robhaa

ROBHAA added to Vermont list.

Hi.

Does any of you here know if it matters that we didn't register our marriage in Sweden when applying for AOS?

I have not registered our marriage in Norway, and I had no issues with my AOS.

Hi all fellow Scandinavians!

I was wondering if there are any young recent graduates amongst you who could share your experiences with entering the US with a K1-visa, being jobless, and how you cope with the transitional period in the US before you get a job? I and my fiancé are applying for a K1-visa and it looks like it might be approved by the end of this year or early 2015. I've recently graduated with a Master's degree and I don't see myself applying for any jobs in Europe before I enter the US with my visa in hand, as I fly back and forth to see him on a tourist visa as much as I can before we (hopefully) get approved. The problem is I have not been able to build up any safety net, financially, and it does feel scary to enter into marriage and in a completely different country with little work experience and no money. Although I know my fiancé will take care of me until I find a job, it's a scary thought. I was wondering if anyone of you are in the same situation and if you could share some of your experiences, offer any success stories or some reassuring words?

I'd appreciate it very much Going through this process is a very lonely thing, I've realized, especially with very little support from your family.

Thank you

Hi Utopia,

Please feel free to shoot me a private message, and I can elaborate more on my situation and experiences. Depending on what kind of job you are looking for and where you are moving, I might be able to offer some good advice in a PM. I entered on a K1 visa in November 2012, after graduating with a MSc from NTNU in 2011. I worked for over a year in Norway before moving, got married in January 2013, had my AP in March, and landed a job in May. I have always been doing something, and being without a job was hard. My wife supported me both financially and emotionally, but I felt like I wasn't contributing enough. Needless to say, it was a huge relief to land a decent job...

As for the family part, I was lucky in the sense that my closest family understood and supported me when I went through the process. However, I actually lost a couple of friends who thought I was out of my mind moving to the US and marrying a woman I never really lived with as a "real couple", whatever that means.

And when you land a job and it is time to pay taxes, I can offer some advice on how to handle Skatteetaten

Hello fellow Scandinavians!

So obvi I'm a newbie here on VJ and I just wanted to say hi to everyone on the scando thread

We're applying for a I-129F which we filed in November (16 Nov NOA1), It's probably going to take a longer time than expected with CSC.

I've been reading up on different topics here, and decided to join today, and try and contribute to the forum and timeline

Anyone else in the I-129F process?

Welcome, Cemi! I went through the I-129F process as a Norwegian beneficiary recently (moved to DC late November 2012), so if you have any questions, feel free to ask

In other news, I got my EAD/AP last week, and have been getting a few callbacks and interviews from my countless job applications. Fingers crossed I can start working again soon!

ah, that's wonderful. thanks for the links! have a great weekend

As the Norwegian mentioned above, I can give some more insight into my case beyond the review As the review states, I had to provide the certificate in English. The thing is, the person actually interviewing me almost let my translation pass, and told me they accept "self-translated" documents all the time. She actually had a long discussion with the Swede who had rejected my translation, but had to give in.

But given that the police can not provide you with a certificate in English, I see no reason why they would not accept your own translation - Especially since they have your certificate in English to compare it to.

How long did it take until the banks etc started using your new address?

2-3 weeks, I think. If I recall correctly, it happened automatically in Danske Bank, Lånekassen and Nordnet. However, I had to report it myself to my other bank, Totens Sparebank/Terra.

Just to be clear, it was after I filed form RF-1402B to Skatteetaten, which I assumed you did too, since you got that notice.

Just got a letter in the mail today from Skatteetaten.. To my US address.

The letter doesn't make much sense to me at all. It has two pages.. I attached the first one.. The second one is just general information.

Does this mean I'm officially "emigrated"? Does it mean they're processing it?

Yup, same letter as I got after I reported my move. I have also seen that my address has changed at other places that rely on "official" information, such as my bank and online broker.

Yes, I think what my links refer to is this part:

"Enkelte trygdeytelser krever at du har vært medlem i folketrygden en viss tid. Du kan lese mer om dette under hver enkelt ytelse."

Table 6.1 here gives a summary of how long you must have been a member to get different forms of support:

http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/bld/dok/nouer/2011/nou-2011-07/7/4.html?id=646274

Oh, and the health part is in general covered from day 1, from what I understand.

http://www.nav.no/Internasjonalt/Medlemskap+i+folketrygden

Yes, I think what my links refer to is this part:

"Enkelte trygdeytelser krever at du har vært medlem i folketrygden en viss tid. Du kan lese mer om dette under hver enkelt ytelse."

Table 6.1 here gives a summary of how long you must have been a member to get different forms of support:

http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/bld/dok/nouer/2011/nou-2011-07/7/4.html?id=646274

Bleh. I haven't reported Utflytning yet because we don't have insurance yet.

Someone told me that if I move back to Norway though, I'll regain my membership in Folketrygden immediately? If so, I'll have no problem reporting Utflytning immediately, lol.

I think it's more complicated than that, but I'm not sure. From what I understand you need to live in Norway for three years to regain full rights in Folketrygden:

http://www.advokatenhjelperdeg.no/artikler/taper-trygderettigheter-ved-flytting/

And I also think you are supposed to report utflytting if you stay abroad for more than 6 months:

http://www.skatteetaten.no/no/Skjemaer/Melding-om-flytting-til-utlandet/

I reported utflytting before I moved, but I will still have to pay taxes to Norway for three years before they release me... Luckily Norway and the US have a tax agreement, meaning I won't be taxed twice. (Or at least that's what I think, I'm still a bit confused about taxes.)

Just got back from the embassy in Oslo! Sitting at home with my passport in one hand and the brown envelope in the other. this is surreal!!!

Finally! You had so much bad luck with your application - I felt I waited long, but compared to you my journey has been smooth sailing. Congratulations

Still waiting for passport in mail at the two week mark! Embassy says they mailed it on Tuesday. Does anyone know if it's sent express with a signature required? Or do they just leave it in the mail box?

I had my interview the same day as your husband, and had to send some additional paperwork after the interview to get approved. They still managed to send my passport on the 7th, and I received it here in Norway on the 13th. I had to pick it up at my local post office, since it was sent registered (rekommandert in Norwegian).

I asked this in the CR-1/IR-1 forum as well, but would like you guys' input too..

As I stated in my review, I was never asked to "swear to tell the truth" etc., but it just struck me that I never even signed the DS-230 part 2..!? Isn't this supposed to be signed, in front of the CO?

I don't know if my experience is applicable since I did K1, but i swore and signed part 2.

If you are worried, you could always try to send them an e-mail and ask if they have sent your passport yet?

Visa approved!! Thanks everyone for all your help!!!!

Congratulations!

A HUGE thanks to every single one of you who have helped us along the way. Every one of you who makes this forum so great. My wife and I couldn't have done it without you.

I second that, without this forum and the help of all you guys, this journey would have been way more painful than it has been.

Thanks, hopefully they'll have stamps when I land lol. How did you get from Arlanda to the embassy?

I stayed at a hotel close to Stureplan, so it was walking distance from there to the embassy. I took the Arlanda Express train to the central station. It is kind of walkable from the central station to the embassy (3,1 km), but I would guess that you could just ask the hotel staff for a better option The train is 490 SEK for a return ticket, and from what I understand there are more affordable options that can take you closer to the embassy.

I bought my stamps at the airport as soon as i landed, you can get them at a news agent. I ended up buying 50 stamps worth 6 SEK each since those were all he had - Try to avoid that, and get stamps that are worth more, haha... The envelope was covered in stamps I do not think Norwegian stamps will work. You need 295 SEK in total, if my memory serves me right.

And no, you can not bring cash, stamps only.

For you Danes and Norwegians - What do you with stamps?

I bought my stamps at the airport as soon as i landed, you can get them at a news agent. I ended up buying 50 stamps worth 6 SEK each since those were all he had - Try to avoid that, and get stamps that are worth more, haha... The envelope was covered in stamps I do not think Norwegian stamps will work. You need 295 SEK in total, if my memory serves me right.

Robhaa and Rarasantiago: congrats!!!! odd questions lol, was the CO nice and friendly though?

The CO was friendly, she was smiling and laughing a lot. The guy in window G who received all papers before the interview was nice too, but of course I wish he could have accepted my own "certified" translation of the police certificate...

I have a paper from the military stating I won't be called into service in peace time, in Norwegian (they won't issue in English) - given that it's in very formal writing and cites a bunch of laws regarding Norwegian draft laws, is this paper really necessary to get translated? The NVC didn't even ask for it.

That is weird, I was able to get a confirmation in English. It is not formal, and there are no laws on it. Basically just three paragraphs stating that I have done military service, that I was honorably discharged, and that I will not be called into service in peace time - although I might have to do "refresher" training if I am considered "essential". I had to present this before the interview, but I am not sure if it is absolutely needed. The name of the "Førstekonsulent" who signed it is Roger Nilsen, maybe you could try to call "Vernepliktsverket" and get hold of him?

Edit: And I did not need the proof of ongoing relationship. Such a bummer, I spent hours preparing it, haha...

Remember to write a review. If you're in Oslo, let me know if you want to grab lunch before you flytter over dammen Where in the US well you be going?

A short review, will write the "official" one later:

Arrived at the embassy at 8:30 for my 9:00 appointment. Two people were ahead of me in the immigrant line inside the embassy. Gave them all my paperwork, and was told that my police certificate was not accepted.

[i mentioned it earlier in the thread, but short version: The police messed up my application for certificate, and when I finally got it, it was in Norwegian. Since there was no time to get a new one in English, I translated it myself and "certified" it according to USCIS guidelines. The guy in the booth was Swedish, so of course he could see that the original said "Intet å bemerke", but I guess rules are rules... He knew that the Norwegian police can issue the certificate in English.]

I had prepared a ton of information to prove that we have an ongoing relationship, but they did not want it.

So I sat down, waited for 1.5 hours or so, and had my interview. The little old lady started off by asking "Tell my about your future wife", and I told her how we met and what she is like. Other questions seemed more random, like "What does your fiancee love and hate", "What do you like to do together", "Where will you be living", "Who will control the finances", "Does she like your cooking" "How much did she make last year", "Does your family like her" as well as some follow up questions to these. My fiancee is a naturalized citizen, so she was very interested in how she came to the US and how and when her parents came. I didn't really know all the details as to who petitioned for who, but it didn't really matter.

After a 10 minute interview, I was approved, given that I can present an original police certificate in English or a certified translation. (I called the police right after the interview, and they will send it out tomorrow ) I actually saw the big red "Approved" stamp on my application before the interview started, but I am not sure if that was from earlier in the process or the "final approval".

In total, I spent 2 hours at the embassy.

I am in Oslo now, but I will be going back to my hometown (Gjøvik) in a couple of days. So I don't think there's time for lunch. And I am going to DC, my fiancee works as an interpreter there. Good luck with your interview!

Is it fair to count about 2 months from NOA2 til interview?

It took me 40 days from NOA2 to interview. But I guess I have been lucky, and there was only one holiday (Columbus Day) in between. I e-mailed the embassy as soon as I had sent them my check list back, and told them when my medical was. Don't know if that helped me get an interview faster, but it is worth a shot.

Your medical was the same day as mine.. What time were you there? I was there around 4 - 5 pm..

Ah, I was there at the same time. Didn't realize anyone from the forum would be there I was the third guy in line, not the big guy with the beard. I recognize you from your pictures now. I should have checked ahead and said hi

All in all, the medical was a lot less "serious" than I had thought. It was actually over and done sooner than I had expected!

Agree with your review, I was surprised how relaxed the medical was. I had ticked the box saying I had previously used tobacco (snus), but told the doc I had quit a couple of years ago. To my surprise, he decided to change my answer to "No".

I spent 5 minutes with the nurse, and 10 minutes with the doc. Norway could really use a second medical option to create some price competition; 2850 NOK for 15 minutes work (plus the work they do sending the papers to the embassy) feels a bit harsh.

Got my vaccination sheet in the mail 3 days after the medical, and hopefully the paperwork will arrive at the embassy before my interview November 1st.

Thank you for your advice, Alaska and MissK. Really appreciate it

Advice on police certificate and interview

Hi guys! I have my interview in Stockholm for K1 visa scheduled for November 1st. I ordered my police certificate ahead of receiving packet 3, and sent back the check list saying that I had received it, expecting it to be here way ahead of the interview. Turns out that the police messed up my application, and I had to reapply. With their current processing times, this means that I might or might not have the certificate before the interview. I know I probably should have waited to send the check list until I actually had the police certificate, but I thought it would be here... I have tried to reason with the police, telling them that I should not suffer for their obvious mistake, with no luck.

My question: If I come to the interview without the certificate, will they still be able to process the rest of my application, and can I send them the certificate as soon as I have it? Or should I postpone my interview? I read of other cases with some missing paperwork where the beneficiary would get their visa "approved", dependant on presenting missing papers after the interview.

I really don't want to risk a rejection, but at the same time I want this thing to move as fast as possible. Any advice?