ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Philippinesquestion about marriage certificate
In Hawaii, the person who registers the marriage is the one who conducted it. This is why it can take forever to get registered. While you have no choice but to wait until the original arrives, you can order copies of the marriage certificate with an expedite and collect them in person as soon as the marriage has been registered. From memory, there is a form you fill in (giving your contact information) and they will call or email when that has happened so you can toodle down to the office and pick them up. You'll almost certainly want extra copies to notify various departments, so this works out pretty well.


Good link to confirm it all is ... Hawaii State Department of Health

Hope this helps put your mind at rest. :)

EDIT: PS We collected our copy certificates about 10 days after we got married.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 18 May 2011 - 04:46 PM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-18 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFor those waiting on K1
I remember what it was like. The frustration, the impatience, the concern that I might've missed something out that was needed.

But, here's the rub. Once you (or your fiance(e)) arrive in the US, you/they will miss an equal number of things from home. So, my thoughts to you is to spend the waiting time visiting with friends, family and generally the people that you will miss. Take lots of photos, make special memories and enjoy what you have NOW, because you'll soon be looking back with sadness and loss, instead of missing your fiance(e).

Seriously, life doesn't magically get perfect once you are with your love. It is better to be with them, yes, but you exchange one type of love for another, and that can be equally hard. So, don't take today for granted. Spend it wisely and remember to tell those around you NOW that you love them and value them in your life. :)

Edited by Brit Abroad, 13 April 2011 - 11:24 AM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-04-13 11:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsrfe
How about boarding passes and the stamp in your passport that shows entry into the fiance(e)'s country? Letters from each of you stating that you are free to marry and intend to do so within 90 days of arrival to the US. Did you include the affidavit of support and supporting evidence for it?

Basically, re-read the instruction notes on the form again and narrow down what you didn't include in your packet.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-24 09:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHelp please!
That's a little confusing, but I'm guessing you mean "does he need tax returns submitted to the federal government?" ?

If so, yes he will. He will need to prove that he can support you and that you won't become a charge to the American taxpayers, and tax returns showing his income level are an important part of that.

The best thing that you can do is click on this VJ Guides link and read the section that applies to your situation. It will help you to understand the process.

Good luck on your journey. :)

Edited by Brit Abroad, 19 August 2011 - 06:52 PM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-19 18:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI sent my K1 packet today. W00t!! W00t!!
Welcome to the "long wait" that is fiance visa processing. :)

While you're waiting, you might want to advise your fiance to start making a list of the future requirements for the next stage. Thinking about police reports, any vaccinations that are required by CDC that s/he hasn't had and building up an additional evidence file of ongoing relationship between you from submission date to the interview date.

Remember that, if you're like the rest of us, America is going to be a long way from home, so your fiancee should start spending lots of time with family and friends, making sure they know how to use some kind of videochat program so she can stay in touch once she arrives, thinking about what she wants to do when she gets here and doing some research on the area you live in.

It might be a long wait, but it doesn't have to feel THAT bad. Keep busy and it'll pass in the blink of an eye.

Make sure you join the Vietnam regional forum on VJ, there's a whole lot of great folks who can give you Embassy specific tips and advice. Good luck with your journey. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-19 18:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhere's the Happiness???
1. About to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary
2. Hubby is retiring from the military early next year
3. We're buying our first house together to settle permanently in ONE place
4. We have great friends who keep in touch from all over the world
5. We have sunshine and no rain for over 300 days a year
6. Soon we won't have grass .. YAY for not having to spend hours with a hose
7. The end is in sight for dealing with USCIS *cheer*
8. Finally shipping all my household items from the UK (God knows where we'll put it, but hey, at least it will be HERE)
9. Both enjoying good health (if knee injuries at present)
10. Beautiful warm, fluffy, clean towels straight from the dryer (couldn't resist this one as I've just finished laundry)

When all that you hoped for comes true, it's the best thing in the world to wake up with a smile on your face, beside the person that you love. The world can be a dark place sometimes and the news is depressing, so I'm glad for such a happy post today. It reminded me to count my blessings. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-10-06 16:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsmy HK record
If you were sufficiently far along in pregnancy that airlines would not carry you, you wouldn't have had a choice. Provided your son's birth certificate confirms dates I don't see that USCIS would have a major problem with it and you did surrender yourself after the birth.

Of course, if you WERE able to fly, there would certainly be questions as to why you didn't leave; but stress and risk to the baby are good reasons for staying put and I think USCIS may understand that. Do you have any medical notes from that period? You could always go for a fixed fee or free consultation with an immigration attorney who offers them, to ascertain their thoughts and/or experience in that situation.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-10-11 10:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsThe first Gay K-1 Fiance Visa Progress with DOMA repeal on the Horizon (Tim & Keno)
Best of luck to you both on the process! :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-01-06 21:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaTammy's Somali Food Blog
Thanks for the link to your blog.

I've never cooked Somali food before, but it certainly looks very appealing and my husband is brave enough to try anything I make, so I look forward to trying out your recipes! smile.gif
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-12 06:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaAdvise on how to handle the separation?
Separation is hard, but many people seem to have the knack of making it worse than it needs to be.

Use this enforced separation to get to know what your husband is looking forward to AND dreading about coming to America. Life will probably be very different for him, he will be homesick at some stage and knowing what you can do to help will be hugely beneficial when he gets here.

Take the opportunity to spend time with your family and friends, as when hubby arrives you'll want to spend all your time with him.

Take a cookery class and learn to cook all the foods he likes from home, learn about all the spices in Moroccan food and how to blend them properly so you can make your own rather than paying a lot of money to buy ready made, take a class to learn his language so you can give him a break from speaking English all the time. Read read read anything you can get your hands on that will assist you to help him keep his cultural identity and not feel like he's given part of himself up by moving to a foreign country. Find out where the halal stores are and start looking at labels so you don't make any food gaffes, if he's Muslim that's a big thing to learn. If you plan on starting a family soon after he arrives, read up on how to eat/exercise/relax and get your body into prime condition for pregnancy.

There are lots of positives you can plan for, even if you aren't having the benefit of your husband right now. The more you allow yourself to wallow in frustration and self-pity the unhappier you will be and it will blight what should be a happy time of preparation for your future life together.

If something is worth having, it's worth waiting for. When it's the person who completes you, you can survive the months in order to gain a lifetime! smile.gif


Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-12 04:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaFoolish friend wants to come to US on visitor visa & marry b/c fiancee won't fly to Morocco
Am I the only person who thinks she should drive up to Canada and have him meet her there?

Not flying is not a justification for not travelling. If she's not prepared to put in some effort to meet the K1 requirements, then how much commitment can she really have?
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-09 23:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!

Long before, you should have asked politely for her to get her supervisor, "and have him or her bring a blank complaint form, too, please."




This. Exactly what I would've done. The woman is employed to process your paperwork, not air her views on it.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-03 14:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm I-751. How many supporting docs do I need to send
The point of providing evidence is to confirm that you have merged your financial and personal lives in the period FROM the issue of your conditional green card TO the submission of your removal of conditions on that card. So, you need to account for the entire period. The IO won't be interested in reading through 2 years' worth of paper so try and narrow evidence down to four or six-monthly periods and reduce some of the bulk.


If your file is light on evidence, an affidavit may help you, otherwise it's not needed. I suspect more people would require an affidavit for AoS, not RoC when you've had 2 years of knowing what to accrue for the packet. :)

EDIT: If you get an interview, you can always take extra paperwork in with you if you have copies already.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 23 May 2011 - 09:52 AM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-23 09:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarry on a Tourist Visa and then CR-1
Your lawyer is covering his #### legally. If he said "sure, the advice you received on VJ was good, go ahead" and then you had issues, he could be sued for wrongful advice. Some lawyers take the need to be seen to be working within the law at all times seriously. That's in addition to his wanting your hard earned cash to keep his business afloat. ;)

Edited by Brit Abroad, 27 May 2011 - 12:28 PM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-05-27 12:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWant to visit hubby in England
Your passport is fine in your maiden name. Make sure you book flights in the same name as the passport and carry a copy of your marriage certificate with you.

As always, visiting a country where your spouse is resident requires carrying evidence of ties to home to prove that you are not trying to immigrate "through the backdoor". I should think a CR1 NOA showing that hubby is trying to immigrate to the US, plus a letter from your employer/college stating that you are expected back on X date wouldn't harm your cause. :)


Have a wonderful trip. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-06-11 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC LIES
Are you contacting the USCIS line or the Toll-free Military DHSHotline at 1-800-323-8603; By fax at 202-254-4292 ? This will make a big difference as one is specfically trained to handle military immigration issues.

Have you had JAG look over your paperwork and confirm that there is nothing obvious to cause a problem? Have your orders been cut yet? If so, you need to get those in with the corresponding A number so the records are married up at USCIS. If you speak with someone on the hotline, they will normally let you fax a copy and then mail in hard copy afterwards.


Don't get angry, it won't help. Be methodical and thorough so you stand the best chance of getting a deployment-based expedite. Check, check and check again.


Good luck with the expedite and stay safe on your deployment. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 16:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNow I am concerned...

BUT in 2003 he flew back home (to Mexico) and EWI again but didn't get caught.


He didn't need to get "caught". All airlines are required to lodge passenger lists/ flight manifests. His name will appear on that and he'll almost certainly be asked how he entered the country. Anyone who checks in or boards a flight is leaving an immigration footprint.

As Boiler suggested, you need to check out Laurel Scott's website and get a consultation. You need to be straight with her so she can help you.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 27 July 2011 - 07:50 PM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 19:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage certificate copy - cant see the seal.
Take a photo of the original with a digital camera, print it out in colour. It should show. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-05 12:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs this blackmail?
Credit card companies are legally required to hold records of financial transactions for a minimum of 7 years. If you were a joint cardholder, or you were named anywhere on that account during the period concerned, then you have the right to approach the card company and request an itemised transaction list for the period you believe the ticket was purchased in.

The airlines will almost certainly have a record of the flight manifest, but not necessarily who paid for it as these are often received via third party sites like Travelocity, Kayak etc. If you remember who the flight was purchased via, then you could try asking them, but I would imagine if it wasn't you named on the transaction they may be reluctant to give you that information.

Was anyone in your ex-husband's family aware of him purchasing the ticket for you? Are you on decent terms with any of them and would they be prepared to write you an affidavit to state that they were aware of the purchase and your subsequent trip? As there would be no vested interest for ex-in-laws to do that, it may be acceptable to USCIS.

I would certainly be looking for any avenue that didn't involve communication with the ex.

Edited by Brit Abroad, 30 July 2011 - 12:19 PM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-30 12:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical
I would also suggest checking out the website for Knightsbridge Doctors. Their phone number is at the bottom of the page. Costs almost nothing to call and ask them but, as others above have indicated, they will need your NVC file number (check your NOA1/2) so the medical report can be connected to your case file when received at the Embassy.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-08-18 12:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy dad died back home and I need to stay longer. Can I???
Sincere condolences on your loss. I was in a very similar situation last year with my father, although I was on a conditional green card. I had three trips to the UK within a 5 month period and had no problems with CBP upon entry, other than the usual "welcome home" after brief questions as to the purpose of my trip.

As a 10 year card holder, you shouldn't have any problems if your stay outside the US is less than a year, when a re-entry permit is required. CBP are normally pretty understanding about these things when you return, but it would probably be helpful to have a copy of the death certificate to verify the reason for your absence. The only thing it may affect is qualifying residency for citizenship if you are under the 3 years LPR status and qualifying by marriage option, but (if you're anything like me) that probably doesn't matter to you so much as helping your family and being able to grieve together.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-16 19:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 VISA Interview today - APPROVED !!!!
Congratulations. :)

I think the Embassy part was the easiest of our journey to date. They're pretty cool there! :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 14:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHusband's off for his Interview
Relax. He'll be fine. They're not trying to trip him up with trick questions and if you've provided that many years worth of evidence of your relationship it should go smoothly for you both. :)

Think of how many people they've interviewed. I'm sure they've seen every possible nervous and anxious reaction to being in a stressful situation and take it into account. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-11-28 10:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions when entering U.S on VWP or tourist visa to get married?
When you enter the US with a K1 in existence, they will ask you the purpose of your visit, how long you intend to stay AND, very often, caution you against getting married with the intention of staying in the US afterwards.

This will be noted in your record if you are "paroled" in, so if you DO happen to stay, you will have some severe issues at the AoS stage. Hopefully you are genuine in intending to make this a marriage visit and return to apply for CR1. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-12-21 12:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmy 75year old father married a 65 year old korean lady and wants to bring her to the usa.
Have you tried pulling out the forms and going through them with your father, pointing out the points that Jim makes about medical insurance and that his wage may not be enough to support him AND a wife, and ask him how he will get round any shortfall? Is he capable of or willing to work? Is his new wife? Does she have a pension or savings that will bolster your dad's income? Can it be received in the US?

I think, in view of the fact that someone will be required to co- or joint sponsor in order to meet the financial support criteria, he AND they need to know if they are likely to be on the hook and whether they are willing to proceed.

It's all well and good to say he's entitled to be happy in his retirement, but not if it's at someone else's reluctant expense .. and at least one of his children has expressed concern. Age doesn't entitle people to show less fiscal responsibility.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-01-22 19:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHomeland Security interview for USC Petitioner???
Could be a name issue, if your wife's name is popular and there is someone else out there who shares it who is on a watch list somewhere. It's most likely just an identity check to match name and paperwork, so don't worry. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-27 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRepeat Application for I-130 - Cover Letter
I haven't been through your situation, but I suspect they would be interested in your reasons for abandoning status, confirmation that you intend to reside in the US permanently this time round and why it is so important to you - ie if there are any reasons behind your wife's need to return to close proximity with family.

Staff at USCIS are human, they understand that we take decisions that seem best at the time but turn out to be "wish I'd seen that coming" somewhere down the line.

Just be honest with your cover letter and I'm sure they will give you unbiased decisions. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2012-12-27 23:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVWP and marrying

Although I should warn you, if its an arranged marriage, and they're entering on a VWP, that's clearly intent to marry. They will deny you if you come in on VW with intent to marry because they make a fiance visa.

 

 

There is no problem with entering to get married.  Millions do this in Vegas, correct?    The issue is entering and getting married with the intent of STAYING in the US and adjusting status from visitor to spouse.

OP, provided you show strong ties in your home country (letter from employer stating you are on leave only and will return to work on X date is helpful) including ongoing expenses related to a home (rent, mortgage, utility bills) there shouldn't be an issue with being admitted to the US; although you may be asked quite a few questions and reminded none-too-gently that you must leave by the date written on your green I-94 slip (that gets stapled into your passport).


Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-18 14:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresA complicated situation! Wife of 12 years and 3 children

I would try for a visitor visa anyway.    The fact that she was previously resident in the US on an active green card and chose to leave should tell any logical CO that if she was someone who was simply looking to get into America that she wouldn't have given it up.   

The likelihood of your being denied an IR1/CR1 is pretty negligible after so many years of marriage and shared US children, so ultimately she is going to be in the US anyway.

Although many people would have you believe that Embassy staff can be heartless and pretty rough, I'm sure that most of them have enough brain cells to see that someone who wants to ultimately reside with husband and children in the US isn't likely to jeopardise that by overstaying a visitor visa.



 

Go ahead and try.  It's money, sure, but it's also your time and your family being together for part of the filing period.  Isn't that worth a little risk?  smile.png


Edited by Brit Abroad, 01 October 2013 - 03:58 AM.

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-01 03:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarijuana Mistake

Yes, you could completely avoid the subject and not bring it up.   However, do you want to worry about being asked and not having it covered?   Are the kind of person who will spend a lot of time worrying about being caught out and look guilty lying?

To me, it's not worth it.   If you have nothing to hide then the truth is always the best option.

Do you think the civil surgeons are stupid and inexperienced in human failings?   Do you think USCIS expects every applicant to be lily white and perfect?    Of course they don't.  Humans are human, they make mistakes, especially trying things out when they are young.    Most young people have tried drugs of one variety or another while they are in high school or college.

As a 20-year old I was treated for depression.  I was over 40 when I went for my medical.  I was asked if I had ever been treated for depression, or self harmed.  I said yes, I had been on a course of anti-depressants but had never self-harmed.   The civil surgeon then told me she would need confirmation from my regular doctor.    It took 10 days for them to get the letter back from my GP stating what I had already told the civil surgeon.

Did it affect my application in any other way?  No.   Life happens.  Anyone who thinks that there is a single person out there with a perfect, untouched life is deluded, and the average person working in immigration isn't looking to penalise you for having lived and made mistakes.  They are there to weed out those who want to use an American citizen for immigration purposes rather than the validity of the relationship and try and stop people with terrorist intent from sneaking in through vulnerable people, as well as preventing drug dealers and those with criminal intent from entering the US.

When you stop and think about what their intent is, you can see that it isn't designed to trick you into lying your way through the process.

Sure, if you aren't asked you have no need to lie, but what if you are?  Are you prepared for that?  Will you have the necessary paperwork on hand to present?  How would you feel if you were the civil surgeon and were presented with paperwork for a past that hadn't been answered correctly on the application?  Would you wonder what else they were hiding?   

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.  You're clean now, right?  Six months of clean that can be verified by a professional medic and lab tests, with a real life story of what got you into drugs in the first place.  What is there to lie about?














Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-03-22 13:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarijuana Mistake

I like the idea above, but I would start with the basics.  Young people make misakes, that's the way they learn.

Write up your history and explain when you stopped doing marijuana.   Go to your doctor and get a hair screening and blood screening to confirm no drug use in the last six month period and ask them to put it in writing to submit with your application.

You will, no doubt, be asked questions about it at the medical and interview stage, but provided you are honest and the evidence supports your statement, I don't think it's a big a deal as lying about drug use and being caught out in that lie.

Good luck with your application.  :)






Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-03-21 17:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMEDICAL EXAMINATION PROBLEM?????
It might be worth icing it to reduce any swelling before the medical and hoping that a doctor would assume it's a tattoo. Obviously, if asked, your husband needs to answer truthfully, but in this day and age tattoos are very common and if the scar simply looks like red ink, he might get away with no questions.

The alternative (and this would be my route of choice) is for hubby to see his regular doctor and get a letter explaining that it was an impulsive action that he regrets, it wasn't intended as self-harm and he poses no risk to others. Clarification of his mental state by his own long-term physician should be sufficient for the civil surgeon. smile.gif
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-14 06:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs Police considered Military?
Police are generally classed as "Uniformed Services" and not military. I suspect what is actually required is a history of his employment with the Police and it's easy to classify it as a military record rather than create a whole new term for the Police service.


If in doubt, contact your local USCIS office (not the MisInformation line) and ask. Wouldn't hurt for your husband to ask what kind of records are available and what he has to do to acquire a copy.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-01-19 19:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting England
Much depends on the airport you fly into and what time of day. Overloaded Customs/Immigration officials do spot checks, not indepth ones unless the person looks/acts suspicious.

If you're flying into a regional airport, then you're more likely to be grilled as the Officer has more time to spend asking questions of fewer passengers.

Generally, take evidence of ties to the US and whichever NOA form you have and you should be fine. :)
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-02-25 00:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe best way to do this?
In all honesty, my advice would be to arrange to meet up with her family while they are in the States. Express your feelings about their daughter to her parents and have her affirm her feelings for you and both state your desire to marry in the future. While you are not of her religion, her parents obviously love her and want her to be happy. It's natural that they would have misgivings about a foreigner who lives in a different culture, much less a different religion. Be mature about it, show them that you are approaching this like honest, open adults - rather than trying to creep off in the night and do something you evidently know they won't approve of.

Your girlfriend is probably much closer to her family than you may believe, despite what she says. If you encourage her to run away you're storing up problems for the future - either between her and her family OR between you and her family. Is a year long engagement (official or unofficial) until she's 21 and legally free to marry you without consent (worst case scenario her parents refuse to allow it while she's a minor) such a hardship? The fact that her parents haven't married her off before she's 20 should show you that her parents have her best interests at heart. smile.gif

Give her parents time to get to know you, to understand that you aren't a bad person because you are "different" to them culturally. After all, these people are potentially going to be your in-laws for the rest of their lives. Starting off a lifetime relationship with a new wife who is alienated from her family and upset because "home" has changed in more ways than distance, means you may face repercussions with an unhappy wife who can't settle to life in a new country because she romanticises her homeland or mourns the loss of her familial relationships.

At the end of the day, only you and your girlfriend know how things are between you and how much the bonds she has with family matter to her. If you end up married, hopefully it'll be for life. What's one year compared to that? smile.gif
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-07 04:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance should not come to US during K1 Visa Waiting Period ?
I visited my fiance (now husband) while the K1 application was in progress. Other than a stern warning that I would be hunted down and punished severely if we got married while I was in the country on a visitor's visa waiver, they were perfectly happy to let me visit. Of course, if you happen to have evidence that you are still very much tied to your home country, that certainly wouldn't harm the chances (ie having to go back for work). smile.gif
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-19 05:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo i need a lawyer?
Ah, that's the other thing we should all remind new VJers:-

When filling in USCIS forms, use N/A *only* if the question truly isn't applicable. If the answer is None, write None. Huge distinction, especially on immigration paperwork.
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-07 04:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo i need a lawyer?
I'm pretty sure you can do this one on your own. Seriously, the most important thing is making sure you get copies of everything. Not just ONE copy, several.

Each time you send a packet in, make sure you still have two copies. Trust me, you'll be glad you did once you get to applying for LPR.

Read ALL the future processes you're going to need, both you AND your fiance, and start gathering information as early as possible. Make a checklist of each document you will need and order notarised copies of anything you don't have (birth certificates/former divorce certificates etc) as originals WILL be requested at interview stages.

Seriously, if you can read the forms and accompanying guide notes, you're well on your way to saving huge amounts of $$$$ on NOT paying a lawyer to do it for you.

Alternatively, if you have difficult circumstances, go for a fixed fee interview with someone for advice and then decide if you need/want to hire them for the process. smile.gif
Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-07 00:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswaiver for meeting in person
I'd be kinda worried about this dude, OP.

1. If you're legally going to take on his debts, you should be in full knowledge of them BEFORE you go into the relationship on a permanent basis.

2. Has he applied for a passport and been refused? Had one and had it revoked? Is this the ONLY reason a passport isn't available for him to travel?
The other reason passports aren't issued is if the person applying has a criminal record. Please be sure that you have the truth. All of it. Having a
romantic daydream about someone that proves untrue is not just heartbreaking, it's also souldestroying and could leave you in a real legal mess.

3. If your fiance is stuck with repaying child support, how long is this for? How secure is his job? Will this leave him able to afford the fees for you to
enter the US, and to apply for your greencard after marriage? Perhaps more importantly, will he even pass the legal financial requirement to
sponsor your fiance petition? Presuming he DOES, will his current financial mess and failure to honor commitments to his children be a black mark
against him financially on USCIS/FBI searches?

4. If everything above tallies up to an honest score, then can he really afford to support you as well as his kids? Are you absolutely 100% certain that
you will have a roof over your head, food in your mouth, and medical insurance for when you get sick with all the stress of trying to support him?

From what I see, you appear to be rather young and somewhat romantically idealistic. You need to bust this guy's balls for the truth, so that you know EXACTLY what his position is and what YOUR position will be. This is YOUR life you're committing and, honestly, this guy is beating my red flag drum with a mighty big stick.

Please, for your own sake, look into this a lot more thoroughly. I wish you well and hope that he's the good man you believe in. smile.gif

Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-17 04:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAlmost approved K1 - can get married outside US?
QUOTE (Emily and Gareth @ Apr 10 2009, 03:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you have to have a witness present or do the people at the office act as a witness?

Thanks in advance


Few sites I found aren't 100% accurate (at least, not according to my personal experience) ... but they are:-

http://www.usmarriag..._states/hawaii/

http://www.tropicalv...equirements.htm

We didn't have a witness when we applied for the marriage license (which is $60 CASH, btw), but we needed two for our religious ceremony. Generally, I believe you only need one for the marriage itself.

If you opt for a celebrant to do a beach or location wedding for you, very often they can help with a photographer and witness (sometimes one person fulfils both functions) and assist you with flowers/music/attire etc.


Brit AbroadFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-11 01:26:00