Carolina+James

Had some time off work today for other things, so I did a walk-in biometrics. Thank you for those who suggested it!

Already updated on the Google Doc.

Hey guys, got some updates!

05.15.2012 -- NOA1

05.30.2012 -- Biometric notice issued date (as it shows in the letter)

06.14.2012 -- Biometrics Date

I am not sure if my work will let me skip some hours on the 14th, since I know some people had that day off already. Anyone know how bad it is to reschedule? I'll insist to do it on the 14th to be done with it, but I want to be ready in case my boss is not flexible.

Hey all,

Count us in the group! Sent it all May 12, check cashed May 21st. We almost missed the waiting games gently provided by USCIS

So much easier when together

What she experiences is totally normal. I had English in school for years and did not anticipate any problems. I also had a tutor to prepare me for the American adventure.

I remember vividly sitting in the local coffee shop, knowing that I would want to order coffee and 3 eggs "over easy." The server then told me the 421 different kinds of toast I could choose from, and I was speachless. It really takes some time to get used to all of this, and she'll get better as time moves on. Be gentle and help her without being too much picky. Allow her to transition smoothly. Half-a-year from now she'll be so much better!

Oh yes, this still happens to me. I read the menu, make sure I know what Im ordering, spell check with the husband to see if I am pronouncing the names right and then BANG! Waitress asks me a thousand different options for what I ordered.

What helps me is to tell waitresses and other people I meet and have trouble to understand that I am not very good at english. I say "sorry, my english is not very good, can you explain more?" or something like that. On all times people slow down and help me. When it is a situation strongly cultural that I simply don't understand, I even go as far as saying "I'm not american!!". I wish I had recorded the faces of fastfood employees when I told them I had never ate at their restaurants in my life before. My point is: based on my experiences, people are friendly to "internationals", and there is nothing to fear, but telling them you need help makes things easier.

So other then speaking english at home, whenever you guys go out together, ask her to do the talking/paying/ordering. If she gets lost, you'll be there. It may take a while for her to do it, but present the option, one day she might feel like giving it a try.

Congrats!!

My RFE was a missing document. It came months after NOA1. On AOS, my package came back to me before NOA1 because the check was written wrong, and, well, they wouldn't touch my stuff with no money involved, of course.

I hope NOA1 comes soon so you don't have to make that choice. NOA1, on my understanding means "we took your money and now your process is waiting an available employee to work on it", which can take months, and then the trip to visit each other would be just perfect. So how long can you wait to get that ticket? On my little experience, I believe that having the NOA1 is your best guarantee of no further delays. On the other hand... being together won't really count as time spent away, and if she has pending things in Brazil, more time to conclude them.

The community here is great to share this horrible distance feeling mixed with tons of paperwork stress. I understand many parts of what you wrote here, and I hope you both get to feel better soon

I went by myself in Rio, nothing bad happened. Just make sure you have everything needed for the interview regarding documents. I was first to get everything organized in the order they asked, and I think that is why I got interviewed first too. Was such a relief

As others said, just don't lie. Better explain something you might think they won't like then to make up a story you can't support.

And don't worry, just follow the guides exactly and you'll be fine. The hardest part is not the paperwork, it is to wait the processing times.

My K 1 visa may be denied because because I only have fundamental education?

Thank you

fundamental education = you studied until the 8th/9th year of school? No high school? You skipped what we know in Brazil as "colegial", "terceirao", "ensino medio"?

Just trying to make it more clear to other users! I don't think they use that expression in US! Just tell us how many years of school.

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but I believe you'll be alright! They are looking for proofs of relationship, and education will only mean more difficulties on getting a job if you didn't complete high school.

Congrats on the progress guys!

I got my learner permit, but still didn't give a try at the wheel! Got a part time job though, that makes me busy enough

Congrats on the AOS approval!

I'll agree with most people here: the waiting, when you can't be together, is the hardest part. The rest is paperwork, fees, and to organize everything. Read all the guides here, make questions when needed, you'll be fine.

Edit: woa just noticed you are from Brazil too! "Boa sorte para voces!"

All originals or certified copies + common copy of each.

This is explained fully at "Instructions for IV Applicants" in the link provided by Wayne and Claudia above. http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/index.php?action=materia&id=2416&submenu=rio.php&itemmenu=58

I'll leave a tip on the photographs: follow the instructions EXACTLY as the guide says. Many people were asked to go outside the embassy and take a new one due to errors. Both of your ears MUST be showing, so if you got long hair, pull it back all the way! Right size is important too, and is listed there.

Great work Justine! And congrats on the speedy approval!

Sorry to hear about that. It is almost difficult to believe how absurd the attitude was. I am just happy your fiance didn't freak out, it seems that's what the officer wanted to happen, to have an excuse to do something bad to him without having a reason to.

It is scary enough to move to another country, and then something like that happens. I hope he can heal good after it, take him to many places to meet the friendly side of things. I know it is a bother, but if you can, please do something about that officer, a complaint like many here are suggesting. There are enough people wanting a job that could very well do better then this monster.

I came to US twice, both on Dallas. People were friendly enough there, at the K-1 POE even more then when I came just as tourist. So if anyone is sorting options, I recommend there (Dallas-Fort Worth airport).

In my case, I would assume what helped me get back to a better English was playing online games (World of Warcraft mainly, where by the way I met my fiancée). Talking through Ventrilo (similar software to Skype but designed for gamers where like 10 or more people can talk at the same time, was a bit challenging at the beginning, but helped me a lot.

SAME story here

Of course, we end up knowing all these weapon names and spells before we know how to call our own furniture

Ventrilo to talk to other players from all over the country was amazing, to meet all the different accents without the embarrassment to be face to face and not understand nothing at first!

So...

The english subtitle idea is awesome, as mentioned above.

On the jobs, see if your area has any jobs that require a person fluent in portuguese. I tried here, but there were none, though I saw many in other states. It might be something she feels safe as a first job, since she is not fluent in english already.

Skype is something that helped me feel safe, since I could practice while far away from my husband. As for TV and movies, "Friends" have a quite easy vocabulary for people that are learning, and the stories are simple enough for trials without the subtitles. If she likes it, you could ask her to watch an episode she has seen already again, but without subtitles.

I do recommend a school/tutor for someone starting though, since they can correct better then a computer, and they will know what are the typical "brazilian mistakes" and where to focus.

You just need to declare money over 10,000 dollars, but I don't know how that works. For medicine, you might need a doctor's prescription with it.

I once went to the second check at customs. A cop will open your bag and search with his hands for something. In my case he found nothing weird, asked me if I had medication, I said yes and what it was for, but he didn't want to check the prescription when I offered. So the only thing that might happen is that you'll spend some more minutes talking about whatever you are carrying.

You are very brave to bring books, they are soooo heavy. I even left all my socks in Brazil to reduce weight and not pay the extra weight fee

Mostly everyone that gets transfered to CSC doesn't get an interview. It was the case with me, you can see the dates details on my timeline "comments".

Dang you are WAY ahead of us, already got the GC, so it took 5 months right? How long did the EAD and AP take? I had a sheet of paper attached to my envelope that said EAD should only take about 3 months and nothing about how long the AP took.

I think I won't be able to relax until the wedding is over with, AoS process is well underway, plus I need to get added to his health insurance plan, etc etc.. there's still a lot to do. At least I am away from my noisy, nagging family finally! I had nightmares the first couple nights I was here of somehow ending up back in Canada and unable to get back here since the visa was already used. Still feel like I should be going back any minute lol! weird to finally be here permanently.

Anyway I have to learn to drive too, not looking forward to it. I've never been in an accident but a car hit me when I was 12 and broke both my legs so I've always viewed them as death machines. But we are not going to be living in any big cities since Kevin hates them, so I can't rely on public transit anymore.

Good luck with your job, what are you applying for?

EAD took 99 days, AOS, around 4 of 5 months. I don't really count April much since we got a sort of RFE for filling the check wrong

I did not apply for AP, because I really don't want to travel for a while. I want to be here sound and safe, without being apart drama, without airplanes, without dealing with border people, etc. Really want to spend a whole year at least away from all that, just living a "normal" life, getting used to the seasons in the north hemisphere, and so on.

And... well... I had the SAME nightmares you had. Me going to visit Brazil and then BANG! I realize that I used the K-1 already, and I'd be apart from James for who knows how long again. Felt horrible. So that also doesn't make me want to travel. Not to mention I got super spoiled and had my parents here with me for 2 weeks in July

I agree, driving is a very big deal and dangerous. But OKC is huge and without good public transportation, just buses that I can't find stops nearby where I go. I could walk for hours in Brazil to do my errands around the city. Here is impossible, as there are no sidewalks and I'd have to risk my life all the time. So... I'll have to learn.

If you click my "Timeline" you can see the details of "touches" and other minor things at the comments section.

Oh my, anniversary huh?

Congrats on the Visa! That was a long AP thing. I hope you are feeling alright after all the stress.

My GC arrived last week, on the 23rd, so I am pretty much free of USCIS until Removal of Conditions

Been looking for a job, got only an aptitude test done last week, now waiting for an interview call or a denial letter... fancy huh? They generally just don't bother telling if you are denied... let's see if they really send something... or not, hope I get called

Postponing learning how to drive because I am kinda afraid of it! But once my SSN card has the married name and I have a state ID, I can't escape it. I could have done those two by now, so you can see how I'm postponing!

Esse eh o carimbo similiar ao AP? Se for, vi algumas pessoas pedindo na entrevista, as vezes nao eh automatico que carimbam. Entao fique atenta e pede que eh provavel que vc consiga.

Any of you know answers for my previous doubts?

So, once Green Card is in hand, we don't use the EAD anymore? Just store it at home? No need to renew or cancel?

And just to make sure I got it right: we apply for N-400 90 days before the 3 year resident anniversary? Or is the removal of conditions?So in my case, Green Card approved on August 2010, I should apply June 2013?

Aaand how long till I can change everything on my SSN card to include my new name and remove the DHS conditions notice? Will they have all my data by the time the GC reaches me or did you guys wait some weeks?

Hmm mine took around 12 days to arrive, so I believe it is still normal. Maybe my post decision one was late for some reason.

Today my USCIS status was updated with "post decision activity". So I am wondering if I should wait a couple of days to change my SSN card name? Would something still not be updated on the system?