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35 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

Amen to that!!! I have seen countless of attorneys making BRUTAL mistakes.

I helped on guy out who married a Ukrainian woman with two kids.  His very high-priced Los Angeles immigration attorney failed to apply for her kids to immigrate. The attorney later filed for them separately and they were all denied under suspicion of fraud. I did get it all fixed. Another guy I helped out had married a woman from China, in China.  His attorney failed to submit a single photograph of them together, and she was denied, not even a Request for Evidence (RFE) was ever sent, just a denial. Yes, I took care of them too, but doing anything with marriages from china is TOUGH. Immigration attorneys have never impressed me. 

On 11/19/2021 at 1:59 PM, Jorgedig said:

You can thank those from her country who have perpetuated fraud for the additional scrutiny.

 

And the global situation  with Covid is obviously out of the US embassy’s control.   
 

For  others in this situation (pre-interview), I would definitely recommend not going for 18 months without a visit, to a third country if need be.

All absolutely true! Well stated

On 11/19/2021 at 12:38 AM, daniel_and_lily said:

To me the really frustrating thing is them saying she didn't bring enough evidence when they didn't even look through what she brought.

That sounds much more like a misunderstanding. 

On 12/25/2021 at 2:59 PM, Jeffry Hardy said:

Depends on who handle your K1 petition, are you the one who handle the process your self or lawyer?? Because if your process was handle by lawyer they will instruct u all the documents u need to take along just as my lawyer guard me

Never, never trust any immigration attorney.  In my experience of 61 years since I first immigrated to the USA, they are way behind any rule changes and make HORRIBLE mistakes. 

On 11/18/2021 at 7:12 PM, daniel_and_lily said:

After waiting since April due to covid, my fiance finally had her interview today and was rejected. We have met 5 times prior to covid and haven't been able to be together for over 1.5 years due to covid. The interviewer said they did not have time to look over the paperwork, and in the same breath told my fiance that she didn't bring enough evidence to support our case that we have a "bona fide relationship". It's very very unclear to me how we can provide more evidence supporting our relationship when the time wasn't taken to review the material that we brought in the first place. How can we have any chance to win on this?  They asked her if I was present (which clearly I was not) and it's not possible to go to Vietnam currently because they're still closed from covid. That seems like a really stupid question to even ask her since they've been closed since March 2020. 

No, the interview is not the time and place to attempt to provide any new documentation.  The interviewer does not have the time not only to look at it, but to verify anything you might bring to the interview. The interviewer has your complete file in front of them or totally available to them during your interview. If they ask you questions about anything you have already submitted, then you should have anything conceivable to explain anything you have previously submitted. The interview is their very brief time to sort out fraud cases from bonified cases.  This is the time they ask about family names, birthdays of relatives', and in my case, they asked my wife to see her key to our home, then compared it to my own. I have gone through this myself twice, and I have helped a number of other couples through this and I have provided countless free U.S. Citizenship courses. If there was missing documentation in your application, you should have received an Request for Evidence (RFE), they are seemingly very good at that. It is my opinion that they were much more concerned with the time lapse in your last face to face meetings. Covid or not, people have been traveling. We have been to Brazil three times in the past year.  The air travel between the USA and Brazil has been easy, planes flying almost empty and airports have been very fast. Unless your country has been on a blocked list, the interviewer may have truly questioned this aspect and that is why you did not receive an RFE in advance.   

On 11/29/2021 at 2:13 PM, Pandora Gadomski said:

I'm filing an AOS for my husband and I just received an RFE. The thing is, the evidence they requested I already submitted!. Similar to your fiance, I was up all night for weeks preparing this extensive application and its monumental documentation.  I totally feel her frustration and pain with that one

I have been told, as each case is gone through, they actually and physically spread ALL of your documentation out on a big table.  Then, using a check list, they simply check off the inventory boxes as they go.  If any of these people feels something is missing, or incomplete, they do not check off the box on their check-list. This is how they generate their Request for Evidence (RFE), and why it takes so long for them to get back to your file after you submit whatever it is they request. 

On 12/25/2021 at 7:05 PM, Jorgedig said:

Not true, based on what we see here on VJ.  Lawyers often cause additional delays and expenses.  VisaJourney is a DIY site, and most of us have done our entire processes without paid legal help.

You are absolutely and totally correct.  I have helped a number of couples AFTER high priced legal firms completely screwed up documentation, filings, forgetting to apply for children, not including proof of relationships, prior divorce documentation, etc. Never put all of your trust in anyone else, you have to be on top of this too.

I personally know two people who have had home visits by USCIS investigators. One was here in Oregon where the Chinese beneficiary was already living in the USA, the other, was in Brazil.  In both cases, they were very simple and short visits, and in both cases the investigator wanted to look in the closet of the person to verify they actually had suitable clothing and sere in fact living there. 

The gentleman asked me, the petitioner, simple questions about my wife's family, their names, and where they lived, where my wife was born, how many nieces and nephews she had etc.  On a side note, my beneficiary was asked if she had the key to my home. When se she yes, we were asked to hand over our house keys so he could see if indeed we both had the same keys to our home. 

The easiest, and best process so far.  The Portland office was wonderful, and the final ceremony was beautiful.  We saw two people turned away at the last moment because they lacked their last passport photo.  Line your ducks up, this part of the entire process was GREAT. 

It was about 5 months for us here in Portland, Oregon. 

Just did ours in Portland, Oregon.  The ceremony was beautiful, 2 hours total for everyone, and right on time, just about to the minute.  The people could not have been nicer. 

Hi, My name is Raquel and I am married to Raymond since 2010. I am Brazilian and he is Icelandic, but American citizen since he was 3 years old. We legally married in Las Vegas and we live in Oregon. My husband is thinking about retiring in Brazil. We don't know how to apply for his residency in Brazil, the documents we need, if we need to start the process here or in Brazil He would like to be able to open a checking account there and buy a house in the future. He already has his "social security" card in Brazil.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Raquel

Personnel Source, Inc in Eugene Oregon is looking for clerical workers who speak Portuguese and English. Job Description: Contract position scheduled to go up to one year for premier local employer. Successful canidates must have strong data entry skils, good attention to detail and Microsoft Office experience. Additionally, you must be able to pas a criminal background check and drug screen. These positions start at 4 a.m. so please keep that in mind prior to applying. Also, you must be fluent in English and one of the following languages: Italian, French, Polish, Czech, PORTUGUESE, German Hungarian, and European Spanish.. Wages will vary based on experience $13.00 to $20.00 per hour DOE Apply online at www.personnelsource.com

That's great! Thank you very much! I'll apply for this position.

I was reading some post here and i read one that said "Feeling alone" by Fragola, The first thing that came to my mind when I read that post was 4 years and she still feel that bad?... I ama here 8 months, and still trying to find out my place, my husband is nice and he try his best to make me happy, but i still feel lonely and not in place... have no idea how to describe this feeling better....

I took painting classes once a week and go to gym any other day, I drive and can go out wherever I want, but I feel is not the same to go to the cinema, to the mall or just for a walk ALONE, it just doesnt feel good, and nstead of make me feel happy , just depress me more , is not that back in my country I use to have a bunch of friends around all the time, but, the few I have the few I was sure I can count on with, plus being at work everyday give me the dosis of socialize I need, here is just the same routine, wake up clean , go out food shoipping or gym or whatever, come keep cleaning, cook, watch tv, paint, check the plants, I mean seems that a nice confortable life right? but I need friends, need to talk with people of my own age, the only person i talk with is his daughter and believe me people most of teh time i preffer just to keep in mute in front of her (this relationship stemother-stepdaughter is for another topic.. too long and too dramtic to describe it now) husband say go and make some friends , but is not that easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ther eis a girl around my corner who invite me to her house, the times i went she is always busy and i feel a bit unconfortable to just interrupt her.

I had a live already made in my country, friends already made throu the years, people here are the same everybody have it own life, and one for sure cant make friends from day to night, good friends take time to do.

I just feel like I born again and that I have to start from scratch...no body know me, no body know what i am able to do, what i know, my studies mean nothing here, i apply to many jobs and they dont even callme for an interview for being a receptionist!!!!!

Hi,

My name is Raquel and I am from Brazil. It's very sad to read all of it, but it is exactly how a feel. People here are very different and don't relate the way we relate in my country. I had lots of friends in Brazil and I miss them so much. I have not hugged somebody,e xcepet my husband in many months. We usually kiss friends in Brazil all the time we meet. That's not the same here. I have been living here for 1 year and 8 months and I feel exctly the same. I am glad you wrote and we can become friends. I live in Oregon (Klamath Falls) and I can give you my e-mail e phone number. Where do you live?

I am looking forward to hearing from you soo.

Raquel

hi Raquel,

Visit www.acei1.com its a complete details on how to evaulate your credentials, I had my credentials evaluated 2 yrs ago, and its cheaper than other evaluation institute. good luck.

Great! I will do it right now! Thank you a bunch!

Raquel

If you already have a bachalor's degree in education there is a good chance you would only need to take the standardized teaching assessment for oregon in order to teach. Depending on the needs in your state being P/E bilingual could be a major asset (so definitly keep it on your resume / cv). Another place to look is at Charter schools. These are schools built / owned with private money, but receive state money. Many of these since they're techincally private schools hire teachers with degrees / experience regardless of whether or not they are certified in that particular state. I would definitly study / take the exame to get your teaching certificate in Oregon. Good Luck!

PS If you're willing to work outside of your teaching field check online for Portuguese jobs. Some will be in other states, but can be performed over the phone / internet (especially customer service, telemarketing, and helpdesk positions) - Since Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies in the world these days banks and businesses here in the US are scrambling to do business with them. Being fluent in Portuguese can land you a really nice job in industries like sales, customer service, telemarketing, help desk, energy (coal, oil, gas etc) and banking / finance). If you have any major cities near you, I would apply at all the major / national banks. In small towns if you have "bilingual"on your resume, they will probably ask "Oh you speak Spanish??" and possibly be slightly dissapointed if you say no (although I've heard many Portuguese speakers have an easier time learning Spanish then many English speakers). In larger cities, however, many companies have plenty Spanish bilinguals on staff and are really seeking Portuguese speakers in order to do business with Brazil. If it interests you at all, it's worth a shot starting salaries are generally fairly nice.

WOW lost of possibilities. Besides Portuguese I speak a little Spanish too. I loved you tips and I will start to do whatever I can to find a good job. Thank you very much for your attention.

Raquel

You need to work with whatever place will be issuing a credential. They will tell you where they want to have your degree evaluated at. They may have several choices. Usually the eval is about 150 -200

Hi, Thank you very much for the asnwer. It sure helped!

Hello Rachel,

The answer was the most interesting member of the Visa Journey "Breezy & Me." I too am a teacher and artist. But sometimes it is good to broaden horizons.To get what you really want. A tip sites:

http://www.teacher-world.com/statespages/Oregon.html

http://www.wes.org/application/faq.asp

http://www.wes.org/application/faq.asp

http://www.teacherssupportnetwork.com/corporate/TeacherToolsAdviceArticle.do?id=16

That's pretty cool! I loved your art! Congratulations and thank you very much for the tips!!!:-)

Hi,

May name is Raquel, I am from Brazil and got my green card last March. It has been very difficult for me to live far from my family and friends. I live in a small city in Oregon (klamath Falls) and it is almost impossible to find a Brazilian here. My husband and I travel very often to the big cities and I would like know if there is any Brazilian community here in Oregon. I feel as If I reborn in a different word!!! Please Help!!!

Thanks

Raquel

Hi,

My name is Raquel, I am from Brazil and got my Green Card last March. Since then, I've been working in a Day Care and I have been studying in order to get my CDA (Children Development Associate). However, I have a bachelor degree in Translation/Interpreting and Education. I would like to know how I can have my degree evaluated so I can get a job as a teacher here in Oregon.

Thank you in advance.

Raquel

Hi Guys,

I am here to tell you that my husband and I are very happy. We started our process in Oct 2010,I was called for Biometrics in December, got my work permit in January, travel permit in February. We were called for the interview last March and were approved. Unbelievable!!!

Good luck for you guys!!!

Raquel & Ray

First you'll need your degree evaluated by the state. We had mine evaluated by World Education Sevices, which is generally the one used by most states

A certification exam or TOEFL exam may be necessary. Take a look at the link below for help

http://www.tspc.state.or.us/faqs.asp?op=3&id=0#answer16

As of now you are not certified to teach in Oregon, your first step is to become certified in your state

Good luck

Thank you very much. The answers have helped me a lot and I'll start looking for something here in Oregon.

Teaching certificates are based on the state. Here in GA you need your degree recognized by the state licencing commission and then a certification exam to certify you in the state.

what state are you dealing with?

Good luck

Thank you very much for your answer. I am in Oregon.

Hi everyone,

I have just received my EAD card and will have my SSC in two weeks. I am very excited about looking for a job, but also scared. My idea is to start with a basic job first so I have an income, but I would like to wokr in my field. I have a BA in English and Portuguese teaching and I was an EFL (English as a foreign language)teacher/professor in Brazil. What are my chances here? What kind of courses should I take to be able to teach here?

Thank you in advance.

Raquel

God, you're right, it was $930 and $80, plus the $355 and the Medical. Been getting kind of punchy with all the numbers flying around. Thanks

485a doesn't apply to immediate relatives of US citizens, so just forget about that. If your last two checks were really for $910 and $80 then you paid the wrong amount and it will be refused and sent back to you. (I hope it's just a typo! Should be for $930 and $80) But I don't see anything that you can do at this point to avoid a few days of overstay. It won't really change the outcome of anything in the long run.

EDIT: An initial refusal is not a denial... just means you have to do it over... no penalties except a bit of lost time.