texascamelqueen

It seems like folks here are giving you advice about the actual getting there, but I have just some practical, little tips for the time you will actually be in the country that I've learned from my trips:

1. Always have a package or two of travel-size Kleenex and hand sanitizer with you for using the toilet; most toilets are "traditional" and have just a faucet and bucket of water for cleaning yourself (on that note, skirts are a lot easier to manage when you have to squat).

2. Dress conservatively--cover your shoulders, don't wear anything that shows a lot of cleavage or skin, and don't wear anything that shows a lot of leg (nothing at or above the knee) or that is too tight. I just found that I drew less attention this way. If you can get a few loose-fitting cotton tunics, that would be good, since it will be hot. Take at least one scarf with you that you can use to cover your head in case you need it (I'm assuming you are not Muslim, so I apologize if you already wear hijab). If you are going to be there for a while, you might want to just buy a jellabah and wear that. It's so much easier to just throw it on over your clothes, and much cooler and so comfortable. Of course, how you dress will also depend on if you are in a small city or village versus a big city like Marrakech.

3. Remember that in greetings, men won't necessarily want to shake your hand. You might want to ask your fiance about the appropriate ways to greet different people.

4. Learn some basic words and phrases in Moroccan Arabic.

5. If anyone offers you "chocolate", don't take it (unless of course it is actual chocolate). "Chocolate" is the nickname for hashish, which is illegal. It's everywhere in private, but not good to have in public.

6. Don't take pictures of people without permission, especially women and children.

7. Drink only bottled water and don't use ice--locals can drink the water, but they are used to it; if you drink it, you will probably get sick (diarrhea). On that note, see if you can get a prescription (http://www.wellontheroad.com/illnesses/diarrhea.html) for travellers' diarrhea in the event that you do get a severe case.

8. Don't walk into or wander too far into any medina by yourself--not because of safety reasons but because they are like mazes and so easy to get lost in!

9. Don't be too friendly (and I mean just being friendly, not flirting) with men who are not your fiancee--it can be taken the wrong way (as flirting) very easily, as relationships between men and women are very different there compared to the U.S. Also keep in mind that a man and woman who are not married are not allowed to stay in the same room together in a hotel, and public displays of affection aren't as acceptable.

10. The people of Morocco are so wonderful and kind and I hope you enjoy it! We miss it so much and hope to get to visit soon.

=) Samantha

My husband and I actually met when we both happened to be traveling in the summer in the same town in Morocco, as we were both teachers in our own countries. I was on summer holiday, and so was he. I was walking through the medina, and he came up to me and started trying to chat me up. We ended up spending the whole afternoon together just talking, ran into each other again briefly that night, and then I left the next day. He had given me his email and we had taken some pictures together, and said that if I send them to him, he'd write to me. Well, I did just that and before we knew it we were chatting endlessly online on a regular basis. I visited him about a year later, and after spending a whole month together, staying with his family, he proposed. I went to visit once more for a week while we were waiting for the K1 visa. We will celebrate 3 years of marriage next month.

Hi there,

We filed in October 2011 with VSC as well, with our first receipt notice on 10/12/2011, but we are also still in initial review. How and where do you find out who is being approved and on what applications they are working? It sounds like 10 days ago they were working on September applications. This seems to be taking forever.

Thanks.

OMG I can't believe it!! Another person was approved so we're at TWO Sept approvals Is this real life?!

We are holding up well. Still waiting to hear about a job offer for the job in NY for Phil. We're checking up with them next week since we need to give our landlord notice of our move by the end of July if we are moving.

OK. Am I the only one confused about this? OP states: "Last June i was on the road traveling with my wife from Texas to California. i had to pass by two Border Patrol check points in Texas and in New Mexico". Last time I had was in a Geography Class, a trip from Texas to California does not take you outside the USA. - hence no borders to cross... How can you have a "Border Patrol Check Point" when you are not crossing the Border? Sorry if the question is dumb, but I don't get it....

Samby

Yes, there are numerous internal checkpoints along the states side of the U.S. - Mexico border, of which we were completely unaware; we thought the same thing as you--we weren't going to be crossing any international borders, so why would I need my card? Apparently, we were wrong and naive. Lesson learned.

Is not carrying your green card considered breaking or violating the law?

Yes, unfortunately it is considered a criminal misdemeanor. A person can technically be deported for it, but it's rare since it is a big hassle.

I'd keep it pretty simple like - I was detained at an internal US border checkpoint for three hours while they verified my immigration status.

I have come to this conclusion that yes, I must indicate what happened. What I'm not sure about now is if I have to provide any evidence of it.

On the instructions for the I-751 under "Criminal History", it says "If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement agency for any reason, and no charges were filed, submit an official statement by the arresting agency or applicable court order confirming that no charges were filed."

Has anyone else been in this situation, and if so, did you provide a statement or simply write what happened on the application? And how did it affect your application process and approval?

What confuses me is the part about being detained. The officer said that not carrying your green card is technically a misdemeanor, and they held me until they could verify my status, but because it was too much trouble to actually charge me with anything, they let me go. So I'm not sure if I was detained or not. By definition, they detained me, but there was never an arrest.

hi, i have some questions for you guys. I have a conditional green card of two years. Soon i need to apply for another green card to remove the conditions. i need to answer a question on the form application I-751( the form for a 10 years green card). The question is asking if i have ever been arrested, detained, charged,indicted,imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, or committed any crime which you were not arrested in the United States or abroad? Last June i was on the road traveling with my wife from Texas to California. i had to pass by two Border Patrol check points in Texas and in New Mexico. I forgot to carry my permanent resident card in my wallet then they stopped me and kept me for almost 3 hours after taking my picture and my finger prints in Texas and the next day for one hour after taking my picture and finger prints again in New Mexico. However, i had my ID (Texas driver license). I don t know how am i supposed to answer that form question?? i don t know if i need to answer that i was arrested or detained by Border Patrol? i don t know if it was just a simple inspection, and i don't need to put anything on the form? i don t know if i have a criminal history or record because i forgot to carry my permanent resident card? waiting to hear from you. thank you

Bumping to see if there are any more replies....

I have a few questions about the AOS forms:

First, do you need a SSN to apply for AOS? Does the process go any faster if the applicant has a SSN first?

NO NEED

Second, in the box "Current USCIS Status," what do you write? My husband came here on a K1 visa, and we got married a week after his arrival.

ADJUSTING STATUS

Third, in Part 3 it asks "In what status did you last enter?" How to answer this question?

K1 FIANCE VISA

Also, on the I-765 EAD application, if my husband is applying at the same time as AOS, what eligibility category does he put? I'm not sure if it's (a)(6) or ©(9).

C [9]

Lastly, how long can we expect it to be before he gets EAD approval? What about his green card?

LESS THAN 90 DAYS FOR EAD -CHECK TIMELINES FOR AOS!

I appreciate any help on these things!

DID YOU APPLY FOR I-131 ALSO? IF NOT, DO SO.

Thanks!

I have a few questions about the AOS forms:

First, do you need a SSN to apply for AOS? Does the process go any faster if the applicant has a SSN first?

Second, in the box "Current USCIS Status," what do you write? My husband came here on a K1 visa, and we got married a week after his arrival.

Third, in Part 3 it asks "In what status did you last enter?" How to answer this question?

Also, on the I-765 EAD application, if my husband is applying at the same time as AOS, what eligibility category does he put? I'm not sure if it's (a)(6) or ©(9).

Lastly, how long can we expect it to be before he gets EAD approval? What about his green card?

I appreciate any help on these things!

Thanks!

I don't know if this is late in posting a reply, but I just called the German Consulate in my state (TX) to ask about a transit visa requirement for Moroccans transferring in Frankfurt. She told me Moroccans do not need a transit visa.

My fiance received his visa this month (YAY!) and we've booked at ticket that requires him to transfer (from Morocoo to the US) through France.

Does anyone know if a transit visa is required for North Africans who have to transfer in Europe on their way to the US? If so, how is it obtained? Is it expensive?

We got NOA2 March 3, letter from NVC dated March 17, and interview is scheduled for April 29 (the day after my birthday!!, and two days after I start my new job!!)

Oh, wow! My fiance also has his interview on April 29th! We are counting down the days--excited, nervous, but hopeful!

Thanks for the tips. I am completely new and this and barely just sent my I-130 off on Monday. From what I have seen in regards to other couples, this looks like it is going to be a long process.

Okay, my fiance and I just got our NOA2 on March 11th, and are waiting for his packet to arrive. We are filing for a K1, and are very anxious about what comes next. I just found this thread, and found it to be very overwhelming, but also saw the last post to be in September 2008. I am wondering about those of you who've recently gone through Casa now (within the last 3-6 months), as I know things can change. We have a lot of questions, so here goes:

• Would you say the kinds of questions asked at the interview are along the same lines as the ones already posted here?
• What are the interviewers like, as in are they generally very formal, casual, or what?
• My fiance speaks good conversational English; do the interviewers generally speak on the same level?
• How long does it generally last?
• What are the major red flags they might look for? I don't think we have any, and the original I-129 petition was pretty thorough with evidence, but it's good to know to be prepared.
• Should my fiance offer the evidence etc that he will bring, or wait for the interviewer to ask for it?

I think that covers our interview questions, but if more come up I will be asking!

Thanks for any replies on this!

Hey guys! Anybody have any input on these questions of mine (above)? Thanks!

My wife went to her a few days ago and said the experience was good. She did mention that the nurse or girl who answers the phone is very rude. Read her report here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=184485

Thanks so much! She did provide some really good information!

Shukran jazilan, Nawal! That was an excellent description of the medical exam. I'm sorry it was so expensive for you! But I hope those shots will help prevent illnesses, right?

Best of luck at the interview and please give us a detailed review of your interview!

Good luck and thellay f rasek!

Thanks so much for posting all those details! I'm just wondering though if they did any drug tests or question you about drug use?

=)

Thanks for the info and the luck, Sandrila! We definitely need it!

Medical is coming up.... i'm very nervous........

Don't waste time being nervous about the medical. that was small potatoes. As long as he is honest about his medical history and doesn't have any of the medical conditions making him ineligible for the visa, easy peezey. Save up your worry for the interview. You'll need all you can get. Espeically if he gets the blonde

Thanks Maggie!

Yes, you are right, i have moved on from stressing about the medical to stressing about the interview.

Goodness, Lord, please don't let him get the Blonde!

I'm posting here to bump it, but also because I have some questions about this doctor and the exam:

First, it sounds like she is pretty nice--can anyone who has recently seen her confirm this?

Second, what kinds of vaccines are required?

Third, are there any tests done, like lab work? What other kinds of things are involved with the exam?

Fourth, do they do any drug tests, or ask about drug use?

Last, how much money should we expect to spend for everything?

Thanks guys for your help!

Thanks for the tips. I am completely new and this and barely just sent my I-130 off on Monday. From what I have seen in regards to other couples, this looks like it is going to be a long process.

Okay, my fiance and I just got our NOA2 on March 11th, and are waiting for his packet to arrive. We are filing for a K1, and are very anxious about what comes next. I just found this thread, and found it to be very overwhelming, but also saw the last post to be in September 2008. I am wondering about those of you who've recently gone through Casa now (within the last 3-6 months), as I know things can change. We have a lot of questions, so here goes:

• Would you say the kinds of questions asked at the interview are along the same lines as the ones already posted here?
• What are the interviewers like, as in are they generally very formal, casual, or what?
• My fiance speaks good conversational English; do the interviewers generally speak on the same level?
• How long does it generally last?
• What are the major red flags they might look for? I don't think we have any, and the original I-129 petition was pretty thorough with evidence, but it's good to know to be prepared.
• Should my fiance offer the evidence etc that he will bring, or wait for the interviewer to ask for it?

I think that covers our interview questions, but if more come up I will be asking!

Thanks for any replies on this!

Honestly, I wonder how many less of these petitions would be clogging up the system if there was no choice to come to America, but the American had to move to where the person lived.

Wild guess - a whole lot, especially from many of the third-world countries (Phillipines/South American/Asia).

Just my opinion, but I suspect many people feel this in their hearts, but will not admit it on the board.

Did you mean by that that not many americans would have the courage to move out of america, even if they are in love and so they'd give up on the relationship instead of moving?

Otherwise : He wants me to go there because he know how much I love 24h grocery stores and crazy all you can eat buffets

Um, how about better healthcare? We had a long discussion about who would move, and since we both want children, probably within the next 5 years, we decided that we would live here because I have to be close to my doctor (with whom I can communicate and have a longtime, trusting relationship) for medical reasons if I want to have children without risking my life.

Also, I am a teacher, as is my fiance, and we decided that we can go back to visit Morocco in the summers. But trust me, if it weren't for the healthcare issue, I would much rather live in Morocco and not have to live the American lifestyle, and hopefully later in the future that can be a possibility for us. For now, though, we'll have to start our lives together here.

lol toooooo funny ok mine has come with 5 coats and I think perhaps 5 pairs of shoes and 3 colognes and 2 hair gels. lol I giggle once in a while now cause he has these "name brand" underwear like Dolce Gabana is in the underwear buisness

I love the "how do I look?" or "do I smell good?"

I can't remember when I asked that perhaps I should ask more

2 days and I am still in bliss...

This is a funny thread! I don't think my fiance really fits into this "metrosexual" category as much as some of your guys; when we first met he had some serious dreadlocks and a beard going...he grew up on the coast a bit of a surfer boy. His dreads are gone now, replaced with his black, thick, natural curls that I LOVE. When he lets it go, he's got a major FRO. It's so cute. But come to think of it, he does love, and I mean love, his Ray-Ban sunglasses. He nearly had a heart attack when I dropped them once. I learned to let HIM handle the Ray-Bans; you'd think they were made of diamonds that way he cherishes and handles them. He doesn't go shopping a lot--he's a bit of a hippie like me--but he does have style and looks quite dapper and handsome when it's the time and place for it. Oh, only six more weeks until I get to see him and his precious Ray-Bans!

I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to hear some good news. I am terrified of Homeland Security and the power they have over my future. I've been reading a lot of fear and failure. NOW I want to hear some SUPER success stories. I want to hear from the people that sat TERRIFIED and lost weight and sleep worrying over suspected LEGITIMATE reasons for denial, only to find that they over reacted and everything turned out fine. I REALLY need to hear those stories right now!

Kara

Kara, best of luck. Many of us on here have overcome adversity with the USCIS. You can do it. Just breathe it out, put it in God's hands, and make sure you follow all directions on any forms.

Kara, if you think of all the possible horrible things that could go wrong all at once, you are going to make yourself go crazy! Just try to stay positive, no matter how frustrated you may get.

I have found that VJ has been both a blessing and a curse: it's great because it helps answer questions I have about the process, but at the same time it's horrible because I sometimes find myself reading endlessly through threads about horror stories and all sorts of other things that incite unnecessary worry over things that I can't control, exhausting myself and putting myself into a depressed mood.

If you find yourself getting too wrapped up in all the stories on here, take a break! Step by step, one thing at a time. Don't spend all your time worrying. Take care of the things that need addressing right away, and do the other little things a little bit at a time. In the meantime, keep yourself busy with hobbies, friends, work, etc. away from the computer. It will make the time go faster. We're still waiting for NOA2, which could be a few months still, so I'm just actively trying to address the "have-to's", staying connected with my fiance, but keeping a sense of myself and that I have a life here that shouldn't revolve around all the "what-if's". It's hard sometimes, but I have to remind myself that this too shall pass.

It will all work out. Like Staashi said, breathe it out and put it in God's hands.

karaoke annoys me but also makes me laugh. it's normally the people who are the worst that give the best/most hilarious performance

I am totally with you on that! It's fun to get up there and know you're gonna get cheers no matter how bad you are! At least at the place I go to karaoke, everyone is there just to goof off, not to see who can sing the best.

Joy and rapture!!!!

Just got an email from my lawyer saying we just got our approval!!!! I hugged my boss, ran and called my lovely fiancée and jumped for joy!!! We are expecting a baby in April and with a little luck from here on out will be able to be together here in the US for the birth!!!!

And all this just after Barack Obama was inaugurated!

My timeline today read processing between Feb. 24th and March 15th - have faith people!!! Yesterday I was at 183 on VJ's Igor's list!

Thank you all for the support, advice, and suggestions!!! I will keep you all update as to our progress!!!

Speedy processing to all!!!!!!

Wooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATS! This gives me hope because our estimated timeline for NOA2 is between April 14-May 2, moved forward a month from when we first started. We got NOA1 on October 23rd. So how did you find out where you were on this "Igor's List"?

Okay here is the deal. My fiance doesn't have internet access and I am spending a fortune on phone cards calling EVERYDAY! Is there a free way to call South Africa from pc to cell for free?? I really need to call for free and no one is offering any deals to South Africa. Anything is better than 12cents a min. Thanks

12 cents a minute? That's actually really good. I call my fiance in Morocco using an online service that I access through my home phone, and I pay 27-31 cents a minute to call his mobile, which is a good/average rate for calling from a landline here to mobile there. I don't think you'll find anything for free. Does your fiance live someplace where there just aren't any internet cafes at all? My fiance lives in a very small town in the south of Morocco, and he still manages to get himself to a cybercafe at least once a week so we can talk.

Does your fiance seriously live out in the middle of nowhere with no technology? If he does, I can understand no internet access, but if he lives in a somewhat populated area, there has to be a cyber cafe someplace nearby.

I know that for Spain they need a transit visa - even for the airport, and that's something I"m working on. So that's why I'm wondering if there are any problems, or is it just if the person doesn't have a transit visa (remember, my fiance doesnt have a green card, just a K-1 visa so far)......

My friend's experience was last summer, July 2007, when she (an American citizen) and her husband (Moroccan) had a long layover in the Madrid airport with their 9-month-old daughter in tow. There may have been a transit visa that he supposedly needed, but they weren't even leaving the airport, just changing terminals. Her words to describe the experience with the authorities and airport personnel were exactly this:

"we had a layover in spain, which sucked. you were right about spanish and their treatment of moroccans. i felt like we were treated like animals; seriously."

She feels like if she hadn't been with him, he wouldn't have even made it through to Morocco. When her husband came to the U.S. on the K1 in 2006, he came through Frankfurt and on to Houston with no problems. Like Nagishkaw said, safely and with minimal hassle should outweigh cost. This is a big transition, and you want to make it as smooth as humanly possible.

Whatever you do, good luck.

he is doing the scheduling and pay for it will tht be hard for them to do, he has no idea what hes doing in sure

You can go cheap by flying through Madrid, but I've heard horror stories from friends about Moroccans trying to make transfers through Spain, especially Madrid. My friend was flying to Morocco and had a layover in Madrid. Her husband is Moroccan, and they were horrible to him. My fiance (also Moroccan) has heard similar stories. Spanish authorities there aren't so kind or patient with Moroccans. Maybe going through another major European city might be less headache for him, even though it might cost a little more. If you can get a direct flight, perhaps from Casa to Houston (and there are a lot of Moroccans working in the Houston airport, from what I've heard from my friend who came in there), that could be another option.