ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInappropriate Interview
The beneficiary has to go to these K-1 interviews but the partitioner (USC) does not, or is different in Ecuador. Is Ecuador known for fraud?
I see posts about how it helps for the USC to be at the interview. At least with our experience in the Philippines it went so smooth without me (the USC) attending. I don't see how it could have been any better if I had attended.


If she, the USC, had not attended her fiancé's interview the entire line of questions would have been pointless. True if you don't go there may be some unanswered questions and you get AP. But if you do go and give the wrong answer you face out right denial.
Story's like this one just confirm to me it is best to NOT go to the interview.

Edited by Brian121957, 25 February 2012 - 08:35 PM.

Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-02-25 20:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsfinace visa
If she is comfortable with travel and she does well with spoken and written English she will be fine. As already mentioned, it is not a requirement for her to arrive in your home state or for you to meet her where her flights lands. The K1 will get her in to the USA one time. From there she should be able to travel from state to state the same as you or I do.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-09 16:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDoes USCIS Call the Current employer?

Hi Brian,

Thanks again, you are of big help..we actually tried filling up the form and we really encountered few errors after we clicked "continue". We were able to print the form but only after "2 clicks" on the Continue button. So we knew that we need to fill up the form again.. Our question is, can we finalized the form before the NOA2? we are wondering if they are able to trace what date we printed the form,; meaning if it has some issues when we print it before the NOA2..did you wait to print your final form until you received the notice?

Regards,
mikelor


We worked on ours befor the NOA2. But the final one we actualy used was done after I had the NOA2.
I really don't see any reason why one printed earlier would not be ok as long as all the information is correct.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-17 15:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDoes USCIS Call the Current employer?

Thanks Brian. It is the DS-156 Form which has a Barcode so this should be the one. We are planning to try filling up the form as a practice this weekend but when i look at it, i am afraid that this might be stored at USCIS's website if we continue the whole process of filling up the form. Do you think they would have a copy every time we make a trial?


I did do some research on the bar-codes. As you have noticed the bar-code on page 1 is different each time you use the form. It is a standard (3 of 9 bar-code). The number below the bar-code also appears at the top of page 3. This appears to be a quick way to make sure you have the correct page 3 to match page 1 and 2 in case a page gets misplaced.

The big bar-code on page 3 is a totally different style code. It actually contains most of the information that you entered on page 1 and 2. It has things like your name, passport number. I can't say if they keep all your "test" documents on file but they don't have to. Just by scanning the big code on page 3 they can read most of what you entered on page 1 and 2. Some people will say you can hand correct errors on page 1 but from what I know of the bar-code on page 3 you are better to do the entire document over. We actually did ours about 15 times.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-12 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDoes USCIS Call the Current employer?

Hello All,

We have been a member of this site for few months and just read everyday for some information which might apply to us. Now we have some questions, hopefully someone could help us. We are wondering if USCIS will inquire on the employer of the benificiary. I am the benificiary, a Filipina working in Singapore for a certain position and just today i received an information that i will be offered a new position which means if USCIS is going to call my employer then if i will accept the offer then i would be holding a position which is not the same in the documents that my fiancee have sent. Do you think it has an effect on the application?

Another thing is, we are January filer, and we think that its good for us to prepare those docs which we can do in advance. Does the DS-156 and DS-156K for submission to the embassy is to be downloaded from the website,or the embassy will send me a hard copy which i have to fill up manually?

Thanks in advance for your help :yes:


Mikelor

Just to clarify, You are a citizen of the Philippines? Yopu have a Philippine passport? You only work in Singapore.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-10 10:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDoes USCIS Call the Current employer?

Hi Inky,

Thanks for quick reply. But i still want to know if the DS-156 and DS-156K are to be downloaded from the website or the embasy will send hard copy on the packet. Thanks again:)

Mikelor


One or two of the forms are meant to be filled out on-line. I forget which one. It has a bar-code that is specific to you and contains your information. The Embassy does not send you anything required or useful. Shortly after you get your NOA2 you can get your manila case number. The case number is the thing you really want. After that the amount of time you wait is up to you.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-10 10:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsConspiracy to deny....

I filed my petition in Iraq. I didn't even enclosed the fee. When I returned from overseas, I saw the rejected letter, and then I sent in the monies for the fee.

So now, USCIS is just taking money and denying... I know everyone up here is working hard to pay these filing fees, AOS and so on.. How can my life be in someone else hands, who is just looking for a way to deny. Why didn't I get the RFE? I would have had the proof.. I need prayer. Thanks for reading this... I hope everyone will have a great day! :crying:


I am sure others can expand on this but I think you get basically one chance to fix what is wrong in a RFE. If they ask for passport info and fees you better send passport info AND fees in a single mailing. I don't think you expect a second RFE asking for something they already asked for in the first RFE.

How did you know to send the fees? If you received a notice of the missing fees that may have been your first RFE. If you did not receive a notice how did you know where to send the fees. As a rule you can't make any changes or updates to your application until you have a case number or something that you get with the RFE.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-30 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSurprise NOA2 !!!
You have been waiting for months while other people did things. There are still a lot of steps to do but you have a lot more control on how much time it will take.
Things can go much faster now.


Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-06-14 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCurrent VSC time
I think you should expect longer delays. The executive order President Obama recently signed is likely to move a whole bunch of undocumented aliens to the front of the line.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-06-21 13:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJust Fired My Nut Case Attorney

In my opinion, the lawyer didn't file the correct paperwork or not enough paperwork.


Note to all.
Even if you use a "professional" to do your paperwork. Insist that you get copies of everything filed.

If something gets messed up it is not the lawyer who gets baned,, it is you.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-19 17:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJust Fired My Nut Case Attorney
Something to keep in mind. Lawyers do not normal like to work for a fixed price or a set fee. They work based on billable hours. That means every minuet they spend on your case they send you a bill based on an hourly rate. Even if they have a lesser associate in their office do part of the work it may be a lower rate but still billed at an hourly rate.

My ex-wifes attorney would bill her about $30 every time I sent him an email about the divorce. So don't be surprised if your attorney does not always keep you informed. Unless he thinks he can bill you for it he probably won't do it.

Edited by Brian121957, 16 July 2012 - 11:15 AM.

Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-16 11:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJust Fired My Nut Case Attorney

Thats so cool and this is the one thing so many people don't ask whe they seek a lawyer. Thet see "immigration lawyer" and they think they know immigration. And really what we all need is a "embassy specific lawyer". Because those of us (Lagos for my husband) going through tough Embassies know you have to know what you know about the embassy and frankly most of us know our SO's embassy better than any lawyer would. Cuz what happens in Canada and UK well just won't fly in Lagos, the MENA's or Islamabad. So its great you have peeps that look out for folk and who knows.

I still say that although its great our SO's get a VISA in the end. Us the Petitioner should recieve a deree in Immigration Affairs or Doctorate in Embassy protocol. Goodness. (sorry I am babling).:blush:


They work as a team. She is Filipina, knows the culture, speaks the language. They include all the phone support needed, even to the person overseas. They have been to the embassy and know the area. They do more then just fill out the forms.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-13 14:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJust Fired My Nut Case Attorney

oh no :( this scares me now :( we're do hire a lawyer to process our paper.. and i sure will hate it if our lawyer will fool us since i told my husband not to hire a lawyer and better we do it on our own.. but he's worried about this whole visa processing thats why he hire someone.. but this lawyer was been recommended by my husband's friend.. but thats not their lawyer, thats a colleague of their lawyer... geezz... i hope it wont happen to us... other wise we sure file a complain to this lawyer :(


This is a DIY process but if you dont have the time to look every thing up and you are nervious. You would like a little help with out the BIG price tag of a lawyer. I can recomend YFW visa yourfilipinawife.com. It is a husband / wife team. They do all countries but specialize in Philippines. Tell them Brian and Erenea sent you.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-13 11:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2011 Filers

He did not ask me to submit any proof of meeting in 2 years. After reading many post about getting rfe because of no evidence, I believe I will also get RFE.


If the proof of visit turns out to be the reason for your RFE, I would be all over that attorney. It is one thing to have a bad judgment call on the quality of proof. Like employment proof, (pay stub, W2 or employment letter).

But to completely miss the 2 year meeting requirement. That is just incompetent.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-16 22:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2011 Filers
Just an email that an RFE is coming. Hope it getts here before the weekind so I can get a reply back to them quicker.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-16 16:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2011 Filers
Trying to understand the data I am seeing here on VJ.



The trends for CSC show now processing June 4th.

The Igor list of CSC shows less than 60% of the May filers are approved.

That puts them around completion of processing as May 18th filers.



Does that mean it takes an average of 17 days from start to finish for an approval? Or does it mean that the stats are incorrect?
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-15 12:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2011 Filers
Just want to clarify, what date do we list for the NOA1.

The date on the document (mine in May 25)

or the date it was last updated by USCIS (mine went in to initial review May 31)

or the date I received the NOA1 in the mail (about June 2, I was on vacation so dont have exact date)
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-13 10:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureschanging wife's name on her Philippines passport
Maybe this should be on its own post but it is related:<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">

I don't believe the American women are required to change their names when they get married.

Will my Filipino fiancé be required to change her name after she arrives on a K1 and we are married in the US?

If she does not apply for full US citizenship and we retire in the Philippines years from now, will the Philippine government require her to change her name?
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-09 13:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSENDING ORIGINAL DOCS TO NVC
Don't plan on getting anything back. That is why you are sending documents certified by the original controlling source. After the interview some of the documents will be put in a sealed packet he will give to the officer at the POE. Even then don't plan on getting them back.

I know it sucks, I paid over $30 for certified copies of my birth certificate, divorce decree,, etc,,,, and they never came back.



Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-02-09 14:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSENDING ORIGINAL DOCS TO NVC
There is original and then there is original. Most of the time what they are asking for is a document that is a certified copy by the origination source.
Example, A birth certificate is registered with the county government at the time of birth. The county recorder can issue a certified copy that typically has a raised seal. This is what they want you to send.

It is the same with a marriage certificate. Typically what you have is not the "original". The original is recorded with the government entity. They issue you a certified copy.
It would be vary rare that you have in your possession the true original.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-02-07 10:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew to this. Do we really need a lawyer??
First question to ask is do you need help organizing and filling out forms. Do you have the time to do the research.
I used an immigration service YFW (Your Filipino Wife) because I just did not have the time to do all the research but I did have the money to pay them. There rates were not to bad and they do specialize in US / Philippine cases.


Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-02-24 13:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvery serious question ! pleaz help

- evidance that i send her gifts
-evidance that she send me money some times


I don't know if there is a hard fast rule on gifts and money. But you don't want to make it look like you are buying a free ticket to the USA or that you are buying a wife.
I am sure it varies with country and culture.
In the Philippines it is basically expected to send money from the USC to the Filipino. It's called evidence of support.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-03-08 11:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvery serious question ! pleaz help
As others have said age alone is not a problem. BUT female older is not the norm. Just reinforce the rest of your evidence with facts, logs, pics.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-03-07 16:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBANK ACCOUNT WITHOUT A SSN
Fifth Third (5/3) bank allowed with out SSN but they had to lookup the correct form. I would guess most banks could but dont wnat to bother with the special paper work. You sould be able to have a SSN in hand in less then a month after ariving.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-03-14 16:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 DENIAL..Affidavit of Support
Seems to me that above the poverty limit is above the limit. That part is covered. Focus on documentations that shows you have a stable job would be usefully.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-03-29 08:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS 302
The data from many of the forms has to be transfered into computer files. The computer file do not have any more room for data then what is provided on the form. If your data does not fit then use the supplement page as described above.
Even simple things like an address. If your street name of city name is to long to fit correctly then use the supplement page to list it correctly and completely.



Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-04-30 11:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs our foreign marriage considered "legal" and "official" here in the USA?

We don't like paying tax back at tax time, we prefer refunds (who doesn't!) and this works for us :D We both put "0" at our employers.


I have a refund program you may like. Your federal and state tax refund comes back to you around Feb or March and you have to fill out complex forms to get it.

How about getting another big refund in late November in time for Christmas. Just direct deposit a portion of your paycheck to me. It will be painless just like your tax withholdings. Then in November I will send you a refund of all your payments (less a nominal processing fee) in the form of a prepaid credit cards. You can go out on fantastic Christmas shopping sprees or if you prefer just give out the credit cards as gifts. If you select the executive option of $50 or more per week I will even include personalized greeting cards to go with the prepaid credit cards.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-05-31 09:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs our foreign marriage considered "legal" and "official" here in the USA?

For my 2011 Income Tax Return, I filed "Married filing separately"


I would have thought that the better tax savings would have been to file jointly.
What brought you to the decision to file separately?
Did you fill out the tax forms both ways (married joint and married separate) to see the tax differences?
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-05-25 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs our foreign marriage considered "legal" and "official" here in the USA?
I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for incorrectly filling out their W-4 as long as you insure that enough income tax is withheld by the end of the year.
But you should likely mark it as Married but you may what to also check the withhold tax at the single higher rate.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-05-25 12:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresW2s Needed

Hi, I just had my interview and I also had my dad as a Joint Sponsor and they told me that they didnt accept joint tax returns because my dad is the only one listed as a Joint Sponsor. I asked "what about w2's?" the CO told me that is OK. Copies of the w2's are fine also. Thats all I had.


I was the sponsor of my fiancé . The latest tax return I submitted was a joint return with my ex-wife. I only included my W2 but was never question about it being a joint return.

Edited by Brian121957, 12 July 2012 - 04:00 PM.

Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-12 15:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 Income Tax Question

Does she need to file 2011 taxes anyway?


I see people posting all the time that they do not have tax returns for some past year because they were not REQUIRED to. And now that they are in the process of immigration it is causing all kinds of problems.
So I recommend to file. It can make things easier then explaining why you don't have a tax return.
Also, Unless her employer did something funny she is likely entitled to a full refund of taxes that were withheld by her employer. So file and get the money back.

Edited by Brian121957, 30 July 2012 - 11:24 AM.

Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-07-30 11:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation of evidences such as bills, tax returns
I liked to provide two forms of the translation. One is a text only showing the two languages and the other is a scanned image of the original document grayed out with the translated text over the

Edited by Brian121957, 08 August 2012 - 09:10 AM.

Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-08-08 09:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation of evidences such as bills, tax returns
I understand that the "professional" translators can charge a very high price. I did some research on what is involved to be a document translator. There are organizations that "certify" translators but for the most part it looked like a big scam. Just pay the membership fee and like magic you get "certified".

For the most part a translation becomes a certified translation when the person who does the translation signs an addition document stating that he certifies it as accurate. He should also have all pages notarized.
You could have almost anybody translate it even your self as long as they will sing the paper and "certify it".



See the info below I found on a translation web site.
http://www.dyerlabs.com/index.html
Certified Translations:

In general, a certified translation (in the US) is one to which the translator has added a statement that the translation is true, accurate, and correct "to the best of my knowledge and ability". The statement may be made under oath, or "under penalty of perjury", and may be notarized to confirm the identity of the person signing the statement.

My preferred form of certification is the following "Translator’s Declaration":

Translator’s Declaration

<P align=center>
I, Denzel L. Dyer, declare under penalty of perjury that I understand the German language and the English language; that I hold accreditation from the American Translators Association for translation from German to English; and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statements in the English language in the attached translation of _____________, consisting of _____ pages which I have initialed ______, have the same meanings as the statements in the German language in the original document, a copy of which I have examined.


Note that this declaration must be attached to the translation, with individual pages of the translation initialed. That requires delivery of the actual paper. As of early 2008, no other means of certification seems equivalent though, with the agreement of all parties, electronic transfer of a PGP-encrypted file might be acceptable.

This certification/declaration seems to have very limited value other than as a legal formality. Any translator will produce a translation which is correct to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. It would be extremely unusual for any translator to certify to any higher (or lower) standard. Notarization indicates that the person signing the certification has provided the notary with identification, but says nothing at all about the quality of the translation.

Certification and notarization will involve an extra charge to cover time and trouble of notarization, the notary’s fee, and shipment of the certified paper copy.

======================================
======================================
This is the certification page I came up with.

Certification by Translator

RICHELLE LASACA- DASOC

Bood, Ubay, Bohol
<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">



Certification by Translator

I, Richelle Lasaca – Dasos, certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and Philipine languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address

Translator’s Declaration

I, Richelle Lasaca – Dasos, declare under penalty of perjury that I understand the Philippine language and the English language; and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statements in the English language in the attached translation of _____________, consisting of _____ pages which I have initialed ______, have the same meanings as the statements in the Philippine language in the original document, a copy of which I have examined.







I hereby certify that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge & belief.





RICHELLE LASACA-DASOC
Applicants Signature Over Printed Name


Brian121957MalePhilippines2012-08-08 08:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWould a Cruise Wedding violate our Visa?
Does anybody see a problem with going to the Justice of the Pease and getting legally married now.

Later after they can have whatever kind of formal / religious/ travel wedding and renew their vows.




Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-08 11:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill it be an issue if my fiancé buys a two-way ticket?
I am just playing devil’s advocate here.



The terms of the visa is get married or get out of the country. You have signed papers that you intend to get married in the time allowed. But as far as I know it is not a crime to have a change of heart and not get married. And I am sure there are a percentage of people who do have second thoughts



I am fairly sure if you do have a change of heart that immigration would prefer you not get married and leave the country then get married, get permanent residency and then get divorced.



So why would it be a problem to take a very mature look at reality and have plans in place to leave the country if it does not work out. In fact I am a little surprised that immigration does not REQUIRE us to have a return ticket or at least put up a bond to cover the cost to leave as conditions of entry.


Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-26 10:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAugust 18 White House, Illegal immigrants could stay
I saw this announcement and have been checking around. I have 3rd hand confirmation from a NVC agent that it is being implemented quickly. Has anybody else seen this and is it effecting the processing time of us doing it the legal way? I see the processing time of CSC is taking big jumps up.



On August 18, the White House announced illegal immigrants could stay and apply for work permit.
The last announcement was the most surprising and controversial. It angered immigration hard-liners and pleased Hispanic advocacy groups. Many legal immigrants also worry about the impact: will we have to wait even longer for green card?
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-29 08:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot RFE for "divorce decree" but I already included it
I have copies of EVERY document that was part of my divorce. Every document was prepaired by my or her attorney. The courts do not generate ANY documenst in Indiana. They only approve or reject the papers you submit to the court.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-09-01 12:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot RFE for "divorce decree" but I already included it
Indiana it is basically a 3 document process.

First document is the request to divorce. Worthless for proving a divorce but it starts the waiting clock running.

After 90 days the court will sign and approve the Divorce Decree. It is a simply 1 page signed by the judge.

The 3 document is the martial Settlement Agreement. It has all of the details. It also does not prove divorce only helps support the contention that you are divorced. The attorney said that even if the judge rejects the Martial Settlement Agreement and it has to be changed the Judge can still sign the Divorce Decree and "YOU ARE DIVORCED".

The Divorce Decree is the legal proof in Indiana.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-09-01 12:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration specialist to file a K1 petition
Posted ImageBrian121957, on 31 August 2011 - 04:59 PM, said:

They also provide free phone, YM and email support for me in the USA as well as my fiancé in the Philippines. It can be a great comfort to your loved one to know there are people who have done this before looking things over.


Oh, ok, thanks! You mean there is a free phone to call on VJ?

Not here on VJ, sorry, The phone support is from the visa service I am paying for. It is not a law firm but they do have contacts with lawyers here in USA and in the Philippines that they can refer to if real legal issues come up. They have english and filipino speeking people on staff to answer questions. They specialize in Philippines K1 and K3.
Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-31 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration specialist to file a K1 petition
If you have the time to look and ask you should find the answers here on VJ.
The problem can sometimes be you don't know what question to ask.
I am using a service to apply for our K1 but it is not over $500 additional.
I still have to use my time to get important documents, (birth certificates, proof of income, ect) but I don’t have to spend my time finding out what is needed. If what I have is ok or how to fill out a form.
They also provide free phone, YM and email support for me in the USA as well as my fiancé in the Philippines. It can be a great comfort to your loved one to know there are people who have done this before looking things over.


Brian121957MalePhilippines2011-08-31 15:59:00