ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSmooth as silk

It could not have been easier entering through Newark POE. Emma was all the way through customs and out the door to me in under 40 minutes from the time the plane reached the gate.

She went through the visitors line because it looked to be shorter than the USC line, was taken immediately to the secondary processing for new immigrants, and waited less than ten minutes to get her passport stamped. She was asked no questions whatsoever by the first CBP agent--she just handed him the package and her passport, and no questions from the agent in secondary processing, and no questions going through customs, even though she had two GIANT suitcases plus a carry on plus a computer bag.

The only disappointment if you want to call it that is that the I-551 stamp is so tiny--we had both imagined some big, fancy stamp taking up the whole page, but no--tiny is fine !!!

She is home, we are doing all the little things that need to be done to get ready for winter, and life is REALLY, REALLY good !!!

Awwwww, isn't nice to be in each other's arms for good?!! (L) (L) (L) :dance: :dance: :dance:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-06 16:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Medical Question

No you don't forward medical records.

He needs letters and records for the anti-depressants and may have to see a therapist before the medical is completed if he is currently on anti-depressants. He also needs to bring his vaccination records to the medical.

Thank you so much for your help:)))
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-20 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Medical Question
Will my fiancee's medical records from his personal physician need to be forwarded for the medical exam? Also, does it matter if you take an antidepressant-will that have any impact?
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-20 12:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration Timeline
Hello all :) We're wondering how accurate the immigration timeline is on here. Soooooo anxious for the NOA2!!!! :yes:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-26 22:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3
We are anxiously awaiting our Packet 3-what does it contain?
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-09 11:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Notification
Will we be notified when our petition is at NVC, and when it is forwarded on to the consulate? We were wondering if the USCIS website is where we look for that. Thanks for all your help!!!! :thumbs:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-10 08:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Dates

Should be posted in the CANADA section. There are already 3-4 threads there on interview times. People have said they see up to December 24th for interviews but they are being snapped up VERY quickly by people who have been waiting 3 months for interviews to open up at Montreal.

Yikes! I guess an early Christmas present is out of the question :wacko:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-16 21:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Dates
Hello all!! I'm wondering if anyone has recent info regarding wait times and scheduling interviews for the consulate in Montreal??
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-16 20:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC receipt of application

The automated system does not track non-immigrant Visa's. If you are a K-1 filer you need to hit 5 and talk to a live person. 1 week is probably too soon. I got NOA2 on 23 Sept and thye processed my Visa request on 11 Oct. from what I read that is about the norm. some go longer some shorter. I would say after about 2 weeks start calling every day.

OK, so today I called and hit 5-25minutes on hold for a live person. They said they have no record of my case yet, so I'll keep calling daily. :whistle:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-17 12:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC receipt of application

It took a month until my approved petition was received by NVC.

Good grief! :bonk:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-17 12:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC receipt of application

The automated thing still says my petition is not recorded (though it is). Call and talk to an actual person. I got my NOA2 on 9/19 and NVC number was assigned on 9/30. It left NVC on 10/3.

Ok-will do!!
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-15 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC receipt of application
I would like to hear from filers of the Vermont Service Center-how long did it take for the NVC to receive your petition? It's been a week now for us, and I called the automated system, and it says they have no record of our case number.
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-15 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTHANK YOU.....THANK YOU...THANK YOU

To the Glory of the Almighty God, It is a real blessing to report to everyone that our interview was a success. SPECIAL THANKS to the VJ'ers as well because the process wouldn't have been this easy for us if not for your questions, responses, reviews, prayers and advice. A full review will be provided once I return back to the U.S. Once again Thanks and May God bless you all abundantly

Awwwww, so happy for you two (L)
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-17 21:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!!!

Based on my personal experience, and those of several others communicated in separate posts, there are two "AP's" 1.ADDITIONAL PROCESSING - which is the normal processing that the NVC does to send the documents to the local embassy, and 2.ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING - which means they are performing some additional checks on the petition. The latter being the type of AP that can take from now to eternity.
I called NVC because it was taking a long time for us to get notified with our MNL case number. For a couple of weeks they did not have record of receiving our petition....so I called every few days. Finally they told me they had received the petition and that it was "going through ADDITIONAL PROCESSING." I said "oh sh*t, what's wrong? ...then after i apologized to the CS rep, she said "Don't worry, nothings wrong, all petitions go through ADDITIONAL PROCESSING it's just a term for readying the package to be sent to the embassy."
5 days later the embassy recieved the package.
If you search the forums using those two keywords, you'll see others that say the same thing......So don't worry, your petition will be sent soon I believe.
Good luck...and keep us posted.

Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much for posting on this-you have no idea how relieved we are!! :thumbs: :yes:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-20 15:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!!!

Happens to everyone. It took 1 month from our NOA2 to get my packet 3. Relax! :blush:

I hope I am overreacting-this process has been known to do strange things to VJers minds, lol :bonk:

Edited by Dar&Shan, 19 October 2011 - 01:02 PM.

Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-19 13:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!!!
We received our NOA2, dated October 4. I've been checking to see if NVC has received it for several days now. I sent an email, and just got a response saying they have received it, and our petition is undergoing additional processing, and we will be given further instructions after processing is complete. So, I called and spoke to a live person at NVC, and I asked her if each petition is handled like this, or if it is something specific to ours-she said she has no information on that subject, and she could not answer any questions about that. If any of you have had this happen to you at NVC-please post! I am hoping someone can reassure me that this is normal procedure :help:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-19 10:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCanadian Police Check

RCMP police certificates cover all of Canada. He can go to his local RCMP detachment and fill out the request. It only takes about 10 days. Some cost $50.00 some are free. I had one done at the local police station and it cost $50.00 while the RCMP report was free. If you need it sooner you can request it but there may be a fee.

Thanks!
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-23 19:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCanadian Police Check
Hi everyone!! We have been reading different posts regarding police checks from Canada. My fiance has lived in Toronto and Hamilton. Will he need a police check from each city, as well as from RCMP? We keep reading conflicting info. Also, do you inquire for these in person, phone, or online, and how long can we expect it to take? Thanks for any advice!!
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-23 18:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQUESTIONS ABOUT THE USCIS WEBSITE

To some of those who have or have had an "account", what are a few of the 'typical' messages they might send you?
Do you, or did you, feel it was helpful? Other than not doing the 'check status' thing every day, which seems a good point like Juan says, of saving time.

We had an account, but it was useless. We got no text messages, no emails, NADA :bonk:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-10-30 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWOOHOOOOOOO FINALLY LEFT NVC!!!

Start getting your packet 3 stuff together if you haven't already :-) Congrats!

He is sending off for his police check today-he was told it would take approx. 2 weeks to arrive. We've already got our forms prepared, and we are so excited knowing we will be able to TRY to schedule an interview soon, lol. It's our understanding Montreal is pretty slow :bonk: Many thanks for the well wishes :yes:

Congrats on your progress!

Thank you so much!! Here's to a speedy NOA2 for you :star:

Congratulations!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Thanks!!! Looks like you are just ahead of us-have you received packet 3 yet? Good luck and congratulations to you as well :dance:

Congraulations!

Awwww, thanks Leather!!
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-01 21:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWOOHOOOOOOO FINALLY LEFT NVC!!!
Just letting everyone know that our petition was FINALLY forwarded on to the Montreal consulate-TODAY!!!!!! :dance: :thumbs:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-01 13:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresphone records
We have about 9 months of phone records, but I recently switched to a straight talk phone. Will it be an issue that we don't have phone records from about August on? Should we make sure and email daily to prove contact? Thanx in advance :help:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-02 01:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures119 days..

This one used to be something I used. lol

:girlwerewolf2xn:

THAT IS THE MOST AWESOME EMOTICON I HAVE EVER SEEN, LOLOLOLOL :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :rofl:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-03 19:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3
Ok, we are getting our Packet 3 finished up, but I have one question- Form DS 156K has a section that says you have to attach your birth certificate, police certificate, etc.... do we send those in with Packet 3 now? Please help! :bonk: :help:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-05 15:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSealed XRAY cd from st lukes

People...I have just recently known na i was supposed not to open the sealed CD that was given to me by St lukes..I just got done with my interview and am waiting for my visa already..I have opened it na, coz I tried to watch it..and then, people say that it will be needed for the AOS?? since, i have opened the sealed CD, will I have problem with the AOS then? or even with just the POE?? I just cant help but worry about having it opened..should this really be a worry that I opened the x-ray CD? what can I do?? People, I need your response.. :( especially to those who are done with the POE thing/AOS din..Thank you!!

From reading similar posts, it seems that is ok. It isn't marked "Do Not Open", only the medical results. You should be fine-but don't let curiosity get the best of you-opened medical results will be a HUGE problem.
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-06 11:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTrying to budget for fees

Hello, all :) I've been confusing myself a bit with all the fees involved with the K1. Can you tell me if this is accurate?

I-129F - $340
Interview Fee - ~$300
AOS - $1010
Work Authorization - $380
Plus travel fees to the interview/medical


We're trying to budget for the wedding, too, so it'd be very helpful to understand if I'm in the ballpark with these fees!

Thanks in advance - this site and you are SO helpful! :)

Cheryl, the interview fee for a K1 visa is $350. Average fee for the medical is around $275.
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-06 16:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTIME BETWEEN PACKET 3 AND 4
[quote name='JeannieL' timestamp='1323180396' post='5039935']
You don't have to wait for physical packet 4 to come. If you call DOS and they tell you that packet 3 was logged and you are eligible for an interview, you can start trying to book your interview. My packet 4 came about 3 weeks after my packet 3 was logged.
[/quote
Yes, I knew we could do that. But I have gotten messages from people on here that say they didn't receive packet 4. So, I'm confused about if you don't receive it, how can you have the letter to take with you to the medical or to your interview?
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-12-06 10:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTIME BETWEEN PACKET 3 AND 4

You can go to similar timelines, filter out everything except your country and Montreal and get an idea of all the latest ones... . Good luck! I'm guessing anything from two weeks to a month but ... more like two or three weeks?

Thanks frosti-I'm losing my mind with all of the different stages of WAITING :bonk: :girlwerewolf2xn: :lol:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-12-05 20:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTIME BETWEEN PACKET 3 AND 4
For all of my VJ peeps going through Montreal recently, would you mind posting the time it took from sending off your packet 3 and receiving packet 4? :clock:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-12-05 16:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIS POSSIBLE ACCELERATE THE PROCESS?

Hello Guys!

Well, I would like some tips, words of support or even anything I can do to be as early as possible in the United States.
My case is a bit complicated (someone will say, "we all have problems and go through difficult times and want to be with our love." That is quite true ... if anyone says it, I'll understand perfectly. Of course I would love that my case be speeded up so that I had with my wife as soon as possible because I feel so much the lack of her and have been almost 6 months that we are far from each other.

But is not the "simple" fact of longing that I feel for her that makes me think to accelerate our process,but she is pregnant, exactly six months pregnant or 26 weeks of gestation to be more precise. I feel that I will not have my visa approved until February (the month that will give birth to our little girl) And then? how is this situation? She needs a lot of me next to her so I can assist her in these difficult times not only in the day to be born, but now with the pregnancy, doctors and many other things. It has been hard days, and of course we keep our faith and hope for a visa to come soon, but I have not even NOA2 and according to the VJ TIMELINE I'll just have NOA2 in January. It is quite complicated! I do not know how I would feel if my daughter was born and I can not stand next to her and beside my wife. It's not simply say to yourself "Oh, patience! Life is like that!" BECAUSE IT IS NOT LIKE THAT! Of course it affects us emotionally, that's simply the loss of a special date and VERY IMPORTANT. Who has children knows how it should be special and be there when born, must be an amazing and unique moment in someone's life.

All I want is to be there with her and our daughter, I do not care about the visa process, but this is not possible so far, for so much paperwork. But still I would like to do something to be there, I will not just sit and cross my arms like a loser!

If someone, by chance, suggesting a tourist visa ... I tell you that this is not possible because I will be visa denied.

Anyway, I would like help from someone who has had a case similar to ours!
I ask you comprehension.

Thank you!

Why are you so sure your tourist visa will be denied? Of course we all understand that you want to be with your pregnant wife, but realistically, the pregnancy could have been prevented.
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-11-15 11:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresToronto Medical
The posts on VJ regarding the medical exam at Dr. Seiden's office in Toronto is spot on. My fiancee was the first one to arrive this morning, just after 6 am. He was the first one served, and had all of the necessary things with him. Everyone was pleasant, although rushed, and he was out of there by 815 am. He stressed about it beforehand so much, but what an easy process it was!!! All we have to now is wait for the interview :joy:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-12-13 14:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan i file for the k-1 visa by myself?

Do you think i can do the fiance visa by myself without the help of a lawyer??

Absolutely you can! We were scared in the beginning of this process and hired a firm....waste of money!! We have found all the help we needed right here-VJ will be with you every step of the way :thumbs:
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-12-16 22:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConflicting info regarding wait times

Good luck with that. You used a liar company.


Montreal is taking AGES to book interviews, some people have waited well over a month just to book an interview.

The process with USCIS alone is 5-6 months just for an approval and then you have to wait for nvc and then you have to wait for Montreal which is slow and horrible as all get out! Montreal is not reliable for mailing or contacting.

Head over to the Canada section and you will see many many posts on issues with Montreal booking appointments and trying to get the visas back from them.

I know-what we read on the Canada threads prompted us to start questioning.
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-18 13:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConflicting info regarding wait times

I used Rapid Visa and it states that the wait time between NOA1 and Noa2 is 3-5 and most are approved in less than 6 months not the whole process.

Thanks for your response, however, I emailed Ben about this. His response to me was "I have never heard of anyone waiting for an interview longer than 2 months. What you read online is only from people that have problems with the process." I guess I was just hoping he was right :(
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-18 13:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConflicting info regarding wait times
Hey everyone! We are new to VJ, so I'll start with a little bit of background info. I'm from Arkansas, and I met my Canadian fiancee online in November of 2010. We fell in love almost instantly and knew we wanted to be together forever! We hired RapidVisa to help us with the K1 process. Our packet was received at Vermont Service Center on June 10, and we are still waiting for NOA2. The people at RapidVisa told us from the beginning that this entire process takes 4-6 months. That is from the time the servicing center receives the packet until the interview time. Montreal will be his interview location. We have been reading some accounts on VJ that really vary from that timeline we were given. We would love to hear from all the Canadians who have gone, or are still going through the K1 process. Thanks for all of your help:)
Dar&ShanFemaleCanada2011-09-18 11:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPoverty level
Thanks for the help! happy.gif
kosuke85MaleVietnam2008-02-06 11:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPoverty level
How do you figure what percentage above the poverty level your income is? I recall it needing to be 125% above the poverty level before you would need a co-signer. How do you figure this? Thanks!
kosuke85MaleVietnam2008-02-05 09:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRe-approval of k1
Thanks for the correction Marc, and I apologize for the misunderstanding.
kosuke85MaleVietnam2009-07-08 06:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRe-approval of k1
Ok, can't edit that last post, meant to say "USCIS in Sept of 08'" of course. tongue.gif
kosuke85MaleVietnam2009-07-01 04:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRe-approval of k1
My lawyer said the same, that USCIS is getting fed up with the consulate trying to re-adjudicate all these petitions and for no reason (or very little) so they are reaffirming at a high rate as it is starting to look like from the posts here and by what I'm hearing through word-of-mouth.They denied mine for insignificant reasons and sent it back to ISCIS in Sept of 08' and I got my reaffirmed letters from USCIS this month(June 09').
kosuke85MaleVietnam2009-07-01 04:36:00