Hey Presto! Congratulations!!! Walk in the park, eh?

Entry, stamp in the pp (there is no 'temporary' card), card, removing conditions.. all even easier than what you've just done. We used to have a great thread of POE experiences in the archives... time to start a new one. The documentary part of this journey is sooooo easy once you're in the US. Just become a compulsive paper-saver and you're golden!

Thanks, Fischkoepfin. Your optimism is helpful. I do think all will turn out fine in the end as well. We've gathered all of the required documents. My co-sponsor and I have both filled out the Affidavit of Support. I'm literally just waiting to fax in the Checklist. An interview sometime in July would be nice. His medical appointment is two weeks from now so that'll be done. Once we get to Frankfurt, all we have to do is go to our interview. (We've even gathered photos from our wedding and other miscellaneous photos from the last three years. We have some other documents also to prove that we have an ongoing relationship.) We're just ready to go!

I'm still ticked off about the slowness of mailed-in petitions to USCIS... but there just isn't anything I can do.

As far as grad school goes... I did it before for my MA program. It was fine. But I'm nervous about this PhD thing. I'm having doubts about my research now. And it's for the next five years. What a ways to go!


Congrats once again, Germlish!

Thanks Zauberblume!

All I can add is that the preparation is important.

My Affadavit of Support didn't have a current tax return and that was a show stopper. But the affadavit doesn't need to be signed in front of the consulate anymore.
The medical was also no problem, done at the same time we did the I-130. I recommend to get all the impfungen done with your Hausarzt because the Krankenkasse doesn't charge, the board physican will.
We needed no photos. Doesn't hurt to have them and I think if the applicant appears at the consulate alone it may be different.
And of course the normal stuff:
- No electronic devices in the consulate
- Bring cash if you can
- Bring snacks, something to read, inkpen
- arrive by about 7:00 am
- stand in the right hand line to get the number
- go straight to the cashier after entering the main building (window 23 I think)
- No jewlery or glases in the photo, and both ears are visible - no stray hairs covering anything

Still biting thumbs and crossing fingers!

You'll be fine immigration-wise. It's a nuisance, certainly, but once you're done with it you'll get over it.

As to grad school, doubt is one of the true markers of people in the Ph.D. program. I'm entering my seventh year (had some tough luck and some immigration problems), and I'm finally getting to the point where I'm more certain about things. I have changed my research project three times now, but I don't know a single person who stuck with their original idea for more than a year. The thing that noone tells you about is that you're stuck with your project for much longer than 5 years unless you plan to go for a non-academic career. It's a scary thought; I know. But just as in this journey, you won't be alone...

Germlish, all the best to your visa!! That was really quick...

Fisch, what are you studying, if I may ask? It helps to read your experience.

To All:

I received Packet 3 today. It looks like we'll meet our travel date in late August if all goes according to plan. Phew!

We're going to quickly but carefully read through the forms from the Consulate. There are some additional forms about photograph requirements, vaccination requirements, and I-864 joint sponsor procedures. We're looking to fill out the DS-230 and fax in the OF-169 by Saturday. Because most of it is in German, which I am not fluent in, I'm not sure if we can actually fax the OF-169 or if we have to fax both the OF-169 and DS-230 or if both have to be mailed. I'll have my husband read it when he gets back home. Does anyone know offhand?

And he has his medical exam next week!

Will keep you all updated.

Thanks for the support, too!

I have my first night in my new home behind me now, just 8 weeks and 6 days till we are again together but who's counting .... uh ... I think we ALL are counting. Something, anyway.

Zauberblume, if there is any way you can bring the paperwork directly to the consulate, I would recommend it. I looked, studied, researched and Googled the heck out of everything till I was blue in the face and there were still three items that would have caused the entire packed to be returned. Being there once gave us a chance to let them look at everything and tell us what was needed before we came in for the interview.

Yay Zauber! So pleased it (finally!) arrived. I guess I should start getting excited in a couple of weeks

We have our interview schedule for July 21. Perfect! It's literally one day after I finish my current graduate program here in Berlin. It's the day after my last exam. Timing couldn't be anymore ideal. It's also on a Friday and I've never been to Frankfurt so we'll make a weekend out of it! So happy!

Now I'm preparing all that I can, in terms of the new I-864 and other documents. I'll be reading all about interview experiences specific to Frankfurt! I'll compile notes and try to get us as prepared as possible. Although, I have been doing that since this process started, so I don't think we have too much to worry about. My only concern is the I-864.

I-864: I talked to the Frankfurt representative and she said that it's usually required that you are specifically employed on the day of the interview. If you're not, then you're unemployed no matter if you have secured a job that starts in August or September. That's my problem. My "job" starts on September 5 and I've already signed the contract. She encouraged me to bring it along but it likely will mean that I'll still need a joint sponsor. I hope not. If so, I have one, but my joint sponsor (my mother) has her own issues, which I hope don't become problematic. (Like the fact that she hasn't worked in nearly three years. But she takes care of her elderly father who is 86 and is legally blind so... It's not like she's a lazy bum. But they have shared assets, which is another problem. But he would've sponsored me except that he has no proof of citizenship. So, hopefully the CO will understand and wave us along!) I'm crossing my thumbs!

Above all, we hope to leave Germany around August 23 with the CR-1 in hand.

For some reason, I can't edit the post above, which is rather annoying.

Anyway, I wrote the above post kind of quickly so some of what I posted may be unclear. Or, in that context, completely wrong. I should clarify.

I-864: I talked to a Frankfurt Consulate representative. She said that if you're not employed on the day of the interview, then you're unemployed. It doesn't matter if you have secured a job that starts in August or September.

I didn't mean to write that you have to have a job for the I-864. It's clear that you don't have to have a job. It probably helps if you do, especially one that has an income over the poverty guidelines. You can use other means to show that "the immigrant has enough financial support to live without concern of becoming reliant on U.S. government welfare."

Alles klar, oder?

Yoohoo and whew!

My wife has been her now ten day and my vcaation time will end tomorrow.

She had mostly no problems at the ATL immigration station and we are now waiting on her greencard and ssan.

To anyone out there reading this anonomously, this is the way to do it.

That's great news! Happy for you & thanks for checking back in.

We will probably do POE at Philly or Dulles (going to NC these are usually the best options) but it's good to know ATL is OK if we have to fly Delta.

Enjoy your new adventure together in the US!

Yay Germlish! Your info has been so helpful during my process - I'm looking forward to being able to 'phew' after my interview on 10th October and POE-ing at Seattle in January!

Wishing you lots of happiness

~Candace

Hi everybody, I have followed this thead with great interest, especially because my husband (he's the USC) and I are going through the DCF process at the moment.

Here's a (rather rough) timeline:

Sept. 1st:
Because we live close to Frankfurt, we were able to file the I- 130 (incl. the G-325As) directly at the consulate (which, after reading all this seems like a good idea), after the approval we filled out and handed in the DS- 230I.
A good tip I got from another forum was to have copies of the G-325A with you because many parts of the DS- 230 part I are the same as the G-325A.

All in all the day at the consulate was ok, we knew about the security checks and the cell- phone- no- go. The only thing with the security check that I had underestimated was that we went to the consulate right after the "London liquid bomb issue" and my bag was full of deodorant, sunscreen, hairspray, lipbalm etc. They had to stuff all that into their little storage containers but they laughed about it and made fun of me- so I guess it wasn't all that bad either.

Fortunately, I had been to the consulate before (J1 Visa application two years back, still at the old consulate) and knew about the waiting times and therefore brought food, something to read and drinks (the security asked me to take a sip of my water, too).

Arriving at the consulate at 7.45am, there were already long lines outside, one on the left for the information desk, one on the right for the security check. After a couple of minutes a guy came out and asked everybody in line what they were here for and sent us and others to the front of the line. I'm not sure why, I think it had to do with the immigrand visa.
Inside the building we were sent upstairs to the immigrand visa section, where there were no lines or people waiting at all. There was one other couple sitting at a table and correcting things in their I- 130.

After our number was called, we went to the counter and handed in our papers, my husbands birth certificate was of no interest at all. There were a couple of minor things in the I- 130 and the biographic infos that had to be changed, no big deal though (Example: we had left spaces blank on the forms and that's a no. Every space as to be filled out and if something is not applicable or if one doesn't have kids for example, one has to put in N/A or "none")
Also, the one thing we didn't have with us were photocopies of my husbands passport (bio and residency page), the copymachine in the embassy was broken so the guy at the counter copied them for us. Which was nice.

After that, we paid the 190$, filled out the DS- 230 part I, waited a while (maybe 30 mins) and went to the very nice lady at the last window for the day who checked everything, gave me the checklist, info on the medical and the info on the pictures. She was very accurate, especially looked at the section where I had to state where I lived since my 16th birthday. Unfortunately, on the paper it says: where one has lived for more than 6 months and so I left out the bits where I had lived for less than 6 months. Not good.
She added the pieces I had left out.
And off we went!

All in all, we were in and out in three hours.

I had everything asked for on the checklist ready but the police certificate, so I ordered that one.


Sept. 6th:
Next step: the medical. Since I live close to Frankfurt, going to the "no appointment needed" doctor in Frankfurt was the obvious thing to do. I was there right when they opened their doors at 7.30am and already 5th in line.
Long wait, filled out some paper, went to pay the 125€, was sent down into the lab to give blood and urine, have xrays done of my lungs, went back upstairs. Waited.
The actual medical examination lasted about 3 minutes, the my eyes were checked, the doctor looked into my throat, looked at the xrays and into my "Impfbuch" - and told me which vaccination I needed. (Rubella, mumps, measels).
He sent me off with a document for my doctor who had to give me the vaccination (extra cost 80€ and no money back from the health insurance because it was not "necessary"). After getting the vaccination the next morning, this document was faxed to the doctor in Frankfurt so that he could forward my medical report to the consulate.
I think I left the doctor in Frankfurt at about 11am. I strongly advise everybody who will go to Frankfurt to get the medical to get there early, one couple arrived at 10.55 and was sent home.

Sept. 26th:
Long delay because the police certificate was sent to a wrong address, after I called a couple of times they finally sent it to me and I faxed the checklist to Frankfurt.

In the meantime we sold all our furniture, more or less all our belongings, moved all our stuff into one room in a shared appartment where I'll live until I will go to the States.

as of today:

I'm waiting for the interview appointment, I have all the papers ready, including a big chunk of proof for our relationship. We only got married in August but have been with one another for more than 3 years, so I thought it might me good to have a lot prepared (never know).
I concentrated on "official" things like:
- My husband has had me as his "primary beneficiary" more than two years ago already
- we had an account together in the US
- My "miles and more" statement showing a number of flights from FRA- SEA and back
- a number of travel confirmations for trips we took
- proof of the places we have lived together at

and a couple of "inofficial" things:
- pictures showing us from all over the world
- pictures showing me (or us) with his familiy, grandparents, etc
- pictures showing him (or us) with my familiy
- postcards and letters addressed to both of us
- birthdaycards to one of us mentioning the other one's name
- ...

I'm a bit nervous and excited and would like to have the interview done and over with!

By the way, Candance- you said, your POE will be Seattle, which is the city where my husband's from and where we're going to live- what about you? Seattle, too?

Good luck to everyone, hope my experiences could be of any help.

Sophyie.

Hi Sophyie! Thanks for sharing your info! Yes, Seattle is also where my husband is from and where we'll be moving to next year. When are you moving there?

Talking of the medical and the doctor's office in Frankfurt; I have been told that I should attend the medical AFTER my appointment at the consulate (my appointment for interview is 7:30am) but I am really worried that they will close before I can get there! I called the consulate and asked and a rather rude person told me 'of course you will go afterwards, they are open until 11' - which didn't really make me feel any better. I kind of wish I had gone to have the medical before, seeing as we are only an hour or so away from Frankfurt.

Also (I'm finding things to worry about!) I have no US size photos so will have to get those done at the consulate when we get there. Looking forward to a Green Card with a 7am photo of me on it! Hah.

Best wishes for a speedy interview date and a smooth journey.

~Candace

Hi Candance!

Do you know Seattle already? Do you have a plan where you're going to live when you're there? My husband is going back soon- Oct. 26th. He'll start work on Nov. 1st and will live with his parents on beautiful Vashon Island for a start, this way he won't have to look for a place straight away.
What's your plan when you get there? Do you have jobs already?
I won't be able to go until late December, and will have to return to Germany in February for my last exams in school. But December is when I'll "immigrate", I wouldn't dare to go over on a visa waiver. I hope everything will have gone through until then.

When we filed the petition I asked the lady at the last window about the medical and she said that of course I could go before the interview. She even advised me to.
I read that your interview will be next week, right? If you don't live too far from Frankfurt, maybe you could call the doctors office and ask them (as they should know, right?) or call the consulate again, they have people there (who know) from 2pm to 4 pm under the number 06975350. I never had problems with getting someone on the line if I said that I'm in the middle of an immigration visa process.

If nothing else: it'll be fine. they know what they're doing.
Now I'm nervous that I'll have to go again and spend another 125€...

We solved the photo issue in our own way: we took them ourselves. White background, a little smart light and the instructions we got from the consulate- and they accepted them without a problem for the I-130.
I have to add: we used really high quality paper and printer. I have seen pictures taken at a professional photographer that were way worse than ours
We'll see if they are good enough for the Visa... (if not, I'll take them in the consulate)

Also, before we decided to take the pictures ourselves (also because my husband works in France during the week so we didn't have all that much time for a photographer's appointment), I called a photographer in Heidelberg who took the pictures for my J1 and he said it was possible.
So maybe, before the picture thing really starts to worry you: call a couple of photographers and explain what you need, most should be able to take the pictures in the right size if they use digital equipment.
It'll be a bit more expensive than 5€ though.

Oh, I can understand so well that little things start to make you nervous! I have been nervous about the most stupid little things without even having to throughout this whole process! For some reason, it feels like one's not allowed to make any mistakes or "they" won't let us go. That's not true, I know that- but anyway.
One big issue for me will be the trip over with the visa and the sealed envelope (knock on wood).
I hate "immigrating", even if it's just for a short trip.
We had a long distance relationship for about a year and in this year, I really got to know the various airports very well- and in most airports I felt guilty just standing and waiting in line entering the States.
And that, even though I never intended to illegaly stay.
Worst was Chicago I think, every time they made me open my bags and virutally tore me apart with questions.
Hope Seattle will be a good POE. (cross fingers)

Aaanyway: good luck to you too, especially for the upcoming interview. Do you have any "proof" prepared?
Keep us posted, so we know what to expect, ok?

Best wishes!

Update:

I called the consulate in Frankfurt today (and again, no problem to get hold of someone) to make sure they had noted my change of address (which they had!) and asked whether she could see a date for my interview in the system and yeeeha! Nov. 1st is the big day...

It is a little odd, that date, because it is also my husbands first day at work in Seattle (he's officially employed in Germany until Oct. 31st).
Now I don't know about the affidavid of support- because if I understand it correctly, he should submit an employer's letter but I don't think he'll get one until Nov.1st... all we have is a lengthy email conversation with his hr-rep about his transfer to the Seattle office also stating his income.

I hope he'll get the employer's letter until then, because I don't know whether they'll accept an email conversation. And advice, anybody? He doesn't need a new contract because he'll stay within one big company...

Do you think we should get a co- sponsor just in case?

Oh boy, I'm excited.

Hi Sophyie! If your husband is being continually employed by the same company, I would guess that the affidavit of support is unchanged. So long as you have the correct supporting documentation, it matters not that he will be working in the US on the day of your interview (in fact, I'd guess that was a plus!) so long as he is working for the same company and you have the required proofs. Do you have a letter from them confirming his appointment in Seattle?

My husband's family come from Port Townsend so I guess we'll be staying there for a few weeks when we move. However we will most likely look to live in the Seattle suburbs; Chris has some family in Redmond and of course that side of the water is better for jobs.

Although I am going to Seattle in January (hopefully with visa in hand!) we are not moving back to the US until sometime later next year. My husband is in the military so we do not know yet exactly when it will be. Keep in touch and let me know how the house and job market is!!!

Well I'm off for my second set of vaccinations, so I'd better stop putting it off!

~Candace

Just bumping this for the new bunch of us.

Thanks even if I've read it before it is good to read it twice...