Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Help asap form 156 and 230	Yes, I think you should bring them signed...? Did you submit these forms originally for the Packet 3/4 requirements?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 18:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Pls help	Your situation is a little complicated but the most important thing is that any and all divorces are legally finalized BEFORE you file any K1 papers, or before you sign any marriage certificates. The fact that your relationship started before a legal divorce was processed is not a major obstacle for the immigration process as long as the paperwork shows that you are legally single and free to marry before applying for anything else. I don't know much about how to bring a child over on a K1/CR1 but because your girlfriend was technically married to someone else when she had your child may require paternity testing in addition to the paperwork to bring him/her along.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Validity dates on NOA2	The validity date doesn't mean a whole lot as long as you continue to take steps to pursue this visa - if the consulate, the DOS and NVC have not heard anything from your end by 8/12/2011, they may assume you've abandoned your application. If you submit the paperwork you're supposed to but then your interview date falls after 8/12 or something of that nature, the validity period will be automatically extended. Good luck!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 19:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Canadian police certificate	It's my understanding that the validity period of the police check is not necessarily relevant, as long as the date that it was issued was less than one year before your interview (as far as the consulate is concerned).	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 19:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Canadian police certificate	I went to my local police station and got a Canada-wide clearance certificate. Like previous posters mentioned, unless you have a criminal history, you don't need the fingerprint version. Over in the Canada regional forum there are, however, several threads that suggest wait times vary hugely depending on where you request the background check. Some say go with the RCMP, while in some areas, that's not even an option. My police check took 6 weeks, the date on it was the first week in November (I needed it for work), and it was accepted at my interview in April. If you get it now, at least it's one less thing you have to worry about.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 18:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Whats the MOST important the embassy looks at?	No one checked either the yes or no box next to "has the beneficiary (or whatever) ever been convicted of a crime)?" So dumb.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-19 07:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Whats the MOST important the embassy looks at?	I'd say the key is to have all the paperwork requested! If they ask for form DS156, for example, they won't process you without this form, no matter how polite you are. If they're looking for 3 passport pictures, bring 3 correct passport pictures.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 06:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Fiance background check	Tim/Mav - it looks like the OP is the USC. The beneficiary (from Britain) is not required to submit proof of income, assets, or financial liability for a K1 petition.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 18:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	I miss my Honey!	I visited my fiance 3 times after submitting the I129f petition. I brought lots of proof every time and wasn't asked any unusual questions on any of the trips. I drove across the border to use an American airport (closer for me, and also cheaper)...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-17 14:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Form I 129 F	It's possible the forms will get sent back because the spaces were blank, but no one can tell you for certain. We left a (pretty important) box unchecked, and got an RFE for that - it cost us just under 3 weeks. It's no the end of the world, and if that's all you get an RFE for, it will be an extremely simple process to fix it. Good luck!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-10 22:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	After my I-129F is sent...Now what?	to answer the packet question: packet 1: this is the packet you sent packet 2: this is the approved packet sent to the embassy via NVC packet 3: this is the embassy requesting information from the fiance/spouse packet 4: this is the approved visa entrance packet handed to the fiance/spouse at the embassy and opened by Customs at point of entry. ^ This is not quite accurate - Packet 3, sent by the consulate abroad, is usually a set of forms, or instructions directing you to the forms online for the beneficiary to print and fill out. The forms filled out for Packet 3 make up the actual visa application. Packet 4 is another set of instructions regarding booking your interview, as far as I know...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-01 21:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	do i need a lawyer for k1 visa processing?	I agree with pushbrk - only you know what you are comfortable with. We only hired a lawyer because we didn't know anything about the process or feel confident about doing it correctly. We still got an RFE, but personally, for me and me alone, I feel better knowing he's working through this with us and for us. Now that I've found this site, I guess we probably could've done it without him, but still, I'm more comfortable with our lawyer. No lawyer, despite whatever s/he says can make this process go faster. And I haven't seen many members on this site who have gone from NOA1 to visa-in-hand in less than 6 months.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-01-14 11:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Yes, you can visit!	Is crossing at the border to get to the Buffalo airport harder than going directly to Toronto Pearson Airport? Not for me! I've had many more "easy" crossings in Fort Erie/Buffalo than in Toronto, plus the airport in Buffalo is much smaller, and less crazy to drive to than Pearson (and in my case, much closer!) Plus you save a ton of money! I mean, we've seen enough of what could go wrong, so don't overpack, print your flight plans and show those border agents you know just what your responsibilities are as an I-129f petitioner.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-13 14:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Yes, you can visit!	Crossed again at the Fort Erie POE and had no issues. This is the second time we've crossed there. One time the Officer didn't even ask how long I was staying. Second time (just this past weekend) the officer asked and let me through no problems. At the buffalo (Queeston Lewiston POE) I've had to go in to the immigration offices both times we crossed and be issued a I94. CanadiaGirl! Queenston Lewiston has been my only source of trouble! On one visit, I was ordered (not asked) to "exit the vehicle and go inside". The lady I talked to did a soft interrogation, repeating questions several times in a roundabout way, and she went through every scrap of paper in my purse and wallet. She even asked me why I had a yoghurt cup in my purse ("I was going to eat it on the way to the airport, ma'am ) It was 4:30am and there was not a soul on the road. Okay, also, I hadn't printed my itinerary, had no return ticket in my possession or proof thereof, no evidence of my enrollment in school, and nothing at all proving I was really only going for 5 days. It was totally my fault, but the Peace Bridge and Rainbow bridge have never given me so much trouble! They haven't even asked me for all the evidence I now always bring! Anyway, as a Dutch citizen and permanent resident of Canada, I haven't had any experience trying to enter the US on the VWP which would make me nervous to visit my guy in the future. But I'll never do it without an itinerary and work contract again...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-01-18 20:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Perhaps "post" here means "mail" ?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-28 06:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Aahhh, that was our mistake too! Hope it gets resolved quickly for you!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-22 18:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Sounds like a good solution! Glad it'll be an easy fix for you!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-15 12:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Usually, it goes back to the same person though the order it'll be worked on can vary depending on the adjudicator. Apparently some adjudicators like to tackle all the RFE replies on one particular day, or before they start regular petitions or whatever - but if it's a matter of a 'simple' RFE with a straightforward reply, it really shouldn't take 60 days...unless your particular adjudicator went on a two week holiday the day your stuff was received, for example...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-15 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	There is no way to find out until you get the hardcopy. Did you send in a copy of your birth certificate instead of your passport? What other proof of having met did you submit?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-15 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	I hope so for you too! Take care of yourselves and each other the next few months!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-30 21:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	If you keep up with the online status updates, you might find out first through that service. Even if you don't check it or it doesn't update, the USC receives the RFE in the mail with instructions about how to respond.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-30 20:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	\ Please, i need help here... I was told that it is better to submit the I129F packet via installment basis (1-2 forms at a time) and wait for RFEs than submit everything altogether. Is it true? Im not sure about this coz personally i think it's absurd but that's the advice given to us by our paralegal who is helping us put together all the requirements. Please, anybody who can help me decide on this, i need your help, please. I think the only time this *might* be advisable is if you are able to file the entire petition but you're lacking one form, piece of evidence, or some thing that will delay the initial filing by several months (NOT like a divorce certificate or some other proof that would invalidate your petition in the first place!). In that rare case, getting your petition in line right away at the USCIS (with the 5 - 6 month wait) might be worth the 2-3 week delay of an RFE later on. But really don't file in installments! What good would that do??	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-30 09:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Always send the best photocopies - the originals might be needed at some other stage, or if the package gets lost.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-21 12:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	If they asked me, I would print colour copies because they tend to be clearer...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-04 07:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	I just got this same RFE!! About domestic violence, homicide, murder, etc....Did yours come with a blue cover sheet? and then all you had to do was check a box that said.."none of the above apply", sign and date it??? I don't honestly know what it looked like because it went to my handsome fiance but from what I understand, all he had to do was check a box, "none" or whatever, sign it and send it back. it was pretty ridiculous. of course, now that we're past the USCIS stage, there is a whole new list of deadlines I'm trying not to fuss over...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-03 07:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	The RFE Master List	Our RFE turned out to be a missed box on one form indicating whether or not the petitioner had a criminal record. Many emotions are presenting themselves for use, but I am going to go with relief and say it could have been worse. Our [insert colourful adjective of choice] lawyer is driving to my fiance's house tomorrow to sign the relevant paperwork again. Problem solved.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-01-10 20:16:00
Canada	k1-ers waiting for Montreal	Hey, I also submitted proof of status last week and the DoS guy this morning told me Packet 3 was mailed yesterday (praise the Lord!) but I was also peeved - they could have requested the P3 paperwork with this proof and saved us both a whole lot of back and forth and if our lawyer hadn't been so quick to get my proof to the consulate, I would've sent the P3 paperwork with it, requested or not!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-08 08:43:00
Canada	k1-ers waiting for Montreal	DoS also told me Packet 3 was mailed on February 1st, but they also insisted NVC sent my case to Montreal on February 3rd so I'm guessing they were clueless about the process. Something might have happened Feb 1st, but the most recent news we've heard is that Feb 23rd, they sent a letter inquiring about my status in Canada. That means Packet 3 has not been sent yet, if things are being done in the order we expect them. Happy75, our timelines are SO similar!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-03-04 15:23:00
Canada	k1-ers waiting for Montreal	Hello again We haven't had any word yet either. I drove into the States on Friday afternoon (with no unusual questions or issues) and flew from Buffalo to Seattle and am visiting my fiance for the week right now. I keep hoping the next trip will be the one where we can get married and not have to say goodbye again, but at this rate, I'll probably make another visit in April while we wait for an interview date nearly a year after filing...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-02-22 12:42:00
Canada	Montreal - No appointments?	In the week before the threatened Government Shutdown, I was checking appointment dates (for the fun of it), but that week, I started to get the message, "there are no appointments available for your trip purposes" and that persisted all the way through. The people who are getting this message are not able to see ANY available dates, or to book any appointments. It's very frustrating but we're all hoping for everyone that it's just an internet/program glitch that's getting fixed. Some members have been able to book dates after spending hours refreshing the page...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-20 11:02:00
Canada	Montreal - No appointments?	Doesn't it seem a bit premature to close the appointment booking system when we're already booking 4 months in advance?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-08 07:26:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	Unfortunately there's no way to get into Vancouver instead, unless you move out there (which may be nearly worth it ). On occasion,I the DoS can be pretty useless, and it seems unlikely they'd have any idea what was going on with Montreal's website. Once, someone at the DoS told me an interview would be booked for me in "just a few days" when my package had just arrived at NVC - well, even I knew that was not correct... I don't know what other advice to give about the interview dates... maybe try changing your travel details between "Permanently Immigrate (k1/k2)" to "Permanently Immigrate (Ready to Schedule)" to see if that makes a difference?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 15:24:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	Hmm, I was under the impression there are no live operators on the phone at all for Montreal - they are notoriously one of the most difficult consulates to communicate with. I've only ever been in touch with the DoS (202-663-1225)... what kind of visa are you applying for? I'd keep trying the online site since folks are able to book interviews currently though it's taking some time and effort...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 15:08:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	You may choose either Permanently immigrate/ready to schedule or Permanently immigrate/ K1/K2 - if you do the K1 route, you have the option to pay the $350 online with your credit card or paypal. If you choose 'ready to schedule' you are not given the option to pay online so you end up having to bring US$350 cash to the interview.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-18 06:28:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	Yikes...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-15 06:59:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	You can by choosing "Permanently Immigrate (Ready to Schedule)" - it'll skip the DHL and payment options.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-14 21:01:00
Canada	Interview Appointments - Montreal	I have seen a few other people who booked today... are you choosing "Permanently Immigrate (K1/K2)"?	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-14 15:27:00
Canada	Waiting for our passports from Montreal	I have my visa in my hands (well, next to me on the table)!! The CSC website never showed me that it was available, in fact, now it pretty much tells me I have no reason for an account. Instead, DHL emailed last night and called this morning. I will be married and on my way to a holiday in 3 weeks!	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-20 09:09:00
Canada	Waiting for our passports from Montreal	Thank you! Your good luck may have gotten me my DHL email as well! I wonder if they send them out en masse? I can't wait to have it in my hands.	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-19 20:10:00
Canada	Waiting for our passports from Montreal	Probably payback for making wedding plans...	iampatricias	Female	Canada	2011-04-19 09:27:00