ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRandom Question
I know, and of course it would be considered "our" money, but I wouldn't want to drain him of his savings. It's definitely something to consider. I thought this process would take around 5-7 months tops and it's starting to look like we'll be in this awful waiting game for potentially another year if things keep moving at this pace. I also thought the UK took just as long to process this stuff; I had no idea it was so much quicker there.

If we decided to scrap this K-1, wouldn’t we just have to wait a million years to go through a K-3 when we decided to move to the States or could we wait it out in the UK together until approval then move over?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-06 13:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRandom Question
Well he has a lot more money than I do at the moment and can survive without working for a few months while we wait for work authorization. Also he has his heart set on living here for a few years first before going back (we're both really excited to live in each other's countries).
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-06 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRandom Question
Thanks. It's just frustrating to read the UK can process everything in a few weeks (some people got it in a few business days).

To make people wait nearly a year just to be able to get married and live in the same country is cruel.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-06 13:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRandom Question
This is a complete hypothetical (not something I’m considering, I’m just curious).

My fiancé is a UK citizen. I was browsing random forums and it looks like a UK spousal visa only takes a few weeks to obtain (grr). We are not abandoning our plan for him to move here, especially given the fact that we’ve already invested so much time and money into the K-1 process. I was just curious, if this ends up taking an obscene amount of time to process (and, judging from the apparent CSC shutdown, it looks like it will for us), if we could have a Plan B. If we decided to give up on this petition (as we’re very tired of this long distance situation), could we just get married in the US and apply for a spousal UK visa instead (I’d move there) or would that basically screw him over for when he wanted to move to the States eventually? Would they see that as fraudulent activity if we married on a tourist visa with a K-1 pending?

Again, just out of curiosity.

Edited by gap1, 06 October 2010 - 01:14 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-06 13:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?

To keep your mind occupied, why don't you start reading the VJ wiki UK guides and read through the UK forum here on VJ to learn what happens after USCIS approves the petition? There's a lot more paperwork at the consulate level with the packet 3 and getting the police certificate, affidavit of support, etc etc. You can make your turn-around time at that stage very quick if you know what you're doing. Additionally, you can also look ahead into the AOS section which is quite complex as well.

Good luck!


Thanks! Yes I have already done that. He's getting his police clearance, vaccine history and making sure he has the required type of birth certificate this month. I'm ordering my IRS transcripts tomorrow. He just left my place yesterday and I gave him all of the original documents used in the I-129F.

The minute he receives the packets in the mail we want to send them back the next day.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 20:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?

Gap hang in there :) I gripe and complain but I have a back up plan and that's what you should do. Have a back up plan in case things don't work the way you want them to. I think your feelings are completely natural under the circumstances. We all handle things differently. Just take care in knowing if all else fails, you already have discussed moving to the UK.


Thanks candn. I appreciate that and I will.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?

Fair enough, but it just seems like when everyone else is trying to remain positive, you're wallowing in self-pity. That's what I was referring to...and like I said, I know it sucks. None of us in our ideal situations but the best we can do is keep affirming the end of the journey is near.


Sorry, I don't know how to be positive. To me, thinking happy thoughts doesn't get him here any faster. I know it's the healthier way to be and less stressful, but it's not in my DNA. I feel like people should be allowed to vent regardless of coping mechanism of choice.

I apologize if this annoys you. I will tone it down.

Anyway, yes we are just five days apart in time line.

Edited by gap1, 11 October 2010 - 06:56 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?

Well as I said in another thread, someone just got an RFE last week so they ARE looking at I-129F's over there.

TBH, you can't keep denying everybody's positivity. Your negativity about it seems to be eating you alive and it's no way to live. CSC is going to approve your petition soon and your fiance will be moving there sometime in the next few months. I know it's hard sitting here waiting, but the end of this is coming and shooing everyone's optimism is only making it worse for you in the meantime.


How am I denying everybody's positivity? I was just saying that the VSC moves a lot faster than the CSC right now. I am not exaggerating when I say that the CSC hasn't been working on K visas. Yes, there was that one person who got an RFE, you're right. Forgive me if I didn't take that as a sure fire sign they are moving right along.

I did consider a move to the UK (I'd love to), but he has his heart set on moving here first and that's what we've decided. We plan to move there in a few years.

Edited by gap1, 11 October 2010 - 06:43 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 18:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?
I wasn't discrediting their advice as it was useful, I just don't think we can compare cases in terms of "keep your chin up, it's coming!" because they were fortunate and dealt with a center that actually works.

I'm just trying to weigh other options to ease the awful state my life has become since this process began. I'm just attempting to consider different plans if there is a better way.

It may not be the end of the world, but we can't plan anything in our lives until he gets here. Everything is on hold until the CSC decides to start working again. Slow? They're dormant...

Edited by gap1, 11 October 2010 - 06:28 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 18:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?
Thanks for the responses, but you are both dealing with the VSC. The CSC is months behind and no one seems to have heard from them since August. We have no idea how long this will take. It looks like we'll be waiting long past 5 months just to get our NoA2, let alone the interview. If we were registered with Vermont I'd be more than happy to wait my turn, but California is awful.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 instead of K-1?
I'm just curious about quicker options, since the CSC doesn't appear to be doing anything.

We have applied for a K-1 and are 3 months in without an update. We desperately want to be together and this wait is killing us. He is ready to move here whenever he gets a visa and I have all of the paperwork ready. I am visiting him in the UK in January, if we decided to cancel the K-1, get married in England, then I started the CR-1 visa process instead would that save time? Could he live here while that was in progress or would we just end up waiting a million months for approval on that as well? Is there any way to speed this up or are we all just stuck waiting indefinitely?

I'm just thinking of other ways. Any help would be appreciated.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 17:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTravelling during the Visa Process
My fiance just visited last week and had no problems at all. The officer joked with him when he mentioned he was visiting his fiancee. He didn't ask to see any of his prepared paperwork and just asked what he did for a living. He was let through in 3 minutes. Sure, it does depend on the officer and their mood, but we had no issues.

Edited by gap1, 11 October 2010 - 09:09 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-11 21:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game

LMFAO :rofl: sex? what's sex? Its been that long I've forgotten :P


Yeah I've read about it in stories. I vaguely remember what it is...
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-06 18:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game
That is crazy! It's bad enough we're not having regular sex, we're supposed to not speak as well? Psssh.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-06 18:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game

]

It's just not feasible to do the big wedding or even a party right now. There are a lot of people he'd want to come from Ireland that wouldn't be able to do so on short notice. Plus I want to save more money. And I am not particularly excited about the prospect of wedding planning to begin with, let alone doing it without him here. Just not at all appealing. I'm totally reconciled to having a courthouse ceremony with just us and having the big shindig next year. But I'm still the one making all the decisions of when it's going be and what little honeymoon we're going to have.

Anyway I hope your plans work out! Sounds like you've got it figured pretty well so best of luck!


Well of course we don't have everything figured out. Since we don't know the date of the visa we can't know for certain our plans will work but we're planning it for April assuming things will be fine by then. We figure it's more than enough time (we're already 2 months into the waiting process) and if it isn't, we're not doing anything that can't be canceled. I'm in the same boat, my fiance's family and friends will be coming in from the UK but it's not going to be that short of notice. People can still buy plane tickets a month or two in advance without spending a fortune, and sometimes the closer you wait to departure date the better the deal.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-05 16:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game

All of a sudden the fact that I've been doing almost EVERYTHING for this process on my own


I completely know what this is like. That said, it doesn't have to be a compromise! You can still plan a really great party after your courthouse wedding, that's what we're doing. We have a date far enough in the future where (we hope) the visa situation will be resolved, and haven't planned anything we can't move around. We're telling all overseas friends and family to wait until we know more specifics before booking any flights to see us get married and instead of a big wedding we're just planning a dinner and drinks with our closest friends and family then we're taking a week long honeymoon together. It can still be fantastic even if you can't have a traditional ceremony.

Hang in there, it's the hardest thing ever I know, but as you know the end result will be amazing.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-04 15:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game

I've come to join in the collective sighs :) Nice to know that I'm not the only one going nuts.

My story was NOA1 April 2010, NOA2 July 2010, done all the packets, done the interview - and at the end of it was told my New Zealand police check wasnt back yet so give us your passport and we'll get back to you and now I wait and wait and they dont answer my email question of how long I have to wait and whilst the interview was only 3 days ago it feels like a sodding eternity and I have no idea of how long I'm supposed to wait some more :(

Hate it, hate it, HATE IT!!!!!!

Actually that felt quite good :rofl:


I'm envious of you. We filed in late June and he's coming to visit me next month so we're really hoping we can celebrate our NoA2 in person. Also it would be perfect as I'd be able to get my documentation together and send it back with him. Who knows.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-02 20:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game
I don't know about that, it's been two months of waiting for me and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier, especially those of us dealing with the CSC. My only hope is that we manage to get through this without any hiccups.

I just want a touch! It's literally been nothing since the NOA1. I checked my case this morning and I swear a tumbleweed blew past me.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-02 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game
Heh, so many of us are UK/US couples on this thread. June must have been a popular month for sex between our nations. :lol:
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-31 15:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game

Oooh Gap1 I just clicked onto your blog and I'm finding myself immediately entertained, and nodding at each line as you've so precisely depicted this daunting process! I recall when I first heard about the K1 visa I thought to myself, "Wait-- not only do I need permission from my government to get married but I also have to wait ages for their approval?!"


Aw thanks for reading! Yeah, my fiancé and I are really interested in documenting this process. Writing about it is sort of therapeutic for us, especially since we have been slacking on our creativity lately. This acts as a release as well as a motivator to write more regularly. I am the posts tagged The American and he's posts tagged The Englishman. At least something good is coming out of this crazy waiting game.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-31 10:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game
I know. I think the wait is worse for the Americans as our fiances get to have this exciting life change so they get to spend their time packing and tying up loose ends in preparation to leave their lives behind whereas our lives just stay the same until they arrive.

My fiance and I are aspiring writers, and something we did to help kill time was start a blog about our experiences and general thoughts throughout this process: http://transatlantic...n.blogspot.com/

I agree. This is the only thing I can think about anymore. It's consumed my entire year.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-31 07:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with the waiting game
I think the worst part is friends and family that have no idea what the process entails. People are constantly asking me when he will be living here, as if all he has to do is hop on a plane. I just wish I knew that our application was at least being looked at (not even touched since the day our check was cashed). I don't know if it's just them not updating the website or if they've actually not even looked at it. We're planning the wedding for the end of April (filed in June), so hopefully that gives us enough time for everything.

As if the wait wasn't bad enough, we have to deal with the possibility our fiances will get turned away at customs when they visit! It's ridiculous. He's coming here in a month, but I can't even relax because I'm terrified something will go wrong and he'll not be allowed in.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-28 10:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVaccinations

Hi all, first post (I think...). My fiancée is a regular here, gap1, or something like that ;)

Anyway, I am preparing for the imminent arrival of NOA1 (it IS coming, I am sure of it. Soon! Honest! I hope...), just sorting out my police check and vaccinations.

Does anybody know what vaccinations are required? I spent a year in the US on a student visa 2006-2007 and I figure any vaccinations I had for that will still be valid, but I want to make sure. I called my GP today about getting a record of my shots and they were less than helpful, I have to book in an appointment with the nurse, just because they haven't put my records on their electronic database yet... sigh. I mean, I love the NHS and all, but it's terribly creaky sometimes.

So, uh, yeah. Shots, what do I need?

Ta!


He meant to say we're waiting on our NoA2. :P
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-21 19:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan you please verify my checklist?
Will I need to include a copy of my co-sponsor's birth certificate to prove they are a US citizen? I saw the above post about the certificate of naturalization and it made me think. Is a photocopy ok or does it have to be an official copy?

Do you have to write a letter stating your relationship with the co-sponsor and sign it, or do both parties have to sign it?

I don't even think I need a co-sponsor I'm just paranoid.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-22 11:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased




respectfully . . . depending on the countries of arrival / departure . . . air-fares / shipping-fares can become exorbitant. combine those expenses with medical fees . . . member hopp might not have been so far off the mark.


Right, that's the total cost over 6-9 months of processing. I made that post months ago before I even applied. I thought hopp meant I needed that sort of cash available during the interview process or something, which confused me. Now, unfortunately, I've had months and months to read this forum obsessively while I wait for my NOA2 and now I know that's not the case.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-27 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased

Do they have a bank account balance requirement for the AoS? I thought it was just proving you had enough income via tax returns? I realize I have to save up and everything, but do they check your bank account balance? Also, won't my fiance be able to show he has savings as well?


^^ Disregard this, I was thinking AoS was the affidavit of support, you're talking about the adjustment of status. Sorry!
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-13 13:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased

I believe he said that is his opinion :) I doubt many people who have gone through the K1 process, and those of us who are still going through it, all have USD 5,000 in their bank on POE day. But you SHOULD have some amount of money in your bank account (or hers, if you guys are splitting the fees). They always say not to delay your AOS, before the 90 days are up.


Do they have a bank account balance requirement for the AoS? I thought it was just proving you had enough income via tax returns? I realize I have to save up and everything, but do they check your bank account balance? Also, won't my fiance be able to show he has savings as well?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-13 13:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased

So you did not do your homework and see how much a foreign spouse would cost you? :whistle:

Yes, it is pricey. So if a petitioner does not have at least $5K USD cash in the bank on POE day, then (IMO), you are NOT ready to bring honey to USA, yet. Better to save more nickles and dimes first, and work 3 jobs.


What? My fiance has a lot of savings, I don't see why I'd need to have $5,000 in the bank on that day...is there another requirement I'm not aware of? We are splitting all of these fees.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-13 06:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased

Government fees listed below as well as approximately when they are paid. There will also be a medical exam fee that varies by country.

K1 Fiance(e) Visa
K1 US Government Filing and Visa Fees
When Paid
Agency and Purpose

Amount
Month 1 *Dept. of Homeland Security, USCIS - Petition Filing Fee $455.00
Month 3-6 Dept. of State Visa Application Fee (paid abroad) $350.00
Month 6-12 Dept. of Homeland Security, USCIS - Adjust Status Fee $1,010.00
Month 27-32 Homeland Security, USCIS - Removal of Conditions Fee $545.00
Total Immigration Fees To Permanent Resident Status $2,360.00


You have got to be kidding me! Jesus. Wait, the $1,010 is AFTER we can get married right and he's in the US? Also isn't there an additional $370 work permit fee as well?

Edited by gap1, 12 June 2010 - 08:05 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-12 20:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa fee increased
Hello, I'm new here. I only just started filling out the I-129F (hoping to mail it in a few weeks). This $350 fee, can you explain what it is for? Is this in addition to the $455 I have to pay for the I-129F?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-06-11 22:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow to close my petition

You don't know what happened , so don't assume , and don't curse .


Don't curse? Seriously? :lol:

He is a jerk for doing this to her.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-01 07:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow to close my petition
I just can't find the words...I'm heartbroken for you. :(
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-01 00:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust Beginning...Need my UK fiance' here yesterday.....

it's always nice to have someone else in the same position. I'd love to keep in touch!!! Best of luck


*waves*

Same boat here as well. We're 4 months into our I-129F process. Hoping to get our NoA2 this month!

You must meet first. As they said.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-05 18:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS said he CANNOT visit

i just called the customs and border control people, and they said that he will probably be allowed through, but IF he is turned away that it will probably mean our k1 not getting approved. any thoughts?


I don't think that's true at all. If they turn him away, he just goes back home and that's that.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-09 15:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS said he CANNOT visit

I just called USCIS to verify that my G-28 was properly attached to my 129 (we have been having problems with getting information mixed up since they received it). While on the phone with her I mentioned him coming to visit for the holidays and she informed me that he IS NOT allowed to visit while the fiance visa is in the process of approving, under NO circumstances.
She said he WILL be turned away, and it might count against us as him trying to illegally enter the country.

What is the story here? I'm seeing other people visiting, I don't get it :(


That's not at all true. My British fiance just visited without any problems a few weeks ago. Many applicants from VWP countries visit multiple times without issue. He just has to be prepared to show ties to the UK (lease, letter from employer, etc.). My fiance wasn't even asked to show paperwork, but he had a lot on hand just in case.

Unless your fiance has some sort of special circumstance (previously overstayed a visa or has already spent a large amount of time in the US this year), he should be fine.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-11-09 14:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with annulment concern
My head hurts after reading that. :blink:
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 17:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with annulment concern
:lol: Great subject line.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 15:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYes, you can visit!
That's great Coconuts! I'm so happy you made it in ok. As I said before, my fiance is here for the week and had no trouble in customs whatsoever. He told them he was visiting his fiancee and they didn't even ask him for paperwork or a return ticket. Took 5 minutes.

He is leaving Sunday. :(
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-07 14:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYes, you can visit!
My fiance visited me here in Chicago on Friday and had no trouble in customs whatsoever. He wasn't even asked to show paperwork and the agent joked with him. He was asked purpose of visit (vacation), where he was staying (with his fiancee), and what he did for a living. It took about 5 minutes. :D

Edited by gap1, 04 October 2010 - 04:59 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-10-04 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYes, you can visit!
Haha I know, right? I think it's because the summer is a very popular time for people to take a vacation so it's easier for people to get time off right after. I can't take off Christmas or Thanksgiving, but no one needs a holiday the first week of January so I swooped in (plus my vacation time is replenished the first day of the year). It's the same with us. I am only using 1 week of next year's time to visit, then I'm pleading with humanity he gets here earlier in the year. After that I need the time and money for the wedding/honeymoon.

I mean, all of us July/August filers have to be approved (pending no issues) before April, right?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-21 00:03:00