US girlfriend (permanent resident) can't get a passport (help!)

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

So unless we find someway to get some paperwork so she can get a new passport, we can't see each other for another 6+ months or however long that takes, and we've already been apart for the last 3 months. That's why it was so important that she got here soon.

Patience young one. Most of us have spent the better part of a year away from our spouses as the process unraveled.

[US-DK 2]

I wish it was that simple. Like Einstein said: "Time is relative".

[fazmo 24]

You have two options.

1. Have her file for citizenship with N-400 application. It takes about 4 months now and costs you 680.

2. Apply for a Re-Entry Permit Travel document with I-131 application. It takes about 3 months and costs about 400.

Requirement is the same for both (Application + Fee + Copy of Green Card + Photos).

Obviously, option one is much better like everyone else suggested. Get done with the citizenship, if she was here for five years.

[US-DK 2]

Yeah and the re-entry wont really work anyway since she needs a valid passport to get into another country as far as I know. What about giving USCIS the old A-number? Maybe they can pull some kind of paperwork she can use for the Korean passport? Another option is that she gets started on the N-400, and then a month after I take a chance and hope they'll let me into the country for 2 months.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Her best option is Citizenship, to get any copies of her old immigration file would require a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request which will take forever.

[US-DK 2]

K. Thank you. I really appreciate it!

If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

[US-DK 2]

I'm wondering if during my last entry into the US, where the officer told me that I might not be let into the US again, if I went for 3 months on the VWP, if that is registered in the system somewhere? Or if all they note in the system is "accepted" or "rejected"?

[US-DK 2]

Oh and one other thing... USCIS suggested that she file G-884 form to get the missing paperwork. I haven't been able to find any processing time for that, or if it might even help. Any inputs?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I'm wondering if during my last entry into the US, where the officer told me that I might not be let into the US again, if I went for 3 months on the VWP, if that is registered in the system somewhere? Or if all they note in the system is "accepted" or "rejected"?

None of us has access to their computer systems, so we can't say for sure what they do or don't record. However, based on anecdotal evidence from other people who have been in similar situations, they do record this information because they seem to know exactly what happened each time you entered previously. If you were warned that you were abusing the VWP then it's highly likely that was noted in your file.

[US-DK 2]

Yeah that's what I though. You can't really blame them for keeping a tight security with everything going on in the world, it's just sad that it has to be like this. There's basically no way for us to see each other, before she gets her passport or her naturalization, and at the point, with our current situation, I doubt there will be an "us" which makes me incredibly sad.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Oh and one other thing... USCIS suggested that she file G-884 form to get the missing paperwork. I haven't been able to find any processing time for that, or if it might even help. Any inputs?

I understand you guys are getting impatient, really I do but think about it for a minute:

USCIS doesn't do anything in a matter of days or even weeks. Assume it will take a few months at best. The old records are in storage and need to be located then retrieved.

This would be a step backwards for her and a waste of processing time when in a few months she could be a US Citizen and never have to deal with USCIS again unless you 2 get married.

I highly doubt you will find a way for her to get travel papers that will save time over her just naturalizing and getting a US Passport.

There's basically no way for us to see each other, before she gets her passport or her naturalization, and at the point, with our current situation, I doubt there will be an "us" which makes me incredibly sad.

If your relatonship really truly can't survive this minor hiccup then maybe it's for the better as life will throw a lot bigger obsticles at you...

[US-DK 2]

If your relatonship really truly can't survive this minor hiccup then maybe it's for the better as life will throw a lot bigger obsticles at you...

I do understand, and I really appreciate all the help. But the truth is that you are in no position to say what is a minor hiccup for us. You can only assume, and assumption is rarely a good thing, especially when judging other peoples personal lives. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from doing so. If nothing else because it's not a nice human quality to tell others what to do with their lives, and what is a big or a small thing, especially when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, when you don't know the first thing about those people. Thank you.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I do understand, and I really appreciate all the help. But the truth is that you are in no position to say what is a minor hiccup for us. You can only assume, and assumption is rarely a good thing, especially when judging other peoples personal lives. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from doing so. If nothing else because it's not a nice human quality to tell others what to do with their lives, and what is a big or a small thing, especially when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, when you don't know the first thing about those people. Thank you.

Seriously!?!?

What are you getting so touchy about?

You have enjoyed a luxury that many on VJ simply don't have, access to VWP so that you could visit your SO in the US. You have overused it and were warned to chill out for a while.

After I married my wife I wasn't able to be in her physical presence for 10 months! It was difficult on us but we made it.

Nobody (especially me) is telling you what to do with your life and I also fail to see where anyone is judging your personal life either. You are young and impatient, that's a fact based on your posts. I have simply said you will survive the wait to which you cried about the seperation will probably kill your relationship. I speak from experience, been there done that kind of experience not "read it on the internet" experience (which is ironically how I'm sharing said experience with you). Even at the ripe old age of 41 I'm impatient (just not nearly as much as I was in my twenties).

The bottom line here is that you can't easily visit in person with her for a period of 4 to 6 months and that's if she files for naturalization yesterday. The more time you spend whining about in on the internet the longer it will take.

Trust me on how small of a problem this is. In life you may experience things that are much harder to overcome, financial & personal hardships that will push you beyond your limits. I've been in situations where I didn't know if I would even have a tomorrow let alone where I'd live or what I'd eat (to no fault of my own). All of the sudden something can just blindside you on a sleepy Tuesday afternoon and everything you knew is gone, that's a big problem.

If the relationship is strong and the love is true then it will find a way to reach across the vast expanse and fill both of your hearts. Even though you'll long for the physical touch you will cope with it and keep contact until the day you can again stand at each other's side. If for some reason the relationship can't survive this rough patch then you are better off without it.

10 minutes after my wife walked through the doors at the airport all of the pain from the previous 10 months apart was gone! In the 18 months since we've had our ups & downs but we are still here and I honestly believe that 10 months strengthened our relatonship in ways local couples can never understand. No matter how angry either of us gets we each know the other will always return...

When you read my posts, take what you want from them and ignore the rest...

Edited May 20, 2011 by Bob 4 Anna

[US-DK 2]

Seriously!?!?

What are you getting so touchy about?

You have enjoyed a luxury that many on VJ simply don't have, access to VWP so that you could visit your SO in the US. You have overused it and were warned to chill out for a while.

After I married my wife I wasn't able to be in her physical presence for 10 months! It was difficult on us but we made it.

Nobody (especially me) is telling you what to do with your life and I also fail to see where anyone is judging your personal life either. You are young and impatient, that's a fact based on your posts. I have simply said you will survive the wait to which you cried about the seperation will probably kill your relationship. I speak from experience, been there done that kind of experience not "read it on the internet" experience (which is ironically how I'm sharing said experience with you). Even at the ripe old age of 41 I'm impatient (just not nearly as much as I was in my twenties).

The bottom line here is that you can't easily visit in person with her for a period of 4 to 6 months and that's if she files for naturalization yesterday. The more time you spend whining about in on the internet the longer it will take.

Trust me on how small of a problem this is. In life you may experience things that are much harder to overcome, financial & personal hardships that will push you beyond your limits. I've been in situations where I didn't know if I would even have a tomorrow let alone where I'd live or what I'd eat (to no fault of my own). All of the sudden something can just blindside you on a sleepy Tuesday afternoon and everything you knew is gone, that's a big problem.

If the relationship is strong and the love is true then it will find a way to reach across the vast expanse and fill both of your hearts. Even though you'll long for the physical touch you will cope with it and keep contact until the day you can again stand at each other's side. If for some reason the relationship can't survive this rough patch then you are better off without it.

10 minutes after my wife walked through the doors at the airport all of the pain from the previous 10 months apart was gone! In the 18 months since we've had our ups & downs but we are still here and I honestly believe that 10 months strengthened our relatonship in ways local couples can never understand. No matter how angry either of us gets we each know the other will always return...

When you read my posts, take what you want from them and ignore the rest...

I was starting to write a reply to your message, but I don't see the point. Like I said, I really appreciate the help everyone here has been so kind to give me, but I just won't accept anyone presenting their assumptions as facts. That's it. I'm sorry you got offended by this, but please take a step back, and stay out of this thread if you can't extend me that courtesy.

[US-DK 2]

Look... Bob... things are very tense and hard here these days, and I am truly sorry if I offended you in any way. It was absolutely not my intention, and I appreciate all your help. You just hit me in a incredibly soar spot, and it affected me deeply. It wasn't fair to take it out on you. I'm sorry.