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Sam and Matt Newbie

Sam and Matt   0

Posted
Filed: Other Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Hi everyone!

My name is Samantha (28, Australia) and my partners name is Matt (37, Nebraska). Matt and I met over Facebook 18 or so months ago **insert long drawn out story of FB game neighbour to FB profile "stalker" to friendship to relationship here** Haha!
Anyway, we have been discussing and TRYING to plan a trip for me to come over and visit next year sometime. We are hoping around May but that isn't set in stone as of yet. I am assuming (so far) that I will be needing to go over on a 90 day limited waiver Visa.

I am a complete newb at the Visa process as I have never left Australia.. So I have been looking around endlessly on the internet and feel a tad overwhelmed with all the information that is on offer and I don't know where to begin! I have been to a few local travel places and other than everyone saying they have never had anyone come into their business asking about going to Omaha (haha!), they have told me to contact the United States Consulate in Canberra, which I will do, I just want to get the right questions ready!

I have been lurking around this site for a couple of weeks and decided to join myself and Matt up to hopefully get some much appreciated hints, tips and maybe some support on our journey (and even though I know next to nothing at the moment about Visa processes, I hope to offer some support to others!)

Once again, I am a total newbie at this process, so apologies about any questions that may end up having very simple answers. I will try my best to research before asking too many questions!


Thank-you!
Sam. =)

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,851

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome, Sam! :)

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

austex Enthusiast

austex   42

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Hi Sam,

Welcome to visa journey.

What are you actually asking... If it is which visa you want.... Well you can go over on a visa waiver which is a 90 visit to the USA. All you have to do is go to the US Consulate and apply for ESTA it costs $14 for around two years. All ESTA is, is to let the US Government that you are coming..lol and to give them more money...but you have to do it. At least 72 hours before you go to the USA.

We were lucky enough that I always got a five year visa because we travelled over so often than the US consulate told us to get a five year visa to stop all the "rig am roll " each time we went back...

M.

Sam and Matt Newbie

Sam and Matt   0

Posted
Filed: Other Country: Australia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thank-you for the welcomes!

Austex, I suppose I haven't really gathered what questions I need to or should be asking at the moment?? Hopefully I will get more of an idea while perusing the forum. =) That is really great for you to be able to get a 5 year Visa! Rig am roll? Hahaha!
Unfortunately, I don't think I would be unable to travel to the States too often, so I probably won't get offered to apply for that. As much as that would be awesome to have that opportunity!
How often do you actually travel over there to be able to get that option for the 5 year Visa?

Ultimately, our goal is to one day (not rushing it) to get married and for me to be in the States with him. We are not engaged yet but have spoken about it and Matt's personal preference is to ask me in person, which is fine by me! So, I suppose that I would like to have an idea about the process that goes along with being able to do that too.

Thank-you once again guys! =)

  • 2 weeks later...
Pamala Bull Collaborator

Pamala Bull   4

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

You can stay in USA on a tourist Visa for 6 months at a time without getting in trouble.You can get a 1 year or a 5 year.. As long as you dont marry on one that would be fraud. You would have to go back to AUS and apply for a fiance Visa.


i traveled once on a one year travel visa then the second time i applied for one they offered the 5 year

Adjustment of status after K1 visa ClockWatch2.gif

2013-08-12 (Day 1 ) - Sent my Aos package for work permit and green Card

2013-08-20 (DAY 8) Noa1 received via Text around 11pm, next day was email. Received my case numbers

2013-08-23 (Day 11)- received hard copy in mail for Noa1 gc , Work permit

2013-08-30 (Day 18) Received Biometrics appointment letter in the mail.

2013-09-17 (Day 25) biometrics appointment day @2pm Detriot

2013-09-25 (Day 33) received text and email , I485 changed to testing and interview

2013-10-02 (Day 40) received text message and email @7am about my interview date

2013-10-04 (Day 42) Received hard copy interview letter in the mail

2013-10-10 (Day 48) Work permit Card in production

2013-10-16 (Day 54) 2nd Text and email @830am Work permit in Production

2013-10-21 (Day 59) text/email notice 10am . Work Permit sent

2013-10-21(Day 59)Text/ email @9pm received text with tracking number -2 day delievery

2013-10-24(Day 62) received my work permit in the mail.

2013-10-25 Filled for my Social Security number today

2013-11-05 (Day 74) Interview November 5th (1.40pm)...... APPROVED!! kicking.gif

2013-11-05(Day 74) Text and Email - Green card in Production @2.30pm

2013-11-05 (Day 74) Text and email @8.15pm Mailed notice that i am a registered permanent resident

2013-11-07 (Day 76) 2nd Text and email @11.30am - green card in production

2013-11-09 (Day 78) Welcome letter received - WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

2013-11-12 (Day 81) - Received text and email - Green card sent @1.15pm

2013-11-12 (Day 81) @9pm received text and email - with UPS tracking number - For Green card

2013-11-15 (Day 84) Green card Received dancin5hr.gif

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dwinge Community Regular

dwinge   34

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Singapore
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome and best wishes !!

I-129F Sent : 2012-11-02
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-12-06
I-129F RFE(s) : 2013-5-30
RFE Reply(s) : 2013-6-10
I-129F NOA2 : 2013-6-17
NVC Received : 2013-06-28
NVC Left : 2013-07-02
Consulate Received : 2013-07-08
Packet 3 Received : 2013-07-10
Packet 3 Sent : 2013-07-25
Packet 4 Received : 2013-08-24
Interview Date : 2013-09-13
Interview Result : Approved
Visa Received : 2013-09-23
US Entry : 2013-10-25

Marriage : 2013-11-16

Filed AOS
CIS Office : Santa Ana CA
Date Filed : 2013-12-05
NOA Date : 2013-12-12

Biometrics: 2013-12-26

Interview Date: 2014-04-07

EAD Approval: 2014-02-15

EAD Received: 2014-02-26

AP Approved: 2014-02-18

AP Received: 2014-02-26

I-751 Sent: 2016-01-09

I-751 NOA1: 2016-01-11

I-751 Biometrics: 2016-02-29

mounir412 Mentor

mounir412   101

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum!!!

Met online : 2009
Married : 07/28/2010

USCIS
Send I-130 : 06/08/2011
Touched : 06/13/2011
got a NOA1 by e-mail and SMS : 06/15/2011
got "I-797C" hard copy of NOA1 : 06/20/2011
got RFE "I-797E" : 10/15/2011
RFE Reply : 12/15/2011
Touched : 12/16/2011
I-130 Approved : 12/20/2011
got "I-797" hard copy of NOA2 : 12/24/2011
Your I-130 was approved in 183 days from your NOA1 date.

NVC
NVC Case Number : 01/13/2012
Pay "$88" AOS Bill and e-mailed DS-3032 : 02/08/2012
Email from NVC, DS-3032 Accepted : 02/09/2012
AOS Fee Shows PAID : 02/09/2012
IV fee invoiced "$404" : 02/10/2012
IV fee invoiced "$230" : 04/18/2012
Pay "$230" IV Bill : 04/30/2012
IV Fee Shows PAID : 05/02/2012
Send AOS and IV packet : 06/09/2012
AOS and IV packet Received : 06/22/2012
Case completed at NVC : 06/29/2012

Interview Date : 08/28/2012 "Denied"

Case Reaffirmed : 07/16/2013

Second interview - Approved : 10/24/2013

Visa Issued : 10/29/2013

Visa in hand : 10/31/2013

For more details please visit my timeline

485.gif

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
X Factor Grand Master

X Factor   1,112

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to VJ

Sent I-129 Application to VSC 2/1/12
NOA1 2/8/12
RFE 8/2/12
RFE reply 8/3/12
NOA2 8/16/12
NVC received 8/27/12
NVC left 8/29/12
Manila Embassy received 9/5/12
Visa appointment & approval 9/7/12
Arrived in US 10/5/2012
Married 11/24/2012
AOS application sent 12/19/12

AOS approved 8/24/13

 

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