ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApril K3 Filers

and did you guys know the fee for I-129F petition is now $455, wth?
plus K3 petitions are no longer required to pay ANY fee

we don't have our NOA1 from our I-130
we're submitting our money order copy, both front and back and the online case number form

i still can't believe they're charging $455 for K1 petition


Bare in mind, that the people applying for the K3 visa have to pay for the I130 ($355). Which is still cheaper than K1, but it is certainly NOT free (K1 requires no other petition to be filed). The I130 and I129F (K3) used to have two separate costs, they merged them into one cost and applied it to the I130 only. It works out to roughly the same price as pre-"price change".

Edited by C and J, 30 July 2007 - 09:20 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-30 09:18:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBoth my applications got transferred...
QUOTE (gogo @ Nov 27 2007, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
if this application does take years to approve, you have cost me my love and my family.. I will make the USCIS people suffer.. mad.gif mad.gif


Don't let them win, Gogo. You are doing this because you love your wife and that is what makes this whole process worth it. I have only seen one post on here for a couple who decided to give it all up because of the USCISs idiocy and terrible drawn out processes (can't remember their VJ name). Please don't let yours become the second one.

You have a lot of people hoping to see some good news for you, take strength from your wife and take strength from their wellwishes smile.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-11-28 10:44:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpousal immigration vs. grad school woes
I am unsure about the implications of you changing State during the process.

The only "pro" for the K3 visa is that it is faster than the CR1/IR1. Depending on the embassy/consolute that you are going through, this can be by as little as a couple of months up to more than 6+ months difference. Check the Canadian regional forum and ask the time differences there smile.gif It is a non-immigrant visa and it is a more expensive option as you would need to file for Adjustment of Status ($1010) and your wife would not be able to work for approximately 3 months after the AoS has been filed (this is the time it takes for employment authorisation).

An I130 is an immigrant visa. Your wife will have a green card within a short while of her entry into the States, she will also be able to work immediately.

If being together sooner is more important than cost, then the K3 is the route to go. If it is not, then go for the CR1/IR1.

And, nope, you're not idiots for falling in love laughing.gif It's just unfortunate that the people we fall in love with are so far away.

Edited by C and J, 26 November 2007 - 04:29 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-11-26 04:28:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresA-P-P-R-0-V-E-D
Congratulations biggrin.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-11-29 13:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApril filer finally approved.....
QUOTE (jj119 @ Dec 2 2007, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just got an email today saying my I129f is approved. Three weeks ago they told me it will be in additional security checks for the next 6 months and I was fighting to have the I130 (approved more than a month ago) forwarded over to the NVC. I guess they got tired of the congressmen and senator's offices calling them all the time. From my calculations, I predict a mid-late February interview in Manila.


Congratulations biggrin.gif I hope the others still under security checks have the same luck (3 weeks turn-around is excellent).
C and JFemaleEngland2007-12-03 10:00:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
This may sound really strange but, as far as I know, I am approved. I've heard a couple of people on here say that the interviewers don't actually come out and say you're approved unless you press them for it and I was slightly in a daze and forgot to ask for clarification.

The good news is I gave them all the info they needed and they didn't need anything extra. I am just waiting on (all being well) receiving the visa before I put up my interview experience (I have notes, so won't forget anything!)

It's quite nerve-wracking at the moment, waiting for it to arrive to know it's true helpsmilie.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2008-02-04 10:26:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
My name is next on the list... so Debz isn't the only one nervous at this point helpsmilie.gif It's nerve-wracking to think it's the day after tomorrow. I keep going through all my paperwork again and again, and then go back to it later just to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

*must practice calm*
C and JFemaleEngland2008-01-30 06:25:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Can you please add me too.

Cheryl & Josh (C and J) interview on the 1st Feb @ 9:30am biggrin.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2008-01-09 06:47:00
United KingdomTo the Brits - do you think everything here in the US is too sweet?
I emailed the link to this thread to Josh to prove that english food isn't too bland, it's american food that's too sweet ;)

I love American food in general and eating out over there is wonderful, but I always wondered why after my 2-3 week holidays I always ended up craving something purely savoury by the end of the trip. And no matter what savoury foods I ate, it never took the edge off. This appears to be the reason.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-17 03:34:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTouches?

When you log into your USCIS case file there is a date by each file. When that date changes that is a touch. It is basically whenever they do something or log into your case. As far as AP, we did not apply for it as we decided to wait on any trips until we had an I-551 stamp or green card in hand. It is a personal choice that is apparently getting bundled with the AOS package for the larger fee. I hope that this answers your questions. ;)


It answers them perfectly, thank you very much :) I wish they would show a history on the USCIS site, not just the last action.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-06-28 05:59:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTouches?
Hi Everyone,

I see a lot of signatures and information on the site that show files as being 'touched'. How do you know this has happened? Is the USCIS site updated to reflect this? (I have subscribed on there with both my I130 and K3). It's only 75 days since my hubby sent off the I130 so I haven't yet experienced these :)

I also had a question regarding the costs of the K3, I know they are going up shortly and I have seen people quoting a AOS, EP and AP as being part of the costs incurred. Now the adjustment of status and employment permit I understand, but is the advanced parole actually a necessity or is it just a cost to bare in mind in case of emergencies?
C and JFemaleEngland2007-06-28 05:39:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS CSC Delay notice
Thanks for the info, it's a slight weight off my shoulders to know that it's a general problem and not a problem with our NOA1 specifically.

Although, I've never known a printer problem to be dragged out for 2 months (whish is how long we've been waiting now :( )

Edited by Cheryl & Josh, 29 June 2007 - 04:11 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-06-29 04:08:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1s from CSC
I am interested if any of the people from April onwards, who are missing their NOA1s from the California Service Centre, are starting to see them arrive?

I have been waiting since the end of April and it is approaching the 20th (when all should have been sent). I'm tempted to get Josh to phone the customer service line, just to make sure it's sent, but I'd feel more at ease if I know people are now receiving them.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-18 01:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US - K3 Pending - Docs needed???

I've heard of people actually trying to get into the US w/out a visa just because they're on the waiting list but they get refused entry into the US....

What's the deal????


Some countries (the UK is one of them) are in the visa waiver program with the US. This means that we do not need to apply for a tourist visa when entering the country. We just have to have a machine readable passport. The official info on the program is listed below.

http://travel.state....thout_1990.html

As to people just turning up without any visa and assuming they are going to be let in because they are waiting for a visa, I can only assume they are either ill-informed or just "trying their luck". It's not worth jeapordising the visa by being impatient.

Edited by C and J, 20 July 2007 - 02:32 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-20 02:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US - K3 Pending - Docs needed???

Any international carrier that wants to operate to the US must sign an agreement with US Immigration agreeing to carry passangers to where they originated, at no cost to the US Govt should they be found inadmissible. This would be on the next return flight available.

All countried have the same agrement with any carrier operating in their country.


Thanks for the information, Desert Fox, at least I know how I'd be returning home if I get refused.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-18 08:38:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US - K3 Pending - Docs needed???
The documents you mention sound like a lot of proof that you intend to leave. In fact, if you have trouble getting into the States with that, then I probably have no chance of getting into the States for my Sept trip (I will only have return ticket, letter from employer and wedding invitation to show as reason for visit/reason to leave - I have no property etc)

I would actually like to ask a similar question... If you are refused entry on your arrival in the States, what is the proceedure for getting back home? I have already used the search function and can't seem to come up with anything (tried "customs refused entry" and variations of it, plus "home after refusal" - I like to be prepared if the worst should happen).

The only thread that seems to be close to what I am looking for is a Nigerian woman whose thread was closed due to it heating up quite a bit and she doesn't mention the trip back at all.

I honestly think that no matter how desperately I want to see my husband, if it was not for my brother in laws wedding I would not be travelling to the US before the visa process was finished. It's nerve wracking thinking of what may or may not happen at customs on this trip and I don't want to be responsible for putting a grey cloud over my B.I.Ls wedding day if I am refused.

One thing which gives me hope, is that on my last trip to the States (back in Feb) I stated to the customs official that I was entering the States to get married. He asked to see my return ticket and he took that as sufficient evidence that I was intending to leave. I think it may also have worked in my favour that I asked if he could stamp the same page as they had previously, which meant he saw I had travelled to the States on 3 occasions prior to that trip. The stamp won't work in my favour this time, because I have my new passport in my married name... so it's brand new :( I might take my cancelled one along with me, just in case.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-18 07:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help with question

I am told that my wife who lives in Romania who has a valid passport (ROmania) can just book a ticket to US and stay for no longer than 3 months. Is this true?


I'm unsure if Romania is part of the visa waiver program (you will need to check) but if they are then, yes, your wife can stay in the US visa-free for upto 3 months as a TOURIST. BUT if you have already applied for a visa (I129F or I130) make sure your wife takes supporting evidence to prove that she intends to leave the country and return to Romania when the time is up.

Evidence can be: return flight ticket, something to prove she owns property in Romania or that she still has a permanent residence there. As this does not apply to me (I currently live at home with my mum while my visa process is in motion) a letter from an employer to say she is still in permanent employment is also good.

If your wife cannot convince the official at the airport of her intention to leave the country at the end of her visit, they have the power to turn her away and not allow entry.

This is one of the things currently worrying me about my planed trip to the US in September. The thought of going through the flight and being turned away is not a nice thought, especially as my being turned away will put a large downer on my brother-in-laws wedding and I don't want to be the cause of sadness on their special day.

Edited by Cheryl & Josh, 29 June 2007 - 04:34 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-06-29 04:32:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNEED HELPPPP!!
I always tend to go with what is right, so I would suggest contacting the customer service line to correct the address. My hubby had a similar problem but that was caused by someone failing to read handwriting (his address on the forms was correct at 44** but the person/machine verifying it put 94**).

He was able to talk to the customer service department and solve the issue over the phone (even though it did take 3 phone calls to do so).

The other way of looking at it, is that if your neighbour is happy to continue receiving the mail and passing it onto you, then it may not be an issue. Personally, I wouldn't take the chance that it will come back and bite you in the butt at a later stage in the visa process.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-23 02:48:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI129 from VSC to CSC!!!!
It's not unusual to have paperwork transferred from one centre to another. The CSC seems to be the receiver of most I130/I129Fs recently. If the VSC still has your I130 that may be a good sign as VSC has been fast lately in approving those.

However, the general consensus is that CSC is now struggling with the huge amount of these forms that they've received. No one seems to be receiving NOA2s from the CSC (at least not recently) so we're all stuck in the waiting game while the CSC is working through it's back log.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-23 08:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-129 to wrong address!
Don't worry about sending the K3 without the NOA1 from the I130. Lots of people have resorted to doing this because of the delay with CSC sending out receipts. It's 100 days since we filed the I130 and still no receipt. If hubby hadn't sent off the I129F without the NOA1, we'd still be waiting to send it now.

This is a long road we're on and I started off feeling as anxious and over-whelmed as you are now... but you reach a point where you just accept the length of time it takes and it does make this journey easier. I was hoping for closure on this by Xmas, but now with the type of delays we see happening I am looking at January or Feb. I know this may be an overly-safe guess (then again, it might be realistic) but I don't want to give myself false hope, so I set a late date and if it comes in earlier then I will be happy. I'll be seeing my hubby once between now and the visa completion, either in Sept for my brother in laws wedding or, if I'm not allowed in the US at that time, my hubby will come over to spend a few weeks at Xmas with me.

I think it's comforting to know you're not going through this alone, everyone on this site has either already gone through this or is in the process of going through it. It's a wonderful support network of people who know exactly how you are feeling. I feel thankful every day that I came across this site.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-24 01:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 Visa I-129F petition transfer policy change
Actually, it may be "last years news" but there are a lot of people here who haven't seen this, including me.

I have seen quotes on the forums saying that it is "speculation that they hold the I130 and let the K3 through" and that "nothing has been said by USCIS to prove/disprove that statement", this article proves that it is more than speculation. Unfortunately Old news is easily forgotten as people move on from the forums and then it becomes New news all over again ;)

Thanks for posting this :)

Edited by C and J, 25 July 2007 - 05:59 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-25 05:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee | Spouse Visa Process question
I always find it hard to believe that a couple who have been together for any length of time would suddenly, on the spur of the moment, decide they want to get married. Maybe I'm just too methodical and too reliant on pre-planning (marriage license, person to perform the ceremony, witnesses) but I don't see "spur of the moment" happening to someone entering on the tourist visa (who is already in the relationship). Especially if it is not the persons first visit to see their partner. It's not really something you can prove or disprove I suppose (other than evidence to show you were going to leave).

Do the USCIS actually ask for proof that the decision was spontanious? I would have thought that this type of entry (especially on a tourist visa when compared against, say, an employment or student visa) would flash warning lights somewhere.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-26 03:04:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescalifornia service center
I'm not sure the CSC has even worked it's way through the backlog yet. My husband filed for me back in April and, as yet, there is still no I130 NOA1 in his mailbox. As they said everything should be back to normal by the 20th, I'm asking him to phone them and find out if ours has actually been resent or not.

As a side note, the customer service line won't do anything about missing receipts until 30 days after it is mailed. Keep smiling, it will arrive eventually ;)
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-23 02:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPetition of In-Laws
To broaden the last response, as far as I am aware, the USC can only petition for HER relatives, not yours.

You would be able to petition for them once you have taken citizenship, in several years time.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-30 06:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US while I129F is in process
Thank you very much for those responses :) They are very helpful :) And I didn't even think of attaching my bosses business card to the letter, that's a great idea :)
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-31 02:26:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US while I129F is in process
Thanks for the link Yu and Dan :) I know what information I can take with me to prove ties and I am fully aware that they may still refuse me entry.

Unfortunately the link doesn't give examples of what the letter should contain (which is what I am specifically searching for). I am presuming the following:-

* Company headed paper
* Full information of the person filling in the form
--- does this have to be their private contact details?
--- are these their company contact details? direst company extention number etc
--- does it have to include both company and private contact information?
* Current position held within the company
* Start date of employment and the fact that it is ongoing

Does this sound good?

Edited by C and J, 30 July 2007 - 09:38 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-30 09:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting US while I129F is in process
I am preparing for my visit to the US on Sept 1st and want to arrange for my boss to provide a proof of employment letter to prove ties to home. I have searched the forum and can only find posts and examples linked to the affidavit of support. Would the letter from my boss be similar to this (I presume without the salary information) or is there a specific example of a "ties to home" employment letter that I just haven't managed to find yet?
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-30 09:08:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSticky situation
If your husband goes to the US as a tourist and intends to stay and adjust status while in the US then that is visa fraud.

For an affidavit of support, you can get a relative or friend to sign this for you but the person signing would be legally bound to cover your husband financially (if the need arises) during his time in the States. He would get no financial help from the State what-so-ever.

How far along in your pregnancy are you? The reason I ask is that your husband can stay in the US on a tourist visa for 90 days BUT during that time he cannot work.

If your husband must work, then he would have to stay in Canada. I don't want to recommend that you spend time apart during your pregnancy but I think that is the only option available to you. Spouse visa's are taking about 10 months to authorise which is far to long for your situation.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-07-31 08:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Approved!!!!
Wow, Lvivlovers, HUGE congratulations to you :D You deserve it :) :dance:

Edited by C and J, 09 August 2007 - 01:40 AM.

C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-09 01:40:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling K3 before marriage
I have to agree with Pushbrk that the OP seems to want the visa process to bend to his individual requirements and, honestly, if we could all bend the process to our own requirements it would be instant and not the 10-month, long-haul, emotionally-painful thing that it currently is.

I don't see stating a religious requirement to marry before entering the States as a valid reason to try to "push in early" in the K3 queue, which is (in effect) what applying before marriage would be doing. Every day couples are making the decision to get married before the visa process begins, whether decided by their religion, their culture or by their own personal choices. None of those things should make one applicant more important than another.

You are asking to put yourself infront of all those people that are following the process as it is laid down and that irks me.

*steps off soapbox*
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-16 02:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling K3 before marriage

I may be wrong, but I think that's what the OP was saying. He can't do a religious, non-legal ceremony in his country of origin to satisfy the family, therefore they need to get married there and then come to the US on a K3, not a K1.


That's how I took it too, even though I was a bit unsure because of the wording... as a religious non-legal marriage was not possible, to satisfy his family they would have to have a religious legal marriage in Iran. That is why I clarified that as long as the marriage is legal then the country it takes place in is not an issue.

Unfortunately, as it is a requirement for their families, the OP will have to delay applying for the K3 until the ceremony has been held. I do not think it is worth the risk of being charged with visa fraud to cut a small amount of time off the visa processing. Because, depending on how long it takes to have the wedding ceremony, you would only be reducing the waiting time by that same amount. If this time difference is very important to you, is it possible to schedule your wedding earlier rather than later?
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-15 04:01:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling K3 before marriage
I believe you will find the answer to be "no" you cannot file the K3 without being married. The reason for this is you must file the I130 & K3. Both are petitions for relatives and if you are filling in these forms to say you are already married then I see that as being some kind of fraud. The I130 specifically asks for the date of your current marriage.

The K1 is there for fiances and this would be the form relevant to you.

in my country of origin it is not possible to have a religious, but non-legal marriage ceremony and our require it before we are able to begin our life together.


This slightly confuses me. Why would you want a non-legal, religious marriage? A marriage is a marriage, no matter where the ceremony took place. Are you under the assumption that a marriage must take place in the US to be legal in the US? If so, that is not true.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-15 01:49:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI 129 F Approved
Congratulations Kalina :) One step further forward :)
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-16 02:49:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmy I-130 Approved online..what to expect in NOA2 in mail?
Wow, I think you are the first May filer to be approved by the CSC. I hadn't even seen any April filers approved yet sad.gif Big congratulations on your good luck good.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-30 01:40:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan husband visit for christmas after we have started the paperwork?
I've just returned from a trip to see my hubby. As others have said, take proof of ties to home so that if he is asked, he can show it. It seems most people don't even get asked to show the evidence, I certainly didn't.

My case might be a bit different though, because my primary reason for having this visit was to attend my brother-in-laws wedding. I answered "family wedding" as being the reason for the trip so my husband was never mentioned. It might have been a more thorough questioning if my husband did come up in the questioning.
C and JFemaleEngland2007-09-17 07:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresspoke with USCIS officer in person today
QUOTE (jundibasam @ Sep 18 2007, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The two biggest was obviously the fee increase in late July caused such a massive amount of filings, they stopped processing petitions so they could complete filing and data entry on the new ones.

But the second is news to me. Evidently, USCIS stopped processing petitions for a few weeks back in May/June time when the immigration debate was hot and there was pending legislation to overahaul USCIS and I guess they wanted to see where that was going to go before they went any further. Apparently, they didn't want to waste any unneccesary time or resources working on petitions if they were going to have to go back and start over because Congress changed the rules midstream.


Thanks for the information smile.gif It explains why we are seeing so few approvals coming through from April (and still haven't completed all the March ones). I do find it very unfair that they have stopped processing older petitions so that they can add new ones into the system though sad.gif I'm beginning to wonder if my February estimate will even hold up at this rate sad.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-09-19 01:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI filed the I-129F(K-3) in August,2nd,2007 and it was approved on Sept.,13rd,2007
Looking at One Heart's timeline and their comment, it seems they finally decided to try the K3 route and it was just in time to be paired with the I130 that was sent way back in April. Seems like the luck of good timing good.gif

However, considering the USCIS have a backlog of petititions (enough to apparently fill a semi's trailer) and are very late with even cashing cheques... for your petition to have been processed into their system and also to have reached the hands of someone who could approve it within 6 weeks seems more like a USCIS-miracle at this point. You should thank whoever is looking out for you smile.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-09-17 10:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNo Receipt notice
QUOTE (gogo @ Sep 18 2007, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,

have you checked if your check was cashed with them? Usually there is a long sequence of numbers (your case number with 3 letters and about 9 numbers)...


In addition to the cashed cheque, USCIS are behind with most things at the moment. See the post below from another thread:-

QUOTE (hheaven67 @ Sep 14 2007, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Take a look for those of us that are STILL waiting for our NOA1's!

As of September 14, 2007, USCIS has completed data entry and issued receipt notices for applications and petitions received on or before the dates indicated:

California Service Center
Form Number Date Received

I-130 8/08/2007
N-400 7/26/2007
All Other Forms 9/06/2007

That means, since the last update, within ONE WEEK they've only gotten one day further ahead! We mailed our I-130 on Aug 7th, will be at least 2-3 more weeks at this rate! Something that normally takes approximately 10 days! What a mess!

jen

C and JFemaleEngland2007-09-18 09:20:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill the USCIS contact me?
As an extra piece of information. When USCIS cash your cheque or money order, they will write the case number on the back on the cashed item. Once it's cashed you can then ask your bank or the money order company to give you a copy of it and, voila, you have your case number smile.gif It can be a lot quicker and saves worrying while you're waiting for an NOA1 to come through in the mail smile.gif
C and JFemaleEngland2007-09-20 08:13:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarch Filers with NO APPROVAL yet.
Pkwel,

The California service centre have "forgotten" to put K3 processing times on their site a couple of times in the past, so this would just be.. yet another.. oversight on their parts :(
C and JFemaleEngland2007-08-14 07:08:00