Thanks Wendy...and happy holidays to you & yours as well. We wish you safe travels on yout trip next week. ;-)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Debra, that really was fast! Woo-Hoo! Congrats and GL! Keeping fingers crossed you'll sail through the rest of it!

We'll be initiating the removal of conditions next week.

Happy holidays!

Thank you very much!!

Hello everyone -

The board's been quiet. I hope you all are having a safe, warm and simply fabulous holiday season.

All's well here. So, we've assembled our packet for removal of conditions and mailing it out. My how time flies!

How's your's going Debra? Any new news?



~HAPPY NEW YEAR~

Hello ALL! I have been checking around the site for a few weeks. Wanted to stop and say hello to you all.

Welcome to VJ and the Just Turkish thread, Merk. GL with your visa journey!

Merhaba! We've been a member of this site for a few months now but just sent our I-129F for K1 visa in a month ago. Waterlily told me about this thread, so here I am

Feel free to check out our story and pictures on our profile.

We have a long wait ahead of us so it's so nice to have this site, and this thread even as a support.

Happy holidays to you all!

Julia (and Onur)

Merhaba Everyone

Wow it's been so long since I have been on here and I have been so very busy with work!

Well now that the Holidays are almost over I can now finally relax a bit and look forward to a short winter vacation towards the end of January, retail can be so hectic

I wanted to also welcome our new couples to VJ and to our "Just Turkish" group, Merk and JULIAFERNO, Good Luck to both couples with your visa process and journey.

Ohh I am so sorry to have missed Wendy before she left for Turkey . I wanted to wish her a safe trip, hope she is having a great time out there and happy to be with her love!

Debra, Great news on your "Removal of Conditions", you're half way there!

awaterlily, I hope you hear something soon too as soon as they receive your packet for "Removal of Conditions" , Good Luck to you too!

As for my husband Coskun, he got his 10 year GC 6 months before our second wedding Anniversary and were told that we didn't need to file his "Removal of Conditions", but I will be visiting our immigrations office here in NY at Federal Plaza to be sure about that, don't want to take any chances!

Anyway if I don't get a chance to come back to VJ before the New Year then I want to wish Everyone here a Wonderful New Year with many Blessings and Happiness!!!

Take Care Everyone and GOD Bless!

Mina

Happy New Year to all!

Again I have not been getting updates to this thread! I don't know why I am not getting emails when you all send messages? But I had a little time to come on here today and get caught up! How are all of you doing? Welcom to Merk and JULIAFERNO! It's great to have you guys on here with us and I wish you the best!

I hope you all had a great holiday season! Resul and I are doing well. He finally got his driver's license!!! And he recently got a new job and it is FT and more $ so that is good! As far as my weight loss I have lost almost 90 lbs to date. Had a little stall in between, but that is par for the course. But I am finally feeling so much better!

I'm glad to hear all of you are doing well! I can't wait to hear how Wendy's trip was! How did you make out Debra on Dec. 20th? Mina, glad you can finally relax and enjoy some time off! Awaterlilly, how are things going for you? And your "little bunny" is so gorgeous!!!

Take care everyone and have a healthy, happy 2008!

~Deb

Merhaba,

Nasılsın? We are good and wish everyone a wonderful new year.

I am so late in coming here, so sorry. This is my busy time of the year and I have not taken the time to come...or do too much more than just try to relax when I get home from work.

Candemir had his biometrics, all went well. We just came to Portland rather than Seattle, thank God because the flooding is/was so very bad.

Welcome....Welcome....Welcome....
Merk
Julia and Onur

My your journeys be quick...We have all been there, feel free to ask away....

Gotta run.........Im dead tired and 4 am coming quickly now days ;( I will be back.

Best wishes.

Peace to All,
Debbie

Happy New Year and best wishes for a good 2008!

It's been hectic here as well but I try to at least lurk as time permits. I'm happy to hear all is going well/quickly with everyone's VJ expereince. Surely, one day this will all be behind us!

Deb Res - I'm so joyed to hear of your continued weight loss! You must be feeling wonderful! Congrats

Although our paperwork is ready, we still haven't mailed in our removal of conditions request. Hopefully, we'll get it out by the end of this week.

Merhaba everyone, Nasilsiniz? Semih and I would like to thank everyone for inviting us to your "Turkish forum" and look forward to staying in touch.

Awww Your "lil bunny" is so precious!

Awww Your "lil bunny" is so precious!

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to all the new couples on Just Turkish! Hope you'll enjoy "hanging out" with us!

We finally mailed out our app for the removal of conditions. (praying for no RFE).

KYP

Good Luck awaterlily, hope you hear something soon!

Welcome Semil_El, glad that you are a part of our "Just Turkish" group

So how is Everyone else doing? Hope Everyone is doing well and happy!

I am looking forward to a great New Year and planning to spend more time with friends and family. I will also be moving to a new home that will be even closer to my job in another week Anything new going on with the other couples?

Anyway got to get back to my packing

Take Care All

Mina

Thank you for the warm welcome we are delighted to be a part of the group. We are moving closer to our interview wish us luck and keep us in your prayers. I can't believe it's almost over! sheesh!

Has anyone here ever known of anyone who used a cosponsor while applying for a K1 and got approved by the Turkish Consolate? I read a distubing article today stating that the laws were recently changed when using a sponsor with a K1 b/c the I134 form wasnt considered to be a binding contract, therefore when applying for a K1 you can't use a sponsor only K3 applicants are able to use a cosponsor. I also heard that this rule may apply only in certain consolates. I have been surfing the net all night for an answer no luck just more confused. If anyone has any information I would appreciate some input.

Thanks!

Merhaba everyone!

I've been lurking around this forum (sorry, that just sounds so creepy) for a while now...My husband came to the US from Turkey on a K1 visa in September of 07 and we were married in October 07. We are currently waiting for his green card to arrive.

All is basically going very well with USCIS and with married life ; however, we find ourselves in a somewhat difficult situation with the Turkish government. We would like to return to Turkey this spring after he receives his green card to visit his family, etc. Our problem is that at age 28, he has not yet done his military service.

He initially postponed this so he could complete his college education, but his deadline to enter the service, in December of 2007, has now passed. He was told by the Turkish Embassy that if he goes to Turkey now, even with a green card, he will be met at the airport by soldiers and escorted to begin his military service right then and there.

He mentioned something about possibly being granted another postponement based on our marriage. I also read that if he is a resident or is employed abroad of Turkey for 3 years or more, he has an option of paying 5,000 euros and doing only 60 days military service. Three years is a long time for him to not see his parents (not to mention that 5,000 euros is a lot of money!). I don't particularly condone him avoiding compulsatory military service, but I also don't want to be separated from my husband for a year or more so he can perform it.

Has anyone here ever heard of this or a similar situation?

Any advice/thoughts/experiences would be most appreciated.

Tanya

Merhaba,

I am so sorry, just got your email post and had to take a few min off from working to give you a little info.

Yes, my husband did live the same thing...yes it is ALL true. Go to the following websit and call them and tell your situation. You will file paperwork with them and then he can go to Turkey without a problem. (must be done yearly to postpone his duty)

I am sorry I dont have so much time to give the whole story. Please see below.


http://www.turkiye.net/lacg/


Country Misyon Adı Phone E-mail address

U.S.A. Turkish Consulate, Chicago (312) 263 0644 trchicago@mfa.gov.tr
U.S.A. Turkish Consulate, Houston 1 713 622 58 49 turcon@sbcglobal.net
U.S.A. Turkish Consulate, Los Angeles +1 323 655-8832 turkcgla@pacbell.net
U.S.A. Turkish Consulate, New York +1 212 949 0160 tcbkny@broadview.net
U.S.A. Turkish Permanent Mission to the UN TELEFON EPOSTA
U.S.A. Turkish Embassy, Washington, D.C. (202) 612 6740 konsolosluk@turkishembassy.org

Best wishes to All
Peace..!!
Debbie


ps.........NICE TO SEE NEW PEOPLE AROUND....WELCOME, WELCOME

MINA,

Text me on my cell if you still have my number

Thanks so much Debbie! It's nice to know we aren't the only ones! Thanks for the info and for taking the time to answer so quickly (and for the warm welcome! ). I'll call them today.

Tanya & Ozzy

Your welcome

Best wishes

That was too easy and too fast!




Thought I should share...its 2:58 am....

Wishing everyone all the best,
Debbie


> *** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***
>
> The last processing action taken on your case
>
> Receipt Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Application Type: CRI89 , PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED
>
> Current Status: Card production ordered.
>
> On January 10, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.
>
> If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
>
> *Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.
> *** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Wow Congrats!!! Time to Celebrate!!

Woo Hoo! That was fast. Good Stuff, Debra! Congrats.

Thank you awaterlily.....I was shocked it went so quickly. Maybe I should'nt say anything till he received his new card and it's correct, lol.

Merhaba,

Hope everyone is well. Welcome to all the new couples again...

I have been so busy at work another year-end to process. We are going thru changes left and right, so this year has just been very difficult for me.

For the immigration part...looks like we are done for now. I was looking at the forms for filing for citizenship (N-400)
and found the folloing info. I DID NOT KNOW THIS We have not dont it yet. (doing it today, online)


Selective Service System Online Registration

https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx


If you're a male U.S. citizen, age 18 through 25, and are living INSIDE the United States or its territories, or if you have an APO/FPO address, you can register with Selective Service by filling out the form below and clicking on "Submit Registration."

If you're a male U.S. citizen, age 18 through 25, and are living OUTSIDE the United States, you can register with Selective Service by clicking here.

If you are an immigrant male (documented or undocumented) living in the United States, age 18 through 25, you are required to register. You may submit your registration to the Selective Service by filling out the form below and clicking on "Submit Registration." Non-immigrant males living in the United States on a valid visa are NOT required to register.

If you are unable to register online, or you receive an error message, you will be directed to a registration form which you may print out, complete, sign, and mail to the Selective Service System.

EARLY SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION: Now, if you are a man who is at least 17 years and 3 months old, you may complete this form to submit your registration information. The information will be held on file and processed automatically when you are within 30 days of your 18th birthday, at which time we will mail confirmation to you.

This service is operational seven days a week. It is not available when system maintenance is scheduled from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., U.S. Central Time, Tuesday through Saturday. Please read this warning statement about false registration.

Wishing you a fast process awaterlily
Mina .......... text me if you can, I lost your number ;-(
Wendya...news ;-) How was Turkey?
Deb_Res.....photos of the new you anytime soon? ;-) wow...I bet you look wonderful and must be feeling so much better about yourself.


please keep us posted....we are all hear to help if we can.
tanyakaraman
Semih_El
Merk
JULIAFERNO

Take care,
Peace to All,
Debbie

Wow, who would have known? ...especially the part pertaining to immigrant males. Have you posted this info in any of the other forums?

Yes, I did make a post here....yes, good to find out now. Maybe this info will help others


http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...view=getnewpost


BUT..........get this.....So interesting.

We went to the web site to register and it says he is already registered.........
It gave the Selective Service Number and the date of 2/22/06

Well, its good news but we dont have a clue as to when we did it.

At least the extension letter holds you over for a year while you wait (although hopefully it will come as quick, too).

We're waiting on our NOA for the application (or an RFE). VSC seems to have an average 5-7 month start to finish timeline. In the interim, we're also browsing the requirements for the Naturalization. Looks like there is a 12-18 month timeline for that one.

I just can't believe how much the fees went up this year - for everything!

I hope the process comes quickly for you both. no ref ;-)

Yes, I did read the same things about the the Naturalization....long wait. However I did read in that section it still depends and some ppl move right thru in 7 to 8 months...

Have a wonderul day
Debbie

Nothing new on my side. Just working and waiting for a receipt......

Hi guys,

I'm trying to get some Turkish info for a friend, hopefully you can help He's already here in the US and has a GC (not through marriage). He has the GC for 2 yrs (3 more before he can apply for citizenship). He found out his mom has cancer and she is undergoing treatment in Ankara. He mentioned that he's unable to visit her until he has US citizenship. He was real bummed out about the news so I didn't to pry details in order to help him.

Do you know what reasons could be that he wouldnt be able to go back to Turkey (or perhaps Turkey not allow him to leave), even though he has a GC?

He came here on a student visa, and graduated college. So I'm thinking that when he left he possibly could have left before serving in the military (age wise). Is this a requirement in Turkey? Is there a certain age afterwhich its no longer required?

I really want to help him see his mom. She's not strong enough to travel to any of the bordering countries to see him, and she has daily visits in the hospital.

If you guys have any idea of what I'm talking about, your responses would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Welcome Nanusia & Lukaszek,

Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he finds a solution to this problem quickly. To me it seems like a military issue, hard to say without more info.

Maybe another person here will be able to say more.

Best wishes,
Debra

I'm leaning with Debra on this.

I believe she recently posted info about the Turkish military requirement on this thread (check back a page or two), including requirement options for Turks abroad and contact information.

In terms of the military age requirement, I think it's up to 40 years old (can someone else verify this age limit?).

GL!

Turkish military service is required of Turkish males with very few exceptions. Turkish citizens in your friend's situation who have not completed their service (and whose deadline to do so has passed) can be detained by the military upon returning to Turkey. It will not matter that he has a green card.

Here is some info about the Turkish military requirements:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Turkey


Here is some info about obtaining a temporary deferrment (see pg 26 of this PDF file):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Turkey


Basically, your friend needs to call the Turkish Consulate in his region (see contact info in previous posts) and obtain instructions on how to apply for a deferrment so that he can return to Turkey. My husband is currently dealing with the same issue. Basically, he was instructed to bring/send copies of his immigration papers as well as his Turkish ID card and a form (which we have not been able to download from their website due to its format) to the Consolate to apply. We are planning to go to the consulate in New York City this Friday...I could probably be more helpful after then, as we are really still trying to figure it all out right now.

Best Wishes to your friend...

Tanya

Thanks so much for your links & posts! I do really appreciate it. I think you guys are right, it's probably the military requirement that is holding him back from visiting.

Since he left to complete college here, he probably left Turkey before the required age of 20 there. I had no idea that the military requirement would be so strictly enforced. While reading on the link to wiki from Tanya, it said that you cant get married, cant stay at a hotel, if you are a draft evader. Yikes, they are serious.

Tanya, I'd appreciate if you could post or PM me how everything goes on Friday for you at the Turkish consulate. Best of luck to you!

Thanks again for all your help, from me, and my friend in need.

***** U P D A T E *****

Just received this email at 7am this morning. It is now confirmed.


Wishing everyone all the best
Peace.
Debbie





*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

Receipt Number: xxxxxxxxxxxx

Application Type: CRI89 , PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On January 15, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this CRI89 PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED. Please follow any instructions on the notice.

If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at
(800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

***** U P D A T E *****


Received 10 year green card in the mail yesterday.

How is everyone doing? Any news?

Ah, so happy this week is over! Almost finished with year-end

Take care,
Peace
Debbie

Great News Debra

Congrats to you and John, soon you both will be looking into Citizenship and you're almost finished with this process!

Also I text you with my new cell number and with the moving into a new home we were just so busy with everything from work to cleaning the new place, now we can finally take a break

Good Luck to Everyone else still waiting for any news!

Mina

Wonderful news, Debra! Congrats.

and Mina brought up the citizenship piece, which made me wonder (perhaps jumping the gun a bit)...once those of us choose that path and attain it, how many will continue on the VJ website as the VJ will be completed?

I hope to be able to stay in touch with some folks here.

As for us - our ck was cashed on the 15th. We're stilling waiting on the NOA.

Well...turns out its a bit more complicated than I thought. For us anyway. My husband came to the US on a marriage-based visa (K1), so before we can file for the military postponement, we have to register our marriage with the Turkish embassy. Since we were married in Las Vegas, we have to apply to register our marriage with the consulate in Los Angeles (the NY consulate does not have "jurisdiction" to register marriages that took place in Nevada). THEN, after that process is complete, we have to bring or send his immigration papers back to the NY consulate to apply to extend his military service deadline. So basically, we made the 7-hour round trip to NY for nothing. Well, we had a good time exploring the city, but weren't able to accomplish what we really went there for. We are under a little bit of stress right now to get the process completed, as we have purchased plane tickets for late March to return to Turkey for a visit (they told us on the phone that it would be simple and wouldn't take more than ~2 weeks to complete)...I really hope we can get everything done in time!

Ozzy was so stressed out & disgusted after our visit to the consulate that he temporarily started smoking again (he had quit ~3 weeks ago) and now swears he is going to change his citizenship ASAP!

For your friend, it should be simpler. He should contact the Turkish Consulate for specifics, but probably all he needs to do is bring/send his green card (copy or original or both...I am not sure) probably with proof that he is a student or worker (basically that he is fullfilling whatever type of visa he came here with) to the consulate that has jurisdiction over the region where he lives. They can extend his deadline for military service for one year during which time he can visit Turkey with no problem. Apparently the process takes ~2 weeks normally.

Best Wishes,
Tanya

Congratulations!!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't written for awhile. I got back last Sunday, but have been busy catching up on work. We had a wonderful time and words can't describe how good it was to see him and have his arms around me!!! A year was too long!!! We spent New Years with the family and it was great. This time we went to Ankara so Yilmaz's sister could check on her apartment (she is living back home while her husband is on Navy business in Albania). Had a lovely villa that we rented and just enjoyed being together!! Despite the wonderful time, unfortunately I had to leave and found it extremely hard to do so. The separation is really getting to me and I am praying very hard for a positive outcome soon!!!

On another note, Wow, what great news for Debra and John. Tebrikler!!!!

Awaterlily, I agree with what you said. Even though I have a long road ahead of me, I hope to stay in touch with everyone, even when your journeys have come to an end.
The little one is growing and what a beauty!!!


Deb Res, Wow, 90 lbs. How wonderful!!! I am so happy for you!!!

Mina, Congratulations on your move!!! Best wishes in your new abode!! Thank you so much for your good wishes for my trip. I have missed talking to you!!!

Tanya, I am so sorry, I didn't realize you and Ozzy were going through this regarding his military service. I hope you will get it resolved soon. I am sure you will, you both seem to be on top of things and waste no time getting done what needs to be done!!!

Also, welcome to the new members. It is great to see and hear other stories of couples in similar situations. I am sure you know, if any of us can help, we are here!!!


Best Wishes and much Love to all,

Wendy

Merrhaba

merk - I noticed the timeline in your sig....of course w/o knowing details, I'm surprised your i-129 was rejected and not transferred to the correct service ctr. Otherwise, Good stuff in re to your touches ( i-130?)! Keep us posted.


wendya - welcome back! pleased to hear you had such memorable trip. I didn't realize you had been apart for a year. Ouch! Sounds like your trip was much needed and def overdue.

Yes I would have thought that it would have been sent to the right service center! But nope it was sitting in a nice fat envolove in the mail box... And after looking at all the info (or lack there of )my laywer submitted I am kinda glad in a way. With all the typo's and whited out and hand written entries, that would be my guess as to why they just threw it back, it looked VERY unprofessinal. So I will go the CR way I won't cry (anymore) over spilled milk....

Thanks Tanya for the info! Sorry to hear you went through all that, and didn't get the military extenstion

Good luck with the process of LA & NY. I'll pass the info along to my friend, hopefully he can get it all taken care of here in Chicago.

Thanks again & best of luck!

We got the NOA.

Yeah, that seems odd. Never heard of it being done before but that doesn't mean it hasn't. Did you file your CR to the right office?

Yes as far as I know. At the time in Oct I lived in Hawaii so the I -130 was filed at the CSC. Got the NOA from California. I moved in Nov. The I129 was returned from Chicago. Sent in Jan. And in the packet they sent, they included the proof that it was sent from my lawyer and she sent it to Chicago. So basically I do nothing at this point right? Just wait for the NOA2 from where ever?