ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMISLEAD

I'm pretty sure the OP feels bad enough as it is, but thanks for driving that point home!

Yes, we get it. Their mistake. They should have read the instructions better. (Same with me and my petition.) Okay, good, now that we've established that... how about a response about their questions?


First, I wanted to drive that point home because the tone of their post was kind of along the lines of someone else made the mistake. Honestly, even if you do everything right in the process and USCIS just mis-understands something that causes a delay it is YOUR/THEIR/MY problem as YOU/THEY/I am the one looking for the benefit.

Second, why not answer their question? Well I think it's been made pretty clear that there are 3 possible outcomes and 2 of them will cause a significant delay.

They can hope that the sorter notices there is no evidence and the packet is rejected, if that happens they'll know within a few weeks.

Otherwise they will either be outright denied for lack of evidence OR...

If USCIS is feeling kind they will receive an RFE for the missing evidence. So if they get an NOA1 then you can hope for an RFE otherwise it's the filing fee and 5 - 7 months flushed for the mistake.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 17:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMISLEAD

Hi everyone! MY fiance filed for a K-1 visa, and we were both mislead by other sites, what he only sent at Texas service center was the I 129-F form plus his payment. No other evidences submitted.

The instructions are pretty clear that there is a minimal requirement of evidence for the I-129f Petition. First thing you need to do is stand-up and take responsibility for not reading the and understanding the instructions that come with the form.

YOU are the ones seeking the immigration benefit, this is YOUR application and it's outcome will affect YOUR lives. Any mistakes YOU make will only cause YOU delays and in some cases much worse.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports? Front loading I-129F, Philippines-Yes or Not Recommended?

:ot: Bob, this question is off topic, but would you happen to know which Affidavit of Support I am suppose to file for I-129F? I thought it was I-864 so I drafted one out for practice of getting familiar with it. But I'm thinking that is for later at AOS and I fill out the I-134 (draft only) for the interview?

Usually it's the I-134 for K-1 Visa but some consulates prefer the I-864. Your Consulate's website should tell you which one to use. If in doubt file them both out, they use the same evidence and are presented at the interview so you can just present the one requested with the evidence.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 17:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports? Front loading I-129F, Philippines-Yes or Not Recommended?

Aside from my cousins coming over last Nov. and not on I-129f. I am not familiar with Manila Consulate. I know they are known for scutinizing every case because of high level of fraud. Would it be better for the OP to bring more evidence at their interview then? I agree with the organization to make things easy for the CO to find required documents. However, Primary evidence and not be confused with secondary, is not "mumbo jumbo"... lol. In fact, the instructions on I-129f asks for such (proof you met the fiance in the past 2 yrs). Curious what did you send in?

For some consulates (HCMC Vietnam, GUZ China, for example) they like to deny on Red Flags such as timeline issues. The front loading is helpful because if a Red Flag is specifically addressed in the evidence of the I-129f and the petition was approved at USCIS it makes it harder for the Consulate to deny a Visa.

Manila isn't like that. For Manila the big two issues seem to be:

1) Financial Sponsorship, they don't really like Co-Sponsors. Note they are loosening up on that but generally are more lax on college students & recent grads.

2) Anything wrong with your NSO/NBI Documents. These include Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Certificate of No Marriage, Police Clearance. The reason for this is that such documents can easily be forged in the Philippines. If there are any signs of having received the document through a "fixxor" then the Visa is denied.

If the pre-screener or CO have any doubts they will be given a chance to address them at the interview so all Manila Beneficiaries should bring a heap load of evidence to their interview just in case but most are never asked for more than an item or two.

For all of the hype about Manila being a High Fraud Embassy it's a cake walk if you do it right.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 17:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports? Front loading I-129F, Philippines-Yes or Not Recommended?

This is also an recommendation for China to.

But there really is no need in the Philippines, any issues will be addressed at the interview. For example the pre-screener seemed to take issue with Anna having a child but no previous marriage. The CO mentioned getting Anna's CEMAR (Certificate of Marriage(s)) to address the concern, Anna had it on-hand and the issue was resolved.

To Show the Relationship is Bonafide using both Primary and Secondary Evidence, I submitted the following:
...
Our Secondary Evidence Copies of :
...
This post took me a long time lol, so I hope it might be helpful for you both!

PS: I am continuing to keep records of our relationship even after our application was submitted. (always keep your records :thumbs: of proof!)[/b]

Again, not needed for the Philippines for the I-129f Petition but that is a great list of items to bring to the interview in Manila. Also your recommendation to continue documenting the relationship between Petition & interview is spot-on for every consulate.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 16:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports? Front loading I-129F, Philippines-Yes or Not Recommended?
While the Philippines is considered a High Fraud Country there really isn't much need for front loading of the petitions.

What you do need to do is make sure you have all of your official documents (NSO, NBI) done properly (include all previous names etc) and follow the requirements to the tee. As long as you do that and your relationship is real then you won't experience problems at the interview.

If you want specific things to look out for visit the PI regional forum.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-17 13:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCustoms or Racket ?????????
Issues like these are exactly why I will only use DHL for international shipping. We had a problem with Philippines Customs and DHL's employees in the Philippines (they don't farm out work to local companies) worked to fix the issue and reduce the requested tariff by over 90%!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-26 08:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI Hate Liars
I met my wife in Oct of 2008, married her Jan of 2009, filed for Visa in Apr 2009, she landed in the US in Nov 2009!

13 months from initial meeting (online) to her landing in the US!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-03 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAfter reading multiple posts today, a word of advice
We avoided the whole hassle by just planning a nice wedding in her country, all of her family & friends were there. Then after we filed for CR-1 and didn't have to worry about delays losing deposits.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-31 09:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 FIANCE VISA DENIED - now what appeal or k3 visa?? responder en español tambien

I believe that the DCF is based on physical location, not what your status with the Germans is. Your legal office or the consulate itself could answer that for sure.

Consulate Interview is based on physical location, DCF eligibility is based on the current legal residence of the USC Sponsor.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-04 13:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 FIANCE VISA DENIED - now what appeal or k3 visa?? responder en español tambien

My fiancee is from US as someone said and he is stationed in Germany, Im from Ecuador but we are both in Germany , I have a turist visa here I just come every 3 months and stay couple of months and go back.

I will like to add that if we would be living here it would be so much easier. They are very helpfull, BUT they are sending him back to the states in August.

I will ask the legal department how can they help us to make the right desicition this week.

In this point we thought about geting married here in Germany and apply for a spouse visa.


If I was in that situation I'd look into marrying in Germany and him filing DCF (Direct Consular Filing) requesting an expedite due to redeployment.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-04 12:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2! 79 days at CSC!!!
Looks like I'm making a phone call on Monday!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-06-25 00:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshow to make a rotten Tuesday
While we didn't receive that message our NOA2 for Carlo's (stepson of USC Petitioner) was 6/30/11, NVC received our case and gave us the MNL number of 7/28/11. You're almost there.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-08-02 10:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsRFE
I would send copies of ALL pages of her passport so show there is no exit stamp either.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-08-05 08:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApproved

My ex wants me miserable and I refuse to be miserable. I just expect my ex to go nuts when she meets the new girl in charge. You know how fireworks are. All my ex needs is a good reason to go off. Asawa ko is just more then a good reason.


Honestly, you only HAVE to deal with the drama of the ex if you choose to do so... My ex-wife used to be "difficult" so I simply shut her out of my life. She was no longer allowed to enter my house when she picked-up the kids for her visitation and I spoke to her only when absolutely required to. It didn' take long for her to calm down and shut-up.

If the ex can't be civil then inform her that she is no longer welcome on your property. If she approached you in public simply turn and walk away. It really is just that simple.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-09-07 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMy fience was denied

I have a copy of the divorce papers in hand and as soon as
I hear back from Julie and what her wishes are I will be
ready to get them notarized and to the post for express
delivery to the London Embassy

Are they originals stamped with the clerk of the Circuit Court's seal?

Notarized means nothing for Divorce documents for immigration purposes, they need the Final Decree endorsed by the issuing Clerk of the Circuit Court.


Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-09-13 16:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMy fience was denied
She'll get over it once she has the Visa in hand...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-09-13 14:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMy fience was denied
Well, your I-129f petition will probably be returned to USCIS to have the approval revoked as they have new information which indicates you were not truthful on the petition (I understand that wasn't your intent but it was the effect of you not reading the instructions and attaching an additional sheet with the required information).

Since the US Citizen is the one who provided false information the good news is that the beneficiary shouldn't be charged with Material Misrepresentation which would trigger a lifetime entry ban for her.

This situation justifies at least a consult with a competent immigration lawyer to see who the revoked I-129f should impact a future filing by the same petitioner.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 13 September 2011 - 12:08 PM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-09-13 12:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC say Sent! Embassy say Not here...
You do understand that your case isn't technically received until it has been physically opened and entered into the system at the embassy, right?

If DHL delivered it on Friday of last week it could be several days before your casefile is entered into their system and ready for consulate processing.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2012-01-23 15:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsis he lying or is the USCIS messed up?
I would tend to agree that his story doesn't seme to make sense.

First the address for the lockboxes is a PO Box at the Post Office.

From USCIS's own website, a description of the LockBox system.

Since the mail sent to the PO Boxes is actually handled by the Treasury Department I doubt he'd be able to get close to anyone who actually works there. Further where would he get the physical address (not the PO Box).

Maybe he went to the Post Office for the zipcode of the Texas LockBox and they made him actually pay postage for the delivery?

By the time I submitted the initial petition for Anna she already had access to my Checking Account so she could see exactly when the payment was processed.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2012-09-13 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportscannot produce photo for RFE, WHAT TO DO?? PLEASE HELP! NEEDED ASAP!
It's a myth that K-1 is faster than CR-1, the only real difference is at the NVC where K-1s are stamped with a case number and sent along but CR-1 gets affidavit of support and visa application processed before being forwarded, if you're well prepared this can be done in 4 to 6 weeks
Since there are 2 of you needing to come to the US the CR route would save you a lot of money and hassle as there would be no adjustment of status.
On a side note I believe once a greencard is issued for the child they will be a US Citizen and can apply for thier US Passport using Dad's passport and thier greencard plus birth certificate to show he's the bio daddy.
Your biggest problem is that a marriage in the Philippines requires a 10 day waiting period so he would need to be there for 3 weeks to allow time for his Affidavit of Singleness from USEM, the waiting period and the ceremony.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 31 August 2012 - 05:45 AM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2012-08-31 05:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaMajic Jack

I dont care if people use majik jack. I have paid MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE OF PHONE BILLS> Let them get a break


Are you somehow of the impression that I'm against using MagicJack?

My wife & I used MagicJack in the Philippines for a year. It was a great money saver and I advocate it for anyone. Currently we have a vonage unit at her Mom's house and will hopefully replace it with a NetTalk TK600 in the next few months.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-03-22 13:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaMajic Jack
Regarding people ripping MJ off by using it overseas to call between them & the US:

MagicJack actively advertises that it works overseas. Infact there are large billboards advertising MJ in Manila (in the Philippines).

Vonage & NetTalk are the same way. Just contact tech/customer support for any of these countries and they'll help you set it up.

The magic of the internet is that there is no additional cost to the VOIP host company to connect with a device via a foreign internet connection.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-03-20 17:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaI am pregnant

Thanks, i have a green card, and my husband is citizen us so what i need to bring her from to USA, i mean immigration procces.

Thank you my Friends


The short answer is that you can't as a LPR (Greencard holder), you need to wait until you are a US Citizen to petition your mother.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-06-22 16:16:00
Middle East and North Africaaffidavit of support
I do believe that soliciting for a Co-sponsor is a violation of VJ's TOS. I seem to remember another member who was a bit more blunt than you in asking and the thread was closed with a warning from the Mods.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-27 16:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExtension of CR1 visa, possible?
It is at the US Embassy's discretion. CR-1 Visas generally expire when their Medical that is used at interview expires (6 months to 1 years depending on the country).

If he has vacation time why not enter the US to activate the Visa? He can return before receiving the Greencard as he will get the I-551 stamp in his passport which acts as a temporary Visa for up to 1 year.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-03-14 16:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2 Marriage Certificates from 2 different countries - Need Advise

Thanks for the advise.

I will use consistent information.

But which certificate did you already use? Was the US marriage first or second?

If you used the second on then you're already in trouble because the second marriage is not valid as neither of you was legally able to enter into another marriage.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-08 21:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2 Marriage Certificates from 2 different countries - Need Advise
I fact if you used the second marriage certificate at any point in the process then it would be material misrepresentation and can have major negative consequences.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-08 09:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1
For IR they're going to want to see proof that you've co-mingled your lives so proof of joint accounts both in the US & Philippines are great evidence. When we filed for Anna's CR-1 we had 2 joint US accounts and 1 joint Philippine account. They'll also want to see co-habituation so any proof of that such as both names on purchase contracts or leases in the Philippine residence would be nice.

Of course on-going communications is good. e-mails & phone records are good there.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-03 14:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWedding At 1st Physical Meeting

The span of time we became together and until we married, will that be a problem?

There's no other way to prove the genuineness of our marriage than phone record, chat logs, emails, snail mails, remittances. But those evidences came after marriage. Are they enough?

Please enlighten me and give us advice.



I would agree that this is a very Embassy specific thing. In Vietnam it would probably be difficult (from what I've seen in the VN threads but in the Philippines it's not a problem if your relations is real.

I met Anna online in October of 2008, our first in person meeting was Jan 16 2009 and we were married on Jan 30 2009. I filed the I-130 in April of 2009 and she arrive int he US in Nov 2009!

We didn't have any visits after my trip where we got married and it was out only 3 weeks together in person before her interview. There was no problem at all. If the CO had asked for it, she could have shown that she was already joint on 2 bank accounts with me, we had constant daily contact and were sending each other the appropriate holiday cards.

For the OP, I have no relevant to Iran experience, sorry.


Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-01 12:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCanadian trying to get back to US wife and 2 US children.

This is just a really sad case.

Maybe the saddest part is that the OP obviously knew he was living & working illegally in the US otherwise why would he feel he needed to lie at the border.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-05 11:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCanadian trying to get back to US wife and 2 US children.

212(a)(6)©(i) which I believe to be fraud.

Did they ever find out about your wife & kids in the US during your interview? The section listed mentions both Fraud & Material Misrepresentation.

212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) which I believe to be insufficient documentation.

This section mentions specifically "Immigrant" and talks about not having a valid immigrant visa or re-entry permit in addition to valid ID/Travel documents.

Since they've dinged you on both I would say it's likely that you're charged with Material Misrepresentation as they were able to determine you hide material facts such as that you'd been living illegally in the US with your USC family.

Doing this without a lawyer is suicide, if you have Material Misrepresentation on you then the ban isn't just 5 years but in fact Lifetime! It can be overcome with a waiver but you've got the problem of overcoming why she can't move to Canada and live with you there especially since you've already done that.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-05 08:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCanadian trying to get back to US wife and 2 US children.

Sep 2000 Canadian met USC while attending Formula One Race in Indianapolis.
Jan 20?? Married in Whistler Canada, UCS wife becomes a "Landed Immigrant".
Nov 2007 Daughter is born.
May 2008 Family moves to Arizona and starts a B&B Business.
Feb 20?? Second child is born.
Feb 2009 Canadian returns to Canada for 1 week work contract. Re-entered the US same month.
Feb 2011 Canadian returns to Canada for 1 week work contract again.
Most recently Canadian tried to re-enter the US saying that he was going down for a one day trip with a friend, got caught lying and was removed after 8 hours in interview.

Could you perhaps edit your comment so all the dates are correct? It is a little confusing :-)


No, you should never have moved to the USA in the first place. You need to recognise that, and recognise that your position is a difficult one and made even more difficult potentially because you lied at the border, although I am not sure how much extra difficulty that adds.


It's hard to tell but the OP is probably facing a 10 year ban for the overstay (Feb 2009 to Feb 2011) and possibly lifetime ban for Material Misrepresentation (depending on what was revealed in the 8 hours of aggressive interviewing). I wonder if they bother to him him up for working illegally (operating a business or at least working for his wife's B&B) while in the US also.

Definitely an uphill battle even with a lawyer. Can't really tell just how bad it is without the info stamped/written in the OP's passport and any documents they gave him when he was released from custody.

It is probably much easier for your family to relocate back to Canada to be with you.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 04 April 2011 - 12:47 PM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-04 12:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa denied

USCIS who's denied it not the Embassy . any advice?

What was the RFE for and what did you send in the response?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-08 11:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa denied
First, just to be sure I understand the Denial: USCIS denied your Wife's I-130 Petition or an Embassy denied your CR-1 Visa Application?

There is a big difference.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-08 11:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi-130 check not there

Thanks Bob

we do have copies of everything, just need to print some of the wedding pics again, and thats it

i would rather elect this option than wait for few weeks for a rejected packet in the mail


Just remember that the I-130 & G325s both need original signatures, not copies.

Wedding photos aren't as good evidence as the Wedding/Marriage Certificate/Contract, at this point USCIS just needs to know that a legal wedding was had by all.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-14 13:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi-130 check not there
If you want to not lose so much time send another packet (I assume you kept copies of everything), just the docs with signatures need to be reprinted and actually signed.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-04-14 12:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!

? this does not make sense to me. Why would you activate the IV if you have intent to return to Canada? The IV is an Immigrant VISA and you are it seems attempting to use it as a Visitor VISA. I think you have to request advance parole before you can leave and come back and it makes no sense what you were attempting to do. If/When you do finally enter , don't leave before you get your advance parole documents or it could mean you are abandoning your LPR status.

In any case the CBP officer probably did you a favor.


The OP made it clear she was relocating permanently in a couple of months (after her son's finishes his school year).

There would have been no problem activating her LPR status at this entry.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-05-04 13:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDrugTest Positive (just in case)

I don't have any police record... I'm a good citizen. I just took that for curiosity. I guess its been a month. I don't know that my petition will be approved soon.

It's been a month since.... The petition was filed or you used illegal drugs?

FWIW, the Philippines is one of the consulates that does deny based on any admission of past drug use even though the guidelines say to not deny for experimentation several years past. At the medical you will be asked if you have ever used drugs. If you answer yes expect to be denied at the interview.

I can't advise you to lie at the medical as that would violate the TOS of VJ.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-05-23 15:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLost money order for AOS
First step would be to contact the MO Issuer and confirm if it's been cashed. If it has get proof from them and contact NVC with that proof.

If not then maybe use the online payment portal but don't forget to cancel the MO and get your money back.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-06-02 13:20:00