Scandinavians

[rarasantiago 3]

Mmm, no...I meant is it ok to request by e-mail in general? My husband sent off the email so I guess we'll find out.

It was in relation to this, but he didn't know what it was called in Danish:

Not Drafted or Unfit for Service

Persons who have attended a medical examination (Session) required by the Danish military, but who have not been drafted for service (or ever worked for the Danish military or the Danish Emergency Management Agency), or who have been found unfit for service, must obtain a "Certification (Draft Board)". Please see contact information below.

The certificate will state whether the person was simply "not drafted", or if found "unfit for service", it will give a brief explanation of the reason.

Ah ok. Yes, email was the way my husband requested his record. I imagine if a person was Not Drafted or Unifit for Service they'd send it just the same.

[GandK 168]

Mmm, no...I meant is it ok to request by e-mail in general? My husband sent off the email so I guess we'll find out.

It was in relation to this, but he didn't know what it was called in Danish:

Not Drafted or Unfit for Service

Persons who have attended a medical examination (Session) required by the Danish military, but who have not been drafted for service (or ever worked for the Danish military or the Danish Emergency Management Agency), or who have been found unfit for service, must obtain a "Certification (Draft Board)". Please see contact information below.

The certificate will state whether the person was simply "not drafted", or if found "unfit for service", it will give a brief explanation of the reason.

If you were not drafted during "session" then you are likely enlisted with Beredskabsstyrelsen.

I sent an email to Beredskabsstyrelsen and two days later, I got a nice official letter stating that I will not be drafted in peace time but I will remain enlisted in the emergency preparedness until my 50th.

Remember to ask for the letter in English. You can find their email on their website below.

www.brs.dk/

[rarasantiago 3]

Visa arrived yesterday and picked up (husband had to sign for registered mail) at post office today.

Not sure what's going on Stockholm for these unusually long visa/passport mailings lately. Hopefully gets sorted out soon for all those waiting

Edited November 17, 2012 by rarasantiago

[jaycali 415]

On a separate note, holy cow, I hope nobody takes advice about immigration from the Americans Living In Norway Facebook Group! There's a thread right now where Norwegians are openly talking about moving back to the US with expired green cards and not surrendering them and such... O.o

Sounds like an excellent topic to discuss on an open forum with direct links to your Facebook.

Then again I don't know how many forums I've seen where people are discussing how easy it is to get a green card, "they hand them out on the plane, it's just a green paper that you fill out." (remember the pre-ESTA I-94W anyone?)

Thank God I found VJ.

[jaycali 415]

Visa arrived yesterday and picked up (husband had to sign for registered mail) at post office today.Not sure what's going on Stockholm for these unusually long visa/passport mailing lately. Hopefully gets sorted out soon for all those waiting Amen.

I thought it just ended up in the mailbox?

Hmm. I have my visa envelope addressed to my mother, with her name. I had my mail forwarded to Hawaii when I was there for two months in September and October. Had it changed back to Norway again but the post office got confused and still sends about half my mail to Hawaii. Addressed it to my mother to avoid a small crisis.

I wonder if this will cause any confusion in Stockholm..? Or if my mother will be the one who has to sign for it? Any ideas anyone? I'm asking here since the IV unit in Stockholm hasn't been very quick with their email replies..

Edited November 17, 2012 by Jay Jay

[rarasantiago 3]

I thought it just ended up in the mailbox?

Hmm. I have my visa envelope addressed to my mother, with her name. I had my mail forwarded to Hawaii when I was there for two months in September and October. Had it changed back to Norway again but the post office got confused and still sends about half my mail to Hawaii. Addressed it to my mother to avoid a small crisis.

I wonder if this will cause any confusion in Stockholm..? Or if my mother will be the one who has to sign for it? Any ideas anyone? I'm asking here since the IV unit in Stockholm hasn't been very quick with their email replies..

From reading other posts I also believed it was left in the mailbox until a few days ago when robhaa mentioned that a signature was required. Is the Norwegian post strict about requiring the addressee to to be the one signing? Sometimes in the States I've been able to pick up my mother's (and vice versa) registered mail with my ID that has the same address or if I'm there answering the door.

I think it should be ok, but is your mom in town just in case she needs to sign?

[Alaska2012 462]

I thought it just ended up in the mailbox?

Hmm. I have my visa envelope addressed to my mother, with her name. I had my mail forwarded to Hawaii when I was there for two months in September and October. Had it changed back to Norway again but the post office got confused and still sends about half my mail to Hawaii. Addressed it to my mother to avoid a small crisis.

I wonder if this will cause any confusion in Stockholm..? Or if my mother will be the one who has to sign for it? Any ideas anyone? I'm asking here since the IV unit in Stockholm hasn't been very quick with their email replies..

Well if the envelope is addressed to your mum she's the one who will have to sign for it.

In Sweden you have to go to the post office and sign it in order to get it.

I thought it just ended up in the mailbox?

Hmm. I have my visa envelope addressed to my mother, with her name. I had my mail forwarded to Hawaii when I was there for two months in September and October. Had it changed back to Norway again but the post office got confused and still sends about half my mail to Hawaii. Addressed it to my mother to avoid a small crisis.

I wonder if this will cause any confusion in Stockholm..? Or if my mother will be the one who has to sign for it? Any ideas anyone? I'm asking here since the IV unit in Stockholm hasn't been very quick with their email replies..

Well if the envelope is addressed to your mum she's the one who will have to sign for it.

In Sweden you have to go to the post office and sign it in order to get it.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I thought it just ended up in the mailbox?

Hmm. I have my visa envelope addressed to my mother, with her name. I had my mail forwarded to Hawaii when I was there for two months in September and October. Had it changed back to Norway again but the post office got confused and still sends about half my mail to Hawaii. Addressed it to my mother to avoid a small crisis.

I wonder if this will cause any confusion in Stockholm..? Or if my mother will be the one who has to sign for it? Any ideas anyone? I'm asking here since the IV unit in Stockholm hasn't been very quick with their email replies..

At least in Denmark, they'd ring the door and anyone who signed for it would do. I know that my husband has taken notes to the post office with my name on them and they don't really care, as long as you have the package/letter slip. I don't think they would care if you addressed it to your mother, that isn't exactly a rare thing among the many young adults in America who don't have steady housing.

From reading other posts I also believed it was left in the mailbox until a few days ago when robhaa mentioned that a signature was required. Is the Norwegian post strict about requiring the addressee to to be the one signing? Sometimes in the States I've been able to pick up my mother's (and vice versa) registered mail with my ID that has the same address or if I'm there answering the door.

I think it should be ok, but is your mom in town just in case she needs to sign?

You need to show id in America? I've been picking up my mother's packages and letters for years without id. It would be kind of hard if they did require it because we've got different last names too. If you answer the door, they figure that you've probably got permission to collect the mail, I suppose. Heck, sometimes I even grab the express mail and fedex packages for my neighbor in America.

[rarasantiago 3]

You need to show id in America? I've been picking up my mother's packages and letters for years without id. It would be kind of hard if they did require it because we've got different last names too. If you answer the door, they figure that you've probably got permission to collect the mail, I suppose. Heck, sometimes I even grab the express mail and fedex packages for my neighbor in America.

It depends on the postal worker/office. We've picked up each others mail and usually it's ok with the pick up notice, over the summer my mom was getting all my mail. One was left registered and she went to pick it up as usual with the notice, but the worker gave her a hard time. It took her a while to convince them that it was urgent and I was out of the country for them to let her have the letter. And just last week I had a similar issue with picking up something from my own po box. So you really never know.

It's funny because my first post on VJ was about mailing options during the process and possibly getting letters from USCIS, which of course knowing now nothing would come for many months and only the NOA2. I wish the entire process was electronic (no mailing at all to/from us or the government) and same day or next day pick of visa. But anyways, that's fantasy land

[jaycali 415]

Thanks guys. Nothing in the mail yet. Thanksgiving on Thursday. Woohoo. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks.

I tried calling the embassy, they won't take any IV inquiries on the phone, only by email. They haven't responded to my email from last week. I know, I'm impatient.

Edited November 19, 2012 by Jay Jay

[xdamselx 0]

Hello my fellow Scandinavian residents I am new in this forum and would love to get your insight about applying for a tourist visa. I am a filipino citizen who's been living in Norway for over 6 years (might become a citizen on my 7th year here next year) and has applied for a tourist visa almost 2 months ago. What are my chances of getting approved? I have no job at the moment and renting my own apartment here but is having a significant amount of savings (like $60,000) in the bank enough to be approved in the US embassy in Oslo? Do people who live in Norway usually get approved? What's the percentage of approval and what are the usual reasons for visa denial?

I also wrote my bf's address (we met in Philippines early this year during vacation) as the place of my residence or where I will be staying. He's in military and works in Pentagon and has a good job. Would that help if I mention that to the consul? I don't have any reason to overstay and I intend to stay for only 90 days but how can I prove this to the consul who does the interviews? Thank you so much for the insight.

Edited November 20, 2012 by xdamselx

[jaycali 415]

Hello my fellow Scandinavian residents I am new in this forum and would love to get your insight about applying for a tourist visa. I am a filipino citizen who's been living in Norway for over 6 years (might become a citizen on my 7th year here next year) and has applied for a tourist visa almost 2 months ago. What are my chances of getting approved? I have no job at the moment and renting my own apartment here but is having a significant amount of savings (like $60,000) in the bank enough to be approved in the US embassy in Oslo? Do people who live in Norway usually get approved? What's the percentage of approval and what are the usual reasons for visa denial?I also wrote my bf's address (we met in Philippines early this year during vacation) as the place of my residence or where I will be staying. He's in military and works in Pentagon and has a good job. Would that help if I mention that to the consul? I don't have any reason to overstay and I intend to stay for only 90 days but how can I prove this to the consul who does the interviews? Thank you so much for the insight.

Welcome to VJ!

What happened when you applied 2 months ago?

And how soon can you become a Norwegian citizen? Norway is in the visa waiver program so you wouldn't need a visa if you had a Norwegian passport. If you don't plan to travel for a while, I'd say wait until then. If you plan to travel soon, you can apply for a tourist visa.

I've actually wondered how much residency really means when applying for a visa. If you applied in the Philippines, it would be virtually impossible for an unmarried Filipino with an American bf to get a visa.

What they look for basically is that you're a legitimate tourist/visitor - That you plan to go to the US, spend less than 180 days for tourism purposes only. The embassies in Scandinavia are probably some of the most lenient embassies out there. Norway isn't a 3rd world country with a shattered economy, sky high unemployment and sweat shop wages. The consuls know this, and they know that you wouldn't be better off working illegally in the US. This removes the economic aspect of immigrant intent by default. Generally, the type of documentation they expect to see is anything and everything that would logically make a reasonable person want to return to their country. Your apartment rental agreement/lease is one form of evidence. A job would be another excellent one, but your savings account only proves that you can support your vacation, not that you'll be returning. Do you have family ties in Norway? Do you have a dog? A cat? Are you a member of any organizations etc? Do you go to school? Do you have a car? Job prospects?

You can, and should say that you're visiting your bf. However, be aware that the fact you have a bf in the US is a tie to the US, rather than a tie to Norway. What the consuls don't want is for you to travel on a tourist visa, spend 90 days and decide "Hey I like it here, I'm gonna marry my bf and stay!" - It's legal to do, but it's illegal to intend to do, and it's the consul's job to keep people from doing it.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Jay Jay

[xdamselx 0]

Thanks Jay jay for the very detailed response. I applied for tourist 2 months ago but have not book my interview yet. I might become a citizen a year from now so I might just wait for the visa waiver program once I become a citizen and hold a Norwegian passport. My other question is, can my bf apply for a fiancee visa for me like right now, even if my divorce won't be granted until September-December 2013? I mean I understand fiancee visa takes a year to process here in Norway and I might be able to get my interview schedule by the time my divorce to my Norwegian ex here is granted, so is it okay to file for a fiancee visa now knowing the divorce is already in the process? Or the consul wants us to be ALL free from any previous marriages before we are allowed to apply for fiancee visa? (just another option I had in mind in case my tourist visa application doesn't push through or get denied)

[jaycali 415]

Thanks Jay jay for the very detailed response. I applied for tourist 2 months ago but have not book my interview yet. I might become a citizen a year from now so I might just wait for the visa waiver program once I become a citizen and hold a Norwegian passport. My other question is, can my bf apply for a fiancee visa for me like right now, even if my divorce won't be granted until September-December 2013? I mean I understand fiancee visa takes a year to process here in Norway and I might be able to get my interview schedule by the time my divorce to my Norwegian ex here is granted, so is it okay to file for a fiancee visa now knowing the divorce is already in the process? Or the consul wants us to be ALL free from any previous marriages before we are allowed to apply for fiancee visa? (just another option I had in mind in case my tourist visa application doesn't push through or get denied)

If you don't plan to visit for about a year then I highly suggest you wait until you have a Norwegian passport and can use the visa waiver program. The reason is that if your B-2 is denied now, you can become ineligible to use the VWP in the future, even if your citizenship changes. That doesn't mean you won't be able to apply for a new B-2, just that you may not be able to use the VWP in the future.

No, unfortunately you cannot even begin to file the I-129f petition for a K-1 until you are both free to marry. Your divorce must be final before any petition or application is filed, otherwise you risk waiting 9 months for a denial and start from scratch again.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Jay Jay

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

If you don't plan to visit for about a year then I highly suggest you wait until you have a Norwegian passport and can use the visa waiver program. The reason is that if your B-2 is denied now, you can become ineligible to use the VWP in the future, even if your citizenship changes. That doesn't mean you won't be able to apply for a new B-2, just that you may not be able to use the VWP in the future.

No, unfortunately you cannot even begin to file the I-129f petition for a K-1 until you are both free to marry. Your divorce must be final before any petition or application is filed, otherwise you risk waiting 9 months for a denial and start from scratch again.

This. The visa waiver program is pretty magical. My British aunt many years ago was denied a visa because they thought she might stay with her brother in America and she couldn't come to the States until she married an American 25 years later.

Also, you'll need to submit proof of the finalization of your divorce with the I-129F and sign an affidavit confirming that you intend to marry each other and you are both free and clear to marry. That wouldn't be true if you were still married to someone else.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Nola123