Hannah and Grant

True indeed.

I'm a serial worrier. I worry myself into complete frenzies, sometimes.

Just ask my husband.

I feel for him having to go through all this with me.

He must wonder what hes gotten himself into sometimes.

Apologies, I misread there.

I'm hoping I have nothing to worry about, though that doesn't seem to stop me!

Interesting.

You mean all of these questions, etc were when you tried to re-enter Canada?

God I'm nervous.....

This is an -excellent- poll.

I've been dying for some statistics with this, since my husband and I decided it was worth a shot.

I understand that every case and every immigration officer is different, but its nice to know the success rate is higher than the denial rate....

I'll be able to vote in this poll the day after tomorrow. (Unless I'm in jail in LA somewhere).

Immigration officers are human too...

There has to be some compassion in there somewhere.

People keep voting!

I thought I might have been having some short term memory loss there....

wonderful.

I think I will say, if asked, that I am 'on a vacation to visit my husband.'

I'm just a bit nervous about visa-orientated questions, as my husband and I were caught up in the DCF drama and consequently have to refile in the U.S.

We haven't done this yet, as he is waiting for some paperwork for me to file, so technically, we don't have a case in process at this time.

I'm sure I'll be ok. My husband assures me as well.

I have a letter from my employer, bank statements, student loan statements (I incur penalties if I leave the country and don't return). I'll have something from my parents to say I'm expected back and I contribute to rent.

My husband has a representative helping us with our case, so he thought maybe he could get a letter from that representative stating that.

My nerves tend to get the better of me.

I'm glad she didn't have a problem. Did they ask her why she was visiting?

I'm going to be traveling to the US to visit my husband in the next couple of weeks and am trying to figure out what Ill say the reason for my trip is.

Were in the same boat now, Emerald.

Our case was being 'pre-processed' in Auckland, but my husband is not a resident of New Zealand.

New Zealand previously waived that restriction, but can no longer accept petitions from USC still resident in the U.S.

So...were stuck with K3.

Were also trying to decide if its a good idea for me to visit my husband for a couple of months while we wait this out, as we had planned to be together at this point and the law came into effect for us a week before our interview.

Were a little upset to say the least and spending some time together would be helpful at the moment.

In the last email I received from the consulate here, they said that petitions would not be accepted from USC, but in a matter of time they'd be accepted once again from USC resident in foreign countries.

You may still be in luck, but I know....the waiting to know is just difficult.

Wow. So no problems getting through the POE?

Thats wonderful news for you both.

She can stay with you for up to 6 months, yes?

Id love one of these, especially now our DCF hopes have gone down the drain.

Unless theres a way to extend your stay on VWP, but I wouldnt dare hold my breath for that.

Very interesting.

Do you know how she went about getting this visa?

Did she just apply directly to her local Consulate/Embassy. Eg: would I just apply in Auckland, or does it need to make trips to USCIS and such, since the law change?

Is entry guaranteed with this visa? Im trying to avoid the horror stories of people not being granted entry on the VWP while their spouse visa is in process.

Sonya is in the US with me right now, we arrived today!!!! Yes, Sonya went to the US Embassy in Ukraine on her appointment date that you make on-line, fill in DS-156 on-line, and one week later she got her appointment. She got a 5 year multi-entry visa!

Very interesting.

Do you know how she went about getting this visa?

Did she just apply directly to her local Consulate/Embassy. Eg: would I just apply in Auckland, or does it need to make trips to USCIS and such, since the law change?

Is entry guaranteed with this visa? Im trying to avoid the horror stories of people not being granted entry on the VWP while their spouse visa is in process.

He can always try but will probably be denied based on the fact that there's probably no way to prove beyond a doubt that he would't be an immigration risk, considering that you have a K3 pending. Pretty hard to prove soldi ties to a country that you're planning to leave....

Couldn't you say that for just about ANYONE who visits though? Aren't they almost ALL planning to leave eventually? And as for doubt, .....there is no way to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that ANY person....no matter what the circumstances, won't stay.

I'd say her husband has just as good a chance as my wife who visited me 4 times on a tourist visa while our case was pending. She also left a country that she didn't have to go back to......but she did.

I don't agree with your statement that he'd "probably" be denied entry. They could just as well have said the same thing about my wife, ....that she'd be an immigrant risk......there was no gurantee she'd go back, other than for our word.

I'd say , based on what she has told us, that her husband has just as much chance as anyone else....I don't know why his odds are less than any other spouse who visits while an application is pending.

Nearly EVERYONE who visits a spouse/fiance' is coming from a country they plan to leave......eventually....and are an immigration risk.

I would tell "girlafraid7" that the odds of her husband being allowed entry to the USA are just as probable as any other spouse who visits while an application is pending.

There is a good chance he'll get in......but there is no 100% guarantee of this. people do...and have been turned back. But her odds are no less than for my wife........and no less than for other spouses who visited during the process.

She just needs to make sure her husband is prepared with paperwork that show ties..........and more importantly......meets the right customs agent.

Amen to that!!

Some of these employees have serious attitude problems.

My husband and I called USCIS a couple of weeks ago to ask about some things (questions that were very easily answered) and the woman was horrible. She made us feel stupid for even asking. On top of that, English wasn't her first language so communicating was difficult.

If I recall, someone else had some issues with a representative office in Texas.

I'm not entirely sure, but I have a feeling that U.S Embassy's and Consulates around the world (whom all of this drama is in direct relation to) would hear of news before grumpy representatives in offices.

So far, our case has been pre-processed here in New Zealand.

We started in October and requested our interview for February 7th (a few days after our wedding) and while our interview has been canceled, the process definitely hasn't taken longer than it would in the U.S. They gave us our interview date about 2 weeks after I wrote in to request it and begin our pre-processing.

I filled out a couple of forms, sent them back. Compiled a few things (birth certificate, etc), had my medical exams done and that was it. We were all ready for our interview.

I think many others here who have successfully or -almost- successfully obtained a visa via DCF can back that up. It may change from country to country, but I'm pretty sure it'd never take as long as it would doing it through the U.S.

The person you spoke with seems to be very negative. Anyone me, or my husband has spoken to (namely those at the U.S Consulate here in NZ) has been very positive and encouraging and they're the ones receiving regular emails about the situation. Id prefer to put my faith in that and Id expect representatives in such offices to be far more helpful and sympathetic.

Maybe the person you spoke with has very stern views on immigration?

Also, with regards to visiting while a visa is in process, theres an entire thread on that too and its not impossible, from what i can tell. So long as your husband takes some proof of his needing to return home (lease for house, note from employer, etc) to produce if asked, there shouldn't be a problem.

I'm beginning to get extremely frustrated.

Do these people think we -enjoy- being apart from our spouses and families?

I happened to fall in love with someone on the other side of the world and while thats not as ideal as marrying the person next door, Ill make no apologies or feel like I'm in the wrong and deserve this #######. None of us should.

The law changed on us and so far all we get is little bits of information and speculation here and there about decisions being made and recent news.

It was poorly handled and were all suffering in one way or another because of this.

Now we have the pleasure of waiting week upon week for what feels like impending doom.

I'll remain hopeful. So far, all news points in a positive direction, but my temper is getting short with all of this.

We received this news ONE WEEK before our wedding. My then-fiance was in the air on his way to me when I got that shitty letter in the mail. We have been apart for years, going back and forth and we had finally found the light at the end of the tunnel, only to have the rug torn out from under us.

I have no job and no apartment. I'm stuck living with my parents as I was expecting to be in the U.S right now, starting my life with my husband. Money doesn't stay around long when you're not making any.

I miss my husband and life is just a chore without him.

All of that aside, I couldn't be angrier or more disappointed in all of this. A number of us have been totally shafted by this and that is apparently of no consequence to those making these life-changing decisions for us.

Well, apparently...I needed to vent. Can only be super-optimistic so many hours in a day, it seems.

Le sigh.

Hi,

I just called the Paris Embassy and they said that our petition was one of the ones returned and our interview date has been set for April 24th. Our original interview date was for january 31. Now we have to decide if we use our tickets for March 12 which we can't reimbourse, and my husband comes back alone and waits for the interview, knowing he'll miss his sons 1st B-day or if we postpone our trip and wait it all out here.

At least we know the interview date. we'll figure the rest out tonight.

Sheigh

Wow....someone actually got an interview date out of all of this?!

Excellent. Congratulations.

That seems like a very good thing to me.

My emotions have run from being extremely encouraged to that of hopelessness since the end of DCF. Extremely encouraged with reading all these recent rumors that DCF was coming back (albeit with one change and a few extra processing days but with its essence intact) to being totally hopeless that it will never come back and that all of us who were hoping to file are just waiting and wasting time for something that will never come back.

I wouldn't mind filing the I-130 with the California USCIS as it's my home state. However, I've held off on doing this because I still see notices that if filing from Europe, I should send it off to Vermont. I mean, what gives? I came across someone's timeline where the couple filed for DCF with the Irish embassy in early 2006 and the whole process took about 79 days from filing the I-130 to getting the immigrant visa! That was what I was looking forward to before our interview for last Monday got cancelled.

If only I had a magic ball with a definite date if/when DCF is coming back, then I can gauge my time and perhaps hold off. But since there's nothing definite, I'm also tempted to give up and file with the CA USCIS (or Vermont?)

I mean, DCF may not be brought back for another 6-8 months. If I file now with the CA (Vermont?) USCIS, then chances are my husband might have his visa by then instead of starting the process at a much later time (wasting 6-8 months that we could spend finally home in the US).

Am I making sense? I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated and need to vent. I was really counting on this as I'm sure a lot of people were. I don't mean to act like a spoiled demanding brat but I don't like to waste time either.

I think a few people have sent their I-130 petitions back to the States in accordance with the new law. I would greatly appreciate it if you keep us updated with your applications' progress.

Thanks for listening.

Well I'm one of those few that have sent their applications to the US.3 days after our wedding day 01/21/07, we were told about the new regulations,on the next day my husband had to fly back to the States.we didn't know there was a chance of DCF coming back,so we filed at VSC,we sent the package on 02/06/07,NOA1 date-02/08/07,next week we are filing for a K3 as well.

We thought that if DCF is back we can withdraw our I-130 from VSC and then file through DCF in Sofia,but they said it's impossible.So it seems that we've made our choice without knowing we are taking an important decision

I still hope for all of you gyus that you get together with your families pretty soon!

Aneta, thats terrible.

Im sure its not impossible. My husband spoke to USCIS in America after wed decided to get married, to see how wed go about withdrawing our Fiance visa. There was a way to do it, though Im not sure what that was. (Ill ask him).

If you change your mind about a visa, Im sure they couldnt prevent you from withdrawing your application.

I just wanted to hear some good news!

Today I called the USCIS office at Vienna and they told me that till yesterday,Feb,14th they all thought DCF is coming back.I asked if they had expected anything positive to happen,but she answered-I don't know anymore,we've been expecting that for a couple of weeks-yes,it's gonna happen,yes,it's gonna happen,but then yesterday from Washington they said that -well,maybe not.you'd better call again over the weekend for more information.

I don't want to disappoint you guys-it's just what she said,it doesn't mean it's gonna happen

Meh, I wouldn't worry about that. Time makes people skeptical. God knows its doing that to all of us!

If there are laws and regulations to sort out, then it will take time.

When my husband spoke to the woman at the Consulate in Auckland today, she said to just wait another week as they were still in negotiations over the matter.

I think this is why, because there are actually Americans resident in other countries around the world and things will begin to get very difficult (not just for those trying to obtain visas) when people are trying to explain and deal with their situations and USCIS took away the one method of processing that catered for it. They have to realize that by now.

My husband and I (and many others who have received positive information) feel as though DCF will definitely make a come-back, it will just be after they've sorted out the process for it properly (background checks, etc) as this wasn't something that had to happen before.

The consulate here said they had been receiving emails/news about the situation, that they were still working out the finer points, but that the option would almost definitely open up again.

She even raised the option of my husband just staying an extra while in New Zealand with me, as she figured there would be a positive decision soon and it seemed a waste to go all the way back to the U.S, only to return for a five minute interview.

I'm not sure, but i really don't think shed suggest something like that unless what shed been sent on the matter was positive.

Its tough. Really tough. I'm still battling with the situation in my head. I never know what to expect with these people. My husband has a much more optimistic approach, but i think its rubbing off on me.

Don't apologize, I know exactly how you feel.

Our interview was canceled a week before our wedding, while my husband was on his way here. We had our wedding,. then he had to leave a few days later and I was supposed to be going with him

I think taking a while to hear news on the DCF front isn't a bad thing. It suggests to me that they're actually working out details so the process can work properly again. If it was a no, I'm assuming they would've just said no and that would've been done already.

Dont give up hope just yet. Every piece of news so far has been positive.

I'm definitely on the verge of completely breaking and giving up waiting as well, but my husband assures me that waiting a little longer is worth it and that the right decision will be made for us

That letter reminds me a lot of the letter I received when told my appointment had been canceled.

They seem to make a point of extending average wait times and delays by crazy amounts or saying they don't know how long it will take, probably just to cover themselves.

It appears that most news is good so far regarding this matter, especially for people that have actually visited consulates and spoken to someone about it.

I originally had a bad feeling about all of this, but that has changed and my gut is beginning to tell me much more positive things.

Being on the verge of news regarding the matter, it might not be relevant anymore, but i neglected to mention that I also received a letter from the Auckland Consulate one day after receiving the letter telling us our appointment had been canceled.

It said:

''25th January, 2007

This notice is an update to the letter we sent you on January 24th, regarding consular processing of I-130 petitions.

USCIS and DOS are still working on the regulations governing this change of law and we are hopeful there may be another method for us to continue with the consular processing. Please check the website for any updates:

http://wellington.usembassy.gov/qualify.html ''

Did anyone else receive a letter like this?

Back and forth is just painful.

Bittersweet, I suppose. Difficult to get used to (if its something you ever -can- get used to).

I'm pretty sure there will be official word this coming week. Thats definitely the impression the woman at the consulate here in Auckland gave my husband and I.

Now lets just hope its the news were needing/expecting/wanting.

<3

My husband and I paid the Consulate in Auckland a visit today.

The very friendly woman at the window was also hopeful of good news on the DCF front and expected news next week.

She discussed with us all of the drama that ensued after foreign consulates stopped accepting I-130 petitions (increased workload for visa-processing-people in America, etc) and mentioned the option of performing background checks on the applicant. She was clear about this not being 100% yet, but seemed very bright, cheery and alltogether positive about the situation.

Its nice to hear similar news on VJ. It seems to me the good vibes are travelling, slowly but surely from country to country.

Our wedding was one week ago. It was the most amazing day of my life, but was definitely shadowed by the fact my husband and I knew we couldnt be together afterwards.

I am cautiously happy and hopeful about all of this.....

Heres to good news in the coming week.

Americankiwi -

Try (09) 303 2724 extn. 2810 to get in touch with the Immigrant Visa Section of the Auckland Consulate. It's the number listed on the letter they sent out telling us DCF was no longer an option, and we've used it to speak with them in that regard.

nice to see another kiwi/american combo about.

im a New Zealand citizen (Christchurch) and my fiance is American. were getting married tomorrow here in Christchurch.

we found out while my fiance was half way over the pacific, that they cant process my visa via Auckland.

we'll be sending off I-130's and such very shortly....

best of luck to you.

let us know how everything goes for you.

i think it is worthwhile for me to use the flights i have and buy tickets home for within the 90 days.

its better to try and fail than not to try at all...

i have a better feeling about it now, since hearing of people who havnt had a problem entering the U.S while married to a USC/applying for a visa, etc.

thanks, Jess

i travelled to the U.S last June and had no problem with that VWP thing. the person just stamped my passport with something that said '90 days, blah blah' and that was that. i never had to apply for anything. he did ask, somewhat jokingly if i was here to get married and i just said no, that i was visiting friends, etc.

im also pretty worried about this.

i think its definitely doable to travel back with my husband after our wedding in a week. and as you said, how would they even know there was a visa application in processing or that you were even married at all?

i have a good mind to throw it all to the wind and when i get to the POE tell them exactly whats happened with our situation, being told a week out from our wedding that i cant move to the U.S with my husband. then tell them all theyre a pack of asses and i wouldnt live in their godamned country if i was paid.

ive got all my stuff packed and now have no job in New Zealand. what nice timing.

*deep breath*

however....my husband is what he is.

we'll deal with that. but in the mean time, id really like to be able to fly back with him and use the flights that have been paid for by his parents for me.

back to the waiting game.

just when you think everything is going well.......

id love to hear from more people who have had no trouble with visiting their husband/fiance while a visa is pending or about to be pending.

and for those who are as upset as me, my dad just made a nice point. ''he hasnt died. and its not as though the Immigration Service has mailed you a letter saying theyre never taking immigrants again and you actually cant go at all. ever.''

thanks dad.