So...what is next?

Our friends and family are so excited to help us welcome Beau home and often ask what is left in the process. I thought I would try my best to give an update on the remaining steps of this journey. For all of you adoptive moms that have already done this part, please correct me if I miss anything.

Steps to Bring Beau Home

• I 600 needs to be approved. I spoke to USCIS yesterday and the lady I spoke with said that we should be assigned an officer this Thursday or Friday. Once you have an officer, some people are approved that day while other families wait a week or two more for approval.
• EP (emigration permit) needs approval. Next week will mark 3 weeks of waiting for approval. The last few batches of EPs were approved in 3-5 weeks, so we could get approval next week or at least by the end of May.
• After EP approval, Beau will make an appearance at the embassy in Seoul. (EA=embassy appearance) During his EA, Beau will have his picture taken for his Visa. (From what I know, the Visa is actually a small stamp/picture that goes inside the passport.)
• Next, Beau will have a visa physical (VP).
• If the doctor that checks out Beau for his VP notices a special need, he may need a Class B Waiver. A Class B Waiver is basically a form that states that you aware of your child's special need. You sign the form and have it notarized and send it back. This can add about a week to the process. You never really know if you will need a Class B, so we will just wait and see.
• Then...Beau will have a visa interview (VI). Obviously it is not much of an "interview" since Beau can't talk, but it is still a part of the process. :)
• Finally, after VI we will wait for our travel call (TC).
• Since we have decided that Beau will be escorted home, it may be a few days or weeks after our TC before Beau actually comes home because the adoption agency will need to find an escort and arrange flights.

So...that is pretty much it....I600 approval, EP approval, EA, VP, possible Class B waiver, VI, and then TC.

How much time will all of this take? If I knew, I would be sure to tell you, but I don't know!