Scandinavians

[Sunni 0]

Here is a little tip for you guys not over here yet! Here you have to build your credit, and it doesn't work at all like over in Scandinavia. The easiest way is to be put on your partners account but if you are like me, independent and stubborn there are other ways ;-) There is something called a secured credit card, you " charge" it with $300-2000, you decide the amount. Then that will be your credit, you use it every month and pay it off. After a year your bank will transform this to a "normal" credit card and you will get the money that you put in in the first place back.

Even if you don't really want a credit card this is the easiest way to build your credit!

Does this mean I could start building credit while still here in Sweden??

[Mr. Borkström 63]

I have something I would like to run by you guys.

How long do you suppose POE will take for little old me?

I still have no idea when I'll finally fly over to reunite with my wife. We've looked a little bit at flights, though, and a lot of flights from Sweden to Pittsburgh go via either Chicago, New York (Newark) or Detroit.

One flight we looked at had a 10 hour layover in Detroit. That's A LOT! My wife said she'd rather drive to Detroit and pick me up.

Another one sounded a lot more reasonable, 3 hours (give or take) in Chicago.

I don't mind waiting, but I don't want to wait too long.

[jaycali 415]

Does this mean I could start building credit while still here in Sweden??

Probably not, since you won't be able to put any account in your name until you have a social security number (equivalent to Scandinavian personnummer).

I have something I would like to run by you guys. How long do you suppose POE will take for little old me?I still have no idea when I'll finally fly over to reunite with my wife. We've looked a little bit at flights, though, and a lot of flights from Sweden to Pittsburgh go via either Chicago, New York (Newark) or Detroit.One flight we looked at had a 10 hour layover in Detroit. That's A LOT! My wife said she'd rather drive to Detroit and pick me up. Another one sounded a lot more reasonable, 3 hours (give or take) in Chicago.I don't mind waiting, but I don't want to wait too long.

Judging from the massive amounts of POE reviews I spend my free time reading, it seems like 3 - 4 hours is a reasonable time frame. 2 is optimistic, 10 is overly pessimistic

The actual processing takes less than 10 minutes. But compare that to 2 - 3 minutes for most visas and most CBP officers will not want to deal with it if it's busy, and instead take you into the secondary inspection area for someone else to handle it. What it really comes down to is how busy immigration is when you land. If you land at the same time as three 747s from China and an A380 from India, you'll probably be waiting in line for 30 minutes and then go through the secondary inspection area for processing, which could take a few hours. If your flight happens to be the only flight coming in at that exact time you can reasonably expect 30 - 40 minutes total.

Newark and especially Detroit are my best guesses for shorter lines. I've never waited more than 20 minutes in line at Newark, and Detroit doesn't get too many international flights at the same time. Chicago O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world.

Edited October 11, 2012 by jaejayC

[jaycali 415]

When emailing the Stockholm embassy, how would you guys rate the answers? I do get replies fairly quickly, but they're always very short and not too informative. For example, I just had my medical scheduled so I inquired today about an interview date in late October or early November if possible, and the reply was "We are fully booked in October." nothing more, nothing less. Had to reply again to ask about November - Still waiting for a reply on that.

Edited October 11, 2012 by jaejayC

[Sunni 0]

I have another question -

What do I have to do (different), since my USC husband is living with me in Sweden? Affidavit (finance) must come from some of his family members then I guess?

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Probably not, since you won't be able to put any account in your name until you have a social security number (equivalent to Scandinavian personnummer).

Judging from the massive amounts of POE reviews I spend my free time reading, it seems like 3 - 4 hours is a reasonable time frame. 2 is optimistic, 10 is overly pessimistic

The actual processing takes less than 10 minutes. But compare that to 2 - 3 minutes for most visas and most CBP officers will not want to deal with it if it's busy, and instead take you into the secondary inspection area for someone else to handle it. What it really comes down to is how busy immigration is when you land. If you land at the same time as three 747s from China and an A380 from India, you'll probably be waiting in line for 30 minutes and then go through the secondary inspection area for processing, which could take a few hours. If your flight happens to be the only flight coming in at that exact time you can reasonably expect 30 - 40 minutes total.

Newark and especially Detroit are my best guesses for shorter lines. I've never waited more than 20 minutes in line at Newark, and Detroit doesn't get too many international flights at the same time. Chicago O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world.

Cool, thanks. I appreciate it.

[jaycali 415]

I have another question - What do I have to do (different), since my USC husband is living with me in Sweden? Affidavit (finance) must come from some of his family members then I guess?

If he's your husband I'm assuming CR-1/IR-1 is what you're going for, right? In that case he still needs to fill out a form I-864 himself. In addition, you need a sponsor to meet the income requirement since only current US income can be used (If you're a household of 2, the requirements are currently $18,912 for the lower 48 states, $23,650 for Alaska and $21,762 for Hawaii). Any US citizen or LPR can do this, doesn't necessarily have to be a family member - Just remember that they are taking financial responsibility for you.

They'll fill out a form I-864A to be filed along with your husband's I-864.

Edited October 11, 2012 by jaejayC

[Sunni 0]

If he's your husband I'm assuming CR-1/IR-1 is what you're going for, right? In that case he still needs to fill out a form I-864 himself. In addition, you need a sponsor to meet the income requirement since only current US income can be used (If you're a household of 2, the requirements are currently $18,912 for the lower 48 states, $23,650 for Alaska and $21,762 for Hawaii). Any US citizen or LPR can do this, doesn't necessarily have to be a family member - Just remember that they are taking financial responsibility for you.

They'll fill out a form I-864A to be filed along with your husband's I-864.

Wow, thank you so much!!

Since we'll be a household of three, we'll need a little more than that I presume? Yes, we'll be going for the CR-1/IR-1

[Sunni 0]

Someone mentioned to me that we should apply for the I-485 too? Is this necessary and/or faster?

[Mr. Borkström 63]

When emailing the Stockholm embassy, how would you guys rate the answers? I do get replies fairly quickly, but they're always very short and not too informative. For example, I just had my medical scheduled so I inquired today about an interview date in late October or early November if possible, and the reply was "We are fully booked in October." nothing more, nothing less. Had to reply again to ask about November - Still waiting for a reply on that.

Hmm. I would say that if I compare emails I've gotten from the NVC to the ones I've gotten from the Stockholm embassy, the NVC emails seem like someone has copied and pasted a pre-existing answer, like a FAQ, if you get my meaning. Answers from the embassy have been, exactly like you said, short and not overly informative. Certain parts of what I've asked were left unanswered. The replies from the embassy has felt less professional, but on the other hand they have not seemed computer generated: a human being actually looked at my email and wrote out an albeit short reply, but a reply from a human none the less.

[Mr. Borkström 63]

When emailing the Stockholm embassy, how would you guys rate the answers? I do get replies fairly quickly, but they're always very short and not too informative. For example, I just had my medical scheduled so I inquired today about an interview date in late October or early November if possible, and the reply was "We are fully booked in October." nothing more, nothing less. Had to reply again to ask about November - Still waiting for a reply on that.

Typical email from the NVC:

Dear Sir/Madam,

The attached correspondence relates to an immigrant visa referenced on the subject line. This case is being processed by the National Visa Center. Please read the information carefully and follow the instructions.

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee, please notify NVCinquiry@state.gov immediately by e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secured or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this message.

If at any time you wish not to receive correspondence by e-mail you may "Opt Out" by sending a written request to NVCinquiry@state.gov. This e-mail is sent by: The U.S. Department of State's National Visa Center, located at 32 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth NH 03801. Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail.

Typical email from the embassy:

Dear Sir,

Due to unforeseen circumstances we will need to cancel your appointment on October 9, 2012 and re-schedule either before October 5 or after October 12. Please let us know when you would like to come.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

[Mr. Borkström 63]

Someone mentioned to me that we should apply for the I-485 too? Is this necessary and/or faster?

Someone help me refresh my memory, but isn't that for K-1 fiance(a) visas?

[Alaska2012 462]

I have something I would like to run by you guys.

How long do you suppose POE will take for little old me?

I still have no idea when I'll finally fly over to reunite with my wife. We've looked a little bit at flights, though, and a lot of flights from Sweden to Pittsburgh go via either Chicago, New York (Newark) or Detroit.

One flight we looked at had a 10 hour layover in Detroit. That's A LOT! My wife said she'd rather drive to Detroit and pick me up.

Another one sounded a lot more reasonable, 3 hours (give or take) in Chicago.

I don't mind waiting, but I don't want to wait too long.

I would avoid Chicago if I were you. I've been through that airport quite a few times and the customs people are jerks! Besides its so busy I doubt 3 hrs will be enough! I was so lucky with my poe, took like 15 min! We managed to find us a flight that took us from Frankfurt to anchorage and you could tell the staff in anchorage don't do this too often, they were all over the place to help us out ;-) So I'd say the smaller airport the better.

[MissK 5]

When emailing the Stockholm embassy, how would you guys rate the answers? I do get replies fairly quickly, but they're always very short and not too informative. For example, I just had my medical scheduled so I inquired today about an interview date in late October or early November if possible, and the reply was "We are fully booked in October." nothing more, nothing less. Had to reply again to ask about November - Still waiting for a reply on that.

I would say they are short and do not always answer the questions.

I had problems paying for the visa. The embassy didn't provide the swift code which my bank needed. I e-mailed them early Friday and did not get an reply before Monday where they just stated the same information Well thanks but I can't pay the visa without it!!!!

Here is a little tip for you guys not over here yet! Here you have to build your credit, and it doesn't work at all like over in Scandinavia. The easiest way is to be put on your partners account but if you are like me, independent and stubborn there are other ways ;-) There is something called a secured credit card, you " charge" it with $300-2000, you decide the amount. Then that will be your credit, you use it every month and pay it off. After a year your bank will transform this to a "normal" credit card and you will get the money that you put in in the first place back.

Even if you don't really want a credit card this is the easiest way to build your credit!

All tips like these are really helpful!

By the way I wrote my review from the interview yesterday.

[Mr. Borkström 63]

I would avoid Chicago if I were you. I've been through that airport quite a few times and the customs people are jerks! Besides its so busy I doubt 3 hrs will be enough! I was so lucky with my poe, took like 15 min! We managed to find us a flight that took us from Frankfurt to anchorage and you could tell the staff in anchorage don't do this too often, they were all over the place to help us out ;-) So I'd say the smaller airport the better.

Thank you very much. I am not sure I want to go all the way to Anchorage and back to the east coast again though.