Debmm

USCIS returned my docs back to me because I didnt include biometrics fees in the check. Sucks.

Oops I'm sorry! 🙁 Hopefully CSC will follow soon! I know my journey is still long ahead, check got cashed doesn't mean the wait is over..praying for speed process for all of us! 🙏

Our check just got cashed today!
We sent on April 13th and received on the 16th. Check cashed today May 17th. VSC

Me too, but I got that done today *phew*

Finally i have my passport and visa. Time to get this show on the road

Hi. I'm a bit confused, in packet 3 it tells you to complete the DS160 but he has done so without packet 3?
I can only comment on my process.
When my status said "Ready" i phoned the Johannesburg consulate to confirm receipt. They said yes and will email packet 3.
They emailed packet 3 the next day stating i need to complete the DS160 and D2001. I completed both and sent them back the same day. I got packet 4 the following day and the scheduled my medical. This all happened in the span of 3 days. Once my case said "Ready" i never called the NVC.
How did your interview go?

I'm not living in the states yet but my comments are based on my 2 month stay in Savannah.
This has been mentioned before but sales tax is a big one for me. I think one day i had just enough cash for one item that i wanted but then got to the till and they were like that's $5,30 and i only had $5. The whole thing could have been avoided had tax been included.
Salad. To me a salad has lettuce, cucumber, tomato etc, not just lettuce and dressing.
Filling up your car. I know this is country specific but in South Africa we have petrol attendants who do it for you. I definitely looked like a clueless idiot when i was filling up my car.
Grocery stores. I walked around for hours trying to find fresh cream. Thinking one would find it with the refrigerated fresh dairy products. Only to find it with the likes of cool whip. That was one example, but i would spend on average 30mins longer just trying to find things i would think were in one section but they were in a completely different section.
Are there any 24 hour fast food places besides waffle house. My fiance would finish work late, 10pm, and we could never find somewhere to eat.
Good things
Turning right on a red light. It's great not having to wait. But i have been "honked" at a few times when i forgot. (took me a minute to remember coz we turn left here)
Although you really have to look hard for fresh food, a lot of the food is very convenient and can just throw in the oven.
The interstate, so many lanes and so much space! That goes for parking spots too. Parallel parking is so easy I'm not sure if that's a southern thing because so many people drive trucks.

Finally got our NOA2 yesterday!!! It was difficult watching everyone nearing interview stage/ finish line while we were still stuck at the start line, so to speak.
Kind of poetic that it's on our anniversary.

It seems that you came on here with the wrong attitude because your seeking help from people who have previous experience with this situation but with a terrible attitude towards the struggle that everyone on here has dealt with and is dealing with.
It seems your soon to be fiancee is here on a student visa, which she came on thinking that she would leave after her education program will be over. Correct? So that is good news because if she didn't know that you were going to propose then she has not committed visa faud. You need to start changing your wording and mindset of why you helped her with her student visa so that you dont get charged for visa faud. It seems after living with your gf while she was here on her student visa, that you decided that she is the love of your life and that yall want to get married. So get married and file for AOS, which yes cost an lot at one time but at least yall will be together. I am not positive about this but she might be able to not take as many classes because she will be in the states for a different reason now instead of a student visa. Now basically follow that other post that someone suggested and follow that process.
Also remember that some people have been separated from there loves ones for years and would love to be able to take the easy way out but this website is her as support system to doing it the right way aka the long/hard way. You are extremely lucky your future wife was able to come on a student visa and that you were able to do AOS while in the states not like many others on this site.
That is my 2 cents, I hope it helps you.
Cheers,
Sara

I just got an sms from Home Affairs, my unabridged birth certificate is ready for collection!!!!! It took 5 weeks
Just wish we could get our NOA2 soon.

I have searched for a similar group but have not managed to find one for 2015. If there is one apologies for the duplicate. I was just wondering if there are other South Africans currently under going the process so we can share our experiences from filing, to police clearance, birth certificates and so forth.
Looking forward to hearing from you

Good luck. I was complaining that i had to go to Johannesburg (I live in Cape Town), but then i saw how many people have to travel from a different country to get to the embassy and/or for their medical.