Panicking for nothing.

[EmKamp 16]

Hi everyone. 

 

I made a few posts a couple of months ago asking a lot of questions and worrying about every little detail. People would post saying “Its not as bad as you think” or “Relax its easy”. I never understood this at the time. I now get why people said this. Because I was one of you worrying and stressing about the little details. My god the stress. Sometimes I would have my head in my hands about to blow. They make it so difficult and difficult to understand... But its all worth it  

 

We applied exactly a year ago today. I am from Liverpool, UK. Right now I am sitting on my balcony in Orlando, FL. Sipping a cold iced tea looking forward to my wedding in 3 weeks time.

 

I think the main stress was The medical. Getting all of the right information and documents I needed. The best thing you could do is ask questions on here! Do not feel embarrassed or picky. Ask what you need to know! A lot of people helped me out on this and it is really great people sharing stories. 

 

I had my interview on halloween. I arrived 3 hours early due to my train time haha. I sat outside in a beautiful park just outside the embassy watching people walk by with their folders and documents thinking to myself “I finally dont feel like I am the only one”. 

 

So I walk in. Kinda like airport security. The guards were so nice. Asked me to check the bottom of my shoes. “Left leg up, and down” “right leg up, and down” “now both” we both laughed it kinda broke the ice haha. Then I walked around the corner and entered the building. Gave the woman on the desk my information and she stuck a ticket number on the back of my passport. You get called to the counter and again the woman was really nice. Laughing and joking. That lasted about 10 mins before I sat down again. The waiting area started to fill up and the number was getting higher. Finally I was called. I stood at my counter window and swore I would tell the truth with my right hand up. He asked me 3 questions “How long have you and your fiancée been together?” “Have you both visited in each others countries?” Do you have a bank account with savings” (I didnt) “Congratulations your visa has been approved” this is when I cried and he smiled. I walked out with tears in my eyes kinda light headed. The relief was unbelievable. I headed straight to the train station. It was a strange feeling. People around you are going about their business and their day. Not knowing what has just happened and I just got my visa granted to go and live in the United States with the love of my life.  

 

I picked up my passport about a week later. It was in a giant white envelope with another envelope inside. This is the one you hand over to immigration. 

 

I booked my flight (Luckily I had enough air miles for a flight due to all my visits. This saved me money which I was extremely happy with) 

 

POE was the easiest thing for me. You dont need to use them electronic ESTA machine things which saved me a lot of waiting time (You do need to fill out the US Customs declaration blue form they hand out on the plane. The airline told me I didnt have to. The immigration office was kinda mad at that” I walked up to the man behind the desk “Hello, I am travelling on a K1 visa.” Straight away I was taken to an empty room and handed my envelope over to the woman behind the counter. Sat down for 5 minutes. Then called up. She holds my passport up with a new stamp “you need to get married by this date” I knodded with a smile and a clear yes. 

 

I got my bag and my guitar and walked out and hugged my fiancée as hard as I could. 

 

Now I am trying to get used living here in the US. (Especially with a Scouse accent haha) Not trying to think of the paperwork until after the wedding. Just being here and so happy to think we finally did it. 

 

I want to wish everyone good luck on their journey because its one hell of one. It is the biggest decision of your life and there are no words to describe waking up everyday next to my fiancée knowing I wont be on another plane in 2 weeks. 

 

If anyone needs to know any information then please just message. Again, Good luck!  

[dentsflogged 352]

Glad it all worked out for you!

I'll bet the Scouse accent is making you stick out like a sore thumb!  Someone I dated ages ago was from Skelmersdale so the accent really is unique.  

[Tim & Tiff 8]

Congratulations - whereabouts in Orlando are you? That's where I'll be moving to - fingers crossed! x

[NicolaBolton87 161]

On 1/13/2018 at 12:57 AM, CannonTop90 said:

Hi everyone. 

 

I made a few posts a couple of months ago asking a lot of questions and worrying about every little detail. People would post saying “Its not as bad as you think” or “Relax its easy”. I never understood this at the time. I now get why people said this. Because I was one of you worrying and stressing about the little details. My god the stress. Sometimes I would have my head in my hands about to blow. They make it so difficult and difficult to understand... But its all worth it  

 

We applied exactly a year ago today. I am from Liverpool, UK. Right now I am sitting on my balcony in Orlando, FL. Sipping a cold iced tea looking forward to my wedding in 3 weeks time.

 

I think the main stress was The medical. Getting all of the right information and documents I needed. The best thing you could do is ask questions on here! Do not feel embarrassed or picky. Ask what you need to know! A lot of people helped me out on this and it is really great people sharing stories. 

 

I had my interview on halloween. I arrived 3 hours early due to my train time haha. I sat outside in a beautiful park just outside the embassy watching people walk by with their folders and documents thinking to myself “I finally dont feel like I am the only one”. 

 

So I walk in. Kinda like airport security. The guards were so nice. Asked me to check the bottom of my shoes. “Left leg up, and down” “right leg up, and down” “now both” we both laughed it kinda broke the ice haha. Then I walked around the corner and entered the building. Gave the woman on the desk my information and she stuck a ticket number on the back of my passport. You get called to the counter and again the woman was really nice. Laughing and joking. That lasted about 10 mins before I sat down again. The waiting area started to fill up and the number was getting higher. Finally I was called. I stood at my counter window and swore I would tell the truth with my right hand up. He asked me 3 questions “How long have you and your fiancée been together?” “Have you both visited in each others countries?” Do you have a bank account with savings” (I didnt) “Congratulations your visa has been approved” this is when I cried and he smiled. I walked out with tears in my eyes kinda light headed. The relief was unbelievable. I headed straight to the train station. It was a strange feeling. People around you are going about their business and their day. Not knowing what has just happened and I just got my visa granted to go and live in the United States with the love of my life.  

 

I picked up my passport about a week later. It was in a giant white envelope with another envelope inside. This is the one you hand over to immigration. 

 

I booked my flight (Luckily I had enough air miles for a flight due to all my visits. This saved me money which I was extremely happy with) 

 

POE was the easiest thing for me. You dont need to use them electronic ESTA machine things which saved me a lot of waiting time (You do need to fill out the US Customs declaration blue form they hand out on the plane. The airline told me I didnt have to. The immigration office was kinda mad at that” I walked up to the man behind the desk “Hello, I am travelling on a K1 visa.” Straight away I was taken to an empty room and handed my envelope over to the woman behind the counter. Sat down for 5 minutes. Then called up. She holds my passport up with a new stamp “you need to get married by this date” I knodded with a smile and a clear yes. 

 

I got my bag and my guitar and walked out and hugged my fiancée as hard as I could. 

 

Now I am trying to get used living here in the US. (Especially with a Scouse accent haha) Not trying to think of the paperwork until after the wedding. Just being here and so happy to think we finally did it. 

 

I want to wish everyone good luck on their journey because its one hell of one. It is the biggest decision of your life and there are no words to describe waking up everyday next to my fiancée knowing I wont be on another plane in 2 weeks. 

 

If anyone needs to know any information then please just message. Again, Good luck!  

This is lovely and actually made my tear up! I can't wait for this. So happy for you and good luck with your future!

[Tristan1978 133]

I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end  

 

I think the stress comes from not knowing when things will happen and not being in control of your own life, I have to say so far this has been the worse experience of my life, after 12 months I hope to get some movement soon. 

[EmKamp 16]

7 hours ago, Tristan1978 said:

I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end  

 

I think the stress comes from not knowing when things will happen and not being in control of your own life, I have to say so far this has been the worse experience of my life, after 12 months I hope to get some movement soon. 

Exactly that. You literally cant do nothing but wait which is the worst. Is that when you first applied? 12 minths ago? 

[EmKamp 16]

8 hours ago, NicolaBolton87 said:

This is lovely and actually made my tear up! I can't wait for this. So happy for you and good luck with your future!

Just keep at it. As hard as it gets do not give up. Thank you  good luck on your journey! 

[Tristan1978 133]

11 hours ago, CannonTop90 said:

Exactly that. You literally cant do nothing but wait which is the worst. Is that when you first applied? 12 minths ago? 

Yeah, last February we submitted the I-130 which was approved in August but my lawyer messed up and I have had to file an I-824 to move the approved I-130 to the NVC. There is no information anywhere as to how long this will take