Oddo

today I received me ssn number, so happy for that, now can I work with it? I haven't received my green card yet.

We didn't use an attorney, get married and go for the CR-1. Attorneys will make you lose time and money.

my port of entry was Atlanta, very nice airport, loved it. the Immigration section was a piece of cake, no questions, just checked the paperwork and let me in, it is a shock to be here, but I am enjoying it.

By the way just make sure you are first on the line to be attended if not, the officer might not be nice.

well, went to pick up my visa at the DHL center in Caracas, I am done with all this, now to USA on the 4th of december, great. Guys don't lose hope.

Great you guys, I hope the stage at NVC goes fast, God bless and remember, it is HIS time, not OURS.

3:45 Woke up, took a cold shower... around 4 I checked all the document's folder again, I was clear, I organised the folder according to each section of the process, 1st. appointment letter. 2nd. the whole ds-230 copies, in case they lost something and so on 'till the proof of relationship part.

4:30 My Brother-in-law gives me a ride to Caracas, He works close to a subway station so he dropped me there, the subway was close when I arrived there so I had time to review some questions in my mind, you know grabbing the folder like life...

Arrived to Caracas at 5:30, took the subway to another station where they told me I could take a bus which drops you right in front on the US embassy in Caracas. Nice I saved a lot of money on buses.

6:20 arrived to the embassy, there were already some people there, all of them for the tourist visa section, I asked the security guard at what time they will let the immigrant applicants and he told me at 9, wow I thought I had arrived too early, well the consular section is not too comfortable, just a bench for like 100 people or more, nice view of Caracas I must say.

8:45 started calling immigrant applicants, wow! Finally in, must say I didn't have any breakfast before I went to the embassy, I have a weak stomach.

through security fast, went to the immigrant section, there were some other people there before me, I grabbed a number from a ticket dispenser, you must take one in order to be attended by the pre-screener.

11:00 Finally with the pre-screener, nasty, my goodness, she was kind of rude... don't know why! PROBLEMS!!! I have three names, but in the birth certificate only appeared 2, so the pre-screener told me that I must get another birth certificate, otherwise I was going to have issues with the interviewer. I was praying hard for a miracle, only two more people and it was my turn for the interview, then GOD kicks in... we got a yellow paper asking us to come back at 2:30 for the interview because they were going to take the lunch break. NICE! ran outside to call my mom so she finds that old document that I knew has the three names there and to bring it to me before 2:30.

More drama, since they couldn't find the paper fast, my mom was not home, I didn't remember her number so I called my sister's in law so she could give me my sister's number and once my sister gave me the number call my mom, well I got my mom's number but my mom was not home so she rushed to the house to find that birth certificate, wow they searched everywhere until they found it... wow, it was 1:15, and it started to rain in Caracas, for the ones who know Caracas, you know that it is impossible to get anywhere on time, but well I prayed hard so I GOD CONTINUED TO HELP THERE.

2:15 I was in a mall close to the embassy praying hard, decided to take the bus back to the embassy, that would give my mom some time to arrive, when I got to the embassy, my mom was not there, wow I started to panic, I went to a phone booth there and called my mom she was 10 minutes away from the embassy, wow right on time, it was GOD once again there it is impossible to make such a good time from my house to Caracas, but well she arrived and handed me the document, wow what a relief, well time to go in for the interview!

3:05 Called my name, the officer a nice american lady, left-handed, she started looking through my documents... then she starts looking at my passport picture and the forms pictures and asked me if I was the same person and I said yes, what happened is that I gained some weight due to marriage, the she asked other workers about the pictures and they all concluded that I am the same in all pictures. NICE!

Well, the interview was easy, only 5 questions... When and Where did you meet? which I answered and proved it with pictures and emails, Nice touch there, in law's names, another piece of cake, Ever applied for a tourist visa? NO! ever been overseas? NO! then we went to talk about the birth certificate, she was stamping and sigining some papers in my folder... She noticed the "two name" birth certificate thing, I handed her the old birth certificate with the three names, and then everything went ok, she received and accepted the document, then fingerprinting... well they she gave me the most beautiful hand sign ever, TWO THUMBS UP! Sir you are approved... wow, the happiest moment of the month, I was so excited!!!

Later on I called my wife, and all I heard was screaming, screaming screaming!!! yeah! She was happy.

Now POE, ATLANTA, 4th of December 2008. All the way to Spokane, WA.

Good luck to the others!

Jesus Bless you all!

wow friends, the most stressful day of my life, but it was worth it, Visa approved baby!

Details coming soon!

Ok, as soon as you get the approval from usics and you know your case has been transferred to nvc, first start saving the money for the two AOS BILL and the DS-230 APPLICATION FEE, will be around $500, $400 for the DS-230 and $70 for the AOS, also make sure your sponsor and co-sponsor have all their tax returns files, and also they meet the requierements, how do you know if they meet the requierements go to the us department of state, I think there you should be able to get the right info. Ok, once they deliver the first bill, which is usually the AOS bill, pay with a cashier's check as soon as possible, they will provide you with an envelope, so you shouldn't make the mistake of sending it to the incorrect address. Ok, beforehand also have your sponsor fill the affidavit of support sheet, you should receive a packet around 2 weeks after you sent the AOS bill, so having it already filled will speed up the process, but make sure you send it only when you have received the instruction packet regarding the AOS form. Ok, expect the 4th and final bill around 2 weeks after you have sent the AOS form to nvc, I think using fedex or dhl will speed it up, so you might consider using that service; what should you do then, again, have the money ready to send, I mean the $400 check, ready to go the same day you receive that bill. Also it is helpful to have the DS-230 FILLED OUT ALREADY, that way you make sure you can double check the info they requiere, this helps a lot to avoid rfe. Ok somewhere between the first Bill, (AOS) go get all the documents NVC requests, Birth certificates, Marriage license,Police certificates, (SEND THE ORIGINALS) all of them legalized by the foreign affairs ministry of your country, make it ahead of time because, it can take some time to get it and by this point you don't want to make it go slow. If you have doubts about what other documents you would need, PLEASE! CALL NVC, everyday until you don't have any more doubts. Usually you should spend 3 to 4 months at NVC, sometimes less, sometimes more.

Some people might argue that the best you can do is to have your US spouse next to you all the time, but having your spouse helps so much since there might be some documents to be signed and some paperwork she/he must collect in order to have all the proper documentation for NVC. Almost forgot, you can take advantage of email, once you know your case is at NVC, you can mail the CHOICE OF AGENT FORM by email, way faster than waiting for that instruction on the regular mail, make sure you put the case number, applicant, petitioner names and date of birth, country, and address in the states you want the NVC send all mail for your case.

After everything has been sent, just wait and call by the end of the second week of everymonth, until you get an interview date from NVC. Depending on your country, you might have it assigned, next month or two months later, once you are here, prepare all the documentation you will need at the embassy. Photos, chat logs, emails. Usually in the appoinment letter you will find, the documents you need to bring to the interview, since you already submitted all the original documents you don't need to take them to the interview, but it is not a bad idea to have back up copies, so make sure you do that.

Well, sit back and relax until your interview date, Love and communicate with your spouse everyday, that helps carry the burden of being apart, have time with your family in your home country, you might not see them for a long time if you get approved.

God Bless you so much and that God finds you in a good state when He returns.

ODDO.

well one day less, getting really excited for the interview, today I checked all the documents and it appears to be in order. moday will be the day I am taking the pictures they require at the embassy and proof of relationship photos, will post soon about the steps I tookwhen my case got approved at uscis.

Finally received today my appointment letter, it was in the morning, I was starting to worry but it's finally here, now 10 days before the embassy, have already printed some mails, but I am still in 2006, two more years to print, plus pictures on monday, good luck to the others waiting for the interview date or interview itself, the time will come.

Finally over with the medical in caracas, it was a bit expensive but they treat you pretty well and it is fast, though the vaccines hurt a little, now ready to move to the interview on the 25th of november, getting nervous and excited about it, I hope it goes well, wow! today was one of the worst days of my life since I don't like doctors so much, but Thank GOD it was fine, it is a relief, will post more about how the interview goes the 25th, good luck to others.

What they do at the medical in caracas:

Blood work

Vaccines

physical checkup.

x-rays

just make sure you eat before, that's if you have a good stomach, I don't.

Right! I almost forgot, the doctor told me that I had to lose at least 8 kilos, then he got on saying that fatness could be a case for a denial, that was interesting and fun!

well, well well, you know with all the craziness with the us elections and the dow jones thing, the one thing that really tops it, is the fact that I am not (many of you too) with my wife. anyway, after the longest year of our life (My wife's and I) we are getting closer to the day someone who is not related gets to decide whether you can live with your wife or husband in his/her country or not, (Thing that should be abolished) and the opportunity to start off somewhere new! anyway for you beginning this journey, patience (LOTS OF IT) for you at the end, more patience (EVEN MORE) AS days go by so slowly, they can bring you down.

Hope, is the last thing, and nobody can take it away!!!

Wow! that is what I am talking about... it's not me and I feel really excited, well man, enjoy life!!!

what's up my brother? did she get it? I hope she does man! I know how it feels, well not quite... Good luck man!

Once again, do you have to pay for the fingerprinting at the embassy, or is that already paid with the visa fee? if not how much is it?

Once again my friends, Thanks.

Ok, the embassy emailed me with instructions for the interview, now they want me to take the receipt of the fees paid, I didn't get any of that? any ideas of what they want?

Thanks, please I need some help!

Just called today and set the appointment for the medical in Caracas, any Venezuelans here with any ideas of what do they do?

Guys, I will appreciate your help very much, is it possible to re-schedule an interview email the consulate? I am in Venezuela, I thought I would get like an early november date, but they gave us the interview on the last week of the month, what do you think we can do to move the date?

Thanks.

Well, Well, Well, finally.... the interview date is on the 25th of November at 10:15.

My case was completed just a day after the cutoff last month, but I think it is too far away, well I guess it is something.

Great, look do not worry about the future aye, be cool everything is easier when you are with your partner, you'llbe fine. Call this very same monday and good luck .

OK, so hubby will start bugging NVC about the interview date tomorrow. What should he be asking for? He needs the operator and then the case number, right? Anything else?

I hope it will move fast now. So that our plans work out to be together by February 2009. I just hope that our finances will be OK. I am really worried about finding a job and having to survive in a different country. Hubby's income is just not that great yet and I hope to find a decent job soon after coming to the States!

My wife just recently returned to the states back in july, she was able to find a job in September, so she couldn't be my sponsor, that's why my father and mother inlaw are the ones sponsoring me, they earned above what is requested from nvc, could this hurt my interview since my wife just started working? should I get income proof from my sponsors? thanks for your help.

My wife called nvc today, the operator told her that they start scheduling interviews next week until the 10th, but if the number is to great they will go until the 15th, so guys call everyday starting this monday, God bless you all.

Well, I am also waiting for that interview in november, well I guess like happyinlove said that we should all call next week to find out the date.

God bless.

I really hope that all Sept approvals get their interview scheduled. I really don't want to get stuck waiting to get scheduled for another month until November (like the operator said could happen).

So you think we should call next week to find out about it? I don't want to wait until the third week, my case was completed on sept 16th, missed the october interview, I HOPE we can get something.

This is for November interviews. They will start on October 6 through October 10 but sometimes they can extend it to go through the third week, usually the middle of the third week (Wednesday). Good luck.

now what is the second week of october, the one from the 12 to the 18th of august? or the one before from the 5 to the 11th?

I am in the same boat too.... My case was approved on Sept 18 and now waiting for the interview date.