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Are you glad you did it or would you do it differently?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
Timeline
Posted (edited)
Edited to say -- is that Alan, everyone's favorite hedgehog, back in these parts?

Return of the hedgehog ! lock up your sensibilities !

I changed my name to protect the guilty but I am undone....

lock up your Continents - I am at the door once more !

What is the record for the number of petitions ? I am on 3 - actually the immigration lawyer I first went to said he had a client who had imported FIVE Russian fiancés !!!! I know he could not do that now, but that guy must know his way around a petition form ( and Russian ladies too)....

At least I am still on my first bird haha !

alan

Edited by saywhat

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Posted

Would not have changed anything! The hardships of the journey brought nothing but strength and determination. We look to it often and just smile.

"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."- Ayn Rand

“Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you.”

― Andrew Wilkow

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I think this has been the most amazing process. It's made me stronger and even more solidified in the strength of our relationship that I was when we first got engaged. This is all beyond the fact that we had to find the strength to sustain an LDR the whole time. I just feel like, after this start, we'll be able to take anything marriage, life, our children will hit us with.

If I had to do it again, in a heartbeat. I can't imagine life without Craig, and we always knew that me going to Canada just wasn't the right option. He was ready to leave his town/country, and I was ready to find some stability in mine.

That being said, I'm not even halfway through the whole thing yet, so ask me again when he has his 10-year green card. :P

:star: Cass (bebop the great)

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K-1

Service Center: California (transferred from Nebraska)

Consulate: Vancouver, Canada (transferred from Montreal)

06.17.2006 — Engagement!

08.23.2006 — NOA1

11.01.2006 — NOA2

01.25.2007 — Interview—APPPROOOVVEEEDD!!

02.12.2007 — Entry date!

03.01.2007 — Applied for SSN.

03.08.2007 — Social Security Card arrives! :)

03.17.2007 — Wedding day! Happy St. Patty's Day! YAY! :D

AOS/EAD

04.30.2007 — AOS/EAD Mailed off (No AP)

05.02.2007 — Arrives in Chicago.

05.08.2007 — NOA1 for AOS/EAD

06.01.2007 — Biometrics (and EAD Touch)

06.14.2007 — AOS Touch

06.17.2007 — AOS Transferred to CSC

06.19.2007 — AOS Touch

06.20.2007 — AOS Touch

06.21.2007 — AOS Touch (They must be doing something!)

07.25.2007 — EA Card Arrives. YAY! :)

09.03.2007 — AOS Touch, something finally!

09.05.2007 — AOS Touch

09.07.2007 — AOS Touch

09.09.2007 — AOS Touch

09.10.2007 — AOS Touch

09.11.2007 — AOS Approval without interview

09.17.2007 — Welcome to America! Letter arrives

09.29.2007 — Green card arrives! WOOO! No more USCIS until 06/09.

Filed: Timeline
Posted

Even with us filing a waiver and all that added to our journey, plus other non-related visa things that occurred while Javier was in Mexico, I wouldn't change anything. I don't know that I would do it again if something happened to myself and Javier but I wouldn't undo what we did. I think it made us stronger and it really made me realize what my life would be like without him in it. I might have moved to Mexico if his waiver had been denied but I wouldn't have chosen to do so instead of him being here. I definitely think we made the right decision in getting him a visa to live here.

Just couldn't stay my @ss away!

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Australia
Timeline
Posted

As I was reading everyon'e responses I was thinking about what I would write...and then I read this:

I would do things over again *exactly* how we did them. Aside from the fact that I love my husband very much and would remarry him, this relationship has changed my life in many ways, all for the better, given me adventure and a home abroad, and I think the visa process was a great learning experience -- I feel like if I could organize the visa and greencard and pull that off successfully, I can probably pull off anything. Granted, our visa process was smoother than many other couples', but my POV is that tackling something as hard as a US visa is a confidence-booster and learning experience. Also, it's given me a new perspective on the government ...

And this sums it up EXACTLY for me.

Like Karen, my Visa Journey was VERY simple...finished in basically one day. Now, that doesn't mean that we weren't ever apart, or missing eachother...but everything happened just right. I wasn't READY for what we have when we first met...the timing was perfect...

EVERYTHING Karen said resonates with me!

Finally finished with immigration in 2012!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Posted

I haven't been on the via track that long, but we have been carrying on over 2 years long distance, and know we face about 6 more months apart.

No, I wouldn't change a bit of it. It's made me much stronger and more confident. It's made both of us much more mellow. Our communication skills are wonderful...well you get the idea. I wouldn't even move forward the 6 months much. He deserves the time to say good bye to people, places, and things he loves.

-12/15/06 Mailed off I-129F

-12/19/06 NOA1 via email

-01/05/07 NOA2 via email

-01/13/07 NVC notice via snail mail

-01/25/07 Packet 3 arrives.

-02/22/07 Packet 3 is mailed.

-03/02/07 Medical

-03/13/07 Packet 4 arrives.

-03/16-24/07 Honey visits.

-04/02/07 Interview(Approved)

-04/10/07 Visa arrives.

Posted

Veronica and I have talked about this...

If something happened to us... I wouldn't look for another so far..

But for her and our Big Love as she calls it...I would wait another year... with visits of course..

I wouldn't change a thing... Not in this lifetime..

9/14 2006 I-129F Sent Next day Air

9/15 Recieved and signed for by "Freeman" at NSC

9/19 NOA1 CSC Recieved

9/25 Notice date Check cashed 9/25

9/28 I Recieved NOA1(I-797C) in the mail

12/5 NOA2 12/6 but Approved on 12/5 touch

12/9 Received NOA2(I-797) by snail mail

12/15 NVC has received it..Case # issued...

12/19 NVC shipped to Romania

12/22 Romanian Embassy has received an email from NVC that my Petition is on it's way...

12/29 Packet 3 sent to Veronica

1/12 2007 Packet 3 received Dang Holidays..

1/22 Sending all paperwork(I-134,Bank/Employer letters etc..,)..to Veronica per DHL, 3.5lbs...$144 WOW!

1/25 Recieved notice that She needs to pick up my packet in Chisinau..

1/26 Sending Back Packet 3

2/16 Transit Visa to go to Romania for the Interview approved..

2/20 Leaves for Bucharest overnight drive by bus...

2/21 Medical

2/22 Interview !!!! APPROVED !!!!!

3/9 2007 Flight to me....

4/7 2007 Married,,,

AOS

7/27 Sent I-485, I-864, I-765

7/30 Chicago Recieved I-485,I-765

Veronica is pregant....Due 4/17/08

9/1 Recieved NOA Bio appointment letter

9/8 Recieved NOA1's for both I-485 and I-765

9/18 Bio appointment

Received Green Card.. Nov 2007

Djuliann came 4/25/2008

I-751 Lifting Of Conditions

9/8/2009 Sent I-751

Received NOA 9/21 NOA Receipt Date 9/10/2009

9/24 received Bio letter Dated 9/18

10/9 Bio Appointment

10/23 Received Permanent Resident Card

N-400 2012

Filed for citizenship sent 2/21/2012

Posted
I'd have done it the same. Do I wish I had never met my husband and fallen in love with him BECAUSE he comes from another country? No way. What I have with him is very special. He is worth every second of frustration over the immigration process.

I'm with you on this one. I would do it again with Hassan any day.....but this time I'd get my own citizenship sooner so it doesn't delay the whole process...lol.

Michaela

Jun 26, 06 - 129-F filed

Sep 27, 06 - NOA2

Nov 28, 06 - INTERVIEW SUCCESS!!!

Dec 12, 06 - VISA IN HAND

Dec 29, 06 - MARRIED!!

Jan 8, 07 - filed for AOS and EAD

Apr 3, 07 - EAD approved!!!

Apr 7, 07 - EAD card arrived!

May 10, 07 - Interview....APPROVED!!!

May 23, 07 - GC in hand

Feb 10, 09 - I-751 sent to CSC

Feb 12, 09 - NOA1

Apr 20, 09 - Approved!

Jun 12, 09 - Card Production Ordered

Jun 19, 09 - 10 year GC Received

 

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

Appart from the anxiety or how long it took, the stress to gather everything, trips here and there to gather docs, the and fees (which are rather high) our journey went smoothly (putting behind the IMBRA fiasco that left us without knowing what was going on for so long). So it's not 'cus of the journey that I'd change things, but just 'cus I've recently arrived and I miss my family and sometimes wish we had done things the other way around, and stayed in Brasil instead. I miss my country very much.

(Puerto Rico) Luis & Laura (Brazil) K1 JOURNEY
04/11/2006 - Filed I-129F.
09/29/2006 - Visa in hand!

10/15/2006 - POE San Juan
11/15/2006 - MARRIAGE

AOS JOURNEY
01/05/2007 - AOS sent to Chicago.
03/26/2007 - Green Card in hand!

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS JOURNEY
01/26/2009 - Filed I-751.
06/22/2009 - Green Card in hand!

NATURALIZATION JOURNEY
06/26/2014 - N-400 sent to Nebraska
07/02/2014 - NOA
07/24/2014 - Biometrics
10/24/2014 - Interview (approved)

01/16/2015 - Oath Ceremony


*View Complete Timeline

Filed: Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Posted
Appart from the anxiety or how long it took, the stress to gather everything, trips here and there to gather docs, the and fees (which are rather high) our journey went smoothly (putting behind the IMBRA fiasco that left us without knowing what was going on for so long). So it's not 'cus of the journey that I'd change things, but just 'cus I've recently arrived and I miss my family and sometimes wish we had done things the other way around, and stayed in Brasil instead. I miss my country very much.

Damn, now I feel sad!

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Ireland
Timeline
Posted (edited)

I will admit that although most of our "journey" hasn't been a smooth one, I have never felt closer to my man. I go home now & just for a split second I think back to the days when I was hanging on by a thread, and realize that EVERY second of pain was worth it because I am with the greatest man ever.

Do I wish it could have been easier??HELL YES!!!!!!

I mean in reality-all of our lives are put on hold while some case worker decides if we are in legitimate relationships-it is a crazy process, but for me it has been completely worth it!

My man misses home-his friends & his family but for us-this was the best thing to do. I told him that I would move there in a heartbeat if he wanted me to-guess we'll see!

Edited by irishgirl73

Ni neart go cur le cheile

"Togetherness is Strength"

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

Mags, are you saying you agree with me about missing our countries?

(Puerto Rico) Luis & Laura (Brazil) K1 JOURNEY
04/11/2006 - Filed I-129F.
09/29/2006 - Visa in hand!

10/15/2006 - POE San Juan
11/15/2006 - MARRIAGE

AOS JOURNEY
01/05/2007 - AOS sent to Chicago.
03/26/2007 - Green Card in hand!

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS JOURNEY
01/26/2009 - Filed I-751.
06/22/2009 - Green Card in hand!

NATURALIZATION JOURNEY
06/26/2014 - N-400 sent to Nebraska
07/02/2014 - NOA
07/24/2014 - Biometrics
10/24/2014 - Interview (approved)

01/16/2015 - Oath Ceremony


*View Complete Timeline

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

Interesting responses, all very personal. For me, have no issues. I have been traveling and dating in other parts of the world for over four years. I finallly fell in love and married. While my process has gone smoothly up until now, I know it is going to get much more difficult when my wife finally makes it here. She never had any desire to meet or marry a "gringo". But it happened. She never wanted to leave her country. I also know how much she will miss her country and family when she arrives here, this scares me. Ask me later, would I do it again? My feeling now is I would prepare myself financially and I would be the immigrant. Those are our plans for the future anyway. Would I fall in love again. IN A MINUTE. But it would be me leaving, not her. Good luck to all.

I-130

2006 09 06 Mailed I-130

2006 09 07 Rec'd at CA Center

2006 09 13 I-130 NOA1 receipt date

2006 11 22 NOA2, approved

2007 02 15 Case complete at NVC

2007 02 21 Case forwarded to Bogota Embassy

2007 02 23 Case received at Embassy

2007 04 12 Interview,VISA GRANTED

I-751- Removing Conditions

2009 04 08 Overnight Application

2009 04 09 Rec'd Application at CSC

2009 04 17 Rec'd NOA

2009 05 10 Called CSC - No Biometrix letter, 45 day Inquiry starts

2009 05 18 Made Info Pass appointment for June 2

2009 05 26 Rec'd response and copy of Bio Appt letter dated May 14, Appt on May 28

2009 05 27 Biometrix-walked in a day early and completed appointment

2009 06 01 Approved Conditions Removed (rec'd Congratulations letter on June 9)

2009 06 12 Touched but nothing changed on USCIS website

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Turkey
Timeline
Posted
Knowing what you know now (no matter where you are in the journey) would you do this again? Would you sponsor someone to come to the USA or would you do things differently?

I would have done it a hundred times over......and more so....if that's what it took to be with my wife.

I have no regrets.........even through all the ups and downs and burdens that we faced...and are still facing.....it was about the smartest decision I have ever made. (and there probably haven't been too many of those ;)

April 16, 2004 Married in Saint Augustine, Florida.

March 7, 2005 Wife left for Istanbul to serve J-1 2 year HRR. Was a very bad day at Black Rock.

May 23, 2006 USCIS receives application for I-130

June 12, 2006 Noa1

Sept 7, 2006 Noa2 I-130 approved

Oct 10 ,2006 Received fee bill from NVC

Nov 13 ,2006 Received Packet 2 DS-230

Jan 4, 2007 Mailed Packet 2 to NVC

Jan 22, 2007 RFE from NVC aaarrrrgggghhh!!!!!!!!

Feb 28, 2007 NVC received "checklist" response and original documents for the RFE

March 13, 2007 Case completed at NVC! Whoooohoooo!! Ankara, here we come!!!!

March 15, 2007 Case fowarded to Ankara Embassy

April 4, 2007 Interview. Wife gets handed the little green paper. Not good. Need to submit a few more things.

April 9, 2007 Items mailed back to Embassy. Crossing fingers, rubbing the "rabbit's foot", etc,..that this may FINALLY be the end.

April 14, 2007 Visa delivered! Wife is finally going to be on her way back home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 20, 2007 Wife enters through JFK. The days of grabbing my dinners at the WalMart deli....are now officially over!!!

Stay tuned to this channel for further updates..........

 

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