ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresB-2 to visit me while K-1 in process
I wish I could figure out what applies to Croatian people. The whole system is so random it.. just really makes no sense.

We'll see less than a week, I guess.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-09-02 08:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresB-2 to visit me while K-1 in process
QUOTE (Charliehereforyou @ Sep 1 2008, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for your help here. BTW-If the VISA is approved and she enters the USA, in my case Dulles Airport in Washington, is it possible when she goes through customs she may be denied entry? I can't imagine that would happen but..................................

Thanks again for your first hand knowledge here!!!

Yes, it's possible, and according to people on this forum, it really does happen.

My first hand knowledge consists of only the fact that I have been denied a tourist visa three times so far and that I will be applying again a week from today. Except for this time I actually have 'visiting my fiance' written down as purpose of my trip. And the person I will fly with, in case they let me, of course, will be my fiance, as well.

Too bad I really doubt I won't get denied, though.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-09-01 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresB-2 to visit me while K-1 in process
QUOTE (Charliehereforyou @ Sep 1 2008, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, where it asks the question, purpose of visa do you believe it is OK to put in to visit my fiance? I mean it is the absolute truth and sounds
like a great reason to get a tourist visa. She will have many documents that tie her to China.

That's what I put there. Also, the question where it asks you to mark persons who live in the US, I said 'yes' to fiance. It'll probably just mean even fatter 'NO WAY' when it comes to issuing the B-2 (been denied three times in the past, without a fiance, or anything of the sort, ONLY because COs did their job poorly), but I wanted to be honest and just fight the system that way.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-09-01 03:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresB-2 to visit me while K-1 in process
You can travel on a B2 all you want. As long as you have one. And, well, as long as POE people feel like letting you in.

Getting one, or being denied should not affect K-1 at all. Or so people on this forum say. K-1 quite possibly affects B-2, though. If you're willing to mention it. I plan to.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-31 14:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
Denied, again, on Sep 8th. It was my 4th attempt.

My fiance was allowed to enter the consular building, but they didn't let him approach the window during my interview. However, the head consul talked to him after I was done (so, not the person who reviewed my case, but the head consul herself). It was kind of nice to be able to ###### at someone and to tell them they, again, have no idea what they are doing and that things the official website (and the law) claim are true are not really being done in practice, but, as expected, it didn't work.

I have to mention that, this time, they did go through my folder and actually had some sort of idea who I was or what I wanted. Which didn't really help (they still lack background knowledge about the country they work in) but at least made us feel a little bit better. The interview took about 10, instead of 2 minutes and once it was done, in the pile of documents they returned we found my fiance's email he had sent them the night before. So, yes, someone actually ended up making an effort to connect the two. Yay for solving puzzles, I guess. They earn a brownie point here.

The reason of my 4th denial (first one where I actually had a fiance in the States and where K1 was mentioned) was K1 itself as well as, again, COs lack of understanding local laws and traditions. Actually, 'understanding' is too nice a word. Neither of the two knew anything, at all, about Croatian college education system or rules that apply to it. So my student status, again according to them, and along with our K1, is another reason they couldn't let me into the country. The guy I talked to suggested we should just wait it out and he even printed a bunch of useless information from the USCIS website for us. Needless to mention that he was unable to read the things he printed - he got it all wrong, of course.

Either way, I specifically asked if being honest with them is what actually gets you screwed over and, yup - the guy nodded his head. So go figure.

Maybe they'll spend our newest $131 on something chewy and then, somehow, they'll choke on it.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-09-14 04:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
I live with my mother and stepfather and one of my siblings at their house, what we refer to as our home. There are no reasons for me, or any other of my siblings to go and rent something on their own (sister currently lives with our father). It'd be, to put it that way, senseless and stupid since we, the family, have more than enough room for all of us to live the way we do.

It's perfectly normal for Croatians to live this way, is what I want to stress out. As far as I understand the American law and everything I have read on various websites, including those issued by the American government, COs are supposed to treat each and every case as an unique one and, even more so, understand the country the applicant comes from. Its tradition and ... just basically to know something about it. One of the reasons my last visa was denied was the fact I didn't have any reports of passed exams for that academic year only 19 days after the beginning of the school year. While here you can take exams MONTHS after that. I expect them to know that. Or to at least listen to me if I want to elaborate things. Or to perhaps read the documents an applicant provides.



I do understand NOW that I shouldn't have applied three times in a row within basically just a month. But I didn't know it back then. Why? Because I never thought applying and being granted a visitor visa would be rocket science or something you had to go read between the lines for. My fiance and I decided to do the first and, technically, only logical thing - go to the Embassy website and do exactly what we were told. Which, clearly, is not what exactly is going on, or how things are supposed to be done.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-29 06:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
QUOTE (eric_and_teresa @ Aug 28 2008, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If your situation regarding to the ties in your home country, financial, professional or social situation have not changed, then I advise you not to apply for a tourist visa again. This is the first question you'll be asked by the CO, "How has your situation changed, since the last denial"? If you are not able to prove that in fact, it has changed, most likely you'll be denied again.

The fact that you have an american fiance now, is irrelevant for this type of Visa, IMHO. The notarized letter is good to prove the purpose of your trip but still, you as the applicant, need to prove on YOUR OWN that you meet ALL the requirements to receive a B-2.

I've been there three times and no one asked me if anything has changed.

I was also never unable to prove that I DO have ties to this country - three different COs just never bothered to look through my papers, let alone read them.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-28 22:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
Here I come again, looking to hear your opinion on the following:

Our I-129F has been sent and we have NOA1, or so I think (no hard copy yet; my fiance received an email from USCIS the other day).

Next week I will be applying for a visitor visa again, after three denials (twice in October and once in November 2007 - details can be found earlier in this thread). Because of my job, I'd be able to stay for three, up to three and a half weeks.

To sum it all up: I do not have a bunch of news-breaking, new evidence of ties to Croatia. It's still pretty much the same - same full-time job of three years and a small, but noticeable raise since the last time I had them look at my bank reports, savings in my savings account (nearly as much as an average Croatian makes in a year). I am still a college student, now pretty close to getting my degree (approximately 6 months left before I am ready to graduate). My entire family lives here, I still do not own, or need my own place to either buy or rent. I have lived in Croatia all my life, but have travelled all over Europe. I have a fat stack of notarized and/or otherwise stamped documents proving all of the above.

What has changed, though, is the fact that I now officially have a fiance and that we have a K-1 visa pending. At the time of my visitor visa interview, my fiance will be here in Croatia, visiting, and we will try to get him to come with me to the interview (at least to be let into the building). Since my situation has not changed that much (nor anyone expected it to, because what they wanted of me last time I was there was, and still is, completely unrealistic for this country), we think that we'll try being perfectly and completely honest - we plan to use K-1 as proof of yet another tie to this country - in order to actually be issued the visa, I need to attend an interview, right here in Croatia. Clearly, obtaining the said document is of great importance to us as we plan to get married and then live in the States. Legally.

On D-156, or whatever the name of the form is, I understand that I am supposed to circle 'yes, I have a fiance living in the US'. I'll be showing them a notarized letter of invitation signed by my fiance and his parents that, amongst other things, also states that I am his fiancee and that we have a K-1 pending. I'll likely be visiting other friends while I am in the States and I have no problems saying that, but if I really want to be honest, I have to tell them that the two of us actually want to spend some more time together. The whole process is insanely long and it's impossible for my fiance to just sit here with me all the time. He's been here about 5 months ago, is coming again next week, and I have never been to the US (before I met him, I never really wanted to, anyway).

I'm sort of.. well, I'm fairly sure I will be denied again (unless they now have a completely new set of COs, who are, amongst other things, a lot more competent and familiar with the country they work in or, basically, unless some miracle decides to happen), but it's important of us to try this one more time. Or... like I said some time earlier, we'd perhaps just like to donate another $130 to the US government...

Anyway, what I would like to know is - are we nuts? Will all this honesty actually be used against us?
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-28 14:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
Thank you.

I am glad to hear that the K1 interview is different and that I won't be meeting the same COs. Or, well, at least I hope that it works the same here in Croatia. I know that immigrant visa interviews are being conducted in the same office, just at a different window. Hopefully these same faces won't sit behind the glass and all. We'll see.

As for the tourist visa - yes, I will try no matter what. It's a lot of money ($130 now, at least here, because a few months ago they literally decided to change it), but it's not the worst thing ever. Like I said, I will be angry and disappointed if it gets denied again (I really do think I have more than enough ties to Croatia and I most certainly KNOW I would not stay in the States and do anything at all on my tourist visa, other than being a tourist), but as long as everything goes fine with K1...

So I assume I really should say that I want to go visit my fiance when I go talk about the tourist thing and just deal with another denial, which is likely to happen, huh?
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-01 01:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
So far, I've had:

- notarized letter from my boyfriend and his family, where they were literally accepting full financial responsibility (at that point, no boyfriend/girlfriend relationship was mentioned)
- perfectly official letter from my employer (one of the biggest financial institutions in this country, that also happens to take care of all the money-related things that Embassy gets done in Croatia, so they must've heard of it, heh) showing my position, salary, promotion and raise, time worked, paid vacation days, date I was expected to be back
- perfectly offical document from my school, stating I was enrolled for that semester (final year, which means that one is supposed to graduate within 12-18 months, on average)
- one more notarized letter from another US friend, inviting me to come over to their house (this was a married couple and it was quite obvious I wouldn't marry either of them, or at least I hope it was)
- another letter from another, female friend, again inviting me to come see her
- notarized letters from both my parents (they're separated), listing all their property and stating that I have the right, legal and other, to use it (two apartments, land, other things)
- bank statements showing my saving accounts balance (a lot more than one would need for a vacation in the States, or elsewhere) as well as my credit card limits
- letter from my grandparents who I take care of, as well as my uncle's family, whose kids (my cousins) I often babysit
- proof that I've been basically all over Europe and have never tried to live somewhere else
- various random proof that all these years spent here (I am 30) actually mean something to me and that I wouldn't run off across some border to get a better life, or whatever else they assume every visitor to the States would do


What they wanted, on top of all these things, most of which didn't matter to them at all or weren't considered proof or a tie:

- bigger salary - $100 a day (in Croatia, that would be what a politician or high-up manager makes)
- more work time at a company (three years with the same employer, hello?)
- a family (yes, the last CO didn't consider my mother, stepfather, sister, brother, father, another stepbrother, grandparents, cousins, uncle and aunt a family AT ALL)
- children and a husband
- apartment I would actually own (the fact that my family owns more than enough for me to not need one on my own for which I'd actually need a loan and whatnot did not matter to them at all)
- passed exams listed in my school report for that semester, even though the semester itself started only 25-ish days before that last interview (a CO should know that much about the country they work in, or at least ask or let the person explain things they know nothing about)
- probably many other, random things that made no sense at all


At the same time, I know, in person, or have heard of people who have gone to the States on a tourist visa (only one so far has not come back, out of a whole bunch) with a job that pays about half of what I make and nothing else. With no job at all. While being a college student and nothing else. With no money in their savings account.

Newest: a person with a criminal record, who is also a registered drug user got a tourist visa with both these things being known at the interview, as well as marked on the D-156 form, or whatever it's called was granted a tourist visa not so long ago (within the past few months, as far as I know). And I know this is not just gossip.


So I am either doing something horribly wrong, or people working there really makes no sense at all. Hopefully, about a month from now, I will get to see a new face behind that counter. And then, when the time for my K-1 interview comes, I really do hope that those same people don't have anything to do with it. The first woman I talked to wouldn't grant me a visa because I had friends in the States that I had met on the Internet. How would that person let me MARRY that same person I, omg, ended up meeting on the, omg, Internet?!?

For my next interview, I do not even know what I should bring and present as proof. For K-1, we will bring every single thing we have and.. argue, if we have to. With another denied tourist visa - I'll live. Denied K-1 doesn't really sound like a plan to me.

The entire process is so disgusting that I really feel like a nice piece of cattle waiting to be imported. Or worse.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-31 12:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
It seems minibadger and I are mostly just venting here right now, but that happens, too. I will never agree with anyone who says that the COs I talked to those three times were right and that they did their job correctly. They didn't. At the same time, I can only say that the system itself is disgusting, but there's nothing I can do about that either. It's basically just degrading. But oh well.



I'd still like to hear from people who have done this before - went to the States on a tourist visa while their K-1 was being processed, etc.

I'd just like to make sure I am doing my best. It'd really be great if I could spend my vacation in the States on a tourist visa, but the K-1 is a lot more important and we can't afford getting denied because of some mistake we might make somewhere during the process.

Edited by Badgerella, 31 July 2008 - 02:40 AM.

BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-31 02:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
QUOTE (Carlawarla @ Jul 30 2008, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would doubt if you asked for one while not having a finance in the US and a K-1 pending and it was denied, that the answer would still be the same. Having a K-1 pending is no guarantee that you'd come back...well, at least to them. So I don't think they're on a "power trip" or anything of the sort. If they're not assured that you'd come back after your vacation, then they'll deny you. Maybe find out from others here that maybe had a visitors visa what they had as proof that they were going to return was. Sometimes it's a job, money in the bank, and property. Do you own your own home or have land? Do you have other family members or children that you would be returning to Croatia for? I think sometimes that each country has their own definition of what "ties" are. Find out what your country's are!

Best of luck!

I asked three times while I had no K-1 pending. Nobody knew anything about any boyfriends there, or fiances.

People here get to go to the US for no good reason and all, with and without good ties, all the time. Sometimes they have families here and own a place to live, or have a job or go to school. Sometimes they don't have anything at all.

I have a full-time job and my salary is above the Croatian average. I am a college student as well, close to graduation. I have no children, but I have a big enough family that nobody should expect I'd just leave here to go work somewhere as a maid, or whatever else they thought I would do. I have more than enough money in my savings account to last me in the States a lot longer that I'd ever want to stay on a tourist visa, even if I paid for everything there myself, from food to accomodation.

Each country does have its own definition of what ties are, but I still stand behind it when I say that these COs here have no idea what they are doing. In case their job is to make sense, in the first place. Otherwise, they're demonstrating their power just fine.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-30 22:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
QUOTE (vickydeutsch @ Jul 26 2008, 05:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you are going to ask for a visa, please let us know...I would like to do the same..I miss my fiance and I was thinking about asking for a tourist visa while the K1 process is pending. But sometimes I think it's not a good idea because I would be very disappointed and frustrated if they deny my visa. So please let us know if you go to the US embassy and good luck!!!

Vicky

I will most definitely ask for a tourist visa at the end of August or beginning of September this year and, at that same time, our K-1 process should be pending (it should be sent within the next couple weeks).

I was denied a tourist visa three times last year, while nobody knew anything about K-1, for no good reason at all, other than the CO being... well, just so I don't end up being rude, I'll say they had no idea what they were doing, other than just demonstrating their power. (To illustrate a bit, I'll mention that the last CO I talked to said I should come back when my salary becomes $100 a day. In Croatia. Where an average monthly salary is under $1000. One would assume that CO should know which country they are in and what everything looks like.. etc.)

Anyway, I don't expect much of this appointment at all. While I will do all I can, and more, to prove that I will be returning here after 23 days (that's how many I can take off work, as our yearly regular vacation days), I expect them to, actually, deny me a tourist visa again. I'll be disappointed and angry, of course, but as long as I do everything right as to not ruin my K-1 chances, it'll be okay.

I'll post here as things actually start happening.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-30 04:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Jul 25 2008, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anything goes at the US embassy and they can do whatever they want. Firs of all, you should always tell the truth if you decide to go for a tourist visa again because it might come back and bite you when you go for your K1 visa interview. The CO may or may not grant you a visa even if you have all the evidence in the world to stay living in your home country until your K1 visa is approved. He or she may also flat out deny you and say to wait for the K1 visa. It's always a gamble and there are no guarrantees either way.

Diana

That's what I thought, or, well, that's what I actually already know, from my own experience. I've been denied a tourist visa three times for really no good reason other than the CO wanting to do so. I most certainly fullfill all the requirements they list on their offical websites, etc. Anyway, it doesn't really matter at the moment.

This particular time, I believe I should just say, then, where I am going - which is my fiance's house, where I want to spend my vacation, and just see what happens.

I sort of assumed saying random things about just visiting whatever friends, or whatnot, would just come back and bite me in the a** later, anyway.

Being a pessimist that I am, I suppose I can cross out the possibily of spending those three weeks with him in the States, but I'll still go try. Maybe there's hope.

Thank you.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-25 13:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa while K-1 is pending
My fiance and I plan to file a K-1 application a few weeks from now, around the middle of August. He'll be coming to see me here in Croatia in September. After that, at the end of the month, I would like to go visit him in the States or, actually, fly back there with him. Of course, for that, I need a tourist visa.

Here is what I am concerned about:

I'll be applying for that tourist visa at the end of August/very beginning of September. I have been denied a tourist visa three times, supposedly because of insuficient ties to Croatia. It happened twice in October and then also in November 2007. All I would like to do is to spend my vacation days in the States (21-23 days) and come back to Croatia - I have a full-time job here and, at the time of the tourist visa interview, I will have about six months left before I have to finish school and get my degree.

What do I say at the interview? Where am I going? I assume saying I would like to travel and see some friends is not a good idea, since we'll have a K-1 pending and, in and of itself, it means we're in a relationship which we will have to prove at some point (just a few months after that, technically).

Will I be just outright denied if I say I would like to go spend time with my fiance, while we're waiting for our K-1 related things? A letter from him and his family will be one of the supporting documents I'll bring to the tourist visa interview, anyway. It'll just be an invitation letter, stating that I am invited to stay at their house during my vacation.

I would really, really like to be able to spend some time with my fiance in the States, but if I have to choose between the two, of course that K-1 is a lot more important and just, basically, needs to be approved.

How do these things work? Has anyone done it?

Thank you for your help.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-07-25 11:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOverwhelmed by vaccination list for K-1 interview
Here in Croatia, all kids get ten thousand million shots right after they're born, then there are more during elementary and higs school and then again the first year of college. I've seen the list of required vaccinations a bunch of times and I am fairly sure I've gotten almost all (no HPV because it didn't exist back then and now it's just young girls who get them (here, at least) and I might not have one of the two hepatitis vaccinations). My interview won't be happening anytime soon, but I'd still like to know in advance how one gets prepared when it comes to this. Do I have my family doctor issue some sort of a document than I bring with me to the panel doctor?


I know, from what I've been told here, that none of these are required for K-1, but since we have pretty awesome healthcare here in Croatia and I will get to keep it at least as long as I am here, it most definitely wouldn't hurt me to get whatever I might end up missing for free...
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-08-27 12:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIncome proof - a couple questions.
QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Oct 3 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Every Consulate is different in what they require. The standard used to be 3 years, now it seems to be 1 at many. You will need to find out from your Consulate.

Tax transcripts are free and easy to get in just a matter of a few days.

How do I find out about the Embassy in Croatia? Can I call them and ask, or is that, again, some sort of a lottery (I know I sound horrible whenever I mention that particular insitution, but my own experience has taught me to simply not trust .gov sites, especially those belonging to the Embassy here and to double and triple check elsewhere before making a move)?

As for tax transcripts, the fact is that he can't get them, but for 2008, because they just don't exist. That's why we hope one year would be enough or that, otherwise, we can present Affidavits with co-sponsors on them only if we can't get things done on our own (based on my fiance's 2008. income).
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-03 07:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIncome proof - a couple questions.
Something I am unsure about - how many years of tax reports/income proof do sponsors need to present at the Embassy? I've heard both one year, and then three years as well. Which one is actually true? Is it just the more, the better, or is there a set requirement?

For our interview (when we assume it will be), my fiance will have tax reports for only 2008. Would that be enough? He'll have all the documents ready for co-sponsors, too, but we'd both prefer if he could do it on his own. Is this even possible? (Starting an interview and, in case of fiancial issues, adding more proof right there, at the spot?)
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-03 07:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie Here!!
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Oct 5 2008, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Badgerella @ Oct 5 2008, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (nowhereman @ Oct 2 2008, 02:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is there anyone else who takes offense to this? It's hard as hell to get someone here legally & illegals get a free pass? no0pb.gif

I can't really say this kind of situation offends me, but it sure does make me feel stupid. Having tried so many things legally and then failing to get them done, too, I really do feel that the safest way to accomplish something is to just do it - illegaly.

Whee, awesome system.



With respect the only way to do it is legally

I am sorry that you feel this way, what have you tried that has failed, you only got your NOA 1 at the end of August no offence meant

There are a bunch of posts on this forum that explain what all we have done so far, how or why. Nothing has worked, except for getting this NOA1. Even the last CO I talked to last month said that the more honest you are, the worse you have it.

So go figure.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-05 15:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie Here!!
QUOTE (nowhereman @ Oct 2 2008, 02:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is there anyone else who takes offense to this? It's hard as hell to get someone here legally & illegals get a free pass? no0pb.gif

I can't really say this kind of situation offends me, but it sure does make me feel stupid. Having tried so many things legally and then failing to get them done, too, I really do feel that the safest way to accomplish something is to just do it - illegaly.

Whee, awesome system.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-05 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresshould i worry if my fiance's sister is my roommate?
QUOTE (Haole @ Oct 14 2008, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was/am best friends with my wifes cousin. Np problems as we had lots of proof of a bonafide relationship. I advise you make another trip. COs ALWAYS ask how many times you met.
More the better. If nothing else try and make it to his interview.
Just my 2 cents after being denied the first time around.

Why were you denied the first time around, if I may ask?

I am not, per se, afraid that we'll be denied, but I've learned to trust no written or other rules or requirements and am, at least, doubtful when it comes to everything being about proving a real, bonafide relationship. Yes, we do have one, but I have no idea what to expect when we finally get to talk to a CO.

My fiance has visited me here in Croatia two times so far (both times he stayed here for about 3.5 weeks). His third visit should be before or right for the interview, whenever it happens. I have tried, and of course have proof of that, to get a B2 visa four times, all of which were denied. The only reason we've seen each other twice is, well, that. I couldn't get a tourist visa and he can't travel more often because of work and other things that keep him tied to the US. Is that enough, the two times plus him being here, third time, for the interview (or for a longer period of time around the interview, if possible due to work and the like)?
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-14 07:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMy fiance has unused and expired K1 visa and in the process of applying B2 visa
When I was denied a B2 visa, first time around, I was told I could come back basically the next day if I wanted to submit more documents to prove my case. (The closest to knowing why I was denied was the fact that the CO did not like the idea of me visiting a friend I met on the Internet. No slips were issued, no explanations told).

When I was denied a B2 visa, second time around, something like 10-14 days after the first interview, they said I couldn't get one because I had no ties to Croatia. (I had more than enough, but that's another story and has been mentioned on this forum more than a trillion times.) I was given a random printed piece of paper not saying anything about my case in particular. I was also told that I could come back whenever I wanted.

When I was denied a B3 visa, third time around, about a month and a half after the first try, I was told I shouldn't have come at all, because it's part of a normal procedure to give it a break, about a year long. The CO at this point did not even consider my case, or look at my documents. The interview took about 2 minutes, plus an additional 5, or so, because I would not leave without getting her to answer some of my questions. Getting those did not help at all, however.

I then waited 10 months and came back with even more ties to Croatia, as well as proof of an ongoing K-1 application which we did not want to hide at any point. So, fourth time around I was told I couldn't travel to the US on a B2 visa because we have a K-1 pending and should just wait it out. Ties to Croatia meant nothing. On top of everything, the CO I talked to nodded when I asked if we should just try to avoid telling the truth because it seemed to me that the more honest you were, the worse it got for you. My fiance managed to have a meeting with the head consul, but that did not help either.

Now we sit and wait, hoping our K-1 won't be treated the same way.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-14 08:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNo NOA1 after check cashed
Our NOA1 email came whenever it actually happened, but we waited a few weeks for the actual document to arrive in the mail.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-11 02:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBeneficiary’s passport/ UK Travel Doc /Asylum in UK
As far as I know, you don't need a croatian passport. Not particularly for this petition, but because a Croatian is not required to own a passport ever in their life. A 'domovnica' proves your citizenship and that should be more than enough.

Again, as much as I know, Croatians with dual citizenship need only one travel document (in this case passport) for traveling purposes. And it's up to them to choose which one they want to use - you can own both, of course, and keep switching between them.

For more information - http://www.mup.hr/

I'd assume next to no one there would know enough English to explain the process for you (hopefully they have some information on the website), but I guess your fiance speaks Croatian...
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-23 02:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApplying for tourist visa (B2) with K-1 in process or no??
I've been denied a visitor visa four times.

Three times for no good reason at all; last time because we were, again, honest and said we had K-1 pending. (First three times there was no K1.)

Zagreb/Croatia is not a high fraud embassy nor do people here are dying to immigrate to the US. It's a very, very random one.

I would assume trying to get it in Colombia is basically a waste of money. But I could be wrong, since it's all very random and makes no sense!

Good luck, either way.

Edited by Badgerella, 27 October 2008 - 04:23 AM.

BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-27 04:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShell Shocked
QUOTE (Laura+Tom @ Oct 25 2008, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Badgerella @ Oct 25 2008, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Liam and Kara @ Oct 25 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Oct 25 2008, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Liam and Kara @ Oct 25 2008, 05:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i have just returned from the USA today after flying out the the USA last night to be with my fiance for an extended period, for us both to spend some long term quality time together, while there we planned to apply for the K1 visa or talk to someone that could explain in plain english the route to making this transition as pain free as possible.......this as you can gather did not go to plan and i was denied entry, even though i had a return flight booked to return before the 90 day tourist entry visa expired.
As you might imagine this caused plenty of worry and shock and we are now worried this has or could effect our applying for the K1 visa.
Please tell me this has happened to one of you? if so then what you did after the shock wears off and that things will work out? and what steps to do now?
My fiance is now applying for the K1 visa do i need to send original documents to her? grrrrrrrrr think my head is going to explode.
please help my stress levels?


As long as you didn't tell any lies at the POE, relax. This kind of thing happens often. Start by reading the comprehensive guides here.

Your fiance will not be applying for a K1 visa. You will. She'll be petitioning for your privelege to apply. Welcome, you've found the right place to start your journey.


Thanks for your reply, no i was painfully honest about why i was going over, i had planned to go on the tourist visa for near enough the maximum stay and explained why and what the long term goal was, maybe a bit naive i know but though honesty was the best policy.
They said at i was denied entry due to thier suspition that i was planning on living and working in the USA even though had return flight, letter from my employer stating was on unpaid leave for period an when they expected me back at work....ii explained my plan was to go there see how things worked out for both of us and then apply for the visa's required, but they were having none of it....

According to the Embassy in this particular country, or, well, one of the four COs I've talked to in the past 11 months, it's not really a good idea to be honest if you want things to happen the way.... you'd like. Or, well, the way that actually makes sense, too.

Now you'll just have to wait for K1. Heh.


Are you suggesting they lie? That is a very bad idea.

No. Just sharing what I was told last time I talked to a CO.


From experience, being honest has gotten us nowhere so far. We'll see where we'll get.. eventually. Hopefully where we want to be.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-26 16:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShell Shocked
QUOTE (Liam and Kara @ Oct 25 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Oct 25 2008, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Liam and Kara @ Oct 25 2008, 05:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i have just returned from the USA today after flying out the the USA last night to be with my fiance for an extended period, for us both to spend some long term quality time together, while there we planned to apply for the K1 visa or talk to someone that could explain in plain english the route to making this transition as pain free as possible.......this as you can gather did not go to plan and i was denied entry, even though i had a return flight booked to return before the 90 day tourist entry visa expired.
As you might imagine this caused plenty of worry and shock and we are now worried this has or could effect our applying for the K1 visa.
Please tell me this has happened to one of you? if so then what you did after the shock wears off and that things will work out? and what steps to do now?
My fiance is now applying for the K1 visa do i need to send original documents to her? grrrrrrrrr think my head is going to explode.
please help my stress levels?


As long as you didn't tell any lies at the POE, relax. This kind of thing happens often. Start by reading the comprehensive guides here.

Your fiance will not be applying for a K1 visa. You will. She'll be petitioning for your privelege to apply. Welcome, you've found the right place to start your journey.


Thanks for your reply, no i was painfully honest about why i was going over, i had planned to go on the tourist visa for near enough the maximum stay and explained why and what the long term goal was, maybe a bit naive i know but though honesty was the best policy.
They said at i was denied entry due to thier suspition that i was planning on living and working in the USA even though had return flight, letter from my employer stating was on unpaid leave for period an when they expected me back at work....ii explained my plan was to go there see how things worked out for both of us and then apply for the visa's required, but they were having none of it....

According to the Embassy in this particular country, or, well, one of the four COs I've talked to in the past 11 months, it's not really a good idea to be honest if you want things to happen the way.... you'd like. Or, well, the way that actually makes sense, too.

Now you'll just have to wait for K1. Heh.

Edited by Badgerella, 25 October 2008 - 09:33 AM.

BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-25 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to cancel approved K-1?
Offtopic, but it crossed my mind just now (as it often does when I read certain posts). Why does it seem, at least to me, that so many people actually actively seek for a spouse somewhere abroad? Quite a few times, I've read here that people keep filing for alien fiance/fiancees over and over again. Personally, if thinking only about the part where my fiance is from the US and myself from Croatia.. I would never choose him on purpose and have either side go through this just to be together in the end. Or, in other words, when I first met him, I was not looking for anyone, at all, let alone someone from far away. Things just happened.

[/offtopic]
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-01 08:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease help me! I want to cancel my petition!
QUOTE (dawgofwar71 @ Oct 6 2008, 03:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i have to agree with CSMITH. did you find a better deal!!!

whats the deal? i would love to hear his side of this story? this man fell in love with you and filed and now he has not only wasted his time ,but also money!! unless there is abuse involved , there should be no excuse. and i feel shamed for you,

we need more then what you gave us , for insight to this situation.

Why on earth would you need more information? The person does not want to get married and that's it. They need help with what should happen next and that is all that is there to it.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-10-06 00:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApply for travel visa while filing a K1?
QUOTE (nowhereman @ Nov 4 2008, 05:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If she is already approved for a K1 why do you need a tourist visa?

Why does it matter? Why do people so often need to know what is none of their business?

Maybe the person would like to travel to the US and stay there for, maybe, only a few days. K-1 is valid for six months and not everyone can be ready to leave and not come back to wherever they come from the moment some Embassy stamps their passport. At the same time, not everyone in the world is dying to immigrate to the US, either. Maybe K-1 was their only option, for instance, and they would have loved to be able to avoid it, actually.


To the OP: I am not sure if it's possible to hold K-1 and B2 at the same time. While K-1 is pending, it of course IS possible to travel to the US on a B2. Whether or not you can get one is.. another story. I'd rather not get into that. =/
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-04 02:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould I Report a Scam Artist to INS?
QUOTE (Haole @ Nov 7 2008, 07:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great! Before its coke bottle figures, now its 99.9% tight butts in faded jeans! Why do guys talk like that about women from Philippines? Its so embarassing!!!

Better than talking about big pear shaped cellulite jiggling puti in the US! good.gif devil.gif

No s**t people have to go through ten thousand hells if they want to accomplish something while their relationships, intentions and anything else are completely legit, since the world is full of people like this. I guess I'll never understand the entire OMG-I-HAVE-TO-SHOP-FOR-A-SPOUSE-ONLINE (hopefully from an underdeveloped country, because that one will do anything for me, oops, my green card), but when I see posts like this, it all gets a lot clearer.

Oh well. I wish I, and those like me, didn't have to pay for this, though.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-07 02:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFinancial Requirment
QUOTE (ThaitoUSA @ Nov 9 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I pose this question with all due respect to the OP and any other person out there in a similar situation. How could someone who earns less than 125% of the poverty line ($17,500 for a couple) earnestly be interested in bringing someone from another country, when the application fees alone cost $1,600? Though it certainly sounds romantic to say, "Love conquers all." the hard fact is that it's an expensive process that is not available to all people. The 125% minimum is not unreasonable at all, and I would be hesitant about a petitioner who only makes that, none alone below that.

Any single unemployed person could genuinely and honestly fall in love and want to live with the other person, not just someone who makes less than $17.500 a year). The said person could, also, be from a foreign country. I make way less than that amount, and hey, know what? I am in love and want to get married. If it were an option, my fiance would come from the states and live with me here, and, again, know what? We'd get by. Eventually he'd become able to legally work and we'd be making more money, ohemgee wow!

The process itself does cost some money, but... oh well? I am sure any and all people who actually are in honest, genuine relationships do not care much about it, or look at it that way. It's just an idiot necessity that comes as a part of a disgusting process. It's available to all people, too. It'll just be really easy for some, and the others will have to work harder to save up $1600. Unfortunately, there are too many of those who'll just pull it out of their wallets and go buy a spouse from some other country, because those can easily be bought. In that case, I can just repeat what I already said the other day (and many times before that) - I feel disgusted and am angry because I, and others who are being honest with themselves and the system, have to pay and go through this degrading process. And also have to pay for the s**t those others serve for us.

The amount, $17.500, or whatever else it is, or anytime will be, is unreasonable because it stands there as a requirement everyone needs to meet. Why does it have to be assumed that the imported cow (this is not meant to be an insult, so I apologize to anyone who might receive it that way - it's just how I feel as a beneficiary) can't work? If it weren't for the legal part that needs to be sorted out, I'd be able to work the moment I arrive in the States. I speak English, I have skills, and above all - I actually, ohgodthesurprise, want to work!!! I am, ohgodthesurprise, again, not being imported by my ohmygood American saviour, I am just getting married to a man that, unfortunately, happens to live in a country I can't get in or out of without being put through ten million hells. And that unfortunately is thousands of miles from where I am now. That really is all that's there to it. I am not moving to the States to have some god provide for me and feed me until I die.

QUOTE (ThaitoUSA @ Nov 9 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Certainly it is understandable to hear one say, "Well, I've fallen on hard times recently." etc. Well then it might be a good time to reprioritize one's goals. Bringing a spouse to America may have to wait until other objectives have been met i.e. a steady income. I have a very modest lifestyle e.g. do not own a TV, do not go out to eat (with the exception of a cell phone and internet) and I easily spend $14,000 in annual expenses. With my future wife here, I can see that surpassing the $17,500 mark. Fortunately my simple life has afforded me significant savings, so we're set.

My advice to the OP is to rethink your plan. Of course we all want to be with our loved ones now: I have spent the past 2 and a half years away from mine. But first things first. You need to find work (whether it's a matter of taking on second job or finding a new job, etc.) that shall satisfy this requirement. Until then not only are you technically unable to bring you spouse, but also you would be setting yourselves up for a particularly challenging situation once he arrived. He is unable to work legally for several months while his AOS and EAD are being processed, therefore making you the sole income provider. See what I mean? It might be best to have a long serious talk with him about this, defining clear expectations and objectives to be achieved over a specified time period.

All the very best to the two of you.

Again, this second part just proves that every single "imported cow" is some sort of a leech and that people who, by accident or chance, find someone to fall in love with somewhere outside the US. Those several months while we're not able to work are not a lifetime. I have never lived in the US, but I think I know enough to say that it doesn't take several thousands of dollars a month to keep a person around. It takes just a bit of food and a bed to sleep in and I'm sure someone who makes under $17.5k a year would be able to provide that. Again, if the ohemgee imported person actually wants to work and does not exist only to be given things by the ohemgee American saviour.

The latter, however, is not my problem, or yours. It's up to the couple itself to decide or choose as a way of life. Again, I have to say, I wish I didn't have to pay for those people's mistakes or idiocy. Because of those people who go shopping for a spouse online, or by looking at coke bottles in poorer countries (or whatever it was, that I read in some other disgusting post), and end up with fraudulent leeches and whatnot, the normal, honest people get to suffer, while being treated like nothing but cattle. Or a pair of jeans you're trying to sneak through the customs.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-09 09:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat's fastest?
You can't file both petitions at once:

- K1 requires you to NOT be married when you file the petition (and to stay unmarried until the visa is approved and you're both in the US, where you have to get married).

- K3 requires you to BE married when you file the petition.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-13 12:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 not "obligatory" at K-1 meeting? What does this mean?
QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Nov 13 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Badgerella @ Nov 13 2008, 07:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Then, I hope, we should read this as:

- bring tax returns and pay stubs;
- fill in an I-134;
- fill in an additonal I-134, signed by co-sponsor, just to have it handy in case it's needed.

As for my previous question - does it matter, at all, whether or not the beneficiary is actually capable/able/ready to start providing for the new family as soon as it becomes legal? NoKim and Russ mentioned the Embassy in NZ not caring much about income - could it be because in NZ people actually speak English and therefore it's assumed they are, at least on that front, ready to start working sooner than, say, someone from a non-English-speaking country?Absolutely not! Would it matter, under any circumstances, if I can provide proof of my degree and actual certificates that my English is fluent? No - that's not the point.

I know that both minibadger and myself sometime sound like complete lunatics, but so far we've been getting mostly confusing and/or insufficient information from the Embassy in Croatia and... I assume everyone just wants to make sure they're doing their best.


..or.. yes, if one is to read the post about Kim and Russ's experience. So it really seems it's up to the consulate (or just a CO) and that one should come to the interview with a truckload of papers. At least that part is not hard to accomplish, as long as you're at least somewhat certain you included anything and everything a CO could possibly ask for. Even in their wildest of dreams!
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-13 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 not "obligatory" at K-1 meeting? What does this mean?
Then, I hope, we should read this as:

- bring tax returns and pay stubs;
- fill in an I-134;
- fill in an additonal I-134, signed by co-sponsor, just to have it handy in case it's needed.

As for my previous question - does it matter, at all, whether or not the beneficiary is actually capable/able/ready to start providing for the new family as soon as it becomes legal? Kim and Russ mentioned the Embassy in NZ not caring much about income - could it be because in NZ people actually speak English and therefore it's assumed they are, at least on that front, ready to start working sooner than, say, someone from a non-English-speaking country? Would it matter, under any circumstances, if I can provide proof of my degree and actual certificates that my English is fluent?

I know that both minibadger and myself sometime sound like complete lunatics, but so far we've been getting mostly confusing and/or insufficient information from the Embassy in Croatia and... I assume everyone just wants to make sure they're doing their best.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-13 08:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 not "obligatory" at K-1 meeting? What does this mean?
Re: Pushbrk:

But how could you do that, without the form itself? I mean, as much as I know, the fact that my English is fluent and that I have a degree (etc.) and am willing to work right away (from the very moment it becomes legal) would not be enough, or considered at all.


I wish they were a bit more clear, is all. Hopefully it really means what we all think it is. That, in case it's needed, we can show a co-sponsor Affidavit, as well.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-13 07:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresis this a scam? Please help
QUOTE (rdsey @ Nov 13 2008, 03:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
unsure.gif I was married by someone who used me for his Green Card. In another relationship, although I love this man I dont want this to happen to me again so I dot my i, and cross my t's and yes im guilty about allowing the past to hunt me. I do want to know if this is ok to do or if this is another scam to use me again. My frien asked me to set him reservation in a country that would freely allow him to come to USA. He stated that once he received reservation (invitation to come?) he would take it to the Embassy or Immugration Im not sure on it. They would allow him to go over then once there he can come to USA. Im not sure of the timeline on any of this.
Im wondering if this is a scam once he gets over, get what he needs and thats it. Please if u have info pleas share with me i dont want a repeat of my first husband.
Thank You Much!

As far as I understand this situation - the man wants to come to the US, on a XY visa, which he thinks he can get by showing a hotel reservation to the Embassy or Immigration services at a POE.

That, however, is not how any visa process works and it doesn't even matter whether or not it is a scam. Having a hotel reservation, or plane tickets matters NOT, at all. If a person comes from a country that requires visas to the US, then they really need a visa. Visas are issued by US consulates. Any and all information can be found on this website or elsewhere on the Internet.

Whether or not this is another scam, only the original poster can tell, and, of course, the man involved. All the assumptions aside, the guy in question really could be an honest person. Maybe he just does not know anything about the visa process, at all? Again, an issue for the OP to investigate.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-13 12:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWeird situation regarding PROOF of ongoing...
As far as I understood the reply we got from the Embassy in Croatia, they don't allow the USC to come TO the interview (as in - they said it was for the beneficiary to attend), but the USC can enter the facility and be in the room. Any and all questions the USC needs/wants to ask come once the beneficiary is done. I see no reason why you, the USC, wouldn't be able to enter the Embassy as well.

Pretty much the same thing happened here in Croatia in September, when I had my last (unsuccessful) visitor visa interview - my fiance was not allowed to talk to the CO during my interview, but he got in and was in the same room. After I was done, he had a meeting with the head consul during which I was the one who just stood.. around.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-19 05:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCo-sponsor question
I managed to get some Embassy employee on the phone yesterday.

According to the guy, co-sponsors are allowed in Croatia.

I hope that's actually really correct, because in the past I've been given inaccurate or wrong information by those same people. I'll check again sometime later.
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-06 02:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCo-sponsor question
QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Nov 3 2008, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, I can see your point... i'm sorry the information your looking for is not readily available. If you're anything like me (who needs to know everything wink.gif ) that has to be difficult.

The reviews for the Consulate seem pretty good even though the information on how the process is handled is not so current in the links I left you above. Hopefully they can help ease your mind a bit.

Hopefully the process for you will be smooth and the things you read here will help you prepare the best you can for the interview.

What you can do, after you've gone through the process or find others from Croatia that have, is enter a thorough review of the Consulate for others so the information is available.

Again, the best of luck to you.

Thanks for the nice wishes! =)

Just last night I got a lot of help by the Croatian girl I mentioned. So that's now awesome. She's a bit ahead in the process, so I'll learn more and we'll be able to share experience. Will try, once more, to contact the Embassy and find out about co-sponsors. Hopefully someone will care to reply or answer a question on the phone.

Both of us really need to know everything so, yes, this is extremely hard, dealing with all the... nothingness! VJ forum has been really helpful so far in general, though!
BadgerellaFemaleCroatia2008-11-04 02:14:00