AngelD

Got some questions about package 3--we are dealing with Montreal

Do we wait till we actually have the documents in hand before signing the checklist and sending it? Or did anyone else just check it and then start grabbing the things--birth certificates-I had the kids long forms somewhere but can't find them so I am going to send away for them again as I need to for mine.

Was going to go get police check a number of times but life has been so busy that I wasn't stressed about it--now that we have package 3--I'm a bit more stressed!

I am assuming that they schedule the interview once this checklist is in and I don't think things will take that long to get. We would just like to have the interview for the beginning of August.

so my question is---sign and send checklist and hope we get everything in time or wait till I have everything in hand--thoughts??

thanks again for everyone's advice, help,suggestions etc

best of luck on your journeys!!

Angel

Congrats!!!

One more thing! Your timeline in the timeline on the processing time page says your interview is set for the year 2008---a type-o or is it really that far away??

Angel

Hooray! We finally got our Packet 3 from the Vancouver consulate, and we faxed it back right away, so I hope we get our interview date soon

But I was looking at the consulate information, and was a bit confused by the "order to put stuff in" list.. So my question is:

Is the OF-156 the same as the DS-156 or are they for different things? Since we are applying for the K1 Visa do we need to worry about it? I can't find much information about it.

Congrats!

We got our packet 3 on Friday. My question is, did you have all the documents you needed in hand before you faxed it back or did you just send it in hopes to get it all back in time--mainly the criminal check?

I still need to get some things and don't know if I should send the check list in now so we can get our interview date sooner rather than later.

Thanks for your help

Angel

Hey Everyone!

Scott and I got our NOA2 and the letter/packet 3 in the mail dated JUNE 1! Finally. But we both know it's not all smooth sailing from here on it either!

Got some questions about package 3--we are dealing with Montreal

Do we wait till we actually have the documents in hand before signing the checklist and sending it? Or did anyone else just check it and then start grabbing the things--birth certificates-I had the kids long forms somewhere but can't find them so I am going to send away for them again as I need to for mine.

Was going to go get police check a number of times but life has been so busy that I wasn't stressed about it--now that we have package 3--I'm a bit more stressed!

I am assuming that they schedule the interview once this checklist is in and I don't think things will take that long to get. We would just like to have the interview for the beginning of August.

so my question is---sign and send checklist and hope we get everything in time or wait till I have everything in hand--thoughts??

thanks again for everyone's advice, help,suggestions etc

best of luck on your journeys!!

Angel

What a great Mother's day gift! Our file has finally been touched! Our petition was received Feb 21 2007 and this is the first TOUCH we've received! I know! I know! Doesn't mean much but at least our file is out of a dank box on the back shelf! Our daughter's first birthday is May 25th! What a great b-day an NOA2 would be!!

Haven't been on visa journey in a while! Off maternity leave and back at work! I try hard not to obsess too much so I stay off of here! I was getting out of control and stressing too much!

Just doing one day at a time and my American is coming to Toronto for a month to celebrate our daughter's first b-day and my son's grade 8 graduation! Life goes on until it really begins!

Good luck to everyone still waiting for NOA1's 2's and visas!!

Yeah Yippee Hooray!

(gotta find hope in the little things!

Angel

Just curious--and I'm sure it will help other more experienced VJ'ers answer you better

Why haven't you or why can't you two meet in person?

I'm seeing Iraq as the foreign country--I can't imagine visiting either way can be an easy thing at this point in time but I'm not sure if that is a good enough reason.

I would also suggest checking out the forum that deals with specific counties or regions--it's in the second batch of forum headings on the forums page.

Oh yeah---WELCOME TO VISAJOURNEY!! it's a long road but everyone here is on a similar path and are a great source of support of information so don't be shy to explain your situation and ask questions-also-read as much as you can on here so you have a better understanding of all the processes-it will help in asking questions

Best of luck!!!

Angel

I'm hoping it's not a mistake. I hope you get the noa2 in the mail next week. I dunno, maybe it's just one of those things. I would send husk a pm and see what he says.

I feel so much better seeing someone else sending people to Huskerviev!! I have flogged his name on here whenever I get a chance (and was feeling a little bad about it--lol) But he seems to be the "go to guy" at the moment!! thanks for being a fellow Husk-cheerleader

yeah--ours isn't too great backwards either--but it's great for a giggle!!

we've discussed hyphening our name -his then mine Dettmar-Steel. He has a daughter with his last name, our daughter with the hyphen and then my two kids with my last name--if we hyphen everyone's last name then noone feels like they are losing anything-rather they are gaining something and we would all be the same.

Either that or we should just come up with some great new last name Stettmar, Steetmar, Steelmar, Marsteel, or how 'bout it all backwards--Leets-Ramtted.

LOL it could be fun to just make something up that we all agreed on as a family!!

I think keeping your maiden name is great! Or even him taking hers--my fiance's brother took his wife's last name and they love it!

Hi and welcome to VisaJourney

If you marry your fiancee while she in the US on a visitors visa she will have to return to her home country and then you will have to start the visa process all over using the K3 visa (for spouses not fiance).

Most countries that do not require a visa (not including K visas) to visit the US can usually visit during the K1 process provided you can prove strong ties to your home country--job, bank account, own a home or have a lease, children or other family. Access is at the border crossing's discresion--they can deny your fiancee access even if she can prove stong ties because it is usually assumed they are entering the US to immigrate. So the burden of proof is on your fiancee.

If you are already a month into the visa process I wouldn't set yourselves back the 2 months. Wait for the fiancee visa and then get married. Others with better knowledge of where your fiancee will probably give you better advice than I can on whether or not she will be able to get the tourist visa since I'm from Cananda and don't need a visa to visit then US for up to 90 days.

I can say that 3 weeks ago -just before we filed for our K1-I crossed into the US with my American Citizen infant daughter with a packet full of proof that I had strong ties to Canada--2 teenage children, a job, a lease, letter from employer and was yellow flagged--which means I was sent to another area for further interview before being allowed to get on the plane to the States (in Cananda you "cross the border" on Canadian soil in the airport). The interviewer asked why I was going to the states, why we hadn't filed for the K1 visa yet and told me I was being "sloppy" by travelling before the K1 was sent in. I told him I had the packet of information for the visa petition and we were about to send it in. He didn't want to see any of my proof even though I offered it to him and suggested we apply ASAP(which I explained we were just about to do). He then told me to not to worry because he wasn't deny us access this time. I was relieved but still very nervous. So even if you have all the right info they might say no--they are human and sometimes if you get someone in a crappy mood or is having a bad day it can transfer to you!

Anyway--best of luck--you'll find lots of great resources on here and some wonderful people with a ton of knowledge!!

Angel

a "touch" simply means that someone within the UCIS office has touched or moved your file. It can mean that it was moved literally from one desk to another. It's barcode on the file is scanned everytime the file changes hands or desks for one reason or another. Unfortunatley a touch doesn't necessarily mean that there has been any progress on a case file (or that there hasn't been). Check out HUSKERKIEV -1st post from a former NVC employee--it's about 4 pages back. He has given great insight into what touched mean and a ton of other insider insights.

best of luck and here's to being touched!!!

Angel

best wishes! think positive!!

FYI

checked cashed Feb.23 and we could read the WAC### on the back of the check online!! YEAY! just need the hard copy of NOA1 dated Feb.21

to all those still waiting---I'm sure it'll be any day now

good luck and thanks for the encouraging words

ANgel

I guess I just wanted to share what our latest endeavor is in the immigration process for my fiance and me.

For those of you that had not read the very long thread from about a month ago when it seemed I was having a meltdown because of an incompetant lawyer, here is a very brief update....

--June '06, hired a lawyer to handle our K-1 visa process

--July 12, NOA1

--Oct. 31, touched

In the meantime, many contacts to our lawyer trying to find out 'status'. Checking the USCIS website daily. Stess, anxiety, & hope that we would hear something anyday!

--Jan. 29 '07, joined the VisaJourney website and posted to the forum asking for help since we were getting none from our lawyer. Rec'd many great responses and by the end of the day I had learned that our petition had been filed (by our immigration lawyer) in the wrong place and nothing had been done what-so-ever. It was devastated.

We have finally been able to track down our application and found out that it was closed back in October, probably when it was touched on Oct. 31. It seems someone would have been notified that it was closed, but the attorney's office claims they were never contacted. Honestly, I don't trust any of them, but no way of proving that part of it. Darryl and I both had to gather up all paperwork once again, have photos retaken, all the necessary things when you are originally applying for a K-1. Darryl express mailed all his information from Australia and it was all overnighted to the Nebraska Service Center - where it should have went originally. We are now waiting for our NOA1 (once again) and starting this horrible waiting period once again.

We are taking the neccessary steps against this lawyer for compensation. Darryl also has an appointment with the US consulate in Sydney on March 12 to see if they will renew his B-2 visa (another long story where our lawyer screwed us!). If they do renew it he will get to come for a visit in April. I am so nervous and excited for March 12 to get here to determine if we will get to see one another in April. What really sucks is that just months ago, I was absolutely positive that the next time Darryl came to the USA, it would be for good. Now, I am holding on to the dream that he will get to visit for 3 weeks in April...then go back home. Just doesn't seem fair.

We have also cancelled all wedding plans for our April 21 wedding and decided not to reschedule the big lavish wedding we had planned. We will take our losses, try to sell what we can and also try to get some compensation from the lawyer at fault. We would not have had to cancel if he had done his job properly. A big wedding no longer seems to be important to us (although it once was, since it is a first for us both), I just want to get him here for good and start our life together.

Darryl and I both try and remain optimistic although some days it is very difficult. It's been gruelling, but we know that someday we will look back on all this with a smile and a sigh of relief that it is over~!!!

Oh Kym I am soooooo sorry to hear this. I've kept up to date about your postings and am so glad I didn't hire a lawyer. I read somewhere that going to your Congressman can help in a big way if there is a serious problem. I would suggest doing that asap and maybe he can help push the new petition through. It just sucks that your lawyer was such a big jerk he couldn't just admit they had done something really really wrong so it could be attended to early on.

We all have our fingers crossed for you.

Good luck

Angel

if you get married before you k1 visa(fiancee) is issued the k1 in process will be null and void. you will have to restart the entire process over again and reapply for a K3 visa(spouse)

I would suggest waiting on the wedding - especially if being together is the most important part. I know it sucks that you made all these wedding plans but they do say NOT to make any solid plans until you get your visa because the timelines are not definate and anything can happen (like being denied altogether).

I would start to see if there is anyway for you to put certain things on hold so you don't lose what ever money you put down on things. Unless of course the ceremony in Thailand isn't an official marriage (just for show so her parents and family are involved). If it is a legally binding marriage then you won't be able to bring her back on any other kind of visa than the K3.

I also think but am not positive, if you get the K1 visa you are required to marry in the United States.

Best of luck

What about your step father? I am assuming He is the US Citizen that is sponsoring you. Your mother is not the one sponsoring you. How does he feel about you leaving. If he is still willing to be your sponsor (willing to support you financially as he has declared that he would when he sent in the affidavit of support)? As far as I understand, you have every right to be in the US with your K2 visa as long as the person who is your sponsor is still supporting you.

I know you asked this question a while ago and there have been no responses. I think it's because no one really knows what to tell you. I am not totally sure what I have told you is fact and simply not just my opinion but it may be good for you to read all the guides on K1/2 visas and the forums on green cards etc. It will help you understand the process. I would then try to get ahold of an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. (you can usually find one that will offer a free consultation which will let you ask a few questions and get your answers you need)

I would also suggest looking into some sort of community center that communicates and caters to your native language and culture--they may be able to help you find the services you need (though your english seems to be pretty good) but it will help in making sure you really understand what your options are.

I am so sorry this is happening. I hope you have had time to make some friends that you can lean on.

Best of luck

Angel

ps--this is all just my opinion and not to be taken has hard facts

What I see from this man's post is 'should I cancel because I know I'll be importing some hapless woman to be my wife just as soon as I can'.

In my opinion, he doesn't love this woman, he's only sore because she's rejected him despite the 'obvious' financial benefits.

As well, as the fact she's 'wasted his time' when he could have been busily getting any other woman who would have him imported.

God spare me from a man like him...I pity the woman he will most likely eventually procure.

Lets all step outside our cozy love bubbles long enough to realize that this could happen to ANY of us! One minute you think you're both on the same page and the next he rips the rug out from underneath you! This happened to me about a year ago Angel so before you hit this guy in the head with a verbal brick, why dont you sit back and look at both sides of the story. azcactus, cancel this worthless, tainted visa application and start over. You dont need to be ANYONES hero, you shouldnt have to support her family (when her brother is perfectly able to fill in where she left off) and you definately dont need this woman to pull this "Im scared" excuse somewhere down the road during your marriage. You're not her babysitter, she's suppose to be your future wife and the other part of a STRONG relationship. Ditch her - lets not metion how cowardly it was to break off 4 years on Yahoo!! Gimme a break!!

I would just like to point out that I did not write the portion you have quoted above your comment. I don't think I hit anyone over the head with a brick--my post was the one explaining how a foreign fiancee may or may not feel--my personal feelings.

Angel

did you buy your tickets online through expedia.com, travelocity.com or other website based company (aircanada.com etc). If so you should be able to print the itinerary or receipt. I just printed all the email confirmations from expedia that were sent to our emails they show travel dates, cost of tickets, who paid, etc. I'm usually a pack rat but for some reason didn't keep any ticket stubs--I'm a duh!

good luck

I just met with my Fiancee in St. Petersburg. Previously, she had been excited and anxious to get to America ASAP, but this trip she seemed nervous and apprehensive. She finally mentioned that she was unsure about her future and asked if i would prepare a marriage agreement. I said i would. But to me, the man, it appeared that either she did not trust our marriage to work or maybe had talked to someone who suggested a marriage agreement to be sure that if the marriage did not work, that she would get compensated for it. First, i would like to get everyone's opinion on why you think she may have asked for the marriage agreement, and, second, what should be included in the marriage agreement that would be fair for both of us. I would like her compensation in the agreement to be based on years of marriage to me. If the marriage only last one year or less, i do not think she should get much from me because it might be a reason for her to divorce me. As the marriage years are added, i believe the assets or compensation should increase. She is much younger than me and i know that she wants to leave Russia and come to America so i do not feel she needs any more reasons for a divorce once she gets over here. Please give me your opinions on everything regarding marriage agreements. Thanks

I'm not sure what was discussed as far as an "agreement"-like was it all about the money? But here is what I wrote to another fellow with fiancee issues and what your fiancee may--or maynot be feeling. I have also thought for a second or two about an agreement-something that would maybe say that if for some reason things didn't work out I could at least get me and my kids back to Canada since I won't be working right away. We're not really going to need anything like that and California is a community division state so if we got divorced we would split things anyway. But like any marriage you need to have all these issues discussed just like whether you are going to have kids or both work or your plans to retire etc. I wouldn't take it too personally yet. It may just be a real need on her part to know that she isn't leaving her life behind for a whim (it's not like you are dating for years while living 2 blocks away and all she has to do is move in with you)

What follows is just how I feel as the foreign fiancee--hope it helps a little

I am the Canadain marrying a USC. I love him, he loves me. We've been together for 2 years and now have a wonderful 9 month old daughter together. It's been hard to be a family from 2700 hundred miles away (he has a 9 year old daughter and I have a 14 year old girl and 13 year old boy) not to mention new parents with the distance. We have only just sent in our petition last week.

As a woman with 2 kids that I have raised on my own, I have a life. A great job, a house (rental), friends, family. my kids have friends, boy/girlfriends, school, favorite hang outs and a life. We love our country (it's Canada -other than winter, what's not to love?). We don't live in poverty, we don't suffer from disease or have to live through wars or other unimaginable atrocities. We speak english and have health care. As much I love my fiance, as much as my kids love him like the father they have never known, as much as I love my step daughter, and as much as I love the thought of no more frikkin winter-----this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I spend weeks at a time crying over not being able to be with him everyday. Feeling like we are living two barely crossing lives. Like I am missing so much not being there with him. Or even worse, how much he is missing of our daughter's life. But even though my desire to be with him in the states as a family consumes my every thought every day and night-even when I am here in California with him--I am scared to death!

My children and I have to move--something I hate even if it is a block away. We started to sift through our lives-lives we built together one step at a time-to determine what bits and bobs will make it to the states. What do we feel is insignifacant and should be left behind. thrown out, sold. It's expensive to ship everything there and who wants to have to buy everything all over again? The kids have to switch schools (something they have had to do only once when we relocated within the province of ontario so I could get a better job--they were very young and bounced back quickly and I promised it would never happen again) They have to leave their friends and loved ones behind and start over. Some of these friends have been there for 7 years (and yes they will make more-we know that as adults but kids rarely see beyond next week). They will promise to stay in touch but we know that will never happen-it's $700 to fly and none of them can afford it. I struggle with the hope that they know that this move is in our best interest, and hope they know that we both love them so much that all we want to do is be a family. I hope that in the end they don't hate us for making them move to a new country because mommy is in love.

I have a great job that offers me full benefits in the field I am trained in. I have earned my title there and the perks that go with it and have forged relationships. It will be hard to leave. And I am afraid that I may never find the same kind of work here. Certainly not right away at the same pay.

We have health care--FREE--in Canada. Not so here. It is outrageous-especially with 3 extra kids and woman of child bearing years.

Toronto, Ontario has snow--but we don't have earthquakes-we aren't sinking into the ocean, we don't have war, we don't have Bush (no offense)

I know where the good grocery stores are and the cheapest place to buy things. I don't need a car (gas, insurance, repairs $$$$) because we have a great transit system.

In Toronto, I stand on my own. I support my family and myself. If there is a problem, I know where to go to fix it.

In the US, if anything goes wrong--god forbid--we get divorced, he dies or whatever-there is no safety net. That sucks.

I love him, he loves me and together we love all our kids. But it doesnt' mean that it isn't the scariest thing on earth to think about leaving your country. The security of everything you know and love. I can't even imagine how hard it is for anyone going through this who is coming from a country that is tremendously different to the United States. The language and cultural differences alone must be frightening. Yes, there are perks and some will have a better life for it. But there is something to be said for the devil you know.

Sorry to rant---I hope this gives you a little insight into what may be going on in her head. Of the heads of many (not all) of the non-USC Signifigant Others out there.

WE LOVE YOU USC'S, and we sacrafice a large part of ourselves to be with you as you do for us.

from what I read in one of Huskerviev's posts (he's the former NSC worker) that it's a real human reading our files and that in some cases (not all but some) depending on the case worker, they will do their best to ascertain the correct information from within your file. The person might read it and say "oh what a silly mistake-of course logic says that this person can't have done this on that date because the information before and after dictates that to be impossible--lol chuckle to one's self and on to the next bit of info ". I don't know which question he had the typo in so I can't say whether or not it will be seen as a totally undeniable typo. Of course, you may always get one of the stickler workers who will immediately send and RFE because he/she doesn't feel the information is accurate enough to draw the proper conclusions.

Not sure if this hampers or helps you, but I have learned in life to keep expectations low and prepare for the worst so that anything else is a pleasant surprise (just have it all ready to go just in case)

Good luck and deep breaths

I gotta say again--as the Non USC in the relationship--that it is a very very big step to leave your country, family, HOME. Even if it is for love. I can only imagine how much more difficult it must be and scarey when your family is not emotionally supportive on top of all that.

The question I don't think I have seen you answer yet is "DO YOU LOVE HER?" I know you've mentioned other women, more fishies in the sea, and having met online. Are you simply looking for a wife--any wife--any foreign wife? Or have you spent all this time with this woman and her child because you love them? I know that you must be heart broken about her sudden change of heart--but honestly, it may be the fear speaking on her part. She may simply need you to go and reassure her. It may not be fair to you emotionally-but she may be testing you to some degree. Or she may seriously be that afraid to go and abandon her family.

Personally, I wouldn't cancel anything yet. You are already going there, you have nothing to lose (not even the monetary since it's already booked and paid for) you may find that things can be worked through and- if not -at least you know you went down fighting.

either way, good luck

Thanks everyone!!!! Funny hough-I haven't stopped reading thread upon thread in here--I thought I might give it a rest for a bit--you know-a day or so--lol lol lol before I was on here refreshing all the time--maybe tomorrow-ha ha ha

good luck everyone!!

keep in mind, being "touched" may simply be the file being moved from desk to another. This I learned from reading a great post by Huskerkiev--he used to work for NSC a few years ago.

best of luck--still waiting to be touched--lol

Just wanted to post we got our NOA1 today in the mail, California received it on Feb 12, and the notice was was dated Feb 16th. I was so excited, even though I know now it may be a long 3 months or more, just knowing it makes me feel better.

Yeay for you!!! Congrats!

We just checked online banking and the check was cashed and have already plugged in the info on the online status to see we got our NOA1!! Just waiting for the hard copy!!

best of luck on the rest of the journey!!!! Race ya! hee hee

A