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 Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:56 pm
Well. It looks like things are going to change around here.
As im sure you're aware i've been through a lot lately... but i breezed through my treatment and im healing really well.
But in the last couple of weeks my parents have been getting crazier and crazier, and if not by the end of the year, very soon after that they're most likely going to split up... honestly it doesnt bother me that much, because to me they've been seperated for a couple of years when they started having big fights and almost did divorce... and i highly doubt there will be a kiss and make up like last time. It might sound callous or 'side taking' but i know which parent i'll be living with..
I'm almost ready to look for a job -- I'll be saving my money so i can move out.
Where? America. Yes, I'm in a long distance relationship. But if anyone can make it work we can.
Before, moving was a vague desire -- I told myself, if my family has objections they can get stuffed, its my choice... but since this stuff going on with my parents its been solidified enormously, so far as its now a definiative goal. Now it feels like i dont really have anything to lose and everything to gain.
Problem is i have travelled overseas before and the whole passport/travel visa thing confuses me a little at this stage, and it seems without actually going to an embassy or something to apply for a visa that i wont get any info...
So please, if any of you can chat about experiences with either topics it'd be good of you to share heart
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:58 pm
It's been years since I had to mess with the whole visa/immigration thing. You'll probably want to start now as it can take a long time to get through the system. Starting with the embassy or an immigration office is the the best. Also, I'm guessing there is a significant someone over here who could be your sponsor? That can make things much easier.
I wish you all the best. Changes can be great, but that doesn't always mean they're easy.
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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:28 am
Jools just recently married herself up an American boy so I'm sure if she sees this thread she can help you out with information about the visa thing.
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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:43 pm
My husband is an immagrant to the US, and he's going through naturalization at the moment. I'll see if he has any advise. The one thing I can say is it sure has been a pain in the butt. It's worth it though.
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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:30 pm
Thanks guys, any info would be greatly appreciated
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:18 am
Haha I can indeed Nopen.
The biggest piece of advice I can offer you is save your money as hard as you can, because it is not going to be cheap. We have spent a few thousand pounds on being together the past year.
Secondly, don't enter into this lightly. If you move to the US and things with your partner don't work out, depending on the visa you are residing on, you won't be able to stay there.
Also, it involves alot of time apart. Be prepared for a long wait, our visa process took from sept 05 - feb 06 for the main decision part.
I would advise visiting the US on your passport for a holiday first. A: You will meet your partner, B: you will need proof you know each other physically.
If you are a student you can travel on a working visa.
If you are working, you can travel but they don't tend to be too keen on you moving there unless you have a profession, i.e teacher/doctor.
Jeff and I found the only visa he could come here and stay here on was the fiance visa. We needed to prove we were engaged! Fortunately we had photos of the evening it happened, and rings and stuff.
He was not allowed to work, he had to apply for it in the US, and we had to send them all sorts of crapola to prove we had met etc. Then proof of residence, phone bills to each other, even gaia screen prints, proof I could afford to look after him, proof of the wedding booking.
I'm not sure of the status of your relationship, so that may not be too helpful.
I'm British, and Jeff moved here so its the same process, just reversed.
There are a couple of good websites to look at, I will have to dig them out for you.
Don't let it put you off too much though, if it's worth it, it's worth the time and frustrations.
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:22 pm
My ex was from Mexico. We went through hoops and a LOT of money. We lived in North central Florida and had to make 5 trips down to Miami to the INS place (I think it was called). What we had to provide was pictures of us at different places with and w/out friends and family. Written letters and or emails to each other, bank account together, living arangements together. Document, document, document is all I can advise! We walked in for our interview with a box full of stuff! And patience. It is not a fast process so as someone said, start it as soon as possible. Best of luck, hope it all goes smoothly for you.
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:54 pm
3nodding Jools and fresa -- Thanks!
I know its gonna take a while, and i know its gonna be really costly.
We're doing ok on the 'time apart' front...
We talk on the Phone, but i use my cellphone -- and im on a Pre-paid plan, so i dont get "Bills".. so i might have to change that for 'proof' ?...
I'll keep an eye out for anything else that could be 'proof'...
^_^ Thanks again guys, it seems very daunting but it doesnt seem impossible anymore.
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:17 am
You are welcome. My ex was already in the states though- so that is how we were able to get pics and the bank account etc. I'm not sure exactly what else you can do in your situation. With the phone- I would keep receipts for the prepaid cards or however that works where you live. My phone has a recent calls/received calls list- you could maybe make a log of the calls to and from her with time & date etc. The INS place we went to- effort counted a LOT. Oh and if you have close friends, family is even better if at all possible (because they did contact my family) or anyone important like an employer or church member who can offer to vouch for you that this is real, that would be good, too. On her end as well.
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:00 am
I had an internet phone bill with o2. They printed me a list of calls I had made, so perhaps they can do something like that for you, it isn't free but its proof u need.
Also, alot of landline telephone providers offer super cheap calls abroad, jeff can call his Mum in the US for 2pence per minute, and the calls are itemised for your proof thing.
You kinda should meet before u do this, purely because one of the biggest questions on the forms you fill in is have u met. There are arranged marriages and all sorts of dodgy things which happen for people to get visas, so they like to see proof of the fact u have met.
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:14 am
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visapolicy/faq.html This is a link to info on visas for America. This is specifically the "Frequently Asked Questions" page. I hope it helps. I'm going to school abroad (Finland) for a year this september and the whole visa process confuses me a little as well. Good luck!
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Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:23 pm
Well i've had some fairly good luck!
I ran into a friend (online) that i went to school with. And hes planning on moving to texas, and has some friends that have done it -- he's in the know so i'll be getting info from him! 3nodding
Thanks for the link kscarebear 3nodding
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