Not so good news

[Old Dominion 26]

Again, just a hunch based on long experience in such situations, it would be best to lay off further contact with consulate employees. Provide the requested information and be done with it.

If your postings are any indication, that phone call was probably quite aggressive/emotional and Sean Cooper was put on the defensive. The blue sheet outlines what the interviewer needs, and Sean Cooper embellished on it as a way of ending the call and getting back to his workload.

Again, your file has more evidence of "desperation" in this matter when in fact, there is no health emergency that could not withstand two or three months of further delay. That just another way of saying, give this a rest and accept that there is nothing you can do to force the issue on your terms.

[NArocks 13]

Again, just a hunch based on long experience in such situations, it would be best to lay off further contact with consulate employees. Provide the requested information and be done with it.

If your postings are any indication, that phone call was probably quite aggressive/emotional and Sean Cooper was put on the defensive. The blue sheet outlines what the interviewer needs, and Sean Cooper embellished on it as a way of ending the call and getting back to his workload.

Again, your file has more evidence of "desperation" in this matter when in fact, there is no health emergency that could not withstand two or three months of further delay. That just another way of saying, give this a rest and accept that there is nothing you can do to force the issue on your terms.

I could not agree more. Be careful because these peeps they hold your future in their hands. I can only begin to imagine how you are talking to them if the way you post then you need to really really slow down and take a breath or two or three.

[Dakine 26]

You have every "right" to get the CR-1. That's what the LIFE Act is all about. Do everything you can to get the CR-1 as you've already paid for it.

As you no doubt know CRs are WAY better than K3s. I'd CALL my senator. The embassy is giving you BAD advice and information.

Quick comment here --- visas are not a "right"; starting with them being for foreign citizens, not USCs

Terminology is key --- yeah it's tedious and arrogant and obnoxious; but in immigration it counts. A lot.

Visa granting and immigration -including family immigration- is NOT a right.

Splitting hairs but that's why I put right in quotes!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You have every "right" to get the CR-1. That's what the LIFE Act is all about. Do everything you can to get the CR-1 as you've already paid for it.

As you no doubt know CRs are WAY better than K3s. I'd CALL my senator. The embassy is giving you BAD advice and information.

Quick comment here --- visas are not a "right"; starting with them being for foreign citizens, not USCs

Terminology is key --- yeah it's tedious and arrogant and obnoxious; but in immigration it counts. A lot.

Visa granting and immigration -including family immigration- is NOT a right.

Splitting hairs but that's why I put right in quotes!

Oh, I know what you meant Dakine ; but verde seems to need a mega crash course in immigration process and I thought she would benefit of the distinction

[Jamaican JNR 2]

Last night (as it was day time in the UAE) I spoke with one of the heads of the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He informed me that our blue sheet, or 194, was in error. Not only should it have said that we needed I864s and Tax Returns (versus I134s and Tax Returns), but that it SHOULD HAVE SAID that we needed proof of the validity of our marriage/relationship. He told me that yes, the interview my husband attended WAS for a K3 and not a CR1. He admitted that they sent our CR1 packet to a "wrong" address, based on the way mail is delievered in the UAE. But he also encouraged me not to even GET the CR1 packet. I asked him politely to still send it to me for my records. I am confused, because I thought your K3 turned into a CR1 if both were approved by USCIS and both packets arrived at the Embassy from the NVC.

K3 cannot turn into CR1 visa, it is 2 different visa category. What you should have done was to ignore the K3 and wait on the CR1.

[verde 0]

Again, just a hunch based on long experience in such situations, it would be best to lay off further contact with consulate employees. Provide the requested information and be done with it.

If your postings are any indication, that phone call was probably quite aggressive/emotional and Sean Cooper was put on the defensive. The blue sheet outlines what the interviewer needs, and Sean Cooper embellished on it as a way of ending the call and getting back to his workload.

Again, your file has more evidence of "desperation" in this matter when in fact, there is no health emergency that could not withstand two or three months of further delay. That just another way of saying, give this a rest and accept that there is nothing you can do to force the issue on your terms.

I was very polite and calm with Mr. Cooper. MS is unpredictable, it is incurable, and the brain atrophy and nerve damage is irreversible. You never know when you might have a relapse, where you can't walk or see. Everyone acts like MS is no big deal. It is a big deal. Walk in my shoes for a day, then tell me MS is not an emergency.

I am giving them what they asked for, and laying off except insisting on what I do have a right to - I may not have a RIGHT to a visa, but I have a right to have my inquiries responded to, the Embassy to do what they say they will do, and for my visa processing to be expedited, as the Embassy agreed to do. We do have some rights here, and it is okay to ask for them.

But thanks for sharing your position and opinion. I do appreciate it. And I do agree with parts of it. Thanks again.

Edited November 17, 2009 by verde

[verde 0]

Last night (as it was day time in the UAE) I spoke with one of the heads of the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He informed me that our blue sheet, or 194, was in error. Not only should it have said that we needed I864s and Tax Returns (versus I134s and Tax Returns), but that it SHOULD HAVE SAID that we needed proof of the validity of our marriage/relationship. He told me that yes, the interview my husband attended WAS for a K3 and not a CR1. He admitted that they sent our CR1 packet to a "wrong" address, based on the way mail is delievered in the UAE. But he also encouraged me not to even GET the CR1 packet. I asked him politely to still send it to me for my records. I am confused, because I thought your K3 turned into a CR1 if both were approved by USCIS and both packets arrived at the Embassy from the NVC.

K3 cannot turn into CR1 visa, it is 2 different visa category. What you should have done was to ignore the K3 and wait on the CR1.

I just spoke with the NVC, and they said that both the K3 and CR1 were expedited by the Embassy, and that even though I started the K3 process, it was our choice to switch to the CR1 process. She said I could do either, and that there is no law that says an Embassy can't issue a K3 visa to an applicant who also has a CR1 application on file with the Embassy. What do you guys advise we do? We've paid for everything and have all documentation for both visas. How does our being on AR status with the K3 impact our CR1?

[pushbrk 12,994]

Last night (as it was day time in the UAE) I spoke with one of the heads of the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He informed me that our blue sheet, or 194, was in error. Not only should it have said that we needed I864s and Tax Returns (versus I134s and Tax Returns), but that it SHOULD HAVE SAID that we needed proof of the validity of our marriage/relationship. He told me that yes, the interview my husband attended WAS for a K3 and not a CR1. He admitted that they sent our CR1 packet to a "wrong" address, based on the way mail is delievered in the UAE. But he also encouraged me not to even GET the CR1 packet. I asked him politely to still send it to me for my records. I am confused, because I thought your K3 turned into a CR1 if both were approved by USCIS and both packets arrived at the Embassy from the NVC.

K3 cannot turn into CR1 visa, it is 2 different visa category. What you should have done was to ignore the K3 and wait on the CR1.

I just spoke with the NVC, and they said that both the K3 and CR1 were expedited by the Embassy, and that even though I started the K3 process, it was our choice to switch to the CR1 process. She said I could do either, and that there is no law that says an Embassy can't issue a K3 visa to an applicant who also has a CR1 application on file with the Embassy. What do you guys advise we do? We've paid for everything and have all documentation for both visas. How does our being on AR status with the K3 impact our CR1?

CR1 but be advised NVC is not the authority on Consular policy and their operators are not trained in either Consular policy or law. The law allows a K3 visa to be issued when an immigrant visa is not immediately avialable. The Consular Services have defined "immediately available" to be that an immigrant petition case file is on station at a Consulate abroad. Again, not even all Consular officials remember every detail of their own policy so mistakes are made. At this point, I would expect anything but a CR1 visa to be awarded, if a visa IS granted.

[Donna A 4]

"but I have a right to have my inquiries responded to" and they have the right not to answer them exactally when you want them too also.

[Rings 10]

Listen to pushbrk he is telling you what you need to know. The visa's are not processed the same. they are processed separately. The K3 visa is not always faster than the CR1 in these times. Back when I filed it made about a month difference in time. Now they are running at about the same process time wise. Your I-30 is still there and still may very well be approved before you know it. You can switch to the CR1 and null the K3 and I think that's what you have done. That's ok because the CR1 is a better visa. Be patient.

[pushbrk 12,994]

Last night (as it was day time in the UAE) I spoke with one of the heads of the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He informed me that our blue sheet, or 194, was in error. Not only should it have said that we needed I864s and Tax Returns (versus I134s and Tax Returns), but that it SHOULD HAVE SAID that we needed proof of the validity of our marriage/relationship. He told me that yes, the interview my husband attended WAS for a K3 and not a CR1. He admitted that they sent our CR1 packet to a "wrong" address, based on the way mail is delievered in the UAE. But he also encouraged me not to even GET the CR1 packet. I asked him politely to still send it to me for my records. I am confused, because I thought your K3 turned into a CR1 if both were approved by USCIS and both packets arrived at the Embassy from the NVC.

K3 cannot turn into CR1 visa, it is 2 different visa category. What you should have done was to ignore the K3 and wait on the CR1.

I just spoke with the NVC, and they said that both the K3 and CR1 were expedited by the Embassy, and that even though I started the K3 process, it was our choice to switch to the CR1 process. She said I could do either, and that there is no law that says an Embassy can't issue a K3 visa to an applicant who also has a CR1 application on file with the Embassy. What do you guys advise we do? We've paid for everything and have all documentation for both visas. How does our being on AR status with the K3 impact our CR1?

CR1 but be advised NVC is not the authority on Consular policy and their operators are not trained in either Consular policy or law. The law allows a K3 visa to be issued when an immigrant visa is not immediately avialable. The Consular Services have defined "immediately available" to be that an immigrant petition case file is on station at a Consulate abroad. Again, not even all Consular officials remember every detail of their own policy so mistakes are made. At this point, I would expect anything but a CR1 visa to be awarded, if a visa IS granted.

Correction: At this point, I would NOT expect anything but a CR1 visa to be awarded, if a visa IS granted.

[sachinky 465]

Have you gotten in touch with your Congressman?

And I know this is an emotionally difficult time for you, but you need to calm down. If not for yourself, then for your husband and your health.

I too think that if a visa is issued at all, it will be a CR1.

I'm sorry if I missed it earlier, what happened with his passport? Did they keep it? Return it?

[verde 0]

You have every "right" to get the CR-1. That's what the LIFE Act is all about. Do everything you can to get the CR-1 as you've already paid for it.

As you no doubt know CRs are WAY better than K3s. I'd CALL my senator. The embassy is giving you BAD advice and information.

Quick comment here --- visas are not a "right"; starting with them being for foreign citizens, not USCs

Terminology is key --- yeah it's tedious and arrogant and obnoxious; but in immigration it counts. A lot.

Visa granting and immigration -including family immigration- is NOT a right.

Splitting hairs but that's why I put right in quotes!

Oh, I know what you meant Dakine ; but verde seems to need a mega crash course in immigration process and I thought she would benefit of the distinction

See, this is what I am talking about. This is rude and uncalled for. Is this the way you talk to everyone?

[verde 0]

Have you gotten in touch with your Congressman?

And I know this is an emotionally difficult time for you, but you need to calm down. If not for yourself, then for your husband and your health.

I too think that if a visa is issued at all, it will be a CR1.

I'm sorry if I missed it earlier, what happened with his passport? Did they keep it? Return it?

They never took his passport. I'm working on the calm thing. I'm an activist, both in life and work, so I'm not used to sitting back and not taking action. My motivation in life is social change for the greater good, and our immigration system sucks (a word I rarely if ever use). It's really hard. And my MS is really bad right now, which makes it harder. But thanks for suggesting that - it's a good suggestion and you put it in a kind way. My Congressmen, and Congresswomen, and a few Senators, are already working on this issue. Thanks again! Good luck to you guys too.

Edited November 19, 2009 by verde

[verde 0]

You have every "right" to get the CR-1. That's what the LIFE Act is all about. Do everything you can to get the CR-1 as you've already paid for it.

As you no doubt know CRs are WAY better than K3s. I'd CALL my senator. The embassy is giving you BAD advice and information.

Quick comment here --- visas are not a "right"; starting with them being for foreign citizens, not USCs

Terminology is key --- yeah it's tedious and arrogant and obnoxious; but in immigration it counts. A lot.

Visa granting and immigration -including family immigration- is NOT a right.

Splitting hairs but that's why I put right in quotes!

Oh, I know what you meant Dakine ; but verde seems to need a mega crash course in immigration process and I thought she would benefit of the distinction

Thanks for the kind words. You know really, there's no reason to insult people here. But I bet you anything if we took an exam on immigration today, my score would be at least 20 points higher, because mean people aren't usually that bright. I know I should ignore your rude comment, but I couldn't resist responding. It was hurtful and uncalled for.