Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 3)

[Minfay 0]

Welcome Dwight!! Have a Merry Christmas!!! :dance:

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

Hey Everybody

Sorry I've been out of touch--many thanks from both of us for all the help. Yes, he's here, arrived 12/9. So, you understand why I've not been around for a minute. The weddingi s December 30th. I'll post photos. I have to catch up and read all the news on the board.

Love

Ann

Dwight, too

Welcome Dwight!

Happy Holidays!

[jamaicalove 0]

Oh My Gosh!

I am new to this board and am freaking out with all these posts! Too many to read while on work time!!

I recently got engaged to my Jamaican boyfriend (now fiance) and we are contemplating what to do about him coming to the States. Here is a little of the story.

He spent 6 years in England going to college. He then returned to Jamaica where he is now working at a resort. He has visited Long Island for a summer camp. He has an active passport but not a current visa. I would like him to visit before making the leap into moving here. Neither him nor I have ever lived with a significant other and we would want to try and adjust.

We will get married but do not want to rush into it. What is our best option?

Option #1 Visitors Visa

Option #2 Marry in Jamaica then apply for a Spouse Visa

Option #3 Apply for Fiance Visa

I see that others have gone through the journey (lots of you). Please provide me with guidance. This is all very scary for me and confusing at times!

Thank you in advance

Lisa

[Marie876 0]

First I would like to introduce myself as a newbie here

Congratulations and welcome!!

How long from now are you planning on filing?

I plan on filing within a year. I just want to start doing things like taking pictures, letters, other necessary evidence. All I have is one photo of us

[BelwinMills 0]

Hi all|! i am chillin in montego bay made it safe yesterday. everyone at the house is at work here but dwains aunt. so i am just playing on the net and watching dvds its really nice and relaxing.

Alright, so I've been thinking about what I can do next...I am going to see if I can file a waiver to overturn their decision...I don't know if it will work or not, but I will give it a shot...but in the meantime, I have been seriously contemplating what our next step will be...we both still want to get married nest year, only now it HAS to be in JA, which isn't a real issue for me..the issue is what to do afterwards? I am entertaining the idea of moving down there for a year or 2 until we are able to file again, but I'm not sure...is there anyone here who has lived down there? I know that it will be difficult, and there will be alot of things to get used to, although I am not completely unaware. Whenever I go to see him, I stay with him in his one room and without any of the comforts of resort living...I've gotten used to the idea of being without...my biggest concern is finding a job...I will receive my Master's degree in Professional Counseling in May...are there opportunities available in that kind of work down there? I would like to stay in that field or something similar like social work, but I'm not sure what JA has to offer. I have been doing some research on the internet, but alot of the programs don't offer contact information, and those that do, haven't responded to my inquiries. What do I do? I know they offer jobs to Jamaican nationals first, but still, do you really think that I could work down there? I'm not even expecting this great pay or anything...I just want to be able to keep my head above water....or do you think I should try and stick it out here for the next couple of years and wait until he can reapply?? I don't know...if anyone has ANY advice, could you throw some my way? And for all those that will be in JA for the holidays..be safe and be blessed!

Tamisha

have u ever stayed at his room? how much time have u spemt down in ja not in a resort? i got a teaching job here in mobay and turned it down because it would be to much of a hassle so thats why i asked. i had done some student teaching at the school and knew how to walk and get there but my husband didn't want to worry about me or taking care of me. A job should be easy for you with a masters you are highly qualifed. You could look at the schools they are always searching for people but relaize they don't pay well down in ja. Thats why hubby and i said no and waited for me to get a good job in the states get established and finsih my masters in education so we could have a nest egg and a house.

When i stopped hanging out with my college group with my husband it was very different. No more true vacation just visits and renting out a room. i now handle it when i come helping do laundry by hand, painting and hang out by myself for long times with everyone working. thank goodness they have the internet here or i would go crazy. Could you guys keep your relationship going a few more years long distance? Where is eric he did this he moved to Ja wish he was here to comment about this.

best wishes on your decision.

I just called NVC to check on my case, they told me it's been mailed out today

Woo-Hoo!! :dance: That's a nice early Christmas present!!

Ho ho ho [/size] [/[/size]color]

wow that was quick congrats!!

[Minfay 0]

Hey Jax -- glad to see you made it down there okay. Have a wonderful time!! We are all so jealous!!!

Option #1 Visitors Visa

Option #2 Marry in Jamaica then apply for a Spouse Visa

Option #3 Apply for Fiance Visa

Hi Lisa!! Let's see....If he can get a Visitors Visa that is by far the best way for you to be able to spend more time together here in the U.S. -- with the other choices that's not an option.

Option #1 -- The best but maybe the hardest. If he has gotten a Visa in the past to go to England and came to the U.S. for camp he "might" be able to get a Visitors Visa. I have heard that they are extremely hard to come by. I don't know anyone who has been able to get one.

Option #2 -- That would be the K3. You might want to talk to ElizabethHenry, Nysense (Anna) and BelwinMills (Jax) about that. They went that route (or are doing it now). I'm not sure how long it actually takes after you get married

Option #3 -- K1 -- That's what we did. This was last year. We filed at the beginning of June and our interview was the beginning of December.....it seems like people have done it faster recently.

[Minfay 0]

First I would like to introduce myself as a newbie here

Congratulations and welcome!! How long from now are you planning on filing?

I plan on filing within a year. I just want to start doing things like taking pictures, letters, other necessary evidence. All I have is one photo of us

Yes to all of the above :energetic: The more things you can gather the better. Pictures, letters (make sure you keep the evelopes with the "date" stamps), phone records (this one seems to be the "big" one). Whatever you can do/get will help when it comes time to file. I only had one picture of the two of us together and it was a horrible photo -- we were shadows -- and we didn't have any problems.

Edited December 22, 2006 by Minfay

[jamaicalove 0]

I have looked into the visitors visa but money is my issue. If I paid for the visitors visa then it worked out and he had to go back then I would have to pay for the fiance visa also. it's like paying double for something!

I know i should relax and wait things ou t- only time will tell! I read other timelines and am shocked at how some people meet and marry right away - having someone here on a finace visa is not easy - you are responsible for them and support them until they can get their green card to work! I'm afraid of things not working out and being miserable.

I am sure you are all thinking that it may not be right for me to marry if I am doubting the whole process. I tend to THINK before I do anything and I want to be sure I can support BOTH of us!

[BelwinMills 0]

First I would like to introduce myself as a newbie here

I'll be turning 20 next month and I will be graduating from college next year and plan on teaching afterwards.

I've been dating a guy in JA for about 2 yrs now and am planning on filing the K-1 when i graduate and am working.

I have no clue where to start and what I should do to make the filing strong.

I've tried reading previous threads, but I feel so behind in the conversations.

Can anyone please ????

Welcome to the yardies thread.

What is your area of teaching? How did u meet your fiance?

Because you are just graduating from college. You will need someone to sponser you. you need 3 years of taxes above poverty line. i know that many college students don't make good money been there.

this is just my own words and advice. Everyone is different to I understand. I am a teacher and have been teaching for 5 years. This is the first year I could file without using a joint sponser with my taxes. I can't imangie supporting my husband on what i made my first year. i teach because i love it and not the money. I just also want to say teaching my first year was the hardest i stayed at work forever. Just take in to account you will live in your classroom from dawn to evening. You may not have a lot of time together.

i have one more thing to add you are so young could you wait one more year and get one or two years of teaching behind your belt?

You are the same age as i was when i meet my husband and we waited a while to get established because we were young. when we meet he was 16 and i was 19 i know totaly not legal and yes i taught him his last year of highschool ahaha . You MAY need to plan to establish some kind of income if no family members will help you out. Many people have stated it has been hard to get a job here at first and their men don't feel manly enough not bring enough home for their family. My hubby is the same way thinking about giving his music and going to school in the states to get a high paying job to start a family.

Trust me you don't have to wait as long as us it will be 9 years on jan 15.

all the best with your journey and take care,

Jax

ps sorry about the spelling typos this computer in ja isn't the best.

[jamaicalove 0]

belwin - I see you are from the midwest! Me Too!!

When you filed for the K-1 visa did you file it in Chicago or did your fiance file it in JA?

I am not fully established, I chose to follow my dream and get a career doing what I love and not for the pay. However if need be my family said they would help out until we could get our feet on the ground!

When someone gets a Fiance Visa and you marry within the 90 days how long before the two of you can travel back to JA together? Or travel out of the States?

[BelwinMills 0]

yeah the flight was good Mindy. thanks everyone for the well wishes.

the only bad thing on the flight was i got a broken seat all caved in and another guy was complaing about his seat. Trust me i know i have a big butt, but i didn't cause that big dent and then i couldnt move my chair back cause a baby car seat was behind me. Why do parents bring their babies to JA? If they have no family down here hmm. i just dont see the point like they are going to remember or something. Well anyways i was just happy because i was going to see my baby.

then i got to the airport and thought one of my 3 friends might be working to let me go free. they werent there they arrived late i think i made the mistake at waving to the twins and saying hi when i was in the nothing to declare line. so i had to get my bags searched but i didnt have to pay nuttin cause now that i am married i can bring 500 dollars of goods in. wow i didnt have a lot this time not dvd players or anything wild. she thought i brough my computer for my husband and i said no its mine. i get seriously bored when he goes to work.

when i got here yesterday his room was a mess no were to walk i cleaned it when he went to work and now he is little mad he can't find stuff. the room is timy and i had no space for my suitcases. he had like i swear a year old pepsi it was almost white and he had maynoise packages explode at the bottom of a box. ugh what am i getting into when he use to live at home his mom cleaned his room now i see the real eye opener it could be he has so much stuff and no space.

[BelwinMills 0]

belwin - I see you are from the midwest! Me Too!!

When you filed for the K-1 visa did you file it in Chicago or did your fiance file it in JA?

I am not fully established, I chose to follow my dream and get a career doing what I love and not for the pay. However if need be my family said they would help out until we could get our feet on the ground!

When someone gets a Fiance Visa and you marry within the 90 days how long before the two of you can travel back to JA together? Or travel out of the States?

where from the midwest are u from? there are many of us from the chi town area on here.

i filed the cr1 visa but i am sure that someone will help you with the k1 questions. my husband and i got married in jamaica this august so both our families can attend. i know on the cr1 we can leave the country as soon as he gets up cause we get the green card right away. traveling i am guessing a year to 2 years someone help me out here.

best with your dreams wish we could be like that. Your family will help you guys that is so nice.

i think why we waited long is because my professor from college set us straight she taught in jamiaca and started these american concert band programs in many of the schools. i took her advice because she had been coming before i was born in the early 1970's. she gave us here well wishes 2 years ago. the first couple out of her group to marry and i thnk the only one. my parents also had a big part they were finally okay with it 2 years ago to. it was a suprise for them to help us with our wedding and come out here.

when will you file? Where is your fiance from in ja?

onw luv

jax

[BelwinMills 0]

Hey Everybody

Sorry I've been out of touch--many thanks from both of us for all the help. Yes, he's here, arrived 12/9. So, you understand why I've not been around for a minute. The weddingi s December 30th. I'll post photos. I have to catch up and read all the news on the board.

Love

Ann

Dwight, too

Ann all the best with your wedding. I can bet you are crazy busy. Have a merry christmas and a wonderful new years with your hubby Mrs. Ann

[BelwinMills 0]

I have looked into the visitors visa but money is my issue. If I paid for the visitors visa then it worked out and he had to go back then I would have to pay for the fiance visa also. it's like paying double for something!

I know i should relax and wait things ou t- only time will tell! I read other timelines and am shocked at how some people meet and marry right away - having someone here on a finace visa is not easy - you are responsible for them and support them until they can get their green card to work! I'm afraid of things not working out and being miserable.

I am sure you are all thinking that it may not be right for me to marry if I am doubting the whole process. I tend to THINK before I do anything and I want to be sure I can support BOTH of us!

if you believe in your heart and instict then thats all you can do. it is hard to get a vistors visa they only give so many out a year. many people get turned down. but you can get some great advice from the ladies here who have went into. it shocks me to with people just meeting and filing but then again i am the slow poke one.

[jamaicalove 0]

I am from Appleton, WI - look at that - Appleton (Jamaican Rum) and WI (West Indies) maybe that is fate!

He is from Ocho Rios and works at a resort there.

Since I am new to this I was wondering what a cr1 visa is?

Would you be able to answer more of my questions via email? I know I don't know you but you would be a big help - plus we are neighbors!!!!

my email address is lisaem79@aol.com

Thank you