biggish data

Birthcert really required for Bankok?

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering, does she really need her birth certificate for the Bangkok US Embassy interview? I'd be surprised if she has one. I am trying to determine all that she will need to bring to the interview. This is for a K-1, we are not married now. My NOA1 was December 20, 2012 so I hope that NOA2 will be in about 1 -2 months from Vermont.
I have also read a few things about the benificiary (who will move to the US) needing a Police Check (from Thailand)? Can anyone tell me if this it true for a K-1?0

Also I read something about my birth certificate (from the US). I just copied mine from a scan, it did not come out too well. I would be very reluctant to hand over the original document of my BC, or mail it to Thailand.

I am going from VJ K-1 FAQ which is helpful. How am I supposed to get her the 129-F and other contents of the package to her in Thaialand if I am here? I have it all in files, I can email to her I guess.

I think we have at least 2 months to go until the interview, probably more, but I would like to get ready. Thanks very much - Tango

This is a very common problem with Thailand. Here's the problem. The Bangkok embassy (Dept. of State) will accept just about anything as a birth certificate. And you'll be fine getting the K-1 and having your fiancee come to the U.S. Once here she will need to file adjustment of status with USCIS (Dept. of Homeland Security) to get the green card. This is where the problem arises. USCIS seems to have a much stricter rule concerning what is accepted as a birth certificate.

Here's what she'll need to do. She'll need to go to her local Amphur, (with her mother if possible) and get a letter from them stating that she was born on this date, in this Amphur/Tambon, to these parents. Make sure it has the official Amphur seal. She'll then need to get this translated into English with the translation stamp. You'll need that when you file I-485/I-765/I-131 once she arrives in the U.S.

I've seen more than a few people her get burned by thinking that what the Bangkok embassy accepted as proof of birth, will be good enough for the adjustment of status. Once your fiancee is here in the U.S., it is a major pain for her to get this letter from the Amphur in Thailand without being present in Thailand. You're lucky in this regard. Deal with it NOW.

ETA: if she has a valid birth certificate, then no problem. It seems that they are not very common outside of Bangkok though.

ETA again: Make sure she takes the blue house book and her Thai ID card to the Amphur when she goes to get this. She'll know what you mean when you mention blue book.

Edited by Karee, 17 April 2013 - 11:08 AM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-04-17 11:06:00

Her daughters come later- 1 to 3 years

We are just filling out I129f, her 14 and 16 year old daughters will come to USA in 1 year and the older one after she finishes HS.

Do we need to do any more right now than include both names in the I129f?

Does that placement of names now on 129f reserve there future visa to be with us in USA?

When will the Govt. need there birth certs and passports and medical ect?

I would appreciate any experience anyone has with this... Thank you, Mike

I personally don't know how the "follow to join later" thing works for K visas. I reported this to the mods so they can move it to a place where you'll get better answers.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-04-22 20:13:00

Question 11 on the I-134

This is an interesting question. She will be living in my home, eating my food. So I guess the correct answer is "intend" but wouldn't that be a given? If we plan to get married, she would be in my house. How could you answer no? A person coming into the country would need a period of time to get settled an start a job before they could support themselves.

What is the collective wisdom on how to handle question 11?

You answer yes to question 11. Keep in mind the I-134 is used for other types of visas besides fiancee visas, so the answer might be different in those cases.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-05 22:19:00

I-129f Petition Approved Same Time Between Jobs

My last 3 years tax returns are well above I-864 poverty guidelines and the income already earned this year year thus far exceeds it.

So, you are saying this will suffice if I am not currently employed at that moment, and unable to produce last 3 pay statements?

Yes, you'll be fine with that.

ETA: It sounds like you are self-employed, so your last years income tax returns should be good. I'd give them 3 years just to be safe.

Edited by Karee, 15 May 2013 - 03:59 PM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-15 15:56:00

I-129f Petition Approved Same Time Between Jobs

I recently received notification my Petition was approved to move on with the process of obtaining a K-1 Visa for my Fiancee in Thailand.

At the same time I became temporarily unemployed. I do contract work and make a good living, but never know exactly for sure when the next contract will begin.

I'm ok and have money in the bank, but I'm wondering if that's going to be a hindurance with my fiancee getting the Visa? Anybody have any thoughts or experiences regarding situations like this? I'm sure, I'm not the first. LOL

First thing is to look at your last 3 years tax returns/transcripts. Are you over the I-864 poverty guidelines (125%) for those years? Will you be 125% over them for this year, and can you prove it?

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-15 14:25:00

Thanks for reply!

I did ask them for tracking number.. they not getting back to me

Can i call USCIS and explain what is happening?

Calling USCIS is probably a waste of time since they have no record of the petition. Even if they did, they wouldn't be much help. At this point your best bet is to keep pushing Siam Legal. Someone else posted in this thread that they had good experience with them. So who knows.

Edited by Karee, 18 May 2013 - 10:39 AM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-18 10:38:00

Hi guys i need your advice on this so worried and confuse about what to do!

Last March i went to Siam Legal ( i know now they not so good ) for my k1 bad mistake..they sent off

K1 package april 23 and i still not receive any receipt. I called USCIS and they not even have me in their system!

I called Siam Legal and they say the cheque is being processed...should i continue to wait or should i tell them

to cancel whole petition and do myself....i am going crazy waiting and wasting time with these guys

sorry i ever use them

hope to get some ideas

Unfortunately, since you signed the G-28, they are your legal representatives now. Your best bet is to keep on them. Ask them for evidence of when the package was sent. Tracking numbers etc. Just tell them you would merely like to track the progress of your case. Stay on them.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-18 10:05:00

On my previous post i talked about not getting receipt or NOA1 after 4 weeks.

Called Siam legal and they tell me that their bank cheque is still being processed

I called USCIS and they have no record of my petition, now what do i do?

I am waiting to talk to tier 2 USCIS rep... I have bad feeling about this...

Not surprising. The petition is probably being used by one of the lawyers as a coaster for his beer.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-17 14:48:00

Hi all

New member my first post!

Me and Malinee decided to use Siam legal in Bangkok since we need many of her documents

translated. They mailed k1 out april 23, still no word from USCIS of NOA1. how long is normal

from mailing k1 out from Thailand..i live in New Jersey i guess i will have the Vermont Center

processing my petition..anyone have any experience with Siam Legal and time for k1?

Thanks for any help

The NOA1 will come from the Vermont Service Center here in the U.S.

As far as using Siam Legal, I've heard good and bad. If I was you, I would get some kind of proof when the I-129F and G-325a etc. were mailed out from them.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-11 22:10:00

Proof of relationship - I don;t have much

I'm working on Packet 3.

For proof of relationship, I only have my passport stamps and pics of us together. I don;t have bus or air tickets. No chat logs. No phone logs.

Will the pics be enough? Anything I'm forgetting?

Back when I went through this my wife showed them copies of my passports with probably 100 entry/exit stamps into and out of Thailand and 3 or 4 photos of us together. They said not good enough. They said that I only meant I lived in Thailand, not that I lived with my wife. They wanted pictures of us together.

Point being back in 2009 they seemed to care about photos more than anything else. There was a real jerk-off working at the embassy at that time. He was giving everyone a hard time back then. He's no longer there. Probably best to look at some of the recent consulate reviews to see what they have been asking for. You can find them here:

http://www.visajourn...p?cnty=Thailand

Here's mine if your interested:

http://www.visajourn....php?entry=4078

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-19 19:16:00

Why a DS-156?

It's really amazing the depth of knowledge on this board.

It really is amazing. i wish I would have found this place before I flushed $1800 down the toilet by hiring a lawyer.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-21 22:10:00

Appeal or not to appeal?

Are DOS employees familiar with USCIS adjudicating process?

I doubt they are. It's like calling the phone company to tell them your electricity is not working. Two totally different agencies.

Edited by Karee, 26 May 2013 - 04:39 PM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-26 16:38:00

I received The I-797 approval Hard copy today, Now what?

ok, Thanks. Will I get a hard copy or email from NVC with the BNK number?

I (the petitioner) got a hard copy from NVC. This was back in 2008 though.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-12 06:18:00

I received The I-797 approval Hard copy today, Now what?

Thanks Karee

I just had a thought. Does the embassy contact the beneficiary by snail mail via the address on the 129? She has moved to Bangkok to make things easier. She is not at the address on the 129 any more. Should we be calling the 800 customer service number?

You need to send an email to the embassy and let them know about the address change. It's probably too late to notify NVC at the 800 number. USCIS is totally out of the process now, so no point in contacting them.

You can contact the embassy at either of these email addresses:

visasbkk2@state.gov or visasbkkiv@state.gov

Make sure your subject line in the email looks like this:

'IV Inquiry BNK2013xxxxxx'

The BNK number will be the case number you received from NVC.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-11 21:59:00

I received The I-797 approval Hard copy today, Now what?

I did read the guide. It is a general guide, But it doesn't specify what is needed. The download section has a list of possible forms, but not specifically whats needed.

http://bangkok.usemb...as/packets.html

From the link:

In K and immigrant visa petitions approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Bangkok, applicants should download the visa packages from this web page. Receipt of an I-797 Notice of Approval from USCIS does not indicate that the case is pending with the U.S. Embassy. The downloadable documents below are provided solely for those who have cases pending with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Please do not send any of the documents below to the Embassy unless instructed to do so.

Packet 3 instructions from the U.S. embassy in Bangkok:

http://photos.state....on_packet_3.pdf

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-05-11 21:46:00

I got scammed the biggest scam of my life

Seems there are plenty of people in this thread who don't know how the K1 works. I suggest not giving anyone advice if that's the case.

Then they have done something illegal. Stop suggesting other people do the same.

No kidding. I heard someone got away with robbing a bank, I wonder if I should give it a try. Surely since they didn't get caught, I wont either.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-12 09:24:00

I-134 Form Field Questions

So, about the affidavit of support that i (the US Citizen) fill out...

Question 3 asks for address... I assume they want the address of my fiancee in Thailand... but it only have room for a USA style address... including 2 letters for "state" which I guess would be "Bangkok" (province).     Is our State Department clearly that inebt that they don't know that the rest of the world isn't just like the US?   I really don't know how I would squeeze Province names in there via computer... short of printing and hand writing it.

Question 11 asks if you "intend or not intentd" to make specific contributions to the support of person in Question 3.    I have no idea how to answer that.... We're going to be married... this is a fiance visa. Of course I intend to support her, we will be sharing everthing... but I don't plan on making "specific contributions" of X dollars a month or something.   Seems like a bogus question that should be visa type specific.   But I am afraid to leave it blank, or choose the wrong one in case it makes a difference to the Governement.    The follow up question is to enumerate what i would be contributing to her.   Again, no idea what to say.

And then at the bottom in the signature area it states:

"I acknowledge that i have read "sponser and alien liabity" ..... as amended, and the Food Stamp Act, as amended. "

followed by a blank field to put something in....

but then you sign and date it half an inch below... so I don't know what the blank field is for? Print your name? Sign your name a stupid second time? Initial it?

And of course their "instructions" for filling out the form, contain no help at all about what they are asking for in any of this.

Any advice?

As far as the address, this explains it:

http://www.visajourn...ts-of-thailand/

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-22 15:54:00

What are the costs "after" entering on a K-1

Re the bolded portion above, no. If AP or EAD are filed while AOS is pending the fee is still waived. AP is not available prior to AOS, but while the EAD is, it is pointless spending the money as it expires when the I-94 does (as opposed to the one filed with AOS which is valid for a year).

Is there a reason someone would not file all 3 of them together? I'm curious. I can't think of one.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-30 17:59:00

What are the costs "after" entering on a K-1

Karee, roughly what is the time interval between each of these steps. The guide isn't clear in this regard.

I would suggest you do the AOS right after you get married. Otherwise after the 90 days are up, she'll be in a sort of limbo. She wont be able to drive (depending on the state) or work etc. Also, if she has to leave the country for any reason before she has AP, you pretty much have to start from scratch all over again. The main requirement is that you marry within 90 days of arrival in the U.S.

Once she gets the green card, it will have an issue date on it. You should file the ROC 1 year and 9 months after that date. You can't do it any sooner. This will result in her getting a 10 year green card.

You can file the citizenship 2 years and 9 months from the issue date of her ORIGINAL 2 year green card. I think even the 10 year green card says something like (Permanent resident since MM/DD/YYYY) So 2 years 9 months from that date.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-30 17:56:00

What are the costs "after" entering on a K-1

I've heard two numbers $1076, and $2200

What are the costs from AOS through citizenship?

AOS,EAD, and AP = $985 filing + $85 Bio = $1070 (Note you must file all three of them together. This way you only pay the AOS fee) If you don't file them together, then you have to pay for them separately.

ROC = $505 filing + $85 Bio = $590

Citizenship = $595 filing + $85 bio = $680

So total is $2340

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-30 17:11:00

Question about our Visa

I just received a copy of the beneficiaries Visa.

The visa has an expiration date of 25 December which would be 6 months from the interview date. That seems right.

There is a note at the bottom of the visa stating. "K-1 petition expires on October 26, 2013"

So, she could wait to enter until 25 Dec. But, the petition would be expired?

How does the petition expiration date play into this process?

There is no more petition. She has the visa. It says something on the visa in her passport about the petition expiring on October 26?

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-02 20:52:00

Proof of ongoing relationship question

Thanks Karee. How much documentation does USCIS need with the I-129F on having met with the past 2 years? I have strong documentation that I was in Thailand and staying in the city where my fiancé resides (receipts for misc purchases) but only 3 or 4 photos of us together. We have a dozen or so photos of the 2 of together over the past seven years for his interview in BKK, but not so much for my recent trip to see him.

That should be fine for the I-129F. Maybe go ahead and throw in copies of you passport pages with the entry and exit stamps from Thailand. Maybe some hotel receipts if you stayed in one. I think USCIS is pretty lenient on that stuff. The place where it is more important, IMO is at the interview and proving the ongoing relationship. USCIS only requires that you met in person once in the last two years.

Edited by Karee, 12 July 2013 - 12:08 PM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-12 12:07:00

Proof of ongoing relationship question

If providing ?Proof of ongoing relationship? with the I-129F packet, does this need to focus on the time following when the 2 of us met within the past 2 years, or can it be focused more on the past? We have been in a committed relationship for the past 7 years and spent a great deal of time together during this. I have much more ducumentation available for the past 7 years than I do for the past 6 months (we were together in Thailand during the past 6-9 months). Would it be helpful to show proof of our long term relationship preceding the most recent visit within the past 2 years?

For a K-1 there's two things.

1. Proof of meeting in the last 2 years when you file the I-129F. You just need to prove that you have been physically together within the last two years.

2. Proof of an ongoing relationship at the interview. Bangkok really likes to see photos of you together for some reason. At least they did when I went through the process in 2009. We actually got a 221g for not having enough photos, even though we lived together in Bangkok for 2+ years.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-12 11:05:00

Need Advice For After NOA2

One huge problem you may have is that fact that BKK doesn't allow the use of co sponsors for K 1s in most cases.

You could choose to proceed with the income info you have now and submit the higher income info with the 134 at the embassy stage along with the Packet 3.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-24 20:10:00

Will my recent deportation from China prevent me from bringing my Chinese fiance to the US?

I chose to have diplomats from the US Embassy come visit me and clear things up. The Chinese authorities made a bunch of ###### up. They claimed I was a child molester. First of all, I didn't molest her at all...and she wasn't a child...she was 22 years old. They US Embassy was actually shocked and pissed off that the Chinese police had falsified this stuff, but they cleared it up with the chief of the immigration police. It was unbelievable, but I got out of there in one piece. Yes, you know what you are talking about. Most of the people there are using fake degrees and certificates.

Ok. Now we're getting somewhere. So the U.S. embassy is aware of this situation. Were you convicted of any crime in China?

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-29 19:02:00

Will my recent deportation from China prevent me from bringing my Chinese fiance to the US?

She was upset at first of course, but I was able to explain the situation and she calmed down. Everything is fine between us.

Look, if you have any desire to emigrate to China, or visit in the future, then you'll probably have an issue. Other than that, your fiancee is applying for the visa in China based on a petition you filed in the U.S. What happened with you getting deported is irrelevant in this case.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-29 18:58:00

Will my recent deportation from China prevent me from bringing my Chinese fiance to the US?

As some others pointed out, IF anything is relevant and could be harmful to him bring his lady, sexual crimes are. So it kind of is a reason for him to be a little stressed.

The only time sexual crimes are relevant for the petitioner are in 1 of 2 cases:

1. Adam Walsh Act: This is for convictions of crimes against children committed by the petitioner. There was no conviction of a crime per the OP. Not only that, I'm 99% sure that is related to convictions in the U.S.

2. IMBRA: If there is a conviction in the U.S. (from what I can tell there isn't) it is merely to inform the beneficiary about it. Basically, "do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-29 18:54:00

Will my recent deportation from China prevent me from bringing my Chinese fiance to the US?

I worked in China for 3 years. 90% of people are working there illegally or have photoshop teaching degrees, people shouldn't judge you for that. Also when I read about the alleged harassment I had an 'ugh' feeling because yes knowing Chinese authorities and the fact that they went through with the brief detention and deportation, it sounds like your file will indeed say that you were deported on sexual harassment. If I were you I'd try to find how I can access that. But even then I don't know how that would help. Perhaps a lawyer can help gather character references and sworn affidavits for character reference from people in your life who observed you as a couple and people who know you.

Wish you all the best good luck.

I'm still not getting why any of this is relevant to the beneficiary? The beneficiary was never deported or had any issues with teaching without a permit. I must be missing something.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-29 18:41:00

Will my recent deportation from China prevent me from bringing my Chinese fiance to the US?

From what I get, the petitioner was deported from China. I don't see how that has any bearing on the beneficiary. I was deported from Canada and told if I ever came back they would throw me in prison. Never came up in any step of this process.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-07-29 15:16:00

I believe you may need to establish your domicile in a state where you are allowed to marry. I remember this issue coming up with close relations as well. There was a thread started recently for same sex partners.

Best of luck on your journey.

Steve

I remember that as well. I'm starting to think they should have a separate forum for these issues here on VJ. They seem to be unique due to the fact you can only get married in certain countries and certain states. This is going to be a common question here in the future. I'll post a topic about it in Site Related Questions and see if it gets any traction.

Edited by Karee, 04 August 2013 - 07:31 AM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-08-04 07:30:00

Thanks for all of your replies. I apologize for leaving out an important piece of information. We are a same sex couple. We have been living together in Thailand for the last ten years because, until now, it has been impossible for my Thai partner to emigrate to the United States. We cannot get married in Thailand(or any place in Southeast Asia). So, that still leaves me uncertain how to reply to the address in the United States question. In connection with the address question, I just noticed another potential problem. USCIS

states that at the consulate interview, in order to demonstrate financial support, my fiancé may need to present form I-134( this form may not be required). The instructions for this form clearly state that I need to reside in the United States.

You're going to need an address in the U.S. USCIS will send you notices there. One receipt notice when the get your I-129F, and one when they approve it. Also, NVC will send you a notice when the case is forwarded to the consulate in Bangkok. Do you have an address of a family member or friend you can use in the U.S.?

As far as the I-134, you don't need to have an address in the U.S. to submit that form from what I can see. It asks for your address, but the form has extra fields for country and even states (zip code if in U.S.) I can't seem to find anywhere in the instructions where it requires you to reside in the U.S. Could you post that here?

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-08-03 20:25:00

Hmm... I'd like to know what makes you make such a bold claim!

Multiple reasons.

1. I takes a couple months vs. 6-12 months

2. It results in a green card upon arrival in the U.S. without having to adjust status.

3. You can file everything in the foreign country without having to file things in the U.S.

4. There's a few others I can't think of.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-08-03 17:03:00

If you are sure you are going to marry why not do it in Thailand and then file for a C R 1 visa using the DCF method? There are many advantages in this including the use of a co sponsor. DCF will save you a lot of time and some expense as well as giving her a green card very soon after arrival.

Yep. I was going to post the same thing. Don't make the mistake I made. DCF is exponentially better than the K-1 visa.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-08-03 15:05:00

I'm Aupair Can I start k1 visa now While I am in United States?

It's been dead since 2010 everywhere, but most folk declare it dead circa 2009.

I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader, to ascertain why.

Or you can read a bit..

http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3060767

http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3060767

http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3060767

and

http://www.visajourn...eived-together/

http://www.visajourn...eived-together/

http://www.visajourn...eived-together/

Seriously - if'n you think to write 'K-3' again, here at VJ - I invite you to face-dive into a caltrop, at 4 times gravity. You'd be giving exceptionally bad advice, all the way 'round.

I had to look up "caltrop" Ouch!!

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-09-02 22:04:00

I'm Aupair Can I start k1 visa now While I am in United States?

Also look here:

http://travel.state....tml?country=185

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-09-02 13:59:00

I'm Aupair Can I start k1 visa now While I am in United States?

I'm an Au Pair from Thailand on a J-1 visa .My boyfriend is U.S. Citizen.I been here almost a year and half, we've been dating for the last 10 months. I have to return to Thailand in November. (My visa expires in 20 October it's will be soon. but has grace period 30 days after finish Au Pair duties .so can we start k1 visa now While I am in United States?or I have to wait until finish aupair program in October ? Thanks in advance

You might want to google "J-1 two year home residency requirement thailand"

Not sure if you fall into that category or not. If you do, you'll need to get a no objection letter from some agency in Thailand releasing you from that requirement. Read this as well: http://www.travel.st.../info_1288.html

MiiMo-MeLon is a member here that went through this in the last year from Thailand. Here is a thread relating to that:

http://www.visajourn...ferent-answers/

Edited by Karee, 01 September 2013 - 09:40 PM.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-09-01 21:40:00

Police Clearance for Singapore for K! visa

I have searched and have seen conflicting answers concerning a Police Clearance from Singapore for non-Singapore citizen. Is it required for a Thai citizen how has lived in Singapore for 4 years and now has moved back to Thailand and will be going to the US embassy in Bangkok for a K1 visa interview? I have emailed the Singapore police force and got an answer saying that they no longer issure to non-Singapore citizens. Has anyone had to deal with this when they went in for the interview in Bangkok and what were the results? Thanks....

Here ya go:

http://www.visajourn...-the-consulate/

Let me PM her and see if she can post something about it.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-09-03 18:51:00

Police Clearance for Singapore for K! visa

Ok thanks. Would it be easier if I just had her go back to Singapore to get the COC?

There's a person that just went through this a few months ago from Thailand, and it turned into a pain. Let me see if I can find the thread.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-09-03 18:42:00

Proof of being free to marry

Not related to the OPs situation, but I figured I'd add that if someone wants to get legally married in Thailand, you do need to go to the U.S. embassy and raise your right hand and swear that you are free to marry. They give you an official letter that you then need to get translated into Thai.

Like I said, not related to K-1s, but good to know.

Karee

Male

Thailand

2013-06-03 11:18:00