Richard-UK

update on my parents' cases.

I just called NVC, and they said both my parents' cases were forward to Guangzhou on Feb 9th.

Great news Chinababe!

Many congratulations.

Richard-USA..!

Has anyone ever applied for their parents to come on an immigrant visa and then request to change it to a tourist visa once they arrive in the U.S.A.? My USC wife's parents were denied (once, so far) for a tourist visa, but we want them to be able to visit us here. We know that we could bring them on an immigrant visa, but they're not sure they want to actually immigrate.

Thoughts?

Goodness what a question. I suppose it is feasible but think of the stress and cost of applying.

At the Embassy they may ask if they are going to live in the USA permanently and then at the POE. How would they answer?

They may well ask for proof of health insurance, where they are going to live etc etc.

I may be wrong but it is possible but at some stage they would have to answer some very difficult questions.

Hope that helps, I am sure others will comment!

Richard

Yes, your brother will need to file the I-130 along with associated documents (birth cert showing he is indeed the son, bio pages etc- see the guides for more info). It will take 6-8 months to process from filing of first documents to visa interview. Part of the process is filing an I-864 where your brother (and any co-sponsor) is promising to financially support the new immigrant. When applying for an elderly parent, the CO will often want to see evidence that you have health care covered, as it can be expensive in the USA, so check into health insurance now. Your father will not be elligible for medicaid for a while.

Got to echo Penguin_ie on this on.

PLEASE check out healthcare thoroughly. It is a minefield and you have to tread carefully. Already we have had very bad advice from two 'agents' who just wanted our business and ignored telling us some basic facts. We are ok now but learned some hard lessons.

I hope everything goes well with your application.

Best wishes

Richard

Off topic post has been removed and administrative action taken.

Thank you Krikit

LOL - wow, imagine gum being outlawed in the States. There'd be riots....

It sounds like you're kept very busy at work, but it's worth suggesting nonetheless. Have you looked around for any volunteer work, something you could maybe do for a couple hours a week?

With the utmost respect to you and all retail store employees in general, you're not meeting people who are heading in the same direction as you careerwise. Unless, as I'm sure is true, many professional graduates are doing whatever work they can in the current climate. Volunteering puts you in touch with people who are either older and have more free time or generally very community spirited so tend to know a lot of people. Same with church. I'm not suggesting you find Faith in order to move ahead professionally lol, but that if you are religious but not actively practising, finding a church you enjoy attending is great for becoming involved in the community and again, having an opportunity to meet people who may know someone who knows someone.

Also, see about doing some kind of class at your local community college. It will help you get US recognised training and experience and you never know who you're going to come across.

It really sounds like you're in a very normal phase of adjustment. It's a culture shock for sure but it sounds like you know that it will pass and that you won't be in the same situation forever. Keep strong and remind yourself on a daily basis (i'll be sure to go buy shares in wrigley's now!) why you decided to move and what you are already benefitting from by being Stateside.

Chin up and good luck!

That is excellent advice. Your posting encouraged me a great deal.

We arrived here just before Christmas and i have applied for a couple of dozen jobs. What amazes me is there is no response at all. But I keep persevering.

I like the idea of the class at a local college and also 'networking' through Churches, Volunteer work etc.

Many thanks, it is a long journey but today I felt a puff of wind at the sails!

Best wishes to all

Richard

p.s. Been to Singapore in 1975, then there were posters telling men not to have long hair!

Hi Richard, congratulations! Has your green cards arrived yet?

My mother entered US last Friday. Hopefully she will be receiving her welcome letter and SSN as quickly as yours.

Hey Luckyyy

Our Greencards arrived a couple of days after the SSN's. Very surprised and totally delighted!

Everything is going well here. I am actually travelling by air today within Florida and have used my Greencard as photo ID for the first time. I took my UK Passport 'just in case' but everything was fine.

Many congratulations though on your mother getting Stateside. I bet you are both thrilled.

It was a very long ordeal for all of us but so very worthwhile.

Best wishes

Richard

Well fantastic news Mymother, Raj and so many others.

I hope this is a great year for everyone.

Best wishes to all

Richard

and also has anyone experienced that long wait since i am approaching my 4th month with no contact about my I-130 beside the NOA after it has been mailed back in September 2009?

Hi Swahby25.

We waited 16 weeks for our NOA-2. It is terribly frustrating but it eventually comes and then life becomes very very busy.

The best advice I can give is concentrate on getting everything else prepared for when your case reaches NVC to minimise any waiting there.

Best wishes

Richard

Congratulations Richard and Josie,Ive followed your story and its given me hope too.my husband,richard, who lives in london is also waiting for his passport that was sent to the embassy via courrier with the extra documents required is still waiting.his interview was 10th dec,he was asked at the interview for my original divorce decree papers which got to him on 22nd dec and were taken on 30th dec via courrier(would have been taken on 23rd but courrier messed up address and dates),he paid for everything so now we wait......i guess it might take another 2 weeks.the nvc never asked for my original decree if they did my husband would have been with me and the kids in california for christmas.we wait in hope just like you did,hanging in there.Its funny coz im josephine and we sign up too as Richard and Josie,I hope your luck rubs onto us..happy new year .

Goodness what an ordeal. I feel for you both so much. The waiting is appalling it really is.

Things though are now flying here though. Our Greencards arrived today and our SSN last week. Just my Florida Licence to get, and then a job!

Hard to believe that we have not been here three weeks yet.

And here in Florida snow is forecast tomorrow night. It is following us everywhere!

Hang in there R & J.

Best wishes

R & J...!

Hi everyone

Just to say that today, 13 days after entry, our Welcome to America letter arrived.

In the same mail was our SSN letter!

I checked the USCIS website and our Greencards have been ordered.

What a fantastic start to the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Richard

Hi all

A question for those whose parents have successfully entered the USA as LPR.

How long did the 'greencard' take to arrive and also did the SSN automatically arrive or did you have to apply?

I have heard mixed reports. Some parents received their SSN automatically and others had to apply at the local office.

We did tick the box on the DS230 form so we are ever hopeful that it will be automatic!

We have not yet received our Welcome to America letter but it is early days and it will probably be delayed by the holidays.

Best wishes to all

Richard

Hoorraayyy finally got email for interview dates it is scheduled on 02/22/2010... almost 90% journey is over... Thanks to all for answering my question and guide me through.

Congratulations Smithjohnatpa. Really pleased for you. The next few weeks will fly by!

Best wishes and a Happy New Year

Richard

Happy New Year to everyone,

Hope everyone is having a Merry Xmas, seemed like it that way because not many people were on this board during that time.

I have a question:

Do my parents have to pay any fee or do anything else beside showing up at the interview with documents? They already had medical exam.

Thanks.

Good morning and a Merry Christmas

We did not have to pay anything at the interview.

Best wishes

Richard

It's so good to hear that you've been able to take the final step at last. Congratulations!

Thanks again for the good wishes

We had a wonderful day with the family. Seeing our Grandson open his gifts was just marvellous. Especially when he enjoyed playing with the boxes rather than the gifts!

Merry Christmas all.

Richard & Josie

Congrat.. and very happy for you..Best wishes..

Thanks everyone, Merry Christmas

Richard

Richard! How are you ?

WE MADE IT!

But what a journey. 8 inches of snow gave us a terrible drive to the airport.

3 hour delay at the airport.

Our poor dog was in his crate for 17 hours.

We arrived in Orlando and was quickly off the plane. I waved my brown envelope at an immigration officer, he smiled and waved me over. We did the normal immigration stuff before being taken into a sideroom. The whole thing took around 30 minutes before being told 'welcome to the United States of America'.

I yelled 'Yes! I have been waiting 8 months to hear that!' I shook the officers hand and he had a really good laugh!

Then baggage, hire car and then try to find Virgin Cargo in the dark!

But we were soon reunited with our little dog and we drove off to the hotel..... the wrong way!

We slept 3 hours and then rose early to start the 8 hour drive. Our daughter was waiting for us at our house with our grandson who we have not seen for over a year.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped with our visajourney. Tay, PTROBER, Feliz, My mother, Pook, and honestly so many others. It seemed endless but we made it.

Be encouraged everyone, it does happen in the end.

Since we have been here people have been genuinely delighted to hear that we are new immigrants and have welcomed us warmly.

All that is left to say is God Bless all of you on your journeys and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With the warmest of wishes

Richard & Josie - Legal Permanent Residents of the United States of America.

Thanks again everyone. The Courier turned up an hour late! But we now have passports in hand and two huge brown envelopes. I am paranoid now about the envelopes so I have double wrapped them so they cannot be mistakenly opened!

Our flights are as scheduled although we are a little concerned about the heavy snow forecast overnight! But the whole journey has not been easy so its nothing new!

I shall write up the point of entry experience over the weekend.

Best wishes to everyone and I hope you have success in your own visa journey and have a very Merry Christmas.

Richard

And finally............................

Yes............................

It finally happened.......................

OUR PASSPORTS AND VISAS WILL BE HERE TOMORROW!

They were issued yesterday and obviously were delayed by the courier.

Thanks to everyone SO much for your support over the past EIGHT MONTHS! We will keep you informed of our journey ON FRIDAY!

Excited.... OH YES!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone, we are so excited!

That is brilliant Nela!

What a great day Friday will be!

And finally............................

Yes............................

It finally happened.......................

OUR PASSPORTS AND VISAS WILL BE HERE TOMORROW!

They were issued yesterday and obviously were delayed by the courier.

Thanks to everyone SO much for your support over the past EIGHT MONTHS! We will keep you informed of our journey ON FRIDAY!

Excited.... OH YES!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I am sure that our case is quite unique Nela! Honestly I have never read of anyone having the problems we have experienced this year and we were very well prepared!

I just hope and pray your parents get their visa without any further delay.

Very best wishes to you

Richard

Good Luck Richard-UK. Thanks, Raj

Well, at least you have some answers. But, this is not how I was hoping things would end up for you. I'm so sorry that they gave you such misleading information. It makes me so angry that embassy staff are so uninformed and give out such misleading information!

I'm very much hoping that the visa will be in hand in time for the 18th.

Thanks Frosty.

We are ever hopeful.

wow nothing new from Richard yet? hope soon

Hi Nela

Absolutely nothing. We have called and emailed everyone. Re-sent faxes and hardcopies.

But nobody can actually help. The just keep saying 'It is being processed, wait a while, wait a week, wait until next week, wait a while longer'.

We feel like screaming.

Thanks to all your reply... Okey, we won't buy ticket for now we'll just wait for my visa.

Thanks again..

You are very wise to wait.

We checked everything and worked out that it was ok to buy our tickets.

We got to the Embassy and despite signing our DS230 and swearing an oath we still had to provide a copy of our son-in-laws passport or birth certificate, despite these being submitted with the I-864a.

We sent the fax back within 3 hours. That was two weeks ago today and we have heard nothing. The cost of rearranging the flights was very high.

We were caught out through something that was totally unexpected. We now have flights arranged for the 18th. But we still have heard nothing from the US Embassy.

If you MUST buy tickets then pay the extra for fully flexible, it is money well spent.

Hello fellow members,

here is the story:

I came here on a K1 visa (2007) USC husband filed I-130 for my 2 kids in the Philippines. Kids Birth certificates has date and place of marriage.

Just wanna share to u all another good news . It was impossible but really God made a miracle. My kid's I -130 was both approved!After i got the approval of the removal of my condition my kid's were approved.

Thank you all sooooo much for the encouragement and even the discouragement.God is really great! have the best christmas presents ever.

God bless each one of us .

That is really good news Happywifemom. Many congratulations.

For our original application, UK passport photos were acceptable.... and inside the embassy there is a photo machine. Not the best solutions there ever were, but... don't panic. There are last minute options.

On the 1st December the photo machine inside the embassy was out of order. It may well have been fixed but be prepared before the day!