ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
Hey OP!

At one point you asked about how much the process costs....

No one can give you an exact amount -or even a rough amount!- of how much it costs cause it depends on where you are, what your situation is, etc! For instance, people in Scotland here in the UK have to travel to London for their interview and medical. While others, like us! who live in London already, don't have to pay that price. As you can imagine, that can make a huge difference!

I'm also part of the way through the process, but I've been tracking how much it has cost us along the way and thought I'd share. Another thing to note about our case is that both Dave and I (the USC) live in the UK. Therefore, we did not/do not have to mail things back and forth before mailing them off to the US. We have all the documents here together and we can sign everything together before we send them off. And remember, we're only part of the way through the process....so we have lots more to pay!

Here you go:

Oh the Costs of Marrying a Foreigner
*All $ are in USD unless otherwise specified*
Passport Photos: £7 = $13.77
Mailing the I-129F to Georgia: £10.11 = $19.88
Mailing the I-129F to USCIS: $20
Processing Fee of I-129F: $170
UK Name and Background Check: £10 = $19.23
Fingerprint fee to City of London Police: £15 = $28.88
Processing fee to Australian Federal Police: AUD $103 = USD $79.98

Total in USD: $351.74
Total in AUD: $454.64
Total in GBP: £182.11

Feeling when we finally get approved: Priceless

Keep in mind that's not including the BIG price coming up of £160 (or $397.99 AUD) for the medical...and even more for the vaccines! EEkS!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-08 05:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~

I forgot about BUNAC! Good call Marina! I did the program this last summer. Your American boyfriend can look into this option. 4 months in Australia and I think a year in New Zealand. Its a fairly inexpensive visa and really easy to get. Not sure on how old you need to be to apply to come here for a summer to work.


Yeah I think you have to be between the ages of 18-30...and the rules for each country are different based on who can get them. For instance, to come to the UK you had to have been a student in the past 6 months -that's how I am here. But to go to Australia you do not have to be a student. Australians can also use Bunac to go to the US, but I'm not sure what the qualifications are for that...but you can check it out on www.bunac.org. Like they said, it's really inexpensive...only costing me $200USD to be here for 6 months...and since I'm working it was easily paid for! Anyway, it's a good option. The camp counselor idea sounds good as well!!!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-02-27 16:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKind of complicated story.. ideas appreciated~
I'm not sure how the laws work and I'm sure you two have looked into the issue....but isn't it illegal to be in a relationship with someone who is older than you by more than 18 months if you are under 18 years of age? Or is it only illegal to have sexual relations with people of that age gap? Maybe it depends on the type of relationship... The only reason I mention it is that obviously if your relationship is illegal you would come into problems with the immigration. I know that you can marry if your parents consent at the age of 16 in most states but is that only if both parties are at certain ages?

Just to give you a better idea of the ideas about studying abroad: I studied abroad while in university and had friends that studied abroad in high school and it was an amazing experience for everyone. All of my friends that studied abroad in high school really enjoyed the experience and say that it was the best thing they have ever done. They were also going to countries where they did not originally speak the language and they still really enjoyed the experience. I studied abroad in London and it was a really great time. And I'm living in London now as well through a work abroad visa so that I can be with my Australian fiance (who is living in London) while we wait to get our K-1. Anyway, studying abroad is a great opportunity to really get to know who you are and spend time with your fiance. You didn't mention it in the previous post and I'm just curious, have you and your fiance met in person?

Another idea is this: the visa that I am using to live in London is also available for Australia. Anyone under the age of 30 can get this visa and all they have to do is apply. It works for 4 months in Australia and gives the US citizen the abilities to work and live in Australia during that time. Your fiance could get this visa for 4 months probably pretty easily...maybe over the summer (US summer!) or something.... If you want more information on the visa you can message me and I'd be happy to send it to you.

Good Luck!
Marina
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-02-27 12:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSubject Access
Hey, I'm sure one does exist! But you don't need one for the London Consulate. We just got our UK police certificate and it just costs 10 pounds and is a simple form you can pick up from your local police station and get it sent to Scotland Yard.

So yeah, maybe there is a fingerprint check...but it isn't required!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-08 12:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYESSSSSSS a touch....I can't believe it!!!
yay!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-08 04:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmedical examination I'm big

(F) Hello to everyone, I'm new here. I'm from Belgium and my fiancé and I we are going to start our application for K1 in May after my second visit to him. (L)

:help: I'm big and I was wondering if that could be a troubbel at the medical examination. Could they refuse my K1 because of that?

thanks for your help



If I'm understanding the question correctly and by 'big' you mean overweight, then, no that should not affect your petition or medical in anyway. They cannot discriminate based on things of that nature. The medical is there to insure that you do not have any conditions that are seriously harmful to yourself and others --like TB.

***Just to clarify, I am only giving this answer based on speculation. I do not know the answer to your question 100%, but I would wager that my answer is correct!***

Maybe someone else has more information on this subject.
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-12 06:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE!! How long until FINALLY approved?

Please keep us in the loop on the specifics behind the RFE ... my friends got one for not providing a Circumstances of Meeting letter and not having dates on the proof of meeting photos. They say it stalled their process by about 3 months (CA Service Center).


3 months!? Scary! I didn't attach a circumstances of meeting letter... I just wrote a few sentences in the box where it said to. Should I have elaborated more? I said "I first met Ombeni while I was studying abroad in Tanzania in April 2006. He was a server at a restaurant where I was eating. I then returned to Tanzania from 12/06 to 03/07 to visit him."


We didn't attach a circumstances of meeting letter either. :/


John and Diana! I'm SOO SORRY! :( But it seems that once you get the right docs back in, it goes pretty fast.

As for the circumstances of meeting letter, we didn't do one either and we were approved. I just wrote really small in the little box providing saying how we met and that we'd visited each other after the meeting and that more information about our meeting and about our visits could be found in the other docs provided (like in boarding passes). So don't stress. Based on our approval, I'd say a letter isn't necessarily required. but it might depend on who looks at your case.

Good Luck guys!
Marina
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-13 05:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease help..still married but filed K1
Yeah I think you made the right decision as well...but I'm still a bit confused...

You say she was told that the "marriage" was NEVER valid because he was not free to marry when they got married.

If that is the case then she was never married to him in the first place. So, why is it now showing up on her records that it was valid?
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-24 07:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPolyamory and K-1 visas
Just as a side note, adultery is illegal in some states, but the laws vary from state to state. Usually laws such as this are considered "blue laws" meaning that they are not enforced. However, in this situation I wouldn't be surprised if the gov't did want to enforce it. That being said, applying for the K-1 while you have a boyfriend other than your proposed husband is not committing adultery. Adultery is only commited when one is married and sleeping with another.

I would recommend just not mentioning your boyfriend at all to USCIS. They do not really need to know about that and I don't think it would lying for you to name your boyfriend your 'friend' or 'roommate' on any forms. He is your friend and your roommate. I'm sure others will say that that is lying, but in cases like this I think you'll be okay. Sure, maybe there are ways for them to determine whether he is your boyfriend of not, but why would they look something like that up if you don't give them reason to suspect it?

It is a tricky situation and I'm not sure a lawyer could really help you. I'm not recommending not to get a lawyer. But somehow I just think that telling the US gov't the truth about the situation is a sure way to get the visa denied.

Just my opinion though. Good luck on your journey!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-03-26 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresParents dob's?

My girl is filling out her g325 and her parents were killed when she was a baby and she was raised by her aunt. She has her parents names but neither dob or where they were born, will this cause delay in approval?



I definitely do not know the real answer to this question but, that said, I would imagine you should be fine. I'd include a cover letter stating why you do not know the dates or where they were born. Just curious, but does her aunt not know at least 'where' they were born?

Like I said, I think if you include a cover letter explaining the situation and then in the actual place for DOB just write "unknown" or something like that.

Again, I'm only guessing as to what you should do...but I'd think that would be enough.
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-04 07:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI'm a Canadian Citizen and he's a U.S. Citizen currently in Prison

:help: I was wondering if anyone can help me with as much information as possible. My fiancee and I met 7 years ago. We were friends for several years and lost touch for awhile, to make a long story short, we met back up, became friends again and needless to say much, much more than that.

During the time that we lost touch, he ended up getting indicted in which he now has 23 months left in his sentence. We've been together for 3 years and all this came about after we met with each other again. We were going to wait until he came home to get married, but have decided that it doesn't matter where and when we do, so we're planning on doing it now. I've already sent in the letter of intent to the counsellor of his unit and i'm just waiting for him to send me the package to where and when we can go ahead and get married.

We were planning on filing a K1 visa once we found out the date we could go ahead and get married. My questions are : Does my fiancee need a co-sponsor since he's incarcerated? Has anyone been through this situation before?? How do we go abouts getting the paper work filed since he's not able to go to an office?? Since I live in Canada (right on the border) will i be able to go back and forth to visit him?? How long does the process usually take for filing in Detroit, Michigan?? If anyone can help me with any information it would be greatly appreciated.



If I'm understanding correctly, your fiancee is the one in prison and also the US citizen. I think it might be a good idea if you explain a bit more about the procedures of marrying someone while in prison because I'm not quite sure what you were referring to at the beginning of your post. What letter did you have to send and why do you need to wait on a date? Just for reference, a K-1 fiancee visa takes about 8 months from start to finish so you might want to go ahead and begin that process if you plan on marrying him while he is still in prison. That being said, I'm not so sure that is okay with this process. That's why I suggest you elaborate on the rules of marrying someone while they are in prison.

Yes your fiancee would need a co-sponsor since he is incarcerated. Actually, you (the non USC) are the one that needs a sponsor. Your fiance, I assume, does NOT currently make over 125% over the poverty line and that means you need a co-sponsor. The US fiance never has to go to any office so I'm not really sure what you are referring to when you say that. You will out the paper work at home and then mail it in. The only time anyone needs to appear in person is when *you* have your medical and when *you* have your interview in Canada. Yes, you can go and visit him while the process is pending. A lot of people discourage against this because there can be issues if you can not prove that you will be returning to Canada, but as long as you can prove that you have ties to Canada and will be returnning, then you can visit. Like I stated before, the process usually takes roughly 6-9 months on average.

Again, I'm not sure if it's allowed for you to file while he is in prison. The reason I say this is because it is a huge deal that the fiance not become a public charge! I have read that if the US fiance is on welfare for instance, even if they have a co-sponsor, the embassy is likely to deny the visa because it is very likely the non US fiance will become a public change. You see what I mean? If the women is on welfare then it is likely that her husband will be too. Since your fiancee is currently a public charge of the US, I'm not so sure how you'd be able to get this visa. Assuming you wait until after he gets out of prison to file, you might have more luck. Maybe someone else will know more...but as of now, I'd say get a lawyer and hope for the best.

Edited by Marina + Dave, 17 April 2007 - 01:26 PM.

Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-17 13:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance in a country outside his home country
My fiancee is an Australian citizen but has been living in the UK since Feb 2006. We just got our interview date and haven't had any problems so far! The only thing you need to remember is that he has to get a police check from each country he has lived in (for 12 months or more) since reaching the age of 16! You don't need to get this until the interview...but just a heads up!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-18 17:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportant question regarding our wedding date before visa approval

We are facing the exact same situation. We planned our wedding long before finding this website (or knowing any better). The wedding is planned for August 11 with invitations printed and money already going into the ceremony and reception. I know it's still 4 months away, but we've only gotten the NOA1 so far. It would be so disappointing not to be able to have "the real thing" on our wedding day. I know it shouldn't really matter, but after all that we've been through - I can't stand the thought of him having to go back to the UK again after the wedding. I'm not in panic mode yet, but...May...YIKES! Best of luck to you guys!


You guys should be fine with an August wedding date. Our NOA2 came really fast. The whole process on my side was amazing quick. my thoughts to you is to make sure your fiance starts the whole process of getting his police certificate now. We had no idea we even needed that until Ian saw it in the packet. It has been the only thing delaying us.

I am a little sad about possibly not being able to "legally" be marrying him on May 12th but I'm also really positive about everything and I realize that eventually we will finally be together. It is such a process to get there though. After 3 long years I am ready!

Goodluck to you guys, you will be fine as long as you don't delay in any of the steps.



Man I hate continuing to be the one with the bad news but...your process went so quick because you went through Vermont. The rest of us have to wait 2+ months before we get our NOA2s cause we go through California/Texas.

Vermont is known for going really fast. Some Vermonters get their NOA2s in 2 weeks whereas we wait 2 whole months! If they just got their NOA1 they probably have about 1.5 or more months to wait until their NOA2 (so mid May-ish?), then (if it goes by normalish standards) about a month to get Packet 3 (Junish) and about 1.5 months for Packet 4 and interview (July/August-ish). So yeah, they may make it. I just want everyone to be realistic here...I'm not trying to be the bad guy I swear!!!

I just know that if I was planning my wedding with the possibility of it not being the 'real thing' on the 'big day' (which I am!!) that I'd want to know as soon as possible if there was a big chance I wasn't going to make it. You know? Maybe that's just me, but I think I'd want to have enough time as possible to come to grips with that and understand it.

Look at the timelines and you should be okay!
Good Luck! :thumbs:
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-06 03:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportant question regarding our wedding date before visa approval
Yes, that's exactly our situation. We are waiting for him to get the police certificate so he can send in the packet. Does it really take a month to get an interview? If so, he needs to send that packet in tomorrow!! Our wedding is 5 weeks from Saturday. What will happen if they schedule the interview before he gets the police certificate? Will we need to start the whole thing over? I'm also a little nervous that if he doesn't get the interview before he leaves that they will end up scheduling it right around our wedding or honeymoon which would be a disaster!

I agree with you that he should send the checklist in, I'm going to tell him to do that. I just know he's a little hesistant but we have to! Scotland Yard recieved his police forms a few weeks ago so we should be close to getting it.

Thank you so much for your advice, I'm sure you'll make your wedding date. Would you recommend waiting until the very last minute to book our honeymoon just in case? I hate having to go through this, international relationships are so hard!

I will try to fill in my timeline this week, I need to dig all the dates up.
[/quote]


Your question: What happens if he gets the interview scheduled before the police cert comes?
---of course I can't say for sure, but if you look at most peoples timelines it does take about 1-2 months in between sending in the checklist and having your interview. So, the likelihood that he will get the interview before he gets the police cert is very low. But, if he does get the interview before it comes...I don't know really! That's the risk we are taking as well. You can always reschedule your interview -that's not against the rules at all! However, I do not know how long it would take to get a new one. So the answer is, no you wont need to start the whole thing over!!

You are worried about them scheduling it around your wedding or honeymoon..
----yes that sounds like a huge possibility (especially for the honeymoon). I hate to say it, but I really doubt he'll get the interview before the wedding (especially because you said he was leaving for the states in 3 weeks time!). I'd recommend just having your wedding like you really really want to have it, like you have planned. Have him come when he's scheduled to come (unless the embassy goes ahead and schedules you an interivew or something). THEN if the embassy schedules the interview while he is in the states he can just call them and explain that he isn't in the country right now -he's on holiday!- and they will reschedule it. We're going on holiday from April 29-May3 (very likely dates for around our interview time) but if they schedule it then we're just going to have to reschedule it!

You ask if I'd recommend waiting to book the honeymoon?
----YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! Unless the embassy schedules you an interview and you KNOW he's going to make it, then I would definitely wait. Keep in mind it can take anywhere from 24 hours to 1 week after an APPROVED interview to get the visa in the UK (and they could ask him to turn in more proof of certain things before they even approve him, so it could take even longer). I'm not trying to frighten you and you COULD make it...but I just want you to be aware of all of the issues going on here. Really, I'd recommend putting the honeymoon on a hold until you know FOR SURE when he'll be here. Or, for when you know he'll have the interview. If he has the interview in 3 weeks then I'd put the honeymoon on hold for at least 6....just an example.

Hope this helps and if you want you are welcome to PM me.
Talk to you later!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-05 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportant question regarding our wedding date before visa approval
Hello,

We're going through the UK and seem to be at about the same steps.

I am a bit confused as to what you are waiting on though!! We sent our Packet 3 back to London yesterday. Along with the Packet 3 we sent back a checklist stating that we were ready for the interview date and had all of the documents (like the police checks) in our possession. This however, is not the truth. We did get Dave's UK police check in 22 days, BUT WE ARE STILL WAITING ON THE AUSTRALIAN ONE.

You said that the EMBASSY is waiting on the police check before they schedule an interview...but really are they waiting for him to send in the checklist saying HE'S ready for the interview? I know it might be risky to send it in before you actually have it...but I figure it should take at least a month to get the interview and I know our Australian police check should be here any day now. It's a risk I'm willing to take and if it comes down to the interview getting here before the police check, then we'll figure something out then! Anyway, I guess I'm just a bit confused because you are talking like it's the embassy that is waiting on the police check when in the UK the police check is sent to the fiance and then they bring it to the interview.

In the Packet 3 it states that they will not give you an interview date until you send them the checklist signed, saying you are ready. So, if he hasn't done this, they will not schedule an interview.

We are kinda in the same boat as you when it comes to wedding plans though -although ours is planned for July 7th -so hopefully we'll make it. But we are prepared to have a ceremony and not a real marriage if it comes to it. His family is all coming from Australia so it was something we had to plan in advance. We couldn't tell them weeks before because they all need to pay their plane tickets NOW, not in a couple months! You just need to be prepared for your big wedding to not be legal -which you seem okay with. However, we can't stress enough, NOT TO MAKE IT A HUGE DEAL AT THE INTERVIEW (If the interview happens after the wedding). It could cause some major issues if they suspect you are already married. And if he has to enter before getting the visa he doesn't need to mention he's coming in for a wedding...he can just say he's coming to visit. Or, we plan on saying if we have to, that our families are having a big get together to meet before we get married. Which would really be true anyway!

Anyway, I think you get the point. But seriously check into what I questioned about before? Has he sent in the checklist? And if so, you aren't waiting on the police check really, you are waiting on the embassy to give you a date. If they give you a date before you get the police check, THEN you are waiting on the police check.

Good Luck!! Hope that makes sense!
Marina

PS. Please fill in your time line!

Thanks! :thumbs:
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2007-04-04 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Yes, I meant to say that too - I'm VERY interested. I'm sorry you've had to go through it, obviously, but at least now, we all know this CAN happen - and potentially what to do to resolve it (and how USCIS/NVC will handle it when it has happened).


I think my most important lesson was that due to how things are setup it's best to start as high as you can, with a senator, and have them bring down weight, or they will lie to you! Still, I hope this thread one day helps someone else trapped in a similar position, don't give up hope! My fiancee has been so upset about this that the news was fantastic for her. :)
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-28 17:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Well, here we are 19 days later and once again nothing has happened. We called Senator Collins this morning and she said if she hasn't heard from them by Thursday (I didn't make the call, but my understanding is she had it flagged for them to respond to her as well) she's going to .. well, do something.

How disappointing, even a senator can't get the USCIS to get their butts into gear and fix problems. She's been really helpful and I'm sure glad to have her on my side, because if she can't get them to act, what hope do the rest of us have?!


Hi ashp, it took them 30 days on my case for them to retrieve it from the storage facility, reapprove it and get it to me. Hopefully yours is just around the corner. I know you had the same exact problem as me, they had me wondering for a while also.


Well, I know nobody is that interested but finally a POSITIVE result (in a way!). The senators office called us back to tell us the USCIS has 'lost' our petition. Completely lost all paper trail, only retaining a computer record. She took some details from my fiancee and they are going to 'reissue the NOA2', which sounds a lot like what happened to lookywhatifound. She then said it'll be 'expedited'. Anyone else had this happen and did it make much difference to when you got the interview date?
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-28 08:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

It sounds like you are in Administrative Review just like I am. Mine was "flagged" at NVC and proceeded to the big black hole they call A/R or A/P. Mine has only been that way for two months. One other VJ'r has been in A/R for 9 months and the record is 8 years.


We never made it to the NVC, they still say it hasn't been received. The problem we had was USCIS 'failed' to post it to the NVC, and that's where we got jammed. :)
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-19 12:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC
Well, here we are 19 days later and once again nothing has happened. We called Senator Collins this morning and she said if she hasn't heard from them by Thursday (I didn't make the call, but my understanding is she had it flagged for them to respond to her as well) she's going to .. well, do something.

How disappointing, even a senator can't get the USCIS to get their butts into gear and fix problems. She's been really helpful and I'm sure glad to have her on my side, because if she can't get them to act, what hope do the rest of us have?!
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-19 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC
Well,

Just to cheer everyone up we got in touch with Senator Collins office in Maine, and within 15 minutes she located my petition, they promised to take it out of the 'storage facility' its in (that they already wrote me a letter to promise me its not in), and as a bonus she requested they expedite it to make up some of the delay!

So, as I was told and others have said - if you get any grief from the NVC your senator is the person to go to. I know someone getting my vote in the future :)
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-01 13:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

The Congressman will find out what happened for you. I personally don't have faith in NVC becaue all they did for me was send a canned letterhead with a box checked that said check with the consulate. They did that based on my faulty NOA2 that said it was 'forwarded to the listed consulate', so none of them really know the overall process cause the top department, DHS obviously didn't do a good job informing anybody.

So don't wait 3 weeks for the NVC to send you a stupid notice that says check with somebody else! :devil:

Only way now is your Congressman or Senator! Good luck mann! :)


Well, we left our details as the person who deals with this type of thing was out of the office, but they promised to pass over our details for them tomorrow. Being up in Maine they can't be _that_ busy, *grin*, so hopefully we'll hear back.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-27 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

I had the same problem, when i filed for my wife around a 1yr and 1/2 ago they sent my paperwork to the wrong location, i remember calling VSC and NVC and got all the run arounds what i did to solve my problem was call my local senators office and explained my problem that I was haveing, in 15min they called me back and explained that my paperwork was sent to the wrong place and that they would locate the paperwork and expedite my case. so call your local congressmen and senator and make sure you tell them you voted for them.......


Well, I sailed over the 90 day processing limit, I guess this means my case is 'offically lost' for the time being. I'm going to ask my fiancee to call her congressman as that's one thing I don't think I can do on her behalf, and I've emailed the NVC to state it's over 90 days, along with a scan of my NOA2. Not sure what else I can do. Waiting on their phonelines to open right now.

Very very disappointed, the VSC/NVC have really let me down.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-27 06:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

I went thru Calif. with approval i think on Feb 7 and called NVC 15 and 16th on 15th they said no could take 90 days, on 16th they gave me case number


I'm at 80 days already.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-19 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Hey just letting you all know, I checked my case status online and to my surprise, I was touched today, and they said they sent me an approval notice! So the VSC director pulled through on his word, its been 30 days on the dot!

Now I'll be waiting for that NOA2.5 in the mail! ;)

So I hope that gives all you stuck in limbo a bit of hope.


Glad to hear it's worked out as you mentioned in PM. My experience was different, they just insist they sent it to the NVC and the NVC insist they don't have it. If I talk to the NVC they just tell me 'well... we don't have it'. I'm pretty upset at this point because I don't know how to resolve this.

I know there's a 90 day processing time, that's the 1st of March. What do I do at this point, just send more letters? Is there a special form we can fill in? Is it worth calling my local embassy like some people suggested above?

I just don't know what to do next. If VSC insist they mailed it and NVC insist they haven't, I don't see how to resolve it short of them making us file again.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-19 13:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC
Still waiting on my NVC number, CIS- haven't replied to my letter, fax and emailed complaint about us having to wait almost 2.5 months now. Looks like I have to go to the full 90 days then find and submit that form. Has anyone ever done this before? How long did it take, what options do I have now? :(

We're both really upset, so unfair to have another 3 month delay.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-10 11:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Ashp, you may be in the same situation I'm in, my NOA2 was approved on the same date, 11/29 and I found out they stuffed my file in a storage facility. They are retrieving my file, so who knows yours may be being retrieved along with it. Here's the things I did. VSC has a fax: 802-527-4816, send a copy of your NOA2, and write a letter, with your Receipt Notice, and explain that you have no idea where your petition. I also wrote a letter to the VSC address on the NOA2, along with the NOA2 copy, also complained at USCIS-COMPLAINT@DHS.GOV

Good Luck!


Fantastic, thank you for this! I'm glad they found your file, and I'm going to write a letter immediately and send it right away. If mine turns up then it looks like they didn't like us both! I wonder why on earth it went to a storage facility! Good luck with the rest of your process now it's been found.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-02 12:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC

Have you called the NVC and talked to someone in person? The automated messaging system will not have any records of K1 applications. NVC will assign a case number and send it directly to the appropriate embassy or consulate

Good luck..


Oh yes, I've spoken with several people by telephone and email but they all confirm they have received nothing from VSC and won't investigate until a full 90 days past nov 29th. They were sympathatic and even transferred me to someone more senior but they were absolutely useless in comparision to the frontline guys.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-01 13:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI hate VSC/NVC
Argh, so frustrated!

My NOA2 was granted Nov 29th, and I'm STILL waiting for the NVC to receive the application. They won't even look into it until 90 days have gone by, so once again I'm sat frustrated by the total inability to proceed. Nobody will let me talk to VSC to check they mailed it, they claim they don't keep records of what was mailed. How can they be so useless!

Just needed to vent, so frustrated. :(
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-02-01 13:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.
Finally, a reason to bump the thread!

The lady from the senators office has done an astounding job. They have magically retrieved my case, and after having a supervisor 'investigate what went wrong' for several days she informed us today that it has already left the NVC after her chasing, and has been forwarded to the London Consulate.

She's promised to expedite it again at that stage to try and make up the _6 months_ it was lost for! I'm finally a huge step closer, and what a relief it is. :)

(And, the house we tried to rent and lost out to another couple on two weeks ago, the house that was perfect for us? They phoned us back this evening to say the other couple renegged, and it's ours!)
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-04-20 22:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.
Well, my everlasting journey has progressed again!

Originally they called to say they could reissue us, then called again to say they'd changed their mind as mentioned in my original post, and then again to say "Well, wait, maybe it's in Harrisburg?"

So, we waited another two weeks without hearing anything, and then last night my fiancee emailed me to let me know they have rediscovered my file, it's _at_ VSC and the supervisor is investigating, and once she's finished it'll be sent to the NVC (by friday!) where upon arrival our local senators office will request it's immediately expedited to try and help us make the time back!

So good news! :)

Does anyone know if that expedite request makes it all the way to the consulate in London and bumps me up the interview priority?
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-04-11 00:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.

I am VERY surprised - that is such a crock!!!! :angry: They damn well better not make you pay the $170 again!

Yes - you're lucky it is Vermont, but they still ought to expedite it through.

And chain it around someone's neck when it goes from VSC to NVC... :whistle:


Apparently they said we won't have to repay and she mentioned a 'special address' so it may not be awful, it may be a case of I send all the paperwork to one person somewhere who immediately does it. However, as they have an EAC approval number recorded for us, it's unfair for us to have to do it at all. :(
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-30 14:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC lose my petition, now I have to refile.
Well,

As I talked about in my other thread, VSC 'lost' my petition when attempting to mail it to the NVC, back in November. We escalated this to our local senator and they eventually admitted it was lost, but they had an electronic record and they would reissue and expedite it.

They just called us back today to inform us this won't happen and we will have to refile. My fiancee was too upset to make sense of the whole thing but they are apparently emailing us some special instructions.

THIS IS SO UNFAIR, because of their screwup I now have to refile my entire petition, regather all the paperwork etc. I have a duplicate of it all in my house in the UK, but I now have to send this over, she has to get some stuff re-signed and so forth.

This is the most upsetting day ever and I have lost ALL faith in their ability to do a damn thing for us.
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-03-30 14:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDid they lose our petition packet?: UPDATE
Wow, this is just awful! It seems to be a 'trend' lately for the various offices to just outright 'lose' cases. I don't know what's going on, but mine and another poster here lost theirs at the VSC, and now this one at CSC. It's a depressing trend, call your local senators office now, get them involved, it's unacceptable for them to 'lose' anything!
ashpMaleUnited Kingdom2007-04-25 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWorked illegally
I worked on my tourist visa while in the states year ago. I had a valid Social Security Number that I got while I was on a J1 visa. Now I'm filling out my G-325A form, and I begin to wonder, if it will not put my application in a position where it can be denied. I never ovestayed my visa, but I am a bit concerned about me having worked illegaly. Will they check if my SSN has been active? Will that effect anything? Does anyone know?
EmilkitaFemalePoland2007-06-04 19:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresParents names on G325a

Just need a lil bit of help on this. Everything seems complicated for our applications! On the part about parents names etc we have a lil confussion. My fiance (USC) father has legally changed both his first and last name from his birth name. Which name do we put on the form? To make matters more complicated, his mother has also changed her last name which actually differs from his dads last name. Do we just put her maiden name or the new name that she uses? Hope this makes sense.


I have no idea about the fathers' name because he's changed them. But I do know the G-325A specifically asked for the mother's MAIDEN name!

Good Luck!!!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-11-30 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReturn address to put on the I-129F
[quote name='Yodrak' date='Dec 1 2006, 06:50 PM' post='598241']
Marina + Dave,

Do you mean the return address on the mailing envelope? Nobody at USCIS is going to look at that.

Yodrak

Yeah I thought about that. So will they automatically look at the address that I gave for myself (the USC), and if so, are they going to care that I live in the UK and not the US? I guess this was my question the whole time.

Sorry for the confusion :blush:
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-01 17:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReturn address to put on the I-129F

I'm currently also living overseas with my fiance. I mailed my I-129 package to my parents in the states then they in turn mailed it to the Texas Service Center for me. If you receive anything in the mail have your parents forward it to you. You can also sign up online on to receive messages from USCIS to receive emails and to check what the status is on your case.


Good Luck.


Well, I have already sent the I-129F to my mom in the states for her to mail it to the Texas center. She should receive it on Monday, so I still have time to change the return address if I need to. I know that I CAN get my parents to be the receivers of things and then FW them to me, but I also know that will add an extra middle-man which will not only cost a lot of money, but also a lot more time!

On the I-129F directions it said, if you are living abroad then you should send your petition to the center based on your previous US address. Therefore, they are there acknowledging the possibility of the USC not living in the states. And no where on the forms did it ask me for an address in the states that I can receive things at. It just asked me my current address, which is here in the UK.

I just really hope there is a way to get around having to send everything to my parents first as not only will I then have to pay to send things originally to my parents but them I'll have to pay for my parents to send things to Texas! In other words, making an already expensive thing, more expensive!!

Has anyone had this problem before? I'm just worried if I leave my UK address that USCIS will send me a letter asking me an address in the US where I can get stuff and that will delay the process. But no where have I seen it officially say you have to give them a US address.

Any ideas?
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-01 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReturn address to put on the I-129F
Hey Everyone.

I know that when you live abroad you have to send the I-129F to the USCIS office where you last lived in the US. For me, that was with my parents in GA (where they still live), so I sent it to the TX office.

Of course, we want to put our return address for here in the UK where we live now.

Will they be confused as to why I sent my stuff to the TX office when they see our return address in the UK? Of course my form says that I used to live in GA so they should be able to see that...but I didn't know if anyone had had problems with this in the past! I could put my return address in GA as my parents still live there...but then they would just have to FW everything on to me here and that would take even more time and money!!!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-01 09:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOMG, OMG,OMG,OMG,OMG I've been touched

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: OMG I've been touched...Please..give me that NOA2 Soon....



Woohoo!!! Best of luck! :dance:
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-05 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow much is this all going to cost us?
If you don't include any travel fees or things of that nature we mailed our I-129F last week and have spent about $300 so far! This figure includes the $170 filing fee, getting passport photos done, photocopies made, and mailing costs to get the petition to USCIS.

Good Luck!! And like someone else mentioned, while it is expensive, it can be done I think! And again, I'm sure it's totally worth it!!!!!!
Marina + DaveNot TellingUnited Kingdom2006-12-05 19:28:00