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Where do you live when you arrive?

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5 minutes ago, Iwo_Jima said:

Didn't you try to find apartment or at least room via Craigslist?

Yes. Not a room though. A family with a baby can't live in a room in a house full of partying college kids. Besides, it's just as hard. Same requirements. And a room usually costs as much as an apartment. I never understood that one. I guess you share utilities. We mostly used craigslist. But finding rentals was not hard. It was finding ones that would rent to immigrants. In fact, some places said "US CITIZENS ONLY! NO IMMIGRANTS!" lol Wow OK.

 

Someone mentioned AirBnb. I don't think that was around then, but it is great advice!

Edited by bukawbukaw
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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Austria
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And I mean my husband is living with me in my homecountry but we still have a pretty thought thru plan for when we go back.

 

You must have had some kind of sponsor to support you and prevent you from having to go to a shelter...

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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Can definately say never have seen anywhere say "Only US citizens". There are tons of places to look. Craigslist, apartments.com , rent.com , apartmentfinder.com and endless other places where you can specifically search criteria that you desire and can afford.

08/15/2014 : Met Online

06/30/2016 : I-129F Packet Sent

11/08/2016 : Interview - APPROVED!

11/23/2016 : POE - Dallas, Texas

From sending of I-129F petiton to POE - 146 days.

 

02/03/2017 - Married 

02/24/2017 - AOS packet sent

06/01/2017 - EAD/AP Combo Card Received in mail

12/06/2017 - I-485 Approved

12/14/2017 - Green Card Received in mail - No Interview

 

   

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1 minute ago, mrmvkjts said:

And I mean my husband is living with me in my homecountry but we still have a pretty thought thru plan for when we go back.

 

You must have had some kind of sponsor to support you and prevent you from having to go to a shelter...

No. How do you get a sponsor?

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We were lucky... my husband's mother let us stay with her for the first while, as we were setting up and getting jobs etc (I came here on a CR1 but my husband and I had been living together in Canada before that, so he didn't have much US credit/rental history either.

 

He did have some old credit history, so we were able to get a credit card with a small line of credit and start building up our US credit history. Yes, we had to make a fairly large security deposit on the apartment we got, but by that time we were both working and could prove income, at least. 

 

And on a CR1, you are eligible to get a SSN as soon as you arrive, so if you didn't get yours you need to contact Social Security and get one ASAP. 

 

Sorry your arrival was so difficult.

 

Is your timeline updated?


Oath Ceremony Dec 14th, 2018 I am finally a citizen and done with USCIS for good!

 

 

IR-1/CR-1 Visa:                            

Marriage: 2013-08-05                                   I-130 Sent: 2013-10-07                                                 I-130 NOA1: 2013-10-09                               

I-130 transferred to VSC: 2014-03-12        I-130 NOA2: 2014-03-24                                              NVC Received: 2014-04-07 

Case Number and IIN: 2014-05-05             Sent ENROLL email for EP: 2014-05-06                    Gave email addresses to NVC: 2014-05-08             

DS261 submitted: 2014-05-09                    AOS invoiced and paid: 2014-05-12                           DS261 re-submitted - GRRRR! 2014-05-21               

ENROLL conf. email: 2014-06-05               Submitted AOS documents:2014-06-08                    IV fee email received: 2014-06-23 

IV fee available and paid: 2014-06-24       DS260  submitted: 2014-06-26                                   Case Complete: 2014-07-31                                       

Interview: 2014-09-19 APPROVED!!!          Visa in Hand: 2014-09-24 (Loomis depot)                POE (Pac Hwy Crossing, BC) 2014-11-08 

SSN Card arrived (approx) 2014-11-26     Green Card arrived (approx) 2014-12-17 

Removal of Conditions - I-751:

I-751 Mailed (USPS) Aug 10, 2016             NOA: August 17, 2016 (received Aug 23)                  Biometrics Letter Sent: Sept 23, 2016

Biometrics Letter Rec'd: Sept 30, 2016     Walk-In Biometrics Oct 6, 2016                                    Infopass for I-551 stamp Aug 17, 2017   

Service Request: Dec 27, 2017                   SR Response: Jan 10, 2018 (no prediction)              Senator Inquiry: Jan 5, 2018

Senator Resp: Jan 8, 2018 (60 days)         Service Request 2: Mar 8 2018                                   Senator Inquiry 2: Mar 9 2018

SR 2 Response: Mar 12 (security checks) Senator Response 2: Mar 13, 2018                            Approval (via phone!): Mar 14, 2018

New Green Card Arrived: Mar 22, 2018

Naturalization - N-400: 

Submitted N-400 Online: Feb 4, 2018       Denied for Payment Failure: Feb 8, 2018                     Resubmitted N-400 Online Feb 8, 2018

NOA: Feb 8, 2018                                          Biometrics: Feb 26, 2018                                                Interview: Nov 2,2018 (approved)

Oath: Dec 14, 2018

 

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12 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

All I know is the three times I've been to the Philippines, I just sweat to death hah.

True that especially up in the provinces of Mindanao. I have to change twice a day due to sweating so much.

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Austria
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4 minutes ago, bukawbukaw said:

No. How do you get a sponsor?

....you must have had a sponsor to be even eligable to immigrate....

 

 

now all  this just sounds like a scam..🙄

Edited by mrmvkjts
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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A post that imported drama from another thread has been removed.

The author is welcome to repost the parts of that post that refer to this thread's topic.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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11 minutes ago, Paul & Mallory said:

You said you had a sponsor. You also said you came here on CR-1, which means you married a US citizen, correct? Neither of those outlets provided any viable options? Why wouldn't you look into housing before moving over to a new country?

 

I have no idea where you're looking, either, but must not be a very broad spectrum. There's plenty of apartment and housing complexes that work with people, including legal immigrants. Sorry to hear you haven't come across those neighborhoods. According to your other thread, you think we're all just a bunch of gangsters or rednecks anyhow, so again, it doesn't seem like you've given yourself a very broad perspective of a VERY big and diverse country.

 

Best of luck to you.

Being married to an American did not seem to matter to anyone renting, no. Why didn't I look into housing before I moved? I did not know I needed to. Even my husband did not know. It was his first time being married to an immigrant. I don't know why people were offended at that thread and told me to get out of America. I am sorry if I am sometimes not good with my English. I do not mean to be mean. I am just thinking lately about my struggles here. Maybe I am venting too much? I am venting I admit. But I also want to prepare others. I am an American now so I don't have to "get out". But I also do wonder if there is a such thing as finding some peace and quiet here. I thought it was going to be quiet in America. Instead of karaoke at 3am here, it is gangster rap and I don't know what is worse! lol :jest:

Edited by TBoneTX
to remove drama imported from other thread
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8 minutes ago, bukawbukaw said:

 In fact, some places said "US CITIZENS ONLY! NO IMMIGRANTS!"

 

I don't believe you.

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My wife's journey:

 

============================================= USCIS ==============================================

12/15/2017 (Friday) I-130 & I-130A were sent to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox by FedEx (overnight)

12/16/2017 (Saturday) I-130 & I-130A were delivered to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox (signed by J. Lopez)

12/18/2017 (Monday) PRIORITY DATE

12/20/2017 (Wednesday) Received text and email that my case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Texas Service Center for processing

12/21/2017 (Thursday) Check was cashed. NOA-1 (I-797C) was sent to me by USCIS via USPS.

12/26/2017 (Tuesday) NOA-1 (I-797C) was received.

06/07/2018 (Thursday) NOA-2 was APPROVED. 172 days.

06/11/2018 (Monday) NOA-2 was delivered by USPS to my home address.

06/22/2018 (Friday) Our case was sent to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for visa processing (NVC)

============================================= NVC ==============================================

07/27/2018 (Friday) NVC welcome letter with Case number and Invoice ID number was received by email. (51 days from NOA 2 and 225 days total)

07/27/2018-07/31/2018 NVC website was down

07/31/2018 Fees paid.

08/08/2018 ALL forms and documents were submitted (uploaded) to NVC website.

08/14/2018 CASE COMPLETED (DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED)

09/19/2018 Got email with VISA INTERVIEW DATE

 

My journey:

 

 

02/01/2016 N-400 Filing Date (Sent package via UPS).

 
02/04/2016 N-400 package was delivered (signed by Adriana) to Phoenix, AZ (USCIS Lockbox). PRIORITY DATE
 
02/18/2016 Fee waiver was approved. NOTICE DATE
 
02/19/2016 Received text and email from USCIS (NOA).
 
02/22/2016 I-797C (NOA) letter was sent to me by USCIS via USPS.
 
02/25/2016 I-797C (NOA) received by regular mail (USPS).
 
02/27/2016 NOTICE DATE for Fingerprints (Biometrics) appointment.
 
03/02/2016 Fingerprints (Biometrics) appointment letter was sent to me by USCIS via USPS.
 
03/05/2016 Fingerprints (Biometrics) appointment letter was delivered to me.
 
03/07/2016 Fingerprints (Biometrics) (early walk-in).
 
03/10/2016 In Line (email from USCIS/DHS).
 
05/04/2016 "Interview was scheduled" email (email from USCIS/DHS).
 
05/05/2016 Interview letter was sent to me by USCIS via USPS. NOTICE DATE.
 
05/10/2016 Interview letter was delivered to me.
 
06/08/2016 Interview.
 
06/08/2016 N-445 Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (hand given right after the Interview).
 
06/16/2016 Oath Ceremony.
 
I'M A US CITIZEN!!!!!!  
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1 minute ago, mrmvkjts said:

....you must have had a sponsor to be even eligable to immigrate....

 

 

now all  this just sounds like a scam..🙄

High expectations, ALL Americans are millionaires, no prior research for living arrangements before going to the US... Hmmm..

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3 minutes ago, mrmvkjts said:

....you must have had a sponsor to be even eligable to immigrate....

 

 

now all  this just sounds like a scam..🙄

That is a visa sponsor. We were talking about a housing sponsor.

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9 minutes ago, mrmvkjts said:

I just read all the comments but what I really don’t understand is: What did your husband tell you what it’s going to be like in the US that made you have SUCH expectations?

Has he ever been there?

 

I think some common sense would help a lot here...

Nobody is being insensitive but I feel like a lot of people are trying to understand where you, OP, are coming from...at least i am.

 

 

I am trying to understand how her husband had no credit whatsoever and what was he doing during the Visa process, was he in the Philippines as well and didn't have job to go back to? If that is the case then it's poor planning on his part. I was in Afghanistan during the process and I had a job lined up outside Los Angeles, that's why we moved literally 4 days after getting married from NC to Ca. 

1 minute ago, bukawbukaw said:

That is a visa sponsor. We were talking about a housing sponsor.

How was your asawa supporting you during the process? There is no housing sponsor.

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I am confused. In order to get CR1, the sponsor / petitioner has to be a US citizen. OP has been asked if the husband was staying with her in the PH prior and moved to the US with her? But she hasnt answered that. But even then, how did the USC husband not have an SSN, knowledge of how renting works, no credit history etc? And then, the claim of landlords not renting to immigrants might be true but again the husband is USC. Some parts are missing in this story.

Edited by doggieandsam

Passport 17-Feb-22 Drop-off at USPS (expedited processing and shipping) ~ 22-Feb-22 Status: In Process ~ 08-Mar-22 Passport book shipped ~ 09-Mar-22 Status: Approved. Passport book in hand.

N-400     28-Jun-21 Filed online ~ 28-Jun-21 Received NOA + "Biometrics will be re-used" notice ~ 14-Dec-21 Interview scheduled ~ 25-Jan-22 Interview. Approved. Case status: Oath will be scheduled.  ~ 01-Feb-22 Oath scheduled. ~ 14-Feb-22 Oath ceremony.   

ROC        11-Jun-20 Application sent via FedEx ~ 16-Jun-20 Case received ~ 29-Jun-20 (Old) biometrics applied to case ~ 01-Jul-20 NOA ~ 23-Dec-21 Case transferred to new office ~ 25-Jan-22 Combo interview with N400. Case approved. 

AOS        13-Oct -17 Application sent via FedEx ~ 17-Oct-17 Case received ~ 24-Oct-17 Fingerprint fee received ~ 25-Oct-17 NOA1 ~ 17-Nov-17 Biometrics ~ 23-Nov-17 Status "We are scheduling
                 your 
interview" ~ 24-Jul-18 Status "We have scheduled your interview" ~ 28-Jul-18 Interview notice received in the mail  ~ 29-Aug-18 Interview 30-Aug-18 Status "Case was approved" 
                 
04-Sep-18 Received approval / welcome letter in the mail ~04-Sep-18 Status: "Card was mailed to me" ~07-Sep-18 Green card received

EAD/AP  13-Oct Application sent via FedEx ~ 17-Oct Case received ~ 25-Oct NOA1 ~ 17-Nov Biometrics ~ 09-Jan Approved ~ 13-Jan Notice received ~ 18-Jan Combo card received

K1 Visa   28-Jun-17 Case ready (No packet 3 received) ~ 22-Jul Medical ~ 02-Aug Interview (APPROVED!) ~ 03-Aug Visa issued ~ 08-Aug VOH ~ 14-Sep POE (Abu Dhabi) ~ 01-Oct-17 Got married! 

I-129F     17-Feb-17 Petition sent via FedEx ~ 21-Feb-17 Case received ~ 24-Feb-17 NOA1 ~ 30-May-17 NOA2 12-Jun-17 NVC received / Case and Invoice numbers assigned ~ 20-Jun-17 NVC left

 

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