enter to the US with GC stamp in passport where with I-129F(K3) visa spouse will enter with non-immigrant visa and then you need to pay for all these fees.

Good Luck

Nimche is correct as usual.

You should continue forward with the I-129f...especially since you're from a MENA country.

If your I-130 shows up (and catches up) fine.

I guess the big question you have to ask is..."Do I have more time or more money"?

If money is important, wait for the I-130 (CR-1/IR-1)...it will cost you less, and your spouse will be able to work as soon as they get here.

If time is important, go for the I-129f (K-3)...your spouse will arrive sooner, but you'll have to deal with the Adjustment of Status (AOS) after their arrival.

Good luck.

[NicoleX08 1]

My husband has been gone for 11 months. It is so hard to adjust to that. We have been together for 5 years and then one day, he is gone. He is in Mexico right now, no where even near the border. I have seen him once in December 2007 for 5 days and Once in July 2008 for 19 days. There is no possiblity to see him for another 6 months or so. I call him every other day using a phone card. There are so many things that happen that I wish he could be here for, like my sister passing in March, he never got to pay his last respects, going to places where we used to go all the time, it makes my heart hurt. I don't know of any other way to describe it. I cry a lot when I am alone, and put on a brave face around everyone else. Just know that you and your spouse can come through this, probably stronger than you were before.

All relationships are difficult, but when you put the different cultures, different languages, and long distance relationship all together, it is extemely difficult. But just remember, that your spouse is worth it. Love them unconditionally, even through patience in this immigration process is strained. My motto lately is: "You can give me a million reasons I should not have to go through this, and I can give you a million reasons why I am proud to do it"

[Ling Ling 22]

Latest on our end....

I just got back from NYC.

Pretty much everything I expected has happened.

1. Got Ring Ring's October (FINAL) work schedule. She can't make the Oct. 14th Interview date because she'll be flying back from Chicago.

Kind of nice that she'll visit Chicago once more on duty, but sucks that she has to miss the interview...because now the earliest we can re-schedule for is

Nov. 3rd.

2. Yesterday I realized that we didn't send the un-signed DS-230 pt 2 (we just sent pt 1 signed).

So we went to Kinkos, printed it out, and expressed mailed it with the barcode sheet (good thing I had my laptop).

3. Spoke to NVC (not to be confused with NYC :-)

They said they were sending out an RFE...everything checks out on the IV package, but they're missing the DS-230 pt 2.

Checked tracking...it's in the building...but now we've gotta wait again....they said 2 to 3 weeks.

So as I expected, work would screw up interview....we'd get an RFE for something stupid...Case would've been complete within 5 days of receiving IV package.

If they enter the DS-230 pt 2 today or tomorrow, I expect case complete by Friday or Monday at the latest.

Doesn't make a big difference now, since we can't interview 'til Nov. 3rd.

If the interview was Oct. 14th, I could've been there (probably will be there during that time anyway).

Ring Ring gets home tonight, and goes for her medical in the morning.

That's our update.

[MsZ 6]

I should imagine that being "stuck" at home for a while is going to be the biggest strain on those coming here. Even my husband, while he is transfering his job here, will be stuck at home as he'll be home-based for work. That's incredibly isolating. And while he loves us (me and the kids) it is hard when we are the extent of his world.

You know what might be good for the folks coming here? Getting them a gym or YMCA pass so they can work out and maybe swim and especially for the women, maybe do yoga or pilates or something like that (though you guys would enjoy it, too!) Whether it is a private gym or the Y really depends on your Y. Where I used to live the Y was better than most gyms and a lot cheaper but I know this isn't the case everywhere.

Another option is taking some classes while you're getting on your feet in the US.

Joining hobby clubs is also good. We are into astronomy and we haven't gotten involved where I live now but I think we should. It'd be good for him especially. He's a really social guy and I'm sure after a few months of being here full-time he's goign to go nuts being in the house every day.

Find shops that have stuff from home. Shoot, even Canadian brands are different than US brands. I can't imagine how people from farther away handle the "foreignness" of our stores.

Remember to adopt some of the foreign spouse's routines, too.

No matter what, as Desilu says, this is going to be a big adjustment.

[Ling Ling 22]

My husband has been gone for 11 months. It is so hard to adjust to that. We have been together for 5 years and then one day, he is gone. He is in Mexico right now, no where even near the border. I have seen him once in December 2007 for 5 days and Once in July 2008 for 19 days. There is no possiblity to see him for another 6 months or so. I call him every other day using a phone card. There are so many things that happen that I wish he could be here for, like my sister passing in March, he never got to pay his last respects, going to places where we used to go all the time, it makes my heart hurt. I don't know of any other way to describe it. I cry a lot when I am alone, and put on a brave face around everyone else. Just know that you and your spouse can come through this, probably stronger than you were before.

All relationships are difficult, but when you put the different cultures, different languages, and long distance relationship all together, it is extemely difficult. But just remember, that your spouse is worth it. Love them unconditionally, even through patience in this immigration process is strained. My motto lately is: "You can give me a million reasons I should not have to go through this, and I can give you a million reasons why I am proud to do it"

Hey Nicole,

Sounds like you've got a great attitude there. Like you said, our spouses are worth it.

[Martina and Jim 0]

Ling Ling, it sucks.

But everybody makes mistakes.

Martina

[MsZ 6]

Yeah, Nicole. You're doing an amazing job keeping things together. Well, both of you are. When you got married you didn't sign up for this and yet you're dealing with it. So many people would have run away. You have a lot of strength.