biggish data

Police reports? How recent do they need to be?

I read that it's better to get the background check/police cert before you start applying because they can take a while, especially if you need to get them from several countries. Better safe than sorry. Good luck!

On another note, I need to get a police clearance cert from the Australian Federal Police. How soon should I do it? We plan to file after mid of this year. Thanks

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-02-08 13:46:00

What original documents should I prepare?

This might be helpful http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-02-08 16:04:00

Need your opinion CR1 visa

I should have paid more attention in my response. I did mean Direct Consular Filing, or consular processing of the petition.

hi Julie, just would like to share my experience here.

My husband emailed the Embassy in Malaysia and asked them if we can DCF since there is no USCIS office at the embassy here. The guy emailed back and said they can, under special circumstances (deployment etc) but since we are not 'sure' he cant allow us to. Inasmuch as I'd love to hv our case expedited, I don't want my husband to go on deployment (i hope he doesn't have to!).

So I'd advise your dad to email the embassy in Colombia and ask if he can do it. We got a reply in 24 hrs and the guy was very nice too. Or maybe your dad can also file as USC living abroad, which means he will mail it to the Chicago Lockbox. That way he doen't have to be separated from his wife and they can be together until she gets her visa.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-12 08:31:00

G 325 A Signature requirement and Marriage Cert ??

i sent mine thru DHL, from Malaysia to the US, we could've done it while he was here for the wedding, but too bz being newlyweds hehe I sent it on Monday, he got it Thursday so that wasn't so bad. Cost a bit but hey, time is the essence.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-16 00:29:00

To travel or not to travel?That is the question.

Update: I am in the US! Sitting at the POE airport as I write this.

They asked me why i was here, I said I was visiting my brand new husband and his family. Then we chatted a bit about that, how we met, how often we see each other, if he will petition for me.

I explained why he will not be filing the petition yet, the officer was very understanding and approved my stay ubtil Feb 15th, 2013.

She did not want to see my return ticket at all.

yay, that's really great! Hoep youre having a great time with your husband

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-25 08:24:00

To travel or not to travel?That is the question.

hi lynndy38,

you're going for 8 weeks, im planning to visit for 5+ months! So a lil worried about the trip :s

I have a tourist visa (valid for 6 months per stay). I live with my parents, a freelancer who works from home and don't own property, so am a little worried that the CBP would think I dont have enough ties to home country.

So im going to
- bring our NOA
- mention that we are hvg the interview in Malaysia so I'd have to go back,
- tell them that I've never overstayed during my previous visits to the US (8+ times in the last 4 years).
- show them my return ticket to Malaysia with date before the 6 months is up.

Hopefully that'll be enough and they'd let me in!

Good luck, do share your experience when you go through! I've always gone through ORD, the officers are nice, not so scary. The only 'difficult' CBP officer was in San Fran, because i visited in dec then again in march, so probably the proximity of the two visits. He asked me who i was visiting (my bf at the time) and how much money i had, how come I visited so often (i said im a school teacher so we get a lot of breaks hehe) but in the end he let me in, phew!

I always print my flight itin, I find that it helps. Once I didnt, but I had it in my phone so I just showed that to the CBP and she let me through.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-15 23:55:00

Did not put consulate in I-130 form

ehh, i thought there's a lil space there that says "if your relative is adjusting at a consulate, name the location" or something like that, so we're supposed to put "kuala lumpur" for city and "malaysia" for country. my husband called the helpline and they told us to just send a letter saying we missed that and that was it. I hope our petitions will be processed quickly. I miss my husband quite a bit!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-09-02 12:12:00

Did not put consulate in I-130 form

Hi there,
I just wanted to let you know that several of us, who filed I-130 petitions at the same time you did, got the same letter. We're not sure exactly why our files went to Lee's Summit, but I don't think it's a bad thing. USCIS has a service center in Lee's Summit, Missouri. They process different applications there. It is not where you would have an interview. The letter didn't say anything about an interview or an RFE, did it? So you can relax and just be patient.
Good luck and best wishes!

Hi Treva,
phew, nice to know that!

It's just that in our I-130 form, we forgot to indicate where I'd be having my interview (US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur), so was worried it might affect our petition or have the USCIS think that I am in the US at the moment and will be AOS-ing from there (we are not). Anywho, my husband called the helpline who told us to write a short letter indicating the missing info and send it to MO.

I wonder why ours got sent there. Are you doing AOS in the US?

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-09-01 20:17:00

Did not put consulate in I-130 form

hi everyone,
we'd appreciate your feedback.

We sent in the I-130 two weeks ago, got the email and text saying it was sent to Vermont, the check's been cashed then we received the NOA1 saying it's sent to Lee's Summit, MO.

I was a little worried so I asked my husband to check the copy we have. Turned out for Question no 22, we didn't write down the name of consulate where I'd have my interview, since we're not living together at the moment.

Anyone has any suggestions on how we can amend this?

Thanks so much, hope to hear from you soon.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-31 09:33:00

moussouri?

lynndy38: how do your check where your petition is?

Edited by JP and Tee, 17 September 2012 - 11:15 AM.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-09-17 11:14:00

moussouri?

we got transferred too! Hope it's a good thing. we're not AOS-ing in the States, I'll be having my interview in Malaysia so I'm not sure why we got transferred. I hope it gets the petition approved faster!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-09-05 21:04:00

What does the Transfer of I-130 mean for me?

Agreed. I, too, am wondering if our cases were transferred to NBC for normal processing, how long does the NBC take...hopefully less than what the other centers take. That would be a good note for us

Mina, our case was sent to Missouri too. How do you check the status of your case?

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-09-25 11:20:00

DS 3032 ( what to write on Subject line)

I sent mine with case number and last and first name of beneficiary in the subject line. I received a general auto response from them.

A couple days after that, I read on VJ to put 'Supervisor Review' on subject line, so I re-sent email with that in the subject line and received a reply later that day, saying it has been reviewed and accepted.

Whether you want to do it or not, it's your choice. We've been waiting for almost a year so anything that can help speed the process up is more than welcomed at this point.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-06-20 11:25:00

Expedite procedure

Hi loway
My husband requested for an expedite as I'm past 6 months pregnant and will be too pregnant to fly if we wait it out. Our file got lost between USCIS-NVC so that really threw our timeline off. We were hoping it would be done and I could travel back before ill be too pregnant to fly.

A few days ago, we found out our request has been granted. We reached out to his congressman and senator and received some reply from them, though I am not sure if that helped with the expedite request.

Also, my husband is in the military but he's deployed in the US (which usually means no expedite since it's not 'extreme'). But he included a letter from his commanding officer, a note from my doctor and emailed it to nvcinquiry.

We are waiting for further instructions from the embassy and we'll see where to go from here.

I really don't know if they will grant your request but it doesn't hurt to email and ask. My husband spoke to a few Tier 2 NVCO IOs and was told by at least 5 we have a strong case to expedite (maybe added bonus that he's been in the military for a while and deployed numerous times). The reasons are unknown but we got expedited and that's all that matters

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-07-02 01:56:00

how long will it take the i 130 if your petitioner is u.s military?

how long will it take the whole process until the visa in hand if you petitioner is us. military?thank you V,J

Usually, unless you're about to be deployed overseas (esp Afghan), the USCIS normally won't grant you an expedite. But it never hurt to ask. Just make sure you have a valid reason. Are you a vet or active duty?

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-07-05 23:13:00

Assembling my I-130 Package

Thanks all! A couple more questions. Do I need a copy of her passport and do I need to submit a timeline along with the I-130?

We included one, but I read that some people didn't. Seems ok.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-07-07 10:35:00

Assembling my I-130 Package

@JP & Tee - Would you mind updating your timeline? It only shows up to NOA2. Thanks!

Check out my signature. It's all there.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-07-07 08:21:00

Assembling my I-130 Package

you should be fine. I think we included a lot less than that, but ours was accepted without any RFEs.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-07-06 22:01:00

Payment of 165USD IV fee via USCIS - ELIS

Pay the fee ASAP online. If the USCIS gets the fee before they get your packet from the CBP you should be okay (the GC shouldn't be delayed.) CBP told me it would take 6-8 months to get my green card. Got it in a month It normally takes 4-8 weeks. Expect the SSN within 2-3 weeks. If it hasn't shown up in 3 weeks, go to the local SSA office and apply for one there.

awesome, thanks! I paid it this morning, was not asked about the fee at POE yesterday, but I figured it'd be better to pay the fee ASAP so that was done. I hope it'll be sent soon!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-08-08 20:31:00

Payment of 165USD IV fee via USCIS - ELIS

hi everyone,

made my POE via Charlotte, NC yesterday. As I was waiting in line to enter the US, i remembered i HADN'T PAID my ELIS fee!!! *freaked out horror face*

Anyways, I went through immigration, officer did not ask abt ELIS fee, signed and dated entry, got my passport back, and was told that the GC will be sent in 4-6 months. Is this normal? I'm not sure where to go next, apart from paying my ELIS fee online. When can I expect my SSN? Thanks for all your input!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-08-08 04:44:00

Yes, but that doesn't mean DCF can't be done.

Thanks for your input anyways. Cheers!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-08 22:38:00

@ chaine1: Sorry but that information is not correct. Even though Malaysia does not have a USCIS office, we could still do DCF.

My husband emailed the US embassy in Malaysia. They told him they have the authority to request USCIS for authorization to accept DCF under exceptional circumstances, which include genuine military emergencies.

My husband is moving bases in Feb. The unit there is deploying in Dec, and there's a chance he might be deployed once he's there. The embassy told him that unless we have orders and he is definitely deploying to the middle east, we can't do DCF (which means we can if we have the orders!). He lives in the US by the way.

So lesson learned is when in doubt, contact the embassy. They're very friendly and quite helpful

Also, need to ask:
He called the military helpline last night and the lady he talked to, said I could come to the US on a one-way ticket, tell the IO at POE that I'd adjust status and file in the US. Is this good sound advice? I have a tourist visa, we haven't filed for I-130 yet. I know I can visit for 6 months max.

Cheers.

Edited by JP and Tee, 08 August 2012 - 09:27 PM.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-08 21:20:00

I did, it said we could. Just want to know whether DCF will be faster compared to normal USCIS route.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-08 02:11:00

hi everyone,

my husband lives in the US, I am in Malaysia at the moment. he is with the military so do you think we can file through the US Embassy in Malaysia? There is a chance he might be deploying next year so we'd like to get the visa process done before/and if he leaves. Thanks, really appreciate your feedback!

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-07 13:59:00

Describe circumstance when you met

I think it'd be best to write about how you two met. Like did you meet him through a friend, or on a social networking website (Facebook, MySpace etc), how long you dated before you decided to get married etc. Basically talk about the circumstances regarding the first meeting and how you decided to be a couple etc.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-02-10 11:27:00

Didnt met my fiancee in the last two years

Where there is a will, there is a way. If she cannot come to Pakistan, then perhaps both of you can travel to another country to meet there instead?

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-02-20 03:33:00

Manipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

cant you just buy separate tickets? One from Manila to JFK, then a domestic to RDU? That way you'll be able to manipulate the transit time. It'd be a good idea to factor in checked baggage fees etc, or maybe call the airline to ask for a later flight. I've done that before - flight was the last one out, but I asked during check-in and they had an earlier flight so I got to SC earlier

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-02-08 14:52:00

Expedite prior to military deployment

hi everyone,
I have a lil question regarding the USCIS military helpline.

My husband lives in the US while I am in Malaysia. I have a tourist visa, which is valid for at least another 5 years. We haven't filed for I-130 yet, just recently got married.

Recently, my husband called the USCIS military helpline. The lady he talked to told him I could fly to the US on a one way ticket, told the IO if they ask, that I'm filing for adjustment of status in the US and stay, hence the one way ticket. She also said it's ok, and we can do it.

From what I understand, it means I can visit but not stay. My question would be would flying there on a one-way ticket be ok? I'm not sure if this is a good idea. I don't want to fly all the way there only to be told to go back to Malaysia, or worse, get banned from entering the US.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-08-08 21:53:00

Declaration of how you met (within the last 2 years)

I dont think the CBP has any access to your visa application. All they can see is the visa in your passport, I think. I might be wrong, but my recent visit went ok. The officer just asked why I was here (to visit my husband) and he didn't ask anything about my spouse visa or anything like that. Just how long I was here for and that was it.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-11-08 11:10:00

Declaration of how you met (within the last 2 years)

I wrote very briefly that my husband and I met online and that we kept in touch for 5 years, via email, phone calls and letters. We also visited each other during those five years before we got married (included dates of visit). I also included the time we seriously decided to get married and why we couldn't do it earlier (husband was deployed) and talked abt the wedding a bit.

Alia, when you went to the US for 6 months, did you have a problem getting in? As in, were you asked why you're visiting for such a long time?

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-11-02 09:44:00

confused by all the information

As the previos poster have stated the proper answer is "IT DEPENDS". I could tell you that we received our K-1 visa in 118 days, but that was 2 years ago and the USCIS has slowed WAY down since then. Now we are looking at a fast approveal of being in the time frame of 6-7 months and a typical approval in about 10 months. Then there are the unfortunate August 2012 filers who seem to be lost in limbo as they filed right as the USCIS was changing things up and a lot of them are still waiting while people in January are being approved. If you want to be realistic, expect another year and if happens sooner you will be happy. You can look at the processing times that is based on actualy VJ members here. It contains statistics of all VJ members who fill in their time-lines. So it will show the speed-up and slow downs for you specific center.

Good luck,

Dave

My husband and I are one of the Aug 2012 filers! we thought the sooner we apply, the sooner it'd finish. Apparently not. It's disheartening to see others who filed WAY past us were getting approved while we had to keep waiting and waiting

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-06-28 11:02:00

confused by all the information

Hi all

I have just joined as I am completely overwhelmed by the volume of information online regarding the K-1 process. My problem and perhaps many others have experienced this is that the range of answers concerning questions are wide apart. This is especially true with application times. While no-one can give a specific time relating to another person's case, I am looking to see if anyone out there would share their time-frame with me. I would be very grateful.

Myself and my fiance have just started the I-129f application. She is the US citizen I am from Ireland. We met in Ireland and were living together for over a year. She left 6 weeks ago and has started back to work etc. Basically what I need from anyone who has the time or knowledge, is a realistic expectation (from someone who is after or currently completing the K-1) of what we are looking at in terms of waiting time and potential bumps in the road that we should prepare for. We personally much prefer to know what we will be going through rather than living in false hope.

Thanks in advance for anyone who offers their time and advice to us

It really depends. No one can say what is the 'normal' wait time. You'll see some people who get approved in a very short time and some who wait for a long, long time. It helps to read up on the tips, get the necessary documents ready so when the time comes you just send them in instead of having to wait due to the fact that you didn't have X document ready. Read the guides, they're a big help.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-06-28 04:12:00

It's not meant to be rude. Just a general observation.

agree about using VJ on smartphone. I can't see certain things, and anvigatibility is very different from using VJ on PC/Mac. I read VJ on my smartphone when I'm on the go and don't have my mac with me, but will double check once I am able to get on a computer just to make sure. Some pages are not available on smartphones (due to the way they're designed) but I agree, there are some lazy people here who won't read guides but keep asking the same questions despite being told to read the guide.

I'd say these are new users tho, and didn't know about guides/VJ map. I sure did ask some questions without reading the guides at first, but thankfully some memebers pointed the guides out to me, so yea! Thanks and don't be too harsh

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-05-13 03:58:00

DS 260 or DS 160 since both of them were written on my P4

Just chiming in, tho the letter said bring two photos, just bring extra in case they need more than 2.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2013-11-14 16:33:00

I wasn't going to volunteer the information about being made redundant. Just to have it to hand if I am asked if I have a job. I have other ties back in the UK, so should be okay. I will keep my answers short and sweet. Just respond to the questions they ask.

good idea! less is more

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-11-08 11:08:00

Thnaks for this. It's always helpful to hear about someone's experience.

I am coming back to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on 1 December for my first visit since we submitted our K1 (NOA2 should be here any day please.....). I am coming for 6 weeks but should have enough money in my bank account to show that I can support myself. The reason I can come for as long as 6 weeks is that I am being made redundant. I am wondering whether it's a good idea to get a letter saying that my fiance will support me for the 6 weeks? Just an idea from your list of things you took. I wonder whether I should take the letters showing that I was made redundant (rather than volunteraly making myself jobless)

hi Anna,
I'm not sure if you should mention you've been made redundant. The CBP might not let you in, since a job is considered something that is tying you back home. Maybe not mention it?
One thing I was told was to just keep your answers short and sweet. Tell what they ask, don't overshare -- I tend to ramble when I am nervous so I was quite worried the CBP might think I have something to hide (i dont).

As for me, I have some money in my bank, but surely not enough to support myself while I'm in the US. So I have that letter from my husband saying that he will support me while I'm here.

The letter was mostly just to be safe, and I also made sure I had copies of the NOA1 and transfer notice my husband got. he scanned it and I just brought that with me, to show that we have filed the petition. I was more worried about the CBP thinking I'd be coming and adjusting in the US on a tourist visa.

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-11-07 11:26:00

hi everyone,
I just arrived yesterday, via Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Was quite worried about coming here since our I1-3- is still pending and not sure if the CBP will let me in.
I brought:
- letter from employment, saying i'm here in the US for personal reasons
- bank statement, to show I have enough $ to cover expenses
- letter from USCIS (husband scanned and I printed them to show we've filed and will be doing our interview in Malaysia)
- my flight itinerary, showing I'll return in April 2013
- a letter from my husband, saying once I'm in the US he will bear all expenses and that I'm here so we can get my military dependent ID and on DEERS (military database thg).

so yesterday, I arrived at ORD around 12pm. The lines were short, and within minutes I was being interviewed. Gave the officer my passport, boarding pass. My heart was racing, very nervous!

Questions asked:
- why are you here, business or pleasure (pleasure)
- who are you visiting (family, my husband)
- How long are you here for (til April)
- when was your last visit to the US (September 2011)
- have you visited for five months before (no, my last trip was only 2 weeks)
- So you live in Malaysia and your husband works here (yes, he's american so he works and lives here.)
- So you go back and forth to see each other (yes, i'm staying longer for thanksgiving, Christmas etc)
- ok ma'am, put your four fingers on the console...

and that was it. The question about my spouse visa never came up and despite my documents, I never had to show them anything. he wished me good luck and enjoy my stay in the US. Nervewrecking but was so happy to get through!

So don't worry. While there is that risk of being turned away, as long as you are honest, it should be fine. I'm so happy to be with my husband again. He was surprised to see me arriving a day early because I told him I was arriving on Election Day

Best prank ever

JP and Tee

Female

Malaysia

2012-11-06 06:16:00