French/American Couples - Part III - 2014

[Sonia&Anthony 2]

Hello everyone!

Apparently everything is going quite fast in France... Which is good!

So... first of all, congratulations to everyone who got approved!

I have some questions about my case, hopefully I'm posting it on the right thread!

Firstly, the NVC sent everything to the embassy here in Paris on August 19th. The status is "ready" since August 23rd. What does it mean? Does it mean the embassy got it this day?

I haven't had anything in my mail box since this day, no packet 3... And nothing in my email inbox either. So here is my question: Does it usually take this long? Apparently for a lot of people, it took approximately 7 days to get the 3rd packet. And some people get an email too... So, should I be waiting for an email or a letter? I guess I can try and call tomorrow, since my case is "ready" for fourteen days but I heard it's not always easy to talk to someone at the embassy.

My second problem is this one:

My fiancee, the US citizen, was married before. She divorced (of course). But she didnt change her name back to her maiden name before she sent everything to the USCIS. She did it before NOA 2. The thing is: It's written on the divorce decree she sent to the USCIS that she went back to her name and I also have a photocopy of her new ID, and of course her birth certificate. I filed the ds160 form, because I wanted to do it as soon as possible, but I dont know what to do.

When they ask for her name, should I use her maiden name, or the name she used to file the first forms? I sent a message to the embassy more than a week ago but didn't get an answer yet.

I also have another question for people who asked for the "publication des bans" in either LA or Washington DC, they ask for an approximative date and the place the wedding will take place... It takes up to 2 months to get it done so we want to do it asap, but we don't know those information yet. They were supposed to answer my questions but didn't yet.. This is why I'm wondering what did y'all put there.

Thank you!!

Hi & welcome

You should be waiting for an email, as matt88 said! It's usually pretty fast but it's possible they are waiting on receiving more cases to send the packets all at once, like it happened to some here! Your fiancée didn't receive anything either?

The 2nd issue is a tough one...bummer the embassy didn't answer . I don't remember what is on the form exactly but can't you put both? Maiden name + her old name? And if they ask, you can say she was in the process of changing it but that her ex-husband's name was the one on the petition? I don't know...it is also just my opinion lol and this form is tricky so I would probably send an email again to the embassy just to make sure there are no mistakes about that on the form Oh and I wouldn't go through confirming the DS-160/pay the fees..just yet, since it seems packet 3 is taking a while. I would fill everything and save the application for later; but again, my opinion

Also, regarding the "publications des bans" I don't know if you're doing this because you simply want to; but it's not required anymore, so you don't have to do it; I know I won't lol the only thing that you can do now to make your marriage legal in France as well is register it in the US after you get married by filling a form (it's on any French Embassy website I think, don't remember what it's called) and you guys will receive your own Livret de Famille

Hey! Good luck to you frfrog, it's almost your turn!!! And let us know how it goes! And also for the medical appointment and everything =D Thanks =D

YEEESSSSS!!!!! Good luck for both today and tomorrow, you've got this!! let us know how it went

[quentin955 4]

Wow. Thank you for your answers!

I thought "ready" meant the Embassy received it. Well, if it has been sent by the NVC on August 23rd... then I guess it's more understandable!
My fiancée didn't receive anything either. We both looked in our spam folders too. I guess I could call and ask, I saw it's what some people do in other countries (like Canada). If I can actually get someone to talk to me, and not a voice recording.
So, apparently, nothing is very upsetting. Being patient is hard, now that we are seeing the finish line (At least before the AOS and more paperwork).

About her name, I have an original birth certificate, an original divorce decree, a copy of her new ID and of her new Social Security card. I got her on the phone yesterday, she changed her letter of intent to marry me, adding she changed her name back.
And on the NOA 2, both of her names are written. I dont know why. But they are. So I guess it will be okay. I'll put her new name on the form, and try and contact them about this, if I can. If not, I think it will be okay if I explain them.
Thanks again!

And for the "bans"... Well, we didn't want to do it. But since I am working until October 30th, it's okay to do it now, if it can make the process go faster for the transcription.
I also read that even if it doesn't happen often, they can ask people to come to the consulate in person more often for an interview without the bans. It might not be true though, I don't know. But since the consulate in New Orleans doesn't take care of it anymore and the one in Los Angeles does, if we can avoid this, it would be good!

[Sonia&Anthony 2]

Wow. Thank you for your answers!

I thought "ready" meant the Embassy received it. Well, if it has been sent by the NVC on August 23rd... then I guess it's more understandable!

My fiancée didn't receive anything either. We both looked in our spam folders too. I guess I could call and ask, I saw it's what some people do in other countries (like Canada). If I can actually get someone to talk to me, and not a voice recording.

So, apparently, nothing is very upsetting. Being patient is hard, now that we are seeing the finish line (At least before the AOS and more paperwork).

About her name, I have an original birth certificate, an original divorce decree, a copy of her new ID and of her new Social Security card. I got her on the phone yesterday, she changed her letter of intent to marry me, adding she changed her name back.

And on the NOA 2, both of her names are written. I dont know why. But they are. So I guess it will be okay. I'll put her new name on the form, and try and contact them about this, if I can. If not, I think it will be okay if I explain them.

Thanks again!

And for the "bans"... Well, we didn't want to do it. But since I am working until October 30th, it's okay to do it now, if it can make the process go faster for the transcription.

I also read that even if it doesn't happen often, they can ask people to come to the consulate in person more often for an interview without the bans. It might not be true though, I don't know. But since the consulate in New Orleans doesn't take care of it anymore and the one in Los Angeles does, if we can avoid this, it would be good!

Actually, "ready" does mean the embassy received it. Do you get this message when checking the status? "Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at: http://nvc.state.gov/interview"

If yes, then it definitely means the embassy received it. And the "status updated date" should be the date your case swtiched to "ready"! (PS: the steps above are outdated, what will be in your packet 3 is actually how you have to schedule the interview ^^)

Good plan for the name!

As for the "bans" I don't think I fully understood what you meant lol

It's not going to make the process faster; and if you get a green card interview, it won't be at the French embassy lol Where did you read that? I'm curious to know cause I've never heard of that anywhere haha

Also, what is true for LA is that since the multiple terrorist attacks in France as well as the one in San Bernardino, conducted by a couple who were approved a K1 visa; almost every French national will get a Green Card interview. Not sure if it's true for every city but they are definitely being more careful than before with French nationals. The only good thing about it is that it might take 3 weeks to get the travel+work permit instead of 3+ months if we do

[mattelo 45]

Oh yeah, sorry for the misunderstanding, the status “ready” does mean that the application is at the Embassy already! But as Sonia said, it can take a while before getting the packet 3! However, as she said also, I wouldn’t go through confirming the DS-160 either if I were you. You can complete it and save it for later, but if I were you, I will wait for the packet 3 before confirming it.

From what you said in your previous message, I’ll go with the current name of your fiancée for the DS-160, because if they wrote both name on the NOA2, then I don’t see what could go wrong. And the DS-160 must represent the current situation. Try to contact the Embassy about it again. If you can’t have them before confirming the DS-160, use the maiden name as it’s the one she is using now. If you can have them well… good for you =P

Sonia, I don’t know if that’s what Quentin was talking about, but I’ve heard that the bans can actually be a good proof of relationship to show at the AOS interview. So maybe that’s why he wants to do it? As my personal situation is a bit complicated, I think I’ll do it too. In my situation, any proof is good to take. But well, I think the more important is to show that the marriage got registered in France too and you don’t need the bans for that!

[quentin955 4]

Hey everyone!!

Apparently I just had to be a little bit more patient... My fiancée got an email today from the embassy!!!
But I learned something: Do not lose your time and call the embassy... lol I was at work and tried and call them during my 15 minutes break. It was useless. Even when I finally got a real woman to talk to, as soon as I said I wanted some information about my visa, she put me on another recording that gave me another phone number. When I called it... It was another recording I was on the phone with.
Well, at least we got the email!!!


So, about the bans, sorry it wasn't very clear.
I was talking about an interview that the consulate can ask you to attend to, for them to recognize the marriage legally in France. It's not common but it can happen when they want to make sure the marriage is real. (We kinda have to go through that for the K1 visa though, but whatever)
And I read (I'll try to find the link if I can!) that if you do everything about the bans before, there are less chances for you to be asked to be here. Once again, I'm not sure it's true. I hope it's clearer! We just don't want to take any risk since we will be far away from the consulate in LA.

I read something else about processing time though, more than on only one website. Apparently the consulate gives the priority to people who published the bans to recognize it and send the livret de famille. So, it takes 6 to 8 weeks before the marriage, but accelerate the process after that. That's what I read. Although after everything we have to go through during the K1 visa process a few more weeks isn't a big deal!

If someone who's interested in it reads it, I actually got an update on this. I know someone who got married in Nepal. She puts March 1st on the form she sent to the consulate but got married on March 28th. Apparently it's not a (so) big deal!

[frfrog 5]

hellooooo everyone!!!

i stayed away from vj since i was in paris for the week, evrything went fine, dr jolly is such a great doctor!!!!

the interview went smooth also!!!!!!!We got APPROVED!!!!!!!

omg i still cant believe it!!!its been such a long road!!!

i wish u all the best!! dont be nervous evrything will be fine! make sure u got all the documents!!!

[angie33 10]

hellooooo everyone!!!

i stayed away from vj since i was in paris for the week, evrything went fine, dr jolly is such a great doctor!!!!

the interview went smooth also!!!!!!!We got APPROVED!!!!!!!

omg i still cant believe it!!!its been such a long road!!!

i wish u all the best!! dont be nervous evrything will be fine! make sure u got all the documents!!!

Wow congrats!!!

I'm panicking right now! lol how the medical exam is going? urinary test? did she check the secury social card? what test exactly did she do?

And all the documents?! I'm sure I have everything but too nervous to know exactly lol! I'm leaving tomorrow and everything is next week for me!

What was the question you had?

Sorry for all the questions =D

[frfrog 5]

hey angie!!!everything will be fine, make sure u got everything!!!!!

they were all kind with us!

i send u all the positive vibes!!!!!!!!!!!

no carte vitale, no urine test

[Sonia&Anthony 2]

Hey everyone!!

Apparently I just had to be a little bit more patient... My fiancée got an email today from the embassy!!!

But I learned something: Do not lose your time and call the embassy... lol I was at work and tried and call them during my 15 minutes break. It was useless. Even when I finally got a real woman to talk to, as soon as I said I wanted some information about my visa, she put me on another recording that gave me another phone number. When I called it... It was another recording I was on the phone with.

Well, at least we got the email!!!

So, about the bans, sorry it wasn't very clear.

I was talking about an interview that the consulate can ask you to attend to, for them to recognize the marriage legally in France. It's not common but it can happen when they want to make sure the marriage is real. (We kinda have to go through that for the K1 visa though, but whatever)

And I read (I'll try to find the link if I can!) that if you do everything about the bans before, there are less chances for you to be asked to be here. Once again, I'm not sure it's true. I hope it's clearer! We just don't want to take any risk since we will be far away from the consulate in LA.

I read something else about processing time though, more than on only one website. Apparently the consulate gives the priority to people who published the bans to recognize it and send the livret de famille. So, it takes 6 to 8 weeks before the marriage, but accelerate the process after that. That's what I read. Although after everything we have to go through during the K1 visa process a few more weeks isn't a big deal!

If someone who's interested in it reads it, I actually got an update on this. I know someone who got married in Nepal. She puts March 1st on the form she sent to the consulate but got married on March 28th. Apparently it's not a (so) big deal!

Woohoooo! Congrats on receiving packet 3!!!

As for the bans : ok! I didn't know that, it must be extra extra rare haha are you sure that's for K1 visas? To me, it would only make sense if you'd wanted to live in France cause US immigration couldn't care less that your marriage is legal in your home country since you won't be living there anyway lol so it could have also been IR1/CR1 visas..no idea!! But anyway, yes, as long as we're not planning on staying in France for a while, I guess it's ok to wait ^^

I wouldn't even know how to go about and do the bans thing haha

hellooooo everyone!!!

i stayed away from vj since i was in paris for the week, evrything went fine, dr jolly is such a great doctor!!!!

the interview went smooth also!!!!!!!We got APPROVED!!!!!!!

omg i still cant believe it!!!its been such a long road!!!

i wish u all the best!! dont be nervous evrything will be fine! make sure u got all the documents!!!

:joy: :joy: :joy: :joy:

Time to celebrate!!!

[quentin955 4]

Woohoooo! Congrats on receiving packet 3!!!

As for the bans : ok! I didn't know that, it must be extra extra rare haha are you sure that's for K1 visas? To me, it would only make sense if you'd wanted to live in France cause US immigration couldn't care less that your marriage is legal in your home country since you won't be living there anyway lol so it could have also been IR1/CR1 visas..no idea!! But anyway, yes, as long as we're not planning on staying in France for a while, I guess it's ok to wait ^^

I wouldn't even know how to go about and do the bans thing haha

Well, I'm just doing it because although we want to stay in the US, we never know what we are going to do in a few years. And the earlier she gets her name on the livret de famille, the earlier she could get the french nationality. And it's something we will ask for so we won't need any visa anymore to travel! That's the only reason, actually. Lol

And congrats frfrog!

I was wondering: Has anyone of you experienced an issue while filing for ds-160?

I filed it a few days ago while I was waiting for packet 3 to get here. I saved it instead of signing it.

I retrieved it today and It's all completed and the picture is still here. But I can't review it and sign it anymore. I'm stuck on the picture page, even when I click on the "review" button. I guess I'll be waiting for a few hours to see how it goes. If it still doesn't work, I'm gonna file another one I guess.

[mattelo 45]

Congrats frfrog !!!!!!!!!! :D

Quentin, have you tried to click on one of the categories on the left? Like "family" or stuff like that? It will take you back inside that part of the DS-160, then you click on "next, next, next" etc. and you should have the possibility to sign it again.

[quentin955 4]

Congrats frfrog !!!!!!!!!! :D

Quentin, have you tried to click on one of the categories on the left? Like "family" or stuff like that? It will take you back inside that part of the DS-160, then you click on "next, next, next" etc. and you should have the possibility to sign it again.

I did it.. And when I am at end of the security/background part, I can't click on next to get to the photo part.

So I have to click on top of the page to get there. Then, I try and upload a picture, but "next:review" is still disabled. And this time it is not possible to click on top of the page either.

It doesn't work in other browsers either.

I guess it's juste a technical issue and it will be back to normal soon.

If not, I guess I'll start another ds-160 form!

[mattelo 45]

Ok Quentin, then the problem can be coming from the picture itself. Is the picture has been approved on the website? Have you tried with another one? Because they have very specific standards for the picture, and maybe that's why the "review" button is not available.

[quentin955 4]

Ok Quentin, then the problem can be coming from the picture itself. Is the picture has been approved on the website? Have you tried with another one? Because they have very specific standards for the picture, and maybe that's why the "review" button is not available.

Ok, I feel really stupid now... I decided to review everything from the beginning once again. And I realized two things got erased on my fiancee's address page. So I fixed it and apparently it works now!

Thank you for your help!

[mattelo 45]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that problem! I also had this one myself

Was it the zip code and state that disappeared from her address? It did that every time with my DS-160!