biggish data

QUOTE (wintime @ Jan 11 2008, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have any one here who got packet# 3 got any paper titled with the following:

"Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants"

Becuase this above wording doesn't match other paper work image that was posted here in Vjers, the images I saw here in Vjers was titled
"Additional instructions for obtaining a nonimmigrant visa to marry and reside in the United State"

And another image aslo here in Vjers said
"Visa Instructions for Fiance Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants"

Also I got through the fax a weired form numbered DS-2001 titled
"Notification of Applicant Readiness"

Please help

if you got any of the above wording or different please post, and if you got the last form.

I would have a guess that you might have received the CR1/IR1 interview packet, but this could just be wording specific to your embassy. Hopefully someone else can shed a bit of light on it.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-11 02:20:00

QUOTE (edp333 @ Jan 10 2008, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Our update. Meryll took her early medical at SLEC on the 7th and 8th and passed. She also met 4 other VJ members on the second day.

Congratulations on the pass on the medical. I would have loved to see some VJers on my medical day but no luck. Hopefully there might be some on my interview day (but no one seems to share my date at the moment).

QUOTE (kelly1290 @ Jan 10 2008, 04:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good evening everyone!

I am now able to join this group finally. As of this evening, we had both 130 and K3 approved!!!!! Boy, I sure am happy and so is my husband. Even though he is very sick tonight, you could hear him grin ear to ear over the phone, lol! Now we are preparing for the interview. I will have to read the guides to see what happens next. I am glad to be back with my group again even if most of them are light years ahead of me, lol!

Good luck everyone with your interviews!

Deb

Congratulations Deb, that is long overdue

Just prepare yourself for a few more weeks in the CSC waiting (um... mailing

) room and then you will be in the hands of the efficient part of the journey

On a side note: Urge, has their been any word on the interview date? I am still keeping you in my thoughts for some good news this week.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-10 02:09:00

Congratulations Faith11, your case is moving along nicely now

Wintime, I agree with what you're saying about this process. There are still the occasional obstacles to get through at both the NVC and the embassy, but compared to the CSC they are still 1000 times better. It really could be that your packet 3 was lost in the mail. There are 3 cases in the UK forum, who all had their packets mailed on the 11th Dec and none of them arrived. They are just getting their new packets mailed out to them now. They'll never know whether it was the embassy or Royal Mail who messed up. Either way, most people receive their packet 3 within 1-2 weeks of the petition arriving at the London embassy.

For the packet from London, we actually have a checklist in there which we tick and return to say we have everything ready for the interview. London don't use any official form, so I've never come across the DS-2001 and can't help on that questions

Have you asked them to send out a replacement packet 3? Or can your embassy email you a copy of the packet like other embassy's have done for people on here?

Take care and don't let this last part of the process get you down

You've achieved so much to get here

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-09 03:02:00

QUOTE (kelly1290 @ Jan 8 2008, 12:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I also want to update everyone on our petition. Seems I will be joining this group soon as I received an email this morning from CRIS that they received the evidence they asked for and have resumed working on our petition. Does anyone know approximately how long they usually take before approval? On the email, it states that I should expect a decision to be made in the next 60 days.

Unfortunately, I would suggest you have the full 60days in your mind for approval. I believe they took it to almost the full 60 days for My Honey to receive the approval after the RFE. If you keep the longest time in mind, any approval sooner will seem like a bonus. I hope the rest of your journey runs more smoothly, once you're out of the CSCs clutches, it really is a much smoother ride

And congrats, docjazzie

Edited by C and J, 08 January 2008 - 02:25 AM.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-08 02:25:00

Too scared to post up new processing times??

Agreed, Gogo... they're overdue with this months info. Wonder how much it'll change from the June 18th date quoted on the December update

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-24 10:29:00

Thank You Visa Journey

I am glad you both have happiness

The poem is beautiful

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 02:34:00

Original Receipting Lies

QUOTE (ALES @ Jan 24 2008, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

USCIS said they will honor the actual date that an applicaton was received in the mailroom. ..which is obviously not the case....

Indeed, it is stated on their website but only time will tell what "honor/honour" actually means to USCIS.

I have an official replacement receipt notice for my I130 because the original was lost in the mail. It has a received/priority date of 20070411 but a notice date of 08/20/2007 (the date it was reprinted).

Do you have these 2 dates on the original NOA1 or does it only show the notice date?

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 03:32:00

Sent out I-130 almost 40 days ago

QUOTE (Ilya R. @ Jan 24 2008, 05:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there something that influence this long wait? I thought the lockboxes should speed up the process not slow it down! Its kinda sad that the right way to get your loved person is always the longest.

Thanks for info, I appretiate it

Since the lockbox was introduced the waiting times have decreased. As I said in my last post, at one point people were waiting up to 3 months for their receipts (some waited longer). This was prior to the lockbox being implemented. Now it is only 40 days, half of what some people have experienced since August. I know the term "only" is relative and 40 days seems like a long time but compared to the last few months, it is a huge improvement.

As time goes on, hopefully it will continue to reduce back to it's old "2-3 week" timeframe.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 08:01:00

Sent out I-130 almost 40 days ago

QUOTE (Elbereth @ Jan 24 2008, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

40 days isn't long at all nowadays

Indeed, Elbereth

I felt really sorry for those that were waiting 3+ months for theirs

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-24 10:25:00

Sent out I-130 almost 40 days ago

QUOTE (Ilya R. @ Jan 24 2008, 04:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And still nothing...............
Sent to Chicago lockboxes.

Is there anywhere I can call? And the check hasnt been cashed!!

I hope they didnt lose it, I'll be so mad!

Please if anyone has any suggestions I would like any help possible.

As of the 18th Jan, the Chicago lockbox is issuing NOA1s for the 13th November petitions. Unfortunately, you still have about a month to go (unless they speed up in the meantime).

You can check the USCIS website for their processing time articles (they update these weekly) ... this is the current one Receipting updates

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-24 02:38:00

Anyone tried calling NVC yesterday or today?

NVC has always been busy on the phone so it is difficult to get through

Majority of their staff are very pleasant and helpful, although Josh did get a rude man on one occasion who told him pretty much what the lady told ose_n_me.

What you should bare in mind, is that the petitions are sitting in the service centres mail room until the crate is full, then they are being shipped in bulk to the NVC. How long they sit in the mailroom of the service centre is anyone's guess... the normal waiting time is 3-4 weeks from approval to being received at the NVC.

Once your petitions are in the NVCs system the process moves so much more smoothly, you just have to try to have patients for that last USCIS hurdle... and it's a big one.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 08:34:00

That is wonderful, I'm so happy you have the approval

Congratulations on being reunited with your husband

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 15:19:00

QUOTE (WorriedBrother) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would like to ask a question of you if I might? First of all let me say that I saw you are from York, PA, I went to YCP during the 1980's, great little area to grow up. Now for my question... It is not for me but for my brother who has met and since MARRIED a woman from Lima, Peru and has been trying to get a Visa for her to move to the US for more than a year now. Supposedly he keeps getting told it can take up to 3 years to get her a Visa, something does not sound right with this. According to her, she cannot even get a visitor Visa to come here. This does not sound right either. I am beginning to think she is doing nothing more than scamming him as he is now sending her money every month to supposedly pay for the Visa processing.

It does not seem like it took very long for you or others here on this website to get your paperwork processed. Am I just being paranoid?

Thanks,

A Worried Brother

A K3 visa for a USC's spouse takes roughly a year from start to finish. For a permanent resident it can take many years. PRs have a lower priority

From the sounds of it your brother is a green card holder, not a citizen. If he is a USC, then the petition may be held up for security checks (every petition goes through them, but some take longer than others).

As for being able to obtain a vistors visa for her to visit your brother, that is unlikely. No matter which country you are coming from, as soon as you mention that you have a husband or wife living in the US you have a very great risk of denial. A USC spouse is seen by some consulates/embassy's to greatly outweight ANY ties to the home country.

However, sending her money for "visa processing" is dodgy to say the least. The foreign spouse only has to pay for the visa at the interview ($131 for a K3, I believe) and any costs associated with a medical. Did he submit the forms for the visa? Which forms? Please confirm whether he is a USC or PR.

Edited by C and J, 25 January 2008 - 02:48 AM.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 02:48:00

QUOTE (JohnWendy @ Jan 17 2008, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Honey.... we are with you today !

Definitely

You'll both be in my thoughts today as I hope for your approval

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-17 02:23:00

The best of luck My Honey!! Hope both the journey and the interview are smooth ones. I have everything crossed that all goes well and, when you're celebrating your husband's approval, have a few extra drinks for those of us still waiting

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-14 09:57:00

Visa in Hand

Congratulations

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 09:03:00

Newbie Questions

QUOTE (alohafromkona @ Jan 28 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had looked at the CR1 visa vs the K3, but I think I will still go with the K3. It says if filing for CR1, she may not be able to come here even to visit while waiting. Also, it will probably take a little longer.

The chances of being refused entry when visiting are the same whether it's a K3 or a CR1/IR1. They can refuse entry based on the fact she would be visiting her spouse (and does not have enough proof to show she will leave), not on the type of visa applied for. Yes, the CR1/IR1 generally takes at least 2 months longer than a K3 visa.

QUOTE (alohafromkona @ Jan 28 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry to be redundant, but if I were to file for a K3, what is a guess at how long it will be before she can enter the US?

At the moment the process, from sending the petition to the K3 interview, is taking an average of 10-11 months (but this does vary by consulate/embassy).

Service centre to approval = 6 months
Approval to NVC receiving petition = 3-4 weeks
NVC to consulate = 2-3 weeks
Consulate to interview = 1-3 months

USCIS have a large backlog of petitions that they are curently working through, so we do not know what impact this will have on later processing times.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 04:09:00

Awaiting NOA2 for K-3 & I-130

QUOTE (Panki @ Jan 28 2008, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

C n J , From your knowledge and experience, how many months does the police certificate need to be valid for the US Embassy to accept? I am forecasting ( perhaps optimistically) that by May or June, my wife have her interview? If she starts now, maybe she can get her police certificate in a few months. I am trying to avoid a situation where she gets one and then she has to go back and get another updated one becuase it was a few months too old so to speak by the time the interview happens!

Regards

For the United Kingdom, it takes 40 days to receive the certificate and it is valid for 6 months from date of issue. Some countries can be valid for as much as a year, so it would be worth investigating. There is also nothing to stop your spouse from applying twice (dependant on cost) if it does expire before the interview.

For the UK it is as little as £10 per request and on my last request I asked for 2 copies (purely for my benefit).

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 11:06:00

Awaiting NOA2 for K-3 & I-130

QUOTE (Panki @ Jan 28 2008, 12:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello C n J,

Thanks for the feedback. For the police certificate, is there a special form/request that the US Emb. gives once they recieve/review this paperwork from NVC? I have not asked my wife to start police certificate etc cause I did not think this could be done prior without paperwork from US Emb.?

Any more insight from you and any others out there would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks - Surendra

You would request this from the local police force in the same way you would request it if an employer wanted access to police records before hiring you. Your spouse does not require any paperwork from the embassy to apply for this, as the embassy will only tell you that they "require it for the interview"

Unfortunately, I do not know the specific procedure for applying in India, maybe VJer Pkewl would be able to help you on the specifics. Pkewl has reached the embassy stage and the interview date has been set.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 08:19:00

Awaiting NOA2 for K-3 & I-130

The K3 doesn't require James' shortcuts, as it is only at the NVS for a few days

So you will not need any preparation for the NVC, only for the eventual interview.

I'm the type of person that likes to keep themselves busy too. What your spouse could be starting on now is compiling all the necessary paperwork e.g police report, ensuring vaccinations are up to date (and letters from the doctor to prove this). However, with the police report, you should be careful not to request it too early as they will expire.

You both could also begin sorting through the evidence of relationship and putting together a folder of information to take to the interview (phone bills, photographs, msn logs etc etc).

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 07:00:00

Advice: is it a good idea to pay a lawyer for help with K-3?

QUOTE (Myrhh @ Jan 26 2008, 01:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm seriously considering hiring a lawyer to make sure all's in order. I'd hate for this to take an extra year because I fill out the papers incorrectly or a variety of other things I can think of which may go wrong.
I guess the K-3 is our only option but I'm so sad to be apart for so long. We haven't spent more than a couple weeks apart in the five and a half years we've been together. Any other options which are faster? We're both North American, doesn't that count for anything?!

(this is presuming that the original poster is Canadian)

Unfortunately, you have not given enough details of your situation to know whether this will actually be relevant to your case but...

You say that you have not spent more than 2 weeks apart in the time you have been together. Was your spouse living in Canada as a legal resident or were you visiting each other as tourists? If the answer is (s)he were living with you as a legal resident, then Direct Consular Filing (DCF Canada Forums) may be the way to go forward.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 04:29:00

Medical exam psychologist?

QUOTE (AmberBee @ Jan 24 2008, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My husband had his medical examination done this morning and they sent him to a psychologist. They gave him a sealed envelope to take with him but gave no explanation. Is this normal? I thought that the entire exam was done in the clinic in Ciudad Juarez. What's going on?

Did your husband give any indication to the examiner of ever suffering from depression or any other similar disorder in the past that may have required medication or counselling? If he admitted something along those lines, he would have needed to bring a letter from his doctor or the psychiatrist/psychologist who dealt with him at the time to explain the situation.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 05:19:00

LOCAL OFFICE INTERVIEW FOR ME

Best of luck, Gogo

I hope all goes well at the interview

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-28 02:08:00

I-129F (K-3 Visa) Cancelled

QUOTE (ose_n_me @ Jan 25 2008, 04:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow...

They are cancelling K3's (I129)...!!!! Why are some being cancelled and others not? Does that mean those that applied for K3 are now in the CR-1 catagory? And does it also mean that the CR-1 is taking less time? I already got approval for both (K3) but applied for it only because the time was supposed to be 3-6 months faster to get SO here. That would make me really mad if I could have just applied for the CR-1 in the first place, saved the fees, and got my hubby here just as fast!....

CR1/IR1 is still at least a couple of months slower than a K3 (can be much longer for certain embassy's e.g 6 months longer for interview scheduling in certain parts of Canada). I haven't seen any official statement from USCIS saying they will cancel I129F applications automatically and, if that is what they are going to do, why not just withdraw the K3 as an option all together

The good news is, at this point K3s are still being approved, so it doesn't appear that it is happening across the board.

It is unfair to let a petitioner and beneficiary have a set journey time in their minds (which is already much longer than necessary), only for them to find out that they have to wait longer due to decisions made outside their control.

Unfortunately, USCIS have a very blinkered vision... They think because they approve both petitions at the same time, that the full journey takes the same amount of time too. So in their minds the K3 is useless (paraphrased, but this is what certain VJers have been told). They don't factor in additional wait at the NVC for CR1/IR1 paperwork processing or any additional time it takes to get a CR1/IR1 interview. They are only interested in their step.

One benefit this may have in the currently over-stretched system, is that you would be over and done with until (if applicable) you remove conditions. We have no idea how long adjustment of status will be drawn out with USCIS being in the mess they are in and I really am not looking forward to finding out

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-25 02:29:00

Not Living Together After I Arrive

It is definitely a red flag.

However, this is a quote I came across, which may help your situation:-

QUOTE

Examiners usually want to see persuasive documentary evidence that the couple has been living together since getting married (or they have a very good reason for living apart), and that they have commingled their financial affairs.

Whether USCIS will see "taking things slowly" as a "very good reason for living apart" would be up to the interviewing officer.

If you think you can sufficiently prove the co-mingling of finances etc without living together then, yes, it is possible. If you are intending to have completely separate lives, other than "dating", that will be an issue for you.

It seems to me that if this was the route you were planning to take, a fiance visa would have been the better option as it allows for this.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-29 09:41:00

unexpected scheduling changes

Visajourney's timelines are an average from those people that enter their data, if someone was (or several are) approved outside of the 6 months then it adjusts the timelines accordingly. It gives you an idea of how long those "just before you" have waited.

It's downside is it is only a small sample of the petitions going through USCIS and does fluctuate quite a bit because of that, however, it's upside is it is slightly more info than the "6 month spiel" that the service centres give out.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-30 02:12:00

K3 cancelled? Then should I not send it?

QUOTE (ctygl @ Jan 29 2008, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm am currently in this situation now. My i-130 was approve almost 3 weeks ago. My i-129f is still pending. The NOA2 for my i-130 said it will be forwarded to NVC. However, almost 3 weeks have past and NVC still doesn't have it. Do you think that USCIS is hanging on to it? If I call USCIS they won't tell me anything because they say it can take up to 90 days for NVC to receive it, but that is ridiculous.

It generally takes 3-4 weeks for the NVC to receive the approved petition. The reason for this is that it sits in the service centre's mail room until they have a trailer full of approved petitions, then they ship them all to the NVC in bulk.

The lower down in the new crate you are, the longer your wait will be

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-30 06:57:00

documents needed for the interview

The police certificate is required to prove that the beneficiary does not have a criminal record in the country of residence (plus any other country lived in for more than 6 months, since the age of 16).... is the Philippines an exception to this rule? Do one of the other documents prove that you do not have a criminal record in the Philippines?

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-30 03:28:00

documents needed for the interview

Yes, you will need the police certificate. I am unsure exactly what a cenomar is (although from reading on here, I thought it was a certificate to prove you were single), so don't know whether or not it is needed.

You will also need evidence of your on-going relationship (photos, phone bills/skype logs, MSN chats, emails, letters)

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-30 02:28:00

im already working on k-3 and now i want to start a CR-1

QUOTE (Elbereth @ Jan 31 2008, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I heard that attempting to cancel yout I-129F can only make things worse. They might end up canceling your whole case and then you're back at 0.

This has been stated as a possible side-effect of the petitioner trying to withdraw the I129F themselves (i.e by sending a letter to the USCIS). I think it is much safer to let the petition take it's course and see what USCIS will do with it.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 09:48:00

im already working on k-3 and now i want to start a CR-1

USCIS are making this decision for you and you have no need to submit more paperwork.

1) If they approve both and hold your I130 = K3
2) If they cancel your I129F and send on I130 = CR1/IR1

Either way, both scenarios are using your original petitions and, if your husband did not pay a fee for the I129F, it seems that USCIS are leaning towards option 2. However, there is no official statement from USCIS to say they have created this procedure.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 03:37:00

K3 Visa granted!!!!!!!!

Congralations

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 10:10:00

dropping the i-129F???

QUOTE (Elbereth @ Jan 31 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By not pay for the I-129F, you mean pay the increased fee for the I-130, and nothing for the I-129F, right?

If that is the case, I'm going to get mine canceled too

I don't want to wait for another half year

That is what people are being told on the customer service line... but, as I have said, it is not official until USCIS make the statement. Do not let this process get you down

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 10:51:00

dropping the i-129F???

QUOTE (jeca @ Jan 31 2008, 12:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm a bit confused now with this fee thing.We filed I-130 in January and when NOA1 arrives we will send 129F.Should we pay any fee for that?We already payed 355$ for I-130.Somebody help please!!!

The general chatter at the moment is that USCIS are closing I129Fs that have been submitted after the time they became free (since July 07 it has been a higher fee for the I130 and no fee for the I129F). This means potentially that your I130 will be delayed because you file your I129F and then your I129F will be cancelled anyway when they are ready to approve them both.

Remember that USCIS have not offically stated this "new procedure" anywhere, only through their customer service line (which is notorious for making mistakes and giving bad info).

As you have a little while before you receive your NOA1, I suggest you keep up to date on the posts in the forum and then make your decision based on current info.. who knows, by the time you receive your NOA1, we may have an official statement from USCIS *watches pigs fly*

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 08:10:00

dropping the i-129F???

QUOTE (boyceedith @ Jan 31 2008, 05:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

we didnt get yet our noa2 for both i-130 and i-129f is it ok if we will drop off the i-129f and wait for the i-130 to be aproved first? somebody got their noa2 ,they sent their i-130 july 25 ,ours we sent it july 26 hmmm ...how i wish we will have it next week!!!!

Did you pay for your I129F? If you didn't then chances are (with their customer services current statement) that USCIS will make that decision for you and only send on the I130.

If you did pay for your I129F and it is approved and forwarded to the NVC, USCIS will hold your I130 at the National Records Centre. If that happens you can file another form to "kick start" your I130 back on track. Filing this form will add roughly 6 months to your journey time, as it takes around 6 months to reactivate the I130.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 02:56:00

NOA2 RECIEVED

QUOTE (monalisa @ Jan 31 2008, 03:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

really? the K3 is cancelled now? so if that would happened to our case, whats the next step? and how long does it takes?

Firstly, congratulations on your approval

For the K3 it seems that if you didn't pay a fee, USCIS may close the petition. In which case, they will forward the I130 onto the NVC and you will be applying for a CR1/IR1 visa. It will take roughly 3-4 weeks to arrive at the NVC for whichever petition they decide to forward.

For the I130, the NVC will then send paperwork to the USC to begin that stage of the process. The NVC will take a few months extra for the I130 and you would need to check whether the interview scheduling time differs for the CR1/IR1 vs K3 at your embassy. Those 2 factors will tell you how much additional time your journey would take.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-31 03:05:00

after 221(g) refusal the embassy sent me aa email this morning

QUOTE (One heart @ Jan 24 2008, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dear Mohammad:

The interview was done on January 22, 2008, if you have any new information that you wish for the consular officer to review please mail all information to the embassy, our mailing address is:

American Embassy
P.O.Box 354
Amman 11118 Jordan

Regards
Immigration Visa Unit
American Embassy
Amman, Jordan

what does that mean??!!!

Is this a response to something you asked them by email or is this something they have sent to you themselves?

If it is a standard email they have sent you, then it sounds as though they are giving you the opportunity to provide further information to prove your case. However, since you do not seem to know exactly why you were denied it will be difficult to provide the right evidence. I think it would be better if either you or your wife contact the consulate and actually ask them the reason you were not approved. Once you know the exact reason, you can then compile evidence to prove your case.

Bare in mind, this is just what I would do in your situation. You have had people from the MENA forum who are willing to help you and who have first hand knowledge of what you are going through and they would be the better ones to ask

Edited by C and J, 24 January 2008 - 05:47 AM.

C and J

Female

England

2008-01-24 05:46:00

APPROVED on 1st February

Nerdette, that is absolutely wonderful news! I'm so happy for you

Long long looooooong overdue... here's hoping for a speedy end to your journey

C and J

Female

England

2008-02-05 02:13:00

Visitor Visa or a K3?

QUOTE (JerryL @ Feb 6 2008, 06:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My mother-in-law, a US citizen, is currently living in China. She recently married a Chinese national.

My wife is expecting and my mother-in-law would like to come to the US for a short period together with her husband to visit with her future grandchild. They are not necessarily looking for him to emigrate here. For now, they're happy just to visit for a few months.

My question is... is it going to be difficult to get a visitor visa for her husband? We've heard in cases like this, the consulate doesn't tend to grant visitor visas because they think the visitor will actually want to live in the US. But all he really wants to do is visit. So is it worthwhile trying for a regular visitor visa, or just go ahead to apply for a K3 for her husband? The main objective here is to minimize the waiting time for a visa.

Thanks,

Jerry

A K3 will take around a year to obtain and it seems, at the moment, they are being phased out (no official notification on this, just personal experiences on VJ). That leaves the only option really as a visitors visa. If your father-in-law can produce enough evidence of ties to China, coupled with the fact your mother-in-law is also a legal resident of China, I think they may have a good chance of a visitors visa.

There is no harm in applying for a visitors visa and being denied, even if you do decide to pursue the CR1/IR1 or (attempt) the K3 later. Embassy's are used to seeing tourist visa denials when trying to visit spouses.

C and J

Female

England

2008-02-06 04:20:00