Oh, and it took almost exactly 10 weeks to make it's way through the USCIS.

The approval letter states 2-4 weeks processing time at the NVC (national visa center). We are currently in week 3. I'll keep you updated.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

OMG. OMG. OMG!!!!!!!!!! Got the NVC letter in the mail last night. We got a visa number on Monday and the visa is now in Kingston. That took exactly 19 days. A lot less then the idiot at the USCIS told me it would take....he had me so upset saying 3-6 more months. Glad he was wrong.

I'm going to fax him the visa number this morning. Jomo's going to the bank and then to Scotiabank to pay for the interview. If he hurries, I am going to make the visa interview appointment for next available, May 17th. He will then have 19 days to go to Kingston to pick up the paperwork, get his medical done, and then head back to Kingston for the interview. 4 days after that, we should have a visa. Works well with my already scheduled visit of May 24th.

Pray this all works out. I'm way too anxious and impatient now.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Everything will work out. Dont worry!

__________________
Life is what u make it

Thinking of you both JG. Stay positive sister, remember that Jah's delays are not Jah's denials.

__________________
One Love, One Inity. In the Name of The Most High Jah Rastafari. Blessed.

Just got the appointment: Fri. May 19th at 7:15 a.m. 3 weeks from now. So excited I am shaking right now.

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I need it. Some days even more then others.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Today is a good news, bad news kind of day. (I feel like this is my diary like when I was a kid!!!)

I sent Jomo to the Embassy last Friday to pick up a packet and drop off the DS-230 part I. I had faxed our approval letter on Monday for them to open up the case and prepare the packet. Without the DS-230 part I, they will not proceed. You can wait for them to receive the approval in the mail from the US, mail out your packet via slug mail (slower then US snail mail), mail it back to Kingston, and then go from there or, you can hurry them along. We had been calling for 3 days. The information line is only open 1:30-3:30 pm daily. He finally got through the 3rd day, only to be put on hold for 20 minutes and using all his phone card. Anyhow, he went to Kingston Friday.....3.5 hours, traffic, road block...made it to the embassy at 10:02 a.m. Happens that the information desk is only open 7:15-10 a.m. M-F except U.S. & Jamaican Holidays.

So, I sent him back today. He got through, got the packet, turned in his form, and got assigned an appointment for June 6th. It seems you can no longer make valid appointments on the Jamaican embassy web site, even though it says you can. They still want you to fill out form DS-156 online and print it out. The packet contains every single form I have already told you about, researched, found, printed, filled out, and prepared. So, that is good news. It also contained a list of official documents & pictures he needs (again, I was ready) and the news that he needs to bring $335 with him to the appointment. YIKES. Wasn't prepared for that.

A note about the medical exam too: Once you get your interview date, the medical places will allow you to call and make an appointment. It takes at least 2 weeks to get one in MoBay. Kingston had appointments this week. They warn you that it takes 10 days to get the info. to Kingston, so make it early. $95 for the appointment and bring extra in case you need shots. Jomo went to the clinic and got the shots he needed before he goes to the medical. Cheaper.

Also note, everything can be paid in US or Jamaican currency; but not a combination of the two.

So, our new target date is June 6th for the Visa interview, June 12th for the Visa delivery, June 15th I fly down, June 6th we come back.

More on the medical next week. His appointment is May 18th.

Wish us luck. It is so confusing and maddening that you want to scream most of the time. Hope I am helping someone else along the way.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

JG - You must be so excited! I know you were hoping it would be sooner, but you have waited so long already, another month will go by quickly.

I wish you both all the best.

you are definitely helping me out jomo---good luck on everything, and let us know how the interview goes!

Picture day today....8 passport pictures and 2 visa pictures for the medical and interview. It appears the difference in the 2 pictures is just the size they cut them. $10 for all of these.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Glad I can help, I. Wish someone had helped me along the way. Would've made things a lot easier for me.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

There is a website called visajourney.com. This site has tons of advice for people needing advice and support on k1 and k3 visa's. There are many of us that are on there that have a american-jamaican connection on visa issues from all over the country. Just when you think its over because he/she is up here, there is a whole bunch more interviews, paperwork and documents that need to signed, sealed and delivered. PM me if you want to know the exact location of the US/JA thread on there. Good luck to everyone!!!!

Medical done today. Took 4 hours to complete. He had a complete physical exam including visual and lots of questions, eye test, blood work, urine work, and chest x-ray. He ended up needing a chicken pox shot. Total cost was roughly $220. No results given as they go directly to the embassy. And, of course, he complained of the indignities. Then, I explained what they do to women during our annual GYN exams and he shut up.

Next stop, Jamaican Embassy at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6th. Between now and then, we figure we need roughly $550.....$335 for the visa, $40 for the delivery fee, $70 possibly for biometrics (again, not sure where they do this at), and $110 for the car trip to and from Kingston. We have about $250, so we'll be scrambling for the rest.

To ease my mind while waiting for results today, I checked out the filings for permanent adjustment in the US. YIKES! Forms, forms, and more forms and of course, more money.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

I gotta hand it to you Jomo. I don't know if I'd have the stamina to go through all that shyt! I'm SOOO not a paperwork kinda girl.

__________________

I think he is worth it. Plus, he is giving just as much effort as me. But, I do admit, sometimes I do say WTF am I doing??????? Then, I snap out of it. It helps that my goal is in sight now.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

Don't think I am a post whore here. Someone called me last night to ask about the visa process and I sent her here. Thought it would be easier for her to print all this out then for me to repeat it again.

So, from time to time, I may send this up to the top so this newbie can find it.

__________________
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive