Texasav8r

The great thing about Moneygram is you can send it from your PC without leaving the house....very convenient.

From what I understand, you will not be allowed to take your phone in to the interview and need to check it at the security area. Perhaps US consulates vary by country, but I am kinda doubting it. Might want to check beforehand.

Hey folks,

We have been sending small amounts of money to my MIL on a Walmart/GreenDot money card. It's a 'student pack' so there are two cards with the same #. It has worked well for the last 3 years.

Now it won't work since the US blocked a Russian bank. Not sure if it's Russia retaliating or other banks being careful, but they won't let her withdraw money. They can see balance, and charge for the privilege, but she can't withdraw. Called GreenDot and all they said was ty other banks. Did that and it didn't work.

Any ideas that are still easy? Western Union would probably work, but it's a hassle since neither of us have a convenient Western Union.

Thanks!

Adam

Try Moneygram. I have used it before and the funds can be picked up at several different locations. You can coordinate beforehand where to send it with your MIL and also check to see if the site will allow pickup of funds. It is also cheaper than Western Union. They distribute funds in USD but she can exchange it of course and the funds are available seconds after you click "SEND".

https://www.moneygram.com/wps/portal/moneygramonline/home/sendmoney/

I've checked TSC and it also has quick approvals, but whether ours will be one of the quick ones depends on luck and I don't know what else, but I think you shouldn't lose hope! We shouldn't lose hope (mine just got transferred to TSC today)!

TSC is actually fast! But I'm not sure, processing times change so often and depend on lots of things

Well here's to hoping you are right..for all of our sakes <insert two glasses in the form of a toast here> Cheers!

Ours was processed at the CSC

Yeah, just saw that . I think I will sneak in to the TSC, grab my file and fly to CSC and sneak it in

PauPau, thanks! I can't wait to get the actual NOA2 in the mail to see the date. The website said it was mailed out today, so the date could be different. Either way, my fiancé is calling tomorrow to schedule his medical exam and getting his police certificate so we'll be ready as soon as they say he can schedule his interview

I see you mailed to the Lewisville lockbox...was your petition processed at TSC or transferred to CSC since you are in Arizona. I am just curious. My NOA1 was received 2 days prior to yours so this is encouraging if you were processed at TSC . I do, however, fear that I may be waiting a while from the patterns I have seen emerge over the past few months, but hopefully that is just paranoia on my part.

Congrats and best of luck to you both

NB - Just reread your timeline...nevermind regarding the transfer question ...back to

There haven't been any updates on my file but I'm flying to London later tonight to stay with my fiancé for ten days! I am so excited and hoping this will make the time go quicker. I am terrified of flying, but I'm trying to stay positive! Hope we all get good news soon.

Safer than driving. Have a nice trip.

ORD is actually pretty good about handing out expedite passes at your arrival gate. However, that is for US residents that go through the standard Customs entry. It would not hurt to ask for one and letting them know your situation.

A 19.00 arrival is usually pretty busy as many International flights are arriving around that time but it can be slow as well...you never really know. Once you pass through Customs/Immigration, you will need to reclaim your luggage that was checked (it goes through customs and inspection also) at the carosel which is right there in front of you as you pass through. There will then be another line that will check your paperwork AGAIN (not sure why) and then you will go to handlers (about 50m) down the hallway and re-check your luggage (if you feel you have time to catch your flight). At that point, if you have 45 minutes or more before your connecting flight, I would check it and get moving. The man/woman standing there will help guide you where to go and if he/she feels you have time to make it. You will then go straight and up stairs to catch the train to the domestic terminal listed. There is another security checkpoint at the domestic terminal but it is usually not too busy at that time of night.

Basically, I would plan on staying the night in Chicago but try to make your connection. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Don't panic at this point...you made it in the country and just need to relax and know you are almost there. If you get "stuck" in Chicago, try the Chicago style pizza and get a good nights rest. Tomorrow is a new day and you will be home

Good luck.

There should be no issue with a one-way ticket for a K-1 visa.

You can usually get the best deals through a travel agency or directly through the airlines (calling them). Tuesday is the best day to book a flight as that is when the airlines release new deals and specials and try to fly on Wednesday or Saturday for the same reason. Kayak and Orbitz provide some decent options online for you to shop around. Denver is a United Airlines hub so any of their partner airlines will probably offer the best rates.

Good luck.

My interview was today and I got APPROVED! They didn't ask for anything else other than what was stated in the package and just barely asked me a few questions about how we met, last time I went to the states to visit him, and where we planned to live! I did have a bit of a hiccup with my fingerprints but all in all it went great! Looking forward to Monday to finally have the visa in my hands!!

CONGRATS!!

Good luck to you and yours Vlad. Seems like you have things in order. I am sure it will be fine

Mine was accepted and routed to the TSC on 2/28. I received NOA1 (email and text) on 3/5 and they cashed the check on the same day. Change of alien registration number occurred on 3/6. I received the NOA1 hardcopy on 3/8 (International Women's Day) perhaps an omen? Off to a quick start so hopefully it will just be a matter of weeks and not months for NOA2. Good luck to all.

I wasn't sure I understood that either, so I wrote a short novel. Oh well, better safe than sorry I guess.