ramzis51

My fiances flight landed at 559am but by the time she came out it was 830am. It took her 2.5 hrs to get thru, immigration, getting her bags and then customs.

She went on line(seems there were lik 7 flight coming in at once). The immigration officer asked her 1-2 questions(what is your fiances name, his address, what does he do?). Simple questions. Then she was directed to the secondary room.

She waited there for over 90 mins. A guy came up to her took her paperwork, she waited 30 mins, he came back asked her the same few questions above and then she waited another 40 mins or so. He came back asked her what I do. He came back 15 mins later with the passport stamped and EAD.

It was a very long wait. But we got thru it. She landed in terminal 4 where alot of international flights land. She wasnt harassed but she was made to wait. alot!

You don't need the EAD stamp with the K-1. Please read paragraph C, section 1 --- the K-1 inherently allows you to work for the first 90 days you are in the country. with or without a stamp!

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

RAMZIS' VISA HAS BEEN APPROVED!!!!! He called me at 2:30 a.m. this morning (10:30 a.m. in Moscow). I don't have many details, but he got there at 7:00 a.m. to be first in line and he was calling me by 10:30 a.m. He said they began letting them in at 8:30 and they don't start working until 9:00 a.m. So I don't think it took very long. Monday is a holiday (International day of women) which is celebrated across Europe, so all businesses will be closed on Monday (ugh---another day lost), but hopefully he will have his visa on Tuesday or Wed, fly here on Thursday and we'll be married on Friday (do you think it is at all possible that the government would work with me on this timeline?!) Zee-----your next!!! The always patient, Alane & Ramzis

RAMZIS' VISA WAS APPROVED YESTERDAY!! I don't have many details, but he was first in line yesterday morning and it didn't take very long. Monday is international day of women (a holiday) so the embassy and everything else will be closed. Hopefully he will get his visa from DHL Tuesday or Wed. and be here on Friday next week, the ever patient, Alane & Ramzis

RAMZIS GOT HIS VISA APPROVED YESTERDAY!!!!!!! I don't have many details yet, but it didn't take long. He was the first one in line at the embassy. This is way too cool. Always the patient one, Alane & Ramzis

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know we got the visa! The interview today went well and we'll have the visa in hand tomorrow! Thanks to all of you who have helped us along the way!

Hedi & Kay

Super Congrats Our interview is tomorrow!!! which is about 1 a.m. est!!!!

It's Thursday, March 6th now, and although our visas were approved at the interview back on February 26, we're still waiting to receive them. So, we've extended our stay here in Moscow by another week and we now plan on flying out on March 12. Just wanted to let everyone know that we're still alive and well here in Moscow. Frustrated perhaps, but we're together and that's the important thing. Natasha and Vika have tried to convince me to just fly back to the USA and they'll return to Volgodonsk to await the visa (in an effort to conserve money), but I refuse to leave here without them!

Congrats to all the approvals since I've been away. I have a lot of reading to catch up on after we get back!

Congratulations----our interview is tomorrow! What do you think is the hold up with you getting the visas? Are you getting them at the DHL office?

I just received a phone call from a very happy Natalia, exiting the Moscow Consulate, saying that the visa was approved for her and her 17-year-old son Artem. The interview took approximately 5 minutes and consisted of 3 questions. For those that are interested, here are the questions:

Q1. How did you meet? [Answer: Natalia explained how we met.]

Q2. You have a very high position here in Russia. (Natalia is the head of the legal department for a large company). It is unlikely that your work in the USA will be at such a high level. How do you feel about that and what do you plan to do for work after you arrive in America? [Answer: Natalia honestly replied that are already people wishing to interview her in the USA after she arrives given her expertise in Russian trade and tax law. Finding decent work in the USA should not present a problem for her once she is legally authorized to work here.]

Q3. Did your fiancee visit you in Russia? [Answer: I visited her in August which satisfied them.]

That was it......... 5 minutes and out. There were no questions directed to her 17-year-old son. They merely took his fingerprints.

All-in-all it was a little anti-climactic after all the waiting and worry.......... but it sure is good to have that behind us now. I am sure that the euphoria will sink in after a day or 2.

A special "thank you" to all those that have been supporting us these many many months. It was certainly a roller-coaster ride sometimes as we were probably in the bottom 10% in terms of waiting time. Hahahaha.......... Kazan Tiger (Jeffrey & Alla) intentionally postponed their interview a couple of months and they still almost beat us. Oh well..... what's a few extra months of waiting in the big scheme of things when you are talking about a life-time commitment? We are just happy that it is drawing to a close.

We wish you all the best.

Buck & Natalia

A big congrats-----Ramzis' interview is this Friday!

Hey loyal May filers. Thought I would bring our thread back to the front page. Ramzis leaves this Saturday for Moscow and his medical exam is Monday, March 3 and interview on Friday, March 7. We are planning to be married the following Friday, March 14. I know Zee is right after us. It appears the patient one is finally nearing the end (of this portion) this long, long ordeal. Please pray for him to have a successful exam and interview next week, and thanks everybody! The patient one, Alane & Ramzis

Alane, the 7th is coming up quickly (although I know it doesn't feel like it!) I'm so excited for you!! And when he gets here, the days before the wedding will just fly by in glorious fashion. And then you'll be joining me on cloud nine! I still can't believe that after 12 1/2 years as a couple, we're finally married!! Pinching myself doesn't make it seem any more real to me

Zee, your time is just around the corner, too! I'm so excited for the both of you as well! They say that the best things in life come to those who wait and I think the three of us (you, Alane and I) have done more than our fair share of waiting! The best thing in the world for me is finally here...for forever and the best for you is coming very soon! I'll be here waiting to do the happy dance with the both of you (I keep my dancing shoes under my desk here at work for special occasions!)

Like yourselves, I tell people these days if they need to know anything about immigration law, just ask me! We have all been through so much---and for sure our loved ones are worth the wait.

Natasha and Vika's visa was approved today, and the consul gave the usual "you'll receive the visa in 1 week" speech, but after arriving back at the apartment Natasha noticed she did not submit the I-134 document. We went back this afternoon and turned it in to the 221G area (where we were instructed to go by the guards), but we're a little nervous now. It's difficult to believe that the woman at the window that took the documents, and the consul himself, neglected to notice that this document wasn't submitted, but we remain hopeful since the consul told Natasha the visa was approved. I'll check back the next chance I get, maybe tomorrow.

Good luck to all!

Kevin

Congratulations

Hey loyal May filers. Thought I would bring our thread back to the front page. Ramzis leaves this Saturday for Moscow and his medical exam is Monday, March 3 and interview on Friday, March 7. We are planning to be married the following Friday, March 14. I know Zee is right after us. It appears the patient one is finally nearing the end (of this portion) this long, long ordeal. Please pray for him to have a successful exam and interview next week, and thanks everybody! The patient one, Alane & Ramzis

.... and i got this freaking visa. Man, I am just so relieved now. I don't know if i will be able to write everything in details. But i'll try. So, i can't say that it was easy. I had a pretty long talk with the officer . It was a very serious woman. But she wasn't rude or unpleasant. I had to tell her in details how Jason and I met. She asked me how and when and where i met Jason's family. How come i didn't meet his dad? I told her everything about our plans in the US? She was interested in where i was going to work in the us. I also told her everything about Jason's previous marriage. She asked about 8 questions about Jason's relationship with his ex. But I think she was satisfied with my answers. I knew it all. She even asked me if it would be interesting for me to live in a small town in the USA after living in Moscow. I said that we wouldn't live there all the time. Though I absolutely love Williamsburg and i wish we would live there for a longer time. Anyway, she asked a couple of not really smart questions (in my opinion) about my relationship with Jason and in 15-20 minutes i was done. She didn't look through my evidence though i had dozens of them but she looked through the photos that she already had in the initial petition. She asked a couple of questions about people who were n the photos and seemed to be satisfied. She was impressed that Jason came to visit me four times last year. I didn't feel any pressure from her. The interview was pretty smooth, just long. I was really nervous while i was waiting but i felt ok when i was interviewed.

The most important thing is just to have all the documents in order and to be honest and polite with a consul.

Woooo, it's such a relief. I think i haven't yet realized that we made it.

And I am very grateful to all members of VJ. All your advice was really helpful. Special thanks to the members of russian forum for support, for being always positive and for always improving our mood whenever we felt stressed. Thank you very much. ( Feel like i just got an Oscar).

mox and irish, congratulations with your approvals.

Good luck to everyone. And good night

Sasha

Super congrats you guys!!! Our interview is next on the list I think?!

Jeff, that's really funny. I think we all can relate.

Slim, I'm a sports freak. And I watch anything with refs. And I do drink beer with friends whenever possible, but I find myself so busy lately. Haven't actually spent time with the "boys" in a very long time. If Sasha gets her approved visa on friday, it will be a glorious day with plenty of hoppy ale flowing from pitchers, in the hands of toothless women wearing orange shorts. Hmmmm, bet you can't guess where I'll be!

Thinking of you guys and a successful interview tomorrow!!!!

today U2rsobad is getting married! Congratulations Sandi and Daisuke!!!!!!!!! HOOORAY

Hey there...Ruth got her visa yesterday, February 13th!!!! Apparently it was a bit of a fiasco...she told me she was there for 10 hours. More details to follow. It's hard to believe...nearly 8 months to the day after sending in our application. But we finally made it. She should be here in 2 weeks...

congratulations!!!

I had my interview on tuesday 12th and I am Approved I should get the visa in 3-5 days

Im so happy good luck to everyone else

Congrats!!!!!! It is great to see the May filers having their dreams become reality. Zee we are up next!!!!

We got our interview date, it will be on 4/2/08!! Of course, USCIS screwed up Elena's address change, and so did NVC when I called them to make sure the address change took. Looks like a late night tonight to call the Consulate and have them update the address and resend the Packet 3/4.

Congratulations!!! We are all very happy for you.........soon this part of the journey will be behind you

Olga went to the interview on the 31st of January. She was only asked 3 questions; 1. Did you use a marriage broker? 2. What does your fiance do for a living? 3. Why do you love your fiance? As long as paperwork is done correctly and all of the requirements are met, I think the interview is smooth sailing. Olga received her visa in the mail 6 days later. Now, my Babyduck will be on her way here on the 13th. After 9 loooong months, I am about to go crazy with anticipation.

For anyone stressing about the interview, try not to stress. It is the last of the formalities before the visa is issued. Good luck to everyone!

We are all happy for you! congratulations

Hi all!

He got his visa today It is in his hands!!!!! YAY! Such a sense of relief... now to plan the wedding!

Jennifer

We are all very happy for you!!! Congratulations

Hi everyone! Just a question...

Does anyone know what happens if you are not at home when they try to deliver the visa? My fiance works all day and most likely will not be there when they deliver it. I just don't want a major delay on things because he won't be there during the times they try to deliver it. Anyone know? Thank you!

And congrats on the happy wedding news and all the other approved visas/interviews/etc!

Jennifer

Have it delivered to the dhl office and let him pick it up there.

Hi everyone,

My fiancee and I received the good news that we have been granted our VISA...now we just have to wait to get it in the mail...

Good luck to those of you who are still waiting...It's so hard, but in the end it is all worth it!!!

Best wishes and congratulations

Long time to wait. Very sorry to hear that. But you are now outside the 180 day mark. You should be doing some serious investigating now. Time to call and bug them and bug them and bug them. Get your local elected officials involved as well. Good luck to you. I'm sure it will work out in the end. but not knowing when the end will come is the whole problem. There are others in the same boat. You're not alone. But eventually you will have your time of joy. Hang in there.

Thank you for your kind wishes!..

I was told by officer ******* at the Csc, that since I had already contacted them on 1/10/08, not to contact them again for another 30/60 days for more information. She was definately not very helpful!..

they will tell you everything, for instance you are only allowed 3 calls/month ---- BALONEY!!!! You have the right to call them every day. Don't let them push you around. You might insist to speak with a supervisor. They will tell you you can't and then you tell them YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR!!!!! In past instances, talking to a supervisor made a miraculous difference.

Ok - we are thinking of changing our plan...

We are now going through the K-1 process and filed in July and are one of the lucky filers that received an RFE. We have sent the evidence back and it was received in December. It sounds as if our NOA2 is just going to be a waiting game with possible approval any day now.

My fiance will be retiring on February 29th and has no other reason to stay in the UK. He wants to come and live here on the visa waiver program and when the interview and medical are scheduled, he will fly back to the UK for that. We think that this process will be finished within the three month visa waiver. He can show ties to his country because he has just purchased a house that he bought for investment purposes and if for some slight chance he is not approved, he will have a place to live in the UK.

My big question is - can we do this? Will it jeapordize the NOA2? He would like to come here first week of March or so. Another issue - he has a class reunion in Bangkok in April. What are the chances of us going to that together?

When he comes over on the VWP, he will have a return ticket that he plans to use when he goes back for his medical.

Is this a possibility? Has anyone ever done this before? We just can't be apart anymore...

Please - any advice would be much appreciated.

If he has a B-1 he can certainly come to VISIT. My fiance came 3 times last year----no issue at all. As the other's have said, it needs to be a visit, have documentation that he has a reason to return, i.e., lease agreement, something. And he needs to be truthful.

Hello, my 129f was recieved on October 20th, i still havent recieved my NOA2. does anybody have any idea on how much longer untill i hear something or how long waiting. Should i call to check on it? It has been a little over 3 months. Thank You!

Ours took 5 months-----The wait is long----we received our NOA2 Nov. 6 and our interview is March 7 (4 more months) ----- sorry

Hi Everyone !!

We got our K1 approved Yesterday in Brazil...

Im here now in Brazil a day after and still am floating on air.....

Thank you all for all your guidance, and support !!!!

Good Luck to ALL

Scott/Cati

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We all LOVE hearing this great news!!!!!!!! The patient one, Alane & Ramzis

Hi guys:

2 questions:

If we get a work stamp at POE in New York, does that mean he can work right away? I just talked to a lawyer on the telephone; a) he says they don't do that anymore and B) even if you get one, you can't work----doesn't make sense.

The I-864 (affadavit of support) has to be submitted with the I-485 (AOS). Can we use the same one we used for the K-1 interview or do we need a newer, updated one?

Thanks, Alane & Ramzis

If he gets the temp EAD from JFK (haven't heard that it has stopped being given out) your fiance still needs to get a SSN before he starts working.

The I-134 is what your fiance should take to the interview. I-864 is for AOS.

From the patient one, Alane & Ramzis

Actually, it depends on the country. My fiance's country (Liberia, W. Africa) required the I-864 for his interview. So this is a good question. I saved a copy to my computer so it's just a matter of re-printing it and getting it notrized. Most banks will do it for free if you have an account with them.

I am putting this social security link up for everyone. There has been so much conflicting information about the work stamp, POE, AOS, etc., etc. By default, entering on a K-1 entitles immediate working privilege if you have a SS#. Read Section C, paragraph 1. I talked to a lawyer who told me he cannot work (which is NOT true). I have a SS specialist where I work who confirmed this information, that working is inherent with the K-1 for 90 days. You must submit the AOS as soon as possible so hopefully there is no break in working. DON'T LISTEN TO LAWYERS!!!! Here's the link

a holder of a K-1 visa is eligible for work regardless of a Employment Authorization stamp on his K-1 visa in the passport, or an Employment Authorization card.

Here is a relevant page from the Social Security Administration Manual. Please refer to Section C, Paragraph 1 that states that

a holder of a K-1 visa is "authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS. The person’s I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp and the alien will generally not have an EAD. "

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

Your fiance will need to complete a form at the SSA office requesting to change his SS# to "authorized for employment" as soon as possible upon his arrival.

Here is an Information sheet relating to the Adjustment of Status once you marry:

1. General overview: http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/A2.pdf

2. Detailed description of requirements and forms: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD