Marco&Bettina

2 minutes ago, Willallen25 said:

Honestly it's a situation that she isn't used to overall. I am not happy about it either. Before we started talking My family and I brought a 3 bedroom house. We had to move from a 2 bedroom apartment as they were forcing out longtime tenants to jack up the rent. Just 1 month before we started talking we moved into the house. Of course this and other circumstances have taken a financial toll on me, so moving out was a bad idea, at least until some time for me to save up more money to do so. To begin with She never liked America due top things she heard and her experience with the US Embassy in Haiti. She came because she loved me. It's uncomfortable living with my family, and She feels like My Mom does too much for me. The truth is, My Mom cooks for everyone as I work 5-6 days a week as well as my brother and Dad. I think it's 2 different upbringings that can make her think a certain way, and her Mom raised her differently and She's very independent.  To me it's the actual living conditions that have gotten to her and that is understandable. I feel moving would really help a lot, but I just got another vehicle for us too, so it's something that would happen soon but not as soon as I'd want. 

My now wife and I were living with my parents when she 1st got here. Additionally, she got pregnant only about 2 weeks after arriving at her POE. So, that, in addition to the fact that she was not allowed to work or drive created a ton of stress for us. But just less than 6 months later, her EAD arrived, she got a DL, we moved into our own place, she got a car and a job and voila.

9 minutes ago, Willallen25 said:

My Wife really has gotten depressed and no matter what doesn't see herself being happy here. She's not even willing to try. I'd still give it more time, but the way She's talking could be very serious or her emotions. Just in case, I was wondering if I would be able to cancel the petition while it hasn't reached USCIS yet. This mainly is because I don't think it's right to spend $1,225.00 for a case that may be hopeless before it begins. Hope I made sense, thanks.

What is it she doesn't like, instead of just giving up?

On 12/22/2017 at 12:17 PM, Roni07 said:

just came back from abroad with only a few days left, before my GC expires.  I was asked if I have a new card I said I have an extention  letter.  

They had a blank look on their faces. Honestly I wound't risk it.  They see and look at the card, the letter looks like a piece of paper that anyone could've printed. I felt very uncomfortable. Luckily, I had a Nexus pass, which helped.  

It's kind of ridiculous that it takes such a long time to process legal immigrants, who have paid their dues, done the security clearance and paying income tax. 

  It seems that I worry about following the law and doing the right thing to the best of my ability< when others don't even bother or care and have a free pass for all of it. 

Tis the life of an immigrant and anyone sponsoring them. I don't say that to be harsh or anything. It sucks. But what can we do? Only follow the path that DHS and USCIS have laid out in front of us. The only thing is having the patience to make it through. Eventually, pretty much everyone makes it through and in the end, most people will forget this website exists, sadly. Without this place, we'd be lost. So, when I'm (my wife) is done, I plan to stick around to help people out.

Just file for citizenship when you're eligible to move it along.

I had a TX DWI and I told my then-fiancee about it and put it on the petition. I don't remember when I told her. There were worse things than that about myself that I needed to disclose to her before I proposed, things that made her cry, but in the end, the things needed to be said if she was gonna know my past. We are still together and still honest about everything.

On 10/17/2017 at 6:17 PM, SeattleShannon84 said:

I didn't submit photos with my I-175 packet - first of all WHAT AN IDIOT, second of all, does anyone think this will be a problem? They have a lot of photos from our first AOS interview.

 

 

My wife submitted no photos with hers either. We supplied plenty of other strong evidence that should suffice. If not, we'll supply more. But we literally took the strongest evidences on the list rather than bombard them with everything possible.

Waste of money if you don't do it yourself. This whole site exists by people who did it themselves to help others do it themselves.

48 minutes ago, mrdikici said:

But I remember from my process they need a photocopy of the permanent resident card. Are you going to send them expired one's copy? Are you sure about it? Do you have anything such as article or something you read from, or you think it's ok? Because otherwise it will mislead the people who is in the same situation like me and you. I know being 3 years married with US citizen is one of eligibility criteria but I think you need to proof that they accepted your marriage before applying citizenship.  

Just like Lemon said, as long as you're in the eligibility window, you can apply for Naturalization with a pending I-751. I've read right here on VJ about countless people who've done so. I have no intention of misleading people. See my rep? That's because I don't say stuff without researching 1st.

1 hour ago, Ouryear said:

I though we could apply for naturalization 90 days before the 3 year mark. Wouldn't that mean you guys are eligible to apply now?

We're not at the 3 year mark. My wife's 2 yr GC would've expired in December of this year, so that's the 2 year mark. That's why we just applied for the 10 yr GC. But, yes, in one year, with or without the 10 yr GC being received, she will be eligible to apply for Naturalization. So I guess maybe 11-12 months from now or so.

20 hours ago, DavidnThao said:

Right... There is no need for express mail, you just need to send it right when your time frame windows is open. We are from Houston, sent packet out using Priority mail at the Office Depot USPS mail service on Friday evening, and the packet arrived at the USCIS PO box Monday afternoon. Cost us $9 total. 

I did the same. Regular mail with tracking. No express. Chopping 2 days off the process will mean nothing in the end stacked up against a 12-15 month approval time.

As soon as my wife's Naturalization window opens, she will be applying for that, with or without the 10-year GC approval. That is our current plan. I think she can apply in about 14 months. I recommend everyone here who intends to file for Naturalization do the same. Don't wait to receive your 10-yr GC.

15 hours ago, cyberfx1024 said:

That is wrong because you can do whatever is cheaper and better for you. You can do a round trip if it's cheaper and just cancel the returning flight. 

 

 

OP just make sure you actually cancel the return flight. My wife did not. And when we filed AOS, we were nervous because I've read threads on here of people having issues with that. The airline actually showed my wife boarding the flight even though she was with me. We were obviously able to prove to USCIS that my wife did not board that flight and she was with me the whole time. However, it would've slowed down the process with an unnecessary RFE. We tried calling the airline to have them change on their website where it shows my wife boarded but they said they couldn't. That said, it never wound up  being a concern for us. We were never asked about it by USCIS.

1 hour ago, Mrs.InLOve said:

Our son just turned 4 last month! I totally understand! Where does the time go!!!! At least we are together now since he's 14 months old. Having to travel while pregnant every month or so and then giving birth alone because the visa didn't go through yet and then having to travel with a newborn the first 14 months of his life o he could know his daddy and daddy him was INSANE! So this time the wait is SO much easier lol! 

These babies are such a blessing !!!

I know right. Sounds like it was very hard for you in the beginning. I'm glad you're finally with your love and progressing through the progress.

20 hours ago, Mrs.InLOve said:

Yaaayyy and omg your baby is so

adorable !!!!

Thank you. That's an old pic lol. She'll be 2 next month. Growing like a weed. She's already wearing freakin 3T clothes.

Never heard of a certified printout of the tax transcripts. The ones I ordered are standard issue and I received them within 2 weeks of going to the IRS.gov website.

Sept 1, 2017 NOA1 ROC date chiming in.

About 3 months.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States_by_state

Texas only allows 1st cousins-once removed to marry.

29 minutes ago, sparkles_ said:

The difference between city and non city vehicle tax here is still about 150, if not more plus the highway tax for a newer, less than 5yr old car.  I had lived in WA state before and it was nothing compared to NC amounts. 

Seems like a bunch of stupid taxes. Move to TX.

On 3/17/2017 at 2:44 PM, mallafri76 said:

I think points 1, 2 and 3 are spot on. And probably also the only reasons to get a US citizenship. For people from developing countries, a US passport to ease travel might be another plus.

 

Point 4 is incorrect. Permanent residents can get carry permits. I got mine about four months after immigrating to the US. 

Didn't know. Thanks for correcting.

5 hours ago, EricTasha said:

Ah, also, please ask her family members or herself if she has the suicidal history or depression treatment history in her country. Usually in her country people like her behave normal as they know, they can be lock up in a very strong medical mental institution but coming to the western countries, they also know here are human right, everybody is caring and polite, so they just stop controlling themselves and try to manipulate the people around them. If this is the case, ask her and yourself, why she can control herself and be normal in her home country and why this misbehaving in US?

You are way off base and clearly do not understand people with mental health needs. I'm not even gonna bother to dismantle your post but it is just plain wrong. OK, maybe I will bold the errors.

As if the behavior is optional. I'm sorry but your post is disgusting!

13 hours ago, rcripps said:

Counseling for the two of you and therapy for the depression for her. If she self harms or suicide attempts then dial 911 and let them handle it. Watch out for domestic abuse and violence charges since she had a bunch of bruises on her. I am speaking from experience on an ex-wife situation who is BPD and HPD. 

I thought about that too but just forgot to mention it. Thanks for saying.

16 minutes ago, Karam and Jamie said:

Can my husband file for citizenship if we are separated?

Sorry you're experiencing problems. Has he already ROC'd?

24 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

If you don't fix the issues at home, there's no point of her going to Russia to "unwind" only to come back home to you behaving like you. It's like having a house that's slowly burning and going "You know what, let's go off to the beach because I don't want to deal with this", have a great week at the beach and then come home to a house that's still on fire. It's  the whole "take a vacation from reality" concept, it's nice when you think that you can have a break, but it's even worse when you drop back down to earth

While some people feel that depression can just be fixed by circumstances, depression going -THAT- far isn't as simple as taking a break. 

Just from this thread alone, you've shown your disdain for her not driving, you've believed that she's careless (which yeah, depression), you can't believe she turned out this way, you think she should just go off and unwind.




I think the problem that a lot of us in this thread are having is that even without you straight up saying it, it seems like you blame her for doing this. It seems like you blame her for why both of your lives isn't easier because she doesn't drive, that you blame her because you care about her yet she hurts herself, that you blame her for becoming something you never imagined.

If that's so implied in the thread, regardless of your real feelings, what are your text conversations like when you're in the same house but don't see each other face to face? How do YOU make HER feel in the home she shares with you?



You may understand that she's depressed but you may not realize you don't understand how deeply depressed she is, or how dangerous depression actually is.

Agreed. I can only imagine he treats her like he feels and that has systematically led to the detriment of her self confidence and security. She may have already had these feelings in Russia and hoped OP could help her become a better person. But instead she is now worse and feels completely hopeless.

4 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Well I stand corrected.  I've only been active on VJ for a few months after several years of inactivity.  I had no idea that there was a non-family based visa board.  Apologies if I'm providing redundant or unhelpful information.

No worries. We all learn things from each other. I may have spent time on the site but know nothing yet of Naturalization for example.

14 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Hey Kieron... Where are you looking to move from ?

 

This site is primarily for folks who are entering into, or are already in the process of applying for, spousal or non-spousal immigrant visas. Everyone here is in a relationship with a US citizen with an end game of being together in the US.  Work visas are not a topic of expertise but they are notoriously difficult to get hold of !!

 

The work visa situation in the US is pretty difficult to get into.  As mentioned previously, many work visas are based on there being a shortage of workers in the US with a specific skill.  If an employer can prove that they have to look outside the US in order to fill a very skilled position, then they can accept applications from applicants living outside the US based on the idea that they would then sponsor a work visa for that individual.

 

Besides very temporary seasonal work opportunities like kids summer camps etc, there isn't a way for someone to just acquire a long term work visa to allow them to pick up an available job in a supermarket or a restaurant.

 

So... being realistic, the most likely path for you to be able to remain in the states permanently with your girlfriend is to finalize your divorce and then apply either for a Fiance visa (K-1) or a spousal visa (K-3).  Information on both are readily available on this site.  I'm a little unsure on current timelines ( I went through my K-1 process in 2005 !!) but I would allow anywhere for 6-12 months from the time of filing (assuming no complications or slow downs).  It's not a quick process but the end result is 100% worth it. The ability to work in the US is available once the visa application process is complete.

 

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need !!

 

Mark

 

 

OP posted in "

• Non-Family Based US Visa Discussion 
•  
• Work Visas "

Not everyone here is in the process because of a relationship. But that is the OP's basically only angle.