ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWould this cause a delay in background checks?
RFE and security checks are parallel streams of backroom work, rarely related.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-09 18:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPOE before the entry date you put on K-1 application
*** not an IR-1/CR-1 VISA forum topic, moving to K-1 VISA forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-10 17:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT

UPDATE: While talking to the DOS for a third time today (this time to check whether or not I can cross into the States while waiting during the AP process), the VISA was approved while talking to the lady. After checking my information, while telling me that it was still under AP process, her page refreshed showing the approval. I've never heard of that happen before, but great news. The AP process only took 3 days. Just thought I'd share that. Thanks for everyone's answers and help.


Holy Screen Update Batman!


Really, that's the best news ever. Good on ya for Calling DoS Hotline Human™...

To Celebrate, eat about 2 kg of Poutine, you'll feel much better.

Edited by Darnell, 10 June 2011 - 10:16 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-10 21:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT
ya, call DoS, they know all™
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-09 17:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT
DoS Hotline Knows all - see http://www.visajourn...he-nvc-and-dos/

Dodi's posted how to call, further down I've posted what you can get, and when.

Get a DoS Hotline Human™, today! (and tomorrow, etc etc ad naseum)
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-09 15:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIm Confused, should I use form I-130 or I-129f
oh so the divorce document is on someone else, not yer wife. man i am confused !
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-11 08:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIm Confused, should I use form I-130 or I-129f
ok - so legally yer not married to her, right? You've a divorce decree with her name on it, ya?

If that's the case, suggest a fiance visa, but.. get some more input - ask yer question in the MENA forum, as well.

http://www.visajourn...d-north-africa/

Edited by Darnell, 11 June 2011 - 12:25 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-11 00:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIm Confused, should I use form I-130 or I-129f
you need to determine if you are legally married in Algeria or legally divorced in Algeria.
It's my understanding that there is some marriage certificate that is issued by a government office, same for a divorce certificate.

what do you have?

I can't speak about anything in Algeria, but there have been some cases from members in Nigeria, reported here, where they filed the I-129F for a fiance, but had had some tribal wedding ceremony prior, and at the interview, they were denied because of this.

Edited by Darnell, 10 June 2011 - 11:55 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-10 23:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGoing to be past the K1 deadline
Email the embassy, ask for another extension. If you feel it is 'close' - ask for end of june interview.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-11 23:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDid i do something wrong here
anything requiring signature must be sent to the courier address.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-10 22:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 help plz, package at embassy
*** moving to K-1 visa forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-12 21:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow late can my fiancee wait to come to the US after receiving K1 visa
ya, check the visa itself - there's 2 dates on there - what's the later date ? as long as she comes in prior to that date, she's golden.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-17 10:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOverseas Job
IF there is a Green Card Interview at a local USCIS office, both must attend. So IF you get an appointment for a local interview, take holiday time from your overseas job, and attend that interview.

Once your spouse has the green card, suggest not to stay out of the USA for longer than 6 months at a time. Some CBP officers give ya grief even if less than 6 months, when returning through a USA POE.

IMO, what yer chasing after is do-able, but it will involve trips in/out of the country. Trips for you to attend the local interview (If there is one) and trips for her to come to you, maintain her RESIDENCY in the USA.

Not normal, not standard, but manageable if you pay attention to the calendar.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-17 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOverseas Job
suggest to take holiday time if there's an interview.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-16 00:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp guys
k-1 visa -> letter from NVC -> not important to show at interview.

IF you got the approval notice from USCIS, on an I-797-C form, hang on to that.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-21 12:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUnusual K1 Visa purpose

Oh, thank you. So, she could receive a SSN without even being a resident? hmm.. Also, can I ask why a joint bank account would be good to have here? (and a bank would accept her without being a resident?)

Thank you for your help!


K-1 visa holders are allowed to apply - is best about 2 to 3 weeks after hitting USA dirt. 'Resident' is not the right label, here.

Joint Bank Account is useful for LATER, when you need to file an I-130 (is evidence of a bonafinde marriage)
but is also useful when/if you guys need to wire transfer $$ into the USA from her accounts in Russia. With SSN in hand, show passport at bank, get added.

Ultimately, when file US Tax Returns and are due a refund, can have the refund direct-deposited into the joint account.

Edited by Darnell, 21 June 2011 - 03:32 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-21 15:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUnusual K1 Visa purpose
Oh - don't forget - she can get SSN about 2 weeks after she's in USA from a SSA office. Might be useful later, and don't forget to get joint bank account in USA whilst she's still here.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-21 12:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit
can have a co-sponser or joint sponser - they fill out the I-134 as well - so that's 2 I-134's - one on yer fiance(e, another on the joint or co-sponser.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-16 13:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or AOS for Fiancee in US on L1B
which guide, exactly, are you following? (post the url)
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-22 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 or AOS for Fiancee in US on L1B
I would suggest Adjustment of status based on MARRIAGE, not anything you've listed so far. Click the word 'Guides' at the top of this page, review all types, pick one based on 'foreign spouse in USA'.

Lucky for you, an AOS is possible based on her current visa type.

Edited by Darnell, 21 June 2011 - 03:20 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-21 15:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTier 2 agent
You'll need to call USCIS when they are open -
note you'll get a Tier 1, CSR Sub-human™ -
once ya got one, you'll need to ask for a Tier 2, Immigration Service Officer.

Edited by Darnell, 22 June 2011 - 09:38 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-22 21:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa US embassy, Singapore 221(g)
Singapura can be very fast, but if you are going in person to hand over the documents, is best to ask a Visa Officer (not a clerk) if there will be any further holdup, ask specifically if the name checks on you are complete or not. If they are already finished with those, then Visa Printing will go for 'normal queue', figure 6 days from the time you hand over to the time you receive the visa packet in the post.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-23 14:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWork Permission at POE
suggest you study the documentation requirements for the I-9 form, instead of chasing after an EAD stamp at a POE.
Even with that EAD stamp AND A SSN, you don't meet the requirements on the I-9 - you'll need to have in hand, at least, the EAD card issued after filing the AOS packet.

The I-9 form has changed up a bit since yer moroccan friend hit the border, suggest you study that I-9, soonish, as his concept of putting you to work immediately 'with that stamp' will put him in the position of you being an illegal worker at his company.

Do Dig In on the I-9, though, have a look at it, read the instructions.

Edited by Darnell, 24 June 2011 - 07:24 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-24 07:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIn Juarez right now!
ummmmmmmmmmmm tacos ! Yum !

Hey - will be watching and reading yer posts - Good Luck with everything !
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-24 07:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLondon Interview
it'll be in the brown envelope with yer other docs - don't open it.

CONGRATULATIONS! How much weight you lose, from all that sweating? ;)
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-24 21:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa
hey - any news re: K2 ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-25 14:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa
travel to get her daughter ?

once she has green card, she can travel in/out of usa, no problems, but

to 'get her daughter'? sorry, must file petition and visa application for daughter.

IF daughter was listed on K-1, can kickstart a K-2 follow to join case at GUZ IV (bypassing any filing to USCIS), see http://www.visajourn...-to-come-to-us/ for a very recent thread, but note that any K-2 has 1 year from time of K-1 approval date to K-2 approval date, bear that in mind as yer planning, mother's AOS status not matter for this at all. If Mom wishes to travel to get her, then yes, Mom must have either Advanced Parole or Greencard in hand.

Was there a K-2 in play this month? You guys just had interview on 2011-06-15.

If the daughter interviewed with K-2, got K-2 visa stamp in passport this month, CHECK THE DATES in the visa for the daughter, as she'll have 6 months or less to travel INTO USA on that K-2 visa.

Edited by Darnell, 23 June 2011 - 02:33 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-23 14:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 Visa Un Married certificate original signature
len, you've read the OF-169 and DS-230, yes?

Don't use your voice in reading it, use hers.

'Certificate of Single Status' is not needed for USCitizen Petitioner, for a K-1 visa application, at Guangzhou IV Unit.
IMO, you've twisted it.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-25 14:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 Visa Un Married certificate original signature
visa applicant / beneficiary needs that, and it needs to be translated into english.

Please read http://www.visajourn...th-certificate/
the same office will handle that for her.

ignore the bickering in that post, the content is good, even some chinese you can show your lass.

re: the I-134 - wow. unsure about email copies.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-25 10:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRidiculous Letter From USCIS
smells like a form letter, selected by incompetent uscis employee.

If yer so inclined, have the USCitizen petitioner get into local USCIS office via infopass appointment, get it all sussed out there, face to face with immigration officer.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-25 22:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial
A. IMO, the document screeners will pitch it out, so
B. Give to Visa Officer on interview day, unasked, in the first minute of her standing there.

re: notarization - notarization is optional, to notorize at ACS was some trick to get a VO to review it prior to the interview. You can notorize or not, as long as it's included in some handover.

re: past relationship was bonafide - eek - unless there's some huge red flag (like this is your 2nd chinese fiance) then I wouldn't include that. I do note in yer prior post that you went through an AOS case from work visa prior, for a prior spouse, so I wouldn't focus so much on the bonafides of THAT marriage, as much as the DIVORCE bits.

Edited by Darnell, 26 June 2011 - 10:35 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-06-26 22:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial

Seriously?! Is this an actual Red Flag to not have one?

My fiancee lives in Shanghai. She either walks, takes subway, or the taxi. Americans in New York City can also do without a vehicle. Granted, we would be living in Houston, TX where having a vehicle is practical. However, her desire to take drivers education and obtain a Texas drivers license would be enough Right?


No No No - NOT having a license in China is NO CAUSE for any red flag. Relax !
DarnellMaleChina2010-06-25 16:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial
ACS Appointment - http://guangzhou.use...ices030708.html

Good Luck and GO PINK !
DarnellMaleChina2010-03-30 22:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial

I do not understand the following from Darnell. Could you or someone please state this again without the jargon and acroynms? Your advise is very important and I want very much to I understand it. (The only acronyms I recognize are GUZ and EOR.) Thank you!

2. evolution of relationship letter - if you go to GUZ - the big trick is to have it notarized at GUZ during ACS appointment. The ConOff that handles that for you, is big chance is the same ConOff that will be interviewing yer lass. When at ACS, talk a bit about the petition, but usually questions are handled at ACH, not ACS. Then - give yer lass your passport, with the EOR letter folded longways inside of it , then she gives the passport to him/her, on top of the I-134 set, during the interview ...


Ah - no jargon or acronyms. OK ..

Would you like an opportunity to talk with a Visa Officer, perhaps even the one that will interview yer lass, prior to interview day? One way to do this, is to go to an appointment at the GUZ IV unit, to have yer EOR notarized. The Visa Officer will READ IT, and usually make some notes in the electronic casefile on yer lass (in the computer) , and then of course notarize the EOR letter.

There are two 'entries' into the GUZ office for American citizens - one is American Citizen Services (where you get notary and us passport work done) and American Citizens HOUR - normally a USC will go to ACH to talk about a pending visa application OR talk about a denied application after the interview.

I suggest ACS here, as is possible to go almost any day of the week, and you can go prior to interview day.

ACH is a bit more 'troublesome' because NOW it's only on Mondays.


The Evolution of Relationship letter does not need to be notarized. You do not have to go to ACS to get it notarized. IMO, doing so is useful. You can give her an EOR letter without notarization, for her to hand over on interview day.

Usually, on interview day - the EOR is handed over to the Visa Officer / Consular Officer and NOT the Document Screener.

HTH!

Good Luck ! Let me know if it's still mud or no?

Edited by Darnell, 30 March 2010 - 07:02 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-03-30 18:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial
----
Now then, this isn't a red flag - but something she can ask, when the interview is over -

Are the namechecks complete? Will my visa be issued per usual schedule? Will you require additional processing for my visa?

This throws off the ConOff for a moment, but trust me - they already know, at her interview, whether or not the visa will be delayed. They have no guidelines to tell her about it (or is not local policy to mention it ) but if yer lass asks, they will answer.
DarnellMaleChina2010-01-02 19:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial
ok - red flag list for quasi-current issues at GUZ - this is off the top of my head, specific to K-1 (Not CR-1 or IR-1) but from reading on VJ and 2 China Specific Sites:

1. dates between divorce and filing petition . usually, divorce decrees are presented on interview day, so suggest letter for each divorce decree, explaining in ONE page, things such as dates, basic reasons for incompatibilites, etc.. but NOT a novel, nothing for PentHouse Forum, either.

2. evolution of relationship letter - if you go to GUZ - the big trick is to have it notarized at GUZ during ACS appointment. The ConOff that handles that for you, is big chance is the same ConOff that will be interviewing yer lass. When at ACS, talk a bit about the petition, but usually questions are handled at ACH, not ACS. Then - give yer lass your passport, with the EOR letter folded longways inside of it , then she gives the passport to him/her, on top of the I-134 set, during the interview ...

3. photos of you with her and her family. that slide glass window thingie can handle about 3/4 to 1 inch of passthrough - so get a vinyl portfolio with letter sized clear sleeves, then paste yer photos to a piece of paper, front and back, slide the paper INTO each sleeve. The one I use is 20 pages, so is 40 viewable pages. Glue stick the photos to the paper ;) Lets see - mine was 10 viewable pages of the wedding photos, then 30 viewable pages of photos with us and her family members, at various places, doing stuff together.

4. communication ability between you two . GUZ has been dinging the ####### outta people with NOID/white slips about this, in the form of 'Not a Bonafide Relationship', these last 6 months, so must have some viable way to show that the two of you can easily communicate. LOTS of variances on this - she speaks english, you speak mandarin, documented use of translators, but... mention it in the EOR letter as to HOW you two communicate.

5. age gap. i've not not heard of anyone getting dinged about this in some time, maybe 3 years? biggest age gap I knew about was 32 years.

6. Are they really her children? Include photo sets of the mother and child, over various ages of the child. Sometimes impossible to get. If ConOff not satisfied at interview, MIGHT issue blue slip with DNA test instructions (which is a fookin pain in the #### ). Set up the photos in another vinyl portfolio, similar to what I mentioned earlier. Don't forget the birth certificate , sometimes a copy of the hukuo book (with translation) is useful, also - but is not primary stuff - but can be used to match up the school records (that she brings) with the address on the hukuo book.

7. number of visits to meet her. This varies, but even that one trip is useful, if carefully documented. MANY PEOPLE do not have issues with just 1 visit, but have other documentation to show an ongoing , evolving relationship. BUT. If the ConOff finds the casefile scant, might decide to USE the concept of 'just one trip' to DING HER for 'Not a BonaFide Relationship' .

8. Scant Casefile. Uhm... What the heck did you file with the initial submittal on the petition? Was it just the minimal bits? Or did you include other stuff, supporting evidence? If the casefile is scant, well, ####### - that's gonna suck - because the only thing the ConOff knows about yer lass is WHATS IN THE CASEFILE, and it's reviewed prior to interview day (with them looking for red flags). (they do know a bit more, based on the namechecks done on the two of you ) - but - which would you prefer, really? The casefile having stuff that covers your possible red flags on initial submittal, or a ConOff badgering yer lass on Interview Day, even though she has a stack o stuff in her carry bag that covers all the red flags?

9. your income, ability to document it. Show 3 years o stuff (even though the instructions mention 1 year). Some folk not have taxable income, but have income, a lot of it - need (IMO) a Certified, Audited Income Statement from a CPA (is about 2 hours o CPA time, stateside ) . Trumps all the silliness at GUZ for 'taxable income', IMO.

10. Something missing? Something untoward? ConOff Smell Something , because of missing or scant? Usually, they will try to shift to the 'hard-#### questions' to trip her up, so they can declare 'Not a Bonafide relationship', instead of asking for a missing document. Now, this has shifted a lot, over the past year, so that the ConOff actually asks for anything missing, but even with that, if she has it in her carry bag, she MUST be able to tell him - I HAVE WHAT YOU NEED - Please not 'blue-slip' me about it - here it is ! - otherwise - she'll get a blue slip or a call-in letter. Either delays the visa issuance.

That's it, for now.. My brain hurts ;)

Warmest Regards...

Edited by Darnell, 02 January 2010 - 07:20 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-01-02 19:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRed Flag List for visa denial
re: divorce dates (file, final etc).

Practice writing up an evolution of relationship letter about yer lass.

Seriously.
DarnellMaleChina2010-01-02 14:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresaffidavit support

thanks everyone...i just want to make sure..also for the forms (package 3 and 4) my fiance has to fill out and have ready for the interview..could i mail them to him instead along with the package i sent to USCIS?


packet 3 and packet 4 never are sent to USCIS.

I-134 is needed, along with tax data, income data, on interview day at the IV unit.

Good Luck ! (my apologies if I've misread your question)
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-26 14:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPackage 4 forms can not fill out
if she downloaded them from GUZ IV page (see http://guangzhou.use...and_packets.htm )
then those are OK to use, even if the expiration date is past.

IF she's using packet 4 forms that were shipped to her, is good chance that they are several revisions/years old.
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-26 22:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F *denied* :( What to do next?
questions:

1. was it just a letter, requesting more evidence? if so, this is called an RFE and you've got 30 days to submit more stuff. Usually the casefile will be adjudicated within 30 days of your RFE submittal

2. was the entire casefile returned, or no ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-06-27 23:05:00