Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Proof Of Relationship	David and I separated everything into different categories (like bills, letters, emails, chat records, the packages we sent to one another, etc....) then we used an accordion style folder and every category had it's own pocket. We didn't bother so much with dates of those things, but we made sure all the tax returns and bills were in chronological order. Also, for the photos I got those little plastic things you put in photo albums and put all the photos into them. I made VERY simple notations (date, who was in the picture, what the occasion was) on them and that was it. We didn't have a video or anything, so I don't quite know what you should do with that. Good luck with everything!! Thanks so much for your reply. I do have an accordian style folder I've been using to keep everything together so far. That sounds like a simple way to send everything to my love as well. I'm also thinking maybe I'll type up a "cover letter" showing the date and times of conversations..then referencing to the phone calls on that particular day and any emails or cards recieved on that day. It may be a simple way for them to see the information all in one place and then if they need proof of that information it's all there in the logs/emails/phone bills. No problem. We did a cover letter for everything as well. At our final appointment, the interviewer said that it took him two days to go through all of our file, (our file was about 3 times the size of the other ones he had on his shelf) so I know where you're coming from with your 1600 pages and 400 photos. We felt like it was better to send too much rather than too little. Take care!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-03 18:58:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Proof Of Relationship	In my waiting for the next step NOA2 I'm gathering the "proof" of our relationship, i.e: phone bills, messenger logs, emails, photos, cards sent through the mail, video and letters from friends and family. I'm thinking do I keep all logs, emails and phone bills separate or organize them according to date by keeping everything together that happened on the same day? Do I place these in a binder and if so do I hole punch to the side or at the top? Also does the video have to be in a certain format? Right now it's on Hi-8 video..do I need to transfer it to a DVD or a VHS? Also for the photos can I be crafty and creative and make lots of notations? Or do they just want plain and simple with a few words describing each photo? (I remember reading that somewhere on VJ, but I don't know what it was in reference to) I figure so many of you have completed the interview and presented your evidence..and I thought you could give me excellent advice how to organize it. Or perhaps there is already a thread about this someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks so much to everyone here at VJ. David and I separated everything into different categories (like bills, letters, emails, chat records, the packages we sent to one another, etc....) then we used an accordion style folder and every category had it's own pocket. We didn't bother so much with dates of those things, but we made sure all the tax returns and bills were in chronological order. Also, for the photos I got those little plastic things you put in photo albums and put all the photos into them. I made VERY simple notations (date, who was in the picture, what the occasion was) on them and that was it. We didn't have a video or anything, so I don't quite know what you should do with that. Good luck with everything!!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-03 13:50:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Affadavit of Support	I dont know about your Embassy BUT at London they only require 3 years tax returns if the USC is self employed! thanks!! S We needed all three years tax returns. The interview actually asked for them, and it was one of the few things he DID ask for.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-17 22:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing Taxes..	They don't always know how to handle cases like ours. I went to three accountants before I finally did it myself. First of all to file married joint your spouse HAS TO HAVE a SSN or a tax ID number. HAS TO - no way around it. This is what I did - go to "Moving here and your life in America" and find GIMYGIRL's post about how to do ti. I followed that email step by step and had a nice return in my bank account in about three weeks. It's NOT HARD. Promise. I guess we were lucky. We've used the same accountant since the whole thing started and he's been great. In fact, he was the one who got us in touch with our congressman when my husbands application for an EAD hit a brick wall and we couldn't get any information from anyone else. I suppose that you just have to shop around for a good accountant, just as you would shop around for a good attorney.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-18 08:16:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing Taxes..	I'm late i know. But i'm wondering if people are filing their taxes as single or married. I'm doing turbotax and having problems bc my spouse doesn't have a SSN. S I can honestly say it was worth the 50 bucks I had to pay an accountant to do my taxes when my husband didn't have a social. I'm sure some people can do it, but it was one giant nightmare for me. Sorry I can't be of more help, but if I were you, I'd get in touch with a professional.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-17 22:18:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Affidavit of Support	I am torn as to whether to delay the K-3 interview or tell them i wish to proceed with I-130 which was approved in march. Last week, my wife said she had received info, but i dont know what and that she was going to collect the information but still wasnt sure she wanted to be with me. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Are you absolutely sure you won't work things out? I remember how stressful things were with David for a long time because of USCIS and the fact he wasn't allowed to go home to visit and it put SO much strain on our marriage, and as much as we love each other, we almost called it quits more than once. It's a very difficult situation to be in, and just like marriage, divorce is nothing to be rushed into. I hope everything works out ok for you.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-18 19:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Affidavit of Support	Hi I am due for my K-3 interview soon and my wife is unhappy about the Affidavit of Support. She has been in bad relationships and is worried about how long she is expected to support me if all goes wrong when i get to America. Does anyone know what the timeframe is for Support so I can give her the facts? Nothing in life carries a guarantee, and I'm sure your wife knows that. However, sometimes you have to take some risks in order to come out with the rewards!! It's a scary step, but if you ask me, I was WAY more nervous when I was taking vows to love, honor and obey than when I was signing my name on the dotted line saying that I'd be responsible for David!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-18 13:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	a bad situation	thank you for your information. I'm not worry anymore. thanks HAVE FUN!!!!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 06:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	can a petition be postponed or delayed?	you can always inform the embassy that you won't go with the k-3 that you want to pursue the I-130. Once your I-130 reaches NVC, before your case is completed you have to send papers back and forth. You can delay this process for quite a while by not sending your papers in immediately, the NVC gives you a year to respond back to them for documents they ask for, so that will give you some time to figure things out. I agree with S&S. This is probably your best bet. That way if things go well when you're over there and the romance is rekindled you don't have to start from scratch. Long distance is VERY hard. Especially when dealing with all of the stresses of USCIS paperwork and such. I hope things work out for the both of you. Hang in there.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 06:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Processing times	We used to check back every month, and it was usually updated, however, there were a couple of times when TWO months would go by and they hadn't changed it.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 18:27:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Can't believe it!!!!!!!!!!! NOA2 this morning	Tried to check last night and couldn't log on so tried this morning and we are APPROVED!!!! Knew it wouldn't be long as Buttons got hers yesterday and we were 1 day behind her. I am so relieved. Tom will be exciteded when he calls for our regular 5:00 am chat. (we're both early birds) WHat a great feeling! Congratulations!!!!!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 05:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	two questions! K3 and processing dates	Hey there, Vermont is already processing the date 19th of March we received our NAO1 for I 129F on March 16th so does that mean that we should get our approval soon??? Another question if I enter the US on the K3 visa...why do I still have to have the I130? Do I need to immigrate in order to live and work in America? What is the actual sense of that? I mean if I can avoid all the expenses to fly back to my home country why would I want to get the CR1? Cant I just become a permanent resident with the K3 when I do the Adjustment of status??? Im confused here. Thanks in Advance Isabel lol Honey, it's USCIS, NONE of it makes sense!!! Although, the good thing is, if they're processing your date, you should hear from them soon.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 12:36:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	FINALLY GOT THAT I-129F	I-129F APPROVED Hey All I went online at 9:50 and put my number in and was still a member of the invisible club. Went to the store came back and put my number in again ay 10:32 and ZAPP!!! I-129F was there and approved. For all the people that can't see their receipt online You will be able to see it the moment of approval I guess the INS want to keep you in suspense for that long. I want to say good luck to all who are still waiting approval, especial those who can't see their cases and have to remain in Limbo Hang in there because I assure you that your turn is coming Congrats on your approval.We can't see our case online does this mean mean possibly we will hear something soon?USCIS states people are being approved who filed after us and it does not appear to be any problems I want my family here soon if possible But enjoy and congrats again Athomp Judging by your processing date you should have gotten your approval the same day as I got mine. Are you sure your processing date or your NOA1 notice date has the 31st of Jan on it? So happy for you! Congratualtions!!!!!!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-17 22:24:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	K3 and working	It's been suggested to me that another option might be to go ahead with the visa and once approved, having her come here and have it stamped so that we can begin processing on the EAD and her returning to Canada to work while the EAD is being approved. Any thoughts? The K3 is a multiple entry visa, so she could go home to visit, but I know that until someone becomes a USC, there is a certain amount of time that they are required to spend in the states. Otherwise the visa will be null and void.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-25 10:44:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	K3 Interview	Just try to stay positive!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-25 18:26:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Why the large difference in Approval time for K-3?	Does anyone know what causes the wide range of time it takes for an approval on a I-129F.I know on the rcpt it says from 60 to 180 days,why is that? I think it may have something to do with how backlogged the service center is. I could be wrong though.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-26 22:03:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Will Marry a Mexican, Have Many Questions	A religious ceremony in Mexico isn't legally binding? That's odd.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-25 11:07:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Will Marry a Mexican, Have Many Questions	OK so here is the plan as it stands now. I get married in June, then a few days later I send the I-130 from Mexico to the Texas center. When I get back to the States in August my NOA should be there waiting for me. So I take that and fill out a I-129F and put a copy of the NOA in with it and send that off. Then I just sit around and wait til I get a notice of when my wife goes for her interview in Juarez right? (Several months I am guessing.) And I'm assuming they are gonna send me a package that says what all she needs to take with her when she goes? Doesnt anyone else ever get worried about sending their young wife alone to Ciudad Juarez, what with all the murders and drugs that abound there? I am really not looking forward to that part... Another question, since she already has her tourist visa, can she use that to enter the country and stay for some time with me while we wait out the process? I mean, she wouldnt stay any longer than the 6 months or anything like that. Just come for vacations and stuff. Or is that not possible when you are waiting for the K-3? It's usually difficult to enter the country when you have a K3 in process. The immigration officers at the POE tend to look at it as a risk or illegal immigration. If she wants to come visit, she needs to bring LOTS of evidence to show she has STRONG ties to Mexico and will be going back. Examples are letters from employers, schools that she is attending, etc....	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-23 21:08:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	2 Year naturalization?	I have a quick question for everyone. My husband recently received his green card and at our interview he was told that he would be eligible to apply for citizenship in 2 years. Since then I've been hearing people say that this isn't true. Does anyone know anything definitive on this? Thanks a lot!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-10 17:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	To marry or not to marry..that is my question!	Ok, I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place! My fiancé has been staying with me for almost a month now and plans on staying with me until around august after my baby is born (no unfortunately the baby is not his). We were looking into the K-1 fiance visa but I know if we do that he’ll have to go home for god knows how long and that’s really freaking me out. We were thinking of just getting married since he’s already down here but I’m wondering if that’s ok to do?? We were told it could look bad that he came down to visit with no visa status or visitor thing or anything he just came through with his passport. If that’s to risky I’ll suck it up and do the fiancé one, but I guess even if we were to get married now would he still have to go back to Canada for a long time or could we process everything from here?? Anyone who could give me advice on this would be awesome!! Thank you so much! Why can she just apply for AOS when clearly there is intent to get married for the fact Sweetdefiance mentioned they are engaged already? How can you tell someone when you apply for AOS that there was no intent on marriage on POE when you are engaged already? I would see this could work for someone who's not engaged or meeting someone while you are in the usa. but that's not the case here. if they do get married and adjust status now wouldn't they than have to lie about being engaged already? I agree with gsmaclean's post about filing for the k1 visa now and since he is Canadian and can stay there for 6 months. You will be well into the process already and wouldn't, hopefully, have to wait that much longer to be back together. My husband and I were engaged already when he came into the U.S. and we got married. However, we had no intention of marrying DURING that trip. It was COMPLETELY spur of the moment, and was put together in 3 days. When we had our interview the interviewer never once asked us if we had intended to get married when David entered the country. We also sent letters which talked about the fact that we were engaged, and engagement photos and things of that nature. So, INS KNEW we were engaged. We never had to lie about it at all. Thank God. It worked out for us, but it was nerve wracking, and I never give people the advice to do it the way we did. I happen to think that even though it took as long as it did, we were lucky. -Erin	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-03 18:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	To marry or not to marry..that is my question!	If your fiance entered the U.S. without intentions of marrying, and you both just decided to marry after he got here, then he can apply to adjust his status here in the U.S. A few members here on VJ have done the same thing, so hopefully one of them will see your post and give you some more details. You can check out "Kezzie" for her timeline..... the circumstances for her were the same as you are describing. Good luck. This is what my husband and I did. He came over from Ireland with his passport and right before he was due to leave we got married. That was back in 2003 and he JUST got his AOS last month. Now, I'll tell you, if we had it ALL to do over again, we would have done the fiance visa. We were so scared for 3 years that they were going to say we had committed visa fraud or whatever it is. WE knew we hadn't, but it was still scary. Plus, it seemed to take a lot longer for him to be able to work and everything than if we had done it the more traditional way. Also, David was not able to go home during the processing, because we were told by the Irish Embassy that since we had done it this way, advance parole was kinda risky. So, if you're an adventurous person, I say go for it, but if you don't like the feeling of what's going to come next, take your time and go the more traditional route. Good luck!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-03 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	marriage on a tourist visa	Has anyone tried it before on a tourist visa? I have been wondering about the same thing. My situation is a bit different then the creator of this subject. This morning, my fiancee woke me up around 4am in the morning saying she got her tourist visa(which I thought she would not get it since she is a Chinese citizen going to school in London). So I'm exploring if it's a good idea to maybe marry her once she arrives in California or not. I've read the application for spouse coming to US where there is a paragraph that states that if she is already in the US, you can apply for XYZ form for her to stay in the US while they are processing it. So anyone tried it before and share their experience. I really wish to have her come here as soon as possible. Currently I'm slowly filling out the Fiancee visa forms and send them to USCIS sometime next month. **Apologies if some think I should create a different subject. I thought of posting it here since its a bit releated** My husband and I did this. However, although we were engaged when he came here on a tourist visa, we had no intention of marrying at that time. We literally woke up and said, "Let's get married" If you have the INTENTION of getting married when she comes over, technically she'll have to go home afterward. Our experience with this way of doing things (getting married on tourist visa, then applying for adjustment of status or "AOS") was very positive. Even though we had been engaged, our interviewer never asked if we had intended to marry before my husband came over. However, if the interviewer had wanted to he could have REALLY held up our petition, because there was no proof that David had intended to go back to Ireland. Other than his plane ticket. I would suggest either doing the K1 (fiancee) visa, or if you really want to get married and don't mind being separated afterward, go ahead and get married on the tourist visa and then when she gets back home, file for the K3 (spouse) visa. Good luck!!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-10 12:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	marriage on a tourist visa	There is no problem with entering the United States on a tourist visa, and then getting married. You just have to show that you are planning on returning home afterward. I would suggest making sure that you have plenty of documentation to that fact (i.e. letter from employer in UK, etc....) Good luck with everything!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-10 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I'VE GOT THE VISA	Awesome!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-11 19:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	middle name	I dont know if I should neglect it since its on her passport as part of her given name..Thanks for your advice guys! I would definitely include it if it's on her passport, but I would ask her afterward what her middle name is to avoid confusion down the line!	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-17 22:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	change of address	Hello everyone! My fiancée and I just moved to a different place than the one we submitted when filling in our forms. To who should we sent a notice? Is the form AR-11 sufficient? Thanks! We were told that you need to fill out two copies of the AR-11 and send a letter of explanation with both copies. One copy goes to your local processing office, (in our case it was Orlando) the other goes to the office in Lexington Kentucky. You also should call the USCIS 800 number and notify them. This may seem like a lot of paperwork, but the first time we moved during our petition it added so much time on because they didn't have our new address in all of their systems and it caused us lots of problems. The second time we moved, we did it this way and we had no problems at all. Hope this helps! Erin	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-22 18:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	did i get approved!?!?!?!?!	Sounds good to me. Maybe try calling the 800 number to be sure....	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-25 18:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	B-2 Tourist visa MAX stay and which embassy for K1	If average K1 visa takes 9 months to process and interview, then it would be great if she can stay in the US for 9 months. Go back to China for 1 month waiting for the interview date. Then the next month back to USA. [/quote] Hmm, I'm not sure what you're asking there, but with K1 I don't believe you're able to stay while it's being processed. She'll be able to come over once it's been approved and you will have to marry within 90 days of her arriving.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-10 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	will USC using public benefits hurt our case?	My husband (USC) gets Medicare and SSi.... he was recieving these benefits the whole time we did AOS.... It was never an issue.. we were told that it would only be an issue if it was me that was claiming these benefits... Kezzie When I was 8 months pregnant with Colin, I had to stop working for some health reasons. Because of that, I lost my health insurance. This was RIGHT in the middle of our AOS petition. David also had not yet received his EAD, although we knew it was on it's way. Anyhow, with no insurance and being close to giving birth I went on Medicaid. I was on it until the 6 week post-partum period was up and Colin was on it until his first birthday. It was never an issue with USCIS in any way.	David&Erin_Owens	Not Telling	Ireland	2006-04-25 06:36:00