I-129F March 2017 Filers #2 Cause we are awesome

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

On 28/09/2017 at 9:18 PM, pajobra said:

Yay concrete directions.  I love those. Thanks so much. I so appreciate this.

How did your medical go?

[pajobra 1,395]

2 minutes ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

How did your medical go?

Quite well they are super friendly and it seemed pretty quick even for 2 hours. What have you guys been up to here in Montreal?  Good luck on your interview tomorrow. 

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

28 minutes ago, pajobra said:

Quite well they are super friendly and it seemed pretty quick even for 2 hours. What have you guys been up to here in Montreal?  Good luck on your interview tomorrow. 

Thanks i actually went to pick up my medical around 230 and scoped the room to see if you were there but didnt look like it. We went and saw an nhl game one day, a museum today, old port a couple times, ate out alot, checked out the barbie expo (its so cool because they have barbies for example james dean etc its free and at the bottom of one of the malls and you can take photos in a barbie box haha) what else did we do.. we went to the notre dame basicilla thats pretty its 6 dollars to get in cash.   Also went to china town i wanted to check out this chinese man make dragon beard candy as it use to be only made for the emporer of china so they dont make it in many places its free to watch him and 75 cents a piece to try it..sort of cool. Other than that pretty much spent time walking around alot and checking out restaurants. Not sure if you're into seafood but they make killer smoked salmon caper bagels here! And the macarons are great too! 

[annachka 80]

Hey! Have a couple more updates and maybe some useful info in case anyone runs across anything similar.

 

tl;dr: the DS-160 process has been bumpy and the medical is super expensive!

 

On Sunday, we made a date to finish filling out the DS-160, pay the fee, and schedule the interview!  I woke up super early on a Sunday just to get this all sorted.  We happily went through the form and hit all kinds of errors that prevented any progress. 

 

Problem 1: DS-160 fiance address state and zipcode would not save

For whatever reason, the address for the fiance on the DS-160 would not save the state and zipcode!  I think the issue is probably that the info is saved, but is not regurgitated correctly when you load that form, so it appears as missing every time.  Anyway, if you encounter this problem, just fill it out and hit next -- it actually does save, it just doesn't appear to.

 

Problem 2: DS-160 photo upload showed an error that prevents you from signing the form

We got to the photo part and tried to upload the photo and it just would not accept it no matter what we tried!  More specifically, it would give us the green check that everything is fine, and then tell us there's an error when we went to upload. The photo has to have 600x600px-1200x1200px resolution and be less than 240k.  Aside from that, it's just a standard US passport photo.  Here are the things we tried:

• Editing the photo with the tool they make available on the site (it uses flash so we had to install the latest) -- this is actually a really great tool if you don't have Photoshop to resize things nicely.  Didn't help with the upload, though.
• Trying to submit the photo with every single browser and system permutations (Chrome, Safari, IE, Firefox, in MacOS, Windows, and Chrome and Safari on iOS)
• Using the "Test Photo" link on the front page and attaching it to the application -- this is useful to do a quick test without going through all the login process to test whether it magically started working, though!

The solution is simply to wait and try it again (try it with "Test Photo" on the front page to avoid the login).  It worked later in the evening with nothing else changed!

 

Problem 3: no option for Immigrant Visa on ustraveldocs.com

My fiance was here on a J-1 visa, which he did with the US Embassy in Copenhagen.  Because the Embassy in Copenhagen doesn't do K-1s anymore, and his account was still tied to that embassy, the system would not give him the option to apply for an Immigrant/K-1 visa!  We tried creating a new account using my email, but when we filled out all his info, the system flagged it, saying that a user with that info (passport number, etc) already exists, and it wouldn't let us continue.  The solution was to write the embassy using the "Provide Feedback" link on the left side. They were able to fix it for us within a day.

 

Problem 4: the address to specify on ustraveldocs.com is Sweden-only -- no country field!

We read online that this is fine and to just do your best in filling this out, but address it at the embassy.  Maybe someone else has a firmer answer on this?

 

Problem 5: interview options available only for this month!

Interviews in Stockholm are done on Thursdays only, and at 8:30am.  For some reason, we can only see the appointment times for this month!  Due to logistics (can't get days off, other travel plans), we have to do the appointment the first Thursday of next month.  No idea how to solve this one yet, but we'll try writing the embassy again. 

 

Problem 6: holy moly, the medical/vaccination appointment was 'spensive!!

We read up on how much it would cost on average and budgeted about $300-400 for it.  It turned out to be $550!! Brutal. Nothing doing, just pay it.  The medical includes an x-ray that you have to schedule separately (at least in Denmark), but he was able to get a same-day appointment and it all went smoothly.  Make sure to bring your vaccination card if you can find it.  It'll save you some trouble.  He said he only needed to get one vaccination that wasn't standard, thanks to the card.

 

Problem 7: every single record has to have an English translation!

This wasn't a problem for most things, but his military record is in Danish and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get translation.  He's gonna call them tomorrow and find out.  We don't know how long a translation would take or what it would cost..  We could do the translation ourselves and then officiate it maybe?  This was the primary thing that has prevented us from scheduling the interview in October.  Anyone have this problem?

 

Anyway, everything is going great otherwise and we're super excited to be moving along with this process :D!!

 

 

Edited October 3, 2017 by annachka

[BahamaIslander242 244]

Hey Marchers, checking in with an update. Had my embassy interview this morning and I am VISA APPROVED!!!!!

 

So glad to finally have all this paperwork-worry behind me! At least until AOS rolls around but it’s a welcomed break so I can finally focus on wedding planning and the actual move.

 

So my appointment was at 9:30am and I got there 20 minutes beforehand and the security couldn’t find my name for a while. Made me wish I had showed up a little earlier. Anyway, turns out, my name was on a different list; the “immigrant visa” list as opposed to “non-immi”. After that everything went pretty smooth. Interview was super quick. They took the basic paperwork from me (police cert, birth cert, i134 and latest year taxes) but that was it. No relationship evidence needed or requested, probably because we front-loaded the ####### out of the petition. Maybe 4 or 5 basic-ish questions were asked (home address, wedding plans....) and I was done! All I heard was approved and marriage well wishes then I was out the door. Passport with visa and packet will be available on Thursday for pick up so it’s a quick turnaround. 

 

Want to send a big thanks to everyone here for all the help. Even just reading everyone’s experiences along the way was a huge help. I had planned to use a lawyer in the beginning but changed my mind quick when I discovered VJ. That proved to be the best decision I could’ve made. It saved me a ton and the knowledge I’ve gained has been invaluable.....not to mention all the great ppl I’ve encountered on here along the way! Prayers and best of luck to everyone still on their journey!

[KOI 44]

14 minutes ago, BahamaIslander242 said:

Hey Marchers, checking in with an update. Had my embassy interview this morning and I am VISA APPROVED!!!!!

Congratulations!! So happy for you! So glad that so many marchers are finally finishing or nearing finish after such a long wait! Although it took so long during times now it also feels like it went by so fast...

[pajobra 1,395]

1 hour ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

Thanks i actually went to pick up my medical around 230 and scoped the room to see if you were there but didnt look like it. We went and saw an nhl game one day, a museum today, old port a couple times, ate out alot, checked out the barbie expo (its so cool because they have barbies for example james dean etc its free and at the bottom of one of the malls and you can take photos in a barbie box haha) what else did we do.. we went to the notre dame basicilla thats pretty its 6 dollars to get in cash.   Also went to china town i wanted to check out this chinese man make dragon beard candy as it use to be only made for the emporer of china so they dont make it in many places its free to watch him and 75 cents a piece to try it..sort of cool. Other than that pretty much spent time walking around alot and checking out restaurants. Not sure if you're into seafood but they make killer smoked salmon caper bagels here! And the macarons are great too! 

Thanks for the bit on Notre Dame Mum was wondering the cost. We looked at the Christ Church Anglican today as that’s my Mums faith. I was done at 10:30ish so darn it missed ya. We plan on going to the old port tomorrow and The archeology museum down there. We were gonna go up Mont Royal but it looks like rain. 

 

We had some delicious poutine tonight. Tomorrow evening we are trying the crepe place nearby. 

 

I love seafood. Omg that sounds soo good. 

 

Ha yeah my fitbit has me at 11k steps at 1pm. I am just over 14k now. Tons of walking but so easy to do downtown. 

[TearsOfBabylon 1,680]

On 2.10.2017 at 7:57 PM, piranda said:

hahahah do you guys wanna know how much stuff I ve had with me ? 150 kgs cargo +  3 suitcases ( 70 kg) and the small cabin bag==> all my belongings . and yes, I still had to buy the hair dryer coz it wouldn't work here 

 

Haha! I didn't see it in Kilo yet!

I've mailed 140kg with DHL and brought 22 + 18 kg check suitcases and 2 carry on suitcases!  

[pajobra 1,395]

9 minutes ago, TearsOfBabylon said:

Haha! I didn't see it in Kilo yet!

I've mailed 140kg with DHL and brought 22 + 18 kg check suitcases and 2 carry on suitcases!  

Wow you guys had lots. I have maybe 50kg of stuff coming with me and that includes my cat. lol

[TearsOfBabylon 1,680]

Just now, pajobra said:

Wow you guys had lots. I have maybe 50kg of stuff coming with me and that includes my cat. lol

And it's just the reeeeeeally necessary ####### hehe 
But yet it's not even unpacked. So I'd of course die without my.... necessary belongings hehe

 

[dkmfan85 832]

3 hours ago, annachka said:

Hey! Have a couple more updates and maybe some useful info in case anyone runs across anything similar.

 

tl;dr: the DS-160 process has been bumpy and the medical is super expensive!

 

On Sunday, we made a date to finish filling out the DS-160, pay the fee, and schedule the interview!  I woke up super early on a Sunday just to get this all sorted.  We happily went through the form and hit all kinds of errors that prevented any progress. 

 

Problem 1: DS-160 fiance address state and zipcode would not save

For whatever reason, the address for the fiance on the DS-160 would not save the state and zipcode!  I think the issue is probably that the info is saved, but is not regurgitated correctly when you load that form, so it appears as missing every time.  Anyway, if you encounter this problem, just fill it out and hit next -- it actually does save, it just doesn't appear to.

 

Problem 2: DS-160 photo upload showed an error that prevents you from signing the form

We got to the photo part and tried to upload the photo and it just would not accept it no matter what we tried!  More specifically, it would give us the green check that everything is fine, and then tell us there's an error when we went to upload. The photo has to have 600x600px-1200x1200px resolution and be less than 240k.  Aside from that, it's just a standard US passport photo.  Here are the things we tried:

• Editing the photo with the tool they make available on the site (it uses flash so we had to install the latest) -- this is actually a really great tool if you don't have Photoshop to resize things nicely.  Didn't help with the upload, though.
• Trying to submit the photo with every single browser and system permutations (Chrome, Safari, IE, Firefox, in MacOS, Windows, and Chrome and Safari on iOS)
• Using the "Test Photo" link on the front page and attaching it to the application -- this is useful to do a quick test without going through all the login process to test whether it magically started working, though!

The solution is simply to wait and try it again (try it with "Test Photo" on the front page to avoid the login).  It worked later in the evening with nothing else changed!

 

Problem 3: no option for Immigrant Visa on ustraveldocs.com

My fiance was here on a J-1 visa, which he did with the US Embassy in Copenhagen.  Because the Embassy in Copenhagen doesn't do K-1s anymore, and his account was still tied to that embassy, the system would not give him the option to apply for an Immigrant/K-1 visa!  We tried creating a new account using my email, but when we filled out all his info, the system flagged it, saying that a user with that info (passport number, etc) already exists, and it wouldn't let us continue.  The solution was to write the embassy using the "Provide Feedback" link on the left side. They were able to fix it for us within a day.

 

Problem 4: the address to specify on ustraveldocs.com is Sweden-only -- no country field!

We read online that this is fine and to just do your best in filling this out, but address it at the embassy.  Maybe someone else has a firmer answer on this?

 

Problem 5: interview options available only for this month!

Interviews in Stockholm are done on Thursdays only, and at 8:30am.  For some reason, we can only see the appointment times for this month!  Due to logistics (can't get days off, other travel plans), we have to do the appointment the first Thursday of next month.  No idea how to solve this one yet, but we'll try writing the embassy again. 

 

Problem 6: holy moly, the medical/vaccination appointment was 'spensive!!

We read up on how much it would cost on average and budgeted about $300-400 for it.  It turned out to be $550!! Brutal. Nothing doing, just pay it.  The medical includes an x-ray that you have to schedule separately (at least in Denmark), but he was able to get a same-day appointment and it all went smoothly.  Make sure to bring your vaccination card if you can find it.  It'll save you some trouble.  He said he only needed to get one vaccination that wasn't standard, thanks to the card.

 

Problem 7: every single record has to have an English translation!

This wasn't a problem for most things, but his military record is in Danish and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get translation.  He's gonna call them tomorrow and find out.  We don't know how long a translation would take or what it would cost..  We could do the translation ourselves and then officiate it maybe?  This was the primary thing that has prevented us from scheduling the interview in October.  Anyone have this problem?

 

Anyway, everything is going great otherwise and we're super excited to be moving along with this process :D!!

 

 

Ah the DS 160 that is plagued with issues and has been for nearly a decade. That's where my ride stopped.

I've heard of that issue with the interview scheduling. It seems, from what I remember, that it only shows appointments for the current month. Never got that far, so it's only hearsay.

[dkmfan85 832]

One thing I've learned from my experience is that many of us western Yanks have an attitude towards government, and its constant ineptitude, that is a bit shocking to those from other countries. There's a reason our forebears walked a couple thousand miles, many dying along the way, to get faaaaaar away from Washington DC. They don't call it the wild west for nothing.

[Utahoutlaww 118]

I have a question everyone my fiance' got an email from the embsay saying that she needs the medical and birth certificate and ds160 of herself and her daughter but the daughter is not coming with her.  Does she still need to bring all that information too?

[mytruelove18 608]

17 hours ago, Kateryna_I said:

 

 

Actually we had not quite the same situation.

Our case showed "at NVC" status during entire period staying at NVC. No AP/in transit or other statements. 

We've stuck for 1 month and 1 week. Terrible period after 5 months of waiting to get NOA2.

 

Taking into account how long you've been waiting it supposed to be over in the nearest time but what I can suggest you is to call NVC and reach supervisor. That's what we've done and after what status changed. Best of luck to you and your beloved! 

 

 

Hello, we were approved on august 21 and my fiance got the letter on august 25 from uscis, my fiance called at nvc on september 19 and got case number, the status says at nvc.

Can i ask when did you got your approvals letter from uscis?, and  when did you get case number from nvc?

Me and my fiance are driving us crazy from be waiting.

I hope you answer me

Edited October 4, 2017 by mytruelove18

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

I was #1 in line just got approved 15 min ago ! So happy!!!! Good luck to everyone else!