ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Proof of Meeting

Hi all. Just to give you a little background, I filed for a K1 visa using an attorney before I discovered VJ, and I've regretted it ever since finding this website. That said, I got an RFE (email notification 7/13, hardcopy was received by the lawyer today). I'm not sure if I'll actually get a hard copy of the RFE- kinda hoping I will because I don't trust my lawyer- but as of now, the lawyer is the only one who got it. It said we need proof of meeting. Here is what I gave the lawyer to send in the initial filing:

1. 14 Pictures printed on 5 pages, each picture containing a description of location, the date it was taken, and names of individuals in each picture (mostly us, but sometimes family and friends with us).
2. Flight itineraries from both Rob and myself for each visit
3. Hotel itineraries for my visits (he always stayed at my place when he was here).
4. Passport pictures and stamps (did not submit all the blank pages, just the stamped ones and the front page with the identification part)
5. Receipts from a few things from my one of my visits to London (train tickets mostly from December of 2010).
6. Not that it's proof that we met in person (of course we did, though), but I also submitted about 30 emails and handwritten cards and letters.

I'm thinking the two things I should do are get copies of every page of both of our passports and see if I can try to scrounge up actual boarding passes from our visits. Admittedly, I'm not the most sentimental person so I probably don't have that many boarding passes. Anyway, the lawyer is saying that all I submit is the passport. I obviously have little trust in the lawyer, and I'm turning to you fine (and smarter) people to perhaps give me some direction about what else I can/should provide. Should I resubmit the evidence that was previously submitted?

Any help you can provide will be appreciated :)


Other than submitting copies of the boarding passes, I have absolutely no clue how you would respond to this RFE. You should have satisfied the requirement merely with the passport pictures and stamps (in addition to all the extra proof you submitted which was secondary evidence anyway). Sounds like someone lost something along the way, or there was a mistake that occurred during adjudicative review of the petition. Maybe describe the circumstances of the meeting? Although really the only requirement is the submission of proof that a meeting occurred a maximum of 2 years before filing the petition. Even if the passport stamps weren't dated they should have aligned with the itineraries. A strange RFE indeed. Especially if it asked for proof of meeting. You already provided the evidence....
P+JMaleUkraine2012-07-18 20:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLegal Pain or Valid Counsel?

We hired a lawyer to help us out with our K1 visa application because my fiance is not in the US at the moment. He was supposed to help us with paperwork and stuff so we wouldn't lose time on RFEs and what not but so far I am not finding him too useful. His primary contribution at this point has been to find that we had omitted my mother's maiden name on our G-325A form. However, we do not seem to agree on something that is important to everyone with regards to the timeline of things. He insists that it will take 9 to 12 months to process the visa yet everything I have seen on this site and on the USCIS site doesn't correspond with that at all. The majority of people seem to be at the interview stage in 6 to 7 months given that USCIS mostly takes 5 months. I'm I the one who is missing out on something? I have written to the lawyer to have him explain further but just don't get where someone would pull a figure like 9 to 12 months for a K1 visa.

Guess I could just do with some reassurance or worst case scenario, to begin to accept this lawyer's very pessimistic prediction. Thanks.

Greetings and welcome to VJ. From the time we filed our I-129F until Ben's foot hit american soil was about 8 months from start to finish. It took almost 6 months for the petition to be approved and then two months later, he was here. It shouldn't take 9-12 months...he's a little off there.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-02-21 17:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan some1 please help me???!!!

ok, i think I have it..thak you so much!!!

You're welcome, anytime :star:
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-09 19:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan some1 please help me???!!!

ok so we paid the $340.00 here in the United States for the K1 visa i124f....& once we get to kenya we will have to pay $350.00 for K1 packet..is this correct?

You paid $340.00 to file the I-129F Petition, yes. Then before you can schedule your interview at the Nairobi Embassy, you must pay the $350.00 visa fee which is for the visa...there is no cost for the K-1 packet. You just print out those forms from the Embassy website. So...$340.00 for the I-129F Petition, and another $350.00 for the visa fee. Two separate fees. A medical is also required which is additional money, and vaccines are also required. The information for the medical is in the K-1 packet.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-09 19:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan some1 please help me???!!!
The forms that you will complete will be the "K1" visa packet. We paid our visa fee ($350) using MPESA and that was very easy. Once you pay that fee, you can then schedule your interview. Please read the instructions on the Nairobi Embassy website. I know it's overwhelming, but if you read through everything, it's all there. Make sure you complete the paperwork per their instructions. Take your time and the best of luck with everything. Read through the Nairobi Embassy Thread...there's lots of good advice there!
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-09 11:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Questions
I think I mentioned this before, but you definitely need to read the Nairobi Embassy Thread, Maxxell. That will be extremely helpful. A lot of your questions will be answered there. http://www.visajourn...embassy-thread/

PLEASE read through this. Many people have posted the questions they were asked in this thread, including myself. Good luck.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-12 11:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat address does the embassy send the package/letter?

Greetings to you too Ben and Jill. Thanks for your response to my question, I am glad to hear they use Email, God bless you for your continued input and support on VJ....

You're most welcome...anytime. Once your petition reaches the Embassy, you should actually email them and copy your significant other on the email as well. Then they can respond accordingly. That's what I did and it worked out great. Don't wait for them to reach out to you first.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-13 14:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat address does the embassy send the package/letter?

What address does the embassy in Nairobi send the paperwork for the applicant once they receive the the package from NVC. Am just confused whether its the post office address provided during application or do they require petitioner to provide DHL location during NVC stage. I am a little concerned if they use the post office...Any info would be appreciated...Thanks in advance

Greetings. The Embassy uses EMAIL...they do not send anything via regular mail because its very unreliable in Kenya.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-13 11:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLawyer Aggravation

You have everything you need right here.

:thumbs: I couldn't have said it any better.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-04-22 15:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAbout to mail our I - 129F finally - hows it looking guys?
For the passport photos, I used the clear, plastic CD holders that had adhesive on the back (and on the front to close it) and then I placed that on a sheet of paper, and placed the photo inside of it. It looked very neat, and way better than a plastic bag. :star:
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-05-31 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCopies of the paystubs
I submitted photocopies as well and had no issues. Good luck!
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-06-07 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp
Yes, you are on the right track...hang in there and stay blessed.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-06-13 09:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp
Welcome to Visa Journey. You've received your first NOA (Notice of Action) correct? Don't worry...you are still within normal processing times. It takes around five to six months for petition approval. I would focus on dealing with the Nairobi Embassy...waiting for the petition to be approved is the easy part. I suggest you read through the Nairobi Embassy Thread here on VJ (http://www.visajourn...embassy-thread/) and also read the visa preparation requirements on the Nairobi Embassy website (http://nairobi.usemb...sa-packets.html). This will occupy you and prepare you for the next stage. Good luck and stay blessed.
Ben and JillFemaleKenya2012-06-07 07:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresanother RFE?
True.So I guess it's best to call them and speak to a tier 2 officer and inquire about it.

It's possible to get 2 RFE's.


Edited by YJPlove, 20 April 2012 - 12:59 PM.

YJPloveFemalePhilippines2012-04-20 12:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresanother RFE?
Sometimes the website's updates are delayed.The RFE there may also mean the old RFE that was previously requested to you.
YJPloveFemalePhilippines2012-04-20 06:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresService Request
Been there and done that.Back then it was a 30 days wait for us prior to calling again.When the 30 days came and nothing still, my fiance stopped sitting and waiting around for nothing and went to his congressman's office and asked for help.2 days later we got our NOA2! Take note that it took 197 days before we had our NOA2 with the help of their congressman even WITHOUT RFE. :bonk: :bonk: :bonk:


Hope all goes well for you guys.
YJPloveFemalePhilippines2012-06-22 07:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresis true that as soon as you received the NOA2 approval...
i heard that after the nvc gets the file and sends it on to the embassy but before you receive writen conformation of the embassy receiving it that you can start the process by calling for your mnl number from the nvc and using it to do your online paper work like the156 k156 157 but so far that is all i herard was wondering if that where true because it wont be long and i will be going through this as well anyone out there know
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-03-18 13:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre there any fees to be paid to the nvc for k1 visa
thank you much because i see another person say they had to pay 470 dollars
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-03-24 22:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre there any fees to be paid to the nvc for k1 visa
Hi Guys was just wondering are there any fees to be paid to the nvc when the case gets handed over to them :unsure:
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-03-24 22:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresloss of k2 or finish schooling
Hi all, Was wondering if someone could answer this question my to be step son is enrolled in school in the philippines he is working toward a bs in nursing and is now down to his last year he will get his degree this coming april of 2013 he will be 20 this may 2012 and his mother and I if
all goes well will be doing the interview in june , anyway I guess you can see our problem by now is it possible to bring the boy here and have him adjust status and go back finish his schooling which would take one year and then return here with out losing his k2 I thank all who can give a hand .
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-04-10 14:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAll forms out of date
go to the US State department web site and down load what you need it not there go to uscis or the embassy site where you will do your interview
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-04-12 23:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent to Marry needs to be notarized by a lawyer?
oh and blue ink on the 864 is just where you sign your signature no were else its to prove that its not a copy and that it is your real signature , i guess they never heard of color copys anyway good luck
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-05-04 00:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of Intent to Marry needs to be notarized by a lawyer?
I had mine notarized it doesnt hurt and it proves you are very serious you might say it looks better that way anyway its not manditory , also blue ink on the 864 and the rest in black ink and good luck to ya
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-05-04 00:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTouches- When to worry
wait a full five months and if nothing has happened then call uscis and ask to speak to a terr two agent good luck
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-05-24 00:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplane tickets
and the cfo
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-05-23 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplane tickets
Hi guys its almost time to bring the honey over from the philippines was wondering if someone could answer this question do I have to buy two way tickets to the states for my to be wife or can I buy one way tickets. Also can she do her cfo weeks before taking her flight or does she need
to do it just before she takes her flight .thanks guys
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-05-23 20:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresis this 5 months wasted?????
What address did she send it to and was the check ever cashed.
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-07-05 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhere do I stand with this past?
HI firehawk just a thought from a third party . I think you will be fine do as they said and bring your court transscripts with you the day of your interview . Also I think you should reconsider putting in the k1 and instead put in for a IR1 this way before
you leave your home you will have your answer for the adjustment of status here in the USA ,because the interview in the UK is only the beginning and you will have to reprove yourself again and again and should you not make it through one of those hoops this government is putting out there then they will send you back , so as to end all that bullsh##t I would do the IR1 and at the end you will have greencard in hand if it doesn't work out you will have your answer right there and you will have maintained your life .
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-07-10 13:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK2 went through... What's next?
Apply for her Adjustment of status with forms 485 also forms 765 131 864 325a 1145 file those papers and proofs with tthe lock box that fits where you live and play the waiting game again mean while should the situation apply run her over to the

local school and get her signed up for school.
charlie471963MalePhilippines2012-07-17 13:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

well, since it's left NVC,
it's time to call DoS, Department of State, hotline.

please read
Dodi - http://www.visajourn...he-nvc-and-dos/

Dodi's posted how to call, and with whom -
further down (find my post, read it, la) I've posted what you can get, when, and from whom.

Knowing timeticks on yer case is really important, it can help you to forecast other things.

so, call DoS Hotline on Wednesday, when they are open.

Good Luck !



This is excellent information. Thank you so much.
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 21:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

It really does. Thank so much!


I am glad I was able to. We are all in the same boat.
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 21:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

Glad you found it! :thumbs:



Yeah, I got a letter from NVC stating that they'd received my petition and were forwarding it to the consulate. Also had the HCM case number on it. That was 3 years ago, but I presume they still send those letters. I didn't wait for the letter, and just called NVC about a week or so after the status was updated on the USCIS site. I was a little surprised when the letter came and the date on the letter indicating when they sent the petition the consulate was different from the date the NVC operator told me over the phone.



Thanks for sharing your experience. I will definitely keep an eye out for the dates on that letter and the date I was given. Hopefully I was given the exact date that it was sent. I will get back to you about this and let you know if both dates matched in my case.

Thanks again :)
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

I received an email stated we were approved on 15 March however when I search Tracking Number EXP15MAR2012A or any other date it comes up with no search results. I'm definitely doing something wrong. Can someone please help? I'd really like to know if my Notice of Approval was received by the Embassy yet.



I think you are misunderstanding. I think that the date you are trying to use is the date that your NOA2 was approved. Take the time to review the K-1 flow chart (link) carefully next to step 5 for the phone number of the National Visa Center (NVC). NVC is where your approved K-1 documents go before going to the consulate or embassy of where your fiance lives. Call NVC about a week or two after you received your NOA2. You can inquire about the date they received your case document and what date was it shipped to the designated embassy or consulate. Once you have the date it was shipped then you can use the DHL site.

I hope this clarifies everything for you.

Good luck

Edited by Jacob and Ngan, 20 March 2012 - 09:16 PM.

The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 21:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

I think DOS stands for Date of Shipment but I'm having trouble finding the site to track it. Can someone please help? Thanks in advance.



I found the way. W00t!!! W00t!!! This VJ community is so awesome.

Looks like the consulate received my case papers already.

My DHL tracking results (link)

Follow these instructions carefully. (link)

Note - A key part of the instructions was updated. It appears they have changed the formatting. Formatted as EXP05JUN2009A works up until June 5th. Formatted as EXP 09 JUN 2009A works for the dates after that. You will know what I am talking about after you read all the instructions to follow.

So happy now.

:dance:
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 17:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

Op - per Jim's response above, the NVC/DOS should be able to tell you exactly when they send it so check DHL shipments leaving the NVC to your consulate. They send bundles and your case might be in one of them. Once you track package you can check when it was delivered. This is what I did and it was spot on.

Best wishes!



Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't know what you mean by DOS. I called the NVC this morning and they said they don't provide any tracking information.

I wonder how can other people get this info.
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 16:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

I presume some of them used the DHL tracking trick, and others simply contacted the consulate. I never knew exactly when the consulate received my petition. I just presumed it was within a couple of weeks after NVC said they sent it. I know that diplomatic pouches are not sent every day. I also know that NVC doesn't always send it on the exact date they say they sent it. The date I got from the lady on the phone at NVC wasn't the same date that was on the letter the NVC sent me.



NVC sent you a letter? Should I be expecting a letter from NVC and what would it be about?
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-19 23:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?

Diplomatic pouches are apparently sent via DHL. I remember some time ago somebody had posted a way you could check the DHL shipments for that time period and determine if a shipment had been sent and received by the consulate, but I don't remember exactly how it was done. I doubt the chimp on the phone at NVC would know how to figure out anything beyond the computer screen he or she is looking at.

Is there a particular reason you need to find out if the consulate has received your petition? Are you planning on sending your packet 3 response before they send out packet 3? If so then you need to know more than just that the petition has arrived. It needs to be processed into their system. If they receive a packet 3 response and the case number doesn't come up on their computer then they'll reject it.



Thank you for taking the time to reply. The reason I ask is because I have checked other members time line and noticed that they have a consulate receive date. I have no intentions of sending packet 3 ahead of time. I have a legal advisor to help take care of all that when is time. I honestly like the feeling of knowing that my paperwork is still moving and keep up with my timeline. I see that usually takes about a week for them to receive it and another week to send packet 3. I am also very curious how others got their consulate receive dates.

Edited by Jacob and Ngan, 19 March 2012 - 11:07 PM.

The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-19 23:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow do I find out when the consulate recieves papers from NVC?
NVC told me they already sent my paperwork to the US consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on the 13 of March. I called the US consulate in Ho Chi Minh City today but I was told to write them an email in order to get that information because they couldn't do it over the phone? I will send the email but is there any faster way? Shouldn't NVC be able to provide me this information?

Edited by Jacob and Ngan, 19 March 2012 - 10:55 PM.

The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-19 22:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 - Approved - I129F - K1

Hi all,

Today at 11:30AM I got a message from USCIS stating that my K1 was approved. It was five long months. I am so happy and I wanted to say thank you to all positive comments I received.

For those still waiting, keep your faith ... I know it is hard but just stay strong.

Good luck for all of you.

Now, I have to wait NVC and consulate procedures, but the worse is over.

Thanks a lot GOD. I hope that soon, my new family and I will be together.


Ciao.



Congratulations. I experience the same feeling last month. A lot of people say things move a lot smoother and faster as long as you do things correctly. God I hope is true. This has been a very agonizing experience but in the positive it builds character. Good luck from this point on.
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-20 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 fees and cost

You mean your petition was approved. The K1 is still in limbo until after the consulate interview.

First, you should download the forms and instruction packets from the consulate's website here:

http://hochiminh.usc...ms/package.html

The one they call "Instruction package for K1" is the packet 3 notice they'll send. The one they call "Appointment package for K1" is the packet 4 notice they send with the interview appointment letter.

You'll have to pay the visa fee. It's $350, and has to be paid in US currency at Citibank in district 1, Ho Chi Minh City. They'll give you a receipt for this fee. You have to bring the receipt to the interview at the consulate.

You also have to pay for a medical exam. Your fiancee can go either to Cho Ray hospital or the IOM clinic. The medical fee is $110, though it may cost more if your fiancee needs vaccinations. Cho Ray accepts US or VN currency. IOM accepts only US currency. Make an appointment well in advance, if possible. It takes a couple of days to get the results, so make sure you get an appointment at least a few days before the interview. Butt dragging at Cho Ray is common, but can sometimes be overcome with "coffee money". I don't know if the same is true at IOM.

If she's approved for the K1 at the interview it will still take a week or two before they issue the visa. They keep her passport, and when the visa is read they affix it to a page in her passport. I don't know if there's a fee for delivering her passport containing the visa. My wife went to the consulate and picked up the passports when they were ready.

Don't forget the biggie - plane ticket to the US! :thumbs:

After she arrives and you get married then you can start working on the adjustment of status package so she can get a green card. That's going to set you back $1070. Add a little more if you need to go to a civil surgeon to have her vaccinations transcribed to an I-693. Read the guides about this step, and visit the AOS forum when you're at that stage.



Thank you for taking the time to post this information. I spoke with my lawyer today and he said that the Visa fee is about $150 and medical a little over $120. Either way the total is going to be around $300. uff.
The Rice KingMaleVietnam2012-03-22 01:19:00