annachka

Congratulations!! So happy for you! So glad that so many marchers are finally finishing or nearing finish after such a long wait! Although it took so long during times now it also feels like it went by so fast...

Hey! Have a couple more updates and maybe some useful info in case anyone runs across anything similar.
 
tl;dr: the DS-160 process has been bumpy and the medical is super expensive!
 
On Sunday, we made a date to finish filling out the DS-160, pay the fee, and schedule the interview!  I woke up super early on a Sunday just to get this all sorted.  We happily went through the form and hit all kinds of errors that prevented any progress. 
 
Problem 1: DS-160 fiance address state and zipcode would not save
For whatever reason, the address for the fiance on the DS-160 would not save the state and zipcode!  I think the issue is probably that the info is saved, but is not regurgitated correctly when you load that form, so it appears as missing every time.  Anyway, if you encounter this problem, just fill it out and hit next -- it actually does save, it just doesn't appear to.
 
Problem 2: DS-160 photo upload showed an error that prevents you from signing the form
We got to the photo part and tried to upload the photo and it just would not accept it no matter what we tried!  More specifically, it would give us the green check that everything is fine, and then tell us there's an error when we went to upload. The photo has to have 600x600px-1200x1200px resolution and be less than 240k.  Aside from that, it's just a standard US passport photo.  Here are the things we tried:
Editing the photo with the tool they make available on the site (it uses flash so we had to install the latest) -- this is actually a really great tool if you don't have Photoshop to resize things nicely.  Didn't help with the upload, though. Trying to submit the photo with every single browser and system permutations (Chrome, Safari, IE, Firefox, in MacOS, Windows, and Chrome and Safari on iOS) Using the "Test Photo" link on the front page and attaching it to the application -- this is useful to do a quick test without going through all the login process to test whether it magically started working, though! The solution is simply to wait and try it again (try it with "Test Photo" on the front page to avoid the login).  It worked later in the evening with nothing else changed!
 
Problem 3: no option for Immigrant Visa on ustraveldocs.com
My fiance was here on a J-1 visa, which he did with the US Embassy in Copenhagen.  Because the Embassy in Copenhagen doesn't do K-1s anymore, and his account was still tied to that embassy, the system would not give him the option to apply for an Immigrant/K-1 visa!  We tried creating a new account using my email, but when we filled out all his info, the system flagged it, saying that a user with that info (passport number, etc) already exists, and it wouldn't let us continue.  The solution was to write the embassy using the "Provide Feedback" link on the left side. They were able to fix it for us within a day.
 
Problem 4: the address to specify on ustraveldocs.com is Sweden-only -- no country field!
We read online that this is fine and to just do your best in filling this out, but address it at the embassy.  Maybe someone else has a firmer answer on this?
 
Problem 5: interview options available only for this month!
Interviews in Stockholm are done on Thursdays only, and at 8:30am.  For some reason, we can only see the appointment times for this month!  Due to logistics (can't get days off, other travel plans), we have to do the appointment the first Thursday of next month.  No idea how to solve this one yet, but we'll try writing the embassy again. 
 
Problem 6: holy moly, the medical/vaccination appointment was 'spensive!!
We read up on how much it would cost on average and budgeted about $300-400 for it.  It turned out to be $550!! Brutal. Nothing doing, just pay it.  The medical includes an x-ray that you have to schedule separately (at least in Denmark), but he was able to get a same-day appointment and it all went smoothly.  Make sure to bring your vaccination card if you can find it.  It'll save you some trouble.  He said he only needed to get one vaccination that wasn't standard, thanks to the card.
 
Problem 7: every single record has to have an English translation!
This wasn't a problem for most things, but his military record is in Danish and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get translation.  He's gonna call them tomorrow and find out.  We don't know how long a translation would take or what it would cost..  We could do the translation ourselves and then officiate it maybe?  This was the primary thing that has prevented us from scheduling the interview in October.  Anyone have this problem?
 
Anyway, everything is going great otherwise and we're super excited to be moving along with this process :D!!
 
 

Hey Marchers, checking in with an update. Had my embassy interview this morning and I am VISA APPROVED!!!!!
 
So glad to finally have all this paperwork-worry behind me! At least until AOS rolls around but it’s a welcomed break so I can finally focus on wedding planning and the actual move.
 
So my appointment was at 9:30am and I got there 20 minutes beforehand and the security couldn’t find my name for a while. Made me wish I had showed up a little earlier. Anyway, turns out, my name was on a different list; the “immigrant visa” list as opposed to “non-immi”. After that everything went pretty smooth. Interview was super quick. They took the basic paperwork from me (police cert, birth cert, i134 and latest year taxes) but that was it. No relationship evidence needed or requested, probably because we front-loaded the ####### out of the petition. Maybe 4 or 5 basic-ish questions were asked (home address, wedding plans....) and I was done! All I heard was approved and marriage well wishes then I was out the door. Passport with visa and packet will be available on Thursday for pick up so it’s a quick turnaround. 
 
Want to send a big thanks to everyone here for all the help. Even just reading everyone’s experiences along the way was a huge help. I had planned to use a lawyer in the beginning but changed my mind quick when I discovered VJ. That proved to be the best decision I could’ve made. It saved me a ton and the knowledge I’ve gained has been invaluable.....not to mention all the great ppl I’ve encountered on here along the way! Prayers and best of luck to everyone still on their journey!

Hey! Have a couple more updates and maybe some useful info in case anyone runs across anything similar.
 
tl;dr: the DS-160 process has been bumpy and the medical is super expensive!
 
On Sunday, we made a date to finish filling out the DS-160, pay the fee, and schedule the interview!  I woke up super early on a Sunday just to get this all sorted.  We happily went through the form and hit all kinds of errors that prevented any progress. 
 
Problem 1: DS-160 fiance address state and zipcode would not save
For whatever reason, the address for the fiance on the DS-160 would not save the state and zipcode!  I think the issue is probably that the info is saved, but is not regurgitated correctly when you load that form, so it appears as missing every time.  Anyway, if you encounter this problem, just fill it out and hit next -- it actually does save, it just doesn't appear to.
 
Problem 2: DS-160 photo upload showed an error that prevents you from signing the form
We got to the photo part and tried to upload the photo and it just would not accept it no matter what we tried!  More specifically, it would give us the green check that everything is fine, and then tell us there's an error when we went to upload. The photo has to have 600x600px-1200x1200px resolution and be less than 240k.  Aside from that, it's just a standard US passport photo.  Here are the things we tried:
Editing the photo with the tool they make available on the site (it uses flash so we had to install the latest) -- this is actually a really great tool if you don't have Photoshop to resize things nicely.  Didn't help with the upload, though. Trying to submit the photo with every single browser and system permutations (Chrome, Safari, IE, Firefox, in MacOS, Windows, and Chrome and Safari on iOS) Using the "Test Photo" link on the front page and attaching it to the application -- this is useful to do a quick test without going through all the login process to test whether it magically started working, though! The solution is simply to wait and try it again (try it with "Test Photo" on the front page to avoid the login).  It worked later in the evening with nothing else changed!
 
Problem 3: no option for Immigrant Visa on ustraveldocs.com
My fiance was here on a J-1 visa, which he did with the US Embassy in Copenhagen.  Because the Embassy in Copenhagen doesn't do K-1s anymore, and his account was still tied to that embassy, the system would not give him the option to apply for an Immigrant/K-1 visa!  We tried creating a new account using my email, but when we filled out all his info, the system flagged it, saying that a user with that info (passport number, etc) already exists, and it wouldn't let us continue.  The solution was to write the embassy using the "Provide Feedback" link on the left side. They were able to fix it for us within a day.
 
Problem 4: the address to specify on ustraveldocs.com is Sweden-only -- no country field!
We read online that this is fine and to just do your best in filling this out, but address it at the embassy.  Maybe someone else has a firmer answer on this?
 
Problem 5: interview options available only for this month!
Interviews in Stockholm are done on Thursdays only, and at 8:30am.  For some reason, we can only see the appointment times for this month!  Due to logistics (can't get days off, other travel plans), we have to do the appointment the first Thursday of next month.  No idea how to solve this one yet, but we'll try writing the embassy again. 
 
Problem 6: holy moly, the medical/vaccination appointment was 'spensive!!
We read up on how much it would cost on average and budgeted about $300-400 for it.  It turned out to be $550!! Brutal. Nothing doing, just pay it.  The medical includes an x-ray that you have to schedule separately (at least in Denmark), but he was able to get a same-day appointment and it all went smoothly.  Make sure to bring your vaccination card if you can find it.  It'll save you some trouble.  He said he only needed to get one vaccination that wasn't standard, thanks to the card.
 
Problem 7: every single record has to have an English translation!
This wasn't a problem for most things, but his military record is in Danish and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get translation.  He's gonna call them tomorrow and find out.  We don't know how long a translation would take or what it would cost..  We could do the translation ourselves and then officiate it maybe?  This was the primary thing that has prevented us from scheduling the interview in October.  Anyone have this problem?
 
Anyway, everything is going great otherwise and we're super excited to be moving along with this process :D!!
 
 

Дякую!  
It was way too long wait. Lucky couple.

Awwww thank you! That's very sweet! I'm glad if I could spread some positive spirit!
Wishing you all the best, and may you be done now soon! Hugs!

Just a quick check in gang.  Medical and interview is all set up and ready to go. So excited and nervous to finally be so close to being done 

I've started getting ready - and having some little mishaps that make me wish I could move sooner On the other hand, I also started having thoughts like "Where am I going? I should have persuaded Eric to move here" 

Awesome :D!! So glad to hear it!  You were waiting so long, gees.

So our case managed to get out of the NVC on Friday and today ceac status shows "Ready". 
Awaiting for a call/email from the embassy to proceed with ds160 registration and interview booking.  Medical done two weeks ago. A bit confused cause when I gave case number at the medical it was without two digits and KEV letters in the end that appeared today after case was received by the embassy. Hope it won't be an issue. 
Thank you everyone for your support. You are an awesome people and I wish all the best with your loved ones! 
 

Skype works perfectly.  It's the lack of interpersonal communication I hate.  We use Whatsapp video, also, but having someone physically with you as opposed to half a world away on a computer or app.
 
After so long of a LD relationship and 4 to 5 months between personally seeing each other,  I'm just ready to get us in the same household  

I hate SKYPE now!   So tired of that ring tone, Do Dee Do, Do Do, Do Dee Do, Dee Do............  
 
I really REALLY need in person instead of pixels and 0's and 1's     
 
Yeah, I felt bad for @TearsOfBabylon who couldn't get to everyone to say goodbye and then they was showing up in the train station to see her off.   It's sooooo hard to lift up a life in one side of the globe and move it to another side.  She's gonna be sorely missed in Germany - just like you are going to be missed in Ukraine.  Kinda cool for the US......... We get some awesome people out of the deal!  

That is true, but it's much more fun to deal with it together Well, and just being together is much more fun than talking via Skype
 
Time does fly! I still have so many things to do before leaving that I'm not sure I have enough time for all of them...

I agree, it's nice to know the exact date for a change, unlike watching USCIS paint dry.
Still hard to believe that the journey is almost over though
 

Newark - not too far from JFK  
 
Just how the flights worked out.  I was really hoping for a MIA or FLL but I'm just happy we have a date  

Sunday - afternoon.  I have a day off, which is really nice on a Sunday.  Got to go to church today, not many left that I will be going all alone - soon Ann will be here  to go with me.  Can't tell it, but I am really EXCITED for that.  I work tomorrow at the hospital - then got a friend to cover me for the rest of my shifts and I red eye fly to JFK Tuesday morning to catch a flight to Manila.  I hopefully arrive Manila just in time to congratulate @krizia who interviews on the 5th, then Ann has her interview on the 6th!   A lot of us PH are in VJ who interview around the same time. Tick Tock - time is flying by.  I return stateside after a week and within hours leave for a disaster response to the FL Keys (so I have my truck loaded now so I will be ready to leave after I fly in).  Some things are worth the risk, and some things are by faith - but Ann's POE is scheduled for 10/27, two weeks after interview.  I think there are other March Whiners who POE around that time, also, like @Eric&Olya, @Yzabelle   and @pajobra - I think........  I get things mixed up anymore.   BUT anyway- We were dreamy eyed hoping for an immediate emigration after VOH but I started putting practicality in the situation and thought how nice it would be for her to have an orchestrated exit rather than a hurried one.  Family is so important in the PH and she needs extra time to say her 'See ya Later's'.  Also to get a set of medical records picked up for new doctors, like a dental record, or family physician records - so there is continuity of care, and maybe transcripts from school so an easier entry into colleges here in FL.  We just want to be wise and not miss something.
@dkmfan85 Canyoneering, huh?  That sounds like some wicked fun!!!  I love rappelling,  but haven't done it for more than a dozen years.  We always just did something boring like a bridge or a water tower or even a hi rise -  Your spin on it sounds like a lot more fun.  I can only imagine your tie off points.  Doesn't sound like there are fire hydrants or large trucks to tie off to.    BTW, PM me anytime about that other subject we was talking about LOL  I bet it would go good with your sport  

You guys! We got approved today! YAY! It was a crazy last week - our Oct 9 appointment was cancelled and moved to Nov 3 because the embassy needed a "administrative day".  This would have been a nightmare because our wedding date is Oct 21 - already have people flying from all around the world. Thankfully, I had the Senator involved since I got our RFE. His office called and before we knew it, we were on our way to Ciudad Juarez this past monday! I can't tell you how amazing this group has been <3. Thanks for the support.  

@amishbaby It's good you feel comfortable enough with people here to share such things. I can't imagine what feelings you must have. Most people seek to have good relationships with others, especially their immediate family. Unfortunately, it takes both people to form a harmonious relationship and not everyone is willing and/or capable of putting aside the problems in their own life to add value to the life of the other person. There are people in this world that have made themselves completely miserable and the only way they have to cope is by trying to tear others down to their level. I can tell you're a good person and don't deserve any of the abuse you've taken. I know there's probably an immense internal conflict. On the one hand, you want to have a relationship with your father. On the other hand, it seems he makes completely impossible for that relationship to develop in a healthy manner. Just know that you're a good person, and it seems to me that you've tried your best and done your part to make something beautiful. You should feel proud of that.

@Eric&Olya It's one of my favorite hobbies. It's called canyoneering. Here in Utah we have lots of very narrow and steep canyons called slot canyons. In canyoneering, you start at the highest point of the canyon, and descend to the lowest or a lower part of the canyon through a series of rappels. Many times there is also swimming involved as the canyons are formed by moving water cutting through the landscape.

He opened the packet finally after we weren't sure and were hesitating and finishing up other stuff today. It is the visa,  so now we just schedule his flight! I guess now we hope POE is smooth sailing. Thanks to all who responded and sorry for not personally replying. Even though today is supposed to be joyous and exciting, things in the past 2 weeks have been intense for me and difficult and I'm just trying to keep it together. Maybe as soon as he gets here, things will change for the better. It's so much problems that are outside our relationship and have nothing to do with us that just make stress pile up. I have the worst coping skills in the world, and my father who contacts me about once or twice within the year, and doesn't hold a conversation for even 2 messages back and forth, scolded me in messenger on FB after about 5 months since he last sent me a message to let me know about a women he wanted me to tell that I didn't know about paternity results? He told me without telling me and I found out through her. They both kept it hush hush and didn't let either of us know. He didn't want to accept me as his own child with DNA results, until I was 4 years old, and I stopped seeing him from the age of 7 to 20 and only have talked to him every 6 months on average. He had the audacity to ask me why I didn't invite him to my wedding, asking me why I don't show him that I love him or care for him and I messaged him trying to see how he was doing about 2 months ago, and he just read my message. I asked him why he wasn't talking and asked why he wasn't responding, and he read and ignored that as well. This is the message since that attempt 2 months or maybe 3 months ago, and he messaged me 5 months ago and I asked him what he was talking about when he said paternity results. He read that and ignored me, and I tried many times after that to reach him so I gave up. 2 months ago I tried again, and failed. Now he wants to talk to me and apparently I am the one ignoring and not showing interest at all. We never had a relationship and I'm 23, he just says he cares and loves me but never acts like he does. He was always focused on other women and was very abusive and I remember some stuff that I can barely believe myself. I truthfully try to do the right thing, and contacted him a few even though he always ignores my messages, and has taken off in the middle of a emotional breakdown, trying to ask me what was wrong and then bailing in the middle after I started to open up. I think for some reason I randomly had this feeling all of a sudden that I wish I had a relationship with my father, but it went away really quick and since then I just see him come and go in my inbox but when I respond, nothing back. I'm not hurting from what he is doing since I am so accustomed to it and it's nothing anymore, but it's a shame because he's addicted to cocaine and has always beat his girlfriends. Conversations are crazy with him, and has told me stuff I didn't want to know, and very disgusting to post without warning from him. No reason for it, like I am just a random friend of his to tell his weird messed up affairs to when he showed up randomly at my house last year for the first time without warning. We talked for the first time the longest I can recall. I think he is truly sick, and I'm thinking I should get him out of my life ASAP. He gaslighted me the other day saying I never message him when I can even capture the messages and send them right back, to prove to him I have, but he would only lie and make up something else and pretend when he knows he doesn't want me to be in his life. When I try, he just ignores, but apparently I never contact him period. The worst part about all of this is I found out in the summer that I have a brother who is 16 turning 17 in about 7 days, and my dad kept it from me and his entire family since he was born. I have only known him for a few months. I found out when he randomly decided to message me, since that isn't something that happens often. Maybe once or twice a year and tries to say he missed me and wanted to be in my life, when he knew where I lived and acted like I had to make a decision when I said he can visit. He came before, and I never asked him to. I just think he is trying to intentionally hurt me. I wanted to give him a chance, but he only will message me when he's lonely and has no woman around. I know he is never single for a week, and he jumps in and out of relationships. He is so toxic and why I am even bothered about this is probably what he intended for me to feel... Just wants me to feel bad but it's so delusional and I know psychopaths, and that is a huge thing to label him as, but everything is pointing to this and I just been down in the dumps knowing people do this kind of stuff. Sadly, I never seemed to pick the right people in the past and they all were similar like him. I question how I am the way I am, because my mom suffers from neurological problems but she doesn't come across that way, just certain tiny things that make her a little different that are normal to me. She is definitely nothing like my dad so I almost can't believe they met but it makes sense because she's sincere, and he's not. It's almost like nothing is wrong and you wouldn't suspect it unless I talked about it, which I have become good at bottling. I'm just happy that I have no pathological lying issues. I guess my past and this recent event has triggered this feeling. I just wanted to let this out, and recently decided blogging was the answer since I'm going to school for marketing as my major. I didn't post yet, but I'm thinking it might be the answer. I'm glad I know good people exist, and I don't struggle with his issues, because god only knows if you truly seen this you would wonder the same. I'm just thankful, and filled with different emotions, so thanks to all of you for reading this in all my little rambles that seems to be me complaining. I am really happy that my life didn't go in a direction it could have gone. Thankfully, at a young age the courts had him removed forcefully because of his abuse. But I let him back since he tried to contact me through my aunt. Should I just block him, and be done with it? I don't want to try when I know who he is and what he's doing. I can live without him since he has seen me, maybe 7 weeks total in combination, in my entire life. I guess I'm not certain what is going on in my head.  I'm confused. I really don't care yet it seems like I do and I'm not lying to myself... I feel like I'm losing it almost, or maybe I have at this point. Who knows. But, I'm super happy at the end of the day when I think about what the future holds. So, maybe all I needed to do was talk or write about this and it feels better writing this and letting it out even if it's not directly to other people. 

If this is too personal, I apologize for posting this. It felt right to me to share to you guys. Helpful as well.

Hello Marchers,
 
Just posting a lil update: we got instructions from the US Embassy in Sweden and the tracker is in the much sought after, "Ready" mode  !!  Just yesterday I called and they said it was in "Administrative Processing" so this was super fast and unexpected.  Not sure when it had time to leave the NVC, even!
 
We were projecting that best case scenario, we'd maybe get the instructions Friday, so needless to say this is a lovely surprise!
 
Fiance has scheduled a doctor appointment and is trying to get his military records and birth certificate in English (anyone have experience with this?).  Hopefully it's not too hard or time-consuming.  We're submitting the DS-160 this weekend and scheduling the interview!  I heard that for Sweden they only do K-1s on Thursdays, so it might be tough to get one soon.
 
Anyway, super excited about this!  This is an immigration pace I can get behind hehe, hurray for State Department!
 
Hope y'all are doing great!
 
If anyone is still waiting on your NOA2, take heart in knowing that once you get your approval, things will go really fast apparently. 

Aww I'm so happy for you two!!  Thank you for being one of the first friendly faces on the thread!  I was really stressin about that NOA2 at the time and you squashed a lot of the bad feelings with your kindness.
 
Wishing you all the best!

Aww I'm so happy for you two!!  Thank you for being one of the first friendly faces on the thread!  I was really stressin about that NOA2 at the time and you squashed a lot of the bad feelings with your kindness.
 
Wishing you all the best!

I feel you!
I even had plenty of people who I couldn't meet anymore because I ran out of time in the end. 

 
 
Thank you so much!! Fingers are crossed for you to final everything soon! 
 
That was a looooong wait!! Congratulations!!!! From now on it hopefully will all go fast!
 
Thank you very much for your sweet words! 
I hope everything will work out fine for you from now on!

Awwww your talk of goodbyes and your so sweet picture made me tear up. Goodbyes are going to be so hard here too. My niece at family lunch yesterday already was crying and said Auntie I think you and Chris should live in Canada. I said hey sweetie I am not leaving til the end of October. She said I know but your gone the first two weeks to Montreal and I won't see you at all then. I said yes but you are taking care of my kitty Pixie. She smiled and said oh yes and I will make sure she gets food and water everyday but Mum gets to clean the litter box. lol
 
My brother is coming this weekend for a visit. He isn't sure he will see me again before I leave at the end of October so he wanted to make sure to come. That and he is lonely right now. His wife is in the Philippines visiting her family and won't be back until Oct 9th. Although Marion did tell me that she would try to come see me before I left. Both her and David think my fiance Chris is wonderful. They also would love it if we lived in Canada. Truth is we thought about it but I couldn't sponsor him just yet due to my only part-time job while great paying it wasn't enough and my job skills are greater than Chris so I know I can find a job in the States easier than he would up here. However we probably will move back to Canada in about 10-15 years when Chris finally retires or sooner depending on circumstances.
 
Yesterday I got all my stuff together for the medical and interview into an accordian file folder. I am all ready for my medical on the 3rd of October and my interview on the 11th of October. Kinda scared too LOL. Mum and I have a 9:50am flight out of Winnipeg this Monday. It is nearly a 3 hour drive to Winnipeg from where we are sooo we have to get up at like 4am to leave at 5:30am. My Mum has been practicing going to bed early every night with no success. HAHA I don't know why its me that has to drive because my Mum doesn't drive in the dark and she doesn't like driving in the city.

Such a beautiful and happy couple! You look fantastic! 
Have a happy ever after and a blessed life together!