ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInterview appointment letter/ Document Status Description
They look like footnote codes for the documents you submitted...?

Did you mail them original birth certificate, police check, divorce decrees etc? No scanned copies or any promises that the forms would be delivered? If you've submitted paper originals of everything to the consulate, (and none of the bolded footnotes apply to you), I wouldn't worry about it.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-11 14:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWorried?!?!

It would go MUCH slower if you involve a lawyer.


Not necessarily! The feeling around here is that no one can do the paperwork as fast as the petitioner and beneficiary since you probably know how to fill in your name, date of birth, place of employment, etc, but that does not mean the paperwork part will go "MUCH slower" - in fact, if you don't know what you're doing, a well-chosen lawyer could do the paperwork quicker than coming onto VJ 10 times to double check things that confuse you.

Nevertheless, hiring a lawyer will not get the paperwork through the bureaucratic hoops any faster no matter how good s/he is, nor how many promises they make.

I think the November date is tight - I'm sitting at 8 months right now and probably have at least 2 more to go. Nobody knows how long the process could take and even after you have an interview date (within the last 6 weeks of the process) it's still a bit of a risk to buy plane tickets for relatives because unexpected delays could still pop up at/after the interview.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-11 08:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI'm worried my file hasn't been updated since Dec 2010 :(

Could I possibly get a denial without any doc require you think? So far I haven't been contacted for any support doc :(


I haven't been around all that long, I suppose, but I have never heard of a denial without any RFEs. From your timeline it looks like you are right about next in line for an NOA2 so you're probably imagining all sorts of terrible outcomes to explain why an easy approval hasn't come yet but don't panic! These next few weeks will be really stressful but you have also had no indication that anything is wrong so breathe deeply and take a VJ break!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-16 14:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI'm worried my file hasn't been updated since Dec 2010 :(

The less updates / touches the better. It probably means, so far your package is squeaky clean and they don't need to do lots of checks on it.


It *might* mean that, but really, no one "checks" the package until it's your turn to get to an adjudicator - after the NOA1 is issued, the paperwork is not looked at for completeness or legitimacy or anything related to an approval or denial in the months we spend waiting. It really just sits on a shelf in a box though there is some suspicion a "touch" means the box has been moved. Alas, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason or pattern related to results for cases with either lots of touches or no touches at all.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-15 20:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI'm worried my file hasn't been updated since Dec 2010 :(
We also never received any touches. Our status changed from Initial Review to Request for Evidence, Request for Evidence Review, Post Decision Activity - all with no touches in between. Don't worry - everything is *probably* fine.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-15 16:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsReply Packet 3
You should submit all the DS XXX forms but, for the Montreal consulate, in any case, we bring the police clearance, birth certificate, evidence etc. to the interview and do not have to submit them beforehand.

I would do it however others going through your consulate have done it - they're all a little different!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 08:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow do I make a timeline on my profile?
Click on your name in the top right hand corner of your screen and choose "Add/Edit Timeline" from the drop down menu :)
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 21:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBeing "Touched" and "Updated"

ps... I sent my I129f to the Texas S.C. but I received my NOA1 from the California S.C. so I am not sure which service center I am actually being "serviced" through.


We didn't get any touches until our status changed online, and lots of people get "touched" 3 or 4 times and still wait 5 months for their NOA2s.

Anyway, about your question, everyone is supposed to submit their petitions to Texas, where they're sorted (presumably by the residence of the USC) and forwarded on to either Vermont or California. No K1/CR1/IR1 petitions are processed in Texas.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-19 08:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F delivered 3/11 but no NOA1, problem?
No, I wouldn't worry about it yet. Two-three weeks is the usual wait time for the NOA1.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-21 12:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsour case status is RFE
It sounds very late to me - more than 2 months? Was the RFE for a complex situation?
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-31 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSCIS K1 Interviewing cities

I hope you get your interview as quickly as possible with Montreal!! I know when I got my packet3 from Montreal and went on the website to register they were booking into January and that was October so I know its super backed up.


Ah, yeah, I noticed your location was Sask. right after posting...

Thanks for the well-wishes though. I wish we'd known better and allocated 10 months to this whole process in our minds instead of feeling like every week is another delay.

*sigh*
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-17 20:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSCIS K1 Interviewing cities
Wow, Jason & Sheri, 3 weeks to an interview is my dream! How did you request a transfer to Vancouver? I live in Ontario, but the Montreal interviews seem to be taking ages! My fiance is in Washington state, so it'd be a shorter drive from his house to Vancouver, than from my house to Montreal! It's very nearly worth it to us to pay for a flight for me to Vancouver if it cuts six weeks off our wait time!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-16 21:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAfter reading multiple posts today, a word of advice

Thats Confusing to me. It's March, almost April. If you K-1 you have 90 days. August is 4 Months from now. ? That would mean: Out of Status unless I read this wrong. I don't know.


Unless she's holding off on coming over - the K1 is valid for 6 months and she didn't say she'd used it yet.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-30 19:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCheck Status Syndrome...
You are not alone! This pause between booking an interview and the actual interview (wooo! your day will come too!!) is throwing me off - there is no status to check up on and my little internet routine is suddenly so short... I felt extremely OCD the last few months!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-04-06 20:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUNACCEPTABLE!!!

Posted Image


Ha! Since I'm not yet under Uncle Sam's jurisdiction, I will do as I please while I can!!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 15:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUNACCEPTABLE!!!

while its all so "funny" for the rest of people (not all but still), we are over 6 months and it doesnt getting any better... So I agree with statement unacceptable. :wacko:


Believe me, no one thinks this process is funny - I for one hate my life... well, ok, I'm being a bit dramatic but it took me 6 months to get through the USCIS too, and unless I can get in on someone else's interview cancellation, I likely won't get an interview until the end of July - that would surpass 1 year for us! It's a nightmare!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 13:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUNACCEPTABLE!!!
... I was just thinking we haven't seen Al around in a while...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 12:41:00
Middle East and North Africaabu dhabi
For the I-129f process, you were the petitioner and she was the beneficiary - for the consular stage, doesn't she become the petitioner? Since she is now applying for a visa?

I don't know, I've never considered it until now...
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-04 21:44:00
Middle East and North Africaabu dhabi
No, I wouldn't send my passport either. I believe the original is required AT the interview only. If you need to submit it before the interview, always submit a good copy.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-04 21:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaPreparing for the benficiary's arrival
I was going to suggest BoA actually, because when I was visiting my SO just before Christmas, we decided to add me to his checking account and get me a debit card so that we wouldn't have to pay to transfer money anymore (my car required 2 rather large and unexpected repairs within a month of each other).

When we met an agent at a branch in Washington state, she had me sign as much paperwork as she could but ultimately, because my SO opened the account in New York state (while he was working in Ontario, before we met) the paperwork had to come from them so she got in touch with another agent there, and a few weeks later, I received a few more forms to fill out and mail back. I had a bank card and pin number within a month of my return, in Canada, and I'm still living in Canada. I'm not even Canadian and I don't have a SSN yet. I wonder where this discrepancy comes from??
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-17 17:10:00
Middle East and North Africa*Poof*

One of the things for my husband and me that really helped was to agree to assume good intentions of the other person. I think especially with cultural differences and increased possibility of misunderstanding this has helped cut down on unnecessary disagreements.


I was also finding this thread extremely helpful in terms of mentally preparing for the sort of reality check once we get to finally live together!

In any case, I wanted to second the sentiments in this here quote for the advancement of a drama-free relationship!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-03-16 22:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 and Wedding Plans
Hi all,

My guy and I are planning a small church ceremony and dessert reception in Niagara Falls or Lewiston, NY, since it's less than an hour's drive from where most of our Canadian friends live. Family will have to travel further, but we are looking forward to marrying within 2 or 3 days of using the visa (I believe there's a 24-hour wait time in NY between the marriage license and certificate).

We got our NOA1 back in July/10, and just got word of an RFE, but I haven't made any firm plans anyway. Several friends have volunteered to take care of flowers, food, and music and I have a dress, but we can do without the rest. We've sent formal engagement notices with our intention to marry in "early 2011" to all of our family and the wider network of friends and acquaintances but we're not sending out official invites (also to try to keep the whole thing more low-key).

Our only prayer right now is that the RFE glitch is very minor and I have a visa in hand before lent starts on March 11. Who knew some churches won't marry couples during lent? *sigh* We shall see!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-08 21:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnybody with RFE?
I am in the same boat and am still waiting for the paperwork to arrive.

Here's to hoping it's quick and painless!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-09 09:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre visits to the US during the process allowed?
It's really interesting hearing everyone's border stories! I'm a Dutch citizen, permanent resident in Canada since 1990 (family immigrated when I was young) and I live in the Niagara region of Canada, and whenever I visit my fiance, I drive across the border into the States to fly out of Buffalo (it's closer than Toronto, and much cheaper to fly domestically!) To enter the States, I always need the 90 day tourist visa. Since we got our NOA1 (July 2010), I've crossed the border to either visit him or pick him up from the Buffalo airport 3 times, and have also crossed the border into the States to shop or whatever countless other times and I have only had a real hassle once (see story below). I think I was just getting too casual ;)

Whenever I cross now, I bring my contract/offer of employment and pay stub from my employer and my full itinerary (if I'm flying). When they ask me where I'm going and why, I always say, "I'm visiting my fiance. We've applied for a K1 visa." Usually I get asked, "Is he American? Where does he live?" Only once has there been a follow up question about the process: have you been approved yet? Other than that, I just get the standard border questions (how long? who are you with? are you bringing gifts or alcohol etc.). My advice is to get some proof you've got things to get back to at home, and go for a visit but don't be afraid to be honest. Assure the agent you are well aware of the rules and intend to follow them and not screw the whole thing up.

Worst border crossing experience yet: In August I was in the last month of writing a grad school thesis and was flying out to Seattle to stay with Eric for 3 weeks to finish it up and rest from a busy summer of work. Since I'd crossed the border about 15 or 20 times in the last 2 years, and hadn't faced any notable resistance to speak of, I was completely caught off guard when the border guard asked my landlord (I've roomed/boarded with him and his family for 7 years, they're my "Canadian parents") and I to please "exit the vehicle and come inside". After a 10 minute wait inside, while the new agent inspected my passport and discussed my boarding passes, I was called to the counter and more or less interrogated about my intentions. It was 4:30am and I was trying to cross the border with my passport, my tourist visa, and my boarding passes. What had sent up red flags for them was that I had said I *couldn't* print return tickets, because they weren't available yet - I meant the boarding passes you can print at home 24hrs before your flight, they thought I meant the itinerary. In their mind, I had no intention and absolutely no proof I had a return flight. Plus, I wasn't even driving my own car, and I had packed way too heavily (my bad!). The agent at the counter asked me about my job, my education, my plans for the future, etc while she read through every scrap of paper and piece of ID and membership card in my wallet, trying to trip me up. Eventually, she sent me to have a seat (I had a little cry - it was very stressful and very, very early!!) and then called me back up and said they had every right to turn me back but they'd let me through JUST THIS ONCE. She warned me very sternly that it was my responsibility to prove absolutely that I had no intention of overstaying my visa and gave me a list of valid evidence (like other poster have mentioned, bills, contracts, letters from work, landlords, or others proving that you're expected back for x responsibilities by y date).

Honestly, I was dumb for not even bringing a print out of my itinerary, but I've flown so often by now that what's on the boarding passes is enough to get me through the trip without any stress. Again, of all the times I've crossed the border, this was the first time I'd ever been asked for any of these things, and now that I bring everything I can whenever I cross, I've never, never been asked for this evidence since.

So, that's my story. If you're from a visa waiver program country, (like Holland), I suppose it's a little easier than not, but come prepared and be honest. The border guards see hundreds of people every day and don't want to make a hassle unless you give them a reason to (like not providing any proof you intend to leave their country like a good foreigner!).
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-09 20:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSweating possible RFE
After spending 3 days reading through the RFE Discussion thread, if this is the only thing you get an RFE for, your case should not face significant delays. Some posters have reported minor errors on forms that are never caught. All you can do is wait and see, and deal with any further paperwork as it comes.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-08 21:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTwo legal weddings
The distinction between religious and legal wedding is important to me too. For me, having a spiritually valid wedding is of primary importance, while the legally valid wedding is "just paperwork". They're two separate institutions in my mind, and yet, I can't get past the nagging feeling that even if we did get married at a church with no marriage certificate, and then we crossed the border and said, "no we're not married, we're going to the courthouse next week", we'd be somehow lying. In any case, I can't convince my pastor/priest to marry us but not legally - marriage is marriage in his mind.

Other countries/cultures/religions do this differently though - this is my Canadian/Christian experience.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-11 06:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresService Center Question
I believe it's based on the petitioner's state - for example, a petitioner in Washington state is processed through California, though apparently, sometimes applications are transferred from one center to another because of volume.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-12 22:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLooking for some hope...
The K1 visa is a one-time use visa. I imagine someone else will explain this in detail better than I can, but I would not plan to return to Canada within 3-5 months of using your K1. During that time, other paperwork needs to get filed that will allow you to come and go again, but there's no easy way to get back into America before the next round of paperwork is done.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-13 11:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLooking for some hope...
Hello CaBOoSE! My sweetheart and I got our NOA1 on July 22nd, 2010, and heard absolutely nothing (no touches, no updates) until our online status suddenly changed to "RFE" (Request for Evidence) on January 5th, 2011. Plenty of folks who filed nearer the beginning of July got their NOA2s in the middle of November, and that really made me desperate to hear anything, but don't let yourself get worked up until you hit your 5 month mark without an NOA2.

After the NOA2, the appointments and paperwork could take another 1-3 months depending on whether your interview is through Vancouver or Montreal - but I can't speak for that too much because I'm still not quite there yet.

This is a really great site to stay informed and figure out how to prepare for everything, but don't let others' timelines cause you to freak out when there's nothing to be worried about yet. The more you read, the more you'll see that your case is coming along more or less like everyone else's.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-12 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens if you cloes a I-129F petition with USCIS
I believe if you do nothing, your application eventually expires, and that is the end of that. You can also send a letter requesting to withdraw your application and close your case.

It seems to me you should still be free to visit with the VWP tourist visa at any time in the same way you have in the past - maybe bring some proof of ties to home, which is something that can be requested any time you come.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-13 15:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresseriously, how long is the wait??
The wait is seriously no less than 6 months, and probably closer to 10 months from start to finish. Take a look at the Honduras forums and find folks applying for the same paperwork as you and check it out.

You don't *need* a lawyer. The paperwork might feel overwhelming but if you're paying attention and willing to put the work in, you can complete it yourself/together. We got a lawyer because we didn't want to pay (in money or time) if we screwed something up the first time, and we still managed to screw something up. It was very minor, but I honestly feel better knowing he's done this before and is calling around to get us through this as fast as possible.

Good luck with your tough decision!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-13 19:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI don't have enough proof of having met in the past 2 years
If your passport says you were in the States 2008-2010 working, and your fiance is the USC, who was living and working in the States 2008-2010, copy all your passport pages, including the picture page, and that will be excellent primary evidence!

The main thing is "can you prove you were in the same COUNTRY", which is why boarding passes count at all, even if they don't have much to do with the actual city where you spent your time.

My USC fiance worked in Canada for an American contracting company from 2007-2010. We only met in 2009, but the fact that he worked in my country is relevant primary evidence. Make sure names and dates are on the photos you submit, and the emails/chat transcripts you submit, and they will support the fact that you met in the last two years even if they don't explicitly show it. They won't look at the pictures or emails thinking, "Hmm, this date *could* be fake" if you've proven you lived in the same country (ie. America).

To add to our evidence, my fiance and I both wrote letters describing how we met and fell and love (keep it to a page!) and had my roommate and his mom write similarly themed letters, testifying that they'd met the relevant party and had seen us together often and while we grew in our relationship and how happy we'd be together etc etc. The most important thing about these letters is that they MUST show the author's name, address, date, and SIGNATURE. These letters are not required and they do NOT count as primary evidence but they *can* support your case if you're worried about primary evidence, and they certainly can't hurt.

Good work getting this sorted out before you submit the application and good luck!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-13 14:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancé wants to visit
Hello,

My thought is that if she already has a valid tourist visa, by all means visit. I use an I94 to visit my American fiance pretty regularly while we wait for this K1 paperwork to go through. It never hurts to bring proof of employment, or records showing her responsibilities in HK and her need to return before her visa expires. I usually bring my work contract and most recent pay stub, but things like rental or lease agreements or school enrollment papers also do the trick.

Hope that helps!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-16 20:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresService Centers
Apparently, the Texas service center is used to sort applications, which then get sent to either Vermont or California. I'd follow the USCIS advice and mail your package to Texas :)
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-18 13:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE after LONG WAIT!!
It's sooo stressful! While you wait for the details, maybe read through the RFE Master List in this section of the forums so you can see what kinds of things people have gotten RFEs for and how they've dealt with them. You might be surprised at how little it takes, or what kinds of "additional evidence" other folks submitted to get to their NOA2s.

At the very least, it'll make some time go by and you'll come out more prepared!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-13 11:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE after LONG WAIT!!
My brilliant, detail oriented engineer fiance and our well-paid lawyer BOTH missed a lone box on one form asking whether or not the petitioner had ever been convicted of a crime.

An RFE was issued 5 months and 2 weeks after our NOA1.

There was nothing to do but check the appropriate box. Getting angry won't get you through the process any faster.

Edited by iampatricias, 12 January 2011 - 10:17 PM.

iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-12 22:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBoarding Passes
Pictures are handy but on their own they're not enough! Printouts of emailed itineraries are also not acceptable proof you've met within the last 2 years.

The USCIS is firstly going to look at primary evidence: passport stamps and visas (colour copy every page, including photo page), boarding passes/luggage tags (including full dates with year), bank/credit card statements showing use abroad (ex. her use in your country, yours in her country), currency exchange/ATM receipts, hotel invoices with your name etc.

Without primary evidence, you don't have a case, even if you send pictures and itineraries.

When primary evidence is weak, it is very important to submit carefully labelled secondary evidence to support the primary evidence: labelled pictures, itineraries with dates highlighted that correspond with any passport stamps or boarding passes you have, and other things testifying to your time together, like affidavits from friends or family, phone records (with use abroad highlighted)... there are many other possibilities here, and they're listed in the guides too, but don't take the PRIMARY evidence too lightly!

Also, don't let the paranoia get to you! If the USCIS wants to see more, they'll let you know!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-20 06:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application and visit visa
Good question. I do not know.

Maybe take some time to read through the Spouse Visa threads (CR1) and familiarize yourself with the process and issues for that before you make any decisions... There is a lot to take into consideration!
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-20 11:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application and visit visa

OK so here is my deal.
I know she wont get her K1 visa by the time we get married looking at the processing time. so how does this work.. would i need to change the status once we get married? is it even worth filing K1 at the moment. becasue when i do get married in June do i have to start the process for a wife visa and the time starts all over again?


If/When you get the K1 and you marry in the US, yes, you need to change her status once you get married. It might not be worth filing for the K1 if the June date is not flexible, but that risk is something you and your fiancee should evaluate. And if you get married in June (outside of the US), you will have to start the process for a wife visa all over again and any K1 visa issued after you marry (outside the US) will be void.

From what I understand, the spouse visa takes 8-12 months, and costs nearly the same as the adjustment of status (AOS) application that follows the K1 visa, so if you decide to marry (OUTSIDE of America!) in June, your overall wait time *might* be about the same, but the money you spend in fees will likely be less.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-20 11:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application and visit visa
What you're proposing, the religious ceremony without a license is a very fine line - I asked my (Anglican) priest to do this for me and he said it was morally too shady, because will you tell the border guard you're NOT married when you actually believe that you are?

Secondly, your fiance is free to visit on a tourist visa while you wait for your K1 visa, but she cannot "live" with you for 3 months at a time until the visa comes, because then she's technically not a tourist anymore...

I may be corrected if I'm wrong, but if your fiance disclosed these 2 things to the customs official when she lands in the US, ("we had a church ceremony but didn't sign a certificate, and I'm staying with my fiance for 3 months until the visa comes") she stands a very high risk of being denied entry because you're *technically* bending the rules.
iampatriciasFemaleCanada2011-01-20 10:51:00