February 2010 Filers -- I-129F -- VSC

[SandT 0]

2 hours in the Embassy again. We saw an older guy there who apparently had been trying to get a Visa to visit his son in the US for days. Minsk had also messed up his medical, then he was missing translations. He did the medical again in Warsaw, then had papers overnighted to him, then paid through the nose for local translations, and he overstayed on his Polish Visa, but - he was finally approved. Then the girl called us up. We were sort of worried, wondering why the guy (TG) didn't call us back up. A minute at the counter, no request for any new documents, just "all is in order and fine, come to get your Visa today at 3-4pm," and gave T a piece of paper with some other info on it, one of which was important - bring the cashiers receipt for when we go to pick up the Visa. I think we were both speechless. I got choked up and had a tear coming, just hugged T hard, and the CO said something about us being happy, I don't think I heard her at all beyond, "approved, come get the passport and Visa at 3pm."

So, we're almost exhaling, we'll be back there in another 3 hours to get her Passport and Visa. :) :)

[ukprincessemx 0]

2 hours in the Embassy again. We saw an older guy there who apparently had been trying to get a Visa to visit his son in the US for days. Minsk had also messed up his medical, then he was missing translations. He did the medical again in Warsaw, then had papers overnighted to him, then paid through the nose for local translations, and he overstayed on his Polish Visa, but - he was finally approved. Then the girl called us up. We were sort of worried, wondering why the guy (TG) didn't call us back up. A minute at the counter, no request for any new documents, just "all is in order and fine, come to get your Visa today at 3-4pm," and gave T a piece of paper with some other info on it, one of which was important - bring the cashiers receipt for when we go to pick up the Visa. I think we were both speechless. I got choked up and had a tear coming, just hugged T hard, and the CO said something about us being happy, I don't think I heard her at all beyond, "approved, come get the passport and Visa at 3pm."

So, we're almost exhaling, we'll be back there in another 3 hours to get her Passport and Visa. :) :)

OMG you guys....that brought tears to my eyes just reading it. I am sooooo pleased for you!!! Good job guys, I hope they dont keep you waiting around to long to collect it....did you get much sleep. It must feel like winning the lottery to hear those words...approved

Big huggles for you both....when are you planing on returning to the USA then?

Congratulations!!!!! Em x

[kharkovpoacher 4]

Here it is. Long and drawn out. As y'all know, not my first rodeo, the application from two years ago did cause a slight bump. Good thing I have everything on my laptop. I went back with her to the interview, the CO asked me a few questions, then told me he needed some information that I did not think was relevant, but was on my computer. I offered to go get my laptop or go to a internet cafe, hook mine up and print. He said, not needed, just go back to your apartment and email the information to them. It will be approved either today or tomorrow. Just that it was something they needed to see. They then asked Veka a few questions, gave us the slip to take to FEDEX, along with the sheet of what I should email them. We went ate lunch, I sent them the email, now I am just waiting for them to send one back today or tomorrow. We are headed to Kharkov tomorrow morning, so I will check tomorrow night. I'm 100% sure that it will say "approved." I am not sweating it at all, neither is Veka. We are not flying out until the 30th, so plenty of time for us to receive her passport.

I will be away for a few days, but when we receive the visa, I will let y'all know. No worries, seriously.

SandT, way to go.

I would like to read good things from the rest of y'all.

[SandT 0]

VISA IN HAND (OK, on T's passport)!!! Sealed package given, and they even returned the original K1 package pictures in a separate bag. Pickup was 3-4pm, I think they actually opened the window early, as we arrived on time and a half dozen or more people already had packages in hand.

T picked up a stomach bug between no sleep and possibly the final days stress, so I've put her on 'bedrest' for a few hours, we'll be celebrating more properly tonight, before another train ride tomorrow, but it's so nice for both of us to finally be able to not worry about at least THIS part of the process. Of course, we've still got to finish packing, but at least that depends solely on us, not random strangers in the government.

We'll be heading back to the States on Saturday; I booked some 'leisurely' tickets, a few hours layover in Warsaw, and then we'll overnight in NY, allowing for any amount of silly time to be taken at POE, with a small surprise for T waiting at the hotel once we arrive.

Wow, I feel like I can finally breathe again, not holding breath just waiting on more beauracracy and others. Ok, at least until POE, and AOS, but hey, give us our relaxing moment in time.

kharkov - here's hoping all goes well, enjoy the pivos and the satisfaction once that Visa is finally where it belongs, on her passport instead of 'in the way'!

[SandT 0]

I'll do a consulate review later in the right place, but just as an addendum.

Minsk Lode: Did fine by us, but heard of at least 2 cases from people the same day that they completely screwed up the paperwork on.

Translations, apostiles etc (new requirement by Warsaw for divorce, police certs, maybe others) - big fail. T could have done a better job, we caught one mistake that cost us 14+ hours and 4 train tickets to fix, but - at least we DID catch it BEFORE the interview!! Double check EVERYTHING, even those coming from 'official' sources, at least one of our docs initially was 'not the right one,' then the apostile/translation issue as well.

Warsaw Embassy - Everyone we dealt with was nice and friendly. While they seem to generally be on the lower side of stress/'extra ad-hoc requirements,' I think that my being there with her likely made the process a bit smoother, as we were effectively only asked 3 questions, asked for no additional docs at all from us, not even my tax returns, just the Affadavit itself, nothing for relationship, etc.(or maybe he just saw the 6" folder I walked up with? ) Again, our initial package was very much front-loaded with relationship proof, so I can't say why they didn't ask for anything, but, well, who cares? We saw the guy deal with a very old woman who they could barely communicate with, and he 'bumped' her to the front of a few lines, and made efforts to understand her and was generally genuinely nice in a somewhat funny and potentially difficult situation. Kudos to him. One of the COs dealt with an older guy from BY that must have been back no less than 4 or 5 times, each time missing something. He spoke little English, but the Consulate staff were friendly to him, joking (not in a mean way), and could have made his situation much worse if they didn't allow several followups from him, but things turned out well. Their email communication was pretty slow (~2 weeks), and I think handing out a checklist explaining the number of times to be called to different windows, maybe a few paragraphs and a short checklist covering the number of times to be called to a window and purpose of each, but really, it was nice to feel human again and be treated as such by the Consulate, after ~6 months of feeling like a number in some unknown system leading to the interview and approval itself. I got the impression that at least to the few people we were exposed to, they enjoy their jobs, and treated people decently, something always to be commended, especially after reading some people's experiences at other consulates. Now if only the Polish Embassy in BY were as nice...

Edited July 20, 2010 by SandT

[solmarc 7]

I'll do a consulate review later in the right place, but just as an addendum.

Minsk Lode: Did fine by us, but heard of at least 2 cases from people the same day that they completely screwed up the paperwork on.

Translations, apostiles etc (new requirement by Warsaw for divorce, police certs, maybe others) - big fail. T could have done a better job, we caught one mistake that cost us 14+ hours and 4 train tickets to fix, but - at least we DID catch it BEFORE the interview!! Double check EVERYTHING, even those coming from 'official' sources, at least one of our docs initially was 'not the right one,' then the apostile/translation issue as well.

Warsaw Embassy - Everyone we dealt with was nice and friendly. While they seem to generally be on the lower side of stress/'extra ad-hoc requirements,' I think that my being there with her likely made the process a bit smoother, as we were effectively only asked 3 questions, asked for no additional docs at all from us, not even my tax returns, just the Affadavit itself, nothing for relationship, etc.(or maybe he just saw the 6" folder I walked up with? ) Again, our initial package was very much front-loaded with relationship proof, so I can't say why they didn't ask for anything, but, well, who cares? We saw the guy deal with a very old woman who they could barely communicate with, and he 'bumped' her to the front of a few lines, and made efforts to understand her and was generally genuinely nice in a somewhat funny and potentially difficult situation. Kudos to him. One of the COs dealt with an older guy from BY that must have been back no less than 4 or 5 times, each time missing something. He spoke little English, but the Consulate staff were friendly to him, joking (not in a mean way), and could have made his situation much worse if they didn't allow several followups from him, but things turned out well. Their email communication was pretty slow (~2 weeks), and I think handing out a checklist explaining the number of times to be called to different windows, maybe a few paragraphs and a short checklist covering the number of times to be called to a window and purpose of each, but really, it was nice to feel human again and be treated as such by the Consulate, after ~6 months of feeling like a number in some unknown system leading to the interview and approval itself. I got the impression that at least to the few people we were exposed to, they enjoy their jobs, and treated people decently, something always to be commended, especially after reading some people's experiences at other consulates. Now if only the Polish Embassy in BY were as nice...

yayyyy SANDT happy for you guys!!!! finally you can both go home...

khar i am sure you will be approved... big hugs, still nothing for me

[ukprincessemx 0]

VISA IN HAND (OK, on T's passport)!!! Sealed package given, and they even returned the original K1 package pictures in a separate bag. Pickup was 3-4pm, I think they actually opened the window early, as we arrived on time and a half dozen or more people already had packages in hand.

T picked up a stomach bug between no sleep and possibly the final days stress, so I've put her on 'bedrest' for a few hours, we'll be celebrating more properly tonight, before another train ride tomorrow, but it's so nice for both of us to finally be able to not worry about at least THIS part of the process. Of course, we've still got to finish packing, but at least that depends solely on us, not random strangers in the government.

We'll be heading back to the States on Saturday; I booked some 'leisurely' tickets, a few hours layover in Warsaw, and then we'll overnight in NY, allowing for any amount of silly time to be taken at POE, with a small surprise for T waiting at the hotel once we arrive.

Wow, I feel like I can finally breathe again, not holding breath just waiting on more beauracracy and others. Ok, at least until POE, and AOS, but hey, give us our relaxing moment in time.

kharkov - here's hoping all goes well, enjoy the pivos and the satisfaction once that Visa is finally where it belongs, on her passport instead of 'in the way'!

Way to go S and T !!!! Although I do hope that T is better soon....It must be soooo nice to be able to actually "rest" being aware that part is all over. I am totally over joyed for you both May T wake up feeling better and the journey back go smoothly....finish up your packing (God Im so fed up of packing lol...this place looks empty and bare...lots of cases in the hallway ready to go lol...not that we are egaer of course....it Positive Mental Attitude...thats what I say, our interview will be just great and the passport will be back to us in no time)...anyway Travel safely home...soooo excited.

Poacher...Good luck....you sound pretty damn confident so I cant wait to see that word "approved" tomorrow...You remind me of Ken being all relaxed and calm...well to the rest of the world anyway lol...I get terribly paniced, he keeps his cool. Anyway, glad everything went well....Looking forward to tomorrows post.

Solmarc.....any date yet?? did Honey get to call the DOS today??

Lonick.....did Peters visa arrive yet?? Praying that it does for you.

Lesie?? Nancy?? any word yet??

hugs to all xxx

yayyyy SANDT happy for you guys!!!! finally you can both go home...

khar i am sure you will be approved... big hugs, still nothing for me

Ugh

LOL funny as we posted pretty much at the same time....Im sorry they havent given you and Honey a date yet...it sucks.

Huggles xx

[solmarc 7]

Way to go S and T !!!! Although I do hope that T is better soon....It must be soooo nice to be able to actually "rest" being aware that part is all over. I am totally over joyed for you both May T wake up feeling better and the journey back go smoothly....finish up your packing (God Im so fed up of packing lol...this place looks empty and bare...lots of cases in the hallway ready to go lol...not that we are egaer of course....it Positive Mental Attitude...thats what I say, our interview will be just great and the passport will be back to us in no time)...anyway Travel safely home...soooo excited.

Poacher...Good luck....you sound pretty damn confident so I cant wait to see that word "approved" tomorrow...You remind me of Ken being all relaxed and calm...well to the rest of the world anyway lol...I get terribly paniced, he keeps his cool. Anyway, glad everything went well....Looking forward to tomorrows post.

Solmarc.....any date yet?? did Honey get to call the DOS today??

Lonick.....did Peters visa arrive yet?? Praying that it does for you.

Lesie?? Nancy?? any word yet??

hugs to all xxx

Ugh

LOL funny as we posted pretty much at the same time....Im sorry they havent given you and Honey a date yet...it sucks.

Huggles xx

Is Ok... I think they are going to send Us to sept, i am planning to leave in sept so probably is the best for Us... not happy anyway...lol.

[solmarc 7]

Is Ok... I think they are going to send Us to sept, i am planning to leave in sept so probably is the best for Us... not happy anyway...lol.

Hi, just when to the embassy in dominican republic, we didnt get an interview in august ... i have to change my wedding date...

[Lohninck 2]

Hey everyone. Congrats, SandT on the visa, I know how much fun it is finally getting it!

Sorry to hear that they're slacking off, solmarc.. September is a good luck month so I hope it will all work out for you and you can leave the same month, too.

Peter was able to pick his up today and will be finally here at 4:30 PM EST TOMORROW, Wednesday July 21. We're both so excited, it still hasn't hit me that finally we won't have to say goodbye for absolute ages, y'know? No more Skype, no more MSN, no more "send me an email before you go to bed" or any of that. I'm gonna be so nervous all day tomorrow, just waiting for him AND his family to arrive a few hours later. I hope his flight goes well and he doesn't come off with too many bumps or bruises. One last day of crossing fingers for us.

This is my last night I'll spend alone in this Queen size bed.. better pick a side I like since I have to share it now. I'll enjoy it while I can, but it'll be a nice change after 5 years of this LDR.

And, jet lag or not, I am sooooooooo looking forward to, ahem, properly celebrating tomorrow night.. you might not hear from me for a while..

Edited July 21, 2010 by Lohninck

[O & C 3]

2 hours in the Embassy again. We saw an older guy there who apparently had been trying to get a Visa to visit his son in the US for days. Minsk had also messed up his medical, then he was missing translations. He did the medical again in Warsaw, then had papers overnighted to him, then paid through the nose for local translations, and he overstayed on his Polish Visa, but - he was finally approved. Then the girl called us up. We were sort of worried, wondering why the guy (TG) didn't call us back up. A minute at the counter, no request for any new documents, just "all is in order and fine, come to get your Visa today at 3-4pm," and gave T a piece of paper with some other info on it, one of which was important - bring the cashiers receipt for when we go to pick up the Visa. I think we were both speechless. I got choked up and had a tear coming, just hugged T hard, and the CO said something about us being happy, I don't think I heard her at all beyond, "approved, come get the passport and Visa at 3pm."

So, we're almost exhaling, we'll be back there in another 3 hours to get her Passport and Visa. :) :)

Big Congratulations to you SandT!!! :dance:

[ukprincessemx 0]

Hey everyone. Congrats, SandT on the visa, I know how much fun it is finally getting it!

Sorry to hear that they're slacking off, solmarc.. September is a good luck month so I hope it will all work out for you and you can leave the same month, too.

Peter was able to pick his up today and will be finally here at 4:30 PM EST TOMORROW, Wednesday July 21. We're both so excited, it still hasn't hit me that finally we won't have to say goodbye for absolute ages, y'know? No more Skype, no more MSN, no more "send me an email before you go to bed" or any of that. I'm gonna be so nervous all day tomorrow, just waiting for him AND his family to arrive a few hours later. I hope his flight goes well and he doesn't come off with too many bumps or bruises. One last day of crossing fingers for us.

This is my last night I'll spend alone in this Queen size bed.. better pick a side I like since I have to share it now. I'll enjoy it while I can, but it'll be a nice change after 5 years of this LDR.

And, jet lag or not, I am sooooooooo looking forward to, ahem, properly celebrating tomorrow night.. you might not hear from me for a while..

Oh Christina that is the bestest news since S and T got their visa....I hope that Peter has a good flight and everything at his POE runs smoothly and very quickly...so that you can get to work on that....ahem "celebration!!!" way to go. Its been a close call right? But everything has finally come together. I hope that your mom is well and feeling all back to normal. I am so excited to see the wedding pics in the very near future You guys are going to the bestest best day in the whole of the bestest best days ever to be record lmao....did that confuse you? lol.

Good luck with everything!! I am so happy for you.

Solmarc....what can I say? i am so sorry that they have messed up your plans for the wedding...think positivly, maybe Sept will be a cooler month for the wedding, so you wont be as hot in your pretty dress

We are getting married in the Sept with all being good for us....I am very nervous about the fact that we have bought our plane tickets to leave on the 26th August...the interview is the 13th August...hopefully everything will go right and we have the visa's in our passports ready for our flights.

How is Honey holding up? I hope they get touch soon...so is there no chance at all now that you could still get a late August interview?? Huggles.

Poacher???........I hope that you guys got that visa and are celebrating somewhere.

My babies finish their school tomorrow...never to return to it again how sad for them...they are excited about the new school and going "home"...but are sad to be leaving their friends behind of course.

[solmarc 7]

Oh Christina that is the bestest news since S and T got their visa....I hope that Peter has a good flight and everything at his POE runs smoothly and very quickly...so that you can get to work on that....ahem "celebration!!!" way to go. Its been a close call right? But everything has finally come together. I hope that your mom is well and feeling all back to normal. I am so excited to see the wedding pics in the very near future You guys are going to the bestest best day in the whole of the bestest best days ever to be record lmao....did that confuse you? lol.

Good luck with everything!! I am so happy for you.

Solmarc....what can I say? i am so sorry that they have messed up your plans for the wedding...think positivly, maybe Sept will be a cooler month for the wedding, so you wont be as hot in your pretty dress

We are getting married in the Sept with all being good for us....I am very nervous about the fact that we have bought our plane tickets to leave on the 26th August...the interview is the 13th August...hopefully everything will go right and we have the visa's in our passports ready for our flights.

How is Honey holding up? I hope they get touch soon...so is there no chance at all now that you could still get a late August interview?? Huggles.

Poacher???........I hope that you guys got that visa and are celebrating somewhere.

My babies finish their school tomorrow...never to return to it again how sad for them...they are excited about the new school and going "home"...but are sad to be leaving their friends behind of course.

Hey you guys, i am sad but is fine... I was planning to stay until sept, so is not that bad, and the tickets are going to be much cheaper... good for Us cause that means he will be able to use my airline benefits and dont have to pay for tickets ...

The wedding day was for October, but i need time to plan there, he is a guy not interest in anything except of me been there so i will need time for getting a location, invite ppl and his mom is helping me but i need to be there... We will see what is going to happen...

Somebody know about Kharv? i am waiting for the good news...

[solmarc 7]

Hey you guys, i am sad but is fine... I was planning to stay until sept, so is not that bad, and the tickets are going to be much cheaper... good for Us cause that means he will be able to use my airline benefits and dont have to pay for tickets ...

The wedding day was for October, but i need time to plan there, he is a guy not interest in anything except of me been there so i will need time for getting a location, invite ppl and his mom is helping me but i need to be there... We will see what is going to happen...

Somebody know about Kharv? i am waiting for the good news...

Oh God i am going to stay alone here...

[kharkovpoacher 4]

Solmarc, I am here for you.

No news on us yet. I just came to an internet cafe here in Kharkov to see if I had gotten a reply from the consulate. I did get the confirmation email from the consulate saying they had received my email. A form letter. Anyway, I sent them everything twice, so I did get two confirmation emails. The consular officer said that they would review our case either that afternoon or on Wednesday. No email from the consulate updating us, but it is the US goverment. So, my next move, I just sent the consulate another email asking for a phone call or an email. Doubt that we will get it. Now I have to go find Veka. When I left her an hour ago, she said that she was going to the little beach by the lake to tan. After I pick my jaw up off of the ground, as I am sure she will not be the only smokinhotkova there, I will use her cell phone to call the consulate (good luck on actually talking to a live person), and then calling Fedex with our tracking number. If they have her passport and package, all is good. And yes, I do have a cell phone here, but I can only call people in that network. I'm not privileged. I will be worried if we have not heard anything by Monday. Yes, I am concerned, but not worried.

Other news, it seems that in the past year, a certain someone has been acquiring purses and shoes like Imelda Marcos. We got to her apartment yesterday and litterally thought "were did this come from?" I might be throwing my clothes away to make room for her things. Her stuff is a lot nicer then mine. Actually, she knows that she might have to leave some things at her parents house to recover on subsequent trips. She will fill her 3 suitcases easily.

Off to find Veka and make some phone calls. Later folks.