jwk2003

Here is my experience with my flight to US and going through Immigration and Customs...

So, my flight was scheduled on Aug 31st SOF-LON-BOS with AA operated by British Airlines from Sofia to London (Heathrow) and AA from London to Boston.

My flight was scheduled for 2.30 pm from Sofia, arriving at 8.30 pm in Boston.

I arrived at the airport at 1 pm. My luggage was 2 kg (~4.4 lbs) overweight so I had to take some stuff out and put it in my carry on (which was a backpack). I just have bought some medicine right before my check-in and I asked the British Airlines rep if it was ok to put them in my carry on as my other luggage was overweight anyway. She looked at them and said it was fine, as long as I didn't have any liquid medicine with me. I bought some Magnesium pills prescribed by doctor and Mustella cream as I am 5 months pregnant. However, the girl was very rude and she started raising her voice at me that I was late for my flight (it was 1.15 pm, still 1 hr and 15 min to my flight) and told me to hurry up and go fast through security and head to the terminal. I wanna tell you that Sofia Airport is pretty small compared to other European Airports. It has only one terminal (the new one which they built 2 years ago) with 9 gates. You could walk the whole terminal for no more than 5-7 min but still she insisted I was late. However, I had to say bye to my family really quick and get going.

Went through screen check. The guy asked me straight if I had Mustella in my carry on. I said yes. He said it was over 100ml and in general I wasn't allowed to have it in my carry on but he'd make an exception. I also had a painting with me which was a gift for our wedding and I went through hassle to get a certificate and have the painting with me on the flight, and no one ever asked me about that certificate and in the winter they wouldn't let my husband has it with him back to US without a certificate. WTH???

I got on the plane, flight was OK, food wasn't though, so good for me that I had lunch with my family before the flight.

On the plane I met some other Bulgarian guy with his UK wife. He wouldn't let me carry my backpack as it was very very heavy - 15 kg (~33 lbs) and he asked One Complete Service (OCS) company that helps passengers with wheelchairs, to help me carry my bags from terminal 3 to terminal 5. They refused by saying it was British Airlines (BA) responsibility. Then we called a BA rep and they said they could not do anything as I just got off their flight, it was AA (American Airlines) responsibility and I should contact them for assistance. However, a guy from OCS carried my heavy backpack to the bus and said I'd be able to take a wheelchair from terminal 5 once I arrive there.

So, I arrived at terminal 5, I looked around, saw the guy working for OCS, explained the situation, asked him for the wheelchair and he looked at me so stupid, shrugged his shoulders like he was saying "I DON'T CARE, NOT MY PROBLEM, LEAVE ME ALONE", turned his head on the other side and left me there alone, with all my stuff. I asked again for help, he only said to go and contact AA. I answered that if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't ask for help, but I could not lift anything heavier than 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs). He did the same, gave me the stupid look, shrugged shoulders and kept reading his newspapers.

Tears started dropping down my face, I just couldn't believe that he was a "MAN" who didn't care a pregnant woman had to deal with all these bags. I felt so offended. I took my bags, went upstairs and went through security.

Here came the next problem. That Mustella turned out to be a big problem. Just because it was 200ml but not 100ml, the security said I:

a ) could throw it in the trash (but I paid $30 for it)

b ) take it with me, go through immigrations, check out, check in again and send the Mustella cream with one of my bags...

Ahhhhh, well, the security supervisor was very helpful though. She asked someone to go and ask AA for a wheelchair for one of their passengers. So, here I come. I have to sit down actually in the wheelchair, otherwise they won't let me use their service... Well, I did. Oh, and my 2 hrs overlay in London got extended with another 4 hrs. My flight was delayed with 4 hrs!!! Someone said lately all flights through Heathrow had delays. I had to stay at the airport for more than 6 hrs. Bummer!!!

Then next step, I have to go through immigration customs. The Immigration officer asks me why I didn't fill out declaration form. I said I didn't have to as I was a citizen of a European country. He gave me another stupid look and said: "And since when Bulgaria is a European Union Country???" and I looked at him like Doh! and said: "Two years so far"... Oh, he said, let me check that in the computer. A minute later some apology and I could go out of the airport.

Then I had to check in again, hehe... I gave them my other backpack that had only shoes inside as I had to take them out in first place from my luggage at SOF airport, then put the Mustella cream in it and check it in again with the AA officer. She started asking me questions about my visa, about my husband... and I looked at her stupid and thought: WTH? Ur not an immigration officer!!!! Then she told me they were going to give me a wheelchair, but I HAD TO sit in it, and then go through security again, and they'd leave me in the emergency room. She also said if I was 5 months pregnant and was having contractions, I shouldn't fly in a first place before making so much noise for one wheelchair. WTH? What? What? OK, I had enough $H!T from this airport. I thought that Air companies valued their passengers and it turned out they didn't give a #######, or... oh, wait a minute, I'm a foreigner, not an American citizen, so I probably don't know my rights and they can threat me as bad as they want.

I was left in the Emergency room to wait for the next 4 hrs, and have been said not to move anywhere. If I wanted to go to the restroom, I was expected to take my luggage with me. And I said to the girl: "Then what's the point of having a wheelchair for help, if I'll have to take my luggage with me if I need to go to the restroom, or to buy something to eat?" She just shrugged her shoulders, said not to leave my luggage unattended and left with the wheelchair.

There was another pregnant woman waiting as well. And an old couple sitting next to me. They said they were going to watch my luggage if I wanted to go to eat something. I thanked them and I did as kept crying all the time. When I got back, another lady from OSC came and asked me if I was OK. I laid down on a bench because I got contractions again and my belly was as hard as a stone and it was so painful. I couldn't answer at all. All I could do was nodding for an answer. And I fell asleep. At some point a guy came, woke me up, took my luggage and gave me a ride to my gate with a luggage cart. Then I got on the plane and the flight was safe. I did not have to fill in I-94. But I did have to fill in Customs Declaration.

I arrived in BOS at 12.20 am on Sept 1st, instead of 8.30 pm on Aug 31st.

Our flight was the only one arriving so late. There were all these hundreds of people waiting to go through immigration. I went to an officer, showed him the two orange packages I had with me from the embassy and asked where I should go. He sent me to Non-immigrants/Visitors line. There were only 3 booths open - 2 for US citizens and 1 for visitors. After 10 min of waiting, another officer came to check our visas. He sent me to booth #3 which they just opened. I stepped up there, the officer asked me how am I, when did I get married, since when I haven't seen my husband with very friendly voice. I answered, then I said last time he came to visit we went on a second honeymoon and this is when we made our baby, and when we found out about it hubby said no more honeymoons. The officer started laughing, he said I should've kept it a secret till I get back. I answered in the same friendly joking way: "Yeah, hunny, surprise! I got bigger " and he started laughing again, then he took my fingerprints, took a quick snapshot with the camera which made me ask what was that for, he said for X-mas cards. I asked if I was going to get one, he answered yes; I asked if he'd promise, he laughed and said yes, and then said: "OK, dear, now I'll take you to another level of immigration downstairs. Give me that bag here". So he took my heavy backpack and brought me to a second Immigration office downstairs, right where the luggage pick up was. He left my package on desk #1 (out of totally 3), said good luck with the pregnancy, welcome to USA and left. Total time upstairs - 5 min.

I sat down on a bench to wait to be called. A woman showed up, looked at my 2 big orange packages and said: "Holly $h!t, what is that?" I went to her and asked if I could go to the restroom while she is working on my CR-1 visa. She took me to it, unlocked it for me and said: "Take your time, hun, that's the biggest package of immigration paperwork I've seen lately"

If anyone would like to know what they have in the secret orange envelope that says DO NOT OPEN, I'll tell you the secret

I had 2 envelopes for some reason.

- In one of them I suppose I had the DS-230 stamped and signed at USEM, medical record, I-130, G-325A, I-864, DS-3032.

- In the second one was all the evidence we sent to USCIS and NVC as a proof of a bona fide marriage - pictures, copies of chat history, e-mails, swarn affidavits from friends and relatives, copies of cell phone invoices and call history, copies of my old visas to US ans all issued documents to me.

How do I know? Someone at the embassy has torn off the package at one of the edges and it was enough to be able to see what is inside.

So, after working over my paperwork for about 20 min, she called me, took the fingerprint of my right index twice on two dif papers, made me sign them twice, gave me back my passport with a stamp that said CR-1 visa and said I'm all set. I asked about the SS# but she told me as I already had one it was forever. I knew she wasn't right, I mean, I know I'm supposed to receive a new card no matter (although it's the same number), but just didn't want to argue with her. Took my stuff and left.

Went to pick up my luggage. Someone already have put it all for me on a luggage cart, yayyyy

Went through customs. They asked me if I had any food with me. I asked if the jelly is considered to be food. The girl said NO, just any fresh vegetables, fruit... I answered NO. Then the 4 guys were staring at my suitcases. One of them asked me if I had any stones in my luggage. I answered I had some shells from the Black Sea, as well as a stone with two dead mummified crabs on it. He made a joke about Bulgaria and that we had a sea but not an ocean, then he said I'm good to go, and I left. It's already 1.20 am... I'm tired and sleepy, my feet are swelling a lot, they are so big... I'm pushing the carriage...

...

First door after Customs - big empty room

...

Second door after Customs - Bostan Logan Airport, a huge bouquet of 36 red roses and a hubby, waiting impatiently to hug and kiss me and our Daisy for finally welcome back home

Wow! what an experience....I'm glad that you made it here to the states!! Welcome to America!

Omg! I cant believe it! I received my approval. I thought I had to wait atleast another month to get it! We mailed off the original petittion on May 13, 2009 and they received it on May 18, 2009 and I received my NOA1 within a week after that. So, I never thought to hear this soon. Anyhoo... this is what it said....

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 10, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

Sooo... I dont know what to expect next! I called my faincing balling... was sooo happy, and between us both we were wondering some things. And I would be soo greatful for anything who could asnwer....

1. What comes in the NOA2 packet?

2. Does the instructions for him to visit doctor for physical come in it?

3. How soon do you think he may get his interview scheduled at embassy?

4. I guess at this point I am going to have to mail him a copy of everything I mailed to emabassy?

I just really have no clue as to whats coming now?????? OMG CANT BELIEVE IT!

Wow this is great! Congrats!!!!

You must have asked yourself once what if she might just use you to obtain a GC or get you to send her $$$ but you still gave it a shot.

What's with her after all that you've become so fond of her and the process of bringing her to the States stirs excitement, frustration, and anticipation?

FAE

In the very very beginning stages it crossed my mind, but after I got to know Ana, its the farthest thing from my mind. I know that its not her intention. Like the others said, I love her with all my heart and I trust her 100%. You can be screwed over by anyone whether they are from your country or are immigrating here. The point is that you need to get to know your SO really well before making this sort of comitment. This goes for any marriage. Whether you're marrying locally or from another country.

I agree with Joseph & Ana's statement. You shouldn't think this way (negative) if you are planning on even having a relationship. You're very much doomed to a failed relationship if you can't trust the one love.

i meant the slim book guide is not being sealed as well as the warning sign...is it normal?

congrats!!!

it's okay to open the plastic envelope and retrieve your passport and other things but don't touch the yellow envelop. i saw my housemate when she got her visa and we open it up, except for the yellow one.

thanks ginalisa, at least i can relax now...good luck on your upcoming interview.

Congrats uniquecouple! So the beneficiary gets a US passport?

i meant the slim book guide is not being sealed as well as the warning sign...is it normal?

congrats!!!

it's okay to open the plastic envelope and retrieve your passport and other things but don't touch the yellow envelop. i saw my housemate when she got her visa and we open it up, except for the yellow one.

thanks ginalisa, at least i can relax now...good luck on your upcoming interview.

Congrats uniquecouple! So the beneficiary gets a US passport?

I had my interview last 09-09-09 and I finally got approved! it was really nice coz the final interview was smooth and easy.. and the consul was very friendly, the 1st one wasn't that all nice hehehe and yes, it is really freezing cold inside the embassy!

Im just really excited to finally get my hands on it lol

God is really good

Nice, I'm glad that the interview went well. Congrats!

Good evening everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who's getting their approvals!

Eltemp, My NOA1 is the day before yours and I am still waiting also! I'm hoping we'll both receive ours by the end of tomorrow!

Yesyesyes <.>

Hey Jasmin&Travis,

To be honest I am kind of loosing hope that I'll be approved within the regular time...the reason is that I sent an email to USCIS specifically explaining that even though I had called to have this issue fixed, to have my case to show online, the officer simply replied: your case is pending and use the website to check your status. So he/she was telling me to check the status of a case I can't see on the website plus they already approving people from June... and many many from mid/late May... so I am happy that a lot of people are being approved, but with the same token... I don't understand what is so complicated about my case that has not been approved yet...and I could not even imagine how the people who filled in March, April, etc...are coping with this annoying experience, which is just one of at least 4 different processes. .. but hopefully I am wrong... today is just a bad/frustrating day...

We got approved!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance:

Hopefully yours will come, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that is awesome!, congrats!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Hey eltemp, don't lose hope I know it’s so frustrating especially if you can't see your case online. There are others that have been approved without their online case ever working. Hopefully, we can get approved soon.

We got approved!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance:

Hopefully yours will come, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice!!! Congratulations!!!

I got touched today

I,M MAY 19TH AND I HOPE MINE COME THIS WEEK..IF NOT I WILL GO CRAZY..JUST KIDDINNNNG...CONGRATS TO THOSE THAT ARE APPROVED.

I KEEP WAITING AND PRAYING TO GOD

That touch turned out to be an approval - I'm May 22nd, so hang in there, yours may be coming soon!

Ohhh the Anxiety.....

I just checked the USCIS website and it said we have been approved! When I get the actual letter what will be in it? What are the next steps I should start to take? Can my fiance get her medical done? Can she actually schedule an interview or do we have to wait for the packet 3? How much longer does it usually take to get the packet 3 after the noa2 approval? Please let me know

Congratulations!

Just got email stating petition is approved!!!

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case Receipt Number: ************* Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN Current Status: Approval notice sent. On September 9, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283. *Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message. Sincerely, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Am so happy!!!

Congratulations!

so i called today and was told our case is going thru A P in nvc and there is not time limit what is wrong with these people????????

SARA

I find that this is so unacceptable especially what we have to go through. If the government is going to put us through more security checks, then they should be more effiecient at it instead of having people wait several weeks to possible more than a year. Especially if we have to pay such a large fee(s)...

hello everyone on vj,

i got a called from my fiancee this afternoon, and by the sounds of it he sounded upset, i was so worry something was wrong, he said well baby uuuuuuhhhhh mmmmm "we are approved", i was shock, i said what , what did u say , now in a happy voice he said it again "we are approved" , it worked , all my hard work these past few weeks of calling and email ppl, uscis and my congressman, it paid off and it was worth it, after he told me and i hung up the phone i started to cry knowing my baby will be coming home soon, thank you everyone for your support, kind words, and your prayers , u know who i'm talking about cause u ppl keep emailing me giving your encouragement thank you! ***

DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case Receipt Number: WAC**********

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On September 8, 2009,

we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

I'M SO HAPPY YEAH!!!!!! good luck to every one else on this long waited journey terri

Congratulations!

Master Yoda help us get our K-1 Visa in Manila. We can help you find the force too....

Visit our profile and ask for Yoda's help.

hmmmm..... Wish you guys luck on the rest of the k-1 process.

hello vsc may filers..i just got our email notification by mail today that our petition for k1 been approved... goodluck to all VSC may filers.wished u all goodluck..

Wow - another May approval!!!! Congrats!!!

MAY 5,09-NOA1

SEPT 8,09- NOA2 approved :dance:

Receipt Number: EAC..........

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 8, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

Congratulations!!!!!!! another May success!!! I'm glad that the VSC is still on track at five months.

Guys Today Natasha and I got our second NOA they approved it on Saturday Now on to the next step Yeah! Frank

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: EAC...............

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 7, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F

PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you

move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status

results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within

the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at

(800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov

under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Wow, USCIS was working on labor day. Either way, sooner is always nice - Congratulations!

I haven't posted much. On September 3rd I received e-mail notification that my application for fiancee visa had been approved. NOA1 was April 29th. Also, I never received a "touch" or anything else before the e-mail notification. Keep the faith!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your plight. Hopefully the rest of the journey will be trouble free.

Hopefully I don't have to experience that. Hopefully everything goes well from this point forward.

I GOT MY NOA2 JUST NOW! OMG!

Oh nice! Congratulations!!!

Here are a couple of 'TIPS' I have used successfully recently. Just wanted to share with anyone who may need it. Good luck! ~Jan~

TIP #1: How to track your case from NVC to Embassy:

When you know from NVC that your case was forwarded to embassy (mm/dd/yyyy) lets take an example case that was forwarded to embassy on March 20th 2009.

1 ~ Go to DHL TRACK

2 ~ Under track list, click on Track By Reference

3 ~ Type the reference in this format: EXP19MAR2009A, below that enter a date range and click track.

4 ~ A list of packages will come up and you can search for the city of your Consulate and it will show details.

This worked for me and I was lucky that there was only 1 for Casablanca.

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TIP #2: You can track the progress of your case after NOA2 & it has gone to NVC and/or Embassy by calling the Department of State visa line at 202-663-1225 options 1, 4, 1, 5, 0. This will get you to an operator. (M-F 8:30AM - 5PM Eastern time) Give them your USCIS or Dept of State (NVC) case number and they will be able to tell you if the embassy has mailed Packet 3 or 4, the interview date, ect...

**This is how I found out our interview date even before my fiance' has received his letter in the mail!**

----------------------------------------------

Thanks for the info!

Hey guys! looks like most of April is done and they have already started to work on May!!!! YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY....lol

Check here:

VisaJourney IGOR's VSC List (arranged for viewing based on each month - all petitions)

Hey Guys,

check this link out, the pdf screen shot of the new USCIS website coming in a couple of weeks:

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20C...age_12aug09.pdf

looks much better, but check this other one as well...

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20C...20(11Aug09).pdf

This one looks incredibly nice....in particular the case status looks...excellent! huge upgrade... in my book...shows timelines, etc is really good...

I think it looks ok, just wish they would improve the system to include more recent information about processing times and accurate detailed case status updates (instead of just providing a date).

Thanks for all the advice you lovely people gave me when i was preparing our petition, approved without an RFE.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

Just got the email today, after they sent a letter confirming our address update.

Good news! I never thought we would be this happy over NOA2 when I first started the K1 but this feel so good!

Congrats!