Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Fair enough. I've waited long enough up to this point, I can wait a little longer to get the case number . I am off to the police station today to order my criminal record check, as that's at least one thing I can do while I'm waiting to hear from the embassy. In the mean time I am having my fiance collect the necessary forms to go with the I-134 "Affadavit of Support". I thought we already supplied this in our original K1 filing, but I guess we have to prepare a duplicate set of information again, this time for the embassy interview. I would give it the two weeks before calling. They are only going to tell you it oiled take up to 8 weeks. There's still a few people here that have passed the 3 weeks mark still waiting on the case number. But it's good cos your getting there so yes get your forms together and all the financial support papers.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-09-04 11:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	We just got our approval, and the NOA2 hardcopy in the mail yesterday. In the letter, it stated our case was forwarded to the local embassy (Vancouver) -- no mention made of NRC or NVC. Do you think I should be calling the embassy in Vancouver and finding out what they know/have with regards to our file? Should I try downloading "packet 3" on my own? Things have moved along quickly since our approval a week ago, so I sure don't want to be delaying anything -- or having anything getting lost after my approval. I still feel they sent all the transferred files to NRC instead of NVC that's why things are lost after approvals. You should have received all this ages ago and it seems your not the only one ritually all the transfers have the same complaints.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-09-04 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Just wanted to remind my fellow May filers to "keep the faith". We received our NOA2 hardcopy today -- 6 days after the USCIS email NOA2 approval. The notice sent says our file has been forwarded to the consulate -- my fiance (US citizen & petitioner) has the hardcopy so I don't know all that it says. Just remember as hard as this is now, the reward is being with your loved one FOREVER!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-09-03 23:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I'm sure your good news will come very soon. Best wishes to all of my fellow May filers -- let's hope we get some more approvals this week!! Well, another new week for all of us!! Im so excited for this week. Woohoooo! I have stop checking my case status as well as my group too but I keep myself busy reading about tips here, more thanks to Nurseling, Ryan & Amy and to all who made this thread alive!   Im just waiting my fiance to call me if he received text/emails  of approval as I get sad seeing the same status of our file.   Once again, lets welcome this week with so much hope! Yahoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-09-02 00:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	VanjaL,   That is frustrating. But if you haven't received an RFE I'd honestly be quite surprised if you would be getting one at all. We filed early May (first week) and got our RFE August 1, and then approved August 28. What service center is your K1 being processed at -- California, Texas, or Vermont? We were processed through California Service Center. Don't worry, your good news is on its way!! Hi, another May filer here, NOA1 May 16th.   I've been reading this thread, and others, hoping for some explanation to the seemingly random approvals, but it still doesn't make sense :/   There's a few Fiance Visa's around our WAC#(ending 9050), all but one stating "Initial Review", (the one being RFE)   We've had no RFE and used lawyers.   Frustrating and slightly depressing ._.   On a slightly happier note: Congratulations to those who've gotten approved! Your joy makes the wait easier, this is a great forum for information and support	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-30 23:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Hello Lux44,   We received notification of an RFE on August 1st, but didn't realize we had it until about a week later. We submitted our reply on or around August 8th, with CSC stating they received our reply as of August 19th. On August 28th we got our approval (NOA2)... so I guess for us it took 9 days from the day CSC said they received it (though it was actually more like 2 weeks, since my fiance took our RFE reply to our lawyer and it was overnighted).    I don't know what the wait will be like for you in VSC -- ours seemed to get approved pretty quickly out of California (we were told it could take up to 60 days and it took 9 days). Fingers crossed for everybody stuck at the VSC or lost through the transfer to TSC. It's a tough journey, but no matter how long and arduous this process is, being with our fiancés/fianceés will be worth it!! Hi everyone,  I haven't been on here because of the RFE, so it looks like I have some reading to do to catch up on VSC transfers to TSC?   Just to update mine, got RFE on August 2nd, mailed back to USCIS on August 12th and was processed and is now listed as "Request for Evidence Response Review".  They also stated in capital letters that it is being processed at the VERMONT SERVICE CENTER.  So I'm going to assume that it means I don't have to worry about the confusion about being transferred to TSC...   I've been trying to see how long an approval/denial takes after responding to the RFE and it seems like it generally takes 2-3 weeks so lets hope that holds true!   How's everyone else holding on?	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-30 02:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	From the day CSC received our RFE reply (August 19th) to the day we got our NOA2 (yesterday August 28) it was 9 days. Pretty quick, I think, though in retrospect it felt like an ETERNITY. Seems like they're working on RFEs so I think good news will be coming to the May Filers (with RFEs) soon!! Looking at Igors list, it seems RFE's are happening between 9 and 28 days or so.. Hang tight they will work on the RFE.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-29 08:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Keep the faith! We JUST received notice of our approval tonight from USCIS. After having some doubts about how long it would take, we finally got the great news we'd been longing to hear. It'll be no time before you get the news you hope to hear!! Think happy thoughts   It made me feel sad when I read this, I hope we get approval very soon. I used to be very positive since the beginning of this journey but I think I have to accept that fact that we cant be together this year. Anyway, we have to win in this game.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-28 22:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	BEST DAY EVER!!! After eagerly waiting, and checking multiple times today, here's what was on the USCIS website as of 8:20pm: On August 28, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283. For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-28 22:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Well I just checked my USCIS case number, and the number above mine (WAC1390493671) had their K-1 NOA2 approval on August 5th... and we received an RFE August 1st... so, I'm hoping that our RFE approval comes soon!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-28 13:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	At what point would it be appropriate to call somebody to inquire about the length of time it has taken to get an RFE response? Should I wait until one month past their receiving date of our reply?    Yup. Take a look here: http://www.visajourn...ved-in-19-days/	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-28 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Up it goes.. people filing at the start of August are getting approved elsewhere now.. Ugh, really? I wonder how long it will take for us to hear back from USCIS. We had an RFE August 1st, and we sent it to them August 7th or 8th via our lawyer (who apparently 'overnighted' our reply to CSC)... BUT they didn't show receipt of our RFE reply until August 19th. I really hope we get some good news soon!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-28 11:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I submitted much of these documents when submitting the I-129F. It's interesting to me the requirements for relationship evidence varies from embassy to embassy, but that's how it goes I guess.    Might be a better idea to check with the Philippines forum as to whether this is good or not in all honesty because the requirements vary from embassy to embassy (for example, Nurseling and myself won't generally need proof of relationship evidence in London whereas you need it in Manila).	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-25 11:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Same to you sjs87!!seen some who is at the same boat as we are but getting there NOA2 after a week or two for CSC so i guess and praying it would come soon!!!keep us updated too sjs87 if you get the NOA2.. Don't worry, you will all be the next to know if/when we get the NOA2 approval . Man, the anticipation is killing me!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-23 09:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	YAY!!!they just receive our reply for RFE on Aug 22!looking forward for NOA2 soon! hopefully by next week, God please!!! They got our reply for RFE on the 19th, so looks like we are both waiting for the NOA2's around the same time. We were told it could take up to 60 days for a reply, but I am really hopeful it will not take that long. Next week would be fantastic. Hope good news comes to you soon, bryneff!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-23 00:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I understand we are all on edge more that have not been approved yet. Personally I won't stop holding my breath till I arrive on US soil cos then I know everything's ok and we are ready to start our life together. I hope it's not going to be long now for you. Keep the faith and stay strong your almost there. Yes, we are "almost there". Like you, stepping foot on American soil after our approved interview will be one of the best days of my life!! Here's hoping things move along quickly from here on our for ALL of us!  I understand we are all on edge more that have not been approved yet. Personally I won't stop holding my breath till I arrive on US soil cos then I know everything's ok and we are ready to start our life together. I hope it's not going to be long now for you. Keep the faith and stay strong your almost there. Hi again Nurseling. I see you already have your NOA2. When do you expect to receive an interview date at the US consulate? I am curious how long the waiting us between NOA2 + interviews.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-20 12:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	As in a approval or denial. Hopefully not a denial. Don't stress as long as you gave them what they asked for you will be approved. Thanks Nurseling. I am not stressed, as we have every reason to believe we will be approved (and yes we gave them everything they asked for and then even a letter from my friend who will be one of the witness to our marriage)... I am, like most of us here, eager to get the ball rolling so I can be interviewed and eventually able to live with my fiancé in the U.S. I guess the fact that we've had an RFE from USCIS and then the receipt of them receiving the package is a good thing. So we'll continue to wait	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-20 12:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Basically what they are saying to you is that they have noted your response to the rfe. If you don't get a reply in 60 days you can make a service request when you call them up. Reply in 60 days... reply meaning a response as in either an approval or...?	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-20 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Has anyone else received an RFE in early August (ours was August 1) and sent the evidence in already? Last night we got an email from USCIS:   On August 19, 2013, we received your response to our request for evidence. This case is being processed at our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use the processing time information on our website to estimate when this case will be done. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Once a timely response to the request for evidence is received by USCIS, we review the evidence or information you submitted. If you submitted the requested evidence, we continue with the adjudication of your application or petition in light of the new evidence. Does this mean that we should expect our NOA2 soon? In the email (the above was copied + pasted from USCIS website) it stated something about a decision being made within 60 days. Has anyone else received a similar message after submitting RFEs? I am hoping our wait is slowly getting shorter! Also, after the NOA2 is received, how long does it take to receive your appointment notice for the consulate, etc?	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-20 11:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Ooh! Exciting - I think? Here's what I just got emailed tonight for a case status update.... "Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) Your Case Status: Request for Evidence Response Review On August 19, 2013, we received your response to our request for evidence. This case is being processed at our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use the processing time information on our website to estimate when this case will be done.  If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.  Once a timely response to the request for evidence is received by USCIS, we review the evidence or information you submitted. If you submitted the requested evidence, we continue with the adjudication of your application or petition in light of the new evidence." We sent this evidence last week, so it surprises me that they say they received it today.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-20 00:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	That's a good reminder -- to "stay positive". Sometimes it's hard, especially because we are basically just sitting and waiting while our fate is in somebody else's hands. It's hard to not check the USCIS website every single day (if not multiple times a day) while waiting to hear for an approval. Here's to hoping things are on the up and up for all of us this week Woohhoooo!! its Monday again, a new week for all of us here!! Lets stay positive! Goodluck!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-19 01:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Hello all! I remember browsing through this thread a few days ago, and one of the VJ members said that, while waiting for the NOA2 approval, she (or he?!) was going to start filling some forms out. I am assuming these forms are related to the NOA2 or for post NOA2 activity. Would one of my fellow VJers kindly share what forms these could be? And perhaps a link on where to find them? I'd like to be as prepared as possible. I am hoping our NOA2 happens in the next week or so; we just responded to an RFE... but the case status has not changed on the USCIS website. Oh well, will continue to sit and wait like we have for the past 3.5 months	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-17 10:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I had calld them too a day before the mail came in. They told me that they had sent it out on August 6th so I'm sure you'll be getting your case number soon too! Wow, I can't believe you got your NOA2 so soon. I am definitely envious of you!! But in general, I'm happy that a couple out there will be reunited soon	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-16 00:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Yeah it's quite frustrating to see that there's no certain order to the approvals. Just to give you an indication of the range of WAC numbers that were approved, these were the ones I found that were approved over the past couple days:   WAC1390512343 WAC1390512349 WAC1390512351 WAC1390512380 WAC1390516817 WAC1390516818 WAC1390529952 (this one was filed after mine and my NOA was June 17th)   So...WHO KNOWS?! Just have to hop for the best I guess! Indeed, hoping for the best. I was browsing others' timelines and while I know they are no guarantee about how our case receives replies, I am thinking we should hear about our NOA2 in a couple of weeks. They have our RFE documents (as far as I know), so all they have to do is approve (or, god forbid deny) our application. The other reason I am nervous about the deadline of things is because we have planned a traditional wedding at the end of March in Canada... but, there is a few months waiting period in the US where we (I) cannot leave until I receive a travel permit. So needless to say once all this is approved (fingers crossed!) we will be getting married right away in the US.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-15 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I'm a June filer so have been keeping an eye on WAC numbers with NOA1 dates in June and late May. Some June filers have also been approved, apparently with no expedite. I don't get how later filed petitions are approved over ones before them..... Ugh, really? That is definitely frustrating, being that I'm an EARLY May filer. I did get my RFE August 1st, so at least that is something. But I would like to be APPROVED. This waiting game is really hard!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-15 10:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Hello fellow May 2013 filers!   We received an online RFE and were informed by our lawyer, about a week later, stating that the RFE was for two passport photos of us & statement of our intent to marry. My fiance dropped these off at the lawyer on Monday, and they were presumably overnighted to the CSC, meaning they should have arrived yesterday.   How many of you have had RFEs? For those who already have the NOA2, how long did it take to get your NOA2 after you submitted your RFEs? This may be a question better asked in a forum for filers earlier in the year, but thought I'd ask those in the same filing boat as me	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-14 10:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Hi Guys! We received our RFE email notice last 8/5. But we havent received the hardcopy yet. My fiance is just from CA.Will our lawyer receive a hardcopy too? I would expect that your lawyer will receive a hard copy. We received an online RFE August 1, and our lawyer informed us 7 days (ish) ago that she received noticed of RFE... so, I think she received the hard copy. So yes, I think your lawyer will receive a hard copy -- or perhaps an email.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-14 00:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	If I am not mistaken it needs to be 2 letters, one from you and one from your fiance, but i could be wrong. What is the date of your NOA1? and the date your Alien # changed? Oh dear, my heart sunk a little bit. I just re-read my lawyer's email and it did seem she was asking for separate statements. I just asked her if she would like individual statements. I would hate to delay this any longer because of my own stupidity and not reading her email correctly!! At least the letter we did include was signed by both of us, plus my witness for our marriage (which has obviously yet to happen) also wrote a letter on our behalf. We'll see what happens.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-13 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	If I am not mistaken it needs to be 2 letters, one from you and one from your fiance, but i could be wrong. What is the date of your NOA1? and the date your Alien # changed? Our lawyer said it could be one letter, signed by both of us. Our NOA1 is May 8. I don't know the date my alien # changed... how would I find that out?	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-13 11:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Welcome to the family. We hope to see you announcing your noa2 soon. Be sure to get your rfe sent off quickly. The RFE documents were overnighted by our lawyer. Should be arriving sometime today in California!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-13 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	I should note that my USC fiance submitted the RFE documents today to our lawyer. She is overnighting them to the CSC. I'm hoping we get some news soon!!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-13 03:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2013 filers	Hello all. I'm new to the forums and was THRILLED to come across the "May 2013 filers". I'm in the same boat! We submitted our papers in the first week of May 2013, and they were received shortly thereafter. As of August 1st (according to USCIS website), we received notice for RFE. According to our immigration lawyer, the request was for two current passport sized photos for each of us, and a letter (joint signed) stating our intentions to marry each other within 90 days of my entering the United States. I was curious as to why these two items were requested, seeing as we had to submit copies of every page of my passport etc. I guess they want to make sure I am who I say I am (though I have aged since my passport was printed nearly 4 years ago).    Has anyone else had RFE? How long after submitting the required documents did you receive further information/approval? Our lawyer said it could be anywhere from a few days to 45 days! I am hoping it's not the worst case scenario... we are trying to get things going ASAP (we've been apart long enough). Plus, the sooner I get my permits to leave the US once we are married, the better! We have a Canadian wedding planned for March 29, 2014.   Looking forward to getting to know my fellow May 2013 filers.   [Note: When I first saw this forum, I thought it said "fliers", not "filers". And I'm thinking -- what the heck? Where are these people flying to? Yeah, I can be pretty silly sometimes.]	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-13 03:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Visiting Fiance during K-1 process	Even though I think this has been responded to really well, I'll still add my 'two cents worth'.   We are going through this journey with an immigration lawyer (now I know we didn't need one, but c'est la vie!), and she suggested I not cross the border into the United States any more than two times during our K-1 processing (between NOA1 and NOA2). Since we filed in May until now (and we are now post NOA2 waiting on NVC), I have been to the US approximately 8 times.   I live in British Columbia and my fiance lives in Washington State, so it's very convenient and close to visit each other frequently. Because I don't own a house, the strongest "tie" I have to prove my intent to return to Canada is a letter from my employer here, as well as a current work schedule. As well, I always have a complete history/printout of my credit card and cell phone record.  To be honest, I have NEVER BEEN BOTHERED OR HEAVILY QUESTIONED BY BORDER GUARDS WHEN ENTERING THE US. Now, I could just be lucky, but they have only ever asked the standard questions: Where are you going? Who are you going to visit? How long? and then they send me on my way. Only once did a border guard ask me more questions than usual, and NEVER have I ever been asked to show those supporting documents that we K-1ers have to carry with us for "proof" to return to our home country.   All I can say to you and your fiance is good luck! It's better to be prepared than not, and though it's certainly been frustrating to go to all this work (to collect documents) and to never have them even blink an eye at me, it much better to have it and not need it, rather than the other way around.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-10-10 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Questions about various photos	We are getting ready for the interview stage of things at the embassy, and required are more photos. I went ahead and just got passport-style photos  and did not indicate 2 x 2. Does this mean I need to go back and get them re-done (I feel like I need to).	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-10-31 11:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 RFE Help	Hi Anne,   Oh you're at the beginning of your journey (well, relatively so). I just got my approval yesterday (9 months after filing), so I've been through where you're at.   First off, my USC fiance and I also worked with an immigration lawyer. RFEs can still happen (as you know) despite working with a lawyer; we happen to be working with what turns out to be a relatively incompetent lawyer, but it IS entirely possible that a document has gone missing, which is why they are issuing an RFE. I know what it's  like --  hard not to be worried and disappointed -- but fear not.    For my fiance and I, our RFE was for a letter of intent to marry. Technically, you and your fiance are supposed to each write your own and sign it. Your RFE could well be for something different, though.   Received RFE notice August 1.  Replied to RFE August 7.  NOA2 August 28.   There was no great delay with the RFE, and we were still approved faster than what was anticipated.    If there is once piece of advice I can give you now to consider, it is to accept the bumps in the road and realize that at the end of the day, as long as you end up married to your fiance, that is what matters. I hope your journey goes as smooth as can be.    Good luck!	sjs87	Female	Canada	2014-01-24 09:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	start K1-Visa application process while in the US?	Just a word of caution: Don't book anything regarding the wedding before you actually have the paperwork for your visa in place - I'm not in the loop of the current processing times but there is no guarantee that you will hold your visa in hand by August and the reason "we have already booked a venue etc" doesn't fly as a justification to expedite. I am in a similar situation -- only I've already done the application and waiting for an approval. A lot depends on which 'office' you submit your papers through (California, Texas, Vermont, etc). We filed through the California Service Center last May 8. We got our NOA2 in August after a request for evidence. Despite working with an immigration lawyer, we've had more bumps and hiccups that one could expect. Until now, it's been nearly 9 months since we started the process and don't even have an approval yet! Currently, we are in administrative processing which means the consulate is processing our visa as week speak. Keep in mind that timelines you see here on VJ and elsewhere are only guidelines and averages. Your case, like mine, could be outside of those guidelines. As N&S said, don't plan anything set in stone. This isn't to say that it wouldn't be possible to have a visa in hand by August, but this would require you to file immediately, and an August approval (or one before August) is dependent on no complications, delays, RFEs, etc.    Sorry to be the bearer of not so great news, but I need to keep it real.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2014-01-23 12:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Immigration Lawyer speeds up Process	So my fiancee from England and I went to go pursue a immigration lawyer, he agreed to take us on as clients and we are starting the paperwork for the K-1 fiancee visa. He says the process will take 6-8 months. He's the boss and owner of the Law Firm. Has anyone else gone with a immigration attorney? If so, what was your experiences? Hi Corvusheart,   We have used an immigration lawyer throughout this process, and I'll share a little bit about our experience.   I do think up until our NOA2 a lawyer helped us, in that she completed all of the paperwork and sent it off to the appropriate service centers to begin the visa processing. Despite this, though, we did have an RFE (request for evidence) which was frustrating, but we still got  our NOA2 after only 3 months from our original K1 visa application.    It took about 44 days for our approved file to be sent from the CSC (California Service Center) to the NVC in Vermont, and from the NVC to the US Embassy in Vancouver, another couple of weeks.    For my own peace of mind I am glad to have gone with an immigration lawyer, however (as you will likely discover) you will glean a lot of information and support from other Visa Journey users. In retrospect, I feel confident that we could have gone through this without a lawyer, especially since our case is relatively straight forward. I should mention, though, that I am somewhat of a worry wart who has a lot of questions/concerns about this process, so being able to ask my lawyer these questions on a frequent basis was helpful.   Having said that, I am not sure (to answer your question) whether or not using a lawyer has actually "sped up" the process. We now have our interview date of January 14, 2014 (got moved from January 23, 2014 - so 9 days sooner than originally slotted), which means since our initial application from May 2014, that is nearly 8 months. There are other May filers who have had their interviews already, or will be soon; this all depends on the embassy and their backlogs.    I think your profile says you are from the UK, in which case if you are going to be interviewing through the London Embassy, things seem to not be so backlogged there. Of course things could change by the time you have gone through the bulk of this process.   If I could give one piece of advice when using a lawyer, it is this: you are paying them to do a service, so let them do it. Too often I found myself trying to do things myself out of impatience, causing stress on myself and likely frustrating the lawyer. This is their job, and they should know what they are doing, so trust them. That said, do be your own advocate and don't wait to get answers from them. You are not their only client, so don't expect them to be at your beckoned call or email.    But most importantly, try to enjoy this journey. It has its ups and downs, and you will definitely go through some hard times and perhaps even times of doubt ("I'm not sure I can do this"). But the end result is worth every struggle along the way!   Good luck! The decision of whether or not to use a lawyer for this process is solely up to you and your fiancée. A lawyer most likely won't hurt the process, but a lawyer cannot speed up the process either. What an ethical and experienced lawyer can do is make sure things are done right, and give you peace of mind. If you feel that you have some difficulty understanding government forms, I would absolutely recommend hiring a lawyer for the process. I would suggest that you talk to at least a couple of lawyers, and go for the one you feel the most comfortable with. Good luck on your visa journey! I agree with Yang-Ja. We interviewed with a couple of lawyers, and went with the one that we felt was a good fit for us. For my own peace of mind, I am glad to have gone through a lawyer because the paperwork, I find, is very confusing. That said, we are probably going to do the Adjustment of Status without a lawyer.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-11-17 20:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Yes, you can visit!	Since we submitted and applied for I-129F in May, I have entered the United States a total of 3 times. Our immigration lawyer suggested no more than "a couple of times", and for each visit she suggested I bring the following: A letter from my employer, stating my gainful and continuing employment. Printouts of visa bills, cell phone bills, and other bills tying me to Canada. Each time I brought those things and then a few other items -- just in case. The first crossing I was sweating bullets expecting the worst. I had my packet of information all ready. All I was asked was the standard set of questions: where I was going, who I was seeing, how long I would be staying, was I taking anything I should declare across the border. Then I was on my merry way.   The next crossing, I was with my fiance and my mother (he had been up visiting me) and I was questioned quite a bit more about where I was going and how long I was staying. Again, same packet of information "just in case", and it wasn't ever asked for or looked at. Third and most recent crossing, again I had a packet of information including letter of employment. I was taking a ferry over to the US from my town. The US agent in Canada was SUPER friendly (had a personality, too!) and said when I entered the US I would probably be asked to get fingerprinted and have to fill out/get issued a temporary permit for my visit. This was the first time I had ever been told this. Of course my heart was pounding un-necessarily. Got to the other side, usual set of questions and was not asked to be fingerprinted. They did have the drug sniffing dog go around my car, but that was for all vehicles, not just mine.   I do not plan to cross much more because I do not want to jeopardize our process. I know our lawyer has to prepare us for the worst, and the worst has never happened, but I just don't want to jinx anything .    The only other time I was heavily questioned was before we filed our papers, but were officially engaged. The border officer perked up when I said "fiance" and had his supervisor come over. The reason was the work schedule I provided (which was valid) only showed my schedule to a certain day. I explained the schedule that would show my shifts for the following week had not yet been provided to me. They did look at my letter of employment, but I was allowed to cross.    Anyways, I found each crossing stressful but never denied entry and never had any problems.	sjs87	Female	Canada	2013-08-16 01:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Evidence to take to the interview	Hello. I'm still waiting for NOA2 (It will be a while), but I want to make sure that the case we present at the embassy is spectacularly rock-solid. I am planning on including the following evidence. Please let me know if you think it will be enough, or if there is anything missing. I. Our Relationship is Ongoing, Bone Fide 1. Phone records for recent calls. 2. Pictures taken of everyday life together. (These are printouts of photos taken by beneficiary's kids on a Nintendo DS.) 3. Picture taken on last day in Mongolia in July, 2011 (lived in Mongolia from January to July) 4. E-mails proving petitioner looked for a job to return to Mongolia. 5. Pictures taken at airport on last day of Mongolia trip 2, August, 2012 (Lived in Mongolia together from Oct 2011 to Aug 2012) 6. Letter Sent to beneficiary from petitioner. 7. E-Mail between petitioner and (boss of job in Mongolia I lost) to show why petitioner left Mongolia. 8. Letter for Interviewing Officer from petitioner, including: 1. Details I know about beneficiary that proves our relationship. 2. Details I know about beneficiary's kids that no one else would. II. We Meet the Financial Requirements 1. Copies of pay stubs from December 2012 to present. 2. Bank statement. 3. Letter from employer. 4. Tax return. 5. Affidavit of Support 6. Affidavit of Support from mother. (Even though I have enough income, it couldn't hurt.) III. We Plan to Marry. 1. Quotes from places we considered holding the wedding. 2. Letter of intent from petitioner 3. Letter of intent from beneficiary 4. Letter from kids IV. We Can Communicate in Mongolian 1. Assessment from Mongolian teacher. 2. Letter written by petitioner in Mongolian. 3. Youtube video link to petitioner speaking Mongolian. V. Our Relationship is not for Immigration Purposes 1. Proof petitioner lived in Mongolia 1. Driver's license 2. Visa/Stamps in Passport 3. Bank card 4. Plane itinerary 2. Proof petitioner only left Mongolia due to losing job. 1. Email correspondence with work. 2. Email correspondence trying to find a new job in Mongolia. VI. Our Families Support Our Relationship 1. Letter from petitioner's mother. 2. Letter from beneficiary's older brother(s) (Parents are deceased) 3. Letter from beneficiary's kids. Wow, I loved your list. I will copy it for myself. I cannot think of anything to add. Congratulations. You should consider offering this to VJ for permanent posting. Good luck and thanks again!	jetoro	Male	Costa Rica	2013-01-14 19:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Getting Close YAY	I don't have a reply to your question but let me add my congratulations on getting this far. Keep the faith and be strong. There are greater forces at work here than simple legalities. REmember, love is the only power!	jetoro	Male	Costa Rica	2013-01-17 23:16:00