Mandatory Greek Army!

[gatoula_tou 0]

My fiance is currently undergoing training in the Mandatory Greek Army. He will be in for ONE year, no less no more.

Besides that being completely lame...

I was just wondering if there is an extension on the 6 months to get him here for our marriage?

I have seen other filers for Greece getting processed in 4-6 months. If he still has 8 months of training to go, then will we have to start this whole thing over again?

I am a giant worrier, and I just can't imagine having to be away from him for a year again;especially if he is already out of the army the second time around!

I am also wondering about how strict dates for interviews are, as he is stationed on Rhodes, an island of Greece, and the boat takes 15 hours for a one way trip, and his time off is limited.

Thank you fellow VJ-ers for time and consideration.

Edited April 6, 2009 by GreekloverUSA20

[Nik+Heather 121]

Checking for understanding: Your fiance is in the army, and can not come here to stay until he can leave - which is in 8 months - and you would like him to come here ASAP, correct?

If he has 8 months left in the army, and you have a maximum of 6 months to use the visa from the time it is issued, you would have to get the visa in 2 months to run into this problem.

You're at VSC, and your time line predicts that it will be at least 3 more months until your NOA2, and it's still on average 2 months to get to your interview, so even if you had your NOA2 tomorrow, you'd still have 8 months until you had to PoE.

I am not sure about Greece specifically, but I think that you can easily sort of play your packet 3 response in your favor (if you're still worried). Take your time sending the forms in (not so long that it becomes 'abandoned' though! your NOA2 is good for 4 months - some embassies extend it automatically, but if it was me, I'd treat it like a deadline). Send your checklist in separately a bit later - put your intended travel date as far out as you think it needs to be. Maybe even include a cover letter requesting an interview far enough out that you have a comfortable margin? I have heard that embassies can be flexible and work with you on the scheduling, but I don't know about yours for sure.

Good luck!

[gatoula_tou 0]

Hi, Thank you for the reply!

Ok, good to know about the NOA2 then four months till the actual visa.

He entered the army on February 10th, 2009, so will exit February 10th, 2010. I got the NOA1 the 18th of February, so very close to his entry date.

If the whole process takes 8 months, as in "visa in hand" then he'll still have at least 3-4 months left of the army.

There's also the thought of him taking an extension of the army, and just coming over here when the visa is processed, then paying off the army when he is 35. I'm just worried that if his ties to Greece are in any way "messy" to say, that the visa for USA will be messed up too...?

Thank you for the answer so quickly!

Edited April 6, 2009 by GreekloverUSA20