Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	We're both in tears over this. Please help. I can't be without her.	We literally have nowhere else for her to stay. @Harpa Timsah: How can this be the case? I pay our bills. I sustain US. If she can't come with me, she's homeless. Is there NO way to work around this? Send her a check every month to maintain your home in Canada for her until she can come. There's no reason why you can't pay the bills from Texas.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-03-13 11:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Why does Visa journey indicate to file different forms than USCIS	I'm filing for a CR1 with my husband. Visa Journey indicates that I should file a fairly sizable package of documents (I-130, G-325a, marriage certificate, birth certificate, proof of relationship, etc). However, USCIS indicates that we should file only form I-130. (I would post links to the two relevant webpages, but the forum won't allow me to do so.) I'm confused - why is there this discrepancy? And what should I do? My guess is that Visa Journey is telling you to be more thorough even though it's not required because it might make things go more smoothly? Did you read all of the instructions to the I-130. It tells you pretty much the same thing.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-04-14 11:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	US/Overseas Taxes (for affidavit of support) please help!	US citizens need to report worldwide income wherever earned. There's a form to file with the return whereby they can claim an exclusion on qualified foreign income on form 2555. Separately, if that doesn't qualify, you can file for a foreign tax credit for the UK taxes paid on form 1116. The other thing is to look to the tax treaty between the two countries. The simple answer though is if his income (in US dollar equivalent) is above the filing requirement he should file a return, whether he ends up owing tax or not.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-04-25 16:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Help w/ denial. Positive drug urine test & Stupidity	I'm sorry that my posts offended you, let me just say that from what you wrote it was totally unclear to me whether he did drugs once, repeatedly, whether such repeated use was disclosed or not. Please take the time to read your original post again and you will see what I am talking about. As to trolling or gaining pleasure from other people's pain, it's certainly not in my nature. I was just pointing out potential pitfalls that you may not have considered. Anyway, I'll take your advice and will stop worrying my pretty little head. Good luck. Your initial reply to her was sarcastic in tone, so it sure appears you were trying to gain pleasure. I'm sure if it was you going through the process, and then find this out at the worst time, you wouldn't want someone cracking remarks about it when you are desperately seeking help. She just as soon wishes keep it to herself I'm sure, except she needs advice.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-09-20 17:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Filling out I-134 Affidavit of Support, if self-employed	I was wondering what to do about filling out the I-134 along with supporting documentation as a self-employed person. I am a partner in small accounting firm. I don't normally know my income for the year until the managing partner prepares the partnership return well after year end,often September of the following year, which means I can't finish my personal return until then. I get a K-1 not a W-2. Also I don't get a salary or paycheck, but I get a draw from the company on an irregular basis. Additionally, I have a large mandatory retirement contribution that shows as a reduction of gross income on my form 1040. Is this also subtracted for purposes of the income calculation on I-134? Are retirement assets excluded from the asset based portion of the calculation? That's my biggest asset at this point. Thanks.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-09 23:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	My fiance doesn't have an address	Actually, what we did was I was in charged of gathering all the documents, filling up the forms and after that I mailed to him two sets of all the documents and signed form through Dubai Post Office for him to review and affix his signature. I paid AED280 ($80). He gave me all the information I needed through email. He sent me some documents (for the interview) through USPS priority mail where I picked it up in Karama (Dubai) Post Office. You can do the same. Dubai's Post Office will call your fiancee to pick up the mail. Make sure you will give her the reference number. Thanks again! That's helpful. I have been in Karama, by the way.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-11 13:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	My fiance doesn't have an address	I NEVER received any mail. The US Embassy Abu Dhabi will send the packet 3 and 4 to the petitioner through email ONLY. I used my accommodation address to the form G-325A (example: Mohammed Bldg. Apt. 205, Al Muteena Rd, Dubai, UAE). The petitioner can forward to the beneficiary via email too. The beneficiary can print out the email (interview schedule and USCIS approved Physician)and bring a copy during the medical and interview. If USCIS needs any information, they will send a letter address to the petitioner. Did your fiance scan the whole I-129F file and email to you? Your fiance didn't need to mail you any original documents, or signed documents, even? I thought originals were needed for the visa application or to bring to the interview? Thanks again!	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-11 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	My fiance doesn't have an address	That is normal in Dubai. The employer holds the passport of all their employees as I worked there for 3years. Good to her that their company is providing her accommodation. You can use the P.O. Box or you can use her accommodation's address. Based on my experience, I didn't receive any mails from USCIS, so nothing to worry about. I even changed my accommodation many times when the petition was on going. I never had any problem coz in Dubai you can change your accommodation anytime. Thanks for your reply. You never received any mail? I thought they had to send you some kind of information requests and information on your interview? Also, how did your fiance forward to you the information? Which address you used on the application, G-325A, etc.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-11 12:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	My fiance doesn't have an address	ask her to get a box at post office.here is the link: i hope it helps. http://www.emiratesp...d72b8dc74470f12 Thanks for the link. I will tell her to do that. But where the forms ask for address of residence, I suppose I need to include some actual home address? Will it get rejected if I put a PO box number on the forms?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-09 23:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	My fiance doesn't have an address	My fiance is working in Dubai and living in company provided accommodations. From what I can gather, any mail directed to that address is forwarded to the company. So she insists she has no address. I mean, I have seen the location, so it's not like she's deceiving me. It seems the company controls everything -they even hold the employees passports (she's Philippine citizen). So what do I put on the forms for her current residence address? Also, do I tell her to get a PO box if they have such thing there? Should I use that on the forms? Can I list a residence address and an alternative address for mailing only? Any suggestions? Thank you!	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-09 23:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	petition DENIED	In some states the day your divorce papers are signed by the judge and filed is NOT the day you are free to marry again. You have to consulte the marriage requirement. Many states have a period of months before you are free to marry again. I just did a quick browse on waiting time to marry after divorce. Most states have no wait or maybe 2-5 days. A couple I noticed have a 30 day wait. Alabama has a 60 day wait. Wisconsin has a 6 month wait!	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-22 22:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	petition DENIED	What does it mean to have a 5 day shortage of being free to marry? You mean the divorce wasn't final when you submitted the petition. I am just curious, since I am divorced and I don't know about any waiting period to be remarried.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-01-22 18:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Best Method to obtain copy of Birth Certificate USA	I went to the county (where I was born) office to get copies of mine, since I still live there. I was in and out in 15 minutes or so. It was like $15 for one copy, and $20 total for two, so I got two. The county level is normally where they maintain vital records (births, marriages, deaths). Divorce records are also at the county level, although probably through the court clerk's office.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-07 21:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Bought two engagement rings - do I explain in evidence of relationship?	Thanks for the replies.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-08 20:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Bought two engagement rings - do I explain in evidence of relationship?	I met my fiancee online in August-2011. We started chatting, emailing, texting, and then skyping regularly. We then made plans for me to visit her. We fell in love quickly, and so just before I went there in November, I bought an engagement ring. Shortly after I got there I asked her to marry me and gave her the ring. Then only two days later, she lost the ring. She was devastated. She was at work when she lost it. She looked everywhere, checked the bathroom waste container. Even had the maintenance person tear apart the drain. She thinks it may have gone down the toilet. I believe her sincerity and I could see she was soooo upset. She was sad that I would go back home and she had nothing. So spontaneously I took her with me that night after her work to the Gold and Diamond Souk and bought her another engagement ring. I even asked her to marry me again (so we have two engagement dates, hehe). My question is, how do I explain this in the evidence of relationship. I mean our engagement date would be the first date, but I would also like to include the copy of receipt of the second ring since its proof of having bought it in Dubai, while I was there. Will this all sound hoaky? Should I skip the full explanation since it's too confusing? Please let me know your opinions. Thanks.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-07 19:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Including evidence of relationship with I-129F or not	Thank you for the replies.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-08 20:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Including evidence of relationship with I-129F or not	I am reading the NOLO legal guide to Fiance and Marriage Visas. This guide recommends including the evidence of relationship with the fiance visa petition. They suggest answering question 18 of the petition (explanation/proof of having met in person within last two years) with additional explanation of the relationship and including evidence of not only having met (plane boarding passes, visa stamps, receipts, photos together) but also of the ongoing relationship (phone records, honeymoon itinerary, wedding caterer reservations, emails, etc). I have heard others recommend this as well, but from what I have found so far here at VJ it seems most just suggest answering Question 18 simply and leaving the evidence of relationship for the interview. Since the whole file is to be forwarded to the local consulate, is it not a good idea to include that info as well? The rationale, that the consulate has more info upfront so less questions later? I appreciate any thoughts on this that anyone's willing to share. Thank you.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-07 19:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	BIG MSTAKE!	Thank you guys for your specifications. as my fiancé is not the petitioner of the divorce and lives oversea right now, how can he obtain the right final divorce decree from the court clerk? do you have any idea about that? I went to the county (where we divorced) clerk's website to get the phone number and mailing address. I called them and got the fee requirement and instructions. Then I mailed a typed request identifying the parties and case number and the number of copies. They mailed the requested certified copies within a week.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-12 13:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	mailing address vs physical address	would it be a problem to have the mailing address on I-129F and the physical address on G-325A?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-14 10:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	mailing address vs physical address	I wondered if it'a ok that I entered my fiancee's (beneficiary's) P.O. box mailing address on the I-129F, since she can't receive mail at her physical address. However on the G-325A, I listed her current physical address (since it asks for residences for last five years), and below that I indented and put in parentheses "(mailing address: ...) what her mailing address is and also listed in the last column as "Present". She lives in Dubai and there the mail system is such that mail doesn't get delivered to residences. Plus she lives in a company owned facility so her name isn't even considered. I want to be sure that any mail sent by USCIS gets delivered to her, but I also want to answer completely. So that's why I put both addresses on G-325A. Thanks for your input.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-14 00:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	how do I get my to be 24 year old daugter to the usa	Gee, how could anybody come up with the unrealistic notion that a 22 year old filipina and an American guy might find mutual attraction and decide to marry. Huh! That's never happened before... Oh come on, for chrissake, unless she's gay or just plain has no interest in a foreigner,or just isn't ready yet, who's to say she couldn't find romance with an American. Of course you can't force her to, but otherwise if she is interested in meeting one, then why the heck not? Just make sure as best as possible that she's sincerely looking to meet a guy she wants to marry and that the guy has honorable intentions as well. I think it's funny that people here are getting uppity about this when so many of us took the leap of faith with our foreign fiance(e)'s and spouses. I don't think that those here are suggesting marriage fraud or using anyone. I think it's more like, hey, you probably want to meet a guy eventually, so why not give an American a chance? Even if you meet the guy or girl nextdoor here, you think there isn't use going on? Do you think your loving spouse would have married you if you were a janitor rather than a lawyer, doctor, accountant, manager, etc, etc? (not meant to knock janitors, we need you all).	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-19 04:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	how do I get my to be 24 year old daugter to the usa	Well if the mom obtains U.S. citizenship in 5 years, then she can sponsor her daughter for residency. Wouldn't that be a little faster than a permanent resident trying to do the same?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-18 01:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Skype Log - how many is too many?	Good answer. In general, if the petitioner's attendance isn't a formal or de facto requirement, attending never hurts and may help. Read your embassy's reviews to determine what's required or desirable. Where do I find this review that says what I should bring, what I should frontload or not, whether I should attend the interview or not?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-21 17:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Skype Log - how many is too many?	OP: Check the "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" (links atop every VJ page) for what's said about your embassy. Is front-loading of a USCIS petition necessary or advisable for when USCIS sends the petition package to your embassy? It's OK to include some "evidence of bona fide relationship" with your petition. USCIS won't care, but your embassy or consulate might. For some (Ecuador is the chief example), front-loading of the USCIS petition is not only advisable, but crucial. When it comes to picking the evidence that you add, be sure that it's what you want them to see. The amount that you send depends on how particular (or evil) your consulate is. Consider also the amount and type that would hold your interest if you were a hard-working third party (like a consul): Would it be meaningful and sufficient, or would it make your eyes glaze over? And, for God's sake: If you're submitting an I-129F petition, double- and triple-check your enclosures (actual messages, or logs with message titles) to ensure that you do NOT refer to yourselves as "husband"/"wife," even playfully! In general, U.S. consulates/embassies in first-world or VWP countries, and powderpuff embassies like Manila, typically don't require front-loading. Petitioners whose beneficiaries will interview in third-world or high-fraud countries typically would do well to front-load at least somewhat. The Vietnam embassy and the China consulate have specific requirements that it would be well to learn about and deal with during the petition phase. The Guayaquil consulate in Ecuador -- a ####### hellhole with its own thread in the Consulate forum -- has been notorious for refusing to accept evidence brought to the interview and then accusing the beneficiary of not having provided any; therefore, front-loading the USCIS petition is a must. Nigeria is in a class all by itself. Regardless of beneficiary's country, everyone who's preparing a petition should read the reviews and consult the appropriate Regional Subforum for important -- often crucial -- insights, si man. Where do I find these reviews of what to bring and whether to front load the petition? My fiancee will be going to the UAE (Abu Dhabi. Thanks.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-15 15:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	fiancee letter of intent	I didn't even know there were two different words until I started on this fiance(e) visa process.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-02-26 22:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Interview, who should answer?	THE INTERVIEW IS SCHEDULED TO THE BENEFICIARY SO HE/SHE SHOULD BE THE ONE ANSWERING ALL QUESTIONS, UNLESS YOU ARE ASKED DIRECTLY. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR BUT IF YOU DO GO, IT WOULD BE UP TO THEM TO ALLOW YOU IN AND I'M SURE THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW IF THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO ANSWER ANYTHING. Why are you yelling?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-03-12 20:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Interview, who should answer?	The petitioner is allowed in the embassy but based on my experience and others who have gone through Abu Dhabi from PH I would say it is absolutely optional and not necessary. Thanks for the reply.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-03-12 20:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Interview, who should answer?	My fiancee is a filipina living in dubai and so will interview in abu dhabi. Should I the petitioner be there when she has her interview?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2012-03-11 22:03:00
USCIS Service Centers	The K1 Visa processing time says July 18?	I don't understand the USCIS math. When I checked the processing times for I=129F k-1/k-2 on the USCIS website, it indicated 5.5 months for California, 6.1 months for Vermont, but national average of 7.9 months. How can the national average be greater than the average of its components?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-10 22:34:00
USCIS Service Centers	The K1 Visa processing time says July 18?	Hello all! I check the uscis website everydaaaaaaaay and they are still working on July 18! i dont understand, how is it that some people who filed after July 18 have been approved? I just filed my petition in January and received my NOA1...but I cant be patient. I just wish they would hurry up! They only update it like once a month. Most recent update was February 5th, and that was for the month ended December 31.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-10 22:29:00
USCIS Service Centers	Processing Times	As of this evening, have not been updated from the 5 February update. Go figuire, the updates are slowing down too................LOL! Pretty soon, they will be correct in that they will be updating on the 15th of the month as their site states. Except the 15th of the month after the following month!	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-03-08 12:32:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	New update, CSC is still working on July 18th! How can they not move one day in a whole month?!?!?! Oh but VSC is sailing right along.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-03-22 11:11:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Takes them time to get the story straight? The second one has real numbers. What data they use for the first one is still a mystery. For instance, if you insert I-129F for K1 and CSC, it says 5.5 months for CSC, less than the national average of 7.9 months, yet the bar graph shows CSC is taking longer than the national average, or the national goal. Obviously, they just slapped something together to pacify the masses. I was wondering too, how Vermont is at 6.1 mths, California at 5.5, and national average of 7.9 months. Where are all these other petitions being adjudicated that is jacking the national average up so much higher than the two primary centers for I-129Fs? So to add to your answer, it seems they need even more time to get their story straight.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-28 17:14:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	True. The first one relies on data from the second one. If the first one relies on data from the second one, then how come the first one was updated first?	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-28 15:49:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Nothing wrong with baking pies though! I'm working on perfecting an at home Chicago Deep Dish recipe, amoung other things. Gotta feed them to coworkers though or I'd eat them... I'm from Chicago. I commend your efforts with the pizza. I got two brothers living in Cali that I'm sure would love some good Chicago style pizza.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-28 12:16:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Evil just evil... I'm not a statistician, just an accountant. I hope in this case that I'm really wrong.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-26 21:07:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Here's the latest monthly numbers on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: http://www.uscis.gov...DACA2-15-13.pdf I just did a quick calculation on the DACA numbers. February looks to be similar to January, at least for the first half of the month it was. If that's the case, there will be a net reduction in cumulative pending applications of around 17,700. January had a net reduction of around 19,000. February has less days, that's why the estimate is less. But, if this is a trend, that means it will take about 11 months to catch up on all these DACA aps (224K pending at February 14th). I guess that means our petitions will be moving through the pipeline very slowly for some time to come, since USCIS will be busy with those things.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-26 20:31:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	So negative everyone is. Sheesh, lets get back to what's important...like whacking off til our fiances come! Nothing you can do but wait. I know, it sucks! You can whack off and make your fiance come? That's a darned good trick!	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-22 00:17:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Here's the latest monthly numbers on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: http://www.uscis.gov...DACA2-15-13.pdf	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-21 09:49:00
USCIS Service Centers	CSC seems take longer to process	Here are some numbers for you on this subject. National Journal Article USCIS Chart Now, from what I have read, they are paying $400 + in fees for this process. Good, but they still should fall in line with the rest of the other petitions by date submitted. And to me, it appears that they are working on late September or early October petitions for these cases. Here's an updated chart: http://www.uscis.gov...AVer II PDF.pdf At least it seems the inflow is tapering off. It's just a matter of time to get through these and get back to us K-1ers and others on here. Edited by Love's JAA, 13 February 2013 - 12:46 PM.	Love's JAA	Male	United Arab Emirates	2013-02-13 12:43:00