Re: Web Enabled Time/Temp/Humidity and I/O Controller

["Robert L Bass" <Sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Jules" wrote:
>
> I think fees all went up since then - that's also including
> long trips back and forth for medicals, embassy
> appointments, biometrics etc. which of course do depend
> on your location as to how expensive they are (although
> I think the medical alone was $400).

I'm not surprised that the cost has risen.

> I'm getting toward the end of my 2 year conditional residency,

IIRFC, we didn't have that pahse.  Because my wife was already here on a visa
when we married, we just applied for the green card.  It took about 18 months
back then though I think it may differ depending on country of origin, current
circumstances, etc.

> and I think it's about $1000 for the paperwork to change that
> into a full green card. Then citizenship comes later (I realise
> that's optional!) and is doubtless similarly costly...

My cousin's wife (coincidentally, also from Brazil) recently became a citizen.
Her cost was mainly for the lawyer because she fouled up her paperwork at one
point.  They got it straightened out and all went smoothly after a bit of
wrangling though.  I think the paper work cost was a lot less than the gren card
app though.

> Yep. It's expensive and slow - but at the same time I can totally
> understand a country wanting to lock down its borders. I've just
> got issues with use of deadly force to patrol those borders,
> though...

I don't mind rules about who can and can't come, as long as they are fair and
not based on which foreign government is helping the fortunes of some political
party here.  The prior poster is clearly an ill-informed red-neck with little to
nothing in common with real patriots.

Hatred is NOT a family value.

>>  We were fortunate in that my wife was here legally on a 5-year,
>>  renewable visa when we met.
>
> Aha, OK... my wife's a USC - met her in 2005 on a trip over here and then
> went back and forth on the VWP for the next couple of years before kicking
> off all the paperwork.
>
>> I'd love to see a more open
>> door policy but that's probably a few years off.  We'll see.
>
> Certainly would be nice just for visitors and maybe an increase of stay
> from the 90 days of the VWP.

The 90-day thing depends on country of origin and the purpose of the visa.

Funny thing is that when Americans visit Brazil on a tourist visa there's also a
90-day limit.  On a couple of occasions I've stayed longer (as much as 5 months
at a time) by applying for an extension.  I now have a Brazilian Federal Police
card which I carry for ID while traveling there.  That opens a few doors and
allows me to buy property.  Their requirements for a work permit are even more
confusing than ours.  Since my company is online though, I don't really need
that -- just the freedom to travel.

Have you been abroad since getting the "conditional"?  There's an inconvenient
surprise for many folks upon returning.  Instead of being routinely processed
through customs, you get side-tracked to a separate office where they question
you more about your trip.  It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several
hours before you get out to whoever is waiting for you and there's no way to
make a call (cell phones are prohibited in customs).  I'm not sure the reason
for this step but it's a royal PITA if you arrive at a busy time.

This has gone on way too long so I'll let it go for now.  Good luck with your
app.  Do go for full citizenship if you plan to stay in the US permanently.
It's a great country and you should avail yourself of all the rights we don't
give away to right-wing presidents from Texas.  :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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