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lmihler

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Posts posted by lmihler

    Nervous about in-laws

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    Some are saying that you should limit your interactions- which is all fine and dandy but that puts pressure on your wife to distance herself from her family.

    My husband's family are very conservative and I am very liberal. I don't feel like the black sheep just because I am different. So don't distance yourself from them just because you believe in different things. I usually don't engage unless they ask specific questions (usually about Canada's healthcare, etc.)

    I have stopped the family from using the word "retarded". I work in the IDD field so that's what I tell them. Once you get there, you will know which family members you can have conversations with and which ones you do not. Luckily, my in mother-in-law admitted to voting for Obama so she is a "secret democrat" so I have learned talking with her is different than if we are with the extended family.

    Visiting while petition for K1 Visa has been submitted

    in Canada

    Posted

    Imho don't talk about going through immigration unless they specifically ask. Just say you're visiting your fiancé and leave it at that.

    Agreed- one officer asked what the long term plan was and that is when I told him that we had applied for the fiancé visa. He didn't say anything after that but good luck.

    My medical is on July 11th and my interview is on the 20th. Since it's cheaper to spend a week with my fiance than it is to stay in a hotel in Montreal, I'm planning to fly over on the 12th and back on the 19th. I'm going to have all of my documentation, interview confirmation letter, and my travel itineraries, but I won't be able to have a letter from my employer because my contract is actually up on the 11th. I mean, I'll likely continue to work until I move, but it'll probably be as an unpaid consultant. Will I have a hard time at the airport, or will they get that it's only a week and that I'm definitely planning to come back because my interview is scheduled and paid for? I'm hoping they'll realize that it would be a little crazy of me to go through the process and spend all that money just to cross the border and get married right before it's officially done.

    I still think you will be fine. I had a letter of employment but they never asked to see it.

    New spouse visa question (split thread)

    in What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration

    Posted

    Yes you have it right. One is faster to visa, the other is faster to green card.

    EAD allows you to work and AP allows you to travel outside the USA. It takes 6-10 months normally to get the K1 visa. The wedding MUST be in the USA and you have 90 days to marry upon entry. It can take 90 days after filing AOS to get the AP and EAD but it can take longer than that too. So yes, you live off one income for 90+ days.

    In our family, neither the not being able to work nor the lack of travel was worth the shortened time frame. It's cheaper to get the CR1 as well. Immigration is expensive but most of those expenses are not paying invoices but rather travel and moving costs.

    Everyone has a different choice to make and it is what suits you best. We went the K1 because we wanted to be together quicker. I moved in with family to save as much money as I could before moving, which ended up being our "second income". All the immigration processes suck you just have to choose one. Immigration is expensive so be prepared for additional costs!

    When to file dilemma

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    I would file as soon as you can. It is your choice though. The faster you apply, the faster you are done with ROC!

    Our house closed on time but we also did it privately through a friend.. everything was agreed upon before we even signed any paperwork. I know another couple that has been in the mess for 6 months. Any deal can fall through or extend.

    You could also send in documentation of what you were pre-approved for and if you have signed any offers.

    Police check in Saskatoon: Multiple names?

    in Canada

    Posted

    Maybe I'll have to go in again then.. the RCMP here flat out refused to do the police check for me and just said to go to the police instead. The lady there said that they wouldn't put the names on there because that's not what I legally go by anymore. Such a hassle!

    I also went to just the local police station when I asked for my police certificate... Sorry, I can only tell you what worked for me!

    Police check in Saskatoon: Multiple names?

    in Canada

    Posted

    My police check only had my maiden name (not the name I was born with..I changed my name to my fathers when my parents were married). I didn't think about it and it did not include my birth name and I didn't have any issues.

    Besides wouldn't it be tied to your Social? And not your name?

    Recent relationship and would want to marry

    in Diversity Lottery Visas

    Posted

    If you are in love and want to be together, then get married. Listen to the above suggestions by continuing to gather proof of your relationship.

    I think a lot of people on the forum get mad/upset/jealous that they had to wait a long time and then some people don't.

    Some of us had to wait longer than others, welcome to immigration.

    Either way you guys have a decision and only you two will know what to do.

    How to become citizen for a 70 yr woman who doesnt speak english?

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by lmihler

    I am sorry if my question has upset you so much but i dont appreciate the tone in your message. You dont have to be rude and ask why is she here if she cant speak English. Who are you to question?

    You do not understand her situation and what shes gone through. I am pretty sure the world you and she have lived, are like the sky and the ground.I know how frustrating it is and how much of a struggle it is for a person born with no country as your own. Been tagged a REFUGEE wherever you go. Her life has been a struggle for years. They used to live in a village in India,close to a forest,where there is still no proper access to drinking water. People there go to nearby ponds to fetch water and carry water cans on their back for daily use. About electricity, the govt there supply electricity only for 5-6 hours daily and it depends on when they want to cut if off. They obviously pay the bills.There are times when you have no electricity for a week continuously. There are no proper health facilities there and access is limited. Many people have died because they couldn't reach the hospital on time, lot of people have died due to snake bites and killed by elephants too,when they come of the forest to look for food into the village, some of them could have been saved if they can reach the hospital on time. Since they are refugees there,their concerns are not a priority to the govt. Please note this doesn't mean that we are not thankful to the Indian govt for at least giving us a shelter to live.In a situation like this, my cousin could never think about leaving my Aunt back where she came from.
    We have tried it before, for someone who can only talk in 1 language and not know how to read and write in any languages at all, how difficult it would be for that person to learn at that age. You have no idea. how frustrating it is for her , we have seen it. She doesn't know the language but it doesn't mean that she doesn't know a thing about American history and politics. She understands it when you tell her as a story. But she is very bad in pronouncing English words, we dont get it so i doubt the non Tibetans would understand her, That is why we are looking for an interpreter so that she can at least give it a try.If that doesn't help then obviously we cant do much.
    Going by your message,it sounds like since she cant speak English it would be better for my cousin to send my Aunt back to where she came from. Even though her only child, is here,her son. But sorry in our culture, we don't give up on our parents when they are old and need to be looked after.

    #crushedit!

    K1 Visa and very overwhelmed!!!

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Thought I'd share my personal experience:

    -Started the K-1 visa and waited a few months.

    -Cancelled K-1 visa application.

    -My then girlfriend visited me in Brisbane and we got engaged on my birthday.

    -I visited her in Kentucky a few months later and we got married on her birthday (at her church with her family present). We immediately applied for CR-1/IR-1 status.

    -I left the USA, and waited the two months it took for my petition to be approved.

    -The petition was sent to the NVC and within a month I was back in the USA for my actual wedding ceremony (so my family could attend). On the day of the ceremony NVC sent me an interview appointment in Sydney at the Consulate (day after my birthday).

    -A month later, had the interview in Sydney and was issued CR-1 status and an immigrant visa.

    -Two months later, was on a plane to the US with my life packed into five bags. On one side of the yellow line I was an immigrant. Once I crossed it, I was a permanent resident. A two weeks later SSN arrived. A month later my 2 year temporary green card arrived. Excitement! I can work!

    *1 & 3/4 years pass*

    -Petitioned USCIS to remove the 2 year condition on my card. They extended my status 1 year while they processed it.

    *ten months pass and we're at the present date*

    -I could have applied for US citizenship a week ago, but I still haven't received my ten year green card and IR-1 status.

    -Once I do receive them, I will be applying for naturalization and then my immigration journey will be complete.

    Notes: I felt like the K-1 was an unnecessary step in my journey. With CR-1 you will get a two year green card and conditional status if you are married less than two years on the date you are granted the benefit. And then 1 3/4 years later you have to petition USCIS to remove this condition. They remove it, you get a ten year green card and at 2 & 3/4 years, provided you have the IR-1 status already, you can apply for citizenship.

    If you've been together for 4 years... Is it worth considering CR-1/IR-1 versus arriving on a K-1 as a non-immigrant and then adjusting status? You have to wait in Australia while the process takes place... But you don't have the worry of adjusting status, and you can take care of all the medical/police/background check in your own city (if you live in an Australian capital). Once you arrive on CR-1, you only have to wait for your SSN and GC, then you can immediately start work. On a K-1, when you adjust status and have your application in, you can apply for a card that is proof of your legal right to work. However, I have seen so many people complain that they take forever to be approved and sent out. My SSN only took a month to arrive. And you can prove your work status by showing the visa in your passport provided it's stamped at the airport, and by giving your SSN.

    I wish you luck, and this place is full of answers. All you gotta do is ask questions!

    Ash

    You can apply for citizenship if you are eligible without your ROC completed.

    Hey Guys

    I'm new to the forum and slightly scared to start the process as it seems so overwhelming!

    We are a couple from USA / Australia and have been dating for the past 4 years!

    It's time to get the ball rolling on the K1 visa and I have no idea what to expect and start.

    I work for an airline so I have managed to travel to the US over 15 times to see my partner, but, now, its time to pack up and move to NYC.

    Any tips, advice, pep talks appreciated.

    I'm going to need a lot of help. My partner wants to use a lawyer, I think its doable on our own. Opinions?

    Anyway, just popped in for a hello!

    :wub:

    By pack up and move to NYC you mean? If you choose the K1 your interview and medical will be completed in Australia? (Sorry, I didn't look at the country close enough).

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