ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 and New Job
Great, that's what I was hoping. But will the fact that this is a new job be a detriment?
kittehFemaleChile2009-01-30 20:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 and New Job
Hey everyone! My fiance and I are waiting to receive an interview date from the embassy right now and I've been trying to compile everything we'll need. I'm concerned about the I-134 though. My fiance and I met while I was studying abroad in Chile, which means that for the 7 months that I was there I had no income. I did work before I left, but I didn't make much. I haven't filed my 2008 tax returns yet, but I know it's going to be tiny. In 2007 I made around $11,000 and in 2006 I think it was around $13,000. However, I was a full time student at UCLA during that time and thus not working very much. I'm now finished with classes and able to work full time.

I'm just starting a great new job this week and I'll be making good money, but by the time we fill out the I-134 I may have less than a month with this employer. I have a couple of thousand in the bank but have been using it to pay bills and such, so it's steadily decreasing.

My question is, do they do any kind of extrapolation (ie based on the fact that I have a perminent position at my new job and WILL be making the necessary income in the coming year) or is it just based on the past tax return and money in the bank? Should I try including tax return infor from years past, or just try to find a co-sponsor for the I-134? I'll probably need one when it comes time for the I-184 so I suppose I could start early.

Thanks for reading
kittehFemaleChile2009-01-30 19:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDo we notify embassy if we are NOT going to use visa?
OK I don't mean to pry, so ignore me if this is too forward, but what happened?

I'm pretty sure you don't have to notify anyone, as long as those visas aren't used to enter the US they will expire after six months and that will be that.


kittehFemaleChile2009-02-14 22:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCall me a Pessimist..
I definitely hear what you're saying Amazon, but I think that looking at the big picture too much in this process can actually do more harm than good.

Obviously it's necessary to know what's coming (or may be coming) so that you can prepare, but I think to keep your sanity it's sometimes necessary to put the blinders on and not try to look too far ahead--just focus on what's in front of your face. That's what I tell myself anyhow. There are always a million little things that can go wrong in this long, multi-step process. But every step that you pass takes a few of those things off the list, you know? The NOA2 has come in, so you know that you've at least filled out the paperwork well enough to get approved. It might not seem like much, but I hear those RFEs can draw things out at that level, so if you're past that I'd say that's reason to celebrate a little bit.
kittehFemaleChile2009-02-01 12:39:00
Middle East and North Africawhat did you know about your SO's culture before marriage/arrival
QUOTE (lizziebits28 @ Feb 28 2009, 07:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think one of the most valuable lessons I have learned (and am still improving) is how to argue. He gets very heated and emotional, and when I quickly jump to argue back it always ends with both of us upset and angry. However, I learned that if I can manage to just hold my tounge and listen to him (no matter how crazy it is sounding in the heat of the moment) then he really calms down quickly. Then later, when we are totally off topic, and things are relaxed, I can revisit that same topic, and sweetly tell him my point of view. At that point he's totally willing to listen and discuss and we are able to resolve the issue.


This is such great advice for anyone in a relationship. My Gustavo isn't MENA but I do think there are a lot of surface similarities between most MENA men and a lot of South American men. But even for people in relationships with someone who is neither from the middle east or the southern hemisphere, I think this advice resonates.

It seems to be the natural reaction to jump to the defensive when you feel "attacked," but I have really noticed that what you say here about diffusing the situation is true. Gustavo and I are both really stubborn so if I jump into the role of being defensive we can stay in that mode for a half a day or more--both of us being short and cold with one another. But if I bite my tongue at first and just let him get out what he wants to say and then acknowledge his feelings--with or without accepting the blame, I've found that's not as important as acknowledging what he is feeling--then we can get to the kiss-and-make-up part sooner. Also it does give me a chance to air my side of the story more easily because once his point of view has been acknowledged he calms down a lot and doesn't feel the need to defend his stance against my objections.

Of course, this is still a work-in-progress and has been put on the back burner now that we are apart. But it's so worth all of the effort that I have to expend in order to bite my tongue at first.

Edited by kitteh, 02 March 2009 - 01:16 PM.

kittehFemaleChile2009-03-02 13:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 within a Month of NOA1?
I know where you're coming from--although I got the approval email I didn't really trust it until I had the NOA2 in hand. But since your email did state that the petition was approved I can't imagine how that wouldn't be true! How exciting for you!

We received out NOA2 on January 9th and our case is already at the US embassy in Chile. The process is actually waiting on us now! We thought we'd have much more time to arrange things--Gustavo still needs to apply for a passport and he needs to save up money for the medical exam ($144 USD) and visa payment ($131 USD) and the flight he has to take to the Embassy for the interview (~$100 USD.) Unfortunately Chileans jobs don't generally pay very much so it's frustrating because we COULD be ready but it's our own fault we're not yet!

We're planning on a June wedding though, so that means that he really can't enter the US until mid March at the earliest. It seems this process is an exercise in patience for us, no matter what the actual cause of the wait happens to be.
kittehFemaleChile2009-02-01 14:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 within a Month of NOA1?
Wow, Congrats! I know you're probably still in shock a bit, but it'll sink in soon. Something similar happened to us--our wait was around 2 months but we were braced for much longer than that. Now we're actually having to Slow Down the process because we're not yet ready for the interview step yet!

It's even more surprising, I'm sure, cinve your at Vermont which seems to have been taking a lot longer with cases recently. So congrats! ou're one of the very luck cases, I guess.
kittehFemaleChile2009-02-01 14:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhy is it a bad idea for the USC spouse to go to the interview?
I really really want to go to the interview and fly back with Gustavo but I just don't know if I'm going to be able to swing it. I just started a new job this week and I'm pretty broke, so I just don't know what to do!
kittehFemaleChile2009-02-28 00:27:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaMexico Interview Locations?
Well... thanks :-) Trust me I am used to lots of strange things explained by nothing more than "well, that's Mexico" But this is the US Gov now making me think "Aye que loco!" hahaha I dont think I'll be making that as a road trip.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-03-15 13:34:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaMexico Interview Locations?
A few people and one lawyer whom I did not like at all are telling me that for Mexico, that Ciudad Juárez is the only place that is authorized to do visa interviews.

My wife is in Tijuana and I am in Los Angeles about 2 hours north. We have a nice embassy in Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez is a scary place, no? (yeah, Tijuana is such a beautiful and safe Garden of Eden too hahaha ) Others have told me that is BS and the Tijuana embassy will do the interview. Like they taught me on Sessame Street... Tijuana is "near", Ciudad Juárez is "far".

Question: Are we going to need to get our butts all the way to Ciudad Juárez for the interview when the time comes? Or will it be in Tijuana?

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-03-15 04:13:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Choice of Agent and AOS Bill not generated yet...
Mine was sent off to NVC on 3/14 and I was worried I saw nothing on the on line check just now still. I just called the automated system after reading this thread and affidavit of support info packet was sent yesterday the 23rd also. Looks like they just did a big chunk all at once :-P

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-04-25 05:37:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)What does the NVC actually do?
NVC sent my 864 out this week with just about everyone that ended up in the NVC in March it looks like from another thread. I had to call to the automated center to find out. The online system had not updated for 2 days yet.

Mike W
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-04-27 06:22:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)What does the NVC actually do?
How long does the NVC sit on things lately? Got my NOA2 on March 13th and nothing since. Normal?

Mike W
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-04-25 05:24:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)what if AOS fee bill got lost in the mail?
I am doing an I-130 for my wife and two sons. About a week and a half after the fee bills were mailed I got one son's fee bill. The next day I got the one for my wife. Next day nothing. After a week of not getting the third fee bill I called the NVC and waited for a live person.

The guy was nice enough and told me to allow two to four weeks for it to arrive. I told him nicely that the post office really does not take that long any more (I do a lot of mail order) and something was wrong. He reads me the standard line again about 2-4 weeks before calling it lost.

I politely kept him on the phone ligthly whining and being persistant about something being wrong still. He is just stringing me along while kind of numbly looking at my case on the computer. Suddenly he asks me why dont I ask the lawyer what's up instead of bugging him. I dont have a lawyer I say. He is yes you do and I am no I dont.

Turns out that NVC somehow attached some random lawyers name to one of my son's paperwork. NVC dude was nice enough to give me enough info to be able to locate the law firm on google. He told me to send an e-mail to nvcinquiry@state.gv to remove the lawyer's name.

I contacted the lawyer and sure enough they had a strange AOS fee bill they were not sure what to do with. They are mailing it to me now. In the meantime I made a copy of the brother's fee bill and the Choice Of Agent form incase this dont show up. I used the bar code generator from Jame's Shortcuts and a little Photoshop and it looks decent. I will give the real one till Tuesday to show up and if not I'll send in the home made one with mom's and his brother's.

Bottom line, yes call NVC, and if you get the standard 2-4 weeks line ask them to check where it got mailed to :-)

Mike W
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-05-14 03:42:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)VERY URGENT!!!
The bills have the same address mostly but different PO box numbers between the two. I sent mine in different envelopes. It cost an extra $14 but looked more like what they wanted.

Mike W
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-05-17 15:04:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer Up Or No?

Mike
You may also want to consider that there is approx a 1 year wait for CR-1 interviews in Mexico, so having the I-130 approved and processed through NVC for the CR-1 may not be what you both want.


EEeekk. But the CR-1 is an automatic thing included with a I-130 or something?

I gotta do a lot more reading still. I need to leard more on what is good and what is bad and how to steer things in the correct direction if possible then. Or is it all just dumb luck or fate and we have no control?


Mike W


I used a lawyer but it's too early to say if it's made a difference or not. However, she already saved me from using the old I-129F form, and I can ask her email questions whenever i want. She only charges $465 for K-1 and $495 for K-3, so if she saves even one small delay it's well worth it.

If anyone is interested:
http://www.4thelegalgroup.com/

And no, I don't get a referal fee. :(



Yeah, that kind of pricing and service sounds perfectly reasonable. $500ish isnt a bank breaker for a little peace of mind and help when you really need it. Thanks!

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-08-23 13:35:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer Up Or No?
Thanks guys, thanks for the tips. This site has demistified things quite a bit for me.

I am leaning towards doing it my self but looking for a lawyer to check the packet that I assemble for mistakes and such. Paying someone hundreds of dollars an hour to fill out info on a form I can download my self seems a little silly. And then if I run into problems or need some quick advice I'll have someone to go to that is familiar with things. I have time to interview a few and find one with the right experience and attitude for working with me.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-08-21 12:16:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer Up Or No?
Hi All! New guy here. I love all the info and stories.

Rossy and I are getting married in October in Rosarito just south of the border and Tijuana. I live in Los Angeles about 2 hours north and have been doing the commute weekly and more for over a year. I almost cried when I found out how long it takes to get permission to bring her home. In my Happy World it was going to take one or two months.

So, I am looking at a K-3 (and K-4 for 8 yr old twins,not mine) application and now I see that the CR1 thingy is neck and neck with it and there is some overlap regardless. What does a guy do with that?

Also, you seem like a DIY group. Do I really need to spend money on an immigration attorney? Or is it a matter of just being able to fill out complicated forms? Is an attorney going to do much for me? How are you guys doing it? If I read here till my eyeballs bleed can I find enough info to do it my self? Or is it that to be sure just pay one to keep after things and double check everything that gets turned in?

This newbie thing is strange for me. I am a car guy and usually I am the expert on the message board answering all the questions. Here I am just another FNG missing all the FAQs and not using the search button :-P Speaking of FAQs... is there a page somewhere with all the abbreviations and shorthand?

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-08-20 22:52:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouses Children Questions
OK, we were married last month in Mexico, here is what I am getting ready to send in now:

Cover Letter
Form I-130
USCIS Filing Fee of $190 made out to: USCIS, stapled to the front in the middle of the I-130 Form

A Form G-325 for myself
A Form G-325 for my Wife
USCIS color photographs for myself, my full name written on the back. Placed in a plastic bag and the bag labeled "Photo of ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind my G-325A.
USCIS color photographs for my wife, her full name written on the back. Placed in a plastic bag and the bag labeled "Photo of ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind her G-325A.

A Copy of our Marriage Certificate front and back and an original notarized translation into English
A copy of my Birth Certificate front and back
Copy of my wife's Birth Certificate front and back and an original notarized translation into English
Copy of my Complete Final Divorce Decree from my Previous Marriage (none for her, she was never married)

I will make 2 copies of everything to keep myself.

Clip everything together with a binder clip.

I am in Californai so I send it tracable to:
California Service Center
24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor, Room 2302
Attn: P.O. Box 10130
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677



All the guides are a bit lacking on exactly what and how to deal with importing kids aquired by marriage. My question is... She has two kids (8 year old twins)

Do I send in I-130s for each one with this package?

Do they get treated as their own package with separate checks and photos and all? Or just fill out what and clip it together with the above?

Do I send in G-325s for each one with this package?

Thanks guys!

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-12-03 03:55:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 FOR STEP-CHILD
I sent in I-130s for my wife and my two new 9 year old twins all in the same envelope. All three were full packets, fairly identical in set up. Only differences really was parents and that the 9 year olds dont have much of a work history (lazy punks).

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-01-26 22:40:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhere K3 stands
Mike_&_Rossy---------New Form--------01/10/07-------Pending


Thanks for keeping this updated!

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-02-02 03:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionchildren 2-14 yrs must take medical in juarez mexico 4 days prior to interview
We have our interview scheduled the 13th. We also luckily found out about the 4 day before thing with children ahead of time. Who would have thought. I have not seen this info officially anywhere. We just happened to be asking about the cost for children (only $55 usd)

At least mom can get her exam at the same time as the kids. They dont all have to wait in the line at the medical clinic twice.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2008-02-14 06:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion About Immigrant Children
I will be doing the same thing here and I want to do it right. I am getting married this Saturday. From what I can tell I need to fill out a 1-130 and an I-129F for my new wife. Then also fill out a I-130 for each child. I-129 does not get filed for the kids.

Correct?

Mike & Rossy
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-10-18 04:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion About Immigrant Children
OK, I am in the same boat here. My wife (as of Oct 21 this Saturday :-) has 8 year old twin boys. We'll be moving the whole family here at the same time. Until then at least I can see everyone every weekend with a 2-3 hour drive. I'd complain but I see all you guys waiting it out thousands of miles away. I cant imagine how much that sucks. So I'll just sit here and be thankful with my LA-Tijuana commute mmkay.

Aussiewench told me this a while ago:

Mike
You may also want to consider that there is approx a 1 year wait for CR-1 interviews in Mexico, so having the I-130 approved and processed through NVC for the CR-1 may not be what you both want.


How does this all tie in? Sinice I am K3/K4 I wont be worrying about a CR-1?

File I-130s for everyone at the same time?

Does anyone have any insight to parental permissions required? The father is not in the picture and should be cooperative.

Do people tend to have more problems with the US immigration vs the country the kids are leaving as far as permissions and paperwork?

Mike
(still reading and learning and memorizing acronyms)
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2006-10-16 22:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 approved (NOA2)... what's next?
Congratulations!

I am just going to tag along in this thread :-) I got my NOA2 yesterday by e-mail too!!! I'll be watching how this goes. My wife is in Mexico and we are going through the California Service Center. Off to start rounding up paperwork. I thought I had a little more time. It was approved in 68 days.

Mike W
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-03-15 03:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date in Ciudad Juarez
I called the 900 number at CDJ this morning. I asked if it was true about the 12 month wait for CR-1 visas. Dude on the phone says yes. If I send in my final docs today to NVC I'll get my interview in Sep 2008 :-/

So I say that rumor says that K-3 visa interview wait is only a month. I should go that way right? He says no. K-3 appointments are currently running 9-12 months too.

I dont like the CDJ embassy much right now. Not at all.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-07-25 04:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date in Ciudad Juarez
Yes I know this now :-P

Can anyone update the FAQs and make this 11 month difference in processing times for Mexico more visible? I had no idea. The money was not a problem and everyone was saying they were running about the same time so why bother. This could save some heartache in the future. My life is already upsidedown for this, it could save some other couples from this mess.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-07-20 20:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date in Ciudad Juarez

Once the Consulate received our K3 it was only a month to have the interview. The whole process from filing our first documents with USCIS to interview was 6 months for the K3. I called the consulate when they first received our papers from the NVC and they told me that K visas were usually about 1 month for the interview when they receive from NVC but CR1 take much longer to get the interview, up to a year.



Does anyone have an idea why that would be?

I keep seeing recomendations here to just go with a 1-130 CR-1 Visa, so much better and all. Dont bother doubling down with the I-129 and extra money for it. Approval times are about the same. But this 1 year vs 1 month wait for an appointment is kind of a big deal, no?

I am sending in my 864 and her 3032 this week to NVC and then it gets sent on to the embassy. I thought I was done. Silly me :-P

Seems like I could get an I-129 approved in a couple months and an appointment in a month after that? Long before waiting my year for a CR-1 interview?

Mike

Edited by Mike_&_Rossy, 18 July 2007 - 02:51 AM.

Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-07-18 02:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview date in Ciudad Juarez
A little over a year later and I have the same question. Are these wait times for Cuidad Jaurez still this long?

They cant be, right? After filing in January 07 and now sending in the 864 and 230 forms in this week we are almost dine right? Please?

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2007-06-25 03:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Spouse's children connected to IR-1/CR-1 Petition???
When the time comes also send in individual financial info for each person. The I-864 needs to be completely filled out and signed for each person you are bringing.

Mike
Mike_&_RossyMaleMexico2008-02-14 06:10:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout my k3 visa, we are a little lost, please help

Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read our story and our questions.


Looks to me that we dont have a way out to solve our problem.. I came to this country as a tourist, my husband is an american citizen, we got married last year in Vegas :D .. there shouldn't be much complication, but, there is...we are both 19, and he doesn't know anybody in the US since he has lived all his life in Peru and just recently moved back to Los Angeles after 14 years to attend college, meaning he does not work and does not know anybody here to be able to help us with this process...

We need to have an Affidavit of Support, since he does not work nor has any other type of income (besides financial aid from college) he is not able to be my sponsor or we need a co-sponsor...According to what I've read online, anyone who is either an american citizen or a permanent resident who works and earns above 125% the poverty guidelines can be my sponsor... But!!!!! We just dont know anybody here... He does know some people from his own school, but most of them are international students anyways.. and the other students are full time students, so they don't work neither..

Is there a way out for us? Is there any idea ? Something helpful you might be able to share with us?
Im just worried since my tourist visa expired already 2 months ago, I dont want to sound dramatic...but, will I ever have my green card? We both would like to celebrate our first year anniversary in London, but we've been married for 7 months already...and still we dont know what to do about finding a co-sponsor. And also, Im worried because I miss my grandparents who are in Peru, they are getting older..I do really wish to see them before they get older and older ...you get my point.

Well, thank you again... Every comment is highly appreciated and respected.. Thank you again...
Mia & Felipe (L)
Mia.19.CAFemalePeru2007-06-13 22:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI have Q's about a co-sponsor

Can someone that has already married a Filipino and went through the visa process be a co-sponsor? Also can a Filipino that became a citizen be a co-sponsor? I hope these questions make sense.If not I'll try to re-phrase it.

Hello, hope this helps:

A person in order to be a Co-sponsor must be either citizen or legal resident of the United States of America and must earn 125% above the poverty guidelines.

:D Good luck
Mia.19.CAFemalePeru2007-06-15 22:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProving Marital Status


I don't know about Paraguay but in Colombia they ask you to get a Certificado de Solteria which is a Certificate that states that you are single.



Interesting, I wonder if they have such a thing in either Argentina or Paraguay. Thanks for the info!

Hello! That's right about Certificado de Solteria, same thing in Peru. Also official documents as National ID, passport, military card, etc show the marital status of any person. And another thing...be positive ;) DOn't be too scare, just be positive. :dance:
Mia.19.CAFemalePeru2007-06-16 14:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout my Spousal Visa .. We are lost, need help.

Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read our story and our questions.

Looks to me that we dont have a way out to solve our problem.. I came to this country as a tourist, my husband is an american citizen, we got married last year in Vegas .. there shouldn't be much complication, but, there is...we are both 19, and he doesn't know anybody in the US since he has lived all his life in Peru and just recently moved back to Los Angeles after 14 years to attend college, meaning he does not work and does not know anybody here to be able to help us with this process...

We need to have an Affidavit of Support, since he does not work nor has any other type of income (besides financial aid from college) he is not able to be my sponsor or we need a co-sponsor...According to what I've read online, anyone who is either an american citizen or a permanent resident who works and earns above 125% the poverty guidelines can be my sponsor... But!!!!! We just dont know anybody here... He does know some people from his own school, but most of them are international students anyways.. and the other students are full time students, so they don't work neither..

Is there a way out for us? Is there any idea ? Something helpful you might be able to share with us?
Im just worried since my tourist visa expired already 2 months ago, I dont want to sound dramatic...but, will I ever have my green card? We both would like to celebrate our first year anniversary in London, but we've been married for 7 months already...and still we dont know what to do about finding a co-sponsor. And also, Im worried because I miss my grandparents who are in Peru, they are getting older..I do really wish to see them before they get older and older ...you get my point.[/color] [/color]

Well, thank you again... Every comment is highly appreciated and respected.. Thank you again...
Mia & Felipe (L)
Mia.19.CAFemalePeru2007-06-13 22:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCO-SPONSOR

hello to everyone

i have 2 questions i want to make sure of :

1- what form a CO-SPONSOR has to fill out for me and if it's I-864 does he/she have to complete the whole I864 OR JUST part of it?

2-what if a co sponsor has already filing for her fiance so is it possible to co-sponsor me?

THANKS


That person can sponsor you as long as he/she is "financially able to"
Mia.19.CAFemalePeru2007-06-15 23:00:00