biggish data

Something Strange...

No, USCIS wouldn't contact the Consulate as it's the NVC that does that sending the petition after approval, so I'd be suspicious indeed. Have your fiancee call the consulate and ask if such a call would be normal or if there's any record of it being made.

Yea I was going to try calling the Consulate myself tomorrow for that exact reason.

If it was something fraudulent, it would be one hell of a coincedence that they said they were from the US Consulate in Rio.

I wish she had been there to receive the phone call, because I know she would have asked the guy questions, or said something like, "is this about my visa?". Unfortunetly, her mother didn't ask anything about it, she assumed it was something for the visa.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-06 19:30:00

Something Strange...

That is odd. I mean, if they had your petition, ok, but since it hasn't reached them yet, very strange.

Last time I got a tourist visa Rio's consulate did call my house and made inquiries about my "work visa" and if it wasn't true I was gonna "live in US" and mom kept telling them I had applied for a tourist visa and I was only going for vacations (I had already been approved at the interview). So they were showing how picky and tough they can get with people. Took them 2 weeks to send me my passport back with my visa, as opposed to the usual 2 days.

Yea I'm really not sure what to make of it. I mean, other than my petition, I don't see how the US Consulate, or USCIS would even know she exsists. So, I can't think of any other reason they would have called.

If the case is that they are already working on my petition, that might be good news for people who just had they're petitions transfered to California.... again that is a VERY big IF.... but I just can't think of any other reason they would contact her. :unsure:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-06 19:19:00

Something Strange...

Hey all,
I posted about this in the South American room, but after confirming it with my fiance a few minutes ago, I wanted to post is here as well to see if anyone had any clue about it... or experienced it.

My fiance was away in another city getting her passport last week. At the end of the week, her mother called her and said a man that identified himself as being someone from the US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro called for her.

The man asked her mother to verify the house address, verify my fiances full name, and verify that my fiance did indeed live at that address.

Now, I filed my I-129F a month ago, I have an NOA1 dated May 9th. My petition along with many others was transfered from Nebraska to California last week. So, I have no idea why the Consulate would call my fiance's house. She has never done anything in regards to immigration before, so I'm guessing the only way they would know of her is by my petition.

The only thing I can think of, is maybe they are now working on my petition, and called just to make sure the information I put on it in regards to my fiance are accurate?

Anyone hear of anything like this before? I'm at a complete loss here :unsure:

Thanks
Erik

Edited by Erik, 06 June 2006 - 06:43 PM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-06 18:43:00

PLEASE HELP:Affidavit and K1 visa

Hey guys,

I'm about to submit the first set of forms, to start my fiance's k1 visa application. I found a website (not VJ) that says you should include the form, I-134 Affidavit of support as one of the documents. But reading from the posts on this site made by you guys, it seems that the affidavit is needed until the k1 visa is approved and the fiance goes in for the interview at the US embassy/consulate.

From my understanding, the forms I need to submit with the first packet is, I-129F and G-325A (for myself and for my fiance). Of course, this is not including the copy of my birth certificate, letters of intent to marry, and the proof that we have met within the 2 years of filing.

My question is: Do I need to submit the form I-134 Affidavit of support with the first packet (I-129F and G-325A, etc.)

No you do not, you will have to send the I-134 to your fiance before they go for they're interview at the Consulate :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-07 15:02:00

touched again today !!

Yep, I was touched for the 3rd day in a row today as well

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-03 20:26:00

fox news just announced

I caught this also. They said they are going to be sending out new forms that will need to be completed for people trying to marry someone from abroad. They also mentioned it was a result of a law to help protect "mail order brides".

Sounds like IMBRA to me.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-13 20:24:00

did anyone received RFE letter from Service Center ?

No one knows for sure yet, but it seems that you'll have to answer a couple of questions, if you have a criminal background you might have to provide it, if not, it seems it will be the questions only.

Well, I guess no one received any RFE at this time...???

If there are no criminal records or some sort of felony, will we still receiving RFE from the center..??

Yes if you applied after March 6th

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-19 16:38:00

Gotta laugh about new processing times

Not that I believe those timelines, but I'll tell you what, if they happen to be true because of them moving petitions to California (mine included) there will be one less USCIS Service Center in the US :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-20 22:29:00

I've had 3 touches in 3 days and my NOA1 date is May 5.

Same here, NOA1 May 9th. Three touches as well

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-04 10:39:00

Well here is what they told me... not much naturally.

He said they don't know why they transfered the petitions to California. He "guessed" that it was to help speed up the process. When I mentioned that didn't make much sense, because California was more back logged than Nebraska, he kind of fell silent, and did one of these numbers.. uh.. uh.. hmm.. yeah... uhh... your right. I don't know why they were transfered.

He said he believes the petitions that were transfered, will still be processed accourding to the NOA1 date that we received from Nebraska. So, he didn't think we would be put at the bottom of the pile, rather mixed into the pile with other petitions in the same time frame as our NOA1's.

I asked him why the phone number they gave us was disconnected... he said... oh yeah, were sorry about that... maybe we are changing the phone number or something... (yeah.. ok).

So, in conclusion... I have no idea whats going on :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 11:55:00

I updated my timeline to show CSC, and my expected approval date changed to July 29th. Criminy, if I find an extra 17 days hard to bear, I don't have a hope of serenity in this whole centre switcharoo/IMBRA fiasco.

Serenity NOW! SERENITY NOW! (TM Seinfeld)

They're killing independant Erik!!! :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 11:38:00

Still on hold........................................ :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 11:36:00

I'm currently on hold with USCIS, waiting to speak with someone. I'll let you all know what they tell me... if anything :unsure:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 11:26:00

Has anyone been able to speak to a person at USCIS yet today to see if they can tell us why our petitions were transfered? (yeah, I know thats a stretch).

I've been calling all morning and keep getting the 30 min waiting bullcrap, and as mentioned before by Gary, the number they tell you to call is disconnected :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 11:00:00

In part, from my congressman: So let's hope it is true!

"There is a backlog of I-129F applications and therefore they are shipped to another service center for adjudication. It should not delay your case and actually will push it along. I understand your frustration and while yes it would have been legitimate for her to come for a visit getting a visitors visa for her might have been difficult. Please remember when they give you the time frame of 80 - 110 days on the notice of action they are not referring to actual days but business days."

-Dave

I sure hope that is the case, but by the process times, California was more backlogged than Nebraska... so who knows

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 09:13:00

Yep, I got a touch today to

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-02 08:58:00

Yep, count me in as another one transfered. NOA1 date of May 9th. I'm in Ohio.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-01 19:13:00

rfe mailed back

Who knows... but what is "sounds" like, is your entire petition is going back into processing, but it will take less time then submitting a new one...

Man this is screwed up

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-23 11:54:00

On the NSC to CSC move, emails, transfer notices

Hey all,
I emailed the CSC and got a response today about them transfering the petitions (as well as the new timelines). Pretty standard email I believe, but appears to be different than what most people have been getting for a response from the CSC.

Here is it.

"California Service Center is processing I-129F petitions from Nebraska and Texas. Your petition is at this location and will be processed based on the original receipt date. Please note all processing of this form has been hold. We have just recently received the new guidelines and will be processing the request for additional information as quickly as possible."

Thanks,
McClellan, CAO
Division XII, Customer Service

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-06-22 15:54:00

What I don't get Erik, is this. Why going through the trouble of getting them in US when she can get them for free here?

Well before I wasn't sure how they would be able to tell what shots she had, and didn't have with out records. But, as mentioned by a poster above, they should be able to tell via a blood test.

So, we will have her get what she's missing there, but before I asked I wasn't sure how they would go about finding out, and just in case if for some reason she did not get all the injections, if that would be a problem at the medical, or interview.

I had been told in the past that it was mandatory that she have them (even the Consulate said in they're first email that she must have her injection records), so I was just concerned if for some reason she didn't, it would screw things up.

So, just wanted to make things clear (well for me anyway lol)

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-06 12:44:00

Thanks everyone, you all are great. Seems my questions have been answered, but I received some information from the Consulate in Rio that I thought might be useful to others as well.

Here's a little more information I got to pass on to you all. I also had emailed the Consulate in Rio, initially this is what they told me. (They're answers are in bold font)

Initial Email:

1. She is having a difficult time getting records of her previous injections. Does she absolutely need to have these records when she goes for her Medical Exam before her interview?

YES

2. What if she is not able to obtain those records, what must we do?

SHE MUST TALK TO THE DOCTOR ABOUT THIS.

3. Will they give her all the injections she needs for the Visa at her medical exam? I know some of these injections can not all be given all at one time, so how would that work? Would they give her just the basic injections needed for the visa at her medical exam, and then she could get the rest of her injections when she arrives here in the United States?

ONLY THE DOCTOR CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

4. I believe I read on the USCIS website, that she would be allowed to get the bulk of her injections here in the United States, as long as she passed the medical exam. Is this true or does she need every injection "before" she is able to get her visa even if she passes the medical exam?

ONLY THE DOCTOR CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

So after I received that, I emailed them this email.

Follow up Email:

Thank you very much for your reply.

However, on the USCIS Website there is a conflicting statement.

Under the Medical Exam section of the USCIS Website, and under the "Who has to have a medical exam?" section, there is a paragraph that reads as follows:

"K and V nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applicants. Individuals applying for a K nonimmigrant visa as the fiancee or the spouse of a U.S. citizen or for a V nonimmigrant visa as the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) (including those applying for V status in the United States) must undergo a medical exam, but are not required to comply with the vaccination requirements at that time. They will be required to comply with the vaccination requirements when they eventually apply for adjustment of status."

So I am still very confused as to what she really needs. Also, she is not anywhere near any of the approved Physicians in the list of Physicians you provide, so she will only be able to go a few days before her Interview when I fly her up to Rio.

This portition of the process appears to be very unclear.

Here is the response I got today...

Dear Sir or Madam:

You are right. For a fiancée visa the vaccination is not mandatory. She will have to sign a statement under oath that she will take the necessary shots as soon as she gets in the U.S.

Regards,

IV Unit

Hope this helps someone else also

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-06 12:36:00

Hey all thanks for your quick responses, your helping relieve some of my panic :lol:

The only concern I had with having her go get her injections again, is sometimes it is not good for the person to get a duplicate of a certain injection (of course I have no idea which). So, her not having her records, I wasn't sure how they would tell what she has had, and what she has not had.

I'm hoping as grismar said they will be able to tell through a blood test.

I understood the paragraph, but I heard and seen people saying it was a "must" that all those injections were present before she came to the US. My biggest concern was her getting a refusal because of that. Her getting injections here is no problem, and a huge relief.

Thanks all, I'll tell her to ask the Doctor to give her a blood test to see if they can tell what she has already had, and thanks to my Brasilians friends I have the injections translated into Portuguese

Everyone here rocks :dance:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-05 13:39:00

Hey all,
I posted about this in the South America section, and the lovely, kind folks there have been helping me. But, I figured I would post this here as well to see if I could get more opinions, experiences. etc. etc.

My fiance is unsure if she will be able to retreive her injection records from when she was younger. Everything was done on paper back then, and she was told most of those records are now completely gone because they've moved over to computers. They are working on it, but are not sure if they will be able to provide her with any proof that she has received certain injections on the list of required injections.

Now, the USCIS Website says not to try and fufill those injection requirements (if she can't get her records) before going to the Physician. Problem with that, is she is a plane ride away from any of the Physicians they consider approved.

The lovely people over at the South American board, have given me a very good idea of what she will need to have injection wise for her interview (and even translated it into Portuguese for me... how wonderful are these folks

).

I initially fell asleep on this injection issue because of a paragraph I had read on the USCIS Website. The paragraph is on the Medical Exam page, and is under the "Who has to have a medical exam?" section on that page.

Here is the paragraph

K and V nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applicants. Individuals applying for a K nonimmigrant visa as the fiancee or the spouse of a U.S. citizen or for a V nonimmigrant visa as the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) (including those applying for V status in the United States) must undergo a medical exam, but are not required to comply with the vaccination requirements at that time. They will be required to comply with the vaccination requirements when they eventually apply for adjustment of status.

So, what has thrown me for a loop all this time, is thinking that even if she could not get her previous injection records, she would have no problems at the Medical Exam, or the Interview, because of that statement in the paragraph from the USCIS Website.

Needless to say, I'm completely confused as to weather or not we are going to run into problems, even though from what I gather from that paragraph, it should not be a problem if she does not have all the required injections for her Medical/Interview.

Any insight, suggestions, first hand experience... ummm... voodoo witch dances... any information would be GREATLY appreciated.

Whew, my hands are tired :lol:

Edited by Erik, 05 July 2006 - 01:26 PM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-05 13:23:00

I WAS TOUCHED BY CSC!!

I've been touched a lot lately by CSC as well.

07/10/2006 Touched & Email saying they received my IMBRA RFE (a week after they actually received it btw)
07/11/2006 Touched again, no change in case status, still about them receiving my IMBRA RFE
07/12/2006 Touched again, no change in case status again, still about them receiving my IMBRA RFE

Not really sure what that all means, but at least were getting something I suppose :hehe:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 14:44:00

I am sad to say....

Glad to hear you might be able to get some sort of extension, hopefully that will work out and all will be well.

I certainly hope that the only issue here is personality difference for you two. My fiance is from Brasil, and they are extremely laid back as well and take things in stride (well at least my fiance does). I am also very detailed (perfectionist), goal oriented, and yes at times ####### about getting things done properly, and expediciously, American curse I guess.

We have bumped heads about this on a few things during our relationship, however never when it came to anything regarding the Visa. Being laid back, and or lazy is one thing, but when it comes to something so important, and something you both desperately want, it just doesn't add up (well at least it doesn't in my head, but thats not really saying a lot :lol:

).

I certainly hope everything works out for the best for you and him, even if it takes a little bit longer. Hopefully this Visa nightmare will be over for you and your fiance very soon. :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 23:45:00

I am sad to say....

Sorry to hear about this

I wish you the best of luck. Things do sound a bit strange, especially if you told him you needed those papers ASAP or you'd have to start all over. If someone wants to be with someone bad enough, and have been apart for quite sometime, it's just odd that they would handle the situation this way. But, I hope for the best for you, and hopefully it's just him being laid back/lazy.

I guess the bright side, is you get to file in Vermont, which means even if you start over it shouldn't take that long... I'm willing to be you could start over and get approved before the majority of us folks stuck at CSC get an approval.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip, hopefully everything will be fine :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 14:21:00

Business Days vs. Days When Counting

I believe some folks here were told by the USCIS that is was business days. I remember reading posts on it, just don't remember which posts they were :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 23:49:00

Canceling our k1 visa

I'm very sorry to hear about this

I hope you are getting the support you need from friends and family. As difficult as it is right now, as other posters have commented, it is certainly better you found this out now.

Keep your chin up, the right one is out there for you. :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-12 14:27:00

Getting some info from CSC

Boy I feel and share the same frustrations as all of you. The way they have been, and have handled things in the past is completely unacceptable.

One thing that helps me (it's a stretch) is that I always try to remember that the K1 scope is much broader than VisaJourney alone. At times I think, "Damn it, they aren't doing anything, nobody on the Forum is getting approved!!!" Then I realize that we are a very small majority of petitioners. So, they could be sending out NOA2's every day, just not to anyone on the Forum.

Again, it's a stretch, but helps me "try" to bring things into prospective at times. But, we all know it is total lunacy the way things are run.

Edited by Erik, 17 July 2006 - 07:13 PM.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-17 19:11:00

Please tell me this is approval.

Not sure if anyone knows for sure. For some people I believe it's been an approval, for others it's been something before they got before getting an RFE.

There are some others posts around here with people getting that exact message.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-18 19:53:00

RFE received response/how long?

It took 9 days for me. I had actually received, and returned my RFE 2 days before I got they're notification that they sent it out to me in the first place.

But, my RFE was received on July 1st, and I got notice on July 10th

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-19 11:40:00

Where are the K-1 NOA-2's from CSC?

I-129, and I-129F's are different petitions

Aaaah. D'oh, Mew. Don't say anything when you don't know what you're talking about.

Thanks for correcting me. And sorry for the intrusion, you guys.

Don't need to apologize, your free to post here as much as you like

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-18 21:01:00

Where are the K-1 NOA-2's from CSC?

CSC is no longer processing I-129's, I-140's or I-821's. So it's not like they are just taking on all these extra applications on top of what they already were doing. They transferred these type petitions and applications to the other centers.

I'm sorry to intrude, my being a VSC person, but huh? I thought they WERE processing 129's. Wait, here: http://www.visajourn...h...7825&st=15#

Cases have been transfered TO CSC, correct me if I'm wrong.

I-129, and I-129F's are different petitions

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-18 20:53:00

CSCers - have you contacted your senators?

If I move can I have my petition transfered to VSC? :lol:

Good lord, another one approved today in a month and ahalf no less!!! :crying:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-20 10:45:00

As far as CSC goes - Is it possible to receive NOA2 without receiving NOA1?!!?

Yeah I would guess it probably got lost in the mail as well. Of course, seeing how the USCIS operates, I guess it wouldn't be entirely out of the question for them to forget to do something :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-20 10:52:00

California Senator's Office Info

I'll be happier than a pig in ####### (do they actually enjoy that? :lol:

) if my petition manages to get approved in August.

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-20 20:24:00

I guess I don't have to smuggle him across the border

Great news, Congrats :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-20 10:45:00

We're sending in the petition package (G-325A Form)!

Hey Karla,
I'll try to give you an idea of what I did. Everyone probably does it a little differently. You should also check out the guides here at VisaJourney for putting your petition together.

1. On the G-325A I believe you can either put "Same as Question #" with the # being which ever question asked for your address before hand. Or you can put your address there again. I believe I put my address there again just to make sure, and it only took a minute. So, I would recommend you take a minute and put your address in there.

2. I made a cover sheet, breaking things down into sections, and listing the contents of each section on the cover sheet. So, for example one section was the G-325A's, where I put both G-325A's, the Passport photos, extra sheets I used for more room to answer some of the questions etc. I also used poster board to divide each section up, and used tabs to mark the sections. They ask that you put the tabs on the bottom rather than the sides. Just remember to attach each photo to it's correct G-325A, but use a paper clip etc. not staples.

3. They actually ask you to hole punch the petition if possble. But, they want it 3 hole punched on the top. Using fastners like the ACCO (I believe they are called) holding the petition together.

4. My packet went in this order:

I-129F
G-325A's
Proof of US Citizenship
Letters of Intent
Attachments to I-129F
Attachments to G-325A
Evidence of Relationship
Proof of Meeting

5. On the USCIS website they recommend you put the pictures in a seperate envelope, and clearly mark on the envelope what they are. Some people put them on paper, some put them on card, and some people put them in zip lock bags. Just remember you need to write the date, and description in pencil on the back of those photos, so you do not want them to be "stuck" there, they need to be able to see the back.

Again, this is just the way I did things. If you look on the USCIS website it tells you how they prefer you prepare the package, and also use the Guide here to help you. :thumbs:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-24 10:28:00

Shouldn't we be seeing more touches and approvals?

It took USCIS almost four months (after law went into effect) to add IMBRA questions to I-129F and the same time to send out the RFE's to pending applications. One might guess that they are trying now to figure out what to do with the RFE's received.

In my case and many others, processing of the application is complete. They even enclosed the A# on the RFE. It is just a matter of rubber stamping once a decision has been made how to handle the RFE's. Hopefully soon, a flood of approvals will come for us all at the same time.

If we have some cases approved, doesn´t that mean they already know how to handle the RFE?

Yes..they know how to do it....they absolutely have to right now...
I'm willing to bet that they are batching them.
Remember that VSC got their RFE's out earlier..makes sense they'd approve earlier.
I remember someone posting one time that it would take 2 weeks to process the RFE (some Senator response - cant find the thread at the moment)...that would put a large batch of initial RFE returns for CSC sometime this week right? One can only hope.

That's what I am banking on , YEAH!!! TOMORROW !!!! It will have been 2 wks tomorrow since CSC acknowledged receipt of the wonderful, lame , pathetic 3 question RFE that tells them absolutely nothing more than what they already know - they already do background checks, just as our illustrious DIRECTOR Gonzales told us today on the informative live chat direct from Washington D.C. B) How hard can it be to look at that measly form and make a check mark, WHATEVER, and enter it in the computer and VOILA - C'est fini!!!!! This is not rocket science folks B)

Don't forget it's part of the US Government... you know the same people that spend $8,000 for a toilet plunger :lol:

Erik

Not Telling

Brazil

2006-07-24 20:55:00