Stasia

My question, at the interview do they or do they not ask for police records?

they do not. They say to bring one if there is a criminal record, but other than that no. good luck

It's been a pain to even get through to NVC, busy all the time, and long hold times. I'm on hold with them right now, for the first time since Wednesday. It's been 8 days now since the NOA2, so here's to hoping.

it took 12 days after the NAO2 for them to receive mine. Most people that I talked to just gave me the 90 day quote, but one lady was more helpful and told me to keep calling. I called several times a day, and eventually they told me that it was due to be sent out to the consulate. (this was during the Holidays, so things were a bit slower) GOOD LUCK!!!!

Thanks for the info! Hope to hear something today.

how is it going? any updates? hope its all good news

Hi everyone!! I've been checking in every couple of days to see how everyone was doing, especially those that were waiting for their NAO2 forever. I'm so glad to see that everyone is getting taken care of now. Congrats to all the long overdue NOA2 and interview approvals, and good luck to those that have interviews coming up. I (with our 15 month old boy) will be heading to Mexico this Sunday to pick up Christian (my baby daddy how my friends like to call him ) and cross the border with him and our doggy. I'm nervous, anxious, and very excited.

I hope that once we all are married we can all reunite on the AOS forum.

We don't have our interview date yet, but I am trying to get everything figured out regarding paperwork and also transportation before the time comes. What we are planning on doing is meeting in Mexico City (both of us will have layovers there if the flight works out right) and then taking the same flight to Ciudad Juarez. Does anyone recommend a specific hotel? And do any of them have shuttles from the airport?

After we get the visa **thinking positively** we are still trying to decide what would be safest. What I would like to do is cross the border into El Paso and fly from there to Salt Lake City, because the flight from El Paso is about a quarter of the price of the flight from Ciudad Juarez. However, safety is a little bit more important for my wife and I right now, so basically what I am asking is if anyone else has done it like that, and is there a recommended way to get to the border? We are a little worried about all the news reports and everything that has been happening down there.

I still can't figure out why they don't allow another couple of consulates process this visa .. it seems a little silly to make us all go to one of the most dangerous cities in the world! Anyway, not that complaining on here will do anything about it So if anyone has any advice on any of the things that I mentioned I would appreciate it a lot! Thanks

Hi! Congrats on getting this far in the process and good luck at the interview. I was there about two weeks ago meeting my fiance for his interview. I took the greyhound from LA to El Paso ($55), crossed the border on foot around 9am and then grabbed a taxi to the US Consulate which is in a very different part of town. After the interview I hung out with my fiance until 6 pm and then took a taxi to the border and crossed back to El Paso, on foot around 7pm. My point is this. I'm a 29 year old female, and not once did I feel sketchy or even uncomfortable. I didn't hear any shooting nor see anything bad happen. I just saw people, families, students out and about like in any other city. I was expecting much worse, but instead found myself comfortably leaving my hotel (Holiday Inn Express) in the evening to walk to Carl's JR. or Starbucks. The part of town that the consulate is in is really new. There is a big mall and a Denny's and people walking around.

Hope that helps a little. Let me know if you have any more questions.

He didn't get his visa but he wasn't denied. They gave him a 221(g) form that says "Admin Review" on it. The interview went like this:

The interview was this: The consular asked "What did you say to the psychologist?", my fiancé replied, "I told him that I experimented once with cocaine and pot when I was 14 years old and that in December 2006 I smoked some marijuana". She then gave him the 221(g) form that says "Administrative Review". The consular then said "They have not made a decision yet on your case, come back in 6 months for another medical exam".

I called the US Senator's office and sent them all of the information and luckily the Senator's secretary is Mexican! She said she was familiar with Juarez and sent me a form to fill out immediately in my email. I faxed all back to her today and she said she would get to it today and that she would get back to me with some answers so that was one good thing.

My sweetheart flew back home again now for the second time, another $1100 down the drain.

If anyone knows anything about Administrative Review I would love to hear anything you have to say.

My signature is getting so long it's not fitting into the box anymore.

I can't believe this. I'm so sorry to here this, what an awful system, it just makes me so very angry :angry: :angry: . Please keep us posted. I'll keep checking in to see how things are going.

Thank you, the interview is actually today as fiance was not able to get in yesterday after 10am w/his open appointment letter, he didn't get his medical results until after 10am yesterday.

Praying for his approval!

sooo? I'm so anxious to know how it went. Good news??

Congratulations Stasia, so happy for you! Oh how wonderful!

Well our wait it just beginning, my bf is flying to juarez right now and his medical is tomorrow and appt on Wednesday -

I hope it goes through this time! Please pray for us!

I will definitely be praying for you guys. I'm sure he'll do fine. There shouldn't be any surprises for him this time. As you said in a previous post I think, the answer is NO, and that was definitely our mantra. I thought of your story a lot when over there. Can't wait to here good news from you!

same here....

Is there anything you can do? I know they'll probably just give you the 5 month timeline speech, but maybe there is someone that will realize that they've forgotten a box with Sep, before moving on to Oct.

There's a whole slew of Mexican gangs that are really bad news who do a lot of tattoos to show their affiliation. I'm sure that's why they were interested. Watch "Lockup" or one of those late-night shows sometime, you'll learn all about it.

totally. I didn't really think of that at the time, since he is so far from that, but it does make sense. plus his scars (big motorcycle accident a few years ago) didn't help. Good thing we have a kid together and everything else was in order

He is Mexican, as am I, the photos of the tatts are because some are associated with organized-crime and gangs. The government is pre-documenting him and he will probably be profiled in the US. This is part of the counter drug-trafficking program. Your fiance is assuredly not a criminal, he is just being profiled. Don't sweat it.

yeah, I guess I just didn't expect it, since tattoos are not a big deal in my world. Plus his tatts are a bit macho and he's got a bunch of real big scars from when he was in a motorcycle accident. They thought they were knife scars. I'm just glad its over, although I won't relax until he crosses the border. What do you mean he'll be profiled in the US, just that they'll have a file on him?

Thanks everyone for all the support and info. We couldn't have done it without my VJ peeps

Hello everyone,

I'm new to VJ and a little overwhelmed. Just discovered this web on Tuesday and I was not sure where to start, till I found this web and decided to post here first.

Congratulations to all those who have been approved. I am a September filer too but I guess I have a lot of waiting time ahead of me .

Goodluck to all of us.

have you called your consulate to see it they've received your case?

Hey there!

Congrats to all with interviews.

Congrats stasia for your visa!

Thanks!! any news for you guys??

approved!! yay! though he did get grilled a lot about his tattoos. It was weird. They asked a lot of questions and took photos. He's still waiting for the visa, but at least we can relax. Best of luck to everyone who is still waiting!!

Going for the medical on February 2nd and the visa inteview on the 3rd - Please God.

GOOD LUCK!!!!! It will be just fine. They've got to see that you guys really deserve this after such a long wait.

Best of luck!!!!!!!! Keep us posted!

Good luck!

Approved!!! finally we can move forward into the next chapter of our life.

The interview was pretty chill, though they did grill him a lot about his tattoos, both in the medical and at the consulate. They took pictures of all of them and asked him about their significance, and asked him a lot about whether he's done drugs. They used different angles to ask the same things. He just said no to everything.

we did the medical today and tomorrow he goes in for his interview

at the Holiday Inn Express. We did the Medical today and tomorrow will do the interview. I just want it to be over already.

Hello there!

Yes, he must sign that form infront of a consul ... they will let him know when.

About the interview ... is not that bad and is also quick but what makes it a nightmare is the time waiting outside and there's no need to get before 8 am and yes, people speak spanish in there aaaaaall of them even the Consul at interview.

Here is a copy of a post I wrote about my experience, hope it helps:

Hi again!

Well, my boyfriend got the open apointment letter on May but the date on it was March so was a little delayed. I've never got the letter here in Mexico.

I found a very good package on the website I gave you including flight, hotel, food and transportation. Arrived to Juarez a sunday and leave the next thursday ... decided stay one more day in case I needed, booking in one more day was just 50 usd at the web site then I heard that staying one more night was about 150 usd paying at the moment!!! I stayed at Holiday Inn las Misiones which is very close to the consulate.

Monday morning went to the Medical Examination and took me about 4 hours, the examinations include blood test, vision test and then a Dr. (woman) called you to take your clothes off in a room and ask some questions ... sometimes they ask you to get an extra test like urine or something if not, the Dr. will let her know where does she have to pay and the hour she needs to get back for the results. She will get an black envelope, DO NOT OPEN IT. I'm not sure if she is allowed to use your credit card but she can ask when she gets to the clinic, I would recommend to bring cash just in case. After that I went to pay the 131 usd at Banamex and get something to eat because I was starving!

On tuesday went to the consulate, check the specific hour your open apointment letter says because you can't get in before. The interview is very fast, few questions about your relationship, might ask for some evidence. If your visa is approved (will be!) they keep your gf's passport and in the same room is a DHL place, she has to pay 8 usd (or pesos) and they will give her a tracking number (so you can check the process online) and 2 possible addresses to pick her passport with the visa stick on it ... mine was the same day at 6:00 pm but saw the upgrade when DHL was already closed so got it the wednestay morning. Make sure everything on her passport is with the right information just be carefull because there is another DO NOT OPEN YELLOW PACKAGE, she needs to deliver that on POE you choose to cross.

As you can see with luck ... could be a 2 days trip, had somethings to do before so I did not leave to Juarez right away ... took me like a month.

Hope this answer to your questions.

thank you!! that really helps. I think things will go well!!!

Hi,

I'm not sure about the letter, don't think will be an issue if you ask for it, just bring the case number ... maybe one of the NOAS and copy of your bf's passport and your ID ... Does anybody have more information about this? My appointment schedule was 8-10 and for what I've heard most of them are at same hour.

Haaaaaa ... believe me this is NOT over yet, I'm filling the AOS now and I'm getting crazy!!!

Was checking my binder and the only thing you might missing is the INTENT TO MARRY ... you have that one? If not, here it is:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=examples

Do not worry, everything will be fine ... keep us updated!!

thanks! I do have that form, but he hasn't filled it out yet. It looks like he has to do it inside the consulate to get it notarized by an officer. Is that the case??

also, can you just tell me briefly what to expect from the interview. How long will he be in there? what kind of things will they ask? should we get there at like 7am or is that too early? does everyone speak Spanish in the consulate or will my fiance be lost in there. What should I tell him in preparation. I know that's a lot of questions, but I just don't know what to expect. Any info will be great. Thanks

I'm not irritated by this thread, I'm not the one flaming anyone.

I have expressed my gratitude over and over to the people on this forum and especially in this thread.

My post in no way was meant to compare. Just to show empathy that yes, it is frustrating watching others who were approved after you get their visas days before you do. Pretty much the opposite of what you're assuming. Yes, it's nowhere near as frustrating as still waiting for the NOA2, I never claimed it was. I'm just trying to show support and empathy by relating and sorry, but I can only relate from the position I am in, and it is still extremely frustrating even at this point, and to me even more at this point than at any other point in my journey because it's so close but still living in limbo.

Yes, I fully knew the process and it took me 9 months to reach the decision to go through it, as you can see from my signature. If it took as long as Kizza's I'd be seriously considering selling my stuff and moving to a different country to be with my fiance. I think months ago I posted if it wasn't done by March I was planning on relocating, so yes I can relate very much to the feelings and emotions of those still struggling with the process, even if I was fortunate enough to get through it more quickly because of the rarity of my name and the ease of scheduling at the embassy I'm going through.

Let's keep it supportive and not personally attack, right? Get a grip she says...

You can look at it as "he's approved he's making us feel bad we're not yet", or as "he's approved there's hope for us to be too".

I still stand by the fact I didn't bail on my friends made in this thread the moment I got through the process and instead stayed and tried to support and show empathy to those still going through it. That's all I'm trying to do, if you don't see it sorry.

I still don't like you personally calling me out and flaming me, I never flamed you for being able to see your fiance during the months waiting for the NOA2. Everyone's situation and timeline is different, some of us are more or less fortunate for different reasons. If my approval bothers people who aren't approved yet, don't you think bragging about all the time you got to spend with your fiance wasn't bothering people with fiances who weren't from VWP or reciprocity countries? Is there a difference? (It didn't bother me btw, I was happy for you)

BTW congrats on your approval!!!! I can imagine how frustrating it may be for you. My fiance is from Mexico, but I only got to see him 3 times in the past year all totaling to about 3 weeks, and we have a 15 month old baby that I have been raising with the help of my parents. We didn't have the money for more trips, it just wasn't an option. So I am very happy that you are only a small step away from finally being with your honey. We have an interview coming up as well, and I really hope I too will have some good news to post soon..

Well, I read that 157 was a must ... I called like 4 times to Juarez to clear doubts and every single time they said different things about forms, is a shame that people answering our calls don't realize how important this process is ... is basically our life!

Don't get me wrong I know SOME of them are doing their job, at least I got one lady who was very polite and nice.

They did not requested 157 form during my interview but had it in my folder so my suggestion is take it just in case you might need it ... better that than cry!!

Let me take a look on my folder and check what else you might need ok?

ok thanks! I'm getting really nervous now. We are planning on heading over there next week. Do you know if I can get the open appointment letter printed at the consulate, as the petitioner, or does my fiance have to do it himself. I'll be arriving a bit earlier and want to see if I can get that step done, since we need the letter for the medical as I understand. I can't wait for this to be over!! If you can think of anything else that is crucial that isn't listed on their site, please let me know. I really appreciate it.

Oh and I can't seem to find the times during which we can show up for the appointment? I don't think its at any time during their hours of operation.

We filled the I-134, since my husband was my sponsor I brought his 3 previous taxes forms (they just requested the last one during my interview), copy of bank account records (they requested last year during my interview) and an employment letter with income, how long has been working there and position, he also included a contact phone number in case they need it.

If you have more questions about this or my experience, feel free to ask!

cool!! thank you. This is really helpful. My mom will be filling out the 1-134 and I already asked her to get the letter from her work and her taxes. Is there anything else that I might need that's not listed on the site? What about the DS-157? They told me k-1 filers don't need it, but I've heard contrary info from some. Did they ask you for it?

Moving to the front of the forum, gosh I can't believe there's nobody here anymore? My fiance is going back for his visa appt in 2 weeks so I am sick with nerves of course. We have everything we need I believe so this weekend I will go through all the forms again and then send it off to my lovey. I wish I could go down there with him but finances have been too tight after this recession - all I can do is wait for him so we can get MARRIED!!!! Yahoo! I haven't planned anything for our wedding because we just don't know what will happen this time. But if he gets it on the 3rd which is when he will have his interview, then I would like to get married on the 24th of February - Dear God, please let it work this time!!

good luck! you guys certainly deserve it after all this time.

Did it say you needed and Original and a copy? Or.. did it say you needed an original certified copy?

I got confused with what we needed for birth certificate fromTurkey, because the instructions said to sendd the original certified copy.. so I thought we needed the original AND a certified copy of the original.. Turns out we only needed to send the certified copy and we need to bring the original with us..

but Krystle is correct. I would start a new topic and ask the people from your same country! Someone has to have the answer.

it says original and a copy, but I did post it as a new topic and someone said that the certified copy was fine. it makes sense, since it would have the court's stamp on it and everything and that is sort of like the original.

good luck anyone!!

Certified copy is fine... obtained from the clerk of court where you filed the divorce...

ok! thank you so much

Hi everybody!

I will be heading to Ciudad Juarez for my fiance's k-1 interview. They ask for an my divorce decree from my previous marriage, even though I had already sent it in with the original package. They say to bring an original and a copy, but the courthouse doesn't provide the original, because that stays with them obviously, they just provide the certified copy. Is that what the consulate means when they say "original"?