July 2010 Interviews

[Cixelsyd 1]

Finally back from my trip to Russia.

Short Story on the Interview:

So I wasn't able to go in for the actual interview. It's some sort of strange rule they have in Russia, where only the applicant can enter and no one else; not even a lawyer or translator if you had one.

The long and short story is the CO said she was approved pending receiving the original marriage certificate and her original birth certificate, which is a load of ####### for a couple reasons. My wife did say the CO was real nice and seemed really sorry that he couldn't approve her visa right away. It was obvious by his questions and her answers that we're not hiding/pulling and anything.

The main problem about them asking for these documents is this: It was NOT listed on the interview letter from the NVC. In fact, the interview letter had the code of "Y" which states "The Required Document has Been Received". Furthermore, I brought a certified copy of the marriage license just in case, and they said it had to be the original. Now, I don't know how long they've been doing their jobs, but the state of Florida absolutely refuses to give up the original. I'm guessing other states will say the same thing; how else would they have a record of someone being married at all.

Really I would be half fine with the outcome if it was a mistake we made. The fact that it was either someone at the NVC or the Embassy that screwed up and now they're making us pay for it is unacceptable and further proves our immigration laws/procedures are broken.

So I guess the moral of the story is pretend the letter codes on the invitation letter say "Needs to bring to interview" for absolutely everything. Because either the NVC doesn't know what the embassy wants, or the embassy makes up its own rules.

As for Us:

Well, fortunately I was able to have one of my family members start the process trying to get the marriage certificate before I returned. I tried to call and request it from Russia (super expensive to call) and basically sat the entire time on hold. But now we've got some sort of other copy which is going through some certification process which is required to be acceptable under the Warsaw pact (I have -no- idea what the hell that's about) and correspondence to the embassy has already informed them and asked them if this is acceptable or what would be.

Of course a response hasn't been sent yet... since they're lost in the sauce.

I'm putting my money on the embassy screwed up. They're so used to doing K-1 visa's that they probably forgot how to do a CR-1 or thought the same requirements apply. Images of someone blowing dust off a book titled "How to process a CR-1 in Russia" come to mind when picturing the CO right before my wifes interview.

It's really tempting to start throwing phone calls at various government agencies, but it's probably better to rock the boat after she has her visa. Of course then again, after that I won't care because she'll have her visa. It's really a chicken and the egg problem now.

Ah well... the bastards.

[sandra&mladen 2]

cixelsyd...wow...im sorry abt wht happen. im sure it will be over soon after you hand out "missing" documents.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Cixelsyd so sorry to read about your problems with the embassy. Hurry and get them the paperwork so you can get the visa.

OMG OMG good news here I found a co-sponsor. I tried everyone I knew and they all said no then out of desperation I went to my ex-husband and he said that he knows our little boy loves Ahmed and he would do it to make our son happy. My Ahmed was approved for his visa we just needed a new co-sponsor. I know it might look strange to the embassy that my ex is the co-sponsor but we have been divorced for 6 years and remained friends.

I am so happy, excited and relieved.

[sachinky 465]

Oh, Carolyn--I'm so happy everything is working out for you! That's really nice of your ex-husband to offer to be a joint sponsor. I hope you both are reunited soon!

[RyannTanya 2]

Good luck to everyone who has interviews this coming week.

[RGinu 0]

3 more days for the interview

[Cheyemo 8]

Man Cixelsyd, that sucks! More than that, it is just so frustrating to get to this part of the process and then be given something ELSE to do. In any case, I'm glad that the interview went well and that your wife was basically approved. Congrats

And Carolyn, that is GREAT news!

[tokyo.lovers 6]

new week of interviews!!!

hope all goes well for everyone with no problems!

[AUS2USA 0]

Congrats to my fellow Week 4ers, and good luck to the upcoming Week 5-ers!!!!!

As you all know, my visa was approved at the interview last Tuesday (Pending Medical). I had no confirmation that my medical had arrived, even after e-mailing the US Consulate in Sydney. This morning, I woke to find a letter from the post office to say they had tried to deliver a package, yet no one was home to receive. So, I had to wait alllll day until the package returned to the post office. Thankfully, it was a familiar looking envelope with my handwriting scribbled all across it- my name, address etc.

I'm SO fricking pumped to have the visa in my hand!

Again, good luck to the up and comers!!

[AmaJosh 0]

Approved!!!!!!

I would like to thank all the VJ family for all your insights, it really helped us through this process. I'll try to post a review as soon as i get all the details. Good luck to everyone else coming up! Go July!!! WooHoo!!

Edited July 26, 2010 by AmaJosh

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Congrats on having the Visa in hand.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

AmaJosh congratulations on your visa.

[Married2009 32]

Good luck, FireRay & FireKari - today, Bwoo and Zenaxe on 07/27.

Finally back from my trip to Russia.

Short Story on the Interview:

So I wasn't able to go in for the actual interview. It's some sort of strange rule they have in Russia, where only the applicant can enter and no one else; not even a lawyer or translator if you had one.

The long and short story is the CO said she was approved pending receiving the original marriage certificate and her original birth certificate, which is a load of ####### for a couple reasons. My wife did say the CO was real nice and seemed really sorry that he couldn't approve her visa right away. It was obvious by his questions and her answers that we're not hiding/pulling and anything.

The main problem about them asking for these documents is this: It was NOT listed on the interview letter from the NVC. In fact, the interview letter had the code of "Y" which states "The Required Document has Been Received". Furthermore, I brought a certified copy of the marriage license just in case, and they said it had to be the original. Now, I don't know how long they've been doing their jobs, but the state of Florida absolutely refuses to give up the original. I'm guessing other states will say the same thing; how else would they have a record of someone being married at all.

Really I would be half fine with the outcome if it was a mistake we made. The fact that it was either someone at the NVC or the Embassy that screwed up and now they're making us pay for it is unacceptable and further proves our immigration laws/procedures are broken.

So I guess the moral of the story is pretend the letter codes on the invitation letter say "Needs to bring to interview" for absolutely everything. Because either the NVC doesn't know what the embassy wants, or the embassy makes up its own rules.

As for Us:

Well, fortunately I was able to have one of my family members start the process trying to get the marriage certificate before I returned. I tried to call and request it from Russia (super expensive to call) and basically sat the entire time on hold. But now we've got some sort of other copy which is going through some certification process which is required to be acceptable under the Warsaw pact (I have -no- idea what the hell that's about) and correspondence to the embassy has already informed them and asked them if this is acceptable or what would be.

Of course a response hasn't been sent yet... since they're lost in the sauce.

I'm putting my money on the embassy screwed up. They're so used to doing K-1 visa's that they probably forgot how to do a CR-1 or thought the same requirements apply. Images of someone blowing dust off a book titled "How to process a CR-1 in Russia" come to mind when picturing the CO right before my wifes interview.

It's really tempting to start throwing phone calls at various government agencies, but it's probably better to rock the boat after she has her visa. Of course then again, after that I won't care because she'll have her visa. It's really a chicken and the egg problem now.

Ah well... the bastards.

Sorry about the trouble, but at least they are small problems.

Cixelsyd so sorry to read about your problems with the embassy. Hurry and get them the paperwork so you can get the visa.

OMG OMG good news here I found a co-sponsor. I tried everyone I knew and they all said no then out of desperation I went to my ex-husband and he said that he knows our little boy loves Ahmed and he would do it to make our son happy. My Ahmed was approved for his visa we just needed a new co-sponsor. I know it might look strange to the embassy that my ex is the co-sponsor but we have been divorced for 6 years and remained friends.

I am so happy, excited and relieved.

Yayy!!! I am very happy for you!

Approved!!!!!!

I would like to thank all the VJ family for all your insights, it really helped us through this process. I'll try to post a review as soon as i get all the details. Good luck to everyone else coming up! Go July!!! WooHoo!!

Grats!

Congrats to my fellow Week 4ers, and good luck to the upcoming Week 5-ers!!!!!

As you all know, my visa was approved at the interview last Tuesday (Pending Medical). I had no confirmation that my medical had arrived, even after e-mailing the US Consulate in Sydney. This morning, I woke to find a letter from the post office to say they had tried to deliver a package, yet no one was home to receive. So, I had to wait alllll day until the package returned to the post office. Thankfully, it was a familiar looking envelope with my handwriting scribbled all across it- my name, address etc.

I'm SO fricking pumped to have the visa in my hand!

Again, good luck to the up and comers!!

Grats!

Edited July 26, 2010 by Married2009

[OBX 51]

Approved!!!!!!

I would like to thank all the VJ family for all your insights, it really helped us through this process. I'll try to post a review as soon as i get all the details. Good luck to everyone else coming up! Go July!!! WooHoo!!

Great news, congratulations!

[sandra&mladen 2]

Approved!!!!!!

I would like to thank all the VJ family for all your insights, it really helped us through this process. I'll try to post a review as soon as i get all the details. Good luck to everyone else coming up! Go July!!! WooHoo!!

Yaaayy congrats!!!