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K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsapproved after 5 months of filing

Congratulations!  Start assembling your tax transcripts and information for your I-134, letters from employer, bank statements if needed.  Also a good idea to get a head start on assembling your evidence.  I procrastinated when it came to indexing chat messages and it was a headache.  I also would recommend avoiding Tango for communications.  I tried to screen shot this app and the dates were almost invisible, this app doesn't store chat history.  

 

Start calling the NVC to see if they received your petition.  They say it takes roughly 4-8 weeks but it took me 12.  I didn't start getting any answers until after 8 weeks when representatives would start talking to me.  If you have any problems ask to speak to a tier 2 rep on the USCIS end.  I was given so much misinformation from the lower level representatives at both the NVC & USCIS.  


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-04-10 03:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApproved!!! Reflections on our K1 Journey

Hello, congrats on your successful interview.
what evidence did you present for the interview? :D

 

We mostly communicate through Google Chat & Hang Out so I was able to print out each individual day from within the app as a PDF with the Google watermark identifying it's authenticity.  I took each of these days and minimized them to fit 8 per screen shot so that you could still see the date, a few sentences from the start of the conversation with number of pages in PDF.  So basically I was able to illustrate one week of communication per page.  I was only able to fit 3 skype screen shots per page because that's as small as I could minimize the app.  Yahoo messenger was a little more complicated because the print outs went to text without watermarks so I just took screen shots of our chat history within the Yahoo messenger app.  I put all that in 1 section for frequency of communication.  I created another section for chat transcripts were I took one 500 word conversation per week and copied and pasted it from the app into text starting from beginning of when we met to present.  I also took screen shots of our call record on Tango( I don't recommend using tango because the screenshots within the app are barely readable).  Of course both of our phone records.  As for retrieving phone records from Ghana, make sure to start collecting MTN now because they only give you up to 90 days of calls and they need a letter and it takes them roughly 3 days to get it to you.  Emails of correspondence between our families to one another including my sister and mother.  Screen shots of video calls with my family on Google Hangout and Screen Shots within Tango. Stuff we mailed back and forth to each other on birthdays and holidays.  Screenshots of text messages to my family in planning our wedding this summer along with wedding details.  Bank statements identifying bank withdrawals in Ghana while I stayed.  Passport stamps, hotel receipts flight tickets.  I included 3 years of tax transcripts along with 6 months of pay stubs, a letter form my employer stating current salary on company letter head.  All original documents including my birth certificate, NOA1, NOA2, NVC letter, Call In Letter, Print out of the DS-160 along with her police report and completed medicals.  

 

I followed the guidelines in organizing my evidence and used atco fastners attached to durable plastic dividers.  I placed all the information in a 3 inch binder with zipper.  When it was all said and done I provided close to 3 inches of evidence, but I also carefully organized everything by the month with tabs so that probably made up 25% of the bulk.  I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars printing out thousands of pages so I had really had to find creative ways to screenshot my apps and minimize them to fit on one page.  I recommend google chats over all the other apps.  I still haven't found a good app that can handle the terrible network bandwidth in Ghana.  Tango was the most reliable for connectivity and Skype was the worst.  Google hangout is Hi Fi and you will need full bandwidth that day to run that app and it will eat up your data plan fast. Yahoo messenger was pretty low fi for video and voice calls, and maybe the best out of all internet call apps but I just didn't like the way yahoo messenger collected chat history. 

 

I hope I didn't confuse you too much, It's really something that is unique to each individual but this is how I went about it.


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-05-04 15:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApproved!!! Reflections on our K1 Journey

We filed our I-129F petition on 10/21/13 w/NOA1 on 11/01/13 & an initial NOA2 on 11/24/13.  I waited 2 weeks and then began calling NVC about my status.  All I was told every time I called was "it can take up to 8 weeks for the NVC to receive the petition from the USCIS."  It wasn't until after 8 weeks had passed that I was able to get more than the scripted "give it 8 weeks" response from the NVC reps.  

 

By this time it was cause for concern and this is where things started getting silly.  My initial NOA2 for 11/24/13 stated "forwarded to consulate" on the form.  I didn't pay this much mind because I knew the petition has to go through the NVC before it reaches the consulate.  The lower level reps at the NVC and USCIS on the other hand didn't.  Several of the lower level reps that I spoke with were telling me that my petition had accidentally been mailed to the consulate due to the wording on my NOA2.  So I asked to speak to a tier 2 representative at the USCIS and they told me that the information I was receiving from the the lower level reps was incorrect and that they would look into it.  I called the tier 2 representative back two weeks later and they told me they had mailed out a new NOA2 which I received 2/19/14.  After this happened, things finally started moving along and a couple weeks later the NVC finally received my petition on 3/04/14.

 

I called the NVC the day they received my petition, they asked me for my date of birth and other normal formalities, then told me they received the petition and were processing it and to call back the next day.  I called back the next day and in the process of processing my petition, the NVC entered in my wrong date of birth, preventing me from gaining access to my case.  They told me I had to email them a scanned copy of my passport so that they could correct the mistake.  After two weeks of receiving no response from NVCinquiry@state.gov, I asked to speak to a supervisor.  I asked this several times before but the lower level reps told me there was no one I could talk to but after two weeks of this I had just about had it, and I clearly stated that I have no idea where my petition was and it's all on the account of a clerical error made on their end not mine.  

 

This time I got to speak to a supervisor at the NVC who looked up my email over the phone, pulled up my passport, gave me my case & ID number and told me that my petition had arrived at the embassy on 3/13/14, which was a week ago so I'm worried that I might be behind.  On 3/26 I get an email that a call in letter was mailed out and the call in letter arrived on 4/9.  In hindsight we should have took that call in letter email to the embassy the following Wednesday, instead of waiting for it in the mail because by the time we received the letter, we only had two weeks to get the police records and medicals done for our upcoming interview on 4/24. Fortunately the medical report was able to be processed within a week and the police report was available the next day.   

 

As far as the interview was concerned everything was short and sweet.  We were asked the basic questions How did you meet, When, where does he work, Why didn't you get married in Ghana and it all took 5 minutes.  The visa officer was very friendly and gave her the blue slip and told her to pick up her visa next Friday.  The visa was available the following Friday, hassle free and we are finally at the end of our K1 visa journey!

 

I wan't to thank reneegh724 for her quick responses helping me sort out the confusion with the NVC when I was concerned the USCIS lost my petition.  I'd like to thank Curry and Cherry for all there support and words of encouragement before for the interview.  I'd like to thank Tosh Love for sharing her experience and I wish her a fast and hassle free approval very soon.   

 

Best of wishes to future K1 filers and my advice is to first read the guidelines then advance search your topic before posting to get the best results.  I learned a lot by doing this and reading posts by JimVaPhuong, Ebunoluwa, TBoneTX, Dwheels76, NigeriaorBust, Penguin_ie just to name a few so I really can't thank this forum enough and the mods that keep it up & running.   

 

I hope that this post can help someone alleviate some of their anxieties about their K1 visa journey and if my post was too long to read, long story short, don't listen to what the lower level reps tell you, always request to speak to a supervisor or a tier 2 rep at the USCIS.   

 

It's truly a tragedy when two people who love each other are unjustly denied their right to live the rest of their lives together.  That's why I want to sincerely thank Visa Journey for helping our dream of living the rest of our lives together come true!


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-05-04 05:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat kind of binder/packet do I need to buy to mail out my I-129F

 

This is great! Thanks for all the help everyone 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-17 01:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat kind of binder/packet do I need to buy to mail out my I-129F

I'm assembling all of my material to present with the K-1 petition and plan on going to Kinko's tomorrow and buying a nice binder/folder to separate all the categories and make the petition look very organized and easy to go through.  I read they take the thing apart and put it back together and sometimes items get lost so I want to make it as easy as possible for them to read through my petition.  Anybody have any suggestions?

 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-16 14:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo i need birth certificate or is my Passport ok?

That was my next question, so I copy the entire book from front cover to back, even the blank pages?


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 09:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo i need birth certificate or is my Passport ok?

Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years ??or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

 

Can I send out my k-1 petition without a birth certificate?


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 07:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Beneficiary PO Box goes inside postal code or street address?

Thanks


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 12:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Beneficiary PO Box goes inside postal code or street address?

Thanks VJ for your quick response about the passport question, you saved me an extra week and $50!  Trying to avoid an RFE now and I'm having trouble understanding the procedure with postal code vs zip code and if postal code is where you place the PO Box address? 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 10:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow many copies do I mail out w/ original submission
Sorry I about the confusion, about to file Monday, just started my time line. After careful reading the guidelines, I'm gathering that I only need to send 1 copy of each item listed.
Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 23:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow many copies do I mail out w/ original submission

I know I have to copy all of my original submission but do I have to mail out additional copies of I-129F, G-325a letter of intent?

I'm assuming 2 passport photos each?

 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-19 12:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI don't mail to Dallas lock box if I use fedex?
USCIS Dallas LockboxFor U.S. Postal Service:USCISP.O. Box 660151Dallas, TX 75266For

Express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-129F2501 South State Highway 121 BusinessSuite 400Lewisville, TX 75067 


So I mail to the address at the bottom since I'm using fedex?







Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-20 15:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy I-129F Checklist Prior to Mailing Petition
TBONETX I have read many of your posts regarding frontloading & took a lot of my direction from them. I have the G1145 attached with my $340 cashier check from my bank. Everything I'm mailing is copies of originals. At Kinkos now about to send it off! Thanks again VJ, and now on to the fun part, the wait :)
Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-21 12:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy I-129F Checklist Prior to Mailing Petition

My Checklist

1.    Payment in the amount of $340 Cashiers Check to US Department of Homeland Security

2.    I-129F Signed and Dated

3.    I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 34a, explanation of meeting in person (300 words)

4.    G-325A  signed & dated w/ 2 passport style photos for Petitioner

5.    G-325A  signed & dated w/ 2 passport style photos for Beneficiary

6.    US Passport of Beneficiary

7.    Complete Copy of Exemplified Divorce File 

8.    Letters Certifying Intent to Marry signed & dated from Petitioner (male)

?.    Letters Certifying Intent to Marry signed & dated from "Fiance" (I hope this is the right title?)

9.    Proof of having met in person in the past two years

a.    Copies of Airline Boarding Passes

b.    Copies of Passport Stamps

c.    Bank Statements indicating ATM withdrawals during visit

d.    Hotel Receipts

e.    Copies of Flight Itineraries

f.     Tour Itinerary & receipt for purchase of trip

g.    24 Color Photos w/Time Stamps & Names & locations on back

10. Proof of ongoing relationship

a.    AT&T cell phone bill highlighting calls to Beneficiary

b.    28 Screen Shots of Skype,Yahoo Messenger & Google Talk conversations throughout the course of our relationship

c.     Tango Screen Shot of video call & most current call record

d.    1 Screen shot of emails sent between petitioner and beneficiary throughout the course of the relationship

e.    1 Chat conversation from Google Chat discussing our feelings towards each other

f.      6 Print outs of emails sent between petitioner and beneficiary

 
I'm assembling everything using self adhesive Acco fasteners attached to durable plastic dividers designating each section and placing all the items inside a 1" sealable envelope, pictures and money order all placed in sealable ziplock bags. Items purchased at FedEx Kinkos.
 
I'm mailing it today via Fed-Ex to: 
USCIS

Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400


Lewisville, TX 75067 
 
I'm assuming I did everything according to the VJ guidelines.  Thanks VJ for helping an intimidating process not so intimidating!  If I'm missing anything please let me know.  


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-10-21 04:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust received NOA2 in 24 days? Now I'm confused about the Guidelines?

Thanks Tosh Love and Zeeshanish for clearing up my confusion.  I really appreciate it.  

 

Tip for Interview ? Please give your information/evidence to an officer before you get to the final interview window because the CO at window will not ask for it and is possible to have made a decision before you get to window.

Good Luck!!

What if I'm bringing a box of papers? Will that fit through the window? I front loaded my petition with about an inch worth of paper work, I'm assuming I'm going to have to bring the complete archive of chats to the interview which will probably fill up a filing box.

 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-11-28 06:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust received NOA2 in 24 days? Now I'm confused about the Guidelines?

I-797 NOA2 for 11-21-13

at the bottom it listed this address?

IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE

TEXAS SERVICE CENTER P O BOX 851488 - DEPT A MESQUTTE TX 75185-1488

 

Does this mean that the application was sent or received by the NVC?  

Should I call them now?

Should my Fiance go to her PO Box in Ghana to check her mail too?

How will I know the package left the NVC?

Is there a place where I type in my receipt number from the I-797 to track the progress of the petition?

Will she get an alien registration number sent to her in Ghana or will that information come to me?

I've been reading posts stating it takes 6 to 8 weeks for the NVC to receive the petition, do I get a different form stating the NVC has received the petition?

 

My apologies in advance if this is a redundant question, I was having difficulties finding answers to these questions in my prior searches.

Thanks VJ, I'm working two full time jobs and I think it's killing my brain cells:) I'm sure these are easy answers, Thanks for the help!

 

 

I understand all of this,

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one). Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well). 2. Send copies of the documentary proof that you submitted with the I-129F for your fiance(e) to have on hand for their interview at the embassy. Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well). 3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F). 4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all. 5. You will need several items (for the above form). Gather duplicate evidence of income and resources as appropriate: 

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance 
(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available) 
© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern 
(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s). 

Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. See this FAQ for more tips and useful information on the Affidavit of Support Form. 6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail. (backup information; the embassy will have copies of this as well) 7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, online chat logs (pick several over the prior few months), etc.. from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 until date-now).

 








 

 

 


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-11-27 15:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresfacebook, skype & phone call history

I minimized the windows of skype to fit three on a screen and took screen shots of 2-3 minute conversations from each day. So it came out to 20 pages of screen shots encompassing 60 days of conversations? Printed google chat to pdf.


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2013-11-27 14:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI answered None for almost every question on I-134, did I do something wrong?

I have 3 years of tax transcripts earning well over the poverty guidelines at the same job and I will submit my 2013 1040ez for my interview if I don't receive my Tax transcript before then.  I have nothing to add to Question 7 except "I am employed in the business of (My Job Title) With "Name of Concern" (The form won't give me enough space to type the name of my Employer). I can answer that I derive an annual income of X a year but I entered (Not/Applicable for all of the other questions).

 

I don't have any children and neither does my fiance so I entered (None) for questions 8-10.  It's almost 8 weeks since my NOA2 and the NVC still hasn't received my petition but I'm anticipating they'll receive it soon.

 

So far I only have tax transcripts and letters from my employer.  I have a feeling I'm doing something wrong or missing something important at this stage?

 

 

 


Edited by Rick & Mavis, 15 January 2014 - 05:19 AM.

Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-01-15 05:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow much savings does my fiance need to have in his bank account in addition to the i-134 form for my interview
I'm preparing my I-134 and I'm leaving it pretty much blank. I have 3 years of tax transcripts & letters from my employer on official company letter head from the HR department. I'm under the understanding that this is all you need to submit if you make above the poverty guidelines. If I'm missing something someone please let me know. I'm forgoing all bank information for the form because I don't see it as necessary due to my annual income.

Edited by Rick & Mavis, 05 February 2014 - 06:18 AM.

Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-02-05 06:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitted DS-160 without passport pictures?

She just called me to tell me that she thought she submitted the form but she was really at the review page and that she was taken to another page that helped her blow up the pictures and it says she has now passed all photo requirements and is printing out confirmation page now.  We have medicals, police records, her phone records and DS-160 confirmation page so I guess we have everything she needs for the interview.   I'm clueless on the DS-160 process so when she told me she submitted it without the passport photos I got worried.  


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-04-12 13:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitted DS-160 without passport pictures?

My Fiancee was trying to complete the DS-160 and accidentally submitted the form without uploading the passport pictures.  She tried to upload the scanned passport pictures she took the other day it said the pictures were too small.  She doesn't know what to do now.  Does anyone have any suggestions for us.  Thank you for you help.


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-04-12 11:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPhotos for proof of meet up

I submitted 25 photos.  I went to Walgreens & had them print the photos with the date stamp.  Then I wrote the location & names of all individuals on the back of each photo.  I went to Staples & bought a small durable plastic zip lock envelope for the photos for about $5.  


Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-04-14 01:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can I pay fee for interview???
We plan on paying on the day of the interview at the consulate.
Rick & MavisMaleGhana2014-04-22 04:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures2nd Chances For A FIlipina
I can feel how desperate you are to find your perfect partner. I am sorry on your first marriage. I believe in perfect timing and when things are really destined to happen, it will happen no matter what. Give yourself a lil break first. It will come on right time.... There are lots of wonderful,loving and sincere Filipinas who is not after green cards. Good luck and Happy new year!
happyfilipinaNot TellingPhilippines2012-12-30 08:13:00