WOW 9 DAYS??? are you sure?? LOL..

can you kindly give us some details??

now im getting jealous of you girl.. btw where are you from??

9 Days????? From sending in I-130 to Embassy approval???? Did I miss something??????? Hell it takes USCIS 9 days to move the packet from In box to Dusty Box HOW?????

Hi Paris, yes 9 days, this was for a military expedite for deployment (on way to or in the middle of), which is the only expedite that the military can get. Until MarineBabe gets back to us, we won't know the ins and outs of her visa process, but, yes, when they need to expedite, they do it ..... fast!

Hi Ling, yes, some of the guys aren't really into the whole FRG thing, but I guess they forget that we (their spouses) need the contact, plus they can help you with lots of things before you get there ..... e.g. finding accomodation .... what the area is like in preparation for your arrival ..... stuff to do when you're there .... they'll even let you know where the nearest grocery store is .... or schools etc.

I'm going to contact mine this week .... they're easy to find, just pull up the base via google which you'll be at, and look for the link for the FRG.
I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I intend to be quite active within my group when I arrive .... I will be especially happy to help with aspects of immigration I guess by then I'll be an expert, and so will everyone on here.
x

GRRRHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I told my SO about this 9 days visa...then he said that this guy he works with took only a week to get a visa for his wife,
then he said that he cant ask him how they do it now because he is on a different base !!!

.. i wish i can smack him like this

Im glad that USCIS has a heart for our Military boys. Best of luck!!
Paris Heart

Hahhaha, sorry, Ruby, I don't mean to laugh, but your SO sounds just damn similiar with mine ... I wish I could do that to him sometiems too ... cause they sometimes just not quick witted enough- a polite way to say idiot ... my DH is applying for the expedite for me too, but now it took 2 weeks and I still see nothing yet ... Mmmm, was looking for an icon that beating on butt, I would love to beat on his butt instead of his head, that might make him more slower if I beat on his head ... lol...

ling

Yea, asolutely I believe it for most guys, but for my husband, well, mmm, he's always the slower one ... sometimes that drives me crazy and pisses me off ... and when he knows he gets me pissed off for things like that, he just feels never happier than that ... I strongly recommend the host here to add in an icon that for me to beat on his butt ...

ling

You guys need to call the Military Immigration Helpline .... they seem to be really helpful and your call takes you through to the hub of USCIS. They sort expedites over the phone ..... they did one for me the other week .... OK VSC turned me down, but it wasn't for deployment.

Ling, get your Hubby to call them, the number is in my signature, they'll at least be able to pull up your file and give you an idea of what's happening. They do it while you're on the phone.

Ha ha, wanting to bang your SO's on the head and butt is funny
I just want to bang USCIS on the head ..... I can't believe they won't give the military guys an expedite after they've come back from Iraq and seen all that horrid stuff .... c'est la vie

LOL in short he is stupid! he just lost his passport before he was deployed and only told me recently,, now he is gonna get a new one in baghdad on the first week of may... its so frustrating because he is so stubborn and wont listen to me sometimes...


maybe if i can do this then he will get back into his senses!!!


btw ling do u have myspace??

My hubby needs to get his passport as well and he is in Iraq now. I am going to tell him to ask his commander how he would go about doing it. I think he will have to go to baghdad as well to the US embassy

ya the US EMBASSY IN IRAQ is in BAHGDAD! i hope your SO can get one too.

OK, thanks Sarah, I will ask him to call the military helpline and see if there's any luck for my case. and as my SO said, if they still not gave me my visa, when he comes to me on his R&R, he's going to go to the US Embassy in my area and raise the hell up ... I thought my VJ would be lonely before I found this forum, but now I don't feel it anymore, and I love here.

Everyone here have a wonderful VJ and all of us will be with our love ones after all these.

ling

Same here with my idiot, he's stubborn too, always thinks he's right and could handle everything, but most of the times he screwed up things...

Yes, I have myspace, but I am just too lazy to get on there often I am going to add this link in my signature, feel free to add me anytime.

ling

ok ive added u in MYSPACE.. u can go check it out..
yeah i know what its like,, mine is kinda immature but i love him ...

you take care

ruby**

Hi Sarah, Jamericanlove, Ling, Ruby_Jade, and Paris Heart,

How is everyone doing? Now it’s time for me to share my little VJ.

Let me start with how I got into this insane situation. I was a graduate student in the US when we got married before his second deployment in 2005. Because of some personal reason, we didn’t file the petition. We could have done this without any pain two years ago.

But anyway, because of some family emergency, I flew back home in January. None on us realized that I would have a hard time to get a non-immigrant visa until someone told me last month. We were so devastated when we found out how serious the situation was. I probably would not be able to come back to the US until 2009. But I had to come back to the US ASAP. Fortunately, I found this forum and found out something called DCF!

We understood that my husband had to be a resident to file I-130 in Taiwan. But since this is the fastest way, we still decided to try it. In the first two days, we had no way to contact the right person. He called American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)… they hung up on him. He called the base legal … they said we had to wait. He called military help line…they said they couldn’t expedite our petition because we had not filed I-130 yet…As you could see, none of them was helpful. At that point, my smart hubby decided to write AIT an email asking for help. Meanwhile, he found the number of Taiwan desk of State Department. The gentleman gave my husband the direct number to the immigrant unit at AIT.

He called and explained the situation to the lady answering the phone at AIT. She told us she knew of our case via the email my hubby sent and she would let her boss know. On that same day, the unit chief called and said he would do his best to help us file in Taiwan. But because my husband could not leave the US to file I-130 in Taiwan, the chief had to make sure if this was within the boundary of law. On April 7th, the chief let us know that my husband could fax his I-130 first and then send the original one and the rest of the supporting documents to him, and I could hand in my part in person. So my hubby filed I-130 on the 9th. And I handed in my part on the 14th.

In Taiwan, there are only four hospitals that can conduct medical exams for immigrants. So it is not easy to make an appointment. But when I was there on the 14th, he had his people make an appointment for me and ask the hospital to have my result ready on Thursday (17th). I did the medical exam on the 14th and picked up my result on the 17th. I had an interview Friday (18th) and received my IR-1 3 hours later. I flew out on the 20th. This is what my hubby and I did not expect. When I was there for the interview, one officer there told me that they had never spent so much time on any applicant. But thanks to the chief, I made it here. He was so willing to help. Because of the time difference between Taipei and Washington (12 hours), he had to call Washington and wait for their response in his office late at night. We greatly appreciate his help. He made this happen.

I don’t know if my experience provides any helpful information. To those whose husbands are getting deployed, maybe you can try the DCF route if you have valid reasons. If the consular is willing to help, things can be done way faster. Good luck to all of you.

Oh my goodness MarineBabe, thankyou for this .... I know it will definately help someone on here at some point. There is no way any of us would think this sort of thing would have been possible, but you have proven that it is.
I'm sure everyone on this thread would agree with me when I say thankyou for your in depth account as to how your process was conducted.

Now, you go and enjoy the time with your Husband, and please let us know how you're doing when you get the chance.

It just goes to show, that where there's a will there's a way. We Military Spouses live an 'out of the box' lifestyle .... therefore it's great to see when one of us literally thinks 'out of the box' we get stuff done.

I'm going to add you to my friends list MarineBabe so that we can keep in touch .... that way if we ever need to find information out concerning the immigration process of a particular country in the future for our FRG's, we know who to contact.

You and your family are in my thoughts for a safe deployment, and a happy reunion in 2009.

Wow thats a really inspiring story. I don't know if it makes me happier or just utterly crazy with rage that I know they are able to turn something like this around so fast. Congratulations.

Oh Sarah Jayne I love your signature. I needed that little giggle today thank you!

Hope everyone is well.

I WANT MY APPROVAL and I WANT IT NOW !

thanks marine babe for sharing!

i dunno if i can do that here in the philippines.. we havent filed yet..

but your lucky i guess!!

Hi ladies!
I'm going through the k-1 visa process right now with my Fiance. We filed in early Feb, but we recently found out that he will be deployed. We have ask JAG and the mil. hotline about the expedite but weren't given any help in doing so. They said that all we could do was wait. Does anyone know anything about the expedite?

WE are also thinking of just voiding the k-1 ( breaks my heart.. all that work and waiting!) and just getting married in Canada a few months before he is shipped off. While he's gone, I am going to Korea to teach English and thorugh that that would be the perfect time to apply for the k-3 in Korea, while my hubbie was away.. so hopefully when he comes back, I will be alloed in the states and we can start a 'normal/ life.

Any ideas about how to make the expedite work, or if there's some huge red flag on my second option of the 130/k-3 thang?

Thanks!!

hey, thanks for the answer, NVC already send the paperwork to Ciudad Juarez, so now we waiting for the rest of the process... now need to expedite the process on CDJ because my wife shes leaving in like 1 month more... this is going too fast now...

thanks for the help...

I'm sorry the Military Immigration Helpline was not good for you, I noticed myself that there was a new girl on the phone the other day who was a bit clueless ..... hopefully she'll learn fast, or move on.
In the meantime, here's the info for you to do the expedite yourself.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43385

Goodluck, and do let us know how it goes.
Sarah x

We have finally sent theservice request to expedite our visa.. here's hoping!!

Thanks again, sarah.. like I already said.. you should be working for the hotline! lol

How does your second option work? I'm kinda confused here
May I ask where your fiance will be shipped to? Korea?
During my process, I didn't find military helpline very helpful as well.
The man who answered the phone was pretty mean. Too bad we couldn't remember his name
I hope you will find a good way.

My fiance will be shipped to Iraq. But, as I have previously worked teaching english in korea, I will go there while he's in Iraq. Its a job I love and very good money! hehe

My second option, is just to void the K-1, get married in Canada, and since I won't be allowed into the US until our 130 is complete and whatnot, I will go to korea and teach for a year while he is in iraq, and process for the greencard while in korea. That way..about a year or so from then.. hopefully, I will have the card and can be in the USA with him when he's finished in iraq.

Our only loss will be the money and time spent on the k-1 but to be married to him before he goes to iraq is very important to us.




I have a question about the expedite... if we do get to expedite the visa, will I have to stay in the USA for an extended period of time? IS the whole visa expedited I wonder... because I want to be able to leave the USA while he's in Iraq.

Hi Ruby, I went to your space, just as what I wrote to you at there, I really like your space and the pictures Sorry that I get you back late, something is going through here at my side about my marriage ... and I m just in depress for that ...

Hope you're well.

ling

Thanx for sharing this with us, MarineBabe... I am sure this could be helpful for some friends here , I just wish everyone here can be with their loves after all this...

ling

Hi, Sarah, how are you doing? It's been a couple of days that I don't get on here... Something might happen to my marriage, I just don't wanna do anything but just sit at home and going crazy ... I saw you added the thread I posted about keeping the military safe in your signaure, thanks for that ... take care...
ling

Hello,

I am also a wife of an army, but my husband is not a full time active US Army anymore. He is now a civillian, but still part for US NG.

Just dropping to this thread to say hello to all of you guys. Take care, and good luck to the process.

Shape

Oh, btw, MarineBabe, what does DCF stand for ?

ling

Hi Ling, I'm fine. Just wating for the approval as usual. You're welcome about the post link in my signature, I think it's important and so I thought I'd add it.
Will PM you in a bit about the rest of your message.
Sarah x




Hi Shape, your process should be not far to finishing now .... do you have an idea as to timeline yet? Do you know when you'll be flying into the US ?
Loving your new cute posts by the way, I really must liven up my profile too.
Nice to hear from you, take care and hope to hear from you again soon
Sarah x




DCF is Direct Consular Filing .... it's where you apply through the consulate in that country, and is a lot faster as USCIS is avoided. Normally, both you and the USC have to be living in the country where you will be filing, but obviously in this instance the consulate kindly helped out one of us in a needy situation.

Ahh, got it finally, I thought it's the embassy my husband apply I-130 in the states... Thanks, Sarah...
ling

Ling,

DCF is just like what Sarah says. But it still needs to go through USCIS, just in a different way. The embassy still needs to get the clearance there.
I hope you are feeling better.

And Sarah, your are always so fast and informative ^^

MarineBabe, I'm laughing ..... I'm sure it's because I'm soooo caught up in my own visa processing, that I'm on this website far too much

Thanks, MarineBabe, I am feeling much better now, I am so happy to know you guys as my friends
take care

ling

Hi Sarah,
I see you're still waiting for the approval. Did you file for an expedite?
Person

Not for a military expedite, but we did apply for an expedite for other reasons (death and terminal cancer) .... we were denied.

Sorry to hear that.. The NVC seems to be more open to expedites though, so that's at least something. Well, it took about 5 months for my I-130 to get approved, so yours should be too any day now!

I'm thinking 4 - 6 weeks at the latest, hopefully ... if it's earlier that would be brilliant.
Thankfully like you say NVC seem more open to expedites, also they said they can do the interview and medical concurrently for military, so we're hoping to shave a couple of months off that way too ... I just hope they honour that point.
Time is really of the essence for us and I'm just doing the best I can UK side to be prepared to get on a plane before the ink is dry on my passport stamp.
Thankyou for the support, I really appreciate it

Hi to all! I am also a military wife who just got married and im happy to all find you here.

Question: My husband is PCS overseas(Qatar), we just got married and he is leaving in a month back to US. Can we apply DCF since he is stationed here for 11 months now?

Any input would help. Thank you.

Net

You'll need to double check with the Embassy in Qatar, but I personally think it will be fine as normally you only have to be resident for 6 months, some places it's 3.
Call them up and ask them the residency requirements when you ask for the CR1/IR1 applications.
Better still see if they have a website and if it's posted on there.
I'll be surprised if they have anything more than 6 months of residency.
Congratulations on your marriage.

Do remember, you'll need to stay behind while this process takes it's time ..... do not be tempted to PCS back to the US with him .... I've heard of spouses who did that from Base Commanders, and the poor women and children incurred bans of between 3-10 years following deportation, the Commander cannot do a thing to intervene it either.
DCF at least will be quicker.

Hello there iam a military wife also and we already file we already got our NOA1 last feb 12.2008 our case in VSC and until now we havent hear anything... Im getting impatient cos me and my hubby was living aoart for almost 2 years,, and its sucks cos our sonw as growing up soo fast... is there any possibility to expidite the pettition? my hubby is in iraq rightnow? pls keep in touch,, i would love to talk to you,, thanks

Hi Mrs. Hooks,
The information is all on this link for you.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43385

Basically, all you need to do is fax a copy of the orders with a cover letter requesting a military expedite etc. Matt has explained the procedure beautifully in the link above.
You can also call the military helpline number which is my signature and they will also be able to start expedite procedures for you.

Your expedite should be done within a couple of weeks on the outside with USCIS, if not before, and then it needs to be expedited through NVC and Consulate.

You need to do it while your Husband is in Iraq otherwise you won't be able to expedite, so I'd do it quickly.
Sarah x

Thanks Sarah. One more thing, if DCF wouldnt be possible for us can we use his new order to expedite our papers?

Currently the evidence seems to suggest that unless your Husband has or is getting orders to deploy for OIF etc then there is no Military Expedite option.
Do try DCF, at the moment, it's your best bet .... as he's leaving in a month, I'd attempt it ASAP ..... Monday morning 09:00!
Goodluck, and do let us all know how you get on.
Sarah x

Try DCF...It is your best shot. And maybe the embassy can expedite it for you. No matter what, it is still way faster than going through USCIS. Good luck ^o^

Hey ladies,

I posted in the AOS section...maybe one of you ladies can help me out since it involves the military. Here is the link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=127176

Also, anyone of you on MSOS?

Morning Ladies! (and Gents if your around)

Just a quick note to say .... WE WERE APPROVED! Good vibes working on everyone else now

I am so happy Heres to speedy approvals for everyone still waiting.

Lots of Love

Bex xxx

Congratulations! It's so good to hear that!

Hi, Sarah! How are you doing? I notice the your timeline and first thing grabbed my eyes are the year 2025, and I thought to myself, OMG and I just got so confused... and it finally makes sense to me when I read what's following that... and then I just feel the same here... It really takes forever for USCIS to approve the case, thinking about if they hired me to work for them, I probably will approve 100 cases a day... expecially the military spouses cases, all get approved... I just spent time with my husband together on his days off, now he gets back to work shift again... I just feel like I am sitting here getting old for waiting for the visa approval...