ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got the email that my k-1 petition was APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stop screaming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2009-10-05 16:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused Please help
QUOTE (Sak @ Oct 6 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am so confused. So even if my fiancee is partially responsible for his 2 kids that he pays child support for, then he would have to make enough to support 5 members? That is my biggest and only question. Another question is how does co-sponsoring work? Which form is it annd how much does a co-sponsor need to make in order to qualify?


co sponsors fill out the i-134 also...and they need to make the 125% over the poverty level also...
tany1157FemaleMorocco2009-10-06 22:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused Please help
[quote name='Sak' date='Oct 6 2009, 10:47 PM' post='3379535']
Thank You Tany. I want to know will this affect us in anyway? Will it then be as if he needs to claim all 5 of us or just 3 people? He make s enough to support 3 people but not enough to support 5. This is where I am mostly confused.
[/quo

From what I understand, I would think he needs to make enough to support you including his 3 kids....if he doesn't make enough, would there be a family member willing to be a co-sponsor??? I am using my mom as a co-sponsor because I do have a dependant child, and I don't make enough on my own. I am not sure what consulate you are going through, alot will accept a co-sponsor but I would def double check to make sure your consulate will accept a co-sponsor...
tany1157FemaleMorocco2009-10-06 21:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConfused Please help
QUOTE (Sak @ Oct 6 2009, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everyone. I have a question and I would like to know the proper procedure for this. My boyfriend/fiancee has 3 kids in total. One lives with him and he gets child support for her and he claims her on his income tax returns. His 2 boys live with there mother and he pays child support for both of them and he does not claim them on his income tax returns. My question is, when we fill out the affidavit of support does he need to put that he also supports his two boys even though he does not claim them on his income tax returns? At that point will he be responsible for just a household of 3 or 5 people???Anyone, Please if you can help me with this, I would really appreciate it. Thank You


I am not an expert, but I would think that he IS responsible for 3 kids....for the daughter, he would check off the "wholly responsible" box, and for the boys, he would check off the "partially responsible" box...I hope this helps....
tany1157FemaleMorocco2009-10-06 21:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNAO2 question
QUOTE (erindave09 @ Oct 11 2009, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everyone! Well we got our NAO2 on Sept 29,2009 and it says it is good through 1/29/10 so does that mean everything has to be complete by January or what??? I'm so confused, and excited at the same time! Thanks for everyones help I couldn't do it without the help of VJ!!

Thanks,
erin


I am almost positive that you need to get the visa within this time frame. If you don't, this approved petition will expire, and you will need to refile. I hope this helps.
tany1157FemaleMorocco2009-10-11 12:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpiration of a NOA2
also, you probably won't get anything from uscis before your case expires....because it takes a while to get back to the states, and go through the nvc, then back to uscis....what sucks is that you never know what they will do...let expire or send noir....
tany1157FemaleMorocco2010-11-01 13:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpiration of a NOA2

Hi everyone,
My NOA2 was approved on August 5,2010, but my fiance was denied the visa, according to the consulate the file was sent back to USCIS. From what I have read the NOA2 expires after 4 months. So does this mean if I dont get a NOIR or NOID by the 4 month expiration I can refile or do I have to wait to get a letter from USCIS?



Yes you can marry and refile the I130....but you need to understand something very clearly....YOU MUST WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE K1 BEFORE FILING THE I130!!! If the uscis decides to let it expire, they will send you a letter....if they decide to send you a noir (notice of intent to revoke) then you MUST answer it.....if you ignore your k1, it looks very bad on your case....it will look like you agree with the consulars findings, and they will put a fraud marker on your file...also, it is very risky to marry without knowing what will happen with your k1, because if you get married, and they decide to let you rebut the consulars finding, then you are SOL, because closing the k1 yourself apparently doesn't look good either....I think most of the time, they let the k1 expire, and they send you a notice saying it has expired, if this happens, you can refile at any time.

Now, I will tell you what happened with us. We were denied as well in january....we knew all the info I stated above, and we took the chance, and got married a couple of months later....we were lucky, because the VSC let our case expire, and a few weeks later, we sent out our cr1....but like I said, this was a huge gamble....but fortunately it worked out for us....good luck with your journey, and if I stated anything wrong, I am sure someone more knowledgable will correct me....

Good Luck!!! :thumbs:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2010-11-01 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNever Recived the NOA2 and my petition expired

Actually, the expiry date is shown on the approval notice AKA the NOA2. Not sure if you just made a typo but I didn't want the OP to be even more confused.


I thought the letter he stated was from the NVC, I didn't think they showed expiry dates on that....that is what I meant...thank you for clearing it up though..because I wouldn't want to give misleading info! :thumbs:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-02-03 10:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNever Recived the NOA2 and my petition expired

I recived a letter that said,


Dear Petitioner:

The state department's national visa center has recently recived an approved I-129F petition filed on behalf of your fiance. This is to let u know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropiate visa-issuing post where your visa interview will take place.


It gives me a cdj# but there is not an expiration date anywhere. My fiance is finishing her degree that is why we took so long if i knew there was an expiration date we would have gone over to Juarez before it expired.



k1's only have a 4 month validity date...so you wouldn't get the expiration date on the letter that you got....it would be on the original noa1.... :angry: Also, before you refile, you need to find out what happened to the first petition...make sure it is truly dead, then move forward!

Good luck!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-02-02 19:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNever Recived the NOA2 and my petition expired
[quote name='amykathleen2005' timestamp='1296691158' post='4449893']
My impression was they were approved for NOA2 and then had not had any communication sine June. They should have heard from NVC and the embassy by now.
[/quo

exactly what I was thinking...unfortunately since the original petition has expired, you will need to refile....but am very, very surprised you never heard from the consulate.. :blink:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-02-02 19:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNever Recived the NOA2 and my petition expired
:huh: :huh: just saw the timeline...looks like your packet did make it to the embassy??
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-02-02 18:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNever Recived the NOA2 and my petition expired

You waited until now to ask this question?


:bonk: :bonk: :bonk: I am very confused....I did a K1 originally, and after noa2, it automatically goes to nvc, then off to the embassy overseas....am I wrong?? He would have had a letter from NVC, then once the embassy got it, would send stuff to the beneficiary...How could all this time pass without hearing a thing?? :huh: :huh:

sorry, just going by what the op saying the letter said approved....then that is noa2

Edited by tany1157, 02 February 2011 - 06:42 PM.

tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-02-02 18:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi have interview next monday at Casablanca
My package didn't make it to my husband either, and he has an interview in casa monday also. We found out about the strike on friday, so we worked over the weekend getting our proofs together again....I just sent everything in email, and he is printing it up there. I also had left some evidence with him when I went to visit in january, check stubs, tax forms, ticket stubs, and copies of my passport. I am not sure about changing the appointment. I would email them, and see what they say. They are good about responding to emails. Good luck
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-03-23 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew message from USCIS
Don't get too excited.....I got the same thing after our k1 denial last year.....I must have called USCIS and DOS about 100 times that week to confirm the email....and because all the computers are connected between the DOS , the USCIS, and the consulate, I got the same response from them saying it must be true....fast forward another week, and called the DOS again to see where our petition was, and was told it is impossible to have a returned petition reaffirmed that fast. What had actually happened was our case was updated incorrectly. I don't mean to be a downer, but this is most likely what has happened to you. Maybe USCIS just GOT your petition, and they updated incorrectly. You will have to wait and see. Good luck!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-04-25 12:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT
It could be any number of things they are checking for. AP has no time frame. I have seen people in AP for almost a year. Some just a few weeks. There really doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Also, your petition has neither been denied or approved, so it can go either way. Maybe you should look up other people who went through AP in Morocco, and send them a personal message. Most people are willing to help!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-06-07 18:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT

Thanks first for ur response I need to know how its working to call the DOS for my case if u had an experience before with them,need just to provide them my case number in Casablanca Consulate and other info thats all? also if they are helpful for information and end who is allowed to call me beneficiary or my Fiance the Petitioner ?


You will need your case number, petitioner and beneficiary name and date of birth. Petitioner should call, and yes, I have dealt with them many times. But, they may or may not be able to answer how long AP will last, because it sounds like you are in AP, administrative processing. Best of luck to you
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-06-07 17:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescall the DOS or WAIT

had Interview on April 4th 2011 with an approval from CO but until now after 2 months with no Information from the Consulate then what do u think the best choice left for me is to call the DOS its a good idea or no ???
bcs the Consulate in this step have no information at all everything should be in DOS desks they should be the main decider for the check and visa now.


calling the DOS is a very good idea. 202-663-1225 Good luck!

Edited by tany1157, 07 June 2011 - 03:36 PM.

tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-06-07 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRefiling of K1 in Morocco
All I know is, I never needed a waiver, and I filed a K1, and a CR1 within 2 years for the same person. But you are certainly correct in saying NOTHING IS LOGICAL IN IMMIGRATION! :wacko: lol
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-09-05 14:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRefiling of K1 in Morocco

I don't think this information is right.
If a second petition is filed in less than 2 years of the previous approved petition, there must be a waiver letter for a limitation waiver. Otherwise there will be RFE. I have been in that situation. If you go through the instruction of the I-129f Section 2 specifically instructed to have a waiver letter.

Good luck



My K1 was denied in Casa in January, 2010. I got married in March 2010, and filed a CR1 in June of 2010. Never needed a waiver, and never got an RFE. Just my experience. I thought you needed a waiver if you were filing for a different person within 2 years.
tany1157FemaleMorocco2011-09-04 19:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI live in Los Angeles area. Why does this site tell me to send my I-129F to Texas?

Yeah, I agree however, I do not get worked up about legit couples struggling with planning with K-1 versus CR-1, planning marriages when they haven't done the research. The OP did not know any different up until this thread presumably with many of the points of concern raised. She now has a different point of view, her plans just got all jacked up, I am not mad at her, she will have to deal with it.

The "get around" immigration I can't stand is the millions of people that enter the country illegally and will most likely get legal status eventually with a sweeping act of Congress and signature from the President. These same millions whom many do not pay into the tax system and many are public charges. I can't stand that, especially after this cumbersome process they put legal immigrants through.


Completely agree with the bolded....about the OP, I stand by what I said. Her attitude with her "ways of reasoning" were enough to set me off. She has been on this forum for a bit over a year, according to her profile, and I'm pretty sure she knew enough about the K1, (enough, not all) but decided anyways that she would still plan her wedding like she wasn't going through immigration. THEN, trying to find a way to speed up the process because she feels she shouldn't have to wait like the rest of us. Real couple or not, THAT is what annoys me...

Edited by tany1157, 14 March 2012 - 06:43 PM.

tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-03-14 18:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI live in Los Angeles area. Why does this site tell me to send my I-129F to Texas?

OP, you certainly have the cart before the horse. You need to do quite a bit of reading here on Visa Journey, starting with the K1 flowchart. It takes quite a lot longer than 6 months from application to Visa. Some people get lucky and get through the system faster, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Some people get sent requests for further information. That causes a delay. Some people who file petitions never successfully get Visas at all.

I'm sorry that you went ahead and planned your entire wedding, and made deposits, and invited people who paid for plane tickets to attend, but please understand USCIS will be unmoved by this. Poor planning on your behalf will not generate an emergency on theirs.

You cannot get around the process through perceived shortcuts, or hurry it up. You need to send your petition to the location they ask all K1's to be sent to. There is no short line, overnighting it only gets it to USCIS sooner, but once it is there, you will get into the line with everyone else.

You have not filed, so no. Contacting your congressman to hurry the process is of no use to you whatever. Even if you had been waiting beyond the projected time frame, calling on their help is of dubious assistance at best. They can call and inquire, but they will not be told more than you can find out yourself. It doesn't give you any special status or consideration.

It will do you no good to write your wedding date down on your paperwork or cover letter. USCIS are under no compulsion to make your time frame.

You cannot go ahead if your visa is not granted in time, and marry anyway. You would have to begin again, at the expense of more time and money. Impatience could earn your fiance a ban, and is it really worth that?

You will not get an expedite citing severe financial loss. That you imprudently went ahead and organized and paid for a wedding without benefit of Visa in hand does not fit the criteria. The US citizen portion of a couple needs to prove that they are financially able to support their spouse, and I get a little nervous when I see people at the early in the plot K1 petition stage pleading financial hardship.

Read up on the process. Understand that none of us are particularly fond of USCIS, or the way that they do business. They are the only game in town. If nothing else, please try to grasp that USCIS want what they want, and how they want it. If they grant you and your fiance a Visa, they will do so in their own good time.


You have stated EXACTLY what I would say. :thumbs:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-03-14 14:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI live in Los Angeles area. Why does this site tell me to send my I-129F to Texas?
Not to offend anyone, but I'm sure I will.... :wow: I can't STAND it when people try to "get around" immigration laws and procedures. I'm sorry, but if "oh, we have a wedding date, and vendors, and people flying out, etc etc etc" could get you an expedite, then EVERYONE would be doing it. UGHHHHH, people, don't plan ANYTHING until visa in hand. Geesh :bonk:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-03-14 14:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStarting K-1 process
I also think you should have your fiancé write a letter addressing his ex fiancé, and why they didn't go through with the interview, and the relationship. This will probably be your biggest red flag for Casa, so having him explain it up front, get his side of the story out, may help for when Casa gets the case. Good luck!!

Maybe you should request you have this topic moved to MENA, you will get more consulate- specific advice from others who have been through there.

Edited by tany1157, 25 March 2012 - 12:45 PM.

tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-03-25 12:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCountdown to Interview

JUST RELAX OKAY?AS LONG AS ITS GENUINE LOVE AND GOD KNOWS THAT,EVERY QUESTION WILL BE IN YOUR FAVOUR.....YOU WILL SMILE AFTER 23RD I PROMISE YOU THAT.......ALL THE BEST

I happen to have a legit marriage, and we were denied twice. Once in 2010, and another in 2011. Being legit in God's eyes, does not mean it is legit to a consulate. Sometimes, God wants us to wait. If it is their time, they will be approved at this interview. OP, maybe you should email an MOD about having this topic moved to MENA, you will get more realistic answers there from people who know Casa.
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-16 12:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCountdown to Interview

Thanks for the advice everyone! You have been most helpful and most reassuring!!!! Where is MENA? Can someone post me the link? Thanks again!!!!!!!


http://www.visajourn...d-north-africa/

Study this forum....seriously, some great info...Many, many pages have some great info
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-16 10:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCountdown to Interview

Great pics by the way, make sure he has copies of pics of your family's visit to Morocco or UK not sure where they were taken but either way have them available. You have made alot of trips and it has also included your family which is always a plus but with Casa it can always be tricky. Just make sure he has all the proof of those trips. Ensure you documented your time with him over the summer. I always say you can never be too prepared for Casa, he needs to know your childhood, your boyfriends, your jobs, your school history, bestfriends, your children (if applicable) any and everything you can imagine to include financial standings. Your goals, habits, hobbies, lol I have to laugh everytime I tell the story of drilling my husband like he was going to a promotion board in the Army. In our case they asked about my ex-husband, my children and their girlfriend and boyfriend's names and their hobbies.

Good luck, always rooting for a favorable outcome....


Good overall advice, but I assure you, too much knowledge can, and will backfire. Then it looks like you prepared, and are memorizing facts, instead of having a genuine knowledge of your SO. This happened to us in 2010, this is why Casa is so difficult, there really is no rhyme or reason to it :bonk:
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-16 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCountdown to Interview

I agree with MIBEN and bahisgirl. It's a difficult balance between being confidently prepared and crazy nervous because Casa is so tough these days.

Here is what else I can think of that hasn't been said. --
Tell your fiance to talk to the CO as if he is someone in his family - don't be too nervous, be conversational, and confident, don't be bashful about providing personal information, and let his personality come through.

The other thing is if he doesn't know an answer to a question for whatever reason - admit that he doesn't know - but provide other information about the subject that he does know. Ex - If they ask about where a certain family member lives (let's say a cousin, just for example) and your husband doesn't know - he should say, "I don't know; we don't talk about that cousin much, but I know they only see each other at holidays". Something along those lines that shows even if he doesn't know the answer to the question that they're asking, he does know something about the topic.

I think that helps. Good Luck.


I think this advice pretty much sums it up....and even if you DO do all this, it won't guarantee an approval. Sometimes the consulate just doesn't believe the relationship...period. Also, I have found that most of the CO's have made a decision on the outcome before they even see the beneficiary. I will be praying for you OP!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-16 10:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCountdown to Interview

That's not reasonable advide for the Casa consulate.


Seriously....this is why I think she should be asking this question in MENA....otherwise, you get the wrong advice. Legit couples get denied everyday in MENA, so please, don't give advice unless you know about the consulate the OP is going through.
tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-16 10:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWife did not make it past homeland and got k-1 cancelled
Boarder control has the final say in who comes into this country, and they can and do interview anyone they wish. They check the paperwork for things that USCIS or DOS may have missed that would make you inadmissible.

Edited by tany1157, 25 April 2012 - 05:54 PM.

tany1157FemaleMorocco2012-04-25 17:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 petition information
I did understand you couldn't discuss individual cases but was looking for a general answer and you provided a great one. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. You are a great tool for this website and you don't sugar coat anything. Thanks again!
tany1157FemaleMorocco2010-02-26 08:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 petition information
I have a question for the director. We had our K-1 petition denied at the consulate on january 5, 2010. NVC recieved it on Feb. 12, 2010. We got an email feb. 22 from USCIS in vermont that our approved or reaffirmed K-1 was sent to DOS on feb. 19, 2010. We are surprised because we thought it would take so long that we had decided to get married. I am leaving for Morocco this sunday,but obviously will not marry now, and will wait for K-1 to get back to Morocco. My question is, why did we get reaffirmed so quickly?? I thought denied petitions get put as a "first in, first out" procedure. We are happy, but just wondering what the rhyme and reason was. Thanks for any info you can get.
tany1157FemaleMorocco2010-02-25 19:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed to vent a little.please
QUOTE (john1759 @ Feb 18 2009, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We very carefully prepared all items for CR1 visa application.

Planned FedEx for pickup.

Driver refused to come upstairs (high rise apartment) to pickup package.
Called me on phone to say that and then hung up on me.

I frantically grab package containing I-130 and all else for the CR1 application and head downstairs.

Driver then has attitude because I do not have an Airbill filled out.

Driver gets more attitudinal when I do not have FedEx labeled package.
She gets package from truck then says "ok its good".

I ask her to please attach the Airbill before she leaves with my package.

She says I can have the package back if I want it.
I request her to return my package.
She refused to give me the package , instead, retreating into her van and closing door.
She opened door a little to tell me to "step away from the van". Then closes door again.
She then affixed a clear window to package and placed Airbill inside.

I waved at her (as I could not get package back) and she drove off.

Today when I tracked package it is mis-delivered to wrong facility.
When I ask customer service guy on phone why. I find out the driver (apparently intentionally) entered a different postal code. (The codes could not have been mistakenly entered by anyone not involved with heavy drug use.)
I am in fear for the integrity of the visa application and have FedEx to re-direct the package back to me.

This whole thing sounds too strange to be true but it all occurred in the presence of my apartment manager.

I can only hope that a different driver, and not a friend of the evil driver returns my package to me in a complete and secure form.

So now I sit waiting to see if I can recover any documents from the application. If the driver opened it then I now have to deal with filing a criminal case against her also.

I cannot believe that I have ever been so angry in my life.

Thanks for letting me vent.
John


I feel your pain. knowing how unreliable the mail service is in Dakar Senegal where my fiancée, I asked the US Embassy in Dakar what international mail service the employees use when not using the diplomatic pouch. They said that have used DHL with good results. I did some research on international shipments in that part of the world, and DHL is cheaper than FedEx and has broader delivery network. That may not be the case where you are, but you may want to check it out.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-02-23 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy Wife's Interview Tomorrow
QUOTE (Waldo @ Mar 10 2009, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Make sure not to eat broccoli and cheese before the interview!

Good Luck!


Wow, no broccoli and cheese, eh?? That's potent advice. yes.gif
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-10 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQUESTION - Can documentation be gathered too soon?
Can you tell we are new at this? We just filed our I-129F, and we have 3 questions in 3 days. This website is fantastic. Responses to the other 2 questions were quick and very helpful. We are both extremely excited about this, but I am realistic, and I know the road ahead is a long one, and there may be some unexpected bumps or potholes along the way. So, I got my case number from my check, the USCIS website says the NOA1 has been sent to us and is probably sitting in my PO Box at this moment. I know the the NOA2 is 3-5 months away.

QUESTIONS: We are excited and want to be ready to go when the next step arrives. My Baby wants to know if she can start gathering her documents right now. She is Nigerian, living in Senegal. So, anything she needs from Nigeria will probably take some time. How long? We don't know. Her brother has her original birth certificate, and I have a color scanned copy. So, we are all set on this one. She just got a new passport, so we are goo there as well. HOW SOON/EARLY IS TOO SOON/EARLY to gather these itrems?

1. Police Certificates? She has lived in Senegal for 3 years, and prior to that she lived in Nigeria since birth. So, she will need Police Certificates from both Nigeria and Senegal. Can she request these now, or must she wait for the NOA2?

2. Medical Examination? I am guessing this should wait because the two doctors approved by the US Consular Office in Dakar will probably send the medical report directly to the embassy, or is it given to her to take to the interview?
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2008-10-11 12:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswill foreign fiancee need birth certificate?
QUOTE (AG83 @ Feb 22 2009, 03:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
the initial I-129F did not ask for birth certificate...will she be needing it later on?

she cannot find the original copy


Evelyn is going back to Nigeria to get her police certificate and original birth certificate. He brother scanned the old birth certificate, and it is the genuine article, ragged and nasty. I told her to get a new certified copy of her birth certificate, not just for the visa process, but for any ofhter official requests that are made for it. It is simply a good idea.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-02-23 09:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnewbie question...do I need a lawyer
QUOTE (daboyz @ Mar 8 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Paul & Evelyn @ Mar 8 2009, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Once again, I said it earlier, most lawyers have a "try it and see if it fits" initial consultation, if you are unsure about what you are doing. Most of the posters on this topic agree - here at Visa Journey, we've got you covered. I have never seen such a fabulous support network as this website, all for FREE!! But I did the initial consultation thang, and it was real good for me. If, after you read all that has been said here on this topic, if you still are unsure about whether or not you can go it alone, go see an immigration lawyer for an initial consultation and see if it fits. Prepare everything like you are about to submit it, and let the lawyer look at it. If you get a hard sell from him/her, beat a hasty retreat. I suspect you probably won't need a lawyer, but only you can figure that out.

That's actually good advice. Always good to have a second set of eyes. I wonder what they would charge for that?


Since I won't advertise for anyone out here, I will just say that he is the only immigration law firm in Concord NH and they charge $95. I was actually surpised that Concord NH even had an immigration lawyer, but there are a lot of Canadians here. I was very pleased with the amount of unhurried time I got from this guy (90 min). That is pretty cheap lawyer time, but they make their big money on their full representation retainers.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-08 09:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnewbie question...do I need a lawyer
Once again, I said it earlier, most lawyers have a "try it and see if it fits" initial consultation, if you are unsure about what you are doing. Most of the posters on this topic agree - here at Visa Journey, we've got you covered. I have never seen such a fabulous support network as this website, all for FREE!! But I did the initial consultation thang, and it was real good for me. If, after you read all that has been said here on this topic, if you still are unsure about whether or not you can go it alone, go see an immigration lawyer for an initial consultation and see if it fits. Prepare everything like you are about to submit it, and let the lawyer look at it. If you get a hard sell from him/her, beat a hasty retreat. I suspect you probably won't need a lawyer, but only you can figure that out.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-08 09:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnewbie question...do I need a lawyer
QUOTE (chinman @ Mar 6 2009, 06:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm just looking into all this visa stuff. I've met my (soon to be) fiancee, who lives in mexico. She was denied a visitor visa, but otherwise nothing else should be an issue, no arrests or visa problems before.

My question is this...is there a benefit to using a laywer? I see their fees range from $300 to $3000. Do they make things go any faster?


There are some good honest lawyers out there, but you don't have to hire them. I consulted with one of them before I forged ahead on my own. Preliminary consultation cost me $95 for him to examine all my preliminary paperwork, point out some errors, discuss my plans, review all of my bigraphic information, my fiancé's bigraphic information, the detailed timelne of what to expect and how long it would take, and then about an hour of Q&A from him to me and me to him. Total time about 90 minutes, and it was totally unhurried. The initial consultation fee was money well-spent. I probably could have done it all without him, but it felt good to get that consultation. At the end of our initial consultation, he told me I was well-prepared and capable of doing it alone without him, and he thought our chances of success were quite good, but if I wanted him to represent me, it would cost $3,000+. You can read our detailed timeline in "Signature and Story" section of our profile, and you will see how far we've gotten without a lawyer. A lawyer would not have helped me get any farther than we are now. Success or failure when Evelyn has her interview, to be scheduled sometime later this month, would not be affected by the presence or absence of legal representaion in this country. The good folks out here in VJ land have got you covered. Like the lawyer told me, only hire him/her if you think you can't do it alone.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-07 15:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHELP PLEASE!
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Mar 11 2009, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Paul & Evelyn @ Mar 11 2009, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (gethere @ Feb 26 2009, 10:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
DHL or FEDEX??????????? We need to send documents in days? Any ideas fast fast fast, money no object!


Here is an update on what I used for shipment to Dakar Senegal. I went to a place called the "Postal Center", which serves as a shipping drop-off location for UPS, DHL and FedEx. I specified DHL for my package. The clerk looked at his computer screens for DHL, and was having trouble figuring out the cost and the timeline for delivery to Dakar Senegal. Finally, he got it: 2.7 pounds is rounded up to 3 pounds by DHL and the cost would be $151.92. Ouch!! He then recommended FedEx. I was reluctant, but he said it would get there quicker and cost less - $112.00. Ok, hello FedEx. I completed my transaction at 12:30 PM Friday 3/6/09 in Manchester NH. The package was hand-delivered directly to my fiancée this morning 10:00AM Wed 3/11/09 in Dakar. According to FedEx, it sat in Senegal Customs for 30 minutes on 3/9/09. It would have been delivered yesterday, but that was a holiday in Senegal, so the Delivery Agent was not open for business. I am very pleased!!


Great. Now that you know FedEx is the way to go, you'll save a lot of money taking packages directly to them. The "Postal Center" marks up the shipping fee. That's how they make their money.


That's the funny part of this. Originally I thought I would use FedEx, and the Kinkos/Fedex store (much closer to me than the Postal Center) would charge $108. But I went to the Postal Center with the idea that I would use DHL, because it seemed DHL was better in that part of the world. In fact, the frequency of Fedex routes between Nigeria and Senegal are very limited, while DHL is daily. Combine that with the US Embassy Senegal saying they had used DHL in the past with good results influenced me in that direction. The Postal Center charged $112 for FedEx. I never would have gone to the Postal Center if I had stuck with my original plan to use FedEx. THis whole process has been an amazing learning experience, and not cheap either.
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-11 21:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHELP PLEASE!
QUOTE (gethere @ Feb 26 2009, 10:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
DHL or FEDEX??????????? We need to send documents in days? Any ideas fast fast fast, money no object!


Here is an update on what I used for shipment to Dakar Senegal. I went to a place called the "Postal Center", which serves as a shipping drop-off location for UPS, DHL and FedEx. I specified DHL for my package. The clerk looked at his computer screens for DHL, and was having trouble figuring out the cost and the timeline for delivery to Dakar Senegal. Finally, he got it: 2.7 pounds is rounded up to 3 pounds by DHL and the cost would be $151.92. Ouch!! He then recommended FedEx. I was reluctant, but he said it would get there quicker and cost less - $112.00. Ok, hello FedEx. I completed my transaction at 12:30 PM Friday 3/6/09 in Manchester NH. The package was hand-delivered directly to my fiancée this morning 10:00AM Wed 3/11/09 in Dakar. According to FedEx, it sat in Senegal Customs for 30 minutes on 3/9/09. It would have been delivered yesterday, but that was a holiday in Senegal, so the Delivery Agent was not open for business. I am very pleased!!
Paul & EvelynNot TellingNigeria2009-03-11 11:15:00