Ima GRRRRRRR ation

[MissStacey 1]

Before anyone here even knew they were going to Marry someone from another Country, did you know anything about what the Immagration process would be? I always thought that if someone married an American, it was an instant Greencard and that people from INS would show up at your house at anytime and check if you were sleeping in the same bed,etc.

[payxibka 10,047]

Before anyone here even knew they were going to Marry someone from another Country, did you know anything about what the Immagration process would be? I always thought that if someone married an American, it was an instant Greencard and that people from INS would show up at your house at anytime and check if you were sleeping in the same bed,etc.

For me, eyes were wide open.....

[Savanphil 3]

It was nothing like I expected.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

i knew there was a process. just not familiar with the details or the timeframe. Sure was an eye opener.

Daniel

:energetic:

[MaryandMian 1]

I was clueless about the whole process and did the paperwork myself and was on the final stages before I found VJ.

1. Thought once we married he would be coming to the USA and within 6 months since everyone said she is American and they will issue your visa pronto. Started January 2005 and visa was issued May 2006.

2. Never had heard of impromptu visits before or after the visa was adjudicated. This has been an eye opener for me.

Mary

[JaJo 1]

Before anyone here even knew they were going to Marry someone from another Country, did you know anything about what the Immagration process would be? I always thought that if someone married an American, it was an instant Greencard and that people from INS would show up at your house at anytime and check if you were sleeping in the same bed,etc.

Me too - can you say naïve??

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

well I had worked in the early 90s with a french guy who came over on a tourist visa, got married, went to the INS office and got a temporary green card the next day

so yes, I did think it was that easy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My younger brother met a Czech woman while stationed in Germany. She came here and lived with him while they enrolled at the nearby university. They got married after she was here a couple of years (1996?). I've never really asked him how difficult it was so I assumed it wasn't too much trouble.

[garya505 2]

If I had known how diificult it was before I met my fiancee I would have been scared off and I would not have met her, so my prior ignorance was a very good thing.

[almaty 19]

it was a experience in patience

[Ban Hammer 13,654]

Before anyone here even knew they were going to Marry someone from another Country, did you know anything about what the Immagration process would be? I always thought that if someone married an American, it was an instant Greencard and that people from INS would show up at your house at anytime and check if you were sleeping in the same bed,etc.

i had no clue about the entire process nor was i aware that so many government offices could be so inept.

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

Before anyone here even knew they were going to Marry someone from another Country, did you know anything about what the Immagration process would be? I always thought that if someone married an American, it was an instant Greencard and that people from INS would show up at your house at anytime and check if you were sleeping in the same bed,etc.

i had no clue about the entire process nor was i aware that so many government offices could be so inept.

In BOTH countries! One thing I learned is that governement workers suck everywhere.

Joel

[*julez* 124]

I knew that there had to be a process, but never realized how ridiculously long it would take! Sigh.

[rebeccajo 14]

I knew he couldn't just come over here willy-nilly and stay. I started looking for information early on because I was hoping he could live here, work here and we could date. Needless to say, I was surprised with what I found.

Now that a lot of our friends know how difficult this process is, they are amazed it's so difficult for someone to immigrate to America. I think the old stories of the 'war brides' still persist. They are also shocked by how slowly a system that is supposed to protect them moves.

What really amazes me though is how many people start this process and don't research beyond the first steps. I mean, I don't think it's good to try and digest this all at once - it can scare the ####### out of you. But a little bit of foresight is in order. How can some people plunge headlong into such a process without researching it at least a little bit?

Edited December 7, 2006 by rebeccajo

[kitkat1 5]

I had a pretty good idea because I did a ton of research before we started. I also knew several other couples who had gone through it and heard a few stories but they were all adjusting from another visa types so it wasn't so bad for them. But I had no idea how inept USCIS was or that the consulate would provide an enormous amount of misinformation - I'm still shocked by that.