Introduction - Same-sex binational couple.

[michaelaukland 0]

I just wanted to post to say hello, really. I've spent hours and hours reading through the many resources on the website, trying to occupy myself whilst I wait for the next stage in the K-1 process (NOA2). In fairness, I only received my NOA1 3 weeks ago but I'm very impatient (I'm very aware of the reality of the situation, but have always been one for wishful thinking). Anyway, after finding almost every contribution on the site useful, I wanted to join the forum myself. I've not been part of any online forum before, so forgive me if this is posted in the wrong place or I've made one or more newbie mistakes.

I hope to post updates on the process as I experience it but wanted to introduce myself. I'm Michael, 25 and living in London but originally from the midlands. My fiancé is Shaun, 25 and living in SF, CA but originally from Racine, WI. I'm the tall one on the left in the picture below and he's on the right. We met 3 years ago courtesy of a very random (but fortunate) mobile gps glitch that placed me in Las Vegas on the same night that he was travelling there with business. To cut a long story short, we've been making visits to each other every 6 weeks since. He proposed in April this year, which was a massive surprise- he works for Google and arranged a big flashmob at the London offices whilst he was visiting. Then, very fortuitously, DOMA was overturned in June which allowed us to begin the K-1 process for me to move over to the US. He had considered moving here, but he's not a fan of the expense and some of the cultural idiosyncrasies. I, on the other hand, would love to live in the US with him. We filed via an attorney (Lavi Soloway) in July and received the NOA1 mid-month.

That's the story so far. I shouldn't think that the process would vary at all from that of a male-female couple, but if there're any top tips, I'd love to hear them. It would also be great to connect with other London-based people going through the K-1 process.

Thanks

Michael

Edited August 7, 2013 by Michael L.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hey, welcome.

I moved to SF last week from London (and my husband is also a Googler, who until last week was on assignment in the London office for 18 months)!

I don't anticipate you should have any specific issues - London themselves have acknowledged the updated guidance on same-sex applications, so they're ready and prepared to deal with the change now. https://twitter.com/USAinUKCGCorner/status/364359708578033664

Anyhow - best of luck to you both! And congratulations on your engagement.

[topoftherock2013 23]

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

Love the story + pic...Cute couple!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[bigdog 376]

^{Welcome and good luck.}

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

When I saw your pic I thought you were Michael Cera for a brief moment! Welcome and good luck

[belladrogo 0]

Aw! I love your story! Good luck. I look forward to hearing how it goes!

[Tracey&Greg 35]

Welome! Sorry we're not London..sadly east coast near Blackpool.. but awww your story was too cute! And I had to laugh because you said your fiance works for Google because if I can sum up my fiance in two words on anything that has to do with anything is "Google it"..anyhoo I hope and wish you guys the best, its a long journey for you but it will go quickly esp when you got each other to stay strong. I love that gay couples can finally file, means maybe there is hope for the rest of the US any their "old ways" (sadly I live in Alabama and their in the stone age with everything) but yeah I ramble quiet a bit..sorry but Welcome

[FulanoDeTal 19]

Hi Michael,

I remember seeing a video of your engagement on the DOMA Project site. It was great and very inspirational in the days leading up the end of DOMA. I'm glad to see that you have filed the paperwork and begun the immigration process. I think it's going to be "hurry up and wait" for the time being, but compared to the deplorable situation that we were in just a year ago that's OK by me. I'm looking forward to learning about the progress of bi-national same-sex couples around the world as they work their way through the U.S. immigration process.

So...Keep Calm and Carry On.

Best regards,

Peter

[dwinge 34]

Welcome and best wishes!!

[jkelly07 120]

welcome and good luck.

[Davesings 30]

Hi Michael - Like FulanoDeTal we also saw your proposal video on DOMA Project. Congratulations! We were also inspired by you as we anticipated the Supreme Court decision. My fiancé and I have been traveling back an forth between NY and London for 10 years. I am the USC and sent our i129f 7/29. We had the NOA1 on 8/1/13. We are also working with Masliah and Soloway through NY. We had wanted to be married April 19, 2014 which is our anniversary of meeting but we realized that we couldn't make a deposit on a venue if we didn't know for sure the visa would be in hand by then. We have waited years for this and on one hand it seems like it won't be long now but on the other hand we can't wait! Maybe my fiancé will run into you at the embassy!

[mounir412 101]

Welcome to the forum !!!

[TAB2TAB 52]

Hi Michael and Shaun, welcome to Visa Journey! We are in a similar situation to you... My name is Rob and my fiance's name is Adrian. I am the US citizen living in Atlanta, GA and Adrian is from the UK like you... originally from Newark, England but living in Edinburgh the last 10 years. We filed our i-129F June 28 (two days after DOMA fell) and we are anxiously awaiting the NOA2. Keep us posted on how the process goes for you...we really are amongst the first same sex couples to go through this journey, so it will be helpful to know if there are any idiosyncracies to how our approval processes will work.

By the way, there are a couple pics of us as well if you click on the "photos" button to the left. Adrian is the handsome one and I am the lucky one

Best wishes for you guys!

[Ralphiey 13]

Welcome to Visa Journey! Me and my bf is also being impatient, we filed my petition almost the same day as yours via an attorney (Andre Olivie); I've seen couples from July 2013 filers who got their NOA2; that's like less than 50days; anyhow I guess we just need to hang on; day will come that we all be truly be with our love; #loveislove