ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEvidence You Met within the Past Two Years
It is not required that you first met within the last two years, rather that you must establish that you have met in person within the last two years. So if you have plane tickets, boarding passes, hotel recipes, photographs, visa stamps in passports, etc. all demonstrating that you two have been together within the past two years, you are fine.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-21 18:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvisit time
QUOTE
It would be beneficial if you arranged a longer visit to the Phils. The folks at the Embassy have learned to be very very skeptical about the fiance process.


Old Dominion,

Though you have said this in all earnestness and I do agree, it really tickled me. The bit about how Embassy folks have learned to be very very skeptical.

Yes, it is likely that it was a learned trait; I could only imagine myself as a beginning CO, "Oh you two look so beautiful together, here's your visa!" "Isn't that a great story! Here's your visa." But all it would take were a few less-than-genuine cases to begin questioning, "How of those others might have been fraudulent?" Then I'd be 'bad cop' "So tell me exactly where you were standing when he first said 'hello.'" "Wait a moment, I thought you said it was only 23 days!"

Thank you for the laugh.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-22 13:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat is RFE?
That is correct. You would receive an RFE before receiving NOA2 (approval of petition) and before it going to NVC.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-23 11:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow much money do you have to make to be aproved
125% of the poverty line. For two people that would equal $17,500 a year income.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-23 10:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswhat is NVC?
http://www.visajourn...page=definition
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-24 18:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSHOCKED!!!
She is not eligible to petition for the visa i.e. file the I-129F until she is free to marry. I would presume that would require being divorced first.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-29 12:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStill No Online Tracking After Almost 3 Months!!!
I am able to track and like Wis-Can, I never check. I figure my case won't be adjudicated until around Feb-March, so what would be the purpose of checking every day or every week between now and then? I'd rather spend that time chatting on here with good folks, planning for our wedding or doing something else productive. Since you have received confirmation several times that you are in fact entered into USCIS's system and your case has not been lost, there really is not much more to do but sit back, relax and wait. Or you can worry yourself sick over a site that seems unreliable at best.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-24 20:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTrying to contact DOS
LOL I was going to reply "Press 0."
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-11 15:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVACCINES: Anyone had a problem with NOT doing them in advance?
On a Similar Topic below, someone mentioned that HPV is only required for women under 26 years old. Can anyone corroborate this?
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-21 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTimes changed?
It appears as though they have not changed for the K-1

https://egov.uscis.g...eviceCenter=VSC


However they may be updated some time this week, as the last monthly update was Nov. 18th.

Some August filers at VSC have begun receiving NOA2. Perhaps you shall receive yours sometime between mid-January and mid-February.

All the best!
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-14 18:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 worries that turned out to be nothing
There is never anything worth worrying about. I am careful and concerned about most areas of my life; health, social responsbilities, friendships, etc. Worrying is wasted energy from my point of view. Whether one gets an RFE or denial, it never truly helps to worry. Worrying that is chronic can become paralyzing, whereas care, caution, concern, and preparedness all allow one to better navigate any challenges that may arise.



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-18 16:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee's address on G325A and I-129F forms
All Thai are registered at some address. It seems common for them to maintain their registration at their parents' address, even if they currently live elsewhere. Each household will have a paper that lists all members of the household. I recommend that she use whatever address she is registered at.

I cannot remember precisely where I read it. Either for the interview or for the police clearance, they ask that she bring this along as proof of identity/residence.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-02 16:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresexplaination on how we met
QUOTE
r (sic) this evidence of having met in person ok?

>copy of plane ticket
>hotel reciepts named to him
>pictures of us, with his family, n with my family
>amusemnt park tickt, restaurnt reciept
> engagement ring receipt


I would also include copies of visas stamped in passports and boarding passes for planes.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-09 19:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresexplaination on how we met
Longer won't necessarily make the process longer, but I agree with Karin and Otto that it's better to summarize it. Though it would be important to mention the time and place you first met, when you were 10, it's more relevant to summarize the dates and places you have met within the last two years.

My fiancee and I have known each other for over four years, but I mostly focused on the visits we made within the past two years, which is precisely what question 18 on the I-129F asks for.

You want it to be as clear as possible to the person reading it and too much information may be a source of confusion.

Edited by ThaitoUSA, 09 January 2009 - 07:10 PM.

ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-09 19:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC????
Congratulations! Perhaps you were one of the final March filers to be accepted at VSC.

Please fill in your timeline, so that others' timelines are more accurate.


All the best!
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-13 15:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC????
Instead of praying to God to speed things up, it may serve one to pray to God for the patience necessary.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-13 14:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures?-Please Correct Me If I'm Wrong-?
I believe what you stated is correct except the part about being 100% at the poverty line when submitting I-134. My belief is that one is required to be 125% of the poverty line: $17,500 for two people, petitioner and beneficiary

Anyone interpret this differently?
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-18 23:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F application packet damaged in shipment
It is highly recommended that you do not send any form that lacks your original signature i.e. intent to marry letter, evidence of having met, I-129F form, etc.

My condolences for the inconvenience of the situation.


All the best.

ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-17 08:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresto write a senator
"post hoc, ergo propter hoc" - After this, therefore because of this.

Assigning causality to proximal antecedents is a human proclivity.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-26 11:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswill USCIS automatically email me?
It may not be possible to be notified of NOA1 by email because the case number needs to be added, which one can access from a digital image of the canceled bank check online. By that time, it's likely you'll see "Case received and pending" with a date the NOA1 was issued.

Anecdotally, email notification seems to work sometimes and sometimes not. Often it will be reflected online by a touch (change in 'Last Date Updated' in profile) or notice there of successful adjudication or RFE.

All the best.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-28 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
With regards to
DS-156
DS-156K
DS-157
I-134, and
the medical examination forms,

would you intepret the letter to mean that copies of those should be included, the original forms or bring them to the interview?


QUOTE
And photocopies of all required documents indicated in the Packet 3 checklist.





ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-26 16:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
http://bangkok.usemb...structions.html

It states here to send back:

signed checklist
DS-230 Part I
two frontal photographs and
a photocopy of a passport photo page


Where does it now state to send back all documents?



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-20 08:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
After carefully reviewing the checklist these items also appeared

two frontal photographs and
a photocopy of a passport photo page

together with what I already listed:
1)DS-230 Part 1
2) the checklist itself, acknowledging all items have been aquired or completed as required



When you say needed, do you mean that they need to be mailed back to the Cosulate, or are they brought to the interview?
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-20 07:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Timed out and I couldn't edit my post.

My apologies, on the list above
1) I-130 Part 1

was meant to be 2) DS-230 Part 1

Typographical error



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-20 06:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE
QUOTE (cheryl & jim @ Jan 20 2009, 10:20 AM)

I am also wondering why I am asked again for some of the documents that I already sent as what was indicated in the packet 3...like the police and the foreign police clearance...


I believe that after receiving Packet 3 you are to mail back:
1) I-130 Part 1
2) the checklist itself, acknowledging all items have been aquired or completed as required

The items, such as police certificate, should be obtained and brought to the interview not mailed in.

My fiancee soon wants to get her police certificate in Bangkok, however she believes the police require some letter from the US Consulate. Anyone who has done this recently remember if any forms can fulfill this, such as the packet 3 checklist, NOA1 or NOA2, etc?



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2009-01-20 06:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
I wish to add my congratulations for the two of you. Wish you all the very best on the next leg of your journey, now that you're together.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-22 08:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
QUOTE
Does my girl need to get a certified copy of her birth cert. One with a seal on it. Do I need it? (her BC) She has one but it is a copy. She says that that is what the Amphur gave her.


My fiancee told me yesterday that her Amphur office would only photocopy the birth certificate she currently has and notorize it. They would not issue a new one. Their claim is that she has the one and only original. I asked her "What if that one were lost?" However she has no idea what it would take to go about replacing it. She does not understand how come I am recommending she have at least two official copies, but as we all know it's always good to have backups, and we never know when someone may request one. I suggested she at least get 2 notarized copies from the Amphur. She can leave one in Thailand, bring one along with the original to America.

From those who have gone through the interview, will the CO return the original if the interviewee supplies the notorized copy along with it?



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-19 17:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
On my last trip back from Thailand I was sitting next to a Thai lady who had married an American man and was coming over on a K3 visa on her own. Her English was not so good and once she knew I spoke Thai, she spoke to me only in Thai. As we neared LAX, the customs and immigration forms were passed out and she asked me to help her fill them out. I agree with roi_aggie that a non-native English speaker might find it a bit challenging to travel here by themselves. With that said, there are plenty of friendly travelers who are quite willing to help out.

Though we recently decided to have a Thai ceremony first and return to America together, rising prices have made that improbable, so my fiancee will be making the trip on her own. Fortunately she has already come to America on her own before and being an English teacher doesn't hurt either. If any of your significant others would like to have an English tutor of Thai origin, let me know and I can put you in touch with her.


ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-16 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Your fiancee can request a Thai translator to be present during the interview. Lack of English fluency is not grounds for denial. Perhaps more importantly would be that your fiancee is clearly able to communicate (in Thai is fine) information about you, such as how many siblings you have, your level of education, your current job, where, when and how you met and became engaged, etc.

Just read on another thread about a man whose Vietnamese fiancee was rejected mostly on the basis of her inability to answer these types of questions. The reason for denial was the inability to prove a bona fide relationship.

Unless you are quite proficient in Thai language, my concern would be that your fiancee may also be unable to answer specific questions about the two of you. Please be sure to have plenty of interview preparation with her. My fiancee is an English teacher whom I'd consider fluent, however I spend about 20 minutes a week going over basic questions, ensuring that she knows the answers and ensuring that she feels comfortable whether they or some other questions arise.

All the best.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-15 18:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
For my birthday this past weekend, my fiancee mailed me a vest she knitted. I am wearing it right now to keep warm. It may be one of my favorite presents ever, since each and every strand of it was once in her hands, lovingly being transformed into this gift for me. She, too, has never seen snow and eagerly awaits it. I assure her that there will be plenty for her to see! In the same conversation when she tells me that 50 degrees (10 C) is quite cold, it brings a chuckle.



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-14 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Thailand has literally scores of strains of rice. There are rice research centers all across the country that experiment with new cross breeds and attempt to preserve the genetics of established strains. I've tasted a dozen or so varieties, including a tasty purple-ish sticky rice. Plain white rice is most common in central/southern regions and sticky rice is most popular in the North and Northeast. White rice is called 'beautiful rice' in Thai because it has been 'polished' whereas brown rice is fed to prisoners! One place I could alway find brown rice was at vegitarian restaurants.

Congrats to all those who have been or are about to be reunited. Wow! I am very happy for all of you and wish you the very best.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-12 08:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
toma1,

I had asked the same question on this thread two months ago. At that time, no one could provide a specific shipping agency. I am still looking for that information, as my fiancee has several items we'd like to ship too.

Any information you receive, I'd be grateful if you pass along.



ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-11 11:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
We've had some discussion and a change of plans. Originally I planned to wait till the next summer to return to Thailand for the ceremony, however a comment from my sister got me thinking "why wait?" We intend to have the Thai ceremony in the early part of July, fly to America together and have the American one at the end of July. With this additional planning and preparation, the next 8 months are going to fly past.

I pray that the current political turmoil soon be resolved, though it does seem unlikely that it's all going to disappear in the next year. Even if the PAD is disbanded or they achieve their aims, there shall continue to be contention between these groups.

All the best to everyone in Thailand and America.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-12-01 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
symbiosis, though one could call the PAD 'elites,' it does not appear as though they represent the wealthy Thai. Mr. Thaksin and his cronies would fit that bill. The PAD appears to rally overwhelming support from the middle-class who felt discontent with Mr. Thaksin's populist i.e. socialist policies of universal healthcare and redistribution of wealth (1 million Baht per village scheme).

Mr. Sondhi, who has been backing the PAD since before Mr. Thaksin's removal, appears to have been scorned by Mr. Thaksin over a government-backed media deal that left him in the dark. Mr. Sondhi capitalized on his media connections to draw the disenfranchised Bangkokians and middle-class Thai into his cause.

What is of interest is the conversation between HM the King and Mr. Thaksin in April 2006. Hours after they met in Hua Hin, Mr. Thaksin agreed to step down as Prime Minister and called for the subsequent snap-election which he would go on to win. It was then in September that he was ousted by a military coup. It is widely speculated that General Prem, HM the King's Privy Council Chairman, orchestrated the coup. It is also of interest to note HM's noticeable silence during the past few months of increasingly disruptive protests. I have a feeling if things escalate to wide-spread violence, he shall break silence to restore order.

What is painfully obvious is the degree of internal turmoil in the Kingdom and how it is being perceived internationally: While politicians fight over power, the world watches. My prayers go out to all Thai, that they may be safe and that peace be restored.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-26 08:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
The dog does not go into quarentine. It's quit simply really. She has to bring the dog's rabbies vaccination record and a medical certificate issued within the past month. They do a quick physical inspection of the dog and so long as everything looks ok, they let them in immediately.

Here is a link to someone's personal story about doing it:

http://importfood.com/thai_dog.html
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-25 05:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
BKK to JFK = $1021 24 hours
BKK to EWR = $1414 23 hours
BKK to IAD = $1300 21 hours

It's a tough one. I appreciate the advice toma1 to take two flights and perhaps save $200, however she may be travelling with her dog, so the shortest flight may be best.

Birch and eric, if you two wouldn't mind sharing any information you find while in Bangkok, I would be most grateful.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-24 21:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
Thank you for posting the sites. It seems like a one-way ticket for my fiancee from Bangkok to Washington Dulles is going to run around $1,300. I wonder if it would be worth her asking in Bangkok to see if she could get it a little cheaper.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-24 20:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
???????????????!


I would greatly appreciate some holy basil seeds! I would cook with it every day if I could. ????????? ?????? is my favorite! Wow! Really want to eat it now.

So gentlemen, please make note that formerly diaphanous Thai ladies may pack on a few more pounds once they get here.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-24 18:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
toma1, thanks for the link to the Holy Basil seeds. I also saw Thai chilis on Amazon as well. I'm excited, since my fiancee has also expressed a strong interest in having essential Thai ingrediants, such as the chilis. I have found Thai brand oyster and fish sauce in the area grocers. Looks like the last big thing will be papaya. She loves it too.

Fortunately she also enjoys western food such as pizza, pretzels, mac and cheese, etc. My only concern is that she does not put on too much weight! She's about 5 feet tall and weighs 90 pounds. I'm hoping an active lifestyle with regular exercise shall counterbalance a farang diet.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-23 17:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 2
If someone does not respect someone else's culture, it's a strong likelihood that person shall not truly respect any culture. The disrespectful individual shall continue to disrespect in the East or West, North and South: considering that a majority of the world's population does not respect i.e. value all other life, we'll continue to see all sorts of disrespect. Haha, try telling a disrespectful person to have some more respect, that's comical. Respect is not the same thing as liking. I can respect every culture, yet have preferences for certain ones. Perhaps this is to what you were referring roi_aggie, that if one does not like certain traits of another culture e.g. sin sot, it would be preferrable to choose a more compatible culture.

Another point is that some Thai women do wish to become Westernized, just as I had wished to become more 'Thai-like' while living there. I did not abandon my Western/Traditional American values, rather I assimilated Thai ones. My fiancee has had a great interest in Western culture, long before she ever met a westerner none alone visited a Western country. Your point, roi_aggie, is well made that it is irresponsible to force anything, such as one's culture, on anyone else, but I don't see any wrong in those who are actively interested in learning and becoming more Western.

kreng jai (??????) could be translated as considerate or respectful, but might be better understood as deference; humble submission. Often I noticed Thai practice kreng jai out of fear of losing face, fear of offence, etc. It has been only the most graceful Thai who did so from true humility.

These are interesting and enjoyable conversations for me as well, because they make explicit that which is continually operating implicitly i.e. one's values, principles, and one's personal meaning of all things. This sort of self-examination allows for compassionately honest appraisal rather than righteous judgement.
ThaitoUSAMaleThailand2008-11-22 13:02:00