colgirl

Well, after 6 long misserable hours on the train, and 48 hours with no sleep, and way too much good pizza....we were APPROVED!!!!!! We walked around all day praying and keeping our fingers crossed. But, at 4p.m. we returned the same day as interview to pick up our visa. The hardest part finally over. We are so excited. I really have to thank everyone here on this website for your support. I thought I was gonna go crazy at some moments. But, now that all is said and done. It was a much easier process than I had imagined. Now, comes the hardest part....moving to the U.S. and starting our new life together from scratch. Please, continue to keep the prayers coming!!!! We can surtainly use em. And now I am here to help my fellow, "Visa Journiers". Happy Holidays!!!

The time has finally come. I have been patient, even with the lost packet of 3 months. I have put in over 6 months patiently waiting to get my husbands I-130 approved here in Italy. I have worked for a wage far less than that of when I was 16 years old. But, even with the language barrier and complete lack of rules and structured did work continuously. I have changed return flight date after return flight date. I have checked all the paper work 100 times over. I have paid every fee, made all the phone calls, and sent e-mail after e-mail. But, now it comes down to 2 days.

Most would be so happy to be 2 days away from their interview date (and I am). But, now I face the uncertainty of approvall or not. Even with having made well over the poverty guidelines for the last several years on my taxes. And even working for less than my worth here in Italy, it is still above the poverty guidelines. Now, I am being told that I may need a "job proprosal" from my U.S. employer stating how much I will be making. Of course this was told to me 8 days before the interview date. And as luck would have it I have made phone call and e-mail after e-mail trying to get this letter faxed to me ASAP. But, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday I have heard no answers. So, as I am filled with stress and anxiety I try to muster up all the old pay studs and personal e-mails from my ex-employer (in the U.S. to where I will return to work) just to prove that there is a position waiting for me. I had worked for over 9 years with the company. I never thought that me being employed here in Italy would not be concidered. To make things even better I am a college grad who has put my "real carreer" on hold durring this entire process. So, in a feable attempt to still get acceptance on this I-130 I have even included my college transcripts. I only hope that the Embassy in Naples will be reasonable to know that in the field that I studied and with having worked for over 9 years for the same company, of course I will be employed upon my return back to the U.S.

I just don't know where to stand or how to feel these last two days with all these grey areas in front of me. The Embasseys quick answer was, "Sounds like you should be ok, but get a cosighner to be 100% sure". As if it is that easy to just get anyone to sign away their lives to my husband and I. As if in 2 days from another country all the forms they need can be completed. I guess they live in the fantasy world that everyone is from big generouse well off families. Well, I am not. I worked hard to make it this far and now that the circle is complted with my husband we may not even be able to live in the same country together happily.

I am angry, frusterated, and anxiouse, any words of courage would be well appreciated today. If you have been through Naples to recieve your I-130 and feel that I am overy concerned or even the opposite please let me know. I have done all I can think of to do. At this point if this doesn't happen for us, I may just have to move to England. At least I can make my worth and fly to Italy on the weekends to see my husband. Of course this is not realistic or ideal. Help

Many here on the web sight are angels to those of us still going through it. With those of us who have no one else to turn to for support. Even if no one write me back in time. I am so happy for those angels who help those in need whenever they can. God, Buddah, and Allah all bless you!!!

Okay, One more big question. I have spent about 2 weeks and many tear filled hours in search of a "money order" or "C.O.D." to send and pay for my I-130. This does occur in Italy, but having a bank issue it in U.S. currancy is impossible. The soonest it "may" be available is in over a week. Well, this is a problem, because the fee increase is in affect in one week. I really don't know how i'll do to travel all the way to Rome. Does anyone have any ideas on how else I may make this payment to Rome via mail? I have gone to my local embassy and every post office and bank in Florence ( at least it seems).

B) Next question: After I send out the I-130, I am trying to get a head start on my packet 3. Doese anyone have a current list of exactly what forms I will need and where to download them. This has been tricky. I have found a few here and there, but not all.

Sorry to be so needy all. But, right when I think things are getting easier they twist the other direction. I won't let the "man" beat me!!! But, he may get a few of my tears. I know a little mellodramatic, but this entire process is!!!!

Thanks Friends!

3sila- Sending you and yours lots of Good Luck wishes for tomorrow! Hope everything goes smoothly! Give us the news as soon as you get it!! Bree

Molly- So the big day's almost here!! Nerve racking huh? Now that 100 Dollars is for what if I may ask? Is that the interview fee? I hope someone can answer your question about the check. Let me know what you find out. Bree

colgirl- I'm glad everyone's ideas helped you out some, don't hesitate to ask anything else here. Do you have a joint-sponsor in mind for the Affidavit of Support/I-864, a relative or friend to help you out? Time flies.

Here's a link my/others Cover Letters for the first step, the I-130 that you'll send to the Rome Embassy.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3445

It's also helpful becasue of the documents listed. Good Luck!

Bree

Thank you everyone for your advise. You have no idea how much it help it is. Or perhaps you do! I think I will do everything here in Italy and be patient. I'm just a little concerned about the affidavid of support. My taxex for the last several years I have made plenty. But, now I work here and it seems that I can not use that income. But, I will leap over that bridge when I get to it. I only pray once we get all this I-130 paper work done things will move quickly. Any advise on wheater I should include photo's or extra stuff to prove our case with the I-130? Either way I think I'm ready to start the process. I'll keep ya'll updated. And look forward to offering my advise to anyone else in need. Lotsa thanks!!!! Colgirl

Hi Colgirl,

I have not yet started the process but my understanding is that you can go through the process for an immigration visa (IR-1, or CR-1 if you're newly married) in Rome if you are already married and if the US citizen is resident in Italy, i.e., has a permesso di soggiorno. The I-129F has no part in this process, as far as I know. The I-130 petition needs to be submitted to and approved by the USCIS office in Rome (at the Embassy) and then the visa interview will happen at the US Consulate in Naples. You (the US part of the couple) need to be resident in Italy for the first part of the process, the petition approval in Rome. After that, I imagine you could leave and go to work in the US... In fact, it might help your application since you'll need to show resources to support your husband in the second part of the process.

As I said, I'm no expert, because I haven't started yet. But that's what I understand.

I am in dyer need for a little advice. I am married to my Italian prince and we are both living now in Italy. The original plan was to get married here and get his visa through direct consulate. Well, it seems as though that fast track may not exist here in Rome. I am anxiouse to get back to work in the states. I was advised to apply for the I-130 then when I recieved the notice apply for the I-129F. This is supposed to be the quickest way for us to leave the country. My concern is would it be smarter for us to stick out his I-130 here in Italy? May it be a quicker and easier process for him to recieve his visa here in Rome? I asume since I live in California finishing our visa journey there may be a long long complicated fiet. I have been holding on to these forms for 2 months anxiety ridden with what to do. I don't mind sticking things out for the next 6 months or so if it will may life less complicated in the end. Please, please I beg anyone with any tid bit of info for a moment of your time to help. Thank You

I am in dyer need for a little advice. I am married to my Italian prince and we are both living now in Italy. The original plan was to get married here and get his visa through direct consulate. Well, it seems as though that fast track may not exist here in Rome. I am anxiouse to get back to work in the states. I was advised to apply for the I-130 then when I recieved the notice apply for the I-129F. This is supposed to be the quickest way for us to leave the country. My concern is would it be smarter for us to stick out his I-130 here in Italy? May it be a quicker and easier process for him to recieve his visa here in Rome? I asume since I live in California finishing our visa journey there may be a long long complicated fiet. I have been holding on to these forms for 2 months anxiety ridden with what to do. I don't mind sticking things out for the next 6 months or so if it will may life less complicated in the end. Please, please I beg anyone with any tid bit of info for a moment of your time to help. Thank You

Caio! Hello all. I have spent many hours getting comfort and support from this web site and finally decided to become one of you. I want to welcome everyone and say that your words really help those of us (alll of us) who struggle to be with the ones we love. It's a crazy world that makes love so difficult. If you get a chance please check my profile. I am needing help in the exacts on how to file for my fiances I30 through Direct Consular Filing. I have the numbers to call in Italy and will do so tonight. But, I am unsure if I can take steps to fill out paperwork before I get there. We are getting married in Italy in May 2007 and I would love to have as much paper work done before then to get our train-a-choo-chooing! All the information is so confusing. Just to get married in Italy is a confusing mess. If anyone has gone through this rout and can offer any advise I would surly appreciate it. Should I file here in the US the normal I30 steps or is it different if I am able to file through Direct Consular? Also, do I need to stay in Italy the entire time until we get our interview date? And since I lived ther for 6 months would it be better to say that I was a resident there? I generally have been going back and forth for a year and a half now. Thatnk You for the love and support!