biggish data

Guys, I really appreciate the quick replies. Today was supposed to be "day to finish up the *%&$# I-129F packet" .....and now, needless to say, that is kind of stalled.

My address in the US was in New York City, but my roommate has since moved and so I can't use that address.
Like I said, I still receive mail at my parents' address, but as they will not take kindly to this engagement information, I will have to wait awhile to break it to them. That's why I thought of using my sister's address.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-06-29 17:16:00

I am indeed a US Citizen...no issues with that.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-06-29 17:08:00

If I can add to this....
If I am indeed able to use my sister's address, should her address appear on every letter (cover letter, letter of intent, etc) I send in the I-129F packet?? I wouldn't want to do that, as it is in no way a residence, but is that the only way to make clear where I want all correspondence sent?

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-06-29 16:44:00

Ok....now I am totally, totally confused. I have been planning for months to file K-1 and just about have the whole package ready.

As far as I understand it, I can do the K1 petition legally. I live and work in Colombia but I do NOT have residency here. I have been here for 2 academic years (I teach high school) but I go home every Christmas and summer. As I further understand the requirements, I know that unless you reside in a country for more than 6 months without setting foot in the US, you cannot be considered a legal resident of that country and are still considered a resident of the US. I have bank accounts, etc, in the US and receive mail at my parents' address there.
Furthermore, I am almost positive DCF is not an option in Colombia.

I will be back teaching school in New York Fall of 2009 and will leave Colombia for the US late Spring-Summer 2009. So, I am indeed petitioning to have my fiance "join" me in the US, which is the purpose of a K-1 visa.

Because I was already here, I decided to stay on as we complete this process (aside from my visits to the US) and so will also be having a sponsor, as I already understand that because I am not working in the US, I cannot satisfy the affidavit of support.

So, please, someone tell me if I am crazy and after having done all this work and research am doing totally the wrong thing, and should really be finding out if I can do DCF or a K-3...?

If I am not crazy and not going about this all wrong, the concern over having things sent to me from the USCIS was and will remain my main concern, as they will not send them to my Bogota address.

Otherwise, I may have much much bigger concerns, because I leave for the US in 4 days and we weren't exactly planning to get married right this minute.

So that is......

How do I do that? Can I have things sent to my sisters address and she can forward them on to me? (My parents' address is not an option as they still haven't even adjusted to me being in Colombia, let alone starting this whole process with a Colombian...sigh.)

What exactly would I need to attach in my I-129F packet to make this mailing situation clear?? Does anyone know if this will be looked at weird in any way, or it's obvious that this is my option because I am not legally a resident of Colombia? Will it be weird to use my sister's address and not my parents'??

Thank you all so much for any help or advice. I really appreciate it.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-06-29 16:39:00

Postponing K1 Process?

QUOTE (spookyturtle @ Oct 18 2008, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Oct 18 2008, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Roxyroo @ Oct 17 2008, 09:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, the question! Is there any way to postpone the K-1 visa once we receive the NOA2? Perhaps to enter the US summer of 2010 instead? How on earth do we go about doing that With another year here, we could earn well and save, and be much more comfortable by the time we get to the US...and also just have more time together here.

You may consider withdrawing your K1 petition, get married abroad and follow an CR-1/IR-1 visa path.

An excellent alternative.

Thanks again, VJers!
I am thinking we will ultimately have to withdraw the K-1 for now. I just can't see being in the US by summer--either financially or with how speedily the process is moving along. We may end up getting married here in Colombia and doing the CR-1/IR-1.

I am crossing my fingers that if he has money in the bank and is just up-front about the K-1 petition (withdrawn or no) the Consulate might be understanding to him visiting my family? It will be my decision to withdraw it after all.
Ha ha ha, understanding consulate.

Once again, I, the woman, the US citizen, am the ESL teacher. That I will have a job in the US I have no doubt. He is an artist....not so employable in the best of times.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-10-18 12:08:00

Postponing K1 Process?

Alright guys, frustrating, but thanks anyway for your responses.
To be clear, I'mthe US citizen, I am a high school ESL teacher, I'm kinda recession-proof and I can start working when we get to the US. Back before the US economy tanked, it seemed there would be more options for him. I am worried about him, not about me. (and therefore, about us.)
And while I am aware that the world economy also has tanked, licensed foreign teachers in Colombia can still live a pretty sweet life (nice salary, free housing, etc). One more year here would put us on better footing with savings, bettering our situation in the US no matter how bad the economy still is a year from now.
A Colombian friend here who was applying for a travel visa to the States to visit her US boyfriend's family had him write a letter on her behalf...maybe I can do something similar?

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-10-17 12:26:00

Postponing K1 Process?

Hi Vjers--

My fiancé and I sent our I-129F packet in July. We have not yet received our NOA2, and a recent visit to the CA Service Center site told us that they are backlogged and so we assume we won't hear anything until Nov-Dec. I live and teach in Bogota, where I will stay until this process is complete.

In the meantime, we have done some thinking. The original plan was for this to take a year, for us to be able to come to the US by summer 2009, so I could begin teaching in Sept 2009. Now that seems like it may not happen (or happen way too close to Sept to be doable).
And, as you may have noticed, the US economy has since tanked, and we are trying to make a smart decision, as he is an immigrant who was planning to study for a new career in the US. We know that we will have a lot of adjustment when we move to the US, and don't want constant $ worries to be one factor.

So, the question! Is there any way to postpone the K-1 visa once we receive the NOA2? Perhaps to enter the US summer of 2010 instead? How on earth do we go about doing that With another year here, we could earn well and save, and be much more comfortable by the time we get to the US...and also just have more time together here.

On a related note, I still want my fiancé to meet my family and friends, and we have discussed traveling to the US this summer. Without a fiancé visa actively in process, are his chances of getting a travel visa zilch? I am mainly afraid (as a Colombian man) that he will have to convince the Consulate that yes, one day next year he might want to live in the US permanently, but he does not plan to do so during this trip. I know how they can be.

Thanks for any help!!

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-10-17 09:09:00

Applying for tourist visa (B2) with K-1 in process or no??

My fiance and I are strongly considering canceling our K-1 petition, staying in Colombia a year longer (or 2), getting married here and reapplying on a CR-1. I live and work here in Colombia. We were waiting for NOA2.

However, and this is the stupid question, I very much want him to to meet my family (who I know are not coming to Colombia anytime soon), and therefore he would need to apply for a B2 tourist visa. With this in mind, is he more likely to get approved for a B2 if the K-1 visa is in process--or is this automatic denial, because the K-1 is in process? MUST I cancel the K-1 in order for him to request a B2?
If so, is it better to wait to cancel until receiving the NOA2? In my thinking, we have proven to someone with this that we are a legit couple...?
Clearly I am very confused, sorry.
If he is approved for a B2, we can always cancel the K-1 when we return to Colombia after the trip to the States.
My fear is if we cancel and then he applies for a B2, the CO will view it as a scam to get into the US. But if we apply while the K-1 is in process, I could see the CO saying, You can't have your cake and eat it too. Just wait til the K-1 is approved, forget a B2. Then if we cancel and wait to get married, he'll never meet my family.
I read the following on the K Visa FAQs:
4.6)...Can my fiance(e) come to the US to visit me once the visa process is started?

This may actually be the most common question in the newsgroup, asked on a near daily basis.

A..I wrote to the Embassy in London and I was given this reply: "If you wish to make a temporary visit to the US while your application for a Fiance(e) visa is being processed, you will require a visitor's visa (B-1/B-2) or, if you meet the conditions, travel visa-free. However, all travelers to the US are subject to inspection at the port of entry by an immigration officer who has the right to deny admissions. As the beneficiary of an approved Fiance(e) visa (petition) you may have difficulty convincing the officer that you are not an intending immigrant."

A.. If the fiance(e)..."Has a residence in a foreign country which the alien does not intend to abandon", and if the fiance(e) is "An alien coming to meet the alien's fiance(e)'s family (to become engaged; to make arrangements for a wedding; or to renew a relationship with the prospective spouse)", then they can enter the US on a B2 visa. (Quotes from the USCIS (INS) Inspectors Field Manual). This does not specifically address an alien with a "K1 visa application pending".

Along these lines, in anyone's experience, have letters been helpful in obtaining a B2? I know it won't be easy from Colombia. I could have my father write a letter inviting him, and possibly attach a I-134??

Thanks guys....

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-10-27 01:04:00

Withdrawal of K1 Petition

QUOTE (Dias Melhores @ Nov 25 2008, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Roxyroo @ Nov 25 2008, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi VJers,
My fiance and I have decided to withdraw our K-1 petition, because we are going to stay on another year and 1/2 in Colombia and get married here.
We sent the petition in July 2008, received NOA1, have not yet received our NOA2.

I need to mail the withdrawal ASAP (before our case reaches the consulate) so that he can apply for a visitor visa to the US and finally meet my family now that this process will be longer.

So, where do I send the withdrawal? The California Service Center, or the National Visa Center? It's been 4 months since NOA1....
Additionally, does anyone know if I will receive any sort of reply making the withdrawal "official"?

Thanks a million.....

I believe that you will need to start the whole process over, under K3 and wait all over again (6-7 months). Hopefully you guys are OK with this! As the other VJr's have commented, your fiancee may have a hard time getting the visitor visa. I would advise that you check with other Columbians in the community to see what to expect.

Best of luck to you

Thanks for the good wishes, and yeah, we're ok with starting over and waiting again. We don't really see it as waiting, we just see it as living in Colombia.

We just want more time here and to be able to save up to deal with this economy....

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-11-25 20:25:00

Withdrawal of K1 Petition

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-11-25 13:59:00

Thanks a million as usual, everyone! Especially ELW, since you were in the same boat! I will keep you posted...

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-12-20 09:59:00

QUOTE (Craneman @ Dec 18 2008, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Roxyroo @ Dec 15 2008, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi there VJers,
I just opened the mail and have received a dreaded Request for Evidence. I live and work in Bogota, where my fiance lives. So I have never had to travel to visit him. We worked together; that is how we met. I do not have the 129F packet on hand (I am in the US for Christmas) but I know we at least submitted:

photos of us together from various dates
my apartment lease (on which he and his mother are co-signers)
my passport copy (with my Colombian work visas, including the job where we met and stamps in and out of the country)
a letter from a coworker/friend

Here is what the letter says.
"LAST MEETING : The Petitioner and the benficiary must have met in person between July 22, 2006 and July 21, 2008. Submit evidence of meeting the beneficiary in person within the 2-year period preceding the filing of the petition.
You have submitted primary evidence including copies of your passport pages that show the identification page and admission stamps; however secondary evidence is requested.
This secondary evidence may be airline ticket stubs and receipts (that include month, day, and year), ATM and credit card transactions, flight itinerary on airline/travel agency letterhead, etc.
NOTE: Secondary evidence is used to support any primary evidence that has been submitted. The following DOES NOT constitute evidence of meeting: photos (dated or undated), disc, videos, emails, letters, phone bills, and greeting cards."

Reading this very carefully I see the phrase "preceding the filing of the petition". Soooo...this means I have to submit something from between when we started dating in January 2008 and when we submitted the petition in July 2008?
Ideas:
1.We are taking our first trip together in a few weeks, from Dec 30-Jan 10. Will submitting the currently unused (but purchased by me with both our names on them) tickets for this trip do anything for us? I am not sure I have the receipt, but I can dig around.
2. Can I contact our employer and have them write a letter on company letterhead saying that we worked there simultaneously until July 1, 2008??
We did not travel together during that time. We lived in the same city, we were busy with work and saving for the 129F; we went on friggin dates.
3.Will submitting email receipts of my flights between the US and Bogota (arriving in Jan 08 and leaving July 08 to visit my family) be useful? They were all e-tickets...
I realize this does not prove that we met, but for the love of god, I have a work visa for his employer

in my passport and flew in and out of the city where he lives. I really don't know what more to submit.
Also, credit/ATM receipts for WHAT?
The kicker is I am in the US til the 30th, he's in Colombia, they want this evidence by Jan 4.
Sheesh.
Thanks as always, VJ Team....

? A reply didn't come through....

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-12-18 12:03:00

Hi guys,
Thanks...sorry for the confusion, I'm not sure how this ended up in AOS. It is K1/129F.

Since I am visiting family for Christmas right now and he is in Colombia, he sent me a letter each from our employer (where we met) stating the terms of our contracts for last year, to hopefully prove we were there at the same time. I am also going to re-copy my Colombian work visa for the job (which has the name of the employer on it) in case that wasn't clear in the 129F packet.
Other ideas I have:
I can print out airline receipts from the e-tickets I used to arrive and leave Colombia between Jan 2008 and July 2008. I have no idea if this is enough proof, but I can't remember the last time I used a paper ticket for anything. I don't have any boarding passes. Strangely, I somehow thought they were garbage and threw them away. I can make copies of these passport stamps leaving Colombia however, though that is out of the timeframe requested.
I can possibly print bank statements for the months of Jan-July, for my Colombian bank account. As for ATM receipts, I might not have any. I pretty much always throw those away.

Not sure what else I can do. Especially since they want this evidence by Jan 4 and I don't get back to Coloombia till Dec 29, and I am not able to dig through files from here in the US.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-12-18 10:53:00

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-12-15 21:43:00

FedEx HAS LOST my RFE Documents

Hi all,
Here is the story. I received an RFE for my K1 petition last Monday. In spite of the fact that I live and work in Colombia (or because of this) they do not believe that my fiance and I have ever met in person. We met at work and want to send letters of employment from the school, in addition to other evidence. (Yes, I already sent my work visa, blah blah blah, but for some reason it is still dubious. Sigh.)

The hitch in this is that I am in the States for the holidays and my fiance and ALL the doc's for this are in Colombia. The deadline for receipt of the evidence is Jan 4. I return to Colombia Dec 29, and immediately travel again.

I contacted my fiance and on Tuesday he overnighted the documents that we need through TNT so that I can get them translated, get back to Colombia, go through the rest of my files and find other relevant evidence, and overnight this packet from Colombia to the California Service Center.

HOWEVER, FedEx delivers TNT packages from Colombia, and FedEx has lost the packet. I have been on the phone with them all day and they claim that it was left here at my parents' residence last Friday afternoon but it was not. They are trying to locate it.
There is a warning on the RFE that if all the evidence requested is not sent in one packet by Jan 4, the visa may be denied. And this will be purely the fault of FedEx. And there are the holidays and being between the 2 countries and everything.

What can I do? Can FedEx write me/CSC a letter at the very least, to include when I send the evidence?

Thanks a million, VJers.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2008-12-22 20:45:00

Could not stay in US on K-1 (no jobs!)

So we don't do anything now? No letter writing, no nothing? The K-1 is just done and when we do our DCF it will not be affected?

Thanks guys.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2009-08-04 12:51:00

Could not stay in US on K-1 (no jobs!)

Our story is this:
I have lived and worked in Colombia for the past 3 years. My fiance and I spent the month of July in the US, he on his K-1 visa. We had been cautioned repeatedly by friends and family that this was a terrible time to think about moving to the US with the economy so horrible. I would be the primary source of income in our household, as he still needs to improve his English, so we were very concerned. We maintained our contracts with our jobs in Colombia, bought return tickets, and I held on to my apt in Bogota. The month before we get to the US, a hiring freeze was announced for NY public school teachers (that's me). So with no way of living in the US, we of course returned to Colombia. It was a great experience having him see the US and meet my family, and I wouldn't change it for the world, even with the long and expensive K-1 process, but there was no way we could move there right now.

Our plan now is to get married in Colombia and try moving to the US next summer, on a spousal visa, assuming there will be jobs then. I spoke with the embassy here and they told me I am a resident of Colombia (with my work visa) and can do Direct Consular Filing and that the process would be quick (2 months) and cheaper than a K-1.

I assume that we have to do something now to explain this situation to someone and should send a letter...? Does anyone have any idea what we do now? And if there will be any problem with abandoning this K-1 and applying in the next year for a spousal visa?

Thanks a million.

Roxyroo

Female

Colombia

2009-08-04 10:45:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

NOA 2 RECEIVED, YES!!!!!!!!!!

congrat´s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-09 12:59:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

WE GOT OUR NOA2 TODAY!!!!

Congrats you guys give me hope!!!! have a great day!

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-17 09:54:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I got this today ``Request for Evidence´´ is it a bad thing ?

ok thank you very much I almost fainted

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-09-27 17:35:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I got this today ``Request for Evidence´´ is it a bad thing ?

so i got this up date today is it a bad thing ?

On September 26, 2013, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the requested information. This case will be in suspense until we receive the evidence or the opportunity to submit it expires. Once we receive the requested evidence or information and make a decision on the case, you will be notified by mail. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-09-27 16:13:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

NOA -2 APPROVED ( 17 working days)

omg congrats

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-09-28 15:23:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

after NOA2 what ?

thank you so much!!!!!!

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-11-19 14:45:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

after NOA2 what ?

so i recive my noa2 ( attach file plaese read ) and my boyfriend says that i only need to go to the embassy and pick up my visa, but i dont think so please can some one explain what i need to do next in detail step by step i dont know where to get the packet 3 and 4 where do i get them and how about the CASE number from NVC help me please!!!!!!

Attached Files

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karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-11-18 20:54:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

what is the APROX time between NOA2 and and packege from NVC

what is the approximate time between NOA2 and packege from NVC?

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-12-04 15:56:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

FINALLY VISA K-1 APPROVED ...

CONGRATSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-12-05 15:55:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

2 Words

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-12-05 16:01:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

sent to NVC

Post Decision Activity

On December 13, 2013, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please contact them directly.

Para las solicitudes/peticiones aprobadas, la actividad posterior a la decisión puede incluir que el USCIS envíe la notificación de solicitud/notificación aprobada al Centro Nacional de Visas del Departamento de Estado. Para las solicitudes/peticiones denegadas, la actividad posterior a la decisión puede incluir un proceso de apelación y/o mociones para que se reabra o se reconsidere el caso, y revocaciones.

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-12-14 11:19:00

Hello! Starting my K-1 visa process !!!! :-)

thank you guys for the info!!! great day

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-07 09:32:00

Hello! Starting my K-1 visa process !!!! :-)

That really depends on what center you are at . I have been waiting nearly 5 months so far . My petition was moved from Vermont to Texas recently . California is working faster although I hear talks of slower petitions now . My best guess would be 5-7 months for USCIS . My I129F being moved was due to back log . Which may or may not effect you at this time . Hopefully you will not have to wait that long and be reunited soon .

ok. thanks i think we are at the california center i hope it goes by fast !!!!!!

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-06 13:46:00

Hello! Starting my K-1 visa process !!!! :-)

Hello guys! Me and my fiance filed the K-1 visa application on June 15, and I found this site I was wondering if u guys can Gide me thru the process we have receive the first NOA but I was wondering how long for the next one?

Great! Day to all off you !!!

Edited by karo zuñiga, 06 July 2013 - 01:34 PM.

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-06 13:33:00

Can I pre schedule a interview for the k1 visa?

ok thank you !

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-22 12:33:00

Can I pre schedule a interview for the k1 visa?

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-07-22 10:03:00

is this my NOA2? if it is wath do i need to do next ?

so i got this update today i think is my NOA2 i will like to know what do i need to do next ? thank you in advance guys and great day!

Post Decision Activity

On November 12, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Edited by karo zuñiga, 13 November 2013 - 04:32 PM.

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2013-11-13 16:25:00

I GOT THIS UPDATE FROM NVC WHATS NEXT

so i got an email with case number from NVC and it displays IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION READY what´s next?

Attached Files

Sin título.png 38.86KB 0 downloads

karo zuñiga

Female

Colombia

2014-01-04 19:30:00