Nele

Hi yall!!

The time has come, I'm going back home to visit friends and family for two weeks in March next year.
My question:

Do I need any paperwork? Is my EU passport good? Or do I need a USA one? (I'm assuming I don't because I'm not a citizen but I want to make sure)
Has anyone ever had trouble getting back in, or should I just not be worried at all?

And then one more - maybe random - question:

I still have a Belgian bank account and buying tickets from Belgium is always cheaper for some reason. I can just buy myself a ticket from a Belgian site right? From LAX to Brussels and back to LAX? I mean, I don't see why I couldn't? But in case anyone could confirm this, that would be amazing!

I'm honestly nervous to go back, although I don't know why. hahaha! By the time I get there, it'll be 1 year and 8 months since I left and saw my friends... Crazy.

Thanks so much!!

xo

Aw man, I feel so bad for your brother... How long have they been dating?

It'll be alright but the visiting part will be more on her side for the time being.
Here's what's up, if you survive a long distance relationship for a while, odds are slim that you won't survive living together. There is no way to prepare you anyway. 6 months on a love vacay is not the same as living and working together for the rest of your life. So if they're really in love, they'll find their way and just go with the K1 visa when they're ready.

Alright,

my Belgian friend, who is a rapper, will be visiting the USA at the end of this month.

I want to throw a party Downtown where he can perform, entrance to the party will be free, he will not get paid.
Some other friends will dj, there will be online promo.

Can he get into trouble for doing this since he's here on a tourist visa? I think he's being too paranoid but I might be wrong and I want to assure him it's fine... I mean, free entrance and no payment, I would think that does not equal work??

Thank you in advance!

*** Thread is moved from K-1 Process forum to the AOS/Family-Based main forum -- OP is past the K-1 stage. ***

Okay cool, I didn't know where I had to post this My bad!

Hi guys,

Our interview is scheduled on March 1st and I'm very nervous.
I just wanted to ask for some tips on what you guys brought to your interview. Also; how long did it take and how was the over all experience for you? Did you get interviewed separately?

It says to bring a bunch of things UNLESS already submitted. I did submit all these things along the process, like the medical exam, and just want to make sure I don't have to do these things again?

Basically all I need is my passport, my work permit, more proof of relationship and both our birth certificates, right?

aaahhh! Last step!!1

I wanted to let you all know it was fine!
Received my permit about 5 weeks after my appointment YAY

I just came out of the Wilshire office for my biometrics appointment.

It was all fine and dandy until I had to have my picture taken and the lady said I had to take my piercing out, I have a silver nose ring.
Unfortunately, I can't take it out myself, it's shut and can only be opened with pliers, which I obviously didn't have on me.
We did the whole thing any way, she took the prints, the photos, stamped my forms, and said I could be lucky as it apparently depends on who receives your file whether they make a big deal out of your piercing or not. However, they can refuse my application and make me go through it all over because of it.

This blew my mind. During my entire K1 visa process I have never ever heard or read anywhere that the United States does not allow piercings.
I have my piercing in every single photo I have taken for my case, for my K1 visa, for all my other applications...
If I would've known in advance, I would've just gone to a pierce shop and have it removed.
I am beyond frustrated because a company offered me a job and are waiting on my permit for me to start, I need the job and I need the money.

So my question is, how big is the chance they will refuse me?

Should I go back to the center and ask if they will let me take the biometrics again, this time without my piercing? Would they accept that?

I don't want to wait one month just to to receive a letter saying I have to do it all over because nobody notified me in advance about my stupid nose ring. It's so petty!! I can't even. I don't want to lose this job opportunity!!! And I'm bored of not having anything to do...

Hi guys,

It went really smooth!

Stood in line at customs for not even 10 minutes, went up to the officer, did the whole fingerprint thing, gave the envelope from the embassy, the officer checked everything and wished me a happy life and a good marriage.

The whole thing did't even last 20 minutes, queuing included

Don't know if I'm always lucky with the people at customs but this guy was the nicest.

Hi you guys,

I'm leaving to Los Angeles tomorrow *hooray*, I packed the big envelope I'm not supposed to open in my carry on and am ready to go.

But I was wondering what will happen at customs?

I heard it can take up to four hours to get through with the K1? or is that an urban legend? *hope so*

And what will they do? Ask me stuff? Maybe sing Kumbaya?

Looking forward to hearing your experiences!

Thanks you guys!

It all went super smooth, the lady who did my interview was super sweet and I went to pick up my visa a week later.
No comments or questions were asked about my birth certificate...

I'm moving to LA this tuesday

Thank you all so much for everything, this forum is amazing and helped me out so many times!! Don't know what I would've done without it...

Okay,

I just snooped around the forum and I just found out my birth certificate should be an international birth certificate, when I only have a "regular" one.

I'm about to leave for my interview in 30 minutes so I can't change anything but wanted to know if anyone has an idea of how big an issue this is?

It didn't say anywhere on my paperwork that they specifically need an international one, so I'm hoping it won't be too much of a big deal.

I'm dying over this. I've used the same certificate in all my other applications and never had any remarks...

help

It varies a lot in the countries. Best read in forums related to Belgium.

In Frankfurt, I needed literally nothing except for my passport. They didn't even want to see the proof payment or appointment. Let alone photos or proofs.

And they asked only 3 questions, look at my review:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=16912

I haven't received a payment slip yet, but I'm guessing that comes with the letter for my interview?

Yeah, I'll see what they want me to bring! I just wanted to check how everyone else's experience had been and if they ask any weird questions...

Thanks for your reply!! Those questions are really easy to answer I heard they can ask questions like what the color of his toothbrush is or whatever. But who remembers that tho?

I was like "damn, I gotta remember all these little things before I go"

Hi Everyone,

I'm ready to send out my last letter to the embassy which will get me my interview sometime soon...
This is all amazing as it's been going WAY faster than we anticipated on.
I was just wondering what to expect from the interview, what kind of questions will they ask? Is it wise to bring some extra things, like proof of engagement/relationship?
I have a box full of photos and letters

Kinda nervous! Next week I get the X-rays of my lungs and that'll be the very last thing I have to do before the interview.

Can't believe it's almost over.

Thanks so much!

xo

I believe you only need to answer PART 1 correct? Anything that asks about a spouse, you just put NONE.

Follow this example form: http://www.visajourney.com/examples/Form-DS-230.pdf

Thank you!

I noticed my DS*230 only has two pages but yours has four? That's weird?

I only have part one... Maybe that's all I need then?

Hi guys,

I'm currently arranging my last paperwork before filing for my interview! EXCITING

But so, I'm working on my DS-230, which was added in my letter and stated I should fill this out, but it asks a lot about my spouse.

Since we are not married yet and I'm filing for a K1, I was wondering if this form is maybe only for people who are already married?

Or do I just put "N/A" in that entire section on the form?

Just wanna make sure ^^

Thanks again! Hope yall are doing great!

xo

Does anyone know what happens now? After the NOA 2..

I called the Embassy and they kept saying they couldn't answer my questions and that I had to go to their website, where I didn't find anything I was looking for...

So vague!

Aw thanks you guys!!!!

You're all really lovely here... <3

Good luck to each and every one of you! It's only a matter of time and trying to stay patient!! Weddingbells await everyone regardless

Actually, the 90 days starts only after you enter with your K1 visa - so once you are already in the USA.

NOA2: Valid for 4 months from the date of approval and can be extended on request, if not automatically done by the embassy.

K1 Visa: Once issued, this is valid for six months from the date of the medical. So the medical starts the clock and you have six months from then to enter the USA on your K1 visa.

90 days: From the day you enter on K1, this is how long you have in which to get married.

Hope that looks a bit better for you

Oh Easter approval - that's better than chocolate!

OMG! I did NOT know that!!!

YES this makes me feel like 1000 TIMES BETTER!!

You sir or madam, are my personal hero.

T H A N K Y O U

I also don't know specifically about the Brussels embassy, but usually it takes a little time to get the paperwork through NVC and the interview scheduled. Also, once you have the visa it is valid for 6 months, so you do still have some time even if you don't delay the interview. Good luck as you go through the rest of the process!

My K1 Visa is only valid for 90 days, in which I have to get there and find a moment to get married...

Which is why I'm concerned... I just want some pressure off the deadline, it's too much to make everything happen at this pace...

I already moved out my apartment, sold all my stuff, all the praktical things are done, so that's a relief.

But the sale of my business is just draining me beyond belief...

Thanks for replying!

Oh and we got our NOA2 this weekend! Easter gift ^^

Only have the WAC number so far!

Oh no worries hon'! I got it I just didn't want to make you feel bad in any way, I thought maybe you were waiting for months already and I know this is a lot to deal with for everyone

My main issue is that as long is this sale isn't done, I can't even talk to people (except for really close friends) about my immigration process. If people know I'm leaving, eventually my customers will find out (small town) and I will lose profit and what not. So I am completely alone in this whole thing which really, REALLY sucks
Hearing you say there's ways to work around it, although if I would be my rational self I would've thought about that too, already helps me out. It's just nice to be able to talk to people, especially if they understand what this all means. I make my best friends cry when I talk about it cuz they're sad to see me go So I try to keep them out the loop as it breaks my heart to see 'm sad...
And the people who are more emotionally distant from me are all unaware... So I'm just here like -.-

I'll just call the consulate tomorrow and tell 'm straight up what my situation is, hopefully we can work something out then.

Although my fiancé obviously wants me to leave asap, I don't think I'll be able to do that... Which is fine, I'd rather take my time here and subsequently take some pressure off myself than work until I crash to make killer deadlines happen. I would like to have some time to enjoy my last weeks here and say goodbye to people and places. Now all I do is work 7/7 and nobody knows anything. It's not how I wanted to go about it at all... I don't wanna be like "hey guys, I'm leaving in 24 hours, see you never again." I mean... That's just too hard for me.

When did you get your NOA2? You can try calling NVC, but it will take a couple of weeks before they have it on their system from the time of your approval. Once they have your case number they should be able to advise you of the process. When I called last week, the agent at NVC told me that my embassy will assign my interview date and issue further instructions from this point on, but some of the countries work differently. You may be able to put in a request with NVC if they assign the interviews, failing which, you could wait until the consulate has received it.

If you want to watch where your case is once you have the number (different to your WAC number) you can put it in here https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx That way, if you have to contact your embassy, you can monitor your petition to see when it's arrived there. They won't know about it until it is on their system which is why it's important to know if and when they receive it. Your NOA2 has an 'expiration date' four months from the date you were approved, but this can be extended either by request or in some cases, it is extended automatically. Whatever the case, it is easy to remedy so don't let it concern you. There are many reasons why people need more time and it happens a lot. Often the beneficiary has trouble getting documents from other countries prior to the medical and interview and needs more time for this, so your situation is not unique and there are ways to work with it.

Just to avoid any doubt, my comment about us wanting to trade timelines was said as a joke. If it read that you are ungrateful, that wasn't at all what was supposed to be conveyed. I think you saw it as a joke, but just wanted to make sure it didn't come across as offensive.

Thanks for your reply, I know I should feel more lucky, and at the same time, I do, but the sale of my business is a heavy one because if I don't get it done in time, I will be leaving with debt.

If it wouldn't be so important, I wouldn't even worry and worst case just close down...

The NOA2 states I should contact the consulate, and seeing as the NOA2 lasts three months, I was wondering if I could buy some time by post-poning contacting the consulate?

Or is that just stupid? Lol. I need like at least three months here..

Thank you for wishing me well, I can't wait to start my life in LA with the man of my dreams... I'm so much happier there, it blows my mind... It's nice to be reminded of what awaits me...

If this store would just sell, I'd be over the moon :'D It's such a slow and nerve wrecking process, it's a pain in my butt.

There is a bunch of us who would have paid to trade timelines with you

Congratulations!

Have you had a look at the regional forum to see if there are other Belgian filers who have completed their timelines to give you an idea? Not all the embassies process the interview assignments the same way. It looks like some are done at NVC before they are sent out to the beneficiary's embassy, while others are sent quickly and the dates assigned there instead. You are not the first and won't be the last to need more time though and there are ways to put in a request to delay the interview. But you are best checking with others who have gone through the same embassy. I wouldn't want to give you inaccurate information and they are not all the same. All the best with the move and your plans for your wedding

Hi Guys,

My American boyfriend received our NOA2 this weekend and we got approved!!
Super stoked!

However, I am also in the process of selling my business and am now kind of freaking out about the time I have left to get my sale done and my papers in check.

Does anyone know an estimation of how long it will take for me to go through the process with the consulate here? I am going through Brussels, Belgium, which is a small country so I am both scared and happy it might go very fast. But I really need more time to finish the sale of my business here.

It's driving me up the wall, can't really be happy or unhappy right now... It's so exhausting going through both processes at the same time.

I thought it would take somewhere between 2 and 3 months to get this approval and the new dealine is scaring the hell out of me...Altho I should feel lucky it got processed so fast! And I do but at the same time I don't... Omg, can't wait for all this to be over.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this!

Nele

Hi Kim!

Of "hoi en hoe gaat het" hahaha

We just received confirmation and are now waiting on response of the service center in California... I've heard it can go really fast in Cali so we're hopeful!

Where are you guys filing??

If you're ever in town, feel free to hit me up! Would love to grab a coffee!

Much love en vriendelijke groetjes,

Nele

Hahaha, I agree! Thanks for the kind words.

It's hard enough as it is, this forum is a beautiful place really... everyone's heart is in this thing and so far I've had nothing but really great experiences talking to people. Might as well just support each other because let's be honest, nobody really gets this unless you're in it.

And people around me are always so friggin dramatic about it I'd rather come here and be all motivational with people who actually know what the heck this all is...

Thanks again for taking the time to reply! Babysteps