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[Kingair]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Congrats Marc. Quite an accomplishment.

Thanks buddie

[Kingair]

Celebrating with my big friend Mike who brews "Tripel Kanunnik"

Gonna quite before it's to late . . . .

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Kingair

No GC yet but that's the next thing starting Monday ;-)

Can't wait to see if it's still pink.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Can't wait to see if it's still pink.

Got no clue Mon . . . but even pink . . . I'll take it

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Got no clue Mon . . . but even pink . . . I'll take it

Of course, I did too.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Tell me about it Marc.

It took me 6 years and $48,000 to get a green card which turned out to be pink.

Too funny!

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Was in Belgium to get our new passport and visum

Took ages but all is finally done after 4 weeks . . . .

Saturday . . . . CA here we come !

3 more nights . . .

Take care my friends

Congrats, Marc!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Got no clue Mon . . . but even pink . . . I'll take it

Here's mine.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Congrats, Marc!

Thanks buddie

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Here's mine.

That's it Mon !

[bayerische]

While I love the US, as all here surely know...

Marc, is it because of awesome beyond control making it rich job opportunities why you want to move to the US?

I don't see the appeal, for so much trouble? I love to visit the US on holiday, but I would never leave Europe.

[GerardoG]

Safe travels!

[mailman]

Congratulations Marc

[andrewd]

Will you be moving to the airport?

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by bayerische

While I love the US, as all here surely know...

Marc, is it because of awesome beyond control making it rich job opportunities why you want to move to the US?

I don't see the appeal, for so much trouble? I love to visit the US on holiday, but I would never leave Europe.

It was something what I and Mrs even more than me, wanted to do Andeas and the day that whatever happens we can always move back to Europe.

Quite a challenge we took moving a few thousand miles to the West, leaving friends and family behind and starting over from scrap.
It was the hardest for our little daughter.
But now with Skype and FaceTime it's a lot easier than the good old days writing a letter and waiting 3 to 4 months to get a reply . . . if one arrived.
And to be honest I miss my family as well.
But business related I have been flying every 2 to 3 months to Belgium and took Mrs Mini and Mrs with me so that makes it somewhat easier for them.

But waking up in the morning with sunshine is actually what I prefer over the last 45 years of rain, dark days, cold . . .

But that's just us

I have been travelling through the EU going from Portugal to Spain, Italy even Sweden and Denmark, France, Germany, Greece . . . you name it.
Even been at the Northpole dropping of food for a Belgian guy on this expedition.
This all private and also a lot as a Corporate Pilot.
And I really enjoyed it . . . .

The culture that Europe has I will never see here in the US unless I become 500 or a 1000 years old

And yes I miss the food !

But luckily we've got Gerardo

But we love it here . . .
Driving 2 hours to Santa Monica or San Diego and go to the beach or drive an hour and ski at Big Bear . . . .

And I know it's all new now but still

If you ask me right now do you wanna stay here forever ?
Yes of course
In 20 years . . . I really don't know but I guess so . . . time will tell ;)

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Safe travels!

Thanks G

One day we finally need to grab a beer together ;)

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by mailman

Congratulations Marc

Thanks buddie !

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by andrewd

Will you be moving to the airport?

To get my airplane . . . . . yes !

[vitalsignsrn]

Congratulations Marc on a great accomplishment! Safe flight for you & the family. :-)

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Congratulations Marc on a great accomplishment! Safe flight for you & the family. :-)

Thanks Judy ;)

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Always gonna be a little bit of Belgian Marc :D but now going for my Green Card

US Citizen is only possible after living 10 years in the USA . . . but that will be the next step . . . from that day I will be a real American

But the Immigration process is so complicated . . . first invest and than they'll see if you get a Visum . . . . if . . .

So for a lot of people I personally know : money bye bye and no Visum

I had a Immigration Attorney, what is recommended, but he just took my money . . . . for doing really nothing at all . . .

So I did everything myself with the result that I got my Visum !

I had a file delivered of over 500 pages 2 weeks ago at the US Embassy in Brussels

Today actually I am a little bit proud since I was the first one who received a Visum without using a Imm Att the Consul told me at the interview

So if someone on TRF ever needs some help . . . . send a PB

Now I can say : been there . . . done it . . .

Friday I can pick up our new passports with the magic visum stamp . . . .
Saturday morning 09:35 . . . BRU -> LAX

Now I can relax and have my Duvel ;)

CA . . . . I am back !

Too bad you weren't coming from Mexico. You could have just hopped the fence.

Welcome back!!

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Too bad you weren't coming from Mexico. You could have just hopped the fence.

Welcome back!!

Never say never . . . . it's only 2 hours driving to the border !

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Kingair

US Citizen is only possible after living 10 years in the USA . . . but that will be the next step . . . from that day I will be a real American

You have my best wishes for your success. We need all every one of those we can get--real Americans, that is.

Hang tough! <Belgian beer

Originally Posted by MonBK

Tell me about it Marc.

It took me 6 years and $48,000 to get a green card which turned out to be pink.

Congratulations to you, too, Mon. My hat's off to those who do it correctly.

[hdrazor251]

Congrats Marc and welcome.

[bayerische]

I see Marc, best of luck to you!

Wouldn't the south of Spain been easier though?
I know it hasn't exactly got the same appeal as California.

Must get back to California, Mrs and me are planning a trip next year.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You have my best wishes for your success. We need all every one of those we can get--real Americans, that is.

Hang tough! <Belgian beer



Congratulations to you, too, Mon. My hat's off to those who do it correctly.

Thanks Grady

To be honest . . . . its easier to get a EU passport . . . .

But we love the States . . . . this was what we wanted . . . from deep in our hearts although there was the possibility that we couldn't get a Visum in the long run.

But I did it in 18 days !

Got already so many calls and mails from other expat friends who were not allowed . . . .

There's always the luck factor but in this case providing the right paperwork including the necessary funds . . .

Take care my friend

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

Congrats Marc and welcome.

Thanks Jeff

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I see Marc, best of luck to you!

Wouldn't the south of Spain been easier though?
I know it hasn't exactly got the same appeal as California.

Must get back to California, Mrs and me are planning a trip next year.

Spain would have been a lot easier !

A 4 hour flight and all was done ;)

But our goal was California . . . and still today I actually don't realize that we got our Visum . . .

Anyway flight leaves in 1 hour ;)

If you are in the neighbourhood next your give me a PM and we'll grab some food including the necessary beers !

[bayerische]

Marc, what kind of visa did you get? Permanent Resident, or?

My cousin just got her 6 month visa, that her husband has had for years. They both live in Florida, work in the ship maintenance industry.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Spain would have been a lot easier !

A 4 hour flight and all was done ;)

But our goal was California . . . and still today I actually don't realize that we got our Visum . . .

Anyway flight leaves in 1 hour ;)

If you are in the neighbourhood next your give me a PM and we'll grab some food including the necessary beers !

Will do absolutely!

I haven't been to California since 1998!

Have a safe flight my friend.