ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Believe me, if you venture over to the EAD forums, they are JUST as confused lol. Its not that anyone is lying or giving out false information to readers, but rather two different sources are stating information on the same topic that doesn't really mesh well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the IRS or USCIS isn't going to come hunt you down when your temp approval for working expires. From reading other posts, it seems as though its up to the employer to actively terminate you based on your lack of approved work status. If they don't care and you are feeling lucky/risky, you may continue working. Furthermore, it seems that I have read elsewhere on here that when you receive or finish the AOS process, certain things are forgiven or ?

Like I said before, I find it hard to believe they expect an immigrant to come in and just wait around for employment authorization. Wouldn't it make more sense to have these newly immigrated folks working to make uncle sam more $$$ and so on, rather than sitting around and mooching off another taxpayer's income? Maybe thats a little over the top, but babysitting or temporary caregiving to an elderly person is hardly a crime in my opinion and its doing someone a favor. To receive cash for that and then be in trouble with the law is asinine to me.

Edited by jzoom6, 28 March 2008 - 02:02 AM.

IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-28 01:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Social Security Number:
K1 visa holders can get social security number upon producing a valid unexpired I-94. Apply two weeks after arrival in the US so that Social Security Administration(SSA) can verify your information in the SAVE-ASVI database. If you apply too soon, they may have to do manual verification by filing Form G-845 with the USCIS which may add several weeks of delay. Also, do not wait too long as many SSA offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire within 14 days. Of course, it is also possible to apply after you get EAD.

K1 visa holder is eligible to get SSN.

Social security card will be marked "VALID FOR ONLY WITH USCIS AUTHORIZATION". That means, you need to get EAD first before you can actually work.

^^^ This excerpt from ***removed*** is a good source of info aside from the wealth of knowledge here, anyways, it helped clear something up for me I think. Getting the stamp at the POE would be nice and you could work, but in terms of legality and common sense, it almost doesn't seem worth it. If you entered on Day X and got the stamp, even if you got married on the 89th valid day of your visa, that day would also mark the end of you stamp's usefulness and you'd have to quit right?

Basically, it sounds like going out of one's way to get the stamp isn't worth it in the end, nor is the stamp worth much either, considering you have, AT MOST, 75-80 days to work, assuming you spent some time searching for jobs beforehand and wedding stuff. Also, this whole business about getting a SSN while waiting for AOS, EAD, etc seems sort of pointless as well because its a "card with limits" type of thing.

Edited by jzoom6, 28 March 2008 - 01:12 AM.

IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-28 01:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
I think I understand the fact that they are seperate entities, but then why does it say that:

- Required evidence for employment authorization is either
* Form I-94 [WITH K-1 STAMPED ON IT]
* Arrival/Departure Record showing a class of admission (K-1) that indicates the person can work without specific DHS authorization (RM00203.500C.1.)
* or an employment authorization document (EAD) (Form I-766 or I-688B).

Maybe I'm not reading it right, but that states from ssa website what DHS is saying about who could/couldn't work. Am I misled?
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-28 00:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Hmm, so if thats true, that would make life easier on those immigrating. I find it hard to imagine that they would have people start work, stop, and then start again. I can understand the illegal issues with illegal immigrants earning money and using taxpayer's services, but for the legal people, thats a sin. So is there a 100% ruling on this...can work once arrive or wait till EAD?
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-27 14:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Hmm, is that soooo?

Either way, I'm sure that immigration won't be coming and knocking down my door anytime soon so no worries smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-26 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Oh believe me I understand the risks, but I find it hard to believe that the US government expects someone to just sit and wait for an EAD to go through, but then I suppose thats the choice you make when helping someone immigrate here.

So helping Jane Smith who is 80 years old and needs a part time caretaker and pays cash is illegal? Thats a crime for being a nice person sad.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-26 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Not to jump off-topic, but this might be considered discussing "bending the rules" for what I'm gonna ask...is it understandable to take a nanny job or some under the table job, while she
waits for EAD? I'm preparing to support us, but I can only imagine someone going stir-crazy waiting 3 months to be "allowed" to work. Again, if thats something that shouldn't
be discussed here as its not entirely legal, then feel free to delete this post.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-26 13:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
As a poster pointed out....many, if not all, major Canadian airports have U.S. Pre-clearence (aka US Customs) at the airport itself. Once you travel through there and board your plane, you are treated as an average joe, a domestic traveller in the United States. Therefore, I would try there, otherwise you will end up going well out of your way for that stamp.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-26 11:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to send the I129F
I ended up using clips to hold individual sections together and used a sturdy one to bind the whole together. I sent it via USPS Certified Mail which only cost like $9 and it got to the VSC 3 days later. I ended up using some Tyvek envelope that was laying around the house. It was soft, but impenetrable and waterproof too.

I shouldn't worry just yet seeing as some people have gone weeks without hearing any positive confirmation of receipt of the package. However, I sent it tuesday via USPS Certified Mail and other than Delivered, March 28, 2008, 11:44 am, SAINT ALBANS, VT 05479 on the website for tracking, I have no other proof. Oh well, here's to checking my bank account on a daily basis wink.gif You would think how greedy the government can be that your check would be cashed pretty quickly lol.

Edited by jzoom6, 01 April 2008 - 05:24 PM.

IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-01 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStarted K1 Process - Now Switching to K-3?
Dig up an old topic eh?
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-01 12:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresthe brown envelope
With a certain amount of free time and access to some technology, I wonder if you could x-ray the enevlope at different levels. Its mostly stuff you see in movies, but I wonder if you were extremely bored and savvy, it could be done wink.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-02 14:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHi...I'm a newbie and here's my story
Being late, this post will be brief, but just to fill in some info:

- Touches can be anything from someone reviewing it to a repackaging in another box. If I recall, every time someone physically touches your case, it is scanned via barcode. So in essence, it could be someone important reviewing it or it could be a worker simply shifting documents among the office.

- While the Vermont SC lately has been quite a bit faster at these than the California SC, there is little you can do as a person to "speed" the process up other than submitting everything completely and 100% accurately. As someone pointed out, just one of these adjudicators in an office of dozens of them are looking at your case. That same adjudicator ends up seeing dozens of cases per day and endless boxes, so don't take it personal when yours isn't going as fast as others.

- If your case had been idle for quite some time, say 6+ months, I would say that a word from a Senator would have expedited things somewhat, but not after 1 month of normal processing time.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-03-28 01:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisit in US
Not to venture off topic, but I wonder what constitutes a "wrong" answer in a POE officer's mind? I can think of very obvious answers such as why are you visiting...oh I'm bring my crop of weed to come sell to high school kids on the street. That would merit an arrest depending on your current country lol. Anyways, the reason I feel helpless sometimes is that if that POE officer is having a bad day, he just might end up picking you out of the 100+ people he/she processes that day and deny you entry. A lot of "power" in one person's hands.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-03 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHOW TO??
While I am quite some steps away from reaching that point, I can offer a few general suggestions:

* If your fiance is there, the officer is more interested in your responses and input to his/her questions than the other person, since they are already the U.S. citizen. This being said, it would be best for both people to review your evidence, documents and so on, so that once you enter the room, it would be as though you were talking to your fiance like when you were practicing.
* BE HONEST
* If there are other people in your photographs or letters, be sure to know who they are and not just some random guy/girl
* Generally the officer is doing many appointments in a day, so unless you sense they are hesitating, don't offer to present tons of emails, letters, etc. As I stated above, with honesty and straight-forward responses comes trust from the officer
* Have your facts straight such as finances, living situation, employment (or future oppurtunities if thats the case), wedding location, etc. You may not need to tell all of it to him/her, but it can't hurt to know
* Dress professionally and be sure to provide documents that are clean, well-typed, grammar free, and readable (no 8pt font or anything)

Its late so some of this may seem redundant, but I hope it helps calm your worries a little bit.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-02 01:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureschecklist for the AOS

IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCounting Days for J-1 home residency requiremnt
If I'm not mistaken, isn't a J-1 visa for Exchange students or visitors? If so, this forum section is for K-... visas, which are marriage.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWrite the check to USCIS
While this board and members are here to help...a little searching helps some of the questions that get asked REPEATEDLY.

I am not trying to come off as sounding harsh, but I waited for a week before registering and simply read Guides & FAQ's and then decided to register to start with my process. All I'm saying to the Original Poster and future posters is that the information for such questions is the same information available to every visitor of this site, registered or not. Please take the time and effort to use the Search function in the future. While posting these questions isn't harming anyone, when they go unanswered, then people will understand why.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresconfuised about where my case at
I presume English isn't your first language? Either way, I'm replying the best I can assuming I read your information right.

If you reside in Michigan, you should have sent the I-129F to the California Service Center:

USCIS
California Service Center
P.O. Box 10130
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0130

Source: Vermont & California Service Centers Update
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of Ongoing Relationship
Whether it goes well or bad, it'll be the 5th of May, so you can go out and drink! smile.gif

See the bottom 2 sections of this page regarding proof and what is consider valid and what is considered irrelevant:

K-1 Guide
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting married straight away after the K1 is approved
I would suggest marrying within, say, 45 days or so for one or two reasons.

1) If memory serves, the time for filing for the SSN & card runs out 2 weeks before the 90 day limit. If so, marrying earlier in the 90-day window lets you get that ball rolling sooner and avoid "cutting it close".

2) The advice given by that person about marrying early is more uninformed suggestion or possible opinion than anything else, at least thats I how I feel. As I stated in #1 and here, while there is no rush to do it, I think that getting hitched lets you start the next step that much sooner, Adjustment of Status and furthermore, its getting married! Why would you want to wait for such a happy event smile.gif

Edited by jzoom6, 05 April 2008 - 05:28 PM.

IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-05 17:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLeaving to San Francisco on April 15, 2008
You could try some of these suggestions from various websites:

- Jumping jacks in the aisle
- Read a very long novel
- Crossword puzzle, soduku, etc
- Drink yourself to sleep
- Plan out the rest of the year on notepad
- Strike up convo with someone nearby
* I ended up talking to a lady in her 50's that pretty much did this process when she was my age (early 20's)
- Sketch some drawings on your notepad
- Try to get your fellow passengers to sing along to nursey rhymes (lol)
- If your neighbor is foreign as well, try to learn a few basic words of their language? (I like this idea)
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-06 11:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of intent
No, I believe the wording of her sentence was confusing...Eric & Teresa did this and suggested it as well:

Original signed Letters of Intent with I-129F
Photocopies of ^^^ sent to fiance for interview packet gathering
"New" signed letters of intent once the interview staged is reached

Correct me if needed, but I think thats what she was saying.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-06 22:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of intent
Originals with original petition. I believe its copies that are accepted at a later date? Such as the interview. The wait for mailing might be unfortunate, but the wait for an RFE or something to that effect could set you back further than just snail mail wink.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-06 11:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs there any K1 visa here that they left USA before AOS?
Unless you'd like to get on the bad side of



then I would suggest waiting to get



before trying to leave and come back into the US legally.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-08 12:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp me VJs~, Prep for I-134
While the two replies pretty much hit the nail on the head, I wanted to thank the original poster for taking the time to properly research her questions before posting here. The questions you asked were valid and probably on many people's minds, I'm glad that you brought them up. I wouldn't suggest anything more than what has already been suggested, besides using a courier service like DHL or FedEx to send the packet to your beneficiary. I used USPS and sometimes the tracking information isn't always accurate and its the US Government, so I'd prefer to put my money into a private company smile.gif

Good luck and you will do fine!
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-08 11:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDaughter MIGHT move now ... but might not ...
Seeing as I am much too young to have a teenage daughter just yet (24), I would make an ultimatum. While she is family, I think this matter is too serious to leave it "up to her" in essence. If she comes, then thats going to be final. If she stays, then she is knowing the risks of doing so. Maybe you can try and lay out some of the pros/cons for her about coming to the states? American guys? Jobs? Music? Just my 2 cents smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-08 21:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan I marry in Canada with a K1 in hand?
As long as the celebration is only that...a celebration and not any sort of official wedding ceremony.

Your fiance would need Advanced Parole approval in order to reenter the United States after leaving for Canada.

See the FAQ for more information.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-09 20:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVery New to this entire K1 Process (in Bogota)
For questions #1 & #2:




As Dave pointed out, you can likely make the process much shorter by marrying and filing overseas via Direct Consular Filing. I would use the above advice and research into it some more to see if you and your fiance prefer that option over the K-1, K-3, etc visas.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-06 11:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEngagement query
I doubt it will because technically an engagement is any sort of legally binding event. Its more of tradition or commonplace to do so rather than any legal or ritual thing I would imagine. So no, I doubt you will have any issues.

By the way, I know I don't have any authority here, but do you mind shrinking down that picture in your signature? Its bigger than an average reply to someone's post here on the forums. Again, just a friendly request.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-12 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWorking on a K1
Everyone is adding small bits of info to this already confusing topic wink.gif This discussion took place a week or so ago on this forum and what was gathered from that is:

A SSN (either before/after married name change) gives the holder the approval to work by order of SSA
HOWEVER
An EAD stamp and the SSN are needed to take employment by order of the DHS.



The Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security are two separate government entities. Having only one or the other does not entitle someone to work, you must have both or you will be illegally employed and face trouble with the law if problems arise from that situation. While some suggest going through JFK to get the temporary 90-day stamp, I personally feel it is more trouble than its worth. Very few employers, or at least ones someone would want to work at for the pay, would hire for only 2 months and then let you go because you can't work. It is best to save your $$$ that would be spent on trying to fly through JFK and instead put that money towards filing for AOS, EAD, AP, etc.

A good source of visualizing how things are organized:
PDF of Current DHS Organizational Chart
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-08 11:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWorking on a K1
In addition, I do believe that you can file the EAD online which may or may not lead to its quicker approval. There is no proof for or against the speediness of filing online versus mailing it in. Please feel free to chime in if that information is inaccurate, I'm writing from memory right now since I'm too busy to look it up wink.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-07 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to send to the foreign fiancée?
I made 2 copies as well, minus picture pages because of the ink needed for them. I figured having one on hand as a "hard" copy and the other for my fiance would be good.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-16 18:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCost and Length of Medical Exam
For my fiance, she'll probably end up paying around $200 CDN for her medical. At least thats what she was able to find out.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-08 11:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDs-230 filed estimated interview date? (New delhi)
Using the VisaJourney Timelines page, I found that you are looking, on average, at around 70-90 days from your NOA2 to Interview. Since you haven't created a timeline, it is difficult to judge or provide more information other than what was said in your post. Also, keep in mind that the # of days I just said was based on the average of other people that have filed for the K-1 visa and will be using the New Delhi embassy.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-26 07:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck online
Lol, case updates. As someone previously pointed out, their case still showed "Received and pending" when they had already received a NOA2 hard copy in the mail. At this point, I tend to just sift through the mail from time to time to see if anything is for me from the US DHS. Other than that, I'm not holding my breath smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-27 13:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck online
Oh I wasn't necessarily relying, and I've posted that same information to others Nick&Laura, I was just confirming an assumption that touching to us = updated date on Case Status Online. I'm actually glad I've been working so much because I haven't really paid much attention to the fact its been almost 30 days already. Not suggesting thats a long wait, but rather that I've been so busy I haven't noticed smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-26 08:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck online
Assumed I was right, thanks for clarifying the whole touched = updated smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-26 07:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescheck online
When people say their case has been "touched", I'm assuming they meant the change in Last Updated ?
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-26 07:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa..moving & conflictng information...HELP!
Regarding K-1 Visa general info:

The visa is a fiance visa, which was created to help ease the strain on the K-3 visa or spousal visa. It grants the beneficiary 90 days to marry once it is used. This allows for couples to "get to know each other" while still allowing them to be together legally.

Regarding visa approval:

You have a "Use by" date on the visa that is 6 months from the time of approval. So, if its approved May 1st, you must use it by November 1st. Make sense?

Regarding moving:

I do believe others on the board have sucessfully crossed the border with a Uhaul or some sort of truck with belongings. There is more specific information that you can use the Search for or ask others that might reply to this post. I think a list of what you are bringing is needed, but don't quote me on that. Whether or not you do it yourself I think comes down to what you can afford really.
IzoomMaleCanada2008-04-28 21:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSOMEONE PLEASE HELP ANSWER THIS Q...
Glad you got your question answered, but as a side note, please don't post in ALL caps...it generally "means" yelling in the Internet and personally I think it is also harder to read too. Just a courtesy smile.gif
IzoomMaleCanada2008-05-04 14:07:00