The better half just texted me that her interview went well, and our visa was approved. Would have loved to have been there, but had to work. She'll most likely be in the U.S. before the end of the month. Pretty exciting stuff!
What an fantastic thread!
A great example of American/Philippine culture clash.
The OP has a fantastic point and illustrates exactly what you can expect here in the US. It's OK to question authority and not so OK to just let them do whatever they want.
Welcome to the USA (soon!!)
For me, its just a complete waste of money and just another source of corruption,
one way of taking money from Filipinos who are planning to go abroad.
Basically, the seminar would only narrate and explain to anyone the difference in culture
of the countries that you are about to go to, some laws, and rights of every individual.
I really have nothing against the seminar per se, but how they conduct the application process is the problem.
I cannot forget our experience then, me and my 2 teens, we went there very early in the morning,
only to be at the back end of a very LOOOOOOOONG line, I ended up attending the morning seminar,
but the teens ended up attending the afternoon seminar coz the morning session was full already for the children.
Good thing there was still an opening at the afternoon, but still, my teens had to wait in line because they
wouldn't accept the application still...
It would be a lot easier, if CFO would become BY APPOINTMENT and not first come first serve,
they should set a number of atendees, and just set the excess to a different time and day, it would be quite easier
for both the office, and the applicants that would be coming in from very far provinces...
Only in the Philippines,...
In lieu of the missing medical records, a civil surgeon could obtain serological antibody titer tests to determine whether the beneficiary has adequate circulating antibodies against the diseases mentioned on the medical form, and then vaccinate as necessary.
That is in essence what we are going to have to do with my wife from northern China, she has very limited vaccination records. So for the AOS process, we have appointments on Monday with a civil surgeon here in Seattle for the wife and stepson, and git 'er done in that manner. Likely not the cheapest, will require another appointment to follow-up on the blood test results. However, in reality, it is best for their health and well-being.
YMMV
Good luck on your visa journey.
Her flight took off about an hour and a half ago! Getting to the airport was tricky, the normal route she would have gone was flooded, so had to go quite a ways out of her way. But she has given herself plenty of time, so she's in the air!
Even got upgraded to business class, which will make the 13 hour flight a bit more bearable.
really sad. but like the saying "things happen for a reason"...as long they are safe...it doesn't matter if their schedule takes months and months. what will they do if something terrible happen...their visa/s will be useless.
Always do dollar to dollar to Philippines. I have been sending money for the past 6 years and the first thing the WU agent there told my Ann was have him always send dollars. She gets her dollars and gets a better rate some place else. I will be glad when the wait is over the fees I have paid over the years could have paid for two round trip tickets there and back.
Don't know where else to post it, so I'm posting the entire thing here. My wife's personal experience with med, Interview, and CFO!
This week has been a very busy week for me. I felt the need to succeed in everything from my medical examination to my visa interview for my hardheaded husband already booked our flight upon knowing our interview date July 13, 2012. I can't afford to fail the medical examination, it's the deciding factor if i can proceed to interview or not.July 9, 2012: (Monday)My flight from General Santos City to Manila was 10:00AM, I left the apartment at around 8:00AM riding a cab, we're almost halfway when my June-16-2012 x-ray film crossed my mind that I blurted out which made the cab driver jumped off his seat, so we went back our way to the apartment, I scurried away when I reached the gate,slamming it. I undergone x-ray a month out of my paranoia about my lungs.The airport is 30-minute drive away from the city and it's almost 9:00AM, i felt so restless I'm getting late, one wrong move and everything planned can be changed. But thank God I'm still on track. We landed NAIA at exactly 12 noon although the plane departed Gensan at 10:30July 10, 2012: (Tuesday) I scheduled myself this day for my medical check up because as what I've read on VJ forums, Tuesday is not so busy. But few weeks before our interview date I have learned through here (PL) that i should have scheduled my medical check up one week before my interview date.I had so many worries because I already booked my flight and my hotel room. So I called St. Lukes and inquire about my medical appointment closer like 3days before my interview and they said it's okay but still depends on the result,if it requires additional tests then my interview date has to be moved. This step of visa processing, if only contagious and can cause disease, has made me sick already because I was and am so anxious about it. I woke up so early about 5:00AM (well that's too early for me already, I'm used to waking up 1hour before going to work 7:00AM)although I and my aunt slept late last night, my sleep was on and off not because of excitement but because of nervousness.At 6:00AM, after getting dressed, I brisk-walked St.Lukes which is only along the hotel i stayed in at J. Bocobo St. Reaching there, several vendors were approaching me, selling passport covers,ballpens, offering photography services and saying stuffs that might distract you. I didnt pay them attention although some were helpful. I presented to the Guard at the entrance the following: my passpoort, photocopy of the bio page of my passport,my appointment letter & 2 photocopies of it and 2 print outs of my online registation (PDS). The guard stamped my posterior arm, gave me this laminated small card printed with "online 5" (yay i'm number 5) The guard usehered me to the reception waiting area, I took my seat in one of the chained stools there and didn't even start to wait when my number was called. I approached the window, the lady asked me few questions (i forgot already what were her questions.LOL!my mind is clouded now) She took one of my 2by2 pictures (with my name and birthdate written on the back) and stapled it to my appointment letter,she checked my passport, took me pictures through computer camera and my index finger scanned. Afterwards she instructed me to proceed to 5th floor to pay the medical fee which was P9,589.00. After medical fee was being paid, i handed my official receipts at "Vital Signs" desk then took a seat,checked my mobile phone,texted my husband and bragged about how Miss Procrastination made it to number 5 on queue.He always teased me of being a procrastinator, even called me a "snail-passed-by-a-worm". He couldn't believe I made it early, was a good start. Few minutes later, my name was called. I was asked of the first day and last day of my menstruation, my blood pressure was checked, my vision was checked through snellen chart and my height and weight was measured.Afterwards, the nurse instructed me to proceed to 3rd floor (X-ray). This time the wait is a bit longer,like 20 minutes.We handed our OR with vital sign results to the radiologists,let us filled out some form, then he sorted the males from females and accommodated first the seniors citizens. I was asked again about my menstruation period and if i'm pregnant. If you have a long hair, you must tie it to the last strand, the x-ray machine might snapped a shot of your hair falling, and it can be a problem. I was x-rayed twice because my first one, the radiologist said, was not taken properly. So on my second one, she instructed me to inhale through my nose deeply and exhale when she told me to do so. I worried again after I went through x-ray, have gone 3 times now since last June and aside from that radiation thing, i was so anxious about the result. I've read one PL member's experience here that she was stressed when she underwent medical examination and so the result was not good.Although my June 16 x-ray result was clear & no other significant findings,even took it to another laboratory for a different readig and to a Lung/Heart Specialist, I was still worrying because I feel like I was stressed for the last 3-4 weeks, from work, sleepless nights, from yesterday's tiring travel and from last night's inadequate sleep.Every now and then I murmured a prayer that everything will turn out fine. After the x-ray, I was told to proceed to 4th floor for my Blood test and Urinalysis, it's the dreaded needle pricking time, and I'm scared of bloods but I have no choice, they first took me blood and then urinalysis, I only peed a little , The last water I drunk was only half the glass and I forgot to bring a bottle of water with me. The very kind and soft spoken nurse attending on the urinalysis section instructed me to proceed to 5th floor USA Counter, I handed my official receipt there with other paper attached. The Physical examination did not start until 8:30AM, this time the waiting is much longer. Each applicant had undergone a thorough physical exam and many applicant got ahead of me already as senior citizens were being accommodated first, which should be. I took a book (The Firm)from my bag and started reading to get rid of the boredom from waiting. When it was my turn, I felt so awkward undressing. But do I have a choice, while undressing the physician kept on asking questions like if i had been confined, undergone surgery, got pregnant, got crazy, exposed to people with TB and blah blah and my answers to each question was a big NO, NEVER, NONE! I was grinning behind the curtains because I felt like I was in a court proceedings plus the physician's voice sounded like a lawyer's,as if I'm a criminal.LOL! She checked my private parts, my neck, peek on my ___ and my behind. Aside from x-ray, this is the one thing I was soo anxious too because I have hemorrhoids, but I think it's too little yet because she did not say anything about it or her glasses didn't help. We finished quickly, its the dressing/undressing that took longer,she told me to proceed to 2nd floor for my Immunization Interview. I asked her if i can get the medical results right away because my Visa interview will be this July 13,so she said it depends on the result.I proceed to 2nd floor for immunization/interview,the area is crowded, i ddnt have any idea where the people came from.LOL! I handed my official receipt to the front desk officer,he gave me a form to be filled up, it was like a waiver. I gave it back to him after filling it quickly, then looked for a vacant seat, waited for my name to be called. This time it was like a never ending waiting.I continued reading my book, texted my husband, read, texted my husband until i got a reply.LOL!He always calms me down. My paranoia started again, I was wondering why my name was not yet called for immunixation interview. Names passed by my names already and i hear this vague speaker calling names to pulmonary evaluation, you have to listen attentively,it just added to my anxieties but every now and then I' murmured a prayer.Finally, my name was called for immunization interview. There's this incessant question about first and last day of last mentruation. The physician asked me about it again until i bleed.LOL! She explained to me the vaccines that i'll be getting ONCE the result of my medical is okey ( so that interview was not an assurance yet i can be immunized) It was quick after that, she told me to hand my official receipt back to the front desk, front desk officer wrote on it to return 7/11/12 9:00AM. I thought I will make it in one day, prolonging my agony. I met there Alfie Brennan, she's from Cagayan, one of members here too. It was around 11;00AM when I walked back to the hotel, starving,thirsty and tired so I ate my lunch alone.:(July 11, 2012: (Wednesday) It's the dreaded result day, I wanted to go early but i was scared.My husband suggested to go back to the clinic earlier than stated on the OR like 7:00AM but i procrastinated again. I was at St. Lukes around 8:00AM. I was murmuring a prayer, believing I'll be fine. I presented the guard my OR and while he was looking for my records on hi computer, I was breathing deeply. I felt relief when he stamped my OR with for immunization. Thank God.I uttered a prayer of gratitude for the good result and climbed my way up to the 2nd floor, I handed my OR to the front desk, didnt wait that long until i get my 4 shots. It's pricking needle again.Ouch! Ant bites. My shots were TDAP, MMR, Varicella and Flu. I asked the nurse if i really have to take the four shots and how about giving up the MMR because I was not yet sure that time if I already had chickenpox neither my mother remembers (but she said i had not yet but not sure) The nurse said I dont have any scar so therefore i have not experienced chicken pox yet. So i just gave up my other arm, poor arms. But anyway, no pain, no gain.I'm so thankful to our Dear Lord. After the immunization, i was given ths small slip about post vaccination precautions then proceeded to the ground floor releasing area. I was being called to Counter A to sign some papers, I went back to my seat, in a little while I was called to Counter E, the releasing officer asked me 2 pieces 2by2 pictures with my name on its back. She gave me the CD of my medical result and explained to me what should i do with it. I asked her if I can hand the result personally to St.Lukes during my interview on Friday, July 13 but she said my medical results will be at the US Embassy early in the morning the next day, Thursday I was and am soo happy and thankful of the result to our God Almighty. It was around 10:00AM when I get done.Before we (i and Alfie) parted ways, we planned of meetng again in the afternoon after getting rest. As I got into my room, I slumped myself into bed and sleep soundly zzzzzz.LOL! I was picked up by Ms Alfie with Ms Lorie Chatterton at my hotel around 3:00PM,then went to Robinsons' Faura, drunk little coffee, talked much,stayed in the former's hotel room for a while, talked much, then they send me back to my Hotel.Some things I noticed at St.Lukes, staff are friendly and guards are always willing to assist you, will even usher you or perhaps I was just early. Nurses are approachable unlike what I read on forums that they are strict & snob, I guess thier attitude depends on your attitude too.And some tips to hasten your process: Register your medical appointment online, it gets you ahead.Better have your check ups middle of the week, clinic is not busy.Always take note of your first and last day of your last mentruation.Aside from very important requirements, don't forget black ballpen, nobody will lend you there. Wear a jacket, its freezing inside. Bring a bottle of water, your throat gets dry from waiting.And always hold on to your passport, the clinic will not be hold responsible if you lost it during your medical process.July 13, 2012: CR1 Interview Day: My husband woke me up at 4:00AM and wished me best of luck for today. Around 5:00Am, I and my aunt were all set, she has to drop me at the US Embassy after having an early breakfast at McDonalds just one block away from the hotel. But before that I told my husband I will brisk-walk again US Embassy from the hotel but he just laughed at me and told Miss Procrastination does not know what she's talking about. He told it's probably noon when i get there.(exaggerating.LOL) After having breakfast at Mcdo, my tummy went bad, probably from hot choco, so we went back to the hotel, my butt is ashamed of public toilets.LOL! I felt like we're running out of time already. I spent 15 minutes at the toilet, I ran-walked the hallway while my aunt was waiting down the lobby. We took a cab, reaching the embassy at around 6:00AM, my aunt went straight to the university she's teaching. There were queues for 7:30 appointment already. Vendors thought my appointment is for that queue,too early for Miss Procrastination.I hurried myself to the Immigrant/Fiance Visa line and joined the people there with me carrying a 6.6 pounder bag, too heavy. Some applicants were checking the documents they brought. And I noticed I dont have my wallet in my bag, my 2 valid ID's were there,though not really necessary, better to have it and not needed than not having it but badly needed. I hopped out of the line and took a cab back to the hotel. I was trying to calm myself and not to get panicked because there's still enough time, it was only 6:00AM. After that, I was back in track, I felt like I was in an Amazing Race game.LOL! I even had an argument with the cab driver i rode in going back to the embassy, his taxi doesn;t have a meter and was charging me P80.00. I told him that it's too much, because fare from Casa Bocobo to embassy is usually P50-55.00, but he insisted so I just shut up, arguing with a greedy taxi cab is not worth a peso or time.gr.So i fall back in queue, sweating cold, officers in blue polo shirt checked our passports and our appointment letters. We were given resealable trasnparent plastics to put our PP in. They put stickers on our PP and let us proceed. It was exactly 6:30AM when I entered the main gate. I was trying to look for that 15-peso coin (one 10peso, one 5peso) in my bag to hand it into the guard thinkng that it will delay me in the baggage scanner since coins are metals. When I hand it to the guard he was wondering what I was doing, but he said coins are okey, only electronic gadgets like cellphones and camera, flash drive, cologne are not allowed.We entered another door, fell in line again to get priority numbers to be used in the entire appointment. There were three windows accommodating Immigrant/Fiance applicants so everything went quick.The lady at Window 1 rechecked my appointment letter and passport, removed the last 2 pages of my appointment letter which was nt needed , stapled my priority number to the first page of my letter and gave me the duplicate small slip of my prio number which was 6062, i was told to drop the appointment letter at window 39.There was another door like an airport scanner, my bag was checked by a guard and it went through a baggage x-ray. I finally get inside, i told myself "so this is how it looked inside" I dropped my appointmnt letter at Window 39 as what being told me then chose a seat at the first row between finger scanning windows and interview windows. I have learned to pay attentively to the queue-matic board for the numbers flashed randomly. I started to think why randomly and not on the first come first serve basis, then i guess it was based on the visa category, alphabetically or date of filing?hmm. I guess it was not just half an hour i was having stiff neck already from looking up at the queue-matic board.Exactly 7:00AM on my wristwatch,my prio number flashed at the queue-matic board so i proceed to Window 41 for my biometrics, the woman in charge there was irritable because the applicant before me was having hard time scanning her fingers, she has wet palms. When it was my turn, i tried to calm the irritated staff by smiling and greeting her, I said thank you after my biometrics and she smiled and said "you're welcome'' A smile is really contagious.I went back to my seat with my newly found friend Michelle Pabalan, (unfortunately she's not a member here) who's patiently waiting for her number to be flashed too. She's a K1 applicant. Exactly after an hour I did my biometrics, my number was flashed at the queuematic board again so i proceeded to Window 55. I greeted the Filipino Pre-Screener with "Good Morning Po'' and smiled. He's bald but cool. He greeted me back by asking "So Chiri, are you still working with Bounty Agro Ventures?" I said "Yes Sir, I'm on leave". It was like a casual conversation.He told me that his daughter is working in same company I'm working too but she's in Ortigas Main Office whereas I'm in Gensan Branch. We talked about my place and Manny Pacquiao, if we're neighbors, about Jinky and her hotel.LOL! Then he asked few questions about my husband, number of times he visited, when our relationship started, the number of times I get married, the number of times he's married, when did we get married, his job,asked for pictures but said he won't look for it anymore because my husband submitted many pictures too and showed it to me. He looked at the 2-inch file my husband made and said, okay.."you can go back to your seat now and wait for your number to be called". I said thank you and asked for his name since I already know his daughter's name. It's a small world after all.:)On my seat, chatting with my seatmate Michelle now and then, It took almost 2 hours before my priority number flashed on the queue-matic board. I proceed to Window 64. I greeted the Consul and he greeted back. i was asked to raise my right hand and swore an oath to the tell nothing but the truth. He asked for my husband/petitioner's name, my husband's job, if he has previous marriage, date of divorce, number of kids and thier names, the last time i saw him (I was supposed to tell last night thru webcam) but i realized he meant in person. He asked for pictures so I slid down the window hole the first set of pictures we had togethr, the first time I and my husband met. The consul raised his eyebrow and asked " Were these pictures taken on the same date?" I said "No Sir, if you want i have another set of pictures here for his second visit". He refused to get another set of pictures and said "Okay, he wears different shirt in here".LOL I smirked (My hubby loves to wear plain polo shirt, and it looks like its all same shirt he's wearing, that's why on his second visit I was the one who always decide on what he's gonna wear.LOL) The Consul took his time looking at our pictures, he showed me the picture he liked and said it's nice (the picture was taken at Isla Parilla Resort, where at our back were multiple cottages on water) Then he said "I have to keep one picture as our file" i wanted to see what picture did he took but he kept it right away.Then he tapped on his computer keyboard, stamped our documents and said "Enjoy the United States". I was speechless, my eyes were the only ones talking then as if the Consul understood my actions he said "Your visa has been appoved!" I blurted out "Thank You Sir" I cant wait to tell my husband about the good news.I was a bit shivering from excitement, happiness, too much coldness inside the Embassy,and from the pee I've been holding since the last two hours. i hadn't gone to the CR thinking that I might miss my number at the queue-matic board. So I went straight to the Comfort Room first before going to the releasing area Windows 71-73.At the releasing area, my new found friend Michelle was done filling up her 2go slip and waved goodbye to me.Thinking that I might have missed my number on the queue board when I went to the Cr since she finished first when I was ahead of her in the interview portion by 10 people, and although I know numbers flashed randomly,I just wanted to make sure I was not being skipped so I approached Window 71 and asked if he already had flashed/called number 6062 at the queue-matic board.And explained what I did and might have missed it when I peed. He teased me by saying I'm just looking for alibis to get ahead.LOL So he checked on it, but my file is almost at the lowest bottom of the stack, I told him its okay sir, I really didnt missed it (still random even on releasing) I was about to move back to my seat when he said he will release it now so I can go home already (nga naman nagagawa ng pagiging polite) I thanked him and proceeded to Window 69. The lady in charge there double checked my email address and my mobile number i filled in the 2go form and asked how do I say my Surname :DGod is soo great. he always listen to our prayers. I murmured a prayer of gratitude to our Dear Lord again. I was soo excited to tell my husband about the good news but I dont have my mobile phone with me so I hastily exited the embassy and pick a cab. Out of my excitement, I stumbled on the sidewalk, had it not been for the pole holding a sign "loading and unloading'" I already twisted my foot. And I thank God again, He' always sending me an Angel to guide me, delivering me from harm. I am thanking my husband for being my constant WIKIpedia, he's like an encyclopedia too.The Entire visa process, he was the one feeding me information. I almost did nothing but show up on my medical exam,visa interview and soon my CFO. And to all our sis here at PL who have started thier visa journey, good luck and God Bless us all!mine is not over yet too.July 18, 2012: Wednesday: It's a short wait for any visa applicant, 3 working days after i was interviewed, finally, 2GO texted me (around 9:00AM) saying "<Subj: US VISA PASSPORT> Your passport is ready for pick up at 2Go outlet you selected" (although I felt it's been a long while because I wanted the visa right away so I can take the CFO seminar, get the sticker and go back to Gensan. Funny thing was, evey night since Monday we dropped by SM Fairview (after my Aunt's long day at Uni & since FX terminal was there) to check it at 2Go though I know that they will just inform me through text if they already have it (tigas kc ng ulo hehe). So three nights we checked the 2Go outlet there with same inquiry "Is there any visa delivery for blah blah?" with same answer "Nothing Ma'am". So on the 3rd night, i was still approaching when the officer asked me, "Visa po ba?" (hahaha!).I was so nervous peeling off the seal of the pouch worrying if I'm doing the right thing. It was a 2 layered pouch,the very first pouch contains: a)5-pages-note instructions about ssn application,on how to retrieve the passport which is inside the pouch too without tearing or opening the brown sealed envelope,information on the legal rights available to immigrant victims of domestic violence and counseling and registration requirements for CFO & b.) sealed pouch which contains brown sealed envelope,passport and our pictures he sent to NVC put in a resealable plastic.You have to peel off too the second layered pouch to retrieve the PP but left the brown sealed envelope which has a slash opening on the upper left hand corner untouched.The Immigrant Data Summary is stapled to all my other docs inside the envelope but is on the outside part, I was wondering if I have to detach it but I preferred not. I noticed that my visa expiration date is 6 months from the date I took the medical examination,issue date was date of visa interview. So that was it so the next day..July 19, 2012 (Thursday) CFO Seminar. I chose SMEF COW as my center for CFO seminar since I could have the certificate and the sticker all in one place. Less hassle, more convenient and just near the LRT-Katipunan Station.I get there very early around 6:00AM. And we're only 2 applicants bound for US and the other 1 was for UK. The receptionist/office did not open until 8:00AM. You have to logged on your name, country of destination & signature on thier checked in book located at the Cashier Counter after I presented my passport & 3 photocopies of its bio page,3 photocopies of my visa, 3 photocopies of my Immigrant Data Summary & a fee of P250.00. So far I did not noticed any "violent reaction" or "ugly gestures" from the people in the front desk. They seemed nice and approachable unlike what I've read on some forums. After paying the fee, I was given 2 forms, one for Guidance and Counseling and the other one is Emigrant Registration form since I already have the visa.It took me almost 30-minutes to fill those forms up. I was called immediately after by this young cheerful counselor for one on one interview.I was wondering why interview was ahead, I was thinking of a group discussion first.LOL!But i just let it be.It was quick, most were questions about how,when,where and how many times me and my husband met. We climbed upstairs to 2nd floor for film viewing, but before that we introduced ourselves first and told our love stories.. <3, this portion took most of our time, we got carried away.LOL until only a little time left for film viewing. It was about Filipina wives who suffered from domestic violence from thier foreign husbands. We were asked about our insights of what we have just watched. For me though being in a relationship is a never ending getting to know each other, everyday you'll discover something about your husband/wife and always anticipate some things to happen in the future...(2be continued later) :DHere is our TimeLine:Date of Marriage: October 8, 2011I-130 Sent: November 18, 2011I-130 NOA1: November 23, 2011I-130 RFE: NoneI-130 Approved: April 23, 2012NVC Received: May 23, 2012Received DS3032/I-864 Bill: May 24, 2012Pay I-864 Bill: May 24, 2012Received I-864 Package: May 25, 2012Return Completed I-864: May 29, 2012Received IV Bill: June 1, 2012Pay IV Bill: June 1, 2012Received Instruction Package: June 6, 2012Case Complete; June 12, 2012Appointment Date Given: June 14, 2012Interview Date: July 13, 2012Medical Exam: July 10, 2012Medical Result: July 11, 2012 (PASSED!)Interview Result: VISA APPROVED (Thank Your Lord!)Visa on Hand: July 18, 2012 :) :)CFO Seminar: July 19, 2012 8:30AMCFO Certificate: July 19, 2012 11:00AM
You can never be sure when you will get your visa because of an unforeseen delay.
Planning a big wedding with a short time frame will be expensive. Lots of places are reserved months (if not a year) in advance.
If your visa doesn't come in time, you will pay a lot of money to move it. And there is no guarantee you will be able to move it to a day you want.
Ther is also the cost of your adjustment where you will not be working for at least 2-3 months. Also, there is no guarantee you will find a job.
Lots of expenses and a possibility of more if you need to move the wedding.
What happen to all those destination wedding guests if you don't have your visa? They may not be able to reschedule work or their flights. Will you pay for their additional expenses if you reschedule your wedding?
Read the cautionary tales on this forum about visa delays and missed weddings.
The US government advise people not to make expensive plans before getting a visa for a reason. A visa is never guarantee by a certain date. The US Embassy will not expedite your visa just because you have a wedding planned.
What is more important to you - a big wedding or a marriage without expensive headaches? A wedding is a single day. Since money is the number one problem in a marriage, you might want to reconsider. A marriage will last a lot longer.
Advice from a much older guy who wished he had used the money for a big wedding for a house deposit. My marriage and the peace of not fighting over money is what keeps me and mine together. We look back at our wedding with fond memories but wished we had spent the money more wisely to secure our future together. Also, we don't even talk or have contact with a large portion of our wedding guests (former coworkers and acquaintances). It should have been less about the party and more about us starting a marriage on good financial grounds without the debt of a big wedding. After 8 years of marriage, the wedding wasn't quite a big deal to us. It's the every day things that matters to us.
The most important thing to bring is the right attitude. The last thing you want to do is demonstrate you understand this is extortion by people who have been given the power to withhold immigration from you if you don't bow down before them like a good little slave. Act like you are grateful for having your time and money wasted, and that you are an ignorant weakling child in comparison to their incredible intellect and majesty.
Then go on to live a better life than those petty tyrants who have one thing in life to be cheery about: their little power trip on the immigrants they envy. Know that behind this petty tyranny - they wish that they were you.
No offense but for some countries, Nigeria is one of them, I doubt you will easily get a visitor visa exactly for the reason you said. People get visitor visa with the intention to migrate to the US and then abuse the visa and try to adjust the status.
Don't know about you but I don't like to bet my entire future on the fact that my AOS application is "most likely to pass through the normal process".
You know what VISITOR visa or STUDENT visa is for?
Each visa is specific to the purpose of the visit and your situation.
It's because of people speculating and trying to circumvent the system that makes this process long and difficult for legitimate people who do things the legal and right way.
Finally, I was not sure what was going to happen but I got the NOA2 approval today.
To the extent that it may help others here is a brief overview of my efforts. My filing date was Dec. 2, 2011. In April 2000 I recieved an RFE requesting copies of my divorce decree as filed with the local jurisdiction. I forgot the exact words but I had sent a copy of my divorce decree that was entered in 2008. The copy I sent had been provided by wife's attorney and did not have a court stamp showing it had been filed in court. I ordered a certified copy and sent it off and my RFE reciept date was April 25th, 2012.
After revieing these formuns I expected an approval withing two weeks of the submission. The notice said I should have decision by 60 days from RFE but most people reportied getting approval withing two weeks of the RFE. When the approval did not come within two weeks I called and put in a service request. I followed up after fifteen days of the service request and was told by CSR that the reply to the service request was that I would have should have a decision in 60 days from the service request.
It seemed that VSC was just kicking the can down the road so to speak. So I follwed the email follow up proceedure by sending an emal to follow up. I had no response so within the 21 day period and send the ten day email. ( using terms for those who know these proceedures). In addition, I contacted my congressman and followed their proceedures and the congressman's office sent an email.
I got a boilerplate respons from the 10 day email. However, Monday of this week, I was suprised to get an email from VSC that in repsonse to my email, my petition was being expidited and I should have a decision very shortly. Today I my status was changed and the petition approved.
The link pasted below shows the email follow up procedure I referenced in this post. I am not sure if any of my efforts helped in moving the case but I wanted to record my experience in the event someone finds it helpful.
I will have do a Tebow here and thank God becaue he is indeed ultimatly in charge of all things. Thank you Lord.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=c561767d005f2210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
I don't know which state this individual is in or the specific regulations there. But, there is a lot of middle ground between a courthouse and a big wedding. If the location is a problem: get the marriage license, find out when the minister (or other person qualified to officiate) is available to meet with you briefly, go to the location of your choosing with the officiant and any required witnesses, have a simple ceremony, turn in the paperwork, and then go all out with the big shebang on August 2 or 4 or whenever.
A marriage doesn't have to be accompanied by a big party and the presence of everyone you know to be legal. After having gone through all of the regulatory hurdles to get over here in the first place, it would be a pity to decide to prioritize satisfying precise religious requirements over satisfying regulatory hurdles and risk throwing all of that time/effort away.
BruceL reacted to Basty in Visa Approved
BruceL got a reaction from TnJ in CFO Counseling Requirement has no legal basis