ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?
Well some of us won't need as long a delay to make the late 70's as others will.

I would recommend for those of us with a bigger age difference to go the extra mile to inusre we prove a relationship. Sometimes the questions are easy and sometimes they can throw one at our fiancee that we would never expect. Let me give you an example. For many of us who correspond by e-mail and make trips to meet our S/O. Does your fiancee know your mailing address? Does she know your shoe size? your phone number? your mothers name? My first fiancee missed two questions. She had no reason to know the ones she missed. Missing two raised some doubts in the C/O's mind. Spend time making sure she knows everything they could ask and make sure you have lots of proof. My first fiancee went in with 10-12 photos of us taken during 3 different meetings. This time we are going in with 100 taken over 4 meetings. The first time it was photos of us together. These photos look like lovers. We are hanging all over each other. Of course my new fiancee is much more romantic and affectionate than the former one. We are always hanging all over each other and it is rare that you could slide a sheet of paper between us when we are together.

You can never be too prepaired. It is much better to do something extra to make sure it goes easily than to wish you had and to be trying to figure out how to salvage things.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-24 11:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?
I think one of the biggest flaws in the visa systmem is that it rely on human judgement which is never a perfect or consistant thing.

I think just because one was not scrutinized about something does not mean we will all find the same result. On interviews, I heard of one where the only question asked was how are you today and others that we grilled till sweat poored down their brow. I have heard of cases that the evidence of a relationship was not even requested and others that were denied for insuffiencent evidence even though 30-40 photos were supplied along with hundreds of e-mails.

I will say again it is great that some have not been looked at but that does not mean that others won't be. I think the more input we get the more we will understand.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-23 11:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?

For me it is 38 years. I think that is a lot but it does not bother either of us.



WOW!
According to the picture that you have, you do not look like you are that much older than she is. I am even afraid to ask how old both of you are :P

Thanks for the nice compliment. For the record I am 65 and my fiancee is 27. I hear so many people who say they don't look their age that I hesitate to say the same but most people seem to be a little surprised when they hear my age and to me I think most people would guess our age difference as less. Truthfully I never even think about the age difference when we are together and she says she does not notice it. We like the same things and it does not create a bit of a problem.

On the visa issue I seemed to move slower than most through Vermont and when we hit NVC we got put into A/R. I think now, since IMBRA they are looking harder at age differences to make sure it is a real relationship and not fraud but as long as the relationship is real they will approve it. I agree with you that there are women who want the stability of an older man and off course some who could not be happy in a relationship with someone who was not close to thier age. We all have our ideas about things and they don't care as long as there is no attempt at visa fraud. When we do finally get our interview I do plan to have the relationship very, very well documented.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-23 07:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?
For me it is 38 years. I think that is a lot but it does not bother either of us.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-22 23:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?

I got you beat by a country mile Buck.

They are not allowed to deny a visa over the age difference. Expect a tougher interview and more chance of an Administrative Review somewhere along the line. They just check closer for fraud. You don't have a noticable age difference and it is no big deal when the woman is older than the man.



Age might cause administrative review? :wacko:

I have no doubts you are right. In my case we have a large age gap and it is the second k-1 with differnt fiancees for both of us. I guess we were an A/R waiting to happen.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-22 20:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill age difference matter?
I got you beat by a country mile Buck.

They are not allowed to deny a visa over the age difference. Expect a tougher interview and more chance of an Administrative Review somewhere along the line. They just check closer for fraud. You don't have a noticable age difference and it is no big deal when the woman is older than the man.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-22 20:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLast min question
You will also need the same proofs for the sponsor that you would use for you such as income tax copies, bank letter, employment letter, pay stubs, etc.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-26 08:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLast min question
They use the same I-134 form.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-26 06:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG325a Ukraine Fiance signature??
I went through that with my first fiancee. She used what she called her "sign" and said it was what was in her passport. We got through the K-1 process with it ok but the lady who signed her up for Social Security had a fit and absolutely would not accept it.

My current fiancee tried to do the same and use her "sign" and I made her print her name. It looks more like what we would call a signature. I have a feeling they see a lot of that and you will be ok.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-26 17:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC
It sounds like you are in Administrative Review just like I am. Mine was "flagged" at NVC and proceeded to the big black hole they call A/R or A/P. Mine has only been that way for two months. One other VJ'r has been in A/R for 9 months and the record is 8 years.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-19 12:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Well, in my case, it was the California Service Center, but the way I understood it was that it like completely bypassed the NVC. But I dunno. Will post when I find out what's going on. My fiancee should be checking in with the Embassy in Nairobi today or tomorrow (haven't heard from her today and it's getting a bit late in the day). If I could find my NOA2, I would definitely recheck it for the exact wording. I *thought* it said it was going to the NVC first, for 2-4 weeks of processing, but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me (I've spent a lot more time reading about this stuff online than I spent pouring over the details of the NOA2). But based on the CIS lady's response to my question, it sounds like there *may* be a procedural change, or the CIS lady is just crazy.


I am travelling and do not have my NOA-2 here but mine said nothing about the NVC and said it was being sent directly to the appropriate Embassy. I had seen some comments about the wording but had not heard any confirmation that this had actually happened.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-02-13 10:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

I decided to call CIS back yesterday (Feb 12) to complain again and see if I could get any additional information on the original application, but this time I got a different story (I didn't tell them about the I824 application). This time the lady told me, "Well, NVC shouldn't have your petition; it should have been sent directly to the US Embassy". I couldn't believe this could be the case, and it did not seem consistent with with I have read online or with what the NOA2 said (before I lost it). The CIS lady told me to contact the US Embassy in Nairobi and see if they have the case on file and to update my fiancee's address through them. So I've asked my fiancee to contact the US Embassy and DHS in Nairobi to find out ####### is going on. So I guess I could get some good news tomorrow, or I will find out I was mislead (the latter being what I think has happened).


Just curious. They are saying the file was sent directly to the Embassy. I know the procedure was always to send it to the NVC, they assign it a file number and send it to the embassy. I have also noticed that many of the NOA-2's now say the file has been sent to the appropriate embassy (Including mine) I am at 3 weeks since my NOA-2 without hearing anything. It is not to the point that I am concerned yet but I am wondering about the wording and what they told you that it had been sent to the Embassy rather than the NVC.

Is there any chance they have changed the process and are now sending them from Vermont directly to the Embassy????????
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-02-13 03:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Package Layout
They definately prefer the acco clips with the two holes at the top of the pages. That makes it easy for them to add pages for any processes they go through.

For photos I used a zip lock bag and scotch taped it on three sides to a piece of copy paper punched at the top. That way they could easily remove any photos they wanted to see.

I did not do a letter of introduction but did do an index page with all the contents listed and in the order they were in the packet.

Edited by Turboguy, 24 March 2007 - 08:28 AM.

TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-24 08:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date
No, it does not matter. Most interviews are after the approval date expires. They automatically extend it. If it makes you feel better you can send the embassy an e-mail requesting an extension but it is not neccessary.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-29 06:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129f process waiting time
The record I have seen for Vermont was 4 days. I was one of the slower ones at about 4 weeks. When you see the date posted that is the oldest one they are working on and probably had some RFE's or problems. Usually 2-3 weeks in VT, 2 days to 14 days in NVC and whatever time the embassy takes for the interview.

Valera, congratulations on your quick passage through the process. I was a week ahead of you in VT and am still stuck in NVC. I am glad you had the success you did and hope you have a happy life together. Maybe one of these days we will get there too, I hope.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-29 18:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about evidence of in person meeting
Yes, when you send the documents with the applications always send copies, never originals.

When you go to the interveiw, always take originals, never copies.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-28 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about evidence of in person meeting
Ok, this is my take on it.

With the initial filing of the K-1 you only need to prove that you have met in person in the last 2 years and that you intend to marry. The photos and a copy of the pages of her passport would do that. You never want to send originals of anything with the initial fling. They are not returned. Sometimes for the interveiw you do need to submit original copies of things but not with the application.

Your problem may be this. When you get to the interview stage you need to prove more than having met in the past two years. You must prove you have a real relationship. Good proofs are photos, phone records, boarding passes, snail mail letters, e-mail letters. Phone records, and snail mail are often looked at more favorably than e-mail, phone cards, and SMS although they also cary weight.

My suggestion would be this. File now. Go spend time with her while you are wating. It is a good thing anyway to know each other as much as possible. Build your evidence file for the interview.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-28 11:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFilling out G325A: Employment History question
Lots of people make changes and corrections. I am sure they are quite used to seeing it. Any legal document can be changed using the method described. (line, correction, initials) There should be no problems.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-01 08:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFilling out G325A: Employment History question

Hi Guys,

I'm filling out the G325A right now, and I've only been employed a little under 4 years, which I put on the first line. Do I need to make any other notation to indicate that I was unemployed (still in college) prior to June of 2003?

Also, my fiancee on her 325 put her date of employment at merck as June 2002 to Now. However, in truth, it was from January. She sent me the forms, and that's the only mistake on there. What are my options:

1) Do I have to hand copy and refill out everything on the blanks forms she sent me with her signature filled in
2) Can I use white out, or simply cross out the date and write in January
3) Or can I just leave the mistake and hope they don't check too carefully?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Xin Li

I don't totally understand # 1. All the information must be on the form. Yes, I suppose you would have to hand copy it.

2. I would not recommend white out. The proper way to do it is to draw a line through the error, write in the correct answer and intial the change. People have used white out and gotten away with it but it is not the best choice.

3. I doubt very much that they would notice the error or care much if they discovered it. They don't usually check with employers that much unless they have a reason to.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-01 00:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnother question
I have to agree with KitKat. The UCSIS webiste clearly states the do not give preferential treatmant to cases filed by an attorney. Clearly by the cases I have seen here that statement is true.

I also have to agree with all the nightmare stories that seem to happen using an attorney. As far as checking things over, I think they do so many they must get sloppy. There seems to be a lot more RFE's using a lawyer than not.

Earlier in this thread I talked about my friend whose K-1 went in the same day as mine but he used a lawyer. Now I will tell you, to quote Paul Harvey, The rest of the story. Larry was afraid to apply on his own so he asked many people for a reference for a good immigration attorney. He went with one of the top ones. Three months after he paid $ 2000.00 nothing had been sent in. The attorney sat on it forever. He fired that one and hired another. This one took a month from the time he had the info till he filed. He finally mailed it Feb 1 of '05. There was an RFE because the lawywer forgot the birth certificate. Unfortunately the lawyer never bothered to tell him there was an RFE and that he needed a copy of Larrys birth certificate so it just set until Larry found out what had happened. Larry was upset with the attorney and tried to send the Birth certificate right to VT but since the lawyer had all the case numbers and files and would not provide any info that turned into a big hastle. When it came time for the interview Larry needed a copy of the K-1 and the originals of the documents he had provied to the attorney but the attorney would not return them. He fired the attorney and threatend to sue and then got them back.

When I started on my first K-1, (also filed feb 1 of '05) I planned to use an attorney. I thought it might be a little quicker and less hastle. After reading horror stories and seeing how easy it is by spending time here I decided to do it myself. Best decision I ever made.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-02 15:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnother question

BTW, using a "K1 visa attorney" won't change anything in terms of how long your approval takes. In fact, it could take longer since attorneys make mistakes.

Simply read the I-129F instructions:

7. What Documents Do You Need toProve That You Can Legally Marry?

C. If either you or your fiancé(e) were married before,give copies of documents showing that each priormarriage was legally terminated.

Therefore, your marriage must be legally terminated, according to the laws in your state, before you file.


Hate to break it to you, but Kit Kat is right (including the bit about an attorney).

Even if the Lawyer doesn't make mistakes which they seem to do often it will take longer. You are adding a link to the chain. A chain with an extra link can not be shorter than it was. Instead of sending things in, you send them to the attorney, he has questions you answer, it sits on his desk till he gets to it and eventually sends it in. Plus you are out of the loop. Communication goes to him. I had a friend apply using an attorney when I did my first K-1. Through NOA-2 I picked up 4 weeks on him and he had and RFE and I did not. (His attorney forgot to include his birth certificate)
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-02 07:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnother question
First off Stumpjumper if you fill in the state where you live when you ask questions here people will be able to give you a better answer.

Second. If your divorce decree says you must wait for 6 months to remarry then you will likely have to wait 6 months to file because you have to send a copy of your divorce decree with your K-1 application so you stand a risk of denial if you file sooner. If you divorce decree does not say that then you could file at the end of the two month period since you would be free to marry, just not in your home state.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-01 22:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof
I think it sounds pretty good. If you have any records of phone calls they like that. It sounds like you have snail mail correspondence and that is a big plus too. They like that better than e-mails.

I think something people should keep in mind is if anything about your relationship could raise questions then it is far better to go in with more proof. In my case, if they ever get around to getting us to the interview stage, she is going to go in loaded for bear. It is the second K-1 with different partners for both of us plus we have a sizable age difference so I expect closer scrutiny. We are going in with 100+ well organized photos taken in two different parts of Russia, in Thailand and in Egypt. With 100 + e-mail at least half of which discuss marriage or our life after marriage, snail mail, phone records, boarding passes, hotel bookings with both names, gift recipts and more. I am not sending any records of money I sent. They don't seem to look at that very hard.

Another suggestion is to make sure she knows all about you. Print out some of the lists of interview questions and that she knows it all. My other K-1, gal missed two questions. I had about the same amount of proof that you have and we ended up getting a 221-G and they wanted more proof of relationship. If she had answered the questions we would have sailed through.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-31 10:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof

so as prrof of having met and aswell as on going relationship i am sending

1. about 6-7 photos of just him and me
2. about my 10 most recent emails ( all other got deleted )
3. passport copies, with all stamps
4. boarding passes
5. iteniaries
6. 3 receipts showing i was in the country during the time
7. love letters from him, not mines since he has them
8. 1 , moneygram order ( i just got hired since the time toghether at a good job or w.e. and its the 1st time i send hi, since his mom always sent him)

is this good enough?



Sounds good to me.


TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-31 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStarting to get worried...
The best time to call is very early or very late. They are open till midnight. I have been calling about 11 PM. Usually my wait is about 2 minutes. I will be making my next bi weekly call on Thursday.

Actually your story sounds identical to mine. I heard nothing for a month and then called and found out I was in Administrative Review where it has stayed now for 10 weeks or so. I hope that is not what has happened to you. It is a big black hole where you can do nothing and find out nothing and never know when and if it will end. Good luck.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-03 18:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about applying for K1 visa without a lawyer..
You might try visiting the IMBRA section here. There are several people who have been in the same boat or something close that have discussed thier probelms. I don't recall what was said but there could be some good information.

It will probably be handled much the same with or without a lawyer. You are going to have to disclose it on your application and it will likely get you in some Administatrive review while the collect info on it. In the end as long as your fiancee is aware of the incident it should be approved.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-02 07:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTimeline question
When the post those dates on the USCIS website what they are really posting is the "oldest" one they are working on and that includes ones with multiple RFE's and other problems. Those dates are the least accure of anything you will find.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-08 06:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow soon can we marry?
Damn, I followed the link to the regulations for my state, PA and according to what that says in my state you not only need a SS# You need a drivers liscence. I guess they know when a guy gets married who is going to be really in the drivers seat.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-08 19:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow many of you used a lawyer to help you
When I started this I planned to use a lawyer. The more I read the more I realized that it would increase the time and raise the risk of problems. I am doing my second K-1 and would never consider a lawyer unless there were some complications in the process.

I can relate to the stories about temperatures. To escape the siberian winters I meet my fiancee in Egypt in December to spend some time together. The temps were about in the low 70's. I was running around in stort sleeve shirts, my fiancee in summer clothes and many of the natives were wearing winter coats.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-05 11:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresbetween NOA1 and NOA2 - what to do
It is a little early to do any real worrying yet. Just sit back and wait. You will likely not have to wait much longer. Good Luck.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-08 00:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan she come visit me?
Getting a tourist visa for a single young woman from Russia has about the same odds as winning the powerball. I don't know your particulars. If she has young children she is leaving behind in Russia, has real estate and a very good job then the odds go up to about 50-50.

If you want to try it at worst you waste $ 100.00 for the application fee but I think power ball tickets would be a safer investment. There are links here to the Moscow Embassy and everything is outlined there.

If she does get the visa when she comes into the country, she is visiting a friend (all great loves must have a friendship anyway, right?) or sightseeing. If she says she is visiting her fiancee she may find herself back on a plane faster than she expected.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-29 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials
13 years is not a big age difference. They have approved visas with more than a 50 year age difference. My own difference is 38 years.

Yes, they don't care about English. They do care about communication. There have been visas approved without problems where they don't share a common language as long as one is trying to learn the language of the other. The problem with a fiance(e) who doesn't speak English comes in the Embassies that don't allow the partner there. The answer "He speaks Portugeese or Russian or whatever" is often greeted a little skepticly. The embassies that allow both to be there a few words in either language settles the question.

Alt, Having been in Ukraine more than a dozen times I can agree with you. The women there are beautiful. I am sure whatever parts of the world our S/O comes from seems like the world's most beautiful to each of us.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-23 07:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials
Actually Dora-David a couple of the points you found are not grounds for denial. The large age difference one and poor English skills are not grounds for denial. They may cause them to look harder at the applicants to make sure a real relationship exists. For example on the English skills, they may question the couples ability to communicate. All in all they are not supposed to pass judgement on the suitablity of the couple but only to look at the motives and make sure there is no fraud.

I would also question #'s 8 and 10, the day to day contact and relatives. They may be grounds to probe deeper but can not cause a denial in and of themselves. Otherwise it was a pretty good list and interesting.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-22 19:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDenials
There usually are not too many denials on a K-1 if all the requirements are met. Probably the biggest problem would be failure to prove a relationship.

Whan I was talking about requirements I was meaning that I am assuming that the couple have sufficient income or a co-sponsor and have met in the last two years, and don't intend fraud.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-22 14:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhich is faster? k-1 or k-3
As far as the part about being able to work sooner, I think money is not the only issue. For many of those coming here on a K-1 spending time alone all day while thier spouse works and not being able to keep busy can start feelings of lonliness that can trasfer in their minds to the idea that they miss thier home. When someone can work it can give them a sense of value that helps their transition and can keep thier mind occupied which is a good thing too.

AJ, your signature is blank after the interview. What happened?
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-28 10:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurestime of being together when we apply
I have seen lots of people get visas that had only spent a few days together. That may not be the wisest thing in my mind but it did not seem to impede the visa.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-28 14:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAbandoning AOS after entering on K1?
It should not create serious problems for you but when you do apply don't be surprised if you find yourself in Administrative Review for a while as they check into what happend before. There are no limits to the number of K-1's a benificary can do.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-05 09:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp! I have to cancel my wedding !!! ???
Try contacting the immigration specialist at your congressman or senators office. sometimes it helps. It can't hurt.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-02-16 09:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance has NEW JOB while k1 on PROCESS!
I agree, they don't pay too much attention to the job the benificiary has.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-10 07:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F - send evidence of ongoing relationship or not?
Officially you do not need to prove an ongoing relationship with the original filing. You only have to prove that you have met in the last two years. Many people do send proof of relationship but you don't really need to prove that until the interview.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-04-30 22:14:00