Mayra&Robin

To all my K-1 and K-3 friends out there:

Has anyone's finance had a total meltdown/freak out right before or after his or her approval? My fiance doesn't speak English, has never been out of his own country, and never even dreamed about living in the U.S. We've been building up to this for the last 2 years, and I think the realization just sunk in for him. He's also kind of a mama's boy and going to have a hard time saying goodbye. Just wondering if anyone else has been thru this "cold feet" kind of thing.

I had a little bit of a meltdown. 98% of Guatemalan's are mama's boys. SPECIALLY GUYS. I am a mama's girl, but a very independent one...LOL. Still it was really hard for me to get on that plane and say good bye to my whole family. Guatemalans are very very family oriented. I was flying to Puerto Rico, which is a country I had visited before and they speak some kind of spanish which is my native language, So, I can only imagine how hard must be for him if he has never seen this place and on top of everything else he doesn't speak the language. My husband is very patient, my mo and I still talk every other day on the phone, we really miss each other, but her and my family are very supportive and they encourage to enjoy my marriage, they are happy that I am happy; knowing this and that Robin is understanding, I have everyone's support and its easier for me. If he had a problem because my moma nd I talk often on the phone, it would make it much harder for him and I. They love Robin because of this. I would highly advise you that if you haven't lived together you should be clear in a very sweet way of what you guys expect of each other. Cause I can tell you as a Guatemalan, that there is a possibility he is used to be "served". By this I mean, he has never ironed his clothes or cooked. In other words he is way too pampered. Not all guatemalan guys are like this, but....there is a chance. Good luck in your interview and you marriage!

Yesterday I had mi Cr1 interview at the Guatemala Embassy. The security people were simply rude. They didn't let me take my keys inside because of the alarm control. Then I asked if I could leave them with them and they said: " No, for security reasons". So I said, what am I supposed to do, you guys ask on your website for the person to come alone.

And they said "Leave it inside the car". At that point I did give up since I figured they were not very smart.

Thanks God the people in the parking lot next to the embassy are very familiar with the situation and they were nice enough to take care of my keys.

At the interview place they were lots of people, you can hear what they are saying to all of them and I did notice that A LOT of people were sent home because of their paperwork was not in order or they were missing some kind of paper.

I waited and hour and a half for them to call me the first time, they went through my paperwork and asked me about the person sponsoring me and they took my medical exams.

Then I had to wait another hour for them to call me again for the actual interview. There were the consul and his assitant. He was very nice, sweet, and polite. She was scarry she raised her voice more than once to the people she was interviewing and she didn't seem to enjoy speaking in Spanish.

And yes.....I did get her of course . She seemed reliefed to see that I spoke English. The questions were:

1) Why do you have a UK police certificate?

2) Where you married before?

3) With this person?

4) Why did the marriage end?

5) How long was I married?

6) If I have been separated from my ex for 5 years why did it took me four to get a divorce?

7) Did I travel to the U.K to get a divorce?

6) How and where did I meet my current husband?

7) When did the relationship turn romantic?

8) Where has my husband lived before. List places

9) How ofted did we see each other? I showed them the photocopy of his passport and phone bills

10) SHe was my photo albums and asked to see some pictures of when we were dating. I showed her around 7 she said that was enough. She asked for every pictured when it was taken and where.

11) How many guests were there at your wedding?

12) Have you ever had problems with the law in this country, the U.S. or any country?

13) How long have you been married?

13)Then she asked picture of my wedding I took two out and scanned through the album, she said that was enough.

13) She said, Everything is in order your Visa has been granted!!!!!!

It did help that I spoke English, that Robin was VERY careful about the paper work and everything was well organized.

That I had all the copies of what he sent. And I only answered yes or no, or gave a brief explanation to her question.Afterwards I asked her a couple of more questions and she turned out to be super nice!!!!

Thank you God for beign with me every ste of the way!!!

Hi Mayra,

Congrats! Arturo has his K1 interview tomorrow, so it's good to read the review!

Thank you! Good luck tomorrow! Make sure he dresses nicely. It helped me a lot to bring a binder with me and have a section for each thing. I am sure everything will be fine!

We received the Packet 3 from the Japanese Embassy today. Just thought I would share...

Congratulations!!!

Yesterday I had mi Cr1 interview at the Guatemala Embassy. The security people were simply rude. They didn't let me take my keys inside because of the alarm control. Then I asked if I could leave them with them and they said: " No, for security reasons". So I said, what am I supposed to do, you guys ask on your website for the person to come alone.

And they said "Leave it inside the car". At that point I did give up since I figured they were not very smart.

Thanks God the people in the parking lot next to the embassy are very familiar with the situation and they were nice enough to take care of my keys.

At the interview place they were lots of people, you can hear what they are saying to all of them and I did notice that A LOT of people were sent home because of their paperwork was not in order or they were missing some kind of paper.

I waited and hour and a half for them to call me the first time, they went through my paperwork and asked me about the person sponsoring me and they took my medical exams.

Then I had to wait another hour for them to call me again for the actual interview. There were the consul and his assitant. He was very nice, sweet, and polite. She was scarry she raised her voice more than once to the people she was interviewing and she didn't seem to enjoy speaking in Spanish.

And yes.....I did get her of course . She seemed reliefed to see that I spoke English. The questions were:

1) Why do you have a UK police certificate?

2) Where you married before?

3) With this person?

4) Why did the marriage end?

5) How long was I married?

6) If I have been separated from my ex for 5 years why did it took me four to get a divorce?

7) Did I travel to the U.K to get a divorce?

6) How and where did I meet my current husband?

7) When did the relationship turn romantic?

8) Where has my husband lived before. List places

9) How ofted did we see each other? I showed them the photocopy of his passport and phone bills

10) SHe was my photo albums and asked to see some pictures of when we were dating. I showed her around 7 she said that was enough. She asked for every pictured when it was taken and where.

11) How many guests were there at your wedding?

12) Have you ever had problems with the law in this country, the U.S. or any country?

13) How long have you been married?

13)Then she asked picture of my wedding I took two out and scanned through the album, she said that was enough.

13) She said, Everything is in order your Visa has been granted!!!!!!

It did help that I spoke English, that Robin was VERY careful about the paper work and everything was well organized.

That I had all the copies of what he sent. And I only answered yes or no, or gave a brief explanation to her question.Afterwards I asked her a couple of more questions and she turned out to be super nice!!!!

Thank you God for beign with me every ste of the way!!!

Hi again!

Both our Minato Kuyakusho and American embassy did not know the answer to this question....

- Is changing my wife's (Japanese citizen) passport to include (my name in parenthesis) all we need to do keep her name in Japan, and allow her to take my name in the USA (I'm USAC)????

- What other processes are involved?

- Can you recommend any sites/information/people that may know the answer to this question? Please PM us!

Background: We'd like to avoid the paperwork that goes with changing names in Tokyo, so troublesome; but the fact that we cannot get quality information from the "sources" is very stressful; is it better to simply take my name on her Japanese passport and go through the mess of changing bank accts, etc. etc. By the way, we are planning to exit Japan early 2010!

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

That is a GREAT question....we have been wondering the same thing. So if anyone can help, we would appreciate it!!

Hi all I am new just starting this process, glad I came across this site in my searches. I'm just very confused about alot of this I read n read about it but not quite gett'n it. My Fiance is is in Guatemala. He went back to be with his mother last year, she fell sick n passed in March. He has a passport and I.D already.... We are wanting to do this properly. I called the local consular for Guatemala today all I really got was he has to go to Guatemala City and get a application and a phone card she said she THINKS it will all cost about 300 quetzales. He lives in San Vicente Buenabaj Quetzaltenango he said its not exactly an easy trip to make to Guatemala City. I was also informed that there is no internet app. for the process. Were really looking to find how, what would be the best way to start all this?? any ideas experiences Im all mixed with emotions with this?? Would it be best if I took a trip there...?? thanks for any help.

What application exactly???? Maybe i can give you a hand.

My wife passed her interview today!!! I'm so freakin' happy right now! The journey started on February 5, 2009.

I will definitely try to update the journey documents here for reference.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU GUYS AND GOD BLESS!

That's really great news, CONGRATS

How about

Thank you and have a great marriage journey

WOW ! How Lucky! I am so jealous! Good luck!!!!!

My wife passed her interview today!!! I'm so freakin' happy right now! The journey started on February 5, 2009.

I will definitely try to update the journey documents here for reference.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU GUYS AND GOD BLESS!

That is awesome!!1 Congratulations!!!

Hello Everyone!

Well, I finally have a chance to post my Oath taking experience. My oath was on Monday at 10 am, although they started late. We left around 8 am and arrived around 9:20 in Fresno. Then I went to get in line. My family had to go to the visitor's section and I had to stand in line. There were people selling certificate covers, and man they were persistent in trying to sell them. There was also the Democratic Party passing out flyers and telling us to register to vote once we were naturalized. Then, around 10:30 the lines began to move. Yay, finally! Before entering we were asked to show them our Oath letter and then told to go to a line. I went to line 5 and it was empty. Lines 3 and 7 were long. I gave the IO my green card and my oath letter. He looked at it, signed it, and then I was off to take my seat.

I sat down towards the back. On our chairs we found a brown envelope and a US flag. I grabbed them, sat down and waited. Our family was allowed five minutes to come into our area to take pictures. Afterwards around 11 the ceremony began. The speaker was saying how there were 323 people taking the oath that day and that she was going to say which countries we represented. I am originally from Mexico, and I was among the 140 Mexicans taking the oath. We were the largest group. After us was India with 60. The Judge came in afterwards and she introduced herself. Then we did the pledge of allegiance and a man sang the star-spangled banner. After that the judge asked for a motion and someone came up to make a motion. Then the judge told us to stand for the oath and to repeat after her. We all held up our right hand and said the oath. Then we all waved our flags and sat down again. The judge gave a speech and when she was done, we were let go one by one. We went back to our lines to pick up our certificates.

The Social Security Administration was there to update our information (we could also do it in our hometown). There were booths outside to sign us up to vote and to take pictures. The overall experience was exciting and memorable.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Just want to ask everyone to keep us in their prayers as my hubby makes his way to the US Embassy in Cairo for our interview!! It'about 3 hours from now and we miss each other so much and just want to start our lives together!!! We will let you know the outcome!!!

I will be prating for you. Good luck!

I've seen similar topics on this, but I'm still not quite sure what to do. My fiance has two last names. The first is his father's last name (ie Doe) and his mother's last name (ie Garcia). So, his name as on his birth certificate would be Juan Doe Garcia.

I went to fill out the marriage license application today and came across the first (of what I assume will be many) name issues. Originally, she wrote Doe as a middle name, so his name appeared as "Garcia, Juan Doe." However, Doe is NOT actually a middle name, but is the surname he has used his whole life. We finally settled it by putting both last names in the surname place, so it's "Doe Garcia, Juan." She told me to check what's on his passport/social security card (he was a student on an F1 and has a SSN) and let her know if it needs to be changed.

The problem is, I think it's different on both documents. On his birth certificate and passport, his name appears with both last names. However, for simplicity's sake, when he applied for his ss card, he just put his name as Juan Doe b/c that really is the name he uses in everyday life.

I just want to be able to choose one way and be consistent from here on out, ie driver's license and other legal docs. I think he prefers just to go by Juan Doe in the U.S. as it's just easier. Can we drop the Garcia on the marriage certificate or should we be consistent with his birth certificate?

Any suggestions? Which agency would be the ultimate authority on this

My husband was wondering about the same, in the main part in which you have to write the name, he wrote his last name and where it says other names he wrote both of my names, and both of my surnames, and everything went just fine in that department...good luck!

hola que gusto me da ver gente de Guate linda, yo soy visa k.1 el proceso es muy diferente, pero puedes darte una vuleta en el foro de centroamerica alli hay varias experiencias con las CR1 mas que todo de salvadorenos.

Suerte en la siguiente parte del proceso

GRACIAS!

I have a question, was that at the embassy or at the doctor's office?

Ok, I'm not sure I'm settled down to talk about this, but figured I might get some insight into this from someone here on Visajourney. My fiance was advised at St. Luke's that there is an issue with her spatum test on the xray. Can anyone share any experiences in this area with me? She has to go back next week June 22, 23, and the 25th to have this checked. Any idea's? I'm maybe getting upset over nothing, but I thought I would ask here as maybe some have dealt with this themselves. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. I'm feeling very sick to my stomach right now. Thanks...

WE GOT OUT INTERVIEW DATE....SEPTEMBER 08!!!! WE ARE VERY HAPPY. WE ARE ALSO HOPING THEY WON'T TAKE TOO LONG TO GIVE US THE VISA, WE HAVE BEEN READING THE TIMELINE BETWEEN THE INTERVIEW AND WHEN YOU ACTUALLY GET YOUR VISA AND IT VARIES A LOT FROM CASE TO CASE AND COUNTRY TO COUNTRY....6 WEEKS!!!!

You do. I am divorced. We had to send it in. However make sure you specify is your only copy so that you need it back, otherwise you might not see it again.

But when to call and i dont even have Number of NVC if some one has that plz give me the number .

If you do not have an NVC Number which first three digits are letter followed by other ten numbers, you can also use your USCIS number case.

Hey we are here....Go Guatemalans!

How are the Guatemalans and Central Americans doing with the timelines? I have seen some quick progress during the NVC. What news can we share?

Qué tal les está hiyendo a los guatemaltecos y centro americanos? Parece que el proceso va bastante bien. Qué podemos compartir?

I signed in to NVC today and IV bill shows paid...cover sheet is available...yey!

However, I got a weird e-mail from them today, dated 5 June.

______DS-230-I:____________________________________________________

The NVC has received the requested Affidavit of Support (I-864). However, we are still waiting for the

Immigrant Visa fee(s). Please submit the fee(s) according to the instructions on the IV fee bill sent to

you from NVC. If you have not received an IV fee bill, please contact NVC. Do not pay the fees unless

you have the accompanying IV fee bill as this will result in a delay in processing your case.

Is this an RFE? Could this be a false RFE? Obviously I have not sent DS230 yet, the cover sheet just became available. The fee is paid and shows as paid on 3 June. What am I supposed to do with this? Do I just proceed with the next step as I normally would (sending in IV/DS230 package) or do I have to reply to this request????

DS3032 was finally accepted today and IV bill became available. Paid it and now waiting for DS230 cover sheet! We're getting there!

Finally good news! DS3032 was accepted today and IV bill became available. I paid it right away by bank transfer. I hope the DS230 cover sheet will be available in 2-3 days.

Hi boys and girls! I thought this thread died awhile ago...glad to see it resurrected. We got AOS and DS3032 so far. Paid the bill, got the cover and sent in the I864 package. Have not gotten confirmation on DS32032 yet...how long should that take?

hi mayra and robin,

can you tell me how did you get your IIN number? did you wait till they mail you or you called them and asked?

Please adviseme.

We waited until they e-mailed us the AOS/DS3032 e-mail. The INN was in one of the attachments. I tried to get it by phone but had no luck. I really don't think it would have saved much time anyway.

Has anyone gotten their IV bill invoiced yet? I'm going crazy waiting for that, everything else went so fast...

Hi! Did anyone get their IV bill yet?

We're still waiting on the IV bill. My wife sent the DS3032 via e-mail but hasn't gotten any replies, not even the auto-reply. I'm wondering whether to send it in again or does it normally take this long to get accepted?

Hi boys and girls! I thought this thread died awhile ago...glad to see it resurrected. We got AOS and DS3032 so far. Paid the bill, got the cover and sent in the I864 package. Have not gotten confirmation on DS32032 yet...how long should that take?

Wow...we're moving! AOS shows PAID today. Printed the cover sheet and sent in the AOS package. Waiting on IV bill now...