Jump to content

orimai

Closed
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    183

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by orimai

    Interesting Question

    in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas

    Posted

    Greetings all. It's been a while since we've last visited.

    I am considering transfering my education credits abroad and finishing my education in her home country of the Philippines.

    1. Is it possible to remove her conditions while abroad?

    2. Once the conditions are removed (will be filing in February 09) what is the max out of US stay she can maintain while in her home country (before naturalizing)?

    3. What about our infant daughter in all this? What does she need to travel abroad? She is a US citizen, but only 4 months old with birth certificate and SSN?

    Orimai

    How can you change ur K3 Visa to CR1 Visa after U have the K3 interview

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted · Edited by orimai

    Hi again! I just wrote you two a personal reply in the email. I think you already have seen our timeline. It took about 3 weeks for our case to arrive at the embassy after it was approved at the NVC. It would be worth the wait for the CR1, however, if the embassy has your completed case, you definately can request the CR1 interview on the K3 date.

    Our CR1 interview was not scheduled until after almost a month after we had our K3 interview scheduled and yet, it was still exactly 2 weeks later (is all) from the K3 interview. You are in a good situation! :) Same as us it sounds :)

    Take care!

    Orimai

    Hi Guys here i am again asking the same questions..

    Since we have now the K3 interview date we are praying and crossing fingers that our case in CR1 will be completed in NVC before my K3 interview date on Oct 5.

    My question is: Does it ok if ever we have not yet receive the letter of appointment from NVC on the time of the K3 interview but we have already the schedule of the CR1 interview and got it by Phone from NVC. Do you think its ok for the US Embassy to issue as the CR1 visa instead of K3?

    :help:

    Your inputs will highly be appreciated.

    Thanks a lot guys!!! :)

    Ness & Keith~

    feeling awful...

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted

    We're sorry that things are stressful at the moment. Marriages (anymore) are looked at as "disposable", sad to say. Try hanging in there, see a marriage counselor, go to a church and talk to a pastor or someone trained to deal with these matters. Most people who make the commitment to stick with it and get help, have a much more rewarding marriage on the other side. There is light at the end of the tunnel :) Even though it may appear hopeless at the moment. VJ has some great folks, but you should really seek out a local professional or church.

    Best of luck.

    Orimai

    Must you be seperated to file for a k-3?

    in K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    I've never heard anything like that. As a matter of fact I only spent 30 days in the US after our wedding before I returned back to my wife's country to wait out the visa process. I did file the I-130 from the US, but I don't see how that would have any baring on the case. The entire process nobody was ever concerned about where I was and I spent an entire year in the Philippines after submiting the I-130. The I-129f I filed from the Philippines and ran into no issues whatsoever. Nobody even questioned it, not even the interviewing consular officer. We also pursued both CR1 and K3 visas and ended up receiving both interview dates which happened to be within 2 weeks of eachother. I believe all they want is that your american spouse is domiciled in the US, it doesnt matter if he is with you or not. So make sure he has a residence in the US is all. Hope this helps :)

    Orimai

    My husband (the US Citizen) and I are not separated he is living here with me in Mexico as a tourist and will remain here through the i-130 process we are about to begin. We are also considering filling for the k-3 in case it get's approved quicker. My husband went to the US embassy in Mexico this morning and he was told that you must be seperated for at least three months in order to file for the k-3 visa. Has anyone else heard this? Can you file while living together from abroad? I guess since he is considered a tourist here, we are not technically living together and he can use his parent's address to file.

    Any suggestions?

    CR1 is already in NVC and just Receive NOA2 of K3

    in K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Hi! Congrats on being so close! As you can see from our timeline below, we had kind of similar experience. We decided to fork out the money and move ahead with both to see which would come sooner. Of course if at all possible stick with the CR1. You will be super happy you did. The only reason we would have done the K3 is if the CR1 would have taken a few months longer. Otherwise, the CR1 is well worth the wait.

    On another note, we received the K3 interview prior to the CR1 and the interview date was 2 weeks prior to that of the CR1. When we went to the embassy in Manila for the K3, I requested that they interview us for the CR1 instead and they had absolutely no problem doing that :) Yay! So it just depends on how you want to move and if it's worth the money or not. But you should stick with the CR1 if at all possible, (unless it's going to be a really long time) you will be so glad you did :) I hope this helps! Take care!

    Orimai

    K3 or CR1

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Would definately stick with the CR1 path. Much better in many ways. That doesnt mean that you can't follow through with both like we did. We ended up with both the CR1 and K3 interviews within 2 weeks of eachother and were able to get the CR1 on the earlier K3 date. It's kind of nice having more than one option, as it was for us.

    Orimai

    Embassy dates after NVC case completed?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted · Edited by orimai

    Heya! We had contacted the NVC and they told us they would email us when the packet was sent to the embassy. They did and thats how we kept on top of it. We originally called them on the telephone and seemed to get more that way, than e-mail.

    We also called the embassy but they had no idea if the packet had left NVC yet or not. (unless they have the packet already) Hope that helps.

    Orimai

    Los Angeles POE

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Our experience with the LAPOE was painless and quick. There was no line and I went with my wife through it no problem. The only thing I did not like was the officer could hardly speak english (wth?), called me sir and treated Mai with no respect by basically just ignoring her and giving her direct hard up commands. Kind of pissed me off, but nonetheless it was a painless proceedure.

    Orimai

    Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Delivered @ 9:41am CR1

    5/22/2007 7:41:53 AM SHIPMENT OUT FOR DELIVERY

    5/22/2007 7:38:05 AM SHIPMENT BEING PREPARED FOR DELIVERY

    5/21/2007 6:35:05 PM SHIPMENT RECEIVED AT DISTRIBUTION CENTER

    5/21/2007 6:13:58 PM SHIPMENT IN PROCESS

    5/21/2007 12:20:56 PM SHIPMENT RELEASED BY THE EMBASSY

    5/16/2007 2:50:35 PM SHIPMENT PROCESS IN THE EMBASSY

    K3 CR1 Manila Interview was today

    in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

    Posted

    Congratulations on the easy interview and getting your CR-1 approval. That's really great news! :dance: :dance:

    I have a question. You said you were asked by the pre-screener for the marriage certificate, birth certificate, I-864s, and NBI Clearance. Didn't you send these documents to the NVC? Should I be having my wife getting additional originals of all these documents to take to her interview? Thanks.

    Gary

    Yeah we actually sent in all original documents to NVC then also took originals to the interview. Even when packet 4 arrived it confirmed that. I would definately take official copies\originals printed on the NSO paper with you, even if you submited originals to NVC. I think the packet 4 instructions emphasize that too.

    We actually did not receive any of that back either from the CO or releasing when we were finished. Not sure if thats normal or if it will be returned to us with the visa?

    K3 CR1 Manila Interview was today

    in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

    Posted

    Ahhhh where to begin. I will try to detail this out in a way that will (possibly) calm nerves that we experience prior and during the interview process.

    We stayed at the Blvd Mansion which is right (caddy corner) accross Roxas Blvd from the US Embassy. Great hotel for anyone looking to stay close to the Embassy. Our K3 appointment was set for 7:30am and we left the hotel at 6:30am. It only took a few minutes to walk to the Embassy enterance which is in front of the Bayview hotel, not the larger gated enterance that we first thought was it.

    At first site it appeared to be a long single line, but as we got closer the security guards were there to view our appointment letter and direct us to the correct line. It was quick and painless after showing them the letter and ID, we were inside the door for security screening within 5 minutes.

    After passing security we simply followed the blue arrow on the wall that pointed to the immigrant visa unit. Once inside the security directed us and all others to the seats. Nobody had nunmbers so with our nerves the way they were, we were kind of concerned. Within a few minutes the two ladies at the receiving counter started calling people by name to come over. It moved quick and we were called within 10 minutes. They took our proof of payment, DS-156, DS-157, appointment letter and gave us a number; then we sat down again.

    Now anyone that has followed our story knows we had two visa interviews. One for K3 today and one for CR1 May 30th. Mai asked the ladies at the receiving counter if we could get the CR1 but they just told us to ask the pre screeners.

    The numbers were called at a good pace, not like motor vehicle back in the states. Some would be called to get finger scanned while others were called for pre screening first. In our case, we were pre screened first before the finger scan.

    We had to stand up and sit down quite a few times as we were called then told to go sit down again. At first we were worried about that, but it is no big deal.

    At the pre screener winder we discovered the pre screener was very friendly. I asked him right off the bat if we could just go through with our CR1 interview since our paperwork is complete and that interview was only 2 weeks from now. The pre screener was very cooperative and pleasent and asked us to take a seat while he went to get our CR1 file. About 5 minutes later he called us back to his window and said it's no problem whatsoever. From that point on all processesing was done for CR1 and not K3.

    On an interesting note, the pre screener told us that if they had not received our CR1 paperwork, we could STILL PROCEED WITH THE K3. They never suggested we return to the embassy for the CR1, they were quite happy to just give it to us right then.

    The pre screener told me I could not help Mai answer the questions he was about to ask. The questions the pre screener then asked are these:

    Who is the petitioner?

    How and when did we meet?

    Whats your job?

    He took our marriage certificate, birth certificate, I-864 from myself and my co sponsor, NBI Clearance and proof of relationship.

    It was a bit unnerving because he was scribbling comments on a green peice of paper all the while he had us at the window and as he leafed through our paperwork. I tried to catch a peek but he kept it pretty well out of site.

    He then told us to take a seat and wait for the number. This was the start of real wait and when the biggest test of nerves came to be. With every chime of the number bell, our hearts stopped beating for a moment. Some people were in the consular interview room for a while and some were in and out. It appeared everyone was happy that came out of those rooms.

    Finally about 30 minutes later our number flew up on the display and we went. The CO was friendly and polite and we shared a couple jokes and laughs, even though I was freaking out inside. The CO then asked us these questions:

    Have we been married before?

    Do we have kids?

    What was college course of study?

    Whats your job?

    What do you plan on doing when we get back to the US?

    Whos your current employer?

    Was I domiciled in the US still? (I've been in the Phils since April of 2006)

    It was really pretty painless and good. He leafed through our thick packet, taking a brief moment to look at photos and all the documents.

    I noticed when he was leafing through the packet that there was a pink stamp on the front that said approved. We did not notice him stamp the packet, but it was already there before we got into the interview.

    When he was done leafing through the packet he looked up and said he was convinced and said it is "the real deal". He also complimented us on the quality of our supporting documents and papers, which really felt good to us. Then he said we are approved, congratulations and said to take a seat and wait to be called to releasing.

    5 minutes later at most, we were already called to releasing. They put some stamps on our paperwork and gave us the delbros slip. We went to the delbros desk, paid them and left. WOW!!!!!!

    All in all it was a quick and painless prodeedure. The only thing that surprised me was the interview. I had always figured it would be like a job interview; personal behind the scenes\closed doors type atmosphere being probed and grilled in more detail. Instead, it's just a simple small room with no door and people are outside of that doing there own things all the time we are interviewing behind that thick pane of glass.

    So now we wait for Debros to deliver the CR1 then head back to Cebu and try to get back to the US by May 30th.

    For anyone who had two interviews like us, you should have no problem getting the CR1 if you ask the pre screener about it and all your paperwork is in order.

    I have no advice other than wear a smile, be confident and crack some jokes of the opportunity presents itself. It cant hurt and it helps release the tension and develop maybe even a very slight repor with the CO :)

    Our K3 Interview in Manila was today

    in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

    Posted

    Ahhhh where to begin. I will try to detail this out in a way that will (possibly) calm nerves that we experience prior and during the interview process.

    We stayed at the Blvd Mansion which is right (caddy corner) accross Roxas Blvd from the US Embassy. Great hotel for anyone looking to stay close to the Embassy. Our K3 appointment was set for 7:30am and we left the hotel at 6:30am. It only took a few minutes to walk to the Embassy enterance which is in front of the Bayview hotel, not the larger gated enterance that we first thought was it.

    At first site it appeared to be a long single line, but as we got closer the security guards were there to view our appointment letter and direct us to the correct line. It was quick and painless after showing them the letter and ID, we were inside the door for security screening within 5 minutes.

    After passing security we simply followed the blue arrow on the wall that pointed to the immigrant visa unit. Once inside the security directed us and all others to the seats. Nobody had nunmbers so with our nerves the way they were, we were kind of concerned. Within a few minutes the two ladies at the receiving counter started calling people by name to come over. It moved quick and we were called within 10 minutes. They took our proof of payment, DS-156, DS-157, appointment letter and gave us a number; then we sat down again.

    Now anyone that has followed our story knows we had two visa interviews. One for K3 today and one for CR1 May 30th. Mai asked the ladies at the receiving counter if we could get the CR1 but they just told us to ask the pre screeners.

    The numbers were called at a good pace, not like motor vehicle back in the states. Some would be called to get finger scanned while others were called for pre screening first. In our case, we were pre screened first before the finger scan.

    We had to stand up and sit down quite a few times as we were called then told to go sit down again. At first we were worried about that, but it is no big deal.

    At the pre screener winder we discovered the pre screener was very friendly. I asked him right off the bat if we could just go through with our CR1 interview since our paperwork is complete and that interview was only 2 weeks from now. The pre screener was very cooperative and pleasent and asked us to take a seat while he went to get our CR1 file. About 5 minutes later he called us back to his window and said it's no problem whatsoever. From that point on all processesing was done for CR1 and not K3.

    On an interesting note, the pre screener told us that if they had not received our CR1 paperwork, we could STILL PROCEED WITH THE K3. They never suggested we return to the embassy for the CR1, they were quite happy to just give it to us right then.

    The pre screener told me I could not help Mai answer the questions he was about to ask. The questions the pre screener then asked are these:

    Who is the petitioner?

    How and when did we meet?

    Whats your job?

    He took our marriage certificate, birth certificate, I-864 from myself and my co sponsor, NBI Clearance and proof of relationship.

    It was a bit unnerving because he was scribbling comments on a green peice of paper all the while he had us at the window and as he leafed through our paperwork. I tried to catch a peek but he kept it pretty well out of site.

    He then told us to take a seat and wait for the number. This was the start of real wait and when the biggest test of nerves came to be. With every chime of the number bell, our hearts stopped beating for a moment. Some people were in the consular interview room for a while and some were in and out. It appeared everyone was happy that came out of those rooms.

    Finally about 30 minutes later our number flew up on the display and we went. The CO was friendly and polite and we shared a couple jokes and laughs, even though I was freaking out inside. The CO then asked us these questions:

    Have we been married before?

    Do we have kids?

    What was college course of study?

    Whats your job?

    What do you plan on doing when we get back to the US?

    Whos your current employer?

    Was I domiciled in the US still? (I've been in the Phils since April of 2006)

    It was really pretty painless and good. He leafed through our thick packet, taking a brief moment to look at photos and all the documents.

    I noticed when he was leafing through the packet that there was a pink stamp on the front that said approved. We did not notice him stamp the packet, but it was already there before we got into the interview.

    When he was done leafing through the packet he looked up and said he was convinced and said it is "the real deal". He also complimented us on the quality of our supporting documents and papers, which really felt good to us. Then he said we are approved, congratulations and said to take a seat and wait to be called to releasing.

    5 minutes later at most, we were already called to releasing. They put some stamps on our paperwork and gave us the delbros slip. We went to the delbros desk, paid them and left. WOW!!!!!!

    All in all it was a quick and painless prodeedure. The only thing that surprised me was the interview. I had always figured it would be like a job interview; personal behind the scenes\closed doors type atmosphere being probed and grilled in more detail. Instead, it's just a simple small room with no door and people are outside of that doing there own things all the time we are interviewing behind that thick pane of glass.

    So now we wait for Debros to deliver the CR1 then head back to Cebu and try to get back to the US by May 30th.

    For anyone who had two interviews like us, you should have no problem getting the CR1 if you ask the pre screener about it and all your paperwork is in order.

    I have no advice other than wear a smile, be confident and crack some jokes of the opportunity presents itself. It cant hurt and it helps release the tension and develop maybe even a very slight repor with the CO :)

×
×
  • Create New...