Jump to content
alana33

How often do you visit your home country?

 Share

How often do you, the immigrant, visit your home country now that you are in America, and if youre the US spouse, how often do you visit your spouse's country?  

51 members have voted

  1. 1. and if you haven't immigrated yet, just give your prediction

    • once every year on average
      16
    • twice a year on average
      3
    • every few months on average
      9
    • less than once a year
      5
    • i haven't been back yet
      17
    • i will never go back
      0
    • ive been there often i may as well live there again!
      1
  2. 2. If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage this?

    • frequent flyer miles are a great thing
      7
    • i/my spouse is from Canada or Mexico and we can drive
      6
    • im monumentally wealthy
      1
    • i get alot of vacation time to use
      2
    • i take advantage of online/discounted airfares
      15
    • my family helps me out
      2
    • we can't afford it but we do it anyways
      7
    • i rarely go home
      11


20 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Scotland
Timeline

My husband isn't in America yet, but I'm already planning our next visit to the UK (probably not until Christmas time)! I'm just wondering how often all of you make the trek and how you manage (financially, time off work, etc).

Alana-USC in UK + Alex-UK Spouse

I-130 NOA1 CSC March 14th 2005

Petition Approved and at NVC late June 2005

DS-230 in system Sept. 15th, 2005, Case completed Dec. 1st after RFE.

Case sent to London Dec. 7th

Alana moves back to the the US Jan. 10th

Medical booked Jan. 19th at Knightsbridge

Interview Feb. 9th- APPROVED!

Feb. 16th 2006: Reunited and it feels so gooooood

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

My husband and I only live 3 hours from Canada where all my family and friends live, so we go there often. Plus, we have a trailer on a Lake in Canada, so we spend many weekends up in Canada from April until October every year.

"THE SHORT STORY"

KURT & RAYMA (K-1 Visa)

Oct. 9/03... I-129F sent to NSC

June 10/04... K-1 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

July 31/04... Entered U.S.

Aug. 28/04... WEDDING DAY!!!!

Aug. 30/04... I-485, I-765 & I-131 sent to Seattle

Dec. 10/04... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport stamped)

Sept. 9/06... I-751 sent to NSC

May 15/07... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Sept. 13/07... N-400 sent to NSC

Aug. 21/08... Interview - PASSED!!!!

Sept. 2/08... Oath Ceremony

Sept. 5/08... Sent in Voter Registration Card

Sept. 9/08... SSA office to change status to "U.S. citizen"

Oct. 8/08... Applied in person for U.S. Passport

Oct. 22/08... U.S. Passport received

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!

KAELY (K-2 Visa)

Apr. 6/05... DS-230, Part I faxed to Vancouver Consulate

May 26/05... K-2 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

Sept. 5/05... Entered U.S.

Sept. 7/05... I-485 & I-131 sent to CLB

Feb. 22/06... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport NOT stamped)

Dec. 4/07... I-751 sent to NSC

May 23/08... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Mar. 22/11.... N-400 sent to AZ

June 27/11..... Interview - PASSED!!!

July 12/11..... Oath Ceremony

We're NOT lawyers.... just your average folks who had to find their own way!!!!! Anything we post here is simply our own opinions/suggestions/experiences and should not be taken as LAW!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline

Your choices are pretty limited -- after "less than once a year" the next choice is "never"! This is pretty extreme. BTW, I'd rather invite my parent to come here, rather than visit them. It's more interesting for them, I think.

09-02-2005 Applications for AOS, EAD, and AP received by MSC

10-21-2005 AOS fingerprint notice for 12-08-2005

11-07-2005 AP approved

12-05-2005 Infopass appt at San Jose office for interim EAD -- Refused, because it is already approved by MSC on 11-07-2005

12-07-2005 Attempt at interim EAD at San Francisco office -- no go. Back to San Jose, where CSO (chief station officer) tells they will contact MSC via email to request permission to issue interim EAD

12-08-2005 Biometrics for AOS and EAD. Having no EAD appt letter was no problem (used EAD NOA)

12-15-2005 EAD arrived in the mail

12-24-2005 Received interview letter; interview scheduled 03-01-2006

01-28-2006 Received replacement SSN card in married name (5 wks since application)

03-01-2006 AOS interview -- approved; received stamp in the passport

03-13-2006 Green card arrived in the mail

---

Filing for removal of conditions

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Germany
Timeline

I have been here for about a year now and haven't been back to Germany yet. But we will be moving there in August due to military orders.

Edited by Stefanie

K-1

07-12-2004 NOA1

12-13-2004 Approved

AOS

05-25-2005 NOA1

09-20-2005 Approved

I-751

07-25-2007 NOA1

12-02-2009 Approved

N-400

05-11-2010 NOA

07-29-2010 Interview + Oath Ceremony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Indonesia
Timeline

We're planning to visit every year (or 2 years) if money permits. It's a half way around the world (approx 20-22 hrs) & expensive, so my best bet is once a year is max.

My parents does not like travel that long (they are both almost 70 y.o), so most likely we will go back.

I-130

Jun 28 2004 : Received at NSC

Oct 25 2004 : Transferred to CSC

Oct 29 2004 : Received at CSC

Nov 8 2004 : Received response from CSC that my file is being requested & review will be done

Nov 10 2004 : Email & online status Approved

Nov 15 2004 : NOA 2 in mail

Dec 16 2004 : NVC assigns case number

Dec 20 2004 : NVC sent DS 3032 to beneficiary, copy of DS 3032 & I-864 fee bill to petitioner

Jan 3 2005 : Petitioner received copy of DS 3032 and I-864 fee bill. Post-marked Dec 23rd.

Jan 11 2005 : Beneficiary received DS 3032 in Indonesia

Jan 31 2005 : Sent DS 3032 to NVC

Feb 8, 2005 : NVC received DS 3032

Feb 21, 2005 : IV fee generated

Feb 25, 2005 : Sent I-864 fee bill

Feb 28, 2005 : I-864 fee bill delivered to St Louis

Mar 3, 2005 : IV fee bill received

Mar 7, 2005 : Sent IV fee bill

Mar 9, 2005 : IV fee bill delivered to St Louis

Mar 28, 2005 : I-864 fee credited against case.

April 6, 2005 : Received I-864 package

April 7, 2005 : Immigrant Visa fee credited against case.

April 11, 2005 : DS 230 is generated

Aug 12, 2005 : I-864 & DS 230 received by NVC

Sep 14, 2005 : RFE on I-864

Nov 3, 2005 : Checklist response received at NVC

Nov 25, 2005 : Case completion

Dec 9, 2005 : Police Cert requested from the Netherlands

Jan 12 2006 : Interview success - Approved !!

Jan 19 2006 : Visa & brown envelope picked up

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't been back yet but when my hubby and I do get the chance we'll definitely be looking for some cheap discount tickets online...

3dflags_fin0001-0001a.gifSanna and Daniel's journey3dflags_usa0001-0001a.gif

December 13, 2007 - I-751 submitted to NSC (removing of conditions fun begins...)

December 22 - Received a rejection notice because the form was not "properly signed". Package itself was not returned.

January 1, 2008 - Received packet back from CSC. They are requesting we resubmit the packet (which is already organized by CSC) with a properly signed form.

January 2 - Packet resubmitted to California.

January 12 - NOA1 received (dated 01/07/2008)

January 19 - Biometrics appointment notice received (dated 01/15/2008)

February 1 - Biometrics

March 11 - Approved! Card production ordered (notified via e-mail).

March 20, 2008 - New card arrived in the mail :)

Done until 2018 :)

For more details including K1 and AOS journies check out "Our story" in my profile =)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Other Country: India
Timeline

My husband is visiting India next month for the first time since moving here, he hasn't been back there in almost a year and a half. In the future, he hopes to visit atleast once a year though. I'm not sure how often I will be able to go with him due to social issues with his family and the cost.

Married since 9-18-04(All K1 visa & GC details in timeline.)

Ishu tum he mere Prabhu:::Jesus you are my Lord

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline

I have been here almost a year and I haven't been back yet but we are planning a road trip for April this year... I am from Canada so it isn't that far to drive... takes about 2 days or so to drive...

mvSuprise-hug.gif
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline

I have NOT been back to Australia in a year, and if it was just up to me I wouldn't be going because I'm dreading the 18 hours of plane travel and I know we can't afford it... but my family wants to see me so I expect I'll be going back every year or so - they're paying for the first trip and since I got my greencard a week ago they're already asking when I'm coming!

If it was up to me I'd go back ONCE for two months to show my husband Australia... and it would probably only be once every four years... and I'd try to get my family to come HERE to visit us once every four years too.

Edited by Kajikit

Karen - Melbourne, Australia/John - Florida, USA

- Proposal (20 August 2000) to marriage (19 December 2004) - 4 years, 3 months, 25 days (1,578 days)

STAGE 1 - Applying for K1 (15 September 2003) to K1 Approval (13 July 2004) - 9 months, 29 days (303 days)

STAGE 2A - Arriving in US (4 Nov 2004) to AOS Application (16 April 2005) - 5 months, 13 days (164 days)

STAGE 2B - Applying for AOS to GC Approval - 9 months, 4 days (279 days)

STAGE 3 - Lifting Conditions. Filing (19 Dec 2007) to Approval (December 11 2008)

STAGE 4 - CITIZENSHIP (filing under 5-year rule - residency start date on green card Jan 11th, 2006)

*N400 filed December 15, 2011

*Interview March 12, 2012

*Oath Ceremony March 23, 2012.

ALL DONE!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Ireland
Timeline

I can't travel yet, but we plan on going back to Ireland about twice a year. Plus, my family will visit us here too. My parents were out in November for our wedding, and are planning another trip for 4th July with 2 of my sisters. My other sisters are planning visits around the Fall, so we'll see each other fairly often we hope :)

03.04.2009......Posted I-130 to U.S. Embassy

03.04.2009......Ordered Police Certificate for Visa Purposes from Local Garda Office (ordered over the phone)

03.05.2009......I-130 received at Embassy

03.06.2009......Received Police Cert

03.18.2009......I-130 Approved

09.10.2009......Medical Exam

09.23.2009......Embassy receives Notice of Readiness

10.13.2009......Received our interview date

10.29.2009......Successful interview!

11.5.2009........Visa received in post

11.7.2009........All the family flew to the US together :)

12.20.2009......Received Welcome to America letter

12.24.2009......10 year Greencard received in the mail

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We plan to go about once a year. This year we are planning a trip to Hawaii first for a delayed honeymoon, then visit her family in the Philippines closer to the end of the year.

I get a good amount of vacation each year and we take advantage of internet budget fares and travel on off-peak days (amazing how much the price can differ depending on the day of the week).

I always use Northwest as I am now Gold Elite on Worldperks (due to the 4 trips I took there last year) and I get double air miles with them. I won't actually use the air miles until I drop off this status (Feb 2007).

it takes 60,000 air miles for each round-trip ticket to the Philippines. I have 131,000 so far and would like to have 240,000 before I start using them (2 trips for both of us). That would take care of the airfare for 2007 and 2008.

05/16/2005 I-129F Sent

05/28/2005 I-129F NOA1

06/21/2005 I-129F NOA2

07/18/2005 Consulate Received package from NVC

11/09/2005 Medical

11/16/2005 Interview APPROVED

12/05/2005 Visa received

12/07/2005 POE Minneapolis

12/17/2005 Wedding

12/20/2005 Applied for SSN

01/14/2005 SSN received in the mail

02/03/2006 AOS sent (Did not apply for EAD or AP)

02/09/2006 NOA

02/16/2006 Case status Online

05/01/2006 Biometrics Appt.

07/12/2006 AOS Interview APPROVED

07/24/2006 GC arrived

05/02/2007 Driver's License - Passed Road Test!

05/27/2008 Lifting of Conditions sent (TSC > VSC)

06/03/2008 Check Cleared

07/08/2008 INFOPASS (I-551 stamp)

07/08/2008 Driver's License renewed

04/20/2009 Lifting of Conditions approved

04/28/2009 Card received in the mail

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline

Was an expat in my wife's country and loved it - went back twice a year after returning full-time to the USA. Then I married her, she came to the USA, and I haven't gone back again.

Maybe I should divorce her.....

Yodrak

My husband isn't in America yet, but I'm already planning our next visit to the UK (probably not until Christmas time)! I'm just wondering how often all of you make the trek and how you manage (financially, time off work, etc).
Edited by Yodrak
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline

I envy you all so much. I have been here 4 years and haven't been home once. It is not because we can't afford it. I don't want to leave my son with his case still a mess and find that they make some monumental decision while I am out of the country! I want us all to be able to return to England to visit, but want for ALL of us to be allowed back in too.

My parents are getting on in years and I really do need to get back, but just don't want to risk it at this point.

Our journey started in 2001 and it's still not over. It's been a rollercoaster ride all the way! Let me off - I wanna be sick!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...