Patrick and eL

Ludmila just received the "Welcome" letter.

She couldn't have done it without all of your insights and heartwarming/heartwrenching stories. THANK YOU ALL.

First congrats to all who've made it this far, and Na zdraví/Sláinte to those who have their Green Cards!

Our experience was very good if a memory tester. We went to Chula Vista, CA (next to Mexico). The funny thing was the Officer used my wife's first name "Ludmila" when he called for us. I guess her last name, now Irish, didn't compute for him. And, yes, she was the only Ludmila there.

Our interview took about ten minutes, was on time, and very thorough. The Officer was very courteous and really relied on my wife's and my own interaction as he spoke quickly and all I would do for what she didn't understand was repeat what he said, just slower. It ended with his "recommendation" for a green card, signing the form about applying to lift the conditional residency requirements 90-days before the anniversary date, and we were on our way.

Of course their website hasn't updated anything since eL got her Visa approval last year. The only worry eL has now is the re-entry card was removed from her Visa (no I-551 stamp) and we leave in late May for her son's wedding in the Czech Republic. So if her green card doesn't get here by the end of April, we're going back for the stamp.

As always, we have utilized everyone here's experience and knowledge and THANK YOU ALL!

The American-Irish Guy and the Czech Girl

Add us to the Interview list! March 27 is eL's interview date.

Wish us luck.

Patrick and eL

Hi all September Filers,

It's been a while I didn't check this site coz I went on vacation with my husband during Xmas!!! And we have been busy during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day too~~

I want to share this happy moments with all of you and I hope this can cheer all of you up a bit.......When I got home on 12/27/08, my Green Card was sitting inside the mailbox already!!! Yahoo~~~~

Thank you everyone for helping me in the past few months! Of course I will still stay around here and help to answer some questions too~~just have confidence and everything will go smooth~~ I can't believe I got everything done in 4 months! You can be next too!!!!!

Happy New Year to everybody!!!

Regards,

VSfansfans

NOW THAT'S A CHRISTMAS PRESENT! CONGRATS from Patrick and eL!

It doesnt hurt to ask the help of your congressman and/or senator however even this influential people dont have as much pull as we thing they would, I have requested assistance several times from both congressman and senator and both received the same responses from the government, which is we just have to wait it out!

I am interested to see how this turned out. Any updates?

Congrats, Nao, on the recent interview letter! :thumbs:

CONGRATS to all who have their Interviews scheduled! I assume that even though the last notice we received said they'd get back to us in 60-days, and that was 30 Oct 08, all we can really do is wait for that letter.

Cheers!

Patrick and eL

(1 yr anniversary in less than a month--at least she is with me in USA!)

So far, so good...

eL received her Soc Sec card today! But we have as yet to hear about the AOS appointment.

So Congrats! to all with the appointment, and we'll wait our turn.

ahoj!

Patrick and eL

When you get a chance, envy_me, can you add to the chart that we received eric's EAD today? December 11th. Thank you for your dedication to our chart!

im sooooooooo sorry i forgot to add the date in your timeline..

cos i went down to check the mailbox after i read your post abt receiving your EAD today..

envy_me ...you are awesome! My girl received her EAD in the mail yesterday (12/12/08). Now for the SocSecurity card and waiting for AOS!

Just when I *thought* I knew what USCIS was doing...

On Dec 2 we get the great e-mail:

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 2, 2008, we ordered production of your new card.

Then today, Dec 8 we get the following great e-mail:

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 5, 2008, we ordered production of your new card.

So while I'm not one to complain, is my wife getting 2 cards or is there a hiccup in the system?

Somewhat amused...

Patrick

We have the exact same thing- same dates as you, too! (see our signature) I think a lot of people in this September group have gotten 2 of that same e-mail. Weird, but normal. Your wife should still get just one card. So now we are just waiting on an email that says "Approval Notice Sent" and then the actual card in the mail. I'm not sure if everyone gets an "approval notice sent" email, and I'm not sure if we'll get the approval notice in the mail the same day we get the card, or on a different day...

And on 12/10 we got the "Approval Notice Sent" e-mail...too funny! But that's OK with us!

-Patrick

Just when I *thought* I knew what USCIS was doing...

On Dec 2 we get the great e-mail:

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 2, 2008, we ordered production of your new card.

Then today, Dec 8 we get the following great e-mail:

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 5, 2008, we ordered production of your new card.

So while I'm not one to complain, is my wife getting 2 cards or is there a hiccup in the system?

Somewhat amused...

Patrick

Hooray! My hubby got his EAD today! Only 55 days from filing! AND! The USCIS Case status online thing didn't update until today, even though the card was approved on 10/27. Very exciting! Hope you're all doing well!

That's fantastic news! CONGRATS!

We've had touches (since biometrics) when it came to an RFE. Then after they received the information we had one yesterday, with an update as to status on the website. Then a new one today. Don't know what it means, but I hope it's good.

I found out something from CIS today. Arriving here on a K-3 Visa, your paperwork will be taken from you at the airport Immigration including your medical papers (I-693). Since it's a K-3 you obviously don't have to file the I-693 as part of the AOS petition. You have up to a year to file the AOS without the I-693...and since you don't have it to file it makes sense.

Interestingly as has been noted here, although our I-129F and I-130 were both approved in August, the website was last updated in July saying they were pending! So don't rely on USCIS website for your updates---it's always better to call and speak with them.

Cheers and good luck!

Hey everyone, I figured I'd start this the day we submit for my girl's AOS.

I found out something from CIS today. Arriving here on a K-3 Visa, your paperwork will be taken from you at the airport Immigration including your medical papers (I-693). Since it's a K-3 you obviously don't have to file the I-693 as part of the AOS petition. You have up to a year to file the AOS without the I-693...and since you don't have it to file it makes sense.

Cheers and good luck!

To Whom it may concern,

Please stop all further processing on case #PRGXXXXXXXXX immediately as my spouse received her K-3 visa and we will be adjusting her status here in the United States.

Perfect! Thank you!

My wife has a K-3 visa and is now in the USA. The CR1 paperwork (at the NVC) was taking too long for her to wait as there were problems with the postal service here. I sent the Affidavit of Support for her CR1 to the NVC with all the supporting paperwork just as she received her K-3 visa in Prague.

I called the NVC asking what to do regarding the CR1, and they said to send a letter to the NVC telling them to stop processing. Does anyone have an example of what the letter should say? And does any part of what I've sent become part of her AOS file?

Thanks in advance!

Why didn't you go for the Cr1/IR1 route?

We did but there were some NVC problems with the post service (which I've yet to figure out) so my wife got her K-3 visa at the same time I'd sent the Affidavit of Support to the NVC for her CR1. But I did that by downloading the form from the web site and following the directions--I never received anything from the NVC by mail.

I would have, of course, preferred to go the CR1 route but now that she's here, well, it's moot.

Hello again,

My girl is on her way to the US with her K-3 Visa. After calling the NVC asking about the CR1 (as noted in a previous post) after having sent the Affidavit of Support paperwork (I found all I needed here on this site) per their request, they said to send them a letter stating we aren't pursuing the CR1 but will be applying for Adjustment of Status. Is there a form letter on this site regarding this?you apply

As soon as my wife arrives tomorrow, do we submit an EAD? Or should we do the AOS inclusive of everything as soon as possible?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks to all!

eL and Patrick

Do the AOS ASAP. Don't waste your money on the EAD before you apply for AOS. It comes free when you apply for the AOS.

Does the EAD get processed as fast if you apply for the AOS instead? Thanks!

Hello again,

My girl is on her way to the US with her K-3 Visa. After calling the NVC asking about the CR1 (as noted in a previous post) after having sent the Affidavit of Support paperwork (I found all I needed here on this site) per their request, they said to send them a letter stating we aren't pursuing the CR1 but will be applying for Adjustment of Status. Is there a form letter on this site regarding this?

As soon as my wife arrives tomorrow, do we submit an EAD? Or should we do the AOS inclusive of everything as soon as possible?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks to all!

eL and Patrick

Update...and after an agonizing few days not knowing how the Embassy sent the package, it arrived today (Tuesday).

Not knowing what comes next, I called the NVC to tell them she was granted the K-3 visa and is on her way. I have to say most of my contact with the NVC has been very positive, as was tonights. Next thing I do is send them a letter advising them she'll be seeking an Adjustment of Status, and then we'll start that phase. I certainly don't need to have her go back to Prague for her CR1 interview!

Na zdravi and slainte to all.

Patrick and eL

Hi Everyone,

The good news is my wife should have her K-3 visa in the mail by Monday. But what an ordeal!

The medical was fast and good (as described in others posts on this site). The interview was no problem, and she was asked to come back the next day for the visa. Again, to be expected.

But the next morning they called for her to come to the Embassy in the morning because they "forgot" to do her fingerprints. So she made her way there and did that. And she decided to stay around Old Town and enjoy a beautiful day in Praha. When she went back to the Embassy, there was a technical problem with her picture (and many other visa pictures), so they wouldn't give her the visa. So they said maybe the next day. Well staying in Prague ain't cheap my friends, so my sweet wife was on the train back to Olomouc the next morning. And of course the Embassy called saying the visa was ready...so they're mailing it to her.

Amazing.

Moral of the story: patience is the only way. Don't lose hope.

Anyway, she's flying to me on Thursday! We continue working on her immigrant visa after she gets here, but that's another story...

Good luck to all!

Well everyone, here's another CR-1 filer from March '08. We may pursue the K-3 interview she has Tuesday but that's a discussion for another place. Our I-130 paperwork was approved in July, got to the NVC, and the USPO returned it to NVC in August so I couldn't file AOS. But I was able to get them the DS-3032 and pay the initial fee. So now I wait.

Just a reminder, here's what NOT to do when doing this process:

1. Don't give up. After your I-130 is approved and goes to the NVC don't be shy about calling them to check the status. I've done it constantly and found out many things I had to do or could do to move things along and help my wife understand what she received in the mail. As mentioned, the mail sent to me was returned but what was sent to my wife in Czech Republic got there. Go figure.

2. When it says in this website to do things in order, follow that.

3. The NVC is very helpful in most cases if you have changes to your paperwork. In my case my family name had been wrong and would be fixed at adjudication---but with more paperwork to file after I-130 I spoke with someone at NVC and was able to send copies of our passports with our correct names and that saved a lot of issues with DS-3032 and other paperwork.

Patience is more than a virtue, it's a requirement.

Cheers!

Well everyone, here's another K3 filer from April '08 who's wife has her interview scheduled at the embassy in Prague. It will be 19 Aug. Say a prayer, keep your fingers crossed. Whatever works.

Just a reminder, here's what NOT to do when doing this process:

1. Don't give up. After your I-129F is approved and go to NVC don't be shy about calling them to check the status. I've done it constantly and found out many things I had to do. This was important because the USPS returned to NVC what was sent to me -- it can happen.

2. When it says in this website to do things in order, follow that. As soon as you have the I-134 and supporting paperwork ready send it (original) to your spouse/fiance for their embassy interview. Of course make that copy and email it to your spouse/fiance. In my case I waited and my wife's appointment came sooner than I had guessed, so it cost me $$$ to get it there in time.

3. The NVC is very helpful in most cases if you have changes to your paperwork. In my case my family name had been wrong and would be fixed at adjudication---but with more paperwork to file after I-129F I spoke with someone at NVC and was able to send copies of our passports with our correct names and that saved a lot of issues with I-134 and other paperwork.

Patience is more than a virtue, it's a requirement.

Cheers!

Hi Everyone,

With the good news that our I-130 was approved and sent to the NVC, and the NVC telling me they sent the package to my wife in the Czech Republic, and me (7/22), I was wondering how long to wait before I (at least) get the package? Today is Aug. 1 which so I was wondering if anyone had experiences with the situation they would share?

Many thanks and good luck to all.

You don't have to wait for the DS-3032 and AOS fee bill to arrive in the mail. You can email the DS-3032 and pay AOS fee online if you already know the NVC case # and IIN.

I see your I-129F has already been forwarded to the consulate. Are you on the path of CR1, K3 or both?

Leah

Hi Leah...we are on the "both" path. So far the mailings are a "no-show" so we're doing the DS-3032 as you suggest.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

With the good news that our I-130 was approved and sent to the NVC, and the NVC telling me they sent the package to my wife in the Czech Republic, and me (7/22), I was wondering how long to wait before I (at least) get the package? Today is Aug. 1 which so I was wondering if anyone had experiences with the situation they would share?

Many thanks and good luck to all.

As part of the idiocyncracies of USCIS, the "touch" I saw on 7/10 is still on the USCIS site. I received no e-mail approval and the case is still listed as pending on USCIS. I received all approvals by regular mail.

Still waiting for the package from NVC.

Good luck to all!