ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresgap btwn NOA2 and interview
I believe the USCIS approval is valid for 4 months but the consulate can extend it indefinitely if needed for their review. Once you are approved at the consulate and receive the visa, it is valid for 6 months or until used.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-02 21:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYAY....rejected package came back...time to resubmit!

Hey VJ fam!
Good news....I can stop stressing now...kind of, our I-129f Rejected packet came back...Finally. It was rejected because I over paid. So now here is my question....I am preparing to resubmit it, but on the papers there are some printed numbers and codes on every page (on the right side of the page vertically), so 1.) Do I resubmit the same package?(the ones with the codes printed on them) 2.) Is it ok for me to insert more papers into the package? even though they will not have a printed code on them and 3.) Do I keep the I-797C form?

Thank you for the help~~


Hey! Feel free to hang out with the July class even though you'll get your new NOA in August. I feel bad since we originally filed on the same day... Posted Image

But who knows, maybe we'll both get through at the same time!

And don't forget the G-1145 this time! Otherwise you'll always be checking your mail instead of your phone or your computer...
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-02 21:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI think I'm being a paranoid polly....

I am ok with it being returned, unfortunately these things do happen, hopefully in a timely manner Do you know if it takes a while to be returned?


Well, the good news is it shouldn't take very long to get it back. That's why I said you'd probably hear something, one way or the other, by the end of the week. That's the whole reason they added the Texas step. It used to be that you had to send it directly to Vermont or California depending on where you live. Now they all go to Texas, where their only job is to make sure the forms are filled out properly and cash the checks. This makes sure that petitioners get their applications back quickly if there's any problems, and it also eases the load at the other two service centers, as they only have to deal with complete and accepted applications.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-27 00:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI think I'm being a paranoid polly....

This prosess is so intimidating, I know you can relate, so for me if one thing doesn't go smoothly I freak out.


I think everybody who files this goes through pretty much the same thing. I know I still am. But if your petition comes back (and I think, unfortunately, it most likely will), take the time to go over it once more. From what I've seen on this site, embassies are notorious for spreading bad information. You already got one piece of wrong information from the embassy, make sure everything else is A-OK before sending it back. Use this site, the USCIS site and don't be afraid to ask around if something isn't clear.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-26 21:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI think I'm being a paranoid polly....

and I also sent $350.00, but I did that because on the US Emb. website for Bogota it said the fee was that much....


That may be the issue. They do withdraw the funds electronically, but they also send a photo copy of the check to your bank for verification. I imagine it could cause problems if they withdrew $340 and sent a copy of a check for $350. Either way, I imagine you should get something by the end of the week.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-26 14:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI think I'm being a paranoid polly....
Not receiving the notice is one thing. The check not being used is another. BTW: check your bank account carefully. They don't actually cash the check, they use it to make an electronic withdrawal from your account. If you see a debit for $340, then you know they are processing your application. Also, did you include a G-1145? Doing so means they will email and/or text you when they process the application.

I also mailed my I-129F on July 18th (USPS Express Mail to Lewisville). I got an email and text on July 21st and my NOA1 in the mail yesterday. Expect it to take a little bit longer if you sent it to the Lockbox in Dallas.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-26 13:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForm I-797-email
Just a whole lot of waiting. Nothing to do yet. In the meantime you can begin to look at the next steps and get an idea of what you will need to prepare for the consulate stage. Also, remember to continue to collect evidence of your relationship from the time you submitted the petition to the time your fiancee interviews.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-05 20:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForm I-797-email
The I-797 is the Notice of Action form. That is USCIS in Texas letting you know you've been processed and your petition is being sent to Vermont or Califiornia.


Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-04 16:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould the passport be really valid for at least 5 years when filing i-129F

I am, therefore I was, and had to be. Verb, slightly twisted, a la Descartes.


"I DO therefore I BE" ~Descartes
"I BE therefore I DO" ~Voltaire
"DO BE DO BE DO" ~Frank Sinatra
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-06 16:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould the passport be really valid for at least 5 years when filing i-129F
You're welcome. Always happy to help. Colon, Parentheses.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-05 22:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould the passport be really valid for at least 5 years when filing i-129F
"In place of any of the above, you may give USCIS a copy of your valid, unexpired U.S. passport issued with a validity period of at least five years."

The validity period is the duration of the passport at the time it was issued. It's been a long time since the US issued passports with less than a 5-year validity period.

Therefore, an unexpired, 10-year passport is good. Exclamation Point.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-05 22:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould the passport be really valid for at least 5 years when filing i-129F
If it is a 10-year passport, and it is unexpired, you are good. Period.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-05 20:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a for K-1 visa Packet..

I was planning on using my parents US address. It is the last US address I lived as well. Is that a problem?


No. Not a problem at all. I was thinking if you had yet another address for line 14, you may want to include an explanation. But if it's the same address, it'll be fine.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-08 00:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a for K-1 visa Packet..

So when fill out the I-129F Part A info about you......

This is the place to put my US address (parents house). This will be the main contact address.

When filling out the G-325a it is ok to put my address here in mexico for current address?

There will no be any red flags for different addresses on the two forms?

Thanks..


No, it's not a problem. The address on the I-129F can be a mailing address, even a P.O. Box, separate from your physical address.
I have a question, though. What address are you using for question 14?
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-07 23:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a for K-1 visa Packet..

I believe this is a matter for the I-129F rather than the G-325A. The G-325A only asks about the applicant's residence address for the last 5 years. There, you would put your physical address. I think you would put your mailing address in the US on the I-129F.


That's right. The address on the I-129F is where they will mail their correspondence. That can be your parents' address.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-07 00:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a for K-1 visa Packet..
You might be looking at older posts. I believe older petitions required 4 copies, but the process now only requires 1 for each the petitioner and beneficiary.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-06 23:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

"I know they make exceptions," is not the same thing as, "they do not allow co-sponsors."

However, I would strongly disagree with your revised opinion. Based upon my personal experience, and based upon what I have read here in VJ, my opinion is that Manila accepts cosponsors in K-1 cases more often than not.


My opinions aren't revised, they are expanded. Thank you for expanding that one, and for reinforcing the original point: that the OP should become aware of potential issues with co-sponsorship at their particular consulate.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-08 01:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

The U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM) allows cosponsors for K-1ers on a case-by-case basis.

A coworker of mine successfully used a cosponsor at the USEM. Several other VJ members have reported successfully using cosponsors at the USEM.


Agreed. I know they do make exceptions. But the problem with any unwritten policy is inconsistency and unpredictability. Why they are allowed to hold US citizens to a different standard is beyond me.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-07 23:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

Hey, I was reading the instructions for the I864 and it appears you do need the co-sponsor at that time to be an immediate family member just FYI in case you don't find work. Hopefully, this won't be an issue. Plus I have got other items wrong so you might want to check those instructions out for yourself.


No, the joint sponsor can be any US Citizen.

"A joint sponsor can be any U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident who is at least 18 years old, domiciled in the United States, or its territories or possessions, and willing to be held jointly liable with the petitioner for the support of the intending immigrant. A joint sponsor does not have to be related to the petitioning sponsor or the intending immigrant."

You might have gotten this confused with the primary sponsor who must be the petitioner.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-06 23:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X
In general, yes. Especially in cases of students or recent students. Note that the I-134 is not a binding document. It is an intent to support. When your fiance comes to the states and you are married, you will file the I-834 with the AOS, which is legally binding. Keep that in mind if you ask your friend to co-sponsor at that time.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-06 19:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X
I know that some consulates do not allow co-sponsors (e.g. Philippines, Vietnam and Nigeria) but some also limit the use of co-sponsors to immediate family members. Your best bet is to call and ask the consulate what their policy is. If you can get an immediate family member to sponsor you, it would look better for your case.

Assuming that they do allow co-sponsors:

Put "student" for the time you were in school on the G-325a and "unemployed" for the time after until present

Despite the fact that you currently don't meet the financial requirements, you are still the main sponsor, and must fill out an I-134 for yourself and one for the co-sponsor.

1 co-sponsor will be enough if she makes that much money...

It is not uncommon for students or recent grads to go through this process and provide a co-sponsor.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-06 18:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInternational gay marriages in New York
The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 defines marriages for federal purposes as a union between a man and a woman. Therefore any pair looking for specific federal rights as a married couple must meet that criteria. However, the Act was found to be unconstitutional in multiple courts and is now under appeal.

The USCIS has affirmed that they will continue to deny petitions by same sex partners until the Act is amended or removed from the books.

Here's a recent article from the LA Times that may be of help: http://articles.lati...ration-20110606

Good Luck.

And to others, please respect that your opinion is your own and if you wish to share it, do so in the appropriate forum.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-31 09:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalling card fiasco!!!
Phone records are only 1 type of evidence. My fiancee and I can't talk on the phone. She's got a lousy cell provider and I can't get through to her from a land line or my cell in the US. Just provide more photos or other evidence and if it comes up in the interview, explain the situation. Should be alright.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-07-24 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 and day of the week
From what I've noticed on the boards and in my own experience, the email notifications are computer generated and go out at a time when internet activity is low, specifically between 12 and 1 AM. That doesn't mean they don't come out at other times, just that a bulk of them go out at that time. Being government employees, I don't think they work on weekends. But, again because the notifications are computer generated, it may be that notifications go out 7 days a week.
Rich&VeroMaleSpain2011-08-05 22:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCalifornia USCIC
It seems that NOA2's out of CSC have almost stopped form what i have seen in other threads. Lets hope they figure it out soon for anyone waiting on CSC. Processing delays seem to bounce back and forth between CSC and VSC. If you do a search you will see that the same thing happened in vermont, then they started to get moving agian. Best of luck to everyone still waiting.
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-03-10 19:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril TRANSFER?
I just got an email that i got transferred from VSC as well. And I am a march 8 2013 filer. I assume its to Texas. Hope they are moving quick down there.
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-10 11:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril Filer k1 transfer email is this legit?
Got one too today. March 8 filer.
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-10 12:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHas anyone approved from TSC been moved to NVC yet?
Doobietoo...we just got transfered on july 10th. Still waiting for NOA2. So I know I've still got some time. Just praying they figure out the backlog to NVC soon.

Has anyone called Texas? And spoke to a tier 2? It seems VSC and CSC have not had any problems getting cases over the NVC. It appears to be a Texas specific problem

Ill try and keep this topic front and center until there is a solution and people start getting moved. Best of luck to everyone in this extended waiting game.




Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-15 09:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHas anyone approved from TSC been moved to NVC yet?
Well at first I was excited to get transfered because they were working the cases so quickly down in Texas. But now it is a bit scary with nobody, from what I can tell by igors list, moving on to the NVC. Hopefully they figure it out soon for you all with NOA2 in hand. And by the time vika and I are approved (knock on wood) it will be running smoother. Good luck to you all!
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-14 22:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHas anyone approved from TSC been moved to NVC yet?
Has anyone called and spoke to a higher up to see what the hold up is? I know they recently retrained those employees to handle these petitions but seems they forgot about that step in the process!
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-14 16:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHas anyone approved from TSC been moved to NVC yet?

Just curious as there appears to be a backlog of case being approved and sent on to the NVC.  I just got transferred there from VSC on July 10th and have noticed while there are approvals (rather quickly too) there is also a problem moving along to the next step in the journey.  Any info would be appreciated.


Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-14 10:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 approved!!
March 8 for NOA1, transfered from Vermont to Taxes July 10th, NOA2 July 25th. 140 days for approval.
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-25 23:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 approved!!
Just got an email tonight at 9:30pm (didn't know they worked that late) that we got our NOA2 and we were approved! It's been what seems like forever. I am glad I can finally make this post! The journey isn't over but this is great first step along the way. Hope all you still waiting get your approval soon!
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-25 22:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsThe case was not found with USCIS

ok guys after the case number was not found or something kinda missing i got RFE on July 25 and still waiting the mailing dunno what missed. And what i heard from 3 friend of mine who got same RFE on K1, the USCIS ask for Letter of Intent and NEED to be notarized. And i was submit the letter without notarized. Still curious what missed ill post here soon after got mail


 


 

 

Just got our NOA2 approval on July 25th.  Our letter of intent from Vika was scanned copy that I printed out. Mine was original and neither were notarized. I truly believe its whoever grabs your file.  We got transferred to TSC on July 10th, and they are still newbies at the K1's so I think that might have something to do with it.  After reading all over VJ I had her send me the original just in case we got an RFE but never needed it.  I would go above and beyond the request. Best of luck on a quick RFE resolution!


Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-28 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsany one who got approved on July 2013 already get case number or interview schedule?

Approved July  25th, nothing yet.
Called NVC almost everyday and they said up to 8 weeks..
 
I e-mailed USCIS Friday at least to find out when is going out to NVC.
Can't believe it takes so long to packet a file and put it in the mail...


I have the same exact dates as you. Transfered to TSC on 7/10 and noa2 on 7/25. Still waiting case number as well. I saw where Someone in TSC was approved 7/22 and got notification Friday that their case was sent to NVC. From what I can gather they ship once a week so we might have just made cutoff. If I don't hear anything by Friday I'm calling. Though that doesn't seem to do much good but it will
Make me feel a bit better. Lol

Best of luck and keep us updated.


 
 














Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-08-11 09:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDS-230 Question

Ok I am filling out the DS-230, the packet 3 form the Ukrainian embassy has online says fill out part 1, but on the form its specifically says...

 

"This form (DS-230 Part II), together with Form DS-230 Part I, constitutes the complete Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration"

 

So did they maybe change the form and not the letter for packet 3?  Any help would be appreciated.  I was thinking of sending her with a blank section 2 and a completed section 2, that way she is covered either way.

 

Again, thanks for any help or insight.


Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-08-29 15:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDelays in CSCIS uploads to NVC

Doing some research on this TSC TO NVC problem. Turns out that there is a recurring Robles with TSC sending the approved petition to the NRC instead of the NVC. And no one bothers to check, they just gve you the canned response. NRC is NATIONAL RECORDS CENTER. People, that is a holding pattern. If you don't keep emailing, calling, it may just sit there forever.


If I got an case number but was told it was in AP is it possible my case was sent to NRC too? Just trying to figure out why i got put into AP. btw I am a TSC case as well.

Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-08-29 20:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK2 Child in mothers passport

I have a question. In Ukraine my Fiancés son is listed in her passport. This is how they do it there apparently as a cost saving measure.  Will we have problems with K1/K2 with him not having his own passport?  We are 3 months into our wait so I guess if needed there is still time to move on this.  Any insight will be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Brent and Vika


Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-06-02 15:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent Question!!!!
Just got our NOA2 approval tonight. We had scanned copy of LOI without being notarized. No RFE for us. Best of luck.

Edited by Brent and Vika, 25 July 2013 - 11:08 PM.

Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-25 23:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent Question!!!!
The debate on original signatures or scanned copies continues. My friend used scanned copies and got approved. And I have read here where scanned copies were denied. I think it depends on who adjudicates your case. Unfortunately it's up to them. I believe it's safer to use originals but in our instance Vika was unavailable to send the original for a couple weeks so we went ahead with the submission. Hoping for one of the more lax adjudicators for us :). Anyway I'll update once I hear something, either an RFE or an NOA2 approval. We shall soon find out. But to be clear no matter what it does not need to be notarized. Best of luck on your jounrey and be patient as this process is not quick, especially when wait for a loved one to join you. It makes the process seem twice as long.
Brent and VikaMaleUkraine2013-07-21 10:54:00