gyselle

Hello Mari!

Yup! I'm moving to SF! And we can have lunch/dinner together!

Yeah...we got the confirmation number for the change of address and everything!

we will probably try a letter of dispute since its their mistake...400 is a lot of money for that piece of paper!

cant wait till everyone on this thread is all PINK!

whatever happened to the people who started this thread? havent seen them around in a long while

Do check your case status on the website. My fiance never received an email or sms to inform us.

However, coz he lives in SF, there is a USICS office down the street, he had made an appointment with them and he checked the case with them (we are confirmed approved!)

Apparently, the issue is because he moved (like 2 months back) and while he filed and got a confirmation number of the change of his address, USICS never registered it in the system..so..it was still his previous address. Anyway, we got that all sorted. Apparently the NOA2 physical paper will cost US$400 to get another copy (just in case his previous landlord got rid of the mail)

Just to let other people know, especially if you had a change of address etc etc.

we are approved!

We are really excited and happy!

On April 15, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

OH WOW! That's amazing! congrats everyone! I would love to see the day everyone's name is highlighted!

Oh Mari...i dunno how you do it really! I talk to my fiance almost everyday on skype and I cant imagine not seeing his face for so long. I am really happy for you.

I'm getting really excited. this is the month that most of us would be getting our approvals (i really hope so). I love the energy of the folks here and I think i would be great if we all went through AOS together and stuff...and pictures of the weddings and future decemberites babies!

I am interested to find out actually, if we all dont mind sharing...how you met your other half, and how he proposed!

My story is I was on a work exchange program for a month at the US office where my fiance worked at. In fact, my boss told me before i left, "dont fall in love" jokingly and many of my friends said i will find someone there, and my famous last words were, "No way..i dont like american boys. i like asian boys". After the month was over, we had a great time together, he drove me to the airport that morning, and i honestly didnt know if the relationship would become a real one..coz it just seem crazy coz we lived so far apart. He drove past a wedding fiar billboard and he looked at me and said, "You are the girl i'm going to marry. I am not letting you go. I'm going to check out the wedding fair after I drop you off at the airport" (he claims the wedding fair comment was a joke).

fast forward 2 years later, he proposed to me on a beach in Thailand, under the moonlight, on one knee. the ring box even had its own light! he had this long speech which i dont really remember what exactly he said (neither was he..he was super nervous)... and...here i am today!

I love the Adobo recipe from our Filipino friends. I just got back from Donsol yesterday and spent 5 lovely days eating adobo, sinigang and sisig! and snorkelling with whalesharks. I love the beaches of Philippines!!

On another note...I have not been fondled yet..I've waiting to see what the notice is about. We suspect it is because we submitted a change of address..that could be a confirmation they have recieved it. And yet, there is no physical mail at either addresses!

On the vaccinations note, I went to my own private doctor the other day to determine what vaccinations I had already, what i needed, and what i should take with the appointed doctors. I'm lucky coz my mum kept all my medical records since birth, and in Singapore, we took a lot of the vacinations at birth...but...I thought i'll share my findings:

1. Influenza tybe b (hib)---only administered to babies, kids and not adults

2. Rotavirus---only administered to babies, kids and not adults

3. Typhoid---last about 3 years

4. Influenza--best to get it when you see the appointed doctors as the vaccines change depending on season

5. DPT----booster every 10 years

6. Varicella is for chickenpox, so if you had chicken pox before, you dont need this.

7. pneumococcal---my doctor says most docs dont keep stock of this at the clinic, so best to call ahead and request for it if you want it

Please note that these are the findings from my private doctor, it is best you see your own doctor and confirm all these things. I will give an update when i get my NOA2 and see the embassy appointed doctor.

Another thing, you might all already know this...but..taking the vaccine shots will lower your immune system and you might fall sick for a few days. So, its best not to have anything exciting (like visiting the fiance) planned around then.

Just to be safe.

Question about NOA2:

Hi all, I've been reading mixed reviews, for the NOA2, do we need DS-156 (2 copies) and DS-156K (1 copy) or only DS-156?

On the fitness challenge, I've been cutting down on sugars (all my teas have no sugar), eating 80% more vegetables, including brown rice and less red meat. I am aiming to lose 4kg by Nov, by ceremonial wedding. I do hot yoga twice a week and will be doing a 1/2marathon in May, which means..i need to start training..im just so so lazy!

I've been watching "My big fat diet" on youtube for inspiration as well.

From Singapore: Hainanese chicken rice

(Please note that it is a Singaporean dish, and not a Hainan dish, and apparently, there is no Hainanese chicken rice on Hainan island/or it taste really different)

You can find it at any Hawker Centre in Singapore, and the rice is extremely fragrant, with sesame oil, and key is having awesome chilli sauce.

Taken from Asian recipes

For the Chicken

2 kg whole chicken

1 inch bruised ginger

2 cloves crushed garlic

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 teaspoon light soy sauce or to taste

For the Rice

4 cups long grain rice

3 cloves sliced garlic

1 inch sliced ginger

1 tablespoon cooking oil

5~6 cups chicken stock

Salt to taste

2 teaspoon sesame oil

For Chili sauce

6 fresh red chilies, seed removed

1 clove garlic

1 inch ginger

Salt to taste

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon vinegar

2 teaspoons chicken stock

Using a big pot, bring the water to the boil. Add the chicken, ginger and garlic into the boiling water. Do not cover the pot. Boil for about 2~3 minutes before turning off the heat and cover for approximately 15~20 minutes for it to cool. Repeat the boiling and cooling process the second time. Use a fork or chopstick to test the doness of the chicken. Once properly cooked, take the chicken out and place it in a bowl. Pour cool boiled water over the chicken to stop the cooking eventhough it has been removed from the heat. Mix the soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl. Brush the mixture on the chicken. Find a well ventilated spot and hang the chicken. Keep enough of the chicken stock for te rice and chili sauce to be used later.

The remainder chicken stock can be reboiled for another 10 minutes with the cut pieces of the chicken legs and wings. Season the chicken stock with 2 cups of the vegetables of your preference. Continue to simmer until cooked. Add salt and pepper to seaon. Add the scallions. Keep the stock warm

Preparing Rice

Wash and drain the long grain rice. Heat the oil in the rice cooker and saute the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the well drained rice and fry for another 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, salt and sesame oil. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed without closing the cover. Then cover the pot tightly and reduce the heat until it is cooked.

Preparing Chili sauce

Mix all ingredients in a food processor and blend. Add in the chicken stock and place in a sauce bowl.

Gyselle, did you also find out if you got the NOA2?

Not yet. My fiance called them and they said they did not know and told him to make an appointment with the USCIS office in SFO to find out more... Someone esle on the forum got the same message, but...we havent figured out what it really means

Congratulations Shawn & Sonoko! that's really excellent news

Thank you for your "review" of the SF questioning KiwiJen.

I'll be making the same trip soon to SF as well...and its good to know we NOA1s can just visit

Hope you are having a great time with your fiance in SF!

Yes, thank you everyone for your replies. They have been really helpful.

As I am about 2-3 months away (or even more!) from my NOA2, i have decided just to travel to US in June to see my fiance.

I will have my interview with the embassy after the trip (july, aug?) and then, have the ceremony in Nov, then fly up in Dec, using my K-1, get married legally and apply for my AOS.

I have read on this forum that it is ok to visit while the visa is being processed, just bring all the paperwork to prove that i'm flying home and i have no intention to stay in the country illegally; and also that i am going through the proper channels to move there legally.

No issue with leaving the issue will be with returning. If you leave before you obtain Advance Parole (AP) USCIS will consider you to have abandoned your adjustment of status (AOS)and you will have to start all over with a CR-1 visa.

I think i am caught in a bind. I am committed to my workplace till Nov; the (only ceremonial) ceremony is in Nov.

My initial plan was to visit him in June and get our marriage sorted out in the USA, and once I'm back in Dec, everything would be done.

it seems i cant just sign the papers and just leave; i need at least 3 months in USA before the AP is approved before i can even leave the country.

what if we got married, and i only applied for the AOS later? would that work?

Hi all,

I will be entering on a K1 visa and am planning to get married at City hall, and would like to apply for my AOS straight after that.

However, I'm currently only planning to fly home after I submit my AOS.

Reason being is:

1. our ceremony (with family etc) will be in Nov

2. I am still have a job, a rather good paying one that will pay for the wedding, and only plan to get a job in the USA once my AOS and work authorisation has been approved.

while my fiance has a good job and makes enough money, I am the sort of person who cannot sit around and not have a job while i am waiting AOS and work authorisation to go through.

My question is, will there be any issue with my AOS if i leave the country?

Hey all,

I check my status on the website today. this is what i got!

This is good news right? NOA2? If they requested more information, they would say?

I am quite a late dec filers...did anyone esle get this?

check the webiste folks!!!

On March 10, 2011, your document I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) was processed and mailed to the address on record. If you have not received it within 30 days of March 10, 2011, contact customer service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move while your case is pending, please call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

The case website finally works! Our case is in the "initial review" stage!

It was scary not seeing it come up for a long while.

Yeah!

Hello all,

Thanks for Mari for adding me to this forum.

We got our NOA1 on Dec 28 at the CSC, but my case number still doesnt show it online!

My partner called them and they said, not to worry and said our case number is in the system, just that it takes a while to show up online. Reading the forum, seems a lot of people have that issue, but their NOA2s all came on time.

anyway, its really lovely to see everyone here, with the same state of mine as well.

Everyday, i mentally count down to the days till the visa is approved. It's exciting to see people preparing for their weddings.

For us, we are looking for a City Hall signing of papers (he calls it the "technical marriage") and we are having the ceremony (he calls it the one that matters) in Nov in Thailand, on a beach, with our close friends and family flying up for a beach vacation. My ideal wedding is having a really quick ceremony, BBQ seafood on the beach, following that, days of massages, rock climbings, scuba diving. We will have a party next year for the friends in USA as well.

I am also excited coz my partner is flying down next week to see me

K-1 is not work authorized. No matter what stamp you get in the passposrt, you cannot work on a K-1. The K-1 with a 'work authorization' stamp used to be able to be used, but the updated I-9 no longer recognizes it.

As soon as you enter the K-1 is no longer valid, visas are for entering the country and the K-1 is a single entry. The I-94 she gets will be for 90 days.

In short, regardless of what stamp you get, you cannot work unless you have a green card or a work authorization card

Good luck

Thank you very much.

That is very useful.

Hello,

I was reading the website and it states that if you enter some cities, ie, JFK, you can get a work authorisation for the length of your K1 visa.

(refer to http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

* Depending on which U.S. airport you fly into (NY JFK) some will issue a temporary 90 day work authorization if asked for. If issued, the employment authorization ends on the day the K-1 expires. You will have to file for an EAD when (or after) you file for AOS. If you do not receive your EAD before your K-1 expires you must stop working until it is received.)

Is this accurate?

I'll be flying into San Fran, could i ask them? If we get married before the 90days are up, does that mean that our K1 ceases to exist? Has anyone else done this before?

Hi all,

We sent out K-1 visa application in last December and have received both an email notification, as well as a hard copy of the notification that they have received it (sent to California centre). They gave us a case number to check the progress online. The case number was not recognised and we called them to ask. They said that the case number was in their system and they need about 30 days before it will be online.

It has been more than 30 days and our case number still cannot be found, and I'm getting a little worried. Has anyone experienced this before?

My fiance is American and he will be moving to a new city in about a months time. I know there is a online form on the website that we can send to change he address. Is that all? Or is there some other forms we need to fill and people to inform? Would it affect the process?

Many thanks to all!