kotana

Hi VJ friends

congrats to Amanda, jiskat, Eca and Vivian! So happy for you all. If you think this is surreal wait until you actually are reunited with your partners. my husband and i still can't believe this is all over with. wish you joyful reunions all around and good luck and god bless th3mo and atk. keeping fingers crossed for you!

Hey everyone! Congrats to K.D. Eca, vny and everyone else with APPROVALS. 100% month it is:)

I am home, my husband just went to work. i don't have a single worry on my mind. POE was a piece of cake. flight was great. everything just fell right into place after i got my passport.

Wishing everyone a safe trip to their new homes and everyone still waiting a breezy interview experience.

Good luck guys and girls!

congratulations gixbr!

excellent news! good luck to KD and Eca on monday, and everyone else next week!

i am almost packed, leaving for the airport in few hours. i expect to be quite busy making up for lost time with my husband, but will check on you guys and girls every once in a while to follow through all junes APPROVALS!

gixbr i know exactly how you feel, in a few days and nights of sleep you'll be all better!

Thanks again everyone!

I am waiting to pick up my passport in a couple of hours. I was informed that the visa was printed in it yesterday but for some reason it is going to be available to pick up today. I have only two days to pack, no complaints, however. The wait has been so long that I would leave right now with no luggage.

Good luck gixbr and everyone else with nearing interviews and report back

Congratz Champi and Kotana..we are looking forward to know about details of the interview...seems like it was a very easy one though...

Kotana..you said that the pre-interview they asked for pictures before wedding and certified marriage forms...the pre-interview doesnt really count for anything right? it's the actual interview that counts?

Hi Ben and Ash,

I reviewed my interview experience in detail, will paste it into this thread as well. I don't exactly know whether the pre-interview counts for anything - the lady just checked all the documents forwarded by the NVC, asked me if I had newer picture for the visa (which i did) and asked for pictures with my husband. I gave her honeymoon and Christmas pictures, and she asked for pre-wedding pictures. Now, that might have been just her, but the other document - certificate of marital status (the municipality issues it and it says what is your martial status currently) was on her checklist. The checklist included all the documents forwarded by the NVC, medical report and a bunch of other items - DHL receipt, passport pictures, couldn't really see everything.

At the actual interview the CO didn't look at anything but the DS 230 from what I remember. She glanced at our wedding pictures as she was returning them to me. But i think she was briefed on our case by the first person. If you have any other questions, please, ask.

good luck to everyone else!

Here is a summary:

The interview process was very well organized. All the paperwork from NVC made it to the consulate, so there was no need for me to submit any additional documents. Once you go in and check out your cell phone, you walk into the interview room. The person at the first desk takes your passport and gives you a DHL form to fill out so your passport can be delivered back to you.

Then, a person calls you up from the desk marked - Immigrant petitions and checks all the paperwork that the NCV submitted together with you, asking you questions about your relationship in the meantime. This person asked for a certificate of martial status (udostoverenie za semeino polojenie) that one is supposed to get from their local municpality - I did not have one, but it turned out not to be a problem.

She asked me for pictures, I had some from the wedding, honeymoon and Christmas with my family after the wedding. She asked for pictures of us before we got married, I have not brought any, but it may be a good idea to bring some. After she checked all the forms and organized them for the CO she told me to sit down and wait.

The CO called me and she was very nice and sweet. She asked me to tell her the story of our relationship. Some of the questions she asked were:

1. How did you meet?

2. How long have you been together?

3. How many times has your husband been to Bulgaria?

4. Did some of his family attend your wedding here?

5. What do you plan to work there?

6. What does your husband work?

7. Where do you plan to live?

8. When do you plan to travel?

That was basically it. She asked me to swear everything on the form was true, and I knew the good news was coming. She gave me a little pin with the US flag and wished me good luck and all the best in America.

She was very nice, not at all arrogant or condescending or pushy. I felt very much at ease.

Good luck everyone!

Congratulations champi & kotana :dance: this wonderful news , keep going guys our turn coming up soon inshaallah ( god welling ) hold your horses Amanda you so close to do it either Good luck

thanks th3mo - could you update the spreadsheet with our good news?

thanks His Wifey, K.D. and atk, next on the visa line is gixbr. good luck, keeping fingers crossed! can't wait to hold my passport, hopefully later today.

we got it we got it we got it

i am sooooo happy they gave me a little us flag pin to pin on my jacket ))

i will give details later, but all in all veeeery easy interview. the pre interview check of the docs was a little scary - she asked for pics BEFORE the wedding, and i didn't brign any even though my husband and i have travelled half the world together for the past 5 years, but didn't think it was necessary. also she asked for certificate of marital status issued by the municipality which i didn't have.

but the consular herself didn't even look at the pictures i brought or the documents, we just talked for 10 mins and i lifted my left hand to swear with President Obama's portrait next to me. yeeeey i am sooo happy.

going to pick up visa later today and flying off to the love of my life on friday night yeeey.

good luck everyone else.

congrats champi!!!! we opened up the season with breezy approvals, may it continue!

champi and jiskat

i have consulted an irs rep on the issue and i myself am an accountant - if one of the spouses is out of the country on april 15 the couple gets an automatic extension to file and pay until june 15. it may not be very popular but is absolutely acceptable. don't know if it works for you. otherwise the options champi listed are all correct.

counting the hours here too, same as champi.

do you guys think i should bring tax transcripts for the past 3 years that were submitted with AOS form or just the AOS form?

thanks for your input

My husband is taking copy of I-864 package which includes 2005 to 2007 tax transcripts, pay stubs, employment letter, etc. Additionally, since I filed extension for 2008, he has copy of all extensions as well as 2008 W2s, 1099s, etc.

Good Luck

Thank you again everyone. I'll try to post interview reviews as soon as possible.

My husband plans to stay at the embassy for 2 days (the interview day and the day after interview) to see if he can pick up visa/passport by hand instead of waiting for it to arrive in email.

Counting and getting nervous....

hello there

can i ask about extension that u just mention in the forum? extension for tax?... Can my husband still apply for an extension so that when i get to USA, they can ammend my husband's tax status from single to married and he can include me since i will get my SSN.. what are the requirements you submitted to file for extension?

many thanks... pink day for you =)

hi there. it depends whether your husband filed his taxes already. if not, you get an automatic extension if you were married at the end of 2008 and you want to be treated as a resident for tax purposes and you were out of the US in April. you get to file until june 15, without filing anything. if you can't make it by then, submit an extension form by then f4868 i believe. if he filed there is another procedure and i will look into it after my interview. now concentrating all effort and energy on tomorrow morning.

counting the hours here too, same as champi.

do you guys think i should bring tax transcripts for the past 3 years that were submitted with AOS form or just the AOS form?

thanks for your input

My husband is taking copy of I-864 package which includes 2005 to 2007 tax transcripts, pay stubs, employment letter, etc. Additionally, since I filed extension for 2008, he has copy of all extensions as well as 2008 W2s, 1099s, etc.

Good Luck

Thank you again everyone. I'll try to post interview reviews as soon as possible.

My husband plans to stay at the embassy for 2 days (the interview day and the day after interview) to see if he can pick up visa/passport by hand instead of waiting for it to arrive in email.

Counting and getting nervous....

thanks champi and everyone else for the wishes and advice. got everything, we'll see what they ask for. will post as soon as it's over tomorrow. good luck to your husband champi!

counting the hours here too, same as champi.

do you guys think i should bring tax transcripts for the past 3 years that were submitted with AOS form or just the AOS form?

thanks for your input

A pregnancy is something special. Try to enjoy it while you can.

I agree. And being pregnant is something that happens alot during this process. There are always contingency plans for these situations....after all...we are talking about visa's being issued based upon romantic relationships.

Stress is bad for your baby. If your husband really wants to help you, he should be putting less pressure on you at this time crucial time of development.

Thank you all for nice words. I guess we both are stressed out now, as it's a first time experience for both of us. He just wishes he was with me while going to the doctor, etc., etc., and also he is worried if something get screwed up with the visa, that he wouldn't be able to come visit more often He has a good job for the last 18 years, working as a seaman, so he can't take more vacations, and when he does take a vacation it's usually in the winter, or spring. For the same reason he probably wont be able to attend the interview, so that's why he's worried about the visa and there is always a possibility of things getting screwed

Anyway, thanks again to all of you for your answers and support, much love to all and God bless (L)

Ani chestito

That's wonderful news. as others said, don't worry so much, think positively and very very soon you will be with your husband and he will attend all the med checks with you. I am not an expert but definitely believe that there is no way that your pregnancy will affect your application in a bad way - this is what people do - they get married, they have babies. all godspeed through the rest of the process. congratulations and i wish you a breezy pregnancy surrounded by the love of your husband and your new family.

xoxo

I was just reading every one here preparing documents for interview,I just have a question,Is it required to have a ticket/reservation,do they ask for it in the interview,just curious ....

Best of Luck for all Monday and Tuesday interviews

Still 24 days to go for me ......I was just wondering ,if u guys are gonna stay around to give me good wishes n prayers till our interview

Hi atk of course we'll be here to give you good wishes and calm you down with answers , me hopefully from the US with my husband sitting on the couch next to me:) i will tell you on tuesday if they asked whether i have a reservation. i bought it because the terms are pretty good - free change of date and 20 bucks fine if i end up not using it. so i'm not losing anything and also this way it feels more definite - i am going home in 6 days

Hi everyone

my interview is on tuesday as well. good luck champi and everyone else with a monday or tuesday interview. will log in to share the experience right after.

as for the post above - i bought a one-way ticket. we'll see how that works for the CO on tuesday

counting the hours yeeeeey

I'm 25 and the doctor said it was fine if I didnt take the HPV, the difference is she writes on my medical report saying the vaccine here is not public, I don't know how that makes better, but even the consulate said it's fine if I don't take it.

Who understands?!

Lucky you gixbr. Here I guess they want to take all the money they can. The bigger problem, I think, is that I have to get the subsequent shots in the US, kind of a pain, but otherwise my $200 were spent on nothing.

Good luck on your interview!

Hi everyone, I also disappeared for a while after the NVC approval.

First, congrats to GS who is probably busy making up for lost time with her husband, also to Corrine and Princess.

Update on my side - medical passed last week, unfortunately had to pay $200 for HPV vaccine that I didn't necessarily want, but whatever gets me closer to my husband.

Interview in exactly a week from today, now it seems like the days are really flying by. Embassy rep told me to bring only my passport and medical envelope, and nothing else. Now, I have original marriage certificate, birth certificate, police clearance, pictures, phone logs etc, but wonder should I bring it, if they say I don't need it? Well I guess I will bring it and take it out only if they ask.

Good luck to everyone with upcoming interviews and soon this thread will be over because we will all be spending time with our loved ones, rather than discussing visa hold-ups.

You do not need to list different addresses in the same town /city. However, you should list each location chronologically and make sure there are no gaps in the dates. Good luck

How about the gaps in the dates when I was on a J1 visa in USA? The question is asking to list all places I've been living for at least 6 months. I've been living in the Sates for few months (less than 6) at the dates that are gaps in my answer. Thanks

Ani my ds230 was returned because of that question, so the second time around i made sure to ask absolutely everything that could be misinterpreted.

The answers to your questions are: (given either by NVC rep or US Embassy in Bulgaria rep)

List places only if town changed i.e. if you lived in Sofia from May 2005 - August 2007 and changed apartments, list the full block of time as one as long as it's Sofia - the idea is that they want police clearance (svidetelstvo za sudimost) from every town you lived at for longer than 6 months. So unless you lived somewhere that would require you to get a separate police clearance you don't have to list change of address.

The periods you lived in the US should not be listed, even if the total stay there is more than 6 months, you need to list only six month periods at one time.

if you have any other questions feel free to write me a personal message

good luck with everything!

Hi all

Where is everybody?? Chilling now that we have interview dates?

Here is our revised interview list. I added Mayra:

3/25 - Pat the man - Case Complete on 4/13/09

4/1 - Elima - Case Complete on 4/10/09

4/2 - GS4EVER - Case complete on 4/21; interview 06/17/09, assigned 04/27/09, Case forwarded to consulate: 04/28/09

4/3 - atk_721 - Case Complete on 4/21/09, Interview: 6/24/09, assigned on 04/23/09, Case forwarded to consulate: 4/24/2009

4/3 - oceansea1 - Case Complete on 4/23/09, Interview: 6/2/09

4/6 - Serendipity_ - Case Complete on 4/23/09

4/6 - champi - Case Complete on 4/13/09, Interview: 6/2/09, assigned on 04/23/09, Case forwarded to consulate: 4/24/2009

4/6 - Eca y Bubu - Case Complete on 4/17/09, Interview: 6/1/09

4/7 - Ben and Ash - Case Complete on 4/17/09, Interview: 6/16/09, assigned on 04/23/09

4/8 - _Hopefully - Case Complete on 4/15/09, Interview: 6/2/09

4/8 - Amanda_Raad- Case complete, Interview 6/15/09

4/10 - VivianNYC - case Complete on 4/20/09, Interview: 6/16/09, Case forwarded to the consulate on 4/24/2009.

4/10 - corinne from oz - Case Complete on 4/17/09

4/10 - gixbr - case Complete on 4/20/09, Interview: 6/3/09, assigned on 04/24/09

4/10 - K.D - Case Complete on 4/20/09, Interview: 6/8/09, assigned on 04/24/09

4/15 - Vny- Case Complete, Interview 06/08/09, case forwaded to consulate 04/29/09

4/23 - IlovemyDirtDoctor Case Complete

4/29- MayraandJuan- Case complete

Feel free to add to it if something or someone is missing.

47 days and counting!!

4/30 Case Complete. Thank GOD!

and here is a new SPREADSHEET and please let me know if i missed anything

Good Luck

Hi th3mo

could you add me too - country is Bulgaria and interview is scheduled for June 2

thanks. good luck to everyone!

Hey my case was sent to mumbai on 27th according to the AVR.

Thanks, i just checked the AVR again and sure enough, our case was forwarded to the embassy yesterday. I was following a file sent to Bulgaria yesterday on DHL, and now I know it's ours. yeey

BTW, AVR still says "case complete...blah blah blah....8 weeks blah blah blah". Do they actually update it to say that case was forwarded?

Yep, AVR will say your case is forwarded to [Embassy Name] on [date]....

Thanks Champi. Our appt letter says it was forwarded, but I guess it takes a while for the AVR to catch up. Guess I will still be calling until I get that message.

Yep, AVR for me was updated when I called the day after I found out my interview date from NVC operator. So, if you just found out interview date today, I say call back tomorrow and AVR will more likely be updated... Do listen to whole message... As AVR has been saying after case complete, it still says "Your case was completed on blah blah blah..........Forwarded to [embassy] on [date]... blah blah blah..."

Still AVR says "8 weeks blah blah blah". I guess will have to keep calling.

Our interview date was assigned on the 23rd and our case is still at the NVC. The operator said they will forward it in about a week. I am waiting for it to get here so I can move up my interview date. don't know why they wouldn't just forward it right away.

Could you add me to your list? Our Interview was scheduled by NVC for June 15, luckily the embassy is willing to reschedule for earlier. for now you can put June 15 though.

KOTANA, HOW DID YOU REQUEST FOR A RESCHEDULE OF INTERVIEW? DID YOU CALL THE NVC OR USEM?

I called the embassy, but it depends on the country. i figured i have nothing to lose. they said June is not so busy and as long as it's within June they can reschedule for earlier or later on days they have open slots. However I have to wait till my file gets there, and from the AVR it seems like it hasn't left NVC yet.

FROM WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOU FROM IF U DONT MIND ME ASKING?

Bulgaria

Could you add me to your list? Our Interview was scheduled by NVC for June 15, luckily the embassy is willing to reschedule for earlier. for now you can put June 15 though.

KOTANA, HOW DID YOU REQUEST FOR A RESCHEDULE OF INTERVIEW? DID YOU CALL THE NVC OR USEM?

I called the embassy, but it depends on the country. i figured i have nothing to lose. they said June is not so busy and as long as it's within June they can reschedule for earlier or later on days they have open slots. However I have to wait till my file gets there, and from the AVR it seems like it hasn't left NVC yet.

Could you add me to your list? Our Interview was scheduled by NVC for June 15, luckily the embassy is willing to reschedule for earlier. for now you can put June 15 though.

How do you find out when your case was forwarded to the embassy and when it was received by the embassy? After you are scheduled an interview of course. Is there some way to track your file?

Thanks

I know as my appointment letter says that it has been forwarded to embassy i havent tracked it personally.But here is a thread that can help u track

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=181400

thank you very much, this is exactly what i was looking for