shayrene

Congratulations!! Please provide your timeline and service center info. It helps those who are still waiting...

Vermont Service Center

4/28/09 mailed to Vermont

5/11/09 receipt letter, I-751 received by VSC

6/12/09 biometrics Baltimore

8/4/09 approval letter

8/11/09 email, card will be sent within 30 days

Hope this helps.

I just want to seriously thank VisaJourney. My immigration journey has finally ended. Our I-751 was approved on 8/4/2009. We applied in April and we did not have an interview. I followed all the guides in VisaJourney from the K-1, to AOS, to Lifting Conditions and we have our 10 year green card. This website has been so helpful and it saved me the cost of hiring a lawyer. All of my husbands friends come to me with immigration questions and I send them your way. Thanks and Good bye for now.

Bonjour à tous,

I've been on here for a few months but am just an sporadic poster!

My husband is french (Toulousain, to be exact) and I am new-yorkaise, but we are both currently living in France this year. I've become an eternal stagiaire (intern) in order to stay together in France unfortunately.

We're at the NVC stage of the game, and very much hoping to finish the process by January, as my husband is supposed to start a master program in the US in January.

I had a quick question I was hoping someone who has had their interview at the consulate could answer. Is it necessary to translate the Police Certificate and the original birth certificate into english?

I have read on various NVC sites that it is necessary, but my husband insists that since we bring the documents to the interview at the Paris consulate (and they do not pass by NVC), it should not be a problem that they are in french.

Thanks for any advice/experience you can offer, and I am happy to see that so many franco-american couples have successfully navigated US immigration!

Megan

Salut Megan,

You do not need anything translated for the interview in Paris. However, you should get the birth certificate translated for future needs. I am not sure of the process for bringing a husband here, but my then fiance needed a translated BC for his AOS/greencard/EAD. If you are getting a driver's license, some states may require a BC. Translated would be helpful. I just had a friend translate it and certify that she was fluent in both languages with her signature. C'est tout.

Hey Angilla,

I just been approved a couple of weeks ago by CSC for my AOS, and I received my green card already, without an interview.

Just got a question now, the green card is good for 2 years (need to remove condition status), but can I travel now anyway??

Cause my family in France keeps asking me to visit....

Good luck with yours

Yes you can now travel and work with your green card. You also can get in the US Citizen/Permanent Resident line when entering the US at customs.

As one life passes, another one begins. My father passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on August 12. My doctor decided to induce me since I was 38 weeks and 4 cm dilated and wasn't eating and stressed. Baby Noah entered this world healthy on Tuesday, August 14 at 7:44 pm weighing in at 7lbs 15.5 oz and 20.5 inches. I had to have 2 epidurals because the first one was no good. I was out of the hospital on Thursday and flew home for my father's funeral that Saturday.

This is not how I pictured my baby's birth, but I am glad that I was able to come home and be with mother. It is jus sad that my dad didn't get to see Noah. Noah and I are getting to know each other, and trying out this breastfeeding thing. He is super strong and sometimes pushes my breast out of the way. Pretty funny. I will try to upload a pic or two.

August 25 is my husbands birthday. I never thought adam would actually make it to his due date. I figured he would be early and then....one week late and that only because of the induction. He would have gone probably longer than only one week. You never know. All the best though. You are almost there. Are there any signs yet that labor might start soon?

I am 2 cm dilated at my last appointment on Monday. I have been having those braxton-hicks contractions more but they are just practice.

My blood pressure has been elevated since about 34 weeks. So, my doctor may induce next week. I'll find out this Monday. I'll keep you posted.

@Jackson1975. You baby is so cute. We were due around the same time. But I am still pregnant. I don't think my baby will last until August 25th.

@Anne Wow, Congratulations on the new baby. I know it won't be easy, but your son will have a playmate which is always nice. They can entertain themselves. You are not the first person I have heard about getting pregnant after their first. Take care Anne.

Okay, the lil guy is napping...

@Laura- I am truly sorry that you had to go through this again. ***HUGS***

@Chrissy- Congratulations, he's such a cutie

@Anne- Glad to see that Damion is doing fine

@Eveline-Adam is such a little man, I am glad that everything is going fine.

@Shayrene- That is very interesting, especially the part where the baby has to look like the father. (my son looks 95% me, he's got daddy's ears and possible nose)

@Ace- Congratulations on the heartbeat ....That is awesome,I think that is when it really "hit me" that I was making a person. I loved hearing his heartbeat.

@JME3584- Thank you, I am blessed that we both survived, that one. It was sad to see those other smaller/earlier/sicker babies in the NICU.... Just glad my son is almost 5lbs. and was healthy enough to come home.

WELCOME MOMS TO BE

Stina, Sara, Yassmine, Me n Him

I see the "baby dust" has been working in this place

Hi Tonya,

I am so glad that everything worked out for you. Zackery is here now and you can enjoy him. I was right behind you in my pregnancy. I am 34 weeks. Right now, everyone is giving their advice making me feel so far behind. "You don't have a daycare provider yet. Well good luck!" He isn't even born yet. "Who's your pediatrician?" Ummmm! Let me get right on that. "You just started childbirth class, isn't that late?"

Well, everything is fine with me. My feet still swell and I am measuring at 38 weeks pregnant (at my 32 week appt). He will just be a big big boy.

Take care Mommies and Mommies to be!

Hey everyone,

Just checking in. Congrats to all the new preggos. My baby shower is Saturday and I am excited about seeing all my friends and family. My family is coming up from Memphis. My husband has some cousins here, which is good. They will represent his side of the family.

Oh, you wonder why I know about my shower. My friends don't do surprises because they never work. LOL.

We will also have a 8th day party for my son based on my husband's customs. On the 8th day after the baby is born, the baby is introduced to the world. Someone who was born on the same day of the week (ie. Thursday) as my son will present him to God and the world. If you saw Roots, you know what I am talking about. We won't do everything. (I am technically suppose to stay in the house with the baby until the 8th day)

It is all vary interesting.

I am not sure why it is the 8th Day. I will ask my husband. I also know that his female relatives will wait to see what the baby looks like before they congratulate my husband. It has to be confirmed that the baby looks like him. I laughed when my husband told me this. Let's just pray the baby has more of his traits than mine. JK!

My husband received his green card in the mail today. We are overjoyed. I am so happy to be done with this process, (until lifting of conditions).

I wanted to sincerely thank everyone on this site. It has been a wealth of information and a comfort when we were dealing with IMBRA last year.

So now I am going to relax and have our first baby next month. Yippee!

Merci beaucoup, Vous etes tres gentil!

Sherry & Angelo

My husband and I just got back from Atlanta. I had him carry his passport. I also brought our letters from USCIS (NOA1, etc). However, all the airline needed was some ID and the passport or a DL would suffice.

Hey everyone,

Just checking in. Congrats to all the new preggos. My baby shower is Saturday and I am excited about seeing all my friends and family. My family is coming up from Memphis. My husband has some cousins here, which is good. They will represent his side of the family.

Oh, you wonder why I know about my shower. My friends don't do surprises because they never work. LOL.

We will also have a 8th day party for my son based on my husband's customs. On the 8th day after the baby is born, the baby is introduced to the world. Someone who was born on the same day of the week (ie. Thursday) as my son will present him to God and the world. If you saw Roots, you know what I am talking about. We won't do everything. (I am technically suppose to stay in the house with the baby until the 8th day)

It is all vary interesting.

Congrats on your marriage bostonparis. Now it is just a waiting game.

I am so sorry to hear about your father Angilla. I am glad that you were able to spend time with him before he passed.

I chose not to have diamonds. When I was in college, a classmate of mine maxed out her credit cards to get her family out of Sierra Leone to London. Her grandmother's throat was cut and she could not find alot of her male family members. I kept wondering why this wasn't on the news. (another commentary for another day on poor American news) Ever since then, I said I would not have a diamond. Even if a jeweler says that they are non conflict diamonds, the borders in Africa are easily crossed. So can it truly be a non-conflict diamond. I understand that the conflict is over, but I realized I can't do it. I have a citrine stone engagement ring. (yellow color)

Well I went to the doc today and I am measuring at 32 weeks and not 28 weeks. So she is sending me for another ultrasound. I have a fibroid that is growing because I am pregnant and she is thinking that is why I am so big. But, good news is that my glucose test was negative so no gestational diabetes. But, my iron is low, so I have to supplement. Must be all that blood going to both the baby and the fibroid.

Besides the swelling of my feet, I feel great. My feet went up a whole size. I am praying that it goes back down.

To God Be The Glory. What a truly inspirational story. You and your husband have an unwaivering faith that epitomizes what a marriage truly is. May God continue to bless you always. Please let us know when he arrives in the USA. So we all can do a happy dance for you.

Take Care

Hi Rhonda, Thanks for the encouragment. I was wondering in your expirience if you think that it is easier to marry in france ou the us ? or which do you think is faster and will facilitate not having to be separated for a long time? I keep going over in my mind whether we should strive to get things straight on the french side or the US side, which one will give us less headache. I had talked with a french couple that i met in the states while my fiance was trying to get a work visa after finding a great company, but with all of the quotas and restrictions the work visa was not going along as planned. They kept telling us that we should get married and not worry about the work visa. We wanted to wait alittle while to marry and plan a huge wedding thinking that a speedy wedding wasnt something we were going to do right away. All of the people i had met had married their french partners and said it was so much faster and less hassle. Now that we are engaged and looking to marry it seems that the process isnt at all simple or fast and we feel like the other couple we had met must have been kidding when they said that this was the easy part; lol ... I hope to get more info tomorrow here in paris at the embassy. Thanks again for answering me and for any insights that might help .

Welcome to the site. How long are you planning on staying in Paris? It used to be that you could DCF (direct consular filing) at the Paris consulate and this would be faster. DCF could be used if the US citizen lived in France. This used to be quicker. (I would check out the IR1/CR1 board about the new developments of DCF and be sure to ask the consulate about this tomorrow)

My husband and I got married after he came on a K1 visa and are planning the big ceremony in November. This gave us time to plan. I think alot of people on VJ do the civil ceremony first and then plan a wedding later. Immigration is too unpredictable to plan it the other way. (setting a wedding date without knowing when his visa will be approved).

We didn't do the K-3 because I did not want to be apart from my husband while we waited. But my husband would have been able to work right away even after his K-1 visa expired.

I would read the pros and cons as suggested by someone. It is a hard decision to make and depends on your situation.

Initially our K-1 was approved fast and my husband would have been here last summer. But because Bush passed a new law that delayed processing, he wasn't able to come to December. However, if we had gotten married he would have been here sooner.

Bon Chance with your decision.

Bea finally got her appointment!

June 13

Felicitations!

Let us know how it goes.

Hey everybody!

I am new to this thread, but by no means new to this site (despite the "newbie" title on the left). I forgot my previous login info so had to start over with a new one! LOL I was a VJ addict when I went through my K1 in '03-'04. We had our first VJ baby Dominic in April '05 and we are now expecting our second VJ baby in November. I am now 14 weeks pregnant and I hope everything will go well this time...DH and I have 3 angel babies:

#1 03/03 (11w5d)

#2 04/04 (16w4d)

#3 11/06 (18w2d)

We are VERY nervous right now and my next appointment is 5/28 so hopefully everything is still good then. I have had 2 u/s with this pregnancy so far and things seem to be going well. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. Anyways, great to meet you all.

Melissa

Welcome Back Melissa. I hope that everything goes well with this pregnancy.

Congratulations Sammy! Wow what a birth experience.

Welcome to all the newcomers (JCH and Maguilart).

I am going for my glucose test tomorrow. I can't believe that I am 26 weeks. My big baby boy has been good to me. I sometimes forget I am pregnant. (until I rollover in the bed, sleeping isn't that easy) HA HA HA!

Angelo and I are trying to come up with good names. I am afraid that I will leave the hospital and my baby's name will be baby boy!

Bienvenue Aurelie,

Whenever you begin your process, this is definitely the place to be. You will be able to get all the help that you need.

Good luck with everything!

Salut

I went with my fiance to his interview. You need the I-864 including tax returns, W2s and pay stubs. (I also included the letter from my employer) I had a copy of the I-129F that was sent. Evidence of an ongoing relationship (airline ticket stubs, passport stamps, pictures of you together, e-mail messsages, letters, phone bills or wedding plans etc) You will also need an updated letter expressing your intent to marry her within 90 days.

Hope this helps!!

Bon Chance

From my husband:

le rapport de police est un casier judiciaire que vous devez prendre dans tous les endroits ou vous avez vecu apres l'age de 16 ans

si vous etes francais et avez toujours vecu en france vous pouvez le demander par ecrit a nante ou s'y rendre directement par vous meme et vous l'aurez sur place

si vous etes etranger vivant en france vous devez en plus du casier judiciaire francais y ajouter celui du ou des pays ou vous avez vecu apres 16ans

j'expere que mes renseignements vous serviront et je suis toujours a votre disposition

Call your insurance company. Routine vaccinations are covered under a primary care visit. I put my husband on my insurance. Found him a primary care physician. He went for an annual check up. $15 co-pay. Doctor ordered blood tests to see if he had varicella. We took the results of the blood test and the vaccination record to the civil surgeon, who transcribed it for $25. Th civil surgeon would have charged us $65 for the blood test, and $94 for the varicella vaccine if the blood test did not show he had varicella as a child.

On another note, my insurance would have paid for him to have all his vaccines every 3 years as needed or prescribed by the primary care doctor.

We had a problem with the POE as well. At JFK, they put my husband in as a sudent visa and not a K-1. So when we went to the SSN office to get his card, they would not issue us one because their was an error in the computer. I called the misinformation line and they told me to make an INFOPASS appt. At the INFOPASS, they told us to go to the airport. Well, we are in Baltimore and his POE was JFK airport. It didn't matter, so we went to BWI airport.

Once we got to the airport, we found the Customs and Homeland Security Office. They had to change it in their computers first.

The mistake cost us an extra month. Because we had to wait for 2 weeks for it to register in the computer before going back to the SSN office to apply for a card. And then had to wait for the SSN card.

My husband had lived in France for 10 years, but still had a Togolese passport. We didn't have a problem. They just asked for police records from Togo.