ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRe-apply for visas in March?
I think the law that you're referring to requires that the USC petitioner undergo more extensive background checks to assure that he/she doesn't have a record of domestic abuse.

You're right that the new requirement goes into effect in March, but as far as I know that will mean that petitions recieved March 1 or later will probably be subject to more lenghty processing times due to the added checks. It should not change anything about the petition procedure on the petitioner's end. No resubmission should be necessary.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-02 13:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReceived NOA2
Well done! You're almost there!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-02 10:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAge difference a problem for K-1 Approval


I am 33 years older than my wife and it mattered little on our K-1 approval.



It much more common for men to marry much younger women than it is for the opposite. Large age differences certainly can be a problem with certain Consulates and unfortunately from all I've read in these forums Morocco is one of them; particularly when the womans age is >> than the male, and the male is the K1 beneficiary.


Very true.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-02-28 09:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAge difference a problem for K-1 Approval
These days in Morocco even age differences of less than 10 years seem to be causing difficulty for K1 approvals.

Unfortunately it seems that Morocco is gaining reputation as a fraud country, particularly because of younger Moroccan men marrying older American women. True or not, I think the consulate is starting to get the idea that older, often divorced women, are finding young Moroccan men who are looking for more economic opportunity in the US. Possibly unbeknownst to the American women, the idea is that these young Moroccans are using the women to get green cards. I also think that internet relationships are not getting good approval rates these days.

You should consider these issues before making your decision, however unfair it may seem, or however much you know your relationship is real. You don't want to be rejected because you happen to have some characteristics to your case that might raise red flags.

The age difference seems to be the biggest.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-02-22 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOne day left until the interview date!
Wow, the big day has arrived. Best of luck to you both!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-02 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOh My God!!!!!
At long last...

Congrats!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-07 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWe Got The Visa!!!
Congrats!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-03 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on how to get updated on status of I-129F
It is on your NOA1, receipt notice.

if you haven't yet received your NOA1, you can check to see if your check has been cashed. The case number will be on the back of the check.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-09 08:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on how to get updated on status of I-129F
go to uscis.gov and follow the link for case status.

you can enter your case number and opt to receive email updates
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-09 08:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresless is more debate


Mark,

Even without a lawyer, if you study the law closely you'll understand the logic of why sending "too much" evidence to USCIS is not a bad idea at all in the sense that to deny a visa, consulates must find reason over and above what USCIS has already reviewed and approved.

In short, having a rock solid application at the USCIS level makes it difficult for a consulate to overrule their approval and send it back to USCIS. The evidence I sent to USCIS would be enough for a consulate adjudication as well. So at the interview, my fiance will just take more of the same to show a continuation of the relationship from the date that I sent my app to USCIS. But aside from the financial support information, in terms of quality of evidence, nothing new will be presented at the consulate that USCIS didn't see.

This debate is controversial and there will be some who disagree with me. But in my research, knowledgeable attorneys tend to come down on the same side due to their awareness of the nuances of the law.

3AD



The sentences I punctuated in your comments is where these theories irk me the most as I have seen this passed on in these forums for more than a year now.

Firstly, simply because you stuff your envelope with superfluous information doesn't necessarily imply that the adjudicator "evaluated and approved" it. This notion that if you stuff something in your envelope and it gets passed on to the Consulate that it was somehow evaluated and approved is anecdotal and not fact. It is someone's theory.

In a I-129F petition submittal package that was prepared coherently, whereby evidence is grouped logically, the adjudicator would reference the relevant evidence submitted to answer the question at hand; how and when did you meet your fiancee in the past two years? Evaluating the relationship evidence frankly isn't their job and is not the task at hand and because it's in front of them shouldn't lead one to believe that it has been "approved".

For instance, I could enclose 100 emails with my application but the emails add nothing to substantiate any of the questions put to me in the I-129F petition and therefore the emails are going to be ignored in terms of answering the aforementioned question, or worse yet read and the subsequently the content raising questions that result in an RFE. In fact this happened to at least two persons in these forums.

I subscribe to the simple philosophy; if it wasn't asked for then don't submit it. Follow the instructions on the petition; answer the questions without ambiguity; supply the evidence requested and you'll have no problem.

P.S. One should understand the difference between "primary" and "secondary" evidence before submitting an I-129F.


I agree with each of you to a certain extent.

We went with the "less is more" philosophy and were approved without issue at the USCIS and consular levels. However, recent developments have me questioning the "less is more" approach. For instance, K1 visa petitions through Morocco have been sent back to the US for review quite often recently. I fear that decisions are being made at the Moroccan consulate prior to the interview, based upon evidence submitted in the original 129F application. That being said, if I were to be going through Morocco from this point on, I would surely alter my method to the "more is more" approach.

Of course, like many other questions raised here on VJ, what I presented above is a consular-specific issue. I would still argue that at your "average" consulate, this issue would not arise, and the "less is more" approach would be sufficient.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-08 13:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about the whole visa process?
I also know people who have done it this way, and yes, it irritates me as well.

I'd be willing to bet that a lot of people who go this route do so out of ignorance rather than deliberate subversion of the system.



Many people would not be willing to take that risk if they knew of the potnetial consequences.

I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss...
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-09 08:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 or i-864

jenn,

No.

Yodrak



raymaga,

Name one.

Yodrak


... some Consulates require the I-864 for the K-1 too, ....


I know I'm not raymaga, but I don't get it....

Apparently Juarez requires it, no?


Thanks for the explanation, Yodrak. :P
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-10 10:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 or i-864

raymaga,

Name one.

Yodrak


... some Consulates require the I-864 for the K-1 too, ....


I know I'm not raymaga, but I don't get it....

Apparently Juarez requires it, no?
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-10 10:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 or i-864
On the lefthand side there's a link to immigrant visa and fiance forms. The affadavit of support is listed as the I-864.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-10 10:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy Visa Journey Begins
Best of luck to you!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-10 08:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVISA GRANTED !!!
Very speedy, you two are lucky!

Congrats!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-07 08:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter from NVC prior to receiving NOA2
The only potential problem I see here (and I don't even know if it would be) is that a copy of the approved K1 petition notice is required for AOS.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-13 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures221g
I have a feeling you're ok. If they told your fiance they'd contact him in 2 weeks, you're probably just in administrative processing. They told my fiance the same thing.

They wouldn't have told him to expect a call if they were planning on returning his petition to the US
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-14 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhere to begin
Go to the Guides section of the site and look at the guide for K1 visas.

That should give you a good start!

GL!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-14 15:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSent Petition
Well, 12-18 months seems a bit of a high estimate, unless you're going through DR or something. It's always good to expect the worst though, and be pleasantly surprised.

Here's to a quick and painless journey!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-17 17:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStupid Question
Just to clarify: You do not need to have been together for two years as was implied by the OP. There are two stages where proof is required, first at the petition stage, and then at the interview. For the petition, you need to show evidence that you have met in person within the past two years. At the interview, you must show proof of an ongoing relationship, but that relationship need not have started more than two years ago.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 08:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurespassport photo
We didn't bother with exact measurements. Just used regular passport photos - whatever size they happen to make them in Morocco. Everything was just fine.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 11:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of future marraige
The USCIS actually explicitly tells you to NOT make wedding plans until the visa has been issued.

Usually the letter of intent submitted with the I129-F petition is sufficient for "proof of future marriage". Some also choose to bring engagement ring receipts and/or photos from engagement parties to the interview.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 13:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresletter of intent
I don't think the address is particularly important.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 12:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresletter of intent
We sent letters of intent addressed to the service center with the original I-129F petition. We then wrote new letters addressed to the consulate a couple of weeks before the interview, which my fiance brought to the interview with him. I think the updated letters for the interview are recommended, but not required.

Edited by jenn3539, 20 March 2006 - 12:29 PM.

Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 12:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresspeed of service center
Vermont is typically the fastest service center, but of course, every case is unique and there are no guarantees.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 12:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswaiting
It sounds like your boyfriend is undergoing the standard administrative processing for K1 visas in Morocco. It is a good sign that they took his passport. They are most likely running his name through an FBI check that can take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks. I would not worry. They will contact your boyfriend when his name clears and issue his visa.

My husband (fiance at the time) was told that he would receive the visa and that they would call him when the administrative processing was complete. He received his visa about two weeks after his interview.

Have patience, I'm sure all will be fine.

Best of luck!
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 08:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat forms to get notorized?
A notarized document shows that a notary public verified the identity of the person who signed the document.

If there is no signature, notarization is pointless. So copies of birth certificates and passports cannot be notarized.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 15:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresadditional names?
I don't think that's significant enough to list as a separate name. My husband put a different spelling of his name as an additional name. However the difference was significant and it was due to translations of arabic names into French vs. Italian; both names he used on official documents.

Don't write N/A though. You should write "none" instead.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-21 12:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCheck payable to who
OR

Department of Homeland Security

Edited by jenn3539, 22 March 2006 - 10:32 AM.

Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 10:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 or I-864 ???

jenn,

Point of clarification - tax returns are required in conjunction with the I-134 only when the sponsor is self-employed.

Tax returns, like I-134 and other financial documentation as well, are items may be required in conjunction with a determination that the visa applicant will not become a public charge while in the USA. I-134 is not a visa requirement, it is optional (at the discretion of the consular officer) financial information as are the tax returns.

True I-134 is almost always asked for, and tax returns are also frequently asked for, but that does not mean that one is in conjunction with the other. They are separate items that address the public charge issue.

Yodrak


... some consulates require 3 years of tax returns to be submitted in conjunction with the I-134.


You're right, Yodrak. After all the recent threads, I do understand that. Poor choice of wording - perhaps "at the same time as" rather than "in conjunction". I did not mean to imply that the two were necessarily related.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 or I-864 ???
Click on the "My assistant" link at towards the top of the window. You can edit your timeline from there.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 09:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 or I-864 ???
You should fill in your timeline so that people can respond to you more easily.

The I-134 is used most often. But without knowing what consulate you are going through, we can't give you a definite answer.

The I-864 is never required for a K1, although some consulates require 3 years of tax returns to be submitted in conjunction with the I-134.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 09:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Packet
I made 2 copies as suggested, one for my records and one to send to my fiance. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't bothered paying $150 to DHL the copy of the entire petition to my fiance. I probably could have saved a lot of $ by only sending him what was needed: the relationship evidence, I-134, and the NOA2. The consulate already had everything else there.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 11:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone help me with this I-134 confusion

jenn,

Why did you make such a connection?

Yodrak



.... When I was told that Morocco must see three years of tax returns, I made the leap to thinking that meant they must want the I-864 as the affidavit of support.


You're one stickler for support, Yodrak. :P

Really? You don't see how someone might make that assumption?

Ok, well after doing some preliminary research I knew that eventually I would need to use the I-864, which at the time I looked into it required 3 years of tax returns. From reading posts on VJ I knew that most people at interview time turned in the I-134 and 1 year of tax returns. So.... when I found out that Morocco wanted 3 years of tax returns, I assumed (yes, incorrectly) that they then wanted the I-864.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 13:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone help me with this I-134 confusion

I thought the issue of this thread was which affidavit, not tax returns....?

Yodrak


I think what confuses people is that some consulates do require 3 years of tax returns with the I-134.


True, but if I can assume that other people were confused by the same things I was, I would argue that one source of the confusion wbout which affidavit to use comes with how many tax returns your consulate requires. When I was told that Morocco must see three years of tax returns, I made the leap to thinking that meant they must want the I-864 as the affidavit of support.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 12:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone help me with this I-134 confusion
I think what confuses people is that some consulates do require 3 years of tax returns with the I-134.
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-21 14:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 & supporting evidence
Morocco requires 3 years of tax returns and W2s at the interview, as stated in the interview letter that your fiance will receive from the consulate.

I included IRS transcripts for 2002 and 2004, but I, like you, had not filed for 2003. Instead I submitted a copy of the return itself. I also included W2s for ALL three years, as instructed by the consulate.

At the interview, my fiance was never asked for any of the tax records though. I believe the interviewing officer only briefly looked at the I-134.

Edited by jenn3539, 22 March 2006 - 12:37 PM.

Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 12:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDNA Testing


What the hell are you talking about?


Jeesh, sometimes you are the horses petooeeee, pax.

Perhaps you'd do better if we were all conversing in Farsi, eh? english is a second language to many that seek advice in these forums.

Quit being a pompous a$$......


I'll let pax speak for herself, but I took it more as: "DNA testing, VJ, #######?". Not the english issue - I think most of us are pretty sensitive about that...
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-22 07:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDNA Testing
It's all perfectly clear to me...
Jenn!FemaleMorocco2006-03-21 10:56:00