K1 Visa Holder Interviews: Jerrico and Melissa (California)

By Erika Presson, April 30, 2015

 

The Basics

 

What are your names?

Melissa: Jerrico and Melissa

 

What is the K1 Applicant’s Home Country?

Melissa: We are both originally from the Philippines.

 

Is there any age difference between you two?

Melissa: We’re the same age. :)

 

When and where did you meet? We’d like to hear a short version of your “Love Story”.

Melissa: In an arcade game in Manila when we were both just sixtween years old. Mrs. Presson knows about our love story! *hihihi*

Mrs.Presson: Actually, I’m a member of their fan club! HAHA, Just kidding. These two lovebirds have always been like little siblings to me. I used to hang out with them at the arcades, too, back in the day and witnessed how their relationship “blossomed” online and offline. I’ve always rooted for them since then. <3 Now, back to the interview… :P

 

When was the first time you actually met in person? Were there other times that you visited each other? Have you met each others’ families?

Melissa: We dated for six years in the Philippines until Jerrico got petitioned for the U.S. During the span of our almost three-year-long “LDR”, we met twice in CA and IL.

 

What made you decide that he/she is the one you’re going to spend your life with? What is that one thing about your other half that made you go “Nope, I’m not letting him/her go. Not ever.”

Melissa: I’ll just skip this because it’ll end up being too cheesy! XD

 

Is the US Citizen Fiancé(e)/Spouse a part of the Military? Navy? Air Force?

Melissa: Yes

 

Which state are you both residing in?

Melissa: California

 

*** 

 

The I-129F Petition / K1 Visa Process

 

When did you apply for the I-129F Petition?

Melissa: July 2014

 

When was the I-129F Petition approved (NOA2)?

Melissa: September 2014

 

Were there any specific event that happened during that processing period? Was it a fast petition processing for you?

Melissa: No bumps, thankfully!

 

How was the beneficiary’s experience with the K1 Medical Exam? Was he/she able to finish it in one / two days?

Melissa: Finished in two days, thankfully!

 

How did the K1 Visa Interview go? Was it a short interview? What were the questions asked during the interview?

Melissa: Very short interview.

 

Were you issued a 221G? If so, what did they ask from you?

Melissa: Nope~

 

Did you go through a long wait for Administrative Processing? Or was it just a few days before it was Issued?

Melissa: Just a few days

 

Did you have your passport delivered or did you pick it up yourself?

Melissa: Picked it up at 2GO MOA Branch

 

***

 

Leaving the Philippines and Settling in the US

 

Were there any necessary preparations that you made before leaving?

Melissa: Authenticated and brought all sorts of certificates, diplomas, records etc.

 

 

Where was your Port of Entry (POE)? How was your experience at POE?

Melissa: Los Angeles, CA. The CBP Officer was so stoic; not a greeting, not a smile, no nothing. Made me nervous!

 

When did you get married? Was it a Ceremony or a Civil Wedding?

Melissa: Civil wedding ceremony at Coronado Beach in San Diego where my husband is stationed. :)

 

Did you apply for your SSN right away? Were you allowed to use your married name instead of your maiden name?

Melissa: They used my maiden name during my first application. I went back on a later date to have it changed to my married name.

 

***

 

Adjustment of Status (AOS / EAD / AP)

 

Did you go to a Civil Surgeon to get an I-693 Form? How much did it cost you?

Melissa: Don’t limit yourself to the list of Civil Surgeons listed in the CIS website! I found my CS through a forum and had my transcription for $30. She made me complete my vaccination record for $10 prior to giving me the I-693 though.

 

Did you apply for AOS / EAD / AP before the I-94 expired?

Melissa: Yes

 

When was your AOS Notice of Action 1 (NOA1)?

Melissa: January 2015

 

Do you already have your EAD/AP Combo Card? When was it approved?

Melissa: Yes, I got my EAD/AP Combo Card 3 months after filing my AOS.

 

Did you get a “Potential Interview Waiver?”

Melissa: No

 

If you’ve already had your AOS approved, When did you get your Green Card?

Melissa:  My AOS interview took place one week after I got my combo card and the Green Card arrived in the mail 10 days after the interview.

 

 ***

 

Life In The U.S.

 

First of all, how are you dealing with the weather? Was there a huge change from where you’re from?

Melissa: I can understand why people flock to California. Sunny weather is sunny!

 

What are the difficulties you’re facing with moving to the U.S.? (If any)

Melissa: None that I can think of so far! Life has been good to me and my husband since we settled in.

 

Do you get homesick? What do you miss the most about your home country?

Melissa: I just miss my home service massage therapist lol. I don’t miss my family much because they ring me at Skype everyday hahaha. They’re always there. :p

 

How do you deal with the homesickness?

Melissa: It helps that there’s a Seafood City near our place. :p

 

Everything is worth it in the end, though. You are now happily married to your other half.

Melissa: We made iiiit! <3

 

Lastly, what is your message to your family back home?

Melissa: Looking forward to seeing you guys next year for our Church Wedding!!!

 

Want to know why we’re publishing these Interviews? Read more about it here: 

» 90-day Fiance: “Reality”? O RLY? Pffft. Far from it.
» K1 Visa Holder Interviews: 90-Day Fiancé(e)s

 

Want to know more about Melissa and her music?

Visit her blog at http://melskitty.wordpress.com

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