Philosykos

Doctrine of dual intent was brought forward several times in this thread beginning with the third posting.....

Indeed. And some people should check the facts before they post in this aggressively self-righteous tone...

NO KIDDING!

(o the irony, I'm employing that tone myself! )

I would add this topic to the 'things I hate about VJ' thread; I can only imagine how the OP feels after being called out as a fraudster by people who simply had no idea. I'm sorry, but you should not have been answering if you didn't actually know the answer.

I agree. The irony is that that thread was started by one of the main proponents of said tone here on VJ.

please allow me to say.. Fraud= lifetime ban

Thanks for sharing. It also has nothing to do with this topic.

My thoughts exactly.

Doctrine of dual intent was brought forward several times in this thread beginning with the third posting.....

Indeed. And some people should check the facts before they post in this aggressively self-righteous tone...

Yeah they called and sent us an RFE

Its a REQUEST for Evidence...Then after 1 month plus

we got the NOA1...

Ouch, that's rough. You got an RFE before you got NOA1? May I ask what for?

Yes, RFE = Request for Evidence. But BEFORE NOA1? That is so unusual. What was missing in your petition? Sorry this happened to you... Hope you hear soon.

Finally received the visa today...

Congrats to one of our adopted family members. So when do you come to the states?

Thanks all! August 18! Good luck to you all! Dealing with the consulate (well, the one in Frankfurt at least - I know it's not like that everywhere) is completely different and so much better than dealing with USCIS. Friendly, accessible, and efficient.

O.k., so this part of the journey is complete: I received my visa in the mail today! Best wishes to everyone.

That's awesome! Do you have an entry date planned?

Thank you all! I actually booked my flight once the interview date was set, because I didn't feel I had to expect any further delays at that point. I'm flying in on August 18. In two weeks! I hope I get everything done until then, moving out of my place and packing etc.... I'm so excited.

AIM_1980, I'm sorry you are still waiting... So you got an RFE before NOA1? I've never heard of that happening.

Thank you!

O.k., so this part of the journey is complete: I received my visa in the mail today! Best wishes to everyone.

Finally received the visa today...

I didn't even see that the DS-156K is supposed to have those documents attached... When I returned packet 3, I sent them ALL forms, along with photocopies of my passport. No problems in Frankfurt.

I have a really hard time with rings. I really want to get my SO a beautiful ring, but I want to bang my head against the wall. There is nothing available besides "rock placed on a ring" type of design (if you can call it design at all). I want something beautiful and unique. Might have to end up looking for one when I am in Moscow. Same goes for rings... I've looked through hundreds of pages - nothing that would make me want them.

Unfortunately they do not design rings from the man's point of view, but the American Woman's point of view a rock on a ring... and the bigger the rock the better....

That's exactly why I am against engagement rings.

Have you checked out Etsy? There are tons of creative people making unique jewelry.

And this guy here makes really beautiful rings, too, and you can also order them long-distance: http://www.surprisegold.com/ Not cheap, but more economical than a big rock, and MUCH more unique... I personally am in love with his work.

Much less expensive, and also very unique are the rings from this site: http://www.turtlelovecommittee.com/

There's many options besides the "classic" American engagement ring!

I love the second link. I just forwarded it to Oksana. That is what I am looking for. I despise wearing jewelery in general so I said I wanted to pick something that is low key and looks comfortable. Thank you for the links. I have been driving myself crazy for something like that.

I'm glad you like them! We couldn't order from them because they don't seem to make my size (I have VERY small fingers, less than 4.5 -- although I didn't check if they do custom sizes as well). But I do think the Turtle Love Committee rings rock!

I have no earthly idea what Oksana's size is. She is little, but not extremely so we should be ok. Pending her approval of course. It's just not that big of a deal to me. If you know of any other sites like that I wouldn't hate you for posting them here.

Lee, I'd like to warn you that even though there is a conversion table for sizes US vs EU, things are still off. Make sure when you buy, you can re-size or just pick something while Oksana is there to try it on.

You can always resize easily if you find a jeweler that uses laser technology. I had to do that with my engagement ring, and it was just €20. With laser technology, stones don't need to be taken out and reset for resizing. Unfortunately, though, there isn't a whole lot of jewelers who have this equipment yet.

I have a really hard time with rings. I really want to get my SO a beautiful ring, but I want to bang my head against the wall. There is nothing available besides "rock placed on a ring" type of design (if you can call it design at all). I want something beautiful and unique. Might have to end up looking for one when I am in Moscow. Same goes for rings... I've looked through hundreds of pages - nothing that would make me want them.

Unfortunately they do not design rings from the man's point of view, but the American Woman's point of view a rock on a ring... and the bigger the rock the better....

That's exactly why I am against engagement rings.

Have you checked out Etsy? There are tons of creative people making unique jewelry.

And this guy here makes really beautiful rings, too, and you can also order them long-distance: http://www.surprisegold.com/ Not cheap, but more economical than a big rock, and MUCH more unique... I personally am in love with his work.

Much less expensive, and also very unique are the rings from this site: http://www.turtlelovecommittee.com/

There's many options besides the "classic" American engagement ring!

I love the second link. I just forwarded it to Oksana. That is what I am looking for. I despise wearing jewelery in general so I said I wanted to pick something that is low key and looks comfortable. Thank you for the links. I have been driving myself crazy for something like that.

I'm glad you like them! We couldn't order from them because they don't seem to make my size (I have VERY small fingers, less than 4.5 -- although I didn't check if they do custom sizes as well). But I do think the Turtle Love Committee rings rock!

I have a really hard time with rings. I really want to get my SO a beautiful ring, but I want to bang my head against the wall. There is nothing available besides "rock placed on a ring" type of design (if you can call it design at all). I want something beautiful and unique. Might have to end up looking for one when I am in Moscow. Same goes for rings... I've looked through hundreds of pages - nothing that would make me want them.

Unfortunately they do not design rings from the man's point of view, but the American Woman's point of view a rock on a ring... and the bigger the rock the better....

Not ALL American woman think this way.......

Liz, I didnt mean to imply that all women think this way... Although I will say that ALL designers thing this way

yeah yeah yeah....you just wanted to get under my skin...

And yes, I will agree all jewelers and designers do have that state of mind.

Hey, that's not true! Just check out the websites I posted above. You just have to get away from Tiffany's, the department stores, and other mainstream jewelry places!

I have a really hard time with rings. I really want to get my SO a beautiful ring, but I want to bang my head against the wall. There is nothing available besides "rock placed on a ring" type of design (if you can call it design at all). I want something beautiful and unique. Might have to end up looking for one when I am in Moscow. Same goes for rings... I've looked through hundreds of pages - nothing that would make me want them.

Unfortunately they do not design rings from the man's point of view, but the American Woman's point of view a rock on a ring... and the bigger the rock the better....

That's exactly why I am against engagement rings.

Have you checked out Etsy? There are tons of creative people making unique jewelry.

And this guy here makes really beautiful rings, too, and you can also order them long-distance: http://www.surprisegold.com/ Not cheap, but more economical than a big rock, and MUCH more unique... I personally am in love with his work.

Much less expensive, and also very unique are the rings from this site: http://www.turtlelovecommittee.com/

There's many options besides the "classic" American engagement ring!

I'm a January filer, but I had to wait a bit longer and got approved along with you February filers... so I might give an update here! I had my interview Monday, which went really smoothly, they only asked about my previous stays in the US (I've lived there for almost six years) and what my fiancé does for a living and if he has visited me here. Everybody was super friendly in Frankfurt. Now I'm waiting for the visa in the mail. Meanwhile, I'm already preparing for the big move... Will still have to figure out whether to ship stuff with a container ship, or by mail. I have a lot of books to take, but not much else.

Liz, I really liked your kitchen floor! Very cool red.

Congratulations!!

And thank you..hehe!

May I ask, what part of Germany are you from? I lived there for 4 years (1 in Karlsruhe and 3 in Bamberg) and LOVED it!

Thanks! I'm from Berlin. What did you do in Germany?

I'm a January filer, but I had to wait a bit longer and got approved along with you February filers... so I might give an update here! I had my interview Monday, which went really smoothly, they only asked about my previous stays in the US (I've lived there for almost six years) and what my fiancé does for a living and if he has visited me here. Everybody was super friendly in Frankfurt. Now I'm waiting for the visa in the mail. Meanwhile, I'm already preparing for the big move... Will still have to figure out whether to ship stuff with a container ship, or by mail. I have a lot of books to take, but not much else.

Liz, I really liked your kitchen floor! Very cool red.

Ours was dated June 30... almost July! I had my interview Monday, and hopefully the visa will come in the mail tomorrow. What a grueling process, but now it's done! Good luck to everyone!

Yes, get married, and don't leave the country until your AOS is approved! You got engaged while you were already in the US, so that's perfectly legal. You really want to avoid going through the stress of a K-1 application and being apart for 6-10 months. Unless your J-1 visa involves direct government funding, there should be no home residency requirement, and if there is, you can probably get a waiver. Best of luck!

Wonder if they took in account the pesticides vs no-pesticides (non-organic vs organic)?

I am wondering about that, too. The point of organic food for me is that they do not contain certain toxins, and I never expected them to contain more nutrients.

"You might want to call the Dept of State's visa information line and talk with a specialist to find out what visa would be best for her in this situation. "

"Volunteering on the VWP while the K-1 is pending sounds extremely fishy, and I highly doubt she will be allowed to do this."

"...I am skeptical that an international student coordinator is the kind of highly skilled job for which H-1Bs are issued."

I second all of the above comments, but my gut feeling is that if you encounter an uncooperative immigration

official, it will be easy for him or her to spin your innocent attempt to do what's best for you into some kind of

conspiracy to obtain immigration rights at any cost (ah ha! she can't get in the front door so she thinks she

can sneak in the back door!).

Stranger things have happened. As long as your K-1 is on track and you have good documentation, that

would seem to be the best route to take. Good luck with the Department of State, as they may be quicker

to point out the fine print in a disqualification scenario than in a "what are my options" scenario.

I think a better route would be to make an "information courtesy call" where you applied for the HR post

and explain your dilemma. See if they can't accelerate their decision or at least tell you if you are on

the short list and will your travel plans work against you.

You might get more of a straight answer than from the State Dept.

I agree that you should be very careful about how you phrase your request to the State Department. You must make it very clear that the primary objective is for you two to be united, and not for her to get a job.

I am not sure what is meant by the second paragraph I bolded in the quote above. Whom are you suggesting to call and ask for an expedite? All I can say is that a job offer will be no grounds for USCIS to expedite the I-129F. The basis for that petition is the desire to marry a US citizen, not to get a particular job. The only expedite ever granted in this context is for military people about to be deployed.

This is a tricky situation. I think it looks pretty difficult for her to take that job. The K-1 visa doesn't seem to allow it, unless they want to wait at least until next April to fill the position. Remember that if she enters on a K-1, she doesn't have work authorization immediately, because (as has been discussed elsewhere on this forum) the temporary work authorization stamp that JFK still provides is essentially useless. So you'd have to get married and then apply for EAD/AOS before she can work. Volunteering on the VWP while the K-1 is pending sounds extremely fishy, and I highly doubt she will be allowed to do this. I would not risk it (I didn't even risk visiting my fiancé while the K-1 was pending, although that would have been perfectly legal). What is she going to tell the CBP officers at the airport? If she is honest (which she should be) and admits she plans to work, even for free, she will likely be sent straight back to Europe. I'm sure there is a different visa she would need in order to volunteer. The VWP is not meant for that.

As far as a work visa goes, I could be wrong, but I am skeptical that an international student coordinator is the kind of highly skilled job for which H-1Bs are issued. I've worked in academia and in academic management, and I know that there are countless people qualified for the job your fiancée applied for, even if she might indeed be a particularly good fit. That would be a question her potential employer should be able to answer -- will they do this for this kind of position, and do they think they will be successful?

As for the spouse visa, I am not sure if you can have the application going while your spouse is already in the country on another visa. I really have no idea if that's possible -- something tells me it isn't, but maybe I'm wrong. Someone else will have better insight into this. If she indeed came on a work visa, it would make sense if you could simply get married and then adjust status, but unfortunately since you already have plans for her to get married and immigrate, the government will consider it fraud to do so under a non-immigrant work visa.

I wish you best of luck. You might just have to wait for the K-1, and then for another job opportunity to come along.

I've never reserved a pool chair in my life -- but keep the stereotypes coming!

I can't stand that type of "German tourists" either, and running into too many Germans when traveling is what the Germans I know hate the most (that attitude is typically German, I think ) Oh, and I agree about the sandals (but don't get me started on how American tourists dress )...

You can't open a bank account in the US without an SSN. This is mandatory, since large deposits have to be reported to the IRS.

That can't be true. I had two bank accounts in the US before I got my SSN. First as a highschool exchange student, then as a graduate student.

Which part? The SSN, or the requirement to report large deposits?

The requirement to report large deposits is called the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970. Cash transactions of $10,000 or more, or cash purchases of negotiable instruments of $3000 or more, must be reported to the IRS. The report must include the SSN of the person making the transaction.

As I said in my previous post, banks are free to set their own limits. If they want to give you an account that specifically restricts you from making a reportable transaction, then they wouldn't need your SSN. I have personally never had an account at a bank that offered that option. Each one required the SSN.

I meant the SSN. I opened a regular checking account at Bank of America, into which my research assistant salary (obviously not a very large amount, but enough to live off in California) was deposited monthly. Nobody addressed a large deposit restriction due to my lack of SSN, which I only obtained a few months later.

I know this doesn't really have anything to do with the OP's problem, but I thought I'd correct the statement (which someone else repeated here) that you can't get a US bank account without an SSN.

You can't open a bank account in the US without an SSN. This is mandatory, since large deposits have to be reported to the IRS.

That can't be true. I had two bank accounts in the US before I got my SSN. First as a highschool exchange student, then as a graduate student.

i was expecting some people to post that they didn't have to wait as long....understand now Einstein?

wanted to see if others had been waiting as long as me, so i posted a thread, thread-nazi.

Hmm, doesn't add up there Texas guy. Then bringing up insults and Nazism.

Yall are straight-up retards...

1) I was frustrated and worried that our case is over 140 days old.

2) I decided to post a thread in the PI regional, (was moved here), to find out if anyone else had/has waited that long.

3) Expected not to see very many people waiting as long, or longer than us.

4) Upon reading those responses became more irritated/sad.

5) Some guy responds with a smartass remark because he can't understand the obvious.

6) You swoop in to back-up your boyfriend.

7) I try one last time to simplify it.

No comment. Not stooping to your level, someone else already pointed out your lack of logic, and a mod already told you off. Just to let you know I'm not a dude, as you can see in my profile...

Lol...i still can't believe that you don't understand the premise of my thread, and subsequent reaction to the responses...It's fascinating. Maybe you're struggling with the definitions of "wanting" and "expecting".

I will say that everyone BUT 2 posters contributed to the thread, by answering the original question.

I perfectly understand. All I was doing is pointing out that you cannot always expect to get what you want, which triggered a tantrum on your part.

O.k. Maybe someone can now post something the OP wants to hear to make him feel better.

So now VSC is diligently clearing the backlog but those of us who have been so frustrated now have to wait even longer while they eliminate the backlog. I imagine that the petitions that are still pending require a little more attention then the other petitions that were submitted around the same time frame. Personally, I am not excited about that possibility, but I would not necessarily say it was unfair, especially if you are one of the petitioners who filed prior to March 2009. Actually, seeing those who have filed way before me finally receive their NOA2s helps me greatly with my own patience.

This is actually my very first post and I hope it helps those who have been waiting so patiently and some no so patiently for their NOA2s.

While I don't necessarily agree with the statement in bold, it definitely does seem that you're right about VSC trying to clear the backlog. I think some cases just get lost/misplaced. For example, most December filers were approved in April. There were a handful of us not approved then. Nothing special about our cases... Then during a particular week in July, it seemed that VSC "found" our petitions and approved most of them that week. My guess is that they were with the underachieving adjudicator (or lost).

I agree with NatPatBen, and I think everyone should be happy they are clearing up the backlog. It's not only fair, but you also never know if you will one day be one of those delayed cases. Even when I was still waiting, I was always glad to see when they went back and approved November and December filers. What drove me crazy (having filed in January) was seeing them consistently working on February as if they had completely forgotten about the earlier filers.