In today’s video we are discussing possibly moving to the USA.
Living abroad as an international married Vietnamese and American couple comes with many difficulties. In the long term, it looks like getting Thuong her US citizenship would set us up best for the future.
How I met my wife in Japan, she’s not Japanese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNworgD2IXA
Does your wife want to move to the USA? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87mqz_s740s
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30 Comments
How I met my wife in Japan, she's not Japanese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNworgD2IXA
Does Thuong want to move to the USA? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87mqz_s740s
β€ Help support TWC – https://www.patreon.com/twowheelcruise
β€ Paypal donations – https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=P7V73VZYNHNA6
Also- having lived mostly around Seattle and graduated from the U of Wa there, the East Asian populations are huge. Lots of rice available for sure lol! A friend even got married to a Japanese woman, who eventually became a US citizen.
The frustration youβre experiencing with the paper-work now will become routine if you adapt to American culture. Itβs a little ridiculous, no? Is that how you want to live your lives?
G'day, just an idea from outside the box. Would you be able to satisfy USA immigration/visa etc requirements if you both lived for example in Guam. Of course Cruise wouldn't be near family, but may be easier for Thuong to visit family in Vietnam.
Fellow YouTuber https://youtube.com/@universewithme is in Taiwan now too
The "World" is changing..,give the US a try…,instead of sitting in one place in the US, can u guys afford a Van??..,carry a couple bikes in the back and drive and bike across the US(she gets to see and experience the United States)..,get some "sponsorship" and do online work?πποΈ..,"Merry Xmas" and an upcoming "great" New Year(stay safe!).
lets look at the pro and cons.
Pros:
1. more opportunities, visa/citizenship
2. can continue to cycle
3. USA has rice right? heaps of Asian supermarkets, I am sure Wallmart has rice? Chinatowns etc
4. will have family support from Cruise side
5. Ability to own a house/property in the future
Cons:
1. far from Vietnam and Thuong family
2. will miss the joys of living in Asia
3. Thuong may have a huge culture shock
Is Japanese baseball as good as Major League Baseball in the US?
That's awesome! I am really happy for you and your wife.
It might not look like it, but it is a step that had to be done in order to have your wife travel the world with less restrictions. Once she becomes a US citizen and sports an American passport, playing the Visa Tetris will no longer be needed. Wherever you can go, so will she.
Itβs not encouraging that it now takes 1-2 years to process a sponsorship visa. Iβm in a similar boat. Going on one year now. Iβm having to travel back and forth to be with her and thankfully my job is all digital and remote. Best of luck to you two, hope you find a sponsor, and hopefully Thuong will not find the USA too isolating. I know thatβs what I think about when comparing the two societies.
Thuong, if you and Cruise move to the USA, all cities have Asian markets where food is available. Finding a restaurant serving authentic Asian food may be an issue. Where there are Asian populations in cities, there are markets. One example is H Mart near Chicago, IL. Chicago has one of the highest numbers of Asian peoples in the USA. Good luck on your plans. I know Cruise and you will have a happy future.
John
bethel, Missouri
Perhaps some place like Chicago might be a good place to settle. It is a large city with adequate public transit and is relatively bikeable for a place in the US. It is not too far away from your family in Detroit. The minimum wage is $15/hr. I'm sure you could find an affordable place to live here (yes, I'm in Chicago) that would be similar to or a step up from where you've been staying.
I'm the opposite, though, when it comes to buying a house. I sold my house, and couldn't be happier with that choice. No maintenance that I need to deal with any more, and I have a lot more flexibility in where I can move, especially if I want to make any career moves which might require a relocation.
Sad to think you might be returning to the U.Sβ¦..YES itβs a big decision.
Solving one of your problems, Australia grows loads of riceβ¦..we love cycling, so come on down.
Start the process rolling and don't stress about things you cannot affect. My wife is Japanese and access to rice in Australia is not an issue. I cannot imagine it would be otherwise in the US. Good luck..
Have you ever thought about Brazil? No as strong as US passport, but lower costs for living for sure. And thereβs rice here! The lifestyle in the countryside of the state of SΓ£o Paulo can be compared to European standards. You both are welcome here, just to think about.
You guys are hilarious, I mentioned a USA passport to you guys a few years ago. You guys could have had one already. Start now and stop over thinking it.
Your wife is very beautiful …… i wish you both a great xmas and a beautiful life together.
My wife and I were in the same situation as you two while living in Honduras. I was able to do everything we needed for her visa at the US embassy. I was able to use my mothers address in the states even though I was living long term in Honduras. It is taking a little while now for all the paperwork to go through however, I think you will be able to do the entire process without having to move back to the states. Food for thought.
Plenty of rice at Asian Grocery Stores. Rice are imported from other countries so don't worry.
That beef noodle looks good! πγHope everything goes good for you two!
Have you considered a USA student visa for your wife. She could study/ learn english at a University / College or Community College. English as a Second Language ( ESL ) Programs..
She could also work part time while going to school. ( ESL ) And this would allow you time to look for a job in the United States. Michigan . Or any other state you choose.
Love your channel. Keep up the good work I wish you guys the best.ππ
you both should be fine coming to the USA. There is a lot of Vietnamese community all over the USA man. Oklahoma, Houston, Dallas, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Washington DC and etc. she will feel at home buddy here in the states I think, so much Pho soup all over.
As you mentioned Europe – don't do it – it got very very expensive here the last months.
I live in Germany, but i guess it's not better elsewhere in Europe.
Having your family in the US will for sure help – also i guess, you still have some connections there.
I for myself had hoped, you would go back to Japan one day π
Just watching the "old" 1 to 4 hour videos again π
My ex-girlfreinds sister married a US guy and applied and if i remember it correct, it only took some month for her to get her visa.
But she lived already in the US for years and had a working visa. And it was many years ago – maybe nowadays it's taking longer …
Best of Luck, for both of you!!!
To somewhat temper your fears, my wife and I did the spouse visa and I don't remember it being all that difficult. It took around 12 or 13 months, but after submitting the documents you just… wait. It sucks that it takes a long time, but (at least for us) it doesn't take constant attention or anything.
THERE IS RICE (LOTS OF IT) IN AMERICA!! I came to NY in 1982 and there wasn't a day that I was not able to eat rice because I eat rice every day. Got married (I was already a US citizen then) in 1990 in the Philippines and my wife then had to stay in the Philippines for about a year before her visa was approved. Within 3 months after arriving here she got her green card and 3 years after that she got her citizenship.
My point here is get Thoung settled in the US as quickly as possible & get her citizenship. Then if you two decide to return to Asia then it's easy to do and being US citizens gives both of you a lot more options. Good Luck.
You should look into talking with an immigration lawyer, that is the best way to make sure you get everything in check. She may need to leave the US while she is accepted. This process also can take many years.
Overall, the benefit staying in the US can provide. Once she have the Passport, you guys can get back to traveling π
Don't move to NYC. Try Florida or stay in VIETNAM and, if possible, travel. Have her visit first. Utah is another great place, Minnesota good for cycling and jobs.
My wife and me had a two year distance relationship before she received her visa in my country., which was a tough time. Don't you worry, at least you are going through it all together, just like couples should.
You likely have looked into this already, but just to make sure: could she do some education in the US and get a visa earlier for this, in between the wait time for the green card?