ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused about NOIR Decision
QUOTE (MrsJibowu @ Aug 11 2009, 07:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Have you personally requested that the USCIS initiate your CR1? I know that when the k3 moves to the embassy the CR1 goes into storage until he gets here.


What makes you think that? I was working on both paths at the same time. My K-3 was at the embassy waiting to be scheduled for an interview while my CR-1 was processing at NVC. I'm pretty sure the two petitions are completely independent of each other.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-11 11:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused about NOIR Decision
Hmm... I don't know much about what happens when petitions are sent back to USCIS. I do know though that you're right, you cannot file another I-129f.

I know that some embassies automatically extend the validity period of the NOA2 for people who have interviews further out than 4 months. Not sure why your embassy didn't do that for you but I think that now that the petition has been returned there's not much the embassy will do for you.

Your I-130 was approved over a year and a half ago and NVC says if they don't hear anything from you within a year they'll close the case. There was someone posting here a month or two ago who contacted NVC about a case that was much, much older- like 4 or 5 years- and NVC continued to work with them on it. I think your best bet would be to contact NVC and speak to an operator to find out if they've held onto your I-130 file.

Even if you do continue with the IR-1, your husband will likely run into the same problems at that interview. Have you rectified the issues the CO had at the first two interviews? If it was doubts about your relationship there's probably more evidence you can provide covering the past year but if it's something like a criminal history or something that can't be changed then I'm not sure how much help another interview will be.

Hopefully someone who has more experience with this will be able to offer some better ideas. So sorry- best of luck...
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-07 09:09:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm I missing something?
QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 12 2009, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, DHS/CBP admits visitors. I'm talking when you're in the immigration process. The fraud cases are transferred to ICE, and that's who the non-law enforcement investigators and the special agents work for (i.e. "Operation Honeymon's Over-marriage fraud indictments). You don't want them knocking on your door!


Yes but this is not a question of marriage fraud. In the case of the OP, no ICE agents will be knocking on his door and telling him his honeymoon is over if he hasn't applied to adjust status and he is still in status on the VWP (time left on his I-94). His only concern is getting into the country in the first place, which is an issue that CBP deals with.

Edited by imaisha, 12 August 2009 - 11:52 AM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-12 11:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm I missing something?
QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 12 2009, 11:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was told that from a person who investigates marriage fraud cases and works directly for ICE


Well the big difference is that the people admitting visitors aren't ICE, they are CBP officials.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-12 11:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresk-3 and ssn w?thout ead
I smell something very fishy here.

From the instructions for the I-539, here :http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539instr.pdf

"NOTE: Any nonimmigrant (A to V) may not change his or her status to K-3 or K-4."

Also it hasn't been called the INS for around 6 years now. Care to try again?
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-05 13:36:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresk-3 and ssn w?thout ead
I'm confused. Did your husband leave the country and apply for the K-3 visa? He could not adjust status to a K-3 visa as a visa is just permission to enter the country- if he was already here on a J-1 then he didn't need permission to enter. If he adjusted status it would have been to LPR, which is work authorized. As a K-3, without an unexpired EAD he is not work authorized.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-05 08:23:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow long ???
QUOTE (jmcrb1027 @ Aug 12 2009, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thank you imaisha for your answer, i will ask her to see if she can get aletter from her employer and no , we did not fill any petition yet cuz she just found a job last week thank you again for your help


If you haven't filed a petition yet then there's no need to ask for the letter now. Current processing times are 5 months, so you should plan to start working on that part of the process just a little bit before then.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-12 13:10:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow long ???
If she is able to prove that the job is ongoing and permanent there is no reason she couldn't sponsor you right now. She'd need to provide a letter from her employer and copies of any paystubs she's got. Have you filed a petition yet though? If not you've got quite a few months before she'll need to provide any financial information.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-12 12:38:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved I-130 Validity
When were you married?

The I-130 will go to NVC. NVC will hold it for a year is what they say. If you keep in contact with them you can drag the process out for quite some time. That will get you a CR-1 visa, so you'll still have to lift conditions if you haven't hit 2 years after say a year at NVC + 6 months before entering on the visa.

If you want to go the K-3 route, it's up to the embassy how long they'll hold it. The I-129f has a limited validity though- just four months. You'll have to keep in touch with them to make sure that they continue to renew it. The K-3 is valid for two years after entry though, and I think she'd have six months after issuance to move. If she can enter and not work for those two years you could put off adjusting status until near the end of that time without having to worry about renewing the I-129f. She'll stay in status and you'll end up with the unconditional card.

Edited by imaisha, 12 August 2009 - 03:48 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-12 15:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical Exam - Diabetes
The most important thing that London cares about is that you have documentation regarding your condition. It seems you've got it well under control and that's great. You should get a letter from your GP stating when you were diagnosed, the course of treatment you use to manage it and that the condition is stable. You definitely won't be turned down but Knightsbridge's approval of your medical may be delayed if they have to wait for you to contact your doctor and fax over that letter. You've got some time so it's best to be prepared to bring that with you to the medical and they'll be all set.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-16 19:42:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife APPROVED for VISA
QUOTE (2kool4skool @ Aug 7 2009, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband visa is valid for 2 yrs!


It's valid for 2 years after the intial entry. It must be "activated" within 6 months.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-07 14:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitted I-130, Question regarding wife's name
The marriage certificate should show her maiden name. If she is going to assume your name then she'll need to change the name in her passport- the marriage certificate will act as her proof of name change.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-21 15:21:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 does my wife need to sponsor me on a K3?
Re-enter the states as what? As a tourist? As an immigrant? Have you begun the process yet? Filed any petitions? If you go for the CR-1 rather than the K-3 you will be work authorized upon entry- no need to wait to adjust status or get an EAD.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-24 09:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstrange scenario on K3 visa processing
payxibka speaks the truth. There have been a few posters here startled by an I-129f denial for just that reason.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-21 08:01:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUrgent situation - filing I-130 at the last minute
QUOTE (Anh map @ Aug 23 2009, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I-130 is used for the CR1, not K3.



The I-130 is necessary for both the CR-1 and the K-3. As a married couple they would not be able to file a stand alone I-129f.

I agree with the above posters though, don't bother with the K-3.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-23 17:09:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSoon to wed and file for K-3 need info on I684 affidavit of support
Guide for the I-130 petition: http://www.visajourn...page=i130guide1
Guide for the whole process: http://www.visajourn..._live_in_the_US

Definitely go for the CR-1.

Edited by imaisha, 25 August 2009 - 06:25 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-25 18:25:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused! I-130 approved, dead I 129F
http://www.visajourn...he_US#NVC_Steps

http://www.visajourn...wchart_v1-2.pdf

You should call NVC and give the operator both of your e-mail addresses as soon as a case number is assigned. Also, the operators will not give out the IIN anymore. You'll get it in the e-mail with your AOS fee bill.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-27 07:56:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPursuing both K3 and CR1?
I pursued both and the CR-1 wound up being faster for me. I didn't know it would turn out that way until we were well on our way through NVC. It's not just that the K-3 costs more. There are lots of other downsides, like not being able to work, having to fill out all those forms again, wait in limbo and possibly be called in for yet another interview, etc.

It is possible to continue with NVC while you're abroad. As long as you have access to a reliable way to mail things to them (FedEx) there won't be any problems. NVC will e-mail you all the fee bills if you give them your e-mail address, so you don't need to receive any physical mail. Are you going to have access to everything you need to fill in the forms, like the documents for the affidavit of support? As long as you're able to obtain everything there's nothing wrong with sending it from outside the U.S.

The difference between the interview times is dependent on the country, so you should check in with the people going through Pakistan right now. In London I got a CR-1 interview much more quickly than the K-3, but that's different from embassy to embassy.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-28 11:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresshould we wait to get married?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Sep 1 2009, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well - in these 'religious countries' it might not be the religion that matters. For instance, Islam is not just a religion - it is also a legal system.

So I say it's not 'appropriate' in the sense of not being offensive to readers of those cultures. A small distinction but a polite one, I think.


And I was raised Muslim and Islam is just a religion to me. Islam may contribute to a legal system, but most of the "religious countries" I'm talking about do not mandate Sharia law. I'm not sure who would be offended by my comments. Sorry if you were.

This thread has already answered the OP's question so I won't argue it further.

Edited by imaisha, 01 September 2009 - 12:44 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-01 12:42:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresshould we wait to get married?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Sep 1 2009, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The OP has stated the country is Germany. Anecdotal evidence suggests the circumstances of this couple's courtship won't be an issue at the consulate in Frankfurt. I took the consulate into account in replying to the OP. There used to be a member here who said "know thy consulate" before dispensing info about this phase of the process. I think she was right.

Sorry, didn't see that post as it wasn't formatted to make the responses clearly separate from the original post. Thanks for pointing out that I missed it though.

I'm not sure it's appropriate to use the phrase "religious" countries. Social customs (as you mentioned) would be more the concern of consular officers.

Not sure why it's not appropriate to use "religious countries." I am referring specifically to nations with an established state religion. When that is the case the religion usually plays a big part in the social customs and values the consular officer will be looking for. Since that isn't a catch-all for countries in which this might play a role, I included the bit about social customs so that readers can consider for themselves whether or not it would be an issue for them. In Western Europe it won't be. For others it will.


imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-01 12:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresshould we wait to get married?
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Sep 1 2009, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In this case your opinion was unfortunately incorrect.


The opinion may not have been entirely incorrect really though. USCIS will not care, true. As long as they can get married/ are married depending on the visa they apply for, they're set for the petition. But the interview may be tougher. Because your fiancee's interview was in the United Kingdom, you probably had a relatively easy time of it. Unfortunately most others are not as lucky. Depending on what country "G." is, they may have a problem with marriage so soon after divorce, applying for a marriage visa so soon after 2 failed tries for a student visa and an overstay. I'm thinking in particular of religious countries, where if the meeting within the last two years or most of the courtship took place at a time when one party was married, it won't fly. If it's against the cultural norms the consular officer will have big concerns.

Edited by imaisha, 01 September 2009 - 08:34 AM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-01 08:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 vs IR1
QUOTE (Malrothien @ Sep 3 2009, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
K3's USED to be much faster when CR1/IR1's were taking a year to process. They process in the same amount of time now (save the NVC step).


And even NVC is starting to take longer for many K-1s and K-3s as they are pulled into "random" AP...
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-03 13:06:00
USCIS Service CentersWhere do I send my application?
File Form I-129F with the California Service Center if you live in:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.


Mail your Form I-129F package to:

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


from pg. 5 of: http://www.uscis.gov...I-129Finstr.pdf

there you go smile.gif good luck!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-25 20:38:00
United KingdomSwitching K-3 interview to CR/IR-1
Just wondering if any K-3 filers have tried getting through NVC quickly and asking the embassy to make their K-3 interview a CR/IR-1. I've heard of people having luck in other countries but I haven't read about anyone trying it in London. We're still a long ways away but it'd be nice to think about it being possible...
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-05 12:41:00
United KingdomPolice Certificate from UK
well it depends what you're applying for. if it's a cr-1 or ir-1 the police certificate is sent to NVC and they forward it to the embassy. k-1 or k-3 brings it to the interview.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-08 09:45:00
United KingdomDo you absolutely need packet 4 to get in for your scheduled interview?
i wouldn't freak out just yet- because of the bank holiday and all the mail might have been delayed and you'll probably get it soon. you should however get the code and email the embassy and they can email you something confirming the interview to show just in case.

Edited by imaisha, 26 May 2009 - 01:38 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-26 13:37:00
United KingdomInterview one day but send the passport in later?
thanks guys- feeling much more hopeful now! i won't be shy about getting in touch with them then smile.gif
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 08:01:00
United KingdomInterview one day but send the passport in later?
i wish we could but we're still at the NVC stage. since interviews are only assigned during the 2nd week (or so they say) we're probably going to end up in the July cycle and get an August interview. we'll just have to delay it until September if there's no other way sad.gif
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-26 16:11:00
United KingdomInterview one day but send the passport in later?
Has anyone ever done this or asked if it's possible?
It looks like my husband's interview will be in August but he needs to go to Japan for work the last week in August. So I wonder if it'd be possible to go to his interview date but if it he won't get his passport back in time then he'd keep it and courier the passport to them when he returned.
I know someone did that when they hadn't received their passport yet but what if it's just by choice?
I know I'll have to write the embassy for a definite answer, I just wanted to know if anyone has tried to find out just how accomodating they'll be in case this is just too ridiculous of a request to even bother asking. I know they're usually pretty nice but I figure this is probably pushing it.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-26 11:04:00
United KingdomQuestion on Moving Personal Belongings
oh i see! your WAC number is your recipt number. i filed in vermont so i had an EAC number. are you sure there isn't an A number on your NOA2 (the approval notice)? i think it was on the right side of the page.

Edited by imaisha, 27 May 2009 - 02:43 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 14:42:00
United KingdomQuestion on Moving Personal Belongings
QUOTE (grapeeyes @ May 27 2009, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, now I am really confused. The I-864 didn't ask for it and in the NOA there was a WAC number. Now we have an LND number. Things might be a bit different because I live in the States and applied here for his embassy processing.


does here mean the U.K.? so you did DCF? if that's the case then yeah it might be very different you're right. maybe you haven't gotten an A number. eek- sorry! i think i've confused myself now too.
there are still plenty of companies that would be willing to help you without it though.

Edited by imaisha, 27 May 2009 - 02:41 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 14:39:00
United KingdomQuestion on Moving Personal Belongings
then that's just the A number which you've already got, in case you decide you want to use a company that requires it. there should be a box on your NOA2 for the I-130 that lists it (starts with an A) and i think the I-864 asked for it too. just in case you get a better quote from one of the first few you've found, you can give them that!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 11:52:00
United KingdomQuestion on Moving Personal Belongings
also, is the AIN different from the A number on our NOA2s?
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 11:21:00
United KingdomUK - Police Clearance certificate? ACRO or CRB
If a mod could move this to the NVC or the UK forum you'd get more answers I think.

I haven't submitted my package yet, or read about anyone who's tried sending it without the ACRO, so this is just speculation, but here goes...

I think you will definitely get an RFE for the ACRO. That's the one that's required, that's the one they want, that's the only one they will accept. I haven't read anything about anyone adding things to their file PRIOR to an RFE but I think it'd be better for you to just wait the few days until you get the ACRO and send the whole package together. If you give them the chance to give you an RFE you're giving them permission to add on many weeks to the processing. They probably won't take that long, but it gives them more leeway than you probably want.


imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 12:14:00
United Kingdomhow to get the UK Police Certificate when you're not in the UK
interesting question, and i don't know the answer, but i don't think the records will say he was there for 6 months. he may have had a visa valid for six months, but that has nothing to do with how long he was actually in the country (which you obviously know). if anything i'd think that it would indicate he's still there if he wasn't inspected when he left. i'm not sure the police check is out to find formerly illegal immigrants but maybe someone else who knows more about undocumented travel will have a better idea for you.

Edited by imaisha, 28 May 2009 - 12:03 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-28 12:02:00
United Kingdomhow to get the UK Police Certificate when you're not in the UK
i'm not sure how the being undocumented bit will affect things but i know some of the other answers.

yes it is his current residence they are interested in, even if it's outside the country.
as for how they check on the past addresses, you shouldn't have a problem. my husband was living with his parents for some of the time and so he also wasn't listed on anything. we didn't have any problems getting the certificate.

Edited by imaisha, 27 May 2009 - 01:05 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-27 13:04:00
United KingdomPacket 3 preparation
Packet 3 will direct you to this website: http://london.usemba...a/iv/iv_15.html

There's links to all the forms and instructions there.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-12 12:04:00
United KingdomPossible to contact embassy...?
Try having him write a letter and mail it to them. When people sent in packet 3 with a cover letter saying, "We'd like to travel by this date and would prefer an interview during the week of xyz," they were sometimes able to accomodate them.

Once they've received the letter they'll enter it into the system as a note on your file. You can call DOS from the U.S. (it's just a regular phone call) and see if they've made that notation and then call every day to see if the interview's been scheduled. No need to wait for them to forward the packet 4 to France to find out.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-25 09:54:00
United KingdomFrom now on will I need to carry alot of paperwork when entering the UK?
QUOTE (Boiler @ Jun 29 2009, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Confused.

You state you are the USC, the VWP is not relevant.


I think he means that he's concerned that he'll have to bring proof of ties to the U.S. when visiting the U.K., the way our spouses have to when visiting the U.S.

I only entered the U.K. without a visa once, and I was traveling with my husband. The officer asked me where he was, I pointed to him, and he said "enjoy your stay." I don't think the U.K. is as strict as the U.S. is but maybe others have had a more difficult time.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-29 22:55:00
United KingdomPassport Photos for UK Passport
I had a set done in NYC for my UK visa at just a regular photo processing place. I don't know if drugstores would have the ability to size it properly but any of those mom and pop photo developing places can do it.

Edited by imaisha, 16 July 2009 - 03:16 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-16 15:16:00