Tips for distraction as you wait for NOA2

[E. &. M 0]

What are some of the things that are keeping you guys busy after you sent your NOA1. I’m trying to find something to help pass time. 

[SalishSea 17,787]

1 hour ago, New2Visas said:

What are some of the things that are keeping you guys busy after you sent your NOA1. I’m trying to find something to help pass time. 

I read the entire AAO non-precedent decision repository on USCIS. gov.

[TBoneTX 45,222]

1.  Become a thorough student of the entire legal-immigration process, from now through naturalization.

2.  Make general plans (the timing aside) for the beneficiary to hit the ground running, once here.  This includes school, social networks, volunteer outlets, potential employment or career paths, and more.

3.  Physical exercise, perhaps violent.

4.  Find someone less fortunate to help -- a shut-in, someone struggling, Big Brother/Sister, et al.

 

A great many threads on this topic are on this site.

[Redro 4,611]

On 5/11/2022 at 1:09 PM, New2Visas said:

What are some of the things that are keeping you guys busy after you sent your NOA1. I’m trying to find something to help pass time. 

If you are the beneficiary:

Have fun in your home country/ the country you are currently at.

See lots of friends.

Go to various places you've been meaning to go but always put off.

Spend time with family members.

If you're planning to go into a certain type of employment check if you require any certifications and see if you can start studying now. 

If you're planning on going to school check to see the requirements/ research different schools or alternative paths to your chosen career.

Research where to get things you adore that might be hard to find in the US (not all foreign food marts are created equal).

 If there are any types of food you like to eat and you are not the best cook. Start figuring out how to make it.

Chat to your family members about recipes/meals and learn how to perfect them. 

 

If you are the petitioner: 

Exercise. 

Read more. 

Research things your partner can do while they wait for EAD/AP. 

Really @TBoneTX has some great suggestions. 

 

Edited May 13, 2022 by ROK2USA

[MarJhi 958]

On 5/10/2022 at 9:09 PM, New2Visas said:

What are some of the things that are keeping you guys busy after you sent your NOA1. I’m trying to find something to help pass time. 

I am looking to be cryogenically frozen and then re-animated once this process is over. It's pretty expensive but I will save money by not buying gas for my car while I am sleeping.

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from Finding Work in America to Off Topic ***

 

On 5/10/2022 at 11:09 PM, New2Visas said:

I’m trying to find something to help pass time. 

 

How about some games?  https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/155-games-while-you-wait/

 

[TBoneTX 45,222]

Oh, yeah -- beneficiary, while still in home country:

 

1.  Become a dedicated student of the entire legal-immigration process, from beginning to end, by means of intense study beginning now.

 

2.  Obtain multiple copies of all official documents -- birth certificates (own + children), divorce or death-of-former-spouse certificates if applicable, school records/transcripts, medical/dental records, vaccination records (multiple copies on signed or stamped clinic letterhead), any other "life" document that would be difficult or expensive to obtain from afar, and translations into English of each.

 

3.  When date of visa interview is known, immediately get a fresh passport, valid for the longest possible period of time, and take it to the interview.

 

4.  Get a driver's license, valid for the longest possible period of time.  If have one already, renew it for the longest possible period of time.

 

5.  Study and practice written/spoken English as though life depends on it, because it does or will.

 

6.  Have educational/degree credentials officially evaluated.

 

7.  Start making school/job/social contacts in the U.S., or at least compile a list of online resources.

 

8.  Convince yourself now that, regardless of number of vacations previously taken in the U.S., homesickness will strike and endure for an unknown period, and that culture shock will strike, including when you think that you have everything figured out.  Tell yourself firmly that both phenomena are 100% natural (and surmountable).

 

9.  During every phone/video/e-mail contact with your petitioner, ask for and gain insights into some aspect of "everyday stuff" -- how supermarkets work, what to do if approached by police, how doctor/dentist appointments work, how pharmacies work, what garage/estate sales are, etc.  No detail is too trivial.

 

10.  Leave most of your clothing at home.  Count on the reality that you'll be able to stock and upgrade your clothing wardrobe with excellent and designer items through observant purchases in thrift stores and at estate sales.  You and the petitioner can even take day or weekend trips purely for this purpose.  Your closet will soon be very full, with no need to pay retail prices.

 

11.  When you marry in the U.S., ask the officiant if you can hand-carry the signed marriage license to the courthouse yourself.  At the courthouse, order multiple copies (6 or 7 is not too many).  If these can be produced on the spot, wait on them.  These disappear rapidly consequent to immigration paperwork, bank requirements to establish joint accounts, souvenirs for mothers, etc.

 

The above are tip-of-the-forebrain suggestions for consideration.

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,090]

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

Oh, yeah -- beneficiary, while still in home country:

 

...

 

10.  Leave most of your clothing at home.

In fact unless you are coming to the US by land, leave most of your stuff at home. Determine how many bags the airlines will let you take on the plane if you are willing to pay extra for it (either directly or via buying a more expensive ticket).

That's the absolute maximum amount of stuff you should bring with you.

 

Unless something has an enormous amount of sentimental value or is really, really high end stuff, it's almost certainly going to be cheaper to replace large or heavy things than to ship them.