SterlingGirl

SterlingGirl, did you get your NOA2 hardcopy yet?

I did, yes, I just neglected to stick it on my sig timeline.

If I didn't have to make copies of it and keep it handy, I'd frame it.

I have no advice on your present situation, but I'm so sorry to hear about your fiance. That would utterly destroy me.

. . . but I was studying the form my fiance will have to fill out to apply for his visa once our package reaches the embassy, and I notice it says "Proof of Engagement". I'm assuming right now that it simply means "proof of ongoing relationship", but I just want to make sure they're not expecting to actually see a ring yet (we're just a bit on the broke side from this whole procedure).

Also, as far as proof of our ongoing relationship, when I mentioned that we're broke from all this, I do mean broke. We haven't seen each other since our last visit in September of 2007. We talk every night, but over IM and Skype (no way we'd be able to afford actual phone bills). That considered, will they accept chatlogs of random conversations since we filed our I-129F? That's about the only "new" thing we have to prove our ongoing relationship. Maybe a few screenshots of Livejournal posts I've done where I've talked about him and our plans. But the only pictures or physical proof we ever had was his plane tickets and the millions of photos I took during his 2007 visit.

Ok quick question! May have already been answered numerous times...sorry!

How do I find out if the Consulate received our case? What number do I call for the Embassy in London?

Thanks!!

Stephanie

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/inde...&cty=London

The link should have the London embassy's phone number.

I think to get the DHL tracking number for your package, you'd call the NVC (I found out the hard way that you can't do the automated system, you have to speak to an actual person (and be sure to be ready with your number & such)) and ask for it. I think.

We simply look at each other as our greatest allies in this situation, rather than enemies. We both remember that this whole process is VERY new to both of us, and it goes a lot easier if we navigate hand-in-hand rather than back-to-back.

It helps us, and me especially, to know that I am part of a bigger picture for my fiance. He is a writer, and I know that getting into the U.S. will be beneficial to him in his industry - his greatest reason for moving is me, of course, but the added boost of better proximity to important events in his field and an overall better lifestyle help add even more reinforcement. I know he probably COULD just give up at any moment, but I know he won't. I know in my marrow he won't.

Besides, we don't dwell on it. Sure, we miss each other dreadfully and often convey that to one another, but we're also aware that we have lives - including the loose ends thereof to tie up - and that, as long as we're on schedule with sending in the needed papers and going through the necessary steps, we're going to be together. There's no "if" with us, only when. We've learned to take advantage of what time we have left with our present lives - his ability to see his best friend or grandparents when he wants to, certain food that isn't commonly available in the U.S., etc. And my having my home to just myself and my son, closet space I don't have to share, weekends that are spent completely with my child or my friends, and other things that will probably experience big adjustments once he's settled in.

All things considered, it's been a breeze.

I've heard it said before that marrying someone in your own country carries about the same risk - what if they're just marrying you because they're a gold-digger? Or just marrying you because of your looks? Superficial marriage of ANY kind isn't just relegated to those who are marrying from another country.

People like that, I've found, are simply so arrogant about the U.S. that they assume ANY person from any country would try a GC scam to get in. Not saying I don't love America, but these people have families, jobs, lives, things that ARE hard to leave behind. They never stop to think that a certain person may just love THEIR country every bit as much as an American loves the U.S., only they love their fiances more and want to be with them. Look at Luis and Suzy - she mentioned that he really doesn't LIKE the idea of leaving Peru. Though I'm sure if I asked 10 people (especially where I'm from), 9 of them would accuse Luis of GC scamming. It's pathetic.

In the end - I think it speaks about the relationship when it requires so much personal sacrifice and literally crossing oceans and borders. Most people, it seems, can't conceive of that kind of commitment. I'd wholeheartedly ignore them all.

I hope Joey can speak good portuguese one day, it´s such a shame, I´ve always being so proud of speaking and writing beautiful proper portuguese, and being able to express my ideas in portuguese in a more clever way, when in english sometimes I just sound and write like a child! Being able to express my ideas beautifully is a side of me he may never know...

I've been a proper English-speaker my whole life, and I can say one thing for sure: even IF you share a common language, there are people who will never appreciate the beauty or insight of your words, mostly because they never look for it. Take my ex-husband - he considered my rich vocabulary, most often, to be a "way of making him feel stupid".

Anyhow, I'm almost envious of those with mates who speak a radically different language from theirs. I've been slowly acquiring bits and pieces of Spanish for much of my life, but I know the real missing piece is (beyond more focused study) not having someone fluent with whom to converse. There are many Spanish-speaking individuals where I live, but initiating Spanish in polite conversation is tricky and frightening. I don't want to start something I can't finish and look stupid; if I were in LOVE with someone who spoke Spanish, I wouldn't have that fear, just someone who could correct my blunders and get me used to using it every day.

As it were, I fell in love with a Brit. Now, he can speak in ways that don't SOUND like English. But they are.

Just called, they received it yesterday and shipped it to the embassy today. Eee, progress!

Hello SterlinGirl,

From what they told me on the NVC they dont put the K1 Visa on the automatic phone service, talk to a person, and ask them directly about your case.

Why havent you done that already? being that you are anxious and wondering why there are no updates about your case?

I didn't know they didn't handle K1's and figured it was just some odd delay. I'm used to things relating to the K1 taking forever.

Plus, I really dislike talking to people on the phone. I suppose I'll need to get used to that now; but I have to admit, even though the wait through USCIS was a pain, the online case status was a godsend. I love being able to bypass having to speak with people and just get the information I need.

So does anyone in here know the deal with the NVC? Jim and I were approved on the 1st of August, which was a Friday, so I could understand if they hadn't sent our file until Monday, the 4th . . . it's now the 8th, and I've called the automated center where you enter the 10 digits of your receipt number, and as of about a minute ago, they still haven't received our file. Is that normal? It can't have taken that long for it to reach NH from Vermont.

Yay! Congrats, HighwayStar and Jon/Olenka!

Feels awesome, doesn't it?

What do your families think about it? Do they think you're crazy?

My mother and father absolutely love Jim. He visited them with me while he was in the country, and they had a blast with him. As far as I can tell, they have absolutely no reservations about our relationship. Same for my friends, who I basically regard as family.

My maternal grandmother is probably a little more wary, but as she hasn't met him, that's to be expected. I think she'll be okay once they meet.

My step-family? I have no idea, and don't really care. Not that I have anything against them, really, but I've never been to mindful of anything they think. We've always had some pretty fundamental differences of opinion on just about everything.

If you have one job when you fill out the G-325A upon first filing the I-129F, but you change jobs shortly before you receive your NOA2, do you need to submit a new G-325A when forwarding your info to your fiance abroad? Will it create problems if the embassy sees a different job on your Affidavit of Support than the one you listed on the G-325A?

Sorry for that random, loud spamming yesterday. But you can imagine my excitement. It was so unexpected too; I was getting ready to go to a party at a friend's house, and I almost didn't even look again, as I'd already checked maybe five times that day. I was expecting a touch.

And I almost mistook it for a touch, as well. Normally, I'd just look at the "Last Updated" spot for a date change. So for a few seconds, I thought, "Oh, awesome, a touch!" Then I clicked on my receipt number and saw the words "Approved". It was so fresh, they hadn't even had time to send me the email yet. And it was all a screaming, giggling blur after that.

I thought we might very well get an RFE once I realized that I had copied his passport stamp upon entry, but not the first page of the passport with his identifying information. Yet - we still got an approval. I'll never fully understand the method behind the madness. Right now, I'm just looking around at what to do. I suppose Monday, I'll ask my boss to print my employment letter and sign it. Luckily I now work in a building downtown that has a bank in it, so I'm sure they'll have a notary to do my Affidavit of Support.

I'm also nervous about sending this package to my fiance - I'm all thumbs with writing down UK addresses. I think I might've screwed up his address when I sent him a letter months ago, because it never got there.

Anyhow, the feeling of getting an NOA2 really is incredible. You want to cry, you want to jump, you want to laugh, you want to TELL EVERYONE (and I'm lucky my cell phone plan doesn't count minutes because after last night, I'd be WAY over them). I completely didn't expect it so soon; I was convinced we had AT LEAST two weeks left, if not more. It's going to happen for every single person here, I know it will.

Sorry about the RFE, Suzy, but at least you know they're adjudicating you right now! We MUST have been in the same box.

Also . . . do I actually qualify as a May filer? How does it break down, by send date or NOA1 date? No matter. I like the April crowd.

OMG WE'VE BEEN APPROVED!

And DAMN it, he's at work right now! Holy jeez, the feeling is such a RUSH! I can't believe it, finally.

I mean, I just don't have the words right now. PARTY TIME!

That's perfectly understandable too - I'm in the same boat, really. The one time he visited, the moons aligned JUST right for us. He had just started a new job (in addition to his writing job) and was able to tell them that he already had time scheduled out of the country. Plane tickets were RIDICULOUSLY low; I think his round-trip ticket cost us something in the $200 range, though I can't remember the exact figure. He stayed for a month with no problems.

Now that fuel charges are so high, neither of us can afford plane tickets back and forth and still save for his adjustment of status, employment authorization, etc. The dollar is worth diddly on the pound anymore, so I certainly can't afford to go there, especially having a kid; it definitely IS tough. And while you do have your high-fraud consulates being extra careful, my point was that I think people don't often get denied withOUT recourse. Meaning, as long as your relationship is truly genuine, and you have nothing to hide, it will eventually happen for all of us. Kind of one of those "Someday, we'll all look back on this and laugh" speeches.

I don't know about anyone else, but I literally have NO negative feelings about our progress. It's been insanely hard to wait to see him again, and it does seem like an eternity to people in love, but I realize that USCIS simply can't look at things the same way we do. While I'm sure they understand the gravity of their jobs and what it is they're essentially deciding, they've also got to remember that it's their job and certain things go along with the process. I prefer to think there are people there who really would like to approve someone, who wish they had the authority to just say, "Here, you guys can come here and get married now", but have to go by the book.

However, I know it's coming - as long as I know that I gave them everything they asked for, the MOST that could dampen my spirits would be an RFE for some stupid little minute detail I forgot. Beyond that, since we're law-abiding, in love, able to support ourselves - there is absolutely no reason for us to be denied. Given the fact that pretty much EVERYONE on Igor's list so far has seen an approval (even if a delayed one), I just can't imagine actually worrying that we'll be flat-out denied with no recourse. Maybe it's happened, but it seems so rare as to not even register as a blip on the probability radar.

Some adjudicators are probably more meticulous, some are probably more relaxed. I still don't think there's a person here who is going to be completely denied for no reason.

We'll all be with those we love, eventually. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

I can't even remember if I already asked this; this place moves so fast!

When you fill out the affidavit of support, do they care how long you've been on the job? For the first six months of this year, I was self employed and making a pretty nice sum of money; the same was true for the entirety of the last tax year. I had to change jobs in the last month - so if I'm just starting a new job (or haven't been there but a few months) when the time comes to send in a support affidavit, will that affect things? Even if I'm still making over 125% of the poverty level?

It's indeed a tough situation, because while maybe she felt like she had no other way to support herself, it's certainly not a good idea to lie. There's the possibility that she really DID love you, but just didn't know any other way to make money. Then again - who takes pictures of that stuff? Was it like an advertisement of her "services", or was it some kind of glorifying "look how fun my job is!" deal?

I guess there really is no other way to see this other than the betrayal I know it feels like. Bottom line is that, if exclusivity was a condition of your relationship, she violated that and then lied on top of it. And if she doesn't have the decency to call you and attempt to sort it out . . . that's probably your answer.

I'm so sorry you had to find out this way, but as others have said, it IS a good thing you did. However you need to grieve, do it. Holding it in and stretching the recovery out over years and years after you've gotten into other relationships will only turn out to your detriment. Get it all out now and try to move on.

Best of luck to you.

My fiance and I use Skype, but it's ridiculously cheap to buy Skype credit, so he can call my cell phone anytime he wants to while I'm out and about. Which is great, because when I go out with friends, it doesn't take long for me to start missing him and wishing he was there.

I think we're insanely lucky to have the capability for communication as we do now. Can you imagine what it was like for people who may have been trying to do this 20 or 30 years ago?

I lived in MS, and developed a real southern accent

Are you serious? That's where I'm based! Which high school were you at and during what year? I remember we had some exchange students, but the only one whose name I remember was Ewa, and she was from Poland.

It's hard to be here for more than a week without picking up the accent. It's contagious.

What is going on?

I was touched again today. My application keeps getting fondled, is this good? I'm so confused... lol

I did, too. Maybe it's good - after all, what are the odds that we BOTH screwed something up with our applications enough to warrant an RFE? I'm really hoping it means we're insanely close to approval.

Another touch for me as well. That's just eerie, Susita. I swear Jim's going to end up in the waiting area right alongside Luis. I'll tell him to say hi.

wow, Luis has never been to the US?! It´d be quite a change for him to just move there, right!!

So you teach spanish, I´m studying spanish and trying to teach my fiance how to speak portuguese! Portuguese and spanish are kind of alike and I think they´re difficult to learn. I´m having trouble trying to teach him how to conjugate verbs and everything... Any tips?

It might not be too practical of a solution for you, but taking two years of Latin really helped me in that I can read just about any Romance language and understand most of it. I may not be able to fluently speak any of them, but were I lost in a Latin American country, I'm sure I could probably figure out where I was going. A foundation in Latin helps an unbelievable amount.

Now, grammar and conjugation? That's another story, but I've heard almost unanimously that eventually hearing it a lot (by tapes, or actually listening to/conversing with people who speak the language) helps, as well.

There may be a more practical reason for touches, but my thought is that the RECORDING of touches is a bone they throw us. Could you imagine waiting, blindly, for two or three or four (or more) months hearing NOTHING after your NOA1? Plus, I'm sure back in the day before they had the online case status service, people would get worried after hearing nothing for months and call them incessantly. I think the 'touch' is just a way to soothe the impatient AND for them not to get quite so many phone calls.