ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 Spouse visa help needed

cocolucho.. you are part of the 0.3% (or was it 0.03%) have have gotten a K3.  Rather like a Unicorn.  Granted it is more common this year than it was last year, but that is to say it may be .3% this year and 0.03% last year. 

 

Exactly.  I definitely wouldn't go making any plans based on obtaining a K-3, because the chances are slim to none.  I personally wish they'd just do away with it.  There's always an outlier that is granted a K-3 and it makes people think it's still a valid option, when in 99+ % of the cases, it is not.
 


KareeMaleThailand2014-09-11 17:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProvide Tax Transcripts or 1040 Forms
Seems like they'll accept either. Good luck.
KareeMaleThailand2011-03-16 17:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProvide Tax Transcripts or 1040 Forms

I am the USC. My fiance already sent the packet 3 to the Bangkok embassy. We are waiting for the packet 4 with her interview date. To this point in our processed, I submitted my 1040's and W-2. So, today I read some posts talking about tax transcripts. There where mixed answered depending on the embassy...Some VJ members said that they used their 1040's and their W-2's (just like I did) and they didn't have a problem. Other said that they submitted their Tax trasncripts from the IRS. Well, I just got off the phone with the IRS and they are going to send me my last 3 years worth of transcripts just in case. I figure it cannot hurt. I am hoping that the transcripts make to me on time for me to send to my fiance so that we can at least have them for her interview. I am worried about that.

Here is my question...Are there any Bangkok VJ members who submitted their 1040' and W-2's (no tax transcripts) during their interview and got approved?

I was pressed for time since my wife received 221g at the interview. I called the IRS and they faxed me the last 3 years right away. I had them in about 15 minutes.
KareeMaleThailand2011-03-16 15:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAnother Financial Responsibility Question

1. Yes or even better a tax transcript
2. If you haven't filed already, file it, and include that
3. Ok, you should be good
4. Doesn't matter, 35K should be sufficient on it's own.
5. Why would you need a thai lawyer? Unless you have a difficult situation, that should be a last resort

JD is right on #5. A good way for you to separate yourself from your baht for no good reason.

ETA: A lawyer in BKK might be a help to get the police report without the girl having to travel to BKK if she's upcountry.

Edited by Karee, 04 May 2011 - 01:34 AM.

KareeMaleThailand2011-05-04 01:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDressed to the nines???
Black pants white shirt. Dress Bangkok office style. It matters at that consulate. If you show up in tight jeans etc. they'll assume you work at a bar.

Edited by Karee, 05 February 2012 - 07:39 PM.

KareeMaleThailand2012-02-05 19:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhy pakistani govt is unable to speak..

Well this certainly gets my vote for the most ridiculous VJ topic ever.

:rofl:
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-21 13:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThailand, Cost Physical Exam

So the Embassy received our case and we are getting ready to send the Packet 3 for my stepdaughter. It's been over 2 years since my wife (then fiance) did her physical exam in Bangkok. Can someone let me know what the latest price is for the physical exam in Bangkok?

 

Thanks!

http://bangkok.usemb...tions_apr11.pdf


KareeMaleThailand2013-07-10 16:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCase in Administrative Processing at Bangkok - Opinions?

Thanks Karee,

 

How long did it take for you to receive your visa after you sent the documents requested?

Any luck?


KareeMaleThailand2013-08-26 19:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCase in Administrative Processing at Bangkok - Opinions?

Thanks Karee,

 

How long did it take for you to receive your visa after you sent the documents requested?

She got it the next day, but I think they do things differently now.  I've heard they mail you the passport with the visa now.


KareeMaleThailand2013-08-26 06:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCase in Administrative Processing at Bangkok - Opinions?

Thanks for your reply Karee!

 

I have written to the embassy twice, as well as my fiance has written twice. I wrote and asked them simply to confirm that they have received everything. We first used the address visasbkk@state.gov and then visasiv@state.gov. We received an autoresponse from the first address and nothing from the second. The second address was the one given when you call or look on their website. We put the subject line like you suggested. We wrote first about a week ago and once early this week. But, so far we have no responses. I will try the address you suggested if nothing changes by early next week.

 

I hope everything is ok. The interview went well and the CO said he only needed the birth certificate. How long did it take for you to receive your visa after they received your additional documents? This coming Monday will be three weeks since the first working day there after everything was received.

 

Use the email with the 2 in it.  The one without it seems to be really unreliable as far as getting answers.
 


KareeMaleThailand2013-08-23 21:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCase in Administrative Processing at Bangkok - Opinions?

My fiance had her K1 Visa interview on 22 July in Bangkok. We have worked very hard on this and had absolutely everything in order for the interview. The interview went very smoothly. We were formally engaged in Thailand on my fiance's parents farm. I spent 2 1/2 months there last year. So, we had copious photos, documantation of visits together, hotels, plane reservations, literally a book of phone and Skype records where we iterally spend hours connected with each other every day. There was only one sticky question, which raised eyebrows when answered, but which was quickly satisfied. The CO had misread something and expected a different answer. But, my finace's answer bore itself out as correct in the documentation. So, everything was fine.

 

The CO told my finace that she had passed the interview. But, he said one of her documents was not in order. Apparently, her birth certificate was not an official one or it didn't properly show the birth city. Apparently, she got a duplicate copy from the records department in Bangkok. Her father had lost her original years ago. The CO gave her a 221(g) and told her to get a certified copy of her borth certificate, to be sent via registered mail to the embassy with her passport and a copy of the 221(g) and he would promptly issue her visa.

 

Her father had to travel from the south of Thailand to Roi-Et twice to get the certified document. This was done on 2 August and mailed. Thai Post shows delivery of the package to the embassy on 3 August. We expected a wait of a week or two while things were processing. But, we are now finishing out our third week and still no visa or correspondence. We have visited the CEAC site and looked at the status several times and it just shows "Administrative Processing." Last night, eastern time here in US, it was showing a "Status Updated Date" of 19 August. But, this morning it shows 23 August. The heading still shows "Adminstrative Processing."

 

My question to the community, this seems like it should be pretty cut and dried. How long can we expect to wait for this to conclude? Is there any significance to the updated status date? I hope and pray that the "Administrative Processing" header doesn't mean some new problem. I have read in other posts that this is a normal heading any time a 221(g) is issued. What will happen with this status if it is approved? Does it change to approved? Any opinions, experiences, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

 

Email the embassy at this address:  visasbkk2@state.gov  Make sure in the subject line of the email you put "IV Inquiry BNK2013XXXXXX"  The BNK number is the case number you got from NVC.   They're pretty good about getting back to people within 24-48 hours. 

 

ETA:  221g can be a bad thing, but in your case it is not.  In your case they gave her 221g asking for more info, once you give them that, she should get the visa.  We got 221g in our case.. 

 


 


Edited by Karee, 23 August 2013 - 08:37 PM.

KareeMaleThailand2013-08-23 20:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvery disappointed and sad

The question is, when was the last time you saw her in person? Have you seen her IN PERSON within 2 years prior to filing?

 

Isn't that a requirement for filing the I-129F?  Seems like if they didn't meet that requirement, the I-129F would've been rejected by USCIS, and never made it to the consulate.
 


KareeMaleThailand2013-05-30 09:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvery disappointed and sad

Sometimes I wonder if the ConOffs understand the gravity of their decisions and how debilitating it can be.

 

I'll tell you what, that's a job I don't wish to have.

 

Good luck OP.

 

I'd bet some of them take some kind of perverse joy in denying people.  I'm a cynic I guess.
 


KareeMaleThailand2013-05-30 09:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvery disappointed and sad

Has anyone gone thru 221 g before?? Is it likely to br approved if we submitted all the requested documentation. I am trying to get letters from friends now.

can refusal turn to approval? is this usuall?

<3



 

I can only speak about Bangkok, but this happened to us.  I lived in Bangkok with my wife for 3 years.  I submitted a copy of my passport with 100+ exit entry stamps into Thailand, my lease for my apartment, and a couple photos.  The embassy came back and gave us 221g for not enough relationship evidence.  Needless to say I was shocked.  I sent an email to the embassy asking what they want.  They responded that my wife only submitted a few photos, and that everything else was just proof that I lived in Bangkok, not that I lived with her or had a relationship with her.  They wanted more photos.  So fine.  That day we left the embassy went all over Bangkok having people take photos of us together.  Went back, changed clothes, and went out again and had more photos taken.  Went in the next day and gave them the photos and she was approved.

 

The point is this:  Contact the embassy and ask them what relationship evidence they are looking for.  Different embassies ask for different things when it comes to proving an ongoing relationship.  Find out what it is, and give it to them.

 

The good news is that they only issued you a 221g, which means they want more information.  They haven't denied you.  So try and find out exactly what it is they want, and give it to them.
 


Edited by Karee, 30 May 2013 - 09:06 AM.

KareeMaleThailand2013-05-30 09:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy IV unit does not get their mail?

I'm at a but of a loss.

 

For the final step for our K1, after 1 year and a 601 waiver, in early July the embassy issued a 221(g) by email and wanted my tax 2013 return, new I134, and for some reason new photos of my fiancee.

 

We sent these off July 23....13 days ago.  They were signed for by the embassy security guard according to the post.

 

Despite this, I asked them by email, as did my senator what was the hold up..... (I had asked the senator for help weeks ago and they just got around to it) and embassy responded to me and to my senator, they can issue the visa as soon as they get (and approve of) those documents.  So basically the embassy made it appear to the senator that it was my fault for not supplying the documents.  Hmm....

 

Here we are August 4th (5th already at the Embassy) and they state they don't have it. (have not heard from them but CEAC still at August 1 last update denied)

 

Argh!  The other issue is that so many people have had their documents lost.  My lawyers clients and several people I see here.

 

Im going to ask my attorney there to send the 3 items again this afternoon

 

... but if they don't have it by next Monday, Im temped to send the documents again and again every day util they say they go them!  I will take photos of this process so that I can prove to my senator that I sent copies every day.

 

This is maddening.  What can one do when you do everything on your part and you get this kind of answer.   It feels like being trapped in a no way out situation.

 

Ive read stories of others saying that they have mailed items up to 4 times.....on the other hand they got her passport and medical and replied to us in only 5 days.

 

This is literally the last step after 1 year of this K1 process....and its all depending upon the mail room at the embassy doing their job (apparently they sort and scan paperwork and security screen all mail now..which I dont think is helping).

 

Any other ideas?

 

This is really urgent.  I have got to get this finished up.

 

 

 

I wish I had a good answer for you.  This seems to happen a lot with them losing mail.  There was another member that had a police report sent from Singapore a few months ago. It took them a month after it was delivered for them to find it.


 


KareeMaleThailand2014-08-05 06:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWorried But Confident... Interview Materials!

I think we have like 120 pictures or so of us spanning from December 2012 to when I just visited there in June 2014.  The whole time she has been in Thailand, I only got to visit 1 time due to my work...  But we have lots of pics together, and some with HER family.

 

That should be plenty.
 


KareeMaleThailand2014-09-09 15:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWorried But Confident... Interview Materials!

The big thing with them seems to be pictures.  I lived in Thailand with my wife for two years and gave them all kinds of proof of that.  However, I only gave them like 5 pictures of us together.  They gave us a 221g and said we want more proof.  So I simply ran around Bangkok with the wife and took a bunch pf photos with a disposable camera, changed clothes,  and took some more pictures.  Had them developed at the one hour place, took them to the embassy, and they said "approved" 


KareeMaleThailand2014-09-08 22:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRelocating to Thailand- Perm. Res. card 9-10-09
Actually 2 years 9 months. You can file then.
KareeMaleThailand2011-04-17 09:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPhoenix oath ceremony

Anybody knows the Oath ceremony dates in Phoenix?
I sent the application on 14DEC and received a letter for the interview on 13JAN. I had an interview on 14FEB and PASSED.
The officer said i should receive a letter for Oath ceremony within 1-4 wks. I still havent received anything.
Anybody filed at Phoenix Lockbox and still waiting for the letter? When did you have the interview?

Not sure about the dates. I am curious about the test and the interview. My wife's English isn't so good. Probably because I talk to her in Thai most of the time, and she works with Thais. I had the entire test translated into Thai for her. It's not a big deal because she has a 10 year green card, but I'd like her to get a U.S. passport.
KareeMaleThailand2012-03-10 07:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship

If you want to keep your german you have to get a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung from Germany. if you become american and you do not have a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (BBG) you loose your german citizenship.


I was going to respond to this earlier as I've seen this mentioned multiple times by other Germans on this site. There was no way in hell I was gonna try to spell it though.

:no:
KareeMaleThailand2012-07-19 19:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontax and n400 interview question..

Taxes don't have anything to do with the immigration process --- they can't do that. It is a right of ours that we are granted to be able to marry a citizen of another country and allow them residence here. There are no financial restrictions placed on the petitioner other than they can provide for the alien.

The above statement is 100% incorrect.

I made about 19k USD in 2007. I owed the IRS 11k from previous years. Somehow the Embassy was sent this info from NVC. The embassy said that since I owed the IRS 11k from previous years, they only considered that I made 8k and my wife was given 221g. I gave them a new I-864 showing I made 50k+ in 2008, and she was approved.

Taxes do matter.
KareeMaleThailand2012-07-31 20:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNeed an argument settled

Thats what I tried to tell him but he insists now that even though I only have to give one answer I should know them all. He hasn't even read the damn book all the way through. We got up to question 2 and thats where it stated, then by # 7 he was done and so was I. Sheesh

:rofl:

Welcome to married life.
KareeMaleThailand2012-08-12 15:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2nd Biometrics Tomorrow -- Should I go?

I am sure its a computer glitch. I had a similar problem when I had applied for AOS. After completing my biometrics, I received a second letter within a week, for a second appointment. Since the ASC wasn't far away, I decided to go and not risk it. Didn't even mention to them that I already had em. Just showed up. Did my Bio the second time and left. Challenging or finding faults with USCIS only complicates things....

This makes good sense.
KareeMaleThailand2012-08-16 19:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussionnaturalization

Thanks all. @Karee or other that can answer. Her GC said "Resident Since 12/14/2009". I guess my question is why 9/2012, it's three months before 12/2012?


90 days prior to 12/14/2012 you can file. That would be ~09/14/2012.
KareeMaleThailand2012-08-21 17:03:00
US Citizenship General Discussionnaturalization

Hi sorry to jump since I have the same question as OP and just want to be I understand correctly. My wife came here as a K1 in Sept 13, 2009. We had our marriage license in Sept 29, 2009. Dec 22, 2009 her I-485 approved (see my signature for more details). When can she apply for N-400? Does it start count from 9/29/2009 or 12/22/2009? Seem like it start from marriage date? thx

What's the date on the original 2 year green card? That's when the clock starts. I am assuming it is around 12/22/2009. If the date is 12/22/2009, you can file the N-400 for citizenship on 9/22/2012.
KareeMaleThailand2012-08-07 13:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionClasses or Self Study

I had to listen to that damn CD they give you with the citizenship questions every time we were in the car together. Wife had to know every answer perfectly, but also went 6 for 6 on the test. Glad we are all finished with USCIS.

I feel your pain. My wife is killing me.
KareeMaleThailand2012-08-23 22:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionGeneral US Citizenship Question

You can apply (90) days before the 3 years mark since you became a resident. Your post is a bit confusing. Your card expires in September, yet you are a resident since November? Usually the month your card expires, is the same month you became a resident.

Probably because of removal of conditions. Getting a 10 year green card after the 2 year green card.
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-03 10:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400, Time Outside The USA

Update, October 8:


Placed in line for oath scheduling. Apparently I had enough days inside the country. Hopefully it will be in time for election day.

Nope. Today is the last day to register fore the election. My wife has her oath ceremony Thursday. She missed it by 2 days.
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-09 09:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDress Code & Children
My wife had her oath ceremony this morning. Have to say it was kind of annoying with all the kids raising hell.
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-11 10:37:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDress Code & Children

I have read of one case here on VJ where the individual who arrived for the ceremony wore jeans and was told to go home and change them by USCIS. Because he was too far from home, he went to a local shopping mall and bought a pair of non-jean pants to wear. That was about 3 years ago, I believe.

Agreed.
I think the interview and the oath ceremony are different.

It says right on the oath letter, "Proper attire should be worn. The naturalization ceremony is a solemn an meaningful event. Please dress in proper attire to respect the dignity of this event (please, no jeans, shorts or flip flops)."
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-10 22:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDress Code & Children

I wore nice jeans and a dress shirt. My theory is dress like how the people in that office dress up, which seems to be business casual (no t-shirts, but jeans seem to be fine). Imagine like you were coming in to interview for a job at that office.

Also you will be waiting for up to 2 hours after your appointment time to be actually interview. During that time you'll be packed into a room full of other interviewees, and you don't want to leave the room in case they call your name. Do you really want to risk locking your kid in there that long?

We got lucky. We didn't even get a chance to sit down and they called her name. We were there for about 20 minutes max.
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-10 13:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivic questions - what if I answered wrong?

At my interview I was handed a sheet with a question on it and asked to read out loud the question, sign it and give it to the IO. Then she hands me another page with the question and an area where I am to write word for word the asnwer as the IO says it to you.
Then we started in on the 10 questions. I got the first 6 right and we stopped, signed that paper and pretty much that was it. The IO informed me that she was recommending me for citizenship and what will happennext. Getting a letter for the Oath, etc.

That's exactly how it went for my wife. Once you get 6 right, they move on.
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-12 11:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestions regarding good moral character, etc. with regards to N-400

Now I understand why there's a huge percentage of marriages with Thais that fail. So far I have not known anyone to last with one.

I've been married for 5 years now, and together for almost 7. I lived with her for awhile in Bangkok as well. Maybe that's the difference.

That said, I've seen some real horror stories. Some of the girls will string along 5 different guys while collecting money from all at them at the same time. Also, I've seen a few here on VJ that would collect money all the way up to the interview and then bail.

I guess there's scammers everywhere, but it defenitely seemed more prevalent to me in Thailand, especially Bangkok. Not sure whre you met her, but meeting in a bar is not a good start.

Edited by Karee, 06 December 2011 - 06:02 PM.

KareeMaleThailand2011-12-06 17:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionExpired Lost passport

Hello!
My old indian passport was expired and i have lost it.
Police station is not giving me a report for lost passport.

Why do you need your Indian passport to apply for citizenship? Do you have a green card?
KareeMaleThailand2012-10-26 14:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHelp!!!, want to file N400 while I-751 removing conditions still pending

Sorry if I seem uninformed but what does LPR stand for?

LPR = Legal Permanent Resident.
KareeMaleThailand2012-11-05 11:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship request denied!!
Seems like USCIS made a mistake. I'd go for an infopass appointment.
KareeMaleThailand2012-07-29 06:46:00
US Citizenship General Discussionbad stories
Based on the previous posts, chances are he wont be able to pass the English or Civics tests for citizenship anyway.


KareeMaleThailand2012-12-26 17:06:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontravel outside US while waiting

can i go visit my home country while waiting for the interview after Biometrics s done? since the interview usually take month or 2 after

Sure. Will some be able to check the mail for you so that you know when your citizenship interview letter arrives, you will know the date?Also, you may want to update your profile and time line. It still shows "Removing Conditions"

Edited by Karee, 10 January 2013 - 09:51 AM.

KareeMaleThailand2013-01-10 09:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCell Phone at immigration interview.

My N-400 immigration interview is coming after few days at Chicago office, my question is can I bring cell phone by turning it off there or I do not have to bring cell phone at any cost at interview office.


Please answer.

Thank You

We were allowed to bring our cell phones through security. I'd probably turn it off, or at least silence it during the interview.
KareeMaleThailand2013-01-23 18:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionChance of denial ?

Thank you all for you reply,
Yes I am from Thailand, I got married in 2004 and got my 2 years GC in Sep 2005 , got my 10 years GC in Jan 2008.
The base of 5 years residency counts from the first GC , correct?

I just hoping that the officer see the same think like you guy. I am personally really honest person hope for a good karma :)
But cannot help it with thinking negative result.

Yes it does count from the date on your first green card. (2 years green card)
KareeMaleThailand2012-09-05 16:42:00