AniaJ

Welcome Ania! i have a polish friend here in the U.S. named Ania. I pray for a quick and successful journey for you and your husband

Thanks! I believe in destiny. I hope our new life in America will be great. A long journey, though. Good like to you and hello to your Polish friend Ania:-)

I am in love with a Texan, absolutely in love. I'd marry him today if he asked me. Unfortunately, I'm from Canada. We've talked about me moving down to Texas and being together. There are a lot of things we both need to do in our lives before me moving, and some things that would be easier for me to do before moving anywhere (ie. me finish school, me getting rid of my credit card debt, etc.). We both don't have a lot of money, although he has some saved up from working all the time. Him and I have not actually decided to get married yet, we're deciding whether or not to continue our relationship. We're both absolutely in love with each other but there are obvious difficulties. He feels bad not being able to be here a lot and not being able to give me all that he thinks I deserve (ie. him being WITH me physically, all the time). I'd love to move to Texas and be with him.

I've looked at the difficulties of just moving down there and it completely overwhelms me. Trying to navigate those government sites confuses me and just gets me frustrated and disappointed. Even though I live close to the border, I don't know hardly anyone that has married an american. And I don't know any that have made it work. When I came across this site, it gave me hope. Finally some people that have gone through it all and can talk people like ME through it all. Despite all the hurtles the government throws at couples, you're all working through it and I see some sucesses. This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for.

I'm not married, I'm not engaged, I am in love. It hurts to be away from him and every time we go our separate ways, it breaks my heart. Is it possible to just move down there and NOT be engaged/married? Where do I start? Should I just try and find someone in my OWN country to love? If you could do it all over again, would you still do it? Or would you try and find someone in your own country? Is it worth all the heartaches and government forms and money and interviews and confusion? Although I can't imagine being with anyone but him, I don't have the money to fly down and see him as much as I'd like... and I don't like the idea of him paying to come see me every time. Advice? I don't know if I'm ready for all those forms.

Hi. Wow, a lot of going on in your head. I totally understand. A few words of encouragement. Ask yourselves if you want to do it or not but give yourselves time to make your decision and don't rush it. True love will wait and conquer it all. Once you decide to get married and live together in Texas, take one step at a time ( focus only on what your next step is). I know this visa journey is complicated but you can do it. You will find all information on VJ. I have a story which I call a successful one. Jaime waited for me for 4 years. I too had to finish studies, I was refused a tourist visa a few times before we applied for a fiance visa. I didn't know what to expect from living in New Mexico. I am here now, I don't have a job or friends yet. I have many challenges ( I can't drive a car yet, I should study but no money, etc). I had a great job, career, friends and family in my country but I decided to leave them all in the name of love. It was absolutely worth it. I am with the one I love and he loves me a lot. If I had to choose again, I would have made the same decision. I had waited for the love of my life for 24 years and I am glad I set my priorities right :-) So make your decision in your heart and if you two want to be together and truly love each other, you will succeed. Good luck to you! And don't be afraid :-) It it is to work out, it will. Cheers! Ania

Thank you so much, everyone!

Hi, I am looking for VJ members living in Albuquerque, NM who would like to create a meetup group. Thank you. Ania

As an apology for the downtime, outside of the forums I will spend the same amount of the downtime today upgrading / improving features on the website. Let me know what you want improved and I will start now .

(Can not update the forums as we already have plans for a big upgrade soon)

thank you, Captain. you are very good.

if you have a little time could you please tell me how to find on VJ members from new mexico? each state=different laws ( maybe some subforum for each of the states?). It would be nice to meet someone locally and I think I could answer some questions connected with NM. thanks and good luck with your mission :-)

My wife (is here on a K-1 Visa) We just got back from the Social Security Office and they only let her apply for a SSN in her maiden name. They told us we will have to go to the Dept of Homeland Security to get her name changed. Until then, the lady told us :

#1 That if I put her on my insurance we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

#2 That if I put her on my taxes we would have to use her maiden name instead of married name

Is this true?

Also when I file for AOS do I have to use her maiden name or married name? Thank you very much.

Hmm. Here in New Mexico I needed a social security number to get married on K-1. They said they had to check with homeland security -took about 5 weeks! After the marriage I went back with a marriage license and they changed my name with no problems (still no valid for work without work authorization ). We applied for AOS using my new name and I use it for insurance etc. I don't know what the rules are in your social security office . Try talking to someone else there. But the name used for AOS will be the one on the green card! Good luck with all this confusion!

It took me much longer than I thought.

We went the office and they said they had to check with homeland security and wait 4 weeks. about 5 weeks passed and nothing. I contacted them to ask to hurry because I needed it to get married! They allowed me to visit them and get just the number while the card arrived maybe a week after my second visit there. The card was restricted with work authorization of course. After a wedding I wanted to get an ID and a bank account so I went there again to change my name on the card. I got it relatively soon at that time. I got the work authorization but I went there after I got he green card to ask for a new- non-restricted-card and I have to go again in a few weeks because they didn't have my green card in the system yet!!! So those were my pilgrimages to the SS office....I have at least one more trip :-)

Hi! I wish you two the power of love that will conquer the distance and a lot of patience that will conquer the time you have to spend apart before you are finally together. Good luck on your journey and don't stress like me but enjoy each step! Ania

Hi, I don't know how it is in your state but at least in New Mexico you would still be able to apply within 90 days. We got married on Friday and we didn't wait for them to send our document but we took this signed certificate and went straight away to the other office where it was turned into an actual marriage license. It really didn't take long, they made the record in the books and we got some certified copies there as well. During the weekend we filled all the papers and we sent a package on Monday. So you can prepare your documents in advance and find out if you can' take care' of your document to speed the process. tell them you don't have time, they should understand. good luck!

I checked DHL website and it says that this package doesn't exist. so I called DHL - they told me that it was sent to me on Friday evening and I should get it by Monday!

Gosh! I cant wait! I tried to reschedule my departure for 7/23 but Orbitz says that there is no availability in my class until 8/14 (I purchased my ticket last year for 8/14/2009 ) And the fist available is Business Class and the rate difference is huuuuuuge so I guess 5 more weeks to go........ bummer!

IM SO HAPPY!

thank you guys!

On Monday you will get your visa and you will be free to go !

Well, you have one month... It will pass quickly and you will be together soon! ( you are probably ready to go as soon as you have your passport back!).

Are you packed? Where in the US will you guys live?

Have a good, relaxing weekend!

Ania

thank you guys but now i freak out cuz im not sure if they were supposed to give me something or not :/ hmm

Easy! When I was there in Dec ( K-1 ) he gave me only a receipt and 1 sheet of paper with some general information on fiancee visa and that UPS nr probably. don't worry, they know what o do and you will be fine!

Hi ! Congrats !!! Half of the journey is done ;-) I had my interview in Warsaw Dec 08 and got slightly different questions but the interview was very nice ( I was stressed though) . Get packing ! Good luck !!!

wow! what a story! the distance, living here and there...Congratulations!!! I wish you all the best on your journey and thank you for sharing your lovely story. I will post mine soon! Ania

Hi! I love your story! and you know what! I met my husband in a hostel as well ! It was in Oct 2004 in Ireland. I am Polish but at that time I was an au pair there and he is an American who was on his vacation in Ireland. That weekend we all booked for the same hostel to stay while traveling in Galway. I remember me and my friend couldn't open the door and since he was already in the room he opened the door for us. As he says I walked into his life that day. And it was similar to your story. We spend as much time together as we could, realizing there was something going on between us. We had a wonderful time. It was hard for him to leave. We started to correspond , call each other and we fell in love. The feelings were so strong between us that Jaime visited me a few times in Ireland and in Poland when I was back home. There was always a lot of waiting to see each other but love was strong. I was refused a tourist visa a few times so it was only him who could fly to see me. We got engaged and we went through this fiancee visa process and now we are finally together , happily married, extremely happy to have each other. We were in a long distance relationship for more than 4 years and we can witness it is possible :-) I wish you all the best and I hope everything with be lovely for you. Ania

I am sorry, guys. I didn't know there are other solutions possible. sorry again for the confusion.

so we aren't approved yet, but we are trying to get all the documents ready for my fiance in Australia for when we ARE approved, and we are finding it a little confusing (as usual lol) trying to understand EXACTLY everything he needs after I get the NOA2 in the mail, and at what point he needs each item..

The VJ guides list that the following be sent to my fiance for his interview:

"A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one)."

is this actually necessary? at what point is the entire package used/needed AGAIN?

"Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy."

same question... and what documentary proof is this referring to?

"I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all."

My fiance shows this form at the interview?

Hi, I see your point. We decided to do what they asked for. I wanted to be prepared just in case there is some misunderstanding or some document is missing. At the embassy I was only asked for I-134 Affidavit of Support ( without evidence supporting it) which was sent back to me along with my visa a few days after. My fiancee sent me everything ( he didn't feel comfortable sending so much of his private information by post, but the fear of not doing what we were told was bigger).The good thing was that the package helped me to review details ( like his bio) and it was , in fact, the first time I read our love story he submitted- there were many dates I find hard to remember. Good luck with everything!

Hi, the way I understand it certified translations can only be done by by a certified (sworn) translator who passed an exam and is registered to do this job and has his licence. The translation of my birth certificate includes each word that appears on an original document ( even stuff like ' illegible signature' and explanation what a round seal says). Down the page there is information about the translator: his address, licence no, fee, stamp, signature, and his statement that the translation is in accordance with he original document. This is the way I did it and no REF. Good luck!

Got my passport with the CR-1 visa and THE envelope today.

What happens at the airport? Will they take me to a separate room to ask questions? What kind of questions? Can my husband be with me?

Anybody who went through this, I'll appreciate sharing your experience.

Good luck everybody!!!

Congrats!!

I arrived on K-1 in Jan09. I expected the worst but it was fine! I was with my husband (then a fiancee) and we arrived to Chicago with a huge delay so there were hardly any queues. I went to my line and he went to his. After a moment Jaime ran to me because his officer told him to bring me with him ( so don't separate if you two fly together). He went first and he was just a step away from me which made me feel secure. I gave my passport and the famous envelope. The officer opened it, was looking through the staff and he has his book opened and followed his instructions step by step. There was something he wasn't sure of and he went to ask his supervisor but it turned out to be fine. I don't remember him asking me any question. He was busy reading my documents ( I saw pictures of us that my husband submitted in the States- they made quite a journey too ). traditionally a picture and fingerprints and I was in :-) So it was a positive experience. Don't worry, you will be fine. I actually had a very nice welcoming because there was another officer passing us by and he looked at me and the envelope and asked 'Who's the lucky guy? 'And my Jaime answered proudly 'Me!". that was sweet :-) good luck Agnieszka

Hi, I took a risk and submitted only my DS-3025. We did it because we didn't want to miss a deadline and we wanted to start our case being processed asap ( we just thought we will submit the other form if they ask later ). We were lucky and didn't get any RFE :-) But I was pretty stressed about this detail all the time ! I don't know what to advise, this was my case. Good luck!

Hi! My name is Ania and I am Polish. I am happily married to Jaime and now I live in Albuquerque, NM. Today I received my green card and I can finally relax! This whole process was extremely stressful to me. I read about so many unfortunate things that can happen and I was afraid about each detail ! We found here a lot of information we needed and all in all, my case went rather smooth ( except for a very long waiting period when I was in Poland). I decided I will sign up here to help others with what I have learned about all this immigration thing sharing my own experience. Secretly, I hope to find some support here as well because I really want to find my feet in Albuquerque ( and make new friends and get a job!). Have a great week and good luck! I will write my love story and fill in the processing time next time. Ania