ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice

I've met and worked with a lawyer in Evanston.  Message me if you want the info.  She has experiences with waivers and is a solid immigration attorney.  I had a consult with her before starting the whole process, but felt that ultimately, I could handle the immigration/waiver process myself since I have a strong background in research and writing.  Even so, I found that her consult was important to my process.  Let me know.



My sister in law is working with Matthew "Mateo" Katz I already got a free consultation to go On Wednesday


stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-30 21:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice
DACA is just a temporary thing I had I decided to just go for the residency since the laws changed last year that allows him to apply for the waiver before leaving for the interview in Mexico
 

Edited by stich3187, 30 March 2014 - 08:58 PM.


stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-30 20:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice
Thank you all so much for your support and I feel like I dont even need any advisor to handle his case its very simple to just fill out the application and send the documents that they request. But since he needs a waiver I was hoping I could get help with that since they seem to have more experience with that the waiver needed to consist of im just going to have a lawyer help me with the waiver. Even if they charge me more.
stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-30 16:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice

 
OMG what??????????????? This is a immigration ad visor or lawyer? Cuz they are either high or vapidly stupid. OMG
 
Your husband having a job or not is of no matter. It's the US citizen (or LPR) that is sponsoring and has to show on the affidavit of support, I-864... please read the NVC Process WIKI  http://www.visajourn...php/NVC_Process
When you say he arrived when he was 9 years old. Is he here legally or parents brought him here and he is illegal now? Does he have a Social security number? Will he need a waiver ?
 
Never lie to immigration. Are you kidding? I guess that advisor doesn;t want people to ever come to the US. I am just stunned. :protest: :sleepy:






Yes he is still illegal and his parents are still both illegal he does need a waiver thats y the advisor was going to help us the the waiver package and makeing the letter for us. My husband does not have a ssn. His parents will be soon processing the petitions through my father in law son that is in the US Army. And the advisor said to say that he was brought here by his late uncle so that it will not affect the mother's petition

stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-30 16:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice
His brother is going to sponsor him I only made 18k this year and is not enough for a family of 3 so his brother will be sponsoring him. Oh and my mother in law brought him here when he was little and the advisor told us to lie and say that my husband late uncle brought him to the border to have him crossed illegally because my mother-in-law will be adjusting her status soon and that it will affet her by saying that she crossed her under age son across the border.
I think im just going to go to a lawyer instead of the person that is helping me
stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-29 22:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need some advice
Hi I am applying for my husband we live in chicago he arrived when he was just 9 years old I have just received my nvc case number and today I went to the immigration adviser that is helping us out she said that since my husband did not work last year and therefore did not fie taxes he must say that he did in fact work when he did not and get my taxes adjusted to say that he at least made 13k last year. She said she just had a case that was denied when he showed up to his appointment in Mexico because they told him that since he was not contributing financially before and that the wife was able to support the family that there was no need for him to obtain his residence. Does this sound right. So we have to lie and say that he was working and contributing when he was not. I dont want to lie from what I heard it will be really bad if I lie
stich3187FemaleMexico2014-03-29 21:47:00
USCIS Service CentersCSC Approvals - June and Beyond

It's funny that this thread specifically states CSC Approvals and the only replies you get are from butt hurt people at TSC.

 

LOL

 

How is that funny?  Not so funny when you want to be with your fiance and being forced to wait and wait for NOA2 while your application is stuck in a huge pile at the TSC!  A pile that is months and months behind where it should be, TSC is processing December applications while CSC is already nearly in the middle of June!   

 

While I am happy that I am at CSC, I do feel for those who are forced to wait thanks to TSC being way behind schedule. 

 

I hope the quality of your posts go up, in the immediate future...
 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-07-28 16:58:00
USCIS Service CentersCalifornia Waiting

I finally got my NOA2!  I am waiting for the hardcopy, but what is strange is I got the message on my phone Thursday evening at 10:25 PM that it had been approved.  Just when I thought it would be a while longer, they sure fooled me.  June filer, CSC.  They are working on them, do not lose hope.  Just check if it seems like it is taking abnormally long (5+ months) by calling and speaking to a live person. 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-28 21:08:00
USCIS Service CentersCalifornia service center experiences

Update: NOA2 hard copy received today, that was pretty fast!  4 business days so I would not worry about CSC as I think they are still doing a great job getting these out on a timely manner!


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-29 15:18:00
USCIS Service CentersCalifornia service center experiences

My fiance is in the Philippines and it took 118 days to be approved from NOA1 to NOA2.  No RFE and just when I thought it would take longer, I got a nice surprise!  I am still waiting for the NOA2 hardcopy, but I got a text message at 10:25 PM on Thursday, September 25th that our status was updated and I logged in to see "Approved"!  CSC is pretty efficient, you just have to be patient and never lose hope.  Best wishes to all in our journey, I miss my fiance so much!


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-28 21:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsfinally the day here.

I wish the both of you luck, I just submitted the I-129F for my fiance on Friday. 

 

If your love is true and you practiced the questions and answers, you will pass.  I am sure you and your husband will get good news soon, keep us posted! 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-05-27 19:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAfter 3 years...Approved today!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, that is sort of a long time, but I am sure in the end it will be all worth it!  Best of luck.


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-29 15:27:00
PhilippinesOMG...my long story...so excited right now! Need help though.

RickJustice: To be honest, I am glad you found your love for Noni is true and decided to pursue the engagement and marriage. But being your interviewer, I would question your motives for petitioning another woman (and so quickly).  It would be a big red flag to me and not an easy interview for your fiance'! 

 

We ALL go through hardships in our long distance relationships.  Me and my fiance have never split up and have barely had disagreements.  We have had other Filipinas hit on me, guys hit on her "because she is not married yet", and it is naturally hard to love someone and be so far away from them and give them 100% attention.  Yet we talk and spend time as much as we can and keep our love burning.  I just know she is worth it beyond all, so I willing to wait for her as long as it takes. 

 

Maybe you needed some time away from Noni to really see how you feel for her and the time helped you realize? But I am just being honest with your quick "other woman" petition...it might cause you some unneeded grief and make it more difficult.

 

No offense intended, and I am not judging, but are you sure you are ready for this?  You petitioned another woman quickly and still had the petition for Noni.  In any case, I wish you the best and keep us posted!

 

 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-10-08 21:22:00
PhilippinesMedical exam fee @ St Lukes - Philippines??

 

Follow the process and you can be done very quickly.    From the time we got our MNL # to when the visa was in hand was about 5 weeks.

It goes so fast once it reaches the NVC, it is the time between NOA1 and NOA2 that seems like forever!  The Embassy received our application from the NVC on Monday and we already have a set interview date for the 12th of November (we had an option of setting an appointment for November 6th at earliest but we wanted at least 2 weeks for the medical results to come through to play it on the safer side)  I expect her to be here before Thanksgiving...I was thinking mid December to January but I am glad I overestimated! 

 

Unfortunately, the Visa fee and medical Exam fee just went up :protest: but it did not make it much more.


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-10-23 00:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTSC and CSC comparison... FAIL.

I don't see any thing wrong with whining, true it will not make the petition get approved faster, but it might help some people get over the stress by venting. That is the reason why we have this site isn't it? Not only to get a huge amount of useful information, but to help each other during these difficult time in our lives. Everyone deals with stress in his or her own way, and its not for any of us to judge someone on how they deal with this very difficult process. Lets just support one another and understand that we are all individuals. So complain, complain, complain, if it helps you with dealing with this process by all means complain!!!

My fiancé is Filipina, and believe me I have to deal with her crying all the time because we miss each other soooo much, I just stay positive and make her feel loved and secured. I do all in my power to assure her that know matter how long this process takes, I will wait for her until the end of time. We are all in this process because we found that special someone far far away, and we knew from the start that the person you fell so deeply in love with was the one you have been searching for your whole life. So every second away from your true love feels like and eternity. We know it can take 5,6,7,8, or even 9 months for this whole thing to over with, but knowing all of that does not make it any easier to deal with. True its a small potion of our lives together, but its still a part of our lives we could never get back. Life is very short and knowing that, is the real reason we want this process to be over with quickly. I am happier for those who received their NOA2 quickly, but I will be fooling my self if I did not wished, that it was us who got approved instead of those who got approved faster than we did.

I truly love this forum, because it helps to know that we are not alone in this process, and if I feel like complaining or venting, someone will understand and complain along with me!! Lets just support one another and in a few months time, we will be the ones encouraging and lifting the spirits of new VJ members, helping them deal with this difficult, but yet beautiful and amazing journey!!! Good luck to all!!!



 

This response got me because I am in the exact same boat, my fiance is in the Philippines and she also cries and tells me how hard it is to be apart, but she does a great job also of letting me know she is willing to wait no matter how long it takes.  So I know exactly how you feel, plus what you said is true...it will not make the process go faster, but this is THE place for this.  If we cannot speak our minds or feelings, then we should not be here. 

 

But to say someone is "whining" is pretty rude when you are basically "whining" about what they said.  I hate when people respond so condescending (no names) and act like someone is "whining" when they are just expressing their feelings and frustrations.  We all are in the same boat, no matter where we are from or where our fiance is.  A forum is a PLACE for discussion and speaking their feelings.  If you have to reprimand people on here for that, it is quite sad and heartless.  A common theme on the "anonymous internet" it seems. 

 

It is indeed stupid how random things are.  What makes petition A get chosen over petition B?  How come petition A was approved when petition B has been there for 45 days longer?  There should be more tracking allowed of your case.  Being on "initial review" since June does not tell me much.  Then you worry about delays, RFE's, problems, etc.  This is a nerve-wracking process and all the while, you are apart from your fiance and worry about them too. 

 

I just know my fiance is very worth it, worth what it takes to be with her and I am willing to wait.  I just do not want to wait haha


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-07-07 19:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMy Fiance received his VISA!

THANK YOU VJ I would have not been able to do this process with out VJ!!!! My Fiance received his Visa Yesterday 7/12!

 

I filed petition 11/15/13

It was received 11/19/13

Interview 5/7/14

Interview result - AP (relationship was approved but more investigation needed to be done) 

6/13 Fiance got letter to send passport (He took Domex capital that same day)

7/9 - 7ish AM visa changed from AP to Issued!

7/12 - Domex drop off Visa fiance's house!!!

 

YAY I will be with the love of my life this week!!!!

Till death do us apart!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations!  I bet you are not only happy, but seriously relieved.  Goodluck to both of you and I am glad to see this.  I know how I would feel in your situation, I am still waiting for NOA2.
 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-07-14 09:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow frequently do you check USCIS website?))))

Once a day at least, sometimes twice.  I try not to do it too much because it just makes it seem longer (but I cannot help it, haha). 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-07-14 09:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJust got NOA2 (I-129F approved)!!! I'm SO happy!!

Congratulations, I am happy for you and I hope to get NOA2 soon!  I think the time between NOA1 and 2 is the worst part of this but I am hoping everyday to get a status update.  For those waiting and those already approved, best of luck and glad we are in this journey together! 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-08-07 00:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan Beneficiary's own mom cause problems with process?

It will not cause problems with your application process, but it is not good when someone you want to support you, well does not! 

 

For the process, full steam ahead and worry not.  As for your mom, keep telling your mom how much you love him and how happy you are.  She might change her tune, maybe not but I think after long she will have to accept. 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-07-28 16:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter 3 years...Approved today!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, that is sort of a long time, but I am sure in the end it will be all worth it!  Best of luck.


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-29 15:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa question for bringing my fiance here

OP, in the area on the I-129F where it asks for your fiancee's address, you will list her address in Israel. Also, question #20 on the form (this question was alluded to in post #2 of this thread), you will want to write Jerusalem for city and Israel for country. Interviews for Immigrant Visas and K visas are not conducted in Tel Aviv, they are conducted in Jerusalem (Source: US Embassy - Tel Aviv)


Hi Ryan,

Thanks for your response plus congrats on your marriage and approval as well. I did know the embassy is in Jerusalem there, she just happens to live in Tel Aviv.

She has a friend who is also living in Israel and is currently at the interview stage of the fiance visa process with her American fiance so we should be in good shape. I am very excited, it takes a lot of patience and money but I am sure it is so satisfying when you get to be together and everything is complete. She is worth whatever it takes, that is for certain.

Thank you again and regards,

Rick
ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2012-01-15 15:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa question for bringing my fiance here

It should be possible to apply for the visa in Israel as long as the Embassy accepts 3rd party applications. You might want to check the US embassy web-page or call them up and ask.


Thank you "Sun" and Pudge. I will definitely call the Embassy and ask, I am just wondering if it's better or worse that she is not living in the Philippines. I would think maybe better because more applicants from the Philippines than Israel and the fact she already has been out of the county and has the required documents.

I was hoping to find out from someone who has experience with their fiance living abroad but I guess the best way is to call the Embassy and speak directly to the source.
ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2012-01-14 22:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa question for bringing my fiance here
Hello everyone, long time visitor and now a registered member here.

Here is my situation: I am going in March to visit my girlfriend (soon to be my fiance) in Israel. She is from the Philippines but has worked there for 10 years now as a Caregiver. We will spend 2 weeks together, will gather the required proof we have met in person, and then I plan on starting the fiance visa process after I ask for her hand and come back home. I live in Chicago, Illinois and she is in Tel Aviv, Israel.

My questions: For the K1 fiance visa, how will her living in Israel affect the K1 Visa process? Will it make it more of a hassle or will it maybe help because she already has left the country? I know she has documents we need, like the proof of singleness on hand thanks to her being there.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. This is an awesome site and thanks for all of the great information.
ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2012-01-14 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about starting the petition

You must both be free to marry and have met in person within the 2 years prior to filing. They are very strict on those requirements. You must provide proof of meeting in person in those 2 years prior to filing in order for your I-129F petition to be approved. The petition is separate from the actual visa interview. You must have an approved petition in order for the foreign fiance(e) to be able to apply for the K-1 visa. You do not take evidence needed for the I-129F petition approval to the K-1 visa interview. No petition approval, no visa interview.

Read the guide here and do a little more research on the process.


Thank you Grant PDX,@@mirpeArL, and Jay-Kay. I have done some research (this is part of it) and I pretty much knew the answer, I just wanted to ask if it was at all possible. You see we were supposed to meet in December but I don't think I can pull it off with my work. I know its not a long time to wait, but those 2 months add on to the final time she will be here so it was just a stab in the dark.

I have a copy of all the documents (with samples of the completion of the papers) and have gone over it but I will definitely look over it more in depth. I was just hoping we can start the petition as we plan to meet in February for sure. I will definitely read more into it before I proceed.

Her friend was also living in Israel but now is with her new husband in New York. It took them about 7 months (December to June) to get approved for her Visa so I am hoping we have the same or better luck. She is certainly worth whatever it takes to get her here and patience is definitely something you need for this to work.

Thanks again and I appreciate the help,sounds like good and correct advice to me! :)
ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2012-09-24 18:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about starting the petition
Hello everyone,

My girlfriend is a Filipina living in Israel (working there). We have been together for 2 years and my plan is to go and meet her in Israel in February of 2013. By that time we will have been talking for 2 years and 2 months. We have yet to meet in person, but we are quite sure of each other and we talk or see each other daily since we met.

My question is this: Is there anyway I can start the fiance visa process in December of 2012 before I meet her in February 2013? I know one of the requirements of the fiance visa process is to have met within 2 years of petitioning, but we are for sure meeting in February. I assume you need the evidence for the fiance visa interview and that is one of the final steps. Would this be at all possible?

The thought process is we can speed the application wait time up and by the time we meet, we can already be a couple of months into the K1 process.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. As much as this sounds great, I do not want to cause problems with the K1 or get denied because of it. I would just like a for sure answer or thoughts on this.
ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2012-09-24 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport photo concerns

Thank you both, I was not sure and I figured it would not be a big deal but I wanted to have peace of mind.  I feel a lot better now!

 

About the divorce decree, that is silly that she is deceased and they still wanted a copy of the divorce decree, but I guess it all depends on the person handling the paperwork. 

 

 

 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-06-06 11:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassport photo concerns

I made one little mistake on my passport photos. 

 

I labeled and put them in bags behind the corresponding G-325A, I did put "Photo of (my name), photo of (my fiance') on the plastic bags. But I did not put the name of myself or her on the back of the passport pictures.  Do you think I will get a RFE for this or should this not be a big deal?  I am kind of worried now, I cannot believe I made such a stupid little mistake when I was so careful of everything!

 

I just received NOA1 today, but now I am a little worried.  Can someone let me know what will happen, has anyone done the same mistake?  Thank you in advance. 


Edited by ricsim78, 05 June 2014 - 08:23 PM.

ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-06-05 20:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWords of encouragement...

Hey there!!!!! Im all new at this! We sent in the i-129F few days ago. I havent seen my fiance since March this year.
Id also love some encouragement. I know what ur going through. And its so much money to travel up and down :(

Its nice to hear from you!!!!! Lets stay in touch


 

Hi there, welcome to the board!  I also have not seen my fiance' since April, so I know how you (and most here) feel.  You have to be strong, patient, and make the best out of the situation while you wait.  I wish you and everyone here the best of luck, I hope soon instead of just wishing we are with our loved ones, we no longer have to just wish! 

 

Unfortunately, waiting is a necessary evil of this, but it will also make us appreciate things more when they finally happen.  Hang in there and keep your relationship strong, honest, and faithful! 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-06-27 19:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWords of encouragement...

It is so hard to be away from my fiance Jean, so trust me I know  the feeling and she is also missing me a lot.  It is the hardest part of the Fiance visa process by far.  She is also living with her sister and her situation is not quite ideal, so she is not having an easy time. 

 

But you love each other, you have a little time apart, and he is worth it to you, right?  Jean is worth whatever it takes, I hate being away from her but I know this will make me appreciate being with her even more when we are done and she is here.

 

Hang in there, your time will come and you will be happy! 

 

 


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-06-05 20:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 potential problem

Considering this is a situation where there are facts checked by people trained to detect lies, best not to lie...never lie!

 

That being said, you should be fine but I would seriously stick to the facts from here on out.  Not only to help this process, but for your own piece of mind!  If you are asking on here about it, you are concerned (as you should be). 

 

Good luck.


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-06-30 22:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalifornia service center experiences

Update: NOA2 hard copy received today, that was pretty fast!  4 business days so I would not worry about CSC as I think they are still doing a great job getting these out on a timely manner!


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-29 15:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCalifornia service center experiences

My fiance is in the Philippines and it took 118 days to be approved from NOA1 to NOA2.  No RFE and just when I thought it would take longer, I got a nice surprise!  I am still waiting for the NOA2 hardcopy, but I got a text message at 10:25 PM on Thursday, September 25th that our status was updated and I logged in to see "Approved"!  CSC is pretty efficient, you just have to be patient and never lose hope.  Best wishes to all in our journey, I miss my fiance so much!


ricsim78Not TellingPhilippines2014-09-28 21:18:00