My Husband from Algeria is arriving soon!

[farm2008 0]

Hi Everyone,

I just thought to finally send an update. Weekly exams at school has made it difficult to send out messages and tell my story.

I am the woman who sent out a message regarding my Algerian fiance, Ali (now husband) who lived illegally in Europe for almost 7 years. We decided that the best way for us to be together quickly was to carry out a direct consular filing. We wanted to carry out the DCF in Paris, France where he was living, but we couldn't get married due to his illegal status in France. We then decided that he should go back to Algeria and I would follow. In June, Ali returned to Algeria. During my summer break, on July 16, I left for Algeria. A few days after I arrived in Algeria, we started the process to gain approval for marriage. After a lot of travelling to and from Algiers from Ali's village, as well as many phone calls to people involved with this process, we finally got the governments approval for us to get married on August 28 (a wonderful birthday present for me) On August 30, we were married in Ali's town of Larbaa-Nath-Irathen.

On Sept. 4, Ali and I went to the US embassy in Algiers and we submitted the I-130 petition (and G325A for both of us). Within 15 minutes, the petition was approved. We were given another packet for the medical exam, Visa application, and checklist. On Oct. 1, Ali submitted all his documents to the US embassy. Within 1 hour, they approved his visa application with his documents. On October 14, Ali received his passport with the US visa and the "brown envelope" that must remain closed until he arrives in San Francisco airport. I live in San Francisco. With my weekly exams in Pharmacy school and my work schedule, we decided that he arrive on October 31. Ali will be coming home to me in 2 days!

For anyone who has concerns/problems obtaining a police certificate, this may be helpful. Although Ali was an illegal resident in Italy and France, the 2 countries that he lived in Europe, he was able to receive police certificates. Actually, I requested it and had them send it to my address in the United States. Because he didn't break the law in those countries, they had no record of him in their national security databases. If he did break the law, he would have been deported back to Algeria. In the end, the 2 certificates literally said "nothing" since he never broke the law. For individuals whose spouses are illegal in a particular country, I think it should be okay to ask for a police certificate from those countries. In addition, the US consulate didn't inquire about his legal status in Europe.

I have to thank Visa Journey for all the information that was provided. Since I'm in professional school, I couldn't afford a lawyer. All the information I used was gained from this website, doing research, as well as speaking to the US embassy. I will continue to refer to this website as my husband adjusts to the US. I'm excited for what he will discover in the US as well as him learning English. My family and friends are so excited to meet him. We feel really blessed how things fell together once I arrived in Algeria. The people of Algeria are the most hospitable people. I'm so thankful that I also spent 2 months with Ali's family. They are the most loving people I know and they opened their arms to me. I also learned so much and became integrated into the Algerian culture, particularly learning about the Kabyle since Ali is Kabyle. After a year or 2, we plan to return to Algeria with my family and have a traditional wedding ceremony in Algeria with his family too. EnShallah, I hope that all who read my story will soon be reunited with their loved ones too. Take Care!

Christine (Farm2008)

[chris4336 3]

Christine -

Congratulations, this is wonderful news!!!! Thank you for sharing about the police certficates - I think there are a few people out there who are in the same situation, including myself. Its so great that you got to spend time in Algeria and meet is family. Best of luck to both of you - I look forward to hearing about your husbands experiences in the US.

Christina

[MHandMB 0]

Wow, congratulations! I'm so glad things worked out so well for you. Keep us posted on Ali's transition here, and how the AOS process goes!

[Bosco 1]

Congratulations on your marriage.

Henia was able to marry just a few days after arriving in Algeria. Sorry to hear it wasn't as easy for you, but the end result is the same nonetheless.

Happy to hear your husband is coming home!

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you two. I have wondered what happened in your case. Thanks for sharing the good news. Hope you guys have a wonderful reunion and a blessed marriage.

Meriem

[sarah and hicham 3]

Congrats! I really enjoyed reading your story. Now that's success!

[Henia 11]

Mabrouk Aleik!