CourtAndGrey

DATED 8/8/08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We got APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YESSSSSSSSS!!! Steph, what wonderful news!!!!!!!! I teared up reading your post. What a HUGE relief! It will go by quickly now, you'll be together before you know it!!! CONGRATS DEAR!!!

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Good luck, good luck, good luck!!!

And happy birthday Cecile! Mine was Thursday, WAHOO FOR LEO'S!!

Well have all stuff posted off so here's hoping it was enough evidence for them!!! I can track it as sent it overnight so it should be in their hands tomorrow by 3pm Michigan time so by noon I would think there! Cannot wait to see that they received it!!! UGH onto the next step already pleaseeeeee!!!!

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WAHOOOOOO!

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Congrats again Cecile, glad to hear all went smoothly. Isn't it sort of ironic that such a HUGE process, so filled with stress and anxiety ends with such a short, simple, and almost not necessary interview? The most stressful part for me was back when we were waiting for the NOA2.

Great to hear you're on your way to the states!

And Happy Birthday to Alex! Mine is next week! WAHOO!

:star: :star: WAHOOO!!!!!!! :star: :star:

A HUGE congrats to you both! Wonderful news!!

Thank you everyone

Our visa is APPROVED!!!! :dance:

It went very smoothly, it took less than 2 hours. No co-sponsor needed. no proofs asked. nothing to worry about!

I wrote a long text in the train with details, I will probably type it tomorrow.

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I can't even imagine how tough it is. Just know all of us here are sending you happy thoughts every day. Enjoy your time out with the girls... have a beer for me too!

Ok so I couldn't help it and called again LOL.....I got a different lady then I did last week but pretty much same answer "Your case is still in security checks ma'm" Then I said "Is there anyway of knowing when we will be done with that?" and she said "Just depends on how many cases they have to review"

Ok so why is it March people are already through though?!!?!?!?! ARGHHHHHHHHHHH so irritated.....Think it will hurt me if I call weekly now? LOL....

Oooofff we just cannot take all this waiting it is so hard....so wish he could come visit me since no way I could visit him until Christmas time but we are too scared to have him try and visit since well he didn't make it in the last time!!!

We had our interview today, and we were APPROVED!! Yay! We have a flight booked for Sunday - that'll make 42 days that we spent apart, but it seemed like a hell of a lot longer than that!!

:star: CONGRATS!!!! :star:

I am so relieved! Packet 4 arrived today. My interview is the 14th August.

Yay Rachel!! I am already sending happy thoughts to you for the 14th!

As for us, Greivin is here and we are loving life together. We flew in last Saturday and all went well at the airport. He has been here over a week now and is getting settled quite nicely. We couldn't get the EAD so for the time being, he will be doing random jobs around the house and other things for friends and family to help bring in some extra money. We will make it though, at least now we are together, and more than anything, I am just thankful for that.

Good to hear everyone else's updates. Sunny, I think of you daily! Hope this last touch meant something great!

Hey all, just checking in from here in Costa Rica. Greivin and I have been traveling around saying all his goodbye's this week. We have a couple days left and a few more family members to see. Overall, he is doing fine, and is just so excited to head to the states, he doesn't seem too phased by the goodbye's. (I have teared up more times than him!)

I loved all the talk of dresses! I ordered mine but the only pictures I have are on my cell phone, and I don't know how to get those onto my computer. If I figure it out, I will post them. I went with a white dress with a light green sash. (Greivin and I are both plant/biology people so green is our main wedding color.)

CONGRATS SHES!!!! I have been waiting to read your good news, and at last, you have it!

Sunny, I continue to think of you and send you big hugs! I SOOOOOOO hope you hear something soon. Let's hope that congressman can work some magic!

That's a great idea Rachel!

Count me in if you figure something like that out!

I've been wondering how best to keep in touch once we've all received our visas. I suppose we can create January threads elsewhere but I know that some people dislike the 'month' threads and they don't really seem to be done in the other forums.

I have so much webspace that I'm wondering if there's a type of site I could create, where people could post updates/wedding photos/the like.

I got my NOA2 email notice! I was at work & was about to leave for the night...then I saw that I had a text message & thought "oh i wish people would stop texting me." & saw the word "CRIS" followed by a bunch of words....I was literally jumping for joy & my co-worker thought i was crazy...hey I was living up to the rumors.

:star: CONGRATS!! :star:

Thanks everyone! I was so excited to get back to internet so I could tell all of you!

Congratulations! :dance:

Also THANK you for that tip. I don't believe Alex has sent any evidence of his dad's US citizenship. Do you think it'd be alright if he scanned in his dad's passport and sent that to me via e-mail?

And yes, Rachel, I think this would be fine. It turned out, the worst thing that could have happened for us, was my father would have to fax a copy of his passport to the embassy. That tells me a faxed/scanned/printed copy would be fine in your case as well.

Hey VJ friends,

Just wanted to let you all know, Greivin and I had our interview in Costa Rica yesterday, and everything went well, WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED! The wait was about three hours at the embassy, but of course, worth every minute of it. Greivin was so nervous that when they were scanning his fingerprints, they had to do it twice cause of how much he was shaking. The main recommendation I have for everyone is if you are using a co-sponsor for the I-134, include proof of their citizenship, like a copy of their passport. I didn't see anything in the forms asking for this, but it makes sense they would need it. We got very lucky and were approved without it, but spent more of the actual interview talking about my co-sponsor to see if I could prove he was a citizen. Sheesh. Other than that, the only question we had from the consular was how we met. We told him I was studying in Costa Rica and he asked me about school and what I was studying, and that was it. Otherwise, it was just signing forms, doing fingerprints, and giving them copies of everything they wanted.

It's been a crazy ride, as you all know, and I wish everyone else strength during the process. I am in Costa Rica now, and next week, Greivin and I will fly home to Seattle together. We couldn't be happier. Thanks to everyone on VJ for your support, guidance, kind words, and inspiration. This experience has been a MILLION times more bearable because of all of you!

Good luck to everyone and thank you again!

Hey friends! Thanks for all your good thoughts, I felt each and every one of them yesterday... and I am happy to report, OUR VISA IS APPROVED!!!! I am posting a full report, so check out my profile if you want to read the details. We were at the embassy for 3 hours and it was SO nerve wracking. The Consular was very nice and we had only one hiccup. (Well, besides from our taxi rear ending the truck in front of us on the way to the embassy, leaving us stranded in the middle of the highway searching for another taxi to take us the rest of the way). My dad was our co-sponsor so I had my packet of info with the I-134, and one for him as well. I had everything for him and me and well, except proof that he was a US Citizen. It makes sense that they would need it, but no where in the forms does it say to include that. They wanted a copy of his passport or something proving his citizenship. I had a copy of my birth certificate with his full name on it, but that wasn't good enough. The lady who checked us in said it would be up to the consular to determine how much a delay we would have because of this. When we got called up for the actual interview, he asked me some questions about my father and his family. He was looking him up in some database apparently. He didn't seem to find what he needed, but he said he believed me and would go ahead and approve our visa today. YAY!!!

But yeah, a note for everyone who is using a co-sponsor, include a copy of their passport!!!!

Other than that, everything went well. The waiting was horrible but hey, it's not like any of us are new to waiting. Greivin and I have been loving every minute of being together again, and took full advantage of getting happy at Happy Hour last night. Our NOA2 was less than a month ago, so it's been an absolute whirlwind of emotions, stress, paperwork, airplanes, everything. But hey, I'm preaching to the choir here, no need to explain to you guys.

Anyway, just wanted to report the good news. Thank you again for all your kind words. It was so nice reading through these last couple pages and seeing all those posts to wish us luck. It means so much, thank you again! Congrats to Ragswat as well!!! I can honestly say, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!

Now all energy can go to sunny and those still waiting for NOA2's, Packet 3's, Medicals, and Interviews!

I just checked her timeline - it's tomorrow! Good luck to Greivin (even though they won't see this)!

Tomorrow, already? Wow! Good luck to Courtney and Greivin!

Oh, and good luck to Courtney and Greivin too!!

Thanks SO much you guys! I am here in Costa Rica and we are getting the last of everything organized for the interview tomorrow. I had mentioned before that Greivin was having some difficulties with the Medical stuff, but everything came through fine. The Doc signed off on everything yesterday and we will go pick up the final packet from him this afternoon. Greivin is out running around San Jose right now getting the last few documents authenticated. He told me to sleep in and take it easy since I flew yesterday on a red-eye and we walked through the city for 7.5 hours NON-STOP getting everything ready. I have huge blisters on my feet, so I took him up on his offer to have a morning off.

The interview is Wednesday at noon (11:00 U.S. west coast time) and so far I'm not too nervous. I'm more scared that we have forgotten something and we will have to return to the embassy later to submit something that we forgot. Greivin and I are so excited and are just praying we get to actually use those return plane tickets I already bought.

Thank you again Rachel, Cecile, Pam&Josh, and everyone else for the well wishes. I will of course keep you posted tomorrow. I hope everyone is making progress, and to Sunny, keep smiling. I am sending you patience and happy thoughts. Enjoy your first day at the new job!

:star: CONGRATS STEPH!!!!!!!! :star:

Great news on the new job. I hope everything works out perfectly. I'm sure you'll impress them! And yes, let's add a NOA2 to this week to truly make it the best week ever!

I got the new job!!!!! I am so ecstatic but also nervous! My boss said to def jump for the chance and show them what I can learn and do! It is at Michigan Rehabilitative Services building and I will be the new Vocational Assessment Coordinator! Fancy title aye? Don't ask me what I will actually be doing as really don't know 100% yet haha! What is scary is they said "we want to try Stephanie until September and see how she does" so yeah basically I really need to show my stuff! My current boss said she would be happy to take me back if it did not work out though so not too worried besides of course humiliation if it doesn't work haha....I have no idea on details on when I start or pay but my boss told me several times it would "be a substantial raise" soooo I am EXCITED!!!!

Now to get approval and this would be best week EVER! haha

And for our updates, I leave for Costa Rica in three days. My dining room table is COMPLETELY covered with paperwork, all sorted and covered with post it notes. I'm so nervous for the interview. I'm also stressing cause Greivin is having some trouble with the Medical. I am PRAYING things work out by next week. We don't fly home til the 5th, so hopefully things will all come together before then and we can fly home together.

I think in the long run, everything balances out. We got lucky and waited only 4 months for the NOA2, but the stress and difficulties since then have been enormous. For those of you waiting longer, I can only hope kharma treats you kindly and everything is smooth sailing once you get the approval.

Happy Sunday friends,

Just wanted to share a quick update from my neighborhood... The embassy got our paperwork last week, Greivin picked up Packet Three on Friday, his Medical will be on Wednesday, I am flying to Costa Rica one week from tonight, and our Interview has already been set... Wednesday, June 25th at noon!

Our interview will be 28 days after the NOA2. A lot of luck, a lot of phone calls, and a whole lot of reading VJ guides allowed us to fly through the last few stages. We have plane tickets already purchased for the two of us to fly home to Seattle together on July 5th (knock on wood) assuming everything goes well in the next two weeks. I am certainly no expert in any of this, but would be happy to share any details if anyone would find it helpful.

Sunny, I have been checking your profile everyday. I think the touches are a great sign. I am absolutely thinking about you everyday, and as far as I'm concerned, you're not the one that got left behind... just the case that deserved a little extra love and attention. Your positive outlook is always so refreshing and I wish you many more happy days and peaceful nights as we await the final news on the NOA2. Wait, maybe I should take that back... you won't need "many" days, cause it's right around the corner, I just know it.

Once again, here's to another exciting week of visa activities. I hope everyone is finding moments of peace amidst the whirlwind of stress and anxiety that is this process. Every day that goes by is a day closer to the reunion that will last forever. Let's have a great week.

A much deserved CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

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Your post gave me goosebumps! A HUGE congrats to you both!

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Anyhooooo, I'm so freaking excited I can barely type. I leave next Tuesday (17th) and will be home with Camila on saturday the 20th.

Woot!!

That's fantastic news! What a mess they put you through. I'm so glad your story has the happy ending it deserves.

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I just wanted to let everyone know that after that roller coaster ride my fiance and I experienced, we got the visa yesterday!!!

My fiance and I brought with us about 15 lbs worth of evidence but when we were called by the CO, not one single piece of paper was even looked at. The CO interviewed me and my fiance, respectively, and we were both called to the window afterwards to let us know that we are approved and his visa will be issued. YAY!!! After all that roller coaster ride of emotions, we can finally rest and breath a big sigh of relief. My fiance and I can finally go on and start our new life together. He will be coming home to me next week!!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and for all your help.

Any word from Olga yet Blake?

I understand how it feels to not be able to share the good news for awhile. IT DRIVES YOU CRAZY!!! I was always comforted in knowing that at least the process is still moving forward, and like you said, by the time she returns home, the papers will probably be at the embassy already!

Hey sunny,

I'm happy to hear your update. Of course it's always good to try and stay calm and not get your hopes us, but I do think it's a good sign that someone is willing to investigate into your case. I would have done the exact same thing you did, and would have been SOOOOOO relieved to get a nice person on the other end of the line. Perhaps she won't be able to do much, or perhaps a little nudge from a co-worker will be exactly what your adjudicator needs to get things rolling.

I think about you often and so hope this will lead to some great news. Please keep us posted on what you hear from her (I know you will!).

Sending you happy thoughts!

HI everyone wellll not sure if this will do anything for us or not but called USCIS today and got a really nice lady on phone! I told her how we had our wedding planned for September and how people in my online support group were already getting approved so just wanted to know if mine was even being looked at yet etc....so she took all my info including phone, addy, and email and even gave me a reference number (?) she said she was sending an email of inquiry or something to find out more about our case for me......

Soooo you think she was feeding me a line or you think this lady honestly will get in contact with whoever has our case sat upon their desk?! I cannot help but be excited but Gareth warned me not to which I know I shouldn't get my hopes up too high.....

I just want to see my mannnnn over a year is WAY too long

The NVC will send you a letter once it's processed and sent to the embassy. I was nowhere near patient enough to wait for another letter, so I was on the phone within a few days of our NOA2.

Call the NVC at 1-603-334-0700. Press 1, then press 5.

The line is frequently busy, but if you call early in the morning or late at night, it's easier to get through. I always got through eventually in the same day I was trying.

At first they will ask you for your NVC number, since you don't have that yet, just tell them you have a CSC processing number. They'll need the petitioner's name and birthday and the beneficiary's as well. Then, if they have received your papers, they'll give you the NVC number. The lady I talked to was super nice and said they have received my papers that morning (Mon, June 2) and she expected they would be done by Friday. I called back Wednesday and got another really nice lady, and she said everything had gone through and was in the mail to Costa Rica that morning (Wed, Jun 4).

I asked about tracking the package and she said nothing is tracked, contradicting what other VJ members have said here. Who knows the truth. I tried doing what other VJ members have done, tracking online via some secret DHS codes and could never find mine going to Costa Rica. Now, I will start calling Costa Rica in a few days to see if it's arrived yet.

Hope that helps!

I'm sure someone has covered this before but how do you know when the NVC receives it and when its moved on to the consulate?

LOL well I already have emails being forwarded to Gareth as well since he is 5 hours ahead so if it comes during the night he shall get it before me haha! I swear that would be the best birthday gift ever though if we got our approval before Sunday! Trying not to get hopes up though as seems we filed in the unlucky week or something haha. We must have the adjuicator that is still on holiday or something haha! Oh well trying to change my attitude again here and think positive and just focus on that it WILL happen someday haha!

Great attitude! That's gonna carry you accross the finish line time and time again. I'm really hoping to see something soon for you Steph.

ME TOO, ME TOO, ME TOO! I am sending you happy thoughts, and hope for some great news within a few more days! Stay strong girl, it's coming!!!

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On June 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

WE GOT THE NOA2.. WOAH!!!

:star: YAY JEROEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! My January 24th partner, CONGRATS!!! :star: