ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport
I'm just curious to know when's the 1st time that we are asked to provide a copy of our passport? My passport expires in Sept. 2009, and I was wondering if I should renew it before the end of the year of if I can wait till further in the process? Because of the new law between Canada and the US, it takes longer to get a passport so I wouldn't want that to slow us down.

Thanks for your inputs
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-22 14:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresinterview
QUOTE (skeez&titanic @ Oct 22 2008, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just want to know if there is for any reason why someone would not get accepted (approved) by the interview process. My fiancee and I just worry which we have everything we need but he is nervous that he wont get accepted. Fiancially we are good we been together for almost 3 years and see each other as often as possible. Which he is planning to come and visit again before the interview which we dont know when that is. Thank you


I would think that they base their decision on the relationship itself. They want to make sure that you are both in good faith and that it is a "real" relationship. That's just my opinion.

They also check for the legal stuf such as if you can both legally marry and if the partner coming in has a record.
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-22 14:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDifferent wait times noa1 to noa2 (vsc)
I think that whith anything that has to do with bureaucracy depends on the individuals that touch your case. Some people like their job and understand that people need to be together, others just don't care. I was reading about an old thread the other day from a VJ member who used to work for USCIS and he confirmed my thinking...
Some officers will don't everything in their power to process as many files as they can, and other will to their best to do as few as they can....as another member said....It's a question of luck!

I wonder if calling once a week until you get an answer will help or hurt. I know that here in Canada, it helps to be on their tails, but I don't know about the US side.
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-23 11:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresstatement of intent for I-129
Also look at the guide....they have a nice sample letter http://www.visajourn...r_of_Intent.doc
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-28 12:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresstatement of intent for I-129
QUOTE (lizbeth @ Oct 28 2008, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've been trying to get my initial petition stuff together and I was wondering if anyone can help with the "original statements for intent to marry." do these need to be real official, signed and stamped documents, or just a typed up statement? It's such a pain to have to send things through fax, email and the mail when my fiance is in Lesotho, not really a place known for it's speedy internet or mail service.
Also, any idea if they will throw a fit over the fact that his passport pictures have a light blue background and not white? we didn't even notice until i was going through all the instructions again.
Thanks a bunch!


I think it can be informal (that's what we did), but I would either have 2 letters (one from you, one from fiance(e)) signed (original signature)or one letter with both signatures. I know that having to use snail mail to Lesotho is not the best, but it might be the safest thing to do.

Good luck with everything!
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-28 12:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill a new gov't have an effect on K-1 processing speed?
I doubt that they'll be a BIG reform in the way things are done. If ever there would be a change, it wouldn't happen anytime soon. I don't think that will be one of the highest priority!
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-11-06 15:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMoving fiancee' here on B-2 while awaiting K-1
QUOTE (*Len* @ Oct 15 2008, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gage @ Oct 15 2008, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
One option we've been discussing since I first posted this is to have her come to the US on her B-2 as soon as her K-1 is approved. She would stay on her B-2 (assuming they let her in using it of course) for the maximum period of time of 3 months. Then she could return to Russia to wrap up any lose ends, returning to the U.S. on her K-1. The effect would be to have 6 months of living together to plan our wedding as opposed to only the 3 months the K-1 allows.


Chances are HIGH that once her K-1 paperwork is in the system she could be denied entry - why? as you know, it is always hard for a single Russian female to get a B2 in the first place, precisely because of the risk as it refers to intent to immigrate. This only gives a bigger red flag. If you decide to risk it, she needs to be prepared to show STRONG ties to Russia every time she attempts entering the US (as in apartment lease, mortgage or the like; letter from employer expecting her back; etc.). And even with strong ties, she can always be denied entry because her intent is indeed to immigrate.

Good luck


Len makes good points. Showing the strong ties can be tricky. I will experience it soon as I will TRY to go to NY for Thanksgiving with our daughters. My fiancé lives in Albany, NY which is only 3-4hours from Montreal. I will go with my mortgage papers, bills, etc. but we know that there are still a chance that they'll turn us back....we also have a wedding to attend to in April...we'll keep our fingers crossed!

Your fiancée could always try to travel walking with all her evidence of course, but be prepared to the fact that she might not be allowed in....it's frustrating, but it's the reality! Good luck!!
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-15 12:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFEs and bad attorneys
QUOTE (mikelovesgracey @ Oct 25 2008, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dear fellow filers,

This is (still) regarding our problem with the attorney we hired to file our K1. Our USCIS page tells us that an RFE mail was sent to "us".

First question is: who will get the mail : we (petitioner), or the attorney (filer)?

We sure don't want the attorney to be the one to get it because he has made some serious errors already. If he gets the mail, who knows how long he'd act on it; he might even not inform us about it. This will delay our case.

Will the USCIS send us the RFE too?

We have tried asking USCIS but their robotic call center agents are NOT USEFUL AT ALL!

Second question: are we allowed to send the documents ( per RFE ) directly to USCIS, or do we need to channel it through our slow and uncaring attorney?

Third question: how can we get rid of this attorney? USCIS agent said it takes 30 days to get him pulled out. Would that delay our K1 processing?


Special request: if you could please reply to us in detail and address all three questions with good explanations, we would be very grateful. We know a lot of other filers will benefit from this as well.


Our thanks in advance.

Mike&Gracey


Isn't just possible to let the lawyer go? I sure you could send a letter to USCIS telling them that you are no longer with the lawyer and that all communication should go through the petitioner. I mean why stay with someone that you don't tryust and that is doing such a poor job? You don't HAVE to have a lawyer for this. VJ is all you need!! wink.gif
Seriously though, I would really think of letting that lawyer go if I were you.

Good luck!
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-10-25 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about application fee.
QUOTE (PurpleFrog @ Dec 3 2008, 09:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This site is great and I have my K-1 packet ready to send to the Texas Service center. I followed that guides provided here and they were a great help. I do have one question. How much money (check) do I send in with the packet. I have read $455 and I have also read $110. What am I missing?

$110

Also, who is the check made out to.

Thanks so much.


The fees are 455$ and DO NOT SEND TO TEXAS CENTER they do not process K1 visa applications. Onlt Vermont and California center do that depending on the state of residence of the petitioner
http://www.uscis.gov...I-129Finstr.pdf
Look on page 5.

Good luck!! smile.gif

Edited by ruby_mtl, 03 December 2008 - 10:06 AM.

ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2008-12-03 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresChange of address
Hello all,

I'm the beneficiary (non-USC) and still waiting for our approval (NOA2). I will be moving before the end on February. Should I send something to VSC now or should I wait for the NOA2 to make the change of address?

Thanks to all who reply!
ruby_mtlFemaleCanada2009-02-04 11:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG325A & former wife
I have been divorced for 12 years, and I do not remember my ex wifes birthdate. Will there be an issue or RFE if I just put down the year she was born?

thanks
douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-11 11:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan't remember ex-wife's birthdate
QUOTE (douglas1 @ Sep 12 2009, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have same issue, the ex's birthday was not on my divorce papers either.



Got it! smile.gif

Spent $1.95 on a report from peoplefinders.com
douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-14 10:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan't remember ex-wife's birthdate
I have same issue, the ex's birthday was not on my divorce papers either.

douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-12 16:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI129f & recent divorce
ok, hopefully the fact he still lives in Guilderland, NY should make that less of an issue.

Also, I dont need her birth certificate for the I129, correct?
but will that also (later) need to get translated?



Thanks!
douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-16 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI129f & recent divorce
We meet in May, but she was married then and living in the US (TD visa). Since then she has moved back to Mexico (July) and also is now divorved (Sept 1st). I am traveling to mexico on Oct 2nd and plan to send the I129F pacakge a few days after I get back home

questions:
Do we need to get her divorce certificate translated from spanish to english?
And do I mention her being married or her divorce when I answer question #18?
Any other issues I should be concerned with due to her recent divorce?


I was thinking (#18):

We meet in Guilderland, NY during a bike ride on May 6th, 2009. Susana was living in Guilderland, NY and at the time she had a TD visa. I live nearby in Rensselaer, NY. We spent time together almost everyday in June 2009. In July she moved back to Mexico and since then we mostly have been communicating via emails, FaceBook chat, and FaceBook messages. On October 2nd, 2009 I traveled to Mexico to visit her.

Please see the inclosed pictures of us together, plane tickets(copy), my passport(copy), engagement ring receipt(copy) and some of our emails(copies).
douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-16 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdivorce translation
Is there any requirement to make it look like the original..as far as graphics / format / structure...or does it just need to be the verbiage (words) ?



douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-22 18:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A employment section
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 28 2009, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would try to avoid that. You can print it out and handwrite the info if you want. Handwriting is acceptable if it is legible.



yup, that's what I decided I would do.



thanks

douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-28 19:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A employment section
I saw that but the example does not say if you can or can not list one employer on 2 lines





douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-28 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A employment section
I only have had 2 employers in the last 5 years, so can I use 2 lines for one employer? Or do I have to squeeze each employer into one line?




douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-28 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG325A not enough space and job title
I hand wrote anything that would not fit (abbreviations and small letters), and used just one line.

And for my fiancee we put in "unemployed" for the time period she was a student.


douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-13 18:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
Today is a very sad day, I am not looking forward to telling her

sad.gif
douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-14 13:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
Yup, I asked about this before.

The front has been translated, this part (the back) should be done tomorrow...not that there is any reason to be in a hurry to get anything done sad.gif

Edited by douglas1, 14 October 2009 - 01:22 PM.

douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-14 13:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
It states the marriage is dissolved. That "1 year" is a Mexican law..not a US law, why would the US uphold a Mexican law?

My big concern is if it will stop/deny the K1. Should just send the I129F in and see what happens, or wait to send it in (and how long to wait)...or keep trying to find a definitive answer from a lawyer????


She did go to a lawyer in Mexico, and he certified that the decree/certificate was legal/valid and wrote/stamped that on the back:


Certifico que esta copia es fiel reproduccion de la copia certificada por el registro civil del cuernavaca, morelos la cual de una hoja de acuerdo con el numero 31057 asentados en el protocolo a mi cargo en el libro no. 24 de registro de cotejos con esta fecha 9/10/09 doy fe

Lic. Enrique almanza pederaza
notario 198 del D. F.

douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-14 13:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
On the decree:
Date of resolution: Sept 04-2009 (the day they went in)
Date of issue: Sept 17-2009

BUT my concern is this statement on the Mexican divorce decree "Both spouses shall recover their full ability to remarry after one year has passed as from the dissolution of the marriage, as provided for by our law system. "

I don't want my K1 denied because of that, and I don't want to wait 1 year to send my K1 in, and I don't want to wait 1 year to get married to her!!

I went to my town clerk and they said they will not issue a marriage license because of that statement but others including 2 lawyers said that statement would not hold weight in the US. I am trying to find a lawyer that can find out for sure if we have to wait until that 1 year or not.

sad.gif

I need HELP, please can someone help me.....


douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-14 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
details: They were in the US for under 1 year (with a TN & a TD visa), then she moved back to Mexico, he flew down to Mexico about 6 weeks later, they went to the city they were married (she had to bring in a pregnancy test from a doctors, and the divorce was done that same day (stated on it "is hereby dissolved"), 2 weeks later the decree was available at that city office.

I don't see why there would be an issue??

douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-13 18:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 & divorce
I saw a lawyer and she is making a big deal out of proving my fiancees Mexican divorce is legal, I dont really get why there would be any question that it is.

Anyone ever have any problems or RFE's requiring more proof a divorce decree is legal?




douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-13 15:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign travel right after marriage?
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Dec 21 2009, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Having gone through that same situation, where he could get on the plane at any time, but didn't - also for work reasons, I can tell you that the wait isn't quite as bad as the wait for the petition approval or other visa processes. It's slightly more annoying because you know that it's completely self-imposed, but the time really does go by faster when you have a definite date to look forward to, and no dependency on nebulous government (in)action.



very good point!!

douglas1MaleMexico2009-12-21 12:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign travel right after marriage?
QUOTE (baron555 @ Dec 21 2009, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes big big problem. Unless she has the AP in hand before she leaves, she will be considered to have abandoned the AOS petition and you two will have to go through the entire K-3 or CR-1 process. Be very careful.



ok, thanks!

And don't worry I now see it was a bad idea!
douglas1MaleMexico2009-12-21 09:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign travel right after marriage?
oh well


sad.gif
douglas1MaleMexico2009-12-20 19:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign travel right after marriage?
The good news is my fiancee just got a good job that she believes will fit & help her future career in the states, she really is happy/proud of this this job.....BUT she really wants to finish the project she is assigned. I was thinking/hoping/praying she will have her VISA in May but this assignment goes to August.

*It will be torture knowing she can just jump on a plane and finally be with me but has 2or3 more months left to complete the job assignment*

So my idea and question is, if we do get the Visa before the job assignment ends...what if she came here, married me, and then headed right back to Mexico to finish her job assignment? Would there be any possible problems for her to get back into the US 2 months later? Any other reasons this would be a bad idea?


thanks!
douglas1MaleMexico2009-12-20 17:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee moved - new address

The US citizen can change his/her address online at the USCIS link you posted (there will be a place to indicate if you are the USC or not). The AR-11 is indeed for the foreign beneficiary.




I did not move, she did (she is the beneficiary / lives in Mexico)
douglas1MaleMexico2010-02-15 18:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee moved - new address
Ok, so we are waiting on our NOA2 but my fiancee recently moved to a new city (new job too).

I see we need to change her address online with the USCIS.
It also looks like we need to file a AR-11 but that form seems to be made for a non us citizen that is already in the US so I am confused about if we need to that or not?

Anyone have experience with this?

https://egov.uscis.g...i/go?action=coa

http://www.uscis.gov.../form/ar-11.pdf
douglas1MaleMexico2010-02-15 08:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-824 process time?
Ahh, I did not know that.


Thank you for saving me $340.00!!! I owe you a beer (or beverage of your choice)
douglas1MaleMexico2010-03-02 07:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-824 process time?
We sent our I-129F in on November 14th and 99 days later we received wonderful news from the USCIS that our I-129F petition was approved! The actual approval date was Feb. 24th.

However in the mean time my fiancée moved from Monterrey to Mexico City (They are about 600 miles apart). For convenience we would like to switch consulates from Monterrey to Mex City, and I see we are suppose to use the I-824 form to do so. I was surprised by the $340 fee.

I was thinking this is something that would be processed quickly but in my research I found a few people saying the I-824 can take 6 months to process but I also realize that form can be used for several other actions then what we would be using it for. This is a big concern due to the 4 month expiration date on the I129F approval.

Does anyone have any idea of actual process times using the I824 to switch consulates? And would you recommend going ahead with using the form to change consulates or should we just deal with the inconvenience of using the non local consulate?

THANKS!
douglas1MaleMexico2010-03-01 23:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAge Difference Red Flags?
My female fiancee is 15 years younger then me, so far not a problem!
douglas1MaleMexico2010-03-02 08:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMexican Divorce
update: We have our approved VISA. USCIS, NVC, & Juarez consulate did not even mention her divorce or the "1 year" no remarry law.
douglas1MaleMexico2010-06-08 06:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMexican Divorce
please..can we get back on topic


update:

I went to my city clerk to verify we could get a marriage license, but she said she needed their city lawyer to call Vital
records about this, so I am waiting to here back from them.


The actual verbage is:

First: This Civil Registry of the State of Morelos has jurisdiction to issue resolution in this matter and the means is proper.

Second: Considering the reasoning presented in the recitals of this resolution, the marriage between citizens *his name* and *her name* on the twenty-ninth day of June of the year two thousand and seven, registered in the Civil Registry Office 01, book 02, record 00406 of the Civil Registry of Cuernavaca, is hereby dissolved.

Third: Both spouses shall recover their full ability to remarry after one year has passed as from the dissolution of the marriage, as provided for by our law system.

Edited by douglas1, 08 October 2009 - 12:54 PM.

douglas1MaleMexico2009-10-08 12:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMexican Divorce
Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
Andorra Iceland Norway
Australia Ireland Portugal
Austria Italy San Marino
Belgium Japan Singapore
Brunei Latvia Slovakia
Czech Republic Liechtenstein Slovenia
Denmark Lithuania South Korea
Estonia Luxembourg Spain
Finland Malta Sweden
France Monaco Switzerland
Germany the Netherlands United Kingdom
Hungary New Zealand
douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-21 21:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMexican Divorce
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 21 2009, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
A good "insurance policy" may be to have her send or email a copy of this divorce to you. Take it to YOUR local marriage authority (town clerk here in Vermont) county clerk, whatever. Ask them if her divorce is acceptable for issuance of a marriage license in that state, county, whatever it is. If they say "YES" you are good to go. Get them to give you something saying they accept that as a valid divorce and that they determined she is eligible to be married. Talk to a supervisor if you need to, this is probably way over the front desk clerk's head.

Attach that to the petition and you are golden! You are sending off a non-refundable $455 fee, probably best to delay a day or two and check it out.



That is brilliant!

I actually just rx'd the decree from her and sent it out tonight to get translated. And it sure does look like a final decree, and the "1 year" is a law in Mexico..that is why we decided to go with K1 instead of K3.

I do hope someone here has dealt wit this the same situation
I also think I need to go see a lawyer about this.



douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-21 19:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMexican Divorce
I am VERY worried - My fiancees Mexican Divorce decree states she can not remarry for 1 year, and her divorce only happened on Sept 17, 2009.


Are we out of luck or does this not apply to a wedding in the US?



douglas1MaleMexico2009-09-21 17:49:00