aijan

well, i see the need to give more info.

I've never been married before. Our kid is from our current marriage. she is USC.

my husband (USC) is also originally from Morocco. We met there. We got married there. I came to the US under K3 in 2007.

He agrees that I go back to Morocco and file for divorce (under the same court where we got married). it'll take us between 6-12 months. My husband prefers to stay in the US. I will get the custody of our child and live in Morocco She'll see her father twice or more/year.

However, I still want "the option" of applying for citizenship next year (April 2012), if I decide so (still not sure). Coz who knows, may be i'll come back to the US one day with my child. I prefer to have both options "if possible".

I want to make things legal and at the right way. that's why I'm asking here, may be somebody went throu this before.

Thanks again

Thank you All for your answers.

Here are some additional info:

we do have a 2 y.o kid from this marriage (USC). Because of my kid, that i'd like to apply for citizenship so as i'll "flexible" to come back to the US if we have too.

As i mentioned before, I planning to go back to my home country to file for divorce. i prefer to be close to my family in this process... there, it takes usually between 6-12 months.

I'll be eligible to apply under the 5 years rule, in April 2012. (almost 14 months from now)

Hello there,

Well, i'm in a real dilemma. Here is a summary of my situation.

I've been married to my husband (a USC) nearly 6 years. I came to the US in summer 2007. i got my 2 years GC then my 10 GC.

Based on the 3 years rule (married to a USC), I have the right to apply for citizenship since last April (2010). But I need some documents (such as my husband's past divorce decree, his ex wife-full name/date of birth, last years' taxes..., that my husband keeps hiding and avoiding to giving them to me for my N-400 application.

For the last couple of months, we've been going through very difficult time in our marriage. As for now, we are still married and living together. However, I'm planning to go back for good to my home country (next month) and file for divorce there (coz we got married over there).

my question is:

If I leave the US for more than 6 months (let's say up to 12 months), will I will I lose my "permanent resident" status? can I later (if i come back to the US), apply for Citizenship?

- is it possible to I apply for citizenship in the US consulate in my home country?

a friend suggests me to stay here for a couple of months and hire a lawyer for my application of citizenship, coz, if i later, I'm not in the US for more than 6 months, my GC won't be accepted anymore... I'm not sure how true all this is?!!!

Please share your thoughts and advice.

There are many things going on, I can't focus and make up my mind. thank you !!!

Hello,

i am illegible to apply for the naturalization. i just read the guide.

My question is: Besides the regular documents, should I send other documents to proove my contineous marriage with my husband? as: photos of us two, bills, letters from friends.... as we did before in 10 years green card?

if so, please share with me the 'additional list" of documents.

many thanks in advance

Hi All,

After 2 1/2 years being in the US, I'm planning to buy a "used" car (hopefully, i'll go into practice with this car for a couple of months, before getting a new car B) ).

I found on the local Craig's List website a 2001 Hyundai Accent GL. The asking price is $1800. We're going to meet the guy this weekend to see the car and hopefully get it.

Please share wit me any experience, advice regarding buying a used car (what should we pay attention to, negotiation, avoid scams, mechanical situation, Hyndai Accent, etc...)

Many thanks in advance

Thank you guys for your answers.

Thanks Laura. I've heard about ECE (but some members here in Visajourney got negative experience with them). Anyway, I'll call them and discuss with them my situation and hopefully i can use their service.

Najia

Hello,

I'd like to apply for a Master Program and I'd like to get my diplomas (bachelor degrees) and transcripts accredited by an agency here in the US (and get the equivalence of the GPA as well). I do have the translation of the documents. However some agencies ask that the transcripts to be sent by the educational institution overseas, a thing that is almost "impossible" from Moroccan universities... so my option is: I send myself the original documents or certified copies to them!!

Does anybody recommend any agency and others to avoid. Answers from people with Moroccan degrees will be a plus.

Many thanks

did you check Craig's List of your region? you can find a Moroccan tutor for darija. (take a native speaker, not a person from the Arab world. The dialects are quite different)

Good luck

Hello there,

I'm planning to go back to school next semester (spring 2010).

I'm doing some research to get Financial help (FAFSA) to pay my tuition. The best scenario is getting "grants" rather than "loans"... So, what will increase my chances to get an "unpaid" aid?

Here is my situation is:

I have two bachelor degrees from overseas. I've never attended school in the US. I want to go for a Master Degree... I didn't work last year... and we think that with my husband's income alone, i might be eligible for a Federal financial aid.... However, some people told me if this is my choice, the FAFSA will probably not give me the "grant" BUT "a loan" instead !! and even if I decide to go for an American Bachelor degree, i will not be eligible because i already have 2 bachelor degrees (even if they are from an other country) ... I'm not sure about their statements !!

I really wish to go to school, but I need some financial help

Please tell me what do you think? what should I do? apply for a Master degree? or a Bachelor?

Please don't hesitate to add any other advice that might be useful for my FAFSA application.

Thank you in advance.

Thanks "Moroccan in Texas" for your answer. Which part of Texas do you live?

Congrats!

You can file N-400 up to 90 days before you meet the three year requirement based on the marriage to a USC.

Thank you ALL for your answers.

Redglasses: My husband and I have already been married for four years now. For the requirement, do you mean 3 years of marriage? or 3 years living together after entering the US?

Thanks in adavance

Hello,

I want to share with you my happy news. I got my 10 years GC yesterday I'm happy that we're done with immigration for a while.

I haven't checked yet when to start the next step (Citizenship)... can anybody give an estimate when to start (see my timeline below).

Thank you and Good luck for all

Hi everyone,

As you can see below, It's been more than 4 months that I sent my application to Vermont and 3 months since the last file "touch". I'm just wondering if this wait is "normal". I'm checking the USCIS online status almost everyday and there is no change

Should I worry? should I call them?... or do you think I'm still at the average waiting time.

Thanks

Najia,

We just got our approval in the mail today (dated last Friday), and we sent 12 days to VSC before you. There are several people who sent after us and got approved in the past weeks. So, there's a good chance that you'll get your approval letter soon. I know it's hard to wait, but try to be patient.

I just updated the May list as well as the VSC list, so they'll be on the top of the list.

Best of luck - hope you get approved soon.

venusfire

You're right, venusfire. I got an email today saying that they ordered the production of my card, I'll receive it in the next couple of weeks it's so exciting!!

Thank you and Good Luck to All

ok Thank you.

Hi everyone,

As you can see below, It's been more than 4 months that I sent my application to Vermont and 3 months since the last file "touch". I'm just wondering if this wait is "normal". I'm checking the USCIS online status almost everyday and there is no change

Should I worry? should I call them?... or do you think I'm still at the average waiting time.

Thanks

Thanks guys for your answers. Thanks Jenn for sharing your experience.

Yes, my GC is expired. I have the NOA1 letter.

It's been nearly 4 months that i sent the package. i did the finger prints. I'm still waiting. Any ideas of what is the average time of wait lately?

Hi all,

I would like to visit my home country (Morocco) in the next couple of weeks for a stay of a month or so.

As you can see below in my timeline, I'm still under removing condition process (no 10 years green card yet) I did the finger prints and didn't hear from the immigration since then

Is it ok to travel now? what about the re-entry? what immigration papers should i bring with me to leave/come back to USA?

Thanks in advance

see you there Sandrila

Great see you there

Hello All,

Since lately many of us are more in Facebook, so I am, I thought it would be nice to have a group for Moroccan wives / moms in North America.

It's a place to share ideas, advice and much more. It's not limited only to Moroccan wives/moms but Foreigners married to Moroccans and Friends of Morocco are welcome as well !!

You’re welcome to join!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=121500564134

Ramadan Mubarak

It took me 2 years of university, I wrote the certification exam while I was attending university.

Due to budget cuts in my state, Educaiton is suffering so no I am not teaching because the budget did not allow for new hires.

Good luck.

Thanks for your answer. Good luck to you too

I have my teaching certificate. It is difficult to help you with that since the certification requirements depend on the state you are in. For me, I had to graduate from an accredited US school with a degree in education and write the state certification exams. Although this is pretty standard based on Federal teacher certification standards, it will still vary by state as to the type of degree you must hold and the exams you will take.

Yes you can get financial aid plus your school will probably have lots of scholarships available.

Good luck

Thanks Canadian Wife,

Well, I live in Louisiana. I read that I need a bachelor degree in Education (or even in an other field) and take the Praxis Exams.

In your case, how long did it take you to get the teaching certificate? are you teaching now?

Thanks everyone for your answers. I do agree with you, Aubrey. I've been doing lot of career search in the internet lately... Some of the fields I like are: Teaching a foreign language, translation, international business.

As you said, since education is very expensive in the US, one should really think and plan ahead !! I'm open for both bachelor or Master's degree. My husband suggests that i should take one class at the community college (like preparation for ACT, or GRE, or English class) so as i can understand the American education system, revise my English and have an other semester to think about what i really wish and best for me to do.

Is there any one, here, who went for a teaching certificate? what is your advice, suggestion for best path.

what about financial aid? is there a chance to get it?

thanks again

Hello,

I don't know if it's the right place to ask this question. I'm in real dilemma, so I decided to get suggestions/advice from VJ members. (as i did many times in the past)

Well, It's been 2 years that i'm here in the US. I'm a mom for a year now. And now i decide to go back to school. the problem is that "i don't know what field is best for me"? "what degree (bachelor or Master) is best for me?" and since all my studies are from overseas, what can I add from US studies, to get a diploma, so hopefully, i'll find a good job in the next couple of years. (when my daughter start school).

Here is a brief summary of what i did in the past (overseas):

- A Bachelor degree in Applied Foreign Languages (Arabic, French, English)

- 5 years professional experience in administrative field (and 1 year in USA)

- Some Translation and language tutoring (some in USA)

Did/do you go to school here? please share your experience and tell me any suggestions/advice.

Many thanks in advance

PS: I want to start as a"part-time student.

Thanks guys for your answers. I always wanted to work as a freelance translator but i thought that it'll be hard since i'm not certified.

I'll check the colleges/universities near by. Good idea!!