cappucino boy

Christeen,

Thank you for the response, it would certainly be easier for me to become a citizen of an English speaking country as opposed to my wife's home country Poland or another country where I'm not fluent. FYI my German s much better than my Polish which is almost non-existant. Knowing the answer would help us determine where we would decide to put down roots. We may just have to take our chances and pick where that is going to be and I'll end up learning a new langage anyway. I'm OLD and my brain doesn work that well anymore so learning a new language will be somewhat difficult but I'm still going to do because I don't want to be one of those people who settle in a country and expect them to speak my language in thier country.

I don't know specifics about residency permits for Poland... But there is no generic "EU" residency. You must be a resident of a country (each one has its own rules and paperwork) and by doing so, your residency in an EU member country gives you the rights to travel,visa free, search of employment in other member countries, driving privileges with EU member state licence etc... So your wife perhaps needs to do some research on spouse residency requirements...

Hi,

In the near future my wife and me were thinking of the future with the very possible choice of settling in Europe, eventually. I was wondering about me staying or gaining citizenship in Europe. My wife was/is a citizen of Poland and the EU, her oat ceremony for naturalization will be next week on Feb 12th, 2014 in Los Angeles, so she will have dual citizenship because Poland allows it. I was wondering if anyone had experience or advice in transitioning to Europe and staying as a U.S. citizen and what it would take for me to become part of the EU. As I'm not fluent in Polish, Poland citizenship would be difficult until I was but what about other english speaking countries? Would it be possible to live in one of those countries for the time it takes to become a permanent EU resident? Any thoughts would be helpful, our plan is to live there in Europe, that's one reason my wife became a citizen so we could legally leave for very long periods but come back when we need to because I will still have family here.

Thanks in advance

Have you filed for removal of conditions? When does your card expire?

You are not yet eligible for naturalization.

Harpa is correct that you need to file for ROC, removal of conditions which will replace your 2 year conditional green card with a permanent 10 year green card. After that then you will be able to file for the N-400 which is citizenship. As far as dual citizenship is concerned, it depends what country you come from an allow dual citizenship, and not sure about the Philippines, My wife is from Poland and it taking the oak ceremony on Feb 12th, 2014 and Poland allows her to keep her Poland citizenship. If they didn't allow it I know she would not become a citizen of the U.S. She if very Polish, you can take the Pole out of Poland but not the Polish out of the Pole.

LadyPriet,

It didn't sound bad, i'm sure that you will be approved soon. i know the waiting can be hard but then it will be over soon. We are waiting on her citizenship paperwork which will come soon. It will be the end to a long journey but worth it. I hope that we get an opportunity to go to Poland this year, maybe in the late spring when Poland is sooooo beautiful. I have never been there in winter and would like to experience it at least once. I'm in L.A. and it's supposed to winter but with the temps in the 80's it's not winter. I expect you are experiencing more of a winter in Seattle. Does remind you of Poland? Much of Washington is very green and lush just like Poland, unfortunately it lack cultural villages like Poland .

Bernie

Ehh that sounded as if I was a terrible person...of course I am happy for everyone that got approved, from all around the world! that only gives me hope and makes me think that I can also do it

Hay LadyPiret,

It's possible that you won't even have an interview at all. My girl came in on a K-1 and it went as smooth as silk. We filed on the West Coast and for some reason people don't get interviews. She just finished her citizenship interview on Jan 6th and she said it was easy. The funny thing was that a long time ago when she first came here on her first tourist visa, she applied for an extension and of course it wasn't granted and she left right away when she found out, for some reason it's going to hold up her citizenship papers. They said that they will send her some paperwork to clear it up but it's amazing that there is a problem even when there shouldn't be one. When she gets her citizenship for the U.S. there's not much keeping us here. Because you Poles can have dual citizenship we can leave and come back as we like and not have any problems. The U.S. would like it if she would renounce her citizenship but 'You can take the Pole out of Poland but you can't take Poland out of the Pole!" Good luck on the adjustment, but I know you will be okay.

Bernie

Peterlavilla,

I feel for you, really I do. We have friends who are here in the U.S. and want to bring her daughter over here for a visit but the U.S. Consulate in Poland refuses to give the daughter a visitor's visa in order to see her mom. Her daughter finally got to visit her by flying into Mexico and bringing her across the border physically she tried getting a visa many times. There is no other way to describe it as despicable, the thought they think that everyone want to come and stay in the U.S. ludicrous.....It's just unfair.

It's my intention to take my foreign born wife back to Poland and stay but after we get her citizenship here. I only intend to come back to visit my daughter but we need to do this so she will be able to come to U.S. with me. Poland should be part of the visa waiver program like all of it's neighboring countries. I'm not sure what's holding up the process, Obama, in his last visit to Poland, stated that he was going to make it a priority but as always it's just a promise that carries no weight and nothing has become of it.

I'm sorry there is no recourse for you other than the way we are going. She has her interview on January 6th, 2014 and hopes that she passes the interview. Our plans are to move from the U.S. when I have enough money for retirement, which hopefully will be in the next 4 years.

Good luck and I hope that your girlfriend is able to secure a visa, she should be able to visit the country of her significant other without all this trouble which speaks volumes about our government.

Bernie

Sorry N-o-l-a, now I see what you were saying - but my entire point is that we do not want to immigrate to the US - we never will - I know it's hard for some people to get their head around, but I am a US citizen who wants to live in Poland - I want marry my girlfriend whom I've been with for 14 years in Poland, and simply travel to visit my mother with her maybe once a year for 2-3 months (a summer) -

When she had the interview with the CO she made it very clear that she had NO intention of immigrating or marrying in the US - she presented all ties to Poland, and the CO insisted that if she is in a realtionship with a US citizen than she MUST apply for a Fiance or Spousal visa -

I was not allowed to be present during the interview, and as I understand it, no US citizen is allowed to be present during a Tourist Visa applicant interview - they will not allow any intervention by a US citizen on the behalf of the applicant

Hmmmmm,

You guys all have Russian and women from Ukraine,

My little Polish sausage just found out we have a dishwasher in the new house. We used to do all the dishes by hand and I still do. She hates it when I wash the dishes that way and not put them into the dish washer. This from a woman who didn't know they had dish washers. If we ever return to Poland I know we will have to have a place with a dishwasher and a dryer.

Cleaning the lint trap, no problem. Her description of my several year's collection of lint next to the dryer? Those words are not taught in class.

Why is there water in the toilet?

The dishwasher is where I will hide anything I do not want her to find.

And, I will never be able to find anything in the kitchen ever, again.

This is after 5 days, and for a visit.

I am a very happy man.

Merry Christmas, and enjoy watching the 'Irony of Life'.

Nice story and can't wait for the next installment and the happy ending.

This law breaker likely hired a photographer, then she munched on an onion before he arrived so the tears could flow in each and every picture....and her phony pathetic bleating at the end of the article..."I love America"...? Really? She was ordered deported, and didn't obey that LAWFUL order; she tried her phony asylum claim, that failed, she was once again ordered to show up for an adios flight and disregarded that lawful order as well....who needs this irresponsible border jumper occupying space in the United States of America? She is no respect nor regard for our laws nor culture....she is just a parasite. I sincerely hope ICE picks her sorry behind up soon and gives her 'das boot.'

We should stop mollycoddling illegals...they claim (when apprehended) that they NOW want to do things 'the legal way' but had no interest in obeying our laws at the outset....just like criminals who find religion in prison (a week or two before their parole hearing), illegal aliens who suddenly claim to want to follow the rules only mumble this when caught being in this country without permission....up until that moment, they demonstrated absolutely zero motivation to adhere to our laws.

Congress should (a) deport every one of them (b) end all AOS from any visa save the K1 © eliminate all waivers....period. Enforce the penalties currently in place. But every time some visa cheat is granted a waiver, that action only encourages more visa cheats and border jumpers to just keep crossing our borders and erode our economy and culture.

I live in Southern California and you'd be deporting half of the state, but maybe we should just give California back to Mexico. That would speed up the immigration process for the whole country. :0)

You are NOT worthless but a beautiful person, sensitive, caring and valuable. I only hope that you two are able to sit down and communicate through this situation.

I agree with you when you say that he is really frustrated instead of mad but please don’t take it out on me. I don’t like being in this situation as well. Being unemployed makes me feel worthless.

Martyna,

That time line for doing everything seems risky at best when dealing with USCIS. You should definitely consider your options and I don't think it will be easy to get a tourist visa. I don't understand why Polish tourist visas are so hard to get. I have a friend who applied for her daughter several times only to get denied again and again. I think that if you don't disembark the ship in the US you could probably travel with your fiance and not have any problems. Just my 2 cents.

bernie

My husband (US) and I(Poland) met while working on a cruise ship. We got married (outside US)and filed i-130 for CR-1 visa may 2013.

Plan was for me not to take another contract and sail with my husband as a wife on board (passenger status)so i will be available (not bound with contract) for an interview.

It was not a problem in summer when ships are mostly in Europe, but now all of them have one or two American ports on the way.

He moved his joining date to march 2014 witch is really pushing it with the company(itinerary still including US Ports) in hope that we will be close to end of the process by March/April. Lately it seems that estimated processing times for i-130 filed by US citizens have doubled. We are afraid that he would have to go on ship without me.

Is there any way i can join my husband on the ship that sails in US ports? Any kind of transit visa not conflicting with i-130 pending?If I join the ship outside US and not disembark in US ports does it change anything? We just want to be together.

I have only C1/D1 visa, and i am afraid that applying for tourist visa now, if denied can harm CR-1 process. What are the chances of that happening?

I wrote to US embassy in Poland and their answer was, that it is up to me if i apply for non immigration visa or not...

Thank you for your help

Martyna

WrotoMco,

You should post the reason why your were denied, that will help people answer your questions. Where are living in Poland now? I hope that you are able to work it out. Visa's through Warsaw often go through without much problems. There must be something specifically that caused them to deny your visa.

Bernie

Hello,

My husband and I are applying for his visa through the consulate in Warsaw. We have a joint sponsor for the affidavit of support. I have spent the last three years living in Poland and this seems to be our biggest barrier now as they want me to return to US before they will grant his visa.

I am submitted the following as proof of US domicile per Form I-864 Instructions:

1. Letter from my bank showing an active US bank account

2. Statements from E*Trade Securities LLC showing US stocks owned

3. Statement from Capital One showing my US mailing address

4. Statements from PayPal showing transfers made from PLN to USD (x3)

5. A copy of my US voter registration card

6. A copy of my Karta Pobytu decision showing my status as a temporary resident in Poland

7. A letter from mom confirming that my husband I will live at her home upon our arrival in the US

8. A letter from a company stating their intent to employ me upon my return to the US

...and we were still denied.

Any other ideas?

Anyone from Poland made it through this process?

Thanks for your help

Anything to get her attention!

I live in Boston, and sent my N-400 application based on a 3-year rule in July. I received only one letter, confirming they got my papers on July 11th. I haven't heard from them since. On September 13th I called the 1-800- # and put in a service request. They said I would receive a letter within 15 days, if not I should call back. I haven't received anything and did call back after 15 days, and they put in the 2nd service reequest and told me to wait till Oct 13th. I am getting really frustrated , as it's almost 3 months since USCiS received my application. A friend of mine filed a month ago and already had her fingerprints taken!! I did not get a biometrics appointment letter, I didn't get a letter I might not need biometrics ( some say they are valid for 15 months and I had mine last November ), nothing ! Is that normal ????

Agniecha78,

I submitted my wife's N400 in the beginning of August and we received her letter for biometrics last week for an appointment on October 17th, 2013, We a couple of weeks ago and I was worried that in moving and address changes that stuff would be lost in the mail. We filed change of address forms with the Post office and somehow the letter made it the same day I tried to call and find out what was going on. I think that you need to escalate your case and call them. When I called I left a message for a call back and the officer called back in like an hour, but they wouldn't help me because I called from work and my wife wasn't here and they wouldn't give me any information or help me at all and they made it quite clear. I hope that you have more luck after calling in.

Bernie

Hi i just sent in my wife's N-400 and sent in pretty much what you did but sectioned off each packet as indicated in the N-400 checklist. I think that you should use that for your guide. I also included anything in the joint information, our rental agreement, joint health insurance and anything else that had both of our names on it. It wasn't alot of stuff and I've yet to hear of anyone on this site that got it rejected. You are probably good. I sent our packet in last Tuesday with tracking and it was there the next day. The check has already been cashed so I guess she is well on her way to U.S. citizenship. I hope and wish you good luck now it's time for both of them to study and know the answers to the citizenship questions.

B. Franklin

Finally putting together the documents for my N-400 application, which will go out next week. Here's my checklist:

1. A photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551.
2. Two identical color photographs with my name and Alien Registration Number written in pencil on the back of each photo.
3. A photocopy of my spouse’s biographic information page of her current US passport.
4. A photocopy of my spouse’s birth certificate.
5. A photocopy of our marriage certificate.
6. Several bank statements from our joint bank account at BofA.
7. Several bank statements from our joint bank account at Chase.
8. IRS Tax Return transcripts and Tax Account Transcripts for the last 3 years, showing that the returns were filed as married filing jointly and that there are no past due amounts.
9. A detailed explanation to Section 10, Number 16 of the N-400, regarding traffic violations.

I suspect that some stuff is duplicative and probably unnecessary. Do you think I should send it out like this, or should I cut it down to the essentials only?

Thanks.

Hi Everyone,

We have a friend who is illegal, overstayed their visa from Poland which ended about 7 years ago. and was wondering if anyone had any experiences traveling in the US. We would like her to visit us but she is afraid that she will be caught and deported if she attempts to fly at all. Just so you know she has a Polish national I.D. card and a new passport from her country and not the original that that she used to enter the US, the numbers are different but I think they might be able to track her. Any Advice? Is there a chance she could be deported? or arrested. I only want constructive information and please no rants, unless you are an American Indian we are all illegal here.

B. Franklin

Murysa,

That's great news, it's about time. it sounds like you are doing well I'm so happy for you. Can you still stay in touch, I for one love getting the updates.

Hi, all!

I do have good news.

I just heard from my immigration attorney, my VAWA petition was approved!!!!

What to say, it's nearly the happiest day in my life! I'm just so excited to start new life feeling myself like a person, not a prisoner locked up in bad circumstances.

As for my child support case they just started enforcing the money, but for some reason I'm getting only child support or spousal support each month and never both, they say it will take time to get it work properly, this process depends on his employer and other factors. However, I'm happy to know that soon I can get a work permit. I'm not quite sure whether I have to stop going to school (I'm taking ESL classes now) and find a job immediately or not.

But I am in a big need of car. I really need to get a driver's license. Because the transportation system here is very bad, and my son's school is not on a way to anything, it takes me about 6 hours a day to get around (to his school - to my school - to animal shelter where I volunteer - to his school again - home). And he keeps getting sick from all those germs. This is probably the biggest challenge for me right now. But at least one of the banks finally let me to open an account. It's just a debit card but it helps me pay some of the bills so I don't have to physically go places to do it. With this card my life became so much easier, that's for sure!

So life is getting better and better and I'm glad that one day I decided to make a difference and many of you supported. Thank you.

It's interesting that from the time they received it and to the time they approved has been only 10 months. Just a miracle! Or maybe it's not only luck but a result of constant work and not giving up. I'm grateful for that chance to have same rights as every other person and I hope many of those who suffered in a past can get hope and opportunity to move on and just be free.

Thank you all for the information, I hope to hear from someone who has lived there and give me some advice about Dubrovnic and their experiences.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful place indeed. I believe Croatia is joining the EU this year. In general, if you plan to reside in one of the EU countries for over 90 days, you need some sort of registration/residence permit. Your wife, as a holder of a EU passport will need to apply with the relevant authorities for a residence card for a non-EU family member. I am not exactly sure what documents you need to produce other than a passport, proof of relationship, and her proof/registration as a EU national...

Hi,

I'm trying to get more information regarding Croatia, here goes. My wife is Polish and we currently live here in L.A. and I have kind of made of my mind that I'd to leave the U.S. and settle in Europe for several reasons, one of which is my wife's mother is getting older and she owns a big house in Sandomierz, Poland. She is very close to her mother and eventually her mom will need some care. I also want to move to Europe because there is so much to see and eventually traveling by plane to Europe will get more expensive. I should say that I will probably be retiring in 5 or more years with a good pension from a gov't agency so I'm not worried about finding work. Now to Croatia, we spent some time in Montenegro but on our way we stayed in Dubrovnic for a short time. I really like it there because it seemed warmer, (we were there in September) and well I thought it be nice to buy a small place there to spent in the summer months in Poland where it's beautiful and all during that time traveling around when we aren't at either place. I fully intend to try and learn the language and assimilate into the culture in both Poland and Croatia. I'm just wondering I am way off base and should not attempt this. We also thought we could try it for 6 months and then see. We currently don't own property here in the U.S. so moving won't really be a problem. I also wonder about being able to stay in Croatia as my wife is part of the EU she would have to do anything but what about me being a U.S. citizen if we decide to stay. Any advice tips would be great I love finding out about new cultures and aren't typical America.

Bernie

Welcome back to the U.S., where in Poland are you from?

Hello Visa Journey, this is my first post on this forum but I have been reading you folks quite regularly.

You've helped so many people so hopefuly you can help me too, although my 'case' is quite unusual.

I got married to the USC, obtained a green card and lived in the US with my husband. Marriage, however, did not work out and I went back to my home country shortly before removing conditions on my GC in 2007. Unaware of my options I surrended my GC in American Embassy and lived in my country ever since.

Now, six years have passed, I met the right person and here I am in the K1 proceedings. Question is- do I need a police certificate from the US in addition to a police certificate from my home counrty since I spent there three years until 2007?

Thank you for your suggestions.

By looking at your timeline you can when you are approved get your GC. We did it after a K-1 visa at the same time as applying for the GC.

When can i apply?

Thanks Penjuin ;0)

*** One personal attack post and two quoting removed. Post with constructive advice or do not post, last warning before thread bans and suspensions ****

I may be way off here and someone who knows more can correct me, Murysa but I don't think that they can touch you. And that's because I believe that you don't have a SSN. That one number here in the US makes it all happen, taxes, social security, a job etc... without it you don't exist on paper to the government with the exception of your USCIS filings. After all you even said you don't even have a bank account. where and how are they going to get any money. Eventually you will get your SSN after you adjust your status and you will want to keep that number from your husband and anyone who would want to do damage to you. Those papers in the court sound like they aren't worth the ink printed on them if they cant tie them to you. It's good to here from you.

My wife could do anything without a SSN and I bet they (your husband) do anything with it either.

Hello, guys, I not been using the forum for long time, I had to format my computer and all my bookmarks were gone so when I signed into my account I couldn't find this thread, don't know what happened, I guess it was moved once and "my content" didn't show me where it is, I thought it is deleted, but anyway I found you guys so I share with you what has been done and where we are now.

On Dec 5 I had a court hearing regarding child support/spousal support, I didn't have a lawyer but it went good, I explained I can't work and basically because of my husband who held me from filing for adjustment.. so long story short the judge ordered him to pay me about 12 000 for last 6 months (like debt) because I filed in June and then every month $867 child support and $1100 is spousal support. However he didn't pay this much, he only gave me 700 in January and 1000 in February which is still better than nothing. I'm trying to set up the automatic payment directly from his account to me but since I don't have a credit card or any bank account it's still .. well still working on it.

So another hearing (remember I told you guys that the hearing for the divorce was scheduled for January first when I saw the divorce papers?) so this hearing took place actually and I thought it's for divorce, because..well that's what I thought. Now I don't know what happened because I really had to take care of an emergency with Tyler, nothing serious but I didn't get to the court room while was still at the court house. However my husband's lawyer came out in about 7 min after the hearing was supposed to start and told me they did everything without me. I found out that they (husband and his lawyer) trying to make me pay my husband's dept (whatever dept he has), since we were married it's our both responsibility as he told me. Not to mention I don't use any of those things that he has dept on neither I got any of what we had, not even my belongings. I asked him (the lawyer) to mail me the court order. He mailed me the old court order from Dec 5 I was like okay... I don't believe the court would order me to pay the dept that he has, I can believe he brought that to the court but can't imagine the judge going "oh ok, she is not even here but granted". Well since I was sure it's about the divorce I asked if we divorced yet, he said no. Next hearing is June 6.

I was also thinking of taxes, this is painful, so spousal support is a taxable payment, the court granted me spousal support but I didn't get it (obviously if not counting the dept for last 6 mo that he had then I got about 100 as a spousal support for 2 months)..do I have to file taxes?? Thank you for your attention. Hope everybody is well.

If you had to ask my wife she probably tell you different. My wife has a license from her county that doesn't expire there and she seemed to drive fine while I in her country (Poland) where the roads are different not as big etc. When she go here in the U.S. specifically Los Angeles, we got her learners permit based on the fact she had a foreign license. She was really hesitant in driving here and it took alot for her to start. It was easy, I have driven all over the world and all over the U.S. and here in Southern California driving is the worst. She took my lessons really badly because I didn't have the patience that she really needed to be encouraging. I kind thought she wasn't ready but when she took her test she actually passed and has her license but hasn't mastered freeway driving completely but I hope that she will. Hopefully anyone that teaches you will have enough patience.

Hi San Diego,

We just received her Greencard on Christmas Eve and we included in our package for ROC our joint tax info, joint utility bills, health insurance, car insurance and any joint bank accounts. We didn't send any affidavits but I think that joint ownership of bill and other information solidifies that you are a married couple with strong ties for making the marriage work.

just my 2 cents

I am currently in the process of making package for Lifting Conditions for my wife. This question is only to members that went through the ROC package. I am OK on all supporting documents but 2:

1) Affidavits from USC friends/relatives: how important is it? It seems to me that anyone can do that but it seems a little strange to ask people to write those. Are those important? Obviously, we have joint bank and credit card accounts, joint car and medical insurance, joint lease, she is beneficiary on my life insurance, we have pictures from multiple vacation travels, including with my daughter from 1st marriage (at least 8 trips). How important are those affidavits?

2) Utility bills on both names: how important are those?? Given all the evidence above.. All utility bills are on my name: this is easier. Should I go ahead and start changing names on utility bills? Seems like useless pain in the butt. Should we?

Thanks in advance.