National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ballroom dancing, chess, family, physical fitness
Immigration Info
Immigration Status
Naturalization (approved)
Place benefits filed at
Chicago Lockbox
Local Office
Montgomery AL
Country
Ukraine
Our Story
We are nearing the end of our immigration journey. Next year, in 2017, we will apply for Irina's citizenship (and will update our timeline!).Irina and I met in 2006 and have been married since 2009. We met in the United States, she is a research scientist. She fulfilled her 2 year home residency requirement in Ukraine for US AID. We attempted two waivers - both were successful with DHS and Health and Human Services, but both were denied by US AID. After the 2nd denial we determined that Irina needed to go back to Ukraine, which she did after her son graduated from college. She was able to obtain a travel visa from the US Embassy in Kiev, so she and I traveled back and forth twice each on visits, which extended her stay in Ukraine slightly but was emotionally necessary. We talked every day on the phone or on Skype during her time in Ukraine.Approximately 1 year before her 2-year home requirement was scheduled to be completed I filed an I-130 with complete paperwork. This got through USCIS in 7 months with no requests for evidence. The NVC process was more painful: I had to re-submit information to them twice, but eventually got through in about 5 months.Irina had her interview at the embassy in Kiev on September 29, 2014, and returned home to New Orleans on October 4, 2014, 6 days later. She received her Green Card about a month later.We have completed the immigration process. Good luck to you all!If you have questions specific to an IR-1, Ukraine immigration, divorce paperwork and requirements, marriage documentation, or the 2-year home residency documentation requirement, please contact me here with a message and I will respond.In the past we have used well respected immigration attorney David Ware with success, and recommend him without reservation.Jerry
