Maranda

Yes, I am, and yes, it is! Nice to meet you!

Who filed? My (now) husband, who was my boyfriend at the time.

What country? The Netherlands.

What documents did they bring to the interview? Bank statements (Dutch and American), passport, birth certificate, driver's license, health and car insurance statements, photos of us from his previous two visits to the USA, copy of the forms and receipt for online payment.

What questions were asked in the interview? Purpose for staying so long, how long he's known his girlfriend (me), his current residence and living situation, if he had a job (no), how he planned to financially support himself while spending 6 months in the USA (savings account). They asked for proof of the savings account (American bank account), which he emailed as soon as he got home.

Questions asked at POE? Who is he visiting (me), how long will he be staying (a few days short of 6 months), did he have a return ticket (yes). He was taken to secondary inspection, all the same questions again. They informed him upon entry that he definitely must leave on that date and not overstay the 6 months.

Did you do a letter of invitation for the family member(s)? No.

Any tips? Take as much proof of residence, finances, and proof of ties as absolutely possible. More than necessary is better than not enough. Also, if applying from a VWP country, understand that being denied a B2 visa cancels your VWP privileges. We did not realize that before he applied for the B2, we just thought he'd take a shot at it with nothing to lose. Thank God he was approved.

One thing to consider is that if you apply and are denied a B2 visa, you will not be allowed to use the VWP program ever again. Not sure if that's relevant considering you were denied VWP entry once already, but I want to throw that out there just in case.

When my (now) husband applied for B2, he did it without knowing about denial cancelling VWP privileges. Thank God he was approved, but if we had known about that risk before applying for B2, he probably wouldn't have done it.

Best of luck to you, Mrs5k!

Also, how Hersheys passes as chocolate is beyond me!

Hah, my husband says the SAME thing! He nearly died of excitement when he found out our Walmart carries European Milka.

I spent 3 months last winter in the Netherlands and between the portion sizes and all the walking, I lost about 20 lbs.

Of course I gained it right back after being home in the States over the past year.

My husband, Arnold, on the other hand, has gained about 30 lbs. after living here for a little less than a year now. He likes it though, because he insists he was too skinny to begin with. My family agrees that he'll be a "fat American" in no time!

His dad visited last summer, LOVED the food, and was thrilled to tell everyone that he gained about 8 lbs. in the month of his visit. He was also thrilled to be able to buy Levi jeans at an outlet store for $20 a pair when he needed to go a size up.

Thanks so much, everyone!

Thank you all!

...and I just checked our case status online and found:

On November 9, 2011, we ordered production of your new card.

Hello VJers!

Just wanted to post about our AOS interview yesterday. Like most folks here, we were super nervous and not sure what to expect, but the whole process was smooth and quick, with an easy 10 minute interview and approval on the spot. Here's what happened:

We arrived at Detroit USCIS office about an hour before our scheduled interview time. We were called in for our appointment 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

Although we had help from an attorney in organizing and filing our paperwork with the government, we chose not to have her present for the interview, based on her advice to us that we shouldn't need it. (Side note, I realize that it's not really necessary for an attorney in the AOS process unless there's some sort of underlying issues - which we didn't have, but wanted to play it extra safe - but if anyone in Michigan needs a referral for a very good company of attorneys specializing in family immigration law, I'd be happy to recommend and give you contact information.)

Armed with a giant folder of papers (proof of this and that, joint accounts, bills, taxes, a million photos, etc.), we met our interviewer (immigration officer?), who was a nice gentleman (Greg). He was rather quiet, very to-the-point and professional, but in a polite manner. We sat down, swore us in, re-asked the questions to my husband Arnold from the original application (criminal, terrorist, communist? etc.), and then a few extra questions:

• What is our birthdates?
  
• Where do we live?
  
• How did we meet? ("online" was a good enough answer)
  
• Arnold, what are Maranda's hobbies?
  
• Maranda, what are Arnold's hobbies?
  
• What is the last movie you watched together? (this was a question I hadn't seen posted before, and wasn't expecting, so it caught me off guard, luckily the answer came right to me because we'd just Redboxed a few days ago)
  
• Arnold, have you met Maranda's family? (at the reception)
  
• How many people were at your reception, then?
  
• Maranda, have you met Arnold's family?
  

"Looks like today is going to be a good day for you, immigration-wise!" (Which he said about 4 different times throughout the interview.)

He shuffled some papers, jotted something down, and told us to expect the Greencard in the mail in about 2 weeks, then wrote down his number for us to call if the card doesn't show up on schedule.

We were in and out of his office in about 10 minutes, and he didn't even crack open our giant binder of stuff. Big sighs of relief and happiness to be finished with this portion of the process. Nothing now until lifting of conditions in 2 years, and Citizenship after that!

Best wishes to everyone in the process right now! Go in with confidence and the understanding that these people are not there to grill and harass you (unless, of course, there's a reason to). Everyone we had contact with yesterday was pleasant and friendly, even the security staff at the front door (which I wasn't expecting in Detroit!).

Congratulations, elephant!

Pleased to hear it was a quick and easy interview process. Thank you for sharing your detailed experience!

Congrats! Glad to hear you had a very smooth interview!

Thank you for sharing info about your experience, as well as the questions they asked. My husband and I go for our AOS interview tomorrow in Detroit and we've been reviewing all the sample questions we can find.

We received EAD/AP card in the mail today (Happy Halloween!)

So, about 6 weeks after biometrics. A bit unexpected, since our interview is less than 2 weeks away... but we'll take it!

No EAD here either. Timeline below. Interview in 3 weeks. Our case status isn't online either, but I'm past expecting it to be.

Best wishes to all upcoming interviews!

Hmmm, okay. Thanks Inky! Guess we'll just have to wait it out with snail mail.

Hi VJers,

From what I've seen around the forums, sometimes it can take a long (and unpredictable) amount of time before case statuses show up on USCIS.gov. Should I worry that our case isn't "in the system" yet?

We're AOS'ing from B2 visa. We did biometrics back on 9.13, and received our interview date letter today, scheduled for 11.9.

I created an account at USCIS.gov and registered my phone number and email address to receive text and email updates, but so far have received nothing, except for actual mailed paperwork. I suppose if the case isn't in the online system yet, they can't link my phone number and email address to send me updates, maybe? (Personal phone number and email address were not on applications submitted.)

Just wondering if anyone else in the AOS process has been obsessively checking USCIS.gov without fruitful results...

Thanks

Good luck to you all! We just filed today as well.

Ooooooh. Well that would save alot of money versus having to file AOS. I know it varies, but does anyone know if on average, it takes longer to process K1 or CR1?

I've been checking out this link to see comparisons: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

Of course the timeline trends vary by country, but the general average for K1 is 7.5 months (PLUS AOS, you don't have EAD (authorization to work) upon entering the country), so more like 12 months for the total process, at a cost of $1800 (plus travel, of course). The CR process is more like 9 months total, without having to AOS later. Instant greencard in hand and ability to work immediately upon entering the country with CR-1 visa. CR cost is around $945, plus travel, according to these guides.

Again, you are allowed to get married on a B2. Having the B2 has nothing to do with the CR-1 process. Technically, you can get married in the States however you choose, on whatever visa (or lack thereof). It's what you choose to do to handle the immigration situation AFTER the marriage that matters.

So CR-1 is pretty much equal to K1 except with CR-1 you get married before going back? Sounds like they are around the same amount in fees and around the same time frame.

Exactly. That was pretty much the way I rationalized it too. That's why we decided to get married now on our own terms and plans, rather than wait for the government to give us their window of opportunity.

After reading the responses, I started looking into the Conditional Residence but am a bit confused. Do you have to apply for the CR or does it automatically apply once you are legally married? Or is it something you only get after applying for AOS?

Sorry about the double post.

CR-1 requires filing the Petition for Alien Relative, I-130. If you haven't already seen them, check out http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2991.html#2 and http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

The reason we decided to pursue the CR-1 route is because we wanted to get married on our own terms and timeline (as in, sooner rather than later), instead of the government dictating it through a K1 process. That said, we're also meeting with an immigration attorney soon to discuss AOS as it applies to our situation as well, because if we can save some time and travel, we will.

I have often wondered how the interview goes on these situations. If there was no "intent" to stay, what happened to your car, home personal belongings etc, that you never went back and tied up the loose ends on? How do you answer those questions in an interview an a visitor visa that ends up permanent?

I think a lot of those questions came up as proof of ties at the initial interview for getting the B2 in the first place. In our case, my husband lives with his dad over there, and all his personal belongings and car are under his dad's roof, waiting for him to get back. I suppose if we AOS'd, we'd just be honest about that. He HAS to return at some point to take care of his business and sign out of the city registry and such, of course. That stuff has to be done regardless of which way he immigrates. And as I understand, with AOS'ing, you can return home as soon as you have Advance Parole.

Hi

There is nothing wrong with getting married on a B2 visa. The whole "gray area" begins when you choose what to do after you've gotten married, as I understand it. I'm currently in the same boat. My boyfriend came over on a B2 from the Netherlands back in February. We recently decided to get married in Vegas, and are currently going over the CR or AOS options.

The vibe I've gotten is that CR is the "safest" post-marriage route. But it also seems that if things are pretty straight-forward and honest, with a legit relationship, paperwork and proof to back it up, and no material misrepresentation at POE or otherwise... AOS is do-able.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Best wishes.

Hi Confused;

I know every country/consulate is different, but I'll share my experience because our circumstances seem similar.

Like you, I was in the process of divorce when I met my (now) husband. We spent much of last year traveling back and forth between the States and the Netherlands so we could be together, but dealt with the 90 day limits (Netherlands with Visa Waiver Program). Basically, as we had considered from the beginning, we knew Arnold needed some sort of visitor visa to be able to stay longer than 90 days because we couldn't bear to be apart, but we couldn't keep doing the constant travel thing.

It seemed like a shot in the dark to apply for a B2 because he had very little proof to show as ties. Lived with his dad, no residence in his name, no lease, etc. He had quit his job at the end of the summer to be able to come to the States for 90 days in the fall, so no permanent job. Really, the only proof of ties he took to the interview with him were his cell phone bills (no contract), his car title and insurance, and bank statements (here's what saved him - in October, he won a large jackpot at a local casino here, and after paying US taxes on it, put it in a bank account here in Michigan, so although he had no proof of income, he could show proof that he would be able to support himself). My impression of the interview process is that a LOT of it has to do with your means to financially support yourself abroad.

Anyhow, long story short, by some miracle he received his B2 and flew back to the States with me this past February. He's allowed to stay the full 6 months term. We recently got married in Las Vegas, and are currently weighing the odds between returning to the Netherlands and filing a CR-1, or, depending on what this summer brings, AOS'ing from here.

So, to answer your questions with our experience:

1. The first question the Embassy in Amsterdam asked Arnold was of his purpose for visiting America (WHO he was visiting, specifically). At that time, our relationship was very serious, and he said straight out, he would be staying with his girlfriend. Even though my divorce from my previous husband had not yet been finalized (which as I read it, is the same thing happening with you?). Coincidentally, in the big picture, I think me not having a finalized divorce actually HELPED the situation, because it meant - at least at the time of Arnold entering the US - I was legally off the market. This point came up in the interview, actually. Just be honest and straightforward answering the interview questions, but you don't have to give more information than is asked for. I suppose this kinda answers question 2 as well.

3. We did some research in advance, but found most everything he needed online through the Amsterdam consulate website. That's also where he did the application, then called for the interview appointment a few days later. The Embassy seemed like a scary place, and an expensive taxi ride, so I'm glad they feature most of the info you need online.

4. Can't speak for all Embassies, but the one in Amsterdam was surrounded by a LOT of security and a giant metal "cage" at the entrance. I would not have been allowed inside even if I had wanted to, so I waited outside the gate while Arnold went in (full metal detector, pat down, no cell phones, no electronics, etc. It is an intimidating experience.). In his case, the Embassy has a list of who they're expecting for the day's scheduled interviews, and if you're not on the list, you're not getting in.

5. Obviously her passport, birth certificate, driver's license, and any form of ID she has to prove who she is. Take proof of ties to Vietnam - a lease, insurance, contracts, bank statements, car titles - anything that shows how she's established there, and gives them evidence of the life she has in Vietnam that she will be returning to. Definitely proof of income and finances. Like I said, the financial aspect was probably the most important part in Arnold's case.

I hope this helps, even just a little, although we're talking about different countries here. I wish you guys lots of luck with the process and all the best with your relationship.

Zyng'd again!

Guess I'll stick with Farmville.

Congrats, Llama - on your marriage, your AOS, and most importantly, your baby boy! Seems like your process went very quickly too!!

True, definitely cheaper to buy a round-trip.

However, if you do, make sure to contact the airline shortly prior to the date of the return flight to cancel her seat. I've heard this is necessary so that they remove all traces of her name from the records for who will be on that plane, so that there's no way possible for it to appear that she inadvertently left the country.

Hello! Welcome to VJ! This place is so helpful.

Best wishes on a speedy K1 process!