Ralu&Doru

Looks like K-3s are not seeing any touches... At least the K-1s are seeing transfers and touches, but what about us?

As for me, my lawyer got the yellow RFE slip and it was about the I-864 so we are now getting together all the docs to send the RFE package back. Biometrics done easily although they had trouble scanning my little fingers ) and fingerprints were unclear...

I just wish the EAD would move faster... I really want to work. I've done literally EVERYTHING around the house and no more cleaning is needed for the next months )

I found out a K-3 beneficiary can get SSN before getting EAD (although it is not work authorized at least you can get the number, drivers licence, open bank account etc.) so I'm planning on doing that next week. Too bad I didn't know that earlier

How's everyone else doing?

With tears in my eyes and the biggest anger I am now announcing my first and I hope last RFE... of course, I am guessing for the medical s**t I was telling you guys earlier. For now I only have the e-mail, which doesn't explain anything... so I am waiting for the stupid paper. The RFE is only for the I-485 so I'm pretty sure it's because of the medical... So now what? I just have to do the medical, but then again my vaccination records are at USCIS!!!!!!!!!!

Is there any RFE line in this part of the process I can call?

I am extremely worried about one thing and I want to ask you VJ friends to give me your opinion. Before sending the AOS+EAD package I was preparing to go to my medical, but I needed my vaccination record which was in the sealed envelope I had to bring with me at POE. All those papers were sent to the local office here in Cleveland (including the medical papers I had taken for K-3 visa). I made an appointment at the local office and when I went there to request a copy of my vaccinations (so that I wouldn't get immunizations all over again) the immigrations officer told me that K-3 are not required to have another medical, especially since mine was taken just one month before...

My worry is that I might get the Boggie-man RFE... I happened to read the instructions on the I-693 (medical examination form) and they state that:

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination.

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

Yeah right?!!??!? Which doctor will sign this form and complete your vaccinations without making you go through another medical...?

I am so depressed... and don't know what to do... I have biometrics on Aug 19th and I'm going back to the local office. Do you think there's anything I can do? It is so not fair.. the customer service b***s**t tells us nothing.. they just read the instructions from the freakin' computer... And when you finally talk to someone ALIVE and not just customer service, BUT AN IMMIGRATIONS OFFICER you kinda trust them, because they are supposed to KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! URRGGGHHHHH.... I am so mad.....

Any advice?

Pffff.... I don't know... Logically, if you reached AOS that means you passed their checking through K-3 or K-1 for a valid marriage. But judging by the complete lack of logic in this entire process, I think it's all up to the officer laying his hands on your case... I doubt there will be problems... And for the record I'm a pessimistic person

About that walk-in thing for the bio-appt... I don't think I'm gonna do it... I thought about it and maybe it's best if I wait. It's only 2 weeks. We've done things by the book with our K-3 (when everybody was sending I-130 and I-129F in the same package, we sent I-130 and only after NOA1 we sent I-129F) and we were just fine, I had the visa in my hand exactly 5 months after we applied, faster than many others who had taken shortcuts... Still, I don't think those who walked-in might have a problem. The barcode on each Appointment letter will put your biometrics straight into the system.

By the way my case is viewable online fron day 1 and is extremely accurate until now, just as it was with my K-3. Bio letter was sent July 30 and my case was updated right then...

Something that gets on my mind lately is that a lot of people are getting RFEs... I hate RFEs though I never got one and pray to God to not see one in my entire life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are like the Boogie man of uscis...

Just got my Biometrics Appointment Letter in the mail I'm scheduled for Aug 19 in Cleveland. That is 2 weeks from today and frankly I'd love to go earlier as a walk-in but I'm too scared to do that. It says on the notice that failure to appear at the appointment as scheduled may result in case abandonment... I don't know what to say... What do you guys think?

Anyone knows from this point how long it takes untill we get the EAD? I'm getting impatient staying in the house all day...

How's everyone doing?

I was so happy to see two envelopes in the mail yesterday! NOAs for I-485 and I-765

Let's hope biometrics appointments come soon!

Does anybody know if we're allowed to drive with our driving licence from back home? Mine is from Romania and it's in English too. Any chance for me to drive legally with that until I get EAD and SSN? No American driving licence until then from what I know....

Hey, sorry for the long absence... it's just that I've been so caught up with getting adjusted to life in the US, near my husband and a new family .

Vernon, I think it is obvious they require I-134 for your K-3 and then later when you will ajust status you will have to send I-864. That's what I'm doing now.. AOS with Affidavit of Support I-864.

However we were also worried they might ask for something else at the interview so my husband sent me I-134 and I-864 just to be on the safe side. I needed I-134 (which I gave at the embassy) and I just put the I-864 asside at that time and I sent it in the AOS package on July 15.

That's about it. If you have any more questions I'll try to answer them. How's the baby?

Hey to all of you July filers! I'm joining the group as another July 2008 AOS filer after a K-3 visa. Our lawyer sent the papers today. A detailed timeline is given below so here I am with fingers crossed, ready for the long ride.

I sent I-485 and I-765 together (no medical required according to the immigrations officer at the local office in Cleveland, where I live). I hope it all goes well. We were lucky to get a K-3 in 5 months without any expedite so I hope luck stays on our side this time too!

How long till the NOA1?

All the best to you, VJers.

Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On June 13, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

OMG I CANT STOP SCREAMING :)

YYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY I'm so happy!!!!! Congratulations! So goooood!!! I knew praying would help!

Hey everybody! After 2 days in Bucharest with medical and interview I just got home with the visa in my passport and a booked flight to Cleveland on June 24!!!! Looks like I am gonna blow my candles and kiss my husband in Cleveland this year

Danyel I'm sorry things are moving so slowly with your case and I'm sure any of us would feel the same if we were in your shoes... no one can deny that and any advice like "hang in there, be strong etc" does not make you feel any better. I was one of the lucky ones who got approved fast, God only knows by what miracle. There still are people waiting from 2007 to be approved and I don't know how that's possible, but from what I've seen naggig them to approve your case will not do any good. Yet I haven't figured out what DOES help things go faster... What I did in my worst time was charge my batteries in my husband's optimism and live this time apart in such a way as not to seem like a lost period of time. We are still alive, in love even if hopeless some times. I don't know if it helps.. I hope it does at lest the tinniest bit

Now about my experience with the medical and interview:

MEDICAL

Went to one of the required clinics in Bucharest after making an appointment 4-5 days earlier. 4 signed photos on the back were required (not 3 as the instructions said... always be on the safe side) and the medical forms included in packet 3 with nothing written on them - the doctor does all the writing. After checking your ID and photos, the doctor asks about medical history, any health problems, vaccinations (if you miss one from your record they will give it to you), blood samples are taken for tests, blood pressure is measured, the doctor listens to your lungs, checks your abdominal area and asks you of any pain. After this you are sent for chest X-ray. This all took me 1 hour tops and 100$ (I had taken HPV vaccination a few days earlier - 200$). At 15.30 tests were ready so I picked up the brown sealed envelope to be taken to the embassy for the interview.

INTERVIEW

I was scheduled at 13.00 (like everybody else ) and we entered the consular section one by one after endless security checks with no luggage, cell-phones or other gadgets... First we were called at the counter, requested our passports and then digital fingerprints. After a while I was called back to the counter and requested the papers (Affidavits of support, DS-156 with photos, photo album, evidence of the relationship - I had everything very nicely put in a folder with transparent pouches, labeled so they could see what it was, since they take the evidence and look at it without you being there to explain what they're looking at). I sat in the room waiting to be called at the counter for the interview, and at 14.30 I was called and spoke to a consul (who spoke English AND Romanian, but I chose English). It all took 2 minutes and the questions were the ordinary ones:

When did you meet and how?

When did he visit?

When was the marriage?

Where does he work?

Where will you live?

I think what mattered is that I tried to look positive and even make the consul smile a little.

Afterwards she thanked me and asked me to take a seat and wait... and I waited and waited without knowing I got the visa or not. I was interviewed second in line and given the visa first. They just called me at the counter and gave me the passport and the evidence back, saying the visa is good for 2 years and please adjust status in this period.

AND THAT WAS IT!!!! No harrassing about anything! Now I'm even thinking I was toooo stressed out about everything but there's no way of staying calm when your entire life is at stake....but now the important thing is I am looking at my passport and the visa is on it and my husband is waiting for me on June 24 to arrive home after one and a half years of our relationship.

I wish you all good luck and an experience as positive as mine! I will continue to write in this forum to see how you all get your visa ans post a message as long as mine is right now

Kisses and thanks for all the advice!

OMG tonight I'm leaving for my medical and interview and I'm so nervous .... medical is scheduled for tomorrow at 9.00 am and interview on thursday at 13.00. I have everything ready, the only thing I'm worried about is the Affidavit of Support but I hope it all goes well. Took my HPV vaccine yesterday - required here in Romania - cost me 200 $ and my arm hurts like hell today (so, all ladies under 26 brace yourselves....).

Since I probably am the first in the group to attend the interview I'll try and write ASAP how it all went. Please keep me in your prayers and I'll try to come home with the biggest smile on my face.

Doru will not be able to come at the interview with me and probably that's why I'm a little scared... but I know he's waiting for me home with all his heart

Things have really went smoothly and fast I hope that doesn't change any time soon.. Wish me GOOD luck and I'll be back with news.

Congratulations Vernon for a beautiful baby girl! All the best to our VJ baby and the proud parents taking care of their precious Nikole!

Also congrats for the approval zawjatsaid! Good luck with the next steps!

As for me... interview is in 1 week on June 12, exactly on the date of our 6 months marriage anniversary and I am sooooo really scared

I'm going to the medical on June 11 and then the mighty interview... it feels worse than the inquisition but the thought of sharing my birthday cake and birthday wish with my husband is making it all worth... God help me with the medical and with the interview and if I'm not asking for too much please halp me get to Cleveland safely!

Hey there! I am a February 2008 filler going through the last steps of the K3.

About the medical... I got my vaccination records but I still need to get some more shots. For example recently the HPV (Human Papiloma Virus) vaccine against uterine cancer is mandatory for all women under 26 years old... so I'll have to take that one too. Medical in Romania is about 350 $ of which 200 $ is just the HPV vaccine. The strange thing to me is that they give you the first dose and then for the other 2 you have to continue them in the US... But what wouldn't we do for that long-wanted visa in our passports?! Just about anything... I'll be trying to go for the medical next week June 11-12 and see how it goes.. Pretty nervous right now. I'm really scared about it.

Any experiences?

Called the embassy today to try and get an interview appointment by sending packet 3 by fax but embassy lady wasn't helpful at all. She said no way, please send packet 3 and then you'll get the appointment bla bla bla So I put them on DHL ASAP (embassy reqired DS-230 Part 1+one visa photo+passport copy) and they should be at the embassy in 1-2 days.

About the medical... I got my vaccination records but I still need to get some more shots. For example recently the HPV (Human Papiloma Virus) vaccine against uterine cancer is mandatory for all women under 26 years old... so I'll have to take that one too. Medical in Romania is about 350 $ of which 200 $ is just the HPV vaccine. The strange thing to me is that they give you the first dose and then for the other 2 you have to continue them in the US... But what wouldn't we do for that long-wanted visa in our passports?! Just about anything... I'll be trying to go for the medical next week June 11-12 and see how it goes.. Pretty nervous right now. I'm really scared about it.

How are you guys doing? Any news? Vernon's baby is due today so let's keep fingers crossed for the little family!

Hey there everybody! How are you all doing? I see we have a VJ baby coming in just a couple of days... Good luck with the big day, Vernon and we're waiting for pictures with little Nikole !

Things are a little better with me: 23 days after Approval of I129F and I130 I finally got the yellow envelope... this was a tough ride... I waited for 9 (!!!!!) days for an envelope to travel from Bucharest to Cluj (around 400 km) here in Romania ... believe me I hate Romanian post services! I think they put the envelope on the bach of a snail!!!

I was estimating 2 months from approval to interview and looks like I was pretty close not getting my hopes high for a closer date. Monday I'm calling the embassy to see how soon I can get an interview date and go for my medical ASAP. Papers are ready for the interview almost 100%. It's just the medical I'm a bit worried about and I hope it all goes well. Here in Romania we were not given ALL vaccination required by USA when we were little so I still have to see how it goes. Does the medical centre give you vaccinations you have not taken? For example I have no vaccination for mumps, varicella and hepatitis B. Mumps and varicella are one-shot vaccines bur hepatitis B is 3 shots (last one 5 YEARS from now). How does that go at the medical?

Any help would be more than welcome. Thank you and good luck with your cases getting approved!

this is strange... after reading Vernon's post I checked USCIS site and finally I-130 appears as Approved (although we received NOA2 two weeks ago) but it also shows that both my petitions were touched May 19 How can I-129F get touced since it's already at the embassy They probably moved I-130 to a dusty shelf awaiting AOS

Ralu&Doru - Oh I know you're going K-3 route, but I know with our affidavit of support it gave instructions how to have a co-sponsor and fill out for that person. I just assumed they would have the same courtesy for those who were filling the K-3 visa. Normally people in my position would just have to wait for instructions from the NVC on when to jump and how high, but thankfully people have put up manuals as to how to do things quicker. You can now pay the fees online and download all the forms so you don't have to wait weeks on end for things to come in the mail. Hopefully that will speed the process up because I have read that some people wait 8 weeks and others wait 6 months. I am not willing to spend another 6 months waiting for someone to find enough time to bother to look at my case.

Well you are very right.. But aren't you supposed to have I-864 (I think that's the number) affidavit of support with CR1/IR1?

Vernon, I'm going K3 route so next step for me is I-134 affidavit of support and other papers required from embassy in packet 3 (visa applications, police certif., medical, photos etc.) and finally the mighty interview. My guess is you are cr1/ir1 since I130 got approved. Usually NVC mails you on your next step but I'm not really familiar with that process. All I know is that as compared to K3 when you gather info for the embassy, for ir1/cr1 you have to sent it to the NVC and the embassy only has your interview.

That's all I know untill now and I hope I'm not wrong but I'll keep you posted on how things go for me. About your questions, yes my husband is living with his family now and about the lawyer I don't know what to say.. I cannot trust her... She's preparing the papers tomorrow. I guess we'll see.

Take care!

yes its going surprisingly fast! pretty much approval after approval! im hoping it stays this way!

my birthdays june 1st.... i'd love a nice bday present *hint hint uscis*

I also did the hint hint today on the phone with the embassy and the very nice lady says it can be done. I can get an interview scheduled in 1-2 weeks since I have packet 3 sent back to the embassy. Husband's birthday was yesterday but I'm hoping for a present for my B-day in June 26. That would be a wonderful present for me and him also, you're right Danyel . All the best of luck!!!

Called the embassy today and papers are there so packet 3 should be in my mail box at the end of this week. Just in time for my husband to send the Affidavit of Support.

We will be having his father as a co-sponsor. Does anyone know how this goes? Do they have to write an affidavit each? I'm a little bit confused and since the "lawyer incident" I can't say I really trust the lady... I'm double and triple checking everything so SHE doesn't do anything stupid like when she prepared IR1/CR1 papers for my husband to sign although with both petitions approved the I-129F goes to NVC. I just want to bang her head against the wall now that I-129F IS AT THE EMBASSY... still trying to figure out what she was up to...

So any info on the affidavits would be helpful. The embassy in Bucharest requires I-134.

Congratulations for the newly approved!

I'd also like to know what the medical is about anyone got some details? I just wanna know what to expect...What test are they doing... I also wanted to have some medical tests to make sure I'm ok but there's no point in taking them twice. So any info would be helpful.

Kisses to everybody! And congrats for the approvals!

I KNEW IT!!! Congrats Vernon. I'm sooo happy for you! You deserve it.. What happened to me the first days after NOA2 is that I panicked so badly... had no idea what to do next and it seemed I was stuck.. A piece of advice? The guides are indeed very hepful and there are also James' shortcuts which make it faster a bit. It's worth a try..

PS: Take it easy or you'll be in labour from all the stress

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!! And for anything we're here for you!

To all those still waiting: Danyel? Wanna be next? You are all in my prayers.. I am praying hardest for me and my husband to get packet 3 and an interview date as soon as possible

Okay so I tried to edit my post but for some reason it said I didn't have permission to edit my own post **shrugs shoulders**

Apparently, Cody and I haven't been totally forgotten because our I-130 application was touched today. So maybe FINALLY we'll see our NOA1 from our I-129F sometime soon or maybe even some better news!!

Fingers crossed for you especially! Your situation is heartbreaking and nervewrecking but God help us, we'll all be fine soon! Give us some good news these days! I've seen many K3 approved from CSC lately and your turn is coming!

I have almost everything ready so bring it ooonnn embassy!!! I'm ready for my visa now!

Romania is said to be quite ok and fast when it comes to the embassy process. Yet I hope I won't be disappointed... I'm gonna try and get an appointment ASAP and be with my husband... I haven't seen him for 4 months and most probably I won't see him until the BIG move

Enjoy your time with Cody and Nikole. I wish you all the best! Kisses