ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo Co-Sponsor or Not to Co-Sponsor?

I don't think it's a huge deal--they'd likely send you away and tell you they'll issue the visa when you get the proper sponsorship paperwork to them. Maybe a week or two, no guarantees. What's more of a time suck is gathering all that documentation from a joint sponsor at that point instead of beforehand. It takes a couple weeks to get tax transcripts after you order them, plus the rest, and then there's the time to get the package over there, and get it in, and then wait for your visa to be issued. And, you're relying on someone else to hurry up and gather documents--someone who doesn't have the same dedication to the cause that you do. If you think you'll feel better with a joint sponsor, get one now.

But again, doesn't appear that you need one. Forget about the loan stuff--you make well over the threshold.


Thanks so much. You mentioned ordering tax transcripts, I heard Turbo Tax pdf's paired with W2 forms are fine. Do I need a special transcript?

I think I'm just going to have a co-sponsor prepared just in the event that we are denied. Even though I may be fine it's better to be safe than sorry.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-10 12:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo Co-Sponsor or Not to Co-Sponsor?
Thanks so much for your input everyone. You're making me feel a lot better.

My loan debt is government loans (Stafford) but there is no lien against me at this time (I have worked out a payment plan to get out of default starting this month), but I still have some issues regarding my private loans (of no concern to the K-1 hopefully).

I think I'm going to have a co-sponsor ready and have the paperwork for them with my fiance at the interview just in case.

Last question, if I decided against the co-sponsor and they denied us based on my issues...how long does it take to re-sumbit with a co-sponsor? Would we have to wait forever for a new interview, or is it just an issue of him dropping off the paperwork?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-10 11:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo Co-Sponsor or Not to Co-Sponsor?

We expected London to be especially rigorous with financials instead of relationship legitimacy, but in the end, my barely-there income was sufficient and my two joint sponsor packets (I'm a worrier too) were ignored. It was easy as can be.


The loan info is not on my taxes, but it is all over my credit report. You stated you had two joint sponsor packets but they didn't need them...is it an option to give my fiance a co-sponsor packet for the interview in case he needs it or do you have to file with a co-sponsor ahead of time?

Again, he also has cash savings...can they look at this as well when deciding?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-10 07:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTo Co-Sponsor or Not to Co-Sponsor?
I had been posting about this subject in a few other threads and decided to start my own, so sorry if I'm redundant!

I'm panicking! Today I found out I have (very stupidly) defaulted on my student loans. I have set up a repayment plan, but my credit is completely shot from this as you can imagine. All of this time I was under the impression that the affidavit of support approval process was based mainly on your income and that you were 125% above the poverty line. I assumed since I make enough and have been employed full time for over three years I would be fine. Now I'm worried with this loan problem.

Since I make 43k with no dependents, I ran some figures and I only need to make around 20k to qualify. Since I'm over double that I thought I would be fine. My question is, do they take bad debt into consideration (just student loan default, I have no issues with child support or the IRS)? Also, I read that the beneficiary's assets could be taken into consideration if they were easily converted into cash (my fiance has over 20k USD in savings he can prove), is this true?

I also read that you don't find out if you need a co-sponsor until the embassy interview, is this true? I can't imagine going through this entire awful process then finding out we were temporarily denied because of my finances. If you are given a blue slip (I think that's the color?), how long does it take to correct and would my fiance have to go all the way back to the embassy with the co-sponsor paperwork? Do you have to wait a month to get another interview or is this an easy fix?

My dilemma: Should I risk us getting denied or just go straight into this with a co-sponsor to avoid it? What do you think?

Thanks so much for your help! I am so concerned I can barely eat. I just want this to be over. :crying:
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-09 22:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVSC NOA1 - July 6 - Are you waiting for NOA2?
I was reading taatabunny's post about getting the NOA2 and I got all excited, then realized they were processed in Vermont. Are those of us waiting on California just doomed for a 45-year wait? I realize it's only been 50 days for us, but it feels like ages. I can't imagine what it will be like months from now.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-08-26 10:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo they also need a police record from the Benefaciary in the I-129F package?
I haven't lived in another country for longer than six months, but my fiance (the beneficiary) lived in the US for a year on a student visa. Does he need a US police certificate?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-13 17:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo they also need a police record from the Benefaciary in the I-129F package?
I was going to say, I didn't think we (the American petitioners) had to provide a police certificate. Phew, I thought I was forgetting something...
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-13 14:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Customs and my return for 3rd time this year

Ghanagal,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with CBP officers. "Is your husband a terrorist?" Thats awful! And what do they expect you to say? Why yes, yes he is. Psh, NO! Ridiculous. :angry:

I've also noticed the trend that big POE's like JFK and SFO tend to be much easier whereas smaller ones like Boston Logan (the POE my Fiance always flies into) give you a much harder time. Napoleon complex, perhaps? :P


I hope that's true! If so that means Chicago should be fairly easy on my fiance next month. Amy, let me know if you have any trouble entering the UK next week! I wonder if we should be bringing paperwork as well.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-15 14:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Customs and my return for 3rd time this year
I'm wondering if I should be prepared when I visit him in the UK this December. I know since he's applying to live in the States the UK officials shouldn't consider me a threat, but I still worry. I visited there a month after we sent in our application and I just had the standard "Purpose for visit (vacation), enjoy your stay!" greeting but by the next time I fly over our case should be forwarded to the embassy (I hope) and that may change. Do you think I should prepare to show ties to the US next time I visit?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-15 14:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Customs and my return for 3rd time this year
This is a really helpful topic:

http://www.visajourn...059#entry903059

My fiance is visiting me in 2 weeks (for 9 days), here's hoping! From what people say, you just need to show as many ties to your home country as possible (a copy of the NOA1/2, lease, doctor's appointments, a letter from your employer stating your return date, return ticket, etc.).
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-15 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate Photocopy
Don't forget to copy the back! It seems really silly, as most birth certificates have a blank back, but it's a requirement nevertheless. I included scans of my birth certificate and passport just to be on the safe side (even though it only requires one). No RFE's yet, but who knows.

Edited by gap1, 17 September 2010 - 11:29 AM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 11:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI am still waiting for NOA2 since June 2
I hate reading posts where people are a month ahead of us and are still waiting. It makes my wait feel 100 times worse. I feel like I have to read about your pain then add a month to it to get to mine. This is torture.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-16 23:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support

Hi Lucy. You guys have a pretty straight forward case. We did too, so I'll tell you what I sent Nik. We were approved, so it should work just fine for the UK. ;)

Since your petitioner has enough income to meet that requirement, ALL that is needed relates to the income. Forget assets and letters from banks and account statements. Leave all the asset lines blank.

Collect what you can of the following items:
- Tax transcripts (These are expected = required. Even if they show zero, CURRENT income is what counts, and can be shown with the evidence below)
- Pay Stubs
- Employer Letter

In order to prove income, if the past year(s) are also above the required level, order tax transcripts. They are really REALLY easy to get. Follow the link someone posted, or google IRS tax transcript. Letters of employment are relatively easy. I emailed my HR rep with the requirements for the letter (Name, job title, permanent or temporary, salary, date hired) and walked into her office a day or two later to pick it up. Other things which could be included are recent pay stubs. These are all online for me, so I actually emailed the .pdfs to Nik, and he could print out the pay stub from the week before the interview to take with him.


This. This sounds amazing and is exactly what I wanted to hear. I still worry about my bad credit, but everyone is reassuring me it shouldn't be an issue given my income. I feel a lot better.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-15 23:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support

We're using a photocopy of my tax return and W-2's. You can get a transcript of your tax return from the IRS if you're worried about it. It's free and will come in about 2 weeks. You will need to fill out a form 4650-T and either mail or fax it in.

We are including my 2009 tax return, a 5-year payment history of my child support (incoming), 2 letters from my employer (one from the day I started in March, and one after my first 90 days stating that I'm still in good standing), all pay stubs from March through current, a letter from my bank and 3 months of statements. I know this is more than they ask for, but we would rather be over prepared than not have enough.

The pay stubs are important, as they're really concerned with sustainable income. Your income could have changed dramatically from your tax return to your current earnings (mine has), so they want to see proof that it's ongoing.

Good luck to you both! :thumbs:


I'm just worried as it states "notarized tax return" on the London embassy site. Let me know if you have any issues with the copies. Good luck!
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 17:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support

You can get a copy of your tax return from the IRS. This link will take you to the form at the IRS web site to get a transcript of your taxes: http://www.irs.gov/p...t.pdf?portlet=3

Regarding providing bank statements, generally that is for self employed people. People having their own business need to provide copies of 12 months worth of bank statements (the part with deposits) showing enough deposits to support the amount of gross income claimed on their forms Schedule C or F.


Is there anyone else on here that had to go through the UK embassy that used Turbo Tax pdfs, or did you have to get official IRS copies? Do IRS transcripts count as a notarized copies? Also, chances are we won't get an interview until early 2011...what if the IRS can't send me a transcript so soon after the tax return has been filed?

Edited by gap1, 14 September 2010 - 12:56 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 12:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support

UK SPECIFIC

From the London Embassy website regarding meeting the public charge provisions >>> http://london.usemba...faffidavit.html


Hmm. It says "notarized tax returns"...I was told that Turbo Tax pdfs were fine, but I guess not. I wonder how one gets tax returns notarized or what sort of information they need to notarize something? I'll have to research.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support
Is a letter from the bank needed though? I don't plan on using savings or checking as assets (since my balances aren't impressive at the moment)...I thought you just need tax documents, a letter from your employer, pay stubs, and the form? Will that be enough if you make the required income level?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 09:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Support
I don't think you need a letter from the bank unless your sponsor is declaring savings or checking account balances as assets. I could be wrong, but I believe you only need documentation proving what your claim on the form (besides the tax documents and a letter from the employer). I believe they also need some recent pay stubs.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-14 07:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresComplicated k1 process
Quoted directly from the USCIS I-129F instructions on the website:

B. Give USCIS a passport-style color photograph of yourself and a passport-style color photograph of your fiancé(e), with both photos taken within 30 days of the date of filing this petition.

It just says "a" photo of each person. Phew. That's odd that they required differently of you.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 15:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresComplicated k1 process
I thought only 1 passport photo was required for each person? That's what it said in the instructions, anyway. Why did you need 2 of the petitioner?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 14:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGood sign??
Well it's a good sign in that it means your package was received. That's all it means. You should be getting an NOA1 in the mail in the next 2 weeks, but it's just a receipt. Then you begin the long, endless wait for the NOA2. Most of us June/July filers are nearing 100 days with no update, hopefully by the time they get to you it goes by faster.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-21 10:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp on our journey

Hehe, we should - looks like we'll have similar timelines, too! Are you actually in the city??


Yep. I live in Lakeview.

What does "front load" the petition mean?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-21 07:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp on our journey

I'm in Chicago, too - hooray! ^_^


Hey! We should start a local support group haha.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-21 00:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp on our journey
We met on an online fan messageboard! You are far from alone...
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-20 23:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 Months til we get married-K1?
Haha I feel like I'm in an Abbott and Costello routine. To clarify, I never said anything about black holes. I just commented on it. I am also not in the UK, I am in Chicago and my fiance is in the UK.

That said, we're all in one big black hole at the moment, regardless of geography.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-22 15:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 Months til we get married-K1?
Hah, yeah. I feel for those in Montreal. I'm so sorry you guys have to wait so long for the interview. That's awful.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-22 13:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 Months til we get married-K1?

Gap 1 - once you're out of the CSC blackhole you should breeze through. I'd say April is realistic but you might cut it close for getting to the USA.


I hope he's living here by April! The wedding aside, I'll go mental if I have to live another 6 months like this. We were hoping he'd be here by March at the latest (pending any visa issues).
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 16:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 Months til we get married-K1?
Yeah we're just having a civil ceremony, so while we're reserving a judge it can be easily rescheduled if necessary (hopefully not). I'm going to look into booking a party room at a restaurant, and most have 30 day cancelation refund policies if something bad happens.

I can't imagine how difficult it would be to plan a big traditional wedding in this circumstance though. At the rate the CSC has been moving I fear an April marriage might have been too ambitious for us, and we filed at the end of June (I naively assumed allowing 9 months for the process to work was plenty of time). Not to mention the holidays are coming up where the average office has a million people out on vacation and business days are lacking. I'm not hopeful at this point.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures6 Months til we get married-K1?
I'd definitely plan a later date. We filed nearly three months ago and haven't heard anything and our wedding is planned (loosely) for April. I'm starting to wonder if even that's too early for us.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-17 12:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is the Number for California Service Center?
Would you mind telling us what sort of questions you had and their replies? I too have been waiting ages (like everyone else) and am wondering if we had any of the same questions. If you don't want to share that's fine, I'm just curious.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-27 14:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvisiting during k1 process
My fiance arrives Friday! We're nervous but he's really prepared.

Oh Amy, how long does it normally take him to get through when sent to secondary? I'm so worried I'll be pacing and terrified in the airport the longer he takes to get through the gates and I'll be wondering if something went wrong.

Edited by gap1, 27 September 2010 - 12:28 PM.

gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-27 12:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTimelines have me confused
Seriously, has anyone heard ANYTHING (even an RFE) from the CSC in September??
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-29 14:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTimelines have me confused

no Noa2 today =( was thinking it would be today. 77 days in :P keep my fingures crossed.


We are so close! I'm on day 74 here...
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-09-20 13:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresit's time for my fiancee's medical
QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Jul 24 2009, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had my medical in Toronto back in March. The staff and doctors there are all very friendly, so don't be too nervous! I know I was freaking out. Its all fairly routine, you get a chest x-ray, a breif medical exam where they check your blood pressure and do basic biometrics among a couple other things, then they take some blood to test for HIV. The day I went in Dr. Seiden treated me and he was training a young girl on her first day, so I learned a few things. He told me there is three basic reasons for denial on medical grounds: testing positive for HIV/AIDS, admitting drug use, and having 1 DUI in the last 3 years or two in a lifetime (apparently this means you're an alcoholic). They ask you some questions right before the exam to find these things out.

You should be just fine! good luck!


fantastic! it sounds pretty basic and we are thankful for that!

thank you for your helpful answer! star_smile.gif
bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 17:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresit's time for my fiancee's medical
i'm traveling to toronto with my fiancee to get his medical.
can someone tell me what this will involve and what one might be barred from coming into the country for?
cancer? thyroid problems? or just communicable diseases?
thank you in advance, folks!


bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 16:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long from medical to getting interview date?
QUOTE (Danu @ Jul 24 2009, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
>< I'm sorry, I didnt mean to make you worry! I just wanted to make sure that you had sent in the stuff because your timeline doesnt say you did... I really hope everything is ok.


i've only completed and sent the online ds-130! we needed to save up the money for the trip and the medical, which is why there was such a delay.
not your fault!
i've just emailed the consulate. hopefully everything is fine!!!!! AUGH!

bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 18:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long from medical to getting interview date?
QUOTE (Danu @ Jul 24 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Uh, no, the DS-160 was the online one. The DS-230 they send with the checklist (though you can download the form as well) but its a 2 part form, only need part 1, and it has to be sent back in with the checklist to them to put you in line. I would fire off an email to the consulate today just to make sure that everything is ok, they won't get back to you till Monday but I would send it just to make sure biggrin.gif



oh my god...i'm going to be freaking out all weekend. i can go through all this over again!
bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 18:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long from medical to getting interview date?
QUOTE (Danu @ Jul 24 2009, 07:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For Canada its based on the consulate getting the information they need (for K1's its the packet 3) not on the medical date. Once the consulate gets the checklist and DS-230 back, they put you in queue, right now about 2-3 months to get an interview at montreal, I think 2 months for vancouver.


the ds-230 was the online form, right?
god i hope our long delay doesn't mean they've thrown our case out or anything! ohmy.gif

thanks for the reply!

QUOTE (Danu @ Jul 24 2009, 07:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For Canada its based on the consulate getting the information they need (for K1's its the packet 3) not on the medical date. Once the consulate gets the checklist and DS-230 back, they put you in queue, right now about 2-3 months to get an interview at montreal, I think 2 months for vancouver.


the ds-230 was the online form, right?
god i hope our long delay doesn't mean they've thrown our case out or anything! ohmy.gif

thanks for the reply!
bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 18:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow long from medical to getting interview date?
hi again. it's me. :|

there was an, admittedly, long time between getting our noa2 and scheduling the medical for my fiancee. i hope this does not cause any delays or problems in getting our interview date?

about how long after the medical will it usually take to get the interview date?
thank you!
bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-07-24 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3 confusion
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Aug 8 2009, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She will need the originals for the interview. If you want to hold on to the originals, then you will should probably consider flying over there to bring them to her for the interview and then flying them back home. I know it is tough to let the originals out of your possession - my now husband had difficulties with that too. It isn't so much not trusting your partner as not trusting the courier or mail system with these precious documents. Still, she will need to have the originals of any documents you submitted with the petition and the Affidavit of Support needs to have original documents so the Consular officials can verify they are not forgeries. Make and keep copies of everything you do send to your fiancee and make sure she has copies of everything you have submitted already. Send them by the most secure means you know regardless of the cost.

Oh, you don't send your passport - send your birth certificate - as proof of your US citizenship.


wait a minute- wait a minute...all i sent in for packet 3 was the ds-230 and the checklist. am i missing something here??!
bogartnoirFemaleCanada2009-08-08 11:21:00