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nomadnoor

Hello from Morocco

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nomadnoor Explorer

nomadnoor   29

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Hi Everyone!

My name is Ally and I am married to a wonderful man - Omar who is a Moroccan national and works as a fire fighter.

Our story starts when I decide to join Peace Corps and accept an application to Morocco. Little did I know I would find my better half in another country!

Omar and I first met quite some time after I had already met and formed a relationship with his family. Omar's family has served as a host family for different Peace Corps volunteers through out the years (placements are always made for women in host families without young men in Morocco) so his family was actually the host family of my site mate. I liked my site mates host family much more than my own and began spending a lot of time at their house.

I knew Omar's family for 4-5 months before I ever met Omar because he was stationed at a fire house in Tangier instead his hometown.

My mother in law still jokes about how I asked her who the strange man was in the house and it turned out to be Omar! :)

Upon meeting me in Spring of 2012 - Omar made his mind up that I was a lady he was interested in marrying - so he asked my now father in law what he thought of the match - my now father in law gave the thumbs up and said if your serious about her - go for it.

I had no clue and due to the difference in American culture didn't think a man would make his mind up so quickly about who he wanted to marry. So Omar asked for my phone number (its quite a big thing to ask a girl or woman in Morocco for their phone number) I said no promptly but offered up my Facebook account as a way to get to know each other long distance since I was located in Taza and he was based in Tangier - It was also insurance for me - if he turned out to be a weirdo - I could always unfriend him and block him.

So between his crazy 12 hours on / 12 off work schedule and my learning Moroccan Arabic and teaching ESL while doing other activities at the local youth center we got to know each other. After two months of Facebook - Omar asked again for my phone number and I finally gave it to him.

We began to talk more in depth and I finally told my mom I was talking to a Moroccan who seemed pretty serious about marrying me - Omar had during our Facebook chats confessed the only reason he was talking to me was because he wanted to possibly marry me. My mother freaked out - and sent over a marriage interview with over 100 questions for Omar and I to go through together to see if we really were compatible and if Omar was interested in me for the right reasons.

During the time from when we first met Omar made a point to visit his family and me more frequently - especially during the holidays to spend time face to face (although it was always with a chaperone). By September 2012 - after Omar asking me 7 times during the course of our courtship - I finally said yes the 8th time and we got engaged September 9th 2012.

After going home for Christmas 2012 I returned back to Morocco - Omar and I decided that we would get married before the end of my Peace Corps service in Morocco because we were aware of how long the visa process takes. So after many headaches - random trips to the consulate , copies, faxes, translations and badgering local officials - we were married on March 8th, 2013.

I have been in Morocco since September 2011 serving with Peace Corps - I will finish my service with Peace Corps November 2013 and will remain in Morocco hopefully till the end of the visa process.

I am glad to be here and I hope I can contribute to the Visa Journey community and I am really thankful that Visa Journey exists to help us all find our ways through this crazy maze of paperwork!

Timeline to Immigrate to the United States of America -

Travel back to our Moroccan Home from Casa: 10/17/2014

Husband submits for vacation from Protection Civile: 10/28/2015

Husband submits for demission from Protection Civile :11/10/2014

I travel personally to the Main Office of the Protection Civile in Rabat and submit a Dolence: 12/09/2014

I travel back to the USA in preparation of the birth of our baby - 12/18/2014

Husband travels back to Rabat to the main office of the Protection Civile and meets with "Head of Human resources" and told to resubmit his vacation request - told his request will be approved by 1/15/ 2015: 1/07/2015

Husband asks commander to call main office of Protection Civile to check the status of the new vacation request and is told no one but the general can approve his request and he is on vacation: 1/28/2015

Husband stops going to work for the Protection Civile in protest: 1/29/2015

We hire a lawyer in Casablanca to help my husbands case with regards to the Protection Civile : 02/2015

Lawyer sends letter to the Main office of the Protection Civile - 02/04/2015

Our daughter is born with my husband still stuck in Morocco - 2/09/2015

Direction (Main Office) of the Protection Civile Sends out Alert Letter to my husband and my husband picks it up on- 02/13/2015

Husband goes to US Consulate to request an extension of his visa - US Consulate says they won't extend his visa however they can issue him a new one at the cost of 3000DH/ $311 -/+ and to come back the last week of the month to get his second visa- 3/08/2015

Husband returns to the US Consulate and picks up *NEW VISA* with expiration date of 09/22/2015 on: 03/26/2015

Husband's first visa expires: 04/08/2015

Protection Civile continues to pay my husband - 04/2015

The lawyer sends letters to the Ministry of the Interior - 04//2015

My husband seeks help from the Prime Minister of Morocco's political party and called the lawyer to set an appointment to check on his case: 05/6/2015

My husband seeks help from a second lawyer when the first one proves unhelpful: 05/07/2015

My husband goes to Parliment to follow up with the Prime Minister's party - set a follow up appointment at a cafe the next day: 05/08/2015

I send a letter to the Moroccan Ambassador to the United States asking for help with my husband's case (registered mail): 05/26/2015

I go to Sen. Diane Feinstein's office seeking help with my husband's demission from the Protection Civile: 05/27/2015

I go to Sen. Barbara Boxer's office seeking help with my husband's demission from the Protection Civile: 05/28/2015

My husband returns to hometown in Morocco and returned his materials, the message awaiting him says "Demission Favorable.": 06/11/2015

Lots of running around to meetings and trying to get the authorization to leave Morocco by my husband: 07/2015

Husband goes to CMN airport trying to get paperwork authorizing him to leave Morocco and with the help of some powerful people GETS THE AUTHORIZATION: 07/23/2015 :dancing:

My husband leaves Morocco and arrives in the U.S.A. and meets his daughter for the first time at SFO airport: 07/27/2015

event.png

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HettyandSaid Collaborator

HettyandSaid   18

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

What a wonderful story! and best of luck with your visa journey! star_smile.gif

Story of Us: NVC:
November 5, 2011 we met online March 5, 2014 Nvc received case
November 9, 2011 became a couple April 7, 2014 Receive I 864bill/pay I864 bill Complete DS261 online
February 6, 2012 met in person in Morocco April 9, 2014 Receive/pay IV bill
June 22, 2012 second trip to Morocco April 14, 2014 Complete DS260 online
July 13, 2012 Wedding in Morocco May 8, 2014 Receive checklist from NVC in email
March 6, 2013 Third trip to Morocco May 8, 2014 Mail completed packet to NVC
November 4,2013 Fourth trip to Morocco <3 May 12, 2014 NVC receives packet (now we wait.)
USCIS: June 10, 2014 RFE checklist for I864. June 11 call to NVC.. fixed errors.
May 1, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS to start K3 June 12, 2014 Resend packet to NVC
May 3, 2013 UPS delivery confirmation June 16, 2014 NVC receives corrected papers. (now we wait...again.. )
May 6, 2013 Email Confirmation Case Accepted and routed to USCIS for processing July 10, 2014 Called NVC. due to backlog I have to wait until 8/1 to call
May 10,2013 Check Cashed by DHS July 28, 2014 Called NVC. I was told they still have not reviewed my case.
May 10, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 1, 2014 Called NVC due to checklist. was told my black ink was "navy". have to
May 13, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS for I - 129f reprint, resign, resend, and wait 60 days now. in NVC hell!!
May 14, 2013 Confirmed delivery of Packet for I - 129f August 2, 2014 Resend papers to NVC overnight. Due at NVC on 8/4/2014
May 21, 2013 NOA1 for I - 129f text and email August 4, 2014 NVC signs/receives papers (now the long wait begins
May 25, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 22,2014 Receive letter from NVC that hubbys email is undeliverable
May 31, 2013 Alien Registration Number changed August 22, 2014 Called NVC to verify information..all was correct?! Not sure why?
July 12, 2013 Case updated with change of address on uscis September 22, 2014 Called NVC to check on things. 2 more weeks of backlog left.
December 4, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website: case moved to another office for processing When they verify my black ink signature, I should have CC!
December 6, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website saying case moved to A uscis office September 29, 2014 CASE COMPLETE!!!!
December 10, 2013 Received Hard copy by mail that it was transferred to Nebraska.
January 28, 2014 Called USCIS for update. Told I have to wait 180 days from date of transfer to call about my case. EMBASSY in Casablanca Morocco:
February 16, 2014 Service Request per USCIS website. Was told I should have an answer by March 10 on my request. Medical: October 28, 2014
February 18, 2014 Text and email and updated uscis that alien registration number changed (again) Interview: November 7, 2014 (APPROVED!!)
February 19, 2014 Text and email and update uscis NOA2 for I 130 .. k3 is now a CR1 Visa in hand: November 13, 2014
February 19, 2014 Text email and update uscis Case is shipped to nvc!! POE: JFK November 21 2014 (home at last!)
February 22, 2014 NOA2 Hardcopy received by mail Green card in hand January 2, 2015
February 28, 2014 Follow up email responding to service request confirming case shipped to NVC on February 25, 2014 Social security card in hand January 9, 2015
Living happily ever after <3

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,195

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Nice story. Welcome!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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destiny64 Community Regular

destiny64   222

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats! I met a young girl when I was in Marrakech who was serving in the Peace Corp. My husband and I sat beside her and her mother in the Jema el fna while eating. We talked a lot about how long the visa process was and the difficulties. One thing the young girl brought up was the difficulties she heard about girls who married there while in the Peace Corp had difficulties with getting past the income requirements ( your not in it for the money , that's for sure lol), so make sure if that's going to be an issue for you to find co-sponsors ! Love your story :)

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nomadnoor Explorer

nomadnoor   29

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. Yes my mother had agreed to be a co sponsor for my husband because as Destiny64 said - I didn't get into Peace Corps for the money smile.png

Edited by nomadnoor

Timeline to Immigrate to the United States of America -

Travel back to our Moroccan Home from Casa: 10/17/2014

Husband submits for vacation from Protection Civile: 10/28/2015

Husband submits for demission from Protection Civile :11/10/2014

I travel personally to the Main Office of the Protection Civile in Rabat and submit a Dolence: 12/09/2014

I travel back to the USA in preparation of the birth of our baby - 12/18/2014

Husband travels back to Rabat to the main office of the Protection Civile and meets with "Head of Human resources" and told to resubmit his vacation request - told his request will be approved by 1/15/ 2015: 1/07/2015

Husband asks commander to call main office of Protection Civile to check the status of the new vacation request and is told no one but the general can approve his request and he is on vacation: 1/28/2015

Husband stops going to work for the Protection Civile in protest: 1/29/2015

We hire a lawyer in Casablanca to help my husbands case with regards to the Protection Civile : 02/2015

Lawyer sends letter to the Main office of the Protection Civile - 02/04/2015

Our daughter is born with my husband still stuck in Morocco - 2/09/2015

Direction (Main Office) of the Protection Civile Sends out Alert Letter to my husband and my husband picks it up on- 02/13/2015

Husband goes to US Consulate to request an extension of his visa - US Consulate says they won't extend his visa however they can issue him a new one at the cost of 3000DH/ $311 -/+ and to come back the last week of the month to get his second visa- 3/08/2015

Husband returns to the US Consulate and picks up *NEW VISA* with expiration date of 09/22/2015 on: 03/26/2015

Husband's first visa expires: 04/08/2015

Protection Civile continues to pay my husband - 04/2015

The lawyer sends letters to the Ministry of the Interior - 04//2015

My husband seeks help from the Prime Minister of Morocco's political party and called the lawyer to set an appointment to check on his case: 05/6/2015

My husband seeks help from a second lawyer when the first one proves unhelpful: 05/07/2015

My husband goes to Parliment to follow up with the Prime Minister's party - set a follow up appointment at a cafe the next day: 05/08/2015

I send a letter to the Moroccan Ambassador to the United States asking for help with my husband's case (registered mail): 05/26/2015

I go to Sen. Diane Feinstein's office seeking help with my husband's demission from the Protection Civile: 05/27/2015

I go to Sen. Barbara Boxer's office seeking help with my husband's demission from the Protection Civile: 05/28/2015

My husband returns to hometown in Morocco and returned his materials, the message awaiting him says "Demission Favorable.": 06/11/2015

Lots of running around to meetings and trying to get the authorization to leave Morocco by my husband: 07/2015

Husband goes to CMN airport trying to get paperwork authorizing him to leave Morocco and with the help of some powerful people GETS THE AUTHORIZATION: 07/23/2015 :dancing:

My husband leaves Morocco and arrives in the U.S.A. and meets his daughter for the first time at SFO airport: 07/27/2015

event.png

bzBsm8.png

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mounir412 Mentor

mounir412   101

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome , and i wish you best luck on your journey incha'allah !!!

Met online : 2009
Married : 07/28/2010

USCIS
Send I-130 : 06/08/2011
Touched : 06/13/2011
got a NOA1 by e-mail and SMS : 06/15/2011
got "I-797C" hard copy of NOA1 : 06/20/2011
got RFE "I-797E" : 10/15/2011
RFE Reply : 12/15/2011
Touched : 12/16/2011
I-130 Approved : 12/20/2011
got "I-797" hard copy of NOA2 : 12/24/2011
Your I-130 was approved in 183 days from your NOA1 date.

NVC
NVC Case Number : 01/13/2012
Pay "$88" AOS Bill and e-mailed DS-3032 : 02/08/2012
Email from NVC, DS-3032 Accepted : 02/09/2012
AOS Fee Shows PAID : 02/09/2012
IV fee invoiced "$404" : 02/10/2012
IV fee invoiced "$230" : 04/18/2012
Pay "$230" IV Bill : 04/30/2012
IV Fee Shows PAID : 05/02/2012
Send AOS and IV packet : 06/09/2012
AOS and IV packet Received : 06/22/2012
Case completed at NVC : 06/29/2012

Interview Date : 08/28/2012 "Denied"

Case Reaffirmed : 07/16/2013

Second interview - Approved : 10/24/2013

Visa Issued : 10/29/2013

Visa in hand : 10/31/2013

For more details please visit my timeline

485.gif

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berber_wife Enthusiast

berber_wife   90

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome! I am also a RPCV, although I did not serve in Morocco--I met my boyfriend on my COS trip though. We had always been planning on going through the process to bring him here but lately we've been talking some about forgoing that and living in Morocco instead. So I might be PMing you questions about living in Morocco!

9/2011: Met in Morocco

12/2011: Trip to Europe together

1/2012: My trip to his hometown

11/2012: His first trip to USA

1/2014: His second trip to USA

3/2014: Married

Adjusting from a B visa

6/25/2014: Sent AOS package (I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131)

6/28/2014: Package received at Chicago Lockbox

7/2/2014: Text and email notifications

7/2/2014: Checks cashed

7/8/2014: Hard copy NOAs received

7/25/2014: Biometrics appointment

7/25/2014: RFE for foreign birth certificate

7/26/2014: RFE responded to

7/30/2014: RFE response received

8/14/2014: Status changed to "Testing and Interview"

8/29/2014: EAD and AP card production ordered

9/10/2014: EAD and AP card received

9/27/2014: Interview letter received

9/29/2014: SS card applied for

10/4/2014: SS card received

10/28/2014: Interview - approved pending final background check; online status updated that night

11/1/2014: Welcome letter

11/4/2014: GC in hand

ROC

8/13/2016: Sent I-751 Package

8/15/2016: Package received at CSC

8/17/2016: Check cashed

8/19/2016: NOA1

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