biggish data

Is getting pregnant while waiting for K1 visa advisable?

Hey there...

I am going through a similar decision in wanting to fall pregnant prior to the K1 interview whilst weighing up the cost of not having my USC fiance here for the entire duration of the pregnancy. On one hand I would love the ideal situation of being married and together as a family prior to the baby's birth, but I am also aware that the australian medical system enables you to have all medical services free of charge, allowing for the possibility of any complications/ C section birth etc. without costing an arm and a leg. Medical coverage in the US is ridiculous. I also like the idea of my family here in Australia being a part of the baby's first few weeks of life before I fly off over the pacific ocean to my faraway life. I would like to share that before leaving.

I have contaced the US consulate on this issue and was advised that if the baby were born here I would have to file a Report of Birth Abroad in which the child would have a US passport. This also entails an interview. A consulate officer also phoned me to advise that a paternity test is only necessary in circumstances where the evidence initially provided was not sufficient ie. proving my fiance and I had been together at the time of approximate conception time. I may be in a different situation to you in that my fiance and I already have 2 children from previous marriages, with the added fact that I am 35 and do not want to delay so if it happens, it happens. In the end, forces outside of human decision making, determine whether or not life will be created.

Just another perspective.

Cheers.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-10-13 18:58:00

I-129F Question...

Becoming anally retentive now that fiance and I are sending off petition. Wanted to ask about Question 12 - If fiance is currently in the U.S, complete the following...which includes departure record details etc.

Are you supposed to put in N/A? or just leave it, given that it says only complete if CURRENTLY in the US?

Cheers,
Peta

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-11-18 01:35:00

NOA1?

It will be in your hands before you know it.

Also note that although in my timeline it says NOA1 7 days. I was going by the USCIS date. It didn't arrive at my husband's address until day 11, so maybe that is a bit misleading.

Edited by whisper2me, 17 May 2008 - 07:54 PM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-05-17 19:53:00

Wrong amount sent on I129F

QUOTE (Jas_gold @ Jun 3 2008, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello guys, thank you for helping me out on this one. My check was bounced as I did a stupid mistake and wrote a check from the account that didn't have funds. What should I do now? Should I send another check? but how should I note on the check for which application it belongs to? Originally, I had sent the check with the application and I did recive a receipt letter from the USCIS. I do have my file # on that receipt letter so should I just write that file # on this check? Do i need to include anything else?

Thanks

When we sent in our petitions, hubby put wrong address on the cheques and they sent the entire package back to us to re-submit. It took less than 2 weeks so hopefully that will happen for you.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-06-02 21:26:00

Leaving Colombia with Fiancee's 5 year old daughter

QUOTE (Azul @ Jun 26 2008, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What sort of documentation do we need to have in order to leave Colombia with my Fiancee's 5 year old daughter? (once the visa has been issued)

It depends on whether her daughter's biological father is on her birth certificate and what the custody arrangements are. In my situation my children's biological father had to sign their passport applications and when the time comes for our interview, I will have to supply an affidavit from him, stating that he gives his consent for them to live in another country indefinitely. If the biological father does not consent, you may have to go through the family court system. If he is deceased, you need to provide documentation of that. That's my interpretation anyway.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-06-26 00:30:00

QUOTE (Chris & Mara @ Jan 8 2009, 05:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Grats Annex!!!!

To say Im jealous atm the moment would be an understatement!

Anyhow hoping to get some advice here.

I know that I need to get a police check (Fingerprints thingy) and medical before I can get approved at my interview, and that they are both vaild for 12 months once they occur. I haven't gotten my NOA2 yet but if we have no more carrying on from USCIS and DISCO we should be on track to our notice in the next couple of weeks.

Should I head down to the local Police station next week and do the police check (should take 3 weeks for the results right) and then book the Medical once the NOA2 arrives?

I am really hoping on a quick turn around at this end of the scale because my current situation (living with my parents/sister, working in a job i should have been out of when I got my degree, having no car to go and visit mates or do anything and generally not being able to do anything thats helping me go forward) is driving me nuts.

I have a draw of stuff that I will take with me as proof to my interview, will be starting to print them off next week, what is the best way to display them? In a folder sorted into sections or just bundle them in groups with paper clips?

Also Chris is planning on Scanning me our orginal submited package (he has posted it 3 times to no advail) can he scan the documents I need to take with me to sydney as well or do they need to be posted/the orginal copies ?

Any suggestions?

- Mara (Stressing beyond belief down under

)

Hang in there!!! You're on the home stretch!

I just rocked up to the Police Station and filled out the application for Police Cert. with fingerprint check. All you need is your Drivers License as I.D and $153.70. On the form it has capacity for the documents to be forwarded direclty to the relevant Embassy. In my case with the IR1/CR1 Visa, I need to post it back with my application to the NVC in the states, so I left that bit blank so they would mail it to my home address - At least they better! lol They said it will take 2-4 weeks so definitely apply now.

Edited by whisper2me, 08 January 2009 - 05:57 PM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2009-01-08 17:56:00

Thanks Kath, yes I had fingerprints and applied for the police certificate yesterday and its now bumped up to $153.70 in Queensland. I must say I felt a lil bit like a crim, standing there in the cop station with ink all over my fingers, with coppers walking past looking at me suspiciously....lol.

What is the latest on the vegemite saga? Are we allowed to take some over? I also couldn't find any corn relish in Texas - they had never heard of it!

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2009-01-08 00:28:00

Thanks Kath for your input - I'm starting to feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Quick question: I have only ever lived in Queensland (love the tropics too much!) so would I still apply for the Australia wide police check WITH fingerprints?

The website says: Police Certificate based on an Australia-wide check of name and fingerprints: $153.70. Is this the one???

There is also some kind a Australian Police Certificate that can be obtained from the Federal Police....which one is it?.

Cheers

Edited by whisper2me, 05 January 2009 - 11:38 PM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2009-01-05 23:35:00

QUOTE (whisper2me @ Dec 16 2008, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Kath @ Dec 9 2008, 05:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hiya whisper to me

that is great news congrats to you both..now the fun part begins of running around getting all stuff ready for your interview...

dont forget you can get your ammune testing for the vaccinations done at your local doctor ... go to the sydney embassey website to look at the medical forms and requirements...

let us know when your interview will be please...am happy for you both...

take care
kath

Thanks Kath - yes, I'm starting to get things ready.

I am from Cairns and therefore the kids and I will have to have the medical done in Brisbane. Does anyone have a listing of the Brisbane physicians? I can't find it! There used to be a Dr. in Cairns who was recognised and she no longer does it.

Cheers,
Whisper2me

Sorry scrap that! I just found out that someone in Cairns is now an identified Panel Physician which is great (for $275 a pop, mind you - same price for kids!).

I have 2 children immigrating with me to the U.S. so I need some kind of LEGAL DOCUMENT from their biological father.

This is what it says in the website:

Child custody
Any minor child immigrating with a parent or who has been petitioned for on his or her own must submit custody information. This may include:

A court “Order of Residence” & “Relocation Order” verifying sole custody of the immigrating parent, or
A legal document from the child’s other parent advising of his/her knowledge and consent for the child to live indefinitely in the United States. This must include a copy of a photo ID of that parent; or
A certified death certificate of the other parent

In my case it will be consent from my ex-husband. What kind of document do they mean? Affidavit?

Cheers

Edited by whisper2me, 15 December 2008 - 09:19 PM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-12-15 21:17:00

QUOTE (Kath @ Dec 9 2008, 05:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

take care
kath

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-12-15 20:32:00

Hey, just letting the Aussie connection know that hubby and I got our NOA2!!! It looks like we are on the downhill run now!!!

Hope everyone is healthy and happy!!

:-)

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-12-08 06:16:00

I am considering the idea of not travelling in Sept to see hubby as I'm not sure I want to throw $2300 down the drain if I am turned back at POE - not to mention the heartache. I wanted to know if on a IR1/CR1 visa I could do the following:

Travel to the states for a 3 week vacation once I receive my Visa to take a load of luggage and to set things up before my kids come over on their IR1/CR1 visa. At least this way I won't be turned back. Here are my questions:

1. Even if my green card hasn't arrived once I get there, could I return home to Australia to finalise work matters and collect my kids with such a short stay in the U.S? Would I just need the visa in my passport to make another entry or would I need a different document to come back and return again with kids? (I know the visa is only valid for 6 months).

2. During my 3-week vacation (if it is possible), could I apply for a SSN even though I'm travelling back to Australia to collect the kids, to return in a couple of months?

Your input is much needed. Cheers

Edited by whisper2me, 13 July 2008 - 12:59 AM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-07-13 00:58:00

It's been pretty quiet in here. Just thougth I'd pop to let you know we received NOA1 for our I-130 petitions. Unfortunately we are going through the Vermont Service Centre so its gonna be quite a wait for NOA2.

I'm planning on flying over to the U.S for 3 weeks holiday in Sept. and taking my grandmother with me. It will be her 80th Bday on the day we fly out and she has never been overseas. It will be nice to have company during those long hours on the plane. I have already warned her that because our petition is in, that there is a slight chance they may not let me in.

I intend to show the following documents as proof of return to Aus:

1. Letter from Employer showing holiday leave dates and return to duties date.
2. Return ticket & travel intinerary
3. Travel insurance document for same period as return ticket.
4. Copy of petitions and original NOA1 (and hopefully by then NOA2). These will be for myself and 2 children to show we are following the process.
5. My children's birth certificates and custody documents - to show they live with me and I am responsible for well being.
6. Rental letter from Landlord
7. Insurance periods for car, work etc

My grandmother's intinerary and travel insurance will also match my own.

Sound ok?

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-05-17 21:28:00

Well we only lost 1 week and 1 day! USCIS returned our petitions with the incorrect cheques with pretty impressive turnaround time. There were no RFE, so I'm hopeful that we are officially on our way and have everything in order! I am so thankful they didn't lose them.

Edited by whisper2me, 02 May 2008 - 05:07 PM.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-05-02 17:05:00

QUOTE (HednJimmy @ Apr 28 2008, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all

Thanks to Kath for finding us in the K-1 forum and letting us know about the Australia thread!!!

We just filed our I-129F last week, so I know we have a long and tedious process ahead of us. My fiancé lives about an hour from Townsville and it looks like, according to the Aus Immigration website, you can only go to one or two *authorized* places for a medical, and the closest one to him is in Cairns...I'm reading the forum and seeing that some of you went to your regular doctor and got the medical, is that correct? What do you do in that process?

Also, when he receives his packet before his consulate interview, will there be a "checklist" of sorts included? I want to make sure we include everything that is needed. For example, since we have the process started, is he able to get a police report now if he wanted to? Am I able to send him the Affadavit of Support as well, or does it need to be closer to the interview time?

Ahhh, so many questions! I'm really glad this forum is here, and everyone is so helpful. Thanks again

Heather

Hi Heather,

Welcome to the Aussie thread! I am from Cairns so I am not too far from your fiance. At first I was happy to find that we (kids & self) would be able to have our medicals completed here in Cairns and actually save money on travel. However, when I phoned them, admin told me that she decided she didn't want to perform immigration medicals anymore. They weren't able to advise me if there has been a replacement here in Cairns, so the closest may end up being Brisbane - I hope not! I will let you know.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-04-28 17:29:00

QUOTE (patriciaofoz @ Apr 25 2008, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (whisper2me @ Apr 24 2008, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks - We will just wait it out and hope they return it. I'm just really disappointed as we had put so much time into planning, only to mess up something as simple as that. I'm trying to remain positive but this is a kick in the guts.

Most definitely keep positive. I know it's easy for me to say now...but at the time I was frustrated too but then I realised that getting more frustrated wasn't going to get it to us earlier. This whole process is going to frustrate you about 1093574938 more times over, so it's best to just chill out as much as you can

All the best!

P.S. Don't mean to scare you about the "This whole process is going to frustrate you about 1093574938 more times over" bit

It probably won't frustrate you at all!

Ohhh I'm a very patient person

Not! lol Congrats on your wedding Patricia!! You married a week before us!

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-04-25 02:24:00

QUOTE (patriciaofoz @ Apr 23 2008, 04:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (whisper2me @ Apr 22 2008, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How long do you think this will set us back time-wise? Do they get incomplete petitions back out to you in decent time?

This happened to us too (same thing, we apparently wrote the cheque out wrong) and it took them about 4 weeks to return the package to us. But...it looked like even though at the time we thought that we had been delayed by a month, in actual fact I got my NOA2 on par with May filers.

Personally, I would probably wait til they return the forms to you (if they in fact do) and go from there. At the time my husband was in Australia with me so his parents took care of it for us and if it's just the cheque that's the issue making another one and sending it off the same day will be a breeze.

But hey, it's ultimately your call.

Good luck!

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-04-24 03:28:00

Hi Everyone,

Just touching base to let you know that we have finally tied the knot. The ceremony took place here in Aussieland and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Having said that, we were fortunate that a staff member at Births, Deaths and Marriages fast-tracked the registration of our wedding and so we had our certificate within 48 hours.

Now here is where the #### hits the fan.....

My hubby returned home to the states and sent off the IR1-CR1 petitions (mine & kids). I had gone over it with a fine tooth comb but had forgotten to remind him to make the cheque payable to: U.S Dept of Homeland Security and he instead made the cheque out to the address on our cover letter - U.S citizenship & immigration services. I was advised that they would indeed send the entire package back to him and we will have to start from scratch.

How long do you think this will set us back time-wise? Do they get incomplete petitions back out to you in decent time?

I was wondering whether we should just cancel the cheques now and just post off brand new petitions (we have a duplicate), rather than waiting for them to tell us the cheques are messed up.

What do you think guys?

Cheers

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-04-22 07:43:00

QUOTE (patriciaofoz @ Feb 3 2008, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everybody! (been a couple of weeks...)

Congrats to everyone who has either been approved, got an interview or finished their Medicals. Hurray!

Me? I have 3 more weeks left in beautiful Adelaide and then I'm off to Missouri! I've gotten rid of quite a bit of my stuff but haven't done any actual packing just yet. I'm a huge procrastinator

So, to those who have been through all this, got any tips? What should I REMEMBER to finish up/close up before I leave? Or just to do in general? I'm not going to close up my bank accounts just yet. What paperwork should I remember to bring along with me? I have to get my dental records and also optometrist stuff and medical records too. Anything else? I'm sure I'm forgetting something. HELP?!?!

And somebody reassure me that the way I'm feeling, ecstatic & excited one minute and completely depressed & upset the next is NORMAL? I'm so excited to be reunited to Zach (the anticipation is overwhelming) & to marry him but I'm also getting really upset that I'm leaving my Aussie life, my family, my friends and all things I'm familiar with. It's so upsetting.

Hi Patricia,

I am the procrastinator from hell, so I completely relate! Actually, I procrastinate when it comes to procrastinating....lol

I have fantasized countless times about being in your position, ready to leave for a new life in another country to be with my soon-to-be-husband, while at the same time letting go of everything I have known and loved here. At times it scares the #### outta me because I am really close to my family here but at the same time, I reassure myself that the world isn't as big as it used to be.....flights are cheaper, phone cards to call aussie land are cheap, email, cam and other devices have opened things up so much more. I also imagine my life without my fiance and I know damn well, I would be down here in aussie land miserable and incomplete.

What we do for love huh....

Peta

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-02-03 05:55:00

Hi Everyone, just wanted to touch base. Congrats on all the approvals! HD becoming H-reality, I love that!

It looks like 2008 is starting off on a positive note.

Well its the 10 week countdown until my Sweetheart arrives here from Houston and 11 weeks until our aussie-based wedding here in Cairns. We are planning an informal affair, just close friends and family. My next door neighbour works on one of the Islands here off of the Great Barrier Reef and will be getting us a huge discount on accomodation and outer reef trips. Don't worry, I'll be sure to stay away from the stingrays......lol damn.

Oh I phoned Births, Deaths and Marriages and was told that if the celebrant/minister writes URGENT on the paperwork for registration of the marriage, they will start processing it as soon as it gets there. Like i said, we are desperately wanting the marriage certificate in our hot little hands so we can start this monstrosity.

Enjoy whats left of the long-weekend,

Peta

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-01-27 19:02:00

Merry Xmas everyone....

H.D glad to see you made it safe and sound over there and that customs gave you no strife! I was wondering how all that would go.

Patriciaofoz, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you only need to take the medical report of the X-ray to the consulate appt. but that you have to take the physical X-rays with you when you move to the states. Will definitely be thinking of you on Wednesday!!!

Rings, your AOS interview is on my daughters bday! All the best with that.

Jennybeni, your wedding day looks to be one week after ours! We are waiting until after that to file for the K3.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-30 06:15:00

QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 21 2007, 01:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (whisper2me @ Dec 20 2007, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can you still enter the U.S while a K3 or IR1/CR1 Visa is being processed? I thought that if you had immigration intent they would refuse entry? Do they still let you through if you show you have a legitamate visa application in place?

Cheers

Technically you can. Some people just don't recommend it in fear of having an issue during interview time should they be turned away by the border officer. However, I believe that as long as you have ties to your current home country you'll be fine. You can also explain that you have a visa in place and it is current, etc. should you be questioned.

If you don't have any marks against you as far as traveling illegally, my experience is that immigration doesn't pry too hard if you have a return ticket. One thing I do recommend is to answer short and sweet. Don't talk yourself into trouble but don't like either.

Oh as far as immigration intent, I believe it is more of what I call," shady immigration intent" (i.e. adjusting status after entering the country because I have seen that recommendation before).

Hmmm interesting, didn't know that. Maybe I can plan another trip after all.......

Thanks for the reply....

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-20 15:35:00

QUOTE (hawaiiandreams @ Dec 20 2007, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice to hear your news vylex! Sounds like thing are all falling into place for you both - this is excellent news!

Well i am finally done with my medical appointment.. it took 3 hours in total by the time I filled in some forms at the doctors office, had my examination, went to the hospital for the x-ray, waited an hour and a half to get the film and report back, and then returned the x-ray report to the doctors office!

Thankfully my employer was very understanding about me not reaching work until midday!

By the way, they only used one passort pic for the front of the medical form. Any other idea what the other 2 pics were supposed to be for!?

Well at least I am one step closer to being ready for my interview. I should have the medical report in my hand by 10th Jan!

As for right now, I'm off to Hawaii for 3 weeks! I can't wait to see my husband!

Aloha & best wishes for Christmas. May the new year bring great things for all of us!

HD.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-20 03:17:00

HD,

I am no expert in this area but I've started making some early enquiries in terms of the vaccinations. I recently asked Nurses at work (I work in Mental Health) about the requirement list of vaccinations. I was told by them and by my GP recently, that the Influenza shot is only given seasonly and that the pnemococcal is only given to infants and older, fragile people (over 65). As for polio, most Aussie children would have been immunized in their youth - remember SABIN? that revolting drop of liquid on a spoon? I can still taste it......lol

Let us know how things go.....

Peta :-)

QUOTE (hawaiiandreams @ Dec 14 2007, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (patriciaofoz @ Dec 12 2007, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm done with the medical part...now on to the home stretch!

The medical was painless and quick. Dr. Miller is one very busy man! I got there half an hour early and Joan went through my paperwork making sure everything was in order. It was handy to have that extra time to sort through it and have it explained to me

I went in, the Dr. asked me some questions, did some stamping and then I laid down on the examining table and he took my blood pressure, listened to my heart and that was it! Done, all paperwork signed.

The last bit was Joan putting all the documents in the order that the Consulate apparently like to have it. She advised me not to unravel it and if I do, to put it back the way it was

Joan is definitely on the ball with this one! She wished me good luck and left the clinic.

Hi Pat - i was just wondering - how long will it take you to receive the medical report you will take to the interview? Or did you get all of this on the day?

Just wondering what the turn around time is like as I have a rather tight deadline with the Christmas break coming up..

Also did you need to get any additonal vaccinations? I have had Hep B, TD and MMR and I have documents to say I'm immune to Chicken Pox!

Did you need to get the shots for Influenza, polio and pnemococcal too? Or did they ignore these completely because according to that age chart they are not required?

Thanks and sorry for so may questions all.. I am really stressed because I have the last appointment before the panel physician closes for the holidays and there is only a 2 week gap between when they re open and my interview date!

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-14 04:56:00

Hi Everyone,

Quick question.

When a K3 visa is received at the Consulate (not that I have one yet....lol), does the 2 years of its validity start from then or when the K3 visa recipient arrives in the U.S? I realise you have to use it within 6 months but does that 2 years begin from consulate approval or POE?

Cheers,
Peta

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-13 03:12:00

Thanks for the welcome Kath and HD....

First of all, to those of your who will be seeing your Sweethearts over the Xmas period....I am so jealous!!! No doubt you will be making up for lost time ..hehe

HD, from what you're saying, I'll need to wait until the Marriage Cert with the official seal comes back from Births, Deaths and Marriages before we can submit the I-130. Bummer! We will lose a few weeks with that one. Is it not possible to submit the one you get on your wedding day with the original application and then have the sealed Marriage Cert for the interview? Has anyone done that with the IR-1?

HD, if you are planning on taking out Travel Insurance on your holiday to the U.S, your policy will show your cover for the dates you are there. This may also support your travel itinerary and ticket in terms of documentation.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-11 02:07:00

Hi there, (I JUST POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION)

Fellow aussie from Cairns. Sweating my a** off up here at the moment though....lol

I have a couple of questions re: the CR-1/IR-1 route as my fiance and I have changed our minds about the K1 Visa and are getting married here in AUS in a few months.

1. What costs are involved throughout the entire CR-1 process and what are they? I.e AOS bill, I-864 and IV costs? I have 2 children who will be applying as part of this process so will that mean the IV cost X 3 persons?

2. What marriage certificate will they accept? Will they accept the documentation obtained on the wedding day which includes all parties signatures and witnesses or do they require the officially registered Marriage Certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages?

Info appreciated on this.

Peta :-)

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2007-12-08 03:30:00

Africa: Sub-Saharan

Orlando or Houston

Thankyou for the welcome. I will most definitely check out the ss cyber cafe :-)

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-08-31 03:00:00

Africa: Sub-Saharan

Orlando or Houston

Just wanted to stick my head in here and say hi. My hubby is from Houston and I'm a sista from Australia. Yes, laugh if you will - I know I look like a white woman in my pic ..... lol. I have always identified as a black woman and I guess it really hit me during my visits to the states when people were looking at me crazy. I have no idea of what background people thought I came from but I soon realised the majority didn't even realise Australia has a black history. I didn't know whether to find it annoying or fascinating - I suppose I was mostly surprised!

Anyway. I was only saying to my husband today how it would be nice to meet up others who have gone through this process, particularly those close in Houston. I had a chance to check out the city and schools etc. during my time there. (Hubby proposed on bended knee in Galveston)

I loved the place! I'm in Cairns, North Queensland which is the Aussie tropics so I love the humidity. I don't know how on earth I'm going to drive down those damn freeways on the wrong side of the road, sitting in the wrong side of the car.......but I'll find my way!!!

well.....enough ramble from me. I would love to stay in touch with people who have been through this process as I think only those couples and families who have been through it, fully understand and appreciate what it took to be with the one you love.

Cheers.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-08-30 08:01:00

Help with I-130

QUOTE (robertcolt46 @ Feb 27 2008, 07:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am about send in a I-130 application for my wife. I have some questions someone may be able to help me with.
1) My wife has a 13 year old daughter, do I need to file a SEPERATE I-130 for the daughter?
2) If I need to file the I-130 for the daughter, does it go with my wife's I-130?
3) If I do NOT need a seperate I-130 for the daughter, do I need to include the daughter's G-325 with my wife's I-130 or do I wait until I send the
I-129?
4) On the I-130 form, Section D, Question 1, do I put the dughter's name here, even if I am not sending an I -130 for the daughter?
5) If I have to file a sperate 1-130 for the daughter, does it require an additional $355 fee?

Thanks for any help any of you may be able to give me.
I have been filling out forms, reading government websites and getting certified documents every spare minute of every day for weeks. And I know this is only the beginning!

I am in a similiar situation as you in the sense that my soon-to-be husband and I are filing for myself and my 2 childeren. I wouldn't risk the K3 journey at this point and would instead petition for the IR-1/CR-1. The risk is that if they cancel your K3 in favour of the IR-1/CR-1 (which has happened for many), you will have to send the additional petition for your stepdaughter anyway, which could delay things.

1. Yes, you file a separate I-130 for your step-daughter if you go the IR-1/CR-1 route but not for the K3.
2. If you decide to go IR-1/CR-1 you can send the 2 petitions in the same package but they will be viewed as separate petitions, each requiring their own $355 cheque. If you go K3, no petition is sent for child.
3. You only need to send the G-325a for wife in both visa scenarios.
4. Not sure.
5. Yes will require 2 fees of $355, written as separate cheques. Only one fee is required for the K3 as it is one petition.

Hope that helps.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-02-27 04:41:00

medical issues

QUOTE (daisychain08 @ May 25 2008, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi. I read about other people's experience when they had their medical. Apparently, the doctors check for previous suicide attempts. I have deep scars on my wrist that I inflicted way back when I was in college. I won't go into the details but I did attempt suicide several times because I was being molested by a relative and I saw no means of escape. Would it be grounds for not approving my visa or failing the medical? Thank you.

I would expect that you would have to have a Mental State Assessment that was a bit more intensive than others, to ensure you are not a current risk to yourself. Did you seek counselling support at any point? If you did, a letter from them to say you resolved those issues would be helpful. If it was a long time ago, I doubt it will affect anything and even so, peoples' lives change, they grow, learn and deal with things and move on.

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-05-25 01:20:00

VSC filers, listen up...

QUOTE (Michael 007 @ Jul 17 2008, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello everyone. I am a long time lurker on this site. I know how much we have all been through thanks to the wonderful USCIS, especially for those at VSC. I have been on the verge of insanity for the last 5 months wondering when I will ever get that golden NOA2. Actually it was the beginning of this very week when I hit rock bottom and thought seriously about giving it all up and starting over but then 3 very important things happened...

1) A mentor at work made a very poignant reminder to me that all things happen in life for a reason and that God never fails to overcome anything (I really needed to hear that, somehow my co-worker just came out of the blue and said it)

2) If you are like me, I have begun to notice a small trickle of NOA2s being posted to this site. So far I've noticed a couple of Jan/Feb approvals.

3) Most importantly, I found out some very big news that I do not think most VJers are aware of regarding the VSC. I work for a major American manufacturing corporation and like many of my fellow freshmen co-workers, we all started our jobs after getting MBAs this spring. It was by chance today at lunch I started mentioning all the drama I was having with the USCIS regarding getting wife and 2 week old daughter home. Needless to say, my co-workers were very understanding and sympathetic to my plot giving the fact they are foreign nationals trying to stay here and work after business school. It was then that one guy piped up and began telling me how the USCIS was putting him through the wringer regarding his H1B visa. I have to admit for someone who has spent many sleepless nights over the last 3 months studying immigration law and the USCIS, I was painfully unaware of how the H1B works.

Now here is an eye-opener for everyone...

If I recalled correctly, someone posted on this site within the last few weeks stating that they spoke to a Congressman regarding the USCIS's slow processing. He stated that the VSC was allocating resources to process other visas, I-130s taking the back-burner of course! Well, what my co-worker told me today blew my mind. We all know that the VSC has been at a virtual stand-still since April. Well, April 1 is when the USCIS begins to process H1Bs (I am not sure, but I think the VSC is the only service center that processes these visas). Out of the hundreds of thousands of international students in the American university system every year, only 60,000 H1Bs are available for post-grad employment authorization.

Now here is how this touches us. According to my co-worker, regardless of whether or not your H1B petition was filed on time, come July 31, the USCIS puts all H1Bs aside and will not process nor even look at a single H1B until next April. According to my calendar, it is July 15, only 16 more days for H1Bs to be processed. I am taking a guess here, but I would imagine that the H1Bs have been taking up over 80% of the officers at the VSC and come Aug 1, I suspect to see a massive realignment of work priorities and with a little luck, those I-130s/K3s will start getting pushed on out the door.

Just my two cents. I a pray for each and everyone of us every day.

Your post made my day!!!

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-07-16 20:51:00

im confuse, is this really mean my 130 is approved

QUOTE (loy @ Aug 14 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hello guyz

i really need your help, we filed our I-130 last July 18, 2008..this the respond and get a respond,i dont know if they touched it first..

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On August 13, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

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its says I-130 is approved,but i just want to hear it from somebody..(i cant believe it though that its approved so quickly) NOw, my problem is what to do next, coz i already ask one of the agency here to help me with my K3 visa, and also i talk to some agencies and they said that Immigrant visa processing is longer than K3, but base on what i read in this forum their processing time is the same. Im confused, i need help on this..Also, if i proceed to CR-I is there any agency here in cebu, philippihnes, that u can refer me? im scared if i do it my self,i commit mistakes..

**we havent filed the I-129F yet, but planning to send it on monday, we r still on the stage of assembling our documents.

Congrats! Yes, your petition is approved. :-)

whisper2me

Female

Australia

2008-08-13 22:13:00